December 1 - Sunday

Today’s Reading - Romans 5 - 8

(Rom 8:1 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which is probably one of the most important verses in the Bible to the Christian who still believes they are going to be judged for something. In Romans 7, Paul was just giving us his struggle that he had with sin. We sometimes think that Bible characters are somehow great spiritual giants and were immune to the things that we face today. Nothing could be further from the truth. Paul was just saying that he has such a struggle with sin in his life but he also details the fact that the sin was not coming from the new nature but it was coming out of the flesh which was not redeemed. (Rom 7:17 KJV) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. You see what he is saying here? That it is no more him that is doing the sin but the sin which indwells the flesh is the source of the sin. This is because when God saved him, He gave him a new nature which, according to the spirit, cannot sin. (1 John 3:9 KJV) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In the 1 John verse we see that those born of God cannot sin. The word “cannot” is a word of ability and not permission. So we are seeing here that God’s people cannot sin. Now this sounds like perfectionism but that is not so. Paul is saying that the flesh is causing the sin and not the spirit.

This is because God saved the spirit and not the flesh. Upon our release from our burden, the body goes into the ground and the spirit, which is the real us, goes right into the presence of the Lord. The spirit was made clean and perfect, readied for Heaven at the moment of salvation. Remember how the Bible teaches we have this treasure in earthen vessels? Now enter our verse above. After Paul was done clarifying his sin battle, he ends up with the fact that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. The word “condemnation” in the Geek is “katakrima.” This word carries with it the meaning of “no judicial penalty or sentence.” This is because God has taken away all the sin of the believers and there is nothing to judge any more. The sentence of eternal damnation has been taken by the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary and the Christian is free from any penalty for sin. God looks at His children and sees them clean before Him. God wants us to know this so we do not live under any false notion of condemnation. The second half of that verse teaches us how we may know we are saved, that we are walking according to the spirit and not in the evilness of the flesh. If a person who claims to be a Christian, is walking in the ways of the world, then they are a Christian in name only, they are professing but not possessing. To those who are the true Christians, they are possessing and professing, and that possessing will cause them to walk according to the Spirit. This walk is the evidence that they have no condemnation. What a glorious Gospel of Free Grace!

December 2 - Monday

Today’s Reading - Romans 9 - 11

(Rom 11:25-26 KJV) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. {26} And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

In today’s reading we come across these verses which confirm one of the most beautiful promises the Lord Jesus Christ made. (John 6:39 KJV) And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. There is also a furthering of this promise found in 2 Peter. (2 Pet 3:9 KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Both of these verses are teaching the security and completeness of the body of Christ. In the John verse we see that the Lord Jesus will lose no one, in that each true believer is totally secure in the Lord Jesus. In the Peter verse we see that God’s will is that none of His elect will perish which means when He completes the Body of Christ with the last one He intends to save, then comes the end.

Now if we are to understand which Israel God has in view it is necessary for us to compare some Scriptures. Since this subject is intensely deep and would require much more than a small commentary, one can indeed do this study on their own, as I will just scratch the surface. When we speak of Israel, we must go all the way back to Abraham when God promised Him the eternal covenants. Those covenants where the term “everlasting” is written, is not speaking of physical Israel but spiritual Israel which is the body of Believers. In Romans 9:6, we read, “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Here we have two Israels in view. What Paul is saying that all those of national Israel are not of the Eternal or Spiritual Israel. In the Prophets, God had promised in numerous places, that there would be a remnant of believers coming out of national Israel. God is confirming this prophecy through the Apostle Paul. The idea that everyone in the physical nation of Israel is going to be saved is an erroneous doctrine. If we were to follow that line of thinking, then all those evil Israelites like Korah, Ahab, or Saul would be going to heaven on the last day. Those in Israel today reject the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible says that if you do not have the Son, you do not have the Father. Preachers like John Hagee believe that the Jews are automatically all saved and therefore do not need to be evangelized.

A person’s fate is already decided in eternity and on this side of the grave. If an Israelite died in unbelief, they will be raised in the same manner. God is no respecter of persons. Every unbeliever, regardless of race or position, will stand at the Great White Throne Judgment. The Israel of God includes Gentiles from all over the world who would become saved until the last day. Let us look at a few Scriptures which teach us that the body of believers is the Eternal Israel God has in view.

