Devotion: To See God, Look At Jesus

Recently we talked about God raising up a prophet from among the Israelites saying, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him” (Deuteronomy 18:18).  This prophet that God raised up would later tell us that he has not spoken of his own authority but on the authority of the Father who has sent him and that he speaks all that the Father has commanded him to say (John 12:49-50).

We found that knowing this prophet, “the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:11), would enable us to also know God.  According to scripture, the prophet tells us that he can do nothing of himself, not one thing in relation to himself, but does only what he sees the Father doing and that he does everything in the same manner in which the Father does because it is the Father who shows or reveals to him all these things that he himself, the Father does (John 5:19-20).

With all that said, there is still one interesting point that is seldom mentioned in our efforts to know God.  Scripture tells us that “God was actually in Jesus Christ, reconciling the world unto himself” and that it was God who gave us “the wonderful message of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:19).  This passage really does give a completely new meaning to these words spoken by Jesus, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?  The words I say are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me.  And he does his work through me” (John 14:10 TLB).

So, if you really want to know God, then all you have to do is to look at this prophet that he raised up because it is through him that you can truly know and see the Father.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).

We pray that this commentary will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: God Is Like Jesus

Moses spoke these words to the Israelites: “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken… I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him” (Deuteronomy 18:15-18).  The prophet Moses spoke of is “the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:11).  We know that some will disagree that this is that prophet, but so did the people of Jesus’ day.  Many said he was “the Prophet,” (referring to the prophet spoken of by Moses), while others claimed him to be the Christ, and yet others questioned if the Christ would come out of Galilee, thus causing a division among the people because of him (John 7:40-43).

According to scripture, Jesus tells us that he can do nothing of himself, not one thing in relation to himself, but does only what he sees the Father doing and that he does everything in the same manner in which the Father does because it is the Father who shows or reveals to him all these things that he himself, the Father does.  He goes on to say that it is the Father who will show or reveal to him greater works then these (John 5:19-20).  Jesus also tells us that he does what the Father has taught or prepared him to do, for these are the things that he speaks of.  And because the Father is always with him, he always does those things that pleases the Father (John 8:28-29).  Last, we find where Jesus tells us that he has not spoken of his own authority but on the authority of the Father who has sent him and that he speaks all that the Father has commanded him to say (John 12:49-50).

Jesus stated that he speaks all that the Father has commanded him to say, which is interestingly a reference to what God said in Deuteronomy 18:18.  More interesting is the fact that all of this was done because the people of Israel, in the day of assembly in Horeb desired this of the Lord, saying “Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not” (Deuteronomy 18:16).

We pray that this commentary will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: God's Word Makes You Free

Every product that we purchase normally comes with an instruction manual, designed to tell us everything about the product.  In this manual, we find the manufacturer’s best practices, a list of do’s and don’ts to efficiently operate their product safely and to maximize the life of their product so that we can fully enjoy it.  In following these instructions, the manufacturer offers a warranty, a certain guarantee that their product will function accordingly and that we will be pleased with its performance.

God tells us to “study to show thyself approved” so that we can “rightly divide the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15), but most of us do not adhere to this command.  This word of truth is given to tell you what to believe (for doctrine), what is wrong (for reproof), how to correct wrong (for correction), how to live (for instruction in righteousness).  You are to rely on the word of truth because it includes everything needed to grow in maturity, to be perfect (meaning proficient or capable), and to do what God wants (II Timothy 3:16-17).  The idea that we are to “attend to his words” holds little meaning for some because just carrying a Bible with them fits the commandment.  When we attend to his words, we learn that “they are life unto those that find them” (Proverbs 4:20-22), meaning, “God’s words are full, abundant life unto those that hunt for, look for, or seek those words.”  This is why there is more to knowing God then just opening the book, reading a verse or two, and coming out with an opinion about the entire plan of God.  We must immerse ourselves in his word; we must hunt for, look for, and seek the answers that he has provided us through his instruction manual.

The manufacturer of the heavens and earth has given us an instruction manual, designed to tell his best practices, that list of do’s and don’ts that allows us to efficiently operate safely and to maximize life in this world’s system.  It is in following these instructions that we get certain guarantees, those promises that only he can honor.  As you read this inspirational message, we pray that you will understand why reading, studying, and following this instruction manual is so important, it will, as the scripture says, “make you free” (John 8:32).

We pray that this message will be a blessing to you and that you will share it so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: God Is Dependable

Recently we spoke about the sovereignty of God and how God’s capabilities and abilities are mistakenly confused with the characteristics that makes God who he is.  We mentioned that the capabilities and the abilities of God speak to his sovereignty and that God is the supreme authority, an omnipotent or all-powerful entity, who operates totally independent of any part of his creation.  We also mentioned that there is absolutely nothing that God does not have the capability or ability to do, and that just because God “can do” a particular thing, does not mean that God actually “does” that particular thing.

