Praying Pint

 

 

Revelation 16:15  (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Revelation 3:3    Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

Matthew 24:43     But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3    For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

 

“We die daily,” the apostle said. That was the reality of life for the early Christians. They went everywhere knowing their lives could be at risk. Today, most of us are not called to face that same kind of persecution. If we were, the Lord would give us the grace to endure it. But the tests Christians face now, though not as terrifying on the outside, can still be deeply dangerous to the soul.

We may have to endure the world’s scorn, but that is often the smaller trial. Its flattery, soft words, subtle compromises, and false kindness can be far more dangerous. Our danger is that we may become comfortable, proud, and too attached to the values of this present world, until our faith grows weak.

If wealth is not our test, then daily worries may be. The devil does not care whether he destroys our love for Christ through fierce opposition or quiet distraction, as long as he succeeds. The church may be in greater danger of losing its faithfulness in comfortable times than in times of open hardship.

That means we must stay awake. We are walking through spiritually dangerous ground, where ease can lull us to sleep. Unless our faith in Jesus is real and our love for him is burning brightly, we can become careless without realizing it.

In days when it is easy to call yourself a Christian, many may appear sincere but prove not to belong to Christ at all. So do not imagine that this is a time to set aside watchfulness or spiritual passion. We need both more than ever. May the Holy Spirit work powerfully in us so that, whether the trials are harsh or gentle, we may truly say, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Spurgeon)

 

Ecclesiastes 6:12  For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

It doesn’t do us any harm to see ourselves set over against the might and omnipotence of God, Solomon has been telling us. We are just a heartbeat away from eternity, and if God were to cause our hearts to stop at this very moment – we would die. We are very vulnerable people, and to try to go against the all-powerful Creator is about as effective as trying to shift the Rock of Gibraltar with a peashooter. Life functions best when we accept the destiny God has for us and close in with it. This picture of God as all-powerful is not being presented to us (as Derek Tidball points out) in order to bring us to our knees in weak and helpless submission. It is simply a matter of fact, a matter of truth. God is stronger than we are and, for that matter, stronger than anything we might want to put our trust in – wealth and money in particular. Solomon’s last point in this chapter is the fact that we do not know the future, and his message, by implication, is that if we are wise we will get to know the One who knows the future. Knowing God means we come in touch with the only One who can really meet our soul’s deepest needs. Contentment does not lie in a large bank balance, status, ambition, material possessions, or earthly success. It comes only when we are in a close relationship with God. Only He can give us the power to enjoy life. We would be wise to build on God, not on gold. (Hughes)

O God, help me this day to stand before You with an open heart, an open mind, and an open being. For I want to be changed not into the image of things, but into the image of You. I will have no idols in my life. I own You as my only Lord. Amen.

 

Numbers 16:1-3  Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

Acts 7:39    Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt,

Malachi 1:13  But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts.

Acts 7:51    “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

 

The complainer is further embarrassed by the moral company in which he finds himself. His is a spiritual affinity with some pretty shady characters: Cain, Korah, the sulky elder brother, the petulant Jews of the Book of Malachi who answered every fatherly admonition of God with an ill-humored “Wherefore have we” Wherein have we”” These are but a few faces that stand out in the picture of the disgruntled followers of the religious way. And the complaining Christian, if he but looks closely, will see his own face peering out at him from the background. Lastly, the believer who complains against the difficulties of the way proves that he has never felt or known the sorrows which broke over the head of Christ when He was here among men. After one look at Gethsemane or Calvary, the Christian can never again believe that his own path is a hard one. We dare not compare our trifling pains with the sublime passion endured for our salvation. Any comparison would itself be the supreme argument against our complaints, for what sorrow is like unto His” After saying all this we are yet sure that no one can be reasoned out of the habit of complaining. That habit is more than a habit—it is a disease of the soul, and as such, it will never yield to mere logic. The only cure is cleansing in the blood of the Lamb. (Tozer)

 

Psalms 10:16  The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land.

Psalms 29:10   The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.

Psalms 93:1    The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Psalms 145:13    Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]

Psalms 146:10    The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

Isaiah 33:22    For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Jeremiah 10:10    But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

Lamentations 5:19    But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.

Daniel 4:34    At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

1 Timothy 1:17    To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:15-16    which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

 

Jesus Christ is not a harsh ruler who simply claims divine authority; he is truly the Lord’s Anointed One. It pleased the Father for all fullness to dwell in him, and God has given him all power and authority. As the Son of Man, Jesus is now head over everything for the good of his church. He reigns over heaven, earth, and hell, holding the keys of life and death. Some earthly rulers have liked to call themselves kings by the will of the people. In a far greater way, Jesus is King by the willing love of his church. If every believer could vote on whether Christ should reign, every faithful heart would gladly place the crown on his head. How we wish we could honor him more fully than we do.

