2/1/18 All That Thrills My Soul 1
You thrill me, Lord, with all You have done for me! I sing for joy because of what You have done. Psalm 92:4, NLT
RECOMMENDED READING: PSALM 92 “ It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.4 For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.5 O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:8 But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.9 For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”
COMMENTS: Psalm 22:3 “God is Holy, He inhabits the praises of His People” This verse comes to mind as I meditate on Psalm 92. You and I are designed to be in fellowship with and in worship and praise to our Lord and Savior. We are energized, empowered, strengthened, and inspired as we praise Him. As Psalm 92 also reveals, the world doesn’t comprehend nor is capable of understanding the healing and transforming power of praise. But Psalm 22:3 tells us we are never as close to God as we are when we worship and praise Him. That is becomes He actually inhabits our praise. That is not because He has a big ego. Really? Certainly not! It is because He knows by doing so, we open our selves to hear Him and to let Him into a deeper and more hidden and, yes, dark place in our souls. As a skilled surgeon must go deep to remove cancer, so must God’s Holy Spirit go deep into our soul to remove the remaining cancer of sin still remaining. But He does not do so uninvited. When we praise Him, we invite Him in.
When I quiet myself, and take the time to praise Him, I feel a warmth and love and level of gratitude that I find difficult to describe. But when I do, worries and fears over personal or family or church or ?? situations all begin melting and fading away. The noise and distraction they create start fading into the background. To watch a sunrise or sunset or a clear night sky filled with stars or the beauty of fresh laid snow or new life of spring or …. All serve to remind me MY GOD IS MIGHTY AND GOOD AND IS STILL IN CHARGE AND ON THE JOB!! My God is still caring for me too.
Take some time to praise and worship Him today. I know how easy it is to let life’s distractions shorten or even keep us from our time with Him. But He is patiently waiting and so deserves our praise. But we so desperately need Him and need to praise Him for our own welfare and life too. HE IS MEDICINE FOR OUR SOULS! AMEN? AMEN!!
2/2/18 Love Not the World 2
All that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
RECOMMENDED READING: I JOHN 2:15-17 “15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
COMMENTS: The temptation and attraction of wealth and fame and material success is powerful and draws those who are judged successful in the world as well as those who aren’t. Those who are hunger for more and those who don’t are jealous of those who are. That is how satan tempts both to follow him instead of Christ. The empty cycle he gives offers fulfillment and happiness and security and contentment but instead of delivering, only brings an offer of a bigger empty carrot. This cycle only ends in disappointment and short-lived rewards in place of the eternal rewards Christ offers. Jim Carrey is a very successful actor, gaining fame and wealth. Yet he said “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of, so they can see that it’s not the answer.” Well most continue this deadly cycle without discovering a better way, the way of following Christ. Those who do regret not coming to Christ sooner and those who come to Him as children miss regretting years lost following satan’s lures.
No, I don’t agree with Jim Carrey but do believe God’s grace does draw those who gain wealth and fame, as He appears to be drawing Jim Carrey. Most ignore or pursue other false paths seeking fulfillment. Satan loves to outsmart us and thinks he is outsmarting God. How dumb and foolish is that! No, it is far better to yield to Christ’s grace early and turn from satan’s deceptive temptations sooner instead of later. But it is still our choice to do so. Scripture is clear and much is at stake. Our lives and our family and those we impact are affected by our choices. Choices that bring eternal life or choices that bring death.
Christ’s redemption brings healing but the longer we wait to receive it, the harder the choice and the deeper satan’s hold on us is and less likely we are to consider Christ’s answer because He will not force Himself on us. Is like sitting on the edge of a cliff wondering how close to the edge we can sit without falling off. Instead of toying with how close to the edge, we really need to work at getting as far away from the edge we can get as fast as we can.
Let’s seek Christ’s council to see those areas we still are sitting on the cliff’s edge needing to back away from and move away from as fast as we can. AMEN!
2/3/18 All at Once 3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1a
Recommended Reading: ROMANS 8:15-17 “15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
COMMENTS: There is much about God we know but simply don’t understand. Some of these attributes are God’s power and wisdom being infinite. Also, God has always been and always will be. Yet another is God is not limited by time and resides both inside and outside time. What does that mean? Does it mean God looks ahead and behind in time and uses that knowledge in present. We can safely say yes and leave it at that. That is enough to give us full confidence to put our trust in Him and seek His council and help with daily problems and choice and difficulties. Only He can know and understand the blessing that come with wise choices and consequences of poor ones. Not only does He know all and is infinitely wise, but also loves and cares for us like no-one else can or will. Only God fully sees or redemption (past), sanctification (present), and glorification (future) at the same time in past – present – future. By that I mean presently He remembers His sacrifice for and day we accepted His forgiveness and redemption. He sees transformation and progress each day in becoming more Christ-like. He also sees that transformation completed when we enter heaven. However, He saw all that just as clearly before day 1 of creation but sees it clearly in the infinite future.
He is not surprised as events unfold and is prepared to deal with them but in His Time and in His Way / Will. God is eternal (Deut.33:27) and infinite (Psalm 147:5). I have to confess such realization causes me to wonder if God ever goes back in time and changes events for a better outcome. Well such thinking would imply God didn’t know enough to do that the first time or back then, which isn’t true. He knew as much then as He does now! You see, we simply are not capable of figuring out and understanding God’s capability. God is only limited by His own restraint to allow and honor our choices, good or bad.
So, this realization should encourage us to trust and put our future in His Hands and submit to His guidance in order to achieve the future He desires for us and wants to prepare us for. Since we can not know our future nor understand the choices we need to make to achieve either the future we desire or the future He desires (which if far better than the one we desire), it is infinitely better if we seek His council first each day and both wait for and follow that council each day. Not all critical choices appear that way to us at the time. Some choices come in small steps of obedience that appear uneventful at the time. Stop and reflect on some examples from your past. From the past of someone you know.
GOD’S LOVE IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING. OUR PAST, OUR PRESENT, AND OUR FUTURE ARE ALL IN HIS HANDS. AMEN!!
2/4/18 Swept Away: Over Planning 4
We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind….
Ephesians 4:14
Recommended Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16 “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
COMMENTS: God is up to the task of planning the lives of every human who has or is or ever will live. In fact, He has already done that and is working to and encouraging us to support Him in implementing that plan. That plan for each of us is well thought out and perfect in all ways. It not only is best for us, but perfectly fits and supports His plan for others we directly and indirectly impact and influence. Each plan prepares us for both prosperity and tragedy that will come. For good times and bad. For times of great temptation and deception and times of clear opportunity and open doors to ministry and blessing. We face those days prepared when we walk with Him. Even though He normally doesn’t reveal more about what is ahead than we need, less than we would like to know, He does shed enough light so we can avoid the potholes close to us. BUT HE SEES AHEAD AND IS MAKING PREPARATIONS MILENNIA IN THE FUT URE! When we don’t seek His council, stop and wait and listen to His council, and then follow His council, it is light turning off the headlights on our car at night while going 55 MPH. How foolish would that be? Well, the headlights only show the path a few hundred feet ahead, but that is enough to give us time to steer to stay on the road, see road signs, and avoid potholes and dangerous obstacles. But the road to our destination was prepared for us long before and our GPS helps guide us along that road and to make the right choices to get to our predetermined destination. SO, IT IS WITH GOD.
