Day 77 Easter

It's no doubt that Jesus resurrection from the grave is a controversial topic. Basically, there are three stands a person can take: 1) Refuse to believe, 2) Consider it a good story or allegory, or 3) believe with all your heart that God did indeed raise Jesus from the dead.

This was no different for his disciples (cf. John 20:1-8). But take a look at vv. 24-31 and you will see one disciple in particular who absolutely refused to believe the report of the others who had seen Jesus alive and among them.

"Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Thomas was not going to accept the simple words of even his closest friends. He was a man of sight. If he could not empirically experience the risen Christ for himself, then he would not believe. 

Maybe you know someone like this? Maybe you are similar to Thomas?

But then a few days later Jesus visited the disciples again, this time while Thomas was present. He knew what Thomas had said, so Jesus replied with these words:

"Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." (v. 27)

We do not need to see Jesus to believe in him. The Scriptures are the eye witness account of Jesus himself. Just as none of you have ever met Martin Luther King Jr. or King Sejong the Great, we have the eye witness records of their life, and we know the record is true.

How truer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Much more powerfully so! In fact, Jesus says "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (v. 29). The Scriptures were given "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (v. 31.)

So is it wrong to struggle with doubt? No, this is why we have the Scriptures: To search them out, know Jesus, and believe. They strengthen our faith. They embolden us to believe. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God!

Scriptura Sola Fide Tantum,

Jay Silvas

Day 76

How can believers live a powerful life in Christ? Jesus answers this question in todays reading.

In John chapter seven Jesus tells of the Spirit who will come and dwell inside of his believers saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"

He is teaching us about the Holy Spirit of God who would come at some time in the future to dwell in and among his people. The Spirit of God would give those who believe in him the power to overcome sin and live a righteous holy life. Paul writes about the work of the Spirit in the life of the believer in Galatians 5:22-23. He goes on to encourages us that, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

But there is a slight problem. God had not yet sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with men because Jesus had not accomplished his mission first: He must be crucified, buried  resurrected and glorified. Lets skip ahead to John 16:7-11.

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

Here Jesus tells us quite explicitly that he must leave us - that is, he must die, be resurrected, and ascend to heaven. Once Jesus was departed from us, then he would send the Spirit of God to guide us, comfort us, and teach us. In this passage he highlights three things the Spirit will do: He convinces the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement.

So the Spirit of God is not some mystic power that enables us to throw lightning from our finger tips, but rather a supernatural being who enables us to overcome sin, live righteously, and have faith in God's unmatched mercy and grace. Living and walking in the Spirit means to live daily wholly dependent on the power and strength of God. We are encouraged to lay down our broken flesh, our fractured works, and tired hands and simply trust God. God sent his Holy Spirit to live within you and manifest the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

I pray you would find true rest in the Trinity!

Day 75 Good Friday

Good Friday is the day we observe Jesus death. For many Christians this is a somber day of reflection as we remember the great suffering and pain Jesus endured for our benefit. What Christ endured during his trial and execution is indescribable. But when we consider that Jesus was innocent of any crime, we may begin to lament his tragic end even more. But how did Jesus feel about his own ordeal?

Turn to Luke 23:27-31 and see:

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Is it not interesting that Jesus told the people not to weep for him? Who should we weep for if not Jesus. He was the innocent man they were leading off to his own death. But he would have none of it. He did not want us to feel sorry for him. He willingly went to the cross to pay the debt for our sin.

And so he tells us to save the tears for a latter day. A day coming in which the death of one man will pale in comparison to the great tribulation of his followers.

Jesus' death was no accident, nor did he look forward to it (Luke 22:42). But he was willing to pay the price that was required to save your very soul from sin and hell. And so he went. He went willingly.

In Christ Alone,

Jay

Day 74

Is there anything to petty for God?

In Luke chapter eleven the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. He then goes on to teach them what we call today, the Lord's prayer. But what he says after that is what I find interesting. 

As soon as he finished teaching he tells a parable about an annoyingly persistant friend (Luke 11:5-10). Apparently, this 'friend' arrives at another friends house at midnight requesting three loaves of bread. Now that is pretty annoying. In fact, it's so annoying that he can't be bothered to get out of bed and help him. So much for friendship... Look at what Jesus says:

"Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." (v. 8)

Now if that isn't brutally honest I don't know what is! You see, the man isn't helping because he is his friend; He is helping to get his annoying friend off his back so he can go back to sleep in peace.

So, is God teaching us to annoy him with our persistant prayers? Of course not! He goes on to describe how God hears and answers the prayers of his children.

