AGNOSTICISM AWAKING

AGNOSTICISM AWAKING!

John 4:19-26

19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

         Our culture is now suffering a creeping agnosticism that is being fed by world-wide despair caused by the ineptitude of leadership! The result is that we are all becoming like the woman at the well. All she would confirm is that which she could perceive (verse 19). She affirmed little else. Vincent McNabb (1868-1943) said: “When agnosticism has done its withering work in the mind of man, the mysteries remain as before; all that has been added to them is a settled despair.”

  

           Mr. W. M. H. Aitken comments on this portion: “This agnosticism is not to be wondered at even with our clearer light. God is defined as an infinite Spirit -- two splendid negations. When the woman heard Christ's declaration of the nature of God, she immediately fell back on another thought -- the Messiah. Trace the progress of this spiritual growth -- the awakening of a vague thirst; the definite conviction of sin; the desire to worship truly; the conviction of the coming of a perfect teacher; Christ's disclosure of His Messiahship; His glad communication; the conviction on her word and by personal experience, of the Samaritans that Christ was the Saviour of the world.” (from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006)

           This tortured woman slowly moved from what she did not know to what she knew to be true. This is the journey each of us must take or else we bog down in the slimy pit of confusion and despair. Do not fear to put Jesus to whatever test you will. He is real. You can trust him when He says to you: “I that speak unto thee am he.”

Heb 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Dear Lord, please sit at the well a moment with those today who are of a questioning mind. Patiently wait while they journey from uncertainty to belief. AMEN

STANDING ALONE

STANDING ALONE!

Josh 24:13-15

13 And I [the Lord] have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

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

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

           It is easy to go with the flow; to follow the trend; or to allow current culture to mold your thinking and acting. Israel had, in fact, traditionally followed the path of least resistance. This, of course, led to painful consequences which often accompany foolish actions. Joshua presented the people with a challenge and a choice.

           Take a good look around, he said. Isn’t it obvious that the Lord is your benefactor? All the good that you enjoy is because of Him. You did not work for it! Whether it is little or much, God has given it to you.

           Compare the options! Will you worship something that has been chipped from a rock or hacked from a chunk of wood? Will you worship a piece of pottery or the Potter? Does it actually “seem evil” to serve the Lord? The word “evil” means “to spoil by breaking to pieces.” Do you really think that worshipping God has resulted in the breaking of your stuff? Be reasonable! Think it over!

           Sometimes it becomes necessary to stand alone; to make a unilateral decision. Joshua made a firm decision for himself and for his family. You may be called upon to do the same.

Dear Lord, if the time comes when I must choose to stand alone, give me courage and wisdom to choose wisely. AMEN.

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SOMETIMES A LIGHT SURPRISES

SOMETIMES A LIGHT SURPRISES!

1 John 5:14-15

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

           I received a text last night from a prayer partner which essentially told me that a serious prayer had been wonderfully answered! God had once again come through. What seemed to be a late-arriving answer will soon prove to be His perfect timing. Faith is being built and strengthened.

           God always gives us enough evidence for belief while withholding just enough to satisfy the doubter. A good case can usually be made in either direction and so faith must make up the difference.

Sometimes a light surprises – William Cowper 1779

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing but He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe His people, too;
Beneath the spreading heavens, no creature but is fed;
And He Who feeds the ravens will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

Thank you Lord for surprising, joyful answers to our prayers. AMEN

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

CONFLICT RESOLUTION!

Ps 7:1

7:1 Shig-ga'-ion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

           The strange word at the very beginning of this verse is from the Hebrew shaagah which means “to wander.” So this is a wandering song, a song written and sung while David is on the run from Saul. It is also a rambling song covering different subjects and made up of different parts. As we read it we have the sense of continual interruption. David was always “bugging out!” It speaks of conflict. As for Cush the Benjamite, some scholars think this refers to Saul himself, the son of Kish who was of the tribe of Benjamin.

           David had a collection of enemies, Saul, Goliath, Shimei and even his very own son, Absalom provided constant conflict in his life. For David, conflict was a way of life and we are wise to pay attention when he speaks of it. Notice what he says when he speaks of his enemies. He pleads with the Lord to come and save him. He himself was a mighty warrior but he cries out to God for rescue. He asks God to judge between him and his enemies.

           A war is never quite finished until there is a clear winner and a complete surrender. So it is with sinful us and a righteous God. Since we can’t hope to win in our conflict with God it is wise for us to surrender early and completely.

Eph 2:13-17

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

           Enmity is the Greek word echthra and literally means “the reason for opposition.” We were afar off or estranged but now we are made near because of the blood of Jesus. He has removed the very reason for opposition. He has slain the enmity so that the warring parties can be at peace.

Dear Lord, I sense enmity still in me. It takes me away from you and causes a separation. It is painful and bitter for me and I’m sure it is for you as well. Please come and destroy the enmity with a fresh application of your own blood. Please destroy in me the very reason for opposition. I surrender, Lord. AMEN

VERY COSTLY

VERY COSTLY!

John 12:3

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

           Only two miles from the center of Jesus’ enemies, Mary, Martha, and the resurrected Lazarus made a dinner for their Lord in the house of Simon of Bethany. True to their personalities, Martha busied herself serving while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet worshipping.

            Mary took a pound of ointment, very costly, and anointed both the head and feet of Jesus. When we say “very costly,” we are talking about a year’s salary! In order to gain perspective,  the Federal Reserve, estimates the annual salary in the United States as  $56,516 in 2015. No wonder Judas, the thief, nearly swallowed his tongue!

           Acts of worship are always costly! Giving lavishly always amazes those whose love for Jesus is counted as less valuable than the gift.  Of course, she was misunderstood and criticized; but that is what usually happens when somebody gives his or her best to the Lord. David said: “neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord  my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” 2 Sam 24:24

Give Of Your Best To The Master

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Throw your soul's fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave.
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Dear Lord, let me properly compare your worth with the value of my offering. AMEN