God gives us His Holy Spirit to guide and council and encourage and strengthen and protect each of us 24x7x365xeternity. His Holy Spirit abides outside but near every human but abides inside the born again Christian because he or she invited Him in. The Holy Spirit is GOD ABIDING IN US. If that sounds creepy, remember, God is our creator, our defender, our provider, our most faithful and dearest Friend, but also GOD ALMIGHTY above all else and below no one. We can trust and depend on Him like none other. Having Him abide in us gives us great security and comfort. Especially knowing satan is out to destroy us and knows we are unprepared to fight Him without God’s help. Spend some time in prayer and devotion with Him today worshipping and praising Him but also listening for His council. He has much to tell you if take time to listen. Not useless gossip but life changing truth and WORDS OF LIFE you desperately need and long for.
2/5/18 Out of Print? 5
…when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3:2
In one of his homespun sermons, evangelist D. L. Moody said, “There was a man in London who had all the promises of God printed together in a little book, and some time after some one in the country sent up for a copy. He received the answer that all the promises of God were out of print.” Moody then held up his Bible and said, “Perhaps that man had never heard of this.” And he added, “I advise you to make all God’s promises good. God always keeps every promise He makes, and I defy any infidel to show any promise he has not kept.”
Recommended Reading: I JOHN 3:2-3 “2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
COMMENTS: God has given us tremendous promises of eternal worth. Promises like an eternal home He is still preparing for us. Promises like this one from I John to transform us to be like Him but free of pain and age and sin and death. Christ came as God’s Christmas gift to us, which He also opened for us on Easter. A gift only we can accept but unable to open. Only He could open that gift for us. That gift was forgiveness of sin and redemption so we can receive all the promises He has made and is preparing for us. Promises requiring our obedience but promises. Think about some special gifts you received at Christmas as a child. The best ones were likely those your dad took time to help you put together and play with them with you. Time with our dad was more desirable than the gifts but using the gift together was special. Christ wants to give us the priceless gift of eternal life but with Himself in a place specially designed and built with us in mind where we would live with and fellowship with Him continually. We will also have work to do there, work we will love and appreciate and work we will be doing with Him.
Also reflect on what it will be like to share life experiences with Daniel and Joseph and David and John and Peter and Esther and Jonah and Noah and …. Listening as they share their experiences both while on earth and the time they have already experienced in heaven. But even more, learning at Jesus’s feet and on the eternal journey in heaven we will be walking with Christ, not limited by physical frail aging bodies needing sleep and food and repair. To be reunited with our loved ones and talk to our ancestors and realize the benefit of wise choices they made we enjoyed while on earth and even in heaven. To discover the wonderful way God’s Will was fulfilled through history and in our life while on earth.
That is our future. Realization energized and enabled the early Church Christians to endure great persecution and suffering with hope and joy. They had little hope of redemption from persecution but confidence of an eternal home with Christ. They followed Christ’s example and understood and believed the promises He gave them. But they also discovered and enjoyed continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit living and working within them. They were able to do more and gain greater strength having the Holy Spirit living within them than they had even having Christ in human form living among them. We too have that blessing and promise of the Holy Spirit living within us along with the eternal promises those early Christians had and believed and depended on. They are enjoying those promises now. Our time too will be soon. AMEN!!
2/6/18 The Divine Connection 6
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35
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2/7/18 Fear Not 7
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
At first, very small children are reluctant to admit to their wrongdoings. At the heart of their reluctance is fear. But in a loving environment a transformation gradually takes place. Children become willing to admit their misdeeds because their confidence in their parents’ love for them is unwavering. When love is given and received—when love becomes the unconditional norm—it removes fear from the relationship.
Recommended Reading: Romans 8:35-39 “35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
COMMENTS: The first century Christians endured torture, prison, starvation, and death. They even enduring being forced to watch their families endure torture and death too, but remained faithful to Christ. Even Peter, who denied Christ 3 times during risk of prison, preached boldly and later died on a cross upside down because he felt unworthy to die as Christ died. What motivated and gave them courage to endure and remain firm in their faith? THE HOLY SPIRIT!! When the Holy Spirit dwelling in them gave them the words and passion and courage. The same Holy Spirit offers help to us too. The choice to stay true to Christ was theirs made freely, but the Holy Spirit empowered them to stick with that decision. I can’t imagine a father or mother being forced to watch their spouse and child being tortured to death. What made the difference was confidence of heaven and Christ’s promise they would see their loved ones in heaven free of the evil and injustice and sickness and age and death that was tormenting them here. They now know God was faithful to His Word and are enjoying the results of making the wise choice to follow Christ. Their example shouts to us to do the same. One hundred years from now, and a lot sooner too, we will be so glad we did and our families will too if they each also make the wise choice to follow Christ. The world will do all it can to discourage and distract and pull us from Christ, but they can not meet the longing of our soul like Christ does and can not offer eternal life and a home in heaven. Christ does and is working hard preparing that home for us.
2/8/17 Temporary Death, Eternal Life 8
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25
Recommended Reading: Hebrews 2:14-15 “14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
COMMENTS: Death is a subject avoided by couples and families and even in churches, especially in young to middle years until a close family or friend dies. We think death is a long way away and will have time to deal with this unpleasant subject later. We put off doing and even talking about subjects unpleasant to us. Children put off doing homework if allowed to do so, but when they do their homework first, they enjoy play and free time so much more. They and we find that lesson hard to learn and easy to forget because our nature is still to put off unpleasant things.
Our heavenly Father also wants us to “do our homework” first so we can enjoy the life He gives us more fully and with Him. Our homework is to come to Him early to repent and receive His Grace and abiding Sprit into ours. Come to Him early so He can guide and help and strengthen and inspire us to make wise choices and following a path of living to life and not death.
Well, truth is we are all mortal and will face the death of many loved ones and our own death unless He returns first. Either way, avoiding Him is foolish and puts us at great jeopardy. We don’t need to look far to discover many younger than us who’s life has been snuffed out suddenly without warning due to sickness and accident. The number who have died, especially children, from flu this winter is alarming. Many were discharged from the hospital recovering but suddenly relapsed and died before proper treatment could be administered.
You and I are not in control of our destiny. The choice to follow Christ is key, but it is still God and only God who has the authority and power to control our destiny. Satan tempts and pulls us down a path to destruction and eternal death. That is the only path He knows and can offer. He hides and covers that path with shiny attractive covers, but the path is still the same. Only Christ can and will offer a far better path. No glitter or covers to draw us. Only His love, His blood to draw us. But the path is the path to life – eternal life instead. A path to Himself and the home He continues to prepare for us.
So, death need not be a subject to avoid or dread. As our bodies age and become weak and painful, as the world continues to deteriorate and become more hostile toward Christians and the Gospel; we start to find heaven more appealing and more like home to us. Well, life is a gift to be savored and cherished as long as God gives us, but prepared for our eternal life and living in a way to give a clear path to others to do so as well, is our calling and our duty but also our great privilege and joy. Yes, because it is a work of love and a way to life, abundant life, to life eternal. No one need live in fear of death since Jesus has removed its sting (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). AMEN? AMEN!