"I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (vv. 9-10)

This is a stark contrast to the parable of the two friends. Here God says if you come knocking on his door at midnight he will answer you and greet you. He won't be lying in bed sleeping. He won't bid you to leave him alone. And most importantly, he won't answer your prayer simply because you annoy him.

The truth is, God wants us to rely on him every second of our day for every need. There is no thing we can ask God of that is too small. It's when we begin to think our needs are too small for God that we become greater in power in our own eyes. We might say something similar to this, "I don't want to bother God with that... I can handle it myself." But that leads down a dangerous road of trusting in self instead of God. This is what Jeremiah had to say about that:

"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:5)

I hope you will find time to pray today for your every need. There is no such thing as praying too much.

Here is one with lyrics, but here is the one I like better :-)

Jay Silvas

Day 73

Do you think your faith would be stronger if you lived in Jesus' day and saw what Jesus did?

I have heard countless times people make statements like this: "I would believe in Jesus if I could actually spend time with him," or "I would never doubt God if I could see the miracles Jesus performed." Maybe you have heard similar statements before. Or, perhaps you have said this at some point in your life. But you know what I find remarkable is that even Jesus disciples who walked, talked, ate, slept and lived with Jesus still doubted who he really was. Is seeing really believing?

Just take a look at Luke 7:19-23. John the Baptist is really struggling. Not too long ago he baptized Jesus and declared him "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). But now he is imprisoned with no hope of release. John begins to wonder about Jesus, "Is Jesus really the one we are looking forward too?"

John saw Jesus, he knew Jesus. He lept in his mothers womb when Mary came near her pregnant with little baby Jesus. Why should he doubt now? But he needed reassurance and he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus this question:

"Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" (v. 20)

But what Jesus responds with is truly remarkable. He uses language that any Bible student would be instantly familiar with:

"Tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (vv. 22-23)

Essentially, Jesus is declaring that he is fulfilling the prophecies found in Isaiah 29, 35, and 61. He even demonstrated these miracles that same hour John's servants came to see him. Jesus affirms that he is the Messiah, but he gives credit to his person and work by referencing the prophet Isaiah.

We do not need to be in the physical presence of Jesus to believe in him. We have the testimony of the Scriptures and they bear witness of him; and their witness is true.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:39-47)

We are no different than anyone else who ever lived. We must not "live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Even the translators of the English Bible agreed with St. Augustine when they said "in those things that are plainly set down in the Scriptures all such matters are found that concern faith, hope, and charity" (The Translators to the Reader, KJV). We have in the Scriptures everything necessary to live life.

Sola Scriptura,

Jay Silvas

Day 72

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)

This is one of my favorite passages to quote. It gives me great assurance in my daily living. I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ will never abandon me, even despite my own self.

But why am I bringing up this verse? We haven't got to Hebrews yet! Well, I am glad you asked. The truth is, this verse of Scripture carries with it a lot of credibility.

No lets say that I tell you "I will never leave you." How can you be sure? How do you know there is not some possibility that may arise that necessitates me leaving you? How can you be absolutely sure that I will never ever abandon you? Well, you can't. Truthfully, you have to take my word for it. But the promise Jesus gives us is grounded in much more than simple good faith.

Turn to Mark 15:34 and read... "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Now stop to consider that for a moment. Jesus knows exactly what it means to be forsaken. He knows the feeling of being betrayed with a kiss by one of his closest disciples. He experienced lonely abandonment when all of his dear friends and followers ran away to save their own lives in the place of Gethsemane. He felt the sting of being denied three times by peter. But the ultimate feeling of complete abandon took place on the cross when God turned his face away from his own Son. For the first time in the history of eternity, Jesus Christ was separated from the Father.

Jesus tells us he will never do that to us.

And when he gives us this promise we know we can believe him because he has experienced what it is to be forsaken. He is intimately familiar with what it means to be forsaken. It's not just something he is saying; it is surrounded and marinated in experience. He will never forsake us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2zMZ-nZ7k

Soli Deo Gloria,

Jay Silvas

Day 71

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. (Mark 1:40-41)

Jesus was moved with compassion.

I meet a lot of people, even students, who do not like Christianity because they perceive it to be a system of control. They view Christians as people who live fearfully under an angry God ready to unleash hell on those who do not conform to "holiness". But this is not what we see in Jesus Christ.

My dictionary defines compassion as a "concern for the sufferings of others." It's a kind of empathy. If that is correct, then it means that Jesus is concerned about us. He cares about our suffering. And the Scriptures go on to teach us that he saves us from our sin. 

You see, he does not have an observational concern, like I am concerned about the state of the economy. No, he has an active concern: One that moves him to action. Jesus acts on our behalf to defeat sin.

