IT’S ONLY MONEY!

IT’S ONLY MONEY!

1 Tim 6:9-10

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matt 17:27

…go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

          Have you noticed that Jesus maintained an aloofness and indifference to money? In Matthew, He and Peter were asked regarding their annual Temple tax. Jesus told Peter to wet a hook and take “a piece of money” out of the fish’s mouth. We are never this casual when confronted with taxes due!

          The Bible is consistent in its teaching regarding money. Yes, it is very convenient, but caution must be exercised lest we become too focused upon gathering and hoarding it. When we do that we “pierce ourselves through with many sorrows.” How many people have thought that they would be very happy if only they were rich enough to have no money worries only to find that money itself has become their worry?

          Jesus maintained the same attitude toward money as His Father. We read in the Old Testament that God said: “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” (Ps 50:12) Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be that carefree regarding money?

Prov 30:8-9

8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord ? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Dear Lord, keep me from both need and greed. Let me be both carefree and confident regarding your ability to supply for me. AMEN

WORK WHILE IT IS DAY!

WORK WHILE IT IS DAY!

John 9:1-7

9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

          Seven particulars leap from the page as you read these words. [1] There was a blind man. [2] There was an earnest question. [3] There was a clarifying answer. [4] There was a miraculous anointing. [5] There was a call for personal action – Go, wash. [6] There was an instant obedience – he went his way. [7] There was a dramatic result. Now, as we say in the business, “that’ll preach!”

          Sandwiched in the middle of this wonderful story is a comment by the teacher to his students. We must be busily engaged in work while we have an opportunity to do so. There is coming a time, called “the night”, when no man can work. I’d like to dig a bit deeper into this thought.

          Our English Bible includes the definite article in verse four. The commentaries and concordances indicate only that “night doth come!”  “The” night then seems to represent a future period of time when work either can’t be done or a period of time when work will not be as productive. I do not read Greek; I only read those who do! I feel it a huge handicap because I suspect that the proper tool might reveal this mystery to me.

          It was the Sabbath Day when Jesus made the clay (verse 14). Yet the light of opportunity did shine upon this blind man and the many that watched. Some concluded that “this man is not of God because he keepeth not the Sabbath day.” However the miracle itself sliced through the binding ritual to present a truth that could not be ignored. It is humorous to watch the Pharisaical contortions to prove that the Son of God was “not of God.” Their blindness was darker than that of the blind man and no clay could cure it.

          The night is coming! My thesis is that there is a period of time when darkness will be so deep as to frustrate “the works of him” and perhaps we are in the midst of it now. The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of harvest that he will send forth laborers. Dare to become a laborer yourself! The window of opportunity may soon close.

Lord of Harvest; give us a little light so that we may work. AMEN

HE DOESN’T GROW WEARY!

HE DOESN’T GROW WEARY!

Isa 40:28

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

The office worker trudges home in a rumpled suit and dragging a stuffed briefcase. He wonders if anyone can even comprehend how wearying it is to spend a day in endless and futile negotiations with obstinate people. The construction worker returns home scorched by the sun and beaten by the blows that he himself has delivered. Covered by grime and emptied of energy he reflects on how little was accomplished.

The Hebrew word for “weary” is yaw-gah and means “to gasp” or to become exhausted. The everlasting God does not yaw-gah! He does not grow weary. He is the battery back-up in our every power failure.

The disciples found themselves ministering to many, listening, counseling, and healing. They listened to unresolved human conflict and then gave advice. They healed and felt the pain of others. Virtue went out of them! Each human problem, though none were theirs, drained them. They worked through lunch!

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.

The desert place was not a place in the desert because they reached it by ship! No, the desert place was a place without people! It was a place without demands and duties although the duties remained and the demands cried out. They withdrew for renewal.

Our “quiet time” is that desert place whether it is in the morning before others rise or at night after others have retired; it is a place where we get alone with the everlasting God. Every believer needs this time to reflect, to worship and acknowledge God and to be refreshed. What a tremendous resource we have in the everlasting God.

Dear Lord, many of us begin this day still weary from yesterday’s labor. Renew our strength. Some have worked until their physical strength was nearly gone. Renew their strength. Some have cared for others until their spirits are numb. Let them mount up with wings. Let them run and not be weary. We trust in Thee, everlasting God. AMEN

TOO MANY FOOLS!