2/9/18 The Measure of Love 9
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. Ephesians 2:4-5
How long is an inch? What is the volume of a quart? America’s Founding Fathers gave the responsibility to Congress to establish “standards of weights and measures throughout the United States.” President George Washington ordered Thomas Jefferson to create a plan for maintaining uniform standards. And the sixth president, John Quincy Adams, wrote while serving as Secretary of State in 1821, “Weights and measures may be ranked among the necessities of life to every individual of human society.” Today, the National Institute of Standards and Technology keeps track of measurements.
Recommended Reading: I JOHN 4:16 “16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
COMMENTS: We don’t think much about it, but imagine the chaos if we didn’t have a common standard to measure distance or weight. A few decades ago there was a push to go from imperial (inch/foot – pound) to metric (mm/meter – kg). Promise of a simpler standard and more global accepted standard, was the driving force. Well, that transition is still in process and the promise of an easier standard to us wasn’t entirely accurate (at least for the generations intrenched and more comfortable with the imperial standard). OK, I’ll admit it. I still prefer the imperial standard, the standard President George Washington ordered Thomas Jefferson to implement for our young nation. The standard President John Quincy Adams drafted as “Weights and measures” while serving as “Secretary of State”.
Well, what about a standard of morality and conduct? What standard do we use and what standard has been proved true by the test of time? It is the standard set in the old testament by the 10 Commandments. It is the standard demonstrated and taught in our Bible and established by God Himself. It is the standard of God’s Love.
God’s standard was taught and demonstrated in Christ’s life and is recorded in our New Testament. But we are living in dangerous times when rebellion and hostility against that standard is being embraced by government leadership and in schools too. A deliberate effort to remove mention of God and His standard of morality and conduct from our schools and textbooks and our lives is becoming stronger and methodical but deliberate.
What is the result? Disregard for life, especially the weak and defenseless. Dramatic increase in violence in communities and schools even perpetrated by children. How well is that working? NOT SO WELL!! Aren’t we learning anything from history? Doesn’t seems so but that seems to have been so in past too. “THOSE WHO DON’T STUDY AND LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE DUMBED TO REPEAT IT!!” God’s standards and laws are GOOD. Not to hurt or hinder us but to protect us and give us Joy and Life. Who is telling the truth and who is spreading a doctrine of lies? Do I need to say it? Well “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD” Joshua 24:15
2/10/18 Swept Away: Tradition 10
Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition Matthew 15:3
Recommended Reading: Mattthew 15:1-11 “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”
COMMENTS: Holiday traditions for Thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter are important to us and can be good. They create habits that remind us of family and God and provide opportunities to take a break from our busy lives to reflect and reset priorities. Unfortunately, all too often instead of drawing us back to God and to each other the focus is on preparing for party or meal or gift exchange, making the same mistake Martha did preparing meal for Jesus while Mary, her sister, sat listening at Jesus feet. Well, the solution is likely not throwing out traditions and holiday celebrations. Balance can come with remembering purpose of celebration and keep preparations simple and brief so all can enjoy fellowship and worship. Remember, fellowship and worship during preparation is just as important as during celebration.
Wedding can be another example. Weddings are becoming more elaborate in time and money spent. Stop and reflect on how our parents and grandparents celebrated wedding s and Christmas days. Family were all involved in preparations and cost was minimal, at least by today’s standards. But memory with family and friends and Christ centered in celebration resulted in creating a deeper bond with each other and with the new couple establishing a new family unit of their own. When we make and keep Christ the center of our traditions, wisdom and balance and positive impact of the traditions and celebration remain vital in sustaining life instead of draining that life by becoming the purpose or end instead of a means to a purpose.
2/11/18 Respond to Circumstance Wisely = Respond to God 11
Recommended Reading: Ecclesiasties. 3:1-14 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”
COMMENTS: What we do+ how we do it + when we do it + why we do it = successful legacy. Do we work to gain success and money to only satisfy our own selfish desires or to benefit others? Do we only do good when others are watching or even when no one is watching? Is our motivation for working to honor our Lord and follow His lead or is it just to earn money to survive and raise a family?
Granted, jobs are necessary to provide food and cloths and shelter for ourselves and our families. But God desires our jobs to have a greater purpose. To provide opportunity to share and show Christ’s redemptive love in circles we otherwise would not interact in. To show the difference Christ makes in our lives by how we respond to adversity and difficult situations as well as in enjoyable – pleasant circumstances. To show others the reason for the joy and confident hope Christ gives us.
Being a good Stewart and employee providing quality work and wise use of the time our employer hired us to do and spend. A good work ethic is a good testament of how genuine our faith is and how real Christ is. Likewise, showing mercy and forgiveness as well as setting a high standard that encourages others to strive for is also part of our witness of His Good News. The resulting path this choice puts us on is a path to a respected and enduring legacy that will bring satisfaction and joy even in painful and unpleasant circumstances. A legacy that will bring life and energy to ourselves but also to those impacted by us.
However, when we fail to show Christ’s example and follow selfish motives and goals, the impact we have on others is greatly diminished or even destructive. The path such failures puts us on is a path of misery and regrets. A path miserable in our jobs desiring for a better job when the problem is in us instead of with the job. Result is impact on others becomes negative too and way others treat us becomes less than ideal or even hostile. A path to death instead of to life. A path that may even draw others into the path to death also.
So, the question of Who are you working for? Why are you working? These become more important questions than where do you work, what is your job, and how much money do you make? Is God your employer? Look around and consider someone who has made God his employer. What difference has that made in how he works and joy he shows in his work? It might just convince you to surrender to God as your new employer before seeking out another employer first.
I can remember a difficult time in my career when encountering equipment with design deficiencies with no clear solution. Out of frustration I asked God to call me out of my job and into ministry. His response was asking me “Why do you think you could serve me any better as a pastor if you can’t serve me as an engineer where you are?” Serve me where you are first. I then started an early morning prayer meeting and a few other Christian engineers and designer joined me to pray. The result of that time was closer friendships with those Christian men but also shared insights into resolving those design weaknesses. The best solutions came as I more closely interacted and listened as workers in manufacturing and those who used our equipment shared their ideas and insights. The friendships and respect gained was precious – much more valuable than the great ideas and solutions that came as well. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ALLOW GOD’S LEAD AND CHRIST’S EXAMPLE. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE MAKE CHRIST OUR SUPERVISOR AND OUR EMPLOYER. When I discovered and followed His instruction, I found fulfillment and joy in my employment and also discovered Christ would allow me to cross paths with many I would never have met as a pastor and show Christ’s love to some not possible otherwise. I cherish those years, but now I cherish the years and new opportunities retirement gives me.
