Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Friday, December 8, 2023
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Saturday, June 10, 2023
* Psalm 66:9 -- He Keeps Our Soul
Kneel before our God, you peoples! Make the sound of his praise heard, who keeps our soul among the living, and does not permit our feet to be moved. -- Psalm 66:8,9, RLIV.
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Romans 10:9 - Jesus is Lord
If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. -- Romans 10:9, RLIV.
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Titus 3:5 - Saved Through Mercy
Not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. -- Titus 3:5
The term, “works of righteousness” in our text, appears to reflect works under the Law Covenant, or possibly by works of conscience by which some would seek to justify themselves. Jewish believers in Christ, before they became believers, were seeking justification according to Law. Paul reported of the Gentiles, although without the Law, have a law to themselves, by which many sought justification by their works. (Romans 2:13-15) Paul later says, however, that neither the Jew or the Gentile was justified by their works. (Romans 3:9) No one was actually justified, made straight, declared righteous, by means trying to keep the Law Covenant. (Ecclesiastes 1:15; 7:13; Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20,28; Galatians 2:16; 3:11,24; 5:4) The Law, being, weak due to sinful flesh, never, of itself, effected justification for anyone. (Romans 8:3) It is only as one is justified, regenerated, renewed by the Holy Spirit, that one, as a new creature in Christ, is made sinless, straight, just. For such, it is reckoned, or counted, that the old creation has passed away, and all things have been made new; by partaking of the powers of the age to come, it is as though the present age has already passed away. – 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 6:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5.
Related:
The Right Foundation of Faith
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Psalm 62:5 - My Expectation
My expectation is from him. -- Psalm 62:5.
If we belong to Christ, these words should surely bring a blessing in our lives. Whatever may happen, our expectation is from Jehovah, our God. We cast all our cares upon Him, and thus we are able to go about our service to Him in quietness, walking in the path of righteousness. Giving our hearts in submission to His care, we have peace although we may be surrounded by many who are murmuring and at unrest. We find contentment in whatever our Heavenly Father may send in answer to our prayers of faith. We may not receive from our Heavenly Father what we might expect. What we receive from our Heavenly Father may not be congenial to the feelings of the physical man, but we have the assurance that Jehovah is our strength in the time of trouble. (Psalm 37:39) Thus, although all may appear to be dismal from the standpoint of what is seen by our physical eyes, we should raise our thoughts above the physical to the spiritual, and thus rejoice in Jehovah, and be joyous in the God of our salvation. -- Habakkuk 3:17-19.
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Sunday, March 14, 2021
Hebrews 10:38 - Righteous Live By Faith
Hebrews 10:38 - But the righteous will live by faith. -- World English.
The word, in effect, seeks to walk by sight, which is not the faith spoken in our text. The one who belongs to Christ should seek to walk by the things not seen, putting faith in the invisible heavenly Father through Jesus. Those who have been reckoned righteous through faith in Jesus should not consider the act of being justified to be the end of the matter. That faith should become the force behind everything the child of God does. Through faith, we study what God has revealed to us in the Bible, that we may produce righteous fruit to the glory of our Heavenly Father and His Son. -- Matthew 7:19; Galatians 5:22,23; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 2:2. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.
Related:
Daily Heavenly Manna for March 15 * BSM Aids * Video
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Hebrews 12:1 - Surrounded By Cloud of Witnesses
Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. -- World English.
The apostle is telling us to look back at those faithful ones of old spoken of in the preceding chapter. We should note their sufferings and yet how they maintained their faith in God regardless. Surely they are fine examples that should provide a stimulus for our faith and zeal. Who of us in our service to God and Jesus have not experienced similar experiences, or have not seen similar experiences in others who are fellow servants of the Lord Jesus?
The apostle tells those who belong to Christ to lay aside all things of this world that may hinder us in our calling. This does not mean that absolutely everything we might consider to be weights and hindrances is to be cast aside. For instance, a man who is married and has children should not cast these aside, but at the same time, they should not become of greater importance so as to replace our service to God and Jesus.
