UPSIDE DOWN THINKING!

UPSIDE DOWN THINKING!

“Upside down” can be found in the King James Version  five times. I was surprised myself to discover this after a brief search. You can take a look yourself at 2 Kings 21:13; Psalm 146:9; Isaiah 24:1; Isaiah 29:16 and Acts 17:6. I chose to zero-in on Isaiah 29:15 & 16 and found what I think I was looking for. Let’s take a look.

Isa 29:15-16

15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

In his notes, Mr. Barnes’ comments on verses 15 and 16 is worthy of our attention. “That is, [they] who attempt to conceal their "real" intentions under a plausible exterior, and correct outward deportment. This is most strikingly descriptive of the character of a hypocrite who seeks to conceal his plans and his purposes from the eyes of people and of God. His external conduct is fair; his observance of the duties of religion exemplary; his attendance on the means of grace and the worship of God regular; his professions loud and constant, but the whole design is to "conceal" his real sentiments, and to accomplish some sinister and wicked purpose by it. They deemed mere formality to be all that was required. They attempted to conceal their plans even from Yahweh; and everything in the opinions and practice of the nation had become perverted and erroneous.”

It has become expedient both in business and in politics to become “religious.” Talk of revival and renewal are peppered liberally with expletives and home grown theology. Mr. Barnes thinks it might be to “accomplish some sinister and wicked purpose by it.” It seems obvious that Mr. Barnes is somewhat suspicious of the syrupy sweetness of some overtly religious people!

The danger of pretending to believe truths not truly held is “upside down” thinking. As we see in Isaiah 29:16 the clay becomes self animated and rises up in sarcastic rebellion against the Potter. The framed structure devises insurrection against the carpenter accusing Him of having flawed plans. The whole image resembles the upside down ship in the movie “The Poseidon Adventure.” You have to be careful not to trip over the chandeliers.

Isa 5:20

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

“Efforts to attach the floor to the ceiling have met with some success but there is a noticeable sag.”

Dear Lord, help me to challenge the modern, cultural moralizing with the revealed truth of the Word of God. Then give me the courage to live right side up. AMEN

LOYALTY!

LOYALTY!

Prov 3:3-4

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Col 3:9-10

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Phil 2:19-22

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

          You won’t find the words loyal or loyalty in the Bible. You will, however, find it’s cousins “mercy, truth, and faithful.” The concept of loyalty is sprinkled everywhere! In the Bible the word “faithful” means not only full of faith but also full of trust or “trustworthy.” You can count on the person who is faithful!

          Loyalty is hard to find these days unless we search for it in our love for ourselves. Marriages are on the decline because we are always trading partners. Many do not hold a job for very long because they are always searching for a better position.

          Josiah Royce in his 1908 book The Philosophy of Loyalty presented a different definition of the concept. According to Royce, loyalty is a virtue, indeed a primary virtue, "the heart of all the virtues, the central duty amongst all the duties". Royce presents loyalty, which he defines at length, as the basic moral principle from which all other principles can be derived. The short definition that he gives of the idea is that loyalty is "the willing and practical and thoroughgoing devotion of a person to a cause". Loyalty is thoroughgoing in that it is not merely a casual interest but a wholehearted commitment to a cause. (Source: Wikipedia)

          Christianity rejects the notion of dual loyalty. In the Gospel of Matthew 6:24, Jesus states "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon".

          In Naomi’s time of great need, Ruth displayed a loyalty that is a model yet today! In the book that bears her name, Ruth says: “Stop asking me to go back home! Where you go, I will go and whatever lodging you find, it is there I will pillow my head as well. Your people will be my people. And I will worship your God. In fact, I will die where you die!” (Ruth 1:16,17)

          Today your church needs your loyalty! Your spouse needs you to be loyal. Your friends may now be in urgent need of your loyalty. God deserves your loyalty – because He is loyal to you.

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

Dear Lord, let me be true and faithful in my relationships and causes. AMEN

A DESIRE TO DEPART!

A DESIRE TO DEPART!

Phil 1:21-23

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. [rather, I can’t decide my personal preference!]

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

          Was Paul suicidal? If he had given voice to these thoughts he might be hauled off to some clinic to be examined by some bearded and austere Psychiatrist. As George Bailey said in the 67-year-old classic It’s A Wonderful Life, “suicide is against the law around here.” Clarence, my favorite bungling angel, said: “It’s against the law where I come from too!” So we are careful not to say “I have a desire to depart.”

