THE GIFT OF FELLOWSHIP!

THE GIFT OF FELLOWSHIP!

Mal 3:13-16

13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord . Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?

14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord  of hosts?

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

16 Then they that feared the Lord  spake often one to another: and the Lord  hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord , and that thought upon his name.

          Malachi chapter three is about more than money! There have been so many references to verse 10 that it is easy to think that this chapter is all about tithing but it is actually a mirror of our current times. Worship had deteriorated into a series of forms and rituals while the heart of many was asking if it was vain to serve God. Most saw no benefit in it but a few remained faithful.

          Merriam-Webster says that “fellowship” is the condition of friendly relationship existing among persons; a group with similar interests. There are three characteristics given to those who were faithful.

          They feared the Lord! The word “fear” suggests a reverence that adjusts one’s morality. It is a respect that causes one to change or to be different. It is respect with honor. It caused them to depart from evil and to keep God’s ordinances.

          They spake often one to another! They mutually encouraged one another. Charles Haddon Spurgeon said: “Communion is strength; solitude is weakness. Alone, the fine old beech yields to the blast and lies prone on the meadow. In the forest, supporting each other, the trees laugh at the hurricane. The sheep of Jesus flock together. The social element is the genius of Christianity.”

          They thought on His name!  They meditated on the person of God. Much of our thinking is about ourselves; our needs and our comfort but these thought on the various aspects of God. God was in their heart. God listened in! When we are casually having fellowship with other believers God hears and records it.

Ps 119:63

63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

Dear Lord, thank you for the sweet fellowship of other believers. AMEN

A GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE!

A GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE!

2 Tim 2:1-2

2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

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.

          Both First and Second Timothy were written from an older sage to a younger apprentice. Both seemed to understand the relationship and now Paul urges Timothy to gradually become that older mentor. The idea is that truth and tradition might be passed along unchanged. Merriam-Webster says that a mentor is: a trusted counselor or guide; a tutor or coach.

          Becoming a mentor presumes that you know something and that you have experience. There is also the presumption that you have accomplished something worthy of copying. There must have been something very attractive about Jesus to make Peter, James and John to leave their fishing careers to follow this itinerant preacher.

          Becoming a student presumes that you do NOT know as yet but that you are eager to learn. There was no challenge coming from young Timothy either of the truth or the traditions. At the end of the day Timothy wanted to be like Paul. Immediately following verses one and two we see a warning because there would be “hardness” to endure and options to filter through the net of reason.

2 Tim 2:3-4

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

          Today you know something that needs to be taught to another. Be a good teacher! You may also still be a student. Study hard! Learn both the truths and the traditions! There will be time to be innovative but for now learn the basics. There will be times of hardness. There will always be choices to make. Choose wisely.

Dear Lord, I know so much and yet so very little. Let me be a good teacher and a faithful student. AMEN

A GIFT OF PATIENT GRACE!

A GIFT OF PATIENT GRACE!

Matt 18:23-35

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

          Yesterday I mentioned the wonderful gift of time and how we should pay attention to those who feel set aside and alone. Today I want to focus on the greatly needed gift of patient grace. Actually I couldn’t decide if it was patience or grace that was to be my topic and finally decided it was a blend of both.

          The word “patient” in verses 26 and 29 is the word makrothumeo and means “to bear with; to suffer long or to patiently endure.” Certainly I am not perfect and require many people throughout the day to patiently endure my faults. The story that Jesus told points this out and requires to show the same kind of patient grace to others.

          We who are church people think we know the meaning of the word grace. Flippantly we will say it is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. This dismisses anyone who questions us without actually having to give an answer. Someone has said that grace is “the desire and ability to do God’s will.” However Merriam-Webster has a lengthy definition of the word which includes: “a temporary respite.” Grace, then, can be a temporary pardon until a better pattern of behavior is learned. That is certainly what I need!

          Today you will need others to extend to you patient grace. I know this is true because you are human and imperfect. Today you will be given many opportunities to extend patient grace to others. When we are tempted to cut someone short because of their imperfections – let us remember our own.