TOO MANY FOOLS!

Ps 14:1

14 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

 

 

‎          The "fool" of Scripture is not an idiot, but an absurd person; not one who does not reason at all, but one who reasons wrong; (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia).  Such are the foolish ones scattered all around us who have made themselves almost intolerable by their ridiculously wrong decisions that are so patently wrong as to make one wonder not why they are thinking so wrongly but if they are thinking at all.

          The word “silly” can be found only three times in all of Scripture. We see it in Job 5:2; Hosea 7:11; and 2 Timothy 3:6. In Timothy Paul uses the term silly to describe weak willed women. This is not to suggest that only women are vulnerable to foolish thoughts and actions. Our mind sees the mindless giggling of those who can’t control their various lusts. They are always searching for truth, trying first one philosophical thought and then another. They are never satisfied.

Paul connected false teaching with moral deficiency. Their carnality and immaturity rendered them easy targets for the false teachers. Out of a so-called "openness to learn" they evidently embraced as a fad whatever new heresy came along. Their problem was that they could not recognize the truth when they saw it.

I often imagine myself in a room full of simpletons who, at a whim, will lower their head and bash their brains against the wall. They can’t be reasoned with but I have been given a stack of pillows so that I might literally cushion the blow. The problem is that there are simply too many fools.

Ah, Lord God, give me pillows and patience. AMEN

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

Ps 139:14

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Isa 43:1-4

43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

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.

The psalm reminds us of our magnificent and mysterious physical formation. How we inspect our newborns for any defect and in doing so are amazed at the details of this new life. We are able to count tiny fingers and toes, to see even the eyelashes and we marvel at the intricate attention to detail. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

But Isaiah talks about the formation of a people and a nation. Israel belonged to God by FOUR marvelous things.

1.      CREATION – “I have created thee”

The nation of Israel was formed every bit as marvelously as the tiny newborn to which we have already referred. Called from Ur of the Chaldeans, Abraham and his sons were conceived in the mind of the Almighty and formed in the womb of Egypt when Joseph was sold by his brothers. Joseph the slave became Joseph the sovereign until the people became too numerous and once again became slaves. Moses the sovereign chose slavery with his people and instead of leading Egypt became a tender of sheep. From the sheep folds he then became the leader of a rag tag troupe which became Israel the nation. Created? Oh, yes!

2.      FORMATION – “I have formed thee”

Our minds return to that unmeasured time when Jehovah scooped out earth and sculpted the first man after His own image. He then breathed into him the breath of life and man became a living soul. Marvelous are His works and that “my soul knoweth right well.”

Pressed upon by circumstance, we complain at the pressure of the Divine thumbs that form our eyes that we might see. We cry out in complaint at the hands that stretch our limbs that we might work and walk. If we could but see what the master was about our complaint might be silenced somewhat. We would say with Job “when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” We are formed and are still being fashioned until we resemble the sculptor who formed us.

3.      REDEMPTION – “I have purchased thee”

“I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” I am preferred over others for reasons I can’t fathom. I am loved for no good reason. I am taken from the shelf and given to the One who purchased me. Oh, the cost of making me His very own! God loved me and gave his very own son in trade for me. How valuable I must be to him! How it saddens me to think God made such a poor purchase at such a price. Oh, how I love Him for setting my value high above rubies and my worth above fine gold! With the apostle Paul I can cry, “this is a faithful saying, and worthy of being believed, that Jesus came to save sinners – and I am the worst of them all.” Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! His child and forever I am!

4.      CALLED THEE BY THY (MY) NAME!

I am taken from the orphanage of sin to the new home of the beloved. I am cleansed of my sinful rags and my body washed by the water of the Word. I am given a robe of righteousness and take my seat at the table with the saints. I am given a name I do not deserve. The official adoption papers are written in blood and my name is recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Angels applaud at the proclamation and my addition to the family is celebrated throughout heaven. I am humbled! I am brought to tears! I am called by His name.

         I am given the protection of the Father. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow – pursue me – all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Oh my God! I am not worthy of the least of thy blessings! Thank you for reminding me of Thy love for me today. AMEN!

IS THERE A SONG IN YOUR SOUL?

IS THERE A SONG IN YOUR SOUL?

Eph 5:18-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All Creatures of Our God and King

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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

WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SIN?

WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SIN?

