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DavidJeremiah.org - Magazine

Rebuke the Oppressor

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise . . .
Psalm 12:5

Recommended Reading Zechariah 7:9-10

Oppression of the weak is common in third-world countries, and entire organizations have been formed in an effort to combat this problem. They realize that this abuse of power will continue and worsen if nothing is done, so they gather legal professionals, law enforcement agents, and social workers to do what the Word of God tells us to do. They open their mouth for the speechless and plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9).

In one instance, eighty-three men, women, and children were released from forced slavery. After being granted their freedom, one woman said "My life has two parts: one that I lived as a slave, and one that I live now—free."* This woman and her family had endured beatings, deception, and oppression; but because of the men and women who chose to "rebuke the oppressor," she and her family are now able to live freely (Isaiah 1:17).

Christians, we have been commissioned by God to show compassion to those in need, stand up against injustice, and plead the case of the innocent. Whether it's through prayer, financial giving, or actively serving, we can all get involved. Ask God to show you your part in the fight against oppression, and begin today to make a difference.

Oppression can only survive through silence.
Anonymous

Ten Dollar Bill

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NIV

Recommended Reading 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Traveling home from Georgia, a man saw a family walking on the side of the road; so he pulled over to see if they needed help. He discovered they had just lost their home in a fire the night before, and they were almost to their neighbor's house where they would stay temporarily. Seeing that they didn't need a ride, the man pulled a ten dollar bill from his wallet, handed it to the family, and drove away. The Lord began to speak to him though, reminding him of his thriving business, palatial home, bank accounts, and investments. He pulled over and emptied his wallet into his hat. He then drove back to the family and handed them all of the money, which amounted to several hundred dollars.

In the face of disaster, we have witnessed many generous people reaching out to those who've lost everything. This spirit of sharing should be evident in the lives of believers all the time, but especially in times of great need.

Be warm and merciful and let no one go from you empty-handed. The least you can offer is your time and patience, your affection and prayer.
Anonymous

I Have a Dollar

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Recommended Reading Exodus 35:10-21

A Sunday school teacher asked her eight eager ten-year-olds if they would give $1,000,000 to the missionaries. "YES!" they all screamed. "Would you give $1,000?" Again they shouted, "YES!" "How about $100?" "Oh, YES, we would!" they all agreed. "Would you give just a dollar to the missionaries?" she asked. The boys exclaimed "YES!" just as before, except for Johnnie. "Johnnie," the teacher said as she noticed the boy clutching his pocket, "why didn't you say ‘YES' this time?" "Well," he stammered, "I HAVE a dollar." *

Sometimes it is easier to think about what we would give away if we had it rather than parting with whatever it is we possess. God doesn't ask us to give only if we have money or particular abilities; He asks us to give whatever we have with a willing heart.

If you feel you don't have enough time to serve God, money to support God's work, or talent to glorify God, ask Him to reveal to you what unique gift you can give because we all have something to share; and whatever you give, give it with joy.

Whatsoever I thankfully receive as a token of God's love to me, I part with contentedly as a token of my love to Him.
Theophilus Gale

Serve as Jesus Served

Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering . . .
Colossians 3:12

Recommended Reading James 3:13-18

If you want to know exactly how to serve as Jesus served, all you have to do is look at the passage of Scripture found in Philippians 2:6-8.

There are six steps to Jesus' service to sinful mankind:
1) He made himself of no reputation
2) He took the form of a bondservant
3) He came in the likeness of man
4) He humbled himself
5) He became obedient to the point of death . . .
6) . . . even the death of the cross

Jesus understood something that we, as Christians, ought to take to heart regarding service to our Lord: When God is given all the glory and honor and we remain hidden in the background, more lives are led to Christ; and the kingdom of heaven is enriched and enlarged. The One who deserved unending recognition for what He did never even asked for a "thank you." He simply wanted people to love His Father and accept His forgiveness. Strive to serve like Jesus: with meekness, humility, and love.

In Christian service, the branches that bear the most fruit hang the lowest.
Anonymous

Idle Tales?

Their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb . . . .
Luke 24:11-12

Recommended Reading Luke 24:1-12

Luke is considered a historian of first rank whose verifiable accuracy put him head and shoulders above his secular peers. His two works, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, boldly assert that Jesus of Nazareth rose physically from the tomb on Easter Sunday.

Luke didn't expect us to take this on "blind faith." He opened his gospel by telling us that he carefully investigated everything from the beginning so we'd know the certainty of the things we've been taught (Luke 1:3-4). And he began his book of Acts by telling us that after the Resurrection, Jesus showed himself alive by many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3).

