COME DESIRE OF NATIONS

COME, DESIRE OF NATIONS!

Hag 2:7

7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord  of hosts.

Luke 2:10-11

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Gal 3:8

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

           Charles Wesley wrote the Christmas Carol we know as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” but the original tune was the same as “Christ the Lord is risen today.” The original lyrics were “Hark how all the Welkin ring.” Welkin is a word that is long forgotten but it means “vault of heaven” so there was little damage done to the original when George Whitfield changed it to “herald angels.” The tune was changed to one written by Felix Mendelssohn and the result is what we have today.

           I read somewhere, and alas I can’t remember where, that Wesley wrote the hymn in response to an earthquake. If that is so, it would make sense to write a hymn based upon Haggai 2:7 which speaks of a great shaking! Wesley speaks of the “desire of all nations” and we assume he is referring to Messiah but just what is it that all nations long for? I think the announcement of the angel gives us our answer.

Luke 2:10-14

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Dear Lord, all around we see a world that longs for peace and good will among men. We grope in the darkness and rarely find this peace because we have failed to recognize and receive the Prince of Peace. We echo the words of Wesley’s hymn when we pray “come, desire of nations, come!” AMEN

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM!

Luke 1:67-69

67 And his [John the Baptist’s] father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

Luke 1:76-79

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Celebrating Advent typically involves a season of prayer, fasting and repentance, followed by anticipation, hope and joy.

Many Christians celebrate Advent not only by thanking God for Christ's first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of time.

           It’s Christmas time again and preparations are underway. Merchants are preparing for a financial rescue and families are preparing for reunions and hopeful reconciliations. Everyone is trying to obey the admonition to “be good for goodness’ sake.”

           If you strip away all the tinsel and glitter, you are still left with an event that inspires wonder! The big-G God has sent His Son to earth in the form of a baby. This gift is made even more miraculous by the fact that the baby would be born to a young woman who “had not known a man.” In a time when virginity still had value, Mary was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. But why did He come? “He comes to make His blessings known – far as the curse is found.”

           We still don’t have our tree up! It is a busy time. Soon some of our ladies will be “hanging the greens” along with the gold and red. Anxious adults have been trying to organize an excited and unruly collection of children who will present a play called “Wrapping all the way” but, with all our preparations, should we not be preparing our heart?

Joy To The World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Thank you, Lord, for coming to make your blessings known as far as the curse is found. AMEN

MY BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR YOU

MY BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR YOU!

3 John 4

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Today is my birthday and I have already received many wonderful greetings from friends made through the years. I have been asked what I want for my birthday and, generally, I don’t need or want anything. But after some more thought I realize that there are THREE THINGS I want for all my people. Here they are.

1. I WANT YOU TO COMPREHEND THE TRUTH!

Eph 3:16-19

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Comprehend is the Greek katalambano and means “to take eagerly, to seize and to possess.” This is why the minister prepares and preaches so that the veil that is spread upon the eyes and heart might be torn away to reveal the light of the gospel. Oh, I want you to comprehend the truth!

2. I WANT YOU TO CONFORM TO THE TRUTH!

Rom 8:29

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 12:2

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

Truth apprehended is one thing but truth applied is quite another.

James 4:17

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

3. I WANT YOU TO COMMUNICATE THE TRUTH!

Matt 5:16

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2 Tim 2:24-26

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.

Although the Amplified New Testament does not flow with the poetry of the King James, yet it might be helpful here.

2 Tim 2:24-26

24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.

25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],

26 And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.

AMPLIFIED

So, what do I want today? I want you to know and understand the truth, to see it clearly, to grasp it eagerly and make it a part of your life. I want you to communicate the truth to others who are yet in the same bondage which once enslaved you.

Dear Lord, grant that the gospel would be clearly presented and eagerly grasped today. AMEN

FAMILY

FAMILY!

Ps 68:5-6

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

           We spent Thanksgiving with my son-in-law’s family in the heart of Texas. I was pleased to observe a wonderful and large loving family. Some had driven many miles and the modest home was packed with brothers, sisters and cousins. The laughter was intense and the smiles almost made your face hurt. I kept thinking of Psalm 68:6 and realized that I was witnessing a wonderful gift of God – family.

