LIKE CHILDREN ON A PLAYGROUND!

LIKE CHILDREN ON A PLAYGROUND!

Luke 7:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

          Some time ago someone relayed to me the frustration felt by a member of another church in town. This man said: “The people are carrousel Christians!” The image is of a child on a playground who rushes to climb upon the merry-go-round but will not take a turn to push. They love the thrill of the ride but expect others to make the machine go. Soon nobody is pushing and they just sit there. You can get your own swing to move but first you must kick off and then strain at the chains. The teeter-totter requires the counter balance of another partner.

          Jesus complained that the people of His generation were unresponsive. No matter what game you suggested they did not want to play. If you played happy music they would not dance. If you tried to catch their somber mood then they would not mourn.

          Both Matthew and Luke include this commentary of Jesus. The context is the comparison of John Baptist’s ministry with that of Jesus. John was a recluse and they said he had a devil. Jesus was social and they called him a glutton and a drunkard; a real party animal. Jesus pointed out that the real problem was that it was impossible to please them. They were like pouting children who would not play the game no matter what game was chosen. An unresponsive spirit is a clear sign of apostasy. It was demonstrated by the people in Malachi’s time.

Mal 1:13

13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

[Ye have snuffed at it] A metaphor taken from cattle which do not like their fodder. They blow strongly through their nose upon it; and after this neither they nor any other cattle will eat it.

(From Adam Clarke's Commentary.)

          It’s time we grew up! We are too often like spoiled and pouting children, unresponsive and peevish. Let us do what this following verse says to do.

Eph 4:14-15

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Dear Lord, keep me from acting childish today. Help me to be eagerly responsive to your promptings. AMEN

IT’S ALL ABOUT WINNING!

IT’S ALL ABOUT WINNING!

Phil 3:7-9

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

          American football has been elevated to a religion! It’s all about winning! Now, before you stone me as a blasphemer, you need to know that I love the game and played the game as a teen in high school. But the devotion to this sport is, to some, all consuming.

          Chris Norman, heroic outside linebacker for Michigan State, was drafted by three teams after college but he has rejected those offers. He has abandoned the National Football League, along with its riches and glory, so that he can enter seminary to become a minister! All this because he read a book by John Piper called Don’t Waste Your Life! His inspiring testimony can be viewed by clicking on this link. http://www.desiringgod.org/drafted

          The Apostle Paul also gave up a career in the Jew’s religion to become an itinerant missionary and writer of scripture but it was not a book that changed his life. It was an encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. In telling about his transformation, he mentions all his privileged accomplishments. “A Hebrew of the Hebrews” is what he called himself but he abandoned it all so that he could WIN Christ. It is still all about winning but now the prize is worthy.

          Think about those things that make you stand to your feet, cheer yourself hoarse, and wear your colors. Is your desire to win and the deep disappointment at every loss worth the effort? Paul, after an honest evaluation, counted his former life as rubbish in comparison. His new team became “the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

Dear Lord, remind me from time to time what is truly important. AMEN

WHAT’S STAMPED ON YOUR PASSPORT?

WHAT’S STAMPED ON YOUR PASSPORT?

Heb 11:13-16

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

2 Tim 2:4

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

          We Americans see the world through glasses that are tinted red, white and blue! I heard from a missionary to Africa who said he would rub the American logo from his passport cover so that he would not have so much trouble at border crossings. He does not wear USA branded clothing with flags and such. He is a stranger and a pilgrim. He is a soldier in the army of the Lord.

          Strangers are visitors, guests, and aliens in a foreign country. All around they see a culture that is not their own. So it is, or rather should be, with every believer. We are to be holy as He is holy because the atmosphere of our country is holiness. We now live in a world of wickedness. Let us not forget what country is stamped on our passport!

          Pilgrims are resident foreigners for so is the rendering of the Greek word parepidemos. A pilgrim establishes a colony of his own countrymen in a foreign land. In every large city you can see places that are called Chinatown or little Italy. In our world we call them churches. These are small communities of believers each owning the citizenship of heaven.

         Soldiers are to conquer and occupy! As a soldier he must focus on his assignment which, as a believer, is to make disciples. Soldiers gain and hold ground. The soldier longs for home and endures the hardships of conflict so that he may please his Captain. He knows that one day he will be going home.

