QUALITIES OF STRONG DISCIPLES!

Tuesday, May, 31, 2011

QUALITIES OF STRONG DISCIPLES!

Luke 6:12-13

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

          From those Jesus “called” he also “chose” twelve whom he named apostles. What did he see in the twelve that he did not see in the others? Let me suggest a few things.

1.       FAITHFULNESS!

1 Cor 4:2

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Here the word “faithful” means “trustworthy!” We assign important tasks to the faithful.

2.       AVAILABLE!

Availability might best be described by its antonym. The very best tool is the one nearby. Shoes were never designed to be hammers but many a heel has driven a nail because it was available.

3.       APT TO TEACH!

1 Tim 3:2

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Didaktikos is the Greek word that is translated by our phrase “apt to teach.” Essentially it means “instructive” and I’m sure that Jesus must have seen something in the twelve that set them apart from the rest of the disciples. Jesus saw in some of the learners the potential to be teachers.

4.       TEACHABLE!

Prov 1:7-9

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Those who despise instruction will never do well. Are you faithful, available, and teachable? God wants to use you today.

Dear Lord, please find in me today the qualities you require that I might be usable and useful to you. AMEN

LIVING IN A MISSION FIELD!

LIVING IN A MISSION FIELD!

Rom 1:14-17

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one 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.

           Why Rome? In Paul’s day, Rome was the most wealthy, civilized, and influential city in the world. After Peter and Paul preached the gospel in Rome, the truth began to spread throughout the entire empire (Colossians1:23). But sophisticated Rome was also the most hedonistic, pagan, and dangerous mission field. Indeed, both Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome!

          A recent Newsweek cover shouted, “The Decline and Fall of Christian America” (April 13, 2009). The article said, “The number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has nearly doubled since 1990, rising from 8 to 15 percent.”

           Those who have dreams of “one day” ministering on some needy mission field should look around because you are already there! Across the street and up the road there are many who await the Gospel. It is the task of every believer to share the good news with their neighbor.

1 Thess 1:7-8

…ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

Dear Lord, help me to see my duty clearly and empower me to fulfill it. AMEN

HOW TO BUILD A BELIEVER!

HOW TO BUILD A BELIEVER!

Matt 28:18 - 20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1. Engage him with the Scriptures!

2 Tim 3:15-17

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, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Rom 10:17

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

2. Disciple him one-on-one!

John 1:43

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

The word “follow” is from a Greek word that means “to be in the same way with me.” It implies a mimicking of the one being followed.

3. Teach him to multiply his life!

2 Tim 2:2

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

“The Scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him fully for all branches of his work.” (2 Timothy 3:17) J. B. Phillips Translation

4. Lead him to make Christ the center of his life!

1 Cor 3:10-11

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

At the core of the life of the believer is the art of intimacy with Christ.

5. Be the kind of person you want your disciple to be!

1 Cor 11:1

11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Dear Lord, let me be the kind of believer that produces a generation after me. AMEN

SO RUN!

SO RUN!

1 Cor 9:24

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

As I sat last night in a huge convention center watching my granddaughter graduate from high school, I was struck by the contrasts which I saw. I am, of course, pleased with the accomplishments of my number one granddaughter but it occurred to me that graduation is much like the coming judgment of our works. Here is what I saw.

High achievers!

           I was pleased to see that, at this school, there were many who had received various prizes and awards for excellence. Almost one third of the graduating class had won some kind of scholarship. Gold braids abounded! This is what we want for all those who run. In the race for the laurels at the judgment seat of Christ, this is what the master wants as well.

The Very Bright!

I realize this is a blanket judgment on my part and liable to stern scrutiny but it seemed to me that there were those who were gifted and talented who might have done better had they applied themselves to the task. The Bible is clear that each of us is gifted and our gifts are personal and can’t be compared to the gifts of another. We recognize this as individual potential.

Matt 25:14-17

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

Those who Finished their Course!

           I was surprised to see many who did not earn any kind of adornment and yet the announcer said that they were “A +” students. I’m glad the announcer told me this. These are like those who had only two talents but they were faithful with what they had been given and had “gained other two.” They were good students and good kids though they had won no prize. They had lived up to their potential.

           There seemed to be another category which I hesitate to mention. There seemed to be a few who had carelessly applied themselves. You could see it in their demeanor and their dress even though they were covered with a gown. My heart broke for those because they will have a more difficult life all because they did not live up to their potential, or so it seemed to me as I observed this moment in their lives.

