BJU Press Blog

wonderful words

VICTORY

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My minister once noted that the presence of a “shadow” in the valley of death indicates there is light. The Lord will not abandon us when we come to our own Jordan River crossing. The faithful keeping we enjoyed in this life will continue to the very end.

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“O sing unto the Lord a new song; . . . his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory” (Psalm 98:1). “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces” (Isaiah 25:8). “Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? . . . But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54–57). “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4–5).

Golden thought: He will swallow up death in victory.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 16 reading).]

TRUE

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True is a beautiful word—whether used as an adverb or adjective. It is altogether appropriate to use it to describe both the person and words of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source and sustenance of all that is true. Because He has been true to His Father, we know He is worthy of our constant trust.

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“The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9b). “Thy word is true from the beginning” (Psalm 119:160a). “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest . . . if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth” (I John 2:8). “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war” (Revelation 19:11). “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6a).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The true Light now shines.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 9 reading).]

THOUGHT

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Because of our limited powers of perception, the Bible says we know a person by his “fruits.” But the God of heaven knows and judges even a person’s thoughts and intentions. In the flesh we cannot please Him. Rather, we must rely on the control of His Spirit and the influence of His Holy Word for our thoughts to be directed toward that which is holy.

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“The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity” (Psalm 94:11). “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love” (Psalm 119:113). “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus warned, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19). “The weapons of our warfare are . . . mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds . . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4b–5b). “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Golden thought: The Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts of the heart.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 2 reading).]

SWORD

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A sword can be either a physical object, such as the one David used to slay Goliath, or an abstract concept, such as the sword of the Spirit. Any way you slice it, there is intensity when a sword is mentioned in Scripture. Notice in the following verses how the sword of the Spirit—God’s Word—is fit for every circumstance.

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“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword” (Genesis 3:24). “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Micah 4:3). “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians. 6:17). “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit” (Hebrews. 4:12). “And out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword” (Revelation 1:16).

Golden thought: Take the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (November 25 reading).

STRENGTHEN

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I realize that physical strength may actually have little or nothing to do with inner strength. But when feeling physically weak, my perception of things can be affected. I can become downcast, but suppose that I am spiritually weak as well. Christ answers that weakness with His strength. All that is required of me is to cling to Him and patiently rest in His promises.

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“My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word” (Psalm 119:28). “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, . . . strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power” (Colossians 1:10–11). “Not withstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known” (II Timothy 4:17). “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

Golden thought: I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (November 18 reading).]