Wednesday February 15, 2017

“The Awakening”

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ – Luke 15:17-19

8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. – John 16:8-11

Conviction of Sin (ongo‘i tautea ‘i he angahala)

Have you ever been roused from a deep sleep? That state where everything is lost to you. We have an expression in Tongan, “hange ha ‘akau kuo tu’usi mei he tefito” (like a tree cut from its roots). When shaken to be awoken and accompanied with a call, we slowly come to. It is as if we have travelled to a distant land and we are gradually coming back to reality.

We have been dealing with the concept of God’s call to salvation, which we understand as “effectual call”. But as we are learning these important doctrines, it is easy to make the assumption that they happen “Instantly.” But in Biblical teachings and in our experience, this can happen over a period of time. This inward spiritual process of God’s call can be looked at as an “awakening.”

In the story of the Prodigal Son, the young man “came to himself” (Luke 15:17) and returned to his father; responding to echoes of his father’s call in his subconscious. Paul was confronted by the sovereignty of God by speaking to him through his Word and piercing his heart with the Law (Romans 7:6-13). He experienced the conviction of sin.

We ought to give much more attention to this aspect of spiritual experience than we do. It is intimately related to the character of the whole of our Christian lives. Its neglect has left the quality of Christian living of our day relatively poorer, for grace often grows strongest where conviction of sin is pierced deepest. This was the perspective of Jesus: those who are most conscious of what has been forgiven are those most likely to love much (Luke 7:36 – 50). But those who are most conscious of forgiveness are invariably those who have been most acutely convicted of their sin.

Challenge:

Praise God for His gift of “conviction of sin.” This is one thing that confirms you are a child of God. If there is no conviction of sin, then I would seriously evaluate whether of not you are of the faith.

Memory Verse:

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Corinthians 1:30

He ‘oku mei He‘ene ‘Afio ho‘omou tu‘u ni pea ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū: ‘a ia kuo fokotu‘u mei he ‘Otua, ko hotau poto‘anga, ko hotau fakatonuhia mo fakamā‘oni‘oni‘anga, pea mo hotau huhu‘i – 1 Kolinito 1:30

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 7 – Leviticus 1-3; Psalm 27; Hebrews 2

Tuesday February 14, 2017

“Happy Valentine’s – True love is born of God”

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Because today is Valentine’s day, we will depart from regular devotional to talk about “love.” The greatest love, of course, comes from God and rooted in God. All others are mere reflections of His supernatural love. Anything else that doesn’t find its source in God is a counterfeit and a lie. Most of what the world “calls” love is anything “but”… We will never make progress in our Christian walk if we continue to look to the world and the culture for clues and ideas. We are to be “in the world” BUT NOT “OF” the world!

Dear young lady and young man, God designed you and everything that makes “you” you…so follow His guidelines for happiness and not the counterfeit. Of course, the world entices us with the things that gives “instant” gratification…But only God’s way gives LASTING satisfaction! If you want a “friend,” ask God to give you someone who loves God first, and will be a positive influence on you. So much more need to be said in this topic…I will come back to it later. But for now, let’s take a look at what a Godly young man who loves God writes about someone who he is taken with…

19-year-old Jonathan Edwards wrote this to the girl he was falling in love with in the summer of 1723. On the front page of his Greek grammar he wrote the only kind of love song his heart was capable of. Take a deep breath.

They say there is a young lady in [New Haven] who is beloved of that great Being who made and rules the world, and that there are certain seasons in which this great Being, in some way or other invisible, comes to her and fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight, and that she hardly cares for anything, except to meditate on him—that she expects after a while to be received up where he is, to be raised up out of the world and caught up into heaven; being assured that he loves her too well to let her remain at a distance from him always. There she is to dwell with him, and to be ravished with his love and delight forever…. She has a strange sweetness in her mind, and singular purity in her affections; is most just and conscientious in all her conduct; and you could not persuade her to do anything wrong or sinful, if you would give her all the world, lest she should offend this great Being. She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness and universal benevolence of mind; especially after this great God has manifested himself to her mind…. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have someone invisible always conversing with her.

Sarah was thirteen years old at the time! Four years later they were married. In the next 23 years they had eleven children, eight daughters and three sons.

