Baptist City Blog

Loving Unto the End

John 13:1

"Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."

The song writer was correct when he wrote in the song, The Love of God, "Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky." You could never exhaust writing of God's love, for whatever has been written still does not properly describe His love for you and me.

God made the statement about Christ's love for His disciples by saying that "...he loved them unto the end." This is an amazing statement when you consider all that the disciples had done. Jesus loved his disciples before they were born, but He also loved them "...unto the end." He loved them when He first met them, but He also "...loved them unto the end." He loved them when they were doing right, but He also "...loved them unto the end."

Jesus' love was not conditioned upon how good His disciples were, but His love was conditioned by His choice to love them "...unto the end."Jesus loved Peter in spite of his ways of speaking before thinking. Jesus loved Judas Iscariot in spite of knowing that he would betray Him. Jesus loved Thomas in spite of his doubting mind. Jesus loved Peter in spite of his betrayal. Jesus loved His disciples in spite of their faithless life. Jesus loved His disciples in spite of all their weaknesses. Yes, Jesus "...loved them unto the end." His love for them was unconditional.

Let me also remind you that Jesus loves you "...unto the end." It does not matter how bad you are, Jesus loves you. It does not matter how much you may have caused Him grief, for He loves you "...unto the end." He loved you before you were born, and He will love you "...unto the end." Sure, you may have done some things that would cause others to stop loving you, but there is nothing you can do that would ever cause Jesus to stop loving you. Jesus says that He will love you all the way to Heaven. What a comforting thought that no matter what you may do, Jesus will always love you.

However, if Jesus is willing to love you "...unto the end" then don't you think you ought to love people to the end as well? It is sad that no matter what we do Jesus will love us, but when others do something to us we tend to stop loving them. True Christianity will love people in spite of what they have done. True Christianity doesn't just love people when they are good, but it loves them at their worst. The greatness of someone's love is not how much they love someone when everything is going well, but how much do they love someone when they are at their worst. If there is ever a need for a revival, it is in the area of loving people at their worst. Christianity needs a revival of loving people "...unto the end."

Are you at all like Christ in the area of His love for people? Do you love people "...unto the end." Don't allow your love for people to be a conditional love, but let your love for people be a true love that loves them even at their worst. Who is it that comes to your mind that you have pushed aside? Who have you pushed aside because they didn't treat you the way you thought they should. It is time that you love people all the way to the end, not because they do things for you, but because you choose to have a love like Christ. You need to work at being that rare Christian who loves everyone, in spite of what they have done in life or against you, "...unto the end."

Prodigal Financing

Luke 15:14

"And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want."

When you think of the story of the prodigal son, rarely would you think of financial lessons. Though there are many lessons we can learn from the prodigal, I believe some of the lessons that are often overlooked are the financial lessons. This young man left his father's house with quite a bit of money; yet, when he came back home it was all gone. Let me show you some lessons you can learn from the financial mistakes of this young man so you won't be guilty of prodigal financing.

First, don't be wasteful with your money. In verse 13, the Scriptures say that the prodigal "...wasted his substance..." This is a tragic mistake of many people. Wasting your money is so easy. Purchasing a candy bar here and there is very wasteful. Buying sodas here and there is very wasteful. Very few people understand that they can waste a lot of money simply by spending a dollar here and there on items that are not really needed. If you don't want to be guilty of prodigal financing, then you need to curb your spending on unnecessary items. I am not saying that you cannot have these things every once in awhile, but you need to keep track of what you spend on them.

Second, be sure to live within your means. Verse 13 says that the prodigal "...wasted his substance with riotous living." This young man tried to live a lifestyle that he could not afford. First, there are some lifestyles that will waste your money. Living the world's lifestyle will cause you to waste money. You cannot party your life away and think that money will continue to be a part of your life. We often hear stories about sports figures who live extravagant lifestyles in the party world only to find themselves broke after their sports career is over. You can criticize them for this, but you are no different than they are if you live in the party world. Second, don't live above your lifestyle. Don't try to be something that you are not. Be careful about trying to "stay up with the Jones'." If you will live within your means, you will always have money to spend.

Third, don't spend everything that you have. The verse above says that the prodigal "...spent all,..." I am amazed how many people run their bank account on a zero balance. This is very unwise! I know there are times when finances are very tight, but you must be careful about running your accounts to zero. Whether it is personal, business or church finances, running your accounts to zero is prodigal financing. Always keep a balance in your bank accounts.