The race set before us, however, is not the same as that set before those faithful servants of old. We have been called to become joint-heirs with Christ, to become kings jointly with Christ in the Kingdom. To obtain this goal calls for us to have even greater zeal and willingness to suffer for Christ and His God. We believe, however, that most of the Lord's servants will fall short of obtaining this grand prize, although most of them will attain a lower reward than that of being joint-heirs with Christ. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.
Monday, February 15, 2021
2 Corinthians 6:3,8 -- No Occasion For Stumbling
While performing our duties to the best of our abilities and when it appears that Jehovah is blessing and favoring us and our affairs to a very noticeable degree, trouble can suddenly arise, adversity can strike, the powers of evil can appear to triumph, and those around us may even condemn us. At such times, it may appear that our Heavenly Father has abandoned us. Through it all, we need to remember that no matter how dark circumstances may appear to us, that we should submit to the Heavenly Father's guidance through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to realize that we should walk by faith, not by sight, and thus figuratively take hold of our Master's hand and let him guide us through the dark. Indeed, if our Heavenly Father did not allow such experiences to come to us, the thought of walking by faith could become a form of ritualism or even a form of self-exaltation.
Regardless of what is happening, for Christ's sake, the child of God should seek to avoid stumbling others. Paul's expressions regarding this denotes several extremes, by which one could stumble others. Have we been honored in some special way? If so, our attitude should not be that of pride, exaltation of self. When honored, we should seek to accept such honor with humility while giving such honor to Christ. If we are dishonored, we should rejoice in such dishonor for the cause of Christ. If we are spoken of in an evil manner, we should not seek to retaliate in kind; if we are spoken of in a good manner, again, we should accept such in humility, not with a spirit of self-exaltation.
The child of God may be considered by those of the world, and sometimes by fellow-believers, to be a deceiver. Such an experience should not make the Christian timid or fearful. While the world is being deceived related to the truth about the Heavenly Father and Jesus, even amidst their unbelief, the Christian should be truthful, all to the glory of our Heavenly Father. What we do and say may influence, not only our brother is Christ, but the hearts of all who might receive Christ at some time in the future.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
02-10 - 1 Timothy 4:12 - Be An Example
Paul's advice to Timothy is good for all who belong to Christ. In a broad sense, all Christians should be setting an example for not only fellow believers, but for the world, many of whom may believe at a future time or in that coming day when all nations are to blessed. (Isaiah 2:2-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:10) We all have the perfect example set by our Lord Jesus, as well as the imperfect examples of many other faithful ones, as recorded in the Bible.
The admonition above covers many aspects of life. It indicates that the Christian, although one may fall short in some aspects, should strive to utilize a careful choice of words and actions, all based on a faithful spirit of devotion and love for God as well as others. Love would certainly not wish to bring any harm to neighbor, whether they are or are not believers in Christ. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.
Related (We do not necessarily agree all presented by other authors)
Contend for the Faith (MP3 download)
Follow the Pattern (Poem)
Monday, February 8, 2021
02-09 - Psalm 116:7 - Return to Your Rest
{Psalm 116:7} Return to your superb rest, my soul, for Jehovah has dealt bountifully with you. -- RLIV.
The Hebrew word for "rest" in this verse in plural, evidently being used as plural intensive, possibly signifying a superb rest of faith in Jehovah, a high degree of quality of faith. The Psalmist apparently once had this faith but his faith had become shaken and thus he seeks to regain that degree of faith he once had.
Likewise, the regenerated child of God may at times be shaken in faith, and feel the need to recapture the faith once had. Thus, if for a while a consecrated child of God may fall short in his faith, there may arise a "cloud" that separates that child from the Heavenly Father. As the child of God is reminded of the wonderful things that Jehovah has done, this cloud may be removed through repentance and forgiveness. through our Advocate, our Lord Jesus. -- 1 John 2:1. -- Ronald R. Day.
