HE IS RISEN!

Facing the Unknown

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on July 13th.

Hebrews 11:23-29 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up.

Tucked into Hebrews 11 Chapter 11 1 Now faith is assurance of `things' hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. 2 For therein the elders had witness borne to them. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God: 6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing `unto him'; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and `that' he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned `of God' concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a `land' not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised: 12 wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, `so many' as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. 15 And if indeed they had been mindful of that `country' from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better `country', that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten `son'; 18 even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 accounting that God `is' able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, `leaning' upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. 35 Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. 39 And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, 40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. is a short phrase that indicated Moses’ approach to life: “for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen” (Heb. 11:27). There was no shortage of uncertainty in Moses’ life. How could someone “slow of speech” address Pharaoh (Ex. 4:10)? How could a murderer become God’s chosen man? How would anyone lead the stiff-necked Israelites (Deut. 9:13 NIV)? And how would they cross the Red Sea, conquer Canaan, or survive 40 years in the desert?

Moses knew what the Lord expected of him, but he didn’t have supernatural vision into the future. So he couldn’t see the outcome of his obedient actions. The Israelite leader moved forward by faith—trusting in the Lord’s power to guide, protect, and overcome. Moses derived security solely from God, who consistently kept His promises.

Life hasn’t gotten more certain in the millennia since Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land. Modern believers wonder about things, too. Will I ever marry? What if I lose my job? What happens to my kids if I pass away? How can I accomplish all I have to do? Thankfully, the source of security hasn’t changed in all that time. God is still the only certainty in this life. You can count on the One who is faithful, just, and loving ( 2 Timothy 2:13 13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself. ; Psalms 89:14 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne: Lovingkindness and truth go before thy face. ; Eph. 2:4).

The lesson from Moses’ life is to cling tenaciously to the Lord. Even situations that look hopeless are cupped in God’s sovereign hand. Moreover, though the way looks dark and the road seems untraveled, He walks before us. Continue forward in confidence, as seeing Him who is unseen.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 22-25 Chapter 22 1 A `good' name is rather to be chosen than great riches, `And' loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it. 4 The reward of humility `and' the fear of Jehovah `Is' riches, and honor, and life. 5 Thorns `and' snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail. 9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease. 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, `For' the grace of his lips the king will be his friend. 12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve `him that hath' knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man. 13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets. 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; `But' the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his `gain', `And' he that giveth to the rich, `shall come' only to want. 17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made `them' known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee? 22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them. 24 Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn this ways, And get a snare to thy soul. 26 Be thou not one of them that strike hands, `Or' of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28 Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set. 29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men. Chapter 23 1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee; 2 And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties; Seeing they are deceitful food. 4 Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For `riches' certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties: 7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words. 9 Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 10 Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee. 12 Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Withhold not correction from the child; `For' if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol. 15 My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine: 16 Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things. 17 Let not thy heart envy sinners; But `be thou' in the fear of Jehovah all the day long: 18 For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off. 19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way. 20 Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness will clothe `a man' with rags. 22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; `Yea', wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him. 25 Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice. 26 My son, give me thy heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways. 27 For a harlot is a deep ditch; And a foreign woman is a narrow pit. 28 Yea, she lieth in wait as a robber, And increaseth the treacherous among men. 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; They that go to seek out mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly: 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange things, And thy heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, `shalt thou say', and I was not hurt; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. Chapter 24 1 Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them: 2 For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief. 3 Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might, 6 For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate. 8 He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men. 10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small. 11 Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back. 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work? 13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste: 14 So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off. 15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place: 16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18 Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked: 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 21 My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; `And' company not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it? 23 These also are `sayings' of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke `him' shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. 26 He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer. 27 Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house. 28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. 30 I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction: 33 `Yet' a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; 34 So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man. Chapter 25 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: 5 Take away the wicked `from' before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest `thou know not' what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor `himself', And disclose not the secret of another; 10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken Is `like' apples of gold in network of silver. 12 `As' an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, `So is' a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, `So is' a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 `As' clouds and wind without rain, `So is' he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely. 15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is `like' a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 `As' one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, `and as' vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee. 23 The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house. 25 `As' cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country. 26 `As' a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, `So is' a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: So `for men' to search out their own glory is grievous. 28 He whose spirit is without restraint Is `like' a city that is broken down and without walls.

