DON'T CAGE MY SONG

DON’T CAGE MY SONG!

Acts 22:27-28

27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

Under the Roman law the "freeman" (ingenuus) was one born free; the "freedman" (libertinus) was a manumitted slave, and had not equal rights with the freeman. (from Easton's Bible Dictionary.)

The Texas Mockingbird is as slender-bodied gray bird. They pour all their color into their personalities. They sing almost endlessly, sometimes even at night. They go on learning new sounds throughout their lives. The song is a long series of phrases, with each phrase repeated 2-6 times before shifting to a new sound; the songs can go on for 20 seconds or more. These are the joyful sounds of freedom!

   Archibald Rutledge tells the story that as a young boy he was always catching and caging wild things. He particularly loved the sound of the mockingbird, so he decided to catch one and keep it so he could hear it sing any time.

   He found a very young mockingbird and placed it in a cage outside his home. On the second day he saw a mother bird fly to the cage and feed the young bird through the bars. This pleased young Archibald. But then the following morning he found the little bird was dead.

   Later young Arch was talking to the renowned ornithologist Arthur Wayne, who told him, "A mother mockingbird, finding her young in a cage, will sometimes take it poisonous berries. She evidently thinks it better for one she loves to die rather than live in captivity."  --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 225.

           We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. (The Declaration of Independence)

Dear Lord, having been set free from the cage of sin by thy mercy, let me sing my song long into the night. AMEN

STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS

STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS!

Heb 11:13

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1 Peter 2:11

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

           I went shopping with my wife yesterday evening. I am not as enthusiastic about shopping as she is so I will plant myself on a bench and watch what I call “culture on parade!” My comment to her as we walked through Dillard’s was that “it is time to call the Mother Ship to come and pick us up!” The world has gotten strange and we are strangers.

           Only twice do we see the word “pilgrim” in the New Testament. In Hebrews the Greek is parepidemos which means “‎an alien alongside, i.e. a resident foreigner.” In First Peter the word “stranger” is paroikos which, in the Greek, means “having a home nearby; a by-dweller. Think of one who lives just across the border! He is an alien.

           The message is clear to me! If the world seems strange to me it means that I am an alien in a foreign place. My citizenship is in heaven (See Philippians 3:20). I should not expect to feel at home here. I am a “by-dweller.” My true home is across the border in a land so far yet so close at hand. One day the Father-ship will come to pick me up.

Heb 11:16

16 But now they [we] desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Dear Lord, it seems the world is becoming more and more strange to me. I anxiously await your return to take me home. AMEN

RELIGION ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH

RELIGION ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH!

Matt 25:1-10

25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

           A Parable is a simple story told to illustrate a moral truth. An analogy is a likeness in one or more ways between things otherwise unlike. (Merriam-Webster) Parables and analogies are problematic because they hint at the problem without thoroughly explaining it. In the parable of the ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. All ten are presented as being the same except for one important detail. Five had brought oil for their lamps and five did not.

           The lamps represent religion and though they be ornate and beautiful in their form they are useless as guides without the oil of the Holy Spirit. Religion may be carefully attended to which is illustrated by the fact that all ten “trimmed their lamps,” but there was no power in half of them. When “tried by fire” half of the lamps failed without oil.

           There is a danger of mistaking religious formalities for true faith. There is a danger of mistaking human emotion for true faith. I’m afraid that some of our modern worship methodology promotes the possibility of a counterfeit religion. Like the Pharisees of old, we wear the robes and carefully follow the minutia of rules and regulations but have no heart. We stand singing with hands raised to heaven swaying to the music but there is no oil in our lamps. When all is said and done the oil is essential.

           The lamp alone does not point out the stumbling places along the way. It does not reveal the blemishes that need attention. Only when the lamp of religion is lit with the oil can we see clearly. To put it plainly, religion alone does nothing to transform the life and guide the way. Many are stumbling in the darkness while carrying beautiful lamps unlit.

Ezek 33:30-32

30 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.

31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Dear Lord, may the oil of thy Holy Spirit be strong within us and upon us today that we might have light. AMEN

ITS JUST STUFF

IT’S JUST STUFF!

