I’M HAVING KNEE SURGERY TOMORROW!

I’M HAVING KNEE SURGERY TOMORROW!

Ø Approximately 107 people are listed as recipients of this daily service.

Ø These are also pasted to my blog: http://backsideofthepulpit.blogspot.com/

Ø Finally they are also pasted to Facebook and Twitter.

Ø Tomorrow morning at 5:30am I will arrive at the Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth for total knee replacement surgery.

Ø I will be out of action for a few days – maybe longer.

Ø I do not know when I will resume delivery of the devotionals.

Ø I would appreciate your prayers.

WHAT TO PRAY FOR!

Ø That God would make Himself very real and close to me at this time.

Ø Pray for my church. I will be out of the pulpit for the entire month of July!

Ø Pray for my wife. She will be my primary care giver at home.

HOW TO CHECK ON MY PROGRESS!

Ø You may call Wanda at the church office: (940) 872-3214

Ø Thanks to all.

Ø I will be back soon.

THE SEARCH FOR A CHURCH!

THE SEARCH FOR A CHURCH!

Matt 16:18

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Eph 5:25

Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

          Historically we see a diversity in the interpretation of what the church should be. We still see the highly structured Episcopal form of church government, the Presbyterian form with its graduated councils, and finally a primitivism which seeks to restore the apostolic order and ardor of the church as it is recorded in the New Testament. In all ages it seems that we try to wrap the church around ourselves rather than to fit ourselves into the church. Many believers have ultimately abandoned church altogether.

          Accompanying the abandonment of “church” is a great emptiness and sense of loss. For the individual believer there is no sense of community or belonging. Clubs and service organizations are a poor substitute. There is also a sense of drifting from the anchor of doctrinal teaching. The whole belief system suffers because we forget the great truths taught by the church which is the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

          Scattered throughout society are lost sheep who have wandered from the fold. The sense of being lost is strong and they procure their shepherding wherever they may find it. They have no priest because he has been abandoned along with the church. Who will pray with them and for them in times of great distress? They wander with a nagging sense of need.

          The other day I met a very pleasant lady, a nurse, who asked me to pray for her daughter. I did not and still do not know this lady’s name and yet she decided to capitalize on my being a pastor. Does she have a church and a pastor? I do not know but I see this everywhere I go. There seems to be many spiritual scavengers  who might receive regular spiritual care had they not abandoned it along with their church.

          Perhaps we need another reformation but what form should it take? Shall we return to high church structure or cast off the robes for a more casual meeting? No one seems to know for sure but one thing is certain, Jesus predicted this spiritual wasteland would exist when he returns.

Luke 18:8

when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Dear Lord, revive thy church and those of us within it. AMEN

FROM WORMS TO WORTHY!

FROM WORMS TO WORTHY!

Job 25:4-6

4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

Ps 22:6

6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Isa 41:14-15

14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord , and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

          Israel’s enemies were strong cedars (see Ezekiel 31:3) and a worm has no teeth yet the worm destroys the mightiest tree. With God as his helper, Jacob and his people would be given teeth like a new threshing machine. The mountains and hills would be like straw before them. The contrast is too clear to miss! Without God’s help we are worm-like; weak and ineffective but with God as our helper we may mow down the cedar covered hills.

          Are you feeling low this morning? Are you hoping to dodge the trampling feet of the enemy today? Fear not, thou worm, God will help you.

Ps 108:13

13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Dear Lord, too often I see my problems through worm eyes. Thank you for making me worthy and for giving me the victory. AMEN

WHERE IS BOASTING?

WHERE IS BOASTING?

Rom 3:27-28

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

John 15:5

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

          My wife and I recently attended a three day conference where we previewed new choral music. Our church music teaches much of our theology. It is subtle and subliminal rather than a full frontal assault upon our senses. We receive it readily and remember it compulsively. We should, therefore, filter it carefully. One piece began with a sentence that went something like this: “No success can be claimed by any of God’s creatures.” It was like I had been slapped! Tears flooded my eyes and I immediately knew that much of the progress in ministry I had claimed as my own.

          There is no success without God! Without Him we can do nothing! Yet we praise our natural abilities and we boast our superior education as reasons for God’s blessings. When we see Stephen stoned or Paul in jail we click our tongues thinking that these saints must have made some mistake. We think there must have been a horrible miscalculation in methodology. Any preaching, we reason, that produces a violent reaction like stoning or imprisonment must not be wise. We conclude that Stephen and Paul were unsuccessful and, had we been there, we might have had done better.

