BJU Press Blog

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CARE

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It is unusual for a single word to have two completely opposite connotations, yet that is the case with the word “care.” In my experience it can mean nurturing and healing or wary and weakening. I either meekly trust in the Lord or live in my own strength—proudly self-reliant. The prophet Jeremiah laments in chapter 2, verse 13 that God’s people had forsaken Him,“the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out . . . broken cisterns.” We become dry and care worn when we seek to live independently of God’s grace, whereas leaning on Him gives us that sense of being cared for.

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“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). Paul warns against divisions and urges believers in the body of Christ to help and encourage one another. On the other hand, he urges the Philippians, “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). No believer should worry about his own circumstances; he should pray and trust God for help. The apostle Peter also urges trust in God’s mighty power. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Peter knew by experience that God can deliver from the worst circumstances (Acts 12:5–11).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: God cares for you.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 20 reading).]

BLOOD

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When I was a youngster and would get a cut or scrape, I remember my mother saying, “Let it bleed and it will clean itself out.” Blood cleans a wound. When it comes to the wound of sin, only Christ’s blood can wash and heal. His faithfulness in presenting Himself as a sacrifice means that sin’s corruption need not overtake our souls and drag us down to hell.

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“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). The blood of Christ was the atoning sacrifice that provided forgiveness of sins to all who will believe. God forgives believers on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. “How much more shall the blood of Christ . . . purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14). “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The present tense verb cleanseth promises constant cleansing through the blood of Christ. John refers to Jesus Christ the faithful witness, and prays, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, . . . to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5–6).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The blood of Christ cleanses us.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 13 reading).]

ALL

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Because the Lord Jesus was “tempted in all points like as we . . . yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), He understands every temptation I face. I rejoice in the “all’s” shared below. I rest in the confidence that Christ’s work leaves nothing undone.

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“When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4). God is with His people to extend comfort in every trouble they may encounter. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God does not treat His children as orphans. God has a bountiful supply of blessings for every believer. The believer should heed Peter’s exhortation, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God cares vastly more for the believer than any parent could for his child. “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: God shall supply all your need.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 6 reading).]

YIELD

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The ultimate example of the yielded life is our Lord Jesus Christ. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). He was soon to face the chastening of His Father even though He had perfectly obeyed Him in everything. Surely Jesus is worthy of absolute trust and total surrender on the part of those He has redeemed.

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“The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit” (Proverbs 12:12). “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13). “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey” (Romans 6:16). “For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Romans 6:19). “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). “So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh” (James 3:12).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The root of the righteous yields fruit.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 30 reading).]

WISDOM

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To lack wisdom and be a believer in Christ is a sad state, and completely avoidable. Our God is the sole source of true wisdom. He makes it readily available to His people by being completely accessible to them.

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“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalms 90:12). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalms 111:10a). “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). “But we preach Christ crucified . . . but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (I Corinthians 1:23–24). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 23 reading).]