Dear Lord, thank you for the patient grace that you extend to me so many times. Help me to be gracious to others. Let others see Jesus in me today. AMEN

A GIFT OF TIME!

A GIFT OF TIME!

James 4:14

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Eph 5:15-16

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

          Our English language provides many meanings to the simple word “time.” It is a period of time in which an action, process or condition exists or continues as in the sentence: “gone a long time.” It can refer to a state of affairs such as “hard times.” And every naughty child can tell you the meaning of “time-out.”

          Time is life. It appears for a little while and then it is gone. Paul urged the Ephesians to redeem the time. The word “redeeming” is the Greek exagorazo which literally means “to buy up or to rescue from loss.” Time spent doing one thing can’t ever be regained to do another thing. That period of time is used up. If we are to rescue time from loss then we need to be more aware of how our time is spent.

          My love language, and that of my wife, is primarily “quality time.” Our most enjoyable “times” are spent on the front porch swing with a cup of coffee. We may talk for hours or we may say little or nothing to each other. We are not wasting time. We are investing it in each other. When a visitor comes to spend time with me I view it and treasure it as an act of love. My visits to others are intended to share love as well.

          At my age I have noticed there are at least two groups of people who need loving gifts of time. One is older people and the other is children. Older people know they have little time left. Many of them feel forgotten and cast aside. They understand and appreciate your gift of time. Sit with one and listen as they recount stories of times long past. Times remembered are times that can be enjoyed again and again.

          Children don’t always feel very important to older people. They are surprised and pleased when we spend some of our precious draining time to join them in their play, to sing their songs and to listen to their dreams. Teens, once they overcome their shock, seem truly pleased that we want to spend time with them.

John 4:9-10

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

          Today you may have the opportunity to give the gift of time. Don’t view it as an intrusion. It may be God’s appointment.

Dear Lord, make me aware of those who need a bit of my time. AMEN

GOD’S SECOND BEST!

GOD’S SECOND BEST!

Jer 18:3-4

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.

1 Cor 12:14-18

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

          The word “marred” in Jeremiah means “ruined or spoiled.” I have lived long enough to know many people who thought their lives were spoiled by either poor decisions or a sad twist of fate. These people plod through life thinking that they are having to settle for God’s second best for their lives. But take a closer look at the portions of scripture selected for today.

          The vessel in Jeremiah was marred “in” the potter’s hand but not necessarily “by” the potter. I don’t want to twist this point too much but I think it is significant. While being fashioned by the potter’s hand something happened that caused the potter to change his mind about the design! It could never be a bowl so He made it a cup instead … “as it hath pleased him.”

          As we jump to the New Testament, Paul reminds the Corinthians that there is not a favored part of the body. It is foolish to imagine an argument between the various parts as to which of them are the more important. The eye proudly states that the body would stumble in the dark without the eye. The ear argues that he is the most important because he makes it possible to hear fine music. Each part makes similar arguments but all are mistaken. None of them have had to settle for second best. Each of them are exactly where God has placed them.

          Handicaps and mishaps come in various shapes and colors. Each one forces us to make adjustments in our lives. Some of them cause us to wonder if we have had to settle for God’s second best. Seriously flawed decisions have produced deep scars in some and have ruined certain plans and goals. Sometimes it is the evil actions of others that have wounded us so that we are unfit for our dreams. We tend to live the rest of our lives in disappointment.

          Could it be that what we think is God’s second best might actually be God’s original plan for us? Fanny Crosby was blinded as an infant but she wrote hundreds of poems, songs and hymns. Joni Erickson Toda was crippled by a dive into the Chesapeake Bay as a teenager but her very handicap has launched an international ministry. Our wounds define us! The potter has made us “another vessel as it has pleased him.”

Dear Lord, I don’t want to live the rest of my life disappointed in what I am not. I want to be glad for what you have made me. Thank you for making me exactly what pleases you. AMEN

JOHN’S CRISIS OF FAITH!

JOHN’S CRISIS OF FAITH!

