WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

John 14:25-26 KJV

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Since Jesus went back to His Father, believers have had given to them the indwelling Holy Spirit, also known as the Comforter. Among His many duties is the personal care of Christians. If you have ever wondered to yourself “where did THAT come from?” then you probably have experienced the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life.

What are some of the evidences of the Holy Spirit working in the Christian?

1. WHEN YOU HAVE PEACE IN THE MIDST OF GRIEF!

John 14:27 KJV

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

When the tears begin to dry and your soul begins to calm; when all around you there is no discernable reason to be at peace; that’s when you say to yourself: “Where did THAT come from?”

2. WHEN YOU HAVE JOY IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL!

Hab 3:17-18 KJV

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

When a song begins in your heart and continues through the clamor; when your soul begins to celebrate in the midst of crushing defeat; that’s when you say to yourself: “Where did THAT come from?”

3. WHEN YOU FIND WISDOM THAT CAN’T BE YOUR OWN!

Luke 12:11-12 KJV

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

When your counsel to others is full of wisdom beyond your years or training; when the choices you make are beyond your level of maturity; when you find yourself the leader when you would rather follow; that’s when you say to yourself: “Where did THAT come from?”

2 Cor 1:3-5 KJV

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

God of wisdom and comfort, thank you for the companionship of your own Holy Spirit. AMEN

REAL MEN DON’T CRY!

John 11:33-36 KJV

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

The shortest verse in the Bible is also a powerful contradiction to the machismo declaration that real men don’t cry. Assuming that Jesus was a real man, and one can assume nothing else, we see him stand before the tomb of Lazarus and weep. He whose hands scooped out canyons and flung stars into their proper orbit shed tears! He makes tiny diamond drops on his tanned cheeks and swipes them aside with carpenter hands. Real men DO cry.

Sometimes crying is the only thing that makes sense!

When the same brothers that sold you into lonely slavery now wait your decision as to whether they will live or starve, it makes sense to weep. Joseph did not seek whether to weep; he sought where to weep.

Gen 43:30 KJV

30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

When evil men all around him abandoned the rule of God the psalmist cried rivers! 

Ps 119:136 KJV

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Ps 56:8 KJV

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

The so called lachrymatories or “tear bottles” were often found buried with the dead as a symbol of grief. Some, however, think the psalmist had in mind the huge skin bottles used to hold water. This is a strong metaphor of God’s care for our suffering but why would God store up our tears in His bottle?

1. AS A REMINDER OF PRAYERS TO BE ANSWERED!

God is not forgetful as we are and when we pray God gives careful attention to each request. Tears in God’s bottle represent prayers on deposit for answer at a later, perhaps better, time.

2. AS A REMINDER OF WRONGS TO BE AVENGED!

It is a dangerous thing to make a little child weep by our cruelty! He is the champion of widows and orphans. Like the blood of Abel their tears cry out for retribution.

Ps 68:5 KJV

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Dear Jesus, though a veteran of many spiritual battles, sometimes I just want to sit in your lap and weep awhile. Thank you for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

WHY THE FAITHFUL FALTER!

Hos 4:6 KJV

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

I have had the privilege of pastoring one group of people for a significant number of years. Many of them are very faithful in their commitments and yet I have seen some of them falter during times of difficulty. It is puzzling to watch someone who has a long record of steadiness suddenly falter during times of trial. Perhaps they will return to habits long abandoned or they may surrender a Sunday school class they have taught for a very long time.  

Dr. Charles Stanley said: “A spiritual relationship heavy on emotion but light on facts falters in a valley. Believers must know how Scripture applies to life. Unless you have a belief system that can withstand pressure, pain, and criticism, you are at risk.” Our text in Hosea does not say “my people are destroyed for lack of passion” but for lack of knowledge.

1. KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE REVEALS GOD AND HIS NATURE!

John 5:39 KJV

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

James 1:17 KJV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Ps 95:6-7 KJV

6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture,

II. WHEN EMOTION REPLACES KNOWLEDGE FAILURE IS THE RESULT!

Matt 13:3-7 KJV

Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Believers without a disciplined knowledge of the Bible will seek advice from secular counselors who may offer only a temporary relief.

Isa 26:3 KJV

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

III. FAITH IS PRODUCED BY KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD!

Rom 10:17 KJV

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ps 119:15-18 KJV

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Great God, today there will be many challenges to my faith. Let me not do battle with my emotions but with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. AMEN

DAILY BENEFITS OF KNOWING GOD!

Ps 68:19 KJV

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

We are all accountants when it comes to our relationship with God. It is difficult for us to receive anything from Him without trying to pay for it and when we He asks something from us we want to trade. However, God daily loads our wagon with benefits without presenting us with a bill to pay. What are some of those daily benefits of knowing Him?

1. WE MAY KNOW HIS POWER AND RECEIVE HIS ENERGY!

A. Power against sin.

Rom 8:1-2 KJV

8:1 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.

B. Energy to deal with circumstances.

Rom 8:37 KJV

37 Nay, in all these things [circumstances] we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Eph 3:20 KJV

20 [HE] is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…

II. WE MAY REST IN HIM!

The kind of rest I’m talking about is not the rest after labor but, rather, the confidence that God is in perfect control of the situation. We can rest easy as “passengers” while He manipulates the controls.

Isa 46:9-10 KJV

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Ps 37:7 KJV

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

III. WE MAY ENJOY CONTENTMENT IN HIM!

Contentment does not require perfect circumstances. While chained to a prison wall, and awaiting execution, Paul wrote the following:

Phil 4:4, KJV

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Martin Luther)

Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.

We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.

This world's prince may still scowl fierce as he will,

He can harm us none, he's judged; the deed is done;

One little word can fell him.

Dear Lord, though I may not yet have what I want, I have a wagon load of benefits. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

PROMINENT OR PREEMINENT?

Col 1:18 KJV

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

How did I get here? Where has He gone? I remember climbing up into His lap for comfort and solace. I buried my face in his chest and he dried my tears with the folds of His robe. I looked around and the view from here was magnificent. I could see so clearly. I slid from his lap but did not want to leave this place so I nudged Him over and sat beside Him. After awhile it seemed cramped so I nudged Him even more and he rose and let me have the seat. Now I can’t find Him and I need His advice. His throne has become very uncomfortable without the cushion of His lap!

PROMINENT! The word is one of honor and means “important.” In fact Jesus is very important to many people these days. His name is called and His presence is invoked in many public places. It has become expedient to be familiar with Him. He opens doors that would otherwise be closed and is the key to political and public advancement. He is lucky to have around!

PREEMENT! The word simply means “to be first.” Our text indicates that God the Father designed that Jesus should be the head of the church, the firstborn (literally first to rise from the dead). In all things He is to be first. He is to be first in our present engagements and not simply to have a prominent place among them. He is to be first in our finances and first in our relationships. He is to be first in any consideration of future plans. He is first!

He is first because He made himself last, made himself subject to the horrific death of the cross. As a consequence God restored Him to his highly exalted position, replaced Him on His throne, and decreed that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow to acknowledge that He is preeminent.

Phil 2:5-11 KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dear Jesus, please return to your throne and rule my life. AMEN

Saturday, September 25, 2010

DO YOU HAVE INTEGRITY?

For some reason the word “integrity” seems slowly to be fading from our vocabulary. We still hear the words “honest, honesty or dishonesty” but hardly ever hear of integrity. Perhaps the use of the word is disappearing along with its essence! In order to resuscitate both the word and the character trait, I’d like to investigate what the Bible has to say about it.

Ps 19:13-14 KJV

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

1. THE MEANING OF THE WORD!

The Old Testament word is the Hebrew word tamam and basically means “being complete” or “finished” with nothing else expected or intended. A building was said to have “structural integrity” if it was finished, complete, sturdy and strong with nothing lacking.

