TOO GOOD

READING: COLOSSIANS 3:18-25

Verse 24: “knowing that from the LORD you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the LORD Christ.” 

The Bible grants us insight regarding the tremendous spiritual wealth that we inherit as Christians. Ephesians 1:11 informs us that we have obtained an inheritance in Christ according to His purpose and His will. Verses 13 and 14 add that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of that inheritance. Going on to verse 22 of the same chapter we learn what Jesus inherited. God seated the Lord Jesus at His right hand in the heavenly places and put all things under His feet. Then in Ephesians 2:6 it is established that we as Christians receive the same inheritance. We also are raised up to sit together in the heavenly places. Romans 8:17 describes Christians as co-heirs or joint heirs with Christ. God’s word promises that we are to receive from Him of the same quality that was measured to Jesus His Son. What a glorious inheritance we have as children of the Living God. Some things of the earth seem too good to be true and are illusions. Our promised inheritance also seems too good to be true but, by His grace, it is a reality that we will live forever. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. When do we begin to experience our inheritance?

2. What value do you place on your spiritual inheritance?

LET’S GO WITH IT

READING: GALATIANS 5:7-13

Verse 9: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” 

Galatians 5:9 is one of the shorter verses in most translations and versions of the Bible. The Amplified Bible fleshes it out somewhat as follows, “A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].” The same thought is generally expressed as this verse is encountered. It is also reflected by the commonly used saying about one rotten apple spoiling the whole barrel. At this point it is important to be clear that the purpose of this verse is not to glorify the power of negativity. Far from that, it is instead an encouragement to not permit a negative minority to overcome a positive majority. Unfortunately we do see that happening in the world around us. However, Paul wants we who are in Christ to not give in to that. He wants us to resist bad leaven. The apostle gives us a powerful alternative, which is found in verse one of this chapter. His exhortation to us is to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.” Let’s go with that! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there any time when it is good for a little leaven to leaven a whole lump?

2. What is the “liberty by which Christ has mad us free”?

PROBLEM SOLVED

READING: PSALM 37:3-11

Verse 3: “Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”

In Psalm 37: 3-11 are listed some very attractive rewards established by the Lord. These verses promise the desires of your heart, your righteousness to be brought forth, inheritance of the earth and abundance of peace. However, the word “reward” suggests that something is necessary in order to receive these promises. Psalm 37 also specifies the requirements. Here they are: Trust in the Lord, do good, dwell in the land, feed on His faithfulness, delight yourself in Him, commit your way to Him, rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, do not fret, cease from anger, and forsake wrath. That’s a lot isn’t it? In fact it’s so much that even God’s chosen people were not able to do it very well. The good news is that Jesus has resolved this major issue! He did it by coming to earth to save us from the weight of these requirements. Now all of God’s people may receive the rewards when we allow the requirements to be met by the work of His Spirit in us. The pressure is off and the rewards are granted! The blessings are ours through His grace. That’s a thought- about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How many of the four rewards listed in the second sentence of this reading are you experiencing?

2. What is there to say to Jesus with regard to the thoughts in this reading?

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

READING: HEBREWS 13:9-17

Verse 17: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

There used to be bumper stickers that featured the phrase “question authority”. The desire to question authority dramatically reflects the reality of the rebellious sinful nature. It also exposes a second reality that many in authority have abused the authority entrusted to them. The latter has produced serious injuries to those under authority, and abetted the development of distrust toward authority. In His infinite wisdom and love, the Lord established the principle of godly authority as a way to bless, protect and care for His people. As stated above to, “watch out for your souls.” Where God’s holy motives have not been respected, abusive exercises of authority and the resistance that has resulted in response, have become a curse. Those conditions have generated an attack against godly order and principles. The world today is desperately in need of the exercise of authority in the manner designed by the Lord. We also need the benefits that will come from the willing submission that follows the administration of godly authority. Please pray with me that these blessings will come forth in abundance. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there a difference between obedience and submission?

2. What is your clearest example of both types of authority?

TO THE TOP

READING: GENESIS 39: 20-23

Verse 23: “The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.”

In chapters 39 – 41 of Genesis, the Bible describes the life of Joseph, and provides some important insights about God’s faithfulness to His people. Those chapters record that Joseph was sold as a slave. Even so, because God was with him, he became successful and was given supervision over all his master had. Then, because he refused to compromise godly standards, Joseph was confined to prison. Once again the Bible states that the Lord was with him and gave him favor. As the result, the keeper of the prison entrusted everything to Joseph. God then used Joseph’s confinement in a manner that ultimately led to Joseph being set over all the land of Egypt. Joseph truly had hard times! However, the lesson is that hard times for a person do not necessarily mean the Lord is not present with them. It is the presence of the Lord with them that takes these hard times and turns them into  times of great victory. When we depend on His presence, He will take what we do and make it prosper! There are times when Christians may appear to be down, but they can never be counted as out. The promised presence of God will cause even hardship to be overtaken by victory and reward. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there any way in which you identify with Joseph?

2. Who can you think of who is a modern day Joseph?

IT’S GONNA BE YOU OR HIM

READING: PHILIPPIANS 1:3-7

Verse 6: “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

We like it when we succeed. People enjoy times when we improve, accomplish something significant or make some useful contribution. It isn’t wrong for us to appreciate successes, but we shouldn’t give ourselves too many accolades. It is a dangerous mistake when people esteem themselves too highly, especially when it results in someone becoming self reliant in excess of proper balance. We are provided with the verse above as truth that helps that error to be avoided. This verse is far distant from establishing people as the fount and source of good works. It is clear in its statement that He begins and completes good works. Since the word “He” is capitalized, there is no question that the “He” being indicated is the Lord. Jesus should be preserved as the one remaining in charge of our good works. No mere human should ever attempt to step into what is accorded to God. We must hold to the awareness that works are good and worthy only when He is the author and finisher. That’s a thought – about God’s Word

RESPONSE

1. Is it God’s intention that we enjoy success?

2. What is the highest purpose for human success?

SLAVE = FREE, FREE = SLAVE

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:17-24

Verse 22: “For he who is called in the LORD while a slave is the LORD’S freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.”

We are in various states of being when we accept the Lord’s call to salvation. It is good news that, no matter where we start, our God is well able and faithful to produce spiritual improvement and  increase. That is a scriptural reality that is well established in today’s verse. In a way that is unique to God’s Word, extremes are reversed. Slaves become free and the free become slaves. Whatever the beginning might be, transformation takes place so that the goodness and righteousness of God can be fulfilled in our lives. The change is not always immediately perceptible to our human senses, but the spirit and heart of a person are influenced. We can even be made, as this verse of the Bible models, spiritually opposite to our natural conditions. Our Holy Heavenly Father receives us into relationship and then He shapes us and forms us to be forever maximized in His love and grace. From its beginning at our salvation and forever, “The goodness of God endures continually.” (Psalm 52:1) That’s a thought – about God’s Word. 

RESPONSE

1. What is the difference between the two types of slaverymentioned in the verse above?

2. How do you personally relate to the concept of being a slave?