Matt 11:2-5

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

          John’s message never changed whether he was speaking to a crowd or to a king. Herod was having a sordid affair with his sister-in-law and John forcefully confronted them both. John was placed in prison as a result and while there he had time to question the validity of Jesus’ claims and his own preaching. Was it true? Had he been wasting his time and perhaps his very life?

          John sent a couple of his own disciples to Jesus to ask him once again if he was truly the Messiah. Jesus knew the nature of doubt and pointed to the fulfillment of prophecy as evidence. Jesus never condemned John for his doubts. Then Jesus did an amazing thing by confirming His faith in John.

Matt 11:11

11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Ps 103:13-14

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord  pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

          Are you whipping yourself because you are filled with doubts? Jesus knows our frame. He doesn’t doubt us! Dig into the Bible and look again at the evidence. Jesus and all His claims are real. You can calmly pillow your head – or lose it!

Dear Lord, thank you for never losing faith in me even though I am often full of doubts. AMEN

THE REVOLUTIONARY JESUS!

THE REVOLUTIONARY JESUS!

Luke 22:1-7

22 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

          The Passover commemorated the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. A nation was born in a day and Egypt was spoiled of all their goods. Every year Jewish males were required to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. It would have been an opportune time for a revolt.

          The Romans were always nervous during these feasts, especially Passover, as the comparison of Romans and Egyptians was so very clear. Both were harsh and enslaving. The Romans were always wary of some would-be Messiah bent on overthrowing Roman rule. It was also why King Herod and Pontius Pilate were in Jerusalem. They were there to help keep the peace.

          Jesus, during questioning, explained that his kingdom was “not of this world” (John 18:36). Pilate need not fear a violent revolt spawned by His followers. Those who needed to fear was the religious elite.

          One of the liturgical aspects of Passover was the removal of all leaven from Jewish homes. It was a reminder that Israel so hastily left Egypt that they had no time to apply yeast to their bread. Leaven had become a symbol of sin and Jews carefully swept their cupboards clean. Jesus warned His followers to avoid the leaven of the Pharisees which was hypocrisy. Now their hypocrisy would perpetrate an indescribable evil during Israel’s most holy week.

          At this time Satan made his move by entering into Judas the thief but Satan miscalculated the result of his actions. Satan’s participation in the death of Jesus was actually his undoing for in dying Jesus conquered both death and Satan himself. In rising again Jesus sealed Satan’s doom.

Living – He loved me.

Dying – He saved me.

Buried – He carried my sins far away!

Rising – He justified, freely forever.

One day – He’s coming! Oh, glorious day!

Dear Lord, I am amazed that you so calmly prepared for your own sacrifice. You prepared yourself. You prepared your disciples. Every detail was known by you and you did not shrink from any of the evil. Thank you, Lord, for your great sacrifice. AMEN

ANXIETY AND CONFIDENCE!

ANXIETY AND CONFIDENCE!

1 John 4:18

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 John 5:4

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

          Specifically, John is talking about our confidence at the Judgment Seat of Christ. If we live our lives in love with Jesus; if we include Him in all that we do then there should be no fear at that day. Anecdotally, there is much more in these verses.

          Suppose you are presented with a choice between two unsatisfying choices. I often say that the lesser of two evils is still evil. We press ahead by educating ourselves as much as is possible and then we cast our vote by faith. Faith is the source of victory. Faith overcomes the fearful world. Faith enables us to make hard choices and to resign ourselves to the outcome of that choice.

          Saint Augustine said: “Anxiety has its use, stimulating us to seek with keener longing for that security where peace is complete and unassailable.” If it is true that most people live in quiet desperation, then we easily understand Augustine’s statement. Whether you call it ambition or dissatisfaction the feeling is the same.

          Faith in the nature of God keeps us pressing on. God is too wise to be mistaken and too good to be unkind. This we learn through our daily relationship with Him. This alone brings calmness of spirit.

Job 22:21

21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

Dear Lord, settle my uneasy spirit. Let me enjoy peace by loving you more. AMEN

PLEASE DON’T GO!

