THEY HEAR US SINGING!

THEY HEAR US SINGING!

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.

Ps 40:3

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

           A few days ago, as I was leaving a meeting at The Old North Church in Boston, I was met by a young lady who was on her way to the church. She “had heard” that there was beautiful singing coming from the church and wondered if there was “an event” taking place. My wife told her that a service had just concluded. She seemed genuinely disappointed and we talked with her a bit and shared a gospel tract. What this young lady heard was a church packed with preachers and missionaries “singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord.”

           The inhabitants of the world may be reveling in their own Vanity Fair but when Christians sing they hear it. They are keenly aware that they do not have anything that would cause them to sing. They are stricken with an odd craving. So Sing, Christian, sing!

Dear Lord, let me go through this day singing and attracting others. AMEN

MIRACLE OR MESSAGE?

MIRACLE OR MESSAGE?

John 10:37-42

37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

42 And many believed on him there.

           Jesus’ appeal to belief was from “the works.” If you can’t deny the works then you must believe that the Father was working in Jesus and Jesus was in Him. There must be a connection and that should prompt belief; but what about modern miracles? Are there any true miracles today and if so do we recognize them?

           The faces of my flock reflect many miracles of God. I look to my left and see a miracle of grace as a widow perseveres through her loss and loneliness. I scan to my right and see a lady whose tumor the doctor declared “looked like cancer.” However, after tests proved there was no cancer, who is to say God did not have a miraculous part in this healing? Doubters will continue to doubt and people of faith will rejoice in the goodness of God. It has always been so.

           I wish to be like John the Baptist “who did no miracles” but was faithful in his message and, as a result, many believed on Jesus.

Dear Lord, let me speak the pure Word of God plainly so that many will believe! AMEN

A STRANGE VINE!

A STRANGE VINE!

Jer 2:21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

           The context of chapter 2 is God’s complaint against backsliding Judah. Several strong analogies describe the insult shown to a God. In verse 13 God says that Judah had abandoned the fountain of living waters and had resorted to hand dug cisterns – cisterns that leaked and could not hold water. Judah had been planted by the hand of God then nurtured and watered carefully. How could it have become this “strange” [adulterous, foreign and outlandish] vine?

Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

Deut 32:32-35

32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:

33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?

35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

It is a great affront to God to neglect Him and forget Him, failing to acknowledge His kindnesses, withholding the tributes of love and praise due Him, and worst of all, to turn to idols which cannot possibly do them any good. Such backslidings are invariably followed with severe corrections that the backslider might read his sin in the punishment. (The Summarized Bible) Set against this great backsliding is a faithful God who does not forget His own.

Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Dear Lord, I have forgotten you countless times but you have never forgotten me. Restore me and keep me close to you. AMEN

HIS WAY OR MY WAY!

HIS WAY OR MY WAY!

Acts 13:21-22

21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

           The children of Israel wanted a king and they found one that “was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward” (1 Sam 10:23). Ah, yes! Just what we need; a tall and handsome man who knows nothing about God or how to follow His ways. Saul and David provide adequate examples of “His way or my way!”

           My way is to manipulate people and circumstances to bring about favorable results. His way is to follow closely and obey His clear commands. Living by faith means no manipulation or exploitation. Too often we struggle to bring about favorable results by human means and then praise God for His blessings.

1 Sam 15:17-22

17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

           My way is to find a system for self improvement but His way asks me to surrender my inadequacies and receive His grace. When Saul needed to know the future he disguised himself and consulted the witch at Endor rather than to appeal to God in prayer (1 Samuel 28). We resort to philosophy and mental acuity rather than wait for spiritual insight. So we go on our way, yes OUR way, either praising or blaming God.

Heb 4:10

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works…

Dear Lord, give me the grace to really trust in you and to wait patiently for the outcome of your working. AMEN

DON’T FORGET YOUR FIRST LOVE!

DON’T FORGET YOUR FIRST LOVE!

Rev 2:1-5

2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Judg 8:4

4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.

           Gideon, with his three hundred, plodded after the fleeing enemy. Winded and weary from the chase they yet ran after them. Each step required great effort and their spears must have felt like logs but they kept running. This is gallantry. This is praiseworthy.