We went on to mention that God has the capability to be unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and to do evil and bad things; the ability to change anything that he chooses to change, especially his mind, if he chooses to change it; and the ability to lie as well, if he wants or chooses to.  We then mentioned that God has chosen not to make these characteristics part of the distinctive qualities that makes him who he is, choosing to have absolutely no injustice, immorality, unrighteousness, or wrong doings with him.  All of these things speak to the very nature or character of the God we serve and what he wants man to know about him.

Can you imagine serving a god that is unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and does evil or bad things?  What about serving a god who had respect of person or whose favor could be brought for a price?  How about serving a god who constantly changes his mind or one whose mind could be changed at all?  And while we cannot speak for any of you, we can answer each of these questions with a great big “YES.”  Yes, we can imagine serving a god such as this because once upon a time we served a so-called god just like that.  Yes, we are speaking of the one called “the god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4) or “the prince of this world” (John 12:31).  However, after discovering the truth, we are truly thankful that these are not the characteristics of the sovereign, omnipotent God of all creation that we now serve, who has chosen not to make these characteristics part of the distinctive qualities that makes him who he is.  If you think about it, it would be extremely hard to please a god who changed things all the time, especially one who changed his mind, much less trusting one who was unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and did evil or bad things.

If we had to sum up God’s character or nature in one word, “integrity” would definitely be at the forefront.  “Integrity” is defined as “the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards; uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty; or the state of being complete or undivided.”  Integrity is definitely the one word we would choose to sum up the very character or nature of the God we serve.  God tells us that he is God and that “there is none else besides him,” (Deuteronomy 4:35) for there is no one else like him.  God tells us that “he is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath,” for there is no other god than him (Deuteronomy 4:39).  God has chosen to be “the One of integrity” as a way to set himself apart from all other gods that man could claim to serve (Exodus 20:3), that way, his children would recognize him over all others.

As you read today’s inspirational message, we pray that you will be inspired as well as understand why “God is dependable;” it is one of those characteristics, that distinctive quality that makes God who he is.  As always, we pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: How Do I Get Faith?

Faith, how does one get faith?  Scripture tells us “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).  And while some translations may use the phrase, “a measure of faith,” we know that God, who is not a respecter of person and treats everyone the same (Romans 2:11), would not give everyone “a,” (an indefinite article) random or varied amount of faith but “the,” (a definite article) same amount of faith.  But you may ask, “Why do some people appear to have more faith than others?”  The answer is exercise.  You can build up your faith by exercising it, like you would when building up your muscles, through exercise.

Your faith must grow in order for you to profit from having it.  Your faith must be developed.  To develop your faith, it must be fed, for nothing grows unless it is fed.  If you feed your faith “you may grow up into Him” (Ephesians 4:15), “grow up in the fullness of your salvation” (I Peter 2:2), “grow in spiritual strength (grace) and become better acquainted with our Lord” (II Peter 3:18).  The only way to increase your faith is through the knowledge gathered through the word of God (Romans 10:17).  But know this, Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2), so look to Jesus as the food to feed your faith, as the source to grow your faith, and as the example to exercise your faith.  He revealed to all, the trail of faith.

We pray that this message will be an inspiration to you as well as a blessing and that you will be the better for having read it.  Please share this message so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: Keep Your Word

When Paul set Timothy as the overseer of the church at Ephesus, he gave Timothy detailed instructions for the care of the church and his conduct as the overseer.  One of the things Paul told Timothy was to “let no man despise or look down on him because of his youth, but instead be an example of the believer in word, in conversation or conduct, in charity or love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity” (I Timothy 4:12).  Please notice the first thing Paul told Timothy to be an example of the believer in, was “in word.”  Yes, that’s right; it is “in word.”  Paul is telling Timothy that if he wants people to respect him and not despise or look down on him, he needs to honor his word by being consistent in all the things that he says.  Interesting thing to have first on the list, isn’t it?

This same notion of honoring one’s word also applies to so-called born-again believers.  The born-again believer needs to be in a position where his or her word counts for something.  A truly godly person will not say one thing and then in turn, do something totally contrary or opposite to what was first said because suddenly it becomes inconvenient or there is a change of mind or heart.  “A godly person will honor his or her word no matter what, even to his or her own hurt” (Psalm 15:4).  As you read today’s message, we pray that it will be an inspiration to you as well as a blessing.  Please share this message so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: What You Say Is What You Get

Words are so powerful, more powerful than many realize.  We so often say things without really given any thought to what we are actually saying and giving even less thought to the effect of those spoken words in our lives.  The Bible tells us “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), which suggests that with one’s mouth, an individual can speak death into his or her life or the same individual can speak life into his or her life.

Many are not aware that God has built a system that works based on what a person says, which is an interesting thought in itself.  Scripture tells us, “that the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Hebrews 11:3) and “by the word of God the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6).  Basically, “he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9).  However, more interesting is the power that our spoken word or our tongue (James 3) has in this system that is activated by words.  Scripture tells us “you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth” (Proverbs 6:2 NIV).  In simpler terms, we have been trapped by what we say, by the words that we speak.  And you still think what you say is not important?  So, give care to the words that you speak, they do more than you think.  Amen.

We pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW