Don't Close the Tent Flap

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

 

So by grace, we have been saved. Now what? How than shall we live? One thing that should mark a spiritual child of Abraham is hospitality. Open up to all people that God sends your way. Be prepared to share God’s abundant grace toward you, with them.

 

 What does that look like? What did it look like in Abraham’s world and what does it look like in our world today?

 

Here’s a peek at Abraham’s world from  Ge 18:2-8, let’s see what we can learn from it.

 

 So he lifted his eyes and looked, (Open your eyes, God may be bringing someone into view who needs to interact with you.

 

and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them,(He ran toward the opportunity not away from it!) and bowed himself to the ground, (He greeted them respectfully)

 3 and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. (Be inviting)

 4 "Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. (Seek to refresh)

 5 "And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said."

 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes."

 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it.

 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; (Don’t be chincy, go top shelf with your attention) and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. (Respect their privacy)

 

It’s kind of eerie to think that the person you met at church on Sunday morning, and then invited them over for brunch could be an angel! But I would encourage you to not think that that particular person is hiding a set of wings under their jacket, rather, think of angels as messengers sent by God.

 

By being hospitable you open the door for a message from God delivered to you by your interaction with this person. God often reveals His will and something he wants to teach us through our interaction with other people. Don’t close the flap on  your tent to these possibilities. God wants to teach you through these “strnagers”

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Putting the Brother In Brotherly Love

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

Again, remember, this letter was written to those converted Jews who were considering ditching their faith in Christ because of the persecution they were facing.

 

Chapter 13 begins by reminding us that remaining in Christ does not negate our duties as His followers! We are encouraged to “do” not just “say.” These instructions apply for all times to the church of Jesus Christ

 

Though persecution, trial, and temptation, surround us on every side, let us continue expressing love to our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Let brotherly love continue!”.

 

Brotherly love is a fraternal love, expressed, shown, or shared with those of similar beliefs.  Don’t let any outside circumstances interrupt the mutual love expressed in tangible care for each other found in the Body of Chrost.

 

One scripture that comes to mind here is Ga 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

Of course we should be ready to do good to all, but be especially good to those in the household of faith as opportunities arise. This was an earmark of the early church, but for the most part it seems to have disappeared.

 

Whatever happened to the office of deacons? You know, men filled with the Holy Spirit who oversaw meeting the needs of widows and others?

 

Ac 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

 3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

 4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

 

Look what happened when emphasis was put on taking care of the poor! “The Word of God spread and the church grew!

 

I hope your church has some sort of a deacon type program in place, making the care of the poor in your midst a priority, While supporting such ministries as Samaritan’s Purse and Food For the Poor is important, so is the personal touch of the deacon like ministry of the local congregation. It puts the “brother” into brotherly love.

 !

 

’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

The Holy Bonfire

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

 

Don’t refuse Him who speaks. Don’t “beg off” on responding to the Word of God. For God is a consuming fire!. He will burn  off all that which is not holy, and the time is coming when He will consume His creation, which has been tainted by sin and start all over again.  I can’t say it any plainer than the words we find in  2Pe 3:7-14

 

 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

 

 

The sin-stained elements of God’s creation will be destroyed but the soul of man lives on forever, either in perfect eternal bliss with God, or eternal torment separated from God. Therefore don’t beg off, be diligent in maintain your relationship with Jesus, for only in Him is found perfect peace without spot and blameless.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Don't Beg Off

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.

The Him who speaks, is of course God, and the word “refuse” here is very interesting. It means to “beg off.” We’ve all done it haven’t we? We receive an invitation to a party, or a wedding, or some other ceremony and we beg off. We come up with an excuse for rejecting the invitation because we have something else to do.

 

Sometimes we have very legitimate excuses to beg off of an invitation in our earthly business, but we have no excuse to beg off God’s invitation to join Him for His heavenly business.