           The Ephesians attracted the praise of God by their tireless persistence. They had borne the heavy load of ministry patiently. These were workers! Moreover, their hatred of evil aligned with that of God. They hated what He hated. These folks were straight as an arrow morally and doctrinally but they had one problem. In all their labor they had forgotten love.

           The charge was serious and the punishment would be severe. Their constant conflict had caused them to forget to maintain a love relationship with God. A careful analysis of John chapter 21 shows us that service must be built upon a foundation of love. Jesus did not ask Peter if he would serve Him. He asked if he LOVED Him.

           It is our love for the Lord that will keep pressing onward. No other motivation will suffice through those weary days of chasing the enemy.

Dear Father, let my love for you be renewed. Then will my strength also rise up. Thank you for loving me. AMEN

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

Matt 5:14-16

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I’m going to give up a trade secret among ministers this morning. There are times when we get sick and tired of being “nice.” We get tired to death of restraining ourselves from giving certain individuals a valuable piece of our mind because they seem not to have much of a mind themselves. We grow morbidly weary of being called upon to pray some magic little prayer that will eliminate the consequences of stupidity. How we sometimes envy those whose task in life is to stand in some assembly line and unendingly attach some widget to some gadget. Perhaps this is why the majority of ministers resist the call to such a life. A candle may resent the flame – but will always yield to it.

           Like a candle, we may resent the heat of the flame of ministry. We know that this flame will gradually wear us away but we also know that this is our purpose and reason for existence. Fancier candles may give off their sweet perfume but that is not their purpose or design. They are to give forth light and in order to do that they must yield to the flame. We care because God’s care has been melted and formed within us. It is part of our nature. We respond because the spirit of the Good Samaritan has been poured into us. We shine because the master regularly trims our wick.

           You too are a candle formed and poured by the Lord. Do not resist the flame of obligation. Do not hide your light under the basket of selfishness. Take your place on the candlestick and let your light shine. Men will see your good works and understand that God is at the center of them. Glorify God today!

Dear Lord, I yield to the flame today! Use me to send forth your light. AMEN

RICH TOWARD GOD!

RICH TOWARD GOD!

Luke 12:16-21

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be , which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

           It is unfortunate that this portion of scripture immediately conjures up thoughts of money. Yes, that is the primary subject, but underneath this lays a deeper problem than the hoarding of resources. We find it in verse 21 where we read: “himself…not…God!” The foundational problem is a self-focused life; a mind with no regard for God.

           Many are they that think of God and the church when their resources are meager. They appear at the church door to beg for relief. Few are they, when fortunes increase, that will appear at the church door to donate a portion of their excess. Both acts can point to a self-focused life.

Ps 10:4

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Isa 26:3

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

Ps 45:1

45:1 My heart is inditing [gushing forth] a good matter:

           What’s on your mind today? Are you over taxed with the thoughts of today’s responsibilities? Are you at peace because deep inside there is the assurance that God has accepted you and is guiding you? Where are your thoughts today?

Dear Lord, let my thoughts be toward you today and let this be the guide of my life. AMEN

HORRIBLE CONSCIENCE!

HORRIBLE CONSCIENCE!

Ps 51:1-3

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

           David’s sin haunted him night and day! It was ever before him. He interpreted everything through the filter of this sin. Every conversation was scanned for clues that he had been found out. Every event, whether good or bad, was measured by his own personal and persistent knowledge of his sin. He understood the proverb which says: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth” Proverbs 28:1.

           Lady Macbeth imagined blood on her hands which she could not wash away. She had convinced her husband to kill King Duncan and so she became queen of Scotland. This blood, seen only to her, prompted her to wash her hands obsessively and to utter the famous soliloquy: “Out, damned spot!”

Jer 2:22

22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, [mineral potash effervescing with acid] and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

           David knew what was required to wash away his sin and to cleanse his mind. He asked that his transgression be blotted out – that his iniquity might be washed – that his sin might be cleansed! In verse 7 he mentions being purged with hyssop which is a reference to the Passover custom of dipping hyssop, a bitter herb, in sacrificial blood and striking the lentil and the doorpost to protect against the avenger. Oh, the blood of Jesus, it washes white as snow!

