Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 7, 2012

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth …”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
 
“You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.  For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.  For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”  1 Thessalonians 1:6-10. 
 
————————–
 
The word of the Lord went forth from the Lord to Paul to the Thessalonians to those in Macedonia and Achaia to others.  In a sense, the word of the Lord echoed through them all like a sound may bounce off one canyon wall to another and then to another.  
 
But, the word of the Lord did not just randomly bounce around.  God sent forth His word to exactly accomplish all that He desired.
 
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:10-11.
 
Psalm 147:15
“He sends forth His command to the earth;  His word runs very swiftly.”
 
Isaiah 2:3
“And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.”  For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”  (Micah 4:2 is very similar.)
 
Isaiah 45:23
“I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.”
 
James 1:18
“In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”
 
Thus, when we preach, teach, or even just share a verse, God’s Word does not only affect those who directly hear it from us, but God’s Word bounces around to others in the exercise of His will to accomplish exactly all that God desires.  “Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;  For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.”  Jeremiah 15:16

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 6, 2012

“His choice of you”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5.
 
“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,
 
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace.
 
We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;  constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;  for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;  just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”  1 Thessalonians 1:1-5.
                                     

——————–

Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism teaches “Unconditional Election”, the “U” in “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism.  “His choice of you” in today’s Scripture is one exhibit of this “Unconditional Election”.  Another exhibit is Ephesians 1:4-5:  “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,” 

God’s choice of us is the basis of our salvation.  Scripture is filled with exhibits of God’s election.  Election is one of the central doctrines in Scripture.    

Deuteronomy 4:37
“Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power,”

Deuteronomy 7:6
“For 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.”

Deuteronomy 14:2
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

1 Chronicles 16:13
“O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!”

Psalm 33:12
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

Psalm 89:3
“I have made a covenant with My chosen;  I have sworn to David My servant,”

Psalm 105:43
“And He brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout.”

Psalm 106:5
“That I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory with Your inheritance.”

Psalm 135:4
“For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own possession.”

Isaiah 41:8
“But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend,”
 
Isaiah 41:9
“You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you.”
 
Isaiah 43:10
“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen,  So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He.  Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.”
 
“But now listen, O Jacob, My servant, And Israel, whom I have chosen:”
 
Isaiah 44:2
“Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you, ‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant;  And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.”
 
Isaiah 65:9
“I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, And an heir of My mountains from Judah;  Even My chosen ones shall inherit it, And My servants will dwell there.”
 
Ezekiel 20:5
“and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “On the day when I chose Israel and swore to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am the LORD your God,”
 
Amos 3:2
“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth;  Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
 
Haggai 2:23
“‘On that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’” declares the LORD of hosts.”
 
Matthew 22:14
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
 
Matthew 24:22
“Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved;  but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
 
Matthew 24:31
“And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
 
Mark 13:27
“And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.”
 
Luke 12:32
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”
 
Luke 18:7
“now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”
 
John 15:16
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
 
John 15:19
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own;  but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”
 
Acts 13:17
“The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it.”
 
Romans 8:29
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;”
 
Romans 8:30
“and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
 
Romans 8:33
“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;”
 
Romans 11:7
“What then?  What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;”
 
1 Corinthians 1:27
“but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,”
 
Colossians 3:12
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;”
 
2 Thessalonians 2:13
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
 
2 Timothy 2:10
“For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”
 
“Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,”
 
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen”
 
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
 
“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
 
 
How can we not joyfully embrace “Unconditional Election” which is our only “chance” for salvation?!
 
In conclusion, Psalm 33:1-12 puts it all together.  It speaks of our joy and praise, God’s love of righteousness and justice and lovingkindness, God’s eternal and irrevocable counsel and plans, and the blessedness of His chosen people.
                                       

“1 Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all His work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”  Psalm 33:1-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 5, 2012

Friends

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 4:7-18.
                                            

“7  As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.  8  For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;  9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number.  They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10  Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings;  and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions;  if he comes to you, welcome him);  11 and also Jesus who is called Justus;  these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.  12  Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.  13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.  14  Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.  15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.  16  When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans;  and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.  17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.  Remember my imprisonment.  Grace be with you.”  Colossians 4:7-18.

