CHARACTER!

 

Sunday, July 30, 2023

 

CHARACTER!

 

Rom 5:1-5

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

          The word “experience” in verse four is the Greek word dokime (dok-ee-may’) and literally means trustiness or CHARACTER! Vincent’s Word Studies says that it means “tried or proven integrity.”

 

          Because we have been justified by our faith in Christ, we are now at peace with Him and have been given peace from Him. Not only are we no longer at war with Him but we have been given the calmness that transcends anything this world may offer.

 

          Little by little, God begins to build character in His children by allowing tribulation to come into our lives. This He gives us in measured amounts so that we are not overwhelmed. The trials first build patience or endurance. Like an athlete who trains and builds muscle, strength, and stamina, so the believer is able to endure patiently more and more challenges. Almost imperceptibly, because we learn to do the right thing over and over, we develop character.

 

          Character builds hope! Hope is the Greek word elpis which means “to anticipate with pleasure or confidence.” Every time we meet a challenge with integrity and patience, hope is built in us. Because God has delivered us in the past, we know He will not fail us now or in the future. We develop a confidence in Him that cannot be shaken by mere trials.

 

          Finally, we arrive at boldness because this hope “maketh not ashamed!” Perhaps the reason we fear to boldly proclaim our faith is that we haven’t fully developed it. We haven’t born the trials that build this kind of confidence and character.

 

1 Peter 5:10

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

 

Dear Lord, I know that you deliver my trials in measured amounts. Thank you for building character in me. Help me to be a good student. AMEN

BE THE REASON

 

Saturday, July 29, 2023

 

BE THE REASON

 

Ps 84:5-6

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

 

          The word Baca means “weeping,” and the symbolism is startling. The world we live in is cursed because of man’s sin. It is a hard place full of weeping. The people we meet are discouraged, parched, and looking for refreshment. When we meet them, we can form a society of weepers, or we can dig a well.

 

          It is not easy digging. The ground is dry, and the sun is high and hot. Few are willing to help dig as they form a circle around our shovel with cups in hand. They look to us for refreshment, but our souls are as dry as theirs. But keep digging and keep smiling through those parched lips.

 

          Be the reason others are refreshed and encouraged today. You will drink from your own well.

 

Prov 10:10

11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

 

Lord, let me be a well of refreshment to others today. AMEN

AS WE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING!

 

Friday, July 28, 2023

 

AS WE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING!

 

Heb 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

          What day? “The day” refers to the day of the Lord’s coming. For believers, it is the day of our total and final redemption. We will be going home but even this fact can strike panic in those who, for one reason or another, are not ready or not willing to depart from a familiar and somewhat comfortable world.

 

          The shortest designation of the Lord’s coming occurs in First Corinthians 13:13 which says, “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” So, we approach a time when the books will be balanced, and a record revealed. That would be reason enough to be anxious as we “SEE” the day approaching.

 

          Preppers! That’s what they call those who store food, ammunition, and other supplies against an unknown and unseen time of calamity. Christians are often called by worse names! But shouldn’t we be prepared against an observable and fast approaching event? Solomon wrote in his Proverbs “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Prov 22:3

 

‎          Ignatius said, “When ye frequently and in numbers meet together, the powers of Satan are overthrown, and his mischief is neutralized by your likemindedness in the faith.' To neglect such assemblings might end in apostasy.”

 

1 John 2:18

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

 

Dear Lord, I see the day fast approaching. Make me steadfast. Keep me close to your heart. AMEN

EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT!

 

Thursday, July 27, 2023

 

EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT!

 

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.

 

Isa 40:30-31

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

          We look to youth for strength! They fight our battles, invent new technology, and lift heavy objects! But we live in a time when even the youths are anxious about those things that are coming upon the earth. They are morally confused and need clear direction. They are politically deceived and need the unvarnished truth. They are unmotivated, but most would welcome a worthwhile challenge.

 

          The answer is the same for both youths and the not-so-young. We must wait upon the Lord. Warren Wiersbe explains that “The word "wait" does not suggest that we sit around and do nothing. It means "to hope," to look to God for all that we need. This involves meditating on His character and His promises, praying, and seeking to glorify Him.”