Scientist Henry Morris said, "The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. If the resurrection did not take place, then Christianity is a false religion. If it did take place, then Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth."

Our faith is warm and personal, but it is based on cold hard facts—not on idle tales.

For a very simple reason. I am not able to explain away an event in history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Josh McDowell, when asked why he could not refute Christianity.

"Then I Told Jimmy"

Do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God.
Romans 6:13

Recommended Reading Romans 6:11-14

When Jimmy Carter was running for President of the United States, his wife Rosalynn was his chief advisor, closest associate, and greatest asset. She also had a mind of her own and knew something about the use of power. On one occasion during the 1976 campaign, she promised a group that if Jimmy were elected, he would create a commission to do something about the deplorable treatment of America's mentally ill. "Then," she later said with a grin, "I went home and told Jimmy."

We sometimes think our partnership with God works that way, too. We decide what we should do, then we tell the Lord about it. But even though we're the "Bride of Christ," we take our orders from Him. It's not the other way around.

Our cry is: Lord, I am presenting myself wholly to You for this day. What would you have me do? What is Your agenda for me today? I am Your servant, for I am under grace.

The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.
D. L. Moody

Low Battery

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41

Recommended Reading Matthew 26:36-46

John Bunyan wrote, "Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan."

How many of us have left our cell phone charger in a hotel somewhere or at the home of relatives? Without constant charging, the battery grows weak and the signal dies out. The same is true for our spiritual connection. It's great to be willing in spirit, but we have to remain "charged up" through the discipline of watchfulness and prayer.

Watching means we don't let ourselves drift into sin. Often when we're tired or we've worked for a long stretch without a break, we're more vulnerable to evil thoughts or inappropriate reactions. We should know ourselves well enough to think ahead and avoid unhealthy responses.

Praying means we have definite patterns and plans every day to talk with our Father without hurry or rush, and that we obey every impulse to pray throughout the day.

It's great when the spirit is willing, but the flesh requires the disciplines of watching and praying.

Always respond to every impulse to pray . . . . I would make an absolute law of this—always obey such an impulse.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

They Walked with Him: Zacchaeus

He sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.
Luke 19:3

Recommended Reading Luke 19:1-10

Five-foot-three is a popular size. That's how tall Sammy Davis Jr. and Judy Garland were, and Mahatma Gandhi, Nikita Khrushchev, Bo Derek, Mickey Rooney, and the Olsen twins. Voltaire was also 5'3", but the artist Prince didn't make the list. He's 5'2?". Pablo Picasso came in at 5'4", right up there with Mel Brooks, Michael J. Fox, and Queen Elizabeth.

Zacchaeus was short of stature, too, but his size was an asset. Because he was a "wee little man," he climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, and there—out on a limb, so to speak—he came face-to-face with the Master. Jesus beckoned him down, walked with him to his house, and transformed him into a spiritual giant.

Most of us would like to change our appearance in some way. But Jesus said that no amount of worry would add a single cubit to our stature (Matthew 6:27). Don't be anxious or self-conscious about things you can't change about yourself. Let Jesus change the things that need changing, and trust Him with the rest. Remember—when you walk with Jesus, you're always walking tall.

I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.
Helen Keller

A Tasty Preservative

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
Matthew 5:13a

Recommended Reading 1 Timothy 4:12-16

In ancient cultures, salt was so valuable that it was often used as a medium of exchange. Not only did salt add flavor to food, it was valued as a preservative. Animal flesh was dried and salted in order to keep it from spoiling—to preserve its life-giving nutrients until it was consumed.

When Jesus told His disciples that they were the "salt of the earth," they would have immediately recognized the metaphor. But they probably had to think about its implications. The flavor they were to add to the world speaks of the abundant life Jesus came to give (John 10:10). But their role as a preservative required deeper understanding. Without the spiritual presence of God in this world, darkness would quickly overtake everything. When the church is raptured from the earth in the future, evil will have its way (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). But as long as Christians are on earth, the Holy Spirit is working through them to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11)

By living for Christ today, you add abundant flavor to this world and hold back the darkness so that more might believe.

We are the salt of the earth . . . not the sugar. Our ministry is to truly cleanse and not just to change the taste.
Vance Havner

Signs of Christ's Life

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me …
Galatians 2:20

Recommended Reading Mark 16:19-20

When we go to the doctor and our vital signs are checked, we don't command our body to have a pulse, to perform respiration by breathing, or to have a 98.6º temperature. The signs of good health in the human body are natural manifestations of a body that is alive and well.