1 Cor 9:25-26

25 Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.

26 Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.

AMPLIFIED

Dear Lord, you have given me gifts and talents. Let me use them faithfully with purpose and good results. AMEN

WHY FEAR IS A FAULT!

WHY FEAR IS A FAULT!

Heb 10:38

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Heb 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

           It is difficult, emotionally, to think of fear as being faulty but the Scriptures are clear on the matter. The justified one shall live by faith. It is an intellectual approach to everything. It assumes a good outcome to every knotty problem. It presses ahead in the face of overwhelming opposition. It succeeds.

           Fear, on the other hand, is a belief that things can’t possibly turn out right. It approaches life timidly with an expectation of disaster or failure. It is fatalistic. It halts and retreats in the face of opposition. It fails. Let me suggest a few reasons why God is displeased with fear.

Ø Fear clouds our judgment. Causes to see things as they aren’t. It bends our perception of reality.

Ø Fear stops us in our tracks. We are frozen in indecision.

Ø It wastes time in rationalizing and reasoning.

Ø It promotes paranoia. We begin to imagine enemies that do not exist.

Ø It causes us to lose objectivity. We can’t think clearly.

Ø It causes us to distrust others because we are always searching for unknown and unseen enemies.

Ø It ruins us as risk takers. We live in a boring safe zone of inaction.

Ø We imagine wrong motives in the best deeds.

Ø It promotes our pride since we do not want to ever be thought of as failures.

Ø Fear stubbornly refuses to believe in the presence and power of God.

Ø Fear believes God can’t be trusted or taken seriously.

Ø Fear does not come from God.

2 Tim 1:7

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Dear Lord, I am afraid that I am often driven by fear instead of faith. I believe, help thou my unbelief. AMEN

AVOIDING SPIRITUAL DRYNESS!

AVOIDING SPIRITUAL DRYNESS!

John 4:20-24

20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

           The unnamed woman at the well in Samaria had a form of worship. In fact she hid behind it rather than to be confronted with her own dry soul. The well provided water for the needs of the body but she had been spiritually dry for a long time. Jesus offers living water.

           If your quiet time is all about the study of the scriptures then you need to know that the Pharisees were well disciplined in studying the Bible. However, Jesus confronted them about their spiritual dryness.

John 5:39-40

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

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

Let me suggest a few things to keep in mind when you “do” your daily devotions!

1. God will not be rushed!

           Our highly pressurized souls have formed thick crusts and it takes more than a few minutes in the Word to break through. Give God adequate time. Slow down, relax and experience His presence.

Isa 55:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2. Strive for intimacy with the Lord!

           What we call “devotions” or “our quiet time” should never be thought of as a duty but a delight. Strive to know God’s heart. Align your desires with His and synchronize your thoughts. Feel His love flowing through you and return it unimpeded. This is the rhythm of devotion.

3. Go deep!

           I find that a scheduled portion of Scripture sometimes leaves me dry while an in depth study and meditation of a smaller portion leaves me refreshed. My goal is never to finish a huge chunk of scripture but to take smaller bites and digest them well.

Prov 3:7-8

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.

4. Visualize and personalize the Word!

           Millions have been shown the Word who refuse to OWN the Word. Consider that the Lord is MY shepherd and make it personal. He is not just the savior of the world; He is MY savior. He supplies MY needs and hears MY prayers. He is interested in ME! Remember that God made us for fellowship.

1 John 1:3

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

5. Don’t forget the hymnal!

Col 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Dear Lord, you promised to pour water on him who is thirsty. Drench us today with your presence. AMEN

SPOILED! CONDITIONED TO BE SELFISH!

SPOILED! CONDITIONED TO BE SELFISH!

Ps 37:5, 7, 34, 37

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

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.

34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

           What makes a spoiled child? Yesterday in a furniture store I watched as a five-year-old disassembled an expensive faux antique clock. He then asked his mother, who was struggling with a toddling sibling, to help him fix it. We all have seen it and most of us think we know the cure but what happens when an entire culture conditions us to be selfish and careless of others?

