Law And Grace 

AUGUST 18, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Luke 10:25, 26 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

      Loopholes, excuses, escapes, and trying to find a way out of things, seems to consume the minds of many people. They spend all their time trying to find a way around the rules instead of obeying them and then using that extra time for enjoyment, learning, rest, and making things better for themselves and those around them. What a waste of talent and time.

     The verses today speak of a person called a lawyer, which means a student of the Mosaic Law, also known as a scribe. He is asking what it is I can do to inherit eternal life. For the average person this would be a very good question. They may have never had the opportunity to read or hear God’s Word and find out the answer to this question prior to this. However, the lawyer, as he was called, had already studied the law. He already knew the correct answer. Nevertheless, he asked the question anyway. Why? It was an attempt to get Jesus to trip up and fail in His answer. Jesus answered him with another question, “How do YOU read the law?”

     Today many people have thrown out the law saying, “we are living in a day of grace.” That is only partially true. By teaching only grace, we are teaching the Law of God has no effect. However, the New Testament says the law shows us we are sinners and brings us to the cross. In Galatians 3:24, 25 Paul called the law our “schoolmaster.” Once we have Jesus in our heart, we do not need a schoolmaster as we have the law living in us. Our desire then is to be obedient to God’s Word. The law is still needed today as shinning a light on sin. Jesus did not dismiss the law. He asked, how do YOU read it? He might ask us the same question today. How do YOU read it? Or do you read it?
   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     We must continue to see the law as a tool God has given and the boundaries He has set. Praise God we are saved by grace through faith and are no longer under the law but under grace. Yet not being under the law does not dismiss the law. Thank God for it, as it still convicts man’s heart of sin.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 18, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Isaiah 11-13     /     Psalm 44:1-8     /     Proverbs 18     /     Luke 10

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 58-64           /  Rom. 8

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

Watch Out For The Bears! 

AUGUST 17, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     Let’s use our imaginations today for a moment. What do you imagine will happen to a man or woman who might by chance run up on a mother bear who has just had her cubs taken from her? Your right, it is not going to be petting zoo time. That person would most likely be torn to bits by the powerful claws and teeth of this angry mother bear.

      Just as sure as the idea of breaking free from the wrath of the angry mother bear seems impossible or foolish, so is the idea that a person, who plays in the foolishness of sinful ways, will someday be able to break free. I guess that is why the writers of this Proverb called people who think this way a fool. The playful little sin that they once believed to be fun, will continually entangle and trap them until they are destroyed by it.

     The sad part is they never see their sin trapping them until it is too late. Their joy will turn to sorrow. Their play becomes a controlling slave master. They are no longer free to do what they want but must serve the sin that has engulfed their life.

    How can they ever be free? Only through the grace of God can a person be saved and be freed from sins grip. God calls you to freedom, safety, and His Son Jesus. Can you hear His call in your heart, or are the bears growling outside your door?

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

      If it feels like the world has enslaved you and you want to be free, cry out to a Holy God, and ask for forgiveness. He is willing to forgive and cleanse you. If you desire to be free and be saved, there is also good news. It means He is calling you now. Do not put it off until it’s too late.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 17, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Isaiah 9-10     /     Psalm 43     /     Proverbs 17     /     Luke 9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 52-57          /  Rom. 7

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 Do You Thirst For? 

AUGUST 16, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 42:2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     People in America drink many different types of drinks. Coffee and pop seem to be among the favorites. I believe that is partially because of the caffeine. However, soda pop is also chosen by many because of its sweet taste. People love the sensations that come with the taste of things. We like the taste of things that are sweet, tart, sour, or bitter, all different kinds of flavors. Ask a kid if he would rather have an ice-cube, or a Popsicle. He will choose the Popsicle every time. Why? Well, it is what his brain says he WANTS. It is part of that self-satisfaction drive we all seem to have.

      However, things change a bit when you really get thirsty. I am not talking of the “I could use a drink,” kind of thirsty. I am talking about the “I have been working all day in the sun without anything to drink” thirsty. It is that mouth dry and needing a drink bad thirsty. The kind of thirsty that makes you feel as if you had been in a desert for a few days thirsty. Now what do you want? Do you want some thick syrupy fruity drink? No, my friend you want WATER! Why? It is not because it is what you want, but because your body is telling you it is what you desperately NEED.