          Where is boasting then? Boasting will be specifically excluded from heaven. Human effort in salvation is specifically excluded. He chooses the fool to shame the wise. Heaven will ring with praise but it will all be for our God.

Dear Lord, forgive me for claiming any of your glory. Forgive me for claiming any of your power. I am dirt with live breathed in. You are the breath of life. Let all of my boasting be turned to praise. AMEN

A BOATLOAD OF SOULS!

A BOATLOAD OF SOULS!

Acts 27:22-25

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

          We seem to be living in a time of gleaning instead of harvesting. We see one or two come to the Lord but the great crowds of converts seem to belong to a black and white time. We long to see a rich harvest of converts but we no longer seem willing to pay the price to win them. However, in this portion of Scripture we might see a formula for winning a boatload of souls.

          First, be so consecrated to God that you are an irritant to others. Get yourself arrested for sharing your faith. None of us wants to be thought of as fanatical Christians today. We are more into being “cool” and fitting in with society but if we are to reach a society of round holes we must become square pegs.

          Become so important to the program of God that you receive messages from angels. Because Paul was such a social and political lightning rod, he became an important part of God’s program. If God has plans for you in the future then you have no need of worry about today. An angel came to talk with him in the midst of a storm. That just doesn’t happen every day.

          Be ready and willing to endure difficult circumstances because of your witness. The angel brought reassurance but did not calm the storm. The ship was broken upon the rocks and every man clung to a board and floated to shore. Later, Paul would be bitten by a poisonous snake as he gathered firewood. He shook the snake off into the fire and the locals sat down to watch him die but he had an appointment with Caesar. Now, I want you to know that Paul endured all the sufferings of these circumstances. The only difference was that he had the assurance of the angel’s message.

          Spread cheer in the midst of gloom! Shine the light in the midst of the darkness. Paul was cold and wind tossed but he was able to cheerfully say to the frightened sailors: “be of good cheer: for I believe God.”

Dear Lord, draw me so close to you that I won’t be able to tell where I leave off and where you begin. Make me willing to be a square peg in the midst of a world of round holes. Let me be part of your program. Let me smile at the wind and rain because I have your assurance in my heart. Give to me a boat load of souls! AMEN

AN UNCHANGING GOD!

AN UNCHANGING GOD!

Mal 3:6-9

6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord  of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

          Sitting in the shadows of the tithing issue is important doctrine of the immutability of God. He is an essential being. He exists without cause and is Himself the cause of all things. From everlasting [before time] to everlasting [after time] He is God (Psalm 90:2).

          He is unchangeable in his attributes. There can be no increase or decrease in his power, wisdom, holiness or love. We may understand them more or less but these never change.

          He is unchangeable in his purposes. Nothing catches Him off guard. He is not challenged by the suggestion of an improvement to His plans. He is not defeated by any supposed superior logic or argument. Those who cooperate with His plans are blessed by having their own plans succeed. Those who resist His plans fail in their own schemes.

          He is therefore faithful. Happy is the lender who lends to God for he has no fear of being repaid! Happy is the man who has Jehovah’s name upon a contract. The continued existence of the church is not due to her faithfulness but to God’s faithfulness. He who doubts the continuation of his salvation doubts the willingness and ability of God to keep promises. Verse 6 clearly states the case.

          Although God does not change He is not an uncaring stone. He is relational and interactive. He is subject to appeal by those whom He loves. His heart is touched by our condition and He moves to remedy our faults and supply our needs. Why would a God who does not need us be so responsive to we who need Him? Yet everywhere we see God acting in compassion and mercy and we take courage knowing that this too never changes. “He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35).

Heb 4:15-16

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Oh, unchangeable God! Hear our prayers when we call unto thee and let thy heart be touched by our condition. Be faithful to thy unfaithful ones. Be kind even though we are unthankful. Draw us to thy heart because you do not change. Establish us and make us like thyself. AMEN

WHEN YOU PRAY, FORGIVE!

WHEN YOU PRAY, FORGIVE!

Mark 11:25-26

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

I’m toast! It’s hopeless! I don’t think I can forgive like Jesus forgave. He is, after all, the Champion forgiver. Oh, how I have hurt him and yet he forgave and continues to forgive me. I just don’t seem to be able to forgive like Jesus.

