10/1/18                                       Blessings Available  to All                                                   1 

But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”  Mark 7:27

RECOMMENDED READING: ROMANS 1:16-17 “¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

COMMENTS: The above verse from Mark 7 has raised eyebrows and debates over the centuries.  Why did Jesus give such a harsh answer to a woman desperate for Him to heal her demonic daughter?  The woman was not a Jew but a Greek, but that did not hinder or deter healing for her or others.   So why did he first give her such a harsh answer before healing her daughter?  There have been reasonable explanations given by scholars and theologians far more learned than I in scripture.  Yet most have similar responses.  If Jesus intended to reject or condemn her, His next response would have been much different.  If His response was testing her heart and faith before responding in healing her daughter, that would make more sense. If it was to respond to prejustice between Jews and Gentiles and condemnation of Jews towards Greeks in order to show them of God’s love and mercy towards all, Jews and Gentiles, then that would make sense too.  I believe both are valid and good interpretations because Jesus demonstrated both other times and with other healings too.  Faith is vital to receive His mercy Jew or Gentile. 

So, it is probably best to move on knowing Jesus did respond to this mother’s pleas and healed her daughter.  Redemption came to the home of this Greek mother.  It took a great deal of humility for her to come to Jesus knowing He was popular with Jewish people but not with the Roman government or Jewish leadership. 

So, what can we learn and receive from Him from this?   The lesson is the same He also reveals to us through the healing of Jairus’ daughter and Roman Centurion’s servant and the woman with bleeding disorder and blind man and healing of leper and ….   List goes on and on.    If we come to Him in need knowing our need but seeking help and redemption, He will not deny us.  If we come to Him with faith, we will receive from Him. 

But there were countless others who witnessed these miracles who did not receive miracles from Him.  They did not come to Him even though they believed.  Others determined not to believe and still rejected Him.  That is still true today. 

How many miracles do we witness in changed lives and physical healings and resolution to real problems without recognizing Him as the source of those healings? If we deny God is responsible for the sun rising and setting each day, deny He faithfulness gives us life and food and shelter and protection each day, then we miss all the other miracles and intervention we enjoy from Him each day.  If we miss all this evidence of His presence with us, then we can’t recognize or notice His abiding Holy Spirit with us either.  We miss so much when we don’t take the time and open ourselves to see all He is already doing for us.  We miss out on so much more He desires to do for us but is waiting for us to come to Him seeking.  He desires personal fellowship with us and is doing everything within limits His Will permits to cause us to wake up and realize that.  Some will but many will continue to reject Him.  That breaks His heart but still allows that choice to remain with us because He respects the freedom He grants to all of us to make that choice, whether wise or foolish, for ourselves.  No one can make that choice for us.  As a parent, I appreciate that and also can appreciate how heartbreaking it is for Him when some still choose to reject Him.   We are not called to save others nor try to force them to accept His saving Grace.  We are called to live the life He offers to us and witness by example and by showing love and compassion and a helping hand and a testimony when asked or open to hear by others.  Respecting others is key while remaining true to our own convictions.

God’s blessing was always intended for both the Jew and Gentile (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 42:6)—for any and all who believe.                          

 “Faith is the power of putting self aside that God may work unhindered.” F. B. Meyer

 

 

 

10/2/18                                    Bask in  the Sonlight                                     2

Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!  Psalm 105:4

RECOMMENDED  READING:  PSALM 105 “ O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.² Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.³ Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.⁴ Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.⁵ Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;⁶ O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.⁷ He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.⁸ He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.⁹ Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;¹⁰ And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:¹¹ Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:¹² When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.¹³ When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;¹⁴ He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;¹⁵ Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.¹⁶ Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.¹⁷ He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:¹⁸ Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:¹⁹ Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.²⁰ The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.²¹ He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:²² To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.²³ Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.²⁴ And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.²⁵ He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.²⁶ He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.²⁷ They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.²⁸ He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.²⁹ He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.³⁰ Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.³¹ He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.³² He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.³³ He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.³⁴ He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,³⁵ And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.³⁶ He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.³⁷ He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.³⁸ Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.³⁹ He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.⁴⁰ The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.⁴¹ He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.⁴² For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.⁴³ And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:⁴⁴ And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;⁴⁵ That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.”

COMMENTS:   One think I notice and get frustrated with myself is how easily and quickly I get used to creature comforts and take them for granted.  I know and notice such weaknesses are common with everyone, not just me.  Well, that doesn’t diminish the sin of being ungrateful or indifference, which is evident to various degrees in me as well as everyone else.  That is why God commands us countless times in scripture to be grateful and give thanks to Him who is the source of every good thing.   A familiar hymn from many years’ past is “Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.”  Truth is doing this helps us notice and appreciate all the wonderful acts of kindness many do for us and especially all the wonderful acts God does for us each and every day.  Truth is, a miracle is no less a miracle if it occurs every day, just a more common and predictable miracle.  It is no less a miracle that God creates and sustains live for each of us than to raise Lazarus or others from the dead.  All are demonstrations of His love and faithfulness and great power.  I can believe over the years after Lazarus’s resurrection his family and friends and all who knew him became less excited and some even indifferent to his story.  They could recite every word.   BUT THE MIRACLE OF HIS RESURRECTION WAS STILL LIFE CHANGING FOR HIM AND A WONDERFUL TESTIMONY OF GOD’S LOVE AND COMPASSION AND POWER TO EACH OF US.  It still is. 

Yet, we need His help to keep our appreciation and sense of awe and wonder fresh as we read and reflect on His mercies both past and present.  The Holy Spirit is always ready and near and eager to help us do so if we seek and ask for His help. 

Devotion time each morning, regular times during day, and a time also at the end of each day serve to keep those miracles fresh and before us and serve to remind us that we can trust and depend on Him for both small and big things.    They also serve to remind us to seek those things we need more than those things we simply want or desire.  Conforming our desires to match His desires is a vital part of growing in Grace and becoming more like Him too. There is so much more we need to discover about Him and learn from Him.  So much more maturing in the faith we need to achieve.  We are all, especially me, still so far short of His perfect example.  That is not intended to depress or discourage us but to spur us to continue on quest to become more Christ-like in our actions and thoughts and conduct.  Who we are when in private compared with who we demonstrate and show in public need to become more alike and consistent too. 

God is so worthy of our worship and praise and gratitude.   There is no greater or perfect hero or role model for us to strive to be like and admire.  Children tend to copy those they know and look up too.  Parents and teachers and even older brothers and sisters.  Adults still do that but less obviously.  They develop passions and goals and copy successful traits they see in others who have the same passions and goals.  That is not a bad thing in and of itself but too commonly they and we place our focus on those unworthy of our admiration and affections.  Those who are not worthy of our efforts to be like.   They draw many into dead end empty less goals that do not satisfy nor are healthy.  Goals that such life from us instead of giving life.  Goals based on selfish – self-gratifying – goals that do not build a path to eternal life goals or aid in helping others on that path too. 

But goals set by God and lining ourselves up with others on a path towards His goals are worthy of our focus and do put us on a path to eternal life.  They also open doors for us to become worthy examples to others.  But caution must be that there is only One worthy of being our example and hero.  Only One who we should lift up and point others to as their hero and example.   THAT IS CHRIST.  When allow ourselves to be honored and admired, we diminish from praise that needs to go to Him and a more perfect example others need to focus on too.  We cheat ourselves and we cheat others of the BEST!!

“We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts “  A. W. Tozer

 

 

 
10/3/18                           Life is What You Make It                                    3

Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste.  Titus 3:13

RECOMMENDED READING:  TITUS 3:9-15  “⁹ But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.¹⁰ A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;¹¹ Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.¹² When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.¹³ Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.¹⁴ And let our’s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.¹⁵ All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

COMMENTS: Having lived 67-1/2 years, I am considered old by our granddaughter and young by those a few years older than I, but I do realize I have already lived more years on earth than I have left.  My body testifies to that truth. But as I reflect, I also realize just how brief a lifetime is.  My parents and grandparents said this often when I was young.  I often wondered about that thinking life tends to pass so slowly.  A 24-hour day has not changed since my youth but it sure seems like time is passing much quicker now than then.  Do you notice this as your experience too?  Well, stop and think, time seems to pass slowly when anticipating something you are looking forward to and much more quickly when anticipating an experience or event you are dreading.

But scripture confirms for us life is a short length of time and needs to be spent wisely.  I am pondering why today’s scripture tells us to avoid spending time pondering or arguing about unimportant subjects that really don’t mean anything from an eternal perspective.

I am wondering why genealogy is listed among those “unimportant subjects”?  Afterall, didn’t Matthew and Luke give Christ’s genealogy in scripture?  Wasn’t it important enough to include in scripture?  My mother’s maiden name was Hovis.  We would attend large family reunions annually when I was young and my mother’s (Hovis) reunion was the largest and best organized.  Some spend a great deal of time tracing the Hovis genealogy and tying us into that genealogy.    As a young, I confess I found that work to be a bit boring but pictures of ancestors and hear their stories was a bit more interesting even for a youth and recall some of those stories but wish I had paid a bit more attention now.

Stories of faithfulness to God and God’s guiding hand on their lives.  Stories of rebellion and redemption.  Stories of impact on elders on their children and residual impact on today.  I would notice how stern and sober people looked in those old pictures and imagined how mean and stern they were and how dreary and plain things looked in those pictures.  I even wondered, as a child, when was color invented.  I thought the world was only “black and white” in those days since pictures weren’t in color.  I laugh now especially when see how faded and dingy pictures from my youth now look.   Finally, I was told why pictures were black and white and why people didn’t smile in pictures then.  They wanted to appear proper and respectful.  Well, once in awhile someone would smile in those pictures, reflected more the character I was told in some of those old stories.

So why would Titus include genealogy in unimportant topics of debate?  Shouldn’t the legacy left to us be important?  Afterall, isn’t the legacy left to us in scripture important and worthy of study and meditation and even debate or discussion?   YES!  YES!  YES! 

So, what is different? Paul was expressing urgency in the sharing the Gospel Message over short-term issues.  Paul was saying that life is brief and precious, so we need to concentrate on things of eternal value first and not waste time on less important issues.  He is also implying Christ sets the priority and gives purpose and logic to life and to history past and history yet to come. 

As I reflect on history from scripture and history from my family, I realize and notice Christ’s eternal influence and transformation all through the centuries.  I also notice the positive ripple affect of that impact even in bible times and how that impact rippled through the centuries to impact my ancestors and their ripple to impact me and me to impact my children and grandchildren and on it goes.  So, from that perspective genealogy is a worthy subject.  Likewise, the ripple effect of foolish choices of those before us causing suffering and poor choices to continue.  Learning from past experiences is a valuable teacher which is rarely appreciated when we are young but more commonly as we age and recall our own experiences.  By then much time is likely wasted and we too discover those younger than we are still not willing to learn from our experience.

So, if we look at genealogy from an eternal perspective, it is important.  But if we look at genealogy and other life limited topics, including history, only from a perspective of curiosity or only to enjoy without gaining more valuable insight, we miss and waste the time and work.  Many who worked so hard on my mother’s Hove’s genealogy only were interested in finding out and completing family trees and getting as much information as possible and didn’t focus on those life stories long forgotten but powerful witness of Christ’s faithfulness.

The stories of faith George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and most presidents of 100+ years ago.  The stories of faith from others from and including Christopher Columbus.  The stories of the Pilgrims and countless immigrants who came to America seeking religious freedom and with a passion to evangelize.  The stories of Pocahontas and Squanto and impact of Christians on the Indians.  Our modern history books have omitted those stories and life stories that reveal the truth of God’s divine Hand forming the people and land that would become the United States. 

When we omit God from what we do and why we do it, we render what we do as worthless.!

When we include God in what we do and why we do it, we render what we do as priceless!

Let realize that face and act accordingly.  AMEN?  AMEN!

 “I feel in such a haste to go out and obey this commandment this morning by compelling those to come in who are now tarrying in the highways and hedges that I cannot wait for an introduction, but must at once set about my business.”
Charles Spurgeon, in opening his sermon, “Compel Them to Come In”

10/4/18                                Vested Interest                                                   4

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.1 Corinthians 16:1

RECOMMENDED READING: I CORINTHIANS 16:13-24  “¹³ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.¹⁴ Let all your things be done with charity.¹⁵ I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,¹⁶ That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to everyone that helpeth with us, and laboureth.¹⁷ I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.¹⁸ For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.¹⁹ The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.²⁰ All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with a holy kiss.²¹ The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.²² If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

COMMENTS:  Spiritual warfare is a topic throughout the Bible.  Experiences of many in its battles are recorded in scripture both in old and new testaments.  Those who wore proper armor and were faithful to God endured hardship and invested much but succeeded.  They who gave up or who turned from God failed at great cost to themselves and those close to them. Daniel and Joseph and Noah and Job and Moses were a few examples of those who were faithful.  King Saul is one example of one who started out well but failed and lost his kingdom, his son, and his own life.  Israel became slave to pagan invaders only when they turned from God to follow pagan idols.  Job’s example shows us who is the author of the wars and battles we encounter while his example also reveals Who was the source of his strength and endurance and faithfulness through great tragedy and trials and abandonment of others.

The spiritual armor Paul speaks of in Ephesians 6:11-18 “¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”

Let’s reflect and evaluate each piece of armor.  We are battling against satan, who is better equipped and prepared and has far more time to plan and far more experience in battle than us.  Our ability to defeat him is worse than comparing David as a boy to the 9 ft 9-inch Goliath.  David defeated Goliath because he had faith in God built on a foundation of God helping and protecting and preparing him previously, as a shepherd, defeating lions seeking his sheep as prey. Previous battled gave David the confidence and skills he needed but the faith he had to take that leap of faith to battle Goliath came from a deep continuous fellowship with God, which I believe consumed his nights on watch with his flock.  Psalms reveals David was a man after God’s own heart in spite of his shortcomings and sinfulness. 

• The helmet of salvation keeps us from letting satan convincing us to doubt our salvation and God’s forgiveness and the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.
• The breastplate of righteousness keeps satan’s darts of temptation piercing our hearts to allow sin to weaken and turn our eyes away from God’s helping hand and powerful presence.
• The belt of truth holds us together ready for battle unobstructed with clear thinking of God’s truth and council so we won’t be deceived by satan’s lies and lures.
• The shoes of peace enable us to either march into battle or flee to safety.  Flee to Christ’s side or march into battle with Him going ahead behind and along both sides of us.
• The Shield of faith deflects darts and arrows of temptation from distracting us away from Christ’s instruction and protection and from the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.  We expose ourselves to great danger when we let down our guard and takes our eyes off Christ.
• All the above are defensive weapons but the sword of God’s Word is our offensive weapon.  It is with it that Jesus did battle with and defeated satan after his 40 day fast.  It is the same sword available to you and me to do battle too.  But not without the other defensive weapons in place. God doesn’t want nor expect us to do battle alone.  He always does battle with and for us but often invisible to us physically.  Consider how many saints were burned alive or eaten by lions or stoned to death while singing and worshipping and praising their Lord. 
• Prayer is our first line of communication with our General.  The Holy Spirit is our link to Him and access to His council and strength and wisdom.  Prayer is both a defensive and defensive weapon.  Each piece of armor needs put on with prayer so we know both how to use each weapon and understand God’s instruction when we put it on and use it.

