HARD AND SOFT EVIDENCE!

Thursday, October 31, 2019

HARD AND SOFT EVIDENCE!

           The English word “evidence” is used seven times in only two occasions. The first occasion of its use is when God told Jeremiah to buy a field from Hanamel. This was literally a piece of the battlefield that would determine the captivity of Israel to the Babylonians. I’m sure that everyone thought Hanamel was quite the shrewd business man because the land was, at that time, worthless. But Jeremiah had God as an insider trader. You can read all about it in Jeremiah 32. I won’t list the verses here because they are lengthy but please read it when you have time.

           Yes, the field would be worthless UNTIL God brought the captives back to Israel. Then only the people with a title deed to land could reclaim that land. Jeremiah had a “document” which is the meaning of the Hebrew word ciphrah. This had been placed in “an earthen vessel that they may continue many days.” This was hard evidence that Jeremiah owned the land. There would be a re-gathering.

Jer 32:37

37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:

           The second occurrence of the use of the word “evidence” is found in Hebrews chapter 11. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Here the Greek word is elegchos and it does not mean a document but a conviction. This is the soft evidence that causes us to say “I can’t prove it, but I just know it!

           Would Jeremiah ever actually occupy the land he had bought? Would he die in captivity as an old man? Yet, as Warren Wiersbe comments, “That, however, is what faith is all about: obeying God in spite of what we see, how we feel, and what may happen. It's well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence but obeying in spite of consequence, and Jeremiah's actions illustrate that maxim.”

Dear Lord, we just know that everything is going to turn out all right. We can safely invest in you and your kingdom enterprises. It may seem foolish to others, but we know that there will soon be a gathering. We will one day occupy what has been purchased. Thank you for the evidence of your Holy Spirit. AMEN

AN UNCOMFORTABLE ALLIANCE!

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

AN UNCOMFORTABLE ALLIANCE!

John 15:17-19

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

           Christianity began as an insignificant baker’s dozen plodded the streets of Jerusalem. As far as the world was concerned, this little band was hardly worth a second glance. Their leader was a poor carpenter with a questionable birth and a strange personal magnetism. He attracted a handful of societal misfits who wandered the streets and generally made of themselves a nuisance. The world hated them. Their leader was crucified, one follower committed suicide, and one-by-one the rest were dispatched in order.

           The spread of Christianity can only be described as “otherworldly.” Its growth doesn’t make much sense and what was once an obscure cult is now a worldwide force. But the bonding of Christianity and American culture is an uncomfortable alliance where both sides question whether it is appropriate to be part of the other. As long as Christianity doesn’t demand culture to radically change, the alliance is friendly but when Christianity proves itself to be truly Christian the relationship is strained. The world still hates us!

           Settle it in your heart that the world will resist zealous Christianity. You will constantly have to choose between pleasing the world or pleasing your God. You can never find a comfortable middle ground. It doesn’t exist. Stop trying to compromise with the culture because the world can offer you nothing beyond this life. Only Jesus can do that.

John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Dear Lord, the world is a disappointing place because I am not from here. I don’t belong here! The discomfort that I feel is due to my being displaced from my true home. Come quickly and take me to be with you. AMEN

THE FLIP SIDE OF CONFUSION!

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

THE FLIP SIDE OF CONFUSION!

1 Cor 14:33

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

James 3:16

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

           Our English word “confusion” is translated from some eight or nine original Hebrew and Greek words. We don’t have space or time for an exhaustive study of each one. We will take a look at two examples.

           In both verses above the Greek word for “confusion” is akatastasia and it means “instability and disorder.” In Corinthians, Paul is addressing the instability and disorder of the unrestrained use of certain sign gifts, the most popular of which was, and still is, the use of unlearned languages as the means of revelation. Use of tongues evidently made one popular among the believers and, human nature being what it is, some were, and still are, “faking it.” The result was confusion and disorder. Paul simply said that God did not and does not “author” this.

           James is plain spoken in all his teachings and explains that confusion is produced by envy and strife. Whenever we compete with God and other believers for prominence and popularity there is disorder and confusion.

           The flip side of confusion is peace! Peace with one another takes place when we stop pushing and shoving for popularity and privilege. Peace with God comes only from surrender since we have no hope in victory over God. Fighting with God is like slapping a cactus.

           Stop for a moment! What is driving the confusion in your life? Are you in competition with other humans? The answer is order and humility. Are you in a battle with God? Such a battle cannot end well unless you surrender.

Dear Lord, let me put away envy and strife. Let me not envy my brothers and sisters or strive with you. Replace my confusion with peace today. AMEN