The word sometimes meant that a certain supply was completely consumed and there was no more to be found. My granddaughter, when a container of peanut butter, mayonnaise, or whatever was empty she would say: “That’s dead!” The jar was scraped clean, sometimes with a spatula. The tube was squeezed flat!

The word "integrity" does not occur in the New Testament, but its equivalents may be seen in "sincerity," "truth," the "pure heart," the "single eye," etc. It is equivalent to being honest, sincere, genuine, and is fundamental to true character. (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia)

Integrity for our purposes means moral or ethical soundness, as used in our text above. The psalmist expected to be sound or complete when God helped him to keep His law. This is the meaning of God’s diagnosis in the following verses.

Isa 1:4-6 KJV

4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

2. THE CHARACTER OF INTEGRITY!

Ø     Integrity keeps promises even if damage is incurred by the keeping. A handshake is as binding to a person of integrity as a thousand page document.

Ø     Integrity is consistent, not moody or changeable due to the pressures of circumstance.

Ø     Integrity is kind but does not practice political correctness which is sometimes a euphemism for lying.

Ø     Integrity is trustworthy and shows up in times of crises.

Ø     Integrity does not cave in under pressure.

Ø     Integrity keeps commitments, is always in his assigned seat.

Ø     Integrity is never “absent without leave.”

3. THE SOURCE OF INTEGRITY!

Moral and ethical soundness, as indicated by Psalm 19:13, is received from the Source of all morality and ethical behavior. It comes from God through His Word and the ministry of His Holy Spirit. When the seed of the Word falls on the ground of one with “an honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15) the result is fruit.

Dear Lord, make me a person of honesty and integrity. Let me not make empty promises. AMEN

Friday, September 24, 2010

O TIMOTHY!

The “O” used by Paul in addressing young Timothy is in the Greek vocative case which shows great emotion and intensity. Paul loved Timothy, wanted him to succeed, and would soon deliver into his young hands his entire ministry. Let’s take a look at two verses that display this passion of Paul.

1. O TIMOTHY, RUN!

1 Tim 6:9-12 KJV

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Paul was warning Timothy that the reckless pursuit of money and things would drown him in a sea of trouble. God would provide the necessary material things to conduct an earthly ministry whether it be much or little. God distributes His gifts according to current need and always cautions against grasping and hoarding. Manna stored after the expiration date rotted and produced worms. (Exodus 16:20) This, of course, flies in the face of man’s nature. O Timothy! You will have to struggle against your own desires in this case but understand that you should run from it as urgently as Joseph fled the pursuit of Potipher’s wife! (Genesis 39:12)

O Timothy! There are some things that are of such value as to urgently run after them. These are righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. (v.11) These are the treasured gifts of the Holy Spirit which Paul lists in Galatians 5.

Gal 5:22-23 KJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2. O TIMOTHY, KEEP AND GUARD JEALOUSLY!

1 Tim 6:20-21 KJV

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

The word “keep” indicates to isolate, guard and preserve safely.” O Timothy, safely and carefully keep that which has been deposited to your care. What Paul was referring to, of course, is the entire volume of his Christian faith; all the many hours of training and mentoring.

O Timothy! The gospel is not simply another philosophy! Do not dilute it with vain chatter or speculation of theories that puff up man’s intellect. O Timothy! The gospel does not belong to you but to another and it is placed in your care.

O Timothy! Soon you will have to stand on your own firmly held beliefs and convictions. Soon you will not be able to ask questions of me for challenge or confirmation. Soon I will be gone! O Timothy, learn thy lessons well and keep the treasure of truth close and safe. O Timothy! I am soon to finish my course. Begin yours in earnest!

O, Mighty God! How I love you! How I fear my own fondness for human philosophy! Lord, keep me today close to you and protect my mind as I hold tightly to your revealed truths. AMEN

Thursday, September 23, 2010

THE SHIPWRECK OF FAITHLESSNESS!

