A COMFORT TO ME!

 

Thursday, November 14, 2024

 

A COMFORT TO ME!

 

Col 4:11

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

 

          The word comfort as used here is not the same word as is used when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit. Here the Greek word as well as the English word is paregoric! I suppose you must be of a certain vintage to remember your mother giving you a dose of paregoric. I remember it as a cloudy clear liquid that she mixed with water and had me drink it. It settled the stomach and, I suppose, settled the child. You can’t buy it anymore without a prescription because it is a narcotic. My childhood survived many such things that are now considered dangerous.

 

Jesus Justus was a Jewish believer who served with Paul, but we know nothing about him. The name Jesus (Joshua) was a popular Jewish name, and it was not unusual for Jewish people to have a Roman name as well (Justus). He represents all those faithful believers who serve God but receive little recognition. These were Paul’s paregoric! They eased his pain and settled him down. Oh! How very important are these unsung faithful ones!

 

You may not realize it, but your acts of kindness and cooperation may ease someone’s pain and settle their nerves. You also may be totally unaware that you are the source of someone’s comfort. God bless you for your steadfast faithfulness for it is a great comfort to me and to others.

 

Dear Jesus, thank you for the many unheralded servants that provide soothing and comfort. May I learn to be one of them. AMEN

 

MAKING A SILK PURSE!

 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

 

MAKING A SILK PURSE!

 

Rom 7:18-19

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

 

          It was Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745) who first said: “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!” The saying means that you can’t produce a good quality product using poor quality materials. In manufacturing this is certainly true but, when it comes to God and man, miraculous things can happen!

 

          Conversion is the transformation of a useless sinner into something of value to both God and man. The demoniac of Gadara is a prime example. In Mark 5:15 the transformation was so shocking that it caused the townspeople to be afraid. Before Jesus, this man was living in a graveyard naked and wild but after Jesus he is seen clean, calm, fully clothed and in his right mind. Viola! A silk purse from a sow’s ear!

 

          John Henry Newton (24 July 1725 – 21 December 1807) was an English sailor and Anglican clergyman. Starting his career at sea, at a young age, he became involved with the slave trade for a few years and was himself enslaved for a period. After experiencing a religious conversion, he became a minister, hymn-writer, and later a prominent supporter of the abolition of slavery. He was the author of many hymns, including "Amazing Grace" and "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken." (Source Wikipedia)

 

Amazing Grace

 

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

 

Thank you, Lord, for the transformation that has taken place in my life. Because of your blood and your love I am not the man I used to be. Help me to see this potential in others. AMEN

 

WAITING LIKE A FARMER!

 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

A SEASONAL “CLASSIC”

 

WAITING LIKE A FARMER!

 

James 5:7-8

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman [farmer] waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

 

          Picture a local coffee shop very early in the morning. One old farmer has just arrived and jingles the bell as he gently closes the door behind him. He is dressed in overalls, flannel shirt, work boots and an oily John Deer cap. He joins a group of other farmers in the corner where two tables have been pushed together. The smell of coffee and bacon is in the air. Yonder comes the waitress with a smile and a fresh mug. She doesn’t ask but simply pours the mug full of black steaming brew.

 

          All these men are working! What looks like a lazy interruption of farmers’ work is actually the hard job of waiting. All these farmers know that once their work is done the rest is up to God. The soil has been plowed and the seed has been sown. Now they settle down to pray for rain and to exercise patience. God is now actively working because no farmer can control the weather. Too much rain can rot the crop and too much sun can burn it. An early frost can be devastating. Yes, all these men are working hard at talking, drinking coffee, and waiting.

 

          James pictures the Christian as a spiritual farmer. There are seasons to the spiritual life and sometimes it appears that nothing is being done. This is the season that requires patience. It is a time to repair and sharpen the equipment and to sit with others and hope over a cup of coffee.

 

          Here, then, is the secret to endurance. We need to remember that God is trying to produce a harvest of spiritual fruit in our lives. Seeds of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith” are beginning to sprout in us. Trials and troubles are sometimes needed for the harvest. So, grab a mug of patience, with a side order of hope, and take a seat at the table of waiting.

 

Dear Lord, the signs of harvest are all around us. Help us as we exercise the hard work of patience. AMEN

 

THE END OF HOSTILITIES

 

Monday, November 11, 2024

 

THE END OF HOSTILITIES

 

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; [both Jews and Gentiles of every stripe]

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.

 

          The word “enmity,” in verse 15 is the Greek echthra which means hostility. Paul was telling both Jews and non-Jews that Jesus, Messiah, had abolished the hostilities that existed between them and God. God had satisfied His wrath upon his Son instead of them. Reconciliation was now possible because, in verse 16, the enmity or hostilities had been slain.