After a hurt, new rules are constructed in my mind regarding the offending party. The old rules of trust have been broken and if there is to be a relationship there must be new rules! Trust which I thought was unconditional has always rested on the condition that you would never hurt me. Now, after the hurt, I will restore you to fellowship only on the condition that you never hurt me again. I am so glad that Jesus does not function the same way with me!

How can we forgive like Jesus forgave? Wycliffe says: The point here is that a disciple cannot pray effectively if an unforgiving spirit has broken his fellowship with God. I would suppose that the first prayer of ANY prayer must be a prayer asking for cleansing from an unforgiving spirit. Each time we pray it is a reminder not only of Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins but of our need to extend the same courtesy to those who have wronged us.

I find that the portions of Scripture that really bother me must also trouble the “scholars” because there is not much definitive information on Mark 11:25 & 26. I am left to the clear teaching of Scripture. God has forgiven me and He does not take kindly to my withholding forgiveness from others. The problem is that I’m not Jesus. I need forgiveness even for my unforgiving spirit.

Col 3:12-13

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Dear Lord, please forgive my unforgiving spirit. Put your very own Spirit in me. AMEN

MARTHA, MARTHA!

MARTHA, MARTHA!

Luke 10:38-42

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

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.

          Do you see it? This once-in-a-lifetime event was held in Martha’s house. Jesus often refreshed himself here in Bethany and almost always we see the occupants listed as Mary, Martha and Lazarus but it was Martha’s house. Because of this, Martha took ownership of the hospitality provided to the Savior and His friends. Everything had to be perfect and it was more work than was usually required. What’s more, Mary had abandoned her helpful duties to spend time with the guests.

          Martha was jealous of Mary! The word “cumbered” in verse 40 is the Greek periespato which means “to drag all around.” It wasn’t the labor only but the loss that troubled Martha. She was working but Mary was worshipping. Martha keenly felt the need to worship but her own sense of duty prevented it.

          So it is with many Christian “workers.” They volunteer for a duty not knowing it would become their life! At first the joy of the Lord is their strength but as time drags on they begin to serve in their own weak energy. They need relief but others are worshipping and nobody volunteers to trade places. Ultimately these lose their joy and even their service suffers.

          If you are a Christian servant, never forget that your first duty is worship! If you are an administrator overseeing other workers, never forget their need to worship as well. Some duties may be postponed but Jesus said worship was “that good part.”

Dear Lord, I recognize that I often buzz around like Martha while my heart wants to be like Mary. Often this stress is self imposed. Help me to make time for worship. AMEN

INDIFFERENCE!

INDIFFERENCE!

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.

As a pastor, I am not so frustrated by the sins of my congregation as their INDIFFERENCE. Just like the world of that time, we have made great progress in the arts and civilization of life. But great luxury has produced infamous immorality, cruelty, and widespread indifference to the claims of God. It is amazing how thoroughly we can present Christ without a response from the congregation!

Our age is not moved by the gory details of the death of the Son of God on the cross. “The Passion of the Christ” was highly touted as the film that would turn America to revival. Theaters were packed with popcorn eating people who casually watched the Christ lacerated by the whip. Indifference was the result and the response.

Great tragedy has not turned our stony hearts into flesh either. The visual images of airplanes exploding into the World Trade Center shocked and frightened us. Mid-week services were packed with people who would never have considered a church prayer meeting but it did not last. Tornados, floods, volcanoes, hurricanes and earthquakes have not shaken us from our lethargy and unconcern.

Few people plan to reject Christ ultimately. They plan to accept Him by-and-by but they want the morning for themselves. They will turn to Christ in the afternoon or evening of their lives. Their thought is that life is too full of color to choose the drab coat of religion too soon. George Morrison puts it this way: “"Betwixt the stirrup and the ground, I mercy sought and mercy found."

Matt 24:39

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

The verse says “knew not” but the meaning is more “cared not” – were not aware of the danger. Why did they not know? Was the building of an ark by a family of fanatics for a voyage on a sandy sea not sign enough? Was the preaching of an old weary man not clear enough? No, the flood came, and took them all away.

Dear Lord, remove from me the indifference caused by luxury and cultural carelessness. Make my heart your home and renew a right spirit within me. AMEN

CULTURED BUT NOT CONVERTED!

