101 Thoughts from the Word Vol. Three: New Testament

By David T. Peckham

From God's mouth to the hearts of His people - this is the function of the Bible and is the reason it is called The Word of God. "The Bible applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit is the chief means by which men are built up and established in the faith, after their conversion. It is able to cleanse them, sanctify them, to instruct them in righteousness, and to furnish them thoroughly for all good works (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) J.C. Ryle.
After many years of anger against God, the Lord wonderfully restored the author to Himself and laid the burden of this ministry on his heart. Every weeksince April 2000TFTWs (Thoughts From The Word) have been sent via the internet to God's people throughout the world. Many similar thoughts may be found at www.onhisshoulders.com.
The Bible "can show you the way which leads to heaven. It can teach you everything you need to know, point out everything you need to believe, and explain everything you need to do. It can show you what you are - a sinner. It can show you what God is - perfectly holy. It can show you the great river of pardon, peace, and grace - Jesus Christ" J.C. Ryle, 1816-1900, Bishop of Liverpool, whose picture is on the front cover.
The thoughts contained in this volume are published with the sincere prayer that God will use them to refresh and encourage the souls of His people. To receive future weekly TFTWs send your request to [e-mail].

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 22, 2008
• ISBN: 9781468503197

David T. Peckham

I was born and raised in Hastings, England and relocated to the USA in 1963. Since that time I have been engaged in Christian work in England, the Faroe Islands, and the USA. I was educated at Moorlands Bible College in England. After thirty years in the insurance business I retired and wrote my first book in 2004. My writings include two historical novels and six Christian works. I have three grown children and currently live with my wife in the State of Washington. For the past twelve years I have produced a weekly internet devotional called Thoughts From The Word (TFTW) that is received in twenty-one countries. The TFTWs and inforrnation on my books can be found on my website at onhisshoulders.com. or received weekly by request at [e-mail]

Book preview

101 Thoughts From The Word

Volume Three

New Testament

David T. Peckham

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AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Phone: [phone]

© 2008 David T. Peckham. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 10/18/2008

ISBN: 978-1-4389-0852-6 (sc)

ISBN: 9781468503197 (ebook)

Contents

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

MEDITATION

But you will see Me

I go to prepare a place for you

They shall call His name Immanuel,

He who did not spare His own Son

One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling

And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory

He lays it on His shoulders rejoicing

A thorn in the flesh was given to me

Laboring fervently for you in prayer

When you pray, go into your room

You almost persuade me to become a Christian

I will give him a white stone, and on that stone a new name written

Much more then

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise

Exercise yourself toward godliness

He is also able to save to the uttermost

Who is and who was and who is to come

God is love

Love has been perfected among us

Simon, I have something to say to you

Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?

All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household

Let us draw near with a true heart

The Lamb who is the midst of the throne will shepherd them

"If you say ‘Our Father’ … you must stand

in awe of Him"

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

For he is a Jew who is one inwardly

He wanted to see who Jesus was

There was no room for them in the inn

I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!

This do in remembrance of Me

Our gospel did not come to you in word only

Let me have joy from you in the Lord; Refresh my heart in the Lord

"Who Himself bore our sins in

His own body on the tree"

"Who Himself bore our sins in His

According to His mercy He saved us

"The things which God has prepared

for those who love him"

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ

That I may know Him

I am the Root and Offspring of David

This is the message

"Who Himself bore our sins in

His own body on the tree"

Stand fast in the Lord

So great a cloud of witnesses

Come out from among them and be separate says the LORD

Jesus said to them, ‘Come and eat breakfast’

How can these things be?

What do you want Me to do for you?

"One thing I know, that, whereas

I was blind, now I see"

This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many

Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God

The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us

But Peter … departed, marveling to himself at what had happened

The dead man came out

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to men.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus… so he went out and wept bitterly

Paul shook off the snake into the fire and suffered no ill effects

Great is the mystery of godliness

"Be strong in the Lord, and in

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth

He Himself likewise shared the same

The word of God is not chained

Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword

They are without fault before the Throne of God

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory

As Moses lifted up the serpent

Rich toward God

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me

Friend, go up higher

The Teacher has come, and is calling for you

If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live

You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins

New wine must be put into new wineskins

Death is swallowed up in victory

Let us cross over to the other side of the lake

"Did not He who made the outside

make the inside also?"