1 Tim 1:18-19 KJV

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

In Paul’s day travel by ship was the most common mode of transportation over large distances and could actually be luxurious by their standards. But travel by ship was subject to the dangers of weather and poor navigation and Paul chose the word “shipwreck” in verse 19 because the wreck of a ship at sea was one of the greatest disasters known at that and perhaps because he had personally fallen victim to it.

The 27^th chapter of Acts is an exciting story of sea danger and, while it is hard to cut a few verses out of such a story, the following will give you a taste of the drama.

Acts 27:40-41 KJV

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

1. HOLD ON TO FAITH!

Faith offers no substance nor evidence yet Paul says to hold on! The conflict of the present and the confusion of the future whip us as surely as the winds, yet faith provides the sure passage to the far shore. Faith is the persuasion of the mind that a certain thing is true. It is of no practical use without trust. Believing will do no good unless we commit ourselves by trusting to the foam of the sea of trouble. Without trust we stand as observers on the near shore. With a firm reliance on a God we believe is real and trust in His providence we commit ourselves to the sea of circumstance.

2. HOLD ON TO A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

Mr. Vine says that “conscience” is “a knowing with.” It is counsel with oneself and it is the faculty with which we discern the will of God. Conscience produces guilt when we violate a law or decide against reason. This same conscience assures us that a chosen way is right by condemning the bad and commending the good. By developing a sense of the presence of God we gain moral control of our actions. Hold on to a good conscience!

Titus 1:15-16 KJV

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Dear Lord, let me hold steadfastly to my faith and listen carefully to my conscience that I may be safely carried to the far shore. AMEN

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

WISDOM – WHAT IT IS – WHERE IT’S FOUND – WHAT IT COSTS!

James 1:5 KJV

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1. Wisdom – what is it?

Wisdom as used in James 1:5 is the Greek word sophia and means: “understanding, knowledge, insight, perception, astuteness, intelligence, acumen good judgment, prudence, and my personal favorite, good sense!”

It is best recognized when it is absent from any circumstance or when staring at the broken ruins resulting from some bone-head decision or action. Even with so many synonyms we are not as familiar with it as we’d like to be.

Paul, in his writings, was keen on knowing what God was thinking. He wanted to know “the mind of the Spirit” in Romans 8:27; “the mind of the Lord” in Romans 11:34; “the mind of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 2:16. It is hard to argue that whatever God is thinking regarding any situation is wisdom.

2. Wisdom – where is it found?

Mr. Vine, in his dictionary of Old Testament words says that wisdom [chokmah] is: “experience or shrewdness” and is found 141 times in the Old Testament. Curiously it is found most often in Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. If wisdom is experience then experience is the result of trouble. In Romans 5 there seems to be a process outlined. Tribulation, hard times, forces one to wait, which results in experience, which leads to hope, which results in confidence, which is caused by the provident care of God.

Rom 5:3-5 KJV

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

If wisdom is the knowledge and ability to make the right choices at the most opportune time then doing so consistently is indication of maturity and development. First Timothy 3:6 cautions against giving too much responsibility to a “novice” or neophutos which means “newly planted.” Just as we don’t expect fruit to be produced by a tender plant so we must wait for maturity. Overseers of these neophytes must be willing to mentor them through many periods where wisdom is absent simply due to a lack of experience.

3. Wisdom – what does it cost?

Since wisdom also is a moral as well as an intellectual quality, it costs long hours at the feet of the Master.

Prov 8:33-36 KJV

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Because wisdom is a result of experience it may cost pain.

Ps 119:71 KJV

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Because wisdom is a gift it is received by asking.

James 1:5 AMPLIFIED

5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

Dear Lord, I need your wisdom to make it through this day. Thank you for giving it to me. AMEN

THEY WATCHED HIM!

