Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Hearing from God, Obeying God

If You Hear My Voice, Do Not Harden Your Hearts

I encourage you to read all of Hebrews chapter 3. I focused on the excerpt from Hebrews 3:7-14.

That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.

So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.

You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

I invite you to join me in prayer:

Father, I pray you would guide me daily and keep me from hardening my heart toward you. Help me also to encourage others to keep their hearts and their ears open to you. I pray this in the name of Yeshua. Amen.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Church / Body of Christ, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Glorify The Father with One Voice

Developing a personal relationship with God (Yahweh or Jehovah in Hebrew) through Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) is much like other relationships we develop with friends and family. To truly grow in understanding of one another we must spend time getting to know someone well. To grow in relationship, we must give thought to what that person values rather than just focusing on what we value personally. Even in a spousal relationship, we grow closer together even over 10 or 20 or 30 years if we continue to seek one another in love.

So, it seems fairly clear then to observe that even amongst those that have truly given their hearts to Jesus with a genuine desire to submit to Him and disciple after Him… we will be in different places on the journey of growing closer to Him and better understanding Him. Those who just met Him will not have as deep an understanding and confidence in what they should or should not do and how. In fact, sometimes even folks that have known Yeshua a long time still disagree on some things.

Let us seek not only to please one another, but to work together to be in one accord to edify Christ and help encourage one another in devoting our lives to Him.  Let us with one voice glorify Yahweh, the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua.

Romans 15:1-8

     1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” 4For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      7Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

I am going to continue with the rest of Romans 15 in a future article, but I wanted to highlight one line from the remaining section of the chapter not covered above. It seems important. As we work to be in one accord and work to accept and encourage one another… that does not mean we do not respectfully and gently rebuke or admonish one another to help stay on God’s path.

Romans 15:14

    14And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. Despite any differences in personality or understanding, please help us to be of the same mind with one another through Yeshua.

We must appropriately admonish one another to help each other. We do not just quietly accept all false doctrine that believers are taught as that leads them away from our Father. We shine a light through our own example and admonish in a way that encourages and remains in one accord for those who truly have a heart to understand and follow Yahweh rather than the ways of man.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help us to love and encourage and admonish one another in a way that builds us up as a family of believers. Help us to be of the same mind with one another according to Yeshua, so that with one accord we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Yeshua. Amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Help / Serve Others, Humility, Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Submitted / Servant

Treat One Another as Fellow Servants of Our King

As believers and disciples of Christ, we are like fellow servants of the King, our heavenly Father. Servants should absolutely discuss amongst one another in love the best way to obey and show love and respect to their master. They should “compare notes” on their understanding of what the master desires. They should help one another. Ultimately, however, there may be genuine disagreements or differences of understanding of what the master desires. In this regard we are not to divide as servants of the master and fight but rather to each seek the direction of the master to come to better understand his way.

Said more simply, we need not fight one another on how best to serve the Master. Instead, support one another in our desire to please and obey Him. Discuss and compare understanding of His instructions for sure, but do not part ways in anger over disagreements. Seek out and be sensitive to ways in which you can support your fellow servants even if they are trying to serve the Master differently than your understanding. Even if you are positive you are right, dividing over it is not helpful. Rebuke what is obviously wrong, discuss and collaborate on what is possibly unclear, and support one another in desire to serve our Master.

Romans 14

Principles of Conscience

      1Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

      5One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

      10But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

11For it is written,
“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”

12So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

      13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

We are each of us accountable to the King, not to one another, for our obedience. Help and encourage one another, even where there are differences of opinion or if you are sure someone has got something wrong. Be the light and share why you worship and serve the way you do and pray for them. If they are wholeheartedly pursuing the Lord, then He can help them find their way. He may even use you if you don’t discourage your fellow servant by making yourself unapproachable.

Take time to consider and pray for Yahweh to show you where you are treating fellow believers wrongly… perhaps even despising them. Pray for God to help you look on fellow believers with love and see them through His eyes. Lead them and encourage them. Support them. Pray for them. Treat them as fellow servants, brothers and sisters, serving the same King.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help Your people to work together to serve You. Help us not to fight between us even as we have differences of understanding on how to serve You. Help us to be filled with grace and patience for one another. Help us to celebrate one another and find strength and encouragement in one another as fellow servants of the King! Amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Submitted / Servant

Seek His Will in All We Do

God calls us in Proverbs 3:5-7 to acknowledge Him in all we do and to trust Him, but there is much more than that to be studied here.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

 

Often Christians memorize the first part of this scripture… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding.”  But this is only part of what He calls us to do. We must also seek His will in all we do, not just on Sundays, or when it involves things we don’t mind changing, but even when it is tough to change and may create some tension in our lives.  All means all.