CULTURED BUT NOT CONVERTED!

John 3:1-5

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

          The condition of Nicodemus is a sad one indeed. He was not one of the more sinful sinners but was a cultured and educated man. Educated in the best schools, he was knowledgeable in the arts as well as skilled in social graces. His name, Nicodemus, is a combination of  the verb Nikao which means “to win” and the word demos or “people.” He was a winner with the people but he was not converted. He was not born again.

          Nicodemus was not disrespectful when addressing Jesus. We live in a world where disrespect is the universal attitude of man. Nicodemus addressed Jesus respectfully, noted his miraculous accomplishments, and was about to pose a few questions for clarification when Jesus challenged him with a simple fact. “Except a man is born again he can’t see the kingdom of God.”

          Try to imagine what Nicodemus was thinking. He had the best education, shopped the best clothier, lived in the best neighborhood, was active in his church and his community. He was a winner with the people but he was a loser with God. In spite of his education he was not equipped to discuss the new birth with its designer. He was ignorant of the most important things.

1 Cor 2:14

14 But the natural [unsaved or unconverted] man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [understood].

Although Jesus explained spiritual reality to Nicodemus that night, it is only after Jesus' death that we see proof that he actually did become His disciple (John 19:39). Nicodemus clearly points out that the wisdom of men falls painfully short of the kingdom of God. Only by total reliance upon the work of Christ can we hope to attain it. We likewise must be "born again" (John 3:3). (from New Testament Sermon Starters © 2001, Spiros Zodhiates.)

Dear Lord, let me not trust in the wisdom of this world. Let me not become blinded by the acclaim of men. Let me see with spiritual eyes and hear with the heart. AMEN

FOUR WARNINGS!

FOUR WARNINGS!

1 Cor 10:1-11

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

          I am thankful for the Corinthian church because they provide wonderful examples of how not to live the Christian life. Yet, when Paul wrote to them he cited the wandering Jews as examples. Here he lists four warnings to any believer trying to live a godly life in an ungodly society.

          Neither be ye idolaters! Most of us think of idolatry as a formal worship of some enshrined figure. Because of this narrow view we conclude that we are not and will never be idolaters. However, idolatry is insidious and we gradually begin to worship the values of our society. We want to “fit in” and we don’t want to be thought of as un-cool so we adjust our belief system to allow for things that God does not allow.

          Neither let us commit fornication! Our culture and society is flooded with sexual messages promising both instant and constant gratification. I met one waitress, a pretty lady, who was quite pregnant with her third child with her “fiancé” of eleven years. This is fornication that looks like – but is not – legitimate marriage.

          Neither let us tempt Christ! This is curious because it clearly states that the God of the wilderness wanderings was Jesus! The children of Israel became bored with their daily ration of manna and blamed Moses and God because they had no meat (see Numbers 21:4-6). God sent “fiery serpents” that destroyed many of them. Our modern, sinful, society greatly tempts us to become dissatisfied with yesterday’s blessings.

          Neither murmur! The word means “to manifest sullen discontent” and perfectly describes a generation of consumers who can’t seem to find anything that truly satisfies. The eye is not satisfied with all that it sees and the tongue is never satisfied with all there is to taste. The cry of our sinful society is more.

Heb 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Giver of all good things, let me heed these four warnings. Let me count my blessings and be thankful. AMEN

TRUST GOD IN THE DARK?

TRUST GOD IN THE DARK?

Gen 28:10-16

10 And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.

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

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

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

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

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

16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord  is in this place; and I knew it not.

Matt 14:23

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

          What your faith is in the darkness, when you are alone, is all that it truly is. All the rest is just posturing and window dressing. It is those quiet and private thoughts that pass between you and your God that is the true measure of your trust. Merriam – Webster defines “trust” as: “assured reliance on the character, strength, or truth of someone or something; confident hope.”

          How confident is your hope? It is a horrible question! It is like the bonus question at the end of a major exam. If we get it right we pass but if not we fail – even if we answer all the other questions correctly. Personal and not corporate trust is all the trust we truly own. There is a jab among preachers that serves as a way marker for our faith. We will say to one another: “Do you really believe that – or are you just preaching?” How strong is your faith when trouble wakes you in the night; when the outcome of many endeavors are in question?  

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.

