WHEN MY HEART IS OVERWHELMED!

WHEN MY HEART IS OVERWHELMED!

Ps 61:1-4

61 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

          From the end of the earth! David was describing the outland of the soul. He was displaced from hearth and home. The place of worship had been left behind as he was driven away in captivity. Perhaps you have felt like you were at the end of the earth; cast away upon the island of broken hopes and harsh realities. Does God even know where you are?

          Yet from here I will cry unto thee! The history of the Jew shows him to be much more pious and devoted to God while in captivity than in his own homeland. Ease and affluence deaden the soul’s sensitivity to God. Our eyes can’t see His works and our ears can’t hear His voice. How did I come to this place and how do I get back home?

          My heart is overwhelmed! The Hebrew word is ataph which is a primitive word meaning “to shroud; to clothe in darkness.” Most of us have experienced being occasionally blanketed by gloom. As the Lilliputians tied Gulliver to the ground, our troubles have immobilized us. It is strange how the small troubles of life, when organized into a troupe, can overwhelm us so.

          Lead me to the rock! David described his need for a rock that he could not personally climb. He needed God to lift him up and place him high upon a firm place of safety. With these words David demonstrates the futility of works and the need for grace. The Rock, of course, is the Lord!

          I will trust in the covert of thy wings! We are a strange people. When in captivity we long for the tabernacle of God. We promise that if we could ever return we would never again leave. We feel vulnerable and wish to hide under God’s wings.

Dear Lord, I feel there may be many who are overwhelmed by a large number of small problems. Any one of those problems might well be managed but when considered all together they are too much. We need a Rock that is higher than we can climb. Pick us up, Lord. Deliver us to that place of firmness and safety. AMEN

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Gen 11:4-9

4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

5 And the Lord  came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

6 And the Lord  said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

8 So the Lord  scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord  did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord  scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

Acts 2:2-8

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

1 Cor 14:33

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

          A question received by email prompts this morning’s study. The essence is that at one time God scattered man by confusing languages. Then, at Pentecost, God gathered man by making His message clear and plain. I do not think I will exhaust all there is to consider in this brief forum but some things are worth considering.

          Glossolalia is a term that references the event in the book of Acts. Much controversy continues regarding this. The word itself is from the Greek glossa which means tongue and the word lalia which means chatter. There is no mention of “unknown” tongues. The word used in Acts 2:4 is “other”. There is no mention of what is sometimes called “a heavenly language,” only that the Spirit gave utterance. It helps greatly if we get the facts straight.

          The multi-lingual gathering on the day of Pentecost presented the disciples with a unique opportunity to share the gospel. This is precisely what Jesus prophesied in Acts 1:8 when he said “when the Holy Spirit comes ye shall be witnesses.” In all our investigation, let’s not forget why this took place! The delivery of the gospel was paramount in importance. I don’t think God is interested in producing a highly controversial emotional experience.

          Another aspect to consider is whether the disciples spoke other languages or the people simply heard in their own language. One would be a miracle of speaking while the other would be a miracle of hearing. Either way the gospel was heard – and heard so clearly that 3,000 responded and were baptized.

          One more, very uncomfortable, question is whether the Devil might be able to counterfeit the gift of tongues, turn it into an emotional spectacle, and change the focus from witnessing to personal experience. I think the greatest evil has been to suppose that this is the qualifying evidence of salvation! Some have actually thought and taught that where there is no tongues … there is no salvation. This is insulting to the Cross and to grace.

          One thing is clear. We do not fully understand this miracle. What we do know is that, standing in the midst of  “Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of [or from] Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, [all did] hear them speak in their own tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:9-11) The important thing is that every nation and language needs to hear the wonderful works of God.

Dear Lord, you are not the author of confusion. Let me share your gospel clearly to those who need to hear it. AMEN

FOOTPRINTS ON THE WATER!

FOOTPRINTS ON THE WATER!

Matt 14:24-29

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Ex 15:8

8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

          A few days ago I wrote about Peter’s experience of walking on the water. As I looked again at this portion of scripture I see that there was a “contrary” wind. The word contrary is from a Greek word meaning “antagonistic.” The waves moved in active opposition and hostility.

