Free advance review copies: I am looking for advance readers for the next book in the Understanding God’s Word series, titled Daniel: Stories and Visions (releasing September 1). It contains eighteen messages covering the entire book of Daniel from start to finish.

The book of Daniel is an amazing book of prophecy that details many precise historical events centuries before they actually occurred. The first half is mostly stories, and the second half is mostly visions, but the stories and visions are connected and together present important truths and applications for us today.

This new book is eighteen chapters, which is a little longer than the previous books in the series. As usual, I am looking for advance readers who can give early feedback on the book and then leave a review on Amazon when the book releases. Here is the schedule if you are interested in participating.

July 6-15: Sign-up period
July 16: Advance copies distributed by email
July 16-August 31: Six weeks to read
September 1: Release date on Amazon
September 1-14: Post a review on Amazon

If you would like to be part of the advance reading group for this book, and you feel you can read and review the book within the allotted timeframe, just let me know and I will send you a link where you can download your free copy. Thanks for your support! (You can email me at ray@pccflorida.org)

There are a limited number of advance copies available, so be sure to sign up early! Feel free to share this post with anyone you know who may be interested in participating.
 
Note: Here are the other books currently available in the series (click on the book images to view on Amazon):

 
Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

This past Sunday for Mother’s Day we looked at Elizabeth – The Upright Mother. We sometimes think of people who are upright as being uptight, but that’s not the way the Bible sees it. According to God’s word the upright person is happy and blessed: “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart” (Ps. 119:1–2).

Here is the outline of this newest message from our Famous Mothers in the Bible Series series:

“Elizabeth – The Upright Mother (Luke 1:5-66)

I. Faithful in hard times (5-7)
   A. Upright before God (5-6)
      – Ecclesiastes 12:13
   B. Long period of unanswered prayer (7)
      – Luke 18:1; 1 Peter 4:19

II. Thankful for God’s blessings (23-25)
   A. Answered prayer (23-24)
      – Psalm 30:5; Matthew 7:7-8
   B. Give God all the glory (25)
      – Luke 17:17-18

III. Humble in heart (39-45)
   A. Filled with the Holy Spirit (39-41)
      – Ephesians 5:18
   B. Happy for others (42)
      – Romans 12:10
   C. Amazed at God’s favor (43-45)
      – 2 Samuel 7:18

IV. Faithful in good times (57-66)
   A. Continued obedience (57-64)
      – Deuteronomy 8:10-11
   B. A positive testimony to others (65-66)
      – Matthew 5:14-16

You can read the full message here: Elizabeth – The Upright Mother

Get the book! The first twelve messages in this series are available at Amazon.

Click here for more books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

Hello readers! You may have noticed a few posts about snoring and sleep apnea on the blog lately and wondered, “What’s up with that?” Don’t worry, this is still a Christian blog site, and the vast majority of the posts will continue to focus on God, the Bible and Christian themes.

So why the snoring posts? I just recently released my first (and probably only) general market book on how I overcame snoring and sleep apnea, so I have been posting some things related to that here and there.

I’ve been kind of quiet on the front end of the blog lately (i.e. the posts that appear in the feed), but much more active on the back end, where you will find my message series and teachings. In fact, most visitors to the blog spend more time on the Sermons Page than anywhere else.

I have been adding a sermon a week to the Sermons page every week since I first started the blog in 2007, so there is a lot of material there to explore. Of course, there is also a huge archive of blog posts on various themes that you can explore through the Categories bar in the left column.

So please don’t worry if you see some snoring related posts in the coming weeks. I am not turning this into a health blog. I just want to let people know about the book, and this is my main vehicle for doing that. If you’re interested in the posts, read them. If not, ignore them, and I will continue to post more of the Christian material that you probably signed up for to begin with.

Thanks for reading, and God bless!

Part Three of The Way Up Is Down Series

 
THE WORLD’S WAYS UP

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

(Note: Last time we asked the question, “What is the top of the mountain?” We saw that the top of the mountain is not financial security, success in your chosen field, or even human relationships. We’re going to learn what the top of the mountain is and how to get there, but first we need to look at some of the ways the world says we get up the mountain.)

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Let me share with you the four main ways the world tries to get from here to there. How does the world say you get to the top of the mountain?

1) The way up is “up” (the path of self-exaltation)

The first way is simple: the way up is “up.” This is the path of self exaltation. The path of self exaltation is pride in yourself. When you take this path, the way up is “up” because you believe the only way to reach the top of the mountain is if you lift yourself up.

So you boast, you brag, and you draw attention to yourself. After all, you’re the greatest! You’re the best! You’re the king of the mountain! And if you can just convince yourself and everyone else that you are already there, that you have already arrived at the top, then maybe, just maybe, you really will be there. This is the path of self-exaltation. The path of self-exaltation says: the way up is “up.”

2) The way up is “over” (the path of self-promotion)

The second way the world tries to get to the top of the mountain is “over.” This is the path of self-promotion. Whereas the path of self-exaltation is pride in yourself, the path of self-promotion is pride in comparison to other people. When you take this path, the way up is “over” because you believe the only way to reach the top of the mountain is to get there over other people.

