THE MND OF THE LORD

THE MIND OF THE LORD!

           One can still see rubber wrist bracelets with WWJD stamped upon them. The letters mean “what would Jesus do.” I think the most needed benefit of today is “what does Jesus think about the matter?” There are only a few verses that mention the mind of the Lord or the mind of Christ and they deserve a close examination.

Lev 24:11-12

11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)

12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the Lord  might be shewed them.

           A son from a mixed marriage blasphemed the name of the Lord and was brought to Moses for judgment. Not knowing exactly what to do, Moses put him in ward or in jail until the mind of the Lord might be learned. Moses was supreme leader in this case and showed great humility in waiting to see just what God had to say.

           Warren Wiersbe comments on this portion this way: “Immature Christians want the Lord to give them rules and regulations to cover every area of life, and this explains why they're immature. If we never have to pray, search the Scriptures, counsel with other believers, and wait on the Lord, we never will use our "spiritual muscles" and grow up.”

           Paul mentions the mind of the Spirit in Romans 8:27; the mind of the Lord in Romans 11:34; and the mind of Christ in 1 Corinthians 2:16. In 8:27 we are encouraged to know that it is the mind of the Spirit that prays for us with groaning that cannot be uttered. He prays for us things that we would not ask for ourselves.

           In Romans 11:33,34 we acknowledge that “His ways are past finding out.” His thoughts are so high above our own that we are wise to yield control and to follow His guide.

           In First Corinthians 2:16 we see that the Lord is so superior in knowledge and wisdom that no counselor can be found to advise Him. In verse 14 we are told that the “things of God” are spiritually discerned or understood. So, with the natural mind or scientific examinations, one cannot hope to understand God. Our spirit and His Spirit must communicate.

The world does not understand the way believers live and function because to "have the mind of Christ" means to look at life from the Savior’s point of view, having His values and desires in mind. It means to think God's thoughts and not think as the world thinks.

Dear Lord, I do not claim to be very smart. Please give me a mind that agrees with your own today. AMEN

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!

2 Chron 18:12-17

12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

To conserve a bit of space I have selected these six verses although the entire story takes up most of the eighteenth chapter. King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with neighboring King Ahab (18:1) and convinced him to go to war with him against Ramoth-gilead (18:2). Being religious, or more accurately superstitious, they invited 400 prophets to reveal the outcome of their campaign. All 400 prophets said it would be a good and successful campaign. “Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand” (18:5).

In spite of all the smiling prophets and flag waving patriotism, Jehoshaphat wanted a second opinion and he asked, “Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?” (18:6) Well, there was one man whose prophecies could be trusted but he was a bit “negative!” So they called upon Micaiah to come and give his prophecy.

Now, every other prophet was smiling so broadly that their faces hurt and the messenger encouraged Micaiah to not be so negative and to make the prophecy in agreement with the others. Surely 400 prophets in agreement was a confirmation of truth! Yet, Micaiah said he would only prophecy whatever God revealed to him (18:13).

Upon entering the throne room of the two kings Micaiah looked around and saw their pomp. Both were seated on thrones in a room too big for either of them. Sarcasm washed over him like a flood and he simply repeated what all the other 400 smiling prophets had proclaimed. “Surely God will deliver Ramoth-gilead into your hand! How could it be otherwise since so many had declared it?”

Suspicious of the dripping sarcasm, the king demanded to know the truth and nothing but the truth! Micaiah said “what I see is your armies scattered all over the countryside and they have no leader. It will not go well with you in your campaign against Ramoth-gilead. You will be defeated.”

Now, here is the question, although it took a long time to arrive here! How important is the truth and nothing but the truth? An army preparing for battle needs good intelligence. They need to know the strength of the opposition, their strategies and how they will be arrayed. A person who is sick does not need a smiling and optimistic doctor. He needs the truth so that he can take measures to restore health. They need the truth and nothing but the truth.