This may have meant more to first Century Christians who endured persecution at the hands of Roman soldiers who had physical armor like described above.  But description is pretty straight forward and everyone can identify.

Today’s Christians in China and North Korea and in many Moslem dominated countries endure terrible persecution including beatings, separation from families, prison, and even death. They are enduring such while expressing joyful praise and worship and rising above the pain and circumstances overcoming them.  They know their suffering is short term and trust their Lord.  Yet our environment may be even more dangerous because we don’t see the urgency to put on our armor and draw close to Christ for help and protection as do they.  But the danger is just as real and we are just as vulnerable without Christ’s presence. The importance of putting on Christ’s armor and drawing close to Him is just as vital for us to be true as it is for them and was for the early church and for those in old testament times.  Satan hasn’t changes and God hasn’t either.  We are the “new kids on the block” that don’t have a clue but are at risk.  Which side will we go to, the winning side of eternal life with Christ or the losing side of death?  Satan appears to be winning right now, but the war is far from being over and Christ will win with ONE WORD when He returns.   It will be that simple and decisive.  Will that word bring a wonderful fulfillment to us and our family and those we’ve touched or will it bring eternal judgment?  That choice lies with us and is what is still at stake.                                                                                                     

“For us to access [Christ’s] victory, we must stand firm under His headship in our thoughts, in our actions, in our hearts, in our decisions, on our job, in our homes, and throughout our lives.”  Tony Evans, in Victory in Spiritual Warfare

 

10/5/18                                      How to be Strengthened                                                  5

My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.

Psalm 119:28

Recommended Reading: 2 Peter 1:2-4 “² Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,³ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:⁴ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

COMMENTS:  Let’s take a moment to reflect how much we depend on our emotions to guide our lives believing we can trust our emotions.  But just how far can we trust our emotions?  Can we trust them when we are tempted to sin?  Do they say beware or go ahead and don’t worry about the consequences?  Do your emotions encourage you and give you wise advice when tragedy or crisis or difficult times come? I think not!  Emotions offer fear and desperation and panic.  Emotions seek love in places we should avoid and with those who please those emotions but are harmful to us.  Just how well have your emotions guided you?  My emotions wanted me to play instead of study when I was a boy in school.  My emotions wanted me to always take an easy path instead of a harder more productive path. My emotions wanted me to say hurtful words and get even when hurt by others instead of forgiving.  Emotions drive young girls to be drawn to strong good-looking boys and boys to attractive girls instead of to boys and girls of good character. 

The list goes on.  But the point is we should not and dare not depend on and trust our emotions because they will disappoint and let us down.  They will betray us and draw us to disastrous choices if we follow their direction.  

If we draw near to Christ, He promises to draw near to us.  He will give us wise and life-giving council if we open our minds and listen and follow His advice.  THAT REQUIRES TURNING FROM SATAN’S TEMPTATIONS AND FROM OUR EMOTIONS AND FOLLOWING HIM INSTEAD!   Satan uses our emotions to pull us to do what He wants.  Stop and reflect to confirm just how true this is from your own experience.  When will we realize this and change our path? 

We have free will to make wise or foolish choices, but we don’t have the freedom to choose the blessings or consequences of those choices.  Those are in God’s hands alone.  His grace can and has spared us from many or most of those consequences, but He often must let us experience some of those consequences to wake us up and realize and change our path and follow a wise path.  A path He is offering us if we only stop and look towards Him and see it. 

Christ is not only offering wise council but a helping Hand to follow that council.  His Holy Spirit as our guide and sustainer and strengthener and compass to follow.  Psalm 119:28 “strengthen me according to your word” reveals the seeking heart we must open ourselves to have if we are to see and hear Him and strength and courage to follow that council and take hold of His hand.  When we do that, OUR LIVES WILL BE TRANSFORMED AND WE W ILL EXPERIENCE NEW LIFE!

When we are weak, HE IS STRONG!   When we are confused and have doubts, HE IS CLEAR MINDED AND CONFIDENT!   When we are distracted, HE IS DETERMINED AND FOCUSED!  FOCUSED ON YOU!  FOCUSED ON HIS PLAN FOR YOU!  GOOD PLANS, PLANS TO LIFE ETERNAL!  LIFE WITH PURPOSE AND BLESSING!! 

We miss so much when we follow our emotions instead of Him.   

“The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete; His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet.”  Augustus M. Toplady

 

10/6/18                                    Waiting                                              6                   

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!  Psalm 27:14                                                       

Recommended Reading: Psalm 130 “  Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.² Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.³ If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?⁴ But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.⁶ My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.⁷ Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.⁸ And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

COMMENTS:  Have you ever been overwhelmed and filled with desperation? Work or family problems or responsibilities seem to be more than you can handle or manage with no relief in sights and help is not available or sufficient to bring relief.  If you aren’t experiencing this now, you most likely have in the past and will again soon.  So how do we react when those times come?  Do we respond with anger and harsh words and actions?  Do we say and do things that make matters worse and actually cause broken relationships and hinder options for others who could help? Does our emotions become our worst enemy because they tempt and motivate us to make poor choices and alienate those who want to and can help?  How many of our problems we are enduring are coming from past poor choices and emotional blowups?  Truth is we are all guilty of such failings, which are indeed sins.  

Let’s face it, the closer we get to Christ, the more we realize just how Good and Perfect He is and how perfect His life on earth was.  Then when we compare to our lives, we realize just how sinful we still are.  We begin to see what we think is “justifiable behavior” or “normal human behavior” or even good behavior is actually sinful and in need of repentance and change.  Just because our behavior and conduct are comparable to everyone else’s or even better than most, that doesn’t mean we are good enough.

Well, all this discussion sounds depressing and hopeless, but is truly the opposite.  Christ so wants to give us not only eternal life but a much better life while here in our human bodies.  Even though we can’t become as perfect as Him in these bodies, we can go a long way on the path to perfection with His help.  IF you can see positive change each year than you are likely on that path, but progress can be greater and sustained if we learn to seek and follow Him with more focus and discipline   and consistency.  His Holy Spirit is available 24×7 to help and council us on this path and journey.  But if we let our emotions control our actions and words, that can never happen.  But mind over emotions is a start but surrendering our emotions to Him is solution and when real change begins to happen.  That is my desire and goal and is increasingly becoming my passion and pray will be yours as well. Path to this goal isn’t pleasant or easy often, but is certainly worthwhile. AMEN?  AMEN!

 “Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work. Peter Marshall

 

10/7/18                                       Overcoming Falsehood                                  7   

 When he [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
John 8:44

Recommended Reading John 8:42-47: “⁴² Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.⁴³ Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.⁴⁴ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.⁴⁵ And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.⁴⁶ Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?⁴⁷ He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

COMMENTS: We live in a world where lies are often more believed and are better known than truth.  We also are living in a world with a growing world view that the Bible is obsolete or is just a book of ancient myths and legends and fairytale stories.  It seems many are more willing to believe a fabrication on Facebook or other media than believe a reputable history book or especially the Bible. 

News in our daily paper or on radio or television was once an unbiased carefully researched factual account of the day’s events.  But today there is, in increasing evidence, a political and world view bias against Christians and towards Moslems and towards immoral behavior.  This is especially evident in many dictatorship ruled countries but is increasing evident in democratic countries.

But the historic and present truth is God hasn’t changed His Word and His Worldview.  He is still in control and has not relaxed His standard nor expectations from us. Christ’s redemptive sacrifice freely offers us forgiveness and redemption, but there is still a price He warns us required from refusing His redemption and continuing to follow satan’s lies and path to destruction.

God offers a way to life and joy.  Satan advertises a better choice but can only provide a path to misery and death.  History has always proved this over and over in every generation, so why would we believe our generation could have a different result?  Insanity has one definition of doing the same thing over and over again hoping and believing in a different result.  We are also told forgotten or ignored history is destined to be repeated.  We are living in “insane times” when godlessness and immorality and pagan practices of days pasts are promoted as good and God’s commands and standards are promoted as bad or evil.  God even warns us in His Word that in the last days before His return there will be a falling away and good will be judged evil and evil judged good. 

So, God is not surprised or unprepared for the world’s defiance and rebellion and will only allow such evil for a time.  The Word even says that He will cut short with Christ’s return those days to keep man from totally destroying himself.

Satan continues to use God’s compassion and delay in judgment to give every opportunity for repentance in order to prove his evil lies.  Satan wants us to think God is indecisive or weak or passive or doesn’t exist or is dead.   He wants us to think we can get away with sinful behavior without any consequences.  He wants us to only think about ourselves and satisfy our own desires and passions and lusts without concerning ourselves about others.

Well, when we live a life of integrity where we keep our promises and tell the truth and live a moral life and show kindness to others, life gets a lot simpler.  We don’t have to remember lies told to avoid giving conflicting information later.  We may not be as popular in some circles but will be spared misery those circles inflict on themselves and others.  We may not be as popular but will have God at our side and a confident hope of eternal life not known by others.  Our lives will show a better way to live that will prevail when other’s lives are put to shame.  

I am amazed how condemning public media is of sexual harassment while supporting immoral behavior and blatant sex constantly without condemnation.  We are bombarded w with sex without restraint or a moral compass from birth while only condemning those act out what they are being taught.  Please don’t misunderstand me, I completely oppose sexual harassment and any form it may have on anyone male or female.  But also believe the guilt also lies on those who have removed a Christian moral compass from society and schools.  I believe guilt lies with parents and adults who do not show and live by that compass.  I believe it is insanity to think we can have our fun without facing consequences in conduct of children who grow up seeing immoral behavior as normal and good.  Evil doesn’t stop when we say stop. It continues to pull us down to worse conduct and then convinces us even that behavior isn’t so bad in order to pull us down even further. Look back 30-50 years and ask yourself if that is exactly what is happening.

Oh, that we would wake up and realize the real villain is satan and the real Good Guy is Christ.  Moral and sexual purity is God’s standard and expectation.  If we return to that standard, all else would fall into place.  II Chronicles 7:14 is how we can get there.

So what do we do if we haven’t lived a moral life?  THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL!!  There is forgiveness at the cross and an opportunity to change and a God  who so wants to help us change.  His Holy Spirit is available 24×7 to empower and help that change.  A wise man once said “We don’t go down a wrong path so far that is still is better to turn around and come back”   AMEN?

“He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.”  Blaise Pascal

 

      
10/8/18                                      Well Versed                                                     8                   

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.   John 8:32

Recommended Reading: John 1:1-18  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.² The same was in the beginning with God.³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.⁷ The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.⁹ That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.¹¹ He came unto his own, and his own received him not.¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.¹⁵ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.¹⁶ And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.¹⁸ No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him..”

COMMENTS: What is truth and what are the source(s) of truth?  Is there such a thing as “my truth” or “my interpretation of truth”?  Is today’s truth different than our great grandparent’s truth?  Is truth different depending on where it comes from or who reports it?  So then, how should we discern and judge truth from deceptive lies and especially from lies that appear as truth and resemble truth?  The word “truth” is so basic that it is hard to define it without using the word truth in its definition.  The dictionary defines truth as a statement of fact or reality. Yet human reality is defined by what we see or hear or feel or smell or taste.  But our senses do not always reveal reality.  A poison may smell or taste sweet or good.  A witness may convince us of an experience being true and factual but in reality, was fabricated and never happened. 

Think about something you believed to be true and later discovered to be a lie.  What made it appear true to you?  Was it because of how the person reported or logic of how could have happened?  Was it because we wanted it to be true?    Let’s face it, truth is not determined by what we want to be true or what we believe to be true.  It must be judged by a much more objective and higher authority because truth must be unchanging and not impacted by personal opinion or popular beliefs. Anarchy would be rampant if truth was determined by or dependent only on popular belief.  Some primitive tribes believed they gain strength by eating their defeated enemies or even those they didn’t like or understand. 

Power and might does not define truth.  Hitler gained power convincing his people that his truth was factual.  He killed six million Jews believing they were inferior to German people and countless millions of others believing he was God’s gift to mankind and millions followed him without question convinced what he said was truth. 

Moslem terrorist inflicts pain and death on both Arabs and Jews and gentiles believing they are doing God’s will even to the point of sacrificing their own lives in implement their destructive mission.  Does their willingness to give their own lives prove their sincerity and does it prove their religion and own faith in that religion to be true?

Well, if believing something doesn’t make it true and if we can’t always depend on our 5 senses to tell us what is true, then how can we discern lies from truth?

Let’s start with which religion is true and which is not.   If we go by the “Holy Book” from each faith, we would be convinced that all religions are true or no religion is true.

Well, if you believe Jesus is the source of truth, then the Bible for you needs to become the source and compass to gage to discern truth from lies.  If you believe the Koran is God’s Word and source of all truth, then you are convinced it is the gage to judge truth from lies.  IF you believe in another religion, your world view and judgment of truth is influenced by its teachings.

If you are an atheist, you may deny using any book of teaching judging truth from lies and only depend on science or your own sense to provide discernment for you.

Well, I hope all this isn’t raising doubts in you of how to decide the correct way to determine truth.  I hope your journey to discovery will convince you that Jesus is the One and only Way to Truth and His Word, the Bible, is a living and only True Book showing us the way to Truth and the only true way to judge truth from lies.  The Gospel of John reveals this to us but not the only place in scripture to prove this to us.

History and experiences of us and those before us all serve to prove to us Jesus is who He said He is and His Word is the source of Truth.

Contrast Jesus teaching forgiveness and healing and looking to His teachings and the Holy Spirit’ s council to discern good from evil and truth from lies.  The Bible provides confirmation when deciding who to believe and evidence truth will reveal while lies will not.  When we look to others to help us discern, we still need to pray but also to look to scripture to confirm facts from deceptions and lies.  This takes time, so we need to be careful and slow to making decisions and choices, especially those that impact major life directions for ourselves and for others.  Deciding what clothes to wear each day may not require much prayer but decided who to marry or career to prepare for and seek does.  Deciding a world view to allow to guide your choices certainly does.  Some less significant choices will prove wise and brighter when gaging those choices with scripture and prayer and council from wise friends too.  But even discerning what others tell and show us during day also are best filtered from our relationship with Christ and His Word and Holy Spirit too.  Well, truth is the closer we get to Christ, the more like Him we will be and easier it will be to make wise choices and less likely we will be easily deceived by satan and by those deceived by his lies.  My experience matches reported experiences of others in scripture and by those I know.  When I follow Christ, I make wise choices and when I rely on my own wisdom and reasoning abilities and senses, I often make poor choices and tend to be at greater risk of being deceived.   Is that your experience too?  If so, then we both know we need to continue to draw closer to Christ and rely more on His council and tools of discernment.  AMEN?  AMEN!

