Psalms 28:1-2

Suggested Reading: Psalms 28

During his life here on this earth, a Christian will face many trials and obstacles. There are times when these trials and obstacles will come because of his Christianity. There will also be times when these trials will be completely unrelated to his Christianity. Life for a Christian is funny that way.

The important fact for a Christian to always remember is this: The trials of life will make him stronger. James wrote, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. " (James 1:2-4) James understood this crucial fact.

The psalmist David understood that his source of strength during trying times was always God. David would offer up "supplications" and would "cry" out to the Lord. In short, King David knew to pray to God, his source of strength. Every Christian needs to offer up "supplications" to their heavenly Father. They must keep their faith in God and always trust in Him.

Here is Psalms 28:1-2 presented for your consideration.

1 A Psalm of David. To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Sincerely,

John Duvall

Hebrews 4:1-3

Suggested Reading: Hebrews 3:7 - 4:10

A person, who was under bondage to sin, being set free by from the blood of Christ, begins a journey, heading towards the promise land. As a Christian, this person must continue to serve the Lord every day of his life. Every day of his life will be filled with opportunities to serve the Lord and obey His word.

During the life of this Christian, there will be many obstacles to be avoided while traveling the road to heaven. There will be people who will discourage such faithful dedication. There will be jobs, strangers, situations, etc. which all will work to "sidetrack" this Christian from the road to everlasting life with God. This Christian must keep his eyes on the promise land that awaits him on the other side of death.

The Lord God was faithful to His people, the Israelites, and brought them out of their Egyptian bondage. God led the Israelites into the wilderness and was willing to take them to their promised land. However, due to their disobedience, a whole generation of people died in the wilderness, never entering the promise land. (cf. Hebrews 3:7-19)

In Hebrews 4:1-3, Christians have the following promise: "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it . . . (3) For we who have believed do enter that rest, . . ." If a Christian will faithfully follow the Lord to the end of his life, then he will enter that promise rest.

Sincerely,

John M. Duvall

James 4:5-10

Dear Brethren,

The only way for any person to enter into heaven is by turning to and following the Lord Jesus Christ. The person who desires eternal life must first be saved, thereby becoming a child of God. However, obedience to God's word requires a person to submit themselves to God. Submitting to God means that a person must be willing to do whatever the Bible teaches.

For instance, if a person is not saved, then he must submit to the teachings of Jesus. Consider as an example Mark 16:15-16 which reads, "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.'" The words of Jesus are clear and simple. Submitting to these teachings will bring salvation.

Too often, even within the lives of Christians, submitting to the Lord can be hindered by worldly temptations and desires. The person who would be saved must make the conscience desire to submit to the Lord and His teachings. Without such a determination, faithful obedience to the Lord will not be found. As James wrote, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Here is James 4:5-10 presented for your consideration.

5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

In Love,

John Duvall

Matthew 19:4-6

Dear Brethren,

The separation of a husband and his wife is a terrible thing. Such a separation can lead to the severing of the wedding union. While such divorces are common place today, such devastation is still against God's will for the husband and the wife. When a man and woman enters into marriage, it is to be for the remainder of their living days. Jesus said, "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Quite often, the separation of a husband and his wife begins with a smaller element. For instance, if someone or something comes between the husband and his wife, the seed for separation may be planted. The separating element could be a person who comes between those joined in union. The element could also be a job, a hobby, money, a mother or father-in-law, or even the children. Yes, the children can also come between a husband and his wife if they allow it to happen.

The husband and wife must always keep God at the center of their relationship, letting everyone else stay outside their circle. With such a union and a commitment, the husband and wife relationship will last until the final days of their lives. Here is Matthew 19:4-6 presented for your consideration.

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’
5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ ?
6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

In Love,

John Duvall

Luke 1:1-4

Dear Brethren,

Most people want to hear an accurate accounting of any given factual story. When a person watches a news program on television, he expects to hear the facts. Any news journalist who fabricates any element of a news story will have a short lived job as a journalist. A news journalist must report the facts.

While all scriptures in the Bible have been given by God (2 Timothy 3:16), the gospel account written by Luke records Luke's intent to accurately present the facts regarding the life of Jesus Christ. Luke took the job of setting "in order a narrative of those things which" had been fulfilled. In order to accomplish this task, Luke spoke with "eyewitnesses and ministers of the word," which enabled Luke to have a "perfect understanding of all things from the very first." Luke then sent this "narrative," this "orderly account," to an acquaintance named Theophilus. Because of Luke's efforts, we have a fourth gospel account of the life and death of Jesus Christ, an account which we can trust, just as we trust all the written word of God. Here is Luke 1:1-4 presented for your consideration.

1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,
2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,
3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,
4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

In Love,

John Duvall

Psalms 103:1-5

Dear Brethren,

What has the Lord done for you? Have you ever given thought to the blessings given by the Lord? Look first at the physical blessings of your life. The Lord is the very reason you have life in your physical body. He is the reason you have a beating heart and a complex mind. He has given you life. Consider also you abilities, your passions, your desires, and even your family: these all exist because of the life given you by God.

What about the spiritual blessings found within Jesus Christ? For Christians, these spiritual blessings abound. Starting with the forgiveness of sins to a life of fellowship with the Father in heaven, these blessings flow through a Christian's life. James wrote, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17) Here is Psalms 103:1-5 presented for your consideration.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

In Love,

John Duvall

Philippians 4:4-7

Dear brethren,

Gratitude is the state of being grateful. Grateful is defined as "appreciative of benefits received." (Merriam-Webster Online) When someone helps you, how do you respond? Are you grateful? Are you appreciative of what that person has done? Being appreciative goes much deeper than simply saying, "Thank you." Appreciation for something someone has done for you should begin with the heart. Gratitude can only exist if a person truly feels thankful.

However, there are some people who expect kind deeds from other people. They believe it is the responsibility of other people to help them, to provide things for them. They will, with empty words, say, "Thank you," but as soon as you stop helping them, they become angry and turn against you. This is the heart of a "user" where "gratitude" exists only when their selfish desires are met.

A Christian should be the most grateful of all people. When a person is baptized into Jesus Christ, (Galatians 3:26-27) all their past sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). This gift of salvation (Romans 6:23) is a gift greater than all other gifts. Because of this blessing, as well as other blessings, a Christian should offer thanks to the heavenly Father. Offering of thanks to the Father in heaven must be a daily part of a Christian's life. Here is Philippians 4:4-7 presented for your consideration.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In Love,

John Duvall