PLEASE DON’T GO!

Matt 16:21-23

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

          It is not easy for us to grasp the oppression that was practiced upon the people by the religious elite of that day. They walked about in royal robes and added tax upon tax while working hand in hand with the oppressive Romans. Rightly did Jesus advise his followers to listen to their teaching but to shun copying their behavior.

          The scriptures at hand indicate either an end of the beginning or the beginning of the end. Jesus began and kept on teaching his disciples that immediately ahead was trouble. The very people who represented God to the people would perpetrate unthinkable cruelty upon the Son of God. Jesus would be killed and that is all that Peter could grasp. We wonder if he even heard the last part of the message – “and be raised again the third day.”

          What a burning rebuke it was to hear Jesus call Peter “Satan!” I am sure that Peter’s only motivation was the preservation of his Master but his resistance to God’s clear plan was devilish. Confusion and wonder filled Peter’s mind. He was not thinking spiritually but was thinking naturally.

          If we stand before our tilled garden with seeds in our hand we are faced with a decision and a choice. If we look at the seeds with a desire to keep them we will have no harvest. We must sacrifice them to the ground so that death might produce life.

          Thomas Jefferson, a great man, nevertheless could not accept the miraculous elements in Scripture. He edited his own special version of the Bible in which all references to the supernatural were deleted. Jefferson, in editing the Gospels, confined himself solely to the moral teachings of Jesus. The closing words of Jefferson's Bible are these: "There laid they Jesus and rolled a great stone at the mouth of the sepulchre and departed." Thank God that is not the way the story really ends! --James S. Hewett

Dear Lord, Peter begged you not to go. I beg you now to return. AMEN

SIGNS & RUMOURS!

SIGNS & RUMOURS!

Matt 24:3-6

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Luke 21:25-28

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

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.

          We live in an increasingly troubled and troublesome world. Like the disciples of old, our thoughts naturally gravitate to their question regarding the eventual collapse of society. The heavy burden of sin has turned God’s creation into a groaning and grotesque monster.

Politically, “the wicked beareth rule” and so the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2) Religiously, churches have been overrun by carnal theatrics. Socially, the family unit is under tremendous strain. Cohabitation and illegitimacy are the result of a general lack of commitment. Productivity is down because entitlement now rules the day. There is a growing unrest as culture begins to dissolve.

Jesus urged his followers to remain calm but to be prepared. We will feel the pressure along with others but we will know that our ultimate redemption is drawing closer and closer. We must remain true to godly principles, resist the culture and win the lost. Then shall the end come.

Dear Lord, help me to remain calm and faithful in the face of growing unrest. AMEN

BUT I CAN EXPLAIN!

BUT I CAN EXPLAIN!

Prov 10:19

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

          A large volume meant to answer a simple question often hides the fact that an answer has not been given at all. Legal briefs are like that! They are all full of “the party of the first part” and “the party of the second part” and innumerable references to “whereas.” In many cases the one trying to deflect the obvious will simply question the question as being inappropriate. Simple questions require equally simple answers. Anything more than that raises my suspicion.

          Plato said: “An empty vessel makes the loudest sound!” The old timers used to say: “Still waters run deep.” Still others might say: “If someone thinks you to be an idiot do not open your mouth to confirm it!” Solomon said: “A fool’s voice is known by a multitude of words.” (Ecclesiastes 5:3) George Eliot said: “Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.”

Eccl 5:2

2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Dear Lord, please place a guard at the entrance of my mouth today. Let nothing escape that has not been thoroughly filtered. AMEN

CAUTION FOR THE ANGRY!

CAUTION FOR THE ANGRY!

Prov 14:17

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Prov 22:24-25

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Prov 29:22

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Please notice that all three of these are proverbs, short stand-alone truths told to sons by a wise father named Solomon! I wish parents would spend more time simply giving their children short stand-alone truths about seemingly simple things. They are not simple at all – but I have distracted myself… Anger is our topic and there is much in our world today to make us furious. Our government is corrupt in a way that just a short time ago would have been unthinkable. I am angry and furious. Solomon says I need to be careful.

