J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
The LORD tests His people through providences to reveal the nature of their faith. "Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philestines were assembling...." (1 Samuel 13:11). Saul walked by sight and not by faith. He employed situational ethics where the means justified the ends. Note that he assessed reality by what he saw (three times) rather than perceiving the reality of a divine test unfolding before him. He failed the test. Beware of providences that entice you to trust in yourself and not God, you are being tested. The LORD is seeking to know if you will come to Him or bypass His counsel to establish your own providences. Resist the temptation to judge reality by what you see. Rather, confirm Gods activity in your providences by inquiring of Him so that you might pass the test.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Epitome of Folly
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
From the beginning it has been the tendency of a fallen race to trust in what is seen and doubt that which is invisible. I AM is Spirit, thus trusting and following Him is a spiritual endeavor. "No, but there shall be a king over us, that we may be like all nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight out battles" (1 Samuel 8:19-20). Rank unbelief characterized Israel at this low point in the nations history. Forgetting God's prior deliverance and miracles their hearts ached for a man to protect and lead them. Displeased, the LORD allowed distress to come upon the nation. Trusting in anyone or anything other than the LORD is the epitome of folly, for He is our strength, our fortress, our wisdom and sure foundation. While invisible His presence is real. While visible the a fallen mans ability to exalt Gods people is fantasy.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
From the beginning it has been the tendency of a fallen race to trust in what is seen and doubt that which is invisible. I AM is Spirit, thus trusting and following Him is a spiritual endeavor. "No, but there shall be a king over us, that we may be like all nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight out battles" (1 Samuel 8:19-20). Rank unbelief characterized Israel at this low point in the nations history. Forgetting God's prior deliverance and miracles their hearts ached for a man to protect and lead them. Displeased, the LORD allowed distress to come upon the nation. Trusting in anyone or anything other than the LORD is the epitome of folly, for He is our strength, our fortress, our wisdom and sure foundation. While invisible His presence is real. While visible the a fallen mans ability to exalt Gods people is fantasy.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Monday, April 9, 2012
Single Minded Compulsion
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
There are, perhaps, an infinite variety of ends to which the sons of Adam may live their lives. Not so for the heirs of salvation, theirs is a single minded compulsion to live and proclaim the excellencies of Him whose mercies are everlasting from generation to generation, "And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, and your power to all who are to come" (Psalm 71:18). What more can a man do for those who will continue upon the earth after he departs than to direct their hearts to the LORD of their existence, to counsel them that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and that any other foundation is sinking sand? Oh LORD, empower and direct Your people today in proclaiming Your kingdom and righteousness. To the praise of Your wondrous Name.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
There are, perhaps, an infinite variety of ends to which the sons of Adam may live their lives. Not so for the heirs of salvation, theirs is a single minded compulsion to live and proclaim the excellencies of Him whose mercies are everlasting from generation to generation, "And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, and your power to all who are to come" (Psalm 71:18). What more can a man do for those who will continue upon the earth after he departs than to direct their hearts to the LORD of their existence, to counsel them that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and that any other foundation is sinking sand? Oh LORD, empower and direct Your people today in proclaiming Your kingdom and righteousness. To the praise of Your wondrous Name.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Sunday, April 8, 2012
"I Tried Jesus"
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
What do people expect from Jesus? What type of Savior is He? A week earlier the same group of people were heralding Him by shouting "Hosanna!" But one week later we read..."Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, "Crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22). What happened? They had a false understanding of the Christ...one not from Scripture. He did not meet their expectations, He let them down, so their disappointment turned to rage. They had not read or understood that Messiah would save His people from their sin, not from Roman occupation. These people were not interested in eternal salvation, but from being free of the temporal domination of Ceasar. Today the same reaction to Jesus can be expected whenever a different gospel, a false gospel, is preached, one other than that found in the Bible. Jesus did not die to ensure a better paying job, a happier marriage, good health, or an easy life. Those who come to Him on those terms, who think He did, will soon be disappointed and turn on Him, and in their hearts cry out, "Crucify Him!" Jesus came to save His people from their sin, not their felt needs. The hardest people to reach with the true Gospel are those who believed a false one, for they respond to the real Gospel with, "I tried Jesus and He did not work for me." May God have mercy on those who have misled people. Preach the kingdom of God and repentance from dead works, proclaim guilt before a Holy God in breaking His Law and the certainty of judgment and Hell for those who reject His vicarious atonement on their behalf; then behold the power of God to bring sinners to faith and repentance, resulting in the salvation of their souls. To God be the glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