Heb 10:34-35

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

           Paul, the presumed writer of Hebrews, thanks and congratulates his readers for identifying with him in his imprisonments. They had not only endured but enjoyed the loss of goods and money by the tyrants who stole from them and the apostle to whom they gave. Stuff may be lost through neglect or destroyed by calamity but stuff donated to the cause of Christ is ever retained and rewarded. It’s just stuff!

           Tribulation, patiently endured, produces experience and maturity in the sufferer and ultimately makes him or her bold! (See Romans 5:3-5) When that for which you have been holding back is taken away it becomes easier to simply not hold back. One literally has nothing to lose because it has already been lost. Now, freed from his stuff, he is at liberty to speak his mind. In fact, the word “confidence” as used in verse 35 is the Greek word parrhesia and it means “outspokenness; frankness; bluntness.”

           When we learn that our stuff is just stuff, our tongues will then be loosed to witness and to praise.

Dear Lord, let me see my stuff as it actually is. Let me consider that I have a better and enduring substance awaiting me in Heaven. AMEN

FOR THY GREAT MERCIES

FOR THY GREAT MERCIES!

Dan 9:18

18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

           Daniel, the outcast captive, was praying for his homeland. The Babylonians had swooped down upon the city that was “called by His name” and had scattered the inhabitants. Daniel prays for forgiveness. “O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.” Dan 9:16

           The matrix of prayer is always the understanding of our sin! God opens the door when we knock with confession! Daniel confessed the sins of his people – and his own sins as well. It is there that he begins. Note again what he says: “for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.”  God in His grace gives us what we don't deserve, and God in His mercy doesn't give us what we do deserve. Warren Wiersbe

           We can’t shout at God! We can’t complain that we have been unfairly treated by the One who orchestrates the cosmos! We deserve everything we are suffering and more. When we pray we kneel upon grace and bow before the altar of mercy. We dare not ask for justice lest our condition become worse. We ask for undeserved kindness. We ask for divine pity.

What a remarkable ministry Daniel had in Babylon! He was counselor to four kings, intercessor for the people of Israel, and a faithful witness to the true and living God. If you find that you have been carried away captive, maybe you need to open your window and pray!

Lord, we do not come before you on the basis of our righteousness – but for Thy great mercies. Grant our petitions and restore your glory. AMEN

HE IS MY ROCK

HE IS MY ROCK!

Ps 18:2-3

2 The Lord  is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the Lord , who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

           The world seems to be riding a wave of wild lunacy driven by hedonism and fueled by ignorance. A steady diet of breaking news is disturbing to the soul. The very soil beneath my feet seems unstable. I need a rock to stand on and I have found such a rock in Jesus Christ.

           The word “rock” as it is used in our Bible portion is not a rock to be thrown but a lofty and craggy fortress. Because it is high, the one sheltered can look down upon the fray below. Because it is rugged, access is limited. It is a place of safety. There the birds sing and the brooks laugh along far away from the clang and clatter of machinery and conflict. There the dew drenched moss cools our feet and the air is swept clean.

           In the rock I am nourished and refreshed. There the bees have found a safe place to make their hives. “He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.” Deut 32:13

Edward Mote has written this familiar song.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Dear Lord, How I need you to be my Rock today. Be for me a place of surety, safety and supply. AMEN

DISCIPLESHIP JESUS STYLE

DISCIPLESHIP JESUS STYLE!

Luke 14:26-27

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

           Discipleship, these days, has evolved into a twelve week or a twelve step program. When the class is finished the “disciple” receives a certificate, suitable for framing, declaring himself to be a true disciple. That’s not how Jesus did things.

           Jesus called His disciples simply but seriously. It meant something to follow Christ. It meant leaving employment for the fishing disciples and for Matthew it meant leaving his job as well. It required one to be fully engaged at all times. The following portion is actually Jesus’ discipleship plan.

Matt 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

           Jesus invited his followers to be with him and to observe him and to copy him. Discipleship is not like a microwave meal but more like a seed planted. It grows gradually and bears fruit slowly. The only certificate of recognition was scars, stripes and martyrdom.

