FAITH AND WHAT FOLLOWS

“I believed, therefore I spoke, I am greatly afflicted" (Psalm 116:10 NKJV).

A careful review of our verse reveal a logical sequence. First there is faith, then there is conduct produced by faith, and then there is the attack upon the person of faith. These three ideas can be summed up as belief, behavior, and battle.

Belief - “I believed.” Not many folk believe God. On the other hand, the Psalmist says he believes God. This is faith. Yet, this kind of faith is not very popular. Folks today are more inclined to believe the news media, their friends, as well as the many false philosophies of this world. In spite of this, God is the One Person that we need to believe above all others. His Word is absolutely trustworthy; He can never be charged with untruth. If there is one Person we can put our faith in, it is in God.

Behavior - “I believed, therefore I spoke.” Faith is important because it affects our conduct; it affects our walk, our words, and our witness. Firstly, when we believe God, we walk uprightly. Secondly, when a person by faith, trust Christ as Savior, his tongue is affected. Unwholesome words are replaced by wholesome words. Third, faith affects our witness. We cannot be much of a witness for God if our faith is weak or non-existent. Conversion is a prerequisite for Christian service because believing comes before witnessing. Lack of witnessing indicates lack of faith.

Battle - “I am greatly afflicted.” This is not surprising; for after faith and a change in conduct, persecution follows. Whenever a person comes to Christ by faith, the enemy of his soul will attack. The word “afflicted” means to oppress, to put down, to hurt. And note also that the Psalmist is “greatly afflicted.” The trials that comes to us as a result of our faith in God will not be little trials but big trials. In spite of this, we need to keep trusting because faith “is the victory that has overcome the world” (1 John 5:4).

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Faith never grows in a disobedient heart!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Divine (Nature (Godhead)

In Rom 1:20 we read, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse!” (NKJV).

Divine Nature (Godhead) is the Greek word theiotēs (θειότης = thi-ot'-ace). The word means divinity, divine nature. It was used of deities, such as Artemis (Diana) of Ephesus, and of persons who were considered near-gods, such as princes and Roman emperors. Theiotēs is used only once in the New Testament, here in Rom. 1:20. The attributes and nature of God show God to be God, One worthy of worship.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – The Lord Jesus would be called the Christ, i.e. Messiah or Anointed (Psalm 45:7)

New Testament Fulfillment – Luke 2:11

Did You Know…

The Lord Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread.” His mother put him in a feeding trough (a manger) for a crib (Luke 2:7). The Lord Jesus later claimed to be the “Bread of Life” (John 6:48), and said that we had to “eat His flesh” to have life (John 6:53). At the Last Supper, Jesus consecrated a piece of bread and said – “This is my Body” (Mark 14:22).

Bible Quiz

In the Book of 2 Peter, what does Peter use as an analogy for his body?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to Psalm 113 how often was the name of the LORD to be praised? From sunrise to sunset (Psalms 113:3)

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

"Dead end”

“What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death!” (Rom. 6:21 NKJV).

“Dead end” - The expression “dead end” carries the idea of no improvement possible. Here, the apostle Paul calls attention to the shameful fruit of the life of sin The fruit of sin corrupts, destroys, and dooms all who seek its fruits. If you serve a master, you can expect to receive wages. Sin pays wages - death! God also pays wages - holiness and everlasting life. In the old life, we produced fruit that made us ashamed. In the new life in Christ, we produce fruit that glorifies God and brings joy to our lives.

Did You Know – Christian History

Rowland Hill was born August 23, 1744 at Hawkstone Park, Surrey, England. He was a popular English preacher, enthusiastic evangelical, founder and resident pastor of the Surrey Chapel.

Rowland was educated at Shrewsbury School, Eton College and at St John’s College, Cambridge where he came under the influence of the Methodists. Rowland was opposed by the authorities and frequently assaulted by mobs for preaching in the open air in and around Cambridge without a license.

In 1773 Rowland was appointed to a parish in Kingston, Somersetshire. However, he was denied admission to the Church of England priesthood because friends and religious authorities detested his methods. This did not deter him as he continued his vocation as an independent or nonconformist. Rowland preached to large audiences and during the summer months he would visit other parts of the country, preaching in Scotland and Ireland as well as England and Wales, frequently attracting large crowds. His book Village Dialogues suggests the kind of illustrations and sayings that made it a delight to listen to him.

Having come into an inheritance Rowland built his own free chapel, Surrey Chapel, in Blackfriars Road, London, which opened in 1783. It operated an open-door policy, attracting preachers from a wide range of denominations while also providing substantial facilities for non-religious meetings. Many charitable institutions were established at the chapel, including early Sunday schools.

Rowland was also one of the founders, and chairman, of the Religious Tract Society, and an active promoter of the interests of the British and Foreign Bible Society and the London Missionary Society. He was also a staunch advocate of vaccination. His best-known work is Village Dialogues which reached a 34th edition in 1839.

Rowland Hill died in London on 11 April 1833.

A Little Humor

A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong. “All right, children, let’s take another example,” she said. “If I were to get into a man’s pocket and took his wallet with all his money, what would I be?” Little Harold, the pastor’s son, raised his hand, and with a confidence smile, he blurted out, “you would be his wife!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Sin is not judged by the way we see it but by the way God sees it!”