So you criticize and compare. You talk behind people’s backs. The smaller other people seem, the bigger you appear, and so you develop this nasty habit of cutting people down to size. You put yourself first at every opportunity. You convince yourself that you are more important than anyone else. You view other people as stepping stones to get you where you want to go, and you willingly climb over their backs to get there. This is the path of self-promotion. The path of self-promotion says: the way up is “over” — over other people who get in your way.

3) The way up is “through” (the path of self-effort)

The third way the world tries to get to the top of the mountain is “through.” This is the path of self-effort. The path of self-effort is also pride, but this time it is pride in your own accomplishments and abilities. When you take this path, the way up is “through” because you believe the only way to reach the top of the mountain is through your own efforts.

So you labor and work and take pride in all that you do. The phrase “pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps” was invented just for you. You don’t take charity. Everything you are and everything you have is the result of your own labor and work. You will get to the top of the mountain all by yourself, thank you, because you want all the credit once you get there. This is the path of self-effort. The path of self-effort says: the way up is “through.”

4) The way up is “around” (the path of self-preservation)

And then there’s a fourth way the world tries to get to the top of the mountain, and that is “around.” This is the path of self-preservation. The path of self-preservation is the pride of entitlement. When you take this path, the way up is “around” because you believe the only way to reach the top of the mountain is to go around all the obstacles in your way.

So you avoid pain and sacrifice whenever you can. You don’t believe the rules apply to you, so you go around them at every chance. You hate discipline. You take shortcuts. You drive in the breakdown lane. If everyone lived the way you lived, the world could not function, but that’s okay, because not everyone is you. You’re entitled. You’re somebody. You’re special. And so you go through life avoiding anything that causes you displeasure or discomfort. This is the path of self-preservation. The path of self-preservation says: the way up is “around.”

Those are the four main ways the world tries to get from here to there: up, over, through, and around. And you know what? They all have something in common. None of them work. None of them will actually get you there. None of them will get you to the top of the mountain. When you try to take the way up, over, through, or around, you will always find yourself back at the base of the mountain, still waiting to get from here to there.

Next: God’s Way Up

Part One of The Way Up Is Down Series

 
EVERYONE IS HERE AND WANTS TO GET THERE

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

On Palm Sunday we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As Jesus approached the city riding on a donkey, the people cheered and waved palm branches in the air. They cried out: “Hosanna! Save us! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

It would have been easy for you or me to let all those shouts of praise go to our heads, but not Jesus. Many weeks earlier he had set his face toward Jerusalem, and nothing was going to deter him from his mission. He had come to humble himself and die on the cross for the salvation of all who would believe in him. And so the truth of James 4:10 would have resonated deeply with him even as the crowds cheered.

We’re going to talk about James 4:10 in a moment, but first I want to share a simple thesis with you. Ready? Here it is. “Everyone is ‘here,’ and they want to get ‘there.’” I don’t mean here in a room listening to a message. No, I’m talking in more general terms, in life terms. In terms of life, everyone is “here,” and they want to get “there.”

Now in order to prove my thesis, let me be sneaky and define my terms. “Here” is where you are right now, and “there” is where you want to be. So there you have it: everyone is “here,” and they want to get “there.” Furthermore, for most people the “there” where they want to be represents some type of improvement over where they are right now. Everyone wants something better out of life, not worse.

Let me illustrate this thesis with the image of a mountain. The “here” where you are right now, that part of your life that you would like to see change or improve, is located at the base of the mountain. The “there,” the place where you want to be is located at the top of the mountain. So how do you get from here to there? How do you get to the top of the mountain? That’s what this message is all about.

Next: The Top of the Mountain

I loved these devotional thoughts on Jesus as our substitute from James Smith’s book The Daily Remembrancer. The third paragraph (bolded below) is especially worth pondering.

Jesus was our Substitute. He lived, suffered, and died, in our stead. Our sins were imputed to Him, punished in Him, and removed by Him.

Do we think of the law we have broken, of the justice we have provoked, of the hell we have deserved? Let us also think, Jesus gave Himself for me. He satisfied justice, fulfilled the law, and brought glory to God, in my nature, name, and stead.

God is infinitely more honored by the life and death of my Substitute, than He could have been either by my obedience had I never sinned, or by punishing me for sin.

This is our rejoicing, that God can be just, in justifying us who believe in Jesus. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.

(Excerpted from James Smith, The Daily Remembrancer, Morning Devotion for February 24th; based on Galatians 2:20 – “… the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”)

I read the following verse in my devotions this morning:

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool. (Proverbs 10:18)

Most proverbs contrast a good with a bad (or a bad with a good). You can easily spot it because the two halves are joined with the word “but.”

But in this proverb the two halves are joined with an “and.” Instead of contrasting a good with a bad, we are given two “bads” instead.

In other words, when you hold hatred in your heart, you lose either way. You’re a liar if you hide it, and if you speak up, you’re a fool.

So, what’s the solution? You need to get rid of it.