           If you are impressed by numbers, Jesus had a small following. Five thousand gathered for bread and fish. There were 120 in the upper room, but only eleven of the twelve were faithful. Judas had a certificate but proved himself to not be a true disciple.

“In the matter of saving lost souls, Jesus wants His house to be filled (Luke 14:23); but in the matter of personal discipleship, He wants only those who are willing to pay the price.” Warren Wiersbe

          

Dear Lord, help me to understand and to comply with the rules of discipleship. Help me to understand the cost involved. Help me to bear fruit in due season. AMEN

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME!

Ps 32:7-8

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

           Verse 7 is David’s words to God. He acknowledges God as his hiding place in the day of trouble and the source of his deliverance. His eyes are fixed expectantly on God. He is watching God’s every move because those movements are essential to his provision and safety.

           Verse 8 is God’s promise to David. “Because you are now sensitive to the mercy you have received from me and willing to follow me, I will give you the help you require. I will keep my eyes on you and guide you in the right way. You must follow me closely and I will watch over you.”

           I have a pastor-friend that I am watching with prayer. He has a need that I am praying God will provide. He keeps me posted as to his progress. He said in a recent communication “I have several of you guys watching out for me!” His words sent me on a mental quest to wonder if anyone is watching over me.

           Whether anyone is watching over me with prayer or not, and I expect there are more than I think, God certainly has given His angels charge over me. It’s his promise. Knowing that gives me peace and confidence.

Prov 3:5-6

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.

Dear Shepherd of the sheep, You are always watching us. You return us from our straying and protect us from unseen dangers. Give us the wisdom to follow you closely today. AMEN

GRIEF

GRIEF!

Isa 53:3

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:

           In First Samuel 25:31 the word “grief” means literally “a stumbling block.”    To the Hebrew writers the importance of grief was not its psychological effect upon the individual. Grief was important to them because it is a response to the troubles of a fallen world.

The Bible records at least three occasions when Jesus grieved: at the tomb of Lazarus, over the city of Jerusalem, and in the Garden of Gethsemane before His death. He is the "Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa 53:3). When Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, people wondered why he would weep since he knew Lazarus would be raised. The answer is that Jesus was not emotionally isolated from pain and suffering. He wept.

Death is not the only thing that causes us grief. The trouble caused by enemies is often the theme of the Psalms and grief is the response. The fallen world produces circumstances which cause grief. Disappointment in oneself produces a grief that others seldom see but it eats away at our joy.

Dr. Charles Stanley explains: “Some losses seem to be far worse than death. There are job losses; a move to a different city, which means loss of relationships and familiarity; an empty nest; loss of promotion at work; loss of a dream as your child becomes rebellious; loss of a child in miscarriage; loss of youth or good health; loss of a pet; and loss of a spouse in separation or divorce.”

Jesus is acquainted with grief – our grief. “For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Heb 4:15

Dear Lord, many are grieving one thing or another today. Comfort them and carry their sorrows. Give to them your sweet Holy Spirit as their companion in sorrow. AMEN

REVIVE US AGAIN

REVIVE US AGAIN!

2 Tim 1:6

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

An old man, stooped and sore, slowly rises to approach the fireplace on a damp and chilly night. The fire which once was roaring has slowed to a flicker and no longer warms the bones. He draws back the screen and with the long iron poker he stirs the ashes. Wearily, he reaches for another dry log and then another and places them just so upon the coals. He then takes the bellows and blows fresh air upon the embers not to blow them out but to blow them into new life. Ah, soon the new wood becomes part of the old fire and once again the comfort of a roaring fire is felt upon the old man’s back.

The Fire goes out through neglect!

In view of the frequent modern use of "revive" and "revival," it is worthy of notice that it is to Timothy himself the exhortation is addressed. We too often merely pray for "revivals," forgetting that it is for us to "stir into flame" the gift of the Spirit which we have already received of God. It is ours from Him, but we let it lie dormant, as a slumbering ember merely. Often we are aware of the slowly dying fire inside us but the chill has not provided sufficient motivation to rise from our laziness and to stir and stoke the flames. The chill becomes more and more uncomfortable but we will not move until it becomes unbearable. (from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

The Fire Requires Fuel!