          Do you feel the strangeness of the world you are in? Does your spirit long for heaven? Do you crave those times when you may come together in a community of believers so that you may escape the culture of the world and enjoy the culture of Christianity? Don’t forget what is stamped on your passport!

Dear Father, I long for home and for the language and culture of heaven. Help me to remember that I am a stranger, a pilgrim and a soldier. AMEN

GOD IS ENOUGH!

GOD IS ENOUGH!

Eph 5:19-20

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;

1 Thess 5:18

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

          I am seated here this morning surrounded by abundance! I am generally healthy and pain free. To my right is a cup of coffee flavored with my favorite exotic creamer. To my left my wife is peacefully reading the morning news paper. The antique mantel clock has just chimed the hour and, although it is four minutes late, it is only four minutes late. On my lap is a wonder of technology which holds a vast digital library which would be the envy of Spurgeon or Tozer and would require a huge room to hold the volumes.

          Merriam-Webster defines the word “spoiled” as: “to damage the disposition by pampering; to indulge; to coddle.” I am afraid that, from time to time, I am not simply blessed – I am spoiled!

          The Thanksgiving Day Holiday is yet two months away and yet I am reminded of all the things I have in God. I shall not want (Psalm 23). The Father which is in heaven gives “good things” to them that ask. (Matthew 7:11). With his stripes [the lashes given to his back] we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) These are parcels inside a package. When we have God, we have all we need.

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Dear Source of all good things, let me be reminded of all the things I enjoy because of thee. AMEN

BEHOLD THE MAN!

BEHOLD THE MAN!

John 19:1-5

19 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

          What do you see when you see it? As strange as that question might be, it begs to be answered. Pilate could hardly understand why the Jewish leaders were so insistent on killing Jesus. He said: “Why? What evil hath he done?” Truth be told, Pilate didn’t understand much about the Jews or their land. It was a dry and inhospitable place full of strange people.

          Behold the Man! Pilate must have thought: “See what I have done. I am more powerful than your king. I have proven him to be weak and ineffective. I have made him and you to be a joke. I have given him a crown of pain and a robe of mockery. I have bound his hands that he can’t act. I have humbled him. I have done what I was sent here to do; to quell riots and to keep peace by an iron hand.”

          Behold the Man! See what you have done. Why torture him further? Hasn’t he suffered enough? He is at the point of death. Send him on his way. He will not trouble you anymore. Why demand his life? Have you no sympathy or natural pity?

          Behold the Man! Does he not reveal something evil in all of us? Is he not a mirror reflecting our violence and our hatred? Is this why he must be killed? He must be taken away because we can’t run away. He condemns us just by standing here.

          Behold the Man! Ye who look for a savior look to Jesus. He suffers all this for you. He was slapped in the face before Annas the priest, spat upon and beaten before Caiaphas, scourged before Pilate and mocked by the soldiers. Finally, He was crucified by us all.

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Dear Jesus! It is hard to look upon your suffering. My heart melts inside me when I think that each blow has come from my sinful hand. Thank you, Lord, for the cleansing blood. AMEN

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!

Luke 12:47-48

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

We live in an age void of personal responsibility having replaced it with syrupy sentimentality and feeble excuses. Violence is due not to the depraved nature and twisted will but to some long buried abuse in childhood. Anything from promiscuity to bestiality is now excused because of some perverse act in childhood.  Perhaps someone robbed you of your candy!

Without minimizing the trauma of childhood experiences, let me just say that there are many well balanced individuals who are well balanced in spite of childhood trauma. When calling His disciples Jesus did not say: “Hey Peter, I know you come from a long line of cussing folks and shallow thinkers but if you get around to it I’d like you to seriously consider following me.” No, He simply said “Follow me!”

Our ill temper, we say, is a result of our breeding. We are a volatile mixture of Scotch and Irish…with perhaps too much Scotch. It’s not really our fault! We march into a public place and begin shooting because the boss took away our morning coffee break. It’s really not our fault. But the Prodigal son realized when he was standing knee deep in hog slop that he was there because of his own stupidity. He continued in his misery until the moment he took ownership of his actions.

