Day 173

A remider post from Day 1 of the purpose of this dail blog.  Praying that this is a help to you today and everyday.
Why do you do what you do? In your personal relationship with Christ or in your public worship in the church, you need to know why you do what you do. If you were to define your Christian life, how would you do it? Would you define it by what you do or by stating what you believe? In the Bible, James shows that you must do both.

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

To define the faith side I would like to show that our faith is in the absolute truths of God’s Word. For the discussion, we will use the term “principle” for what we believe by faith - the absolute truths of God’s Word. We will use the term “practical” to define what we do - our works. This year, I am planning a daily blog to address the absolute truths in God’s Word and ways we can work to apply those truths. Our day needs to be filled with Biblical principles and practical actions that do not violate these principles. What I have found over a number of years of ministry is that people do not know why they do what they do, neither do they know why they believe what they believe. I hope this exercise will help provoke thought. 

 Day 173

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

God is. That truth begins everything. There is none other. God is greater than His creation.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Colossians 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Why do you believe that God is: because the above verses show this clearly.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

Early in the morning at the beginning of the day, acknowledge the Lord by starting with prayer. “Lord I need you today.” Since God is, He is the only one Who can help you through your day. Why do you have time with the Lord in the morning: because God is.

On day one begin to make a list of everything you do on a daily basis, including those things on the schedule that do not seem to be spiritual things such as what you do for work or things as 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Then find a Biblical principle to back up what you are doing.

 

Day 172

Day 172

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

David knew his God.  He knew a Triune God who spoke to him.  David understood the truth that God requires those who are in authority to lead from the position of justice along with honoring God Himself.  In this passage, we see God the Father in the God of Israel, God the Son in the Rock of Israel and God the Holy Spirit in the Spirit of the Lord.  No doubt of whom God is including in the Old Testament.

2Samuel 23:2-3 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

Those who rule must do so with justice and fear of God.

Titus 1:6-9 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Day 171

Day 171

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

There is only one God, He is Lord, He is strength and power, He works directly in my life.

2Samuel 22:31-38 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?

 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

There is One God who works directly with the body of Christ the church. 

Ephesians 4:4-8 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Day 170

Day 170

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

Truth: we can always praise the Lord for who He is because of what He has done for us.

2Samuel 22:1-7 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Day 169

Day 169
Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:
All I takes is on person to make a big noise and many people turn away from God’s man.

This turn is not a matter of opinion or a choice between differing views.  Always choose to follow God’s man.  But more importantly the truth in this passage is the contrast is in Belial and God. 

2Samuel 20:1-2 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

When we try to pick between people we are going to follow it always end in trouble.  The practical to the principle is to always follow Christ and He will always bring us the leaders we need to follow.

1Co 1:11-13 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Day 168

Day 168

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

Truth: there are always those who seek to overthrow authorities because they believe they can do better.

Truth: those in authority many times are unaware that those they are responsible for are planning to overthrow the authority given to you.

Truth: there are many people who will follow the ones who are doing to overthrowing with out even knowing what they are doing.

2Samuel 15:1-11 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

Watch out for those who would try to cause division by disregarding the Lord’s authorities. Beware of what is going on around you and do not be simple concerning evil.

Romans 16:17-19 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Day 167

Day 167

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

As fathers, we make decisions daily that affect the entire family.  Praise the Lord of Grace and Mercy.

Truth: God gives mercy in many ways when we sin against Him.  God gives mercy to us by not bringing death as an immediate response to our sin.  God gives mercy God gives mercy in allowing a death to spare that one from the consequences of our sins.  God gives grace by putting our sins “away” total everlasting forgiveness.  God gives grace to deal with tragedies in life including a loss of a child.  God gives grace knowing that some day because of God’s great love we can see that child in eternity in God’s presence in heaven. 

2Sa 12:12-23 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

What a awesome job fathers have. What a great example we have in The Father.

Matthew 7:9-12 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.