           The advance of science and technology has created in us a gross impatience. Cross country travel once took months or years by covered wagon over rough and dangerous terrain. Now that same route can be an enjoyable drive on smooth highways with interesting and restful stops along the way. If the journey requires speed we can avoid the ground altogether by taking a plane. We have been conditioned to expect instant satisfaction of our desires.

           Communication has advanced as well. A paper and ink letter could take weeks to arrive and the message on the paper was in complete sentences and carefully crafted. Now small computers and phones keep us in constant contact with a growing list of friends while we grow more and more lonely. We have been conditioned to expect an immediate answer to a question.

           So, what makes a courteous and well behaved person? Perhaps it is little more than the learned ability to wait. Even God seems locked in a slower time and we try in vain to hurry Him up to fit our schedule. We request the thing we want in prayer and then we check the mailbox! We seldom consider the possibility that the needs of others may have a higher priority. We have been conditioned to think that no one and nothing is more important than ourselves. This is subliminal, however, and we would recoil at the notion if we could see our selfishness as plainly as others see it.

Several words in our text this morning are worthy of our consideration.

COMMIT. The original language means “to roll” and presents the idea of transferring a load of cargo from one to another. We will do well to roll our heavy load onto the able shoulders of a mighty God. To do this we must see ourselves as less capable of carrying it. We must see ourselves as dependent and needy. This requires us to direct the focus away from self.

REST. This word literally means “to be dumb” and indicates the need to quiet our self. The words of the ancient hymn come to mind: “Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side.” We are not still. We can’t be still. We will not rest because we are driven by the incessant desire to have and to have it immediately.

WAIT. The word actually means “to bind together by twisting.” I get the idea not of patience but of controlled impatience. Like the hound that has been trained to sit still with a dog biscuit perched upon his nose until his master says it is OK to eat it. Is that dog patient? No! He is waiting. He knows at the appointed time the biscuit will be his.

MARK. This means “to look narrowly or to observe carefully.” The focus of our attention is the upright man. The reason for such carefully scrutiny is that we may be like him. The result of this great study is that we mighty have peace. With all of our microwavable conveniences we have not found the peace that comes from committing, resting and waiting.

Dear Father, I have described myself in painful detail. I do not like to wait. Help me today to rest in Thee. AMEN

MORE THAN ENOUGH!

MORE THAN ENOUGH!

2 Kings 6:15-17

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

           God himself had been spying on the enemy, telling the facts to Elisha who told them to the King of Israel. It was a system that was foolproof. The King of Syria finally decided to eliminate the spy Elisha and his servant. A vast army surrounded their location and in the morning the servant saw their impossible situation and shouted with alarm, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?” Elisha, who saw with different eyes prayed that the lord might reveal the angel army to the distraught servant.

           We began a road trip yesterday knowing that the springtime weather looked very dangerous all along our travel path. One city along the way had already been destroyed by a tornado and it was predicted that more tornadoes would follow. What should we do? Should we delay our journey or press ahead?

           After gathering as much information as we could, we finally determined to go ahead with our travel but not before I prayed for safety. I prayed: “Lord surround us with a hedge of thorns and a band of angels!” Now, I don’t know how large a “band” is but I thought it might be at least equal to a Navy Seal team.

           We finally arrived at a restaurant for lunch and the sky began to darken. I prayed again but increased my request to a “company” of angels. I didn’t see them but was sure they were available.

           As we approached the devastated city our highway literally passed through the destruction. The debris was to the left and to the right of the highway. Trees were twisted into impossible shapes. Concrete foundations were swept clean and massive structures were gone. Cars weighing thousands of pounds each were stacked as if a child had been playing with them. I was glad for my angels.

           As I pillowed my head the scripture portion came to my mind and I whispered another prayer. “Thank you Lord. I know your angel band, however large but unseen, was more than enough.”

Dear Lord, surround your children with protection today that is more then enough. AMEN

WHY IT IS HARD TO RESPOND TO GOD BY FAITH!

WHY IT IS HARD TO RESPOND TO GOD BY FAITH!

           Many of us struggle with issues just beneath the surface. There is disquiet and an unrest that is not immediately visible as we go about our daily activities. Listen to what Paul says.

2 Cor 7:5

5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

           We are complex creatures made of many parts and our history and circumstances have made us who we are. Let’s explore a few of the reasons why it is so hard for us to respond to God by faith.

1. Wounded Hearts

           Many of us reach adulthood with deep wounds. These help to form our opinions and establish the parameters of our faith by building walls of fear. We must present our wounds to the great healer or we will not be able to properly respond to a God who requires faith.