Luke 15:17-19

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

There will come a time when we will stand before God without our sack full of excuses!

Rom 14:11-12

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Dear Lord, I come to Thee without excuses. Like the gospel song says: “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.” AMEN

MY LEAST FAVORITE TOPIC!

MY LEAST FAVORITE TOPIC!

Lev 27:30

30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.

I seldom speak on the topic of tithing! I receive my salary from the church and for a preacher to speak of tithing seems to be a bit self serving. Yet it is right there in the Bible and it appears many times in reference to worship. The God who gives us all asks us to return a tenth for the upkeep of His church and to teach us something of His Lordship. So, what does my giving measure? What does my tithe reveal about me?

1. It is a measure of our integrity and devotion

Mal 3:8

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

This verse is, arguably, one of the most offensive in all the Bible. We bristle at the thought that we might have stolen anything from God. We loudly cry that we love God; we honor God and would never do such a horrible thing as to rob God! Yet we feel ourselves guilty! We are indignant because we have been found out.

2. It is a measure of our love of ourselves

Mal 1:8

8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

The Jews were to offer their very best. We take our cue from the Jews in our giving to the Lord but, like them, we fall into the trap of offering the things that are worthless to us. Their sacrifices were to be “without blemish” and the best of their flocks but they were giving the unusable and unmarketable lambs. I get the image of a yard sale item that was too worn to sell so it was given to the church. Once received, the church incurs the cost of repairing the gift so the end result is not a gift at all but a liability.

3. Tithing has a practical side

Mal 3:10

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Ø The gifts of the worshippers provide the operating resources for the church. It pays salaries, provides heating and air-conditioning, fuel for the transportation ministry and even snacks for the kids.

Ø It enters into partnership with the Lord and gives God an opportunity to demonstrate His ability to bless your remaining 90% in such a way that it will be abundantly sufficient.

4. But we must not allow tithing to REPLACE real worship

Matt 23:23

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Dear Lord, thank you for all your rich gifts to me! I will surely give Thee tithes of all. AMEN

A BIT OF ELIPHAZ IN THE MORNING!

A BIT OF ELIPHAZ IN THE MORNING!

Who or what is an Eliphaz? Well, Eliphaz was one of Job’s “cruddy buddies” who came to watch him suffer all his mysterious troubles. All of Job’s friends came to evaluate why Job was having so many disasters in his life. Each one gave his opinion. It seems that if a man talks long enough he may say something of value. Let’s see the wonderful advice of Eliphaz.

Job 5:8-9

8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number:

With his chin in his hand and a scowl on his face, Eliphaz says that when all is said and done the best course of action is to commit your cause to God. If you have sinned God will surely let you know about it and you then have a chance to repent and receive forgiveness and restoration. If you haven’t then you can sue for understanding or relief. God does some mighty fine things. His works are “unsearchable” which means you can’t figure them out. God does some things that absolutely are contrary to the natural laws that He himself has set up! Yes sir! I would make my appeal to God.

There are FOUR THINGS that demonstrate the trustworthiness of God.

I. GOD’S LOVE

God is love! Love is an essential element of His very nature. He is love and all love proceeds from him. It naturally follows that His responses to my petitions will be based upon that love.

1 John 4:16

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

II. GOD’S TRUTH

A lie is told to deceive and that is simply NOT how God does business. Fear does not prompt Him to lie in order to protect himself as lying often serves us. Ambition does not prompt Him to lie to so that he might gain something He could not get otherwise. God cannot lie because of His nature and DOES NOT lie because there is no need to do so. We can trust Him. He will not deceive us.

Titus 1:2

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

III. GOD’S ABILITY

We can’t even begin a discussion about the capacity of God. His rich supply exists outside any container made for it. He is able to do exceeding and abundantly more than we could ever ask or think. (Eph. 3:20)

IV. GOD’S CONSTANCY

God does not change. He promised never to leave us or to forsake us. Over and over He promised to be with us always. Like the air – He is always there! Look at the following verses.

Ps 139:7-10

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

So Eliphaz was right when he said that the best course of action was to simply “seek unto God” and make your appeal to Him.

Dear Lord, whatever this day may hold for me is already in your mighty hands. I submit my cause and my course unto Thee. AMEN

A SERVANT’S HEART!

