Posts by Steve Hall (Page 3)
HEARTY PRAISE
Wow! What more would we need to motivate us as we come before the Lord on His day to worship Him? He is worthy of our praise! As we
congregate this Sunday, let’s prepare our hearts to offer a hearty praise to our mighty God and Savior for He is worthy, He is worthy!
EXPOUNDING GOD’S WORD
This is precisely the duty of a teacher of God’s Holy Word. Notice how they read “distinctly” or faithfully, word by word, gave the “sense” or insight and caused them to “understand” or to know in the mind. Once a teacher is able to properly expound the Word to those under his tutelage, one result will be joy! It’s only through a proper study of God’s Word that we can have a proper understanding of its Author and as we grow in our knowledge of God we can’t help but to rejoice and that is our strength!
REFLECTING HIS GLORY
I seem to remember, albeit vaguely, an old commercial that had dogs and their owners on it and how much they resembled each other. I sure can’t recall what they were actually advertising but it was intriguing for sure. I’ve owned many dogs through the years and I’m pretty sure there’s one that I didn’t resemble at all, my Pug! As blood bought children of God, I wonder how much we resemble our Master? Not in the physical sense but in all other ways. After spending time with others, would they be able to identify us as children of the Master? Do we reflect His glory? Or have we become so contaminated with the elements of this world that we no longer shine?
MORAL RELATIVISM
There certainly isn’t anything new under the sun! Moral Relativism was just as prevalent in those days as it is in ours! According to moral relativism, there is not a single true morality. There are a variety of possible moralities or moral frames of reference, and whether something is morally right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust, etc. is a relative matter-relative to one or another morality or moral frame of reference.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON
Life is TOUGH! Serving the Lord can be difficult at times. We’re living in perilous times and witnessing things we never imagined we would see in our lifetime. Families are disintegrating and every day we read of another well known, deep rooted Christian forsaking their faith. Friends, family and others may fail and forsake us but be of good courage! We have a promise from God Almighty that He’ll never fail us. He’ll never forsake us so there is no reason to fear or be dismayed! Keep on keeping on! Don’t quit! Be strong in the Lord, you’re not alone!
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
Imagine for a moment, the day we call Good Friday, the day the Son of God was crucified on the cross of Calvary. Beaten beyond recognition, treated with contempt and disdain, mocked and spat upon; rejected by those who just a few days before we’re shouting “Hosanna in the highest” this Messiah, Israel’s Deliverer….DEAD! Satan and the multitude of fallen angels must have been celebrating their victory over the one called “the Son of God”. Imagine, if you will, how Satan and his minions must have felt! Now, it’s Sunday and some women are headed toward the tomb but they notice that Jesus isn’t there! Where could He be. He’s risen! Just as He said He would! God ALWAYS keeps His promises. Jesus conquered the grave, He conquered death, He conquered sin and He conquered Satan. The celebration abruptly ends once the Devil discovers what happened at the tomb. His minions scurry like bugs do when a rock is turned over and they’re exposed to light…..they were exposed to Light! Hallelujah! He’s risen! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone! Praise God, He’s Risen.
B-I-B-L-E
Do you fondly remember the song we used to sing in Sunday School when we were little? “The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for life, I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.” Oh dear Christian, is the Bible the book for you? It’s the only book that has the words of life, the power to save, to make the simple wise! It’s God’s love letter to us! Do you love the Word of God? When we stand on the Word of God we’ll not easily fall for the wiles of the devil.
HIS WORKMANSHIP
Meditation: These two verses have blessed me tremendously through the years. They assure me that although I may feel at times that in my walk with the Lord I’m taking a step forward and two steps back, I’m God’s workmanship created in Jesus unto good works.I can be confident that what He has ordained will come to pass.Reminds me of a song I used to sing to the kids when I would push them on the swing:
VOMIT (YUCK)!
It’s interesting how often the Bible compares us to animals. Sheep, wolves, beasts, dogs etc. Sheep aren’t very bright, wolves devour sheep but what about dogs? Every dog owner has witnessed at one time or another their dog going back to their vomit (yuck!). We are disgusted when we see that and make sure they don’t come back anytime soon to give us kisses! Yet God compares those who go back to their folly or foolishness to those dogs that return to their vomit. Ponder that a moment. Makes you think twice about going back and doing that very thing that God told you not to do, right?
EXCUSES
Have you ever given it any thought how sin makes one say stupid things! It’s amazing how Aaron just took the gold, threw it in the fire and presto! out comes this golden calf! We kind of chuckle at this but how often have we’ve been guilty of making up the most fantastic excuses once we get caught red-handed in our sin? I’m sure it’s more than we’d like to admit. Be smart! Don’t get caught up with the crowd that’s egging you on to something that God wouldn’t approve of.