2/12/18 A Man for All Ages 12
For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. Luke 2:30-31
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2/13/18 God’s Purpose in 2018 13
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Recommended Reading: Ecclesiasties. 12:13-14 “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
COMMENTS: Solomon was given great wisdom by God in response to his request for wisdom instead of power and riches. God honored his heart and desire to rule his people under God’s rule and wisdom. But his dependence on God for wisdom faded as he allowed himself to first marry pagan women and then allow their gods to gain influence in Israel and in his life. His memory and wisdom made him realize without God, wealth and power is meaningless. With God, such platforms give great opportunity and resources to do great good. Solomon had that opportunity but failed himself, his country, and God Himself. What a waste of such a gifted man and of the resources God blessed him with.
Consider the resources God puts in our hands. Not to use for our own selfish wants but to use to do His Will. Granted, we don’t have the level of riches Solomon possessed nor the level of wisdom, but we do have responsibility for the blessings God has entrusted to us. We have an advantage even Solomon lacked. The opportunity to have God’s Holy Spirit indwelling Holy Spirit abiding in us 24x7x365 to guide and empower and council us with His Wisdom. There are many times I wish I’d waited and listens more earnestly for His council and then followed it, but times I did brought great blessing, much I still enjoy. His mercy was and is also there to forgive those times I didn’t wait for His council. HE IS SO WORTHY OF OUR PRIASE AND WORSHIP BUT ALSO OUR OBEDIENCE. AMEN!!
The man who lives in God is never out of season. Vance Havner
2/14/18 Looking Back 14
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Recommended Reading: Philippians 3 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
COMMENTS: A runner learns quickly not to look back. Looking back may tell you how close opponents are but it also slows you down. Taking our eyes off the road ahead increases risk of falls or diverting off the path, but by simply slowing us down even slightly or for a second, gives opponents an added advantage. We are running the race of life. When we run the race with Christ, we trust Him to light our path (especially during the night of trials and hardships) but also trust Him to protect our back from opponents as well as alert us of obstacles and opponents ahead as they come into view. As headlights just light far enough ahead to reveal obstacles and show path in front of us but not a mile ahead, so Christ has chosen to just reveal enough for us to run the race successfully and faithfully. Trust and faith in Him is stronger and necessary by doing so. If we knew the challenges that await us, we would become discouraged and give up. Difficulties and trials serve to strengthen our faith by exercising our faith and drawing us closer to Christ. By moving closer to Christ, we move farther from satan and his influence. From the path to death to the path of life. When we allow discouragement or other distractions to gain our attention, we move from Christ towards satan, the way to death.
“Negative fill your mind with doubt, bitterness, and fear. Positive purvey hope and strength. Which one will you choose to heed?” Max Lucado
2/15/18 Desert Guide 15
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11
Recommended Reading: PSALM 23 “ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
COMMENTS: How many times have you heard “I’m my own worst enemy!” or at least thought it? We tend to make more choice we regret than affected by poor choices of others. Yet we suffer almost daily by either or by both. Well, that is because our enemy, satan, works hard to deceive all of us to make poor, sinful, choices instead of choices that pleases our Lord. Choices His Holy Spirit nudges us to make. Choices that bring healing and life to us and others instead of choices that feel good at the time but later bring regrets and harm or worse. How much of our day is doing over or fixing mistakes of the day before? Or adding to today’s work the work that should have been done yesterday but put off? We waste time doing what we want to avoid work we know we need to do, but isn’t enjoyable or appealing at the time. I recall from my distance school years and working years the consequences doing so. Day always went so much better and easier when I did my homework first before play time, when I got home from school. Our granddaughter is learning this lesson and is more willing to follow through to do her homework first. I also had to learn this lesson at work, setting priorities based on urgency instead of level of difficulty and appeal work was for me. I also learned to consider the importance of work to those I needed to serve. To take to heart the sign I placed on my desk “12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12”
Putting others ahead of ourselves reflects Christ’s example and our calling. But when we do so, we also discover our days and life becomes brighter and even easier. We find others are also more willing to do for us.
When we do for others, we also open doors for Christ to do for us. We have no idea what cliffs we are at the brink of falling off. When we do for others, we are also more alert to Christ’s voice speaking to us. The nudging of the Holy Spirit is more easily felt and we are more of a mind to listen and obey its council and warning. Take some time to reflect on past examples. I’m sure you will discover many examples from your past. I certainly do from my past. Good motivation to trust and obey His nudging going forward. AMEN?
AMEN!!
“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things.…If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” Warren Wiersbe
2/16/18 If I Believed Like That 16
But the end of all things is at hand. 1 Peter 4:7
RECOMMENDED READING: I PETER 4:7-11 “7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
COMMENTS: D.L.Moody was a powerful preacher who drew large crowds and led thousands to Christ when he preached. Once in 1875 he preached in Brooklyn, Pastor Ward Beecher heard him speak and met Moody. Beecher saw the passion and sense of urgency in Moody’s preaching and live. Moody sincerely believed Christ’s second coming was imminent and had a powerful way of convincing listeners to respond quickly before it was too late. Well, that was over 140 years ago and Christ still hasn’t returned. But all those who heard Moody are dead and gone and choice they made has sealed where they are spending eternity now. God’s grace has delayed His return and continues to do so, but the time of His return is approaching and is 140 years closer now than then.
Beecher noted “I should be a burning fire all the time if I believed like that”. Well, truth is we are living on the Titanic called earth, which is doomed to judgment. We can redeem our ticket on the life boat Christ provides for us. If we believe Christ’s return is imminent today, we need to learn from Moody’s passion and act accordingly towards our family and friends and those we interact with daily. Granted, we likely don’t have Moody’s preaching gifts but living and acting Christ like and show the love He has shown us is something we all can and must due to create a legacy of life others will be drawn too. Even if Christ isn’t coming soon, many of us will face eternity very soon and we all will in a few fleeting years. The regret of waiting will be missing out on years we could have served Him and enjoyed fellowship with Him.
Well, there was plenty of evidence in the world Moody knew to convince him Christ’s return was imminent. There is far more evidence for us today. But truth is we are told that Christ will come to stop the world from destroying itself. (Matthew 24:22)
Here are the prophecies to be fulfilled before Christ returns, prophecies fulfilled today:
- The human race is at brink of exterminating itself (Mathew 24:22)
- The Jewish people will return and establish their nation once again in Israel (Luke 21)
- End time battle between the king of the North and king of the South (Daniel 11)
- End time union of Europe (Daniel 2 & 7)
- The gospel must be preached in all the world (Matthew 24:14)
- Instant worldwide communications and God’s final witnesses do their work ( Matt. 24, Mk. 13, and Luke 21)
Israel is now a nation (since 1948) and man now both has capability to destroy himself and that power is quickly being acquired by radical governments and dictators. We also have worldwide instant communication and gospel is being spread to remote areas of the world. The Islam religion is also being spread broadly and quickly along with its radical doctrine.
Moody’s day did have its satanic influences and devastation, but persecution of Christians and radical influence is Islam and destructive power available to radical governments and leaders make today a much more dangerous time but also a time when Christ’s message is being spread and received like no other time in history, even during first century. Well, time is short and we must use remaining time and resources wisely if we are going to meet Christ prepared to receive His “Well done good and faithful servant” greeting. We need not be uncertain about that greeting, not due to our good works but due to our submission to His mercy and Will.