The same is true of the signs of spiritual health. True manifestations of spiritual vitality are not so much about what we do but about what Christ does in and through us. As the apostle Paul wrote, the life we now live in Christ is not our life, but Christ's life in us. Indeed, one of the purposes of Christ saving and indwelling numerous individuals on earth is so that all of us together might do greater works than He could have done as one person (John 14:12). Do we not have the freedom to yield to the presence of Christ (His Spirit) in us, or resist His work? Yes, and we can even perform good works in our own strength. But only that which is done by faith will last and be acknowledged (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

Whatever you are doing for Christ, make sure your signs of life are signs of His life in you.

Whatever you are doing, in company or alone, do it all to the glory of God. Otherwise, it is unacceptable to God.
Richard Baxter

Faith, Works, or Both?

But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:18

Recommended Reading Ephesians 2:8-10

Christianity is separated from other major religions by this biblical truth: There is nothing man can do to earn the favor of God. Salvation in other religions is dependent on the good works of man to please the deity, or to ensure one's favored place in the cosmic scheme of things. Only Christianity sets man's good works aside and focuses salvation on the grace of God.

Even with that biblical clarity, Christians still get confused about the place of good works. It is best understood this way: Christians are not saved by good works, but they are saved for good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 could not be more clear: We are saved by grace alone through faith in order to accomplish the good works for which God saved us. Our ongoing works, carried out for God, become a sign and testimony of the reality of our salvation. A person saved by grace stops working for self and begins working for God.

Christ's work on the cross removed any necessity of our works for salvation. Our works are an expression of gratitude for His.

Anyone can devise a plan by which good people go to heaven. Only God can devise a plan whereby sinners, which are His enemies, can go to heaven.
Lewis Sperry Chafer

These Old Skinflints

Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 Recommended Reading Matthew 10:5-10 According to Clive Anderson’s book, Travel with C.H. Spurgeon, one day the great London pastor spoke to a group about his various ministries for the impoverished and destitute of the city. Afterward he passed his hat around for the collection. No one put anything into it, and some in the crowd wondered what Spurgeon would do next. The famous preacher simply bowed in prayer and said, “I thank you, O Lord, that at least these old skinflints have given me my hat back!” There’s no shortage of “skinflints,” but how different to be in the presence of those who radiate grace! How wonderful to be a Grace-Giver. We may not always have much to give, but there’s something wonderful about being generous with our time, treasure, and talents—ready to give an extra dollar, spend an extra moment, tackle an extra task, or go an extra mile. It’s not enough just to return the hat. We should put something into it. God’s grace is freely given that we might freely give. As thou, Lord, hast lived for others, so may we for others live; freely have Thy gifts been granted, freely may Thy servants give. Somerset Lowry

Grace to Give

But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace [of giving] also. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Recommended Reading 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 How often do you use, or hear others use, the word “grace” in conversation? It is one of the most often-used words in Christianity, but one of the hardest to define. For instance, “grace” is the word at the root of spiritual gifts in the New Testament, and as such represents special favor or ability from God. Grace, directly or indirectly, almost always refers to power or ability from God to live supernaturally. For that reason, when it came time for Paul to ask the church at Corinth to participate in his financial rescue plan for the suffering church in Jerusalem, he knew it would only happen by the grace of God. Why? Because he was asking people with few and limited means to give generously. So in 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 the word “grace” appears four times, and twice more in chapter nine on the same subject. It takes God’s grace to give, and even more grace to give sacrificially—the same kind of grace Jesus Christ displayed when He intentionally became poor that we might be made rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). If you struggle to give, and resist giving sacrificially, ask God to give you grace. A giving Saviour should have giving disciples. J. C. Ryle

A Life in Focus: The Blind Man of Bethsaida

And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Mark 8:24 Recommended Reading Mark 8:22-26 Jesus never does anything half-way, but sometimes He does work in stages. In Mark 8, the disciples only partially understood His teachings and they didn’t fully grasp what He was saying. “How is it you do not understand?” He asked (verse 21). In verse 22, Jesus taught them a lesson. Meeting a blind man in Bethsaida, Jesus healed him in stages. At first, the man saw people as trees walking. Then Jesus put His hands on his eyes again, and his sight was completely restored. This two-stage miracle is very encouraging. When we’re confused about some aspect of Bible study, when life seems blurry, or when we’re bothered by events we can’t explain, we’re seeing trees walking. But how wonderful to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior! As we walk with the Lord day by day, we find that our focus improves, our knowledge grows, our wisdom increases. And even if things are still a little blurry just now, we can be assured that with the Great Physician we’ll understand it better by and by. The simplicity of the Gospel gives what the complexity of human wisdom promises but never delivers. John MacArthur