Nothing But The Blood

Words and Music: Robert Lowry

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow;

No other fount I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Dear Lord, wash my conscience in Thy blood and let me cease from being chased by the ghosts of past sins! AMEN

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!

Matt 5:43-48

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

           The Act is unnatural. Jesus mentions the prevailing opinion that neighbors should be loved and enemies hated but immediately asks us to replace the natural with the unnatural. The rationale for this action is found in verse 44: “but I say.” You can’t become a Christian by being dissimilar to the world but the true Christian will gradually become very much unlike it. The acts of Jesus were unnatural because they were supernatural.

           The Objects are unworthy. This is more than dripping sweet flattery. It is genuine and heart felt love for those who do not deserve it and do not return it. Love is not always reciprocal; sometimes it is redemptive. The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.

           Prayer is indispensible. I can’t change my enemy’s heart; only God can do that and so I pray that He does. I pray for a change in his disposition toward me. I pray that his anger may be restricted and his hatefulness diminished.

Our Lord shows us that a man may be our enemy in three different ways.

First, in his heart, by hatred!

Secondly, in his words by cursing or using direful imprecations (kataroomenous) against us!

Thirdly, in his actions, by continually harassing and abusing us.

He shows us also how we are to behave to those.

The hatred of the first we are to meet with love.

The cursing or evil words of the second, we are to meet with good words and blessings.

And the repeated injurious acts of the third, we are to meet with continual prayer to God for the man's salvation.

(Adam Clarke's Commentary.)

Dear Lord, these responses to the actions of my enemy is impossible without you. Please do a work of grace in my heart today. AMEN

NOT WORTHY!

NOT WORTHY!

Gen 32:10

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

Mark 1:6-7

6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

           I have been in the service of the King of Kings for more than forty years. I am now enjoying a ministry I resisted at the beginning. Through those years He has brought me through many trials and showered blessings upon me. The Scriptures we have selected this morning show two reasons for feeling unworthy.

           My inferiority makes me feel unworthy. Jacob surveyed his life and remembered that he was a schemer, a cheat and a liar. He sold a pot of beans for the dear price of his brother’s birthright and then, with the help of his mother, lied to his father to receive the patriarchal blessing. He began his career as a con man working a shell game. Now, as he prepares to return, he has two wives and, as he said, “two bands.” He started his journey with nothing but a staff in his hand and a stone or his pillow. He knows he has been blessed. This speaks of the grace of God.

           His superiority makes me feel unworthy. John the Baptist knew he was unworthy to loosen the ties of the Master’s sandals. This would be the beginning motion of washing feet, a task reserved for the meanest of servants. But John did not see himself small. He saw Jesus great! He knew Jesus to be the Son of the Great God whose feet had walked the starry heavens. All the synoptic gospels record John’s opinion and it is then repeated in the Acts. “I am not worthy to loosen his shoe!” This speaks of the greatness of God.

           Both witnesses testify against me. I am unworthy because of who I am and I am unworthy because of who He is. Ah, but He has declared me to be worthy of adoption. He has forgiven my sin and made me His peculiar treasure.

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Great God, I started with nothing because I am nothing. You have made me significant and valuable by your grace alone. Thank you, Lord! AMEN

THE LAW OR THE LAWGIVER?

THE LAW OR THE LAWGIVER?

Mark 2:27-28

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Mark 3:4

4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

Matt 23:16-22

16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

           Our horse is often attached behind our cart! Jesus expertly addressed this “chicken or egg” scenario when He said: “Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?” God does not often act outside of the laws He has given, but occasionally He challenges our thinking by divine action.

           It was demanded of Abraham that he sacrifice his only son in Genesis 22:2. The confusion that Abraham surely felt was not only due to God’s promises to make Isaac a great nation but because “killing” was a violation of God’s law. Genesis 22:2 pre-dates the giving of the law in Exodus 20:13 but does not pre-date the mind of God revealed in Genesis 4:8-16. The dilemma for Abraham was whether to obey God’s law not to kill or to obey God’s direct command which involved killing.

