CONFRONTING MEDIOCRITY!

CONFRONTING MEDIOCRITY!

1 Tim 4:12-16 KJV

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Timid Timothy had a passionate mentor in the Apostle Paul. From these verses we may gather that Timothy was intimidated by those older and more experienced. Paul urged him to be wholehearted in the exercise of his resources and gifts.

As a youth, and struggling with the call of God upon my life, I was a constant source of frustration for my pastor. Not long before his death he confessed to me that he once said: “The only way Ron Abbott will ever be closer to God is to grow an inch taller!” I suppose I deserved that because I was so wishy-washy in my practice of my faith. Now I am reaping that harvest and it is bitter.

Today there is a general slide into mediocrity and those who are average in their faith seem like spiritual giants. Worship has been deposed by entertainment and effort has been replaced by ease. Commitment has fallen to convenience. As a young preacher I was trained to withstand opposition and was prepared for martyrdom but I feel ill prepared me for apathy.

1. Mediocrity must be challenged by study!

1 Tim 4:13

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

2 Tim 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2. Depth must be developed through meditation!

1 Tim 4:15

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Meditate = “to take care of, or to revolve in the mind.”

3. Commitment requires a death to selfishness!

Paul said: “give thyself wholly to them.” Don’t just dip your toes in the water. Dive into the middle of Christianity. Give it all you’ve got!

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Dear Lord, the frustration I feel results from knowing that I too am not as committed as I should be. Forgive me and help me to be more wholehearted. AMEN

GRACE HATH APPEARED BRINGING SALVATION!

GRACE HATH APPEARED BRINGING SALVATION!

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

This is another of my favorite portions of scripture. It makes you think. It stretches your mind. It begins with grace and ends with works! Maybe that’s the way it should be! In the English New Testament grace is always a translation of (charis), a word that occurs in the Greek text over 170 times and in both Biblical and secular Greek it is used with far more meanings than can be represented by any one term in English. But the word has abundant use in secular Greek in the sense of unmerited favor, and Paul seized on this meaning of the word to express a fundamental characteristic of Christianity. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.) For the Apostle Paul, GRACE was defined by experience.

Acts 9:1-5

9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. AMPLIFIED

Paul’s spiritual and emotional condition remained vile and violent. He travelled with evil authority, letters from the high priest. He was obsessed with a wicked intent, to bring believers into captivity. SUDDENLY, and without any initiation of goodness on his part, the resurrected and glorified Jesus met Paul and CHANGED him forever. That is grace!

But our original portion ends with the words… a peculiar people, zealous of good works. What about that? How do we reconcile the seemingly opposite aspects of grace and works? Well, one is the prod and the other is the product!

Jesus purchased us away from a cruel and abusive master, cleaned us up, healed our wounds of abuse and gave us honorable assignments. What servant would not joyfully engage in labor for such a kind Master as Jesus? So, beginning with GRACE we engage in WORKS.

Dear Lord, thank you for purchasing me away from a cruel task master and giving me duties that are a joy to perform! AMEN

MY BIRTHDAY WISHES!

MY BIRTHDAY WISHES!

3 John 4

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Today is my birthday and I have already received many wonderful greetings from friends made through the years. I have been asked what I want for my birthday and, generally, I don’t need or want anything. But after some more thought I realize that there are THREE THINGS I want for all my people. Here they are.

1. I WANT YOU TO COMPREHEND THE TRUTH!

Eph 3:16-19

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

To comprehend is from the Greek katalambano which means “to take eagerly, to seize and to possess.” This is why the minister prepares and preaches so that the veil that is spread upon the eyes and heart might be torn away to reveal the light of the gospel. Oh, I want you to comprehend the truth!

2. I WANT YOU TO CONFORM TO THE TRUTH!

Rom 8:29

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 12:2

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Truth apprehended is one thing but truth applied is quite another.

James 4:17

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

3. I WANT YOU TO COMMUNICATE THE TRUTH!

Matt 5:16

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

2 Tim 2:24-26

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Although the Amplified New Testament does not flow with the poetry of the King James, yet it might be helpful here.

2 Tim 2:24-26

24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.

25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],

26 And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.

AMPLIFIED

So, what do I want today? I want you to know and understand the truth, to see it clearly, to grasp it eagerly and make it a part of your life. I want you to communicate the truth to others who are yet in the same bondage which once enslaved you.

Dear Lord, grant that the gospel would be clearly presented and eagerly grasped today. AMEN

ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FOR THE DOWNHEARTED!

ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FOR THE DOWNHEARTED!

