NOT EVERYONE!

 

Thursday, August 31, 2023

 

NOT EVERYONE!

 

Matt 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

          Jesus uses various illustrations to explain that there are two paths and only two. One leads to destruction and this path is occupied by the many. The other path is strait which is the Greek word stenos meaning narrow and surrounded by obstacles. Since that is so, should we not give serious consideration to the popularity of some modern brands of Christianity? On the other hand, must true Christianity be unpopular and ill attended? The debate continues.

 

          The fact is that God is the only qualified judge of whether faith is real or insincere. Warren Wiersbe says: “A false profession will last until judgment comes. Sometimes this judgment is in the form of the trials of life. Like the person who received the seed of God's Word into a shallow heart (Matt 13:4-9), the commitment fails when the testing comes. Many people have professed faith in Christ, only to deny their faith when life becomes spiritually costly and difficult.” However, Jesus, in verse 23 is referring to the final and ultimate judgment.

 

          Jesus shines the light on overt religious activity and shows that it is no real measurement of true faith. Even foretelling the future or claiming to speak with divine inspiration is no guarantee that religious works are genuine. Even the casting out of demons and performing wonderful works is no real proof. Interestingly, the word “works” is the Greek word dunamis which is the same word used in Acts 1:8 when Jesus promised power from the Holy Spirit.

 

          The wheat and the tares (weeds and not fruit) will grow together until harvest day when one will be gathered into barns and the other will be burned. Jesus warned against trying to remove the tares because to do so would damage the wheat also (Matthew 13:29).

 

Dear Lord, let me be sure of my calling and display truth in my dealings. AMEN

 

 

LIVING A TORTURED LIFE!

 

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

 

LIVING A TORTURED LIFE!

 

2 Peter 2:4-9

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation [manor of living] of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

 

          If we were asked to name a “righteous” person in the Old Testament, we might name Moses or Abraham or Joseph, but Lot would probably not be our choice. Yet Peter uses Lot as an illustration of God’s gracious redemption and rescue. Lot had made a series of very bad choices. His focus was not on heavenly things, and he appeared to be overly tolerant of evil, but Peter seems to understand his heart and calls him “righteous.”

 

          Maybe you don’t consider yourself a very good “Christian.” Perhaps you wimp out when it comes time to witness your faith. Maybe you are often too tolerant of evil and are even frustrated with yourself because you are not more aggressive in resisting wrong. Deep down inside there is a vexation that is almost painful. You would like to be rescued from this wicked world.

 

          The word “vexed” is the Greek word basanizo which means “tortured.” Lot lived a tortured life because he had blended with a world in which he did not belong. It may not have been evident to onlookers, but Lot knew it and God knew it too. So, God dispatched angels to redeem and rescue “just Lot” from his condemned world.

 

          The following portion of scripture seems to indicate that a strong fellowship of believers is a shield against the vexation of this world. Speak often one to another. Encourage one another. Rescue is on the way!

 

Mal 3:15-17

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the Lord  hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord , and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

 

Dear Lord, this world is a vexation to my soul. Help me to remain tightly involved in my Christian fellowship. AMEN

JESUS IS MY PACEMAKER

 

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

 

JESUS IS MY PACEMAKER

 

Ps 1:1-3

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

          According to my “smart watch,” my heart rate is 58 beats per minute. Yeah, just chilling. But there was a time, a few years ago, when my heart zoomed to over 100 beets per minute. Doctors call it Atrial Fibrillation and it is not healthy. First there was a procedure called Cardioversion which is a fancy name for an electric shock that resets the heart’s rhythm. Finally, there was a minor surgical procedure called an ablation which is a pin-point intervention within the heart to reset the rhythm. I have not needed a Pacemaker which controls the rhythm.

 

          There is a rhythm to life, a pace to our travel, that reveals our heart and determines our destiny. The Amplified Bible says that the blessed man does not sit down to relax where scorners gather but instead, he meditates, ponders, and studies, the teaching of Scripture. The consequence is fruitfulness and blessing.

 

          As a senior citizen, it is often prudent to pay close attention to my steps. Uneven terrain can be treacherous, so I slow my pace to a cautious tempo. The Lord guides in a sure spiritual tempo as well. Blessed is the person who has adjusted his or her stride to match that of God.