And what a better picture than healing a leper. Lepers are the picturesque image of the walking dead. They are feared by all and repulsive. Most men and women would never reach out to touch a leper, let alone minister to one. Yet here is Jesus having compassion on him. And Jesus heals him completely. All traces of leprosy have been removed from this man. Truly this is an image of breathing new life into that which is dead. It's reminiscent of Ezekiel 37, isn't it?

Yes, we surely serve a compassionate Savior!

So what is the point of all this? Well, it builds faith in us. Look at the passage again and you will see the faith of the leper as he reaches out to Jesus: "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

The faith we have is this: We know that if we seek Jesus in faith he will have compassion on us and heal us. He will forgive us our sins and they will be removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

Another way to put it is found in I John 5:14-15:

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

We have the life of Jesus recorded in the Scriptures so that we may have faith.

Sola Fide,

Jay Silvas

Day 70 Palm Sunday

Since today is the first day of the passion week, I would like to look at some of the responses of the people when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Turning to Matthew 21 we can see three responses:

First, we see those who feel good about Jesus. They see Jesus as a great guy, and they want him to come and be king, but they aren't necessarily interested in what comes with it.

They are the kind of people who would look at these puppies and say "Ahhh! They're so cute! I want to take one home with me." But when they realize they have to feed it, clean up after it, and train it, they are irritated with the responsibility of having a dog. The puppy eventually looses it's charm.

How do we know this? Because, these same people who were crying "Hosanna!" are also the same who cried "Give us Barabbas!" and "Crucify him!" that coming Friday.

Then there are the indifferent people: Those who say "Who is this guy riding into Jerusalem on a donkey like he is someone important?" These people don't necessarily see any value in Jesus. He is nothing more than a 'come-and-go' messiah. They have seen others like him and they don't see anything special about this one. And when they crucify Jesus on Friday, their reaction is "Meh..." Jesus has been nothing more to them than a passing headline on the Sunday morning newspaper.

But then you have the enraged, angry religious leaders. Hate throbs through their viens, pulsating in their forehead. All they can think about is how they are going to kill this heretic. They hate Jesus and now he has gone too far. Now they have their eye on him like an eagle ready to strike their prey. He won't escape this time. Now it's time to act.

And they set their plan in motion. They pay off one of Jesus disciples to betray him, lead him through a mock trial, and lead him to the Romans to be executed for... treason? Wait, really? That's pretty lame. But to these people it doesn't matter how they get a conviction as long as he is dead. 

But then there is a fourth response. And this is the only response that matters. We don't really see these people (yet) in Matthew 21. These are the people who not only cry out "Hosanna!" but they bend their knees and submit themselves to the Kingship of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

So the question is this, "Which of these four responses best describes your reaction to Jesus?"

I hope you will spend this next week preparing your heart, mind and soul for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

In Christ,

Jay

Day 69

Does God really care about how we treat others?

In Jesus famous sermon on the mount he addressed how we should treat others. He tells us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. But it doesn't end there. It's easy to speak kind words to those who hate us and use us, but he goes on to say "do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44).

God does not give us justification to hate anyone, regardless of the circumstances. But you and I both know that when we hate someone, we do everything in our power to justify our hatred. We convince ourselves that there is nothing wrong with our hatred... of our enemies.

But God is not simply demanding our obedience in this area of our life. He is demonstrating it in His life as well. Consider the next verse:

"For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)

You see, God is doing exactly what he has asked us to do. He has not simply churned out some nice words and an awkward smile on those who hate him. He "does good to them" by causing the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the evil and the unjust as well as the righteous.

God has made us servants, but not only to those who love us. We are servants to the world, even to those who reject and despise us. We have bold confidence to be obedient in this matter because God has first demonstrated this great love for us.

I pray that you would share the love of Jesus with someone near you, but not necessarily someone you love, as we enter into this holy week.

With love always,

Jay

Day 68

Today we enter the New Testament.

Just look at how far you've come reading through the Bible. You were there right along with Abraham when he left his home to follow God into a strange land. And when Israel entered the promised land, you were right there with them as they conquered the inhabitants of the land. You were with them in joy and sorrow; in obedience and rebellion. You walked with them when Assyria and Babylon led them away captive. When the prophets opened their mouths to speak, you were there listening.

Now we enter the New Testament. We will walk with Christ where he walked. We will sit where he sat. We will see what he saw, and spend time with those disciples he loved so much. We will be in prison with Paul and exiled with John. Yet throughout the remaining journey we will see that Jesus is the greatest man who ever lived. And not merely a man, but God in the flesh who came to seek and save that which was lost.

Today, take just a few minutes and consider all the prophecy that is fulfilled in the first four chapters of Matthew alone. Ten times the author quotes passages from Old Testament authors and prophets including: Isaiah, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Micah, Hosea, and Jeremiah. What does that tell us?

