CAPTURED BY HIS LOVE AND MERCY!

CAPTURED BY HIS LOVE AND MERCY!

Ps 139:1-5

139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

          This is a powerful image! In fact my mind pictures a laboratory rat caught in a maze. He is led inescapably to a destination known only by his captor. In this case, however, the captor is not a tormentor but a benevolent guard and guide. He is the Lord of Glory! He is the Creator and sustainer of the universe. His ways are above our ways. As the 6^th verse says, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

          I have often struggled to find a way out of His will because I think it to be in error. Surely He can’t want me to endure what I am currently enduring! Problems press in on the left and troubles join upon my right hand. I can’t go back and I can’t climb up. The only way left to me is forward to the fearful unknown. I do not perceive his love and mercy until I reach the appointed place of peace. It is then I see His handiwork and understand His protection and provision.

All The Way My Savior Leads Me

By Fanny Crosby

All the way my Savior leads me

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

Dear Lord, forgive my struggling against your efforts to lead me. I am ignorant of what is best for me and too foolish to submit. I have learned that your way is best but learning that has not been easy nor is it easy yet. Thank you for trapping me in your love and mercy. AMEN

THE SUDDEN URGE TO PRAY!

THE SUDDEN URGE TO PRAY!

Acts 12:5-8

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

          Last night, in our adult Bible study, I was told a story that frightened and then thrilled me. One of our men, a dear friend, had a dangerous reaction to some medicine. His throat closed up and he couldn’t breathe. It was at about three o’clock in the morning. Another man, also a dear friend, said that at the exact hour this was happening he awoke with a sudden urge to pray. God does these things!

          Whenever you are in distress, please understand that God has a network of prayer warriors who become an emergency response team. Could God not take care of the problem without these praying friends? Most certainly, He could but He prefers this method so as to teach both the one in distress and those who pray. The lesson learned by both is that God is bigger than any of our problems.

          At odd times, perhaps in the middle of the night when you should be sleeping, God may give you a sudden urge to pray. By all means pray and do it immediately! You have been activated as a member of a vast alarm system. You may never know whether you were simply having a bad dream or whether you were part of angelic rescue of a friend in deep need. You may discover that your prayer was made at the precise hour of need.

1 Sam 12:23

23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord  in ceasing to pray for you:

Dear Lord, let me be used as part of your emergency prayer team. Thank you for those who pray for me. AMEN

CONVERSION!

CONVERSION!

Acts 26:18

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

          Paul testified before Agrippa that Christ had commissioned him to a lifelong effort to convert men. Certain specific changes would define conversion. First, there would be a change of view. Their eyes would be opened so that they might clearly see things as they really are. Next, they would be changed from darkness (“shadiness”) to light. The power (“mastery”) of Satan would be broken and men would then be at liberty to serve God. Sins would be forgiven and a new life of not sinning would begin.

Former atheist, Lee Stroble, tells that his young daughter told her mother: “Mom, I want what God has done to daddy!” This is the observable change that takes place when men are converted. Specifically, conversion is a change in the thoughts, desires, dispositions and behavior of a sinner. He changes his mind about right and wrong. His appetite changes and he begins to crave good and right things instead of wicked and damaging habits. The Bible refers to him as a “new man” (Eph. 2:15; 4:24).

In my desire to discover a reason or a pattern for conversion, I often miss miracles. As I ask what caused the change, I miss the blessing of the change itself. True conversion is due to the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart and mind of an individual. It is personal and therefore defies being pressed into a formula. The specific circumstances needed to bring one to conversion will not necessarily be needed for another. When it happens it is mysterious and marvelous.

Mark 5:15

15 And they come to Jesus, and see (saw) him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Dear Lord, let your Holy Spirit apply the pressures and circumstances necessary to bring conversion. AMEN

DON’T LIVE IN CAREFUL SUSPENSE!

DON’T LIVE IN CAREFUL SUSPENSE!

Luke 12:27-31

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

          The phrase in verse 29, “neither be ye of doubtful mind” roughly means “do not live in careful suspense.” We all can relate to that, can’t we? In spite of our best efforts at emotional stability and spiritual maturity we are often loaded down with care and suspense.