(Phil 3:3 KJV) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

(Gal 6:16 KJV) And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

(Rom 2:28-29 KJV) For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: {29} But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

(Gal 3:29 KJV) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

(Isa 1:9 KJV) Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

We see that a true spiritual Jew is one that worships God in the spirit and not according to the letter of the law, as we see in confirming verses in Romans and Philippians. Only the body of believers have the Holy Spirit. The believer is also one who has the work of the Lord done on the inside and not on the outside. That inward work is regeneration not a keeping of the Law by physical means. The reason we are called Spiritual Jews is because the Lord Jesus came through the tribe of Judah and “Jew” is a shortened term for that. The word “Jew” has been around only since the 13^th Century. So rejoice Christian, you are a member of the great Spiritual Israel that God is building and not one of them shall perish. You are secured through Calvary.

December 3 - Tuesday

Today’s Reading - Romans 12 - 16

(Rom 16:17-18 KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. {18} For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

In today’s reading we come across these verses which are a command and not an option. It is necessary for every true Christian to know those who are bringing in false teachings and those who are just troublemakers. These kind of people are a danger to any congregation or any type of ministry. Those which cause divisions and offences are not only the unbelievers which come into the congregation, but many are Christians also. What happens when believers cause problems in the congregation is simple. They allow the flesh to get in the way. We can sometimes allow ourselves to go into the flesh for a period of time and become so hardened, that the only thing we are good for is causing trouble in the congregation. This is why the Bible makes it a command for believers to know the troublemakers. When a Christian goes into the flesh, they begin to serve themselves and if they don’t watch themselves, can remain in that condition until the Lord begins to place them into the furnace of affliction. Then God begins to strip away those sinful attitudes, one layer at a time. It can hurt but it is for the benefit and well-being of the believer. We have to also be very careful because sometimes those who are labeled troublemakers may actually be bringing the truth. This is easily detected by testing a person’s motive.

If we allow people into the church who are there to cause divisions, they are not doing the work of the Lord. There are people out there who honestly believe that they are called of the Lord to straighten churches out. I personally knew a few people like that some years ago. Their ministry had amounted to nothing but nevertheless, until it does go into oblivion, Christians along the way can be influenced and hurt by these attitudes. These type of people must be confronted and escorted out. We cannot play the “let’s love them” game when the good of the entire congregation is at stake. Troublemakers rely on the “don’t judge me” and “you have to love me” rule. God is warning us that we must mark those who cause trouble and not coddle them. We have to take the same aggressive spirit that Nehemiah had when he tore off the beards of those who married strange wives. Although we don’t take the same actions, we must remove them from the midst until such a time they show a repentant spirit. Once they do, then they can be worked with. Church discipline is very important to the Lord. One only need look at the sin of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit and it cost them their lives. We must never take the attitude that God is passive when it comes to the church. The church is what the Lord Jesus died for and God will not tolerate those who come against it with evil intention. Those Christians who bring division in their church better repent of that attitude, or else the Lord will deal harshly with them too. The church is place of the worship of God, spiritual growth, fellowship, happiness, joy but it is not a place where Christians can bring in a personal agenda which is not in concert with the Lord’s intent and purpose for it. We must always judge our motives when dealing within the church, for it is serious business.

December 4 - Wednesday

Today’s Reading - Acts 20:3-22

(Acts 20:10 KJV) And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which is in the discourse whereby Paul was preaching a Sermon on Sunday and he was preaching the Gospel until midnight. Small point here: Many preachers have trouble finding material enough to preach on and here Paul was expounding the Gospel till midnight without a full Bible. Maybe we better get to know the Bible better each day and we won’t be short on material. Paul continued to preach and a fellow name Eutychus had fallen asleep and fell out the third floor window. Now if I was prone to sleeping, personally I would find a comfortable corner, never mind the third floor window. Now what I want to focus in on is the verse above, where Paul is assuring the people that the boy did not die but his life was still with him. When I read that passage it reminds me of those Christians who refuse to get involved with any aspect of the Great Commission. They are still saved but by their non-actions, you would think they are dead. Many Christians make a ton of excuses why they cannot get involved in the sending forth of the Gospel. Whenever we undertake any type of ministry, whether it is in a personal or any type of setting, it requires us to leave our comfort zone and enter the lives of others.