All Scripture is about the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I hope you will enjoy these next twenty days as we finish the greatest story ever told.

In Christ,

Jay

Day 67

Have you ever been in a situation where someone was standing to accuse you, pointing their finger at you, and casting blame on you?

This is what is happening in Zechariah chapter three. Satan has an audience with the Lord and he is accusing Joshua the high priest of being a complete and total failure (Zechariah 3:1). 

Joshua is supposed to represent the people as the high priest. He is charged with the responsibility of making atonement for the sins of the whole nation. But Satan is resisting him because he is dressed in soiled, filthy garments.

If you remember from Leviticus, the high priest had to go through a very vigorous regiment of cleanliness before he could do his job properly. It's as if Satan is standing there saying "Ahah! See God! Your high priest is defiled. He is unclean. How can he represent the people. And how much more are your people defiled if your high priest is defiled?"

Now, if we are honest, we would have to agree with Satan. Yes, he is defiled. Yes, the people are defiled. Yes Satan, you are correct: The people do not have a sufficient advocate in Joshua the high priest. But look at how God responds to this accusation:

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by. (Zechariah 3:4-5)

God takes responsibility for the salvation of his people. It does not rest in the hands of mere mortals. In fact, God goes on to further say that he is sending his servant the BRANCH, also known as Jesus, who will be the one to change the peoples garments and cause their iniquity to pass from them.

So what does this all mean? Well, if Satan stands to accuse you and tell you that you are not good enough, God can never love you, you don't have what it takes... Simply reply with this: 

Yes Satan, I am not good enough. I do not have what it takes. I am unworthy. But I have a greater advocate. I have a greater high priest whose name is JESUS. And he is my savior. He takes me dirty and naked and clothes me with righteousness. The LORD is his name!

Sin will always stand to accuse you, but God will always stand to accept you. Sin seeks to separate you from God. The Spirit of God draws you close to the Son and the Father. Sin causes you to be afraid of God, grace calls you boldly to the throne of God.

Friends, I pray that you would not listen to the voice of Satan today. And if he does speak to you, remember your Savior who died for you and will never forsake you and never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).

In Christ Alone,

Jay Silvas

Day 66

Two of the minor prophets we read today (Jonah and Nahum) are focused toward Ninevah, or Assyria. Jonah's focus is on God extending salvation to Nineveh by his grace and mercy while Nahum focuses on the destruction of Nineveh by God's coming wrath.

At first this may not seem like such a big deal to us as readers. But we can gain a much great appreciation for these two books when we try to understand the pain and suffering Israel experienced at the hand of Assyria.

Remember, Sennacherib came from Assyria to lay siege against Jerusalem during King Hezekiah's reign. His intention was so fierce that he hoped to drive Judah to eat their own dung and drink their own urine (2 Kings 18:27).

Furthermore, Assyria was the country Amos prophesied would "take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks" (Amos 4:2). Assyria did come and did lead them away captive. Today, the northern Kingdom is known as the 10 lost tribes of Israel because they disappeared somewhere in the captivity.

Israel did not like Assyria. They hated Assyria. They loathed Assyria. They wanted God to completely destroy Assyria.

Can you understand Jonah's reaction when God called him to "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me" (Jonah 1:2). Imagine if God called you to go and preach the word of God to the greatest terrorist nation on earth. Would you go, or would you run?

But God's grace and mercy are for anyone. He saves whom he will, or, as the Bible puts it, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" (Exodus 33:19 & Romans 9:15).

So Jonah went, Nineveh repented, and God saved them. Even Jesus affirmed this truth when he said to Israel "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here" (Matthew 12:41).

Jesus did not die for the slightly bad or the semi-decent folk. He died to wash the vilest sinner clean by his blood. He does not grant salvation only to those who deserve it, but extends it to an undeserving world regardless of nationality or history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsPc-Ix3_ow

Jay

Day 65

God only uses those who are capable to do ministry... right?

Let's take a look at Amos. He wasn't a prophet or a prophets son. He had not been raised or trained in ministry. He didn't attend a big fancy seminary or sit under the teachings of the great religious teachers like Paul did. Just examine his own confession:

The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (Amos 1:1)

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. (Amos 7:14-15)

But this did not disqualify Amos to do the Lord's work. He received a call from God and was commissioned to go and prophesy to the people of Israel. He did not make himself an important person or seek a prestigious position. He was simply being obedient to the Lord.

Of course this did not make him a popular person. His ministry brought grief to the king of Israel and especially to Amaziah. Amos suffered at the hand of his own countrymen for being obedient to God. But this did not diminish his worth either.

