August 26, 2013

Making Wise Investments (Part 7): Treasures in Heaven

Making Wise Investments (Part 7): Treasures in Heaven

This is the final lesson in our series in which we have been discussing what the Bible describes as wise investments. They are things of great value – not valuable from a material standpoint, but valuable because they pertain to that which is spiritual and eternal. In this last lesson, we will consider what ought to be the goal of all of our efforts – a home in heaven.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

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August 12, 2013

Making Wise Investments (Part 4): The Great Gain of Godliness

Making Wise Investments (Part 4): The Great Gain of Godliness

Why do we serve God? Different people will have different answers to that question. Yet not all of them will have the right motivation. Some are motivated by material gain – a better life now. We sometimes use the term “health and wealth gospel” to refer to the message that is tailored to this group’s desires. Others are motivated by spiritual gain – a better life in eternity. Many are motivated by a combination of the two. In this lesson, we will consider Paul’s words to Timothy in which he warned of the danger of being motivated by material gain and he explained what is the great gain of godliness.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6).

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January 9, 2013

Take Courage

In concluding His final address to the apostles before His arrest, Jesus told them to be courageous in the face of the hardships that would be coming against them.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Courage is the confidence and conviction to do what one knows to be right, regardless of the consequences. The apostles needed courage to carry out the Lord’s instructions without being deterred by the persecution that awaited them.

As Christians, we also need to have courage today. The Lord has left instructions for us to follow. We are to “observe all that [Christ] commanded” (Matthew 28:20). Furthermore, we are warned that we will become a target by following the Lord’s instructions. Paul said, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

How can we “take courage” (John 16:33) so that we will be able to endure the sufferings that will come for the cause of Christ?
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December 30, 2012

“Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord” (12/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Revelation 12-18.

“And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!”‘ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them’” (Revelation 14:13).

When a faithful child of God passes from this life, the above verse is often used to provide comfort for the grieving family and friends. But it is important to understand why these individuals are blessed.
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December 23, 2012

“Strangers and Exiles on the Earth” (12/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Hebrews 11-13.

Hebrews 11 contains several examples of ones who lived by faith. One of the characteristics that distinguished them as being people of faith was their understanding of their place in the world.

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).

These individuals knew, and were willing to confess, that they were “strangers and exiles on the earth.” They knew that the promises of God, though seen “from a distance,” were better than what they could hope to gain in this life without God.
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October 5, 2012

Eagerly Awaiting the Return of Christ

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

As citizens of heaven, Paul said that we ought to be eagerly looking forward to the Lord’s return. But there is more to this than just the mental desire for Christ to return. Notice the words of God revealed through the prophet Amos:

“Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord, for what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light; as when a man flees from a lion and a bear meets him, or goes home, leans his hand against the wall and a snake bites him. Will not the day of the Lord be darkness instead of light, even gloom with no brightness in it?” (Amos 5:18-20).

There were people in Amos’ day – just as there are in our day – who were looking forward to the day of the Lord. They thought it would be a time for their deliverance rather than judgment and punishment. We do not want to delude ourselves like those of whom Amos prophesied. If we want to genuinely and properly look forward to Christ’s return, there are certain things we must do and things we must understand.
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July 6, 2012

“Easier for a Camel to Go through the Eye of a Needle”

Camel

“And Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:23-26).

This is one of the difficult statements of Jesus. It almost seems as though He was discouraging a portion of His followers and future followers (the rich) from coming after Him. Yet His statement was not meant to be discouraging, but a warning of the potential danger that riches can be to one’s spiritual well-being.
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