A soul speeding toward eternity needs to know the truth! They do not need fast formulas for happiness and earthly success. They need the truth! That soul does not need some smiling prophet who never mentions his sin or the deadliness of it. He needs the truth even if it is somewhat negative.

The truth is the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. He that covers his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov 28:13

Dear Lord, today help me to speak the truth in love to those who need it. Give me a heart that desires the truth and nothing but the truth. AMEN

DON'T BE SILLY

DON’T BE SILLY!

Job 5:2

2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Hos 7:11

11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

2 Tim 3:5-6

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

           Only three times in our English Bible do we find the word “silly.” Both times in the Old Testament the word is pathah (paw-thaw) and it indicates “to be OPEN mentally or morally.” This is the worst kind of open mindedness because it indicates a letting down of one’s guard. The one time the word silly is used in the New Testament it is the word gunaikarion and literally means “a little (or foolish) woman.” The idea is that of weakness or ignorance.

           Satan began his work of temptation with Eve. We do not know where Adam was at the time of the temptation but it is clear from the biblical account that she was OPEN mentally and morally to the arguments of the serpent. Her guard was down and she proved herself to be weak and ignorant of the facts of God’s warning. Relying only on her mental and emotional reasoning, she was easily led astray.

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

           Keep your spiritual guard up! Always filter philosophy through the net of Scripture. Constantly align yourself with a biblically defined lifestyle. Ask questions. Seek God’s guidance. Don’t be silly!

Dear Lord let me always question the questionable. AMEN

PHILOSOPHICAL DISCONNECT

PHILOSOPHICAL DISCONNECT!

Eph 4:17-19

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

           I have Christian friends and even pastors who are continually wrangling over philosophical points of view and the various ways one should function as a Christian. It grieves me since I have true friends on either side of the arguments and I am constantly wondering why there is a philosophical disconnect. I think the above verses offer clues.

           The “walk” refers to the lifestyle, or the way things are done, based upon the understanding of Scriptures and the will of God. One sees things one way and another sees things very differently and they walk accordingly but Paul warns the Ephesians to be careful not to walk in the vanity of their own mind. The question which surfaces is “can we trust our own opinions?”

           The word “understanding” in verse 18 is rendered “deep thought” and the word “darkened” means obscured by some object or thing. That which is obscuring clear understanding is their alienation from God. The word “alienated” means “a passive estrangement.” So, if we are not closely associated with God, we tend to drift away from a clear understanding of God’s thoughts and wishes. We begin to form patterns of thought and styles of behavior that belie our claim as believers. Soon we look like a “sanitized” type of unbeliever.

           The real problem is our “blindness of heart” which we see also in verse 18. The word “blindness” means “stupidity or callousness.” The problem, then, is not that we know not but that, when we know what we should do, we callously refuse to do it. I think that another word might be “rebellion.”

           The result is that the subject is rendered “past feeling” which literally means “to grieve out or to become apathetic.” Once they felt guilt and sorrow over sin but now they no longer feel guilt, shame, or sorrow. This condition causes them to “give themselves over” to impurity. They now allow thought and behavior which would have been foreign prior to their loss of feeling through neglect of God. They have become practical atheists claiming to be Christians.

           The cure is found in verses 23 and 24 in which Paul urges them to be “renewed in the spirit of their minds and to put on the new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

           When approached about their philosophical and spiritual disconnect, the subjects display a clear misuse of grace claiming that they are now permitted to do that which the Bible teaches to be wrong. This is now “willful ignorance” (2 Peter 3:5).

Dear Lord, keep me from supposing that my philosophical superiority trumps your clear teachings. My need is not a paradigm shift. My need is revival. 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

RUIN

RUIN!

2 Chron 28:22-23

22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz.

23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.

Luke 6:48-49

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

           Ruin! It is a horrible word! In our Old Testament portion it indicates “a tottering or a weakness of the knees.” In Luke it refers to “something torn; a fragment; a shard of some precious piece of pottery.”