Matt 27:35-36 KJV

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

As Jesus strode through Jerusalem all eyes were watching Him. What would this Nazarene carpenter do as he left his trade to moralize up and down the streets and rugged hills? Even those without eyes watched him taking note of the crowd. One cried out “Jesus of Nazareth; have mercy on me” and He did. He spit and made mud and anointed eyes and he came seeing.

He was unorthodox and so the Orthodox watched Him with irritation and disgust while He ignored their traditions in favor of the rabble. Mark 3:2 says: “And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him.” Should healing be removed from this day set aside to rest from labor and focus upon God? Should it not rather be the best day for healing? But they watched him so that they might accuse Him. Because they had been offended they lost their power of reasoning.

On the cross Jesus provided some kind of morbid entertainment and curiosity for those who had manufactured his guilt and sentence of death. Sitting down, they watched Him there. Nothing unusual took place. No miracle took place except that one of the thieves stopped his cursing and assumed a curious calm. “He saved others; himself he can not save!” They shouted as those who had felt cheated by the price of their theater ticket but they kept watching.

At the end even death could not rip Jesus from their watchful eyes. They laid him in the grave and set a “watch” because He said he would rise again on the third day. Camping in front of the cold stone, stirring the night fire, the soldiers had one mission and that was to watch.

The world is watching us too! Jesus said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matt 5:16. Today someone is watching you prayerfully, another may be watching you for some answer, yet another is watching you to see if you will make a mistake. They are watching!

Dear Lord, as the world watches me, let them see your wonderful light shining through. AMEN

Monday, September 20, 2010

THAT YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE!

The phrase “that ye might have life” was spoken three times in the King James Version of the Bible; all three times it was used by John! It was John’s mission statement and life purpose that others might have life through Jesus the Messiah. However, each of the three times, John also speaks to a different powerful force.

1. THE POWER OF MAN’S WILLFUL REFUSAL!

John 5:40 KJV

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

There is a mighty power in man’s ability to freely choose. In John’s fifth chapter Jesus spends considerable time defending himself against unbelieving Jews who “sought the more to kill him because He had once again relieved human suffering on the Sabbath and because He had made himself equal with God.”

Those who were thoroughly unconvinced mingled with those who were nearly convinced but the decisive result was that they refused to come to Jesus that they might have life. To put it another way, a horrible way, they did not have and would not have life. It was a momentary decision with eternal results.

Throughout our lifetime this awe inspiring gift of choice remains ours. In a thousand opportunities we must choose wisely.

2. THE POWER OF SATAN’S SINISTER SCHEME!

John 10:9-10 KJV

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The scriptures say of Jesus that “in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5) and John might here say of Satan “in him is no light whatsoever.” Satan’s total focus is to steal – to kill—and to destroy. The opposite is true of the Savior. He has come to give – to give life in abundance – and to repair and restore.

3. THE POWER OF THE WRITTEN WORD!

John 20:30-31 KJV

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Why would a rugged fisherman, a “son of thunder,” chronicle the life of a carpenter and itinerant preacher named Jesus? He answers for himself when he says that he wrote so that his readers might be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God and that in that believing they might have life, eternal life, through his name.

Our own powerful gift of free and willful choice will either doom or deliver us! Satan will influence and manipulate that choice if he can to accomplish his purpose of stealing, killing and destroying but God has given us a living Word that we should read and heed…that ye might have life.

Dear Lord, may your Holy Spirit guide me and protect me today as I make life altering choices. AMEN

Sunday, September 19, 2010

GOD COMMENDS BOTH ZEAL AND CONTENTMENT!

In the scriptures one will find encouragement to be aggressive in our business and, at the same time, to be content with the things that we have. How can we accomplish both?

The prophet Elisha had become sick and the Bible says it was a sickness from which he would not recover. King Joash came to visit and bemoaned the loss saying that the prophet represented the total defense of the country! Or, to put it another way, “What shall we do without you?”

2 Kings 13:15-19 KJV

15 And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.

16 And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.

17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.

19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.