I took a look at the “scholars” regarding some of these verses and sometimes the explanations are more confusing than the original verse, like this following one. “Whosoever comes into a near relation with a passionate, furious, man, easily accommodates himself to his manners, and, hurried forward by him and like him to outbreaks of anger, which does that which is not right before God, falls into ruinous complications.” (from Keil and Delitzsch Commentary.)

So, without benefit of the scholars, I must press ahead as if I were one myself. Associations with an angry man will cause you to be like him. There is no want of sin in uncontrolled anger and ill temper. Anger is little more than frustration over circumstances you can’t control. Submission to the sovereignty of God would cure this but the angry man is not subject to God’s choices and is not in the mood to consider that God may have a higher purpose in the adversity that is making him angry.

An angry man is given to fury like an unruly child who breaks his favorite toy and then cries because it is broken. Anger produces unintelligent as well as uncontrolled actions. This is not to say that we must never be angry.

Even Jesus was angry at the money changers and whipped them from His Father’s Temple. But he acted in a controlled and deliberate way – preaching all the way! He said, my house shall be a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves. This was righteous indignation under control.

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Dear Lord, help me to consider that you may – and probably do – have a higher purpose for the things that provoke me. Help me to find peace in the knowledge that YOU are ultimately in control and that nothing can frustrate your purposes. Be my guide and my comfort today. AMEN

A GUEST DEVOTIONAL!

A GUEST DEVOTIONAL!

Placed in an orphanage at the age of seven, and sentenced to the Texas State Penitentiary at the age of nineteen, James Ryle's life is a powerful and uplifting story of how God's grace can work all things together for good. I thought his devotional for today was so good that instead of quoting from it I would post it as a guest devotional. I hope you enjoy it.

A Cardiac Revolution

"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Show us Thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us Thy salvation." Psalm 85:6

There is no question that America is at a critical crossroads in Her history. There is also little doubt that the Church is faced with one of the most serious and demanding challenges that many of us as followers of Jesus Christ have ever known. To put it bluntly — how can we deliver a message of redemption to our troubled world when there seems to be so little difference between those who do not know Christ, and those who say we do?

The hour was never more urgent than now for followers of Christ to honestly come to terms with the claims of Christ. Certainly the need is great for a spiritual awakening in our land, but first there must be a revival in the hearts of God's people, and a renewal of the Church which now slumbers in a carnal stupor — intoxicated with affluence, and seemingly oblivious to the fact that for many in our nation she has lost her influence.

We are in desperate need of a cardiac revolution; a turning of our hearts fully unto the Lord; a reordering of our lives freely to His purposes.

Oh, sure, we have "our great cathedrals, our paradigm-breaking megachurches with ultra-cool satellite campuses, and our trend-setting postmodern un-churches"(CT). We have multi-media worship sets, pop-star worship leaders; stand-up comedian pastors, with high-tech video tools that let Hollywood illustrate the sermon.

Why, there's a church for every appetite known to man, and yet despite this abundance of religious options – this smorgasbord of spiritual selections — those who live within sight of these very worship centers admit their souls are still hungry and impoverished. And many who actually attend these churches confess the same. The words of Bono, though sung over a decade ago, express the heart cry of many, many people in our world today — "But I still haven't found what I'm looking for.”

Are we a people dressed and ready for service? Is the Church in a state of preparedness for the epic events that loom large on the near horizon? Do we have what it takes to deliver the goods when desperate conditions drive men and women to our doors, looking for real answers to serious problems?

We need more than a cosmetic makeover; we need a cardiac revolution.

DECENTLY AND IN ORDER!

DECENTLY AND IN ORDER!

1 Cor 14:40

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

         This admonition is placed between a long lecture regarding the misuse of spiritual sign gifts and a clear presentation of the gospel. It is a commentary on the worship methodology in the church at Corinth. Things were being done indecently and chaotically.

