Author: NBibens

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Isn’t it amazing how differently people can respond to the same thing? One person will love a movie that another person hates. The same painting may cause some people to be amazed while others mock the item. Well, the same is true of the gospel.

In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter preached a gospel sermon, and towards his conclusion, he rebuked his audience for their rejection of Jesus. Verse 37 says the people were “cut to the heart” and asked Peter what they could do. They were convicted by the gospel and wanted salvation.

In Acts 8, Stephen preached a gospel sermon and rebuked the crowd’s stubborn rebellion. The Bible says this crowd was also “cut to the heart.” They were convicted, but instead of repenting, they got angry—so angry that they murdered Stephen.

How have you responded to the Gospel? Have you let it convict and change you, or do you persist in stubborn rebellion? How has the Gospel cut you to the heart?

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How would you describe a fool? What type of behavior would you classify as “foolish?” We often think foolish people are those who are ignorant, don’t know better, or act silly. But at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the Lord provides a simple definition of foolishness. Jesus says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man…And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man…”

Foolishness is not the same as ignorance—in fact, they’re pretty different. The fool is the person who knows what they should do—they see what Jesus teaches and what Jesus demands—but they choose not to obey. The ignorant person can learn, but the fool acts stubbornly and rebelliously.

Don’t settle for ignorance. Learn what God commands. But once learned, don’t be a fool—let God’s word change and transform you instead of persisting in sin and folly. 

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Today, we are one step closer. One step closer to what? A pay-raise? A promotion? Something else? Perhaps. Or perhaps not. But there is one thing we are certainly one step closer to—death. That may not be a pleasant thought, but it’s true. However much time we have left on this earth, be it days or decades, we are one day closer to dying than we were yesterday. That’s really what every day is—another step toward the grave. And there’s nothing you or I can do about it. But there is something we can do about what that means. 

See, as we approach death, we approach eternity. And there is something we can do about that. We can believe in and obey Jesus and be granted eternal life. Or we can rebel against God and suffer eternal condemnation. So, what step will you take today? A step closer to everlasting punishment or a step closer to eternal life?

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Life isn’t always fair. For example, doing what’s right doesn’t always lead to material success. Being fair, honest, and good doesn’t ensure we will get a job, land a sale, be granted a promotion, or be successful. And so, many people opt for unfairness and dishonesty. They make a sale by any means necessary. They are cutthroats in their pursuit of gaining an upper hand. And sometimes, perhaps many times, underhanded practices lead to financial gains or perhaps gains of other sorts. But is that really success?

Proverbs 28:6 says, “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” Notice it’s possible to walk in integrity and be poor. Doing what’s right doesn’t guarantee material prosperity. But even if we do what’s right and are poor, we’re much better off than being materially rich but spiritually bankrupt. Don’t choose crooked ways to worldly riches—walk in integrity, and you’ll always live a better life.  

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The Bible often speaks about God’s glory, as well as our purpose of glorifying God. But what does that mean? How can you and I glorify God? Well, let’s consider Jesus and what He did to glorify the Father. In John 17:4, Jesus says, “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.”^[1]

Sometimes we simplify glorification down to praise. Singing and ascribing praise to God is certainly one way we glorify Him, but Jesus’ prayer demonstrates that glorifying God is deeper than just verbal praise. Glorifying God involves action—Jesus was given a work to do by God, and completing that work glorified the Father. Likewise, you and I glorify God when we do the work God has given us. If we verbally praise Him but then disobey God or neglect His Word, then we don’t truly glorify Him. So, if we wish to honor God, then let us complete the work He has given us to do.

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^[1] NRSV

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Many, many people struggle with grief or anger. Sometimes we think it would be best to avoid grief and anger altogether. But there are times for both emotions. 

In the opening verses of Mark three, we read that Jesus entered a synagogue where there was a man with a withered hand. Some people watched Jesus because they wanted to see if He would heal the man so that they could accuse him of wrongdoing since it was a Sabbath. We’re told that Jesus looked at them “With anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…”^[1] Jesus was angry at them but also sad for them. When others persist in rebellion against God and oppress others, it should anger us. But it should also sadden us. But we must act appropriately. In Jesus’ anger and grief, he healed the man and rebuked the people’s error. He did not act violently or hatefully. His sadness and anger were handled righteously. How will we handle such emotions?

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^[1] Mark 3:5

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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?

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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!

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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! 

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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!