"He departed again to the mountain

by Himself alone"

The light of the gospel of the glory of Christ

The power of the Highest will overshadow you

Behold, the Lamb of God

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy … to stand before the Son of Man

And His commandments are not burdensome

Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’

According to the counsel of His will

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested,

offered up Isaac"

You are worthy. O LORD

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you … in truth and love

You, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation

When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him

She has done what she could

For no word from God shall be void of power (ASV)

"Did you not know that I must be about

My Father’s business?"

It is I; do not be afraid

Being justified freely through His grace

Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!

About the Author

Other books by David T. Peckham

PREFACE

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Hebrews 4:12.

Just imagine what the world would do if they were to ever create such a weapon with these capabilities, living, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. A military armed with such a weapon would most certainly have the advantage and cause great concern and fear in the ranks of their enemies. The Word of God is exactly that, developed by the Sovereign Creator of the universe for use in the building of His church, the perfecting of His children and the destruction of His enemies.

Thinking throughout Christian history is divided as to which Word of God is here referred—the personal or spoken Word of God or the written Word. The actual word used is ‘logos’, the same as that used to describe Jesus in John 1:1, but also as an utterance, saying and communication. While not definitive, ‘logos’ refers to the spoken or revealed Word of God such as the scriptures as a whole and the Person of Jesus Christ—both the revealed Word of God.

The other word translated ‘word’ in the Bible is ‘rhema’ which directs its meaning toward the individual, specific Word of God as in the words of Jesus. The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Eph 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words).

The word ‘logos’ is spoken of as the word, and the word of the gospel, the word preached, and the word of Christ, among others.

Major volumes have been written concerning this declaration by the writer of Hebrews but I leave it to your own study and research to decide your individual understanding of its precise meaning. Suffice it to say that whether the writer is referring to the spoken or written Word of God both applications apply.

The attributes of the Word of God are extremely significant in that when applied they are living, powerful and extremely sharp resulting in the the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. This is no dead manuscript hidden in the hills of Judea waiting for some archeologist to stumble over them. The Word of God is alive, therefore able to function in the lives of God’s people.

It is also powerful with the same power that God used in the creating of the heavens and earth. It is capable of accomplishing everything God desires it to achieve, including that which is impossible in the conception of man.

Then it is sharp, extremely sharp, and capable of dividing that which man conceives as undividable. How can the soul and spirit be divided? How about the thought and intents of the heart? So sharp is the Word of God that it does not consider it a problem to divide these seemingly inseparable items. Is not the Son of Man seen with a sharp two-edged sword protruding out of His mouth? (Revelation 1:16). Consider in your study Isaiah 11:4; 49:2; Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21.

This is the Word of God from which the thoughts in the following pages are drawn. God has used many of them in His work in the heart and life of the author, and are presented with the humble prayer that God will use His word again and again to minister to those who graciously read them.

May your desire for the Word of God intensify as the Holy Spirit directs you to the Person of Jesus Christ and His Divine revelation as displayed in scripture.

David T. Peckham, July 2008

INTRODUCTION

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food Job 23:12.

These words of Job, probably amongst the oldest in recorded history, are those that every dedicated Christian would wish to quote be it now or at the end of his life. None of us, if we are honest with ourselves, can say that we have not departed from the commandment of His (God’s) lips, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. How many of us can state with all honesty, I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food?

How important are God’s words to you? Do you feast on them every day and take from them the nourishment necessary to maintain the strength you require to walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory? (1 Thess 2:12), and to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called? (Eph 4:1).

Ezekiel, the great and honorable exiled prophet, was commanded by God to eat the scroll that contained His words,

"Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.

Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.’ So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness Ezek 2:9-3:3.