Fourth, always lay aside for a famine. The mistake the prodigal made was that he always thought times would be good. Everybody will have a financial famine at some time in their life. This is why you need to have a good balance in a savings account that you don't touch or consider part of your daily balance. This money needs to be set aside for those times when a financial famine hits you. If you don't have money set aside for a financial famine, then you are guilty of prodigal financing.

Last, get counsel when you are in financial trouble. The one area where I will commend the prodigal is in the area of humbling himself and going home to get help from his father. When you are in a financial mess, you need to get wise financial counseling. Don't be afraid to go and get counseling from someone when your finances are a mess. Yes, it will be humbling, but you will be thankful for the guidance in the long run. Prodigal financing will always lead you to the same result of no money. So, learn from the prodigal's financing so that you don't end up in the same condition.

The Importance of an Every Word Bible

Luke 4:4

"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

One of the temptations that the Devil tempted Jesus with was to turn the stones into bread. It was through this temptation that Jesus took the opportunity to show us the importance of an every word Bible. Jesus told the Devil that man cannot "...live by bread alone, but by every word of God."You will notice there is an emphasis put upon the words, "live" and "every word of God." This is because without an every word Bible we cannot live.

Without an every word Bible we cannot live eternally. Having an every word Bible is important to salvation. What if we didn't have an every word Bible today, and one of the words missing happened to be a part of God's plan of salvation? When liberal preachers deny that we have an every word Bible, then they are saying that we may not have the plan of salvation. That is why you will see many liberal preachers contend that we are all going to Heaven, but in different ways. However, when you realize that we have an every word Bible, then you will realize that salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Moreover, without an every word Bible life will not have life. What I mean by this statement is that the Word of God gives vibrancy to everything that we do. Without an every word Bible, you will find that the excitement of the things we do for God will quickly wear off. Without an every word Bible, we will not find the fulfillment in life that we desire. Christian, it is important that you understand that God's Word is what keeps life fresh. It is God's Word that allows us to face each day with excitement because of the awareness It brings to our lives. If we didn't have an every word Bible, then the words that are missing could be the words that will keep life in your marriage, career, family and dreams or pursuits of life. The excitement in every thing you do will eventually wear off without the Word of God. It is vital that we have an every word Bible so that life or freshness can be attained in all that we do.

Furthermore, without an every word Bible we will not be spiritually nourished. Just like we need all of our vitamins to stay physically healthy; likewise, we need every word of God to stay spiritually healthy. Every word of God gives us the nourishment we need to face life. If we miss one of God's words, then we are missing the spiritual sustenance that we need to say spiritually healthy.

Christian, we don't need some of the words of God, but we need every word of God. We don't need most of the words of God, but we need every word of God. We don't just need the thoughts of God, but we need every word of God. Be careful that you don't allow the liberals to trick you into believing that we don't have an every word Bible in the King James Version 1611. We do have an every word Bible because God promised to preserve It. Therefore, because you cannot live without every word of God, you need to be sure to read those words daily so that you can receive the life you need from those words. Don't go one day without reading God's Word, for It contains the life you need.

Summer is Coming

Mark 13:28

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:"

There is nothing like the spring of the year when the cold hard winter is just about over. I love sitting in my office at the end of winter and hear the birds begin to chirp and the geese flying overhead. I will look out the window and see the flowers begin to poke through the ground and the trees with their buds ready for the leaves grow again.

Most people can see when summer is coming because we know the signs of spring and summer. We have been through them so much that we have learned their signs. That is what God is saying in the verse above. Jesus told the disciples that we will know when He is coming by the signs of the times. However, I believe that we can learn a valuable lesson for our lives from this passage of Scripture. Just like we know the signs of spring and summer because we have studied them; likewise, you need to learn the seasons of your life. You will find that life can be much easier to live if you learn the signs of each season.

Learn to study the seasons of each stage in life. I constantly study the stages in life because I know that I will either have to help someone in those seasons or I will one day go through one of the seasons. It is important for you to know each season and what each season brings so that you can avoid the mistakes that others have made during that season. Don't be guilty of simply going through life and not knowing what each season brings. Yes, you must take each season of life as it comes, but it would be much better if you would learn the dangers of each season. If you will learn the dangers of each season in life, then you can avoid making the same mistakes that others have made while going through that season. It is imperative for you to study the seasons so you will know what the signs are when you are entering that season of life.