Memory Verse:

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Corinthians 1:30

He ‘oku mei He‘ene ‘Afio ho‘omou tu‘u ni pea ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū: ‘a ia kuo fokotu‘u mei he ‘Otua, ko hotau poto‘anga, ko hotau fakatonuhia mo fakamā‘oni‘oni‘anga, pea mo hotau huhu‘i – 1 Kolinito 1:30

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 7 – Exodus 38-40; Hebrews 1

Monday February 13, 2017

“It’s All God’s”

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. - 2 Corinthians 4:6

Called by God

C.        Effectual Calling

D.        Implications

What then are the implications of God’s call? In the first place, it clearly emphasizes that the initiative in spiritual experience is God’s, and not man’s. We have neither claim nor right to his gracious summons, anymore than the unformed mass of darkness and chaos in the primeval time could lay claim to the voice of God to bring light and form order. It is the same God who said, “let light shine out of darkness”, who has shone into our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Secondly, calling bears fruit in moral conformity. We must live lives which are worthy of our calling, expressing a lifestyle is consistent with the originating grace of our pilgrimage. The beam that shines upon us from the Zions Hill sets before us sometimes narrow way as it leads us to life. But the heavenly spotlight, however, increasingly narrow it’s been appears to men in spiritual darkness, leads as nearer and nearer to our internal source. We shall discover the closer we get to that source, the more intense and glorious is the revelation of God’s infinite grace appear. In this Simon Peter, who had once shrunk from the implications of his call, and hidden tearfully from men in the darkness of the Jerusalem light, was later able to join as he saw that he too had been called out of the darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

God’s calling has this implication, it requires confirmation in our lives. Peter again urges us to make our calling and election secure (2 Peter 1:10). The only way to identify the voice, to reassure ourselves that we truly heard it, is to respond Samuel like: speak for your own fair salvation years (1 Samuel 310). Obedience is the test of our spiritual hearing.

Challenge:
The call of God on your life, begins with Him, alone. Rejoice in that. We are part of His plan. And He uses us to fulfill His plan in others.

  

This Day in Christian History:

February 13, 1633 – arrival of Galileo Galilei in Rome to stand trial for his writings which has violated church teachings.

Memory Verse:

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Corinthians 1:30

He ‘oku mei He‘ene ‘Afio ho‘omou tu‘u ni pea ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū: ‘a ia kuo fokotu‘u mei he ‘Otua, ko hotau poto‘anga, ko hotau fakatonuhia mo fakamā‘oni‘oni‘anga, pea mo hotau huhu‘i – 1 Kolinito 1:30

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 7 – Exodus 35-37; Psalm 26; Phi 4

Sunday February 12, 2017

“Grace Alone”

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began – 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Called by God

C.        Effectual Calling

            1.  Called by God the Father

            2.  Called in the Power of the Spirit

            3.  Called by grace to holiness and heaven

God’s call is gracious in the sense that it shows us the graciousness of God. But it is also gracious in the sense that it is totally unmerited, indeed ill-deserved on our part. To be called is to be the recipient of grace ( 2 Timothy 1:9). Remember Paul’s powerful word to the Corinthians when he argues out this point – God has not called many of the ‘greats’ of this world but set his divine invitation on the poor and lowly as though to indicate that his call to men is drawn out from him by nothing but his own love and favor to sinners (1 Corinthians 1:26 – 29).

God’s call his holy. We are called Saints. Of course, we are called to be saints, but Paul undoubtedly means something more when he uses this expression. It is the calling of God that separates us for God, that sanctifies us. To stand under that call is therefore to be given up to a life of holiness and to be locked in to the pathway of obedience which leads to his heavenly kingdom. It is important to notice that the very character of our calling is a determination factor in our witness. We are called to live in such a way that the praise of God may be seen (1 Peter 2:9) and called to suffer with Christ in imitation of his life (1 Peter 2:21).

As far as its direction is concerned, the divine call is heavenly. We share in a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1), and this is the hope to which he has called you (Ephesians 1:18) in which we have already begun to share here and now (Ephesians 4:4). We are called to God’s kingdom and glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14) and are given the assurance that the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, strengthen and establish you (1 Peter 5:10). It is clear then that God’s calling is something which both begins the Christian life and determines the shape of it in every stage in this development.

