THE POSTURE OF WORSHIP!

THE POSTURE OF WORSHIP!

Gen 24:26

26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

           The small verse selected this morning is the first mention of a worshipping subject falling down or bowing down his head. It is occasioned by an unnamed servant in search of a bride for his master’s son. He had no way of knowing how or when he would meet God’s choice and so he prayed God for a confirming sign. The damsel that would willingly water his camels would be that choice so when Rebekah offered to draw water till the camels were filled the servant knew God had answered. He bowed his head and worshipped the Lord.

           The principal Old Testament word for worship is shachah, "depress," "bow down," "prostrate" while the principal New Testament word (59 times) is proskuneo, "kiss (the hand or the ground) toward," hence, often in the oriental fashion bowing prostrate upon the ground. (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia.)

           Our attitude and demeanor in worship has changed drastically in recent years and it is not a good change in my opinion. The difference, I think, is the focus of our worship. Great cathedrals were built for God and modern auditoriums are built for the comfort and convenience of man. The result is stark theaters built for the production of a show.

           My Jesus is not a rock star! He is, however, the rock of my salvation and the bright and morning star. He is the creator and master of the universe who stooped low to find me and to save me out of the mire and muck of my sin. He is the Lord of Glory whom angels serve singing “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty!” Thunder and lightening announce his steps and his voice is as many waters. This kind of God begs a better kind of worship than is currently being offered.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Dear God of all let me enter into your courts with praise. Let my manor of worship be fit for a God such as you. AMEN

GOD IS!

GOD IS!

Acts 17:28-29

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

GOD IS…QUIET!

1 Kings 19:11-13

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

GOD IS…RYTHMIC!

Gen 8:22

22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Rom 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

GOD IS…UN-HURRIED!

Gal 4:4-5

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Acts 17:29-30

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

GOD IS…SIMPLE!

1 Cor 1:27-29

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Matt 18:3-4

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The New Testament, like the Old, does not try to prove God's existence. Rather it declares, also like the Old Testament, that he exists and manifests himself in various ways, but finally he speaks through his Son Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-4), who is superior to angels, priests, and all other manifestations of the divine Word.

(from Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Copyright © 1996 by Baker Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)

Dear Lord and Savior, thank you for being the kind of God I need today. AMEN

THAT HORRIBLE FEELING OF GUILT!

THAT HORRIBLE FEELING OF GUILT!

Rom 3:19

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

James 2:10

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

           The moment that Adam ate the forbidden fruit his eyes were opened and he felt, for the first time, that horrible feeling of guilt. He knew right from wrong! More specifically, he knew that he had actually done wrong. He was guilty and sought for a place to hide. He sewed fig leaves together and made a loin cloth to cover his private parts. In the cool of the evening he hid from his God.

           The biblical idea of guilt has three elements. [1] There is the idea of responsibility. Since Adam had been clearly forewarned about the tree in the midst of the garden he was then responsible to obey the warning. [2] The second idea is that of blameworthiness (Latin reatus culpae) and [3] the obligation to make good through punishment or compensation (Latin reatus poenae; compare Greek opheilema, "debt," Matt 6:12). In other words, in thinking of guilt we ask the questions of cause, motive and consequence, the central idea being that of the personal blameworthiness of the sinner. (International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia)

But it is the feeling of guilt and not the mechanics of it that requires attention. David said in Psalm 51:3, “my sin is ever before me!” He knew what he had done. He knew it was wrong and even though nobody seemed to know of the deed yet it plagued him like a burden he carried on his back. He needed to rid himself of this baggage.

In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress Christian had just come to the cross and it is at this place we read: “Then CHRISTIAN gave three leaps for joy and went on singing:

“Thus far did I come laden with my sin,

Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in,

Till I came hither. What a place is this!

Must here be the beginning of my bliss!

Must here the burden fall from off my back!

Must here the strings that bound it to me crack!

Blest cross! Blest sepulcher! Blest rather be

The Man that was there put to shame for me!”

Dear Lord, let me today give three leaps for joy and then go on my way singing. AMEN

FULL ASSURANCE!

FULL ASSURANCE!

Three times in our English Bible we read the phrase “full assurance.” It will be interesting to note the meaning and contexts.

1. FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING!

Col 2:2

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

          The word “understanding” is translated from the word “sunesis” which means “mentally putting it all together. The idea is that the mind gathers facts and proofs and then puts it all together into full understanding. Paul linked together a chain of reasoning in the book of Romans which instructs us here.

