Today in the Word May 27-June 3
Today in the Word
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Does faith often require patience? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. When Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others are mentioned as people of great faith, Hebrews 11:13 states:
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”
These patriarchs of the Jewish people were promised by God to become a great nation and live in their own fruitful country. But they did not see it in their lifetimes. It took many centuries to come to pass. Yet they welcomed God’s answer from a distance. Their faith exercised patience.
How about us? Do we think if God makes a promise to us in scripture (or otherwise) that we should immediately expect its fulfillment? Isn’t it possible that God’s work in our lives could extend past our own death date? Impatience can hollow out faith. While patience can help us in faith play our part in the grand plans of God.
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly. Join our Wednesday adult Bible Study at 6:30 for more of the Word.
Today in the Word
Thursday May 28, 2020
Is faith key to seeing the fulfillment of the promises of God? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. The great faith chapter of Hebrews 11:32-34 states:
“…I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jepthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword…”
These heroes ‘gained what was promised’ through faith. They acted in difficult circumstances upon the promise God gave and saw great victories. God helped them, many times miraculously, to overcome oppression and persecution.
For us, as for them, God will make promises to his children, but these promises are unlikely to come to fruition unless we act in faith. And the key word is ‘act.’ Faith takes a risk on the word of God when circumstances are bleak. Faith takes a risk when we appear to be outnumbered and outgunned. Faith is key to seeing the fulfillment of the promises of God.
And that’s the Word. You can enjoy more of the Word this Sunday at 10:30 at Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Friday May 29, 2020
Do only perfect people act in faith? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. In the great faith chapter of Hebrews 11:31-34 states:
“By faith, the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
.. I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jepthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength…”
This is a list of people with various imperfections. Rahab is a prostitute, Gideon is fearful and self-pitying, Jepthah is an illegitimate son rejected by his family, and Samson and David have a weakness for beautiful women that aren’t their wife. Yet they gained what was promised by faith. They were not perfect people. In many cases, their sin had costly consequences. But yet they chose to trust that God could use them. They exercised faith to act on God’s’ promise and their “… weakness was turned to strength.”
We don’t have to have a perfect track record to make a difference. After all, we are placing our faith in God, not in ourselves!
And that’s the Word. You can enjoy more of the Word this Sunday at 10:30 at Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in The Word
Monday June 1, 2020
Does genuine faith in God always result in miracle? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. Last week we talked about heroes of the Bible that exercised faith and saw amazing miracles. Yet Hebrews 11:35-39 goes on to say:
“…There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. …They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about…destitute, persecuted and mistreated…These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,”
‘There were others”—others who did not receive a miraculous escape. “There were others” who lost their lives and livelihood. Yet even though they did not receive what was promised, they were commended for their faith. The snapshot of their earthly life looks like defeat.
But on Memorial Day a week ago, did we not honor the fallen—soldiers who did not make it home? Don’t we mark their brave sacrifice as something to commend? When Christians bravely stand against persecution, they are people of faith, even when there is no miracle.
And that’s The Word from Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in The Word
Tuesday June 2, 2020
Is our success in this earthly life the measure of our spiritual life? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. Two brothers respond to the call of Jesus to become disciples—James and John. Acts 12:1-2 reads:
“…King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.”
James was the first of the 12 disciples to be martyred. Yet John lives the longest of the 12. In fact, when Peter asks Jesus about John, John tells us in his gospel in John 21:20-24:
“Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die, But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down…”
John’s gospel and the last book in the Bible, Revelation are written by this disciple. He probably lived into his 80’s or more. Two brothers, one martyred early and the other lived long. Both put their faith in God. Both served the Kingdom and were commended for it. Earthly success was not the measure of their spiritual life. We need to hear Jesus on the earthly success of others, ‘…what is that to you?’
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Wednesday June 3, 2020
What is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to us? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. We have been talking about the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Some saw amazing miracles. Others were martyred for their faith. Hebrews 11:39-40 reads:
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us…”
What is this ‘something better?’ Verses 13-16 read:
“…They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own…they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
All of God’s promises fall somewhat short in this life—for some more than others. But all God’s promises are ultimately fulfilled in heaven. Our faith in him will receive the promise of coming home to God. This is where we ultimately place our faith—in the god who will finally take us home with him.
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.