When you change news channels, you change worldviews. Journalism is now so opinionated that the same story, reported by two different broadcasters, sounds like totally different events. We switch stations and ask, “Are these people on the same planet? What happened to objective news? How do we know what to believe?”

“Jesus Christ Himself is the final exegesis of all truth. He is all that we need to know about God, and He is all that we need to know about man.”  Major Ian Thomas

 

10/9/18                     Clothes That Make the Person: Joseph                   9   

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

Recommended Reading  Genesis 50:19-21  “¹⁹ And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?²⁰ But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.²¹ Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.“ COMMENTS: Envy and jealousy are sins and envy being one of the “deadly sins” identified by Evagrius Ponticus, a Christian Monk, in 4^th century.  Jacob should have recognized the danger of holding one child as favorite over his other children even if Joseph was his favorite.  Can you understand how it felt to be one of those fewer favorite sons and how awkward it was to be Joseph as the favorite.   Joseph was the favorite not because of anything special about himself but because his mother, Rachel, was Jacob’s favorite wife.  Deception never brings good results for the guilty and for the victims of that deception.  Jacob’s father-in-law, Laban, had deceived Jacob with his older daughter Leah when he had worked for privilege to marry the younger daughter Rachel.   The consequence was felt by an unloved wife, Leah, and her unloved children.  Then again, Rachel had to share her husband and her children had to suffer as well. 

Yet, Jacob made matters worse by playing favorite without regard for consequences of doing so.  Deliberate sin makes matters worse too and often propagates deliberate sins in others.   Selling Joseph into slavery was a choice Leah’s sons decided together without regard for their father or Joseph.  They only wanted to get rid of the “favorite son” so they could gain their father’s love.  How sad, but consider how similar situations have repeated similar consequences in countless numbers of families over the centuries since and still do today in every country and even in every community.  Maybe in your own family too?

Well today’s story does have a happy ending and so can yours.  Joseph broke the cycle of deception and sin by refusing to let circumstances pull him into sin.  He drew closer to God instead of responding with sinful behavior.  He opened himself to God’s council and intervention.  He trusted God enough to put himself at risk for prison and death.  He didn’t know what would happen by refused to yield to temptation anyway.  By doing so, he broke the cycle of sin and opened God to bless him and use Joseph for His honor far more   than he ever could imagine. 

If we take this story to heart and open ourselves to draw closer to God and refuse temptation, we likely won’t face as dramatic circumstances as Joseph but then again you just might.  As dramatic or not, God wants to use faithful people who are not especially talented or gifted or strong or good looking, but faithful people none the less.  People who will obey Him no matter what.  Will you be such a faithful person?  Will I? That is our daily choice and each day is a new opportunity to make that commitment even if we failed yesterday.  Each new morning is an opportunity for a fresh new beginning. 

When God gave Joseph the dream of his brothers bowing to him, it enraged his brothers to sin against him but was opening a path to a closer relationship of Joseph with God and even with his family but not before a number of very dark and uncertain years.  God prepared Joseph to prepare and lead his family and a nation (Egypt) during years of life-threatening drought.  God would be honored by Joseph and give us an example to guide us to honor God as well.  Joseph’s legacy still lives on and is still impacting us today and will continue to.  His story is recorded in God’s Holy Word.                                                                “When God closes a door, He always opens a window.” Woodrow Kroll

10/10/18                                         Payback Evil with Good                                  10   

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 25:21-23 “²¹ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:²² For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.²³ The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”

COMMENTS:   What is the purpose of a car horn?  Is it to alert others of danger or to say hello to someone you know?  Or is it to order someone or another car to get out of our way?  A train whistle or horn has a primary purpose to warn passersby to get out of the way because of danger of the moving train not being able to stop quickly.   Train engineers use their train whistle while moving through communities or pass train crossings to warn those wanting to cross tracks not to cross in front of a moving train.  Engineer’s purpose in using the whistle to keep others safe from harm or death.  He uses the whistle motivated by concern, not by anger or disgust.

The driver who uses his car horn often is motivated by anger or disgust and makes a big difference in response or effect of its use.

How often do we respond to rude or disrespectful or even mean actions or words of others in kind, thinking such a response is deserved or justified or even needed?  Such justification may be motivated with a desire to discourage such behavior by creating a consequence to deter further rude or mean behavior.  Yet does that every work or does it just encourage even worse behavior?   Consider how common “road rage” is which often escalades to far worse consequences than original offense would justify in the mind of any reasonable or rational person.  Permanent injury or death as a consequence of a rude action or word is not acceptable in any society or by any rational person, but that is exactly what is happening every day somewhere.

We are quickly on a path to become a society of intolerance and mean – unkind behavior towards each other.  Acts of kindness and forgiveness becoming rarer and more unnatural in our society.  Well, what should we expect after removing God from our schools by prohibiting His moral teachings and freedom to pray to Him and share His love with others.  What should we expect after removing “the 10 commandments” as a moral code of conduct from schools and other public places and, yes, from our courthouses.    Removing God’s influence from places of leadership results in foolish decisions being made.  Wisdom is redefined as what feels and sounds good and not gaged against God’s code of conduct and guidelines.  Removing evidence and examples of those before us recorded in ancient history books and in our Bible.  History is being re-written removing any evidence of God’s influence and benefits to those who followed God’s lead and instruction.

Solomon was the wisest human who ever lived, except for Christ, but lost that wisdom when he allowed pagan influence into his palace and his life.  By marrying many pagan wives, that influence first diluted and corrupted his wisdom, wisdom God gave him, and then snuffing it out.  The same happened to Samson and his great physical strength failed due to the corruption of evil.

God will not tolerate evil for long.  He will leave and His blessings and protection with Him.  We likely will not notice of feel His leaving but will soon notice the consequences.  Israel faced invaders and other dangers overcoming them when they rebelled and forced God to leave. God will not reside where He is not welcome.  IS HE WELCOME IN YOUR LIFE AND IN YOUR HOME AND IN YOUR CHURCH? 

Payback is never a good thing, especially when anger is hot.  So, let’s choose to make a cooler and better thought response.  A response God inspired instead of satan connived. A response not in kind but a response of kindness.  Return an act of evil with an act of good.  We might just turn an enemy into a friend but at least we will plant a seed of change for the better.  If an enemy chooses to remain an enemy, God at least is then able to treat us like a friend instead of enemy.  When we return evil for evil, we are making God our enemy too.  That is NOT A GOOD THINK!  So, would you rather have someone else as an enemy or God as an enemy?  Well, when I say it that way, then it seems pretty insane to continue to respond in kind with evil for evil. To know about God vs. having a relationship with God is like the difference between night and day, between being in a terrible storm vs. being in beautiful sunny peaceful weather.

Christ is offering us forgiveness and a home in heaven, but He is offering us much more too.  A relationship with Himself and a helping hand to live the new Christ-like life we love and desire from reading about how He lived.

“Injuries cost more to avenge than to bear.“ John Blanchard

10/11/18                                               What is Most Important?                         11

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentence. Luke 15:7

RECOMMENDED READING: LUKE 15:1-7: “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.² And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.³ And he spake this parable unto them, saying,⁴ What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?⁵ And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.⁶ And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.⁷ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

COMMENTS:  Last year an Olympic doctor was convicted for sexually molesting underaged Olympic contestants under his care.  One of his accusers, who testified during his trial gave a statement at his sentencing.   She said the only way to judge evil is to hold to a standard to judge good.  God provides the standard for good we then can judge evil.  Scripture tells us only Christ lived a perfect life so we should only use His example to judge a perfect life.  We tend to imitate those we respect and look up to.  A teacher or pastor or Sunday school teacher or older brother or sister or parent or grandparent or ….   For some it is a gang leader or someone unworthy of their admiration.  But even those who are good role models, they all still fall short of living Christ’s example. 

Truth is, if we think we are living Christ’s example or know some who appear to, then we do not have a clear idea of what a “perfect example” looks like.  The closer we get to Christ, the more we discover of Him and His perfect Goodness and then realize how far short of that example we still are living.  That may sound depressing or defeating but is really good news.  Not because we will always fall short of Christ’s example while in our human bodies, but because we are forgiven and in fellowship with Christ, we are free from judgment but also free to grow and continue to grow and progress towards His perfection while on earth.

When we get to heaven, we will be free from influence of sin and satan’s temptations but also free to be perfect like Christ.   Then we will see Him clearly and be with Him and fellowship with Him without constraints and limits. 

All religions have a god they worship.  A god who gives them a sense of right and wrong but only Christ showed us His perfect example of Good the support and clarify His definition and instruction given in Old Testament scripture.  Only He then added to scripture but showing us the impact, His example and instruction made in the lives of those who accepted and lived by His Grace.

The gods of other religions still demonstrated by their teaching, evil as judged by Christ’s example and teaching.  Most religions recognize Jesus as a great prophet and good man but none, except for Christianity, recognize Him as God.  Yet He tells us He is the only way to the Father and the only way to heaven.   In today’s society we are told to be inclusive and accept other religions as being as valid as our Christian Faith.  Accepting others and respecting their freedom of choice is being inclusive. But accepting their faith and beliefs as being valid is denying our own faith and denying our Savior.  By denying Christ as the only way to heaven, we are calling Him a liar and failing to show His love and His open offer of redemption to all.  We are failing to do what He commanded us to do prior to His ascension to heaven.

Jesus did not condone sinful behavior of others nor did He avoid or isolate Himself from them.  He did indeed show love and compassion towards them while also showing them the error of their ways and guiding them to a better way, God’s way.   So how do we accept people without condoning their behavior or wrong beliefs?  We do so the same way Christ did.  We show by example and by offering a better way when asked or open to receive.  If they are not, we can still show compassion and kindness.  We live in an increasingly unkind world where people are inconsiderate and mean to each other.  But Jesus told us to treat others like we want treated (Matthew 7:12), which is commonly called the “Golden Rule”.  Even non-Christians and people of other beliefs and faiths and religions accept the Golden Rule as a valid way to live and a good rule to follow.  They simply are not ready or willing to embrace all of Jesus’ teachings.  That is where you and I come in.  It is our job to show them by example so they will be more willing and curious to explore more of Jesus’ teachings.  It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict and motive others to want to accept His forgiveness and redemption, but is ours to show them the way and to disciple them and guide them to a deeper lifelong walk with Him going forward.  That is the true definition of “inclusion”, not accepting their beliefs as being as true as ours.  Do you see the difference? 

Well, we are living in a world increasingly intolerant of Christians but demanding us to be tolerant as they define it.  They demand us to tolerate others beliefs without them tolerating ours.  God doesn’t promise us fairness or even justice while on earth, but does promise us a home in heaven and justice long-term.  As we look in scripture, we see those faithful to God who were treated unfairly for a time, but redemption and justice finally was given to them as God had promised. We can rely on and be encouraged and rely on God’s promises for us too, knowing we will win even if we must endure injustice and hardship for a time.  Remember, 100 years from now, it will be worth any sacrifice to be found faithful to Him.   AMEN?  AMEN!!!   

We may not be able to achieve perfection while on earth, but we can make much progress to that goal, resulting in doing much good and opening many opportunities to witness and making an eternal difference in the lives of others.  Christ dreams of us becoming more like Him and His Holy Spirit is ready and near by to empower and inspire and council and protect us towards that goal.  He has our best interest at heart, so we need to make His plans and dreams ours too.  That means surrendering our dreams and goals to Him so He can either modify them to reflect His or replace ours with His.                                                                                                                                                 I was a sinner, but now I’m free, / His wondrous grace has rescued me.
Lida S. Leech, in her hymn, “He Rescued Me”

                       

10/12/18                     We Will Understand Someday                       12      

We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 3 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:² For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.³ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:⁴ So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.⁸ It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.⁹ Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:¹⁰ So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.¹¹ My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:¹² For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.¹³ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.¹⁴ For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.¹⁸ She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.²⁰ By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.²¹ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:²² So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.²³ Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.²⁴ When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.²⁶ For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.²⁸ Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.²⁹ Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.³⁰ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.³¹ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.³² For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.³³ The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.³⁴ Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”

COMMENTS:  Today’s scripture from Proverbs 3 gives us wonderful – wise council and instruction good for boys and girls as well as men and women of any age.  Yet, reflect with me how well its wisdom has been or is followed over the centuries.  Consider how positively following such advice has and continues to impact the lives of those who follow its advice.  That wisdom is valid whether believe in and follow God or not, but the key verses (vs 5-7) point out to us that the only way to take full advantage of all the wisdom contained in this proverb is to also embrace the author of this wisdom, God Himself.  To embrace and follow Him is to not only embrace His wisdom but to embrace His loving and helping Hand enabling us to actually change and implement His wisdom into the depths of our souls and lives.  Otherwise, His wisdom will only be implemented in part in our lives and we will still be prone to likely fail when times are difficult and temptations are strongest.

We will often be discouraged and confused because we can’t see long distant as God can.  We can’t see results of faithfulness 100 years in the future or 50 years in the future or even 10 years in the future and, yes, sometimes we can’t even see a day in the future either.  So, we need His helping Hand, the hand of the Holy Spirit available to use to guide us especially when we can’t see result of following His instruction.  It is then our faith is greatly tested and also most prone to grow.  Faith exercised is faith strengthened and faith more able to withstand even greater tests and trials.

How were the Christians of the 1^st century time able to withstand great persecution and prison and even death while remaining faithful to Christ?  How were they able to stay true even when seeing their families facing suffering and death too?  THEY KNEW AND COULD SEE THE GOAL OF A HOME WITH CHRIST IN HEAVEN FOR ETERNITY.  They knew the consequences of failing and benefits of success.  They also knew the only way to be and remain faithful was to keep their minds and focus on Christ and to sustain a daily fellowship and relationship with the Holy Spirit.  By doing so, they accomplished amazing and unbelievable things.  Their numbers even increased during such times of suffering.  The same mystery has been unfolding in China, which has enduring similar persecution at the hand of their government in order to stop the growth of Christianity.  But instead, Christianity has grown explosively in China.  Same is happening in many Moslem dominated countries and even in North Korea. 

