A HEART HUNGRY FOR GOD!

A HEART HUNGRY FOR GOD!

 

The true believer’s heart can’t be satisfied with the hog pen husks of this world’s philosophy. No, the true believer’s heart never rests until it has feasted on the milk and meat of the Word. It longs for the manna from heaven. Moses throughout his long life consistently asked God for three things.

Ex 33:13-18

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.

18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

1.      SHOW ME YOUR WAYS! Unlike Moses, our minds are often focused on how we may improve our position, pamper our comfort or preserve our safety. God wants us to understand that His ways are unlike our own.

Isa 55:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2.      SHARE WITH ME YOUR PRESENCE! If one of the horrible aspects of hell is separation of the soul from God then it is a little bit of hell to not sense His presence. Moses did not want to lead these people alone. He knew the task at hand was a God sized challenge and, frankly, he wasn’t up to it. Better not to start such a job without the presence of God.

Ex 33:14

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

King David prayed…Ps 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

3.      SHOW ME THY GLORY! That God keeps Himself invisible is a benefit to us now. He said “no man hath seen God” and that no flesh could see Him in all His glory and still live. Yet, it is the great desire of our spirit to behold His glory.

Rev 1:13-17

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I [John] saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

1 John 3:2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Oh, yes! We shall see Him but when we see Him we will be like Him; that is we shall not be flesh but spirit.

“And Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.

The trump shall resound – and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.”

Dear Lord, show me your ways – share with me your presence – and give me today a glimpse of your glory! AMEN

DARKNESS AND LIGHT!

DARKNESS AND LIGHT!

John 12:46

46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

 

2 Cor 10:4

4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

I’m convinced that much of the conflict between what is called the “progressive” Christian movement and the otherwise traditional or “conservative” factions is not a conflict of methodology at all but a failure to understand the nature of our warfare. It is not carnal, that is to say it is not built upon nor dependent upon materials and methods or the lack of them.

There is raging now a great unseen struggle for your soul, your testimony, your joy and your effectiveness. Satan, the ruler of darkness, along with all of his spirit minions want to destroy all of these. If you are truly saved he cannot have your soul but he may indeed destroy your testimony, your joy and your effectiveness as a believer. It’s dark out there.

If you ever encounter a demon of the darkness it will terrify you! No weapon will suffice to combat such an enemy. Our only defense against the darkness is the light. Stay close to Jesus! Pray like you have never prayed before! Ask God to bind the darkness and cover you with His precious blood. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.

Charles Spurgeon once said: “We look upward, and see no twinkling star; downward and do not even find a glow worm. Surely we shall see a candle in some window! But no! We are lost in a dark wood. Have we not somewhere about us a match that we could strike? We fumble for it; we find it, it is damp, we have no light. What simpletons we are to fancy that if we do not see a way of deliverance God does not see one either!” 

John 8:12

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Dear Lord, I walk in a sin-darkened world but I am a creature of the Light! Help me to shine today for the darkness is very dark. AMEN

HE IS THE GOD OF BETTER DAYS!

HE IS THE GOD OF BETTER DAYS!

Ps 30:10-12

10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

          I originally published this devotional on the first day of this year. In many ways it has been unintentionally prophetic. As I look back over half a year gone by, I realize that it is simply life as it truly is. We live in a sin-cursed world and all of our roses have thorns. We all long for better days.

          I’ve lived long enough to believe there is nothing so dark that God can’t make brighter. There is no circumstance so baffling that He can’t make a way. There is no table so bleak that he can’t burden it down with a feast. There is no pocket so empty that he can’t fill it with abundant supply and there is no grief so bitter that he can’t turn it into dancing.

          I know of some this morning that wait by a sickbed worried and grief stricken. Trust in God! He will turn your sorrow into joy. I know of some this morning that sit confused because their bright path has stopped short against a cold closed door. Trust in God for He makes a way in the wilderness! He can turn your confusion and disappointment into confidence and hope. Wait for Him! He is not far away as you suppose. He is as close as a heartbeat. Cry out to Him! He hears our very breath.