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Paul sure had a lot of friends.  I counted ten friends mentioned here:  Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, and Archippus.  And, Paul was in jail.  Moreover, unlike today where visitors have rights, the friends risked their own imprisonment by visiting Paul and by being a friend of Paul.

Paul’s friends knew about Paul’s condition even though Paul was locked away. 

Paul’s friends encouraged Paul and were encouraged by Paul.

Paul’s friends disclosed their concerns and ministry goals to Paul.

They were true friends, even considered brothers to Paul.

Here are ten verses about friends, one for each friend of Paul.    

Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 27:6
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”

Proverbs 27:10
“Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;  Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.”

Matthew 11:19
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’  Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

John 3:29
“He who has the bride is the bridegroom;  but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice.  So this joy of mine has been made full.”

John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:14
“You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

John 15:15
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing;  but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

James 2:23
“and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.”

3 John 1:15
“Peace be to you.  The friends greet you.  Greet the friends by name.”

This devotion is dedicated to my friend Harry who has been a good friend to me my entire life and who does visit those in prison and who otherwise also demonstrates well the qualities of being a friend to me and others friends shown in today’s Scripture.  Thank you Harry!

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 4, 2012

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt”

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 4:5-6.
 
“5  Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
 
6  Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”  Colossians 4:5-6.
 
———————–
 
There are times when we should be careful and not discuss spiritual things with outsiders.  “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”  Matthew 7:6
 
But, that silence should be “the exception, not the rule”.  Verse 5, ending with “making the most of the opportunity” and verse 6 in its totality combine to urge us to say something appropriate, particularly in response, with grace and “as though seasoned with salt”. 
 
1 Peter 3:15
“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
 
We can easily nod our head in approval to the foregoing verse.  We may think that the outsiders are seekers, and we may think that we just need to answer their sincere questions.
 
But, the context of above-stated 1 Peter 3:15 shows that the outsiders may not be so innocent and searching.  Here is the context of the two surrounding verses.  “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.  And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, … and keep a  good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”  1 Peter 3:14 and 16.  Outsiders may be slandering us and otherwise persecuting us.
 
Whether the outsiders are “innocent and searching” or “slandering and persecuting”, we need to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward them and we need our speech to “always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt”. 
 
What are some examples of that grace?
 
First of all, that grace would be honest.  We should not misquote nor exaggerate nor set up “straw men” in our debates with them nor make caricatures of them.  Oh, how I need to follow my own advice when dealing with Arminians!  
 
Second, that grace would be patient.  We tend to hold ourselves and our beliefs in too high esteem, thinking that outsiders should immediately change their long-held beliefs and engrained behaviors after a few words by us.  We may never see the change, but we may plant the seed.
 
Third, that grace would be gentle, kind, and good.  Regardless of whether we win the argument, we need to be gentle, kind, and good.  Even if we can’t get the outsider to change the root cause of the problem, we may be able to treat the symptoms.  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1
 
What are some examples of that salt?
 
First, our speech should be responsive, relevant, and specific.  We sometimes want to be too general and throw everything “and the kitchen sink” at the outsider.  But, if we are not responsive, relevant, and specific, it is likely that they will think that we do not have the answer and it will turn them off. 
 
Second, our speech should be distinctive.  We should not try to give advice outside of our knowledge and experience.  We should not try to account for the hope in others.  But, rather we should account for the hope in us as stated above in 1 Peter 3:15.  “You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:13  In this regard, Reformed believers should not obscure their Reformed distinctives and try to be just like every other “evangelical” believer.  (Too many Reformed believers try to hide their distinctive Reformed beliefs;  they avoid using distinctive and descriptive Reformed words like predestination, election, chosen, and other “TULIP” and “Five Solas” words.  This practice is not only bland and unhelpful;  it is deceptive.)  
 