          For George Bailey and, at times, for many of us, it is not a wonderful life. It is a miserable life. Even for Christians there are pressures and trials that make us want to finish the course ahead of time. Our culture is becoming more violent and twisted. Our politicians are corrupt and inept and we pay them to be. Nothing is simple anymore – everything is confusing, difficult and complex. Like a mother about to give birth there is a strong urge to “push” to end the labor and the pain.

          Paul found reason to remain in God’s purpose and presence. In verse 24 he simply says that it is better for the Philippians’ if he remains with them. Paul understood his need to fulfill his calling. As a matter of fact, that is exactly what Clarence showed to George Bailey. He said: "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole.”

             God's people are in bondage because of the limitations of the body and the temptations of the flesh, but death will free them. Or they will be freed at the return of Christ (Rom 8:18-23). Of course, nothing can steal a man’s joy and resolve to live if he has Philippians 1:21 as a guiding principle. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

          What keeps you going? Philippians 1:21 is a good test of our driving force. Fill in the following blanks and you will learn much about yourself. “For to me to live is ________ and to die is ________.

Dear Lord, give definition to our calling and purpose for today. Comfort all those today who feel a strong urge to “push.” AMEN

A SPIRITUAL SELF – TEST!

A SPIRITUAL SELF – TEST!

Who am I and what kind of Christianity do I really practice on a daily basis? I believe that is a question we should ask ourselves from time to time. If today is a convenient time for you to ask, let me suggest a few probing questions.

1. AM I CONTENT WITH THE PERSON I AM BECOMING?

Eph 4:22-24

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Every day – sometimes multiple times within that day – there is a need to put off and put on! As I mature am I growing into a wise person who can provide answers to those who follow after me? If I should ever leave my office as a pastor will I have anything left to fill the vacuum? What will be my legacy?

2. IS THE CORE OF MY LIFE QUIET?

Ps 46:10-11

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

I read somewhere that the motto of most people is: “When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!”

3. DO I HAVE A GROWING PRAYER LIFE?

Are my daily decisions made with prayer or are they driven by personal desires?

Phil 4:6-7

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

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

4. AM I BECOMING TRULY HUMBLE?

Phil 2:3

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Nothing is more arrogant than false humility. I do not need to deny the talents I have but I must remember that those talents are a product of God’s working in me. If God has given me a talent or an ability then He intends to direct the use of both for His purposes and His glory.

5. AM I OBEDIENT IN SMALL MATTERS?

1 John 2:3-4

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

The above verse is strong medicine and needs no comment from me!

6. IS THERE JOY IN MY LIFE?

John 15:11

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is a result of pleasant “happenings!” Joy is the result of knowing that God is in control of every situation – even the unpleasant ones.

Dear Lord, running headlong in my direction today are both good things and bad. Help me to face them both with calm and confidence. AMEN

SEASONAL BLESSINGS!

SEASONAL BLESSINGS!

Gen 8:19-22

19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.

20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

21 And the Lord  smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord  said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

          It’s Autumn here in Texas and, although today’s projected temperature highs and lows are still 94/64, there is a crisp feeling in the air. Our famous heat has waned a bit and there is a chance of much needed rain. Last night my wife and I bought our first few cans of heart healthy soup and we both commented that it will soon be time for some Texas chili. I love the changing of the seasons!

          Christians look for God everywhere – and find Him! Today I find Him keeping his promise that “while the earth remains” there would always be a rotating change of seasons. With the flavorful aroma of sacrifice still in his nostrils, God gave Noah a weather promise! The promise has a broad application if we condense it into one popular phrase: “This too shall pass!” Whether you are enjoying your current “season” of life or enduring it, you need to know that it will not last. Seasons of joy should prompt us to prepare for harsher times while seasons of difficulty and pain should encourage us to wait for the seasons of joy.

James 5:7-8

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman [farmer] waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Dear Lord of Harvest, thank you for the promise of a season of refreshing. AMEN

MAKING A SILK PURSE!

MAKING A SILK PURSE!

Rom 7:18-19

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

          It was Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745) who first said: “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!” The saying means that you can’t produce a good quality product using poor quality materials. In manufacturing this is certainly true but, when it comes to God and man, miraculous things can happen!

          Conversion is the transformation of a useless sinner into something of value to both God and man. The demoniac of Gadara is a prime example. In Mark 5:15 the transformation was so shocking that it caused the townspeople to be afraid. Before Jesus, this man was living in a graveyard naked and wild but after Jesus he is seen clean, calm, fully clothed and in his right mind. Viola! A silk purse from a sow’s ear!