 

This warning in Hebrews is given to those Jews who were considering leaving the faith because of the persecution Christians were facing, but God says, don’t beg off of the invitation you have received to be at the heavenly banquet due to your faith in Jesus!

 

But it is a warning for you and I as well. Don’t beg off on God’s gracious invitation to salvation and eternal life!  Jesus told a parable about “begging off” in Lu 14:16-23, “Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 17 "and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.' 18 "But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' 19 "And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.' 20 "Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 "So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' 22 "And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' 23 "Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

 

You have heard it said, “don’t put off for tomorrow, what you can do today.” Good advice especially as it concerns responding to God’s invitation to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus tells still another parable in  Lu 12:16-21, “ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'

 18 "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' 20 "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 21 "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

 

Don’t beg off! Be rich toward God, by being humble in spirit, admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior and receive His offer of forgiveness and eternal life!

Joh 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

TO; A Big Word

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

I am concerned about the number of people who have been baptized, and gone through confirmation classes and then walk away from the faith. The Book of Hebrews is very instructive for us here as it deals with the converted Jews who were walking away from the faith to avoid persecution.

 

May today’s reading be helpful to those who have walked or are considering it!

 

 Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

 

Having just talked about the mountain that couldn’t be touched (Mt Sinai) due to the holiness of God, (the Law) now the writer of Hebrews brings us to the touchable mountain of grace…Mt Zion

 

As a baptized believer let’s look at those things that faith and baptism has brought us TO. To is an important word here and I want you to see these things that faith in Jesus Christ has brought you TO!

 

You have been brought TO Mt Zion – the mountain of grace

You have been brought TO the city of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of peace

You have been brought TO an innumerable company of angels – who are God’s ministers TO you!

You have been brought TO the general assembly, the church, assimilated into the Body of Christ.  

You have been brought safely TO God the judge of all

You have been brought TO the spirits of just men made perfect, this is the very real joining together of the heavenly throng

You have been brought TO Jesus the mediator of peace between you and God

Finally, you have been brought  TO the blood of sprinkling that is superior to the blood of Abel.

One blood (the blood of Jesus which you have been brought TO) covers all sins, (grace) the other (Abel’s blood ) calls out for vengeance. (the Law)

 

With all these things that you have been brought TO, by grace through God’s gift of faith,  why would you settle for returning to the untouchable, fearful,, dreadful, fire breathing  Mt Sinai.

 

If you have walked away from the faith, or even those times when you are tempted to walk away, may these verses bring you TO your senses, and help you keep your eyes on the prize that awaits you.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Shake In Your Boots

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")

 

Again, remember that this letter was written to those who have tasted of the saving grace of God, but due to the persecution of the followers of the Way, they were tempted to revert back to Judaism.

 

As Jews, they were circumcised on the 8^th day and believed they could be saved by their adherence to the Law, the commandments of God.

 

Perhaps the modern day equivalent would be the baptized believer, who sheds the grace of God and opts for salvation based on his or hers good behavior. You know the type. When asked why God should let them into heaven, their response is, “Well I’ve been baptized and I’m basically a good person, so God will let me in.”

 

No! For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast!

 

Read this portion of Hebrews again and let it chill you to the bone. The mountain represents the presence of a holy God and just touching it resulted in death! The Law of God so demanding that those who heard it begged that it shouldn’t be spoken to them anymore, because when it is spoken it cuts to the heart and terrifies men as they realize they cannot stand in the presence of a holy God!

 

Even that righteous man Moses was exceedingly afraid and trembling.”

 

 

There is not a man alive…ever, except the God-man Jesus who can endure what God has commanded! All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! The letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit of grace (the gospel) brings life! 2Co 3:6b  “for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

 

Let this portion of Hebrews shake you out of your doldrums, Stop trying to behave your way into heaven, rather place the surety of your salvation on the back of Jesus. By His stripes, you are healed.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Making Room in the Inn

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

 

It’s Christmas! The time we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Do you understand what Esau gave away here?  He in effect was saying, I don’t care about the Messiah coming from my bloodline, I’d just as soon have a bowl of Dinty Moore beef stew.