Do you feel you are of little importance in the ministry and kingdom of God? Do you feel under equipped to serve God in any capacity? This simply is not true. God is not looking for the best and the brightest. In fact, he would rather use the broken, lame, and humble. His glory shines brighter through weakness.

This week our school is leading all of our middle and high school students on different service projects and mission trips. Each one of them from the smallest to the greatest can be empowered by God to serve in a mighty way. But these students have an advantage over some us "more mature" older people. They are not afraid to "go" and "serve". They are willing and ready for a challenge. How about you?

With love in Christ,

Jay

Day 64

What good are your works if you do not know God?

Israel and Judah loved to worship God. They came with their required sacrifices and their songs. They made a big spectacle of the act of worship even in their dress and motions. But God tells us in Hosea 6:6, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." It's the knowledge of God the people lacked. They had become like "backsliding heifers".

Hosea addresses this problem specifically in chapter four:

Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. (v. 1)

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (v. 6)

Truth and mercy are things we gain when we know the Lord. If our works lack truth and mercy it is because we do not know God and his ways. But this knowledge is not simply a textbook recitation of facts. It's a personal "knowing" like I would know my wife or know my children.

But there is hope even in this. God continues this thought in Hosea 6:3:

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

God promises restoration and blessing in our pursuit to know God. He describes this blessing as rain falling on dry thirsty land. And where their is rain, there is life.

What better way to know the Lord than through his love letter to us: The Scriptures. I pray you would be encouraged this week as you seek to know the Lord and serve him in truth and mercy.

Coram Deo,

Jay Silvas

Day 63

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14).

It's easy to think that we are the cause of our own success when things are going well. We tend to give praise to our intelligence, skill, or ability as the reason for being so successful. This can even happen in our Christian walk with Jesus Christ.

We might say things like, "I am too mature to do something that sinful" or "I am such a strong Christian because I read my Bible and pray every day." But in this aren't we boasting about ourselves? Aren't we glorifying our self over and above Christ.

This is what King Nebuchadnezzar did in Daniel chapter four. He was walking through his garden one day and he said, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" (v. 30).

He had taken no thought and given no credit to the Lord God for building the kingdom of Babylon into a great nation. Nebuchadnezzar had nothing to do with it. And for this wicked boasting God made Nebuchadnezzar to be a sign for us all:

While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. (Daniel 4:31-32)

When we boast in our self we not only rob God's glory, but we rob ourselves of the grace God demonstrates in our lives. Let us never forget the grace God has demonstrated to us through Christ Jesus and applied by the Spirit of God:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Sola Gratia,

Jay Silvas

Day 62

Can the dead rise again from the grave?

Our pop culture likes to entertain this idea in the form of zombie movies, games, and tv shows. But this isn't the kind of resurrection Jesus Christ is talking about.

In Ezekiel 37 God shows the prophet a vast valley of very dry bones and asks him this one question: "Can these bones live?" Ezekiel didn't know the answer to this so he spoke wisely when he said "O Lord God, thou knowest." Then God performs what seems to be an impossible miracle: He brings flesh on these bones and breathes life into them by a word.

This miracle demonstrated God's plans for Israel, how he would bring them back again and restore them even from their captivity in Babylon. It seemed impossible though. Jerusalem was utterly destroyed. The temple of God was destroyed and all the furniture was plundered.

But wasn't Lazarus' resurrection impossible too? He was dead for three days when the Lord came to him. Surely a paramedic can resuscitate a man or woman who has slipped into death for only a couple minutes, but Jesus was attempting the impossible. But regardless of the disbelief of those who surrounded him, he did raise Lazarus from the grave. And he will come again for us and call us out of the grave to be made alive with him forever.

So whats the point? It doesn't matter how far away you feel from God; he can rescue you from even the most impossible situations. This rescue does not depend on your effort, your strength, or your will. It depends solely on the grace and mercy and strength of Jesus Christ. 

Just as a drowning man can not reach up into a rescue helicopter to save himself, neither can man lift himself up to heaven. Jesus has to dive in as our rescue swimmer and pull us up out of the water and into safety.

Looking forward to future glory,

Jay Silvas

Day 61

Ezekiel contains some of the most complex prophecy in the entire Bible. It's a book that has confounded and intrigued readers throughout all the ages. I believe this is in part due to the prophets dramatic style. God would not let him speak but only act out prophesy through charades.

But look at what happens in chapter 24. God tells Ezekiel that he will kill his wife and forbids Ezekiel to mourn her death. 

Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded. (vv. 16-18)

This is a radical and intense sign to Israel in their captivity. And for some the point is not so clear. But the point God is making is this: Just as Ezekiel did not mourn the loss of his wife, neither will God mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Though the people will be pierced through with sorrow, God will not be stirred to weep.

