6-6-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 13

 John 14: 6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." We will spend two days looking at this verse of Scripture. Today, we focus on the first part.The image of a path or way in the Hebrew Bible often stood for keeping the commandments or teachings of God. This was a common ancient metaphor for active participation in a set of beliefs, teachings or practices. The Dead Sea Scrolls community called themselves followers of “the way,” by which they meant they were followers of their own interpretation of the path that pleased God. Paul and the first Christians also called themselves “follower[s] of the Way” The word truth is used in Scripture in two ways: true as contrasted with false; and genuine as contrasted with unreal. Although both apply to God, when we speak of the truth of God, normally His genuineness is contrasted with false gods of other religions. The Scriptures in this sense declare Him “the only true God”.  The word in Greek for life is "zoe" and refers to spiritual life. There is only one way, one truth, and one life, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a Lost Soul Discovered One Minute After Death in Hell

Lu 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Lu 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Lu 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Lu 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Lu 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Lu 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Lu 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Lu 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Lu 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Lu 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Lu 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Lu 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Lu 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

The above text has been called "The Rich Man and Lazarus." Notice our Lord does not describe it as a parable. Today's message is entitled: "What a Lost Soul Discovered One Minute After Death in Hell." Christ has advised His listeners that there were two men who lived and died, and they went into Eternity. This is a real-life story given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. We would do well to remember this teaching.  The beggar when to heaven and the rich man to hell. This is what the rich man learned one minute after his heart stopped.

First, he learned that death does not end it all. "And in hell he lift up his eyes." (v. 23)

Second, he learned that hell is a living reality. "Being in torments." (v. 23) It is not a joke, and you won't be hanging out with friends.

Third, he learned that his conscience survives death. "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." (v. 25)

Fourth, memory survives death. "Remember...." (v. 25) You will never forget how many times you heard the Gospel and rejected it.

Fifth, he learned the awful certainty of the fixed condition of a lost soul in hell. "There is a great gulf fixed." (v. 26) No hope and no chance for a reprieve. 

Sixth, there is no opportunity granted to those in hell to redeem past carelessness or indifference. "Send Lazarus to my father's house: for I have five brethren." (vs. 27, 28) Only in this life can you change indifference or carelessness.

Seventh, he learned the absolute authority and finality of God's Word. "They have Moses and the Prophets...." (v.29) God's Word is the absolute and final authority. Gd's Word will never pass away.

Eighth, he learned that his money was useless to buy him out of hell. 

Ninth, his religion could not get him out of hell. The rich man was an Orthodox Jew. Jews believed because they were Abraham's descendants, they had a guarantee of heaven. He was wrong.

Tenth, he learned that he would be punished according to the truth he learned. If you have heard the truth of the Gospel and rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, you will have greater suffering.

Eleventh, he learned that there is no respect of persons with God (Romans 2:11). All who reject the Lord Jesus Christ will enter hell forever. 

Reading friend, consider the words you have read. Hell is real with eternal flames of punishment. There is no soul sleep or annihilation.  Where will you spend eternity? You will live forever, the only question is where?

6-5-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 12

 John 14: 2: "In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."  The word "mansions" is literally.dwelling places, rooms, or even apartments (in modern terms). All are in the large “Father’s house.” We often hear this verse at funerals in an effort to comfort us about the loss of a loved one. However, the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking this to comfort us who are alive about our future abode. Stop and think that our Lord has gone and He has a place specifically for you. While I don't know what the accommodations will be like, the Scriptures tell us the streets are paved with gold. My thought is that the "mansion" will make the best five star hotels in the world pale in comparison. Remember,that while Christ is preparing the place in heaven for His own, and the Holy Spirit is actively preparing the redeemed on earth for their place in heaven. Let us be sensitive to the working of the Holy Spirit as He prepares us for heaven. Always be listening to the Word of God as the Holy Spirit applies it to your heart. 

6-4-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 11

 John 14: 1: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." Instead of the disciples lending support to Jesus in the hours before His cross, He had to support them spiritually as well as emotionally. This reveals His heart of serving love. This passage of supreme comfort is offered by Jesus in an hour darkened by the shadow of Judas’s treachery and Peter’s failure, only a few hours away from the agony of Gethsemane and death on the cross (13:21). Yet the statement conveys a sense of sublime peace, and is intended to minister to the fears of the disciples rather than to Jesus’ own needs. The words spoken to the disciples apply equally to us today. Concerned about inflation, gas prices, the uncertainties in our world? The Lord Jesus Christ says to us today, "Let not your heart be troubled." In the Greek language, the word for troubled means confused. Our Lord is saying, "Don't let the world and events confuse you." We can stand sure on God's Word and His promises. His Word is our foundation, not Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Stand sure.

6-3-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 10

 Luke 12:32: "Fear not, little flock: for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The Lord Jesus Christ is providing assurances to His followers in an effort to reduce and eliminate their anxiety. Jesus provides four weighty arguments against anxiety. First, concern for worldly goods is foolish because life itself is more important (v. 23). Second, God will take care of His own, just as He cares for the birds of the air (v. 24). Third, anxiety accomplishes nothing (vv. 25, 26). Finally, as heirs of the inexhaustible riches of the kingdom of God, believers should not worry about earthly details (vv. 32, 33). Jesus calls His followers to order their priorities correctly by focusing their hearts on the kingdom (v. 34). When we set our priorities correctly, we will reduce our anxiety. Know that nothing can happen to you today that does not first pass through the throneroom of heaven. Whatever my Father intends for me to encounter is in the best interests of my God and His Will. That reduces my stress.

6-2-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 9

 Matthew 16:25: "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." This verse lays out a general principle. Save his life implies someone seeking ways to make his own life comfortable, good, and pleasant. Everyone wants a pleasant and happy life, one that is fulfilling. Unfortunately, most people seek it directly by trying to make themselves happy. The principle here is that such an effort will fail. The proof is seen by looking around at most Americans today. America has been defined as 330 million people desperately trying to make themselves happy. A better route is for one to lose his life for the sake of the Lord; then he shall find it. That is, if someone sacrifices their own goals, dreams, and happiness for the sake of following Christ, the end result will be a happier, more fulfilling life. In general, a life lived unselfishly will be happier than a life lived for oneself. Specifically, in this context, Jesus was pointing out that someone who dies for Christ and the gospel has lost nothing. He or she will find blessing in eternity. The central thought is that a selfish life is an unfulfilled life. Live for Christ and you shall find true happiness.

6-1-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 8

 Matthew 28:20: "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." When the Lord Jesus Christ says He is with us even to the end of the world, the verb tense is present indicative. Present means it is ongoing without a break and indicative means it is a statement of fact. It is a guarantee for us. Matthew's gospel ends with the promise of our Lord's presence in our life. Early in the gospel, we learn that in Matthew 1: 23 that the name of our Savior will be "Immanuel" meaning "God with us." Matthew's ending is a touching reminder of His Name and the promise of His Presence. Regardless of what you face in life, you can do so with the knowledge that He is with you, if you are one of His sheep. He is always with us. That is a great comfort in this time of rising inflation, gas prices, and the uncertainties in our lives. Thank Him for His abiding Presence today.