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.

Rom 7:22-25

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

          Paul gives a tormented explanation of the inner struggle of the two natures of the saved man. On the one hand, he is still a fallen creature and the old sinful nature wars for dominance. On the other hand, he now has a new nature given to him by the infusion of the Holy Spirit at the time of his conversion. These two natures, or attitudes, remain in conflict throughout life.

          Paul uses the Greek word talaiporos, which literally means “miserable,” to describe the wretchedness of his struggle. He delights to do what is right. He enjoys agreeing with God in principle and in daily practice but he is constantly being challenged by the law of sin. One law seeks to liberate him and the other seeks his captivity.

          Many people use the device used by the adulterous woman in Proverbs 30:20. They sin and then simply claim that nothing wicked has been done. That is called denial and eventually it makes one’s conscience insensitive. “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim 4:2). In this case the sin remains but the sorrow because of it has departed.

          Sin is self-centeredness! Bill Temple puts it this way in his little book, Christianity in the Social Order, He says, "I am the center of the world I see. And where the horizon is depends on where I stand. Education may make my self-centeredness less disastrous by broadening my horizon of vision. It's like a man climbing a tower who sees further in terms of physical vision while remaining himself the center and the standard of reference. I am the center of the world I see." But God's order is that we love him with all our being, and then that we love our neighbor and put ourselves last. Sin is the reversal of that order.

          You are a sinner and so am I. How we “feel” about our sin reveals our relationship to God. Be very careful that you do not lose the “wretchedness” that sin produces.

Dear Lord, every day I struggle with sin. I can never lessen my vigilance against it. It is troublesome. It grieves me. May I always agree with You regarding sin. Cleanse me. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. AMEN

THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE!

THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE!

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:

          The Pharisees and Sadducees came to John Baptist’s river baptism, I think, because they were interested in adding one more ritual to their list of do’s and don’ts. The literal translation of the word Pharisee is “separated ones.” These were the ones who thought themselves to be holier than others. Their righteousness was a result of their good works.

          While the Pharisees were commoners, the Sadducees were aristocrats including some priests. They were compromisers who cared nothing for religion and, in fact, denied most things supernatural including angels and any resurrection. Their reward was in this life and that was their focus.

          There are three steps to true repentance. First, there must be a recognition of personal sin. The Law served to convince man that he is a sinner. It is our schoolmaster teaching us the specific ways in which we fall short of God’s ideal. Second, there must be a deep feeling of regret and remorse for our wrongdoing. David prayed “my sin is ever before me.” In other words, his sin was always on his mind. It haunted him. Thirdly, there must be a change of mind which produces a change in behavior. Sorrow of heart is of no use unless it produces a change.

          One of the Old Testament images of repentance is to pant or to sigh. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” (Ps 42:1) If your heart longs for reconciliation with and refreshment from God then you are at the entry way of repentance. If you sigh in frustration because you have failed God then you are ripe for repentance and reconciliation.

Isa 55:7

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord , and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Dear Lord, let those who are tired of their sin resort to you today. AMEN

MY PRECIOUS BURDEN!

MY PRECIOUS BURDEN!

Ps 55:22

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord , and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

          Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “burden” in Psalm 55:22 is strictly translated “what is given.” It is something received. I think it might have been given intentionally! One of Merriam – Webster’s definitions of “burden” is “responsibility!” Perhaps your burden is your job or some illness. Maybe it is worry over a troubled teen who is struggling to find his or her way. Whatever it is, it has been given and you have received it.

          Because I write a devotional every day, I subscribe to several online devotionals myself. I often need a starter to pique my creativity. Well, the following is shamelessly stolen from the late Dr. Adrian Rodgers. I think it wonderfully fits.

“I read about a man who had a very fine dog who loved the water. One day the dog was playing in the lake and the man decided to leave. He called the dog, but the dog wouldn’t come. He called him several times; he wouldn’t come. It was a well-trained dog, but he just would not come. The man finally threw a stick out in the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, got the stick, and came back and laid it at his master’s feet. It just may be that God has given you a burden because He can’t get your attention. He wants you to come and lay it at your Master’s feet.”

So, today I will look at my burdens differently. I will see them as the ringing of my spiritual telephone. God is on the line and wants to talk. He is willing to trade my burden for a little of my time.