 

Isa 26:3-4

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

 

Dear Lord, it certainly appears that we may be the final generation! Give us wisdom for these dark days and the courage to wait on you. Let us mount up with wings. AMEN

ANXIETY AND IGNORANCE

 

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

 

ANXIETY AND IGNORANCE

 

Matt 24:6

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. KJV

 

Matt 24:35-37

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. KJV

 

2 Peter 3:3-5

3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of …

 

          Our world is filled with anxiety. News travels fast and that which is not news travels even faster. The result is that the least significant trouble is emblazoned across our view with an urgency it has not earned. We have been conditioned to expect calamity. But this is not to say things are not bad and getting worse, they are.

 

          Likened to the days of Noah, our days threaten to cause the Creator to sigh that He had ever made man. We mock and ignore every warning until the day of reckoning overtakes and overflows us.

 

          God’s patience with us has given us cause to doubt that day of reckoning. That is the ignorance that consorts with anxiety. When our worry becomes too much to bear, ignorance reassures us that everything is alright. But He is coming. Then two shall be ploughing in the field and one shall be taken and the other left.

 

Matt 6:19-21

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Blessed art Thou, O God, King of the Universe, who will come again and receive us unto yourself that we may be where you are. AMEN

CHRISTIAN OR HUMANIST?

 

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

 

CHRISTIAN OR HUMANIST?

 

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.

 

2 Cor 6:14-15

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

 

          Have you ever wondered why a “good Christian girl or boy;” raised in church, and seemingly dedicated to the beliefs of their church, can so easily abandon those beliefs and disciplines so that they can be married to or to live with an unbeliever? Suddenly, like lightning, and without any qualm, they abandon their faith for what they think is romantic love.

 

          Jewish talk show host, Dennis Prager said: “Jews don't marry Christians.  Non-Jewish Jews marry non-Christian Christians.  Jews for nothing marry Christians for nothing.  They get along great because they both affirm nothing.  They have everything in common--nothing.”

 

          Most of our church members would be horribly offended if they were accused of being secular humanists! First, most of our church members would not understand just what a secular humanist is! Secular humanism is a non-theistic world view based on the belief that humanity is of utmost importance.

Specifically, what I want at the moment is most important. Secular humanists typically have emphasized the values of human freedom, especially freedom from restrictive or irrational religious traditions. To quote Paul in Romans chapter 1, “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” In other words, they want God to simply leave them alone!

 

          Now, I’m going to jump off the ledge and say that many modern, progressive preachers and their congregants are really secular humanists. Rather than allowing the truth of the Word of God and the disciplines of their faith to transform their behavior, they have transformed their religion to allow for their behavior. When they speak of freedom and liberty they are not speaking of liberty from law or freedom from sin, they speak of freedom from restrictive religious rules that restrain pleasurable behavior.

 

          Submission to the Lordship of Jesus is the key to genuine biblical faith. If I am unwilling to allow God to invade and control my values and my behavior, then I am not truly Christian.

 

Dear Lord, come and challenge my every thought. Question my every motive. Discipline my every action. Be the Lord of my life today. AMEN

THE REALITIES OF THE FLESH!

 

Monday, July 24, 2023

 

THE REALITIES OF THE FLESH!

 

Matt 26:40-41

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 

          The disciples had marched the dusty road to Gethsemane. The dirt, like cool powder, soothed their weary feet. Finding a comfortable place, they stretched out on the rocks and wrapped themselves in the dew of evening. Jesus takes Peter, James and John then said to the others: “Stay here while I go yonder and pray.”

 

          It had been a difficult day. Their minds were still trying to process the announcement that Jesus was going to die. Maybe he was speaking metaphorically. Then there was the strange twist to the familiar supper when Jesus offered the bread and declared that it was his body. Then he offered the cup and declared that it was his blood. What could that mean? A yawn and a stretch and soon the three that were closest to Him fell fast asleep. Following this man was exhausting work.

 

Gal 5:17

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 

          There are some harsh realities of the flesh. Our bodies, at the same time, make it possible for us to serve God while resisting the rigors of that service. Our bodies prefer comfort and must be dragged along on the journey at times. Discipline is both difficult and necessary if we are to accomplish our spiritual goals. Aging adds yet another hardship to the process.

