PERFECT PREDICTIONS

READ: Deut. 18:14-22

Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. – 2 Peter 1:21

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 1-2

At the beginning of a new year and a new millennium, we hear many predictions. But then, making predictions is nothing new. In 1983, US News & World Report magazine had a section titled “What The Next 50 Years Will Bring.” It had the usual suggestions about the growing importance of computers, about new medical breakthroughs, and about the sleeker, faster ways of getting around. The introduction said, “Prediction is at best a risky business.” Then it quoted Sir Francis Bacon, who said, “Dreams and predictions ought to serve but for winter talk by the fireside.”

That may be true of man’s predictions, but not of God’s prophecies. Man may speculate about what will happen next week, but God showed us in the Bible that He knows the future. This truth is one reason we can have absolute confidence in the Book of books. The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies about people, events, and nations that have already been fulfilled. The chance of that many predictions coming true is astronomical.

Do you lack confidence in the Bible? Spend some time examining its many fulfilled prophecies. I predict you’ll be convinced that it truly is God’s Word, and that you can rely on it for everything in your future. – Dave Branon

FOR FURTHER STUDY

Look up the following prophecies and their fulfilment: Isaiah 7:14 & Luke 1:26-35; Micah 5:2 & Matthew 2:1; Isaiah 53:9, 12 & Matthew 27:38, 57-61.

In a changing world you can trust God’s unchanging Word.

RESOLUTIONS

January 2012

calendar 2012

treasures

Read > Matthew 6:19-24

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be (vv. 20-21).

Every day, according to one survey, Americans buy an average of 3,972,603 movie tickets; 1,683,835 songs and albums from online resources; 1,650,000 DVD rentals from Netflix; 978,030 bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet popcorn; 568,764 Titleist golf balls; 443,650 large fries at Burger King; 160,968 bottles of Absolut Vodka; 7,500 Samsung LCD TVs; and 60 Ford Mustangs on eBay. It’s clear from this incomplete list that many consumers are spending money on things that have temporary stamped on them. Jesus, however, says that we should use our resources to acquire things that have eternity written all over them.

In Matthew 6, He identifies two types of treasures. The first are the ones accumulated on earth. These treasures are vulnerable to all kinds of decay and theft. They are the goods that we should not be going for. The alternative is treasures in heaven. Now Jesus was not saying we can buy our way into heaven. He was simply calling us to simplify our lives and leverage our time and resources for the sake of people in need (Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). When we, with pure motives (Matthew 6:1-4), give up our lives and resources for the marginalized, we’re “storing up” treasures in heaven.

How can we determine where our treasure is and where our hearts are? I believe the following questions can help us: What occupies my thoughts and daydreams? What do I fret about the most? Apart from my immediate family, who or what do me most dread losing? What criteria do I use to evaluate others? What would make me most unhappy to be without?

Let’s prayerfully consider the resources we’re using and pursuing, making sure that our stuff is being used to bless others and glorify God. – Marvin Williams

More >

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person? (1 John 3:17).

Next >

How can you make an investment in eternity today? What is a good way to evaluate your use of money?

The way of rest

Read > Hebrews 3:7-4:7

[Christ Jesus] broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News (2 Timothy 1:10).

Train stations in Japan often list stops in both Kanji and English. This one did not. The longer I stared at the sign, the more it mocked me.

Finally, I asked the woman standing next to me: “Do you speak English?” “A little,” she said. She understood where I wanted to go and motioned for me to follow her. We got on a train, and she drew a map with the stops listed in English and Japanese. Then she took me to the correct line for my transfer. She didn’t just tell me the way; she showed me the way.

When God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, He didn’t merely tell them which way to go; He showed them the way with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:20-22). The people, however, repeatedly refused to trust their Provider-God. They hardened their hearts and rebelled against Him (v. 8; Psalm 95:7-8). The consequences were disastrous. Their “corpses lay in the wilderness,” said the writer of Hebrews (3:17).