 

          Today is veterans’ day. The armistice was signed on this day in 1919 which signaled the end of WWI and not, as some think, WWII. Hostilities and all enmity would cease at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Today we remember those who removed the hostilities by paying the ultimate sacrifice. All gave some. Some gave all.

 

          Today is a good day to remember what Christ has done for us. Let the bells ring loud. The end of hostilities has come.

 

Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice. AMEN

 

THE PEACE OF GOD!

 

Sunday, November 10, 2024

 

THE PEACE OF GOD!

 

Phil 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

          Peace is that quietness of spirit that signals everything is alright. In that peaceful place the winds are mild, and the temperatures are moderate; bills are paid and there is enough for today. In that peaceful place our relationships are pleasant, and our enemies are kept far away. Peace! How we long for peace but there are at least four areas that are subject to turmoil.

 

          The heart is wounded throughout life by harmful things we have done and by damage done to us by others. One is guilt and the other is hurt. Unless we allow the Good Samaritan to bind up those wounds the hurt of the past will disturb our peace.

 

Ps 34:18-19

18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

 

          The mind is divided against itself and disturbs our peace. We profess to believe but there is inward doubt. Our greatest doubt is regarding our own value.

 

Matt 10:29-31

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 

          The will becomes paralyzed, and we suffer the loss of peace that comes from indecision. We halt between two opinions and in doing so neither seems right.

 

Josh 24:15

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.

 

          The soul is exposed to too much noise, business, information, and entertainment. The soul needs quietness, meditation, and rest. The soul needs prayer. Even the music we choose either agitates us or soothes us. Choose quiet places, quiet people, and quiet music. Find a place of refuge for the soul.

 

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Dear Lord, give peace to those who are troubled today. AMEN

 

THE BLESSING!

 

Saturday, November 9, 2024

 

THE BLESSING!

 

The following true story is a “Classic” which means you might have seen it before. It is one of my favorites because it really happened to me on a blustery early winter day just before Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy it and that it prompts you to think about the strangers you may meet today.

 

Gal 6:10

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 

          My wife and I had gone to Wichita Falls on some business and inevitably we always visit Hobby Lobby and Mardel’s Christian store. The day was blustery with suddenly cold temperatures and freezing rain. While Irene was at Hobby Lobby, I took refuge in Mardel’s and poured myself a cup of free coffee. I was sitting near the front of the store, in a comfortable chair next to the Christmas tree, when I observed a curious thing.

 

          A man entered the store wearing a green parka with the hood pulled up over his head. He was soaked! He carried a black trash bag with mysterious contents. He asked if there was a bathroom and was directed to the back of the store. Then he asked if he could leave his parcel with the clerk near the register. Always accommodating, the clerk told him he could leave his burden with her while he went to the bathroom.

 

          Now, I’m watching all this and thinking that this could be a bomb! Then I dismissed that notion because a bomber would not leave a bomb and then retreat into the building and not from it. While I continued to sip my coffee and ponder, the man returned to retrieve his package.

 

          The clerk offered the man some coffee and he eagerly and gratefully accepted. He walked over to the coffee pot and took a seat next to me. I noticed that he did not fit the homeless model. He was young, clean, and had recently shaved. He had a nice smile and a military haircut. I asked him if he was in the military because Sheppard Air Force base is in Wichita Falls. He answered that he was a Marine. Marines never talk of their service as “former.” I was prompted to speak to him of his salvation, but he said something that stopped me.

 

          He said: “The Lord has been blessing me all day long!” He said this with a smile that nearly glowed. He then told me that he lived in an apartment near Wal-Mart.  I knew that this apartment was a considerable distance to walk and thought I might offer him a ride home. He stopped that thought by saying he had a few stops along the way. There was something about this young man that made you want to help him even though he asked for little.

 

          Then the blessing happened! Another clerk came from the rear of the store with an old golf umbrella. While it was a bit dirty, it was solid. She apologized for its condition and explained that it had been left at the store by a customer. His face lit up with understanding and thanksgiving. I remembered what he had said to me: “The Lord has been blessing me all day long!” Then I thought of a Bible verse …

 

Heb 13:2

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for there by some have entertained angels unawares.

 

Dear Lord, today may bring opportunities to do good and be a blessing. Don’t let me overlook these. AMEN

 

THANKSGIVING PERSPECTIVE

 

Friday, November 8, 2024

 

THANKSGIVING PERSPECTIVE

 

2 Kings 7:9

9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.

 

          A band of lepers sat contemplating their fate. Leprosy had condemned them to death, and they considered going into the camp of the Syrians, their enemies. If they found sympathy and compassion, they would live but if not they would “only die.” You can read this most interesting account in Second Kings chapter seven.

 

          Arriving at the Syrian camp, the lepers found lots of stuff but not one man to resist them. They ate their fill and sat down. One said to another, “it is not right that we sit here filled while our own people are starving.” They returned to tell the good news.