Furthermore, learn to study the patterns of your life. Too many people never learn their own patterns. It is important that you learn your patterns so that you can break the bad ones. It is also important for you to learn your patterns so that you can be ready during certain patterns. What many do not understand is that life is a series of ups and downs. It would be good for you to learn what your signs are before you start facing the downs of your life. You will have a better testimony if you can learn the patterns of your life.

Finally, learn to study the seasons of your emotions. God gave everyone emotions. If you are going to be highly successful in life, then you must learn the seasons of your emotions. You must learn what makes you grumpy so that you can avoid it, and you must learn what makes you cheerful and happy so that you can be cheerful and happy at all times. You must learn what your emotions are like after you've heard bad news, and you must learn what your emotions are like when you are tired. If you will learn to study the seasons of your emotions, then you can avoid the emotional roller coaster that many go through.

Christian, don't live your life by the seat of your britches. Learn to study your life and its seasons or patterns so that you can better face each season of life. When you learn the seasons of life, you will learn how to walk through each season in the a godly manner.

Helping the Helper

Job 29:25

"I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners."

When Job was going through the roughest time of his life, you would think that those whom he helped would be there to help him. However, when you read Job 29, you find that Job comments about those whom he helped. My question is this, where are those whom he helped? Where are those whom he helped who could not see the way? Where are the poor to whom he gave in their time of need? Where are those whom he protected from evil? It's sad to think that Job helped many people in his lifetime, and yet when he was going through the biggest struggles of his life, no one was there to comfort and help him.

Job's story reminds me of another story, and that is the story of our Saviour. Mark 14:50 says, "And they all forsook him, and fled." Jesus spent His life helping others. Yet, at the time when He needed people the most, they forsook Him and fled. Where were those to whom He gave sight? Where were those whom He helped to walk again? Where were those whom He raised the dead? Where were those whom He taught from the Scriptures and helped their lives? Where were those whose lives were a wreck when His words turned their life around? Where were the disciples of Jesus who followed Him for three years, whom He helped with whatever problem they had? Where were those whose lives were literally changed by the words that He spoke? Where were they?

What is sad about these two stories is that both Jesus and Job helped people in their lifetime, and yet in their greatest time of need no one was there to help and encourage them. Why were they not there? The Scriptures do not tell us why, but I have a feeling I know why they were not there. Some weren't there because it was inconvenient. Some were not there because they were too busy. Some were not there because they were ungrateful. Some were not there because it would hurt their reputation with others. I don't know why they were not there, I just know that nobody was there in their time of need.

Christian, have you ever wondered where those whom you tried to help are when you are going through your greatest time of need? Let me encourage you that God takes record of everything that you do. You may think that no one is there to help you when you are facing your greatest need, but I can assure you that Christ will be there for you, for He promises to never leave you. God takes record of all that we do, and He will reward you in due time.

Furthermore, don't be guilty of not being there for those who've helped you. Don't be guilty of getting so wrapped up in your life that when others are going through rough times you are not there to help them. One of the greatest needs in Christianity is for God's people to learn to forget about themselves and care for the needs of others. If you want people to be there for you when you are going through rough times, then you better be there for them when they go through rough times.

Life is not about you and what you get, life is about helping others. Joy does not come by others helping you, but joy comes by you helping others. Yes, you will be inconvenienced when you have to help others. Yes, you will have to take time away from your busy schedule to help others. Yes, there may be times when you help others whom you will be criticized for standing with in their greatest time of need. However, you will find the reward is great when you help others. You will find that the fulfillment from helping others is far beyond what words can express. Be sure in your life to help others in their time of need. Also, be sure to be a help to your helper.

The Greatness of God

Job 11:7

"Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?"

The verse above asked if you could "...find out God?" This question literally was a statement about the greatness of God. When you read the following verses, you find that God is greater than you can imagine. Even when you think you have figured out His greatness, you will still discover more.

I can personally testify of the greatness of God. As of the writing of this devotional, I have been saved for over thirty-eight years. I was a young boy when I got saved, and my mind was very simple. However, through many years of serving God and studying His Word, I have found that the greatness of God is like a treasure that never ends. Let me show you some of the facts about His greatness from these verses.

First, He is a perfect God. The verse above talks about finding out His perfection. When I say perfect, I am using two definitions. First, God is perfect with any faults. In others words, He is a sinless God. Aren't you glad that you serve a God Who has no faults? There are many other gods in this world who have faults, but our God is a perfect God, without fault. The second definition is that He is a complete God. In other words, God does not have to mature more in any area for He is the epitome of maturity. As humans we are constantly maturing to the day of our death. However, God is the model of maturity that we all should strive to attain.

