Read Acts 17:22-31
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (v. 31).
As we listen to and watch the daily news reports, we cannot help being very well-acquainted with judgment days. Many of the trials that take place in our justice system drag on for weeks or months before a verdict is reached. When a guilty verdict is given, then a sentencing date is set. At that time, the person found guilty is again brought into the court for his “judgment day.”
As surely as the convicted criminal faces his “judgment day,” so each of us will face a Judgment Day. The criminal has his conviction decided by twelve of his peers who listen to the evidence presented, then, in the best of their judgment, make a decision as to the innocence or guilt of the accused, and a human judge makes and announces his sentence.
Regardless of our status as forgiven or unforgiven, we will all be present for our Judgment Day. It will not be presided over by a human judge who may be influenced by many factors including some that are not true, but by “that man whom he hath ordained,” who knows all the facts about and intents of the one to be judged. (LRD)
Our judgment at our appointed Judgment Day will be just, because it is pronounced by a judge who is impartial and fair.
This is the Friday, January 31, 2014, devotional from Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: "My Trusty Gavel" by Brian Turner used under CC BY / Cropped.

Read Luke 10:1-16
“Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves” (v. 3).
Lambs among wolves — what chance would they have? Jesus was sending His disciples into an environment in which they would be opposed by those who hated righteousness and loved evil. Persecution awaited them. Indeed, we only need to read the life of the Apostle Paul to know that this was true.
The Nicene Council was held in the fourth century to debate the nature of Christ. It was an important milestone in Church history — Jesus was declared to be one with the Father. Vance Havner, the well-known evangelist, reportedly declared that, of the 318 bishops who participated in the debates, fewer than a dozen had whole, healthy bodies. The rest, he said, had lost eyes or hands or had been severely hurt in other ways because of their faith in Christ.
That believers go forth as lambs among wolves is no less true today. Read the accounts of persecution in the Voice of the Martyrs magazine to acquaint yourself with modern fulfillments of Jesus’ ancient declaration. But note also that “it is the manifestation of a meek and lamblike spirit among ravenous and wolfish men which wins the battle for Christ and conquers the world” (Pulpit Comm.). Jesus does not win the world through armed conflict or coercion; He wins the hearts of men through meekness and love. (Steven E Hight)
Lambs among wolves ultimately overcome through Christ.
This is the January 20, 2014, devotional from Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: Jean-Léon Gérôme [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5
“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (v. 5).
Paul McGehee was the longest serving employee of the Herald and Banner Press. When but a young man, he approached the editor about employment and was told they were looking for a long-term employee. The young man soon became a dedicated employee in the printing of the church publications. He was dedicated to the business, but also thoroughly committed to God and the doing of His will.
Young McGehee was soft spoken, a polite gentleman. He would gladly take time to visit with another but not at the expense of his work. His work came first — after his relationship with God. In the sixty plus years he worked for Herald and Banner, he was late only a handful of times.
Paul used the old linotype setter with expertise. By himself he set type for the twelve-page Banner each week. He then printed it on an old hand-fed single-sheet press. Besides, he often chose the articles to be used and did the proofing himself. Furthermore, he and Maybelle addressed and mailed the paper each week.
He never asked to be lauded nor rewarded. God gave him meaningful work to do, and he faithfully did it. Surely he will hear the Lord’s “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
God’s call for reapers in the harvest is still ringing out. It may be to a lowly, almost unnoticed field of work, but the Lord sees it all and will appropriately reward. (Ray L Crooks)
Do not let the rush and noise of the world dull your ears from hearing God's call to service.
This is the Tuesday, January 14, 2014, devotional from Opening the Word.

Read Isaiah 1:10-20
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (v. 18).
Verses 10-15 of Isaiah 1 are shocking, really. God has a message for a very religious people, and it is not a pretty one. “I’m sick of your church services,” He tells them, in effect. “You sing hymns with great resonance, fast with strict observance, and pray with lifted hands, but I won’t hear you. It all disgusts me.”
What is the reason for God’s revulsion? He says their “hands are full of blood.” God tells them they need cleansing from their sins; there are some things they should NOT do. God explains in detail what they need to do instead: Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows (v. 17).
The Israelites had adopted all the outward forms of spirituality. These were not only Christmas and Easter attenders; they taught Sunday school and led prayer meetings. But somehow, in all the trappings of religion, they had missed the most important part: the heart of God.
The truth is, when we seek God we find our hearts breaking at the needs and brokenness of others. God wanted His people to open their eyes to the oppressed, the orphan, and the widow — the most vulnerable in society. (Ashlee Englund)
Jesus wants to cleanse us from sin and empower us to help others.
This devotional is the Tuesday, January 7, 2014 entry from the Winter 2014 edition of Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: "Church" by silent shot used under CC BY / Cropped.

Read Luke 15:11-21
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (v. 17).
God did it!
A young relative of ours was away from the Lord, though raised in a Christian home and himself once a Christian. A problem he had, one that happens too often, was disappointment with professing Christians. Many relatives and friends were praying for him and trying to help him, seemingly without any real success. One day he went to a good family friend and, with his help and encouragement, prayed through to victory. My comment when I learned about it? “All I can say is, ‘God doeth all things well.’ ”
How often people miss God’s offered salvation or plan for their lives because they will not admit their need. They desire to order their own lives without God involved in any way. It has been said that “You can’t get a person saved until you get him lost.” He must fully realize his need. When the prodigal thought on his foolish waste, the nearness of starvation, and how well off he was before leaving home, he determined to go back. So he gave the pigs a “permanent wave” (meaning good-bye forever!) and headed homeward. (Joel E Miller)
He lived with the pigs in the pigpen
For he left father’s house to roam
Then he gave the pigs a “permanent wave”
And humbly headed home!
— Joel E. Miller
Stay put; do not be a foolish wanderer from Father’s house!
This devotional is the Tuesday, December 31, 2013 entry from the Winter 2014 edition of Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: "The Return of the Prodigal Son by Michael M. S. used under CC BY / Cropped and some filters used to bring colors out more.

