Author: NBibens

WARNING: Senseless and Harmful!

Sometimes, products come with warning labels. What’s amazing is that people still buy and use products despite clear warnings of harm. But what if other things came with warnings? What if lifestyles and desires come with such labels? Well, some do! For instance, 1 Timothy 6:9 says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” 

Wanting to be wealthy might be one of the most popular and common ambitions. But the Bible provides a warning for such desire. That type of life is called senseless and harmful. A life devoted to obtaining riches is almost surely going to lead to spiritual and eternal ruin. And yet, many people choose a path of destruction despite the Bible’s clear warning. What will you choose? Will you heed the caution of Scripture and choose godliness over greed? Or will you ignore the clear warning and follow a senseless and harmful path of ruin?

Thanks to Your Holy Name

Earlier this week, we spent some time in 1 Chronicles 16, where David’s song of thanks is recorded. To close out this week, let’s look at David’s concluding remarks:

“Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” 

What an ending to that beautiful song! And what an encouragement to know that even now, thousands of years after David first sang that song, God is working to do just what David asked. God is gathering from among the nations those who are willing to serve and obey Him. If we belong to that great host of God’s people, we have more reason for gratitude than all others. Praise the Lord, and blessed be His name forevermore!

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

First Chronicles 16:34 says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Yesterday, we considered the goodness of God. Today, let’s consider the second reason David gives us to thank God.

David says, “For his steadfast love endures forever!” If you want a beautiful truth to meditate on, this is perfect. God’s steadfast love endures forever. That phrase is found over 40 times in the Bible! 

We are highly blessed if we have a loving family, friends, or spouse. But even our closest loved ones do not love us perfectly. Sometimes, their love can waiver. But not God’s. God’s love is steadfast and sure. And God’s love never ceases. Sometimes, people stop loving us. Other times, our loved ones pass away, and thus, the presence of their love ends. But God’s love endures—it is eternal. Whatever else we might be thankful for, we should ever be grateful for God’s faithful, enduring love! 

For He is Good!

First Chronicles 16 records David’s song of thanks that he wrote to celebrate the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. The beautiful song is filled with praise and adoration for God. It’s also a song that reminds us why we have such tremendous reason to be thankful. 

In verse 34, David says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

David reminds us of some simple yet beautiful reasons to thank God. Today, let’s dwell on the fact that God is good. We often describe folks we like or admire as “good people.” But the truth is, no one we know is entirely good. Even the good people in our lives have made bad choices and done sinful things. But not God. God is wholly good. And what a blessing that is. How thankful we should be that we serve a perfect, holy, and good God! 

Tell of His Wondrous Works!

Tell of His Wondrous Works!

In 1 Chronicles 15, we read about David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Then, chapter 16 records a song of thanks that David composed to commemorate the grand event. David’s song contains some simple reminders about thankfulness, and I would like to spend some time this week considering those lessons. 

In 1 Chronicles 16:8, David begins his song with these words: “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”

There are multiple ways to thank God. We can sing songs of thankfulness. We can thank the Lord while we speak to Him in prayer. But one beautiful way we can thank God is to tell others about Him. If you want to thank God today, why not tell someone else about the wonderful Lord and his glorious deeds?

Lamentations: An Overview

Lamentations is often overlooked and ignored. Perhaps it’s because of its poetic style, somber message, graphic descriptions of suffering, or some other reason. But the book of Lamentations is an important book about the consequences of sin and rebellion. Its message might not be easy, but God’s Word is challenging sometimes. In this sermon, Nate Bibens provides an overview of this Old Testament book.

Audio Link

Culmination of the Ages

Have you ever considered how amazing it is to live when we do? I’m sure every generation has glamorized the past and wondered about the future. And sure, our times have their fair share of tragedies, hardships, and disappointments. But still, we live in an amazing time.

 In 1 Corinthians 10:11, Paul says, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”[1] We live in an era that no longer anticipates new revelation. God’s Word has been given, and His plan revealed. We get to see and know what so many in history longed to understand. Millennia went into building the foundation we get to build upon as the Lord’s people. 

But also, because we live in the culmination of the ages, that means we are closer than ever to the return of Christ and reconciliation of all things to God—are you ready for that great and final Day? 

[1] NIV

The Lord’s People

Who do you belong to? We identify with different people and groups and develop a sense of belonging within various communities. We belong to families and neighborhoods. We have our favorite sports teams and schools. We belong to communities of people who enjoy the same hobbies as us or have similar political views. In dozens of ways, we find ourselves belonging to other people and groups. But there is one person and one group that we must belong to—The Lord and His people.

In 2 Chronicles 23:16, we read, “And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people.” What an outstanding commitment! Jehoiada, the priest, bound himself, the nation, and the King of Judah to the Lord—they belonged to the Lord. And we should, too. Wherever else we think we belong, we belong to the Lord and must be His people.

Why Will You Die?

Imagine a hospital patient suffering from a fatal disease. In agony, they cry out to those around them that they don’t want to die. What a heartbreaking scene. But imagine that next to them stood a doctor who offered a cure. Their life could be spared! They don’t have to die! But they refuse the available treatment. 

That happens every day in the spiritual realm. In Ezekiel 33:11, God says, “…I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” Why will you die? What a question! God doesn’t want you to be lost. He doesn’t want your spiritual death; thus, He offers life! God has provided the cure for your sin-sick soul. There is no excuse for being lost. Why would you choose spiritual death when God offers eternal life?