Christians have become weaker and diminished in numbers in countries not experiencing severe persecution and where cost of faithfulness are less.  That is the other side of this mystery but truth.  We need to be tested in order to grow and without tests and trials we become weaker.  This is true of athletes who fail to maintain the diligence of training and exercise.  It is also true when we fail to maintain our relationship with Christ.   Peace and comfort are more desirable and appealing but are not what we need in order to grow in Christ.  Christ prefers to bless us but He desires our growth more than our comfort.  He knows we need rest but won’t allow us to be at rest for long periods of time because He knows such will make us weak and less prepared for future battles we need to prepare for.  But since we can’t see or know those battles, we become confused and discouraged when face today’s battles and trails. 

So, do you and I have enough faith to trust Him during today’s trials knowing they prepare us for tomorrows battles and trials and give us greater strength and faith to pursue and possess a closer and richer relationship with Christ too?  I hope and pray so, for much is at stake and much to be gained if we do….

“God knows the way, He holds the key, He guides us with unerring hand.”

Maxwell Cornelius, hymnist

 

 

 

10/13/18                           God Turns Headwinds into Tailwinds              13                    

He causes His wind to blow.  Psalm 147:18

Recommended Reading: Psalm 147 “Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.² The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.³ He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.⁴ He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.⁵ Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.⁶ The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.⁷ Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:⁸ Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.⁹ He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.¹⁰ He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.¹¹ The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.¹² Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.¹³ For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.¹⁴ He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.¹⁵ He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.¹⁶ He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.¹⁷ He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?¹⁸ He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.¹⁹ He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.²⁰ He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.”

COMMENTS: History gives us the true story of Lt. Colonel James Doolittle, in 1942, who lead a group of Army Air Corps volunteer on a dangerous mission of flying five B-25 planes to conduct a bombing raid during WWII in South Pacific in Japan.  They would not have fuel to return to their aircraft carrier so plan was to abandon the planes when they ran out of fuel and be rescued by friendly natives in China.  During operation severe headwinds were encountered, consuming precious fuel.  Sgt. Joe Manske, a mechanic and gunner on the 5^th plane. Manske knelt and prayers for help during the hopeless battle to overcome those strong headwinds. His prayers were answered and the headwind turned into a strong tailwind propelling the plane to the point where they could parachute out of the plane well within the China border.  Otherwise, they all would have been lost at sea with no hope of rescue.  Such tailwinds were unheard of in that area before or since but were experienced this once. 

War and disasters caused naturally by weather and earthquakes and even personal disasters of loss of life and property and health impacts every generation and country.  Some are caused naturally without human input but all too many are caused deliberately by evil or foolish actions of someone or some group.    WWII was a terrible war that engulfed most of the world, causing great sacrifice and death.  Nearly everyone either was directly impacted by a loss of a family member or neighbor or friend and many with loss of property and wealth due to evil done by invading armies of the AXIS powers of Germany and Italy and Japan.

Their leaders and armies were convinced their actions were justified and felt great purpose in their mission and work, but their purpose and work were misguided and evil, motivated by satan himself.   Yet with God’s help and intervention and heroic efforts of countless millions of Allied forces, the Axis invasion and formidable military and might was defeated.  WWI was to be the one and only war and the league of nations was to be the organization to prevent a second such war.  BUT A SECOND WAR DID COME AND THAT WAR CAME IN ONLY 20 YEARS!!  The second war concluded with the creation of the United Nations, which was to provide a means to prevent such invaders.  But history continues to show us that isn’t working either.

Why?  Well, the author of war is still pretty much free to plan and implement his mischief in the hearts of men and women who man still allows to ascend to power and authority over nations and their people.  Why?  Because men and women continue to be easily deceived and continue follow evil inspired leaders who cater to their selfish desires and dreams instead of to God’s instruction and council.

Yet, stories like Sgt. Manske’s fill the history books.  God is faithful to those who follow Him.  Our bible is filled with such stories of God’s faithfulness from Adam through New Testament times.  But God’s faithfulness did not end when the John finished Revelation. It continues from then through every generation and in every country and still continues.  He has promised to be faithful and abide with us until He returns to rescue His faithful church.

Yet, sometimes He calms the storm first but sometimes He calms His children first by embracing them with His loving arms.  He has given us His Holy Spirit seldom seen but often felt providing comfort and encouragement and insight and inspiration and even strength and power.  Providing not always what is wanted but always what is needed.

But let’s face it.  If God provided all we want, we would soon do great harm to ourselves, but He instead forgoes our wants and provide what He in His wisdom determines we need.  He does know that because He looks and lives forward in our future as well as also living in our past, so He is fully capable and prepared to provide what is needed most.  He has our best interest at heart even more than our dearest family and friends because He loves us far more than anyone else does or can.  He let Job suffer loss of wealth and family without seeing an end in sight.  He let Daniel walk into a lion’s den without any assurance he would survive.  He let Daniel’s 3 friends go into a fiery furnace without any assurance they wouldn’t be burnt alive.  If He had chose to let them die, He would have escorted them Home to heaven.  Their permanent Home with Him.  By sparing them, He enabled them to tell their stories and continue to impact positively their generation awhile longer before then escorting them home to heaven.  The destination unchanged but only delays for a time fulfilling His plan and purpose.

I know.  I can’t imagine facing being eaten alive in a lion’s den or burnt alive in a fiery furnace like many faithful Christians have before me.  I can’t imagine their courage but know and understand He provides courage when we need it, and not before.  That means if you or I would need to face such a test of faith, His Holy Spirit would be right there with us either calming the storm or fire or lion’s hunger or calming us.  Either way, we are assured His faithfulness and provision and eternal home with Him.  That is what means and counts the most and is what enabled those before us to face unimaginable suffering and danger. 

We need to gain a more eternal perspective and realize sacrifice and tragedy does not hinder God’s resolve to prepare and escort us to an eternal home with Him.  Let’s face it, a million years from now will it really be an issue if we go Home today or 30 years from now?  Only if the impact of our lives results in leading some to Christ between now and then.  If we need to suffer for a time in order to lead some to Christ.  That will make an eternal difference for them and just might make significance for us too.  That is what He is passionate about anyway!! AMEN?  AMEN!

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”  Martin Luther

 

 

10/14/18                                               Shielded                                     14   

You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.

Psalm 3:3

RECOMMENDED READING  PSALM 3:  “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.² Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.³ But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.⁴ I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.⁵ I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.⁷ Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.⁸ Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”

COMMENTS: Trials and hardship are a fact of life that everyone must endure now and again.  However, some families and individuals seem to endure more than their share.  Joni Eareskson Tada is one of those individuals who have endured over 50 years of being a paraplegic and enduring cancer and a lifetime of pain associated with her handicap. But even though she is paralyzed from the neck down, God has developing a powerful worldwide ministry through her.  Her hardships drew her closer to Christ, empowering her to have a outlook and vision and insights that not only transformed her life, giving her joy and purpose, but enabled her to instill that same vision and passion and joy in others.   Countless millions have been transformed and saved through her ministry.  God have her a devoted husband who enables her to focus on ministry but also to be a part of that ministry.  She more than endures her handicaps but is so looking forward to the new body God has prepared for her.  She is looking forward to heaven but is passionate about living life here and fulfilling her calling and mission while here on earth.  

That is a powerful witness and example for each of us.  When we think our problems are overwhelming, it helps to see how others manage their problems with Christ involved.  Such examples encourage and provide teaching times for all of us when we are open to be taught.  But our best and perfect example is Christ and our best manual is the Bible.  Why?  Because it is God’s love letter and Word for us.  Books and articles and even devotions like this help draw us to Christ and provide good council and instruction, but are no substitute for scripture God provides freely to every one of us in His Word, our Bible.  We need to spend time in His Word daily or we begin to weaken in our spirits and become more vulnerable to satan’s attacks and snares.

When we look at the Lord’s Prayer ( Matthew 6:9-13 & Luke 11:2-4):
Matthew 6:9-13 “⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,¹⁰ your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.¹² And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.^” 

Verse 14 goes on “¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 11:2-4 “ ² He said to them, “When you pray, say:“‘Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.^[b]3 Give us each day our daily bread.⁴ Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.^[c]And lead us not into temptation.^[d]’”

Verse 5-8 goes on “⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; ⁶ a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ ⁷ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity^[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.”

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we conclude the prayer with praise and worship:

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

 

Christ gave us this prayer out of a request to show us how to pray.  This prayer is a guideline to follow but also a model prayer and a prayer we can use too.  Its instruction shows us to begin with praise and worship to our Creator and Lord and One and only God.  Then express a desire to see and support God’s Will instead of our own.  To do so before approaching the throne of Grace with our own needs and requests.  Then to seek God’s forgiveness for sins and offenses against Him but not without recognizing and forgiving others who have offended and sinned against us.  The next portion is odd in that it asks God not to lead us into temptation.  That seems odd since God doesn’t tempt nor desires us to be tempted.  But, as we learned from Job’s example, God does allow satan to tempt us but uses those temptations to remind and teach us to lean on and rely on Him to give us wisdom and desire and strength to resist satan’s attacks and draw closer to Him.  We are asking Him to restrain satan and spare us the worst of satan’s attacks and schemes.  We ask Him to use other methods to strengthen us if possible within His Will.  We are, like Christ did prior to going to the cross, ask if another way be possible, to spare us that pain and danger. 

But truth is running from satan usually is something we either choose to do or not do.  How often do we stay in harm’s way simply because we either are fascinated with temptation or even want to and “enjoy” temptation.   We think we can toy with temptation without sinning.  But truth is, we simply are not wise or smart or strong enough to do so.  Paul told Timothy to flee youthful temptations and lusts.  That advice is valid and wise for all, young and old, male and female, rich or poor, Christian or pagan.  For all are prone and vulnerable to temptation.  Those  who have a relationship with Christ have a basis and understanding the dangers and source of temptation and what is at stake, while those outside the faith are even more pawns for satan to use.  But God loves both the faithful and unfaithful.  Those who know Him and those who don’t and even those who continue to reject Him.  The choice is theirs and ours and His Grace continues to be offered to all.  But our hard hearts prevent us from receiving all His offers and all available to us.  But the Lord’s Prayer reminds us His choices includes limiting our exposure to satan’s temptations and mischief.  He continues to do that but is open to our pleas to further reduce that exposure out of a desire to focus on worshipping and serving and fellowshipping with Him.  Afterall, there are many options open to Him to draw us closer to and grow us into being more like Him.  Many of those choices we make also influences options He has to accomplish the goals He has for us.  When we draw closer to Him, we may just eliminate the need for some painful options He needs to resort to draw us closer to Him.  That wasn’t the case for Job, but God still needed to allow tragedy in his life for a time for the purpose of teaching us too.  But He and even his family I dare say would now say their pain was worth it.  One day we too will have the same response to that question regarding hardships and tragedy in our lives.  We my need to wait til heaven to see fruit of our pain but we will see that fruit, be assured.  Our time one earth is so brief based on eternity.

Psalm 84:11: “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

 

“The Lord God is to me both a Sun and a Shield; a sun to enlighten and comfort me, a shield to protect and defend me.”  Matthew Henry

 

10/15/18         Becoming God’s Person Instead of Pretending                   15     

And [Jacob] came near and kissed [his father Isaac]; and [Isaac] smelled the smell of [Esau’s] clothing, and blessed [Jacob] and said: “Surely, the smell of my son [Esau] is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed.”  Genesis 27:27

Recommended Reading: Romans 9 “ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.⁶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:⁷ Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.⁸ That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.⁹ For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.¹⁰ And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;¹¹ (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)¹² It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.¹³ As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid¹⁵ For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.¹⁶ So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.¹⁷ For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.¹⁸ Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.¹⁹ Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?²⁰ Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?²¹ Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?²² What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?²⁵ As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.²⁶ And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.²⁷ Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:²⁸ For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.²⁹ And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.³⁰ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.³¹ But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.³² Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;³³ As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

COMMENTS: Paul came from privilege.  He was Jewish and his family wealthy enough for him to study under famous Jewish scholars.  He was well versed in Old Testament scripture and law and was on an envious career path.  Likewise, being a devout Jew would have caused him to believe he had favor over Romans and Greeks and Samaritans with God as well.  He even believed he was on a God blessed mission when he sought out and imprisoned Christians.  But all that changed when Jesus confronted him on Damascus Road.  He then realized he was wrong and his God was Jesus, who he had despised and hated.  He also discovered those in the religious community he admired were wrong too.  He then chose to change his allegiance and follow Christ with the same passion and commitment he had followed the Jewish leadership who had persecuted and killed Jesus a few years before.    Paul realized the very people he had hated and imprisoned were now his friends and family.   Such realization humbled and completely changed his goals and life from that day forward. Why did Jesus choose an enemy like Paul to become his key evangelist?  Because he knew Paul as who he would become too.  He knew Paul when he was still Saul.  Jesus could have picked another who didn’t have such a past.  He could have picked Stephen instead of allowing him to be martyred.  He could have picked one of the 3000 Christians converted at Pentecost during Peter’s preaching.  But instead He picked a sinner feared by Christians who had done great harm to the early Christians.  Someone unworthy because of his sins and hardship inflicted on faithful believers. 

But because Jesus picked Paul and used him in such a powerful way and allowed so many of his letters to be included in our New Testament scripture, we can know that no one is beyond redemption while living and breathing, including you and me.   We can know how completely He desires and will change us if we let Him.  We can know His great love and forgiveness and experience eternal purpose and impact in lives of others if we surrender to His Will and follow Him.  Paul’s conversion resulted in salvation to countless thousands during his life and countless millions after Paul’s death through his letters and dependents of those saved during his life.  Decedents who also shared the Gospel and led multitudes to Christ.

You and I can’t imagine the good God has planned for our lives and the good HE has planned from our influence if we surrender to Him and follow His lead.   No, we all are not gifted to preach and teach and lead like Paul.  But Christians like Dorcas with a skilled craft sharing love and kindnesses with those she gave had made gifts to may not be recorded in detail in scripture but are recorded in heaven along with the multitudes now in heaven because of her and descendants of those who were impacted by her life.  Such is what God desires and plans for you and me if we accept His redemption and follow His lead and plan too.  A plan that may include persecution and sacrifice while living and breathing for a time but a plan that promises and delivers eternal blessing and joy.  Investing in eternity instead of settling for short lived comfort and pleasure.  That is God’s way and God’s plan. 

 

Jacob pretended to be Esau by dressing up to look and feel like him in order to steal Esau’s blessing from their blind father.  How sad when God could have used a better way by making Jacob into the man He could fulfil His blessing in.  Jacob did later repent and was God blessed but not before much grief which included being tricked by his father-in-law into marring Leah.  Our sinfulness often results in detours God uses to teach us and draw us back to Himself.  Detours that have lingering consequences.   But God often uses those consequences for His purpose too like Joseph’s enslavement in Egypt.   God could have used another path without those consequences and still used Joseph to save Egypt and his family from starvation.   HE brings good out of evil but prefers to bring good out of good.  AMEN?  AMEN!!