2 Cor 7:5-6 KJV

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.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

We all get down from time to time. Even the Apostle Paul, though a spiritual giant, admitted to being “troubled on every side.” Externally there were fightings and internally there were fears. He was cast down and then comforted.

What can we do when we are cast down? Let me suggest that we check the balance in our spiritual account. We need a reality check to see just who we are in Christ. Consider the following truths.

1. GOD HAS ALWAYS LOVED YOU!

Jer 31:3 KJV

3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Ps 103:17 KJV

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

2 Thess 2:13 KJV

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2. GOD LOVED YOU ENOUGH TO ALLOW JESUS TO DIE!

1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Heb 9:12-14 KJV

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

3. GOD HAS INVITED YOU TO BE PART OF HIS FAMILY!

Rom 8:16-17 KJV

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Gal 4:7 KJV

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

4. HE IS COMING FOR YOU SOON!

Luke 21:27-28 KJV

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Ps 126:2-3 KJV

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Dear Lord, whenever my heart is downcast help me to count the many blessings of my salvation. AMEN

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

1 Sam 20:5-6

5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

1 Chron 11:17-18

17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!

18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

           It is hard to find the same kind of holiday homesickness that fills our hearts in the Bible. We are so mobile, and the family unit is so scattered, that we can’t find a parallel culture in the scriptures. David probably comes closest to the longings for home that are so familiar to us.

           David was a home boy and family was important to him. When Saul sought to take his life he longed to return to Bethlehem for the annual gathering of family. This homecoming revolved around church and worship. There was an annual sacrifice and everyone came home for this special occasion.

           While David was bivouacked in the field, the Philistines occupied his home city of Bethlehem. Trouble and discomfort caused him to think of home and he longed for a drink from Bethlehem’s well which was at the gate. Some of his soldiers overheard as he talked about this and broke through the lines to retrieve a drink for their homesick leader. Home and family was important to David.

           Home is where life makes up its mind. It is there-with fellow family members-we hammer out our convictions on the anvil of relationships. It is there we cultivate the valuable things in life, like attitudes, memories, beliefs, and most of all, character. Charles R. Swindoll (1934- )

           Each generation, just by living life day to day, produces nostalgic memories for the generation to follow. There is a strong tug at our heart to come home. The smell of turkey, sage, and pumpkin transports me home. A real wood fire in the fireplace may not be the most efficient way to heat a house but it is a most wonderful way to warm a heart!

           I once was the traveler and am now the destination for these holiday wanderings. All I have left of home and parents are pictures etched upon my memory. Now I am, without thinking, chiseling memories upon the hearts of my daughter and granddaughters. Other family members are widely scattered and the longing for family gatherings are difficult to fulfill. I sit, like David, longing for a drink from the family tap.

           People think it is morbid to talk of being homesick for Heaven but it is a very real condition. It is not a death wish but a longing to be gathered with family and friends. The loving Heavenly Father beckons us home and we brave the most uncomfortable conditions in our quest to arrive. One day the redeemed will receive that first hug on the threshold of home. It will be wonderful!

Matt 25:34

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Dear Father, satisfy those who long for home and family at this time of the year. AMEN

RE-OPENING CLOSED DOORS!

RE-OPENING CLOSED DOORS!

2 Chron 29:1-7

29:1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.

3 He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.

4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,

5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.

7 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.

           King Ahaz (possessor) was now dead and his son, Hezekiah (strengthened of Jehovah) began to reign at age twenty five. Unlike the general opinion of our youth, Hezekiah had a desire to reverse the evil ways of his father. Almost casually, the Bible informs us that his mother’s name was Abijah (worshipper). I find the meaning of the names of this family more than interesting! So, Hezekiah was the son of a father whose focus was possessions and a mother who was a worshipper.

           Restoring worship was Hezekiah’s first order of business. He started this repair in the first month of his first year! He directed the priests to clean up the Temple and it took eight days of hard labor to remove all the filth and rubbish. I wonder how long it would take to clean up our churches if we could only see the dirt. Not only was the Temple abandoned and polluted but the lamp had gone out. This was a direct violation of God’s command.

Lev 24:2-3

2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.

3 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.

           Our culture is polluted, our God has been abandoned and our lamp has been put out. Our churches now provide amusement instead of light. Our government oppresses the righteous and exalts the wicked. Our elders have been marginalized as irrelevant and our youth seem unconcerned. We need a Hezekiah (one strengthened of the Lord) to act quickly. The results or revived worship will heal our land.