What do people expect from Jesus? What type of Savior is He? A week earlier the same group of people were heralding Him by shouting "Hosanna!" But one week later we read..."Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, "Crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22). What happened? They had a false understanding of the Christ...one not from Scripture. He did not meet their expectations, He let them down, so their disappointment turned to rage. They had not read or understood that Messiah would save His people from their sin, not from Roman occupation. These people were not interested in eternal salvation, but from being free of the temporal domination of Ceasar. Today the same reaction to Jesus can be expected whenever a different gospel, a false gospel, is preached, one other than that found in the Bible. Jesus did not die to ensure a better paying job, a happier marriage, good health, or an easy life. Those who come to Him on those terms, who think He did, will soon be disappointed and turn on Him, and in their hearts cry out, "Crucify Him!" Jesus came to save His people from their sin, not their felt needs. The hardest people to reach with the true Gospel are those who believed a false one, for they respond to the real Gospel with, "I tried Jesus and He did not work for me." May God have mercy on those who have misled people. Preach the kingdom of God and repentance from dead works, proclaim guilt before a Holy God in breaking His Law and the certainty of judgment and Hell for those who reject His vicarious atonement on their behalf; then behold the power of God to bring sinners to faith and repentance, resulting in the salvation of their souls. To God be the glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thanks Be To God
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
"Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:29). Was it seeing and touching the risen Christ that prompted the response by Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"? (John 20:28). Is seeing believing? If that is true then all people who saw would have believed...but they did not. Others saw the risen LORD yet did not believe. Even Jesus made a telling statement about the rich man suffering judgment after he died, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). How is it then Thomas moved from unbelief to belief? The Word of Life brought it forth, "...do not be unbelieving, but believing" (John 20:27). For this reason Jesus informs that seeing is not necessary for faith...grace is. What is needed is the mercy of God to open blind eyes and melt hearts of stone. And Thomas would soon learn that he was not only blessed of God to believe but to suffer for His names sake, "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29). This statement by Paul finds agreement with Jesus who also said, "...no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (John 6:65). So Thomas believed as it had been granted for him to do so. And you believe, like Thomas, as a result of grace. Amazing grace indeed! I once was blind but now I see. Thanks be to God. Happy Resurrection Day!
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
"Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:29). Was it seeing and touching the risen Christ that prompted the response by Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"? (John 20:28). Is seeing believing? If that is true then all people who saw would have believed...but they did not. Others saw the risen LORD yet did not believe. Even Jesus made a telling statement about the rich man suffering judgment after he died, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). How is it then Thomas moved from unbelief to belief? The Word of Life brought it forth, "...do not be unbelieving, but believing" (John 20:27). For this reason Jesus informs that seeing is not necessary for faith...grace is. What is needed is the mercy of God to open blind eyes and melt hearts of stone. And Thomas would soon learn that he was not only blessed of God to believe but to suffer for His names sake, "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29). This statement by Paul finds agreement with Jesus who also said, "...no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (John 6:65). So Thomas believed as it had been granted for him to do so. And you believe, like Thomas, as a result of grace. Amazing grace indeed! I once was blind but now I see. Thanks be to God. Happy Resurrection Day!
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Thursday, April 5, 2012
An Earnest
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
The eye of the LORD is fixed upon His people. His purposes concerning them are eternal, His Spirit given as an earnest of the glory to be revealed in them. "Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a pledge" (2 Cor. 5:5). The sons of Adam dread mortality, vainly pursuing ends to forestall their inevitable demise. The children of promise earnestly seek to put off that which is mortal so that that which is eternal may have supremacy. Strange in the eyes of the world are the heirs of the King who fear not death, knowing that the victory is theirs in Christ Jesus who raised and will raise them to everlasting life. To He who is able to keep you until that day be the glory and the honor and power. Amen
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
The eye of the LORD is fixed upon His people. His purposes concerning them are eternal, His Spirit given as an earnest of the glory to be revealed in them. "Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a pledge" (2 Cor. 5:5). The sons of Adam dread mortality, vainly pursuing ends to forestall their inevitable demise. The children of promise earnestly seek to put off that which is mortal so that that which is eternal may have supremacy. Strange in the eyes of the world are the heirs of the King who fear not death, knowing that the victory is theirs in Christ Jesus who raised and will raise them to everlasting life. To He who is able to keep you until that day be the glory and the honor and power. Amen
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Faith is Dawned
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
Are we marveling daily at the power of God in our spiritual rebirth? "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). He is the One who brings forth that which was not, light out of darkness, faith out of unbelief, life out of death. We are His workmanship and the product of His purposes in Christ Jesus. The god of this world holds captive the sons of Adam in darkness and unbelief. Only the power of God can release the captives to in turn be led captive by the Savior of their souls. And this is not the result of their doing, but of His grace. In a moment, in the blinking of an eye the veil is removed, and faith is dawned. Rejoice at the miracle of faith, brethren, beloved of the Father, led by the Spirit, joined to the Son. Precious and imperishable is Gods gift to you. Thank Him for it. Again I say rejoice!
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
Are we marveling daily at the power of God in our spiritual rebirth? "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). He is the One who brings forth that which was not, light out of darkness, faith out of unbelief, life out of death. We are His workmanship and the product of His purposes in Christ Jesus. The god of this world holds captive the sons of Adam in darkness and unbelief. Only the power of God can release the captives to in turn be led captive by the Savior of their souls. And this is not the result of their doing, but of His grace. In a moment, in the blinking of an eye the veil is removed, and faith is dawned. Rejoice at the miracle of faith, brethren, beloved of the Father, led by the Spirit, joined to the Son. Precious and imperishable is Gods gift to you. Thank Him for it. Again I say rejoice!
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
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