Job 5:17-18

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

2. Divided Minds

           We claim to trust God until Jesus asks to take a risk. We feel that we might suffer some loss as a result and so we pull back. When our faith is put to the test we many times demonstrate that we believe God can’t be trusted.

James 1:8

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Heb 10:38

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

3. Paralysis of the Will

           The inability to choose to follow God results from a long history of inaction. The person who can’t make up his mind won’t make up his mind. He will ultimately be frozen in the face of great danger and become a victim of his own refusal to act.

1 Kings 18:21

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

4. An Overloaded Soul

We are exposed to too much information. We are lost in a sea of meaningless noise which should help us to make decisions but the result is just the opposite. We lack the wisdom to filter the information and so the information becomes useless. What we need are quietness, meditation and rest. God seldom shouts. We hear Him in a still small voice or we don’t hear him at all.

Isa 32:17

17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Isa 30:21

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Dear Lord, I am caught up in the vortex of indecision. I need to hear your voice and to know your way. AMEN

THE BUILDING OF CHARACTER!

THE BUILDING OF CHARACTER!

James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

"When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the PROCESS go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence." (James 1:2-4 – Phillips Translation)

           J. B. Phillips, in his paraphrase, calls the handling of problems a PROCESS. Merriam-Webster describes the word “process” as “something going on!” It is also described as: “a series of actions or operations directed toward a particular result.”

           Sometimes when trials and problems hits us like a fully loaded freight train we ponder and wonder what is going on? Who is in charge of these problems that smash into us car after car? Then the questions come. Have I done something wrong? Have I upset the delicate balance of the universe? Is God angry with me?

           For the maturing believer the answer may mean that God is taking a raw recruit and transforming him into a solid well trained soldier. Nothing builds experience quite like making mistakes and then making the necessary corrections to see that those mistakes are not repeated later. We call that experience and you can’t get it from a book.

Phillips suggests that we welcome trials as friends. He suggests that the testing of our faith produces endurance and that the end result is that we become people of mature character with the right sort of independence.

Dear Lord, I do not ask for trials but I ask for the wisdom and maturity to handle them with character. AMEN

PRETENDERS OR GENUINE?

PRETENDERS OR GENUINE?

Matt 15:8-9

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Jesus had the divine ability to know which worshippers were pretenders and which were genuine. John, in his Revelation, said: “His eyes were as a flame of fire!” He knew when worship was ritualistically performed and when it issued forth from a full and glad heart.

           Pretenders work hard to protect their image and reputation while true worshippers are clothed with humility. They know they are just sinners saved by grace. While not tolerating sin, they are also not judgmental. They know that any righteousness they have has been acquired by grace and not works. They are more concerned with the reputation of God.

           Pretenders find it difficult to admit their spiritual needs. They feel it will make them look weak or incomplete. True worshippers freely acknowledge their incompleteness. They know they are poor and needy and nothing without Christ.

           Pretenders have a hard time saying: “I was wrong; will you please forgive me?” True worshippers are quick to admit their offense and to seek forgiveness.

           Pretenders tend to deal in generalities when confessing while true worshippers are quick to name specific sins.

           Pretenders are sorry about the consequences of their sins while true worshippers are grieved over the root cause of their sins. Pretenders are sorry they got caught.

2 Cor 7:10

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Dear Lord, do a divine work in my heart and make me genuine in my faith. AMEN

HE’S ALL I NEED!

HE’S ALL I NEED!

Isa 41:10-16

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

In these verses God promises…

1. His PRESENCE for the lonely!

One translation says: “Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.” (v.10) Anxiety is the companion of the lonely. When we are abandoned we long for a companion either to challenge our opinions or to confirm them. Jesus promised to be that constantly abiding friend we need.

2. His POWER for the helpless!

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (v.10) He is our strength when we are weak – help when we are out of resources – and support when we fail and fall.

3. His PROTECTION for the vulnerable!

Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable in this world. Those who would abuse them should pay close attention to what the Bible has to say about God’s love of widows and orphans!

Ps 68:5

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

4. His PURPOSE for those who feel useless!

I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. (v.15)

Dear Lord, thank you for being all that I need today. I bring to you my long list of deficiencies and you give to me your long list of supplies. AMEN

THAT TINY WORD “IF”

THAT TINY WORD “IF”!