Likewise, the regenerated child of God may at times be shaken in faith, and feel the need to recapture the faith once had. Thus, if for a while a consecrated child of God may fall short in his faith, there may arise a "cloud" that separates that child from the Heavenly Father. As the child of God is reminded of the wonderful things that Jehovah has done, this cloud may be removed through repentance and forgiveness. through our Advocate, our Lord Jesus. -- 1 John 2:1. -- Ronald R. Day.
Related (We do not necessarily agree with every conclusion presented by other authors):
Sunday, February 7, 2021
02-08 - Matthew 14:31 - You of Little Faith
{Matthew 14:31} Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" -- RLIV
Had Peter not become afraid, his faith would have sustained him to complete walk to the Master. Jesus, however, gave help to Peter the needed help to make up for his doubt. All who belong to Christ surely must have a longing to do something that would express his faith. Yet, like Peter, all of us at times have had to depend on the helping hand of our Lord to carrying us through when our faith dwindles, lest our doubts cause us to sink in utter failure.
Nevertheless, God's rule concerning faith appears to be: "According to your faith be it done to you." (Matthew 9:29) Very few who belong to Christ have developed the perfection of faith that Paul spoke of. (1 Thessalonians 3:10) Thus, we need to have constant vigilance to cultivate such a faith, regardless of our circumstances in life.
Nevertheless, God's rule concerning faith appears to be: "According to your faith be it done to you." (Matthew 9:29) Very few who belong to Christ have developed the perfection of faith that Paul spoke of. (1 Thessalonians 3:10) Thus, we need to have constant vigilance to cultivate such a faith, regardless of our circumstances in life.
Related (We do not necessarily agree with all conclusions presented by other authors):
Thursday, January 21, 2021
* Psalm 31:24 - Be of Good Courage
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Isaiah 26:3- Stayed on Jehovah
Isaiah 26:3,4 - You will keep him in peaceful peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in Jehovah forever. -- RLIV.
We are resting in Jehovah's promises -- we are resting in His strength and in His ability to make good His promises; for we know that He who has called us is able to fulfil all His good Word. This peace, or rest, is the special blessing of the Holy Spirit. Only in proportion as we receive the Holy Spirit, the holy mind of God, the holy disposition, can we have this peace fulfilled in us. It is a matter of simple ratio. As we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jehovah, in the knowledge of the Truth, we shall have this to comfort and strengthen us; and we shall thus have more of the peace of God every day, and be able to abide in His love. -- Excerpt adapted from "Peace With God and the Peace of God" ZWT, April 1, 1914; edited to present God's Holy Name as "Jehovah".
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Today, Satan's influence is tugging at the heart of the Christian almost without letup each day. Only if one keeps his mind stayed on the Heavenly Father can one not be harmed mentally by the constant bombardment that one confronts throughout each day. It is not just something one does during a religious service; it has to be maintained throughout every minute of every day, otherwise, our thoughts will be influenced with the world's presentation of what is evil as being good, and what is good as being evil. (Isaiah 5:20) Being focused on the Father, our minds will dwell in peace upon the fruit of the spirit, and not get caught up in the world's propaganda that would promote this or that form of the fruit of the flesh as being proper and acceptable.-- Galatians 5:19-25. - Ronald R. Day, Sr..
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One cannot have a mind stayed on God when that mind is walking in sin. The world cannot have peace with God due to sin. (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:19) It is only through faith in Jesus and his offering for sin that one can obtain peace with God. (Romans 5:1) Before one can experience peace with God, one has to be reconciled to God. (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18) Such reconciliation calls for one to repent in his attitude toward sin (Acts 2:38; 3:19), and endeavor to walk in the path of righteousness. (Proverbs 12:28; Romans 6:4) However, we should soon realize that whatever righteousness we can muster in our present sinful flesh will still fall short of being totally without sin. (Romans 6:15-18; 7:5; 8:3) We thus need to have faith in the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God to cover sins of our flesh by which we fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Through faith we are counted as justified (made straight, righteous), and it is by faith that we walk in the spirit without condemnation before God. -- Romans 4:6,24; 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.