Then when Paul went down and embraced Eutychus, he came back to life. This is exactly what happens when a Christian leaves their comfort zone and gets involved in ministry. They come back to life! God calls all His children to become involved in evangelizing the world. Whenever any believer chooses to stay out of the mainstream, they are acting just like they have never been regenerated. A Christian begins to see life in their own life when they step outside their comfort zone and begin to minister to others. Of course, there is going to be much opposition but there is also going to be many blessings that accompany ministry. When the man came back to life, the Bible tells us that there was great comfort given to those in the crowd. Let us look at those people that we can reach every day and when one becomes saved, there will be great joy in their life and as we go on life, we will have the occasion of seeing joy in many lives. When we get to glory, we may also know the people that we had a direct or indirect involvement in helping them become saved by bringing the Gospel. Not that we do the saving, God does that. We just remain faithful and send the true Gospel forth. (Luke 16:9-10 KJV) And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. {10} He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

December 5 - Thursday

Today’s Reading - Acts 23 - 25

(Acts 24:25 KJV) And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

In today’s reading we come across this passage which shows the arrogance of man in putting off a personal appearance in the things of the Lord. The Apostle Paul was giving Felix the whole counsel of God and these things caused fear in Felix. As foolish man goes, he was putting off the inevitable. Felix was counting on the belief that he was guaranteed tomorrow. When Paul stood before King Agrippa and gave him the full counsel of God, Agrippa was almost persuaded in becoming a Christian. Many love to hear the great tenet of Christianity which is eternal life but they do not realize that eternal life is given on God’s terms and not man’s. When anyone hears the part about self-denial, or the fact they may become persecuted, it turns them off to Christianity. Many will say that they have other pressing matters to attend to and that they will listen at a future date. However, since none is ever guaranteed the next day, many are going to be surprised when they wake up on the last day at the judgment seat and then realize that putting the things of God aside for other worldly things was a very foolish move, but it is too late now.

How many of those people in office often spurn the appeals of the Christian community to do what is right before God and not to worry about groups like the ACLU or other groups dedicated to the abolition of Christianity. Our country is committing spiritual suicide when the leaders decide to put off the appeals of the Bible and then tout a false religion like Islam being peaceful. God gave the Bible as a book of salvation for His children but the great laws of the land are all based upon the Bible. Our country was not founded on principles in the Koran or any other religious book written by a founder whose grave is still occupied. When our country was following the principles found in the Scriptures, we were safer in our neighborhoods, our youth was more obedient, the country was stronger, the church was stronger and exercised proper influence over the people. There was a time when our youth feared the police, now the police fear the youth. Yet all of these things happening to our country, when the Christian community brings the answer, their answer is, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Whenever politicians need votes, then they seem to attend church to garner all the votes they can. It is at that time they begin to start quoting Scripture verses, until they get elected, and then they go to the highest bidder. Woe unto politicians who use God’s people or Christianity in a deceitful manner because one day the Lord is going to say to them, “Go thy way for this time.” In other words, “depart from me , I never knew you.” Let us never make the same mistake that Felix, Agrippa, and Gallio made. Putting things off for a convenient time may be the last time. Think about it!

December 6 - Friday

Today’s Reading - Acts 26 - 28

(Acts 28:31 KJV) Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which ends the book of Acts on a continuing note. We read that although Paul was in his own hired house, the Gospel still was going forth. God wants us to know that each generation is to be properly trained so that each one is really writing their own book of Acts, not inspired of course. If we were to look back at the 20^th century, how do you think we could fit the Apostle Paul into the scheme of things concerning all the tools available for the sending forth of the Gospel? (2 Cor 11:1 KJV) Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

Acts 29

{1} I Paul, after my visit to Rome, have joined with other brethren, who aided me in my cause before Caesar. We left Rome and headed for Monaco, there we were able to build a great transmitter to send the Gospel into Europe.

{2} Timothy, my own son in the faith, we left behind to set things in order so he may continue the work of sending forth the Word, although there was much opposition, yet he sendeth the Word forth with 500,000 watts, clear channel.