           Looking deeper into those two verses I see that the psalmist begins with the character and nature of the Giver. He is a father to the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows. He sits in a holy place.

           The word “solitary” is the Hebrew word yachiyd and it has two important meanings. First, it indicates anything or anyone that is “beloved” or “darling.” So the first meaning is something that is precious because it is solitary or stands out from the crowd. The second meaning is the one we usually think of which is “desolate and lonely.” Understanding is improved when we know her deep meaning of the words.

           God, who sits in a holy place, has each individual’s welfare at heart. We are individually precious or “darling” in his sight. He collects us and places us in families. There we love and are loved in return. We give that which is only ours to give and receive that which we cannot produce in ourselves. Families are better! Love and laughter is the result.

           I think families become dysfunctional when they fail to give their portion or stubbornly refuse to receive their share.

Dear Lord, bless our families today. May we each contribute that which only we can and may we receive that which would otherwise make us empty. May love and laughter be the result. AMEN

THANKSGIVING BEGINS IN THE HEART

THANKSGIVING BEGINS IN THE HEART!

Ps 116:12-14

12 What shall I render unto the Lord  for all his benefits toward me?

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord .

14 I will pay my vows unto the Lord  now in the presence of all his people.

Luke 17:12-17

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

           The word “render” as it is used in Psalm chapter 116 and verse 12 is the Hebrew word shuwb and literally means “to turn back” with the idea of “returning to the starting point.” This is perfectly illustrated in Luke 17:15 where we find only one of ten lepers returning to give thanks for his healing. Ninety percent displayed no thanks.

           The plain fact is that no one can force you to be thankful! You either are thankful or you are not. Our parents taught us to say a simple table grace. This introduced to our young minds the concept of thanksgiving. If someone were nice to us or gave us candy, mother would always ask: “Now what do we say?” The answer, of course, was “Thank you.” But even mother could not make us truly thankful. She could only teach us the actions of thanksgiving.

           When we receive benefits for which we did not have to work it should make us grateful. However it is also possible to begin to think of these benefits as entitlements. We think someone else owes us all these things and we become pouting and spoiled children who throw their toys and pick at their food. Good things are greedily gobbled up without thanks.

           Thanksgiving always causes us to turn back and sometimes to return to the starting point. We begin to consider our true self-worth and how little we actually deserve. When we make lists they are not wish lists but lists of blessings already received. We look around and observe a bounty that is not only sufficient but enough to share. Thankful people are always giving people.

           I was born on Thanksgiving Day 1946. It’s true! I have been told that the timing of my arrival interrupted the doctor’s dinner but this did not make me a thankful person. No, I am thankful because of an event that happened many years before on a lonely hill in Jerusalem. On that hill the Son of God hung on a cross and paid my sin-debt. I didn’t deserve it, and certainly was not entitled to it, but God adopted me into His family because of the sacrifice of His Son. Since that day, because Daddy is a great king, I have lived like a prince!

Dear Father, you have lavished upon me great gifts and privileges. Lord give me one more thing. Give me a thankful heart. AMEN

ON THE EVE OF THANKSGIVING

ON THE EVE OF THANKSGIVING!

Rom 1:21

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Thanksgiving Day is a uniquely American holiday and has been celebrated here since the landing of the first European settlers. It was first celebrated by those we call “pilgrims.” Expelled by religious persecution they hacked out a living in the estuaries of our continent’s east coast. But other countries also observe times of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Around The World!

Canada – They observe Thanksgiving the second Monday of October.  At this time they commemorate the end of the harvest season and celebrate in a similar fashion as in the United States.

Korea – Known as Chu Suk, this celebration takes place during the harvest season for three days and is also celebrated as a mark of respect to elders.  For this reason, many families will visit their ancestral properties in hometowns and will hold memorial services at the gravesites of their elderly.

