“The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:33 (NIV)
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Scripture reassures the believer that nothing is by chance. Our verse today indicates that God controls everything, even the game of gambling and throwing the dice. From our human perspective the idea of predicting how dice will turn up when they stop tumbling over is impossible. God clearly states that He controls even the things we believe are “chance” happenings.
In Proverbs 19:21 we read, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (NIV) So this verse goes a lot farther than our verse for today and enters the realm of premeditated, planned activity being under God’s control.
When our Lord was crucified there is no doubt that the followers of Jesus thought the world had come to a screeching halt. Everything they had planned for the future was shattered and in ruins. They hid in fear of the authorities and believed that nothing made sense anymore.
Continue reading 'Is Gambling Really Chance?'»
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one
of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
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In the last couple of days I have heard from two readers of my devotionals and what they said moved me greatly. Apparently both of these compassionate people have linked others up to my devotionals. It is such a simple thing these people have done. One has helped a person who suffers much physical pain to go on my website and subscribe for themselves to these short daily comments. The other person apparently mails out to several people the devotionals every day.
While I have copyrighted the material so that I will be protected when I come to publish the devotionals in book form, I am glad to hear that they are reaching more people with needs today.
The people who go to the trouble of connecting others to a source of help are seen by our Father in heaven and He shall reward them accordingly. This is the thought of the verse for today. Jesus is speaking about people who give clothing to the needy, visiting the sick, giving a cup of cold water to the thirsty, visiting people in prison and other acts of mercy that no one else would likely learn about.
It is such a blessing to me that people are out there doing deeds of kindness without looking for anything in return. Simply doing what they can to relieve the worst of someone else’s pain and sorrow.
Continue reading 'A Cup of Cold Water'»
“You are not your own;
you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
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This week I have been preparing a sermon on 1 Corinthians chapters 7 & 8. As I started reading the content of chapter 7, I decided to look back into chapter 6 to see the context. As I did that I realised the apostle Paul was basing the material in chapter 7 on the statement of today’s verse.
Paul was telling the Christians that they did not own themselves if they were truly followers of Jesus. Jesus purchased His people at Golgotha, the hill outside the walled city of Jerusalem. We belong to Jesus because He purchased us through His death and resurrection.
Such a thought of being someone else’s possession can be distressing to those who do not walk with Jesus. They wish to be their own people and answer to no one. However, the Christian message is that God’s children belong to Him and therefore are under His leadership and they must desire His will to be done in their lives.
This idea that we belong to God can be a problem if God sees fit to allow suffering to come into our lives. Some people’s idea of what God is like has no place for God to have anything to do with the sorrow in their lives. They see God as some doting deity who is like a celestial Santa Claus who spreads cheer and blessing but never crosses the will of his children.
Continue reading 'The Ownership Certificate Says…'»
“My child do not ignore the Lord’s discipline,
nor lose heart when I rebuke you.”
Hebrews 12:5-6
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Many suffering Christians struggle with the mistaken notion that their pain is the result of God punishing them. So many wonderful followers of Jesus seek to know what they have done wrong to merit such difficulties in life. They hope to relieve the suffering by correcting some sin in their lives.
As Christians we cannot be punished by God at any time during our journey through life. If we have turned to Jesus and embraced Him as our Saviour, then we need to understand that all of the punishment due to our sins was laid on Jesus. Jesus took all of the just wrath of God for our sins and we are now free. So when the believer in Jesus suffers in this life it cannot be payment for our sins.
Punishment for sin is only directed to those who refuse to bow before a holy God. Punishment for Christians is all directed to Jesus.
The question naturally arises then, “If Jesus has taken all of the punishment for His people’s sins then why do fine, godly Christians still suffer in this life?” One answer lies in the verse for today. As a loving parent the Lord will at times rebuke a child of His who has wandered away from Him.
Continue reading 'Am I Being Punished?'»
then you shall be my treasure above all people:
for all the earth is mine:
Exodus 19:5
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Last evening I did what all grandparents love to do. I took one of my son’s four children out to the restaurant. What a great time I had as I saw them happily interacting with each other.
The oldest is a second mother to the younger ones. She helped them choose their dinner from the many offerings on the menu. When the youngest spilled some French fries on the floor she quickly got up and assisted him in cleaning things up. The second youngest said something so funny that her little brother went into hysterical laughter.
We were not the loudest table in the restaurant but we were likely the happiest. I was so glad to have this time with them and throughout the dinner I was asking this one and that about their plans for university, their favourite subjects at school and so on.
As I looked around at the other tables and the customers I felt the love for these four grandchildren swell in my heart. Of course, I wished everyone in the place a good evening, but I only paid for the bill at my table. These four young people are my special treasure above all the people I saw last night.
Continue reading 'A Special Treasure'»
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