Dear Lord, Thank you for my burden. I am sorry that you have to resort to such means in order to get my attention. I love you, Lord. AMEN

MERCY AND PEACE!

MERCY AND PEACE!

Ps 85:10

10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

          We need mercy. There is something lacking in us and God, who has a limitless store is both able and willing to provide relief. Mercy grows out of compassion and is manifested in real benefit. Such was the actions of the good Samaritan.

Luke 10:33-35

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

"Wherever the words mercy and peace are found together they occur in that order, except in Gal 6:16. Mercy is the act of God, peace is the resulting experience in the heart of man. Grace describes God's attitude toward the lawbreaker and the rebel; mercy is His attitude toward those who are in distress."

From Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 340, 341.

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

2 John 3

3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Dear Lord, many who read these words today will need your mercy. Give them both mercy and peace. AMEN

CLOSET OR WINDOW?

CLOSET OR WINDOW?

Matt 6:6

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Dan 6:10

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

          I was talking with a dear friend last night who had recently lost her husband. She mentioned that she enjoys reading these daily devotions. From the digital version you are now reading, one per week is published in a weekly small town newspaper. These are the ones she said she enjoyed.

          She asked me if this was my “quiet time” and I had to think for a moment before answering. I have always thought of a quiet time as closet time. It is a time set aside without distraction. It is a place where one can pray in secret for an open reward. But I found myself answering yes to her question because this is my quietest time of day. It is the time that I commune with God and gain insight from His word. It is a bit strange to me that it has now become so public.

          Daniel made a habit of prayer three times a day. He opened his window to gaze toward Jerusalem the seat of his faith and his home. As a captive, he longed to go home. We too are captives if we believe. This present world is not our final home and often we gaze toward the seat of our faith and our home.

          The day may soon come when any form of our worship is forbidden. May we find the courage to do what Daniel did and worship openly as we did aforetime.

Dear Lord, today I may worship freely. Help me never to take that for granted. AMEN

IN THE DITCH AGAIN!

IN THE DITCH AGAIN!

Matt 26:73-75

73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

          The rooster announced Peter’s denial and brought to mind the prophecy of the One he had just denied. Peter was wounded in his conscience and pained by self condemnation. He left the enemy’s fire and had a cleansing cry.

What should we do when the rooster crows for us? How should we handle the occasions when sin so easily besets us? Let me suggest three urgent things.

1. REPENT — CONFESS!

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. RECEIVE THE GIFT OF GRACE!

Ps 130:3-4

3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Rom 8:1

8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

3. RESUME – START AGAIN!

Prov 24:16a

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.

Ps 37:23-24

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

          Saint Francis, a seventh century believer said this about his failures. “Well, my pour soul, here we are in the ditch again – in spite of our earnest resolve to stay out of it. Ah well, let us get out and be on our way; and we will do well enough, God helping us.”

Dear Lord, I often find myself in that familiar ditch. Let me confess my sin, receive your grace and start again. AMEN

BUT, THOU O LORD!

BUT, THOU O LORD!

Ps 3:1-4

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Ab'sa-lom his son.

3 Lord , how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

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.

4 I cried unto the Lord  with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

          The chapter heading for Psalm 3 reads “A psalm of David when her fled from Absalom his son.” In 2 Samuel 15:1-6 we read that Absalom had prepared himself a chariot and 50 men to “run before him” so that he might look like a worthy official. A handsome devil who liked to wear his hair long, Absalom slowly began to steal the hearts of the people. Micah 7:6 says that “a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.” How much more terrible when your enemy is your son.

          As the situation grew worse and worse, (see Psalm 31:13) many were saying that the situation was hopeless for David. Interestingly, The word "help" in the Hebrew (‎yeshua‎) is translated "save" in verse 7 and "salvation" in verse 8 and gives us the names "Jesus" (Matt 1:21) and "Joshua." It's used 136 times in the Psalms (Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

          But Thou, O Lord! David remembers his “Ace in the hole.” No matter how bad things seemed to be there was God! Never bet against a poor loser who has God as his helper! Never!

Dear Lord, you are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of my head. Thank you that no matter how bad things seem to be, I will always have you as my helper. AMEN

FREE TO CHOOSE!

FREE TO CHOOSE!

Josh 24:14-15

14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord .

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .

          John Calvin, in his Prefatory address to King Francis when he wrote his Institutes, referred to a prevailing attitude of the time. He called it “The Appeal to Custom against Truth!” There is enormous pressure to conform to the cultural model of belief and behavior even when there is clear instructions to the contrary in God’s Word. In order to be “cool,” or simply to live in peace with fellows, we ignore and discard God’s clear directives to follow the crowd.

Man is morally free to make his own choices and to suffer the consequences of those choices. Man is responsible for his conduct. The social history of the world, the universal consciousness of man, and the concurrent teachings of the Bible all show this. Man is responsible for his destiny. Character is constantly being formed: it will emerge either marred or perfect, depending on whether you submit to the Divine will, or resist the influences He brings to bear upon you.

God condemned the world with the Flood but kept Noah and his family alive. The world drowned as a mob but each man died as an individual for his sins. (see Genesis 7:1 and Hebrews 11:7) James S. Hewett said: “evil custom is nothing but a kind of public pestilence in which men do not perish the less though they fall with the multitude."

Dear Lord, I will be presented with many choices today. When I make those choices there will be consequences as a result of my choosing. Please, let me see the snare and not simply the bait. AMEN

THE UNWELCOME GUEST!

THE UNWELCOME GUEST!

Ps 51:1-3

51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

          David had sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba, his neighbor and the wife of one of his military leaders who was currently deployed in combat. As king, David had taken a break from the conflict to refresh himself at home. A chance glance at a naked lady across the rooftops began a series of thoughts and actions that was more than he could resist. The result was death and a lifetime of trouble.

          Like a body covered in filth, the born-again soul cannot long stand the defilement of sin. It grieves him! Adam Clarke says: Wherever he turns his face, he sees his sin, and through it the eye of an angry God.” There is no place for the sinner’s mind to hide. And that is a good thing because it serves as a constant “preacher” like Nathan the prophet who declared “thou art the man!”

          David begs for mercy and sues for cleansing. He asks for judgment to be put aside upon the merits of the sprinkled sacrificial blood. Which of us are so clean as to play the prophet to others? We hear the voice of Jesus when He says, “ye that are without sin cast the first stone.”

          The only way to rid ourselves of this unwelcome guest called guilt is to be reconciled to the one we have offended. Listen as David requests to be reconciled to God.

Ps 51:9-12

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Dear Lord, we are all as an unclean thing. Guilt, like an unwelcome guest has come to stay. Please drive guilt away with your own mercy and by your grace. AMEN

AN UNCHANGING GOD!

AN UNCHANGING GOD!

Mal 3:6-9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heb 4:15-16

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

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

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

WHAT THOMAS MISSED!

WHAT THOMAS MISSED!

John 20:18-28

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

          For whatever reason, Thomas was not present with the others at the first appearance of Jesus. Jesus showed up quite unexpectedly so no announcement had been made. This, I think, points out the fact that the most common church service can turn to tremendous an unexpected blessing and when we choose to miss church we chance the possibility of missing something wonderful.

          Thomas missed the fellowship of the other disciples. The disciples were assembled behind closed doors. Each one expressing his own fear of the Jews. Each one drawing strength from others who thought they had none. Thomas might have been encouraged by his friends but he missed it.

          Thomas missed the first amazing appearance of Jesus. The doors were closed but Jesus came through doors and walls. He missed the first pronouncement of peace. Because of this he endured eight more days of indecision, doubt and turmoil.

          Thomas missed the first presentation of Jesus’ hands and side. The very thing that Thomas demanded was given eight days before. Was Thomas really more doubtful than the rest? No, but the others had the advantage of a previous encounter with Jesus.

          Thomas missed receiving the Holy Spirit. Eight days earlier Jesus had breathed on the others and had given them the Holy Spirit. He also missed the commission; the “so send I you.” Thomas missed the clarification by Jesus of the importance of their mission. “Whosesoever sins you remit [to send forth] they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain [to hold fast] they are retained.” Thomas missed the overwhelming responsibility of mission.

          Thomas was given another opportunity. He was singled out personally and invited to thrust his finger into the nail holes but for Thomas it wasn’t necessary. He knew who addressed him and he said: “My Lord and my God.”  By our casual and careless attendance to important things we miss very much. Today has its own store of blessings. Don’t miss it!

Dear Lord, thank you for extending to us second and even third opportunities for blessing. AMEN