Ghana and Nigeria – These countries celebrate a Yam Festival in August, marking the end of the rainy season.  Yams are one of the most common foods and are the first crop to be harvested.  Celebrations of this festival include dancing, singing, and giving of offerings to ancestors.   The yams are later distributed among the villagers.

Southern India – A festival called Pongal is celebrated in January.  During this festival, community feasts are held during which neighbors get together to share their crops and thank everyone who contributed to a successful harvest.

Many of the harvest-related festivals around the world include thankfulness for successful crops, but the one, true God is not always the recipient of that gratitude.  As we prepare and celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday, let us not forget to express our thankfulness to Almighty God for His provision, love, and salvation through Jesus Christ. (Source: weeklycp@bbfimissions.com)

Dear Lord, we have so much for which to be thankful! Give us thankful hearts today. AMEN

THE BLESSING

THE BLESSING!

(A “Classic” worthy of a repeat)

Gal 6:10

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

           My wife and I had gone to Wichita Falls on some business and inevitably we always visit Hobby Lobby and Mardel’s Christian store. The day was blustery with suddenly cold temperatures and freezing rain. While Irene was at Hobby Lobby, I took refuge in Mardel’s and poured myself a cup of free coffee. I was sitting near the front of the store, in a comfortable chair next to the Christmas tree, when I observed a curious thing.

           A man entered the store wearing a green parka with the hood pulled up over his head. He was soaked! He carried a black trash bag with mysterious contents. He asked if there was a bathroom and was directed to the back of the store. Then he asked if he could leave his parcel with the clerk near the register. Always accommodating, the clerk told him he could leave his burden with her while he went to the bathroom.

           Now, I’m watching all this and thinking that this could be a bomb! Then I dismissed that notion because a bomber would not leave a bomb and then retreat into the building and not from it. While I continued to sip my coffee and ponder, the man returned to retrieve his package.

           The clerk offered the man some coffee and he eagerly and gratefully accepted. He walked over to the coffee pot and took a seat next to me. I noticed that he did not fit the homeless model. He was young, clean, and had recently shaved. He had a nice smile and a military haircut. I asked him if he was in the military because Sheppard Air force base is in Wichita Falls. He answered that he was a Marine. Marines never talk of their service as “former.” I was prompted to speak to him of his salvation but he said something that stopped me.

           He said: “The Lord has been blessing me all day long!” He said this with a smile that nearly glowed. He then told me that he lived in an apartment near Wal-Mart.  I knew that this apartment was a considerable distance to walk and thought I might offer him a ride home. He stopped that thought by saying he had a few stops along the way. There was something about this young man that made you want to help him even though he asked for little.

           Then the blessing happened! Another clerk came from the rear of the store with an old golf umbrella. While it was a bit dirty, it was solid. She apologized for its condition and explained that it had been left at the store by a customer. His face lit up with understanding and thanksgiving. I remembered what he had said to me: “The Lord has been blessing me all day long!” Then I thought of a Bible verse …

Heb 13:2

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for there by some have entertained angels unawares.

Dear Lord, today may bring opportunities to do good and be a blessing. Don’t let me overlook these. AMEN

PITY FOR THE LAMBS

PITY FOR THE LAMBS!

2 Chron 7:4-5

4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord .

5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

John 1:29

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

           The slaughter of 120,000 sheep boggles the mind! “In all, the temple celebration lasted 15 days, for having begun in the seventh month (2 Chron 5:3) and probably on the 15th day (cf. Lev 23:39), the Feast of Tabernacles extended through the 22nd day.”

           A lamb that was to be a proper sacrifice had to be clean, straight, and without blemish. It would be as perfect as any lamb could be both to honor the recipient of the sacrifice and to picture the One it exemplified.

The lamb had to be straight because I am crooked. It had to be spotless because I am blemished. It had to be healthy because I am diseased. The sheer horror of 120,000 sheep must have sparked some pity for the lambs. Perhaps that, too, is part of the sacrifice! But if we have pity for the lambs should we not find gratitude in our heart for the sacrifice of Jesus?