Third, like salt, our speech should be penetrating and capable of “cleaning out wounds” and “curing” (like salt cures or preserves ham).  Our speech should be effective at helping others. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 3, 2012

Pray for Preachers and Teachers

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 4:1-4.
 
“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
 
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;  praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;  that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”  Colossians 4:1-4.
 
——————
                             

Pray on our behalf that “God will open up to us a door for the word” and that we may preach and teach boldly and clearly.  We need to pray for our preachers and teachers.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains;  that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  Ephesians 6:18-20.

Isaiah 52:7
“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 1, 2012

The Lord is sovereign and just.

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:18-25. 
 
“18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
 
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
 
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
 
21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
                                          

22  Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”  Colossians 3:18-25.

—————————–

Everyone serves the Lord and is accountable to the Lord.  The Lord is not partial to any class of people, but rather the Lord demands that everyone do what is right.  If they do what is right, then they will receive a reward.  If they do what is wrong, then they will be punished.  The Lord is sovereign and just.

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
Bless the Lord, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the Lord, O my soul!”  Psalm 103:19-22.

Psalm 33:5
“He loves righteousness and justice;  The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Psalm 89:14
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;  Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”

Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good;  And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”

“1 Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”
10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm Chapter 2.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 31, 2012

Good Ambassadors for Christ through the Good Word of Christ

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:17.
 
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:17.
 
———————–
 
Christians represent Christ.  Christians are ambassadors for Christ.  How can we best represent Christ and be such an ambassador for Christ? 
 
The context to today’s Scripture provides one answer.  The immediately preceding verse states:  “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16. 
 
If the word of Christ richly dwells within us, then thereby, we will know Christ better.  If our image of Christ is like the famous painting of a long-haired thin Christ with hands in contemplative prayer, then we may try to look like and be like the Christ in that painting.  If our image of Christ is “Christ the King” mounted on a white horse, then we may try to look like and be like that image.  Our deeds and words will be greatly affected by the extent of our knowledge of Christ.  “For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”  Ephesians 1:15-17. 
 
If the word of Christ richly dwells within us, then thereby, we will better know Christ’s Will.  “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”  Colossians 1:9-10. 
 
If the word of Christ richly dwells within us, then thereby, we will better be empowered to do in deed and in word Christ’s Will.  “A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power.”  Proverbs 24:5  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.
 
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us;  we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 30, 2012

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you”

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:16.
 
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16.
 
————————-
 
Some wrongly think that if they only sit through a sermon on Sunday that they received the means of grace.  But, there is so much more!
 
The word of Christ richly dwells within us when we eagerly with delight both hear and read God’s word and carefully meditate on it AND correctly understand it AND believe it with a steadfast heart AND effectively do it AND wisely teach it and admonish others AND sing with thankfulness in our hearts to God.  In summary, when we do so, we are like the blessed man in Psalm 1. 
 
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.
 
This delight in the word of Christ and this singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God comes from a correct understanding of it.  There are those who hear and read God’s word and focus on themselves and what they should do.  That false understanding does not bring true delight nor thankfulness.  However, there are others who hear and read God’s word and focus on God and what He has done.  That correct understanding does bring true delight and thankfulness. 
 
Arminianism (and other false man-centered doctrine) focuses on alleged man’s free will and what man should do.  It’s hope and trust is in man to perfect himself by the Law and contribute something (whether it be works or faith) to his own salvation.  It falsely believes that God loves everybody and that God will gladly accept this man’s contribution as sufficient credit for salvation.  But, it also falsely believes that man can fall from grace, and thus it lives its life in fear.  
 