 

1 Cor 9:27

27 But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]. AMPLIFIED NEW TESTAMENT

 

Dear Lord, give me the courage to refuse my body the pampering it demands so that I might accomplish your purposes today. AMEN

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

 

Sunday, July 23, 2023

 

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

 

2 Thess 3:3

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

 

1 Cor 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

James 1:17

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

God is so very constant that we take Him for granted. Angels gathered around Him are in perpetual amazement at His glory and their praises never cease. We breathe His air, feast upon His bounty, and walk upon the ground fashioned by His hands but we ignore Him but God is faithful to the children of men!

 

Ruth gleans after the reapers in the field of Boaz, and they drop handfuls on purpose. God does the same for us day by day. Found treasure is dropped from the pocket of the Almighty. We, the needy, walk along and discover today’s provision. We think ourselves lucky, but it is the hand of God that fills our apron. We carry home a bushel. We feast upon it and sell the rest in the marketplace. God is faithful! The morning sun warms our cheeks, a bird sings and we fill our breast with the freshness of a new day. God is faithful!

 

God’s faithfulness is part of His own nature. It is not possible for Him to be un-faithful. When He withholds it is not due to lack or neglect. It is full of purpose. When he withdraws it is to create in us a sense of loss and a thirst for His presence. Everything He does is full of purpose. He has not lost sight of you. He knows your name. He restrains kings for your sake.

 

God’s faithfulness is not manipulated by our own. Our un-faithfulness cannot cancel out His! “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Tim 2:13) God blesses those who curse Him and provides for those who believe not. He cannot deny himself.  

 

Lam 3:22-23

22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 

Lord, words fail in my effort to describe your faithfulness! Thank you! AMEN

WHERE SHALL WISDOM BE FOUND?

 

Saturday, July 22, 2023

 

WHERE SHALL WISDOM BE FOUND?

 

Scripture reading: Job 28:12-28

 

Job 28:12

12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

 

Job 28:15

15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

 

Job 28:28

28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

 

          I have been called wise by some, but I catch myself asking, almost begging, God for wisdom more and more. The section of scripture before us today is from the lips of Job as he answers one of his questioning and questionable friends. There is much wisdom here.

 

          Two vocabulary words need to be clarified if we are to distinguish between experience and wisdom. Merriam-Webster says that experience is: “the observation of or participation in or tending toward knowledge; the skill derived from participation.” Wisdom is insight, judgment, or good sense. One would think that a long life of experiences might produce both knowledge and a bit of wisdom and so we honor those who are gray headed. (Read Leviticus 19:32)

 

          But wisdom is a choice! We choose to fear (honor and respect) the Lord and wisdom is a by-product of that relationship. The closer we walk, the wiser we become. Conversely, when we stray from Him and His ways we lose insight, judgment, and good sense. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Ps 14:1

 

Lord! For the twisting path I will walk today and for the stones of stumbling that Satan will cast in my way, give me wisdom. AMEN

NAMES AND FACES!

 

Friday, July 21, 2023

 

NAMES AND FACES!

 

Luke 10:20

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

Rev 3:4

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

 

          I woke up this morning with my mind full of names, faces, and distant places. After 48 years in pastoral ministry, I can tell you that there are many of those names stored on the hard drive. Those names and memories often need to be reorganized in my mind. Early morning is a good time to do that.

 

          God beholds my face and knows me by name. When my mother and father attached a name to a baby boy, God took note and followed me – is still following me – through life. My name, in fact, is now eternal. There may be others with the same name, but God sees both the name and the face. That makes my relationship with Him very personal.

 

          “Even in Sardis” is what Jesus said in Revelation 3:4. Why did He say that? I will quote the research of Warren Wiersbe who says: “Ancient Sardis, the capital of Lydia, was a most important city. It lay about fifty miles east of Ephesus at the junction of five main roads; so it was a center for trade. It was also a military center, for it was located on an almost inaccessible plateau. The acropolis of Sardis was about 1,500 feet above the main roads, and it formed an impregnable fortress. The main religion in the city was the worship of Artemis, one of the "nature cults" that built on the idea of death and rebirth.

 

Sad to say, the city at that time was but a shadow of its former splendor; and the church, unfortunately, had become like the city - it was alive in name only.”

 

Small, insignificant, and used-to-be towns still contain those whose names and faces are known by God. He who numbers the hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30), also knows our names and is familiar with our faces.

 

Ps 27:4

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord  all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

 

Dear Lord, one day soon we will behold Thy face and know you as surely as you know us. Thank you for never taking your eye off us. AMEN