          We look to the lilies as models of calm confidence in their Creator. They do not anxiously toil to make changes in their circumstance. They do not spin yarn and weave fabric to make them clothing and yet they are clothed gloriously as they stand in total surrender to their Master. We protest that we are not lilies! We don’t simply stand mindlessly planted in the dirt while the sun beats down upon on us or we are drenched with rain. But are we not, when we think about it, as incapable of orchestrating the events of our lives? Are we not equally dependent upon the Lord for His mercies?

          The thought upon which to focus is that God cares more for us than he does for lilies and grasses. Nature is provided her need in faithful cycles. Wringing our hands murmuring “what shall we eat, or what shall we drink and wherewithal shall we be clothed” has no impact upon the hunger or thirst or nakedness. God looks down, sees our need and out of the riches of His character and nature provides exactly what we need in a timely manner. Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

          The activity that should fill our time of waiting is prayer and reaching for the kingdom. Labor therefore to know your God intimately and to do His will and His work diligently. While you are at work at these pursuits God will, because He is God, provide all these things that cause you to live in careful suspense.

God, it is hard to set aside a lifetime of careful suspense and to replace it with calm trust – but I shall try. AMEN

QUALITIES OF THE OVERCOMER!

QUALITIES OF THE OVERCOMER!

Ps 84:5-7

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

          There are some who allow the circumstances of their life to crush them beneath the weight. They are overwhelmed! Still others suffer the same blows and bear up courageously. They overcome! What is the difference?

1. The Overcomer draws his strength from God!

2 Cor 12:9

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

Ps 28:8

8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

2. The Overcomer is fully committed to his God!

Isa 26:9

9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

James 1:6

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Ps 57:7

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: [nailed down] I will sing and give praise.

3. The Overcomer makes bad things better!

Ps 84:6

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

The word for Baca is “mourning” or “the valley of weeping.” They dig a well in the dry places. God turns their journey into joy and all around them drink.

4. The Overcomer grows stronger and stronger!

Like the athlete who strains at his training, the discipline becomes easier and easier to bear.

Phil 4:13

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Isa 40:30-31

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Dear Lord, we are told to pray “lead us not into temptation” but if into temptation we are led – give us strength, wisdom and endurance. AMEN

ONE TO ANOTHER!

ONE TO ANOTHER!

Eph 5:21-28

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

          Today is my 45^th wedding anniversary! I can hardly remember not being married but I can remember the first time I saw my bride. She was playing the organ at a church and I was standing at, and probably staring from, the rear. Instantly smitten, I asked her name. Oh, I thought, she will never pay any attention to me! How will I ever win this choice beauty? Now, after so long a time, I am still amazed that she agreed to be my wife.

          Marriage is a fireworks show that settles into a soft crackling fireplace and a good book. Both of us understand the treasure that is ours. Both of us understand the responsibilities that come with a relationship. It may be as simple as taking out the trash on a timely basis or it may be as serious as being “the saviour of the body!” I would give my life for hers and I think she would do the same for me.

          Marriage is an exercise in unselfishness! It is a challenge to narcissism and provides a daily laboratory for selfless service. Practiced regularly, it becomes second nature. Neglected often enough and it can become a real problem.

Gen 2:24

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Dear Lord, strengthen the marriages within my flock and remind us all of this great treasure. AMEN

IS THERE A SONG IN YOUR SOUL?

IS THERE A SONG IN YOUR SOUL?

Eph 5:18-21

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

          Singing is one of the most natural things in God’s creation. Coyotes howl at the moon. Have you ever wondered why? Elephants trumpet and birds warble their own tune. Children, even before they can speak, express their joy and sorrow, their love and anger simply by changing the tones in their voice. Mothers listen for these songs and by some instinct known only to mothers translate these songs into intelligent speech.

          Music expresses emotion and is defined by culture. Most of us know the difference between classical symphonic music and the music of mountaineers we call blue grass. Celtic music conjures up even visual images of the Scotts and the Irish. But what are psalms, hymns and spiritual songs?

PSALMS -- These are the compositions of the Shepherd King David and can be found in the Bible. Some were chanted and others were put to music which is now mostly lost. Some were sung antiphonally (one group would sing a verse and another group would respond with the answering verse). When ancient psalms were put to modern music the result was early praise and worship.