Heb 2:3

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

• Bible study, both public and personal provides the fuel for revival.
• Contact with other believers through worship at church is essential. A lone log will not burn well in the fireplace.
  
  
  A Fire Requires good ventilation – Fresh Air!
  
  
  Acts 2:2-3
  2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
  3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
  
  
  Prayer is essential if revival is to come!
  
  
  A Fire Requires Heat!
  
  
  Jer 23:29
  29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
  
  
  Buried deep inside the chilled ashes of the ordinary believer is a spark that longs to be fanned into new life. It calls to us and challenges our carelessness. We dismiss it but it remains. We ignore it but it still burns deep inside. It is that FIRST LOVE we once shared with the Savior.  
  
  
  Rev 2:4
  4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
  
  
  The two-fold remedy for those who had left their first love was to REPENT and to REMEMBER. If we would abandon our sins and remember the joy of a fervent relationship with Christ then revival will come. Let us pray earnestly for it!
  
  
  Dear Lord, there is a longing deep inside for something more in my relationship with you. I know that I am to blame. Blow upon me with your breath and rekindle the fire of revival in me. AMEN

ANGER AND POLITICS

ANGER AND POLITICS!

Eph 4:26

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Col 3:8

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

           Anger, like love, is part of our original emotional makeup. God made us with the capacity to respond and correspond with one another. Anger is, according to Easton's Bible Dictionary, “the emotion of instant displeasure on account of something evil that presents itself to our view.” That is why Paul said to be angry but sin not. It is not the emotion but the way it is applied that might be sin. Anger under the control of the our spirit and the Holy Spirit is what is required.

           So, what does anger have to do with politics? During this election cycle it seems to be the driving force. The main causes of the French Revolution were the French people's frustration with the king in his inability to deal with declining living conditions, namely the country's debt and declining financial situation, food shortages, and certain religious intolerances. Anger ruled and people lost their heads – literally. The same kind of anger exists in America today with, I fear, similar chaos.

Phil 4:5

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

           The word “moderation” in the above verse is the Greek word epieikes which means “appropriate; mild; gentle; patient.” I like to think of it as “sweet reasonableness.” Paul gives the Philippians a prime reason for being reasonable. The Lord is at hand! He’s coming soon.

Dear Lord, there is so much cause for anger these days. Let my anger have a godly and spiritual dimension. Let me be reasonable while being resolute. AMEN

HOW TO EAT AN ELEPHANT

HOW TO EAT AN ELEPHANT!

James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

           Most of us are familiar with the well worn question: “How do you eat an elephant?” We also have learned the answer: “You eat it bite at a time!” Most problems present themselves as huge and overwhelming. We feel we have been asked to eat an elephant. However, upon further investigation, we see that the task is not impossible if we simply focus on eating this elephant “bite at a time” instead of swallowing it whole.

           Erwin W. Lutzer said:  Jesus was not distracted with trivia. He was never in a hurry, for he knew his Father would not give a task without the time to do it. Christ was not driven by crises, feeling he must heal everyone in Israel. He could say, "It is finished,” even when many people were still bound by demons and twisted by disease. What mattered ultimately was not the number of people healed or fed, but whether the Father's will was being done. His clearly defined goals simplified his decisions.

           Most of our panic is produced because we fail to see our resources in God. We know that we are weak and we fail to consider that He is strong. We know that we are bankrupt and we fail to consider that He is rich. Our purposes seem unclear but He is ever in control.

           Elisha had become very unpopular and the king sent an army which surrounded him in the night. In the morning his servant was thrown into a panic because he could not see God’s resources all around him. Elisha prayed that God would reveal himself clearly. Panic faded and confidence was renewed!

2 Kings 6:15-17

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord , I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord  opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Dear Lord, open my eyes today that I might see my resources in you. Take away the panic from my spirit and restore my confidence. AMEN

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

Matt 5:14-16

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

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

I’m going to give up a trade secret among ministers this morning. There are times when we get sick and tired of being “nice.” We get tired to death of restraining ourselves from giving certain individuals a valuable piece of our mind because they seem not to have much of a mind themselves. We grow morbidly weary of being called upon to pray some magic little prayer that will eliminate the consequences of stupidity. How we sometimes envy those whose task in life is to stand in some assembly line and unendingly attach some widget to some gadget. Perhaps this is why the majority of ministers resist the call to such a life. A candle may resent the flame – but will always yield to it.