 

His heart was so full of himself and his selfish desires that there was (just like Bethlehem) no room in the inn of his heart. He had no place for repentance.

 

This is a frightening reality. Repentance is the forerunner of salvation. John came preaching repentance, preparing the way for Jesus! But some rejected his call to repentance!

The companion verse to Heb 12:17 is found in Mt 12:31 Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

 

What is your reaction to these verses? Do you find yourself wondering if you have committed the “unforgiveable sin? If so, praise God! Because if you’re concerned about it, you have ceased committing it.

 

I speak of one who formerly lived a life of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. I could’ve cared less about God, Jesus, the Bible, the Holy Spirit. Just show me where the next party is, so I can have a bowl of beer!  

 

And I know, that if God would’ve cashed in my chips during that time, I would be spending time with that thief on the cross who didn’t make it.

 

But God in His grace and mercy, made room in my heart for repentance, and all I can say is thank You Jesus! For I know one day I will be with you in Paradise!

 

So again, if you are troubled by these verses, if you are in despair over your salvation. Rejoice! The Spirit of God is bringing conviction to your heart! He is opening the door of surrender to you! Take it. Call on the name of Jesus and be saved!

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Today is the Day1

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;  16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

 

These are chilling words, and I have been wrestling with them mightily in the past few days. How can I convey the truth and power and yes, the dread of these words to those who read or listen to this blog. All I can safely say is it is possible for each one of us to “go to far” in our rejection of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

 

There is a point of no return! Where is that point? What is that point? Only God knows that point, only God knows the heart! 2Ti 2:19 affirms that truth, Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

 

It seems that this point of no return is connected to our love of the things of this world.  We can carry that love affair too far! Esau was willing to trade his birthright for a bowl of stew. Lot’s wife for a longing look back at Sodom.

 

Fornication (a love affair with the things of this world) is enmity with God! James 4:4 tells us: Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

 

Re 17:2 speaks of those who played around with the things of this world! "with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."

 

I guess all of us have to come to that place where we ponder with fear and trembling, “what’s it going to be? The things of this world or the things of God? Keeping this warning about Esau ever before us.

 

God desires that we come to true repentance, and He alone knows what that looks like, in the meantime. Let these scriptures speak to you today:

 

2Co 6:2b, “ For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

The invitation is real and it has been set before you today!

 

Heb 3:15 "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

 A softened heart is ready to call on the Lord

 And  Ro 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

 

Let today be your day! Forsake the temporary pleasures of a bowl of beef stew for the pleasures and treasures of a right relationship with God!  Call on the Lord

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Don't Throw Grace Under the Bus

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Something to always remember when reading the book of Hebrews, is that it was written primarily for those who were considering leaving the faith and returning to Judaism.

 

With that in mind let’s read from Heb 12:14,15, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

 

As we heard last time peace and holiness only coms from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In verse 15 we are  told to carefully guard the concept of salvation by grace, through God’s gift of faith.

 

To return to the keeping of the Law as a condition of salvation simply stirs up that root of bitterness that dogs the person who relies on his good works for salvation. That root is summed up with these words, “Have I done enough,” or if I am obeying God so well, why are all these bad things happening to me. “

 

One can see how proponents of salvation by works can stir up doubt in the troops, especially as they face persecution, some may fall for it returning to Judaism and becoming defiled as they throw God’s grace under the bus.

Carefully guard the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith as spelled out in Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Saddle Up!

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

 

When I see that word pursue, I get a picture of a posse forming in one of those old western movies! So let’s saddle up and get on the trail of these two things that try to elude us; Peace with others and holiness with God.

 

In a sense, peace and holiness are like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid….they are inseparable. And we ought to pursue them for the sake of all people!