No wickedness on earth is more common than the various forms of deceit.
William S. Plumer

 

10/16/18                              Know More, Trust More                                         16     

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.  Philippians 3:10

Recommended Reading: Philippians 3:7-12  “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.”

COMMENTS: To know Christ is to love Him. But to know Christ is also to know the Father and the Holy Spirit too.  They are all one and identical in character, in thought, and in personality because they are all three part on One God.  They are each revealed in different ways and for different purposes and each perform different work.  Christ is our redeemer and advocate to the Father.  The Holy Spirit is our constant companion and comforter and adviser and encourager.  The Father is ruler and in complete control of all administering judgment as well and order to His entire creation.

If you had to leave your small children with someone to do some important tasks, would you rather leave you children with a stranger or with a trusted friend?  The answer and reasons are obvious, especially in modern times when evil seems so rampant and so many seek opportunities to harm or abuse the defenseless, especially children.

The Bible is full of stories of those who trusted God and knew Him intimately along with those who did not and trusted in false gods and evil neighbors and friends.  The results are consistent and obvious.  Those who trusted in God had blessings and those who didn’t faced consequences, some of which were severe and permanent. 

Scripture enables us to get to know God and not only promises He made in past and evidence of His faithfulness in keeping those promises, but promises that are yet unfulfilled and promises for us too.  

God’s faithfulness is not only evident in scripture but in the lives of faithful followers in every generation and time.  I also believe, if we take time to reflect, the evidence of His faithfulness to us is overwhelming too.  Afterall, the sunrise and sunset and seasons and even gravity reveal His consistent faithfulness and redemption and provision.  Rest at the end of a day of work or even at end of days of suffering and tragedy reveal God’s mercy to close those times and provide a fresh new day (morning) as a fresh start.  His message of redemption and forgiveness through His sacrifice on the Cross, His miracles and own resurrection all prove His Love and Wonderful Plan but also His complete and permanent authority and ability to enforce and complete His Plan.   The Bible is filled with references to knowing God and time is almost always part of the context.  Knowledge, and then trust grow over time. Paul prayed that God would give the Ephesians “knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17) and that they would grow into unity in the “knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:13). Both verses suggest that time is a factor, relationship with God will develop and grow into love and trust when we take the time and open our hearts and minds to fellowship with Him.  He assures us He want to have that intimate relationship with us and will run to us if we walk towards Him. 

Christ is so worthy of our trust and our love and our obedience.  Afterall, God is in complete control and authority so to resist or oppose Him is folly and futile.  But since He loves us and has our best interest in mind, we have no reason or need to hide or resist Him.  We do because of guilt and shame for our sins or even reluctance to give us sinful behavior that we still enjoy.  But the cost of resisting God and following sinful paths is too high.  History proves that over and over again.  There is no middle ground.  One path is to eternal life and blessing with Him and other path is to eternal judgment and torment.  One path is to Christ while the other is to satan.  By not deciding, we default to satan’s path.  We are free to choose while living on this earth, but that choice is sealed and permanent once we die or when He returns to rule and judge the earth.  That is why it is so important and urgent to choose wisely while we can.  The day is coming when opportunity and time will run out and we can no longer choose another path. 

Still struggling with doubts and lack of faith?  Then devote more time in His Word and prayer and seek out and build relationships with other faithful followers.  You will discover what gives them hope and joy and confidence in their faith and will get to know and discover a personal relationship with Christ too.  Afterall, He wants a personal relationship with you even more than you need one with Him.  AMEN?  AMEN!

 

Don’t be discouraged if you feel you lack faith. Instead, seek to know God better. The more you know Him, the more you will trust Him. And that takes time with Him and in His Word.

 

“The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion.“  Charles Stanley

10/17/18                                               Darkness                                         17    

I am distraught.  Psalm 88:15

RECOMMENDED READING:  Psalm 88  “O Lord, God of my salvation,I have cried out day and night before You.² Let my prayer come before You;Incline Your ear to my cry.³ For my soul is full of troubles,And my life draws near to the grave.⁴ I am counted with those who go down to the pit;I am like a man who has no strength,⁵ Adrift among the dead,Like the slain who lie in the grave,Whom You remember no more,And who are cut off from Your hand.⁶ You have laid me in the lowest pit,In darkness, in the depths.⁷ Your wrath lies heavy upon me,And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah⁸ You have put away my acquaintances far from me;You have made me an abomination to them;I am shut up, and I cannot get out;⁹ My eye wastes away because of affliction.Lord, I have called daily upon You;I have stretched out my hands to You.¹⁰ Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah”

COMMENTS:  Psalm 88 is one of the saddest psalms and scriptures recorded in our Bible.  But it is not the “end of the story” but instead a frozen point in time.  Even Daniel enduring a 21 day dry period when his prayers seemed to go against a brick wall (Daniel 10).  Job endured a terrible period  facing one tragedy after another, each worse than previous and then such a dry period when his prayers went unanswered and he felt alone. 

So why does God inflict such times, especially on His faithful people.  It is one thing to be silent with those in rebellion against His commands, which we have such times recorded in scripture.  But normally God would call a prophet to warn them to repent before judgment would come.  So, why has he allowed His followers to endure a time of trial while also enduring silence from Him for that time?  Job’s experience, as recorded in the Book of Job, gives us one major reason, which wasn’t revealed to Job until after test or trial was over. 

Other times of unanswered prayer like Daniel’s (Daniel 10) and Elijah’s ( I Kings 19).  Yet Jesus even had to spend 40 days of fasting in the wilderness (Mtt. 4 & Luke 4) in preparation before facing satan’s attacks and temptations.

But times of unanswered prayers did and will be limited and God’s fellowship and help will come quickly after that.  That are the lessons of those before us and lessons God teaches us from scripture.  He doesn’t withhold fellowship out of anger or meanness but out of divine purpose and discernment of what we need in preparation for greater obedience.  He is preparing us for greater faith and exercise of that faith. He withholds that information in order to show us how much faith we have and motivate us to seek and desire greater faith.  Faith necessary if we are going to growth and become more like Him and more usable by Him. 

Well, God’s Will and God’s reasons and God’s Timing all reside in His sovereign Plan, which is beyond our understanding.  But real question is, DO WE REALLY LOVE AND TRUST HIM?  HOW MUCH?  My conclusion is not enough.  That is why God must exercise and develop and change us so we are capable and willing to receive more Faith and be more Trusting in Him.   He won’t let us down but likely will respond later than we want or would like .  But He knows other circumstances and individuals needing greater faith and His intervention that also needs worked in harmony with ours.  His Will and Plan and Workings are Perfect.  We need to believe that but we also need to not only convince our minds but also our hearts and actions and words too.  We also need to convince our resolve and actions too.  We can do so for a time but we need to sustain that resolve until God does respond with His Helping Hand.  Don’t stop running until the race is over.  Don’t quit on the last lap when muscles are aching and discouragement is strongest.  That is when we need to praise and worship Him the most and when is the most critical that  we stay the course and remain faithful.   If He is still silent, His Word is still available to remind and encourage us.  His Holy Spirit is still with us and on the job, whether we feel His presence or not.  He is on the way to rescue us in time, whether we see Him coming or not.  He will arrive in time, if we stay the course and remain faithful in the meantime.  He always has and always will!  I need  reminded of that and believe you do at times too.

“The weakest Christian can at any period of his life at any moment of the day and in any circumstance cry out to God for help and instantly have the resources of the infinite, sovereign God at his disposal.”  James Montgomery Boice

 

10/18/18                                Soap that Floats                                           18                   

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  1 John 3:3

RECOMMENDED READING: Romans 8:1-18  ^“ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.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.¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

COMMENTS: 

Proctor created a new line of soap in 1879 he called Ivory soap which he advertised to be 99.44% pure and would float.  Ivory soap is still manufactured and still floats on water and still is advertised as 99.44% pure.  So why did he not advertise it as 100% pure and how is its purity judged?

In order to judge properly, a perfect standard is required to judge against.  Here lies the controversy and debate in modern times that previously generations took for granted.  The Bible was recognized as God’s Word and the standard to judge right from wrong and evil from good.  The United States used the Bible as the moral compass and it’s founding fathers and early leaders used it as the framework to write its constitution and laws to govern by and Bill of Rights to safeguard Its citizens.

Countries and cultures that did not have such a standard typically created their own based on the worldview or values established by their religion.  Many today want us to believe all religions are equally true and valid and have equally valid moral codes.  But many religions condone or even judge good such practices as human sacrifice, slavery, human trafficking, genocide, …

Well, there were times in old testament when God did command the Israelites to kill their enemies and facilitated that against great odds.  Jericho is an example.  They marched around the walls according to God’s instruction to Joshua until the walls fell and then they killed all it’s inhabitants except those hiding in Rehab’s home.  She asked for mercy and accepted the God of Israel and received redemption. 

The standard God established was summarized with the 10 Commandments, which also is the foundation of the Laws of Justice used in the free world. The standard God gave in these commandments exceeded those created based on pagan religions in old testament times and even so today.

God’s standards are perfect and far exceed what man has created and beyond what any man can follow and obey.  Only Christ was able to live as a human and obey all God’s commandments.  He knew we could not.  But He showed us how to and then gave His life as sacrifice and accepted our punished on Himself to provide forgiveness and redemption for each of us.  No human could have imagined such love or such a plan of redemption.  No man could have invented a story with teachings as wise and perfect as Jesus showed and taught.  That is because Christ’s life and His Gospel was not created out of the imagination of a human but recorded by humans who witnesses Christ’s teaching and witnessed His life and death and resurrection and ascension.  They experienced and witnesses the personal life transformation of a life changed by Jesus’ redemption and indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus is the standard to judge good from evil.  A standard no one has ever come close to matching but everyone who follows and obeys Him becomes more like Him as they draw closer to and spend more time learning from Him and being in fellowship with Him.  So how can we be in fellowship with someone who died 2000 years ago?  BECAUSE HE IS ALIVE!  BECAUSE HE IS OUR ETERNAL GOD!  BECAUSE HE HAS DESIGNED US AND GAVE US THE CAPABILITY AND PERMISSION TO BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM!    Those who say it is not possible and our imagination or a fantasy simply don’t know or understand.  They are blind to His abiding presence all around us in the morning sunrise and setting sun.  In the beauty and aroma of a bed of flowers.   In the majesty of a water fall and wind rushing through a forest, in the colors of fall and in the white blanket of fresh fallen snow.  In the majesty on display of a sky filled with stars on a clear night.  In a thunder-lightning storm.  But also, in the still small voice that speaks to us when we pray and fellowship with Him.  When we see a life transformed by His forgiveness and in the kindnesses of others.   The list goes on.  So how do we know that such transformations are good and murder and lying and stealing and destruction and doing harm to others is wrong and not right?  BECAUSE OF JESUS!  BECAUSE OF WHAT HE TAUGHT AND HOW HE LIVED!  BECAUSE OF HIS WORD RECORDED IN OUR BIBLE!  HE SET THE STANDARD TO JUDGE RIGHT FROM WRONG! 

Scripture also warns us about those who call good evil and evil good.  Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

If we read II Timothy 3, we are given more details of the degree of sinful behavior that will be judged good and acceptable as we digress further and further away from God’s standard:  II Timothy 3 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further*: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse*, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. “

 

So which standard will we follow, God’s or man’s?  Which sounds better to you?  As for me and my house, we will accept and follow God’s standard.  How about you?  So then, how do we do that since we all lack the strength and resolve and will to keep God’s law and live up to Jesus’ example and standard? 

Well, we can’t but if we focus on our relationship with Him and saturate our minds with God’s Word and begin keeping His commandments and avoiding temptations and resist temptations we are confronted by, then the transformation begins in us.  He sees us as perfect when we receive His forgiveness.  But the transformation into being and living perfect is a life-long process with daily progress not only possible but likely if we stay the course and keep our spiritual eyes on Him. 

Controlling our thought lives is something all Christians must battle. And our greatest weapon is the sword of the Spirit (Scripture). When we saturate our minds with the Word of the Lord, we have the tools to overcome the temptations and troubles that crowd into our lives. 

When our souls are filled with memorized Bible verses or with passages we’re pondering, we become unsinkable in life. Let God’s Word dwell in you richly today.

God wants us to succeed and will help us be successful if we simply let Him.  When we refuse or ignore His nudging and helping Hand, that is when we get in trouble.  He still allows us to choose even though He knows and wants us to choose wisely.

 

“A healthy thought life is full of honorable thoughts…Fix your thoughts on what is right.”   Susie Larson

 

10/19/18                                          Temptation vs. Truth                                 19             

“But [Jesus] answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’””  Matthew 4:4

Recommended Reading:  2 Corinthians 10:3-11  “³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.⁷ You are judging by appearances.^[a] If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. ⁸ So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. ⁹ I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. ¹⁰ For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” ¹¹ Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.”

COMMENTS: Dr. David Jeremiah, in his morning radio program shared a true story of a manager who started every work morning privately in his office in prayer on his knees before accepting phone calls or receiving visitors or appointments.   The president of the company he worked for showed up early but the manager’s secretary told the president to    wait.  That president didn’t accept that answer and barged into that manager’s office to find him on his knees in prayer.  He quietly and reverently backed out of his office and went back to that secretary.  He asked her if he prayed that way every morning.  She said yes.  Then he said “No wonder I needed to come to him asking for advice”

How do others depend on us and how effectively do we convey our core values and world view?  How Christ-like are we living and how well do we convey Christ’s character and wisdom?  Well, I have to admit some days better than others and all too often not well at all.  Truth is, the closer we get to Him, the more like Him we become but discover more about Him we still need to become more like.  While times when problems and temptations attack us, it is then our weaknesses become evident and hinder us.  When we are weak and takes our eyes off Christ, we become like Peter and begin to sink.  But what do we do when we begin to sink?  Do we run back to Him or continue down the rebellious path of “Our Own Way”?  Others may not embrace our faith.  They may not even believe in Jesus.   They may follow a pagan god or even secular gods like power or success or popularity or possessions or status or position or wealth or ….

