Do No Harm

Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10 From Moses to Jesus to Paul—the thread of love runs through Scripture. Moses’ Ten Commandments were about loving God (the first four commandments) and loving others (the remaining six commandments) (Exodus 20:1-17). When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said to love God. The second? Love others (Matthew 22:34-40). And in his instructions on personal relationships, Paul said there was one way to fulfill the law: love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Romans 13:10).

It is fascinating to consider that something as complex as the Old Testament law can be summarized in one simple word: love. Paul affirmed Moses’ (Leviticus 19:18) and Jesus’ (Matthew 19:19) measure for how to love others: as we love ourselves (Romans 13:9). Paul reminds us that no right-thinking person would harm himself. Therefore, we must love others the same way—by doing no harm. Long before doctors were taught to do no harm, Christians were taught to do no harm to a neighbor. If we hurt or harm another person by word or by deed, we have not loved that person. Purpose today to love all others as you love yourself. If my heart is right with God, every human being is my neighbor. Oswald Chambers David Jeremiah

What Is the Spirit-Filled Life?

Ephesians 5:18-21 18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; 21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. God wants all of His children to be filled with the Spirit, but many of us aren’t sure what this means. While every believer is indwelt by God’s Spirit, the extent of His rule is determined by our obedience. Try thinking of it as a voluntary choice to surrender to the Holy Spirit’s control—to be sensitive to His leadership and guidance, obedient to His promptings, and dependent upon His strength. Those who have surrendered to the Spirit’s leadership are continually being transformed into Christ’s likeness, but the degree of surrender determines the level of transformation. Even though good works and faithful service come from the Spirit, they’re not automatically signs that we are fully yielded to Him. Remember, the surrender we’re talking about involves character, not simply our actions. Serving in some manner can sometimes be easier than loving the unlovable or being patient with difficult people. But when the Spirit is in charge of our life, He is able to do through us what we can’t do ourselves. Each believer decides who rules his or her life. Even those who try to avoid the issue by making no choice at all unknowingly opt for self-rule. The fullness of the Spirit and godly character await those who choose God over self.

The Wobbly Bridge

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. Romans 4:20 When London’s Millennium Bridge opened in 2000, it became known as the Wobbly Bridge because it would shake and shimmy for no known reason. After some research, engineers found the cause. When the bridge moved just a tad, people adjusted their weight and stance. When enough people exerted energy trying not to fall, it created a human-caused wobble—a problem that has since been corrected.

With our world seesawing around us, people everywhere are trying not to collapse. As Christians, we have a stabilizing factor built into our personalities. We have God’s peace amid uncertainty. Jesus brings stability in an unstable world. We don’t need to waver because we are strengthened by faith in the promises of God. Just as God kept His promise to Abraham, making him father of many nations—God will keep His promises to you. He is ever present, so don’t be afraid of world events. He is with you every moment of every day. You can be confident in His presence, strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. We can speak peace to our hearts, because God hath spoken peace to us….O keep that peace, by looking up to Jesus Christ every moment. George Whitefield David Jeremiah

Faith or Feelings?

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 4 Such is the confidence we have toward God through Christ. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Trusting God is easy when life’s good or we’re feeling competent. But is that genuine faith or a form of self-reliance? The apostle Paul said, “Our adequacy is from God” (2 Cor. 3:5). If the Lord calls us to do something that seems impossible or unreasonable, He will equip us for it. However, if we let feelings of fear, inadequacy, or unworthiness cause us to doubt Him, we could miss the opportunity. Sometimes we’re afraid to venture into a new endeavor, because we’re listening to the wrong voices. The devil is always trying to deceive us and plant doubts in our mind so we won’t trust the Lord (You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.John 8:44). He hates to see a believer put aside fear, choose to believe God, and move forward in obedience. A challenging assignment from the Lord is often a fork in the road. When God presents an opportunity to serve Him, we must decide if we’ll take His path even though we might feel unqualified. We’re called to live by faith, not fear. If you are standing at a crossroads, remember that your adequacy is not in yourself but in God, and nothing is too difficult for Him. Trust Him and take a step.

John Piper on Gethsemane

John Piper on Gethsemane: The Double Battle

According to John Piper on Gethsemane, the story of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane often overlooks a battle over the flesh that involved the disciples.