          I have often wondered what it must have felt like to walk on water. Did the liquid yield under his weight? Did Peter bob up and down like the boat? I would think that kind of instability, like walking during an earthquake, would have made walking very difficult even if the threat of sinking were removed. Only Jesus and Peter know what it felt like.

          I wondered if either Jesus or Peter left footprints on the water and discovered that there is a song with this very title! Once again I can’t be credited with an original thought. My guess is that the water did not allow footprints. This was a step-by-step walk of faith. Each step of the believer must rely solely on the firmness of Christ’s promises. Footprints, if there are any, are only a testimony from yesterday. Today presents a fresh challenge to believe and at any moment we may choose either faith or fear.

          Choose faith today! Stand firm upon the improbable guarantees of God.

Dear Lord, let me stand today upon your faithfulness. Let me not be afraid. AMEN

SHARE THE NEWS – SHARE THE LIGHT!

SHARE THE NEWS – SHARE THE LIGHT!

2 Cor 4:6

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Do you see the three-step process in this verse? Focus on it once again. Do you see it? God is the source of light! He commanded his light to SHINE OUT. That light has SHINED IN our hearts but the result is that we must now GIVE THE LIGHT.

There is a story, supposedly true, of Rose Crawford who had been blind for 50 years. Then she had an operation in an Ontario hospital. She said "I just can’t believe it," as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes. She wept—when for the first time in her life a dazzling and beautiful world of form and color greeted her eyes and she could now see.

          The amazing thing about her story, however, was that 20 years of her blindness was unnecessary. She didn’t know that surgical techniques had been developed, and that an operation could have restored her vision at the age of 30.

          The Dr. said, "She just figured there was nothing that could be done for her condition. Much of her life could have been different." Rose did not know! The good news had not reached her.

Dear Lord, let me pray – give – and go so that those who sit in darkness may see the light. AMEN

ANOTHER PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY!

ANOTHER PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY!

Matt 24:37-39

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Memorial Day reminds me of an old song. “Pleasant Valley Sunday” is a song by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, most famous for the version recorded by The Monkees in 1967. Goffin’s and king’s inspiration for the name was a street named Pleasant Valley Way, in West Orange, New Jersey where they were living at the time. The road follows a valley through several communities among the Watchung Mountains. The lyrics were a social commentary on status symbols, creature comforts, life in suburbia and “keeping up with the Joneses.” (Source Wikipedia) Thoughtless consumerism is not a new phenomenon and neither is social commentary although both did spike in the sixties.

Jesus predicted that “the coming of the Son of man” would take place during a time of lazy luxury. People would be focused on the common affairs of daily life and that these concerns would crowd out any thought of morality, God or eternity. Jesus never recommended the abandonment of daily activities but He did warn against an irreligious life.

As we light the grill and slice the watermelon, let us remember those who died to give us the freedoms we enjoy. As we go about our daily activities, let us glance occasionally at the cross and give thanks to the One who died to purchase our salvation.

Dear Lord, let me not be so consumed with consumerism that I forget to remember your sacrifice. AMEN

NOT THE WAY BUT THE END!

NOT THE WAY BUT THE END!

Matt 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

          Charles Spurgeon quotes the ancient Chrysostom who says, “the way is good if it is the way to a feast, even though it goes through a dark and miry lane. If it goes to an execution it is not good, even though it goes through the fairest street of the city.” Non qua sed quo. Not the way but the end is to be mainly considered.

          When God created man He gave him a wonderful and horrible gift; the gift of choice. It is wonderful because of the limitless opportunities and it is horrible for the same reason. We choose not so much because the way is well paved or well lit. We choose because of the destination. Our choices reveal our nature.

Our destiny is not determined for us, but it is determined by us. Man's free will is part of God's sovereign will. We have freedom to take which course we choose, but not freedom to determine the end of that choice. God makes clear what he desires, we must choose, and the result of the choice is not the inevitableness of law, but the inevitableness of God. -- Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

          Jesus said the gate was strait. The word does not mean that there are no twists or turns but that the entrance is small and exclusive. If Jesus is the “way” then all other ways lead to a different destination. The way that leads to destruction is wide; not exclusive at all. The most damning concept ever proposed is that all roads lead to the same place. This is clearly not true. Choose your gate and your way wisely.