           For those of us who are accustomed to linear thinking, circular thinking makes our brains hurt! Must the God who gives a law always abide by it Himself or does he operate beyond it or outside of it? A box which God creates is too small to house Him! We must allow God to operate independently of His laws. However, when He does so, it creates great stress for those who follow.

           Jesus came into a world that had elevated the law above the Lawgiver. The system had replaced the designer. It was said of Jesus that “never a man spake like this man for he spake as one having authority!” Jesus was killed because He challenged the laws of two cultures. When he died He challenged the laws of nature by reviving and rising from the dead.

Isa 40:21-22

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

God of Wonders, I am a child in my thinking and often go astray because of it. I need your clear guidance today and your forgiveness when I am too foolish to understand. Give me sufficient light to walk by today. AMEN

SOME STRANGE THING!

SOME STRANGE THING!

1 Peter 4:12

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

           We think that if we keep our end of the bargain, if we follow faithfully and obediently, then God is obligated to keep us happy, healthy and successful. When this doesn’t prove to be so we “think it strange.” It is a surprise to us when the bank account dwindles and the body drags along in pain.

           We read the word “strange” twice in this small verse and the Greek words from which these are translated are xenizo and xenos which means “to host strangers or foreigners.” Into our happy world difficulty has come to lodge for a night or two. We host these strangers as graciously as possible but we are anxious for them to be on their way.

           Another way of saying what the Apostle Peter said is: “When trouble comes do not be so surprised. This is the common lot of man. There is no need to search for some great cause in you or to accuse God of acting unfairly. Look around! It happens to all.” Don’t think that what is happening to you is strange.

           We are the strangers! We live in a world that is in revolt against God. It should not surprise us to receive rough treatment at the hands of the rebels. Besides, this is the path that Jesus walked. This is the way home!

1 Cor 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Dear Lord, when I feel that my circumstances are strange, remind me that I am the stranger here. Keep my focus on home. AMEN

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL!

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL!

Ps 138:8

8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:

Comfortingly, the Hebrew word translated “perfect” here is the word gamar (gaw-mar') and means “to end.” The idea is that God will bring all that concerns us to a successful completion. The New Testament confirms this thought in the following verse.

Phil 1:6

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

The Greek word for “will perform” is epiteleo (ep-ee-tel-eh'-o) and means to fulfill further (or completely), i.e. execute; by implication, to terminate, to bring to a full and satisfying end.

God will keep working on me until He is satisfied with the finished product. He will keep on working in spite of my ignorance until wisdom begins to develop in me. He will keep on working in spite of my weakness because His strength is made perfect. He will keep on working in spite of my stubbornness because He is a firm but loving heavenly Father. He will bring me to maturity.

God will keep on fine tuning His purpose for me. He will bring into my life those who can influence me for good even if the circumstances of these encounters seem bad at the time. He will shut down some of my pet projects because they do not fit His purposes for me. He will lead me through hard paths because they end in the accomplishment of His greater purpose. He will allow pain and restrain pleasure so that I may become mature.

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.

Dear Lord, thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for seeing value in me that I cannot see. Thank you for changing my good plans for your better plans. AMEN

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED!

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED!

Summer, although still very hot in our corner of the world, is winding down. Soon the sounds of school children will echo from the school yards. Already shelves are stocked with notebooks, pens, pencils and all the debris necessary to education.

It has not been a summer of rest but of flurry and sometimes worry. Our nation is in a crisis of leadership and there is great discontent. The wicked beareth rule and the people mourn. Yet we have a shepherd who is the Lord of all our needs.

Ps 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

When I need peace – he makes me lie down in green pastures beside still waters. I think this is modern man’s greatest and most illusive need.

When I am weak – he restores my soul [renews my strength]. Even young people are consuming popular “energy drinks” at an amazing rate but I have peace like a river.

When I am afraid – he walks with me through my darkest valleys. He protects me with his rod and guides me with his staff. My foot doesn’t stumble though the way is narrow and rough. When enemies and predators roar he sets me inside a perimeter of safety and prepares a quiet dinner in the midst of it.

When I am troubled and frustrated – he anoints my head with oil protecting me from the burning of the sun and from the annoying flies and worries that buzz my head.

When I fear a lack of supplies – my cup, my portion, he fills to overflowing. I am given more than enough, sometimes through miraculous means.

