Jesus Christ: The Light Of The World! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 25:3, “They [the chief priests and Jewish leaders] urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.” The hostility toward Paul and the early church was intense, as we find in the book of Acts. In my mind the hostility springs from something Paul had to say about his evangelistic efforts, “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16a. It is this stench of death that the gospel message brings to those who reject it, that, I believe, generates such hostility in their hearts. Jesus told Nicodemus that he was the light that came into the world and the reason people will reject the gospel message, those who have “not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” is that their deeds are evil and so they “loved darkness” fearing that their deeds will be exposed in the light, John 3:19-21. When the gospel message is rejected, it is done so on a calculated impulse. The desire to remain in sin overshadows the claims of the gospel message. I suspect the gospel is rarely rejected on the basis of someone being convinced its claims are spurious, but rather on a gamble that they can continue to live in darkness and somehow avoid the potential that God may exist and have to face his judgment. Nothing could be further from the truth and so when they encounter someone who has embraced the gospel it quite naturally engenders hostility as it impinges on the choice they themselves have made. And of course there is Satan who lashes out at God’s people through those who do his bidding… But the wonderful news is that Jesus Christ has overcome the world and the devil. Our inheritance is a certain thing in spite of the number of folks who are quite hostile toward the light our God has sent into the world. How wonderful it is he did send us his Son Jesus Christ! Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

God: Transcendent And Sovereign - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 25:1-3, “Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.” The Jews of Paul's day are seen here plotting and scheming to do away with him, God’s man. God has his own agenda and here we have man busy about the task of attempting to thwart God’s intentions and desires. To be sure, many of the Jews undoubtedly thought they were even doing God’s will as they set themselves against the purposes and plans of God regarding Paul. How far removed from knowing the God that created them, the God that loved them, the God that sent his only Son as a sacrifice of atonement for their own sins! Our God is transcendent and sovereign, far above anyone’s ability to thwart his agenda! In Psalm 115:3 we read, “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” Proverbs 21:30 tells us, “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” Indeed, as we read of these plotting Jews I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9 and 19:21, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.” Woe to the man who finds himself at odds with the plans and purposes of God! Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Escaping The Wrath Of God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 24:24-25, “Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’” After Paul was imprisoned in Jerusalem, taken to Caesarea and had his trial before Governor Felix, Felix brought his wife, Drusilla and came to listen to Paul. Luke tells us that “Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.” We read that Felix became afraid as he listened to Paul. Just what was it that Paul told the governor that caused this fear within him? What was it that Paul had to say about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come? The text doesn’t tell us but this is what I suspect Paul had to say given what he had said elsewhere. Paul talked about a holy and righteous God, the Creator of all things, to whom we must give an account of all we have thought, said or done. I think Paul told Felix that this Creator God is the judge of all mankind and will visit the fury of his wrath on all who have sinned. I think Paul spoke of the law and how it shows us just how sinful we are and subject to the wrath of God. As the Jews attempted to establish their own righteousness by keeping the law, they found in a very experiential way they were sinners who were incapable of living a godly life through their own self-control: they couldn’t keep the law! The domination of the sinful nature over someone who attempts to keep God’s law demonstrates they are hopeless and helpless before the wrath of God… except for one possibility… Jesus Christ! I’m sure Paul told Felix that God sent his own Son out of his love for man and visited his wrath on Jesus, taking our punishment and that if anyone embraces him in faith he can have Jesus’ payment for sin credited to his account with God. For anyone committed to what this world has to offer, this is a terrifying message. It is bad news followed with good news – certain judgment, but there is a way, only one way, Jesus Christ. For Felix to escape the certainty of God’s wrath he would have to do what Paul had done, give up life as he knew it and embrace Jesus Christ! What a message! No wonder Felix was fearful! All should be fearful as they consider facing the wrath of God Almighty! But what good news it is that Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins and that we can escape the wrath of God through him! Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

God Offers So Much More! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 24:24-26, “Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.” How fascinating that Felix often sent for Paul, to speak with him, hoping Paul would offer him a bribe! Undoubtedly Felix had heard that Paul came to Jerusalem with a sizable gift from the Gentile church for the strapped brothers in Jerusalem and so probably thought Paul was a man with “deep pockets”. What Felix unsuccessfully sought from Paul paled in comparison to what Paul was trying to give him. Felix wanted money; Paul offered him all of the riches that are ours in the Kingdom of Heaven! Felix sought what money could buy; Paul offered him eternal pleasures at the right hand of God! Psalm 16:11. Felix sought a life of ease for the short term; Paul offered him eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord! Felix sought what money could buy him; Paul offered him an opportunity to become a child of God! Had Governor Felix only reached out and grasped what Paul offered him, what an incredible inheritance Felix would have had. Instead, he only looked for a simple bribe! It is staggering to think of what folks will pass up in order to obtain so little… Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Life Beyond The Grave! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 24:15, “I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” As Paul gives his defense while on trial before Felix, he declares the hope he has in Jesus Christ. There is life beyond the grave! There will be a resurrection for all mankind. Some to eternal death, but for those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, there will be a wonderful resurrection to eternal life with our Lord! Not just mere words or a theological concept but an amazing reality to plan for! Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Jesus Christ: Foretold In The Scriptures! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 24:14-16, “I [Paul] admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Paul found Jesus Christ to be a fulfillment of what was written in the Law and the Prophets. I find it wonderful our Lord decided to reveal things to us through his word in the Scriptures. Foretold from the earliest writings of Moses to the many references in the Prophets, the Scriptures declare the coming of Jesus Christ. There are many references to the coming Messiah in our Old Testament and probably none more poignant than that in Isaiah 9:6-7, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Another passage many of us are familiar with is Isaiah 53. Here is a snippet from that in verses 4-6, "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." As with the many accounts of Jesus Christ in the gospels, the fulfillment of prophecy that is represented in the person and work of Jesus Christ adds to the veracity and authenticity of all he had to say and teach us about himself, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus Christ] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:27. Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

God's Purposes Can Never Be Thwarted - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 23:12-19, "The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, 'We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.' … But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul… The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, 'What is it you want to tell me?'" Paul’s enemies were actually the Lord’s enemies - pawns in a spiritual conflict to stop the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles through Paul. All the leaders of the Jews, the Sanhedrin and forty conspirators taking an oath to terminate Paul’s work… but… one young man – Paul’s nephew! As the Lord says in Isaiah 55, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Working against the purposes of God and setting oneself against what the Lord intends to accomplish is futile. Vast armies could have been arrayed against the purposes of God in Paul’s ministry and yet all the Lord uses is one young man! We read in Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." As it turns out, the Lord wanted the gospel proclaimed in Caesar’s court. Those participating against the purposes of God only found themselves facilitating what God wanted to carry out. You cannot succeed in opposing God's purposes, "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." Psalm 33:10-11. As Paul proclaims in Romans, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?' 'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:33-36. Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you! If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.