No sacrifice would be wasted if it brought glory to Christ. Suffering would be worth it, and loss would become gain, if through it he were honored more brightly before people and angels. Yes, he will reign. Long live the King! All hail, King Jesus! Let every soul that loves the Lord bow at his feet and honor him with love and gratitude. Bring out the royal crown and crown him Lord of all. Jesus is also King by right of conquest. He has won the hearts of his people and defeated the enemies that once held them in bondage. By his own blood, our Redeemer has drowned the power of our sin. He has freed us from the heavy burden and curse of the law. Shouldn’t such a Deliverer be crowned? We belong to him, rescued by his mighty hand, and no one can take us from him. All hail, King Jesus! We gladly submit to your gentle rule. Reign in our hearts forever, lovely Prince of Peace. (Spurgeon)

 

John 1:12  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Acts 16:31  And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

What is our answer to the many confused persons who keep asking: “How can we know that we have come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ”” First, we stand together on the basic truth that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. A second fact is that men and women are saved by faith in Christ, alone; without works and without our merit. However, the fact that Christ came to save sinners is not enough-that fact in itself cannot save us. Now, in our day, the issues of believing faith and the gift of eternal life are clouded and confused by an “easy acceptance” that has been fatal to millions who may have stopped short in matters of faith and obedience. Faith is believing and receiving, as in Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved;” and as in John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name.” (Tozer)

 

1 Timothy 6:7    We have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

How can we conquer the mountain of materialism? In a word, contentment. The Greek word in the Bible translated as “contentment” was used by the Stoics to imply that people are self-sufficient–we don’t need to look outside ourselves for satisfaction. Paul Christianized the word. He wrote, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. . . . I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11, 13). We don’t hang our happiness on outside circumstances; we look inward to our relationship with Jesus Christ.   Notice Paul said he “learned to be content.” Contentment doesn’t come naturally to us, but it’s something we can learn. Let me offer three aspects for application for learning to be content.   First of all, thank God for what you already have. In 1 Timothy 6:8, Paul said, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” How often do you sincerely thank God for the meal in front of you instead of just saying the words? How often do you thank God for your job instead of complaining about it? Greed and gratitude cannot exist in the same heart.   Second, recognize the dangers of materialism. Verse 9 says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare.” If you focus on money, you become easy prey for “get-rich-quick schemes” and dishonest people. You can also fall into “many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction” (v. 9). Wealth or the pursuit of wealth can lead to wasteful spending, illicit relationships, the breakup of families, and falling away from God altogether.   Finally, remember your possessions are temporary. Verse 7 says, “We have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” I’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul. When you die, you can’t take your possessions with you. That’s why the ultimate misuse of your life is to spend it pursuing things you’re going to leave behind. As Jesus said in Luke 12:15, “Not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” You are more than what you own. And the best use of your life is to spend it pursuing the things of eternity–things that will last forever. (Jeffress)

 

 

Romans 8:18-25  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 

Those spiritual blessings in heavenly places which are ours in Christ may be divided into three classes: The first is those which come to us immediately upon our believing unto salvation, such as forgiveness, justification, regeneration, sonship to God and baptism into the Body of Christ. In Christ we possess these even before we know that they are ours, such knowledge coming to us later through the study of the Holy Scriptures. The second class is those riches which are ours by inheritance but which we cannot enjoy in actuality until our Lord returns. These include ultimate mental and moral perfection, the glorification of our bodies, the completion of the restoration of the divine image in our redeemed personalities and the admission into the very presence of God to experience forever the Beatific Vision. These treasures are as surely ours as if we possessed them now, but it would be useless for us to pray for them while we journey here below. God has made it very clear that they are reserved for the time of the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:18-25). The third class of blessing consists of spiritual treasures which are ours by blood atonement but which will not come to us unless we make a determined effort to possess them. These are deliverance from the sins of the flesh, victory over self, the constant flow of the Holy Spirit through our personalities, fruitfulness in Christian service, awareness of the presence of God, growth in grace, an increasing consciousness of union with God and an unbroken spirit of worship. These do not come to us automatically nor must we wait to claim them at the day of Christ’s coming. They are to us what the Promised Land was to Israel, to be entered into as our faith and courage mount. (Tozer)

 

Romans 11:19-21  Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

Psalms 138:6    For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

Proverbs 28:26    Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Isaiah 2:11    The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Believers can sometimes think too highly of themselves. We forget that every difference between us and the worst of sinners is because of God’s free, sovereign, and gracious work in our lives. We need to remember that we are still weak and can be overcome, still foolish and prone to wander, still sinful and easily influenced. Satan is strong, determined, subtle, malicious, active, and persistent. The world is attractive, deceptive, empty, and full of traps. Remembering these things keeps us from becoming spiritually careless.

A proud Christian is rarely fruitful and is often allowed to stumble. That is why Scripture warns, “Let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” David fell. Peter fell. Thousands of others have fallen too, and their failures still warn us: do not be proud, but walk in reverent fear. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

So let us cultivate a humble heart and a steady dependence on God. As we do, we will be kept safe, made holy, and led into lasting joy. (Smith)

 

 

1 Samuel 12:21     Do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.

In the 1940s, radio listeners tuned into a suspenseful new dramatic episode of Quiet Please entitled, “Nothing Behind the Door.” Three men climbed to the top of a mountain to break into a mysterious little house near an observatory. Inside they found a sealed door, which they forced open with great foreboding. As it turned out, it led to nowhere. Behind it was nothing but emptiness. It was a psychological image that shocked listeners with the emptiness of human existence.  But open doors are not always God’s doors, especially when we force them open. Some opportunities lead nowhere spiritually. Behind them we find only disappointment, regret, and hollowness.

As we go through life, we will see many doors, but unless God is leading us to them and through them, they will lead nowhere. Let God open the right doors for you. Do not turn aside to other doors or opportunities, for we do not want to go after empty things which cannot profit and which are nothing.  (Dr. Jeremiah)

When God allows one door to close, it may be because he is preparing to open a more effective door.