A SERVANT’S HEART!

Gal 5:13-14

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Rom 15:1-2

15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

The success of our church is determined by the church itself. I do not know what I would do without those volunteers that are so faithful they are mostly forgotten. Their value is evident only when sickness or some other necessity causes them to be absent. No one considers what they do to be important but without them the whole system tends to collapse.

The biblical basis for what we often call the “Prophet’s Chamber” is found in the following portion.

2 Kings 4:8-10

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus often provided lodging for Jesus since he “had no place to lay his head.”

Matt 21:17

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Ø It was at Bethany the barren fig tree was cursed.

Ø It was at Bethany the Alabaster Box was broken and Jesus was anointed with the perfume.

Ø It was at Bethany that Judas (seeing the waste of perfume) launched his plan to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Ø It was very near Bethany that the colt was found upon which Jesus rode on Palm Sunday.

Ø It was at Bethany that Lazarus was raised from the dead.

Ø It was from Bethany that Jesus ascended into heaven.

Service makes you significant! No other action or attitude attracts the attention of the master like humble and extravagant service!

Mark 14:8-9

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Dear Lord, give me a servant’s heart. Let me be faithful as a volunteer. Help me to do what I can and make a difference. AMEN

FULLY INVESTED IN THE MATTER!

FULLY INVESTED IN THE MATTER!

1 Sam 14:6-7

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

While King Saul lounged under a pomegranate tree with 600 men, Jonathan, his son, went out looking for a skirmish with the Philistines. Jonathan took with him an unnamed soldier who carried his equipment. It is this unnamed soldier that attracts my attention and my admiration today because he said “I am with thee!” It meant that he was fully invested in the matter. He would win or lose, live or die, as a result of his decision.

1. There is a worthy cause!

The enemy must be engaged and there can be no victory while shading oneself under a pomegranate tree. Too many believers in the church fail to understand the insidious nature of our enemy. There is no negotiating with him and there are no treaties he will keep. His plan is total conquest of our soul.

2. God is not limited by numbers!

A garrison was a fixed and fortified military position, a command post. Jonathan's resolution arose from the strong conviction that Israel was the nation of God, and possessed in Jehovah an omnipotent God, who would not refuse His help to His people in their conflict with the foes of His kingdom, if they would only put their whole trust in Him.

3. There is a fine line between faith and foolhardiness!

It’s not our methods but our Master that determines the difference in our conflicts. God has commanded and allowed some very unorthodox methods in times past. Joshua marched around Jericho and shouted. God knocked down the walls! Gideon’s vast army was reduced to just a few men who did nothing but break pitchers, hold their lamps high and blow trumpets. God defeated the enemy while Gideon held the light. Jonathan believed that there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

4. Substantial victories require substantial risks!

See the unnamed soldier servant crouched beside his captain? He makes a bold declaration risking his very life in the outcome of what might be a foolish venture. He says behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

In every church there are those who have pushed all their chips to the center of the table waiting on the turn of a card. What would we do without those who were fully invested in the matter? Still others fold and abandon the game. Will you say to your Master “Lord, I am with you according to your heart?”

Dear Lord, the commitment is mine to make. The outcome is yours to give. I trust you, Lord. I am fully invested in the matter. AMEN

WHAT TO PRAY FOR!

WHAT TO PRAY FOR!

Rom 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Listening to prayer requests can be revealing and sometimes entertaining as people ask God for some interesting things. Too often we sound like Janis Joplin singing: “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz.” Perhaps it would be helpful to take another hard look at our prayer list. Even when he walked the earth Jesus refused to overturn a decision in an inheritance squabble.

Luke 12:13-14

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

I am told that Billy Graham had a list of worthy things for which to pray. Borrowing a bit from his list let me make these suggestions.

1. Pray against spiritual coldness!

Heb 3:12-13

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2. Pray for doctrinal purity – that you are not drawn into believing false doctrine!

Eph 4:14-15

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

3. Pray for those with whom you have personal conflict and for those who hate you!

Matt 5:44

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

4. Pray that the Gospel will be effective in these last days!

Col 4:2-4

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5. Pray against sexual impurity!