Dear Lord, for me and for so very many of my friends today, please turn mourning into dancing. AMEN

The Shadow

Friday, June 27, 2014

THE SHADOW

Psalm 23:4 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

     In the darkest and most trying times, God is near! I am told by those who should know, that the valley of the shadow of death is a ravine overhung by high precipitous cliffs, filled with dense forests, and well calculated to inspire dread to the timid, and afford a covert to beasts of prey. But my mind is not on the valley -- but the shadow!

     I have stood by too many bedsides overshadowed by death. Swirling within that shadow is a curious mixture of hope, anguish, anger, and resignation. The shadow hides the light but can never hide the Son! 

     Jesus, the Great Shepherd, never sends us through this valley alone! He does not promise to meet us on the other side where the sun shines bright and the soft grass soothes our feet. No, He travels the danger with us. His instruments of comfort Re always present. Fear travels also but Jesus is always challenging fear.

     What we know is always in conflict with what we fear! We know that He will never leave us nor forsake us but we fear He might. 

Psalm 23:6 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

Dear Lord, some of your lambs are traveling a dark valley this morning. Touch them with your rod and staff. Murmur encouragement to them. Fill their cups to overflowing. AMEN

Ron Abbott

Calvary Baptist Church

ron_abbott@sbcglobal.net

Sent from my iPad

HOW TO RESPOND TO A HOLY GOD!

HOW TO RESPOND TO A HOLY GOD!

Isa 6:1-8

6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

          Isaiah saw this Holy God because God wanted to be seen. When we begin to see ourselves as righteously complete God comes to us and shows us Himself and we are immediately reminded of our own particular sin. That is why most of us would rather avoid contact because of the great contrast between His holiness and our sinfulness. We prefer to commune with sinners like ourselves than to be painfully reminded of our deficiencies.

          We can’t put on airs and pretend holiness with such a holy God for all things are naked and open before Him. With others we may play the saint but in the presence of an awesome God we are found out. All our righteousness appears as filthy rags and we cry along with Isaiah that we are undone.

          Isaiah was immediately made aware of his unclean lips for that was his particular sin. We may be immediately prompted of our lust or our greed or our hypocrisy. The holiness of God pierces the darkness and shines the light of reality on a dirty life. Woe is me, we cry!

          Once sin is recognized and confessed cleansing flies forth from the throne. A coal from the altar of sacrifice is placed upon the unclean lips and they are made clean. We hear the pronouncement of pardon: “thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” The dead air becomes fresh as the morning!

          Being made clean we are then able to hear God’s heart. We sense his passion and are made privy to His plans. “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” We rise to meet the challenge not because we are perfect but because we are purged. We are washed and made useful. Like a school boy assured of the right answer, our hand shoots up and waves for recognition. We shout with eager anticipation: “Here am I; send me.”

Whatever your plans for the day, beg God for a glimpse of His holiness. It makes all the difference.

Dear Lord, let me see your holiness today even if the light of thy countenance reveals some sin in me. Let me be useful as one of your volunteers. AMEN

IMPRECATORY PSALMS & PRAYERS!

IMPRECATORY PSALMS & PRAYERS!

Ps 109:5-16

5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.

8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.

12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.

13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord ; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15 Let them be before the Lord  continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.

Imprecatory psalms are those psalms that contain curses or prayers for the punishment of the psalmist's enemies. To imprecate means to invoke evil upon, or curse.

Do Christians have permission to pray for God’s judgment upon their enemies? Greater minds than mine have wrestled with this question and there are contradictory answers available. The fact that David did so in so many of his Psalms indicates that the answer might be yes. Jesus, however, urged us to pray for and to bless those who treat us unkindly. (see Luke 6:28)

John Piper says: "There is a kind of hate for the sinner (viewed as morally corrupt and hostile to God) that may coexist with pity and even a desire for their salvation... [T]hat there comes a point of such extended, hardened, high-handed lovelessness toward God that it may be appropriate to call down anathema on it." He continues by pointing to 1 John 5:16 which says: “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” The idea, he says, is that you may discern someone who is so hardened in sin that you shouldn’t pray for them! This, of course, leaves as many questions as it answers.

