Daily Devotions

Thursday After Ad Te Levavi, 12/04/2008

Psalm 2:8
Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.
--NKJV
In the name of the One who will come again in glory. Amen.

Our Lord Jesus is the King of Glory. When He came to us the first time, He came in humility. Few people saw Him for who He is. He was despised and died to win our salvation. But when He returns, He will come in glory. Then everyone will see Him for what He truly is: the King of all. Then we will see Him as He is: shining like the Sun. Then we too will be glorified and shine. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how great it will be when You return in glory and give us the full realization of the salvation You won for us. Then we go from death to life even as we already live in You. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Wednesday After Ad Te Levavi, 12/03/2008

Psalm 2:7
"I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.��
--NKJV
In the name of the Only begotten Son of the Father. Amen.

The King that God sets over all is His very own Son. And He is the older brother of all who have faith in Him. So, He both sympathizes with us, and has the ear of God the Father. Our King is to be feared if one is outside the family of God. But those who are of the family of God have a king who is able to help them in every need, because He rules for the good of His family the church. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the eternally begotten Son of God, and became our brother in time. Grant that we who have been born again in time as Your brothers and sisters may be children of God eternally through the effective working of the Holy Spirit with whom You and the Father reign through all eternity. Amen.

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Tuesday After Ad Te Levavi, 12/02/2008

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."
--NKJV
In the name of the One who sits in the heavens. Amen.

Many people speak of God having a sense of humor, yet we don�t find such a claim in the Scriptures. However, God does have a sense of sarcasm, and does laugh. He laughs at the futile attempts of man to rebel against Him. After all, man only hurts himself when he rebels against the all-powerful God.

It remains that no matter how many or in what way they rebel, God has established Christ as King over all the earth. For those who rebel against Him, that is distressing. But for those who look to Him for salvation, it is comforting, for the One who rules is the One who won salvation for us. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, You have won salvation for us, and You rule all things for the good of Your people. Bless us in Your kingdom. Amen.

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Monday After Ad Te Levavi (I lift up to You), 12/01/2008

Psalm 2:1-3
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us."
--NKJV
In the name of the One who constrains the nations. Amen.

When Israel asked Samuel to give them a king, God told Samuel not to be sad. He said that Israel was not rejecting Samuel, but God as their King. So, it is no wonder that the people cried out to Pontius Pilot, �We have no king but Caesar!�

Why do the nations rage and plot a vain thing? Because they want to be god in place of God. They reject the Law of God in favor of their own desires. With ancient Israel it was a desire to be like everyone else. With Christ it had to do with personal power, and disappointment that Jesus didn�t overthrow the Romans. With people today it probably is most to do with a desire to follow one�s most perverse desires and greed. In the end it is futile; the Lord remains King. This week we shall see how that is a very good thing. It is, in fact, the salvation of our souls. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord God, Holy Spirit, keep us from rebelling against our Lord, but humbly receive the salvation He gives. Amen.

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Saturday After Consummation Sunday, 11/29/2008

Matthew 24:22
And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
--NKJV
In the name of the One who actively controls history for the sake of His elect. Amen.

Our passage for today is a bit difficult in some ways. It is hard to tell if Jesus was talking about the time of the fall of Jerusalem, or the time of the very end, or in some way both. The important thing to note is that our Lord actively intervenes in history for the sake of His chosen people. The time of persecution is cut short, because otherwise no one would make it.

Truly we are in a time of persecution (temptation) in which the salvation of the elect comes into question. When we consider the temptations around us, as well as in us, and note the ways in which those temptations come to us, we must realize that the times are much more difficult now than they were just a couple decades ago. No longer does one have to leave his house to engage in perverse of things. Instead, there is a portal to perversity in every household, and in most homes the portal is now interactive. Teens are exposed to things that will affect them for life. Children are taught not just to tolerate, but to accept and even value things that are completely contrary to God�s will. Greed is encouraged even on a societal level when it is taught that we should forcibly redistribute wealth away from those who are gifted and work hard for it, to those who are less gifted and even laze. We have heard so many times �You deserve it� that we have come to believe it. We h
ave been promised so many times that we can have it our way that we treat God as if He should conform to our desires. Does one need to go on? Isn�t it obvious how bad it is for us? With the disciples we must cry out, �Who then, can be saved?�

God is still in His heaven. He is still in control. His promises still hold true. Yes He is able to save us. Yes, He will even shorten the time so that we make to heaven. Glory be to our merciful God who loves us in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the times are evil; come quickly Lord, and save us. Amen.

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Friday After Consummation Sunday, 11/28/2008

Matthew 16:15-18
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.�
--NKJV
In the name of the One who protects His church. Amen.

The reality that we are in the very end times is a bit frightening. There have been governments that have forbidden or made it difficult for people to attend church. People have been, and continue to be imprisoned and even killed for their faith. Moreover, we live at a time when temptation is all around all the time. How will we make it?

Jesus promised that the very gates of hell would not prevail against his church. And, since the church is built with living stones--people, we know that Jesus is able to keep us in the faith. Since elsewhere Jesus says that no one can pluck us out of His hand, we know that He will keep us in the true faith. So, we flee to Him when tempted, and avoid those things that would pull us away from Him. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we are in Your hands. We are Your body the church. Save us Lord! The times are perilous; keep us in the true faith unto life everlasting. Amen.