Read Isaiah 40:9-11
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (v. 11).
Have you ever seen young parents with several small children in a busy place? They try to carry on conversations even as their eyes dart around, constantly keeping track of their children’s movements. Every once in a while one parent may step away from the cluster of adults to count the children. As soon as Daddy runs down the list and assures himself that all are still nearby, he rejoins the conversation.
What happens when his count comes up short? The conversation is forgotten. Perhaps he begins by gathering the children to his wife’s side — he does not want to have to search for more than one — then he begins to walk in an ever-widening circle, looking behind and under things as he goes, until he finds his lost child. When the child is found, he may even scoop him up and not let him go again.
That is the image of our concerned Shepherd. He guides us as loving parents do young children. He does not give us a list of rules and expect us to be able to follow them on our own. He watches us closely, provides the Holy Spirit for encouragement and wisdom, and seeks us out when we lose our way. (Michelle Avery)
Praise the Lord! He cares for us.
This is the Tuesday, December 24, 2013, devotional of Opening the Word.
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Read Matthew 3:11-17
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased" (v. 17).
On June 21, 1982, the announcement was made in London, England that a new prince, William, had been born into the royal family. As the son of the heir-apparent to the throne of England, he was and is now in line to rule as the monarch of Great Britain. Undoubtedly, this announcement was a source of joy to all of the loyal subjects who are a part of the British Commonwealth of nations.
Whether William will ever actually rule or not is unknown. There are many things that could happen to him personally or to the country over which he would reign. Even if he should, he will be but one more in a long line of kings and queens who have come and gone throughout the world's history.
"There is another king, one Jesus" (Acts 17:7) whose person and kingdom infinitely overshadow any and all earthly monarchs. His kingdom encompasses the entire world, is founded not on brute power but rather on passionate love. It is a spiritual kingdom that will transition into a literal one. And it is a kingdom that will never end! This is so because He is the eternal God who was and is and is to come, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Mike R Williams)
The world's final Ruler is coming.
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Read Ezekiel 33:30-33
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness" (v. 31).
Covetousness might be called "the sin that is most ignored." The tenth commandment is the one that is normally skipped in discussions. Charles Haddon Spurgeon said of the thousands he had seen saved, he never heard someone say they were saved from the sin of covetousness. LaSalle was a famous priest of the Middle Ages, and he said this sin was never confessed to him.
There is an old Jewish saying that we are born into this world with hands grasping after everything we can obtain, but when we die our hands are wide open and nothing in them. This is the problem of covetousness.
A story is told of a peasant who murmured to a giant landholder of the unfairness of it all. Knowing the nature of men, the landholder promised to give the peasant all the land he could walk around in a whole day. The peasant, greedily trying to take in all the area possible, overexerted himself and dropped with a heart attack and died. He ended up with nothing.
Covetousness is a debasing sin - it will turn you into less than you can be (1 Timothy 6:9-10). It is a deceiving sin - usually the covetous person does not recognize the problem (1 Thessalonians 2:5). It is a damning sin - one to take seriously (Ephesians 5:5). (L. Gayle Woods)
Do not ignore this sin; with God's grace, overcome it.
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Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19
"Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (v. 19).
Charles M. Schwab rose to the presidency of one of America's largest steel companies and quickly amassed a multi-million dollar fortune. He could do anything he desired, travel anywhere he fancied, have anything he coveted, and impress anyone he met. He built magnificent homes, threw lavish parties, played at high stakes gambling, and had a string of extramarital affairs. His life style brought him nearly to bankruptcy, even before the onset of the Great Depression. During the last five years of his life, he lived in a tiny apartment on borrowed money.
How different the life of George Mueller! Entirely dependent upon God's provision, Mueller drew no salary but supported his family on a small portion of the unsolicited offerings he received. God entrusted him with the many thousand English pounds he used to care for over 10,000 orphans in five orphanages and to provide Christian education to over 120,000 children in 117 schools. Mueller heeded the counsel of today's passage and gained eternal and true riches. We can do the same as generous and wise stewards of all God entrusts to us. (Joyce L. Cooper)
Oh, the unsearchable riches of Christ!
Who would not gladly endure
Trials, afflictions, and crosses on earth,
Riches like these to secure!
- Fanny J. Crosby
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" (Jim Elliot).
This devotional is the Tuesday, December 3, 2013 entry of Opening the Word.
Image Courtesy of Cristiano Galbiati, rgbstock.com

Read Luke 12:31-40
"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faith not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth" (v. 33).
In order to determine the cost of love, we need to go to the source of love. The Bible tells us that "God is love." The next verse that comes to mind is what we often refer to as the golden text of the Bible: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). We often refer to this as the ultimate price which was paid.
Today's verse is not advocating that it is wrong to have personal possessions, but it is emphasizing how we value them. If we look upon them as God-given treasures, we should be concerned about how we best preserve and use them. It is clear here and elsewhere in Scripture that the only safe place is in heaven.
One of the ways that we "lay up ... treasures in heaven" (Matt. 6:20) is by helping those who are in need both materially and spiritually. There may be times when it seems prudent to give directly to someone in need, but it is also safe to give through the missions arm of the church and other reputable charitable organizations. (Burl A. McClanahan)
Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed:
Unto your mission be true....
Make me a blessing to someone today
- Ira B. Wilson
Our heart and treasure abide together.
This is the November 27, 2013 devotional entry from Opening the Word.