Dear Invisible God, let me build a relationship with you that will survive the cold sweats of those dark and alone times of doubt. 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

PARENTING CAN BE PAINFUL!

PARENTING CAN BE PAINFUL!

Prov 22:15

15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Prov 13:24

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes [early; before it is too late].

Heb 12:11

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.

          There is no argument regarding the corporal correction of children in the Bible! It is recommended both to insure proper development and to restrain rebellion. We humans are born with our parents’ fallen nature. “Foolishness is bound, or integrated, in the heart of every child.” What may seem cute at age 2 will become troublesome at age 20.

It takes courage and skill to channel children toward a disciplined and profitable goal. A large rushing body of water is a flash flood without the restricting banks of the river. Parents must provide appropriate restriction and guidance.

Actually, The Bible likens children to arrows in the quiver of an archer. Each arrow is carefully selected and aimed at a specific target. The archer determines direction and speed with each draw of the bow. Once beyond the control of the archer the arrow will continue in the way he was pointed.

If you are still a child under discipline, please yield yourself to godly guidance. If you are a parent, don’t neglect discipline. Proverbs says that it restrains and prevents foolishness. Hebrews says that it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

Prov 3:11-12

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord ; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord  loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Loving Father, your chastening rod is always applied in steady measure. Aim me like an arrow at the target you have selected for me. Let me fly true. AMEN

WRESTLING WITH GOD!

WRESTLING WITH GOD!

Gen 32:24-28

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Ps 119:133

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

          Jacob was a wrestler even prior to his birth. He wrestled with his twin brother for the first opportunity to exit the womb! Though he was number two in order a string around his wrist gave him first-born authority. He continued to wrestle and manipulate circumstances throughout his life. He was crafty! He was a problem solver! He was independent!

          Jacob’s rugged individualism was confronted by the Lordship of the Almighty. The issue was whether Jacob would continue to rule his life or would he yield to the superior leadership of God. Jacob stubbornly wrestled until God was forced to wound him to bring him into submission. Then God blessed him and changed his name. He would no longer be a wrestler but a prince!

          I am a wrestler too. In some ways my life has been one long selfish struggle with a superior force. Sometimes God has used that stubbornness to accomplish His purposes but generally God has had to wrestle me to the ground and subdue me. Sometimes He has been forced to wound me so that He could bless me. I find comfort in knowing that Paul was also a wrestler stubbornly “kicking against the pricks” (Acts 26:14).

          Oh! I sense the old wrestler rising in me today! Yet another round of difficult circumstances bids me to struggle. Perhaps you too are considering wrestling with God. Please know that He has superior strength. His ways are wiser than our own. He sees more clearly than any of us. His way is perfect.

          Like a puppy with a new collar and leash, we struggle with our owner until we learn that where He is trying to lead us is a place of peace and plenty. Ultimately we learn to trust and the leash comes off and we crawl up into the lap of the Master who smoothes our head. Ah, the contentment of surrender!

Dear Lord, help me to abandon my struggle and receive your blessing. AMEN

LOVING EACH OTHER!

LOVING EACH OTHER!

Rom 12:10

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Eph 4:30-32

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1 Cor 12:25-27

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

          Yesterday I was chatting with a preacher with whom I had most recently disagreed. I didn’t like his methodology. He didn’t do things quite the same way that I would do things. I had formed an attitude. Yet he is a brother in Christ and a fellow laborer in our common struggle for right and against wrong.

          Now this brother is in a bit of a jam. The fortunes of life and the will of God has dealt him a troublesome hand. There is nothing like a little adversity to fade the “S” from our Superman cape and send us running into the arms of Jesus. I have been there myself many times and fear I may be tested again.

          As we chatted I began to feel his pain, not “politically” but actually. I began to care. Suddenly I began to see this brother in a different light. I wanted to alleviate his suffering. I wanted to help and to make a difference. I had discovered that buried deep inside me was an emotion called love and it had nothing to do with whether or not we agreed on every issue. I prayed myself to sleep regarding this man and his family. This morning that tender emotion is stronger than ever and I am glad for it.

Do you see how essential it is to love? It is the mark of the true believer and the strongest witness against the unbeliever. It is the greatest apologetic; convincing where other arguments fail. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8).

1 Peter 1:22

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Dear Lord, thank you for the love I have for others. It convinces me that I am still alive inside. AMEN