“And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze.” (Exo. 35:31-32 ESV)

Being able to create things is a wonderful gift from God

You see how God has given His creatures the knowledge and ability to create what they need. Birds instinctively know how to build their nests, and beavers know how to cut down trees and build dams. Every creature knows how to do what it needs to do. God has gifted humans to do much more than what animals can do. They can endlessly create as much as they can imagine. The above passage says that God gives us “intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs.”

God provides creative skill for any sort of workman or designer

“He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.” (Exo. 35:35 ESV)

The Lord be with you as you work

“You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!” (1 Chron. 22:15-16 ESV)

Therefore

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev. 4:11 ESV)

“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3 ESV)

“But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” (Gal. 6:4 ESV)

Quote

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” - Albert Einstein

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb 4:12 NIV)

What God’s Word did to a biker

Many years ago, I heard the conversion testimony of a Hell’s Angel-type biker who recounted how, during a drunken stupor, he tore up an old lady's front lawn as she stood watching helplessly from her front porch. But instead of receiving the usual negative reaction when he did things like this, she calmly recited a Bible verse to him as he sped away. He described how the verse clung to his mind like glue, consuming his thoughts until he ultimately collapsed onto his knees, pleading with God for forgiveness. That shows the power of what God’s Word can do!

What Jesus said about the Word

“But he answered and said, It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4)

The foundation of successful ministry

When I was being trained for ministry many years ago my instructors repeatedly told me, "The Word of God does the work of God!" And they said if I wanted to be successful in my ministry, I must make God’s Word the emphasis and foundation in everything that I do. And the Bible repeated confirms it.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11) 

“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)

“But the word of God grew and multiplied.” (Acts 12:24)

Therefore

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16 ESV)

“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.” (Prov. 4:29-22 ESV)

Quote

“Sharper than any double-edged sword." A sword with two edges has no blunt side; it cuts both this way and that. The Word of God is edge all over. It is alive in every part, and in every part keen to cut the conscience and wound the heart. Depend on it: not a verse in the Bible is superfluous or a chapter that is useless.” - Charles Spurgeon

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Rev. 12:9 ESV)

The devil is your adversary

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

The devil is a murderer and the father of lies

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 ESV)

The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

 The devil blinds minds to prevent people from believing

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Cor. 4:4)

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  (1 John 3:8)

Therefore

“Neither give place to the devil.” (Eph. 4:27 ASV)

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:11-12) 

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (Rom. 16:20)

Quote

“I’m not afraid of the devil. The devil can handle me - he's got judo I never heard of. But he can't handle the One to whom I'm joined; he can't handle the One to whom I'm united; he can't handle the One whose nature dwells in my nature.” - A. W. Tozer

“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:14 ESV)

Test the spirits to see if they are from God

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV)

Discernment to approve what is excellent

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:9-10 ESV)

Ask for understanding to discern  good from evil

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9 ESV)

Therefore

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

Quote:

“One of the most subtle burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls. He reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them. It is not that we bring God into touch with our minds, but that we rouse ourselves until God is able to convey His mind to us about the one for whom we intercede.” - Oswald Chambers

“Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” (Eccles. 7:17 ESV)

Suicide is terrible and wrong!

Today, I happened upon a list of celebrities who had died by suicide. Many of them had successful careers and everything to live for by the world’s standards, yet they chose to end it all by taking their lives. What a tragic loss!

Suicide affects people of all ages

Locally, we are still in shock over the death of a young student who committed suicide due to bullying at school. I want to emphasize that I personally understand that pain, as I was also a victim of severe bullying at school and experienced intense bouts of deep depression. I attempted suicide twice, failed, and was hospitalized. Looking back, it is difficult to believe I had ever been in such a state of mind. It has been over 60 years since then, but I can still remember my anguish and how everything looked so black at that time that I could not see past it. Therefore, I do know what it feels like to be on the dark side of this subject. I believe most choose suicide to escape some kind of pain, depression, illness, or other problem they cannot get past. Whatever the reason, suicide is never the right answer. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, so don’t do it!