“Moody thinks (the world is) a wreck bound to sink—and the only thing that is worth doing is to get as many of the crew off as you can” .Henry Ward Beecher
2/17/18 Your Heart Is His Priority 17
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
RECOMMENDED READING: PROVERBS 4:20-27 “20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
COMMENTS: Past experiences and memories can and do serve to make us weaker or stronger. Sins always make us weaker unless Christ intervenes. Corrie Ten Boom survived the terror and suffering of Nazi concentration camps during WWII. She lost her entire family by Christ’s abide presence and comfort of His Holy Spirit. But still present was hidden resentment for the Nazi guards who killed and administered suffering to her family to herself. Many years later at one preaching engagement she led, one of those guards came forward to accept Christ. She recognized him and recoiled and went off stage. She could not let go of her hatred nor could lead him to Christ. She still felt he needed to pay for his sins. But the Holy Spirit then reminded her of her owns sins now forgiven and cost to Christ. She was reminded Christ died for him too and to forgive him was no greater than sacrifice Christ paid to forgive her. Once she accepted that and returned, she led that guard to Christ and experienced being fully free of that resentment and actually could show love and forgiveness to that guard. Her heart was fully free.
Guarding our hearts is vital to our spiritual health and relationship with Christ. Consider how sinister satan is. He inspires and drives people like that Nazi guard to do unthinkable acts. Satan then motives people like Corrie to hate that guard for those acts, deceiving her to think she has the right to do so and is stronger by nurturing such hate and is administering justice on that guard by doing so. Truth is she was hurting herself far more than that guard. Forgiving him yielded to Christ and trusting Him do right and justly. When we let go and leave judgment to Christ, we are free to serve and live fully as He intends for us. The way to life Christ desires for us instead of way to death satan desires for us. Ask Him to guard our hearts but submit to His skilled hands to cut out the cancer of hatred from our hearts and replace with a “heart of flesh” alive and sensitive to His abiding presence. AMEN? AMEN!!
2/18/18 Always There 18
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23
Recommended Reading: Hebrews 13:5-6 “ 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
COMMENTS: 100 years ago, our great grandparents wouldn’t leave home without their horse and possibly some money or supplies, especially for a long journey. If they left family behind, would leave as many provisions behind for them that they could. In more hostile areas, taking a gun along was prudent.
Today, with cars the normal means of transportation, keys are vital. Keys to lock our houses and to start and lock our cars. The more stuff we possess, the more effort to maintain those possessions and work and expense to protect them. In more recent times, when we leave home, even briefly, we take our cell phones and computers or ipods too. Such devices were not known and their names hadn’t been invented yet 50 years ago or even 15 years ago for some. 35 years ago, a few had cell phones but they were as big as a loaf of bread. Computers filled a room instead of a pocket or brief case. A phone bill was for a landline in our home and cost us $10 per month. Of course, we had to pay extra to place a long distance call outside our town and to call someone overseas was almost unthinkable. Today cell phone bills are commonly over $125 but they do more than large computers could od 25 years ago. Times are changing but people are not, or at least for the better. Crime and school violence and immorality all becoming more normal and accepted by more and more of the population.
Without God’s influence, man’s behavior and rules wonder quickly away from His standards and evil become stronger and in control. Sin becomes accepted as good and good becomes accepted as evil in man’s eyes. That is exactly what is happening today. Tolerance is ever increasing for evil – sinful behavior, as judged by God’s commandments and Bible, while God’s laws and those who teach and follow them are judged intolerant. That is the society we live in. Yet people wonder why violence is increasing and regard for life is decreasing. Forgotten is the association of blessing and prosperity and freedom with following Christ. Any and all other faiths are being tolerated or even embraced while Christianity is not tolerated and rejected by more and more.
But God has not changed, nor has His laws and influence in the world. He continues to let us go our own way, making our own foolish choices but not without warning. The violence and diseases and even disasters are warning of rejection of Him. He may not be causing them, but his protective hand is being removed from us because of our sinfulness. II Chronicles 7:14 “14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” A wonderful promise but also implies a chilling warning for not repenting.
King David knew the consequences of sin and blessings from repentance because he both was an adulterer and murderer as well as a repentant king. He also knew what is was to be in deep personal relationship with God and know His sustaining power and presence 24x7x365. Cell phones were not known to him, but he knew how to have conversation with God any time, any where by simply talking to Him. He knew God was always there and always available.
Psalm 139:7-16 “ 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
David knew “IMMANUEL”, a name for God which means “God with us” and his above psalm reveals the impact that relationship had on him. Such a relationship is even more available to us since we now have and can experience Christ’s forgiveness and the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence. We have “more of God” available to us than David did so His psalm can be ours too.
So, wherever we go today, yes take our keys and money and credit cards and even cell phones, but remember to put you hand in Christ’s hand before you leave, and know Christ will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He is “IMMANUEL” – God with us. AMEN!!
“The presence of God in the flood is better than a ferry boat.” Charles H. Spurgeon
2/19/18 Spiritual Journaling 19
Treasure my commands within you. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 7:1, 3
RECOMMENDED READING: PROVERBS 7:1-5 “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.”
COMMENTS: I’ve heard it said that memory is best preserved if recorded with as many senses as possible. Reading a book is an example if added to reading with our eyes, we read out loud so we heard the words too. If read outside where other smells can add to association, they can help as long as distractions don’t detract from content of book. Unfortunately, satan knows that and uses a variety of ways to both draw us into temptation and give us clear memory with all our senses of the pleasure of temptation without remembering the consequences and regrets of sin. Stop and reflect on your own experience to confirm this to be true. But God desires to help us remember the joys of obedience to His Laws and joys of a personal relationship with Him too. The difference is God desires for us to choose Him out of love and worship and not out of deception or intimidation, as satan does.
Scripture tells us to write God’s Word in the tablet of our heart and to reflect often on it so we will not sin against Him. “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee” PSALM 119:11 There is no room for both sinful thoughts and God’s Word in our minds. Each will push the other out. As an ancient Indian saying states “There are two wolves fighting in our heart. One good and one evil. The one that wins is the one we feed. By storing God’s Word in our minds and hearts, we feed the good wolf and starve the evil one. When we entertain temptation in our minds and heart, we feed the evil one.
As we get older, the nature of temptation may change but is still present and just as deceptive. But we both have experiences of a long past to help guide us and, hopefully, wisdom gained from those years and experiences. But also, the experience of many years of relationship and fellowship with Christ and His abiding Holy Spirit to give us strength and accessible council as well. Which wolf are you feeding today. The evil one will not die until we are in heaven, but it can be rendered weak as we continue to feed the good wolf, making it also stronger in our lives and consciences.
Doing a daily devotional journal and sharing it with you continues to be a vital way God uses to draw and keep me closer to Him and an effective tool battling temptations and causing the evil wolf in my heart to draw weaker and weaker. But satan still uses distractions and my own physical weaknesses to hinder doing this each and every day. But memory keeps drawing me back to it and commitment to you and to my Lord to continue this privilege and method of outreach and ministry compels me to not venture away from being faithful to doing it daily. Days I miss are brief and infrequent since I began in 2012. With God’s help and Grace and permission and if He tarries and continues giving me life and strength on earth, I am hoping to continue this for many years to come.