We are thankful this week not only for the stuff provided to us but also for the sacrifice freely given. He is pure because I am perverse. He is spotless because I am blemished and with His stripes I am healed.

Dear Lord, you are the perfect sacrifice! I will offer you the sacrifice of praise, obedience, and gratitude. AMEN

ITS BELL RINGER TIME

IT’S BELL RINGER TIME!

Heb 13:14-16

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

“Share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.”  (Heb_13:16, The Message)

           They are already at the door – shivering and ringing their silver bells. Red suited Santa’s have been replaced by volunteers or those who have been helped by the Salvation Army whose red cauldron’s they hope to fill. I can’t really recall when that happened or why. They present hedonism with the challenge of charity.

           The two voices in my head argue as I approach them and try to avoid their eyes. One voice reminds me that there is no way to quantify or verify whether the needy actually receive those gifts. Moreover, says voice number one, most of it is probably gobbled up by administrative costs. Voice number two reminds me that the organization does much good and is an aid and comfort to many. The arguments continue until I am safely past or have tossed something into the pot.

           The Message, which is not my preferred text, explains it clearly. With these sacrifices God is well pleased. The verses before link generosity and charity with the act of thanksgiving beginning first within the community of believers we call church. If charity begins at home then look around you at those who live their lives courageously though in desperate need. They may not say anything but their need gnaws at them constantly.

           Ask God to make you sensitive to the needs of others and then ask God to provide enough for you to share. It’s bell ringer time and with these sacrifices God is well pleased.

Dear Lord, I often feel so stingy. Help me to respond in kindness, generosity and charity. AMEN

UNAVAILABLE

UNAVAILABLE!

John 20:24-25

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.

           Thomas may have been guilty of no more than being genuinely and innocently occupied with other business when the disciples met together. John simply said he was not there; he did not say he was unwilling to come. Nevertheless, his absence had consequences. He missed seeing the Lord with the others and continued in his doubt and disappointment. Thomas provides an example to all of us who are unavailable to God for one reason or another.

           Many are unavailable because they are unwilling to give up their comfort and safety in order to follow Christ. The excitement of the moment inspired a hasty volunteer but Jesus explained that there would be hardships.

Luke 9:57-58

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

           Others are trapped by family expectations. I remember the struggle and conflict that I had with my well-meaning parents when I told them I was going to quit my job, leave home and prepare myself for ministry. They thought I had lost my mind and had no problem in telling me so. Family expectations dictated that I follow a certain path. Had I done so, I would have been unavailable to God.

Luke 9:59-60

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the [spiritually] dead bury their [physically] dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

           Following Jesus requires a single focus. All other plans are filtered through His plan for my life. All other opinions are superseded by His principles and either added or dismissed. In this way the early followers came to be known as Christians; literally Christ-ones.

Luke 9:62

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

James 1:6-8 "The man who trusts God, but with inward reservations… cannot hope to receive anything from the Lord, and the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn." ( Phillips Translation)

Dear Lord! Let me follow so closely as to occasionally step on your heels. AMEN

A WORLD WITHOUT GOD

A WORLD WITHOUT GOD!

Rom 1:28

28 And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome,

AMPLIFIED BIBLE

Phil 3:18-4:1

18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Philippians 4

4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

           Our government is corrupt, our world is nearly bankrupt, and our church members are often compliant with the evil around them. We forget that Christianity was born during a time of great evil and, in fact, thrived in a world that was antagonistic toward God. Churches, which at the first were simple assemblies of the faithful, were disrupted regularly. They met in secret using codes to announce meetings. They sang hymns in whispers and read from patches of torn scripture. They helped each other; relied on each other and trusted in God.

           It seems to me that verse 1 of Philippians chapter 4 rightfully belongs at the end of chapter three. Paul described a world that gloried in their shame and whose mind was firmly set on wicked things. He also reminded the Philippians that their destiny was heaven and that they lived as expatriates in a foreign land. Then he urged them to “stand fast” in the Lord. The two English words “stand fast” is translated from a single Greek word, steko, which is the perfect tense of “to be stationary.” It is clear that we are not to be moved from our faithfulness to Christ even during evil times. I think Christians should stop blaming God for being absent when they themselves are not present.