Challenge:

We say the word but we really do not comprehend what and how it affects us… GRACE! Oh, how amazing as we echo the lyrics of John Newton’s anthem: “Amazing Grace” how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…Let us praise Him today. Let us make known in our actions how grateful we are for how he saves us. Absolutely nothing in my hands I bring…

This Day in Christian History:

February 12, 1554 – Lady Jane Grey, the 9 day queen, was executed along with her husband this day. She had been well-tutored, could read and write several languages fluently, and appreciated the positions of the reformers, some of whom she had met and corresponded with.

Memory Verse:

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Corinthians 1:30

He ‘oku mei He‘ene ‘Afio ho‘omou tu‘u ni pea ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū: ‘a ia kuo fokotu‘u mei he ‘Otua, ko hotau poto‘anga, ko hotau fakatonuhia mo fakamā‘oni‘oni‘anga, pea mo hotau huhu‘i – 1 Kolinito 1:30

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 7 – Exodus 32-34; Phil 3

Saturday February 11, 2017

“Bringing the dead to life”

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. – John 5:24-25

Called by God

A.        The Call of God

            1.  Old Testament Background

B.        General Calling

C.        Effectual Calling

            1.  Called by God the Father

            2.  Called in the Power of the Spirit

God’s call is a demonstration of his mighty power. That sense of the divine authority runs through Paul’s words in Romans 8:30 with their steady beat of the footsteps of a God who accomplishes his purposes. In the power of the Spirit, we are called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9), and delivered from the kingdom and reign of the powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13). We also called out of death and into life, as our Lord indicates: the time is already come when the (spiritually) dead hear his voice (John 5:25).

At this point, we must address an issue that arises every time this topic comes up. We all understand that in Adam, we all die because of sin. And although Adam and Eve were told that they would die if they eat of the fruit from the garden, they did not die (at least physically). As sinners, we are considered spiritually dead. But in salvation, we are faced with the dilemma of dead people coming to life in Christ. So, the question is, how does a dead person (spiritually speaking) come to life? We are told that in order to receive Christ, one must open his or her heart. Again, the sinner is alive and well physically but spiritually dead. How does the dead come to life?

An instructive illustration is given in the story of Lazarus. From the story in John chapter 11, Lazarus died and was buried for four days before Jesus arrived. The miracle came when Jesus called out Lazarus’ name, and the formerly dead came back to life!

There is something fully beyond our understanding in this miracle. But the experience of Lazarus illustrates for us what happens spiritually when we are brought into the kingdom of God and given a new life. We are called out of bondage and into freedom. Formerly, we were slaves of sin (Ephesians 2:3), but now Christ has set us free for his service. Paul associates Christian freedom with the call of God in Galatians 5:13: “for you were called to freedom, brothers”. So, says Jesus, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).

Challenge:

If you have been praying for a friend or family member to come to Christ, do not lose heart. Today’s devotional reminds us all that the Fathers calls and only His Spirit came bring the dead to life in Christ.

This Day in Christian History:

February 11, 1917 – date William Sangster preached his 1^st sermon (London). He became known as Wesley’s successor in London and was esteemed as the most beloved British preacher of his era. When his health failed toward the end of his life, he composed his Four Rules for dying: “I will never complain. I will keep the home bright. I will count my blessings. I will try to turn it to gain.”

Memory Verse:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; - 1 Peter 2:9

Ka ko kimoutolu ko e ha‘a fili, ko e tu‘unga taula‘eiki fakatu‘i, ko e kakai tapu, ko e fa‘ahinga ‘oku ma‘ane me‘a tonu, koe‘uhi ā ke mou ongoongoa atu ‘a e ngaahi lelei ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a ia na‘a ne ui mai kimoutolu mei he po‘uli ki he maama fakaofo ‘a‘ana: - 1 Pita 2:9

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 6 – Exodus 16-31; Psalm 33, 109, 90; Eph 4-6; Phil 1-2

Friday February 10, 2017

“God the Father – the great Inviter”

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: - Jude 1:1

Called by God

A.        The Call of God

            1.  Old Testament Background

B.        General Calling

C.        Effectual Calling

          1.  Called by God the Father

There are many verses in the New Testament which indicate that the source of an invitation to become Christians lies in the Father. This has more practical relevance than we might ordinary notice. It implies that the Father lovingly invites us to himself. If we grasp this, we will be delivered from a deep-seated suspicion of God which continues to haunt many Christians. Sometimes in the past, the gospel has been presented in such a way as to give a distorted view of God, as though the father consented unwillingly and rather grudgingly to the salvation of men, only because of the insistent demands of his loving Son. But verses like Romans 1:6 – 7; 8:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 24; Hebrews 9:14 – 15; Jude 1, all indicate that God as the Father of Jesus Christ, is the great Inviter.