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2 Peter 1:3-11

Gaius Plinius Secundus, called Pliny the Elder, lived during the days of Jesus and the apostles. He recorded an incredible story about the setting of an obelisk, which when erected would stand 99 feet tall.

Twenty thousand workers where chosen to pull on the ropes and activate the hoisting apparatus. There was great responsibility and risk in the operation. Just one error could cause the obelisk to fall, ruining years of work. Thus, the King demanded one act which insured the complete attention and best direction of the engineer.

Jesus our shield

‘After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’ Genesis 15:1

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Romans 5:1–11

The promise expresses the believer’s safety: the Lord is his shield (Psalm 18:2). Many images denote the safety and security of those who put their trust in him—none more comfortable or suitable than this of a shield:
(i) against the demands of the law and justice of God. Too many would shelter themselves with a refuge of lies—self-righteousness, false notions of God’s mercy—repentance, promises and purposes are all they have to trust to. But this is like trusting to a cobweb to shield us from a cannonball. Jesus is the only shield. He bore the wrath for his people and keeps it from them. Under his wing they are safe and the swift sword that justice draws, flaming and red, shall pass them by.

(ii) from Satan. This is the shield of faith. Faith itself is not properly our shield, but Christ is the shield which faith opposes to the enemy, and thus his fiery darts are quenched. As one said, ‘Trouble not me Satan, I am a weak and sinful woman, but go to Jesus—he shall answer you.’ So the Apostle (in Romans 8:34) looks round and challenges his enemies, Who shall condemn? Then he takes up his shield, It is Christ that died. With this shield in hand, we cannot be greatly hurt.

FOR MEDITATION:
Heavy charges Satan brings
To fill me with distress;
Let me hide beneath thy wings,
And plead thy righteousness:
Lord, to thee for help I call,
’Tis thy promise bids me come;
Tell him thou hast paid for all,
And that shall strike him dumb.

 

• Found on Milo’s blog

The Anchor of Hope

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Thanks to technology, we see the joy and celebrations of life that occur all over the world, but we also see the heartbreak and despair—most recently during the 2022 war in Ukraine. Cities were demolished; thousands were killed; millions fled for safety. And we see the images daily. It is easy to be discouraged and disheartened by such events. Such struggles threaten to tear us loose from our moorings in God whom we know to be good and just.

But we have an anchor that keeps us in place regardless of how strongly the winds of trouble blow: hope. This is not “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow” hope. Rather, it is “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). It is a better hope than any other, brought through Christ (Hebrews 7:19), offered to all (Hebrews 6:18), based on God’s faithfulness (Hebrews 10:23), and mediated by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). As disheartening as life can be at times, hope never disappoints (Romans 5:5). In this ever-changing world, let your hope remain fixed on the never-changing God. [Hope] is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. Matthew Henry David Jeremiah

1 Peter 2:1-10

ThePreachersWord In his book “A Gentle Thunder” Max Lucado tells the story of Karen Hill who is an Administrate Assistant in Austin, Texas. Karen underwent surgery in a local hospital and when she awoke in the recovery room, she could hear the moaning of a fellow patient. She could hear a sympathetic nurse trying to comfort him. “Settle down, Tom,” she said.” But still he moaned. “It’s all right, Tom. Just go with the pain.” The man was quiet for a few moments, but began groaning again. “It’s okay, Tom. You’ll be fine.” Finally the patient spoke.

“So Despised by the World”

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you… but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13 According to The Voice of the Martyrs, a group of Christians in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, planned an open baptism celebration, expecting members of their community to try to prevent the gathering. But praise the Lord! Many new believers were baptized, and on that day, at least, there was no sign of community opposition.[1]

Are you afraid of the reaction you’ll get when you mention Christ or articulate a biblical worldview? Keep your eyes on Christ, not on the critics. When we focus on eternity, we’ll realize that temporary suffering has a way of revealing God’s glory. There’s joy in serving the Lord! Let’s go back to the cross of Christ. Jesus lived with little and died in poverty. But He was buried in a rich man’s tomb, rose in glory, and ascended to guide His children in taking the Gospel to the ends of the world. This is no time to be silenced. It’s time to speak, to share, and to shine! I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown. George Bennard David Jeremiah