Can you separate your personal injury from the attack? Can you see the evil done to you as evil done to God? If you can remove revenge from your prayer, focus on the honor of God, and seek his righteous judgment, then you may pray imprecatory prayers.

2 Tim 4:14

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Dear Lord, give me a heart that would bless those who hurt me and my loved ones. Nevertheless, please halt those who maliciously plague the righteous. Either grant them repentance or judge them according to your will. Give relief to those who suffer the wrongs of others today. AMEN

RED HERRINGS!

RED HERRINGS!

Ps 32:2

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Ps 34:13

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

John 1:46-47

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Prov 26:24-26

24 He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.

25 When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.

26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

AMPLIFIED BIBLE

A Red Herring is defined as something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand; a misleading clue. The origin of the expression has a number of theories. Conventional wisdom has long attributed it to a technique of training hounds to follow a scent, or of distracting hounds during a fox hunt. It is duplicity which is the disguising of true intentions by deceptive words or actions.

Guile, as it is used in John 1:46-47, is the Greek word dolos and literally means “bait” or to trick. Nathanael was plain spoken when he asked: “can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Jesus seemed to appreciate his frankness!

In my relationship with people, and even members of my own church, I am often sent away from real problems and issues with a red herring. For instance, when I say to someone that I have missed them at church, some will explain their absence with some very weak excuse. Perhaps they have been extraordinarily busy for the past six weeks or so! Maybe they have had the sniffles. When I happen to meet them at other functions they once again tell me how busy they have been and how terribly hard it is for them to attend church. It is a red herring – and it stinks.

Honesty has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it. No ulterior motives. No hidden meanings. An absence of hypocrisy, duplicity, political games, and verbal superficiality. As honesty and real integrity characterize our lives, there will be no need to manipulate others.  Charles R. Swindoll (1934- )

Dear Lord, help me to be honest with others without being cruel. Let me not be distracted by duplicity. AMEN

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED!

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED!

Our nation is in a crisis of leadership and there is great discontent.  The wicked beareth rule and the people mourn. Yet we have a shepherd who is the Lord of all our needs.

Ps 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

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.

When I need peace – he makes me lie down in green pastures beside still waters. I think this is modern man’s greatest and most elusive need.

When I am week – he restores my soul [renews my strength]. Even young people are consuming popular “energy drinks” at an amazing rate but I have peace like a river.

When I am afraid – he walks with me through my darkest valleys. He protects me with his rod and guides me with his staff. My foot doesn’t stumble though the way is narrow and rough. When enemies and predators roar he sets me inside a perimeter of safety and prepares a quiet dinner in the midst of it.

When I am troubled and frustrated – he anoints my head with oil protecting me from the burning of the sun and from the annoying flies and worries that buzz my head.

When I fear a lack of supplies – my cup, my portion, he fills to overflowing. I am given more than enough, sometimes through miraculous means.

When I think of my future – I realize that his goodness and mercy has led me all the way and I rest upon the promise that I will be welcomed into the House of the Lord where I have an eternal home.

Dear Lord, thank you for being my shepherd. Nothing will approach me today for which you are not prepared. I rest in you today. AMEN

I WAS GLAD!

I WAS GLAD!

Ps 122:1

1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord .

          I was talking with my daughter yesterday and we were discussing the curiosity of so-called “home churches.” Like home-schools, the kind and quality of these widely vary. I think there are some inherent problems associated with home churches.

          The first thing that comes to mind is that there is no accountability. There is none to challenge my theology or my behavior. The doctrines and practices of the church are determined by me and a few family members. Unless the leader is well read, and unless he or she stays tenaciously in the Bible, things become stale. A congregation provides accountability.