Rom 10:14

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

2. FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE!

Heb 6:8-12

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

          Salvation, when it comes, brings with it many things that confirm the relationship. Works and labors of love which spring from a new and inner character confirm that salvation has taken place. The works did not produce salvation but always “accompany” salvation, as verse 9 says. The writer wants his readers to enjoy a full anticipation of things in store for those who are saved.

3. FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH!

Heb 10:19-22

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

          Because Jesus entered into the veil and sprinkled the Mercy Seat with his own redeeming blood, we can be fully assured that God will accept us and receive us. The blood gives us new status by washing away everything that offends. Remember that these words were written to Hebrews as the name of the book indicates. Leviticus 16:4 and Numbers 8:7 tell us that the priests and Levites first must wash their flesh with water before serving. The writer refers to the ceremony of washings and to the sprinkling of blood.

Dear Lord, I have assurance of understanding because of your precious word. I have assurance of hope because I love to do your will. I have assurance of faith because of your precious blood. Thank you that I do not need to doubt. AMEN

A GOOD THING!

A GOOD THING!

Prov 18:22

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

           Forty three years ago today I found favor with the Lord! Today is my wedding anniversary and I am more aware now than ever before that finding a wife is a good thing. I first laid eyes on Irene while standing at the back of the auditorium of the Bible Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. I was a raw freshman at Baptist Bible College and a visitor to this church. She was seated at the organ and I was completely undone by her loveliness.

           I can’t imagine why but she later accepted my proposal of marriage. She has been a very “good thing” indeed and a strong accomplice with this plowman; a true yokefellow. I thank my God for sending her to fill up all my imperfections. To say that I love her would be a laughable understatement.

           The Lord Jesus likens the church to His bride! When I think of this I have a better understanding of His fierce love for us and why He would willingly die to obtain us. Paul thought of himself as the groomsman who, on behalf of the groom, wooed the bride and readied her for the wedding.

Hos 2:20

20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

2 Cor 11:2

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Dear Lord, thank you for granting me this “good thing” and for the favor you have shown. AMEN

EXHAUSTING THE INEXHAUSTABLE GOD!

EXHAUSTING THE INEXHAUSTABLE GOD!

Isa 43:21-25

21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

22 But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Rom 1:21

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

          Both Isaiah and the book of Romans present a courtroom drama. God, the judge, sits on his heavenly bench while all of nature is called to witness against guilty man.

1. HE FORMED US!

In the portion before us God’s people are reminded that they exist through the formation of the Almighty. He formed them for himself to declare his praise.

Isa 1:2

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

2. WE GREW TIRED OF HIM!

Man grew tired of worshipping God and first profaned it then dismissed it altogether. Prayer first became a formality without heart and finally ceased. God was forgotten as irrelevant and unimportant although He is our very breath.

3. SACRIFICE AND SERVICE FADED AWAY!

God does not consider His requirements difficult to accomplish. Yet man became peevish in his worship like a child who had been asked to clean his room or clear the table. He whined and pushed out the lip.

1 John 5:3

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4. SIN ONCE ABANDONED WAS RESTORED!

Isaiah 43:24 thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

Our sins have become excess baggage for the God who carries us. We have multiplied them, lashing them one on top of another so that the Master falls beneath the load. The Hebrew word which is translated “thou hast wearied me” is “yaga” and means “to gasp” with weariness.

5. THE INVITATION IS STILL THE SAME!

Isa 43:25-26

25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

Isa 1:18

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

God invites us to a discussion regarding our sin and His salvation. The result will be wonderful! We shall be justified! Though our sins are red like crimson, they shall be as white as lambs wool.

Dear Lord, today let me not weary you with an additional load of sins. Let us plead together that my sins might be blotted out. AMEN

NOT ASHAMED!

NOT ASHAMED!

Rom 1:15-16

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.

           A few days ago I learned that Campus Crusade for Christ, which was started many years ago by Bill Bright, had decided to change their name. After some research they determined that the name “Christ” was offensive to some Christians and produced a negative reaction. “Cru” is the new non-offending name but I suppose their research team failed to ask me because I find the whole scenario offensive.

           Religious individualism makes it impossible to define Christianity because everyone is defining it for themselves. We now believe that we are the chief authority for faith and practice instead of the Bible. We now determine the direction of our lives instead of Christ. Oh, He is certainly the one we acknowledge when we are backed into a corner, but please don’t make us follow a creed held by any denomination or group. We are freelancers and free spirits.