Dear Lord, let me not choose my way blindly. Take me by my hand and whisper in my ear “this is the way, walk ye in it.” AMEN

THE APPLE OF HIS EYE!

THE APPLE OF HIS EYE!

Deut 32:9-10

9 For the Lord 's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Zech 2:8

8 For thus saith the Lord  of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

          We have heard this “apple of the eye” phrase most of our life but do we know to what it refers? The apple of the eye is from a word that literally means "gate or opening" probably referring to the pupil of the eye; that part of the eye most easily injured, the most demanding of protection. When something approaches our eye the lid reflexively closes. What God is saying is that He is very sensitive to the needs of His people.

          God is aware of those of us who are suffering physical illness. He knows that beyond the physical pain of the illness itself, there is the fact that we must temporarily assign our duties to others or else leave them undone. There is the sleepless nights and the inactivity and loneliness of the long days while our bodies recover. We become needy and fear that we will be a burden to others. We become concerned that important things will not fare well without our personal attention. We feel helpless and weak. Whatever touches you touches the apple of his eye!

          God is aware of your financial needs. He knows when the rent is due and the contents of the pantry. He has felt the hollow of hunger and the empty purse. His eye is on the widow and the orphan. He is aware of those who are unemployed or locked in a low paying job. We may call upon Him to meet our needs. He invites us to trust Him for supplies. Whatever touches you touches the apple of his eye!

            He knows the pain of unfriendly friends. He knows what it is like to see a multitude of followers dwindle to a handful. He has asked “Will ye also go away?” He knows what it is like to stand upon principles and lose companions because of it – or simply to have those leave your company who expected a product you were not manufacturing. He knows what it is like to be “unfriended.”

Dear Jesus, I can face the afflictions of this day knowing that you guard me like the apple of your eye. Thank you for being my companion in trials and for the abundant provision of my need. Come quickly to help when we need you. AMEN

A LONGING FOR GOD!

A LONGING FOR GOD!

There are single words that evoke strong emotion in the hearts of man regardless of his status or station. Words like home, family, mom and dad all involuntarily produce a sort of homesickness in our heart. Perhaps we should add another single word, God. This one word should make our souls homesick.

Ps 73:28

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Isa 55:6-7

6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Men, by nature, are set adrift from God. They may never openly admit it, or even clearly identify it, but there is a longing for God placed in the heart by the Holy Spirit.

Rom 10:8

8 But what does it say? The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word … of faith which we preach.

AMPLIFIED NEW TESTAMENT

The thing which we long for is “on your lips and in your heart.” It is on the tip of your tongue and buried deep in the emotions. It will not be ignored nor can it be scoured away with the fiercest scrubbing. It is like a thorn in your sock. God wants to meet with you!

Isa 1:18

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (The Living Bible says “Come, let’s talk this over!”)

Several years ago Focus on the Family produced a video series called Turn your Heart Toward Home. At the beginning of each video was a song, hauntingly sung, that always succeeded in bringing a tear to my eye. The words to the song go something like this. Turn your heart toward home! Turn your heart toward home. You’ve been gone so long. Turn your heart toward home. It is time to turn your heart toward God.

Dear Lord, I feel the deep sorrow of my disconnect from you and I need you in my life today. Come near me now and stay. AMEN

IN THE HOUSE OF DAGON!

IN THE HOUSE OF DAGON!

1 Sam 5:1-6

5 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod.

2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord . And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

6 But the hand of the Lord  was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

          God punished the wickedness of Israel by allowing them to suffer defeat at the hand of the Philistines. Moreover, He allowed the sacred ark and the mercy seat to be carried away and placed in the house of the idol Dagon. The idol had the head of a woman but all the rest of the body resembled a fish. Dagon was said to be control the grain harvest and storms. The ark was placed in her house to humiliate Israel and Jehovah God.