           Warren Wiersbe comments on the actions of Ahaz in Second Chronicles and quotes A. W. Tozer in the process. Here is what he had to say: “All of this is a picture of what often happens in Christian ministries today: somebody sees something out in the world that would "fit" into the Lord's work, and the church starts to imitate the world. Moses was commanded to make the tabernacle according to what God showed him on the mount (Ex 25:40; 26:30; Heb 8:5), and likewise the temple was constructed according to the plans God gave to David (1 Chron 28:11,12,19). The Jews didn't appoint a building committee and vote on the design. But today, the church is becoming so like the world that it's getting difficult to tell them apart.

A. W. Tozer wrote, “Aside from a few of the grosser sins, the sins of the unregenerated world are now approved by a shocking number of professedly "born-again" Christians, and copied eagerly. Young Christians take as their models the rankest kind of worldlings and try to be as much like them as possible. Religious leaders have adopted the techniques of the advertisers: boasting, baiting, and shameless exaggeration are now carried on as a normal procedure in church work. The moral climate is not that of the New Testament but that of Hollywood and Broadway.” (from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

           The stream will beat vehemently upon your house! You can’t keep that from happening. Ruinous circumstances will come. The only variable we see in Luke chapter 6 is the foundation. Is your house (your life and your future) solidly founded upon the Rock (Jesus)?

Dear Lord, the circumstances of life threaten to ruin us. Let the troubles you allow only serve to purge away the sin in our lives. Let us stand without ruin upon the solid rock. AMEN

BE NOT FAR FROM ME

BE NOT FAR FROM ME!

Ps 35:22

O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

Acts 17:25-28

…he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being…

The most difficult times for me are those times when God seems far away. Oh, I know with my mind that He is everywhere and that He is near, even in my heart, but there are times when I need Him so badly to be within reach. I need to sense His presence and I need to hear his voice. Like a child who pillows his head on his mother’s breast I need to feel His breath on my cheek. Many are the times when my soul cries out to God; for the comfort of His presence.

Many are the songs that have been written and sung about our human longing for the divine. “Abide with me” is one and “Nearer my God to Thee” is another. These songs remind us of the great gulf that sin has now fixed between us and our God. Yet our very soul was made for the same fellowship with Him that Adam enjoyed in the cool of the evening.

Job deeply felt the absence of God although God was every moment observing his calamity. It may seem cruel to us, but God had set in motion a test for Job that would put Satan to open shame. Job was required to remain faithful to an absentee God. So it seems often with us. We feel that we must walk the trail of tears alone yet God is there and He will arrive just in time.

Ps 56:3

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Dear Lord, I know with my head that Thou art there but my spirit needs Thee now. Be not far from me. AMEN

GOD HEARS OUR CRY

GOD HEARS OUR CRY!

Isa 30:15-19

15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

18 And therefore will the Lord  wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord  is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

Early in the chapter God told Isaiah to make a placard that said, "This is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the Law of the Lord" (v. 9). He carried this sign as he walked around Jerusalem, and no doubt most of the people laughed at him. So the people laugh today at the warnings of their pastors. Our nation and our world has rejected the offer of safety from the Lord and have declared our preference for deals made with tyrants who hate us.

           The Assyria’s assault was given to Israel as a gift! It was a teaching tool. God had offered them quietness, confidence, and strength if they would only follow and trust Him but they said no thank you. Instead they put their trust in swift horses of war. Therefore the very thing in which they trusted would be the character of their enemy. Swift horses would chase them and only one would put to flight a thousand.

Ps 33:16-17

16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

           The latter part of this chapter describes the coming of Sennacherib's troops (Isaiah 30:27-33). Their advance is likened to a mighty thunderstorm and a flash flood. Yet, if they prayed, God would lasso the enemy around the neck and bring him to his knees. The swift horse would be subdued.

           In verse 19 we find an amazing promise to a rebellious people: “he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.” He watches while we struggle and waits patiently while we curse Him but His ear is bent toward our cry. “When he shall hear it, he will answer thee.”