Acts 26:27-32

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

           IF is a conjunction linking cause to result and is closely associated with the word “since.” It is the thinnest of threads and in this case connects one destiny from another. Sometimes the conclusion is clearly seen and the “if” serves as a cautionary device to prevent a foolish action. If I drive recklessly I am more likely to have an accident! If I had worn my seatbelt I might not have been hurt.

           Sometimes the word “if” becomes an allurement to action. If I invest wisely I may later become wealthy. If I love and respect my wife then I will enjoy a happy home. These and other things all hang on that thin thread we call “if.”

           Here Paul had been arrested and brought before Agrippa for a preliminary hearing. Paul used the opportunity to witness of his faith in Christ as Messiah and Savior. Perhaps Agrippa was serious when he said that he was nearly persuaded to believe or perhaps he was being sarcastic. It is hard to tell. Nevertheless after deliberations it was determined that Paul might have been set free IF he had not appealed to Caesar. That little word “if” started Paul on a voyage that would establish a church in Rome and ultimately cost him his life in a Roman prison. It all hung on a tiny thread called “if.”

           The day is fresh before you and many choices still lay before you. Carefully consider your options and choose wisely and prayerfully.

Faithful Guide, let my “if” be your choice today. AMEN

OLD FRIENDS!

OLD FRIENDS!

James 2:23

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

John 15:14-17

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

           Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “friend” as: one who is not hostile; an acquaintance; one attached to another by respect or affection. This morning I realize that I have friends scattered all over the world. Some are old friends and some are older. I think there are few things more valuable than old friends.

           Modern technology makes it possible to shorten the miles that separate me from my old friends. Instead of a paper and ink letter that may take days to deliver, I can send and receive an electronic message instantly. If I want to see their face tiny cameras make that possible in real time. It is a marvelous age in which we live and yet I marvel at how quickly my friends and especially their children grow older without my observance.

           God is my friend. Let that truth sink down into your soul and apply Webster’s definition. God is an acquaintance with whom I share respect and affection. We share secrets and fond memories of bits of life shared together. Because He loves me He will never lead me astray. Because He respects me His plans for me are always good plans and His gifts to me are always the best. He is a good friend. He will never side with my enemy against me. Even when we disagree He remains a true friend.

           As God’s friend I sometimes struggle to fulfill the proper definition of friendship. Though God has always proven himself to be trustworthy I often do not trust him. Sometimes I even side with his enemy against him. I wander away from his companionship. I am not a very good friend but I love my Friend and He loves me.

Dear Lord, thank you that I have many old friends and that you are one of them. AMEN

HOW TO RESPOND TO A HOLY GOD!

HOW TO RESPOND TO A HOLY GOD!

Isa 6:1-8

6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

          Isaiah saw this Holy God because God wanted to be seen. When we begin to see ourselves as righteously complete God comes to us and shows us Himself and we are immediately reminded of our own particular sin. That is why most of us would rather avoid contact because of the great contrast between His holiness and our sinfulness. We prefer to commune with sinners like ourselves than to be painfully reminded of our deficiencies.

          We can’t put on airs and pretend holiness with such a holy God for all things are naked and open before Him. With others we may play the saint but in the presence of an awesome God we are found out. All our righteousness appears as filthy rags and we cry along with Isaiah that we are undone.

           Isaiah was immediately made aware of his unclean lips for that was his particular sin. We may be immediately prompted of our lust or our greed or our hypocrisy. The holiness of God pierces the darkness and shines the light of reality on a dirty life. Woe is me, we cry!

           Once sin is recognized and confessed cleansing flies forth from the throne. A coal from the altar of sacrifice is placed upon the unclean lips and they are made clean. We hear the pronouncement of pardon: “thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” The dead air becomes fresh as the morning!

           Being made clean we are then able to hear God’s heart. We sense his passion and are made privy to His plans. “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” We rise to meet the challenge not because we are perfect but because we are purged. We are washed and made useful. Like a school boy assured of the right answer, our hand shoots up and waves for recognition. We shout with eager anticipation: “Here am I; send me.” Whatever your plans for the day, beg God for a glimpse of His holiness. It makes all the difference.

Dear Lord, let me see your holiness today even if the light of thy countenance reveals some sin in me. Let me be useful as one of your volunteers. AMEN