Second, He is an all-knowing God. Verse 8 describes His knowledge. It doesn't matter where you go, God knows what you do. You may think that you can sin and get away with it, but God knows all things. You may also think that nobody notices the good that you do, but God sees and knows it for He knows all things. This thought is both convicting and assuring because no matter what we do, He knows what we have done.

Third, He is an immeasurable God. Verse 9 challenges the reader to try to measure God. Christian, you may think you have God figured out, but when you do, you will find another aspect of His greatness. That is one thing I love about serving God is that every day His greatness is greater and His sweetness is sweeter. Yes, God is an immeasurable God.

Fourth, He is an all-powerful God. Verse 10 asks if you can hinder Him. There is nothing that anyone can do to stop God from doing what He wants to do. Whatever the problems are that you face, God is powerful enough to help you with them. God does not have a power shortage because the world is struggling. God's power is not dependent upon what the world does. His power is dependent upon the fact that He is God. Christian, God can help you with whatever you face. You must simply go to Him and ask for His help.

God is certainly a great God. Don't let the heathens intimidate you with their finite wisdom or strength, for you serve a great God. Compare God to anyone and you will find that He far surpasses them. Compare God to anything, and again He surpasses it all. As you face each day, you can confidently know that God is there to help you with whatever you face, for His greatness will certainly meet whatever your need may be.

God's Has Rights Too

Job 1:21

"And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

We live in a world where people are always demanding their rights. You have the women's rights groups who demand that women have their equal rights. You have the animal rights groups who demand that animals have rights. You have minority groups who demand their rights. It seems like every group of people demands their rights, however, who is it that demands God rights? You never see a rally where people demand that God has rights too.

Job recognized that God has rights. Most people know the story of Job and know that before heartache hit his life he was a blessed man. According to the Scriptures, he was a man of wealth. He had servants, livestock and real estate. God blessed him with a family that seemed to get along with each other, however, in one day God took most of this away. In just a few hours he lost his oxen, servants, camels, sheep, friends and children. To top all this off, his wife came and told him to curse God so he could die. Yet, despite all this Job realized that God had the right to give them everything he had, and to take it away as well. Job's response to his tragedies is what allowed him to make it through them without saying something foolishly.

We all must realize that God has rights too. When you read the verse above you see the rights of God. There is one part of God's rights that we all enjoy, but it is how we face the other two rights that will ultimately determine how life is enjoyed.

God has a right to give. The verse above says, "...the LORD gave..." We like this part of God's rights. We like it when God gives us financial blessings. We like it when God blesses us with health. We like it when God blesses us with a happy family. We like it when God gives us a home in which to live. We like it when God gives us a job. This is an enjoyable side of God's rights. When God exercises his rights to give you things, then you better take the opportunity to thank Him for what He has given you.

However, God also has a right to take away. The same God Who has a right to give also has a right to take away. We don't like this part of God rights. It is amazing how we become bitter towards God when He exercises His right to take away. The same God Who exercised His rights to give you finances also has a right to take those finances away. The same God Who gives you health also has a right to take your health away. The same God Who gave you a home in which to live, also has a right to take that home away. We must understand that God has the right to take anything away from whomever He chooses.

It is your response to God's third right that determines whether trials help or hurt you. Job said, "...blessed be the name of the LORD." When you can bless the LORD after He has taken away, then that is when trials will produce their greatest benefits in your life. Christian, don't ever forget that God has a right to take away from you whatever He wills. Don't get bitter at God when He exercises His right to take away. Like Job, realize that God has a right to give and the right to take away. When you recognize God's rights by blessing Him, then bitterness will not become a part of your life.

Spiritual Weight Lifting

Nehemiah 8:10

"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

One activity that many young men like to do is lift weights. The purpose of lifting weights is to gain strength. Strength is important for many parts of life. A strong body is a healthier body. However, just like our physical bodies need strength, our spiritual bodies need strength as well. If you are going to be spiritually strong so that you can fight off the attacks of Satan and the world, then you need to be sure that you are spiritually strong. God shows us three things that are like spiritual weight lifting for the Christian. If you will do these things, then you will find that you will gain strength.

The first way to gain spiritual strength is to make God happy. The verse above says, "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength." You will notice this verse is not talking about the Christian being joyful, rather, it is talking about the LORD being joyful. Though I believe a Christian who is joyful will add strength to their life, this verse is dealing with the Christian giving God joy. In other words, the Christian gains strength by giving God joy.