In the next verse He reminds us not to be too impressed with how smart we think we are… but to fear the Lord and turn away from evil. So, let’s challenge ourselves not to rationalize our current behavior as ok if it really does not meet God’s holy standard. Being less bad than the world is a low bar.

At Hearing From Jesus, we passionately believe that the everyday choices we make matter to God! This includes what we watch, what we read, what games we play, what apps we use, how we eat, etc. It is a call for purity and holiness. It should be a focus for all we do.

We want to help! Please look around our site. We provide helpful, practical links to help in everyday life with things like marriage, kids, movies, books, etc. Have additional ideas you think we should cover? Please email us with details from the Contact Us page.

Take some time to pray for God’s guidance and to listen for any direction He may have for you.

May the grace and peace of our Lord be with you!

Shalom

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Compassionate, Fear / Reverence for God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Return to Me with All Your Heart

Joel 2 focuses on the coming judgment of YHWH on His people for their disobedience. Even as the mighty judgment comes, there is but one wise choice for those who have denied or rebelled against the LORD… repent.

Joel 2:12-13

12“Yet even now,” declares the LORD,
“Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;

13And rend your heart and not your garments.”
Now return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness
And relenting of evil.

The same is true for us today. No matter how bad your situation may be, do not give up. You cannot stand against or run from the judgment of YHWH. The only wise choice, the only hopeful choice, is to come before Him humbly and repent, asking forgiveness. Do not be fooled, however. Even if we feel like our situation is not dire or dramatic. We should still take care to return to Him with all our heart. Let us not just submit to Him in part, but completely. Let us not submit to Him resentfully, but joyfully.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to submit to You and repent from my wicked ways. Please forgive me and help me to embrace You with all my  heart. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Love, Loving / Kind, Obeying God

Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

Many Christians understand the foundational principle that we are to love one another. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves. But what does that mean? Does that mean that we think cheerful and nice thoughts about one another and then just do whatever we please? May it never be!

God tells us how to love one another. It is not that loving one another replaces the law and commands of God. The opposite is true. He showed us how to love one another through obedience to His law and commands.

Romans 13:8-14

  8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

      11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

We do not show love to people by simply ignoring them and letting everyone do their own thing. If someone wants to play in the street or stay inside a burning building, are we showing them love by telling them those are good choices? Not at all! We show love by telling them those are dangerous choices. Speak in love and gentleness, but firmly in truth to tell others about how God tells us to live.

The law shows us how to love one another and how to love God. We are to take heed to God’s commands and apply them. It is fairly obvious that we are not showing love to others by committing adultery, murdering, stealing, or coveting. However, it is equally true that we are not showing love to others if we tell them “We choose not to do those things, but it is ok if they choose to do them”. It is not showing love to others if we ignore or reject God’s commands and God’s law.

Let us lay aside deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light… and encourage others to do so as well. Avoid carousing and drunkenness. Avoid sexual promiscuity (sex outside marriage). Avoid strife and jealousy. Let us not make any acceptance for the flesh in its desire to pursue its lusts. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus and live according to His word and example.

One parting thought… to follow Jesus’ example is to follow the law, rejecting wrong behavior in ourselves, and also to rebuke wrong behavior in others… because we love them. We can also be deliberate and compassionate in how we address others who may be struggling or lost. We can avoid being arrogant, mean, or too harsh lest they be put off and not receive the message.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank you for showing us how to love one another and how to love You through obedience to Your word in the Bible. Please help us as Your people to show love Your way and not accept the way the world tells us to love one another. The world wants us to accept everyone’s sin and reject Your ways. Open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Help us to have opportunity to share Your love with others and prepare them to receive the truth of Your word. Help us also to love one another as fellow disciples of Yeshua, even where we experience some friction or differences in understanding Your word. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Government, Righteousness / Serving God

Be Subject to Government or God?

Paul shares with us in Romans 13 a difficult concept to wrap our minds around pertaining to government. But we must approach this teaching carefully and in the context of other scripture. Paul is making a point that generally speaking, disciples of Christ should not be rebellious against government as it has been appointed or allowed by our Father in heaven for the purpose of protecting good and condemning evil by providing a system of law and order for the people.

Romans 13:1-7

Be Subject to Government

      1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

We can look around and see that not all governments do provide an effective structure to protect good and condemn or judge evil. Many directly contradict the word of God revealed in scripture and try to force people to do so as well. Many governments even try to diminish God and put the “state” or country in His place as the entity we are all to serve. So how are we to reconcile these conflicting issues? Are we to be subject to government or God?

