God Takes Pleasure In You! 

DECEMBER 30, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

  Way too often people get the misguided idea God is some big bully in the sky waiting to pounce on us when we disobey in the least little way what we consider as sin. Although it is true God cannot tolerate sin, it is also true that He is a patient and loving God. Just as a loving father would be overjoyed if one of his children, who made an error in judgment, saw the error, and did what was necessary to make it right without being told, so God also finds happiness in us when we do what is right without being told. God finds pleasure in His children who truly love Him. He enjoys them and takes pleasure in providing for their well-being and their needs.

    I find it comforting to know, God does not find pain and disgust with us. What a great joy it is also to think He finds pleasure in us. He will also beautify the humble of heart with salvation. This is a picture of what God is doing and will do for His children. What does it mean that God beautifies the meek? Well, picture if you will how you might beautify a doll or a child by dressing them in nice attire. How during the Christmas Season many people will beautify a tree by placing pretty ornaments on it. In the same way, God beautifies us when He cloths us in His righteousness. He will adorn us, or place upon us the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ. In other words, He gives us His best, His Son, Jesus Christ.
   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  God has given to us His best, His only begotten Son Jesus Christ for salvation. He finds great pleasure in us and loves us. Should we not do the same? Can we show Him love and adoration as we share His love with others at the end of this year? As God finds pleasure in us, let’s find pleasure in serving Him.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 29, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ester 8-10     /     Psalm 149     /     Proverbs 30     /     Revelations 21

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Zechariah 10-14           /       Revelation 21

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

How Busy Are You?  

DECEMBER 29, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Esther 6:1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    Have you ever found yourself awake in the middle of the night and unable to get to sleep? You have counted sheep until you hate the wooly little creatures for no reason. Maybe you have counted until you have just run out of numbers. You have tried to think of a peaceful place and the quietness keeps you awake. It is too late in the night to take a sleeping pill, as you will be groggy all the next morning. It is way too early to wake someone else in the house to talk with. TV has nothing but infomercials, reruns, and junk. What should you do? Do as the king did in Esther 6:1. Get out your Bible and begin to read it. It might very well be that God is trying to get your attention.

    We are so busy during the day with work, family, friends, and chores. Time to get alone with God may seem to have just slipped by before you knew it. Now things are quiet and peaceful, and God is saying… “Let’s talk a bit.” I have found some of my most intimate times with God are early in the morning. I read a bit and pray a bit. I speak to Him and then read and let Him speak to me. You may wonder if I am tired the rest of the day. Well sometimes, however it seems God gives me the energy and alertness to get through my day. Then guess what? The next night I usually sleep really well.   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  Spend time with God on a regular basis. As you are making those New Year’s Resolutions, resolve to set aside a time every single day to be alone with God. I promise it will become one of your favorite times of the day. You will not be sorry.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 29, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Esther 4-7     /     Psalm 148     /     Proverbs 29     /     Revelations 20

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Zechariah 6-9           /      Revelation 20

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

What Will You Be Wearing?

DECEMBER 28, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    Oh, how I am looking forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (I know, some of you are thinking, “He looks forward to any and every meal.” Well, you are right.) However, this is going to be a very special fellowship time. A banquet like no one has ever seen before. Moreover, I will be part of the church, who is the Bride of Christ, The Guest of Honor.