“Invite God to use your journaling experiences to draw you closer to Him.” Whitney Hopler
2/20/18 Versed for Life 20
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
RECOMMENDED READING: JOSHUA 1:1-9 “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
COMMENTS: What eternal legacy will your life leave? What impact has your life made in the lives of others? What work does God still have for you to do? A 14-year-old boy, Carson Leslie, discovered he had terminal cancer. Instead of giving up or allowing panic to fill his soul, he concluded that his time remaining would count. His life verse was Joshua 1:9. He requested that verse be on his tombstone when he was gone. His hope was that those who go pass his grave will see that verse and gain hope and be drawn to his and their Savior.
I discovered a tombstone of a young man of 22yrs, Philip Monjar, who died in 1851 but left a testimony that touched me 153 years later when I read it. The words are “O for a heart to praise my God, a heart from sin set free, a heart that always feels thy blood so freely shed for me.” Upon research, I discovered these words are the first verse of a hymn written by Charles Wesley in 1742 based on Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast sprit within me.” These words likely were read and impacted lives of passers by generations before me, and especially by those who know Philip and his family personally. What legacy is God writing in your legacy? The legacy we allow Him to write is far better and lasting than the one we write or strive for. His legacy is far easier to achieve because His full help and support is behind that legacy because it is a legacy we are design to do and far more impactful than one we would strive for.
You may say, I only live a boring and uneventful life. Well, Philip Monjar only lived 22 years and Carson Leslie only 14 years, but the impact of their tombstones reaches beyond the centuries of their life with words they did not write but words they lived. What words are you living by? We can do no better than to do as they. If we do, then the responsibility of our legacy falls on Christ instead of us, and our legacy will be written by Him for us.
Below are the words of the hymn “O FOR A HEART TO PRAISE MY GOD”:
- Verse 1; “O for a heart to praise my God, a heart from sin set free, a heart that always feels thy blood so freely shed for me.”
- Verse 2: “A heart resigned, submissive, meek, my great Redeemer’s throne, where only Christ is heard to speak, where Jesus reigns alone.”
- Verse 3: “A humble, lowly, contrite heart, believing, true, and clean, which neither life nor death can part from Christ dwells within.”
- Verse 4: “A heart in every thought renewed and full of love divine, perfect and right and pure and good, a copy, Lord, of thine.”
- Verse 5: “Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart; come quickly from above; write thy new name upon my heart, thy new, best name of Love.”
2/21/18 Eyelashes, Fingernails, and Bodybuilding 21
Your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
RECOMMENDED READING: I CORINTHIANS 15:50-58 “50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
COMMENTS: Everyone wants to be remembered for doing something or leaving something good and memorable, something lasting. Many have tried to take possessions with them into eternity but none have. Everything material was left behind to decay or to be possessed by others. Wills are written so dying owner can dictate who will acquire their possessions. Our accomplishments will be remembered and passed on too or simply forgotten. Guinness records records of accomplishments, some noteworthy and some not so much. A Chinese woman holds the record for longest eyelashes, 5”. An 84-year-old great-grandfather for being the oldest male body builder, and a woman in Houston for longest fingernails, 18ft. I can’t bring myself to believe the fingernail record, can you? Maybe 18” but even that is difficult to comprehend. We may say why??
Well, you and I may never hold a world record and have our accomplishments recorded in the Guinness record book, but what will be our legacy? What will we be remembered for? The greatest legacy comes from humble service! When we serve faithfully for Christ’s honor, especially in obscure and unnoticed places and ways, He will use our meager and humble service in ways beyond what we see or even can imagine. That is His promise to us. We can’t know how or when because that is His job and, in His plan, and, I believe, is to surprise us much like a parent waits with anticipation to see the reaction of their child on Christmas morning. The wonderful news is that we don’t need to be concerned with or stressed about our legacy. We only need to be faithful and follow what the Holy Spirit nudges us to do and go. When we fail, we repent and yield again. God’s Grace and Forgiveness is ongoing even for the seasoned Christ follower. His Grace continues for you and me too each and every day! AMEN!
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
“We can be steadfast in our service, unmovable in suffering, abounding in ministry to others, because we know our labor is not in vain.” Warren W. Wiersbe
2/22/18 Heavenly Wealth 22
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
RECOMMENDED READING MATTHEW 6:19-21 “19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
COMMENTS: Americans spend over $70Billion per year gambling on lotteries in the states that have legalized state lotteries. That equates to $300 for each family per year in those states. Money wastes for an unlikely possibility of winning unearned wealth. Yet those who have won such unearned wealth commonly experience tragedy and loss of that wealth along with healthy and the happiness and security they sought.
But that happiness and security is offered by Christ to everyone. No, his offer is not for earthly riches and security, but eternal riches and security and joy beyond what the world offers in depth and duration. Not only that but a one with one relationship with our Creator and Savior. Satan doesn’t want us to discover that so tries to hide and deceive us into believing such a relationship does not exist or that God doesn’t exist nor has anything to offer us. The same deceptions that has fooled humans since Adam & Eve. Well, history proves who is lying and who is the deceiver, and IT IS NOT GOD!!
God asked Solomon, as Israel’s new king, what he wanted. God was pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom, so granted Solomon both wisdom and great wealth and power. Solomon’s wisdom helped him both rule and manage his wealth wisely but only when he also included God continually. As soon as he thought he could do so alone and began leaving God behind, he quickly became lost and foolish in his choices and leadership. His wisdom was linked to his relationship with God, and was quickly lost when he neglected that relationship. The important thing to know and remember is that David didn’t notice when he left God behind and neither did Solomon. They didn’t feel the loss nor a sense of loneliness or fear or uncertainty. They both proceeded down a long path of sin and poor choices thinking they were right or justified and secure and safe while they were in reality in great danger and jeopardy of disaster. They were no match for satan’s deceptions and neither am I or you. The sooner we realize that and embrace Christ’s abiding presence and help instead of waiting until desperate, the better off we are. I need daily reminders even after walking with Christ since age 10, because my tendency is still to go my own path alone when I think the path is calm and easy, so think I can handle it. Whether we can handle it or not, the issue is growing closer with Christ through the journey. The journey is that path of service and growing a closer relationship with Christ. That is the goal, not just enjoying the journey and achieving our own personal goals. IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU AND ME, IT IS ABOUT HIM. Remember who He is and cost to Him. We are unworthy of His love and His devotion to us, BUT WE WOULD BE DOOMED AND HOPELESS WITHOUT THAT LOVE AND DEVOTION. With Him, our future is eternal and beyond our fondest dreams. A future filled with secure promises and expectations instead of a future filled with regrets and fears and dreads. Do you know people who live with regrets and dreads? They need to hear about Christ and the new life He offers. They need to see that new life in you and me. Let’s seek His help to do so and open doors of outreach and ministry. He is ready and has been waiting for us to seek and ask, as He waited for Solomon to seek and ask. No, we’re not king of a nation but His mission for you and me is important and has eternal worth and purpose too.