You may wonder how you can give God joy. The best way to give God joy is to live right. It pleases God when you do right. Therefore, by doing right you give the LORD joy. Living right will not only keep you from having to suffer sin's punishment, but it will give you strength in your Christian life. This is one reason you need to stay away from sin. The more you stay away from sin the more strength you will gain to fight the Devil.

The second way to gain spiritual strength is to wait on the LORD. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Notice that waiting on the LORD gives strength. Waiting is serving. When you go to the restaurant, the waiter is your server. God is teaching that when the Christian serves Him, it is like adding weight to a barbell to gain strength. Yes, living right will give you strength, but serving the LORD will give your strength as well.

The third way to gain spiritual strength is to rest in God. Psalm 28:7 says, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." Going to God for protection and comfort in times of struggle and heartache will give you strength. Christian, when you face hard times, run to God. He alone will give you the strength you need to make it through your tough times.

Furthermore, if a weight lifter wants to gain more strength, then they will add more weight to the barbell. Likewise, if the Christian wants to gain more spiritual strength, then they need to do more of these things. There comes a point in your Christian life when you need to get rid of more sin. There comes a point in your Christian life when you need to do more for God. By doing more for God, you will find that you will become stronger as a Christian.

I challenge you today to start your spiritual weight lifting program. Start by laying aside sin, and replacing that sin with serving God. Then, when you face tough times run to God and ask Him for His help. These three things will add strength to your Christian life.

Keeping a Good Attitude in Bad Times

Habakkuk 3:18

"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

When you read the verse above without looking at its context, you would immediately agree with Habakkuk. However, this statement when taken in context is much greater than one would imagine. He made this statement after he prophesied of the evil that would come upon Israel. Some of the things that were said before this statement were that the fig tree would no longer blossom, troops would invade the land, the flocks and herds would be taken away and the people would be taken captive. These were certainly bad times that Israel was going to come across. Habakkuk was teaching them in this verse how to keep a good attitude in bad times.

First, he said that he would "...rejoice in the LORD,..." The word "rejoice" means to re-joy. In other words, when looking at circumstances in bad times, you must look to the past to get your joy. Times may currently be bad, but they have not always been bad; therefore, you must look to your past circumstances to get joy.

When you look to the past, you can certainly see that the LORD has blessed you. When you look to the past, you can see how the LORD provided your needs in the past. When you look to the past, you can see how the LORD was there for you during your tough times. When you look to the past, you can see all the blessings that the LORD sent your way. Though dwelling on circumstances is rarely advised, if you choose to dwell on your circumstances, then you must also look to the past. Every person has a way of forgetting the bad in their past. It is amazing how many people talk of their past as if everything was perfect. Why? Because time has a way of causing us to forget the hard times. Therefore, you can keep a good attitude in bad times by looking at past circumstances.

Second, you can keep a good attitude in bad times by dwelling on your salvation. Habakkuk said, "...I will joy in the God of my salvation." Notice that it is a choice to dwell on your salvation. He said, "I will..." There will be times when you have to will yourself to dwell on your salvation. Your flesh wants to dwell on circumstances, but you must will yourself to dwell on your salvation. Your flesh desires to mope around seeking sympathy for the bad times, but you must will yourself to dwell on your salvation.

How does dwelling on our salvation help us to have a good attitude in bad times? It helps because nothing can change your salvation. It doesn't matter what you are facing, it cannot change your salvation. Bad finances will not change your salvation. Home foreclosures will not change your salvation. Bad health will not change your salvation. Losing your retirement will not change your salvation. Whatever you face in life cannot change your salvation. When you dwell on your salvation, you will find that you can have joy, for joy comes from within.

Finally, it is interesting that when dwelling on circumstances we must go to the past, but when dwelling on our salvation we can live in the present. One causes you to live in the present without having to look at any circumstance. Of the two, dwelling on your salvation is the best. It is rarely good to dwell on circumstances, for if you do you will find your emotions will be up and down. However, if you must dwell on circumstances, then choose to rejoice in your past circumstances. The best way to keep a good attitude in bad times is to take your eyes off the circumstances and place them on something that will never change, your salvation. By dwelling on your salvation you will find a well of joy that will never end. It won't matter what you face when dwelling on your salvation, for nothing can change it; thus, you will find yourself constantly having a good attitude in bad times.