         The word “decently” is from the Greek word euschemonoos which literally means “decorously.” We get the sense that the worship of God should be decorated or adorned. There should be appropriate dignity, gravity and reverence. Titus 2:10 tells us to “adorn the doctrine of God.” This literally means that we should display the influence of religion upon our lives.

Ps 29:2

2 Give unto the Lord  the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord  in the beauty of holiness.

         The word “beauty” in Psalm 29:2 is from the Hebrew word hadarah and means “decoration.” There are many examples in the Old Testament where those who served in worship were given specific instruction about their clothing and other fixtures. Every feature of the Tabernacle was clearly given. God thought it was important!

         I am reminded that the only time Jesus displayed fierce indignation was when He drove the money changers from the Temple with a whip. We almost always focus on the money of the money changers without understanding that Jesus was most likely upset that they had destroyed the “beauty” and the decorum of the house of worship. Perhaps those who practice liturgy in their worship have gone a bit overboard. On the other hand, it is also possible that those who practice a much more casual form of worship are missing something beautiful.

         Well, it is Sunday! One quick glance in the mirror and then off to church. Let’s do all things decently and in order. Let’s remember that it is God’s house.

Dear Lord, let me worship you today in the beauty of holiness. AMEN

YOU NEED A DAYSMAN!

YOU NEED A DAYSMAN!

Job 9:32-33

32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

          The word “daysman” occurs only once in all the Authorized Version! A clue to the meaning of the word is the phrase: “that [he] might lay his hand upon us both.” The original word is mowkiyach and means “an arbiter; one who is, by the consent of both parties, to judge between them and to settle their differences.” (Loosely from Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

          Job had issues! He was a meticulously religious man and yet God was pouring down fierce and horrible things. Job had thoroughly searched his heart and found no sin worthy of such punishment. God was silent! Job needed someone who had status with both God and man; someone who could stand in the middle and “lay his hand on us both.”

          Along comes Jesus who is every bit God and who is every bit man. We now have a high priest who CAN be touched with our same feelings. He is very aware of our weaknesses. He was tempted in ALL points just like we are yet He did not sin. He alone is able to lay his hand upon the shoulder of the Almighty and upon the shoulder of the weakest man. He is our Daysman! He will judge righteous judgment.

1 Tim 2:5-6

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

         The word mediator in the verse above is the Greek word mesites and literally means an “internunciator; a go-between.” Jesus is the daysman that Job wished for centuries ago. Run to Him and let Him plead your case and your cause.

Dear Lord, thank you for being my “daysman.” Thank you for laying your hand on both me and the Father. AMEN

SWEETNESS OF DISPOSITION!

SWEETNESS OF DISPOSITION!

Phil 4:5-7

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Greek word for “moderation” in our text is epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace'); and means appropriate, (by implication) mild: gentle, moderation, patient. (From Strong’s Concordance)

The word epieikes is of very extensive signification; it means the same as epieikeia, mildness, patience, yieldingness, gentleness, clemency, moderation, unwillingness to litigate [go to court] or contend; but moderation is expressive enough as a general term. "Moderation," says Dr. Macknight, "means meekness under provocation, readiness to forgive injuries, equity in the management of business, candour in judging of the characters and actions of others, sweetness of disposition, and the entire government of the passions."

·        from Adam Clarke's Commentary

This word is used ONLY ONCE in our English New Testament! It is coupled with the idea that the Lord is returning soon … actually at hand or at the door. So it is explained in the Amplified New Testament.

Phil 4:5

5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].  AMPLIFIED

The idea is not so much CONTROL but of YIELDEDNESS. To yield to a force greater than myself is surrender. To yield to a force equal to me is strategic. To yield to a force weaker than myself is grace!

Today you may be forced to yield to a force greater than yourself. Perhaps it will be an illness or circumstance beyond your control. You may also have an occasion to yield to an equal to show courtesy to another. You may also have an opportunity to yield to someone weak, perhaps a child or someone handicapped. This is grace.

Dear Lord, let me live today in the light of your soon coming. AMEN