Today, God shows us the way through the guidance of His Word and the illumination of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). Yet we too can stubbornly ignore His step-by-step guidance. That’s why Hebrews says of those disbelieving Israelites, “Because of their unbelief they were not able to enter His rest” (3:19). Then the author draws a clear distinction: “They didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter His rest” (4:2-3).

Not finding the right train route is a mere inconvenience. Knowing our ultimate destination in life and yet refusing to follow it is a mistake with eternal consequences. The question to ask ourselves is this: Are we among those who believe? – Tim Gustafson

More >

Read Psalm 78 for fresh insight on the stubbornness of human nature and the goodness of God’s character.

Next >

Disobedience, worry, and ingratitude are indicators that you do not believe in God. In what ways does your life show that you believe in Him? Do you see patterns of unbelief?

Beauty tips

Read > Proverbs 31:10-31

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

Not long ago, we had a discussion in our office regarding what you should eat based on your blood type. Suddenly, our lunchtime conversations were seasoned with questions like: “If I’m B positive, should I eat chicken or fish?” The health “gurus” who are promoting eating based on blood type claim it can keep you fit and make you look good too.

We all desire to look good and are drawn to beauty. Proverbs 31 offers some excellent beauty tips that we – male and female – all need to read. The verses summarize much of the wisdom found in the entire book of Proverbs. They present the true beauty of a wise woman who fears the Lord.

Here are five of her characteristics:

·         Trustworthy (vv. 11-12). She can be trusted to do good and to not harm others.

·         Shrewd or wise (vv. 13-18). She thinks through her projects and manages her time and resources wisely. This leads her to successfully complete them.

·         Generous (vv. 19-20). She gives to the poor and needy – not apathetic.

·         Diligent (vv. 21-25). She makes sure that all the bases are covered for her family. A smile is on her face and joy is in her heart because she has done her best to provide.

·         Speaks wisely and kindly (v. 26). She talks the talk and walks the walk!

By looking at this woman’s characteristics, we see that a person’s true beauty springs from the soul. Her kindness, loving care, and passion all flow from her relationship with God (v. 30). Let’s follow her example and clothe ourselves with “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:4). – Poh Fang Chia

More >

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Next >

How could you clothe yourself with a gentle and quiet spirit today? What does it take to reflect God’s beauty?

Work of art

Read > Colossians 1:15-16

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people (3:23).

Michelangelo had begun what he figured to be his crowning achievement – chiselling marble statues for the tomb of Pope Julius II – when the pope pulled him away for a menial task unworthy of the artist’s great skill. Michelangelo protested that many lesser painters could repair the plaster ceiling of the pope’s chapel, and he fled Rome in a futile attempt to avoid doing it. He detested the pope for forcing him into this assignment (some scholars believe that his fresco contains a cherub making a gesture of contempt to an Old Testament prophet who looks suspiciously like Julius), but Michelangelo gave it his best and transformed a repair job into the masterpiece of the Sistine Chapel.

Despite Michelangelo’s cryptic insult to the pope, his commitment to always do his best typifies Paul’s command to the Colossians to “work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord” (3:23). Why does Paul say that our work is “for the Lord”?

Earlier in Colossians, Paul declares that Jesus is the Creator and “through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth” (1:16). If Jesus is the Creator, then He is the one who “placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it” (Genesis 2:15) and who commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” and to “fill the earth and govern it” (Genesis 1:28). Theologians call this initial command the “cultural mandate.” It includes the idea that – as believers in Jesus – God has called us to establish cultures that reflect His beauty and glory.

Where does your job fit into this picture? How does what you do serve others and contribute to the development of culture? Give God your cheerful best, whether you are doing a repair job, painting a masterpiece, or both. – Mike Wittmer

More >

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ (Colossians 3:24).

Next >

The biblical importance of work led Martin Luther and John Calvin to describe every job as a divine calling. How might this perspective change how you think about work and the way you work?