          John Henry Newton (24 July 1725 – 21 December 1807) was an English sailor and Anglican clergyman. Starting his career at sea, at a young age, he became involved with the slave trade for a few years, and was himself enslaved for a period. After experiencing a religious conversion, he became a minister, hymn-writer, and later a prominent supporter of the abolition of slavery. He was the author of many hymns, including "Amazing Grace" and "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken." (Source Wikipedia)

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

Thank you, Lord, for the transformation that has taken place in my life. Because of your blood and your love I am not the man I used to be. Help me to see this potential in others. AMEN

THE UNSTRUNG BOW!

THE UNSTRUNG BOW!

Mark 6:31-32

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

32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

We are back from our vacation! While away I did very little of what anyone might call work. At first I felt guilty because there is always so much to be done and now I must dive into that work with rigor. It actually took a few days to relax. A few weeks ago, or a few days ago, I heard, read, or saw something about the effect of the tension of a bow string. In researching it, I learned it was from an old Our Daily Bread devotional. I offer it to you here.

According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.

Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows implies.”

The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”

People are also like that. That’s why we all need to take time to rest. In today’s Scripture, Jesus prescribed time off for His wearied disciples after they had returned from a prolonged period of ministry. And in the Old Testament, God set a pattern for us when He “rested from all His work” (Gen. 2:3).

Shouldn’t we take His example seriously? Start by setting aside a special time to relax physically and renew yourself emotionally and spiritually. You will be at your best for the Lord if you have taken time to loosen the bow.

Our Daily Bread, June 6, 1994

Dear Lord, gently restring my bow so that, now refreshed, I can resume my work. AMEN

HOLD ON YOUR WAY!

HOLD ON YOUR WAY!

Job 17:9

9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

1 John 2:19

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

          The New Testament Church is a worldwide body of believers with local units. It is these local units that give the church visibility and utility. It is within these local units that Satan works hardest. Not every member of the local unit is actually a member of the worldwide body! The requirements are vastly different!

          One of our core beliefs is what we call “The Perseverance of the Saints.” Simply stated, this is the belief that the genuinely saved will persist in his faith through many trials. He doesn’t give up! He may go through periods of deep confusion and trouble and even backslide for a time, but he will persevere.

The verse in First John is a blistering accusation of those who depart from the church, the local units of the church, because it questions their membership in the worldwide body!

One of the evidences of true Christian life is a desire to be with the people of God. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). When people share the same divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14-16), they want to enjoy fellowship and to share with one another. As we have seen, fellowship means "to have in common." When people have spiritual realities in common, they want to be together. (from The Bible Exposition Commentary.)

Hold on! Hold on your way! Give God time to “work everything out for good” for you. At Job’s end he had been given twice as much as he had lost. Hold on your way!

Dear Lord, help those who are truly yours to hold on their way. AMEN

HE KNOWS MY NAME!

HE KNOWS MY NAME!

Ps 147:4

4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

Ex 33:12-17

12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

John 10:1-3

10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

          The witness of Scripture is clear! He knows your name! He knows both who you are and where you are. He knows what you are going through right now and he even knows what you are thinking. God knows your emotional makeup. He knows what makes you tick because he installed the ticker!

          The sheep in Psalm 23 are not afraid in the valley of the shadow of death because they know the Shepherd and He knows them. They have followed Him to green pastures and beside still waters. They have benefitted from the ministry of the Good Shepherd. They have learned to trust His leading because they have become familiar with His heart! Take courage today, little lamb, because the Shepherd knows you by name.

Dear Lord, some little lamb needs you desperately today. You know which ones because you know their names. Give that little lamb just what you know they need.  AMEN

GOODNESS AND MERCY!

GOODNESS AND MERCY!

Ps 23:6

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord  for ever.

          David was summarizing the amazing relationship between the sheep and his benevolent Shepherd. In Psalm 23 he describes green pastures, still waters, and a bountiful table in plain view of his enemies. He goes on to list the Shepherd’s presence through the valley of the shadow of death, the oil of anointing for the troubled head and the overflowing cup. He wraps it all up by saying that goodness and mercy would follow him [never leave him] all the days of his life.