Suicide in the Bible

The most famous instance of suicide in the Bible is that of Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Afterwards, he had profound remorse for what he had done. He gave the money back and then hung himself. We will never know what may have happened if he had repented and asked Jesus for forgiveness instead of killing himself. But sadly, he took matters into his hands, and that settled it for him. Another disciple, the Apostle Peter, had also betrayed Jesus and even denied Him three times. He swore and said he did not know Jesus. But Peter, unlike Judas, did not commit suicide. Jesus forgave him, and God then used him mightily. 

Therefore

“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Cor.  3:16-27 ESV)

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalms 34:17-20 ESV)

Quotes

“Take care of your life and the Lord will take care of your death.” - George Whitefield

“Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.” - Dwight L. Moody

“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

God instructs through whatever and whomever He wishes 

“For God does speak — now one way, now another — though no one perceives it.” (Job 33:14)

Some ways that God instructs His children

·      Through Scripture 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

·      Through His creation 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)

“Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. .” (Prov. 6:6)

·      Through grace-given gifts

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8). 

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.” (Eph. 4:11) 

·      Through difficulties

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:67-68) 

·      Through the Holy Spirit 

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) 

·      Through circumstances

“The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.” (Jonah 1:1-4)

Instruction must agree with the Bible

God instructs us in many ways throughout our lives and the process isn’t complete until “the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6). We must carefully test all Instruction to make sure it agrees with Scripture. The Berean Jews, for instance, were very glad to receive instruction from the Apostle Paul, even so, they searched the Scriptures daily to make sure that what he said to them lined up with the Word of God. 

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11 NIV)

Therefore

“Therefore behold, I am going to make them know— This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is the Lord.” (Jer. 16:21) 

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” (Prov. 19:20 NLT)

Quote

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” - Billy Graham

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 NIV)

Come to God and be given rest

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28 ESV)

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29 ESV)

Therefore 

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus…” (2 Tim. 2:1 ESV) 

“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” (Jer. 31:25 ESV) 

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 49:31 ESV)

Quote 

“When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don’t pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God.” - Luis Palau

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)

Love is all around us

You hear many songs about love. Many movies are about love. Love is the subject of many books and poems. With so much written about love, you’d think we’d all be love experts, but we are not! That is because love has many different definitions. According to the passage at the top, the definition of “the greatest kind of love” is “that someone lays down his life for his friends.” That’s what Jesus did for us on the cross. And he asked us to love others as He loved us (John 15:12). Because He loved us first, we can also show love toward others.

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 ESV)

Therefore

“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:14 ESV)

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7 ESV) 

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13 ESV)

Quotes

“Love is the doorway through which the human soul passes from selfishness to service.” - Jack Hyles 

“In the New Testament, love is more of a verb than a noun. It has more to do with acting than with feeling. The call to love is not so much a call to a certain state of feeling as it is to a quality of action.” - R. C. Sproul

“...While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him...” (Luke 15:20, NIV)

Everyone is familiar with the prodigal son story. It’s about a boy who asks his father for an early inheritance, and then he goes to a faraway land and squanders all of it on wild living and evil friends. When his money and friends disappear and he faces starvation, he secures a job feeding pigs. At that point, his hunger is so intense that he finds himself tempted to eat pig slop. Then he comes to his senses and realizes he has sinned against both God and his father. He remembers how good he had it at home and that even his father’s servants had plenty to eat. He chooses to return home, confess his sins to his father, and ask to be a servant. But his father, who sees him coming a long way off, is filled with compassion for him. He runs to his son, throws his arms around him, and kisses him. His father then puts a new robe on him, places a ring on his finger, and then throws a big welcome back party to celebrate his return. By the way, Jesus, who is telling this story, explains that this is how God is toward us when we go astray and then repent and return. Even when we deliberately mess up, God sees us coming back “along way off” and runs to us with total forgiveness, restoration, provision, and a welcome-back party!

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

God’s steadfast love and compassion

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalms 103:10-14 ESV)

Therefore

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

Quotes

“God pardons like a mother, who kisses the offense into everlasting forgiveness.” - Henry Ward Beecher

“When we stray from His presence, He longs for you to come back. He weeps that you are missing out on His love, protection and provision. He throws His arms open, runs toward you, gathers you up, and welcomes you home.” - Charles Stanley