He loves us, calls us, saves us just as surely as does our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Day in Christian History:

February 10, 1751 – the evangelist John Wesley suffered a fall and was cared for by Mary Vazeille whom he married a week later. The marriage was “less than desirable”. John Wesley wasn’t present for her death or burial. Marriage is hard…even for giants in the faith.

Memory Verse:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; - 1 Peter 2:9

Ka ko kimoutolu ko e ha‘a fili, ko e tu‘unga taula‘eiki fakatu‘i, ko e kakai tapu, ko e fa‘ahinga ‘oku ma‘ane me‘a tonu, koe‘uhi ā ke mou ongoongoa atu ‘a e ngaahi lelei ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a ia na‘a ne ui mai kimoutolu mei he po‘uli ki he maama fakaofo ‘a‘ana: - 1 Pita 2:9

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 6 – Exodus 16-31; Psalm 33, 109, 90; Eph 4-6; Phil 1-2

Thursday February 9, 2017

“The ‘Called’ ones”

among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. –

Romans 1:6-7

Called by God

A.        The Call of God

            1.  Old Testament Background

B.        General Calling

C.        Effectual Calling

A trivia question I like to ask people is about the origin of the word “Christian.” Where in the Bible was the word Christian first used? If you know it, good for you. If not, Google may come in handy. Followers of Christ were also known as people of “The Way.” Another one ties in with our current topic; the CALLED ones.

The believers in Rome (Romans 1:6,7); Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2); Galatia (Galatians 1:6); Ephesus (Ephesians 4:1, 4); Philippi (Philippians 3:13 – 14); Colosse (Colossians 3:15); Thessalonica (2 Thessalonians 1:11) are all “called ones.” In each case it is obvious that God summons achieved its purpose. With these two callings in view, how do we reconcile the two? There is a call which comes to all men from God through the many evidences he has left of his presence in the world (General calling). But there are also times when God sends notices of demand (Effectual calling) rather than reminders when he comes personally, knocking at the door rather than sending a letter.

There is a mystery involved in these experiences. We know what it is to hear God addressing as powerfully and personally, through a passage in the Bible or sermon we hear. But when we discuss the passage or sermon with others we discover that it has different effects on them. We may not be able to say why God has spoken in this clear way to us and not to others. We only know that it is his sovereign wisdom he has. We know that two people can listen to the same evangelistic sermon and one way hear the voice of Christ calling him to faith while the other hears only the words of the preacher. We do not know why this happens. We are at a loss as to why the difference between a general calling and is powerful effectual call. We only know that the difference is real.

Challenge:

While it is a mystery that God calls all with a general call and some with an effectual call, if you are reading this and you have a conviction (witness in your spirit) that you are “His”, give thanks for His grace. I also understand that some may read this and feel a bit confused. Don’t let your feelings or emotions have the best of you. Trust God’s promises that He has called you and by “responding” (a receptive heart) by living day-to-day to please Him, you are confirming your calling.

This Day in Christian History:

February 9, 356 – Athanasius of Alexandria was attacked by 5000 soldiers while he was leading worship in his church. He escaped but he will always be remembered as a champion of the faith for standing against heretics, like the Arians, who denied the deity of Christ.

Memory Verse:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; - 1 Peter 2:9

Ka ko kimoutolu ko e ha‘a fili, ko e tu‘unga taula‘eiki fakatu‘i, ko e kakai tapu, ko e fa‘ahinga ‘oku ma‘ane me‘a tonu, koe‘uhi ā ke mou ongoongoa atu ‘a e ngaahi lelei ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a ia na‘a ne ui mai kimoutolu mei he po‘uli ki he maama fakaofo ‘a‘ana: - 1 Pita 2:9

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 6 – Exodus 28-31; Phil 2