Divine Truth

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on July 13th.

Psalms 32:8-10 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; Whose trappings must be bit and bridle to hold them in, `Else' they will not come near unto thee. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he that trusteth in Jehovah, lovingkindness shall compass him about.

The Lord doesn’t swoop down to pull us out of difficult situations, so how does He rescue and help us? Today’s verses remind us that when we don’t know which way to turn, the Word of God sheds light on the trouble we are facing and gives us divine instruction. His truth arms us with all the knowledge we need. The challenge, then, is how to apply what He has taught us.

It’s interesting that God says He will guide us with His eye ( Psalms 32:8 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee. ). Isn’t that just what fathers do? We’ve all experienced being aware of a parent or teacher’s watchful eye—and understanding the message that person was trying to convey through a certain look or expression. Perhaps we’ve even communicated instructions or sentiments that way ourselves.

God does not shout at us or send new epistles from heaven when He wants to instruct us. Most often, He quietly but precisely guides us through situations by showing us the truth of Scripture. Sometimes the Holy Spirit prompts us in the right direction, too. Either way, when God speaks to us, we need to listen and be still for a while with that information. Otherwise we’ll face the temptation to handle matters in our own way and time frame instead of His.

Remember that when the heavenly Father wants to lead you through something, it’s not to simply get you out of trouble. It’s to teach you obedience and transform you into the likeness of His Son. When you yield to Him, you will be able to rejoice in the midst of your troubles, knowing that He will bring you through them.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 22-25 Chapter 22 1 A `good' name is rather to be chosen than great riches, `And' loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it. 4 The reward of humility `and' the fear of Jehovah `Is' riches, and honor, and life. 5 Thorns `and' snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail. 9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease. 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, `For' the grace of his lips the king will be his friend. 12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve `him that hath' knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man. 13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets. 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; `But' the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his `gain', `And' he that giveth to the rich, `shall come' only to want. 17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made `them' known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee? 22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them. 24 Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn this ways, And get a snare to thy soul. 26 Be thou not one of them that strike hands, `Or' of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28 Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set. 29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men. Chapter 23 1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee; 2 And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties; Seeing they are deceitful food. 4 Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For `riches' certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties: 7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words. 9 Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 10 Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee. 12 Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Withhold not correction from the child; `For' if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol. 15 My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine: 16 Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things. 17 Let not thy heart envy sinners; But `be thou' in the fear of Jehovah all the day long: 18 For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off. 19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way. 20 Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness will clothe `a man' with rags. 22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; `Yea', wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him. 25 Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice. 26 My son, give me thy heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways. 27 For a harlot is a deep ditch; And a foreign woman is a narrow pit. 28 Yea, she lieth in wait as a robber, And increaseth the treacherous among men. 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; They that go to seek out mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly: 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange things, And thy heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, `shalt thou say', and I was not hurt; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. Chapter 24 1 Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them: 2 For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief. 3 Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might, 6 For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate. 8 He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men. 10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small. 11 Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back. 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work? 13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste: 14 So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off. 15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place: 16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18 Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked: 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 21 My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; `And' company not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it? 23 These also are `sayings' of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke `him' shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. 26 He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer. 27 Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house. 28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. 30 I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction: 33 `Yet' a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; 34 So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man. Chapter 25 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: 5 Take away the wicked `from' before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest `thou know not' what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor `himself', And disclose not the secret of another; 10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken Is `like' apples of gold in network of silver. 12 `As' an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, `So is' a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, `So is' a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 `As' clouds and wind without rain, `So is' he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely. 15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is `like' a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 `As' one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, `and as' vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee. 23 The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house. 25 `As' cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country. 26 `As' a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, `So is' a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: So `for men' to search out their own glory is grievous. 28 He whose spirit is without restraint Is `like' a city that is broken down and without walls.