          Early in the morning it was discovered that Dagon had prostrated herself before the God of heaven! The idol had fallen face down upon the ground before the ark. The same God that allowed the defeat of His people would not allow Himself to be humiliated. So Dagon was replaced upon her pedestal once again.

          The next morning Dagon was discovered fallen again. This time she had fallen across the threshold which acted as a sort of guillotine chopping off her head and her hands. Without a head she could not think and without hands she could not act. So are all the idols in our life! They are unthinking, unresponsive and impotent. Instead of carrying us in our times of need we carry them about. Nevertheless, whatever evil energized Dagon now bowed before the Almighty God.

          One final insult proved that Jehovah has a sense of humor. He smote the Philistines with “emerods.” Now, if the word emerod sounds familiarly like our word hemorrhoid, it should. To the proud Philistines God had become a royal pain in the …

Dear Lord, we know that you are God alone. Help us to identify the idolatry within us. We renounce the idols that can’t think or respond when we cry neither help when we have a need. You see us always and hear us when we pray. You rush to our aid and comfort. Thank you Lord. AMEN

ICHABOD – THE GLORY IS GONE!

ICHABOD – THE GLORY IS GONE!

1 Sam 4:2-11

2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord  smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord  out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord  of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord  came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord  was come into the camp.

7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.

8 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.

9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

1 Sam 4:19-22

19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

          The history of the Palestinians are linked to the Philistines. According to Warren Wiersbe, “They were originally a seagoing people from the Aegean region who invaded the territory along the Mediterranean coast (Phoenicia) and sought to control all of the land we know as Palestine.” (The name "Palestine" is a form of the word "Philistine.")  Israel lost 4,000 men in the first battle and this should have indicated that God was displeased.

          The people knew that God had smitten them and not the Philistines (see verse 3). Hophni and Phinehas collected the sacred ark out of Shiloh thinking that God’s presence surely would accompany this religious relic. But God is not bound to accompany relics nor to bless the inglorious. Israel was defeated once again, Eli’s two sons were killed and the ark was captured and taken to the house of the idol Dagon.

          News of the defeat reached the ears of Eli who is now 98 years old and mostly blind. He hears that his sons are dead but when he also hears that the ark has been captured he falls from his chair and breaks his neck. Now the wife of Phinehas hears all this news and is thrown into early labor. She would soon die in childbirth but before she dies she names her new son Ichabod which means “the glory has departed.”

          This long story is only part of a much longer one and time and space prevents a full treatment of it. However, we may draw this conclusion. Relics, religious symbols and good luck charms are poor substitutes for the presence of God in our lives. Christians, churches and whole denominations may continue to rely on their relics but God has left the building.

Dear Lord, let us never think that the charms of our faith are adequate substitutes for a pure walk with you. Do not leave us and let us not leave you. AMEN

THE PURPOSE OF CHASTISMENT!

THE PURPOSE OF CHASTISMENT!

Heb 12:5-11

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

          A preacher friend recently referred to the offensive “cuss” word bastard in a conversation. He wasn’t trying to be vulgar, just descriptive. Anyway, I began to think about that offensive word and decided to look it up in scripture again. It is only found one time in all the Bible and it does indeed refer to our relationship with the Father.

          Merriam – Webster defines the word bastard in two ways. The first definition is physical and refers to a child born out of wedlock as a result of an illicit union. The second definition is that of “an offensive or disagreeable person.” Perhaps that is the way in which my preacher friend was using the word. I’m not sure.

          The only time the word is used in scripture it could be used either way! The context, however, is that of discipline for bad behavior. As believers we have been adopted into a new family with a new standard of acceptable behavior. When we misbehave the Father chastens us to bring us back in line. He does this not because He enjoys using the belt. He does it so that we might be “partakers of his holiness.”

          If we can live our lives without chastisement and punishment it means one of several things. It may mean that our behavior currently warrants no punishment. It may mean that we are not truly part of God’s family; we have not really been saved. It may also mean that we have become an offensive and disagreeable person. It would be hard, I think, to tell the difference.