Calvinism a/k/a Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what God has done.  It’s hope and trust is only in God, because it recognizes the “Total Depravity” of man (that man is dead in sin and can contribute nothing to his own salvation).  It truly believes that God only loves His elect, but that God will do everything necessary to bring His elect to salvation.  It truly believes in God’s work alone by grace alone from “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of the Saints a/k/a Perseverance of the Saints”.  It rests secure and at peace with thanksgiving and joy in the work of Christ. 
 
Calvinism a/k/a Reformed Doctrine causes its believers to over-flow with gratitude.  “The LORD has done great things for us;  We are glad.”  Psalm 126:3  “For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 92:4
 
Calvinists are so eager and delighted to let this truly good news of the word of Christ richly dwell within them by doing as much as they can to both hear and read God’s word and carefully meditate on it AND correctly understand it AND believe it with a steadfast heart AND effectively do it AND wisely teach it and admonish others AND sing with thankfulness in their hearts to God.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 29, 2012

The Peace of Christ: Ruling and Overflowing

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:15.
 
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body;  and be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15. 
 
———————–
 
Consider the “relationship with others” context of this verse.  “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone;  just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  Colossians 3:8-14.
 
So, this peace in today’s Scripture should not only make us feel good and be good, but it should also make others feel good and be good;  “indeed you were called in one body”.  
 
If we can somehow get this peace, then it will be more likely that we will not be angry, nor show wrath, nor slander, and nor engage in abusive speech. 
                             
If we can somehow get this peace, then it should also help us be more compassionate, more kind, more humble, more gentle, more patient, more bearing others’ burdens, more forgiving, and more loving.  
 
So, how can we get this peace?  
 
We already have this peace. 
 
Romans 5:1
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
 
We have this peace through Christ who said:  “Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.
 
We have this peace through the Holy Spirit Whom bears the fruit of peace within us.  Galatians 5:22. 
 
So then, how can we let this peace rule in our hearts in a way that this peace overflows and affects others and blesses others?  
 
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.”  Psalm  122:6-9.
 
Proverbs 16:7
“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
 
Isaiah 26:12
“LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works.”
 
Isaiah 52:7
“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
 
Isaiah 55:12
“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace;  The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
 
Isaiah 66:12
“For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;  And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.”
 
Jeremiah 33:6
“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them;  and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.”
 
Ezekiel 37:26
“I will make a covenant of peace with them;  it will be an everlasting covenant with them.  And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.”
 
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
 
Romans 12:18
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
 
Romans 14:19
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
 
2 Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace;  and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
 
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.  And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;  for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”  Ephesians 2:14-18. 
 
Ephesians 4:3
“being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
 
Ephesians 6:15
“and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;”
 
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7.
 
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.  The Lord be with you all!”
 
Titus 3:2
“to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”
 
Hebrews 12:14
“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
 
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:17-18.
 
2 John 1:3
“Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
 
In conclusion, God gives us such a powerful peace that this powerful peace rules in our hearts and overflows and affects others and blesses others.  God also gives us His Word and works within us to pray for this peace and to pursue this peace and to practice this peace. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 28, 2012

The Hope and Help of Predestination, “New Self”, and the Fruit of the Spirit

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:12-14.
 
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  Colossians 3:12-14.
 
—————————
 
In accordance with the start of today’s Scripture, “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved”, let us remember Ephesians 1:4:  “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  What an encouragement!  What an important reminder of our position out of which we put on these qualities!
 
And, we let us also remember our “new self” which was in the immediately preceding Scripture:  “… the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—”  Colossians 3:10.  This “new self” is “in the likeness of God” and “has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  Ephesians 4:24
 
And, let us also remember the fruit of the Spirit within us:  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”  Galatians 5:22.  The fruit of the Spirit includes at least four of those qualities mentioned in today’s Scripture:  “love”, “patience”, “kindness”, and “gentleness”.  
 
With all this hope and help of predestination, “new self”, and fruit of the Spirit, let us be encouraged and intent on putting on “love, which is the perfect bond of unity” and “a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other”.  This is who we are!  

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