James 1:2-3

Everybody will go through a season(s) of temptations, trials, and tribulations. Believers, however, are in a most unique position for going through. Because we have a relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, we put our trust Him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Know without a doubt we will need Him. Satan is the prince of the air; he knows when we are weak and struggling in our Christian walk. In Matt. 4:3 Jesus was not struggling in His faith. His hunger showed His humanity after a forty-day fast in the wilderness. Satan tempted Him saying, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Satan knew Jesus was the Son of God and had the power to do as requested. However, Jesus showed us that believers must use the word to resist their temptations.  

Here James told us to consider it nothing but joy whenever we fall into various trials (v.2). Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance (v.3). Children of God must be tested; testing leads to spiritual maturity and inner peace. We must not focus on what we are going through; we must focus on the goodness of God and all He has done. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4), no matter what the trial or tribulation – rejoice in the Lord.

Will you count the testing of your faith all joy today? Clap your hands and shout, “Glory to God!”

Romans 12:1, NKJV

Believers have been called out from the world and set apart for God’s purposes. We live in this earthly realm, but we are citizens of His spiritual kingdom. He commands our total commitment and love. Believers must freely dedicate themselves wholly to a lifetime of service to Him through unselfish service to our neighbor. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NIV).

In Romans 12:1, Paul urges the church, “by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice” – a body that has been spiritually resurrected from death in sins and trespasses. We are new creatures in Christ; therefore, we must bring our living selves to Him, holy and acceptable. After all, Jesus gave his life as the ultimate sacrifice for us. Paul says that we have heard the preaching and teaching of the gospel. Now, put it into practice in your every day living. 

God wants a sacrifice that is well-pleasing to Him. Because He is holy, we must be holy. We must clean up our old, defiled bodies, and live like clay jars in which the Holy Spirit is stored. Believers must give up their selfish, unrighteous ways and take on His selfless, righteous ways. “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Love and obedience go hand-in-hand in pleasing God. We are to be fully committed sacrifices – living, holy, and acceptable. That is our reasonable service, or genuine worship, to Christ. 

Clap your hands and shout, “Glory!”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Believers have the assurance that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave that we might have life now and eternally. In today’s passage of scripture, Paul described the sudden coming of Jesus Christ. Christian theologians call it the rapture though the word is not in the Bible. However, Paul prophesied that God’s people will not be ignorant. 

1Thessalonians 4:13-17 reads “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope (v.13). For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died(v.14). We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died (v.15). For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves (v.16). Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever” (v.17).

Finally, Paul challenged us to “encourage each other with these words” (v.18) of resurrection hope. Will you encourage someone today? 

Clap your hands and give God glory! He is worthy.

 

 

1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Do you know that your labor in the Lord is never without purpose? Our labor in the God of purpose will never be in vain. As Paul wrapped up his teaching on the resurrection, in verses 51-54 he explained a mystery that God had previously hidden, but now revealed. He told of God’s plan of translating the bodies of the living righteous. When that last trumpet sounds, and Christ Jesus comes back, both those who died in Christ, and those who are still alive will be given completely transformed bodies “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”

Paul continued “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (v.53, KJV). While here on earth, we live in an earthen vessel that is destined to die because of sin. As new creatures in Christ, we honor God, giving Him glory in our spiritually transformed state, but our earthly bodies are still dying. Paul explained when these earthen vessels of believers will stop dying and just how quick God will change them. Nocorrupt nature will enter God’s kingdom; Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). Neither will a corrupt body enter God’s kingdom. 

Verse 54 informed us that when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” Thank God; the believer’s body will be a renewed, glorified body truly fit for the kingdom of God. 

Clap your hands and give God glory!

Psalm 34:9-10

In last week’s post Matthew 6:33 Jesus promised to give us all the material things that the unbelievers seek. He knows that we need those things also; therefore, we are commanded to meet the condition He sets forth – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” For without Christ Jesus, we are unable to do anything. David commanded the saints of God to reverently fear the Lord for there is no want to them who fear Him (v.9). Our obedience to the Lord, that is, living according to His will, shows our fear of Him and our desire to please Him. 

Most of us have said, “What you need God’s got it.” The beauty of it is because God loved us from the beginning, through His divine power, He has already given us all things that apply to life and godliness (2 Pet.1:3a). Therefore, believers are responsible for living godly lives, using all the gifts and knowledge God has instilled in us to accomplish the purposes for which we’ve been created.

David continued “When young lions don’t have food, they grow hungry, but they who seek the Lord will have every good thing they need” (v.10). Those who walk uprightly before Him will not want; the Lord has promised to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 

Clap your hands and give God glory!