          A church aids doctrinal purity and practice although denominations have divided these into recognizable differences. Without a church, orthodoxy fails. Communion may lose its meaning and baptism is transformed by convenience. Purpose is lost and mission is fuzzy.

          A church provides fellowship! This is the sense in which David said “I was glad.” The word means “to cheer up!” Church provides a time and place where disconnected believers can come together for mutual encouragement and corporate worship. These are things that cannot be done singly. They are enhanced by community.

          A church provides a place for ministry! The poor are aided, widows encouraged, and the downhearted are lifted. The lost are challenged and the gospel is sent to missionary lands. This all takes place within the community of believers. The community is stronger than any individual effort.

          A church provides for corporate worship. David said, in verse 4, that all the tribes go to give thanks unto the name of the Lord! Singing in harmony takes place in the church community. This is the very reason people “go” to church. Church is a little bit of heaven on earth.

Ps 46:4-5

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Lord, today is another Sunday and soon I will be meeting with others to worship you. I’m glad! AMEN

A QUIET SATURDAY MORNING!

A QUIET SATURDAY MORNING!

Mark 1:32-37

32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

          Jesus, in His humanity, grew weary. I don’t think He ever grew weary of people but of their problems. Everyone had something broken that needed to be fixed. He was in great demand! Our text explains that at sundown, when most people were settled into their houses, Jesus was still dealing with devils, disease, and death. Jesus sought a place of rest.

          Rest was not a “where” but a when! Early in the morning, when others were still snuggled in their bed, Jesus found a solitary place. There He talked with His Father. I find that early morning is my best time also. Everyone is asleep. Soon they will arise and the machinery of the day will turn up the volume on the noise of life. Early in the morning I can sort out my thoughts for a cohesive prayer to God. Early in the morning I can hear God’s still small voice.

Day By Day (verse 2)

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.

Dear Lord, thank you for quiet mornings and the communion I find in them. AMEN

A PLACE WITHOUT SIGHING!

A PLACE WITHOUT SIGHING!

Isa 35:3-10

3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

10 And the ransomed of the Lord  shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

          Every Pastor knows, and dreads, those times when it seems the devil is more active than at others. These times of abnormal difficulty makes us weary and causes us to sigh. Researchers tell us that sighing is a human “reset button.” Patients on ventilators will sometimes sigh to reset their breathing patterns. They literally “take a breather.” Psychologists tell us that we sigh when we are frustrated, discontent, or weary.

          You probably just let out a sigh. I did. The last few days and weeks have been filled with activity and my spirit longs for a place without sighing. This afternoon I will officiate the second funeral in as many weeks. Some of our members are in the hospital and others are suffering in other ways. I am manufactured by my God to feel the pain of others. I have a hard time turning it off. This preset demands that I be a shepherd.

          Perhaps your life is full of pain and distress. Perhaps you’ve been doing a lot of sighing lately. These are times when we need to steal away and get alone with God for some truly quiet time. Tell Him what has been bothering you – although He already knows. Make a list. Don’t be afraid that it sounds like whining. You are the distressed child and He is the heavenly Father. Let His Holy Spirit soothe you. Collapse into His embrace.

He Giveth More Grace.

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Annie J. Flint

Dear Lord, I long for that wonderful day when sorrow and sighing shall flee away. AMEN

OUT OF THIS WORLD!

OUT OF THIS WORLD!

John 15:18-19

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Jude 22-23

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

The idea of being taken “out of” the world and being snatched “out of” the fire is the same. We would never consider returning to the flames once we had been snatched from destruction and neither should we ponder returning to the world.  

WHY THE WORLD IS SO DESTRUCTIVE TO TRUE BELIEVERS!

1. PRACTICAL ATHEISM.

Those who are in the world are atheistic in spirit, behavior and purpose. When the world knew God they glorified him not as God but for all practical purposes conducted their lives as if He did not exist. (Romans 1:21) Most of the time God was never thought of but at those times when it was expedient to have a god nearby he was benign and grotesque.