           George Orwell, writing regarding Europe’s rejection of God, said: "For two hundred years we had sawed and sawed and sawed at the branch we were sitting on.  And in the end, much more suddenly than anyone had foreseen, our efforts were rewarded, and down we came.  But unfortunately there had been a little mistake:  The thing at the bottom was not a bed of roses after all; it was a cesspool full of barbed wire.”

1 Cor 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Dear Lord, let my faithfulness and steadfastness be equal to the world’s wickedness. Let me not be overrun. AMEN

WHY SO SERIOUS

WHY SO SERIOUS?

Titus 1:7-9

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

           Wow! That is quite a job description! I’m surprised I landed this job. I’m not always sure what the “boss” thinks of my performance but He is always patient with me. Since the word “bishop” would be the same as “pastor” today, I try to take all these things seriously and that is not easy for a man with a well developed sense of humor.

           I am a bit of a kid at heart and often would prefer to play with the kids. I understand how easily they can turn most anything into a toy. I once broke my glasses chasing through the house with my nephew. We both had new, battery powered, space guns and I was pursuing my prey with abandon. I saw the door frame. It came at me very fast and with great violence. All the adults told us kids to settle down and I personally heard “I told you so.” Ah, well, back to reality!

           The word “sober” means to be “serious or grave in mood or disposition.” I am often sober. I see the results of sin in the lives of my church members and marvel that they so easily get themselves into terrible situations. I often wonder if I have failed to warn them adequately. I can get totally lost in these dark spiraling thoughts and perhaps that’s why I prefer to romp with the children.

           Please understand that life is short, eternity is long and death always comes as a surprise. Please understand that heaven is sweet and hell is hot. Please understand that Satan hates you, Jesus loves you and that you really decide your destiny by your choices. I guess this is what it means to be sober.

Dear Lord, let me travel through life with a smile on my face and an ache in my heart. Please make both of those things to bear fruit for you. AMEN

OUR GROANING WORLD

OUR GROANING WORLD!

Rom 8:22

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  

           It is still more than a month before Christmas but I am having Christmastime thoughts. No, I’m not thinking of trees, snow, or Santa but of the condition of the waiting world just before Gabriel upset Mary’s wedding plans with a birth announcement!

           It was a world and a time much like our own today. Israel was occupied by a cruel conqueror and government was let out to the highest bidder. There were no statesmen! Money was scarce and fear was a constant companion. The whole world was groaning.

           The word “groaneth” is the Greek sustenazo which indicates a loud collective moan from those who are experiencing a common calamity. There could be no better description of our modern world! I’m reminded of a recent interview of a little boy in Paris who had come with his father to place flowers at an impromptu memorial to those shot by Muslims. He said that now they would have to move to avoid the mean men. His daddy said that there were mean men everywhere. The bewildered little boy looked to his daddy for comfort and security. We also are looking for comfort and security. We are collectively groaning.

           The phrase “travaileth in pain” is the Greek sunodino and does not refer, as we think, to labor pains but indicates “to collectively and simultaneously sympathize in the expectation of relief from suffering.” Imagine a world where the whole population collectively sighs to whatever god they own. Each one anxiously waiting for relief from suffering. This is our world today!

           Into this collective groaning bursts an angel who appears to a lowly little maid. Not to kings but to a peasant girl is the good news delivered. “Fear not Mary!” God has heard the groans and is now ready to provide a remedy. Our world is ripe for the return of Christ!

Acts 1:11

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Dear Lord, how can you long bear the groans of this weary and wicked world? Come quickly to deliver us. AMEN

DOUBT

DOUBT!

Matt 14:28-33

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

           Doubt defined: Merriam-Webster declares that there are at least three aspects to doubt. The first is uncertainty. At this point the one struggling with belief does not say that a thing is impossible but rather uncertain. This is the religion of the agnostic. His faith is unconfirmed and so it is not faith at all. The second is distrust which is simply a lack of confidence. The third is to consider something possible but unlikely.