It is important to understand what God actually commanded the Prophet to do for He not only told him to eat the scroll but to fill his stomach with it. The word fill implies to digest. When the stomach digests its contents they become part of the body providing health and strength to its various parts. So is the Word of God to every Believer. Peter puts it this way: As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious 1 Peter 2:2-3.

And the writer to the Hebrews: For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil Heb 5:12-14.

Milk is vital to the growth of babies, but if we are to grow in the skills of the Word of righteousness, solid food, the Word of God, must be eaten and digested. It is not enough to quickly read the scriptures as in my daily reading, but we must learn to meditate upon it, contemplate what it is telling us, always asking the Holy Spirit to make it clear to our understanding, then accept it, reverence it and honor it.

The following thoughts are the result of the author’s contemplations—it is the only way I know to discover the revelation of God to His children. It is my prayer that God will use these Thoughts From The Word to encourage the reader to meditate upon, contemplate in, and spiritually digest His Word and thereby grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.Psalm 19:10.

MEDITATION

But on this one will I look: On him who trembles at My word Isaiah 62:2

The Word of God … upon this the soul does, with all reverence, attend when it is either read or preached, howsoever it is delivered, attends upon, and sets his heart unto it. As Moses said unto the people in Deut 32:46, Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe -- all the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life. Before such an one comes to hear the Word in an ordinary way, merely to spend so much time, or to hear what a man could say; but now when God works this gracious frame into the heart, now the soul sets itself unto it, as unto its life, not as a vain thing. I see my life in it and there is reverent attention unto the Word of God. Fear fastens the eye. When one has a fearful apprehension of a thing, it causes the eye to be fastened upon the thing. So, when an auditory comes to have many among it who tremble at God’s Word, it fastens the attention, and their thoughts are bent unto it in a more solemn way. And they dare not give liberty to themselves, no, not to the wandering of their thoughts, much less of their eyes up and down, but they are watching to hear what God has to say unto them.

When such an one has heard the Word, it does not dare cavil (complain or question) against it. It’s true, you may examine the word that you hear preached, but not cavil against it. Before the heart is brought to this trembling frame, it will be ready to rise against the Word and to entertain cavils, and vain objections against the Word, but now, when the heart is brought to tremble at it, it dares not cavil and object as formerly.

The heart that trembles at the Word accounts it a most dreadful condition to have the Word to speak against it. O, it looks upon that as the greatest evil that can befall it, that the Word of God shall speak against me; that when I come to hear it, I hear it speak against me and denouncing threatening against me. O, this is a restless condition! How can I eat, drink, or sleep quietly when the Word of God speaks against me!

A heart that trembles at the Word does, with all reverence and humility, receive every command of the Word and submits itself unto it, dares not resist any part of the Word, neither commanding part, not threatening part, but opens itself to receive it. It was a speech of one, O let the Word of the Lord come and we will submit if we had six hundred necks to lay under it. So a heart that trembles at the Word dares not resist it, but opens itself to receive in whatsoever the Lord has to give unto it.

Even the promises that are in God’s Word, it receives them with trembling, that is, upon apprehension of the infinite distance that there is between God and it, and its own infinite unworthiness of the mercy that is reached out in the promise. The heart, though it takes hold of it, yet it takes hold of it with reverence and fear. Bow then, such a heart as trembles in this manner at the Word of God, this is the heart that is so precious in God’s eye and that God looks upon.

Aye, but that’s the main thing. O, what is it that a gracious heart sees in God’s Word to make it to tremble? This being rightly understood, I hope this sermon may help you to sanctify the name of God in many sermons afterwards. This is that which God requires of you all, that, when He sends His Word among you, your hearts should not swell against it, but that you would entertain it with a trembling state of heart, and O the honor that would come to God and advantage to your own souls if you entertained it with a trembling frame of heart.

[He who trembles at the Word of God] sees God in it. He not only sees that it is God’s, but sees an abundance of the glory, the majesty, the greatness, the excellency of God that shines in His Word. The Lord reveals unto this heart that there is an abundance of divine luster and glory that shines in the Word that he trembles at, and that makes him tremble. Above all things in the world, the Word of God has the most of the glory of God in it. Though it’s true, a soul for a long