2. FUNCTIONAL MATERIALISM.

The world without God has no practical recognition of a spiritual universe. The wonderful acts of creation are not attributed to God but to immeasurable time, explosions and gaseous mixtures. The satisfaction of the flesh and the accumulation of stuff are the goals of the worldly system.

3. MERCILESS SELFISHNESS.

Phil 2:21

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

James 4:1-3

4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

The “world” is antagonistic to and irreconcilable with God!  “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:6-7)

Dear Lord, I am in the world but by your mercy I have been taken “out of” the world. Keep me unspotted and uncomfortable with the world’s system until we meet face to face. AMEN

EMERGE!

EMERGE!

Job 23:10

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

          Job answered his “friends” with the only answer he had at the time. He admitted that he could not discern where God was, what He was doing, or why! But Job was sure that he would emerge! The original word which is translated come forth literally means “to escape or to get away.” That will be a golden day!

          Here in the South we often say: “Those people have been through it.” We seldom need to specify what “it” is because the phrase indicates someone who has endured multiple trials and troubles. They have gone through it and have emerged. All too often we stare at them searching for some clue to their endurance to help us to get through it in the future. We may not see a clue but we often see dramatic changes.

          Have you recently been “through it?” Perhaps you are still in the midst of “it.” Job would encourage you to keep walking and would tell you that, at some point designated by God, you will emerge!

Ps 3:2-3

2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3 But thou, O Lord , art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Dear Lord, I have many dear friends who are going through it today. Help them to emerge as gold. AMEN

MAY GOD BE OBVIOUS!

MAY GOD BE OBVIOUS!

2 Chron 16:9

9 For the eyes of the Lord  run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

          How many times do we accuse God of hiding from us at the exact time when we need Him most? In reality man was the first to hide from God in the garden. The first missed appointment was due to man and not God. That first breach of etiquette as created a question mark between God and man where there should be an exclamation point. Thereafter we cry out to God to make Himself “obvious.”

          We need God to be obvious in our troubles. If the trouble is a form of punishment we want to know that clearly so that we might be restored. If trouble is sent to form us then we want to be supple and not rigid in His hands. If we are simply being used to display God’s grace then we want to know it. Job’s complaint was that, in all his troubles, he did not know why.

          We need God to be obvious in his leading. Our hearts desire is always to walk by sight! When God tells Abraham to go to “a land that I will show thee,” we question our ability to follow that kind of fuzzy leading. Following God step-by-step is much more difficult than following mile-by-mile. What if He runs ahead and I am left behind? What if, in this fog, I run ahead of Him and lose my way. We need God to be obvious in his leading.

          We want God to be obvious in His provision. Elijah must have been anxious as he waited daily for the arrival of the ravens with another day’s rations. We do not like to pray for “daily bread.” We prefer to pray for a fat paycheck. We will then buy our own bread.

          There is something of the frightened child in all of us. We want God to be near. Instead He is, by nature, invisible Spirit. We want to hold Him but He instead has promised to hold us. How we long for that day when we will see Him face-to-face. Until then we walk along at a slow pace being careful not to lose sight of Him even though He has never lost sight of us.

1 John 3:2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

NOTHING BETWEEN

 

Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.

Refrain:
Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor;
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Charles A Tindley (1905)

Dear Lord, like a frightened child, I want you to make yourself obvious to my soul today. AMEN

THE ASSEMBLY LINE!

THE ASSEMBLY LINE!

1 Cor 3:6-9

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Daddy worked on an assembly line for the Ford Motor Company. In point of fact he worked in a plant that made only the transmissions for the Ford cars. Each year there was an excitement as the company shut down for what Daddy called “change over.” It was a time when all the plants and all the lines retooled for the new models.