The short answer is “yes”. We are to be subject first to God, and then to government… so long as it does not conflict with God’s truth and God’s instructions. I like to look toward Daniel as a guide. Daniel was taken against his will to Babylon. Nevertheless he had a good attitude and worked hard. He maintained his relationship with God. He challenged authority with respect even as a youth when He and his friends were instructed to eat the diet of Babylon, which was against the dietary instructions of God. He did not hold contempt or rebellion in his heart toward government, but always put God first. Another example… Daniel worked as a leader in a pagan government and was very effective. In fact, but doing things the right way, instead of the world’s way of corruption, He brought glory to God. However, in all of this, he put God first. When he was confronted with an ungodly law that no one can worship anyone but the king… Daniel continued praying to God, even at the risk of the lion’s den.

There are more examples that you can explore in the book of Daniel along these lines. He helped leaders understand their dreams, even when they were unrighteous leaders. His friends Shadrach, Meschach, and Abed-nego also took a strong stand against ungodly commands of the king at the risk of their own life. However, they also demonstrated that they could be very effective workers and honored God even as they worked in a pagan government. Daniel showed first obedience to God, but also showed respect to government where it was not in direct conflict with God. Daniel also influenced how government worked to be more like God’s ways when he was in a position to do so. He influenced how the government functioned!

We are to respect and honor government, but we are to always keep God first. The goal is not to have to pick between respecting God and respecting government… we desire as followers of Christ to do both. However, if we must choose because of the evil commands of government, then we choose God first.

Pray that God would help you apply this principle to your life in specific examples of actions and attitudes you may have. You do not have to agree with government or like it to show proper respect. In many cases, you can respect government without having to disobey God… even if you disagree with that government.

For those of us in countries where we get to vote and influence who we elect to lead we should never miss the opportunity to vote for those who we believe will best influence the policies of our nation to support our freedom to worship God and live according to His instructions and commands. In the case of democracies or republics… such as the USA, I would strongly encourage us to pursue a smaller, more focused federal government that puts emphasis on the rights and freedom of local government and the people themselves to determine how they will live.

The Constitution of the USA is a God-inspired framework for such a government never rivaled in all world history. It is sad that our country continues to move away from that godly framework toward more centralized power in the hands of a few elites who live by different rules than the rest of us. Look to God to provide for you rather than government. Put your hope in God and do not look for “perfect” candidates, for there are none. Prayerfully consider the options before you and go vote to preserve a society in which we can freely worship God and obey His instructions without interference from government.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help Your people to submit to You first and above all and also to have wisdom in how we appropriately submit to government. Let us not raise up the laws of man to the same priority and standard as Your laws in directing our path, but also let us not disregard the laws of men that we should paint an unnecessary picture of followers of Yeshua as lawless and rebellious. Grant us wisdom and courage in influencing government in a positive direction where that is possible. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, Church / Body of Christ, Faith / Trusting God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Hypocrisy, Justice / Judgment, Love, Peace / Rest, Wise

Do Not Be Conformed to This World

How shall we treat one another as brothers and sisters in the faith? How shall we treat those who consider us their enemies? Let us not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that we may prove that the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. We are to be different from the world even though we live within it.

Romans 12

Dedicated Service

      1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

      3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

      9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

      14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

What a fantastic summary of how we are to be in this world if we are to be disciples of Christ! When we live like this we are certainly not conformed to the world. Through the Holy Spirit we can continue striving to live according to these instructions.

This scripture is worth reading over a few times and prayerfully reflecting on each element as it applies in our lives. Are there areas we can be encouraged that we feel we are living up to these instructions? What are they for you? Are there areas that you find the Holy Spirit reminding you that you need to do better? What are they? Pray that God would help you on your journey to be more like Christ. This is a great summary of some key attitude and behavior elements to focus on.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead and guide me. Grant me deeper understanding of Your word. Help me to live according to Your instructions laid out by Paul in Romans 12. Help all of Your people to do so. Let us be a light to draw others to You.

In Yeshua’s name I pray. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Grace / Forgiveness, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Salvation

It Is Not You Who Supports the Root, But the Root Supports You

It is too easy to lose perspective and come to think that somehow, we are “helping” Yahweh or doing Him a favor by following Him. Perhaps we don’t think this way directly about God, but only a ministry or church in which we are active. Perhaps we take pride in the money we donate or give to others. Some take pride in being a follower of Christ, looking down at others who have not.

We do well to remember that He delights when we follow Him, but it is not us who support Yahweh, but rather He who supports us. We must be careful not to get conceited and think too much of ourselves as believers. We must remember that we are saved not by our own works or merit, but by the grace of Yahweh alone through our faith.  We too can fall away should we turn away from our faith.