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Thursday After Consummation Sunday, 11/27/08

Deuteronomy 11:18-20
Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
--NKJV
In the name of the One who would have us know His word. Amen.

Yesterday we saw that God keeps us in the faith through the hearing of His word. We noted the importance of attending church. But what if we are kept from hearing God�s word? What if they are prevented from attending church due to poor health or imprisonment? God will certainly keep them in the true faith.

But how will God keep them in the true faith, if faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. He will do so by the word committed to memory. It is typical that children in catechesis complain about memorizing passages from Holy Scripture. But when God�s word is committed to memory, it goes with us everywhere, and cannot be taken from us. In effect, we become walking, talking Bibles. So, when God commands that we talk about His word, meditate on it, and teach it to our children, He is doing nothing else than ensuring that He is able to keep us in the true faith no matter what the circumstances. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord God, heavenly Father, grant that we are never kept from hearing Your word, but always have faithful ministers to preach to us. Grant also that we so faithfully meditate on Your word, talking about it frequently, that it becomes a part of us, and we are part of it; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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Tuesday After Consummation Sunday, 11/25/2008

Luke 18:7-8
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?
--NKJV
In the name of the One who avenges the elect. Amen.

It is truly miraculous that anyone remains in the true faith. That in itself tells you it is God�s hands. But not only is it in God�s hands, God fights for His people. But bear in mind that our passage today is in the context of Jesus urging perseverance in prayer. Perseverence in faith is inseparably linked with perseverance in prayer. Therefore, watch and pray--not because it is a command, but because God promises to hear and answer your prayers. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord God, heavenly Father, avenge us quickly. Give us justice against our enemies; the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which would destroy our faith. Amen.

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Monday After Consummation Sunday, 11/23/2008

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
--NKJV
In the name of the One who would have us obtain the crown of life. Amen.

More than once during the church year we consider the frightening fact that it is possible for us to lose our faith. It is also possible for us to be a tool for the salvation of others, without achieving salvation ourselves. Salvation is a serious thing. We should let nothing stand in the way of our salvation. Instead, we should do everything we can on our end to make sure that we do not throw away the most precious gift God has given us.

Paul speaks of disciplining his body for the sake of his salvation. That is because everything that a person�s spirit experiences, it experiences through his body. Likewise, everything a person�s spirit expresses, it expresses through his body. So, to a great extent, the spirit can be trained by training the body. You know, but may not realize it. You know this because you fold your hands when you pray, and most likely close your eyes and bow your head. Why? To help your spirit focus on prayer. In church you sit, stand, kneel, and make the sign of the cross because your spirit needs a way to express its faith. But there is more.

Many people in our day assume that no one has enough self discipline to deny the body pleasure. It is assumed we will eat all we desire, have intercourse with all whom we are attracted to, buy all that we want. In fact, the generation now entering the work force is especially noted as believing they are entitled. They lack of restraint throws away their salvation.

As we enter the Advent season, a time of repentance, let us each look carefully at our lives and what things have a hold on us. Let us fast from those things that we not be disqualified from the prize. The pleasures of this life are short lived. The crown of life is forever. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord God, Holy Spirit, show us those things that hinder our salvation, and give us the resolve to be free from them through our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with You and the Father, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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Saturday After judgment Sunday, 11/22/2008

Romans 8:33, 34
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God�s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
--KJV
In the name of the One Who makes intercession for us. Amen.

This week we have been looking at what will be the basis of Judgment when we appear before Christ on the last day. We have seen that Jesus Himself does not judge, but rather His word does. Today we see that believers are not even in the judgment equation. They are above judgment. The is no one to bring a charge against us, and the very One Who would condemn us is the same One Who intercedes for us. If He intercedes for us, he will certainly not condemn us. So, we have the greatest advocate we could have, and appear before the judgment of God with no charges against us. What peace of mind this brings! We can look forward to the judgment with joy and eagerness, because it is not a trial, but a celebration. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we are grateful that You intercede for us sinners, and will not condemn us. Help us, by the Holy Spirit, to look forward to the day of Your return with eagerness and joy. We ask this to the glory of our heavenly Father. Amen.

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Friday After Judgment Sunday, 11/21/2008

Revelation 12:10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
--KJV
In the name of the One out of whose kingdom the accuser is cast. Amen.

When a person is brought to trial, he appears there because someone accuses him of wrong doing. Sometimes the state brings the accusation on behalf of someone who can�t bring an accusation. For example, if a person is dead, the state may bring an accusation against the person believed responsible for the death. Similarly, if someone is retarded, a child, or in some other way unable to bring an accusation, the state may bring the accusation on his behalf. But if there is no accuser, there is no trial. It is as simple as that. It doesn�t matter how guilty someone is. If no one will bring an accusation, the person goes free. He is innocent in the eyes of the court.

So it is with us in the court of God�s kingdom. The one who would accuse us, the devil, has been thrown down. He is unable to bring an accusation against us, and so we are free, innocent as far as God is concerned. No accuser means there is no accusation. And without an accusation, we are assumed to be innocent. Thanks be to God that our accuser is thrown down. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, glory be to You, for You have conquered and cast our accuser out of heaven. Blessed be your name forever! Amen.

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