We understand Elisha to mean that in war we should fight aggressively, fiercely, unreservedly and fight to win. We are now engaged in a conflict not with a nation or people but with an ideology that is evil. We are in a battle with Satan who is our enemy. If, in our pursuit of pleasure, we have spent our strength on silly things we will have neither the heart nor the hand to engage him. In war, fight to win!

Later, God appears to contradict himself by telling us to be content. Let’s take a look at the verse.

Heb 13:5 KJV

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The key to understanding the apparent contradiction is to know that this verse is not talking about fighting a battle but about living a life. The word “conversation” refers to lifestyle. We must have a lifestyle void of greedy, stressful, competition for gain. The verse is specifically talking about “such things as ye have.” In life, be content!

Other portions of scripture warn us against laziness. When working, work hard!

Prov 12:27 KJV

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Eccl 5:12 KJV

12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Ø     IN WAR, FIGHT TO WIN!

Ø     IN LIFE, BE CONTENT!

Ø     WHEN WORKING, WORK HARD!

Dear Lord, help me to balance the segments of life and pursue them. Let me be an intense worshipper today. AMEN

Saturday, September 18, 2010

FIND A “THINKING STATION”!

James 1:6 KJV

For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Isa 57:20 KJV

20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

I lived near the Chesapeake for about nine years. It was a singular blessing because of the geography and the faithful rotation of four very definite seasons. One could always tell whether it was spring, summer, fall or winter. You didn’t even have to ask, you just knew.

Because there was water, pronounced “wooter” by the locals, all around us there was ample opportunity to observe the waves driven by the wind and tossed. Calvert, pronounced “Culvert” by the locals, was nine miles wide at its widest point. Bounded on the west by the Patuxent River and on the east by the magnificent Chesapeake, one could not become truly lost on the neck of land that was our county. All you had to do was drive till you found water and then turn around. Eventually you would once again find state route 4 which, if you travelled far enough north would become

Pennsylvania Avenue

after you crossed the D.C. line.

But if you could not easily become lost on the peninsula neither could you easily escape and escape was desirable from time to time. The Baptist church I pastored was twice removed from Methodism. The Methodist church had split and formed the Bible Church. Later the Bible Church had split and formed the First Baptist Church. It lounged alongside Maryland route 4 just about mid way between north and south. It was not always comfortable living in such a rich tradition and being from anywhere else. After nine years, I left the county still a newcomer.

Change was stubbornly resisted in Calvert County. Why, the first day we were there we saw bumper stickers that read: “Keep Calvert Country!” At first I thought the county had been offered to someone who had summarily refused the gift! It didn’t take long to realize that the locals thought their county to be perfect just like it was. They had successfully blocked the construction of a Wal-mart along with the sprawling blight it might bring but later failed to stop McDonald’s from building near the elementary school. Predictions of riot and ruin, of traffic congestion and teen violence accompanied the new golden arches.

Every now and then I simply needed to escape! I soon located several “thinking stations” along the abundant shores where I could be alone with God. One such “listening stations” was along the Patuxent, another at the Cove Point Lighthouse, and yet another at the southernmost tip at the sea wall of Solomon’s Island. I would go to observe the mood of the “wooter”!

I often marveled how the waters spoke to me. Sometimes they whispered as they foamed along the sand and at other times they shouted as they sprayed and splashed over the sea wall but they always talked to me. Very often the waters mirrored my own mood and sometimes they offered an alternate perspective. The waters provided both affirmation and stern advice and I never knew which I would receive. Sometimes the waters and I would simply enjoy each other’s company as we both laughed while the water tickled my feet. At other times the waters cried her salty tears and mingled them with my own. I sometimes miss the waters. I know she is still there.

It is amazing that people, when confronted with undeniable truth, will measure that truth by their tradition and choose tradition every time.

It is God’s desire that … we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Eph 4:14-15 KJV

Dear Lord, although my traditions may be rich and of long standing, help me to see the truth clearly and to choose truth. AMEN