2 Chron 29:26-29

26 And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.

28 And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.

Dear Lord, awaken a champion in our days and strengthen him. Put in his heart a desire to purify our worship and our culture. Give us a bit of revival … and if not … come quickly because the world has become nearly uninhabitable for your children. AMEN

GIVING THANKS IN HARD TIMES!

GIVING THANKS IN HARD TIMES!

Hab 3:17-18

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

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

          The original Pilgrims fled to Holland in 1608 and then to America in 1620 because they were suffering persecution and imprisonment in England for their Biblical faith. Their stay in Holland was short because, although they found spiritual liberty there, a disjointed economy failed to provide adequate compensation for their labors, and a degraded and corrupt culture was tempting their children to stray from the faith.

Determined to protect their families from these spiritual and cultural dangers, the Pilgrims uprooted their community and sailed for a New World in America that offered the promise of both civil and religious liberty. Despite the hardships they encountered in these wanderings, the Pilgrims considered themselves to be “stepping stones” for future generations, whether they lived or died. Their focus was on the future and on faithfulness to God. They trusted God to sustain them in good years and bad.

The Pilgrims set sail for America on September 6, 1620 and were upon the sea for two months. A look at the replica ship now anchored at Plymouth makes one shake his head in amazement. Half of them died in the first winter. In the spring the survivors were surprised to greet an Indian named Samoset who spoke to them in English! He said he had learned the language from fishermen and traders. That summer Samoset and another English speaking native named Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to farm and to make the best use of the land. The harvest of 1621 was so bountiful that they proclaimed a feast of Thanksgiving in December to celebrate along with their Indian friends.

Even as the great Civil War raged, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November 1863 “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our benevolent Father.” He said: “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”

He continued, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”

Today as you are seated before your feast and accompanied by your friends and relatives pause to remember that Thanksgiving was born out of hardship and difficulty.

Much of the content of today’s message comes from an article received from The Christian Law Association to whom I own both thanks and apologies.

Dear Lord, today I am thankful for an abundance of both supplies and friends. AMEN

ONLY MORONS REFUSE TO GIVE THANKS!

ONLY MORONS REFUSE TO GIVE THANKS!

Rom 1:19-23

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

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,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

           Set like a deformed stone in a horrible piece of jewelry, we find the words neither were thankful! Man began his journey well aware of who God is and much of His nature and character. Yet they disrespected Him and disobeyed Him. God released their distorted minds to imagine vile and foolish things.

           The word “thankful” which we find in verse 21 is the Greek word euchariseo and it means “to express gratitude towards; especially to say grace at a mean.” The word Eucharist is familiar because it is associated with the Lord’s Supper and because the Lord Himself “gave thanks” for the cup.

           The word eucharistia means “grateful language to God as an act of worship.” This is more than a casual table grace. This word indicates prayer and praise for good things provided or bad things withheld. It is easy enough to be grateful for good things provided but we are never aware of the bad things which might have come along were it not for the grace and mercy of our God. What about the accidents which never happened and the sickness which never afflicted us? Have you expressed your thanks to God?

           Another word, eucharistos, means “well favored.” It is the message of the angel to Mary. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour (charis) with God” Luke 1:30. Mary’s response was: “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” Luke 1:46. She gave thanks and, in her mind and heart, she “made God great.”

Only morons refuse to give thanks! This is the exact language of Romans 1:22 which says: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” The word which is translated “fools” is the Greek word moraino which means “a simpleton.” Thinking themselves to be “sophisticated” they bowed down before rocks, sticks and chunks of metal. Only morons refuse to give thanks!

Dear Lord, like Mary, I am highly favored. I am the recipient of many good things which I don’t deserve. I have also been kept from sufferings of which I am unaware. I think of you as large and great rather than small and portable. I am a speck of dust. I give you thanks. AMEN

ENDURANCE!

ENDURANCE!

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.

KJV

           The word “patience” is translated from the Greek hupomone which means “cheerful endurance.” The word assumes that there is something to endure; a hardship to deal with. Most of us have hardships and circumstances that we can’t overcome. Endurance is not a choice but “cheerful” endurance is and most of us spend our time being anything but cheerful while waiting.

2 Cor 12:7-9

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

KJV

           Paul had an “unsolvable” problem. He prayed three times for relief and removal of this physical problem and each time God said no. He was forced to release the circumstance to God who provided grace instead of healing. Grace or “charis” is defined as: “divine influence on the heart with its reflection in the life.” Oh, how we need God to influence our heart so that we might reflect this influence in the way we live our lives. All too often we let others know that we are resisting God’s influence on our heart because there is no change in our lives. In his paraphrase of our text, J. B. Phillips sheds some light on the process of endurance.