“Heavenly wisdom is better than worldly wealth, and to be preferred before it. “ Matthew Henry
2/23/17 Joy in Giving 23
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:2, NIV
RECOMMENDED READING: I CHRONICLES 29:1-9 “ Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly,7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.”
COMMENTS: I don’t know about you, but we are bombarded with calls each day from telemarketers either trying to sell us something or soliciting donations for a variety of causes, most of which are worthy. I feel sorry for those calling because most of the time they get a rude response or a hang-up. I have to admit I have hung up on a number of them myself. They even are using local phone numbers to trick us into thinking is a valid call and so caller ID will not filter out some of them.
But giving generously to God’s work is what we are called to do. When our hearts are close to Him, He shows us His priorities and teaches us how to give generously and still get our needs met. He opens doors to blessings but also shows us what to spend our money on and what not too, teaching us how to use fewer resources more wisely. By doing so, we can discover tithing to be a joy instead of an obligation as well as discovering 90% can go further than 100%.
Arlene and I have been blessed with a good steady income, enabling her to stay home with children growing up. Living on one income has become an impossible goal for families today, but we were able to do so. But we also discovered that by keeping our commitment to tithe, God guided us to spend remaining 90% more wisely, minimizing debt. Such a commitment helped us resist temptations to go into debt for things we didn’t need or at least things needed but more luxurious than we could afford. By staying close to Him, He provided strength to resist temptation and reduced the intensity of temptation during those year to buy a nicer home or car. But by doing so, we were able to make our home as beautiful as most of those we were tempted by at a fraction of cost. By keeping our parents home as our, the legacy of their memories and Christ-centered lives remained strong in our thoughts and impact on our children remained strong while minimizing the interest cost of debt that could fund His work and future savings. Both have been true and now we have a nice home with memories of pictures of my parents as young adults and even children and even my great grandparents in front of the same house. The stories of them become more real in the same home. We hope our granddaughter will be able to and inclined to continue, making our home hers someday. But even more, our grandparents and parents and our legacy of following Christ hers as well. As I reflect on our two children and their spouses, and how God has worked in their lives already, using both good and foolish choices they have made to draw them closer to Himself, I realize the impact of our imperfect parenting was mixed but His Influence Is sure and strong. We are encouraged and at peace in knowing He desires their souls and a close relationship with them even more than we desire that goal. Our eternal dream and prayer is they will be with us in heaven 100 years from now. But it doesn’t end there, with two step grandsons (Joey and Hunter), and a granddaughter (Lily), our passion and dream is broader and includes them. But, as with you, our desire does not stop with them, but reaching out of friends and family that continues to grow and grow and grow. Then there is the mission field God calls us to reach out to. Those, for me, who read my devotional journal and blog and those who I cross paths with daily or now and again. I am overwhelmed when consider such responsibility but at ease when realize God calls me to be faithful, not to save all of them. He takes on the hard work and gives me the easy work, the light work, the work of least responsibility, because He knows I can’t handle His load. He only gives you and me the load we can carry and even walks along side offering a hand now and again with our load too. He carrying the heavy load for eternity. We carry the light load for a few years while on earth. So unfair to Him and such an undeserved blessing for us. How could we refuse or delay embracing such an offer? Let’s not delay or take lightly such an offer any longer. He is patently waiting, but He won’t be able to wait forever. Our lives are quickly fleeting away and His return is eminent. HE won’t be able to wait much long because man is on an imminent path to destroy himself and will if God doesn’t intervene. Intervene He has promised and will chain satan and destroy his followers and build a new heaven and earth for them. AMEN!!
“Christian giving is not a matter of finance, it is a matter of faith.” John Blanchard
2/24/18 Owner of All 24
For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. 1 Chronicles 29:14
RECOMMENDED READING: I CORINTHIANS 4:1-5 “ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
COMMENTS: Yesterday Billy Graham died at age 99. It is estimated he preached to over 240 million people over the years from 1949. Yet by TV and tape and CD’s and DVD’s he continues to reach millions for Christ. No one has ever reached as many for as long. Yet those who knew him personally said he was humble and still very aware of his own sinfulness and need for Christ. God gave him an unprecedented platform and anointing. His ministry and character remained untarnished by scandal that has destroyed so many others. His own integrity only remained pure because of the accountability and continual surrender to Christ he religiously adhered to and was accountable to. His example still fell short of Christ’s but is one we all need to follow and copy. No, we may not have the fame and opportunity he had, but we all are called to the life of integrity and purity he demonstrated. He didn’t copy his life after another man like Billy Sunday or Martin Luther or other great evangelists before him, although he did learn from them. He learned how to live from Christ, who came and abided in Him. He learned from the Holy Spirit who he invited and always made welcome in his soul. That made all the difference in Billy’s life and enabled and empowered him to do what he could not do on his own nor would even want to. But that indwelling empowered him with passion that energized and drove him to sustain a level of ministry and outreach and preaching no other has ever done so well nor as long. Can you imagine the reward he is enjoying being greeted by millions in heaven there because of his preaching? Can you imagine watching as Christ gives him a crown and he in response lays it at Christ’s feet worshipping Him and saying thank you for saving and using such a unworthy wretched man as I.
Have you been impacted by Billy sermons and ministry? I was saved in 1961 not by Billy Graham’s preaching but by Rev. Mayberry’s at our home church. But I have been ministered to and revived many times from Billy’s sermons and books and movies and TV broadcasts. I can remember, as a boy and young man, when a Billy Graham crusade was televised on TV, other programs gave way and my parents would make a special effort to watch everyone. George Beverly Shea would sing and everyone would be spellbound. Me too. Preparation for those revivals would take months. Churches in community would come together in prayer and work together preparing for broadcasts and for large crowds.
The road to revival is not easy. It has always required hard work and determination. It is as though God wants us to want revival more than anything else before He will bring revival, so He requires hard work in order to enable and empower us to be passionate enough to open ourselves for revival in us first before we can be a part of revival in our community. I have to admit I have been a part of revival afterglows but never a part of real revival. The last such revival in my community was late 1800’s when our current church building was built. My great grandparents enjoyed being involved in and a part of that time of revival. My grandparents and parents enjoyed much church growth and fellowship out of that revival. I enjoyed the results too but since then that fire of revival has been dwindling and passions and numbers too. Maybe everything has a cycle and a season. Every revival and cycle recorded in scripture included a time of great revival and faithfulness and blessing followed by a time of rebellion and sin and turning away and punishment before genuine repentance and revival would return. People had to be stripped of their prosperity and possessions and even health and freedom before they were open enough to surrender again and received God’s spirit of revival. When they did, they once again were restored and enjoyed fellowship with their creator and prosperity He would again shower them with. Adversity was an instrument to spiritual growth and revival while wealth and prosperity was an instrument of temptation and a door to sin. That has been true countless times for the Israelites of the old testament and for Christians from the first century til present. It is now true for the USA, which was founded and enjoyed countless revivals since it’s beginnings. The current prosperity the USA is enjoying has become an instrument of temptation and a door to sin, resulting in a loss of God’s provisions and protection becoming more evident and destructive. We may not be able to stop it, but we can turn from it in our own lives and families. We can become an influence to change in our own communities and churches. That is our calling and our obligation because we have a better answer. We know the real redeemer and answer to life’s problems and purpose. We know the creator of all and the redeemer of every soul who accepts Him. We know Jesus the Christ! Now let’s go and conduct ourselves accordingly. AMEN? AMEN!