      That is the kind of thirsty you need when you come to God. Not a passing type of thirst saying, “Oh, God looks good, I think I will try Him for a while.” You need a thirst for God that says, “God, I need you. I will give my life to have you as you gave your life to have me. Use me as you see fit as I realize you are the one and only LIVING GOD.” Now that is a thirsty soul. You do not need God to be just what you want; you need Him to be everything you require in life.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Take a moment today to drink from the fountain of real life. Jesus is that Spring of Living Water that never runs dry.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 16, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Isaiah 5-8     /     Psalm 41-42     /     Proverbs 15:17 – 16     /     Luke 8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 48-51           /       Rom. 6

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 Do You Want In Good Measure?  

August 14 & 15, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Luke 6:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     Give! It almost seems every person in the world is asking us to give. The Churches, Charities, Schools, Television Evangelist, the Government, and people on the street we do not even know. So, who is it that we should give to that would make God happy?

     The answer may be as simple as this. Give as God gives, and to whom God might give. How does God give? He gives with no expectation of repayment. What can we give back to God that He does not already have and own? When God gives out of His love, there is no advantage for Him to gains from this. No repayment could be enough. God does not bless us expecting a bonus from His gift. He does so simply because He loves us, and because He can. The only thing we can give God that He does not automatically have is our love and undying devotion to Him for all of who He is. How does He repay our love? Our verse says with good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. This term was used in old days when a merchant would measure out grain. They would be sure of a good measure or all they could get if they would press it down. shake it so it would settle, and then keep filling it until it ran over. This is how God repays us for our gifts of love to Him. Completely. So, whatever we give to God, whether talent, treasure, or time we must remember to give it in love. Paul told the church in 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    “Give and it shall be given unto you…” Does this mean what we give is what we get? Money for money? Well sort of, but then what good is a dollar for a dollar? It also means that if you will give with an unselfish loving heart then you will receive unselfish love back. Pour out blessings, receive blessings. Pour out anger and it comes back too. So my friend, what do you want in good measure coming your way today?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  August 14, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Isaiah 1-4     /     Psalm 40     /     Proverbs 14 – 15:16     /     Luke 6-7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 42-47           /       Rom. 5

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

Just Look At You 

AUGUST 13, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     As you have probably noticed over the year, I often refer to my parents, and the things they had said to me while growing up. I guess I really looked up to them even more than even I realized. Their words of wisdom continually come back and are a constant reminder of what life is really all about.

     One of the things my dad said when I was younger was, “you are who you hang out with.” At the time, I did not believe it. I thought, “no way, I am my own person. I am who I am, and they are different.” However, as I have grown older and begin to look around, I see he was right. If you want to see the kind of person you are, just look at the people with whom you choose to associate. I am not talking about those people you are forced to go to school with, or work with. I am referring to the times when it is your choice, who do you choose to spend most your time with. Dear reader, let me just tell you that who they are, is a good indicator of who you are as well.

     I often wondered where my Christian parents came up with all their wisdom. Now I can see, most of their wisdom must have come from Gods Word. Proverbs 13:20 says pretty much the same thing my dad said. If you walk with wise people, they will make you wiser. Being around wise people will cause you to think and learn. On the other hand, hanging out with a group of people who have no desire to be better at anything, who make foolish decisions, and disregard God and His Word, will make you just like them. So, as you look around at the friends you choose to be around, ask yourself, just who am I?

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Ok, so what if your inspection shines a light on the fact, you may not have the best friend, now what. Well, you have two choices. First, if you want to better yourself, find and make new encouraging friends. Secondly, help your old friends become wiser. Talk with them about the Bible, and God. If they do not want to become wiser, you will not have to leave them. I promise! You will see, these so-called friends, will eventually leave you.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 13, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Hosea 11-14     /     Psalm 39     /     Proverbs 13     /     Luke 5

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 37-41           /       Rom. 4

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