 

Isa 32:16

17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

 

Lord, bring calm to the anxious and energy to the lax. Set my tempo so that I may adjust my stride to match your own. AMEN

SOMETHING IS NOT QUITE RIGHT

 

Monday, August 28, 2023

 

SOMETHING IS NOT QUITE RIGHT

 

Rev 3:14-16

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

KJV

 

          Laodicea was a prosperous Roman market town on the trade route from the East and an early center of Christianity. The name Laodicea means "people's decision", indicating that the people were self-reliant and independent. Strong’s Concordance says that the name is a combination of two words laos, meaning “people” and dike, meaning “decision” (Strong’s Concordance). The general atmosphere in their church was born of consensus. Instead of “thus saith the Lord”, the rule was “thus saith the people.”

 

          My spirit is troubled within me this morning because there is a fog where clarity should reign. Ken Ham, the guy who built The Ark Experience in Kentucky, said, “The more I look at the state of much of the church, the more I believe we need to be more intentional than ever in challenging the church to take back the Bible’s clarity…” I couldn’t agree more.

 

          Worship has come to mean noise while Psalm 46:10 strongly indicates that knowing the Lord requires stillness. The Quakers insist that it be a central part of their corporate worship. Most of us would be very uncomfortable in a setting that required us to connect with our own thoughts. In First Kings 19:12, Elijah learned that God speaks in “a still small voice.”

 

          An orchestra tunes itself to a note known as A 440, which has a frequency of 440 hertz. The note is played by the oboe, and the rest of the orchestra tunes their instruments to match it. When we assemble to worship, the Spirit of God should be our master note.

 

Come, thou Fount of every blessing;

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above;

praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

mount of God’s unchanging love!

 

Lord, my heart is often out of tune. Let me sit in silence until I hear and agree with you. AMEN

THE WRONG MESSAGE!

 

Sunday, August 27, 2023

 

THE WRONG MESSAGE!

 

Acts 24:25

25 And as he [Paul, the prisoner] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

 

          Author, Ray Comfort, asks “Why do 9 out of 10 children raised in Christian homes leave the Church? Why do many professing Christians show little or no evidence for their faith? Why do 80-90% of those making decisions for Christ fall away from the faith? The reason seems to be that the modern church is preaching the wrong message. The soft-sell gospel is “God has a wonderful plan for your life!” Who could refuse this offer?

 

          This offer limits the gospel to those who are dissatisfied with their life. It appeals to the poor, the sick, and the socially disenfranchised but totally shuts out the rich, the healthy, and the socially satisfied. The real gospel is for “whosoever.”

 

          Felix did not need God’s wonderful plan because he was a rich ruler. Yet Paul’s approach was a genuine approach. First, Paul reasoned of “righteousness.” Paul presented the truth that Felix was a breaker of God’s laws. I’m sure he said something like “there is none righteous. Not even you.” (Romans 3:10)

 

          Next, Paul challenged Felix’s lack of temperance and self control. The rich and well placed are often driven to excess by their privilege and, like spoiled brats, do not like their comforts disturbed.

 

          Finally, Paul reasoned of “judgment to come.” It was a compelling argument. There would come a day when Felix would meet the Lawgiver as a lawbreaker. He would be found guilty and sentenced to hell. Felix trembled at that thought but postponed his most important decision. The scripture never records that he ever found a more convenient time!

 

Dear Lord, let me be bold enough to disturb the comfortable and tender enough to comfort the disturbed. AMEN

WHATEVER IS NEXT!

 

Saturday, August 26, 2023

 

WHATEVER IS NEXT!

 

Acts 2:41-47

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

          Thousands of dollars and hours are spent each year trying to discover the newest secret of church health and growth. Perhaps the “secrets” have been hidden in the Bible right under our noses. I think the above section might just be a model for the healthy and growing church.

 

          Verse 41: The dazzling numbers have nearly blinded us to the simple fact that healthy church life always begins with a glad reception of the gospel. Salvation is the starting point, and it is glorious and glad. This is followed immediately with “whatever is next” which is baptism. Healthy and growing believers are always asking and submitting to “whatever is next!”