Judg 17:6

6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

           Biblical and godly counsel is filtered through this religious individualism. If the advice seems to fit neatly into the parameters of our home made religion then we will listen but we accept no bonds and no restraints to our own design and will. The definition of right and wrong has become fluid instead of absolute. Values and methods of interpreting reality have been emancipated from any dependence upon God.

Rom 1:21-22

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Dear Lord, let me not be ashamed to acknowledge you today. Let me listen to your counsels and obey. AMEN

SAVED FROM – SAVED TO – SAVED FOR!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

SAVED FROM – SAVED TO – SAVED FOR!

           Salvation is a rescue. It is being spared from something unimaginable; so horrible that it almost defies description. But Salvation also has a forward focus. It looks forward to a reward unearned in a city unbelievable.

1. Saved from!

Eph 2:1-3

2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

           We are saved from hell and saved from a lifestyle filled with sin. We are saved from the power and control of an evil prince. We have been rescued from the family of wrath.

2. Saved to!

Eph 2:4-7

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

           We are saved to enjoy heavenly places with others who have been redeemed. Oh, but in the ages to come the riches will be excessive and all the language that may be used to describe heaven are superlatives.

3. Saved for!

Eph 2:8-10

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

           God has spared you! Do you know what He has spared you FROM? Can you imagine what He has saved you TO? Do you yet have any idea your purpose; what He has saved you FOR?

Gal 2:20

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Dear Lord, I was dead in trespasses and in sins and you have made me alive. I have been given a great inheritance and a purpose for living. Help me to know that purpose and to fulfill it. AMEN

GOD’S UNUSUAL GUIDING!

GOD’S UNUSUAL GUIDING!

           How can you tell whether God is guiding or you are just chasing your dreams or running amuck? From all the stories we read in the Bible there doesn’t seem to be a simple formula. Consider the following.

1. God may lead through a mess of my own making!

          Jacob had purchased the highly valuable birthright of the firstborn from his brother for the paltry price of a bowl of lentils. He then stole the patriarchal blessing from his age blinded father. Now, in Genesis chapter 28, he is on the run and he lays down in a barren place with stones for his pillows. Yet God was leading.

Gen 28:11-15

11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

          Jonah had stubbornly refused to go to Nineveh and wound up in the belly of a great fish. Yet God was still leading.

Jonah 1:17

17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

2. He may lead by answering prayers with unusual circumstances!

          Abraham’s servant was sent to find a wife for his son. This was a daunting task. How would he find her? How would he know? He devised a plan and prayed a prayer. The woman who watered his camels would be his choice.

Gen 24:15-19

15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.

17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

3. He may lead by direct revelation!

          Paul was earnestly trying to determine his next field of service and God had already vetoed his first two choices. In the night God spoke through a dream.

Acts 16:9-10

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

4. He leads through inner urgings upon our spirit!

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.

Ps 143:8

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Ps 73:24

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Lord, like Solomon, we don’t feel confident to go in or out the door. We need your wisdom for so many of the decisions which must be made today. Make your will and way clear today. AMEN

THINGS TO REMBER AND THINGS TO FORGET!

THINGS TO REMBER AND THINGS TO FORGET!

Ps 25:6-7

6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

Christians are always forgetting the important things! We forget that God is a good God, that he knows everything and can do anything. We forget, in our daily distresses, that He loves us with an immeasurable love and that He wants only the best for us. We forget His tender mercies.

The Hebrew word for “tender mercies” means the "inner parts" regarded by the Hebrews as the seat of the affections. Literally it is “remember thy bowels of mercies.” David is asking God not to forget His “gut wrenching” care of us.

Christians are always remembering the wrong things! We can not seem to forget those youthful sins committed in the heat of passion. They haunt us, take us captive and remand us to the tormentors. We pray for forgiveness over and over again but we can not forget them. David asks that God forget his youthful sins and God has responded.

Isa 43:25

25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Heb 8:12

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Dear Lord, today help me to remember thy goodness and thy tender mercies. Help me to forget those sins you have already forgiven. AMEN

STRETCH EVERY NERVE!

STRETCH EVERY NERVE!

Heb 12:1-2

12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

           Our life is on display! The great host of spectators is a reference to those heroes in chapter eleven. They view our preparation or lack thereof. Their silent cheering would spur us on if we could but hear it. They would tell us that God had never failed them and would not fail us now.