{3} After Monaco we flew into New York and met with many station managers, some of which I had to confront face to face, for they speaketh not the true Word, and we held them up before the meeting and they agreed, by signature, they would send only the true Gospel.

{4} While in New York, we met brethren handing out New Testaments to people, I took one, and asked these brethren, why they neglect the Hebrew Scriptures? They said, dost thou know of the Gideons? I said, yes I know Gideon but he is written in the book of Judges, so then how would the people know of him, if the Hebrew Scriptures were not part of the Bible. The brethren agreed and handed out full Bibles.

{5} So Paul and Silas, continued daily going from radio station to station and preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a spiritually hungry nation.

{6} Today we are at www.Apostle_Paul.com

I guess maybe from this little created scenario, we could probably see Paul going from station to station bringing the true Gospel to many. But Paul is in Heaven and we are still on earth. Let us be obedient unto the Scriptures and continue the Book of Acts until the Lord returns so we may claim all His sheep and bring them into the fold. Let us always look for ways to evangelize and be available for the Master’s use.

December 7 - Saturday

Today’s Reading - Ephesians 1 - 3

(Eph 2:5 KJV) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

In today’s reading we come across this verse which is the thorn in the flesh of many who hold to the free will position that it is possible for a person to hear and understand the Gospel. The problem with that belief is it espouses that a dead person is capable of knowing that they are dead. The word “dead” in this verse is the Greek word “nekrous” which carries with it the meaning of “lifeless or useless.” Basically, what use is a dead body for except to bury it. If it would be possible for a dead man to choose his coffin, then it would also be possible for a spiritually dead person to choose life. The problem is in both of these scenarios, the bodies are handled by an outside source. In the case of the dead physical body, the family hires the undertaker to care of the necessities for burial. In the case of the spiritually dead person, it is another outside source which brings them to life. In the verse above we see that it is God who is the one who takes a spiritually dead person and resurrects them. The verse is specifically stating that God is the one who quickens us or makes us alive. The spiritually dead person will never be able to make some kind of move toward salvation until God does the initial work of giving them spiritual ears to hear the Gospel. (Luke 24:45 KJV) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Once they have those spiritual ears, then they respond to the Gospel, but never before God begins His Grace work in them.

In the cases of Lazarus, Jairus’s daughter, and the Widow of Nain’s son, did each of these begin their resurrection before the Lord Jesus Christ came on the scene? The answer is no. It was only when the Lord Jesus Christ arrived on the scene and gave them life. This what God has done for every Christian. He has given us ears to hear the Gospel and then with those spiritual ears we are able to respond in affirmation to the Gospel. When we see people going down an aisle after an invitation, the likelihood that everyone going down front is saved, is probably very slim. Nevertheless, there are those who God has regenerated and it will be a small part of those who come forward. Whenever we look at people going forward, have we ever really asked the question, especially if you believe in free will, what compels some to go forward and the others to sit there and not give a hoot about what’s going on? Some may go forward because they may be carrying guilt feelings about something, or they are following someone else. The real reason someone may go forth is that God has begun the work of salvation in them, and that work will continue whether they go forward or not. God never saves a person half way and then says the rest is up to you. It is all of God and if He begins the work in you, He will complete it, with no actions required on your part. Dead people have to handled by outsiders. Salvation also has to come from the outside, and that is the work of the Holy Spirit.

December 8 - Sunday

Today’s Reading - Ephesians 4 - 6

(Eph 4:14 KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

In today’s reading we come across this verse which should be a warning to every Christian. This verse is warning us that we are not to be like children. Have you ever watched children play? The reason that parents have to keep a steady eye on them is because children tend to get bored doing the same thing for more than five minutes straight. First, they may start out on the swings, then go to the sliding board, then maybe sand box, then to crawl through those big tubes and then after 30 minutes of that it is on to Chuck-E-Cheese. God is warning that we as Christians should never be caught up in the same type of mindset. One week we want to be Baptists, then the next week Reformed, then the next week Methodists. One week we use the King James and then the next week we use the New King James, and then on to another version. The reason that Christians are always looking for something new and the reason that many get bored is that there is no stability in their life. This is what this verse is teaching us. If we are not stable Christians building our spiritual lives on the solid teachings of Scripture, then we will be tossed to and fro, and will be victims of false teachings. This happens because we are always trying something new so what happens is when a false gospel comes our way, we have not grounded ourselves, and will treat the false teaching as if it is a part of Christianity that we have not experienced yet. Stability brings growth!