As we have read, God does not delight in the death of the wicked, but neither does he lament the wicked in their destruction. Our sin is a grievous offense to the living God. There is absolutely nothing we can do to make it right. But in Jesus Christ is found everything necessary for restored relationship with God.

Are you looking for a way to defeat sin? You won't find it. The only solution is Jesus Christ. He will not be effective in our lives until we stop trying to please God and rest in his Son. Then He will work in us and through us to defeat our sin. He will radically transform us, redeem us, and take us. Then our hope will be for the living God and we will no longer desire to be taken captive by the sinful desires of our wicked hearts.

Hoping in Christ,

Jay Silvas

Day 60

Just how great is God's grace?

Some were complaining that God was not fair in showing mercy and compassion to the sinner who repented. They thought that God should take his revenge even on those who had sincerely repented from their wickedness. But God responded with this:

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezekiel 18:23)

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. (Ezekiel 18:32)

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He is not a divine sadist who gets thrills by casting people into hell. Yes, the wicked will be punished with an everlasting torment, but there is room at the cross of Jesus Christ for every truly repentent sinner. Why should we perish when Jesus Christ has paid for all of our sins in full?

So let me ask you a tough question: Do you only pray for those whom you love? I pray that you would always be willing to share this good news of Jesus Christ with all people, especially your enemies and those whom you hate the most. Why should they perish if God wants to show them mercy?

Who will you pray for today? Who will you share God's marvelous grace with this week?

In Christ Alone,

Jay Silvas

Day 59

God really hates sin.

This became powerfully real to me the first time I read Ezekiel 4:12. 

And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight.

I remember coming across this passage years ago and being completely struck by bewilderment. Did God really just tell Ezekiel to defile himself by baking his bread over human feces?! Yes he did...

Even a little toddler knows this is disgusting, and yet this is a picture of our sin. He commanded Ezekiel to do this in the sight of all men so that they would see it and it would be a sign to them. It's a sign of their own rotten wickedness and the resulting waste that comes from it.

Unfortunately, the world thinks that what is done in private is not known to the Lord (Just consider Ezekiel 8:7-12). But he will make even the most private sins a disgrace in our lives.

Nevertheless, the Lord is merciful, and when Ezekiel prayed that God should not make him to defile himself he responded with this: "Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith."

I hope that you would not keep a private closet in your heart to store your favorite secret sins. God is not fooled. He knows the heart, nothing is hid from him. We have such a great opportunity to find his grace and mercy in repentance. The best part is we can come humbly repentant and he will graciously receive us.

Libertas Dei Gratia!

Jay Silvas

Day 58

Today leaves us with only 30 days left in our reading! Can you believe it's almost over?

As I was reading in Jeremiah today it became clear that everyone is going to get a piece of God's wrath. Moab, Ammon, Edom, Kedar, Hazor, and Babylon and more are all called out by the prophets words. I have to be honest, it's not a good feeling to have God's wrath bearing down on us. But it doesn't end there.

God is not bent on a warpath of destruction. Yes, he will judge righteously and with great justice. But take a look at v. 50:34:

Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon.

Those saved by the radical grace of Jesus Christ not only have a strong Redeemer, but a vigorous defense for their salvation.

Christian, we will have such a greater hope in Jesus Christ. All our best works are heaps upon heaps of filthy rags. They are not a proper defense for us. Rest in the person and work of Jesus Christ and experience a true freedom that only the Redeemer can provide!

Solo Christo,

Jay Silvas

Day 57

Reading the Bible is a big challenge. Imagine if you had to write it.

One of the most fascinating things I read in Jeremiah is about king Jehoiakim and Jehudi burning Jeremiah's scroll. They knew that this scroll was written by Baruch at the mouth of Jeremiah; it was the only copy. The Scriptures said of them, "They were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words" (Jeremiah 36:24). So in their minds they thought they could simply do away with God's word if they destroyed it.

Some would like to do that with our precious Bible. Some have altered it to fit their denomination or preference. But there is no "destroying" the word of God. It can not be done.

When Jeremiah discovered the king had destroyed the only copy of the scroll he had written, God inspired him to write another copy (v. 28). Now consider that. Jeremiah did not simply sit down and rethink what he had written. He was under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is why we can not "destroy" the word of God.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (II Timothy 3:16)

The Bible is not a work of men penned by men's hands from the thoughts of men's minds. It is a holy, inspired work directly from God himself. Whose who wrote it were guided by God himself. This is the difference. This will always be the difference.

Christian, the book you hold in your hand when you read "The Holy Bible" is a letter written to you from God himself. Do you cherish it?

