A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of September 7-11, 2020
MONDAY
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
At a time when we were unable to help ourselves, Christ died for us. Christ did His work in due time. There is a perfect timing for all things; it is more of a seasonal timing or a time when conditions are right for certain things to happen. Many things must be in place before God moves. He does not go by a watch, but He is tuned into situations, circumstances and availability of resources in completing His work. So at the set timing of times, Christ died for you and me. We were ungodly before we were born again. We needed then, and we now need a Savior. After His death, Christ performs His earthly ministry through His body; those of us who used to be ungodly are now the servants and heirs of God. We are precious to God for many reasons.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Isaiah 26:3-4 ~ You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
September 7: 2 Samuel 1, 1 Corinthians 12, Ezekiel 10, Psalms 49
September 8: 2 Samuel 2, 1 Corinthians 13, Ezekiel 11, Psalms 50
September 9: 2 Samuel 3, 1 Corinthians 14, Ezekiel 12, Psalms 51
September 10: 2 Samuel 4-5, 1 Corinthians 15, Ezekiel 13, Psalms 52-54
September 11: 2 Samuel 6, 1 Corinthians 16, Ezekiel 14, Psalms 55
September 12: 2 Samuel 7, 2 Corinthians 1, Ezekiel 15, Psalms 56-57
September 13: 2 Samuel 8-9, 2 Corinthians 2, Ezekiel 16, Psalms 58-59
TUESDAY
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:7-8
How do we judge the worth of a person? Most people judge one another by their own set standards. We like people better who treat us right. Then we get somewhat liberal, intelligent or philosophical, and decide that certain other people may be included in the “worthwhile” pile. We like people who do kind things for humanity, give of their money and time to charity, build hospitals for children, and so forth. We decide that these “good” people are worthwhile, but would we give our lives for any of them? Probably not. Our concept of worth does not extend into the love realm.
Why is it that we can value people without loving them? It is because God is love, and only His value system is based on love. The difference is that love is no respecter of persons; it just loves. Love considers all men worthwhile. In the United States’ Constitution we state that this truth is “self-evident.” That means it is beyond explanation that all men are created equal. This is a God-concept, not a human one. The only person who has proved this to be true is God himself. He died for the good as well as the bad. That’s love. That shows how valuable we are to God.
WEDNESDAY
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 5:7-9
We consider the gospel good news. The concept of someone sinless dying in your place is certainly good news. However, the news gets better. Now that we are born again, we are justified by the blood of Jesus. To be justified means to stand without accusation, fear of punishment, reprisal or fear of damnation.
The shed blood of Jesus is full payment for all our sins: past, present and future. We have access into the presence of God through this shed blood. When blood is shed, a price has been paid. Jesus’ work on the cross has made total payment for all sins of all humanity forever. What a loving God we serve. To make provision for all humanity, no matter what sad condition we are in! The blood of Jesus is complete, total, and final payment for all sins of all humanity forever. How precious His people are to him!
THURSDAY
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:10
Now that we are reconciled to God, we can move into the life of God. We are able to enter into the life of Jesus as He is now. We are indwelt by His Spirit, and by this Spirit we are able to do all things. We are able to become transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are able to believe for the impossible because we are heirs of His faith.
How precious are you to God? He took the best He had to offer and gave it to us when we were at our worst. Now that life that was poured out for us has been raised up to dwell in us. We have become new creatures. We are a new species. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation of peculiar people. We are totally supernatural, yet able to relate to the natural man.
By the sacrifice of Jesus, we have come into an inheritance with the saints of God. We have been elevated far above and beyond what we thought we were getting when we first became born again. He has set us in a large room. That’s how precious we are to God.
FRIDAY
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 5:10-11
We have received the atonement through Jesus Christ. To atone for something means to cancel it or erase or wipe it out. Just think of it, God loves us so much that He has actually erased our sins. They do not exist anymore. Only God can do that. Humans can do it with God’s help, but the atoning work originates with God.
I think I can remember people who have offended me since I was a small child. I have forgotten most of them to the extent that I am not still in pain from the memories, but I still remember them. That is typical of the human soul. But God is different. He does not remember our sins anymore. They have been wiped out. They do not exist anymore. That’s how precious we are to God.