But the truth is, if we live a life of integrity and practice wise living and wise choices, our conduct will be respected and our advice will be sought because others will see the difference Christ makes in our lives and recognize that difference as good.   Peter said: ““Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you for a reason regarding the hope that is in you, yet answer with gentleness and reverence” I PETER 3:15

When we let God put us on a path of obedience and fellowship with Him, we soon discovered it is not an easy or a path free of problems and struggles but always a path to eternal life and a right and better path.   When we deviate from that path, we     will discover regrets and disappointments because satan always promised much and delivers only misery and death with his lies. Evil can’t be recognized without having a basis of judging evil as wrong with a gage of what is good.  Christ is our perfect gage of good and scripture is our instruction of what is Good and how to become more like Him and be in fellowship with Him.  God is accessible and is the gage we can judge good as well as evil by.  Any other gage is short of Absolute Good and accepting any other gage for good is accepting a less than perfect example which has at least some evil behavior.  By accepting an imperfect gage for good, we accept the evil that gage or example did as good.  That is exactly why we should not settle for anything less than Christ’s example and Christ’s as the gage and standard for Good. 

God’s Word is given so we might always know the truth about God, Satan, ourselves, and life. Use God’s Word to put flight to temptations when they arise.  

“Our response to temptation is an accurate barometer of our love for God“  Erwin W. Lutzer

 

10/20/18                                      Meditate and Memorize                                    20     

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.  Psalm 119:11

RECOMMENDED READING: Psalm 1:1-6“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.                                           ⁴ Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,  nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”

COMMENTS: When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, it came when He physically was tired and hungry and weak.  Satan tempted Him at point of weakness and in physical area He was the weakest. Jesus did not confront satan as God’s Son with the angels of heaven surrounding Him but alone with God the Father and His angels waiting at a distance.   Jesus faced satan as do we but battled satan with scripture.  Scripture He didn’t have and read from in a book or scroll.  He didn’t have to look in a concordance to find the appropriate verse to use.  He had needed scripture memorized and accessible in His own memory.  You may say, since He is God, He had scripture already memorized.  But truth is, as a human, He had to study and memorize scripture as do we.  He could have come with all God’s attributes but chose to come as a full human requiring study and development physically and mentally and spiritually.  He needed fellowship with the Father and fellowshipped with Him by same means as do we – with study of scripture, with prayer and with obedience and with worship and praise.  He did so in order to be an example for us to follow and also so He could be our perfect sinless sacrifice acceptable to the Father as payment for our sins

Jesus prepared for temptation and was ready.  He had spent the last 40 days in constant fellowship with the Father and had studied scripture since His human childhood.  His passion and commitment and His human parents had taught Him well.   Jesus fought and defeated satan not by logic or force but only by the power and authority of the Bible.  So, must we!!  If and when we do, we too will discover victory but also God’s reviving Spirit of encouragement waiting to fill us after test is over.  Job felt alone and abandoned during his terrible time of trial and tragedy and testing, but he knew God and knew His Word and promises and stayed true and relied on those promises during those dark times.  When time of testing was over, God came and blessed and nourished and encouraged him.  God came and nourished Jesus too after His time of temptation too.  Why would we expect any more during trials or any less at the end of our trials?

While in the midst of temptation is not the time to begin your search for Scriptures. Now is not too soon to start — to commit God’s Word to memory. (Psalm 119:11 is a good place to begin.)  Psalm 119:11 “¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”    

God can and will bring to mind even long forgotten memorized scriptures to mind during temptation but we need to do our part.  Have you ever experienced that recall of distant songs and verses you learned as a child coming back during times of trial or difficulty? I certainly have, but realize I too need to add more of God’s Word into my mental quiver if I am going to be successful in battling satan going forward.  We have an important part to play and do as well.  Failing to do so comes at great cost to us and those our obedience could positively impact. 

 

“Meditate on the word in the Word.”   John Owen

10/21/18            Clothes that Make the Person: John the Baptist   21          

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  Mark 1:6

RECOMMENDED READING:  Luke 1:11-17 “⁵ In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ⁶ Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. ⁷ But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.⁸ Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. ¹⁶ He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

COMMENTS:   In old testament times, the Nazarite vow was a sacred vow made to God.  It could either be short term or temporary or permanent.  Two were identified as making this vow in old testament scripture:  Samson and Samuel.  A third would be revealed to Zechariah to be his son, John the Baptist. This Nazarite vow mean living a life wholly dedicated to God.   John’s parents were told by Gabriel that their son would be the forerunner of the Messiah.

God chose a young virgin girl, not much older than a child, to be the mother of the Messiah and an elderly couple well beyond normal child bearing years to be parents of the forerunner of Christ.  God seldom using the means and way or people we would to do His Will.  He also seldom responds as quickly as we would either.  BUT HIS WAYS ARE FAR ABOVE OUR WAYS AND HIS WISDOM ABOVE OURS.  We can’ t comprehend Him and His ways, but when we look back and see results, we can clearly see His wisdom and love and wisdom prevailing.  Knowing and seeing such results does give us confidence and encouragement when needing faith to trust Him for future results too.  

How could people comprehend how Christ would be born and what His mission would be?  The Messiah they envisioned and prayed for was a conquering King.  They expected Him to be born and raised in David’s palace as an heir to David’s throne.  They expected the Messiah to be like David but greater.  David’s attributes were what they envisioned in their Messiah.  Looking back, we can now see this expectation was not what the prophets foretold.

But Jesus was born on God’s schedule and in Bethlehem and of modest means as foretold.  Jesus was born on schedule and on location and to a virgin all as foretold.  Jesus’ forerunner also was foretold and his birth and life was as foretold.

You have heard the clothes make the man.  An expensive suit and shoes or an expensive dress can make one look and feel successful and handsome or beautiful.  Doing such can and often impresses others and affect how they treat us and even the level of responsibility and career offered and entrusted. But expensive clothes seldom have a positive affect on things God values most and sees more clearly than we do.  The inner things which are hidden deep in our soul and thoughts and motives. 

John the Baptist didn’t dress impressively nor probably smelled very nice, but He received praise and honor above all other prophets.  Not because of how he looked but who he was and what he said.  He was entrusted and called to be the forerunner of Christ and to announce His ministry and mission.  He did not receive the same honor from leadership in Israel or in Rome.  He was doomed to death at the hand of Herod and due to influence of his adulterous wife’s daughter.

So, what really mattered?  What the world thinks or what God thinks?  What would Jesus say now?    What would John the Baptist say now?  What will eternity say? 

So, how about you?  Do you look on the outside and value more what others think of you on the outside?  What lies deep in your soul and thoughts and motives?  Is it servings and pleasing and worshipping Christ or is it pleasing others? Pleasing yourself?  I am asking myself these questions myself too and asking Him in prayer too.  Our prayer needs to be, like psalmist, “Search me, Oh Lord, and reveal to me my sins and lead me to repentance and life.”

We are not called to put-on camel’s-hair garments, but we are called to put on Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27). It is Christ in us that will cause us to be different in this world.

Never is a man . . . rightly clothed till he has put on the Lord Jesus Christ.   J. C. Ryle

 

 

 

10/22/18                        Praying as putting on the Armor                              22     

Stand therefore . . . praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:14, 18

RECOMMENDED  READING:  ROMAN8:26-27  “¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that^[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

COMMENTS:  Roman soldiers were the best organized and trained and equipped soldiers of their day and formidable by today’s standards too.  They would be almost unstoppable today if equipped with today’s modern weapons.  But they were also a religious army even though pagan.  They worshipped 7 different gods of which four were most common.  Mars    was the god of war,   Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, Nerio was a warrior goddess, and Virtus was the god of bravery and military strength.  Roman soldiers enjoyed respect and prestige among Romans and if survived 25 years of service, could retire with all the privileges of Roman Citizenship and great wealth and prestige.  Roman soldiers became masters of strategy and discipline and organization. 

Paul used the Roman soldier as a metaphor to teach us the value and need for Christ’s spiritual armor.  Prayer isn’t identified as one of the pieces of armor but the blanket that needs to cover every piece of armor.  Prayer prepares us for and sanctifies the use of each piece of armor.  Prayer gives us our marching orders and strengthens the link and connection to our general and source so supplies and direction can be continuous and secure.   A fictional Roman deity could not bless a Roman soldier’s armor nor provide divine communication for wise council or powerful insights.  The Roman soldier’s training help give skills in strategy and willful focus on goal, but only within the limits of his own intelligence and reasoning abilities.  The Christian has access to the Creator and Sustainer of all as their source of wisdom and direction. 

Yet, Christ is all too often the last option we go to instead of the first.  We’d rather do everything we can think of and then ask Him for help instead of going to Him first.  Why? 

• Well, often His answers don’t come right away.
• Often His answers are not that appealing to us.
• Often His answers require more sacrifice from us than we are willing to make.
• Often His answers require more diligence and time in prayer than we are prepared to give.

Stop and reflect a bit from past experiences.  How well typically does leaving Him out of our choices typically work?  I don’t mean the smaller choices like what to wear each morning or some of the minor choices we make each day.  But then again some of those choices would have been better if had made them in a closer attitude of prayer with Him.

But consider value and importance of getting up early enough to start the day in prayer and bible study and meditation when it is quiet and without distractions.  Opening ourselves to hear God’s voice and council and opening ourselves to let His Holy Spirit in to go with us and council us during the day.  Starting with such an openness and attitude enables us to remain open to His lead during the day.   When we get up late and rush to catch up, it will be the pace of the entire day without time to do anything properly and with an end of day disappointed by what is accomplished.  Can you relate and have found this to be true?

So, putting on God’s armor with prayer is how we are to start each day and how we equip ourselves to wage war with satan but also build for God’s kingdom each day.  Our job may not seem that spiritual or Godly but remember we interact with people during our day who we would not know or likely meet within the walls of our church or church family.  That means opportunities to witness and encourage others that otherwise would not have opportunity.  We are equipped with defensive weapons like the Helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of the gospel of peace.  We are also equipped with the offensive weapon of the sword of God’s Word, our Bible. All are to be put on each morning with prayer.  (Ephesians 6:10-19).  Yet we are not only fighting war during our day, we are building relationships and doing work that builds.  We are also equipped with saws and hammers and measuring tapes to do and build work that lasts, Kingdom work.  No matter what our work is, if we do it for Christ and for His honor, then He can and will use our humble flawed work to fulfill His purpose and Will and for His honor. 

When we get honor, it will fall short of our expectations, but if He gets the honor for our work, eternal accomplishments follow.  Probably not right away but for certain.  AMEN?  AMEN!

Tools and weapons of spiritual warfare are nothing without God’s blessing. Put on your armor today—and pray. Ask God to make you strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).

 

“We must not confide in the armor of God, but in the God of this armor.” William Gurnall

10/23/18                              Purifying  Prayer                        23    

Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance.  Psalm 2:8

Recommended Reading:  Psalm 2  “Why do the nations conspire^[a]  and the peoples plot in vain?² The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,³ “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.⁵ He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,⁶ “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”⁷ I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:He said to me, “You are my  son;    today I have become your father.⁸ Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,  the ends of the earth your possession.⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron^[b];  you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise;  be warned, you rulers of the earth.¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear  and celebrate his rule with trembling.¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction,for his wrath can flare up in a moment.  Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

COMMENTS: Rev. E. M. Bounds wrote 9 books on subject of prayer.  His 1920 book “Purpose in Prayer” speaks of the purifying impact of prayer.  The more Christians pray and pay diligence to this precious gift and privilege, the greater impact it has in timing and way God’s Will and response to His children’s prayers is revealed.  Scripture tells us He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). 

Prayer also serves as a disinfectant, preventing the spreading – contagion of sin.  Fervent and consistent prayer draws and keeps us closer to God, thereby helping us resist satan’s attempts to discourage and hinder God’s influence in us and in the world.  God’s Will is sure and His Will will prevail, but He still works within the choices we make.  When we neglect Him and follow our own will and choices, we hinder His Will in our lives and hinder the positive impact He wants us to have in our field of influence and beyond.  Why He chooses to partner with us is a mystery but is due to the great Love He has for us and the level of relationship He desires to have with each of us.  That desire motivates Him to continue to seek that relationship with us even though we continue to reject or put Him off.

How sad and self-defeating for us.  If we only stop and realize, God doesn’t slow us down or detour the path and “to do list” we need to complete.  He gives us ability to complete that list more efficiently while also giving us eternal impact in the lives of those we cross along the way.  Granted, many things on that list may need to be crossed off or delayed when we get Him involved.  But let’s face it, many things on that list are not very important, but only things we want to do or enjoy doing.  But I invite you to reflect in order to discover past experiences that reveal how often we do enjoy doing His Will and are fulfilled in doing It.   But truth is, it really is not about us and what we want.  IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!  Afterall, He is Almighty God – Creator and Sustainer of All!  

So, when He calls us to pray and calls us to follow Him, let’s put as much energy to obeying as we have to resisting Him in past.  We might just discover brighter days and more joy and energy and more accomplishments at the end of each day than before.  We also just might discover a closer and richer relationship with Him at the end of the day too.  But we might just discover we are doing what we really want to and what is more important to us too. 

So why is prayer so hard at times and why is doing God’s Will so difficult and unappealing to start at times?  Well, stop and think.  Who is passionate and motivated to prevent us from doing so?  Yes, it is satan and his demons.  We are in a war even though we can’t physically see our enemy.  But we can see the impact of his work and mischief.  It is in the news every morning, in the conduct and misery demonstrated in every community and even in every family.  It is evident in our own lives to varying degrees as well. 

So, lets stop making satan happy and start making God happy.   Let start praying and doing God’s work instead.  Now is as good a time to start as any, right? AMEN?  AMEN!

“Everything depends upon prayer, and yet we neglect it, not only to our own spiritual hurt but also to the delay and injury of our Lord’s cause upon earth.”  E. M. Bounds

 

10/24/18                                    The Pearly White City                                     24      

The great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.   Revelation 21:10-11

 

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE REVELATION 21:1-13 “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”^[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. ⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”                                                                                                                                            The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb⁹ One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. ¹¹ It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. ¹² It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. ¹³ There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.

COMMENTS:  Have you ever longed for heaven?  When the problems and difficulties that surround your life seem overwhelming, have you simply prayed for God’s help but dreamed of heaven where your problems are left behind and you are in a perfect place?   The other day we visited a dear family who attend our church and are neighbors and friends of ours.  Jim was 91 and suffering from Pancreatic Cancer.  We visited and he shared memories of long ago and some more recent ones we could share with him.  We shared memories of those who had gone to heaven.    We were encouraged and encouraged him that he would be greeted by and see them when his time come.  We didn’t expect that time would come so soon, but he did pass to glory yesterday.

That is the confident hope and joy we have.  This world is not our final or best home, Christ promised to prepare a place for us – a eternal home far more wonderful and beautiful than we can imagine and He is also preparing bodies for us to inhabit that will never age or die or get sick but will also be far better than our human bodies were even in our prime.

Once again, we witnessed that confident hope in the eyes and words of Jim and Helen, his wife, and the whole family gathered around them in their home. 