Romans 11

Israel Is Not Cast Away

      1I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3“Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” 4But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” 5In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

      7What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

8just as it is written,
“GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR,
EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT,
DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

9And David says,
“LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP,
AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.

      10“LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT,
AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.”

      11I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! 13But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

      17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

      25For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

26and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,
HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”

      27“THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM,
WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”

28From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

      33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Behold the kindness and severity of Yahweh. Severity toward those who fell, failing to have faith in Him, but kindness toward those of us who have been grafted into His family through our faith. Let us not be conceited about our relationship with the Father, but rather humbly remember to trust in Him, lest we be grafted out as well for unbelief. We are to depend on Him and trust Him, come what may. We should show mercy to those who have fallen away from faith and seek to call them back to Him. We will never understand fully the ways of our Father, but we are to trust and praise Him all the same. We can praise Yahweh for the depth of His wisdom and knowledge… for His unsearchable judgments and unfathomable ways. Who can be counselor to our Creator?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace toward us. Help us to be thankful and humble in our relationship with You. Help us to see through Your eyes the others around us. Help us to speak with Your wisdom and Your words as we tell others about You. Thank You that You continue to have mercy on others who do not yet know You, so that they may come to know You. Please set up the divine appointments and prepare each of us for them so we may represent You well and share the good news with others in Your name.

We pray this in the name of Yeshua. Amen. 

  Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Grace / Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell, Holy, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Obeying God, Salvation, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Doors of the Bible

Today I want to share an interesting perspective I gained from the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. I am sharing their material, which can be found at arkencounter.com/about/good-news/. I am grateful for the ministry and outreach efforts of that organization. I would encourage you to consider it for future family vacation plans. My family greatly enjoyed it and it supports a ministry that shares the truth of God’s word in a powerful way.

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Why Did God Send the Flood?

The pre-Flood world was exceedingly wicked and filled with violence. The Bible states that all flesh had corrupted its way on the earth. God sent the global Flood to judge the evil world while preserving Noah’s family and representatives of land animals.

The Ark’s Door

One of God’s specific instructions for Noah was to build a door in the side of the Ark. Noah and his family entered this door to be saved from the Flood. Everyone outside of the Ark perished.

What’s Wrong with This World?

God created a perfect world, but our first parents, Adam and Eve, chose to rebel against their holy Creator. Their sin brought suffering and death into creation, and since all people are descendants of Adam, all have inherited a sin nature set against God. Furthermore, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We live in a fallen, sin-cursed world where men love darkness rather than light.

Will God Judge the World Again?

The Bible states that God will judge this wicked world once again, but this time it will be by fire. In fact, Jesus compared the days of His return to the days of Noah. People were caught unaware by the judgment because they were so focused on the things of this world, such as eating, drinking, and marriage. Similarly, Peter prophesied that skeptics would come in the last days and would mock the biblical teachings of creation, the Flood, and the coming judgment. We see these things happening in our day, and God always keeps His promises—judgment will come.

Another Door

Noah’s family entered the Ark’s door to escape the physical destruction of the Flood. God has provided another “door” to save people from the coming eternal judgment. Jesus Christ said, “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7). In that culture the shepherd really was the door to the pen—they would rest in the entryway, ensuring that the sheep would be kept safe. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the door through which we must enter to be saved from our sin.

The Substitute

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became a man, lived a sinless life, and then willingly died on the Cross as a substitute. As man’s sin brought death, the Son of God died to redeem man from his sins. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, showing that He held power over death and demonstrating God’s acceptance of Christ’s payment for sin.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Who Needs to Be Saved?

The short answer is “everyone.” Since God is holy and perfect in every way, He must judge sin. As such, each of us deserves to face God’s justice because we have broken His laws. If you stop and examine your own heart, you will recognize times where you have lied, stolen, coveted, and failed to honor God as He deserves. On our own each of us stands condemned to suffer eternally because of our rebellion, and we need someone to save us from God’s wrath.

How Can I Go Through This Door?

We cannot earn God’s forgiveness as manmade religions teach—it is offered freely through the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We receive God’s forgiveness only through faith in what Christ has done. This means that we repent of our sins, trusting in Jesus and believing that He died for our sins and rose from the dead. In faith, we acknowledge our guilt before God and plead with our Creator to forgive us and save us from our sins.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Have You Entered the Door?

Have you placed your faith in Christ alone to save you from your sins? If not, we urge you to turn from your sins (repent) and call out to God for His merciful forgiveness. Enter the door of salvation today.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Sharing God's word through devotionals and other resources. Helping you study the Bible and apply it to your life. Helping young children to enjoy the Bible at our Kid Zone.