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The phrase "trust in Jehovah forever" signifies putting trust in Jehovah always, at all times, regardless of circumstances. Many translations render the phrase as "trust in the Lord", but his is incorrect. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew text never says "trust in the Lord", although many translations change God's Holy Name to "the Lord". The King James Version has the phrase "trust in the Lord" in two places in the New Testament, both of which are referring to Paul's conviction concerning Jesus. (Philippians 2:19,24) Paul's usages in these verses do not correspond with "trust in Jehovah" as used in the Old Testament. It would be well, however, that when speaking of scriptures such Isaiah 26:3,4, that God's people not join with those who wish to change the Holy Name to "the Lord". God's Holy Name is not "the Lord", and to change his name to "the Lord" is actually supporting that which is false. God has not authorized anyone to change his eternal Holy Name to other words that do not even mean the same thing. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.
From pole to pole let others roam,
And search in vain for bliss;
My soul is satisfied at home,
Lord Jah my portion is.
Adapted from Daily Food, January 22
See also:
Stayed on Jehovah, Hearts are Truly Blessed
Daily Heavenly Manna for July 3 (Link will need to be changed)
Stayed on Jehovah, Hearts are Truly Blessed
Daily Heavenly Manna for July 3 (Link will need to be changed)
You Keep Him in Perfect Peace -- Tom Gilbert
The Holy Name of God
The Holy Name of God
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Saturday, January 24, 2015
* Matthew 6:34 - Don't Be Anxious
Our Lord assures us that if the main thought of our hearts is His service and the promotion of righteousness and an attainment of the Kingdom, which God has promised to them that love Him, then we need carry no anxious cares respecting the future. As His disciples we will have trials and tribulations enough, day by day, and will need daily to lean upon Jehovah's arm as we seek to walk our narrow way. Sufficient for each day will be the evil of itself; and thanks be to God also, we have the promise that daily His grace shall be sufficient for us. -- Based on excerpt from: We Cannot Serve God and Mammon. Watch Tower, February 1, 1898, page 42 (R2259).
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The children of God, in seeking God's Kingdom and His righteousness as the primary thing in their lives, have no need to be anxious about their daily needs. This does not mean that we will have what our sinful flesh may deem to be necessary, but rather it is what God deems necessary according to His Will. Nor does it mean that we can neglect our earthly obligations. And yet, having trust and faith in our Heavenly Father, we should not become anxious about the future. Even the world recognizes that having negative thoughts about the future is detrimental to one's well-being, and this should apply even more so to the child of God whose faith and trust in the Heavenly Father. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.
Related Scriptures: Exodus 16:18-20; 1 Kings 3:13; 17:4-6,14-16; Job 38:41; Psalm 34:9; Psalm 37:5; Psalm 37:25; Psalm 55:22; Psalm 104:10,11; Psalm 127:2; Psalm 147:9; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Lamentations 3:21-25; Jeremiah 17:7,8; Matthew 6:11; Matthew 6:25-33; Matthew 13:22; Luke 11:3; Luke 12: 24-26; Luke 12:31; Luke 21:34; John 14:27; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 7:32,33; Philippians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 13:5,6; 1 Peter 5:7.
STRENGTH SUFFICIENT
OH, ask not thou, "How shall I bear
The burden of tomorrow?"
Sufficient for the day the care,
Its evils and its sorrow,
God imparteth by the way
Strength sufficient for the day.
Related (We do not necessarily agree with all statements given):
Thursday, January 23, 2014
* Proverbs 3:3 - Don't Let Kindness and Truth Forsake You
Do not let kindness and truth forsake you; fasten them around your neck. Inscribe them on the tablet of your heart. -- Proverbs 3:3, RLIV
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