          Being disciplined is not fun! (see verse 11) Discipline, however, has a product or an intended purpose. Discipline alerts us that our behavior is unacceptable and creates for us sufficient discomfort to return us to the Father’s favor. It is intended to “yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness” or right actions. When the behavior changes the punishment is removed.

          If you are suffering trouble due to God’s chastisement it is so that you might examine and change your behavior. During the time of punishment we must give Him reverence (verse 9) and honor Him. Otherwise we prove ourselves to be offensive and disagreeable persons.

Dear Lord, I know that my behavior at times may attract your anger. Let me bear the rod like an agreeable son. Produce in me the behavior you are longing for. Make me a well disciplined and well behaved child. AMEN

IS IT OK TO DOUBT?

IS IT OK TO DOUBT?

Matt 14:28-33

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Mark 9:23-24

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Heb 11:6

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

          Peter walked on water! He was the only man who ever did except for Jesus. Yet Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus while he warmed his hands at the enemy’s fire. The question this morning is: “Is it OK to doubt?” The fact is that we all have doubt and faith issues. If we are told that it is NOT OK to doubt then we are tempted even further to simply lie about it. We are doubters.

          The transition from doubt to faith often requires some supernatural evidence. We call these miracles. In Mark 9, a there was a father whose son had been demon possessed since childhood! When asked if he believed the man responded honestly. He said that he did believe but that his belief was weak. Belief was mixed with doubt. Jesus seemed to understand the man’s doubt.

          We are called upon to believe some amazing things. The virgin birth of Jesus is an example and even Mary doubted. She said, “How can these things be seeing I know not a man?” The pregnancy would be a natural process with Mary experiencing a normal pregnancy. Only the conception would be a mystery. The labor and birth were normal and natural. The visit of the Wise Men, the angelic choir and a host of other things were a bit unusual. Doubt and faith seemed to coexist.

          More and more we are called upon to exercise faith. As we begin with little faith God gives us the grace to believe for more and more.

Dear Lord, I want to please you by being a man of faith. Help thou mine unbelief. AMEN

TROPHIES OF GRACE!

TROPHIES OF GRACE!

Ps 56:8

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Rev 8:4

4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

1 Thess 2:19-20

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

          For reasons known only to God, we humans are the subject of His great care and attention. Our prayers ride the incense and are said to be a “sweet smelling savor” in the nostrils of God. Our tears are precious to Him. He collects them in His bottle as something to be treasured. Paul told the Thessalonians that they were his crown of rejoicing. Each one was a trophy of grace. So it is with every good pastor. Each lamb of the flock provides tears, prayers and joy.  

          You are greatly loved by God. He takes peculiar care of you. His eye is upon you and he knows the number of the hairs on your head. He is keenly aware of whatever you are going through today. Even now, unseen angels keep watch over you. You are His peculiar treasure.

Dear Lord, I am unworthy of such great care and attention but I thank you for it. AMEN

ONE HEART!

ONE HEART!

Acts 4:32-33

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Jer 32:39

39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

          The early church was able to grow rapidly and accomplish much because each one lent their strength to the common good. The Holy Spirit had most recently come upon all of them and their number had grown from 150 to over 3,000 members. They were energized! They were focused on a goal! No one felt that any of their things belonged to them exclusively. Each one was ready to cast in their tiny bit with the rest to make up whatever was needed.

          Selfishness destroys great enterprises! One tiny raindrop alone will soon sizzle and die upon the hot and hard-packed ground but let that one drop be joined by many others and soon a flood appears. The steaming ground is cooled and the stony earth soon becomes supple and soft. Great enterprises require unity!

          We will likely fail if we insist on our own way. Great causes often require great sacrifice. Selfish interests must be put away for a more peaceful time. Today the battle rages and we stand together to defeat a common enemy. The result is that it will be good for all of them and for their children after them.

Dear Lord, let me set aside my own self to join others in the cause for godliness and for good. AMEN

PROPER ATTIRE!

PROPER ATTIRE!