1 Thess 4:3-4 & 7

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel [how to control the urges in his own body] in sanctification and honour;

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

6. Pray against a greedy love of money and possessions!

Eccl 5:10

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:

7. Pray for peace!

2 Peter 1:2-3

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

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.

8. Pray for the salvation of the lost!

Rom 10:1

10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.

9. Pray for those in authority!

1 Tim 2:1-2

2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

10. Pray for daily provision of needs!

Matt 6:11

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Matt 6:31-32

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Dear Lord, forgive me for my selfish praying and teach me by your Holy Spirit what to pray for. AMEN

A QUESTION OF WILL!

A QUESTION OF WILL!

John 5:2-8

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

Matt 8:1-3

1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

          Notice the company kept by the infirm man! He had lain in his condition for thirty eight years amongst a sea of “impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.” Do you see what sin does to us? In one way or another it wounds us and places us at the mercy of impossible circumstances. I can tell a lot about a person by the company he keeps.

          Jesus asked a curious question when He asked: “Wilt thou be made whole?” The infirm man never directly answered the question but launched an explanation of why he was not already healed. First there was the cruel and unfair unpredictability of the angel who stirred the water. One never knew why or when he might show up to disturb the glassy calm of the water’s surface. Next he explained that only one sufferer out of so many would be healed. Thirdly, he explained that he had no servant or friend to help him into the water so others would always enter the water before him. Almost forty years of hopelessness was the result. The question, however, still hung in the air.

          Wilt thou be made whole? The question addresses our will and forces us to consider what we really want. Moreover, it asks us just how much healing we would like. What would it mean to be made whole? Jesus knows that we often come to him with some emergency and then forget about him after the emergency passes. Do we want only an answer to an immediate need or do we want a relationship that is ongoing?

          In Matthew, we do not see a question but a statement of faith. “Lord, I know that you can if only you will.” The leper points out the incurable nature of his condition. A leper had only one last resort and that was to God. Appealing to Jesus ascribed divinity to Him. Jesus honored his faith with only two words: “I will.”

          The last time I asked “wilt thou” was at a wedding. The couple stood before me after long and detailed preparations had been made. Special clothing had been purchased including expensive jewelry and special decorations had transformed the church. Everyone knew why this couple were now standing here but I asked the question anyway. “Wilt thou?” It forced the couple to once again examine their will and to consider the seriousness of their actions.

          The question Jesus has for you today is “Wilt thou be made whole?” Your response should be “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean!”

JOHN THE STRANGE!

JOHN THE STRANGE!

Matt 3:1-6

3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

          Everything about John the Baptist was strange. He had a strange conception and birth having been born to parents generally thought to be too old to reproduce. When he began his preaching ministry he chose the wilderness of Judaea. The Greek word translated wilderness is midbar and indicates the country villages – places where cattle are driven – instead of the bustle of the cities.

          His preaching was strange because he urged heart-felt repentance instead of conformity to legions of liturgy. The land was full of religion but was totally bereft of repentance. Much of what passes for preaching today would be pretty thin soup without the props and graphics. Oratory has been replaced by truck loads of equipment. It was not so with John who painted portraits with voice and vocabulary.

          John’s lifestyle was strange and simple having his clothing made of camel’s hair. This was the garment of the prophets! We are currently experiencing a tempest in a teapot regarding appropriate clothing for preachers. The opinions run from ties to tee-shirts but it is clear that the dress of the prophet was distinctive and marked him.

2 Kings 1:7-8

7 And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?

8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

          The diet of locust or grasshoppers and wild honey sounds horrible to most of us but it was the food of the common country people. The locusts and honey (according to one scholar) would be ground together and fried in oil. Yet another scholar, Mr. Barnes, says they were roasted and salted and eaten much like we would eat peanuts. They were plentiful and could be conveniently carried in a pouch.

          There was a strange magnetism surrounding John. People came out to him from the cities to the country where he preached and baptized those who had demonstrated repentance. In fact the phrase “baptism of repentance” in Mark 1:4 indicates that baptism was not administered until a change had been clearly demonstrated. This is further indicated by John’s comments to the religious leaders.

Matt 3:7-8

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Dear Lord, help me to be distinctive in my manner so that I may attract others to the cross. AMEN