"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)

           Once we release our grasp, our anger and our control of the situation God is then free to go to work. The process of endurance has a product and that product is the maturing of our character with “the right sort of independence.”

Dear Lord, today there are many things broken that I can’t fix. There are circumstances beyond the reach of my control. Help me to cheerfully endure so that the process of endurance might produce the product of character. AMEN

THE CYCLE OF DECLINE!

THE CYCLE OF DECLINE!

James 1:18-25

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

KJV

James 1:21

21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

AMPLIFIED

           We are born again by the power of the Word of Truth. This is an obvious reference to the Bible and an explanation of the battle that rages for an authoritative text. Why are there so many versions and translations? On the one hand there is a sincere desire to understand what God wanted to communicate to man. On the other hand there is an unconscious desire to remanufacture the Word to lower God’s standards to match my behavior. I will never hold to or teach a standard higher than my own behavior! I think there is a cycle of decline.

           When my behavior begins to decline it first begins with my ignoring or abandoning the clear teaching of the Word of God. Perhaps I misunderstand it or, more likely, I decide it does not apply to me! The result is that I have become a transgressor – a rule breaker. As a transgressor, I have broken the peaceful relationship between me and the Lawgiver. I am culpable – guilty. I am unwilling to remain in this guilt for long.

           At this point repentance should be the action taken but, if I am unwilling to abandon my sin, I still try to reconcile with the rules. I change the rules! If I divorce then I redefine the portion of the Bible that speaks to that topic. I make the rules more agreeable to my sin. If I have begun to drink then I must rearrange the Bible to make my behavior acceptable. Gradually the Bible begins to be reshaped to agree with my behavior.

           If I am a teacher then my teaching begins to reflect the changes in my behavior. I am no longer comfortable teaching that my behavior is wrong so instead of changing my behavior I change my teaching. I make the Word of God to confirm my practices. All my followers will rise no higher in their devotion and obedience than my highest behavior. I have become the new law unto them. I have become a false teacher! Slowly an entire culture is transformed!

           So, how can we turn this ship around? We will not recover until we rediscover and return to the authority of Scriptures. I must no longer practice my faith on my feelings and opinions. During the reconstruction of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, a copy of the Scriptures was found. It is a lengthy portion but it is germane to our topic.

Neh 8:1-4

8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose…

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

           If we are to reclaim our culture we must return to the understanding and practice of Biblical teaching. Whenever my behavior and the Bible disagree I must make revisions to my practice and not to the text.

Jer 15:16

16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Dear Lord, as I view myself in the mirror of Your Word, let me yield to its truth and make changes in my life. Let me not be a forgetful hearer but one who practices the truths within. AMEN

WHY THE FAITHFUL FALTER!

WHY THE FAITHFUL FALTER!

Hos 4:6 KJV

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

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

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

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

John 5:39 KJV

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

James 1:17 KJV

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

Ps 95:6-7 KJV

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

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

II. WHEN EMOTION REPLACES KNOWLEDGE FAILURE IS THE RESULT!

Matt 13:3-7 KJV

Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

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

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

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

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

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

Isa 26:3 KJV

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

III. FAITH IS PRODUCED BY KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD!

Rom 10:17 KJV

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

Ps 119:15-18 KJV

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

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

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

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

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

FASHIONED BY HIS HAND!

FASHIONED BY HIS HAND!

Jer 18:3-6

3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter?

It is amazing what medical doctors are capable of these days. Those invisible bugs that invade us and make us sick can be eliminated by a hand full of pills or a spoon of tonic. Cardiologists can replace heart parts as simply as a mechanic changes oil and filter in your car. Plastic surgeons can do amazing things with features damaged by accidents or disease. But, as amazing as these things are, none compares to the handiwork of the Great Physician who crafts our soul.

God, the potter, can repair the “marred” vessel of humanity. He can emotionally. He has the heart for it. He is great enough in love to forgive the past, and bless the future. He can legally. The sacrifice of Christ enables Him to do so in a way consistent with the justice of His character, the honour of His government, and the stability of His throne. He can easily. He has all the moral instrumentality necessary to reform the soul.

But man is morally free to make his own choices and to suffer the consequences of those choices. Man is responsible for his conduct. The social history of the world, the universal consciousness of man, and the concurrent teachings of the Bible all show this. Man is responsible for his destiny. Character is constantly being formed: it will emerge either marred or perfect, depending on whether you submit to the Divine will, or resist the influences He brings to bear upon you.

Dear Lord, I am not what I was or will be. Please help me to patiently wait for my formation in your hands. AMEN