July 27, 2021
In 19:30 the Lord tells Hezekiah that a remnant of Israel would once again “take root downward and bear fruit upward”. Now He was talking about the remnant planting vineyards. But I see a spiritual application. The deeper we go in the things of God the more fruit we bear. The fruit that we bear goes upward because the Lord is the one that receives the praise for all that we accomplish. Deep calls unto deep (Ps. 42:7) and the deeper we go the more we sense, and desire, the need to go deeper. Shallow Christians do not bear much fruit and they burn out when the heat gets on. So go deep with God and bear fruit to His glory.
2 Kings 16-20
July 26, 2021
“Ye shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (19:2b). To be holy is to be set apart, dedicated to sacred purposes, holy, clean, pure etc. Holiness is to be set apart from anything defiling and at the same time dedicated to things that are holy and pure. Peter quotes this in I Peter 1:15-16 ” But as He who called you is holy you also be holy in all your conduct because it is written ‘Be holy for I Am holy’.” Christians who believe that holiness no longer matters because we are living under an age of grace are deceived. Culture may change but God’s Word does not. It is better to live set apart than to be set aside at the end of the age.
Leviticus 19-21
July 25, 2021
Today I pray this for you : ” And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (3:12-12). Amen.
I Thessalonians 1-3
July 24, 2021
Before I do the post on today’s reading, I want to tell you about our annual book sale. This coming Thur.-Sat. we will be having the sale at our Batesville campus (407 N. Township Line Rd. Batesville, IN. 47006). We will have over 10,000 used books in all genres. Prices are $1.00 for hardcovers, DVD’s and CD’s. 50 cents for softcovers, cassettes and VHS. The hours are T-F 10-6 and Sat. 9-3. If you have any questions, you can message me or call the church at 812-934-5192.
And yes, we have books in every category!
“By your patience possess your souls” (21:19). The soul here is used for the inner self, your true essence. It is the seat of your emotions, affections, will, mind, etc. It is closely related to the spirit of a person, but they can be distinguished from one another. While our spirit is to be possessed by the Spirit of God our soul is to be possessed by us. That is – we are, through patience and faith and God’s grace, to control our emotions, surrender our will to God’s, renew our minds etc. Christians, who’s emotions are out of control, have not learned to truly surrender to God. Who or what possesses you?
The Gospel of Luke 21-22
July 23, 2021
As we read chapters 31 and 32, we see several nations told that they will be going down to the Pit. The Pit is identified as hell in 31:17. Some may think that God takes pleasure in judgment. But 33:11 says, “Say to them ‘As I Live says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die O’ house of Israel?”. Even though this was spoken to Israel it’s truth is still for today. God wants people to repent and turn to Him. And we must tell them :” Turn, turn from your evil ways”.
Ezekiel 31-36
Pastor Roger Dean
July 22, 2021
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in a multitude of counselors there is safety” (11:14). Sometimes decisions, especially major ones, require us to seek advice. Now some people will ask your opinion , not because they really want it, but because they are looking for someone to agree with the decision they have already made. When we are looking for direction, it is wise to find those you respect and trust. Weigh the answers you receive but most of all listen to what God is saying. The wise person receives counsel even if it contradicts their opinion. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes but he who heeds counsel is wise” (12:15).
Proverbs 11-12
Pastor Roger Dean
July 21, 2021
“For you Lord, are good and ready to forgive and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (86:5). This is one of the greatest truths of the Bible. God wants to forgive us of our sins. His mercy knows no bounds. The only requirement is that we call upon Him. That we cry out for mercy and forgiveness. Accepting Christ as our Savior is the means of salvation and receiving forgiveness. But this implies that we need to repent of the things we have done. How can we ask forgiveness for something we plan to keep on doing?
Psalms 84-86
July 20, 2021
As we go through today’s reading, we find a succession of kings. Some of these served God, some did not. As we look at history, we find that has been the case. Some leaders lean on the arm of God and others rely on themselves. We are a nation that is supposed to be “One Nation Under God”. It is my prayer that the Lord will raise up those men and women that will lead us back to God. Godly people that will stand against unrighteousness and stand for Biblical Truth. Some of these people will be ministers with a prophetic voice. Others will be politicians that God can use. That is my prayer.
II Kings 11-15
Pastor Roger Dean
July 19, 2021
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” 17:11. The atonement through shed blood is a vital part of scriptural teaching. Life is in the blood therefore it is life given for life. Physical life given for spiritual life. The Good News is that Jesus gave His life for us and with His blood ended the need for sacrifice. “Not with the blood of goats and calves but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). When we receive Christ as our Savior, we have received eternal redemption. He gave His life, His blood for us. Shouldn’t we give our lives to Him?
Leviticus 16-18
Pastor Roger Dean