The Outcome of Discouragement

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on July 14th.

Psalms 40:1-3 Chapter 40 1 I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in Jehovah.

Discouragement is a common problem. As we saw yesterday, it may start with a divided mind but can easily turn into blaming others and wallowing in anger. Sadly, its effects don’t stop there.

For one thing, if you regard the one who disappointed you as the cause of all your troubles, you might distance yourself or even end the relationship. On top of that, when disappointments are allowed to build up without resolution, your sense of self-worth could be damaged. This could deliver a blow to your ministry and interactions with others, since no one likes being around critical, negative individuals.

A dangerous drift in your spiritual walk is the ultimate consequence of discouragement. God will seem distant, uncaring, or perhaps even absent because you’ve built such high walls around yourself. Things that were once cornerstones in your life—like worship, Bible study, and prayer—easily fall by the wayside. Before long, you will be surrounded only by your disappointments and negativity, unable to see anything of positive value at all.

Discouragement can eat away at a believer’s relationships and productivity. Don’t allow disappointments to build up and take such a toll on your life. Psalms 40:2 2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. is a wonderful reminder that the heavenly Father can lift you out of the “miry clay” and “set [your] feet upon a rock making [your] footsteps firm.” Let your discouragement motivate you to turn to the Lord, the one who can “put a new song in [your] mouth”—a song of praise to Him (v. 3).

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 22-25 Chapter 22 1 A `good' name is rather to be chosen than great riches, `And' loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it. 4 The reward of humility `and' the fear of Jehovah `Is' riches, and honor, and life. 5 Thorns `and' snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail. 9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease. 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, `For' the grace of his lips the king will be his friend. 12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve `him that hath' knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man. 13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets. 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; `But' the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his `gain', `And' he that giveth to the rich, `shall come' only to want. 17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made `them' known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee? 22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them. 24 Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn this ways, And get a snare to thy soul. 26 Be thou not one of them that strike hands, `Or' of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28 Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set. 29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men. Chapter 23 1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee; 2 And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties; Seeing they are deceitful food. 4 Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For `riches' certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties: 7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words. 9 Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 10 Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee. 12 Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Withhold not correction from the child; `For' if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol. 15 My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine: 16 Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things. 17 Let not thy heart envy sinners; But `be thou' in the fear of Jehovah all the day long: 18 For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off. 19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way. 20 Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness will clothe `a man' with rags. 22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; `Yea', wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him. 25 Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice. 26 My son, give me thy heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways. 27 For a harlot is a deep ditch; And a foreign woman is a narrow pit. 28 Yea, she lieth in wait as a robber, And increaseth the treacherous among men. 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; They that go to seek out mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly: 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange things, And thy heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, `shalt thou say', and I was not hurt; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. Chapter 24 1 Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them: 2 For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief. 3 Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might, 6 For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate. 8 He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men. 10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small. 11 Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back. 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work? 13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste: 14 So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off. 15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place: 16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18 Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked: 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 21 My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; `And' company not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it? 23 These also are `sayings' of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke `him' shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. 26 He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer. 27 Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house. 28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. 30 I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction: 33 `Yet' a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; 34 So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man. Chapter 25 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: 5 Take away the wicked `from' before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest `thou know not' what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor `himself', And disclose not the secret of another; 10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken Is `like' apples of gold in network of silver. 12 `As' an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, `So is' a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, `So is' a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 `As' clouds and wind without rain, `So is' he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely. 15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is `like' a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 `As' one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, `and as' vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee. 23 The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house. 25 `As' cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country. 26 `As' a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, `So is' a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: So `for men' to search out their own glory is grievous. 28 He whose spirit is without restraint Is `like' a city that is broken down and without walls.

Daily Bible - July 14

Published by Grace To You for reading on July 14th.

