Oath Of Love

 September 30
 Daily Reading – Song of So. 1-3 / Gal. 5

GOD SAID:

Song of Solomon 2:3-4 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      There are thousands of self-help relationship books available today. Some talk only of His needs, while others speak only of hers. Yet, the best advice of all time is found in the best-selling book of all times. The Bible. In it’s pages we find a simple three-point outline that will help any marriage if applied early and repeated often.

      In today’s verses the woman says, “I sat down under his shadow.” She felt safe by his protection of her. Next she exclaims “his fruit was sweet to my taste.” The word taste refers to a knowledge, gained by a close intimate relationship. As the Psalmist says in Ps. 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good.” She knew his heart because they’d spent time with one another. Then she declares “his banner over me was love.” Troops in that day carried a banner announcing who they were. She knew of his love for her because he’s not ashamed of her as he brings her into the king’s banquet hall and let others see his affection for her. Three things both partners should find in marriage. Protection, physically and emotionally. Neither party should ever slander the other, nor stand for others to do so. Next, intimacy. Not only physically, but really knowing each other from time spent together. Finally obvious displays of affection for one another. Hold hands, opening a door, and speak kindly of them. Your partner and others will see your oath of love and find joy in your relationship.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    So, what do you do with all those other books? Read them first, there is good advice in many of them. Then, maybe start a fire and cuddle up next to one another. Remember, the love you display shows the world an example of God’s love for us.

What example of God’s love do you display?

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

Navigating Life

September 28 & 29
September 28 – Daily Reading – Ecc. 11-12 / Gal. 4
September 29 – NO Daily Reading

GOD SAID:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

   Growing up in the twentieth century, there was a radio program everyone seemed to enjoy. The now syndicated program was called “The Rest Of The Story,” with Paul Harvey. This short segment began as part of his newscast during the Second World War, and carried on as a popular program on ABC Radio. The stories would begin with a common, often simple story, told in his own special fashion. However, they would end with some relatively unknown details that few knew of, and then he would close with the tag line, “And now you know the Rest Of the Story.” When I read Ecclesiastes, it’s not hard for me to imagine hearing Paul Harvey read the last two verses and say, “And now you know The Rest Of The Story.”

   In Solomon’s search for what will bring true satisfaction to a persons life, he comes to the final conclusion that only knowing God and following His Word will do. Navigating through all the stormy seas of human ideas and failed promises ultimately leads to an empty life. A life filled with sorrow and regret when you face the Lord at Judgment day. Only anchoring our life in the safe harbor of God’s word will bring certainty and the real lasting peace we all desire. In Hebrews 6:19 it says; “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Why reinvent the wheel? Solomon has tried it all. Navigating life takes Jesus.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

   Vanity of vanities, the writer said. Meaning life is empty without Christ. By the end of the book we find that death is also empty without Him. To navigate the waters of life, we must let Jesus Captain our ship. He will lead us safely home.

Who are you allowing to navigate your life?


THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

    Today, as I write this devotion, it’s thundering and lightening outside. Even so, I’m safe and comfy in my office. So often it is in life as we saw in:

● Nothing New
● Never Alone
● Net Gain
● Not Looking Back
● No Second Chance
● Navigating Life

    As believers we too can feel safe and comfy during life’s storms when we are Nestled in His Love.

SUNDAY:

        Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastors heart. Whatever scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs

Psalm 107:28-29
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble,
and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm,
so that the waves thereof are still. 

    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

No Second Chance

 September 27
 Daily Reading – Ecc. 9-10 / Gal. 3

GOD SAID:

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      In business there is a saying that goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” In other words, always do your best. Most people will read today’s verse as saying the same thing about life. In Ecclesiastes 9:10 Solomon says; “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” It would be easy to think he’s simply saying, live with all the gusto you can, because there is no life after death. However, we know, and so did Solomon, that there is life after death. Eternal life either in heaven or in hell. So what else could he have been saying in this book about trying to find satisfaction in life?

      With eternity in view, the “whatsoever,” that we find to do here in this life, is to prepare for the next. What we must find to do is to repent of our sin, believe in the salvation available through Christ. Then what we find to do will be honoring to the Lord. How should we do that? With all our might. In Matthew 22:37 Jesus said; “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Why should this be what we need to do while here? Because there is life after death. However, if you end up in hell there is “no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom,” that will get you out of there. There is no second chance after death.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Wisdom is knowing that no one escapes eternity. After this life there is life. Either a life of joy and peace in the presence of Jesus who died for our sin, or an eternal life of torment in a place called hell, which God never created for man.

What are you doing with this life today?

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

Not Looking Back

 September 26
 Daily Reading – Psa. 106-108 / 1 Cor. 2

GOD SAID:

Ecclesiastes 7:10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      Nostalgia waxes poetic sometimes. Looking into the past through rose colored glasses and seeing all the good that use to be. We look to a time when church socials were big events in town. A time when the cities and schools would never dare conduct activities when church services were on. These times were considered sacred and reserved for the church. We think back to what is often called a simpler time in History. That’s what we want to remember. We forget that there was no electricity, phones, cars, computers, or fast food restaurants. We forget that running water was only running if the person carrying it was cold and hurrying back into the house. The hospitals had few treatments for many illnesses such as leukemia and heart attacks. Saloons and gambling casinos stayed open seven days a week. Truth is that there were sin filled folks back then too. Wishing for the past never solves anything.

      You can find good and bad in any age of man. In Philippians 3:13-14 Paul said the same thing as Solomon; “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Society may change, but God never changes. He is as good today as ever.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    It’s not the time or age that’s corrupt. It’s the men who live during any age. We cannot change time. However, with God’s help we can change the hearts of man. Let’s work on what can be changed and leave history to be used to teach us what not to do again.

Can we all press forward?

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

Net Gain

 September 25
 Daily Reading – Ecc. 5-6 / Gal. 1

GOD SAID:

Ecclesiastes 5:15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      People often confuse, Net Gain and Net Profit. Although they may refer to the same thing at times, this is not always the case. Net profit is normally measured over a definite period of time, like a quarter, or over a year. It might also refer to the amount of money someone would receive for a product or service, above their investment in that product or service. Net gain however, is actually the overall improvement observed in a person’s life or a business’ value when all the possible positive and negative influences have been completely accounted for. Although the person might make a profit and have a big bank account while here on earth, their Net Gain at the moment of death changes. Taking into account all that they may consider positive, (the items they have accumulated,) and subtracting the negative, (death,) what do you have left? That is your Net gain.

      Some will say, well then you have no Net Gain, as death robs you of everything. That’s only true if all your treasure is here on this earth. Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:19 that the rich need to be; “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” You cant take gold, silver, real estate, or stocks and bonds with you when you die. You can however be a witness of God’s salvation in you, and possibly take your family and friends along with you. Now that’s a real Net gain.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Jesus said in Matthew 6:20 we should; “…lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” He went on to say in verse 21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Invest your life wisely so you end up with a Net Gain.

What will your Net Gain be?

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