HYMNS – These are songs written by more modern saints. These are poems and rhymes set to music that pictures the Christian experience. Fanny Crosby’s hymn, “All the Way my Savior Leads Me” praises the sure guidance of God in the life of the believer.

SPIRITUAL SONGS – These are odes intended to magnify God and edify man.

All Creatures of Our God and King

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear Lord, fill my heart with song and let my lips praise you in the streets. AMEN

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH!

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH!

John 16:12-13

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

          Merriam-Webster says that “truth” is “the real state of things.” Oh, how far we sometimes drift from the real state of things. Truth is much more than just an assembly of facts because facts can lie if they are organized in a certain way. No, truth is the real state of things.

          A recently popular movie line tells us that “we can’t handle the truth;” at least not in totality and not in huge chunks. Even the sun rises slowly and gradually and does not burst on the horizon like a camera flash. Jesus knew, in verse 12, that his disciples could not handle the whole truth – all the truth – and nothing but the truth. It would be revealed by His Holy Spirit little by little in our daily walk.

          Truth impacts relationships that are built upon presumption. A relationship should be built upon truth without make-up and lipstick. We can only handle the unvarnished truth with love. Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Through the eyes of love, the blemishes are seen but instantly dismissed as unimportant. God sees us truthfully. He sees us in the real state of things and loves us anyway. The old familiar hymn illustrates this well.

Just as I am, without one plea,

          but that thy blood was shed for me,

          and that thou bidst me come to thee,

          O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not

          to rid my soul of one dark blot,

          to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

          O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

          wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

          because thy promise I believe,

          O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thy love unknown

          hath broken every barrier down;

          now, to be thine, yea thine alone,

          O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Dear Lord, thank you for seeing in me the real state of things and loving me anyway! AMEN

LIVING A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE!

LIVING A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE!

John 14:15-21

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

          If you have a red letter edition of the New Testament these words are in red which means that they were spoken by Jesus and recorded for us by John. This adds a bit of force to the concepts listed here. Simply put, Jesus is saying that obedience is not only the requirement for but the demonstration of our love for God. Being an obedient child of God does not mean that you never make any mistakes it simply means that our heart is set to obey. What are the elements of a lifestyle of obedience? I think there are at least three.

1.      LISTEN TO HIM CAREFULLY!

John 14:26

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

          Unfortunately, God does not speak to us with a voice we can hear. He uses spiritual impressions and signals upon our mind. This requires a strong connection and careful listening to the “voice” of God. He speaks through many means.

2.      OBEY SYSTEMATICALLY!

Gen 12:1

12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

          Abraham was called to leave his home and to travel to an unknown destination. It is as if a parent plans a family vacation with pleasant stops along the way and a wonderful destination at the end. All the children know is that they are on vacation! That is why the kids are always asking “are we there yet?” Because we do not know every turn of the trip we must be willing to obey by taking the very next step.

3.      EXPECT A BUMPY ROAD!

John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

          Continuing our analogy of a family vacation, we understand that there may be delays along the way. Bridges may be out requiring us to take a detour and the road may be bumpy. However it is not the road but the destination that we must keep in mind. Let’s never forget that he said “I have overcome the world.”

          Obedience is not automatic. It is a lifelong process and should become easier as we learn to trust and wait patiently for God’s guidance. At times the distant destination may be almost in view and at other times we may feel we are in a wasteland of confusion but we keep trusting and obeying.

Dear Lord, when today’s carefully laid plans are ruined by unexpected delays and detours – help me to trust the destination to you. AMEN

HEARTY COUNSEL!

HEARTY COUNSEL!

Prov 27:9

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

Prov 27:17

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

          The word “hearty,” in verse 9, is the Hebrew word nephesh and literally means “a breathing creature.” The idea is that this hearty counsel is alive, vibrant and timely. The word “countenance” is a word that simply means “face” and that makes it personal. Whatever our calling may be, we all, from time to time, need lively advice from the face of a true friend.

          Caution should be used in both the giving and receiving of hearty counsel. If the recipient is suffering pain, he might not be willing to receive advice even if that advice is exactly what he needs. His pain colors his responses. Giving medical treatment to wounded animals is risky. Try to remember that the advice you give may irritate tender wounds which will temporarily cause even greater pain. Verse 6 reminds us that “faithful are the wounds of a friend.” James C. Dobson once said: “The right to criticize must be earned, even if the advice is constructive in nature.”