Paul got it right in Ephesians:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians. 4:31–32)

The only way to win with bitterness, anger or rage is to get rid of it. The only way to get rid of it is to forgive. The only way to truly forgive is through Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). It’s not easy to forgive, but it’s so much better than holding on to your hate or anger.

When you hold on to hate, you’re either a liar or a fool. So, time to give it up! “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

My wife, Rosi, and I were at a restaurant when I noticed a large party of eight with every head bowed at the table. I nudged Rosi: “Look, they’re praying before their meal.” Rosi took a look and corrected me. Turns out they were all just looking down at their phones.

It’s here! My new book Lord, I Have a Problem is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It is available in both paperback and ebook formats.

I am hoping this will be a good resource for individuals, group studies and counselors. Here’s the description from the back cover.

In this book we explore various problems we face in life. First, we look at the specific problem. Then, we seek to understand the problem in light of God’s word. Finally, we look at principles from God’s word to help you deal with the problem at hand.

There are separate chapters on each of the following problems: anger, envy, worry, depression, fear, pride, self-image, addiction and abuse. I pray you will find these messages helpful as you seek to grow in Christ by learning how to deal biblically with your problems.

Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

The Kindle versions for the complete Bible for Everyone sets are on sale today for only $5.99 each. That’s the complete 17-volume Old Testament set covering the entire Old Testament and the complete 18-volume New Testament set covering the entire New Testament for only $5.99 each. The paperback versions for each of these sets run around $200 each so that’s about a 97% off markdown!

Click here for the complete Old Testament set (by John Goldingay)
Click here for the complete New Testament set (by N. T. Wright)

Each year for Mother’s Day we look at a different mother from the Bible to see what we can learn from her story. Sometimes the mothers are positive examples and sometimes negative, but either way we learn valuable biblical principles to help us in our walk with God. This year’s mother was Job’s wife, who was a negative example. Here is the outline from Sunday’s message:

Job’s Wife – The Foolish Mother (Job 2:9-10)

I. It’s foolish to let go of your integrity (Job 2:9a)
   – We are called to a life of moral goodness (Ps. 7:8; 1 Peter 4:19)
   – You forfeit God’s protection and blessing (Ps. 25:21; Prov. 11:3)
   – You put yourself on a slippery path (Ps. 73:18; Prov. 10:9, 13:6)

II. It’s foolish to curse or blame God (Job 2:9b)
   – You risk God’s judgment or discipline (Lev. 24:14-16)
   – You risk turning others away from God (Ps. 73:15)
   – You show ungratefulness for past and present blessings (Lam. 3:22-23; 1 Thess. 5:18)
   – You show a lack of faith for the future (Ps. 90:15; 2 Cor. 4:16-17)
   – You push God away when you need him most (Ps. 73:25-26; James 5:11)

III. It’s foolish to accept good but not trouble from God (Job 2:10)
   – We live in a fallen world (Ps. 90:10; John 16:33)
   – You deserve far worse (Ezra 9:13; Ps. 103:10)
   – We don’t know all that is going on (Deut. 29:29)
   – We do know that God works in all things for our good (Rom. 8:28)
   – You miss out on opportunities to trust God and encourage others (2 Cor. 1:4)

Applications:
   1) A wise mother trusts God even when she doesn’t understand
      – Psalm 86:7; Romans 8:35-39
   2) A wise mother counts her blessings instead of her troubles
      – Psalm 103:2
   3) A wise mother sets the example and encourages her family
      – Proverbs 31:12,28
   4) A wise mother leaves a spiritual legacy of faith for her family
      – Job 42:12-17

Click here to read the whole message on Job’s wife.

Click here for the book Famous Mothers in the Bible.
 

 
Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

 
Note: This sermon series is now available in book form. Click the image to view on Amazon.

Click here for more books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 
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I recently preached through the Fruit of the Spirit on Sunday mornings. Each week I provided a summary statement describing how the Holy Spirit helps us grow in that particular fruit. Here is a compilation chart of all nine summary statements together. Click here if you would like to download this as a decorative sheet which you can print out and put on your refrigerator or mirror.
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                       GROWING IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

     I will grow in love as I allow the Spirit to transform my attitude.
     I will grow in joy as I allow the Spirit to direct my emotions.
     I will grow in peace as I allow the Spirit to guard my mind.
     I will grow in patience as I allow the Spirit to govern my reactions.
     I will grow in kindness as I allow the Spirit to inspire my behavior.
     I will grow in goodness as I allow the Spirit to purify my heart.
     I will grow in faithfulness as I allow the Spirit to strengthen my character.
     I will grow in gentleness as I allow the Spirit to soften my manner.
     I will grow in self-control as I allow the Spirit to subdue my desires.

            “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
        goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such
                         things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
 
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From the message series: The Fruit of the Spirit: Growing More Like Jesus

Related post: The Fruit of the Spirit and 1 Corinthians 13

Other posts of interest:
    • The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb
    ● C. S. Lewis’ Homeschool Schedule
    ● Statistics on Living Together Before Marriage