Dispensation not Socialism

S. Acts 4:32 “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that which they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.”

O. The believers in the NT owned property - yet they rightly understood that it was in all reality, God’s property. So they shared what they had. This was not socialism, rather, it was believers practicing wise stewardship, oikonomia, managing well the resources that were entrusted to them.

A. I desire to be a wise manager of what God has given to me. I pray that I will use wisdom to direct what resources He has placed in my hands to where He wants them to go.

P. Thank you Father for blessing me. I do pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten me and lead me in the best use of the resources you have place before me. In Jesus name!

Jesus Is Victorious Over Temptation

S. Luke 4:13

“When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.”

O. Temptation comes to everyone, even Jesus. In fact, it appears from this passage that after this particular event, there would be other times the Devil would tempt Jesus. The Book of James says “not if tempted” but “when tempted.” Paul says “…there is no temptation taken you except what is common to man…” 1 Cor. 10:13

We are all tempted; however Jesus gives us the model of victory over temptation.

I found it interesting in the margin of my Bible this comparison of Adam and Jesus. Both were tempted in similar areas.

1 John 2:16 Adam (Gen. 3:6) Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)

Craving for physical pleasure “Its fruit looked delicious.” “tell the stone to become bread.”

Craving for everything we see “The tree was beautiful.” “the Devil revealed all the kingdoms”

Pride in our achievements/possessions “The wisdom it would give” “jump off”

Adam gave into the temptations and brought upon all of us sin and death. Jesus Christ resisted, resulting in justification and life.

A. It is not wrong to be tempted but it is wrong to give into it. Jesus is our example to follow in resisting the Devil and temptation through relying upon God’s word.

P. Father, thank you for Jesus our high priest who understands our temptations. I pray for wisdom. strength and endurance to be like Jesus and not give into the temptation that we all experience. I ask this in Jesus name and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Turn from Indifference

S. Revelation 3:4-19

4 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

O. John writes to the Church at Laodicea. He first tells them they are lukewarm - an attitude that God rejects. He tells them then to turn (repent) from this indifference. Such turning requires diligence. But God so loves us that He is willing to correct and discipline us so that we might turn around and that we might be “hot” for Him.

A. As I reflect on this word, I admit it is so easy for believers (myself included) to become comfortable in our faith and no longer serve God with a fiery zeal that perhaps we once had. We become indifferent to things. We just “go along.” As I close out 2018 and look forward to 2019, I desire to have a blazing zeal for serving the Lord.

P. Thank you Father for loving me and correcting me at times. I pray for the Holy Spirit to so fill me t hat I might return to that attitude of zealously serving you and proclaiming your name!