          Christ made no promise that those who followed him in his plan of re-establishing life on its proper basic principles would enjoy a special immunity from pain and sorrow-nor did he himself experience such immunity. He did, however; promise enough joy and courage, enough love and confidence in God to enable those who went his way to do far more than survive. J. B. Phillips (1906-1982)

Prov 16:21-24

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Dear Lord, let me give advice gently and truthfully. Let me receive advice graciously even when it causes me pain. Amen

THE SHEPHERD’S REWARD!

THE SHEPHERD’S REWARD!

Matt 10:16

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Luke 6:22-23

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

          In my inbox this morning was a long list of reasons why men abandon the ministry. A well respected researcher listed long hours, little pay and even less appreciation as incentives for the minister to quit. Impossible expectations, double standards, and human conflict added to the depressing weight. But the list was missing some very important things.

          For every human conflict that the minister must endure there are innumerable steadfast friends! The long hours of being on call and on the job is balanced by flexibility. For every disappointing human failure there are countless reasons to rejoice, and even a few miracles along the way. This is not carpentry or mechanics. It resembles farming which is subject to the quality of the soil and the timely mixture of sun and rain. God is the essential ingredient in every success and the comfort in every loss.

The concept of ministry is strengthened when the use of the Greek word ‎doulos ‎is noted. This was the term for a bondslave, one who was offered his freedom but who voluntarily surrendered that freedom in order to remain a servant. This idea typified Jesus' purpose, as described by Paul in Phil 2:7.

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

          Raw statistics cannot, by themselves, measure the profitability of ministry. If you want to be rich then enter the marketplace. If you want to be respected become a physician. If you want power become a lawyer. But if you want to make a difference in the lives of people for all eternity then the calling of gospel ministry has no equal.

1 Tim 1:12

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Thank you Lord for the for the flock you have placed in my hands. Let me always be faithful. Let me always measure success and failure in the same way as you do. AMEN

SUSTAINABLE MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR!

SUSTAINABLE MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR!

Matt 28:18 - 20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matt 10:7-11

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

          There is a picture in my mind, a snapshot from an old denominational tabloid, of missionaries standing on a dock before a huge ship. These were black and white people in a black and white world; dressed for Sunday school in suits and ties and not in Hawaiian shirts and flip flops. This trip was not a vacation; it was the beginning of a new life. Their belongings were stuffed into a few trunks. “Neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; because all that they needed would be provided little by little. They would be captured by the Japanese and placed in a prison camp because the world was at war. Why is this snapshot so different from missions today?

          I have been thinking about what I call “sustainable” missionary endeavor. I am convinced that mission work is very PERSONAL and therefore moves at a slower pace than the current crowd-gatherers and feeders-of-thousands. Feeding thousands is not wrong but it is unsustainable. Jesus fed the 5,000 because they were hungry. Some of these same people later joined in the shout to crucify him. Jesus was not a mega-event promoter. Jesus was a missionary and it required his life.

          The plan is not only personal but it is PURPOSEFUL. “As you go, while you are going, preach!” If we want a formula then Jesus gives us one in Matthew 28. We are to GO! Mission is always a going! We are to reach all nations because mission work is one culture reaching another. We are to make disciples and to gather them into indigenous churches. We are to train leaders to become national pastors and then repeat the process again and again. In doing this we build something that will last beyond the missionary himself. This is sustainable mission work.

          “Mission trips”, as they have come to be called, are not wrong either but it is not sustainable missions. Many valid short term efforts give relief but do not disciple; do not establish churches. Sustainable mission work takes time; requires the investment of a life. In fact I don’t even like the term “career missionary” for it places a time limit on the effort. It is also redundant! The missionaries standing on that dock never intended to return.

Dear Jesus, bless the life-long missionaries today. Honor the lives they have given with sustainable missionary endeavor. AMEN

ASHAMED!

ASHAMED!

Rom 6:19-23

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

          Youthful, or perhaps I should say, former things are things of which we may be now ashamed! Many are the actions and decisions of former days that have produced for us the fruit of pain. At the time, we either were not aware of the serious consequences of our actions or we were in such a state of rebellion against reason that we did not care. Now, however, those things shame us.