 

True and lasting peace with God and others is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! 2 Co 5:19 tells us “that God was in Christ reconciling (we could say making peace with) the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

 

And holiness, (sinlessness) is also only found through faith in Christ! Heb 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified (made holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 

So with Heb 12:14 ringing in our ears, let us saddle up and ever keep the Great Commission before us!

 

Mt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

 

The Gospel! Man’s only hope for peace and holiness! (Let’s saddle up and get on it!

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

The Postures of Prayer

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

 

These two verses deal with the matter of prayer! The typical posture of prayer is on our knees, (humility and acknowledgment of the Lordship of Jesus in our lives) with the hands lifted up to heaven. (I get the picture of the universal sign of acknowledged surrender!)

 

Don’t forget, whenever you see the word “therefore” in Scripture, you need to go back a couple of verses and see what the “therefore” is “there for.”

 

In this case, we have just been taken to the woodshed by the stinging pointing out of our sin by the Holy Spirit. Do we wail away like a freshly spanked child or do we face the music and do something about our sins?

 

No! We pray! We take our sins to the cross, receive God’s forgiveness and with the help of God, seek to live out corrective action. (Go and sin no more!)

 

To ignore our sin is to misplace the issue, it’s like trying to walk with a dislocated hip or knee. That’s just not going to work! Rather come to God in a spirit of humility and surrender and confess your sins. It is the pathway to peace!

 

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

More On Chastisement

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Every Holy Spirit attempt to convict us of our sin is a trip to God's woodshed. Let us be open to His correction.

Last time, we started talking about chastisement, or let’s call it our little trips to God’s woodshed. The word chastise means to correct. and the word rebuke means to tell a fault. Let’s see how these definitions fit as we re-read this portion of scripture:

 

Heb 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening (correction) of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked (told a fault) by Him;

 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, (corrects) And scourges (flogs, which are stinging rebukes, (telling of faults by the conviction of the Holy Spirit if you will) every son whom He receives."

 7 If you endure chastening, (correction) God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? (correct)

 8 But if you are without chastening, (correction) of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened (corrected) us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

 11 Now no chastening (correction) seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained (the word means to practice nude, whoa, didn’t see that word coming! The comparison being made to Greek athletes who often worked out with little or no clothing as  part of their training process is. The goal of this training was athletic excellence, and the application for us is to empty ourselves of self (naked before God, with the goal of being open to correction and thereby  obtaining the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

 

Bottom line is don’t go looking at every painful physical occurrence in your life as God’s chastisement! Rather bare your soul to the Holy Spirit, look for His stinging  rebukes of unconfessed sin, and deal with them in accordance with 1 Jn 1:9, producing the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

 

 

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Chastisement Part 1

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Our reading today is a little lengthy, but it deals thoroughly with the idea of the Lords chastening of His children.  Please note the number of times that the concept of fatherly discipline is brought up!

 

Heb 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

 

By my count, I have 11 times that fatherly discipline is brought up. Seems to me that God wants us to understand what constitutes divine chastening and to learn to embrace it.

 

We’ll delve a little deeper into this subject next time, in the meantime I caution you to not drive yourself crazy looking for every misstep of yours or mine as opportunities for God to take us to the woodshed.

 

We are not saved by grace to live in constant fear of the punishment of God, but we are saved for a journey, a journey on the way to spiritual maturity, the fullness of which will be realized when He calls us home.

 

And God’s loving discipline is a vital part of that journey.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Are You Lacking Joy?

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let’s talk about joy today! Joy to the world, the Lord has come, and one of the reasons He came was to give you and I a joyous life. Unfortunately we often seek to find our joy in the material things of this world and we miss the boat!

 

The key to a joyous life is found in this simple line from Hebrews 12:2, “for the joy set before Him.” Jesus had a job to do, it was “set before Him” by the Father, and He did it! That was the key to His joy, and it’s the key to yours and mine as well.