          The word “follow” in this verse is the Hebrew word radaph and it literally means “to run after or pursue.” With all the things that trouble us, could we be running in the wrong direction? Yet God faithfully and persistently chases us in order to show us kindness.

          Goodness, according to Merriam-Webster is “excellence and virtue.” Goodness, then, is God’s very best! God chases His beloved sheep with the very best things. This continues throughout life and then, when life is over, we are taken into his very own house to live with Him forever.

          Mercy is the Hebrew word checed and means kindness. Merriam-Webster says that mercy means “compassion shown to victims of misfortune.” It springs from Medieval Latin merced which essentially means “wages” and, of course, French merci which means “thank you.”

          Good things; merciful things run after us throughout our lifetime. This is the daily experience of the believer whose Shepherd is Jesus. Why not stop your running and allow God to catch you, anoint your head with oil, and overflow your cup?

Dear Lord, Thank you for chasing after me and showering me with goodness and mercy. AMEN

NOT MY PLANS BUT HIS PURPOSES!

NOT MY PLANS BUT HIS PURPOSES!

Job 23:10

10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Jeremy Taylor, 1613 – 1667, was an English Bishop and devotional writer. He wrote: “Nothing is intolerable that is necessary. Now God has bound thy trouble upon thee, with a design to try thee, and with purposes to reward and crown thee. These cords thou canst not break; and therefore lie thou down gently, and suffer the hand of God to do what He pleases.”

          Why would God cast aside your training and experience to allow you to languish in what seems to be a dead-end pattern of unproductive life? We might ask Elijah how he felt camping out on the banks of the brook Cherith waiting for the ravens to air drop his next meal. Elijah was precisely where God wanted him to be and was doing exactly what God told him to do. (See First Kings 17:3-6)

          We might also ask Paul what it felt like to retreat from church planting to join himself with a fellow tent maker. While he was involved in the construction and sale of portable buildings, was he yet an apostle? Yes he was! He was learning valuable insight from Aquila and Priscilla (see Acts 18:1-4).

Most preachers, especially at their first call, sparkle with ambition. To do something is their great desire. They long to stand before the great cathedrals and address large crowds but as often as not they kneel by the water’s edge and engage in conversation with ones like Lydia, the seller of purple, as she washes her fabric (see Acts 16:12-15). Why would God disallow such an honorable ambition? Paul explains it himself in the following verses.

2 Cor 12:7-9

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [So that I would not become conceited as a result of my special treatment by God.]

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Could Paul have suspected his global and timeless impact while sitting in the dungeon with quill in hand? Could he know that he was writing a majority of Holy Scripture when he penned his letters to the churches? Could he even imagine that he was writing a minister’s manual when he wrote twice to Timothy and again to Titus? I think his wildest ambitions might have fallen far short of God’s purposes.

When God seems to mismanage our life and we sit frustrated in the dust of despair we can only rely upon the truth that He does all things well.

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Dear Lord, I will lie me down gently and allow you to do what you please because I believe your purposes are best. AMEN

LIFE AS AN OFFERING!

LIFE AS AN OFFERING!

Rom 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Col 3:1-3

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Rom 6:11-12

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

          Dead men have no preferences. They can’t be tempted by any enticement. They are unresponsive to any suggestion. Paul asks us to consider ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to Jesus Christ. A living sacrifice is an unusual concept for a sacrifice is slain and his blood poured out as an offering. It is useful for nothing afterward.

          The verb “present” in Romans 12:1 means “to present once and for all.” Is there a finality to your submission to Christ? Are you continually giving yourself to God and then taking it back again. Are you constantly frustrated because you are not really “dead” to self? You are not alone. Many believers live this kind of life. There must be a presentation.

          Give Him your body. This may be a radical concept but think about it a minute. Why not give to God a body that is pure from sexual sin, strong, well rested and alert? Paul said it is our reasonable service. I can’t be as useful to God if I am slothful, tired and foggy headed. I want to give him my body as a continual sacrifice.

          Give Him your mind. The word “transform” is the same word as “transfigured” in Matthew 17:2. It has entered the English language as “metamorphosis” and it describes a change that springs from within. The world wants to control your mind but we should allow our mind to be changed and brought into alignment with the thinking of God.

          Give Him your will. In Luke 22:42 Jesus surrendered His will to the Father. We must do the same. The will plans and pursues our desires and goals. If we are “dead” we have none. My will then can be controlled by His will. He can then make my plans and pursue proper goals and fulfill noble dreams.