I often remember my mother’s last day.  She was physically weak and pain medicine was making it hard to stay awake.  I tried to encourage her by saying I’m glad I have pictures of her as a young adult so I will be able to recognize her when I enter heaven.  She smiled and her eyes got bright and she said “Don’t worry, I’ll recognize you!”  You see, my father died 5 years earlier and over the next 5 years she put away the more recent pictures of them and brought out their pictures when they first married.  You see, she was prepared to greet him and he her as they would like and be in heaven.

When my dad’s younger sister was in the hospital dying 3 years after that, I was the one who informed her.  She had us all gather around her and told each she was so glad to have time to get to know each of us.  You see, a few years before, he husband died and she returned to live near us.   But then she said about going to heaven and being greeting by Jesus and her loved ones there, “I can’t wait”.

Such confident hope is a powerful witness that heaven is real and Jesus is who He says He is and is faithful to His followers especially on their dying bed.  That same confident hope and joy is ours too.  In order to have that hope, we simply need to ask His forgiveness for our sins and surrender ourselves to Him asking Him to come into our souls and lives. 

I received that hope at the tender age of 10.  Far better to do so at the beginning of this life journey than at end but far better even at the end than never.  Without Christ, we have no hope (John 14:6) “⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (Romans 10:9) “⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Have you ever attended a funeral service where family and friends were without that hope?  Have you attended a funeral service with that confident hope evident in grieving family and friends?  Both grieve but there is an obvious difference.  The difference is clear in scripture and in the lives of those who know Christ and have that confident hope.  That hope is not earned or bought.  It is a gift Christ bought with His life so we don’t need to. 

We will eternally overcome sin and the tempter when we reach heaven. That’s why our lives are filled with hope. We are longing to walk with our Lord in His pearly white city.  AMEN!

“Now I am watching, waiting, and longing, for the white city that’s soon coming down.”

Arthur F. Ingler

 

10/25/18                        Choice to Live or Choice to Die                                  25 
Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  1 Corinthians 6:19
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING I CORINTHIANS 6:12-20 “¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. ¹³ You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”^{[b] 17} But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.^[c]18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
COMMENTS: I am always amazed how talented celebrities in sports and movies and in business can earn enormous amounts of money and show great abilities in their profession while revealing such foolish and self-destructive behavior in their private lives.  We also see so commonly winners of huge lottery contests end up with ruined lives and even in bankruptcy.  They all were ill-equipped to wisely manage what should have been a great blessing.  Well, scripture tells us with great blessing comes great responsibility.  God holds us accountable.  The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) reveals this truth.  Blessings are not intended by God to be consumed by us exclusively but to enable us to help and bless others and ultimately help and bless God’s mission and evangelization of the world.   The Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20, was given by Christ to his disciples but also to each of us.   The resources God puts in our hands are intended to equip and enable us to do our part in fulfilling that command.  When we selfishly use those resources exclusively on ourselves or especially for evil purpose, we bring condemnation on us and hinder God’s passion and dream of further blessing to us intended to expand His work through us.

Good stewards are entrusted with more resources and responsibilities.  Poor stewards are given less.  That is the conclusion of the story of the talents Christ gave His disciples.  Such plays out every day and, in every community, and likely in the lives of those very close to you and me. 

Conversely, consider those who have had little but still were able to do great good and ended life with joy and contentment and blessings money could not buy.   Billy Graham was responsible to share the Gospel worldwide for over 60 years, resulting in countless millions accepting Christ.   His funeral was televised worldwide and he was honored like a great powerful leader.   Presidents were not honored more than Billy Graham.  I dare say the honor he received at his funeral didn’t compare to his greeting in heaven. 

Yet, Billy Graham as will we, I’m sure fell to his knees in worship and praise at the sight of His Savior.

You see, the blessings we will receive in heaven will dwarf anything we are blessed with on earth and will last forever instead of for just a few brief years while on earth.

Howard Hughes had unimaginable wealth and power but died malnourished and living in misery and poverty.   Why?  Because he chose to.  The path he chose led him to misery and death.  He not only lost the blessing of using his wealth for great good but lost his wealth and hope of eternal blessing.  His loss was greater because God held him accountable for squandering the great wealth he was entrusted with.

Stop and reflect what God is entrusting you and me with.  What great wealth are we entrusted with?  Is it possessions and wealth?  Well, most are entrusted with more than they realize.  Tithing our income is important to build faith in us but also to enable and enlighten us to know and obey in areas of giving God calls us to support and be a part in.

When we wisely use and share our gifts and talents as God Wills and directs, we also open ourselves to greater blessings and gifts, including equipping to battle life’s temptations.  When we use God’s blessings foolishly on ourselves, we open ourselves to greater opportunity to misuse those blessings for satan’s evil purposes, which includes misery and death to us even though he always presents them in a deceptively favorable way.

Yet the greatest wealth each of us is entrusted with is God’s Word.  How many bibles do we possess and how well do we use and share the Bible(s) we do own?  God’s Word is more precious than the largest lottery or the entire wealth of great nations.   God’s Word is more precious than even our own lives.  We need to start treating the Bible that way and share it as our obligation and privilege.  

I support the mission of Gideons International.  Their focus is to place and share the Bible everywhere they can – in hotels and motels and to children in schools and nurses and other professionals upon graduation to name a few.  How many lives have been changed by just placing the Bible in the hands of seeking souls.

The Gideons International began distributing the Word of God in 1908. Today, there are more than 270,000 Gideons and Auxiliary – and an untold number of supporters – in 200 countries, territories, and possessions across the globe. These dedicated individuals have given their time and money to make it possible for others to learn about the love of God by giving them access to His Word. They have placed and distributed more than 2 billion Bibles and New Testaments around the world.

The other thing I like about the Gideon Bible is the pages identifying specific needs or problems and where to find help in scripture for those needs. One day I took the time to write down the contents of those pages from a Gideon Bible I was reading in a motel in Roswell, New Mexico during my working career. 

In case you might need them for yourself or to share, they are listed below:

“Activity in God’s service is the best cure for many of the ills of life…. Our labor is not in vain when it is performed for God. “Robert Stuart MacArthur of Calvary Baptist Church in New York, in a 1908 sermon

 

 

GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES  6/24/10 Roswell, NM

HELP IN TIME OF NEED:

• The way of salvation:                                     John 14:6, Acts 16.32, Romans 10:9
• Comfort in time of loneliness :                   Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6
• Comfort in time of sorrow                           2 Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 8:26-28
• Relief in time of suffering                             2 Cor. 12:8-10, Hebrews 12:3-13
• Guidance in time of decision                       James  1:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6
• Protection in time of danger                       Psalm 91, Psalm 121
• Courage in time of fear                                 Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 6:10-18
• Peace in time of turmoil                                           Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7
• Rest in time of weariness                             Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23
• Strength in time of temptation                  James 1:12-16, 1Cor. 10:6-13
• Warning in time of indifference                 Gal. 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
• Forgiveness in time of conviction              Isaiah 1:18, 1Jn, 1:7-8

 

SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):

• The creation Genesis 1-2
• The fall of man Gen 3
• The flood of noah Gen 6-9
• The call of Abraham Gen 12:1-9
• Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
• Dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 5-7
• The Babylonian Captivity of Israel 2 Chr. 36
• Revival of Israel after captivity Nehemiah 8-9
• Promises of the coming Messiah Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps22, Is.53
• The Birth of Christ Mtt1:18-2:23, Lk1:26-2:40
• The Triumphal Entry                 Lk19:28-44
• The last supper Mk14:2-26
• The Garden of Gathsemane 26:36-46
• The Betreyal of Jesus 26-47-56
• The arrest and trial of Jesus Jn 18:12-19:16
• The death of Christ Lk 23:26-56, Jn19:16-42
• The resurrection of Christ Lk24, Jn20
• The ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
• The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts2:1-21
• The conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-31
• The heroes of Faith Hebrews 11

 

SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)

• The 10 commandments Exodus 20:1-17
• The sermon on the mount Mtt 5-7
• The golden rule Mtt7:12
• The greatest commandment Mtt 22:36-40
• The righteousness of Faith Romans 3:19-28
• The Royal Law James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
• Christ’s New Commandment John 13:34-35
• Christian love               1 Cor. 13

 

DYNAMIC DOCTRINES

• God’s greatness and man’s weakness                                                    Isaiah 40
• The two fold Revelation of God                                                                 Psalm 19
• Man’s universal guilt                                                                                 Rom 1:18-2:16
• Atonement                                                                                  Leviticus 16, Romans 5
• The new birth                                                                                                    John 3
• Justification by Faith                                                                  Eph 2:1-10, Gal 2:16-21
• Christ, the Good Shepherd                                                              PS 23, John 10:1-18
• Christ’s intercession for His Own                                                         Jn 17, Heb 7:25
• The High Priestly Work of Christ                                                                                Heb. 7:25, Heb. 4:14-16
• Christ’s Humiliation and Exhaltation                                              Philippians 2:5-11
• Resurrection of the Christian Dead                                    1 Cor. 16, 1Thess. 4:13-18
• The second coming of Christ                                                                       Mtt 24, 2 Thess. 1:7-2:12
• The Last Judgment                                                                                      Rev. 20:10-15
• The New Heaven and New Earth                                                              Rev. 21-22

 

PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:

• Christian Home relationships                      Eph. 5:22-6:4
• A model wife and mother                            Prov. 31:10-31
• Marriage and divorce                                     Mtt 19:3-9, Malachi 2:14-16
• The sin of adultery                                          Prov. 6:23-33
• The prodigal son                                               Luke 15:11-32
• Employer-employee relationships           Col 3:22-4:1
• Business and prof. principles                      Ps15, Prov. 3:1-12
• Seperation of worldliness                            2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, 1 Jn 2:15-17
• Decisions of doubtful things                        Rom.14
• Christian fruitfulness                                      Jn15
• Heavenly wisdom                                            James 3:14-18
• Christian responsibilities                               Rom. 12-13
• Christian stewardship                                    2 Cor. 8-9
• Christian witnessing                                        Mtt 28:18-20, Jm17:18-20
• Prevailing prayer                                              Mtt 6:5-15, Philippians 4:6-7
• Heavenly priorities                                          Mtt 6:25-33
• Brevity of man’s days                                     Ps 90
• The causes of war                                            James 4:1-4
• The value of the soul                                      Mk. 8:36-37

 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT ITSELF:

• ITSELF:                                                                  2 Tim. 3:15-16   , Psalm 19:7
• GOD:                                                                 Psalm 99:9, 1 Tim.1:17, Isaiah 45:21-22
• MAN:                                                                    Gen. 1:27, Gen 2:7, Isaiah 43:7
• HEAVEN:                                                              Rev.21:3-4, 21:27
• SIN:                                                                  Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
• HELL:                                                                     2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15
• CHRIST –HIS ADVENT                                     Micah 5:2, Mtt.1:21-23, Lk 2:10-11
• CHRIST – HIS PERSON                                     John 10:30, 14:6
• CHRIST –HIS WORK                                         Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Col.1:14, Isaiah 53:5-6
• CHRIST-HIS RESURRECTION                         Lk. 24:36,39, 1 Cor. 15:3-4
• FAITH                                                                    Acts 20:20-21, Heb. 11:6, Eph. 2:8-9
• LIFE                                                                        John 3:3, 1:12-13, 3:36, 2 Cor.5:17

 

10/26/18                                        Fellow Workers                                   26            

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!”  Revelation 19:10, NIV

 

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING  Acts 12:6-11 “⁶ And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.⁷ And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.⁸ And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.⁹ And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.¹¹ And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

COMMENTS: A very few individuals over the centuries have been privileged to be visited by an angel.  But every Christian has the privilege of being visited and indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit only abides in believers and His influence is to council and encourage and not to forceable overpower or control.   Satan, if invited into an individual will take control. 

When we look at those visitations recorded in scripture, there is a common reaction.  The majestic appearance of the angel is overwhelming.  The exception was when angel was disguised with appearance of a commonly dressed human.  But in every case, the natural reaction to worship was resisted and angel reminded individuals to only worship God.   The angel came only to help and give an important message from God to that individual.  In the case of Daniel and John the message was a glimpse into future events.  In other examples, the message was instruction of what to do or where to go.

God arms and dispatches His angels to help and protect and encourage his children.  But the need and work of His angels is more commonly done without an awareness of their presence and appearance.  I suspect the difference is they only need to be seen when have something to say and not just something to do.  The other reason visible angelic visits are rare is due to the more common work the Holy Spirit does every day and hour for each believer.  The Holy Spirit isn’t seen but is certainly felt and heard with our spiritual ears.

WE ARE NOT ALONE!  We may feel alone when being a Christ Follower isn’t popular and others shun or abandon us. Elijah felt that way even after his successful battle against 450 prophets of baal at Mt. Carmel.  Well, even men and women of great faith at times felt alone and abandoned even by God.  So, we shouldn’t expect to avoid such feelings either, but instead prepare for them.  Feeling abandoned or alone may be supported by circumstances, but we have countless examples from scripture and from family and friends and even from our own lives to convince us to stay true and draw towards Him instead of away from Him.  Satan motivates those feelings.  Job gives us probably the worst example but an insightful explanation of battle and debate between God and satan that resulted in Job’s trials. 

We too won’t likely know or understand the reasons and purpose of trials we will face or are facing.  But we are all called to trust and draw close to Him during those times so we can and will remain faithful and be sustained faithful and obedient. 

WE ARE NOT ALONE!  But we are in the middle of a war.  Satan is battling to destroy us and God is battling to build us up and help us grow our faith and confidence in Him.  He has promised to sustain us and has promised to return and put an end of satan’s evil mischief and run with righteousness and heal His creation to be as He intended. 

We are living in dangerous times.  Christians are being persecuted and tortured and killed in larger numbers and in more countries than ever before.  Many pagan religions and atheistic religions have declared war on Christians.  Even humanistic and progressive organizations are increasingly hostile against Christians and openly and actively at war against their values and teachings – teachings God gave in scripture and Christ.

Well, we should expect and prepare for such as Christ’s return grows near.  We should also discipline ourselves to focus our battle against satan and not individuals influenced by him.  Afterall, temptation and sinful behavior is a battle for everyone, including you and me.  But by putting and keeping our eyes on Christ, we enable capacity to live when given hate and forgive in the face of bitterness and angry actions and confrontations.    We must not forget who we serve and calling to witness and persuade others to come to Christ by our actions and conduct and words and be ready to give the reason for our hope and joy when asked. But also, to be humble admitting being wrong and seeking forgiveness when fail to be Christ-like.  That is our most powerful witness and provides the greatest hope to a hurting and lost world. 