Dear God, look kindly upon us and forgive our self-willed stubbornness. We are a stiff necked people and we resist your offer of peace while we prefer to trust in our own strength. Thank you for patiently waiting for our cry. Thank you for hearing it. AMEN

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED!

Summer, although still very hot in our corner of the world, is winding down. Tomorrow the sounds of school children will echo from the school yards. Shelves are stocked with notebooks, pens, pencils and all the debris necessary to education. The “burr” months are upon us: September, October, November, and December!

It has not been a summer of rest but of flurry and sometimes worry. 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 weak – 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

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!

Luke 12:47-48

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

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

We live in an age void of personal responsibility and occupying that hallowed place is syrupy sentimentality and personal excuse. Violence is due not to the depraved nature and twisted will, they say, but to some long buried abuse in childhood. Anything from promiscuity to bestiality is now excused because of some perverse act in childhood.  Perhaps someone robbed you of your candy!

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

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

Luke 15:17-19

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

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

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

There will come a time when we will stand before God minus our sack full of excuses.

Rom 14:11-12

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

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

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

WHAT WILL I DO

WHAT WILL I DO?

Ps 27:10

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

2 Sam 16:11

11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life:

Isa 49:15

15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

In our lives there are a few people that we deem indispensible. We can’t, we think, get along without them. That is why there are so many tears at funerals. We have lost someone that we thought we could not live without and suddenly we find that we simply must go on living without them.

Jesus can’t be compared to any other relationship. The psalmist expressed the need of the orphan. David described the pain of having a son pursue him in battle. Isaiah could not imagine a nursing mother forgetting her duties. Yet our closest relationships sometimes fail.

1. What will I do when the one I rely on FAILS me?

This circumstance calls to our strength and independence. We dry our tears and we lie to ourselves and say that we did not need them anyway! We may pout, complain, or seek some kind of retribution. Some solid rock in our life has crumbled and we have lost our moorings.

The simple reality is that the most reliable of friends sometimes fail. They are, after all, only human and the frailty of being human make them susceptible to failure. The next question is more difficult.

2. What will I do when the one I rely on NEEDS me?

This is a greater strain on relationships and often proves whether love is the glue that holds it together. What will I do when the one who always lifts me up needs to be lifted? How will I respond when I must be the one to minister? Will I be strong enough or dependable? The Widow of Zarephath found herself responding to an impossible request. How did she respond? She simply gave what she had – she did what she could.

1 Kings 17:12

12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

3. What will I do when I feel I can’t do ANYTHING?

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater!

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.

To added affliction, He addeth His mercy;

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.

His power has no boundary known unto men.

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus…

He giveth – and giveth – and giveth again!

Dear Lord, someone today feels drained and down! Please fill them and lift them up. AMEN

A WILD RIDE

A WILD RIDE!

Prov 3:5-8

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Ordinarily we think of trusting God as producing peace and calm but I see fierceness in the phrase “with all thine heart.” It’s the roller-coaster scream! I trusted the machine and the operator when I first boarded. It is a wild ride and very frightening but I know that I’ll be alright in the end and will probably get in line to ride again.

Life is sometimes like this. There are slow steep climbs and plunging falls and even a few jerks. We cling fiercely to the Lord. We trust with all our heart! To do this we must abandon our own understanding because there is a way that seems right to a man but the end of that thinking is disaster. We trust with all our heart! We grit our teeth and grip tightly to the promises of God.

All the while we acknowledge God. We are not ashamed to claim Him. We reveal Him and display him and present Him. We make him widely known! He keeps directing our paths, literally making our paths straight. He straightens things out for us as we acknowledge Him. Often we forget who is supposed to do what and we wear ourselves out trying to make the crooked paths straight. It’s not our job! Our job is to make Him widely known.

Put away pride. Be not wise in your own eyes. Separate yourself from evil. Live a lifestyle that is godly. The result will be nourishment and strength.

Sit down, buckle up and hang on tightly. It will be a wild but safe ride. Trust in the Lord with all your heart!

Dear Lord, no matter how wild and rough life may be I know I can safely trust in thee. AMEN

I KNOW

I KNOW!