          The entire life of Samson illustrates the truth of this concept. Samson would not yield himself to God but preferred the pleasures of the flesh. He was not ignorant of God or the power of God. He simply had a personal preference for impurity and the result was blindness, captivity and death (see Judges chapter 16). His final words were a prayer and his final actions were defiant. As verse 21 says “the end of those things is death.”

          If only our insight and foresight could be as clear as our hindsight! Scars in our flesh and in our mind tell the story of foolish or rebellious decisions. We are now ashamed of them but we must live with their life altering consequences.

          Even more foolish would be to continue on the path of foolishness and pain. When we stop living selfishly, and begin to live responsibly, the fruit we produce is both sweet and beneficial. We have awakened and responded to truth and that truth is setting us free. We no longer are earning the wages of sin but are enjoying the gift of God which is eternal life. We have learned that deciding to obey God is not only beneficial and fruitful but gradually begins to heal the shame of our former sinful life.

Joel 2:25-27

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord  your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord  your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Dear Father, let thy blood erase the pain and shame of former foolish days. AMEN

TRUTH OR TRADITION?

TRUTH OR TRADITION?

Mark 7:1-9

7 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

          The New Testament book of Hebrews was written to Jews who had come to believe in Jesus as Messiah. The changes that necessarily took place when their worship moved from one of strict adherence to a set of rules to what Jesus described as “spirit and truth” was cataclysmic. Try to imagine that, like the Jews, you never ate anything without performing some cleansing ritual. This was more than the common washing of hands but was a ceremony of sorts. Jesus and His followers had discarded these formalities for a more casual approach. It just didn’t seem right to those who were accustomed to the form.

                Probably the most revealing phrases are the ones I have underlined above: “many other such like things ye do.” Adam Clarke, in his commentary, quotes another source called “Ward’s Customs.” This is what he says about ceremonial washings: “This sort of washing was, and still continues to be, an act of religion in the eastern countries. It is particularly commanded in the Koran, Surat 5 verse 7, "O believers, when ye wish to pray, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows-and your feet up to the ankles." Which custom it is likely Mohammed borrowed from the Jews. The Jewish doctrine is this: "If a man neglect the washing, he shall be eradicated from this world." But instead of pugmee, the fist or hand, the Codex Bezae has puknee, frequently: and several of the Itala have words of the same signification. Bathing is an indispensable prerequisite to the first meal of the day among the Hindus; and washing the hands and the feet is equally so before the evening meal.”

          The point, of course, is that we must not allow tradition to cloud truth. Although there is no particular benefit to a casual approach to worship, we must not become so entangled with the manner of worship. Have you examined your heart for the possibility the form has replaced faith?

Mark 7:17-23

17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Rom 10:10

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Dear Lord, please keep my heart pure and my mind clear as I attempt to worship you. AMEN

FULL ASSURANCE!

FULL ASSURANCE!

Three times in our English Bible we read the phrase “full assurance.” It will be interesting to note the meaning and contexts.

1.      FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING!

Col 2:2

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

          The word “understanding” is translated from the word “sunesis” which means “mentally putting it all together. The idea is that the mind gathers facts and proofs and then puts it all together into full understanding. Paul linked together a chain of reasoning in the book of Romans which instructs us here.

Rom 10:14

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

2.      FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE!

Heb 6:8-12

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

          Salvation, when it comes, brings with it many things that confirm the relationship. Works and labors of love which spring from a new and inner character confirm that salvation has taken place. The works did not produce salvation but always “accompany” salvation, as verse 9 says.  The writer wants his readers to enjoy a full anticipation of things in store for those who are saved.

3.      FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH!

Heb 10:19-22

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

          Because Jesus entered into the veil and sprinkled the Mercy Seat with his own redeeming blood, we can be fully assured that God will accept us and receive us. The blood gives us new status by washing away everything that offends. Remember that these words were written to Hebrews as the name of the book indicates. Leviticus 16:4 and Numbers 8:7 tell us that the priests and Levites first must wash their flesh with water before serving. The writer refers to the ceremony of washings and to the sprinkling of blood.

Dear Lord, I have assurance of understanding because of your precious word. I have assurance of hope because I love to do your will. I have assurance of faith because of your precious blood. Thank you that I do not need to doubt. AMEN