 

Yes, it cost Him the pain and the shame of the cross, but He endured it and is now seated at the right hand of God!

 

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, saved by grace through faith, God has set joy fulfilling works for you along the path of your redeemed life as asserted in Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

Look for those works today, God gave you the DNA (physical and spiritual) to handle them that you may enter into the same kind of joy that Jesus experienced.

 

As you and I use our giftedness (talent) in the kingdom, we enter into the joy of the Lord, a joy that was promised to the faithful servants in the parable of the talents!

 

It was not just a “well done thy good and faithful servant” “enter into the joy of your lord.'

 

Are you lacking joy in your life. You won’t find it turning inward, but it is yours for the taking as you look outward, for those opportunities to love and serve that God will bring your way today.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

No More Face Plants

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

 

Having just finished the “faith hall of fame” chapter of the Bible which recounted the exploits of the likes of Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, Samson, and others! People who “out of weakness were made strong.” (Heb 11:34)

 

We are encouraged to follow their example of reliance upon God. It’s not that we have some sort of spiritual cloud of departed saints swarming around us and cheering us on. (They have bigger fish to fry in the presence of the Lord) but rather it is their examples found in scripture that urge us onward to finish the race as they did!

 

So cast off every weight, every burden, toss it onto the broad shoulders of Christ, for He cares for you! (1 Pet 5:7)

Get your feet untangled from those sins that will trip you up. If you’ve ever tripped over a vine and face planted while walking in the woods you know how sneaky sin can be. You get untangled when you give those sins to Jesus! 1Pe 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,

 

Finally, run the race with endurance. Finish! Keep casting off those pesky  burdens, keep untangling your feet and one day you will be with the cloud of witnesses in the presence of the Lord!

 

No more face plants, and burden free!

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Opening the Door To Soul Care

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Most of us are familiar with the parable of the sheep and the goats and there are many lessons to be garnered from this parable, but I want to focus on the aspect of what is expected from us as followers of Jesus. You know the list but let’s go over it again:

 

Mt 25:35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; 36 I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.

 

This is not the complete list of how to serve Jesus, but these admonitions can all be lumped into one category…basic needs of humanity. Food, water, shelter, clothing, and companionship. (It is not good for man to live alone. Gen 2:18

 

Someone has said that the purpose of Christmas was for Jesus to come and care for your soul. Now that you have received Him and His care for your soul,

He wants us to eliminate distractions for others who are in need of soul care. Often consumed by a lack of these physical needs, souls care is put on the back shelf!

 

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and see what we can do to eliminate distractions as we feed, provide water, shelter, clothing and companionship in the name of Jesus, opening the door to the soul care that your neighbor so desperately needs.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

The Greatest Is Love

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of Holy Spirit directed love. There of course were other manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the individuals at the church in Corinth, but in the rest of the love chapter, we will see that love trumps and outlasts them all!

Remember, love is not a feeling. It is action marked by a willingness to serve others in accordance with the instructions found in God’s Word. What we have been looking at over the past months’ worth of these devos is the attitudes that accompanies Holy Spirit directed loving actions.

These are the same attitudes that marked the love of Christ when He came to serve and give Himself up as a ransom for all. (1 Tim 2:6)

 

God is love. Jesus is God’s love personified in attitude and action and that’s why the love chapter can conclude with this statement. 1Co 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

The greatest is love! Yes while we are on this side of heaven, by all means live in faith, and live in hope. Because we hope and live for when the perfect will come….namely love personified, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Think about it, there will be no need for faith in heaven and no need for hope, for faith will be our transport and our hope will have been fully realized, but love is another story. It will be the saints permanent eternal state, it’s the ultimate goal for every believer  and that makes it greater than anything else. Now we love in part, but then we will know what it is to love our God fully. No wonder john prayed at the end of the Book of Revelation, “Come Lord Jesus.”

 

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word