When I think of my future – I realize that his goodness and mercy has led me all the way and I rest upon the promise that I will be welcomed into the House of the Lord where I have an eternal home.

Dear Lord, thank you for being my shepherd. Nothing will approach me today for which you are not prepared. I rest in you today. AMEN

HE KNOWS MY NAME!

HE KNOWS MY NAME!

John 10:1-4

10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

           An old story is told of a little boy who was at the movies with his parents. He decided to go to the lobby for some popcorn and when he returned he could not find his seat or his parents. He wandered in the dark for what seemed like a long time before he shouted: “Does anybody recognize me?”

           I am glad that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, not only recognizes me but knows my name. All the hairs of my head are numbered. He is aware of the pains in my body, the dreams in my heart, and the failures I dare not mention.

           Tommy Walker wrote the words to the following song which expresses my thoughts this morning.

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

Chorus:
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

Dear Father, It’s me! Be near me today. AMEN

THE SORROW OF ONE!

THE SORROW OF ONE!

Matt 18:12-14

12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

           More of that sheep! That’s how Jesus describes the difference in value of the lost one. It doesn’t make sense to anyone but a shepherd. While everyone else is quoting the proverb which declares that a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush, the shepherd is grieving the loss of one. One is lost!

           The shepherd is not consoled by the thought that he still has ninety nine faithful sheep. These are not discounted or devalued but his mind is sharply focused on his sorrow for one. It ruins his sleep and sours his most pleasant thoughts. One is lost!

           His love for you is like the love of that shepherd. Matthew says He goes into the mountains to seek the sheep. Luke says that he goes into the wilderness until he finds it. This speaks of great care and the disdain of inconvenience. No effort is too great because the value of this one sheep has increased above all the others. One is lost!

Isa 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Dear Lord, thank you for seeking me and finding me and restoring me. AMEN

A BENEDICTION FOR 911

A BENEDICTION FOR 911

2 Thess 2:16-17

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

           Today is a day to remember! We remember where we were when we heard that a plane had slammed into the World Trade Center killing thousands. As we watched, a second plane impacted the second tower. We knew this was no accident. We remember where our loved ones were and we rushed to be reunited with them. The children of the victims are growing up. The youngest of them are now ten years old. It is a different world and we have not felt safe since that day.

           In the absence of reason we searched for solace and found it only in our unshakable God. In one cataclysmic moment the lives of thousands came to a fiery end and their eternal destinies were sealed. Stories of mercy and providence are many. Even in the midst of great horror there is good hope through grace.

Heb 6:18-19

We … have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul…

Dear Father, we take courage in your consolation on this day of sad remembrance. Give to us undeserving sinners your grace and peace. We ask in Jesus’ name. AMEN

SELF DISCIPLINE IS THE GOAL!

SELF DISCIPLINE IS THE GOAL!

Eph 4:11-15

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

           In order to leave our nursery and progress to the Pre-K class, one must be potty trained! Now, why would I lead off with that fact this morning? It is to point out that self discipline is the goal of discipline! All the efforts of the teacher are focused toward self-management which we sometimes call maturity.

           A week or so ago a little boy squirming on the front pew said to me: “I can tie my own shoes!” and proceeded to demonstrate by untying and tying both his shoes. One would have been evidence enough but he wanted there to be no doubt regarding his skills. He was a big boy now and was eager to progress to other challenges.

           Signs of spiritual maturity are not so cut and dried but generally he is able to read and accurately interpret and apply Scripture for himself. He is not carried about [Greek periphero] or transported hither and thither by anomalous winds of doctrine. His beliefs and behavior are set. He can tie his own shoes. The training wheels are off the bike. He is self-disciplined.

           God’s gifts to the church are apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers. These, spiritually speaking, will tie our shoes and wipe our noses until we are able to do these things for ourselves, but self-management is always the goal. Do you have a Bible reading schedule and prayer time? Do petty offenses cause you to retreat from worship at church? Do you pout and demand your own way? Are you sure of what you believe and why you believe it? Pay respectful attention until you are able to tie your own shoes.

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.

Dear Lord, help me to be a fast learner and a patient teacher. AMEN