           Peter may have struggled with all three aspects of doubt. First is it possible at all to walk on water? If that water is rigidly frozen then the answer is yes but if that water is tossing and turning due to boisterous winds then uncertainty rules the mind. So now Peter sees Jesus walking on water with no trouble in doing so. Yet Peter is uncertain. Personally, water-walking was untried and so agnosticism ruled. Peter just wasn’t sure. Finally Peter felt that water-walking was unlikely even though Jesus clearly proved it. The only thing left was to get out of the boat and give it a try.

           Peter’s faith, and not the firmness of the water, held him up. When faith became doubt the water went soft beneath him. Faith’s failure precipitated God’s ready rescue and when they both had entered the ship – the wind ceased. I can’t bring myself to see Jesus’ rebuke to be anything but a good natured jab. “Hey, Pete, why did you doubt?” Later a full evaluation of the event caused the entire group to conclude rightly that Jesus was something very special. He was truly the Son of God.

           We all doubt in varying degrees from time to time. It may be uncertainty regarding the outcome of some conflict in our lives or it may that we just don’t trust our own God-given abilities. Perhaps a lack of experience or a lack of practice has not yet produced confidence. We doubt – and doubt is sin.

Dr. Charles Stanley of Atlanta gave this personal definition and evaluation of doubt: “Doubt is a mental struggle over whether or not to believe God's promises. From our limited perspective, we cannot understand how God works. Sometimes His way does not feel like the right path, so in order to obey, we must step out in faith. Then it can feel as though we are jumping off a cliff and trusting God's invisible rope to hold us. If we listen to our doubt, we will surely transgress.”

Dear Lord, many things about today present themselves as uncertain. We simply do not know and cannot trust the outcome. We cannot trust our own resources and strength to win the day and we are inexperienced in the art of walking on water. Give us the courage to simply respond to your invitation and come. Let us keep our eyes on you and not sink. If we sink be ready to save us. AMEN

THE SOURCE OF INGRATITUDE

THE SOURCE OF INGRATITUDE!

2 Tim 3:1-2

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy …

Luke 6:35

… He is kind unto the unthankful …

           Lying in bed, wide awake when I should be asleep, I listened to the soft whisper of my wife sleeping beside me. What a gift she is from the Almighty! How blessed I am. I begin to do what the old song says to do. I began to count my blessings naming them one by one. Finally I began to think of the sources of ingratitude.

           At the root of all ingratitude is the love of one's own greatness. For genuine gratitude admits that we are beneficiaries of an unearned bequest. We are cripples leaning on the cross-shaped crutch of Jesus Christ. We are paralytics living minute by minute in the iron lung of God's mercy. We are children asleep in heaven’s stroller. John Piper

Rom 1:21

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Dear Lord, let me always remember that I am the beneficiary of your many gifts. Let me never drift into ingratitude. AMEN

A COMFORT TO ME

A COMFORT TO ME!

Col 4:11

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

           The word comfort as used here is not the same word as is used when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit. Here the Greek word as well as the English word is paregoric! I suppose you have to be of a certain vintage to remember your mother giving you a dose of paregoric. I remember it as a cloudy clear liquid that she mixed with water and had me drink it. It settled the stomach and, I suppose, settled the child. You can’t buy it anymore without a prescription because it is a narcotic. My childhood survived many such things that are now considered dangerous.

Jesus Justus was a Jewish believer who served with Paul, but we know nothing about him. The name Jesus (Joshua) was a popular Jewish name, and it was not unusual for Jewish people to have a Roman name as well (Justus). He represents all those faithful believers who serve God but receive little recognition. These were Paul’s paregoric! They eased his pain and settled him down. Oh! How very important are these unsung faithful ones!

You may not realize it but just the act of attending church today may ease someone’s pain and settle their nerves. You also may be totally unaware that you are the source of someone’s comfort. God bless you for your steadfast faithfulness for it is a great comfort to me and to others.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the many unheralded servants that provide soothing and comfort. May I learn to be one of them. AMEN