Job 19:25-27

I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

           Those who write commentaries on the Bible seem confused by this statement of faith. Since Job is the oldest book in the Bible, it is amazing to think of this declaration as referring to Messiah, they say. Some think it is a statement of confidence that he will be one day healed of his diseases and his farm and lands restored by a “kinsman redeemer.” Either way, it is an amazing statement.

           If you subscribe to the notion that Job was talking about his near kinsman as the redeemer, you have ample evidence for that in Deuteronomy 19:6-12; Leviticus 25; and in Proverbs 23. In the book of Ruth, Boaz is the kinsman redeemer who was willing and able to rescue Ruth and give her a new life in a new land. Perhaps, say some, that is what Job is saying but that explanation doesn’t satisfy.

           Verse 26 seems to indicate death and verse 27 seems to indicate physical resurrection at which time Job would see his Redeemer and thank Him personally.

           The old English word “reins” is literally translated “kidneys” but refers to the mind as the interior self; the soul. The idea is that the soul does not die.

           We encourage ourselves with this verse because it says that “even if my body is consumed in death, yet, in my resurrected body, I shall see God my Redeemer. I will see Him with my own eyes even though my soul be consumed within me.”

           Whatever you are going through today, whatever your pain may be, think of Job’s confidence in his redeeming God. Remember the well-worn promise to believers in Romans 8:28 which says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Dear Lord, though I may not be able to convince the doubters, yet I know that my Redeemer lives and that the conclusion of my circumstances will be good. AMEN

Let it go!

LET IT GO!

1 Cor 6:7

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Rom 12:17-19

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

           The Corinthians, like their Greek neighbors, were a very litigious society. America is like them. The estimated annual cost to the US economy for civil lawsuits is $233 billion. Paul advised against this urging the church members to simply “take” wrong doing.

           The Greek word for “take wrong” is adikeo and indicates a moral, social, or physical injustice. Paul urged his readers to just take it or to just let it go. He then gives a few reasons why this would be the Christian thing to do.

           First, it is a poor testimony of what the grace of God has done for us. We have received undeserved good from our grossly offended God. We who deserved only condemnation and punishment have received instead only forgiveness and mercy. We should reflect that in our daily relationships.

           Second, believers will one day participate in the judgment of the world and of fallen angels. If we are wise enough to settle their differences then we should be able, as a church, to settle differences here on earth. Paul seems to be suggesting a binding church tribunal instead of a civil court. One has to wonder what that would look like.

           Have you been wronged? Do you simmer and boil with resentment? Do you seek ways to exact payment or punishment for the debts you feel are owed to you? Perhaps you would have more peace if you simply let it go.

Dear Lord, let me, in my mind, write “paid in full” upon the debts owed to me. Thank you for doing that for me on Calvary! AMEN

Serving Others

SERVING OTHERS!

Gal 5:13-14

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

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

Rom 15:1-2

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

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

The success of our church is determined by the church itself. I do not know what I would do without those volunteers that are so faithful they are mostly forgotten. Their value is evident only when sickness or some other necessity causes them to be absent. No one considers what they do but without them the whole system tends to collapse. The biblical basis for what we often call the “Prophet’s Chamber” is found in the following portion.

2 Kings 4:8-10

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

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

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

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

Matt 21:17

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

• It was at Bethany the barren fig tree was cursed.
• It was at Bethany the Alabaster Box was broken and Jesus was anointed with the perfume.
• It was at Bethany that Judas (seeing the waste of perfume) launched his plan to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
• It was very near Bethany that the colt was found upon which Jesus rode on Palm Sunday.
• It was at Bethany that Lazarus was raised from the dead.
• It was from Bethany that Jesus ascended into heaven.
  
  
  Service makes you significant! No other action or attitude attracts the attention of the master like humble and extravagant service!
  
  
  Dear Lord, give me a servant’s heart. Let me be faithful as a volunteer. Help me to do what I can and make a difference. AMEN