2019-04-17
1 Peter 2:24 NLT
Second, Calvary was vicarious, which means “an act undertaken by someone in another’s place.” Seen through the lens of sentiment or superstition, the cross may affect your emotions but it can’t save your soul. But seen as substitution, the cross can save any soul! The apostle Peter writes, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” Had Jesus reneged at Calvary, God would have been forced to sentence us to death for our sins. Instead, as our substitute, Jesus suffered our justly-deserved punishment, freeing us and giving us eternal life. Substitution was historically God’s idea to deliver His people from the penalty of their sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, God substituted an animal to cover their iniquity. He accepted Abel’s sacrifice of the “firstlings of his flock” (Genesis 4:4), and Abraham’s ram caught in the thicket in exchange for Isaac’s life (See Genesis 22:13). But without question God’s greatest soul-saving theme – substitution – was once-for-all-time demonstrated when Jesus offered Himself at Calvary. Fully satisfied with Christ’s atoning death, God expunged our record and pronounced us innocent in His sight! God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NAS). On the cross Jesus became what we were – sin – so we could become what He was – righteousness! Everything Jesus did from His virgin birth, sinless life, redeeming death, miraculous resurrection, glorious ascension, and priestly ministry in Heaven, He did as a substitute and savior.
Soul food: Jam 1-2; Luke 23:1-12; Ps 7:1-9; Prov 10:16
2018-08-01
Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Until the sixteenth century, scientists believed the earth was the center of the universe and the sun revolved around it. Then an astronomer called Copernicus came along and argued that the sun didn’t revolve around the earth, the earth revolved around the sun. In so doing, he revolutionized the scientific world forever. And when it comes to discipleship, Jesus did the same thing: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” At its core, sinfulness is selfishness. It’s enthroning yourself – your desires, your needs, your plans – above all else. You may still seek God, but you don’t seek Him “first.” Instead of trying to fulfill His purposes, you try to get Him to fulfill yours. Who’s following who? Instead of following Jesus, you’re trying to get Him to follow you. It doesn’t work that way. “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it'” (Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV). Note the words “loses his life for My sake.” There’s a lot of talk today about “finding yourself.” The way to find yourself – is to seek God. D. L. Moody said, “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man or woman who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” If you’re willing to surrender yourself to God, there’s no telling what He will do with you.
Soul food: Ezra 6-8; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 19:24-26
2018-04-11
Psalm 5:12 NIV
When you ask someone for a favor, you’re generally asking for something they don’t owe you. The Bible says of God: “You bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor.” This word “righteous” doesn’t mean flawless, otherwise none of us would qualify! It means to be clothed in “the righteousness of God,” thereby making us acceptable before God and qualifying us for His favor (2 Corinthians 5:21). And that’s a truth you need to grasp and hold on to! Why? Because when you have God’s favor, people start favoring you too – often for reasons they themselves can’t explain! The favor of God made it possible for people in the Bible who otherwise wouldn’t have amounted to much, to do great things. God called a teenager named Esther to save the Jewish people. So she stepped out in faith, approached the king uninvited, even though it violated protocol, and “obtained favor in his sight” (Esther 5:2 AMPC). God made a way for her to do the job He’d given her. Without the favor of God, Ruth, a Gentile, wouldn’t have been accepted by the Jews. But because God had a plan for her life and her heart was open to Him, she ended up marrying Boaz, “a man of great wealth” (Ruth 2:1 NKJV). And from that union descended King David, and ultimately our blessed Lord Jesus. What favor! The Bible says, “A good man will obtain favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 12:2 NAS). And a single moment of God’s favor will do more for you than a lifetime of striving. So pray for the favor of God today – and start looking for it!
Soul food: Jer 41-44; Mark 2:1-12; Ps 25:8-15; Prov 10:1-3
2018-03-28
2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
Christians aren’t perfect! Here’s why: (1) Because they’re human. Yet with full knowledge of our highest potential and our lowest proclivities, God loves us unconditionally. The Bible says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” And guess what? Every time you meet treasure, you bump into the earthen vessel. An earthen vessel is just a clay pot, and when it’s cracked – it’s a cracked pot! That shouldn’t discourage you; it should give you hope and cause you to say, “If God can use that old cracked pot, He can use me too!” (2) Because they’re spiritually depleted. The saying goes, “When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep becomes your downfall.” It happens to the best-intentioned among us. In the Old Testament a soldier was commanded to deliver a prisoner to a certain destination. His orders were clear: “Lose the prisoner and you’ll lose your life.” The soldier lost his prisoner and paid with his life. What happened? “While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone” (1 Kings 20:40 NKJV). So pay attention to your spiritual life and don’t let it get depleted. (3) Because they’re asleep spiritually. It was while Samson slept that Delilah shaved the locks of power off his head and delivered him to his enemies. And it was while the servants slept that an enemy sowed tares among the wheat and the harvest was lost. Two things you must stay alert to are – sin and righteousness. “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin” (1 Corinthians 15:34 NKJV).
Soul food: Jer 7-9; Matt 27:20-26; Ps 38:1-12; Prov 8:22-23