The Last Lecture

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Recommended Reading 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 When Professor Randy Pausch learned he was dying of pancreatic cancer, he gave a talk to his students at Carnegie Mellon University. His presentation circulated widely on the Internet, and then it appeared in book form titled The Last Lecture. In an interview with Reader’s Digest, Pausch said that his life was measured now in months, not years, and that he simply wanted to do what good he could do “on my way out of the building.” That’s reminiscent of Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 5. We’re laboring now in an earthly tent that is passing away, but we have an eternal house in the heavens. Therefore we make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him, “whether present or absent.” We don’t know if our remaining days on earth are measured in years, months, weeks, or minutes. Our times are in His hands, and our goal is to do all the good we can on our way out of the tent. “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (verse 9). O Lord, help me to do all the good I can, by all the means I can, in all the ways I can, in all the places I can, in all the times I can, to all the people I can as long as ever I can. John Wesley

Brides and Grooms: Rebekah and Isaac

. . . let her be the [bride] You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master. Genesis 24:14b Recommended Reading Proverbs 31:10-31 Many modern marriages are the culmination of months of emotion-based involvement rather than the conclusion of an intentional search for a life-partner based on shared values, purposes, and goals. Too often unions are formed based on physical attraction first, personality second, and spiritual compatibility third (if at all). That modern checklist is the opposite of biblical priorities for marriage. When it came time for Abraham’s son, Isaac, to marry, Abraham sent his servant back to Abraham’s people to seek a bride for his son. Abraham did not want his son to take a wife from the pagan people in Canaan. He trusted God to guide the search for a proper partner for his son, and the servant prayerfully and patiently allowed the Lord to lead in the circumstances that led to the discovery of Rebekah, the wife for Isaac (Genesis 24). If you are seeking a partner for yourself or helping a child to do the same, search for spiritual compatibility above all else. The joining of hearts in spiritual union is the prerequisite for joining hands and minds for a lifetime. There is no estate to which Satan is more opposed than to marriage. Martin Luther

Heart-Check

For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 Recommended Reading Luke 21:1-4 As a man and his son came out of church one Sunday morning, the man complained that the service went too long. His little boy said, “Daddy, I thought it was pretty good since you only had to pay a dime.” Though this story is humorous, it makes an important point. Some people might look at the man’s offering and laugh, believing it to be small and insignificant. But it is not the amount that is shameful; it is the state of the man’s heart. The Bible says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Because God gives to us out of love, He would much rather receive a small gift given wholeheartedly than a large offering from a grumbling heart. With that in mind, every time we give to the Lord, we should do a quick heart-check to make sure we are giving willingly and cheerfully because no matter the amount, it is our heart that God sees and values above all else. The world asks, “How much does he give?” Christ asks, “Why does he give?” John Raleigh Mott

Stuck Paws

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies…. Daniel 1:8 Recommended Reading Daniel 1:1-8 One day last September, Chalupa, a Chihuahua in Pennsylvania, was getting his regular bath in the kitchen sink when one of his rear paws got stuck in the drain. His owner tried everything to free him, including liquid soap, cooking oil, and ice. When nothing worked, the Homer City Volunteer Fire Department was called into action. They disassembled the plumbing under the sink and cut away the drain using tin snips. Chalupa was unhurt, but he’s understandably cautious now about drains. The lesson? We should keep our paws away from drainage spots—those little, downward-pulling areas of life that seem harmless but can trap the soul. The Bible warns us to beware the little foxes that spoil the vines (Song of Solomon 2:15). Daniel chose to live a life without compromise. Too often, we allow ourselves to indulge in little thoughts, words, actions, or attitudes that are harmful to the soul. But there are no “small” sins. It’s safest to keep our paws away from the drain traps. The great father of lies…will declare that great sins are but little…. Many souls, I doubt not, have been caught in this trap. Charles Spurgeon

One Resolution

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

Recommended Reading Hebrews 13:5-6

Today is the day when most people make up a list of New Year's resolutions— and splurge in anticipation of the rigors of the coming year. If the goal is to lose weight, they enjoy a final dessert. If the goal is to stop buying on credit, they make one final purchase using their plastic. And if the goal is to begin having a morning quiet time, they sleep in one last day.

Research shows that most New Year's resolutions are not kept in spite of our best intentions. Perhaps a better way to approach the New Year would be to have one goal: to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). That means keeping short accounts when it comes to sin and listening for His guidance and appropriating His strength every day. It is likely that after a year of walking with the Spirit, much more change will have occurred than by trying to keep the most noble of human resolutions. Begin the New Year with the objective to live a Spirit-filled life—and see what will be accomplished in and through your life in the coming year.

One goal achieved by the power of the Spirit would be better than a multitude of unfulfilled good intentions.

He who has the Holy Spirit in his heart and the Scriptures in his hands has all he needs.
Alexander MacLaren