 

          I was thinking how different it is this coming Thanksgiving when compared to the Pilgrims’ first one. Most of the little colony had perished and they sat down to whatever was available. Yet, they still thought to give thanks to God.

 

          Two things came to mind this morning. First, it is hard to give thanks in the midst of blessings. Second, the action of giving thanks is sharing. As we are only twenty days away from our official Thanksgiving Day, let us ponder these two things.

 

Acts 4:32-33

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

 

Dear Lord, I am richly blessed. Let me tell others and share. AMEN

 

THE RED WAVE

 

Thursday, November 7, 2024

 

THE RED WAVE

 

John 19:32

34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

 

          Our nation has just finished electing a new president along with flipping the senate and perhaps the house as well. Some are calling it a “red wave” because the nation spoke with such strength and unity. However, the crimson wave I am thinking about is an old Christian hymn.

 

THE CLEANSING WAVE

Phoebe Palmer, 1807

Oh, now I see the crimson wave!

The fountain deep and wide;

Jesus, my Lord, mighty to save,

Points to His wounded side.

 

Refrain:

The cleansing stream I see, I see!

I plunge, and, oh, it cleanseth me!

Oh, praise the Lord, it cleanseth me!

It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me.

 

Dear Lord, let our nation return to Thee. AMEN

 

THE PRAYER THAT IS ALWAYS ANSWERED

 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

 

THE PRAYER THAT IS ALWAYS ANSWERED

 

Acts 21:11-14

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

 

          Jan Karon is the best-selling author of the Mitford novels, also called the Father Tim novels. There are about 23 of them and I have read most, if not all of them.

 

          Father Tim is an Anglican [Episcopal] priest. Fortunately for him, Anglicans are permitted to marry beauties like Cynthia, his next-door neighbor. Throughout all of Tim’s adventures he invokes what he calls “the prayer that is always answered.” This, of course, is “Lord, let your will be done.”

 

          Last night I stayed up watching election results until the news anchors’ makeup melted. Finally, somewhere near two o’clock in the morning, we had a winner. This morning, we are praying Father Tim’s sure-fire prayer. The will of the Lord be done.

 

Eph 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

Lord, because our ability to discern what is right is broken, please let your will be done. It is both a sane and safe prayer. AMEN

 

TRUTH HAS NO DENOMINATION!

 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

 

TRUTH HAS NO DENOMINATION!

 

Matt 22:15-17

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

 

John 9:24-27

24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear:  wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

 

          The word “truth” can be found in the King James translation 235 times! In the verses selected this morning we see the Pharisees, self-proclaimed guardians of their definition of the truth, confronting Jesus so that they might entangle Him in his talk. Their pursuit was not for the truth but for a remedy. Jesus was most certainly a Jew but not a Pharisee.

 

          In John 9, we see just how inconvenient truth can be when Jesus heals a blind man. The religious leaders considered Jesus a sinner and now he is reported to have restored sight to the blind! Facts had gotten in the way of belief and so facts had to be discredited. Question upon question is hurled at the formerly blind man and his new sight is now accompanied by insight. He boldly asks “will ye also be his disciples?” Aldus Huxley (1894 – 1963) once said: “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”

 

          Today’s devotional is being read by friends who are Baptists, Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, a Methodist and a Missouri Synod Lutheran. These live in a world that is crumbling all around them. Global politics driven by pride and greed give birth to violence and confusion. Truth is precious because it is rare. Malcolm Muggeridge once said: “A collapsing world is more conducive to understanding the nature of truth than a triumphant world.” So, we now live in a world that is ready for truth.

 

“Plato, three hundred years before Christ, predicted that if ever the truly good man were to appear, the man who would tell the truth, he would have his eyes gouged out and in the end be crucified. That risk was once taken, in its fullest measure. The Man appeared. He told the world the truth-about itself-and even made the preposterous claim: "I am the Truth." As Plato foresaw, the Man was crucified.”  Elizabeth Elliot

 

Dear Lord, let truth prevail today. Give us both sight and insight. AMEN

 

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!

 

Monday, November 4, 2024

 

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!

 

Est 4:13-14

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

 

          Esther was a Jewess who won a beauty contest and became queen. As strange as that sounds it was all part of God’s plan to rescue the Jews from a plot to wipe them out! Thrust unwillingly into an arena that would determine life or death for her and her people, she had a decision to make.

 

          Do you have any idea how important your simple act of voting might be? Perhaps with the touch of an electronic screen you could change the course of a region, or a state, or a nation. I’m not just trying to be dramatic. I’m trying to show you that God can use the seemingly insignificant to produce great change.

 

          Mordecai assured Esther that God would send relief to her people even if she refused her responsibility – but she would be the loser. What an opportunity to be part of God’s plan! What a risk!

 

          VOTE! It is your right and your responsibility! Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

 

Dear Lord, let your will be done in this election and let us not shun our duty. AMEN