Reading for Today:

• 2 Chronicles 23:1 Chapter 23 1 And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him. –24:27
• Psalms 83:9-18 9 Do thou unto them as unto Midian, As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon; 10 Who perished at Endor, Who became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb; Yea, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna; 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves in possession The habitations of God. 13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust; As stubble before the wind. 14 As the fire that burneth the forest, And as the flame that setteth the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with thy tempest, And terrify them with thy storm. 16 Fill their faces with confusion, That they may seek thy name, O Jehovah. 17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed for ever; Yea, let them be confounded and perish; 18 That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 84 For the Chief Musician; set to the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
• Proverbs 21:2-3 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
• Acts 18:1-28 Chapter 18 1 After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and he came unto them; 3 and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought, for by their trade they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood `be' upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace: 10 for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he dwelt `there' a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat, 13 saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters. 16 And he drove them from the judgment-seat. 17 And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things. 18 And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20 And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not; 21 but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus. 22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch. 23 And having spent some time `there', he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples. 24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John: 26 and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace; 28 for he powerfully confuted the Jews, `and that' publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Notes:

2 Chronicles 23:3 3 And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as Jehovah hath spoken concerning the sons of David. as the LORD…said. This is one of the most dramatic moments in messianic history. The human offspring of David have been reduced to one—Joash. If he had died, there would have been no human heir to the Davidic throne, and it would have meant the destruction of the line of the Messiah. However, God remedied the situation by providentially protecting Joash (2 Chr. 22:10–12) and eliminating Athaliah (1 Chr. 23:12–21).

2 Chronicles 24:15 15 But Jehoiada waxed old and was full of days, and he died; a hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. ,16 Jehoiada. This man was the high priest of Athaliah’s and Joash’s reigns (2 Chr. 23:1–24:16), who championed God’s cause of righteousness during days of evil by: 1) leading the fight against idols; 2) permitting the coup against Athaliah; and 3) granting the throne to Joash to bring about the subsequent revival.

Psalms 83:18 18 That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 84 For the Chief Musician; set to the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. know…Most High. The purpose of the maledictions against the hostile nations is neither personal nor national, but spiritual: that the nations may know and glorify God. whose name alone is the LORD. “Alone” should precede “are” in the next phrase. The Gentile nations need to know that the God of the Bible is the only God.

Acts 18:1 Chapter 18 1 After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. Corinth. The leading political and commercial center in Greece. It was located at a strategic point on the isthmus of Corinth, which connected the Peloponnesian peninsula with the rest of Greece. Virtually all traffic between northern and southern Greece had to pass through the city. Because Corinth was a trade center and host to all sorts of travelers, it had an unsettled population that was extremely debauched. It also housed the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. One thousand temple priestesses, who were ritual prostitutes, came each evening into the city to practice their trade.

Acts 18:8 8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue. The conversion of this respected leader must have sent shock waves throughout the Jewish community.

Acts 18:13 13 saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. contrary to the law. While Judaism was not an official religion, it was officially tolerated in the Roman world, and Christianity was viewed as a sect of Judaism. The Jews in Corinth claimed that Paul’s teaching was external to Judaism and therefore should be banned. Had Gallio ruled in the Jews’ favor, Christianity could have been outlawed throughout the empire.

DAY 14: How did Aquila and Priscilla help Apollos?

In Acts 18:24 24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures. , Apollos came to Ephesus and clearly was an Old Testament saint and follower of John the Baptist (v. 25). He came from Alexandria, an important city in Egypt located near the mouth of the Nile. In the first century, it had a large Jewish population. Thus Apollos, though born outside of Israel, was reared in a Jewish cultural setting. It states that he was “mighty in the Scriptures,” referring to Apollos’s knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. That knowledge, combined with his eloquence, allowed him to crush his Jewish opponents in a later debate (v. 28).