WE ARE NOT ALONE!  Everyone needs Christ whether they admit or recognize their need or not.  It is not our job to judge others.  It is our job to live and conduct ourselves in such a way to persuade them to come to Christ, who created and sacrificed and loves them all like none other.  No other religion offers such a gift and opportunity.  No other religion can.  As I write and share devotions online, I have discovered a far greater hunger and openness in countries where persecution of Christians is the worst and where society and government are controlled and dominated by a pagan or atheistic world view. 

“Fulfilling God’s will is an eternal pursuit, both for us and for angels, both in heaven and on earth.”  David Jeremiah

 

10/27/18                    Clothes That Make the Person: Jesus                       27   

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9

RECOMMENDED READING:  Mark 5:25-34  “²⁵ And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,²⁶ And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,²⁷ When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.²⁸ For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.²⁹ And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.³⁰ And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?³¹ And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?³² And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.³³ But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.³⁴ And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

COMMENTS: If we had lived in the time and place Jesus did, would we recognize Him?  I suspect, if by no other way, the crowds who followed Him and way He taught and ministered to them would certainly make Him stand out.  But the cloths He wore would likely not.  He didn’t wear expensive clothes nor ride on a pure-bred horse and gold overlaid chariot as a king would do.  He wasn’t followed by visible armed soldiers nor by paid servants and slaves.  Yet the Father did oversea His work on earth and had armies of angels ready to intervene if Jesus would only say the word.  But He did not and only received help from the Father as we do – by prayer and surrender to Father’s Will.  Jesus did not have paid servants and slaves following Him but did have willing followers who listened to His teaching and message. His message and teaching would remind us previous old testament prophets except His message was one of hope and redemption more than a warning of judgment.  Yet judgment was also the warning with rejecting Him and not receiving His redemption.

Jesus healed the chronically ill woman who simply touched the hem of his clothes.  His clothes were worth little but the power they conveyed was due to who wore them, not in any power they had (Mark 5).  She acted based on the faith she had in Jesus and belief in truth He taught.  Electricity has great power to energize and power motors and tools and a large variety of equipment.  Yet that power remains dormant until it is properly grounded and properly connected to the equipment intended.  We, as those who witnessed Jesus’ teaching, must ground ourselves in His Word and teaching, believe in Him, and respond in faith.  We respond by asking Him to come into our lives and forgive and cleanse us our sins.  We also respond by connecting to Him by prayer and continued fellowship through His Word and obedience to do what is taught.  We also respond by asking the Holy Spirit to indwell us and then follow His council and direction.  That is how we receive the power to make us function as we were designed to.   Much like a motor properly connected to electrical power, we begin to respond as God intends when we connect to Him.                                            

  Jesus made an eternal difference in the lives of those who received Him then and has continued to do so in centuries from then to even now.  Transformed lives that were empowered to serve Him and boldly spread His Gospel of Redemption even in the midst of great persecution and danger and even certain death.

The transforming power that has changed countless millions in past continues to do so today.  It is what God has done in our lives that can help others. It doesn’t matter if we lack the riches of the world. God has given us the riches of His kingdom—it’s all we need to bring help and healing to others (Luke 12:32).

“A man’s heart is what he is. “R. B. Kuiper

 

10/28/18                                       Watching Over Me                                       28

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 1:14

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING:  PSALM 103:1-22  “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.¹⁹ The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.²⁰ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.²¹ Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.”

COMMENTS: God knew we would not be able or even consistently willing to keep His Commandments when He gave   His 10 Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Gen. 20).  So why did He even bother.  Well, the answer is much broader and complex than we can comprehend, but I believe one of the reasons was so we would know God’s standard and the goal He expects us to strive and move towards.  God also provided a way of redemption through animal sacrifice in Old Testament times but then provided the perfect sacrifice with His own Son, Jesus.  Christ came and lived and died not to cancel the need or requirement of the 10 commandments but to fulfil their purpose and God’s complete plan and will.  Christ became our sacrifice and accepted our punishment for disobeying His Commandments.  He then provided the Holy Spirit to give us constant personal one on one help and council and direction and strength to keep those commandments and to live a more Christ centered life.

Read closely these verses from I John 2:1-20: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.⁷ Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.⁸ Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.⁹ He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.¹⁰ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.¹¹ But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.¹² I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.¹³ I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.¹⁴ I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.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.¹⁸ Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.²⁰ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.²¹ I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.²² Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.²³ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.²⁴ Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.²⁵ And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.²⁶ These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.²⁷ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

I John 2 reveals and confirms God’s plan and purpose for sending Christ to pay the price to offer forgiveness – redemption for all who will ask and receive it.  A gift that cost Him greatly but costs us nothing except surrendering our wills to His. 

Yet, even when we do so, we are still vulnerable to satan’s snares and temptations.  That is why He provided the Holy Spirit to become our constant companion.   He also has angels, invisible warriors ready and near by to promptly to come to our aid at His bidding.                Psalm 91:11-12 “¹¹ For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.¹² They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

God has provided the Holy Spirit and a multitude of angels to empower and enable us to live a Christ-like sin free life.  But even more.  To do His Will and become the beacons of light and hope to a fallen desperate world.  The early Church Christians endured great persecution and even death but their transformed lives brought hope and peace to those who knew them, resulting in the spread and growth of Christianity in huge numbers.  Why?  Because only Christ can redeem a lost soul and provide hope and eternal life.  No one else can come close.

So, with all this support behind and with us, why isn’t every Christian living a sin-free life?  Why isn’t one living a sin-free life?  Why am I not living a sin-free life?  That is a question driving me to a deeper reflection and prayer that David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24 “²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

The full answer is a mystery, but truth is twofold.  First, we still live and act with free will.  Even as Christians we can choose to do evil or good, follow and obey God or not.   The other side is only God is perfect and is so far above us in power and Goodness that we simply can’t grasp or comprehend Him let alone duplicate that Goodness.  BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN’T GROW DAILY TOWARDS THAT GOAL.  GOD PROVIDES HIS ARMY OF ANGELS AND HOLY SPIRIT TO ENABLE THAT GROWTH AND EQUP US TO SEE SATAN AND HIS TRICKS AND SKEEMS FOR WHAT THEY ARE – LIES!!

The above scriptures give us confident hope of our forgiveness and redemption secure and sure.  They also equip and encourage use to stay true to the course and path to perfection He has set us on even.  A path He helps us stay on or return to when we fall or take a detour from. 

Evil is rampant in the world.  It dominates the news even in each community.  News reporting thrives on only reporting such evil news.  BUT GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE AND AT WORK IN OUR WORLD TOO!  Seek out and notice and share that Good News of His Work to encourage yourself and others.  Afterall, He still causes the sun to raise every morning and cause vegetation to provide oxygen for us as we provide CO2 for them.  Gravity still holds us on earth.   Christ is saving lost souls every day around the world and He still greets His faithful into heaven at the completion of their life’s work every day.  He is prepared for your welcome soon too.  So, let’s stop dwelling on evil and stop trying to be Christ-like by ourselves.  Let’s put and keep our eyes and mind on Him, draw close to Him, and let Him fight our battles for us.  Let’s make David’s prayer our (Psalm 139:23-24).  Let’s give Him the praise and worship and, yes, obedience He desires and we desperately need to give.

It is impossible for us to be more perfect or Good or Christ-like than we can comprehend and Christ is more perfect and Better than we can comprehend.  He knows and understand that but also knows we are not able to see and comprehend all His Goodness and live.   So, He helps us grow towards that goal as we are willing and as His Will and Wisdom provides.  Psalm 139:23-24 reveals David’s willingness to grow and openness to let God reveal more to us to do.  He wants to do so with us too.  AMEN?  AMEN!                                                                                                                      “Under Christ, as the head, angels are the guardians of the Church.”  John Calvin

 

10/29/18               Living in the World But Not Like the World                 29

John 15:19  “I have chosen you out of the world.”

COMMENTS:  God calls His followers to a higher standard of conduct but also to a higher calling, the work of evangelizing unbelievers of Christ’s Gospel of hope and redemption. He calls them to disciple new believers and to be mentors to younger believers in the faith.  He also calls his following to worship and praise.  Praise pleases God but also energizes us in doing His Word. Scripture tells us God inhabits the praise of His people.  Praise is important to Him, so is vital to us. All too often our prayers are filled only   with requests and have no time or energy   left to praise Him and express our love and gratitude to Him. We also have no time or energy left to just listen quietly with an open heart for His response to our soul.  That response often comes when we are reflecting on His Word, or when we linger without speaking in an attitude of prayer or even when we    reflect on the majestic of His creation.  Having a special place to commune with Him helps us prioritize our time with Him and develop an effective relationship with Him.

All this is vital if we are going to have a meaningful relationship with Christ and be successful defeating satan’s attempts to tempt us.  Remember, he will seldom attack us at our strengths but most often at our weakest areas and when we are the most vulnerable.

So how do we go about being the shining example and witness for Christ, especially for those who are shy or find it difficult to have conversation especially with strangers?  Well, truth is that our greatest witness and way we shine the brightest are the sincere acts of kindness and sacrifice without hope or reward or even being noticed.  Kindnesses may not be complimented but are noticed if sincere.  Scripture tells us to live honestly and as Christ taught us and be ready to give an answer for the reason for the joy and hope we have and show through our lives.  By doing so, we partner with the Holy Spirit to give Him more freedom to transform the lives of others.  He does what we can not but also enables us to make a positive impact we couldn’t do alone or without Him. 

10/30/18                                        God’s  Mysteries                                            30

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts!   Psalm 148:1-2

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: REVELATION 5:11-12 “ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.² And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?³ And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.⁴ And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.⁵ And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.⁶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.⁷ And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.⁸ And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.⁹ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.¹¹ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.¹⁴ And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

COMMENTS: If you ever doubted God’s existence, then take a walk in the country or wake up early to watch a sunrise or watch a sunset on a clear morning or evening.  Stay up and look into a clear sky without any streetlights hiding the full sky of stars on display.  If you still doubt God’s existence due to evil rampant in the world, go to a hospital and watch the excitement as a new mother and father receive their newborn baby and watch the joy in their family’s faces.  Discover the sacrifice firefighters and missionaries and health workers and others volunteering in disaster ravaged areas without regard for their own safety and without expectation of payment or praise.  If you ever doubted God’s existence, then seek out someone who experienced God’s saving grace and take note of the difference that choice made in their life – conduct – and subsequent choices.  Also take note of change in that person’s impact in the lives of others. 

Satan wants us to think he is more powerful than God and does seem so when listen to the news or influence in our families and communities.  BUT HE IS NOT AND TO FOLLOW HIM PUTS US ON THE LOSING SIDE AND DOOMED TO A FUTURE FILLED WITH MISERY AND DEATH.   The Bible gives us a clear knowledge of who God is and what He is like and what He expects of us.  It also clearly shows us how to receive forgiveness and be given a fresh new start over. 

Satan doesn’t want us to know or believe God’s redemptive message and will do anything in his power to distract or persuade us to reject that message.  God still allows us to make that choice using our free will, wise or foolish, but will do all His plan permits to encourage and persuade us to choose wisely.  He grieves when we choose foolishly and rejoices when we choose wisely and still will give us a path back to redemption when we choose foolishly.  BUT FREE WILL TO CHOOSE IS OURS TO MAKE EVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN.  Satan will try to persuade us through deception and God will try to persuade us with the truth.  Truth about satan and truth about his future and future of those who follow him, and other option of a future if follow Christ and receive His redemption.  The choice should be obvious and a “no-brainer” but thanks to satan, isn’t always that obvious or clear or appealing.   That is why it is so important we be diligent – faithful – consistently committed to study His Word and to prayer and worship – and consistently faithful and open to the Holy Spirit’s council and instruction and influence. 

God has provided His powerful but invisible Holy Spirit and also His angels to equip and empower and protect and guide each and every one who will receive His redemption and receive His help from His agents available to us. 

God’s hand is very visible and at work in the world and all around us.  We just need to open our eyes and heart and look up to notice and be encouraged.  Being discouraged is being human, but we need not live or stay there.  There is a far better place to live and reside.  That place is with His abiding Holy Spirit and in His  Will.  AMEN?  AMEN!

“Humility is the ornament of angels, and pride the deformity of devils. “ William Jenkyn

10/31/18                 HE IS SO WORTHY OF OUR LOVE AND DEVOTION                        31

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,…” Proverbs 9:10

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE:  PROVERBS 9  “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:² She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.³ She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,⁴ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,⁵ Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.⁶ Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.⁷ He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.⁸ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.¹¹ For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.¹² If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways:¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.¹⁸ But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”

COMMENTS: Wisdom is defined in the dictionary as “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.  To use knowledge and experience in order to make and act on good choices.”

So how do you define wisdom and how does God define wisdom? The ability to discern good from evil or truth from lies or a path with a good outcome from a path with a bad outcome and consistently choose the “wise path”.    

Well let’s be honest, how consistently do you demonstrate wise behavior and choices? How well do you think you could trust your judgment in a crisis or if a wrong choice would bring great consequences?   Truth is no one can without having God’s help.  But with the Holy Spirit’s council and abiding presence, we all can have that confidence!  Even when we reject His council or fail to ask, His redemption provides a way back to the path to eternal life.

There are consequences for sinful and foolish choices.  Sometimes God allows us to endure some or even much of those consequences for a time in order to fulfill His purpose.  Sometimes He spares us all those consequences for the same reason.  Yet, in all cases, redemption – forgiveness is still available to all who receive this gift and the promise of life eternal with Him.

He deserves and wants our worship and praise.  He also requires our obedience. 
Throughout the Bible, God makes abundantly clear HE IS LORD and that we are TO OBEY GOD and REVERE AND HONOR HIM and LOVE AND WORSHIP HIM and FEAR HIM and seek TO PLEASE HIM and to BRING HIM JOY AND PLEASURE.

Not to live for self but to LIVE FOR CHRIST and to FEAR GOD not to fear man.  Not people pleasers but yearn and desire and strive to PLEASE THE LORD.

Well, today’s devotion completed another month of devotionals together.  I hope and pray you are walking closer to Christ than last month. I know the journey this devotional journal has taken me has drawn me closer to Christ.  By doing so, I have discovered just how much more perfect His is than I realized and how far I still am from being like Him.  That sounds depressing but really isn’t.  Such a discovery reveals how wonderful and perfect our Lord truly is and how much more work He still has to do in me and just how Good and worthy of my worship and devotion He truly is.  He is more than I can comprehend.   As I continue to grow and become more like Him, I will continue to discover He is even more wonderful and more work to be done in me.  That is my journey and pray is yours too.  In the meantime, I look forward to continuing this journey of faith with you next month, God willing.  AMEN?  AMEN!  

If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 288 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present.

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My hope and prayer are, my blog and devotional materials will become a source of encouragement and tools in ministry for you.