GET RICH QUICK

READING: ROMANS 8:9-17 

Verse 17: “and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

An heir is a person who inherits property, rank, title or office from another. People frequently have fantasies about becoming heirs, receiving large inheritances and becoming rich. According to the Bible, becoming an heir is not necessarily a fantasy. In fact it is a reality to all who permit it to be so. This verse informs us that the children of God are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Since we become children of God by accepting the Lord Jesus as Savior, every person can make the decision to become an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. Right now, someone may be thinking, “I know people who are heirs by that definition, but they certainly are not rich.” That may be true regarding the possession of earthy property and possessions. When it comes to those riches, traditional wisdom dictates that you can’t take them with you. At best, they only become an inheritance for someone else. However, inheritances from God are an infinitely greater form of riches. These are divine, glorious, immeasurable and everlasting riches that are infused with the very nature and character of Almighty God Himself. We don’t need to take them with us, they are waiting in heaven for all who believe. In Christ we are heirs of eternal salvation and God’s perfect goodness. That’s a thought about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Jesus died so we can have our inheritance. What do you say to Him about that?

2. What inheritance will you be leaving?

IT’S COMING – COUNT ON IT

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-10

Verse 10: “But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”

Our society very effectively orients us to identify with the concept of replacing used items. Therefore people are becoming more and more comfortable with the concept of disposables. Formerly there items which were made with pride in workmanship for their endurance, that now are made with the intention that they be thrown away after use. The progression from handkerchiefs to tissues seems to me to be a classic example of this. The possibility of disposable clothing is similar, and persists as something having potential for the future. Today’s verse provides a godly offering of this type of exchange. However, as always, what we see in scripture far exceeds what we may experience in the natural. An item is usually replaced with an identical, similar, or maybe somewhat improved version that basically maintains the nature of what is being replaced. As presented by God’s word in the verse above, however, it is about more than maintaining the status quo. Instead of that, with this replacement great increase is predicted and can be fully expected. We arepromised a time when all of  the incompleteness we now experience, will be replaced with total completeness. What a glorious day that will be! To that we say “Come Lord Jesus.” That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you most eager to see eliminated when that day comes?

2. What has already been replaced for you?

UPHELD!

READING: 1 SAMUEL 3:11-21

Verse 19: “So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.”

When seriously considered, the ability of our Lord to be intimately involved in the very most intricate details of our lives is amazing. The verse above is a powerful example. It says to us that Almighty God supported every word that Samuel spoke, and did not let any of them fail. However, as the Bible makes that statement, the complete Hebrew meaning involved goes beyond just the spoken word. It also includes acts, causes, commandments, communications, counsel and on and on. The entire translation of word that is used in this verse, identifies some 75 behaviors. We are being told that God was active in all of these multiple aspects of Samuel’s life, and gave him success in all of them. Was that kind of attentiveness limited to Samuel alone? It is not at all hard to believe and accept that the Holy Spirit works in the lives of today’s Christians to that same level of detail, or even more. An indication of this exists in the promise that the very hairs on our heads are numbered. Samuel was upheld, and we also are upheld by a mighty, holy and infinite Father and Lord. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is a notable way that the Lord is with you?

2. Do any of your words fall to the ground?

GRACE 4 GRACE

READING: JOHN 1:14-18

Verse 16: “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”

In a special way, this verse displays God’s generosity as the giver of grace. The phrase “grace for grace” is often taken to mean that the Lord gives grace that grace may then in turn be further distributed. We are certainly able to see that being accomplished in the Church of Christ. However, there is another possibility that can be considered as a “thought about God’s Word”. First an illustration. Charlie is frustrated. He has vision for the ideal business. He is sure this business, would profit greatly, but he lacks the capital to get started. Charlie could enjoy great benefit if he could just have a little benefit to get going. God’s grace is definitely something of great benefit for us to receive. However, He does not leave us in a situation like Charlie. We are not kept from great benefit because we lack what it takes to get started. Instead we are given grace for grace. The Lord provides the little bit of grace we need, that positions us to richly receive the fullness of grace. Our God supplies all our need. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Have you seen a smaller gift of grace operate to open greater grace?

2. At this time, how is the grace of God most evident in your life?

IT ALL COMES FROM THE FATHER

READING: JOHN 5:24-30

Verse 30: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteousness, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent me.”

“The good Lord helps those who help themselves.” Most of us have heard that statement frequently. Many people are absolutely convinced the Bible says so. We know that what the Bible does tell us is very different, in fact almost the opposite. The words of Jesus that stand out in the verse quoted above are “I can of Myself do nothing...” As the perfect model for our Christian behavior and responses, Jesus established His need for the Father to be the source of all He expected to do. He had absolutely no trait of independence from the Father. With that established, in John 15:5 the words of the Lord Jesus are as follows, “...without Me you can do nothing.” He wants us to have the same dependency upon Him that He had upon God the Father. Certainly there are things we ourselves must do even as Jesus was active and vigorous. The Bible says if all He did were to be written, the world couldn’t contain the books that would be filled. We also are to be productive, but that ability to accomplish must come from the Lord. In reality what should be said is “God helps those who accept His Lordship.” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Why do people want to believe that God helps those who help themselves?

2. Jesus said the Father sent Him. Has anyone else been sent by the Father?

FROM THE MIND OF GOD

READING: ROMANS 2:1-8

Verse 3: “For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?”

There is a philosophical question that is supposed to be unanswerable. The question is “If a tree falls in the forest and no one documents the occurrence, is a noise still made?” Philosophy can’t answer that question, but God’s created order can. Whether someone verifies the sound or not, the Lord’s order is consistent and there will be a sound. The natural order that He has established does not need human confirmation to verify that it exists. Unless altered by the hand of God, it will always prevail. However, human beliefs do affect works which are established by people. For example, if enough people oppose or express distrust in the stock market, it will fail. Contrary to that kind of uncertainty, it is assuring to know that God’s order is not influenced by the beliefs of people. For instance, no matter how convinced a person may become that gravity no longer applies, that person will never fall up. There is good reason to be grateful as today’s verse guarantees that God’s faithfulness will forever hold dominion over human beliefs. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. When God does alter His order, what is the usual reason?

2. What is the best way for people to exercise their beliefs?

THE HOLY ANTIDOTE

READING: JEREMIAH 1:4-10

Verse 8: “’Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the LORD”

The call of God can be pretty frightening. At times He sends His people into uncomfortable  assignments. This discomfort can cause a person to try to excuse their way out of such a mission. In Chapter 1 of Jeremiah, such a situation is described. In fear, Jeremiah told the Lord that he could not speak as a prophet because he was a youth. God was not impressed with his input and told Jeremiah he would speak to whomever he would be sent. The Lord insisted that His presence to deliver his  servant would be enough for him. Sometimes people hesitate just like Jeremiah did, and often for the same reason. People fear the response that may come from others who disagree or object. We dread the look of disapproval or the rejecting response that may occur. At those times of reluctance or fear, we can be strengthened and encouraged by God’s exhortation to Jeremiah, which is also for us. Almighty God has promised to be with us to deliver us. When we accept that, we are secure in Him. He is the supreme remedy for our fears. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. God didn’t tell him to not look at their faces, but to not fear their faces. Why is better about the latter?

2. What is necessary for a person to be able to accept God’s promise?