He had been instructed in “the way of the Lord” (v. 25).This did not include the Christian faith (v. 26). The Old Testament uses the phrase to describe the spiritual and moral standards God required His people to observe. “He knew only the baptism of John.” Despite his knowledge of the Old Testament, Apollos did not fully understand Christian truth. John’s baptism was to prepare Israel for the Messiah’s arrival. Apollos accepted that message, even acknowledging that Jesus of Nazareth was Israel’s Messiah. He did not, however, understand such basic Christian truths as the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the church as God’s new witness people. He was a redeemed Old Testament believer (v. 24).

Fortunately, Aquila and Priscilla completed Apollos’s training in divine truth by instructing him in the fullness of the Christian faith (v. 26).After further instruction, he became a powerful Christian preacher. His ministry profoundly influenced the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:12). Aquila and Priscilla were a husband and wife team who became Paul’s close friends and even risked their lives for him (Rom. 16:3, 4).

From The MacArthur Daily Bible Copyright © 2003. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson Bibles, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc, Nashville, TN 37214, www.thomasnelson.com.

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July 14 - Jesus and the Leper, Part 2

Published by Grace To You for reading on July 14th.

“When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean’” ( Matthew 8:1 Chapter 8 1 And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. –2).

Several more striking features marked the leper who came to Jesus. The man came expectantly but not demandingly, therefore he approached the Lord with humility. It’s clear he wanted to be healed, but he did not explicitly ask Jesus for this miraculous favor. That was almost too much for the leper to presume, hence his statement, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” What a contrast to the attitude of those in some religious circles today who boastfully claim divine healing as if God should automatically grant it.

The leprous man also came in sincere faith—one that displays the firm conviction that God is able to work on our behalf, but yet a conviction accompanied by submission to His sovereign will. He knew that although Jesus was able to instantly cure his leprosy, He was not obligated. The man’s faith was much like that of Daniel’s friends who told the king, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:17–18). In the same way, the leper would also accept whatever outcome Jesus provided.

Ask Yourself

“Expectantly but not demandingly.” How would this posture change the way you’re currently praying over a pressing matter—not by discounting faith and being guilty of doubt and double-mindedness, but by boldly placing yourself and others under Christ’s capable safekeeping?

From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

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Anticipation of Christ's Return?

Published by Grace To You for reading on July 14th.

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” ( 1 John 3:2-3 2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. 3 And every one that hath this hope `set' on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ).

True Christians long for the return of their King.

The words of the old hymn, “This world is not my home,” express the attitude of every true child of God. True Christians have a hope in their heart, a hope focused on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like the apostle Paul, we long to be set “free from the body of this death” (Rom. 7:24); we “groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23). We long for the day when “just as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1 Cor. 15:49).

Our hope is a sanctifying one. John writes, “Every one who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” ( 1 John 3:3 3 And every one that hath this hope `set' on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ), while Paul reminded Titus that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” ( Titus 2:11-13 11 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ). Our hope is a sensible one, leading to godly, responsible living. It does not justify careless living (2 Thess. 3:6-15); there is no such thing as someone who is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.

Do you find yourself longing for Christ to return and “transform the body of [your] humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phil. 3:21)? If so, take heart. That’s another evidence that your salvation is genuine.

Suggestions for Prayer

Pray with the apostle John, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

For Further Study

In Philippians 3:20 20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven,” while in Colossians 3:1-2 Chapter 3 1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. the apostle commands us to focus on heavenly things. Where is your focus? What do you spend your time on? Rearrange your priorities and schedule to give first place to eternal realities.

From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

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Elect in Christ

Published by Grace To You for reading on July 14th.

Election is the spiritual privilege from which all others flow.

Unlike those who are destined to destruction because of their rejection of Christ (1 Pet. 2:8), Christians are an elect race of people, bound together by God's redeeming grace. That's cause for great celebration!

First Peter 2:9 is an allusion to Deuteronomy 7:6-9 6 For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God: Jehovah thy God hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. 7 Jehovah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples: 8 but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, , which says, "You are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God."