Sola Scriptura,

Jay Silvas

Day 56

How do you face suffering and hard times?

Jeremiah knew suffering. He watched as his own people were carried away to a distant land and his beloved city and temple were left desolate.

But in the midst of all that he writes a letter under the inspiration of God and this is the instruction he gave: 

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. (Jeremiah 29:4-7)

He instructs the people to continue on, to live life, to multiply. He was encouraging them that this is not the end. This present suffering is not how it all ends. Rather, they should continue in marriage and families and prosperous living. And in all this seek the Lord and his peace upon their captor and the captive.

They could have easily sat down and sang the songs in a great depression. They could have lamented their fate to the point of defeat, but God does not want this for his people. God has promised to bring them back and restore them to their own holy land.

Christian, we do not need to live life in a sour depression. Our end is not settled in here and now. We are the inheritors of a great glory: The righteousness of Jesus Christ! So enjoy your life, build houses, marry and raise a family. Seek the peace of the nation in which you live and you will have peace too. One day the Lord will call you out of that land to come home to the holy city!

Sola Fide,

Jay Silvas

Day 55

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

The Bible teaches us the the issues of life flow from out of our hearts. For this reason we are to guard our heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23).

But this also gives us a different understanding. Some think our actions are what we must repent of. Somehow they think the hands and heart are separate in their doings. But again, the Scriptures teach us that our hands are influenced by our heart; what is in our heart will flow through our mind for us to dwell in and then to our hands that we may do it. It's for this reason that God has said he will circumcise our hearts; he will cut away that wicked part and transform our hearts into living flesh that we might have good soil for the fruit of God to grow (an idea found throughout the Old Testament, especially in Jeremiah).

Too many times we attempt to treat the symptoms by "trying harder" and "doing better". But any doctor will tell you that treating symptoms merits no health benefit. We must know what the cause of those symptoms are. Fortunately for us we know: 1) Our hearts are the source of wickedness, and 2) God is a heart surgeon!

Can you lay down the works of your hands and trust Jesus Christ for your righteousness? Consider this last thought:

Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:5)

With Love in Christ,

Jay

Day 54

Are you faithful to the Lord?

We have a challenge in Jeremiah to look to the world: Look and see; examine for yourself what the world worships. Do you see the world throwing away their idols (false gods) for another? No. They keep worshipping that idol, never turning from it. They chase it and follow it even at their own expense, yet the idol never hears and never helps. Consider this passage from Jeremiah:

For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. (Jeremiah 2:10-11)

But what does it say about God's own people? We do exchange. We cast God aside for the gods (idols) of this world. This is so warped and twisted that reading it with our own eyes seems strange. We ask, "Is this really true? And if so, what is the solution?"

God does not leave us to despair in our own whoredoms. Even in Jeremiah we see that God will take us back even when we go a whoring on every hill top and under every green tree (Jeremiah 2:20). The answer is repentance and submission. Consider the following: 

Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:13-15)

Have you confessed your need for Christ Jesus today? Do you respect the knowledge and understanding of your pastor? Do you have a pastor? They look out for your own soul and must give an account of it one day (Hebrews 13:17).

In Christ,

Jay Silvas

Day 53

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10)

Isaiah is such a unique book. Isaiah is one of the most commonly quoted prophets in the New Testament. There have been times while I was reading Isaiah this past week that I thought I had slipped into the epistle to the Romans! But here, in chapter 53, we see the vivid crucifixion of the coming messiah. A picture of future hope is painted and our faith is increased.

But what matters most? Look at verse ten and you see that it pleased God to make his soul an offering for sin. II Corinthians 5:21 declares "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Jesus became sin by bearing on himself the wickedness of the world. In doing this God poured out the full cup of his wrath on his own Son Jesus. It was the only way for us to be saved. Someone had to carry that burden. But God took responsibility for what had become of his own creation: He loved us; he died for us.

Christian, this is your hope.

Jay Silvas

Upcoming Mission Trip and Service Project

I made these teasers to catch the interest of our students. Pray that they will be moved to serve those less fortunate than themselves.

Day 52

Chapter 42 of Isaiah is one of my favorites from this major prophet. In it I see the blessed image of a perfect savior, not a coming destroyer or strict disciplinarian. Just mediate on the third verse:

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench (v. 3)

Jesus Christ has not come to break us. It wouldn't take much; the Scriptures illustrate us as plants with bruised stalks ready to snap at the slightest pressing of the wind. He did not come to deliver the deathblow.

We are also like the smoldering flax that won't quite burn out but is not producing any heat or light. We are like that fading candle that can only be extinguished by the pressing of the thumb. However, Christ did not come to deliver the coup de grace.