Zeph 1:7-8

7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God : for the day of the Lord  is at hand: for the Lord  hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord 's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

Matt 22:8-13

8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

          These words of Jesus seem unreasonably harsh until we research the customs of His day. According to Adam Clarke: “The person who invited the guests prepared such a garment for each, for the time being; and with which he was furnished on his application to the ruler of the feast. It was this which made the conduct of the person mentioned in the text inexcusable; he might have had a proper marriage garment, if he had applied for it.” The person arriving at the wedding improperly dressed was not simply committing a social faux pas but was in rebellion against the host. “Among the Asiatics, garments called caftans, great numbers of which each nobleman has ordinarily ready in his wardrobe, are given to persons whom he wishes to honour: to refuse to accept or wear such a dress would be deemed the highest insult.” (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

          The spiritual application is clearer now. God, through the costly sacrifice of Jesus, has provided us a suitable garment. If we insist on wearing our own garment, fashioned by our own works and efforts, we greatly insult Him. Once again I quote Adam Clarke’s Commentary. “Among the orientals, long white robes were worn at public festivals; and those who appeared on such occasions with any other garments were esteemed, not only highly culpable, but worthy of punishment.”

Rev 7:13-14

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Dear Lord, I once was clothed in the paltry rags of my sin but now I wear the robe of righteousness you have provided for me. Thank you Lord! AMEN

WISH OR HOPE?

WISH OR HOPE?

3 John 2

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Heb 6:17-19

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might 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, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

          Merriam-Webster defines “wish” as “to have a desire; long for.” The word “hope” is: “to desire with expectation of fulfillment.” In the English Bible the word wish is found only six times while the word hope is found 129 times. Hope is all over the Bible!

          We may wish, or have a strong desire, for many things but have no real expectation that those wishes will come true. We may wish for a million dollars with absolutely no expectation of ever receiving that amount. Wishing is just dreaming.

          Hope, however, has an expectation. Hope has a foundation. Hope looks forward to that day when the dream becomes a reality. Our hope, according to the writer of Hebrews, is anchored in the veil of the Temple. This veil was torn in two from the top to the bottom when Jesus died to pay for our sins. My sin-debt was cancelled and I now have genuine hope.

          My hope is not just based upon an historical event. My hope is built on my relationship with Christ. He said to come unto Him and I came. He said to repent and I did so. He said to trust and I trusted. He said to believe and I do believe. He said He would wash away all my sin initially and then give me daily cleansing. As the song says…

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus name.

          Is your hope well founded or are you just wishing?

Dear Lord, thank you for a lively hope. Thank you that my hope is a true hope and not just a wish. AMEN

SETTING SLAVES FREE!

SETTING SLAVES FREE!

Heb 4:9-10

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Ex 31:13

13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

That God should force rest upon slaves is a curious thing. They had been conditioned by years of harshness to think of it as normal. They had been trained by the whip that idleness was a bad thing. Today’s frenzied pace is whipping us into the same mind-set. When God delivered the Jews from Egypt He delivered them as slaves. One of the gifts they received was a required rest.

When I was a child Sunday was a day of worship and rest. It was not a usual day but was reserved for reading or sipping tea on the porch. Gradually the machinery of life spun faster and “overtime” was invented with its lure of wealth. Finally one man could not perform all the labor thought to be needed so mother went to work as well. Housework and parenting went begging. Rest ceased! Worship was postponed to another day that never came. We had once again become slaves.

Mark 6:31

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

If one would carefully read the verses that precede this one it is clear that one need was drowned out by the cries of another and one task hardly was finished before life’s assembly line presented another. Ministry had become the dance of the weary. Jesus put a stop to it. A short Sabbath was needed.

But it is not just the cessation of labor that Jesus recommends. It is the focus of prayer and the presence of God that the spirit needs. Communion with the Creator revitalizes the soul as no amount of entertainment or amusement can ever provide!

What master whips you so that Sunday worship is neglected? Who or what has conditioned you to forego what Jesus described to Martha as “the good part?”

Luke 10:41-11:1

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

There remains a rest for the people of God. Heaven is that eternal Sabbath where there shall not enter in anything that troubles us.

2 Thess 1:7

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Dear Lord, I acknowledge my soul’s need of rest. I sense a great hunger for prayer and meditation but the demands of a busy life have me enslaved. Liberate me and help me to find a place in the house of worship today. AMEN