Like Israel, the church is the redeemed community of God, "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit" (1 Pet. 1:1- 2). Before the foundation of the world, God placed His love on you, then brought you into His kingdom by granting you saving grace. That's the doctrine of election.

Many people misunderstand election, but it's a wonderful doctrine that brings marvelous benefits. It exalts God by demonstrating His love and grace toward miserable sinners. It eliminates pride by affirming that you are totally dependent on God's grace. It should promote such gratitude in your heart that you long to live in holiness and serve Him at any price. It should also give you joy and strength, knowing that God will never let you go and His purposes will be accomplished in you. You can face any challenge with utmost confidence in His provisions.

Rejoice in your election. Worship God and yield to His Spirit's leading so His choice of you will be evident to all who know you.

Suggestions for Prayer

What has the spiritual privilege of being chosen by God meant in your life? Express your answer to God in prayer, thanking Him for His wondrous grace.

For Further Study

Read Romans 5 Chapter 5 1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; 4 and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: 5 and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. 6 For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath `of God' through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; 11 and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 12 Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:-- 13 for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the trespass, so also `is' the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many. 16 And not as through one that sinned, `so' is the gift: for the judgment `came' of one unto condemnation, but the free gift `came' of many trespasses unto justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, `even' Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one trespass `the judgment came' unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness `the free gift came' unto all men to justification of life. 19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous. 20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: 21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. . What benefits of election does Paul mention?

From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

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Ministry — More Important Than Life

Published by John Piper for reading on July 14th.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus.” ( Acts 20:24 24 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. )

According to the New Testament, “ministry” is what all Christians do. Pastors have the job of equipping the saints for the work of ministry ( Ephesians 4:12 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: ). But ordinary Christians are the ones who do the ministry.

What ministry looks like is as varied as Christians are varied. It’s not an office like elder or deacon; it’s a lifestyle devoted to making much of Christ.

It means that we “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” ( Galatians 6:10 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith. ). Whether we are bankers or bricklayers, it means that we aim at advancing other people’s faith and holiness.

Fulfilling your ministry is more important than staying alive. This conviction is what makes the lives of radically devoted people so inspiring to watch. Most of them speak the way Paul did about his ministry here in Acts 20 Chapter 20 1 And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. 3 And when he had spent three months `there,' and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, `the son' of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days. 7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together. 9 And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him. 11 And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But we going before to the ship set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; 20 how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. 28 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build `you' up, and to give `you' the inheritance among all them that are sanctified. 33 I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship. . Doing the ministry that God gives us to do is more important than life.

You may think you need to save your life in order to do your ministry. On the contrary, how you lose your life may be the capstone of your ministry. It certainly was for Jesus, only in his thirties.

We need not fret about keeping ourselves alive in order to finish our ministry. God alone knows the appointed time of our service.

Henry Martyn was right when he said, “If [God] has work for me to do, I cannot die.” In other words, I am immortal until my work is done. Therefore, ministry is more important than life.

Morning Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon for July 14th

Published by C.H. Spurgeon for reading on July 14th.

Exodus 20:25 25 And if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

GOD'S altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in Him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning's text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

Evening Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon for July 14th

Published by C.H. Spurgeon for reading on July 14th.

Matthew 28:1 Chapter 28 1 Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first `day' of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

LET us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Saviour very early in the morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with Him at some distant season, thou wilt never have fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart. She sought Him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, "stood" at the sepulchre. If you would have Christ with you, seek Him boldly. Let nothing hold you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ faithfully—she stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard to stand by a living Saviour, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with Him, remaining faithful though all others should forsake Him. Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly—she stood "weeping." Those tear-droppings were as spells that led the Saviour captive, and made Him come forth and show Himself to her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep after it! If you cannot be happy unless He come and say to you, "Thou art My beloved," you will soon hear His voice. Lastly, she sought the Saviour only. What cared she for angels, she turned herself back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ be your one and only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack the comfort of His presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart, like Mary's, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied with nothing short of Himself. O Lord, reveal Thyself to us this evening!