Some people come with a false Gospel as part of a planned deception. The word “sleight” in our verse carries with it the meaning of “trickery.” God is warning us that if we do not settle down and ground ourselves, then we will not be able to tell the difference between the true Gospel and the false. We will be able to be tricked into believing a false gospel. We are in a doctrinal war and it is important that we know what the true doctrines of Scripture teach so it will be literally impossible to throw you around with every wind of doctrine. If you take the average Christian radio station, you will normally have maybe about 20 different programs from different ministries. If you listen to that station for any length of time, you will hear many doctrines being taught. Many will be contradictory to another’s program. If you are not grounded in the Word and building a stability in your spiritual walk, then by what means will you use to filter out all the bad teaching? Despite all the Gospel additives that is embellishing the pure Gospel today, Christianity is a spiritual continuum.

If Christianity was not a spiritual continuum then the core beliefs would be subject to the same forces that the ungrounded Christian is subject to, namely that the essence of Christianity can be tainted. Since the Holy Spirit, who indwells the true believer, cannot be affected by false beliefs, it means that those who are grounded in the Scriptures cannot be affected either, since the Holy Spirit is going to bring us into all truth and that truth is grounded in the Scriptures. Now when I talk about a Christian continuum, I want you to picture a steel pipeline. Now on top of the pipeline someone is piling cotton, linen, paper, and coloring the outside of the pipe. These represent the embellishments. On the bottom, someone is placing cement, rocks, stones, tar. These represent the false teachings that can sway us. Neither of these items are compressing the pipeline and the fresh water inside is still flowing though no matter what is being done to color or crimp the pipeline. That is the essence of Christianity, whereby it flows in truth regardless of what is done to it. The problem is that people look at the outside of Christianity and think they can affect the core, this cannot happen, because God is at the core of Christianity.

December 9 - Monday

Today’s Reading - Philippians 1 - 4

(Phil 4:11 KJV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Do you realize that no matter how we squawk about where God has placed us, it is not going to affect our condition one iota? It is when we learn to accept the place where God has put us, is when we begin to start seeing the blessings roll in. I can say this from experience. For quite a number of years, I had an itinerant speaking ministry but since my legs have gotten weaker, the Lord began a transition from a speaking ministry to a writing ministry. Of course a writing ministry is done sitting down. Although I have been unable to have a more personal ministry, nevertheless the Lord has allowed my ministry to continue to flow but in a different method. Now if I didn’t accept my position and kicked and screamed, do you think that would have changed my situation? NO! God is continuing to change the lives of many of His children for the purposes that He has for them. We may wonder why things happen to us and question them. One thing we can really count on is that God’s children are continually being molded and shaped to conform to the work and purposes of God. Once God works in your life, even it seems like it is a negative thing, if you wait, see, and trust the Lord, then you will eventually see what He is working out in your life. Then when you come to that junction, you will see the wisdom with which God has strategically used in your life to bring about the purpose He has for you.

December 10 - Tuesday

Today’s Reading - Colossians 1-4

(Col 1:28 KJV) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

In today’s reading we come across this verse which gives one of the heart responses by the Apostle Paul. His desire was always linked back to the churches and Colossae was no different. In this verse Paul is giving us some insight as to his ministry among the Colossian Christians. First, the Apostle Paul is desiring that God would make known among these Christians the great mystery of the ages which is the Grace of God and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the previous verse Paul is telling us that He is preaching the hope of Glory which is Christ indwelling many of the Gentiles also. The great mystery was hidden in the ages past and the Gospel at that time was only given to the physical nation of Israel, except for a few Gentiles who heard the preaching such as Naaman and Nineveh. Here Paul is straightly saying that the Gentiles are included in the great number of Christians. Now in our verse above it seems that Paul had two messages that he was bringing to the Colossian church. First, he is warning every man. That warning is probably two-fold: First, it is probably to the Colossian Christians to get their spiritual hearts in order; secondly, he is probably warning all the unbelievers about the judgment to come and they will someday face the Lord Jesus in judgment.