He came to establish justice. Just consider this parallel thought in John 3:17:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Christ did not come to harm us, but to redeem us; to reclaim us. We are his victory!

In Christ Alone,

Jay Silvas

Day 51

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! (Isaiah 31:1)

Where do you go for help? Many hope in their bank accounts or their skills to earn a large salary. We do not seek the Lord when we get to a point in our life where we begin to trust in our own ability to gather resources to build a better, more successful future. We become like those who go to Egypt for the many chariots and powerful horses thinking the number and strength of the resource is the answer to life's problems.

So what is your Egypt? What do you go marching to when life gets hard? Are you trusting in the arm of the Lord?

Sincerely,

Jay Silvas

Day 50

In today's reading we see read about coming judgement for many nations. But I found this passage in vv. 28:9-13 interesting. We see that God gave his word for rest and refreshing, yet to some it became something to trip and fall over. 

To some the word is too common and must be overlooked or ignored. For others it's nothing more than a self-improvement plan. For some a text-book; for some a religious shopping list.

I hope we would never be to backward and unteachable that we would not receive the refreshing instruction of His word and rest in it.

Sincerely,

Jay

Day 49

What do you imagine when you think of the most Godless place on earth? Many would say Sodom and Gomorrah.

So it would seem quite offensive and a very serious accusation to compare God's people to those who dwelt in Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet this is what God says of his own people, Judah, in the book of Isaiah. Verse 3:9 says "they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not." Now ask yourself this question: "How blatant and open does your sin need to be to win the Sodom and Gomorrah award?" I guess it was pretty bad. But that wasn't the worst part.

It's not the blatant, open, Godless sin that God was angry about; It was the complete lack of remorse and repentance in the hearts and minds of those in Judah. Just consider the opening of Isaiah (vv1:10-15). Even though they continued in wickedness, they still observed the holy festivals, rituals, and sacrifices although ignorantly. They foolishly made the ceremony of worship greater than true repentance.

Now enters Isaiah and God says "Who will go?" Isaiah says "Here am I; Send me." But take careful examination of Isaiah's commission. It is more harrowing than you might imagine. He tells them to preach a message that will harden their hearts (6:9-10). When Isaiah asks God how long he should preach this message, he says "Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land." God effectively commissions Isaiah to be the harbinger of doom.

But there is hope. Keep reading and you will discover the excellency of the majesty of the matchless King Jesus and his infinite mercy and grace. They will not all be destroyed. God promised the throne of David should endure forever. I pray you will take the message of Isaiah to heart as we read through it this week.

In Christ Jesus,

Jay

Day 48

What is the secret to life?

This is the question I was asked in today's inservice I am attending for my school. The answer we received is "To find what you love and then do that for the rest of your life. Then you will never work another day."

I thought about that, but as I was reading Ecclesiastes I felt that it answers the question a different way. I believe the preacher of Ecclesiastes is teaching us the secret to life is "Being free to love what we do because Christ Jesus now accepts us." Consider the following verses if you will:

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Notice that the secret to enjoying life is "God now accepteth thy works". This gives us freedom to be liberated from the false idea that I must find something to do that will fulfill me. Christ Jesus fulfills us. That alone allows us to live our current life in complete joy and satisfaction regardless of the circumstances.

Just notice in the verses that we do not have a command to find a wife who will please us or find a work which will be fulfilling. Rather, we are to "Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life": The spouse God has given us to love and look after and cherish. We are to go and eat and drink with a merry heart celebrating the victory Christ Jesus has won in us, through us, and for us.

I hope that you will not be looking outside of Jesus Christ for fulfillment. The gospel tells us that Jesus is all we need and more. If we are joyless it is because our sin convinces us that we need something more that Jesus Christ. Do not listen to your sin; listen to God's word.

Solo Christo,

Jay Silvas

Day 47

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 

(Proverbs 26:4-5)

There is a time to speak and time to be silent. In these verses we see there is an appropriate time to answer a fool pointing out the error of his way. But there is also a time to withhold our words of wisdom because they will not be received well or not received at all by the fool. But how do we know when to speak and when to hold our silence? Thankfully, we have the book of Proverbs to meditate on. There is an overarching theme in Proverbs that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. We also see that a fool speaks all of his mind but a wise man holds it all until later.

Yes, we are sent into the world to speak truth into others lives. We see a great biblical model for this in the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians. But this does not mean we need to confront every issue, offense, point of doctrine, or disagreement along the way. The point is to build up (edify) and strengthen the body in love by speaking the truth in love. God will give us an opportunity to speak in season, but can you recognize that appropriate time? This is why it is so important to mediate continually on God's word. Through it and in it we will attain the counsels of wisdom and understanding. 

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matthew 7:6)

In Christ,

Jay