           Like a candle, we may resent the heat of the flame of ministry. We know that this flame will gradually wear us away but we also know that this is our purpose and reason for existence. Fancier candles may give off their sweet perfume but that is not their purpose or design. They are to give forth light and in order to do that they must yield to the flame. We care because God’s care has been melted and formed within us. It is part of our nature. We respond because the spirit of the Good Samaritan has been poured into us. We shine because the master regularly trims our wick.

           You too are a candle formed and poured by the Lord. Do not resist the flame of obligation. Do not hide your light under the basket of selfishness. Take your place on the candlestick and let your light shine. Men will see your good works and understand that God is at the center of them. Glorify God today!

Dear Lord, I yield to the flame today! Use me to send forth your light. AMEN

THREE DAILY CHALLENGES

THREE DAILY CHALLENGES!

Phil 2:13-15

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

           The Christian is faced with at least three daily challenges that make it hard to shine especially in business! We need to be reminded that the business man who is neatly dressed and scrubbed clean may be hiding a corrupt mind and heart! Although he may seem friendly, his true friend is “the bottom line.” It is important that we remind ourselves that three daily challenges will greet us as we begin our day.

           First, the world holds to the notion that reason is always superior to faith! Even “church people” will compartmentalize these two so that they do not intermingle. They are thought to reside in two separate realms. Reason is reason and faith is faith. Because reason is based upon science and observable facts, it is preferred over faith. God never intended the two to be separated.

Rom 1:28

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

           Second, remember that business practices are “amoral” or value free. Whatever cheating or scheming necessary to “get the job done” is considered normal business practices. The religious idealist becomes very vulnerable if he applies the same rules to business that he finds at church! It is not necessary to abandon morality and decency but always remember that these do not necessarily exist in the business world.

Rom 1:29-31

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

           Third, it is important to know that we live in a world that does not respect rules! The world sees itself as morally emancipated, self-sufficient and free to do as they please. They smile at the Ten Commandments and obey them only when it is convenient or beneficial. The result of these three godless values has left the world friendless and fearful.

Judg 17:6

6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Ps 53:5

5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was:

           The answer for us, of course, is not to join the world in its scheming paranoia but to be alert to the evil around us.

Rom 8:2-4

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Dear Lord, fulfill your righteous law in me today – but let me be wary of the evil world around me. AMEN

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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 by having their own plans 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 those 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 thee and let thy heart be touched by our condition. Be faithful to thy unfaithful ones. Be kind even though we are unthankful. Draw us to thy heart because you do not change. Establish us and make us like thyself. AMEN

FEELING SAFE IN HAZARDOUS TIMES

FEELING SAFE IN HAZARDOUS TIMES!

2 Tim 3:1

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

Luke 21:25-26

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

During President Obama's time in office, there have been four times as many guns purchased as babies born. Americans had 16,107,665 babies between June 2009 and June 2012 -- the bulk of Obama’s presidency -- according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It may seem like a high figure, but the number pales in comparison to how many guns Americans have purchased. Since February 2009, there have been 65,376,373 background checks for Americans looking to buy guns, according to FBI data cited by conservative website CNSNews.com.

Americans do not feel safe in our own country. We fear the spreading violence that has accompanied loose immigration management. ISIS certainly has made us uncomfortable by bringing into our country soldiers pretending to be refugees. We fear our own government because it is now being run by professional politicians who have lost touch with their constituents. Their decisions are not only godless, sometimes they seem insane. We fear our own culture.

This was no surprise to either Paul or Jesus who warned that “in the last days” perilous times would come. Paul said that the main cause would be that men would become “lovers of their own selves.” Jesus said that the “sea and the waves would be roaring” which symbolize the fact that the world would be in a chaotic state. If we are ever to feel safe we must run to Jesus as our strong tower.

Prov 18:10

10 The name of the Lord  is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Dear Lord, perilous times are already here. Keep us safe here until we are safe at home. AMEN