There is no better antidote against coveting that which is another’s than being content with that which is our own. Thomas Watson
2/25/18 Channels of Blessing 25
And [Ananias] kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:2
RECOMMENDED READING: LEVITICUS 27:30-34 “30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.34 These are the commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.”
COMMENTS: This week many Christian programs and even news reporters have shared their observations and reports on Billy Graham’s long life and legacy for Christ. Millions still on earth and millions now in heaven came to Christ because of Billy’s faithfulness to share Christ’s Gospel. I came to Christ at a revival service at our family home church, but my parents would not miss an opportunity to hear Billy Graham preach and Bev Shea sing when their crusades where televised on TV. Those broadcasts took precedence in our home even if a favorite program was on another network. But then again, in those days we only got 3 networks – CBS, NBC, and ABC and often only one of them and rarely but sometimes PBS.
Billy was often asked what the secret of those crusades was due to. He quickly replied PRAYER. Those crusades would include long months of planning but also months of prayer by his team and by pastors and Christians partnering and working and praying together in those communities planning Billy’s crusades. The prayer opened Christians to receive revival from God but also prepared them to serve and evangelize their families and co-workers and church family, their communities. They also learned the importance of tithing income but also time back to Christ. God hasn’t changed and the preparation He honored by revival in past He will honor now and in the future. You and I need to learn and discover that from history. We need to discover what Christians revival from Billy’s crusades discovered and seek God’s reviving spirit by making the same preparation. Billy is no longer here to preach, but many faithful preachers are. God is still eager and passionate about having relationship with us and eager to shower us with His reviving Spirit once again if we prepare ourselves to receive Him. He is patiently waiting. “God has given us two hands—one to receive with and the other to give with. “ Billy Graham
2/26/18 The Blessing of Giving 26
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10
In times past, self-discipline was needed to set aside a portion of every harvest to provide seeds for the next year. There is a parallel when it comes to tithing of our resources to the Lord.
RECOMMENDED READING: GENESIS 14:17-20 “17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
COMMENTS: The prophets and Israelites of the Old Testament knew the value of tithing, both since God commanded it and because of the personal blessing they enjoyed in giving it. Tithing helped them in worship and expressing their love for God. Tithing funded God’s work too. But most of all, tithing helped them set wise priorities in spending resources. They discovered remaining funds went further than 100% would have. Israelites were required to “honor the Lord with…the first fruits of all [their] increase” (Proverbs 3:9). God promised to bless the Israelites as long as they continued to honor Him with their tithes (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). Even before the Mosaic Law, Abraham gave a tithe to the priest of God, Melchizedek, showing it to be a long-standing norm for God’s people (Genesis 14:20). And Malachi showed the post-Babylon nation that they were robbing God of His tithe.
Arlene and I have discovered God’s promise and blessing to be true personally for us too. We both had committed while single and made tithing a consistent practice during our nearly 40 years of marriage. The practice enabled us to set disciplines and have opportunities that minimized amount of debt we encountered and to be debt free during most of the years. Yet savings accumulated enabled us to purchase our home and most cars we purchased over the years. Our home has special meaning since it was my parent’s home and my mother’s grandparent’s home before them. Pictures and family stories and influence they had on community and their church, which is also our home church all have served to strengthen our faith and commitment to follow their example and share that legacy with our children and grandchildren. Tithing is a practice we also have encouraged our family to establish.
If you are not already tithing, we encourage you to begin to set aside a tenth of God’s provision as an offering of thanks to God—a way to honor Him for His blessings. If your commitments and debt don’t enable you to give a tenth, start where you can at 1% or 2%, but start where you can and seek God’s help and commit to working towards 10% as God enables and provides. I believe you too will discover God will honor and enable you to do so and will enable you to set financial priorities that will give you a greater appreciation and joy in both giving and enjoying all God has provided.
“Giving in a regular, disciplined, generous way—up to and beyond the tithe—is simply good sense in view of the promises of God.” John Piper
2/27/18 Grace Giving 27
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
1 Corinthians 16:2, NIV
RECOMMENDED READING: DEUT. 16:16-17 “16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.”
COMMENTS: The Israelites gave willingly and generously because they know now much God had blessed them and the peril they were in from disobeying Him in past. They realized what they give up for Him would be little compared to God’s provision. So, they gave generously and joyfully. We too are told to give back to Him freely and generously but joyously too. He loves a joyous giver.
Tithing is not a tax but an act of worship and gratitude. God uses our tithe to further His Work. He gives us the privilege of partner with Him in doing His Work. He doesn’t need us nor our money but desires to work with us because of His love for us and because He enjoys fellowshipping and working with us. Have you ever worked with someone you enjoyed being with and enjoyed learning from? Have you ever had a mentor who taught you so much and was really sad when that person retired or your job moved you away from him or her to be out on your own. Do you realize God loves to be with us and work with us and wants us to enjoy and long to work with Him too? When we discover and embrace that concept, our work becomes more enjoyable and effective and our tithe becomes an act of joy and worship instead of a tax we feel obliged to pay, so pay the minimum we feel we have too. Yes, the question we ask is not “how little do we have to give” but “how little we need to keep for our own needs”. If we are honest, we will realize we can live on a lot less than we currently are. If we work to reduce our debt and keep from acquiring new debt, we will discover we can live on much less and enjoy it much more. Having less gives us freedom because we have less to maintain and keep safe. We have less demanding our time and money to preserve and possess. God wants us to enjoy our life here but He also wants to prepare us to leave it for what He is preparing for us in heaven.
God also instructed the Israelites to honor the sabbath, give their land year of rest and for the 50th year to be the year when debt was cancelled and focus would be on worship during entire year. What would the world be like if we still followed God’s instruction. A LOT BETTER !! AMEN? AMEN!
“If giving by law was a tithe, how much more should giving by grace be . Are you giving God what is right, or what is left?” Unknown
2/28/18 Things That Last 28
You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth. Deuteronomy 8:18
Herbert Taylor, an unassuming businessman in Chicago, was behind many of the great student ministry movements in the twentieth century. Having made a fortune as a manufacturer, Taylor shared his talents and treasures to further the Lord’s work. He helped establish scores of evangelistic organizations. And he was behind the purchase of the Cedar Campus for InterVarsity on Lake Huron.
RECOMMENDED READING: DEUT. 8:11-20 “11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.20 As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.”
COMMENTS: Herbert Taylor was a successful businessman in Chicago but is also well known for his generosity. He was key in funding and organizing many important student ministry movements which have had eternal impact on students and campuses and communities. He built Cedar Lodge in 1954 was completed when remaining $10,000 check was received from him, money he received has honorarium as president of Rotary International. He gave sacrificially and never considered income as earned by as a gift from God which he was responsible to use wisely and as God desired.
“We are trustees of every material thing we possess. We are obligated to use money for the things that last, rather than for the things that perish. “ Herbert Taylor
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