Dear Lord, I know that being a sacrifice means death to my preferences. I know that I no longer own myself. I no longer control myself. Nevertheless, I come to you again as a living sacrifice. AMEN

GOD’S PROMISES FOR OUR PROBLEMS!

GOD’S PROMISES FOR OUR PROBLEMS!

Isa 43:2-4

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the Lord  thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

          These promises made to Israel we eagerly apply to our self. If God gave Egypt for the ransom of a nation then we rejoice to recall that He gave His only begotten Son for our redemption. If those vast lands and peoples were sacrificed because the Jews were “precious” in His sight then how much more must He love us since He gave His Son for us?

          A dry way was made through the Red Sea and the Jordan River! We can be confident of God’s protection when life’s horrors threaten to wash over us. The flames would not kindle upon the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace because there was a fourth man in the fire whose likeness was as the Son of God.

          God did not promise to remove us from troublesome situations but He did promise to join us. His own presence would comfort and reassure us.

Ps 30:4-5

4 Sing unto the Lord , O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Dear Lord, may your presence go with those who are enduring trials. Bring Joy in the morning! Amen

BLINDED TO OUR SINS!

BLINDED TO OUR SINS!

2 Cor 4:4

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Peter 3:5

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

Prov 30:20

20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

          Why do so many “Christians” seem to be blinded to their own sin? Jesus pointed out that we are quick to notice the splinter in the eye of our neighbor but completely oblivious to the huge piece of lumber protruding from our own (Luke 6:41-42). The three verses above may give us a clue to this kind of blindness.

          First, Satan is a master at deception! While Second Corinthians 4:4 refers to the blindness of the unsaved, I think believers also are susceptible to Satan’s blinding tactics. There is a fog covering our eyes and our minds that we can’t “see” our own sin. We excuse ourselves and call our sin by some other name. In doing this we eliminate the possibility of forgiveness and restoration. Until we see our sin for what it is our heart will never be properly changed. Until we see our sin as very sinful we will never be moved to repentance.

          Second, there is a willingness to cooperate with Satan in transforming our sin into something else. When Satan offers us another name for sin, we gladly and eagerly take it. Cheating and swindling becomes shrewd business practices and is quickly transformed from something bad into something good. Everyone wants to be a shrewd business man but nobody wants to be a cheat! Satan gladly helps us whitewash our sins.

          Third, in the case of the adulterous woman in Proverbs 30:20, there is simply a denial of wrongdoing. Caught with a cookie near the cookie jar, we simply deny that we have stolen it. We pretend to be shocked that anyone would accuse us of such a thing while chewing and wiping our mouth. Our cry is: “I have done no wickedness!”

          The result of Satan’s tactics, and our cooperation with them, is a weakened soul. Our involvement in Christian ministry begins to fail and we wonder why! John says that we have deceived ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). Solomon gave us the simple solution in the verse below.

Prov 28:13

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Dear Lord, although it may be painful, open my eyes to my own sin. Let me repent and forsake them that I may have mercy. AMEN

IS IT WORTH THE FUSS?

IS IT WORTH THE FUSS?

Acts 15:36-40

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

2 Tim 4:11

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

          Driving along with a friend, I quipped that too many people seemed willing to trade a relationship for things. Then, when the “thing” breaks or wears out they wish they had their relationship back! I haven’t changed my mind about that.

          On their first missionary journey, Mark left the “team” and returned home to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). We do not know why John Mark left the team after its first term. We do know that his departure damaged his relationship with Paul and split the team.

          In over forty-two years of ministry, I have seen many such splits and departures and very few of them have been because of doctrinal error or essential policies. Most have been over personality issues and personal opinions as to just how things should be done. Some have been foolish but all have been painful.

          The good news is that God keeps working with both divided parties and sometimes a reconciliation is possible after some passing of time. Paul’s opinion of Mark in Acts 15 was “not good” but his opinion in Second Timothy chapter four was that he was now “profitable.” Who changed, Paul or Mark? The answer is that probably both men had changed. That is the nature of man and relationships. They change.

          Is the reason for your abandonment of your relationship worth all the fuss? Is it worth abandoning your church for another one? Is it really worth it? Preachers, is your firm stance on some issue worth the loss of a church member? Certainly we can’t compromise biblical teaching, but is your staunch stubbornness just stubbornness?

Dear Lord, heaven is near and our relationships are very valuable. Our Christian friends will spend eternity with us. Let me carefully guard my relationships from my own stubbornness. AMEN