 

          Verse 42: Healthy and growing churches are populated with members who are consistent in their participation in church life. They do not consider the events on the church calendar as items on a buffet from which they pick and choose but items of a full course meal. It does not say “teaching or fellowship” but teaching AND fellowship AND communion AND prayer meeting AND whatever is next. Unhealthy churches are populated by inconsistent members.

 

          Verse 44: In the healthy and growing church there is a generous sharing of resources. Once, at a local restaurant, our waitress told us that someone from a few tables over secretly picked up our tab. I think I know who the generous person is but I’m sure they prefer to remain anonymous. The point is that, within the healthy church, resources are shared, and nobody feels that he has suffered any loss by giving. Verse 45 explains that the membership felt that resources belonged to “us” instead of “me.”

 

          As church life continued, in verse 46, God added to the church. Outreach and evangelism was simply an outgrowth of healthy church life. As we live the Christian life in community and harmony with others, God gives numerical increase. In the numbers game, there was no guilt and no pride for it was God who produced numerical growth. Our job is healthy and harmonious community with other believers. Members who are part of a church like this just can’t keep from talking about it. The members publically were praising God and the result was that they won the admiration of their city.

 

Dear Lord, let me improve the health of my church by being an active and excited member of it. Let me share generously while feeling no sense of loss in sharing. Add to your church as you see fit. AMEN

HIS YOKE FITS WELL!

 

Friday, August 25, 2023

 

HIS YOKE FITS WELL!

 

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.

 

The Greek word for “easy” is chrestos and literally means “useful” but the Amplified New Testament puts it this way:

 

Matt 11:30

30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good — not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

AMPLIFIED

 

What Jesus was saying is that the service He requires is not difficult to perform. This was in stark contrast to the Jewish system which had grown and grown into something God had never intended it to be. The Pharisaical requirements were heavy and harsh.

 

A pastor of a large congregation resigned his position saying something like “I’m not OK. I am just tired.”  As a veteran of 50 plus years in pastoral ministry, I am not unsympathetic to the pressures of the task, but we were never promised more than a cross!

 

I do not know what God is requiring you to endure at this moment but this one thing I know, the yoke was designed to be comfortable and to fit YOU personally.

 

The yoke refers to oxen's yoke. The yoke was a wooden collar-like instrument placed on the neck and shoulders of the oxen. It was extremely important that the yoke be fitted for the shoulders of the oxen to prevent rubbing the flesh raw and causing sores. Measurements were taken, the yoke was roughed out and then oxen were brought back to have the yoke tailor-made. According to some traditions, some carpenters' shops may very well have carried signs like "My yoke fits well" (William Barclay, The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible)

 

Whatever God has you facing right now is made to fit you perfectly. You have been given the Spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities to handle everything He allows you to go through. Therefore, lay your grief into His loving hands and surrender to His will for you.

 

Jer 31:18

18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.

 

Dear Lord, help me to settle into the burden that you have tailor made for me today. AMEN

HE MAY NOT!

 

Thursday, August 24, 2023

 

HE MAY NOT!

 

Luke 9:23-24

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

 

          Do not suppose that becoming a believing Christian will repair everything that is torn in your life. The results of sin damaged everything, and life may never be rainbows and gumdrops. Jesus warned us that following Him would require a cross.

 

          He may not keep you from suffering pain and humiliation! Peter and his friends were jailed, beaten, and then sternly warned to never speak in the name of Jesus again. At this point they had a choice, and their choice was Jesus.

 

Acts 5:41

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

 

          He may not heal the rift in your family! Remember that each family member has his own personal responsibility to either follow Christ or deny Him. Pain may remain and continue in your family but now the difference is that you have the peace of God that passes all understanding.

 

Matt 10:34-36

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother-in-law.

36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

 

          He may not line your pockets with wealth nor bless your body with health! The prosperity gospel is deceitful and brings prosperity only to those who espouse it. Many times, Paul suffered the lack of supplies when churches forgot his support. On at least one occasion he had to resort to his trade as a tent maker to provide for his needs. God did not give Paul every convenience, but He instead gave him contentment.

 

Phil 4:12-13

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

          He may not always punish your enemies! We are told to pray for our enemies and to persevere in a steady walk with God. We are to walk through difficult and dry places and leave those places better than we found them.

 

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 [weeping] make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

 

Dear Lord, let me be a refreshing drink to the thirsty today. AMEN