    The King James Bible says that I will be dressed in clean and white linen. In addition, this linen is the righteousness of the saints. Some Bible versions have interpreted that to be the “righteous acts” of the saints. This is a terrible interpretation. My righteous acts will not get me a place at that table and nor will yours or anyone else’s. It will be the righteousness of Christ, which He has bestowed upon us. Only His Righteousness will guarantee our place at this table. In Zech. 3:4, it says, God will cloth us with a garment fit for Him. In Zeph. 1:8, it says He will punish those in strange apparel. Strange apparel will be on those who come in their own righteousness. They try to attend the banquet dressed in their good deeds. We will not stand before the God of all creation in any of our own righteousness; we will be clothed by God in His Son’s righteousness. Our best is as filthy rags before a Holy God. We will stand clothed in the righteousness bestowed upon us by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Friend, never be mistaken. Your righteousness will not get you into heaven. Your service to God keeps you in close communion with Him. It shows others in whom it is you put your faith. It helps you to live the best possible life while here on earth. However, it does not, and cannot get you a seat at the table of the Lord. Only accepting the righteousness of Christ can do so. SO, DO THAT. Trust in what Jesus has done for your salvation. Be there. I would love to have dinner with you.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 28, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ester 1-3     /     Psalm 147     /     Proverbs 28      /     Revelations 19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Zechariah 1-5            /    Revelation 19

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

A Truthful Friend 

DECEMBER 27, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 27:5-6 Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

  There is nothing worse to a person’s emotions than to find out someone who they thought of as a friend, co-laborer, and helper, has turned on them, and is telling others damaging things about them. God sometimes refers to them as gossips, backbiters, or slanderers.

    It is one thing to hear from your so-called friend that they believe you are making a mistake and to have them try to help you. It is quite another to have them say one thing to your face with a smile, then run off in the corner and bad mouth you or your decisions to others.

    Open rebuke or faithful wounds given in love toward someone should be taken in love. If someone comes to help you by sharing an area they may see in your life as harmful to your testimony or walk with God, and they do it in a loving manner, we ought to accept it and see what God’s Word says about the matter.

    On the other hand, if a person comes and tells you how much they love you, but will not tell you if they see trouble in your life, can they truly say they love you? The answer is NO! Even worse, if they tell you they love you and then gossip about your faults behind your back, can they say they love you, NO!

    God’s Word never hides the truth. It is there for us to read and understand. God never talks behind our back or lets us think it is ok to sin. However, He always says so in the context of love. Always wanting the best for us, He tries to warn us of the cost of sin. Can He say He really loves us, YES!
   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Avoid false love, as you do not need the aggravation in your life. Draw close to true love. God’s best love was displayed by sending His Son Jesus to live and die for us. The truth might hurt at times, but the truth wrapped in love will be the best thing you can find. Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH, and Life.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 27, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Nehemiah 10-13     /     Psalm 146     /     Proverbs 26-27     /     Revelations 17-18

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Haggai           /  Revelation 18

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

HE IS HOLY… 

DECEMBER 25 & 26, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Nehemiah 8:5-6And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    At the reading of God’s Word, the people stood to their feet. They were not asked to rise or to stand. Just out of pure respect for what was contained in the words written in the book they stood.

    In England, when the queen rides past, people stand. When the President of the United States enters a room, people stand. Why do we do that? It is done out of respect for the position they have obtained and their place in leadership over us.

    After the reading of God’s Word, when Ezra had offered blessings and praise to the Lord, the people did three things. First, they lifted up their hands with palms open showing that they had no weapons, no hostility, holding onto nothing. The open hands also displayed an expectation of supply by their God. Next, they said, “Amen” with their voice, or more literally, “so be it.” Saying “Let it be as our God has spoken.” Finally, they bowed their face to the ground in a show of worship. They did not look on God as their equal, but as superior.

    Today people do not lift hands very often because someone might see them. They do not shout AMEN anymore because people will complain. They often will not even close their eyes much less bow their head to the ground in respect of God. Jesus came as a baby to this place called earth, but He lives today as a King on high. He came to regular people, but He lives as God the Son. He came to die for the sins of many that He might save their soul. Many have accepted Him. Have you?

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    On this Christmas Morning, can you find a time to get alone with God and lift your hands, bow your head, and say amen? Let it be as God has spoken. May you all have a Merry and “Christ filled” Christmas.

GOD TALKING TO ME: DECEMBER 25, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Nehemiah 7-9     /     Psalm 144-145     /     Proverbs 25     /     Revelations 14-16

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Zephaniah           /    Revelation 16-17

Living In His Word Ministries

                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12