While Daddy eagerly awaited the newest body styles it was the “stamping plant” that cranked out the sleek bodies, the skins, of the cars. Each year he worked on an essential part of the car that was not very pretty. He worked on the transmissions! In fact Daddy never did “build” a single transmission! He was an inspector! He knew what a good transmission was supposed to be and he inspected each one stubbornly. If it did not match the “specs” or the designed specifications of the engineers he would reject that particular transmission. He would “send it back” either to be remade or scrapped. He could, literally, shut down the entire operation.

Although Daddy was personally involved in only one small, un-glamorous, part of the process, he was proud of the Fords he helped to build. As a new model rolled off the line with its shining chrome and new paint Daddy knew that deep inside that car was one of his transmissions.

Paul tried to silence the partisan bickering in Corinth by trying to explain the process of spiritual growth. One would plow but may not see anything of the farming except his own plowing. If he expected fruit from plowing alone he would surely be disappointed. Another would plant the whole day long but at the end of the day there was no fruit. Yet another would water and tend the irrigation but still there would be no fruit.

Now picture them sitting around a table at the close of the day boasting that their part of the process was the most important. The plowman would rightly say that there could be no fruit unless he tilled the soil. The sewer would proudly and rightly declare that only weeds would grow in the newly tilled soil unless he deposited the seeds. The one watering would smile and say that the seed could produce no fruit without his labor. The BOSS would then sit down, pour himself a cup of coffee, and say: “Boys, you all did a fine job! It looks like we are going to have a bumper crop this year!” Each worker turns to the other and smiles because they were part of something really big!

As you go about your duties today do not think of them as small or unimportant in the building of God’s kingdom. One plows, one plants and another waters but it is God that gives the increase.

Dear Lord, I thank you that I am privileged to play a small but important part in your program of winning the lost world. AMEN

COWBOY UP!

COWBOY UP!

1 Cor 16:13

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

          Perhaps because we once were our own nation, Texans seem to have their own language. One phrase that you will hear during difficult times is “Cowboy Up!” It means to stop whining, roll up your sleeves and do something positive and productive about your problems. It means to grow up; to stop being the victim and become the victor instead.

          Only one Greek word is used to translate the entire phrase “quit you like men.” It is the word andrizomai and it literally means “to act manly!” Set in the midst of several last-minute admonitions is the encouragement to act manly and to be strong. “Quit you like men means, "Act like men, not children." (The word quit is short for "acquit" - to perform or act.) It was a call to courageous manliness at an hour when mature leadership was needed.”  (from The Bible Exposition Commentary.)

Eph 4:14

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;

Dear Lord, today I may face challenges and difficulties. Let me conduct myself with strength and maturity. AMEN

DANGER AHEAD!

DANGER AHEAD!

2 Tim 2:24-3:1

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

          Ministers are often viewed as intruders in the affairs of men; walking about meddling in and frustrating the happy-go-lucky crowd of the unthinking and the self destructive. I plead guilty for we are those who “watch for your souls” according to Hebrews 13:17.

          Instead of being vigilant many are careless and unconcerned about the opportunistic Devil that ranges about cutting out the weakest of the flock. Below is a list of dangerous times that should demand extra caution.

1. When we are strong!

          Uzziah was strong and successful. Everything was going well and so he was filled with pride and carelessness. He went into the Temple to burn incense and thus usurped the authority of the priest. God smote him with leprosy!

2 Chron 26:16

16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

2. When we shirk our duties!

          King David was at the summit of his career when he decided to take a break from war and spend some time relaxing at home. While others were in danger he lounged upon privilege and spied Bathsheba bathing across the way. His sin with his neighbor changed his life and his kingdom forever. (See 2 Samuel chapter 11)

3. When we ignore Godly counsel!

          Jehoshaphat followed God closely for many years then he chose to ignore the prophet who warned him not to go to war. It cost him his life. (See 2 Chronicles chapter 18)

4. When we are stressed and weary!

          Immediately after a great victory over 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah became so depressed and discouraged that he asked to die.

1 Kings 19:4

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

1 Peter 5:8

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Dear Lord, Satan will be after me today. Let me stay close to you. Keep me vigilant. AMEN