           We are to run with patience [di’ humpmones] “in persevering endurance”. Life is a marathon and not a sprint. They pace themselves who hope to finish. Nearing home we stretch every nerve.

Awake, My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve

Words: Philip Doddridge

Music: "Christmas" by George F. Handel

Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve,

And press with vigor on;

A heavenly race demands thy zeal,

And an immortal crown,

And an immortal crown.

A cloud of witnesses around

Hold thee in full survey;

Forget the steps already trod,

And onward urge thy way,

And onward urge thy way.

'Tis God's all animating voice

That calls thee from on high;

'Tis His own hand presents the prize

To thine aspiring eye.

Then wake, my soul, stretch every nerve,

And press with vigor on,

A heavenly race demands thy zeal,

And an immortal crown.

Dear Lord, let me run my race fully awake and focused on you today. AMEN

CAPTURED BY HIS LOVE AND MERCY!

CAPTURED BY HIS LOVE AND MERCY!

Ps 139:1-5

139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

           This is a powerful image! In fact my mind pictures a laboratory rat caught in a maze. He is led inescapably to a destination known only by his captor. In this case, however, the captor is not a tormentor but a benevolent guard and guide. He is the Lord of Glory! He is the Creator and sustainer of the universe. His ways are above our ways. As the 6^th verse says, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

           I have often struggled to find a way out of His will because I think it to be in error. Surely He can’t want me to endure what I am currently enduring! Problems press in on the left and troubles join upon my right hand. I can’t go back and I can’t climb up. The only way left to me is forward to the fearful unknown. I do not perceive his love and mercy until I reach the appointed place of peace. It is then I see His handiwork and understand His protection and provision.

All The Way My Savior Leads Me

By Fanny Crosby

All the way my Savior leads me

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

Dear Lord, forgive my struggling against your efforts to lead me. I am ignorant of what is best for me and too foolish to submit. I have learned that your way is best but learning that has not been easy nor is it easy yet. Thank you for trapping me in your love and mercy. AMEN

JERUSALEM FIRST!

JERUSALEM FIRST!

Acts 1:8

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Prov 3:27-28

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.

           The tiny word both is a primary Greek article te (teh) and connects a group together. In our text today it links an expanding range of influence. The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to witness in both, or properly all places at the same time. Naturally the first place to witness is right where you are. If we forego the opportunities seated next to us in Jerusalem, how are we going to convince anyone that we are burdened for Samaria? The Good Samaritan shows us our responsibility regarding the chance meeting with one in need.

Luke 10:31-33

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.

           It must be remembered that the story of the Good Samaritan is the answer of the question in verse 29 “And who is my neighbor?” It was a question aimed at self justification. If I can’t identify my neighbor then I can’t be held responsible for his pain and his needs. Jesus made it clear that your neighbor is the one by your side. It is that chance tragedy moaning in the gutter of life that only compassion can reach and only sacrifice can soothe.

           Both the Priest and the Levite were journeying to and from a place where they might do service for God and in their journey they passed by God’s true service. Missionary work is always local to the missionary. It is never foreign. Your mission field is wherever you are at the time. Your service is always at arms reach.

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing

Charles Wesley

My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad

The honors of Thy name.

Dear Lord, there are many near me that need my witness. Let me not sully thy name with my daily walk. Let my light shine brightly. AMEN

ANTICIPATION OR DREAD?

ANTICIPATION OR DREAD?

2 Tim 4:8

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Heb 10:25-27

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

           The word “anticipate” according to Merriam-Webster is defined as 1: to foresee and provide for before hand. 2: to look forward to. Generally it is a word that is used when we eagerly look forward to some happy event in the near or distant future. For instance, if you look at the calendar you will see that we are more than half way through the year and Christmas is just around the corner! The feeling you get when you think of these things is anticipation.

           The word “dread” according to Merriam-Webster is defined as 1: extreme reluctance to meet or face. 2: great fear especially of some harm to come. So the writer of Hebrews urges us to assemble together for mutual strength and encouragement because the day is approaching. Those who are unprepared either ignore that coming day or they have a certain fearful looking for of judgment.

           Jesus stands in the middle of a divided audience half of whom are eagerly looking forward to meeting Him while the other half cowers in great dread. Which is it with you, my friend; anticipation or dread?

Dear Lord, there is an electric feeling to my anticipation today. Oh, how I look forward to this day of worship and to that great day when I will see you face to face. AMEN