IF IT WEREN’T FOR GRACE!

 

Sunday, June 30, 2024

 

IF IT WEREN’T FOR GRACE!

 

Rom 5:15

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

 

          I recall a choir song. The truth of it is immense and amazing. Where would I be if it weren’t for grace?

 

          Grace is that attribute of God that allows Him to relate to us as though we had no sin. No, it is not the same as ignoring our sin! That produces spoiled bratty children. Grace is possible because the punishment has already been exacted. My debt is paid. Grace is the parental hug after the spanking.

 

          The gift of grace is “by one man, Jesus Christ” and it has abounded unto many. Why only many? Why not all? Certainly, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all sins and all sinners! The answer is in the word “whosoever.”

 

          “Whosoever” is found 183 times in 163 verses. The final time it is used is Revelation 22:17 and it is the final invitation.

 

Rev 22:17

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for your grace which was purchased by Jesus Christ. AMEN

 

TWO IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGES!

 

Saturday, June 29, 2024

 

TWO IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGES!

 

Mark 8:23-26

23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

 

CHALLENGE #1 – THE UNSEEING EYES

 

The Old Testament prophesied that when Messiah came, He would restore sight to the blind. John the Baptist imprisoned and discouraged wondered about the man he had baptized and promoted as the anointed one. He mused in his dungeon as to whether Jesus was really that one. He sent messengers to Jesus for confirmation and Jesus responded by pointing out fulfilled prophecy.

 

Matt 11:4-5

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

 

Much has been made by some of the spittle of Jesus upon the eyes of the blind saying that the act was nasty or even humorous, but no eye salve could have done what was done on that day. Personally, I think it was an act of re-creation. Jesus made fresh eyes for the man!

 

The man had come from no sight at all to incomplete sight. He said, “I see men as trees walking!” Can you imagine the mixture of excitement and disappointment that must have been his? It is hard to miss the spiritual application of this as well. We move from spiritual blindness to salvation but then on to spiritual maturity with all the emotional complications of that journey. After Jesus’ second touch the man saw all things clearly. Oh, how we long for that day. Paul told the Corinthians that we now see through a glass, darkly, but one day we will see face to face. May that day soon come!

 

CHALLENGE #2 – DON’T TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS!

 

Mark 8:26

26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

 

In verse 23 Jesus led the man out of “the town.” Now, in verse 26 Jesus tells the exuberant man neither to go into “the town” nor to tell this to any in “the town.” I wonder what the problem was with this particular town. No matter, they would soon hear the good news from this one who had received his sight! When Jesus touched his eyes, He also loosened his lips.

 

Ps 63:3-4

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

 

Dear Lord, you have touched my eyes and made me see now open my mouth that I may tell the good news to others that sit in darkness. AMEN

 

THE NEW GREAT AWAKENING

 

Friday, June 28, 2024

 

THE NEW GREAT AWAKENING

 

John 8:32-36

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

What has come to be called The Great Awakening was led by George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards and Gilbert Tennant. It swept the mid-Atlantic colonies in the 1730’s and 1740’s. This sweeping spiritual revival focused on those who were already church members! It challenged their rituals, their piety, and their self-awareness.

 

Jonathan Edwards’ most famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” was based upon Deut 32:35 “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” It is said that those who listened to this sermon held onto the pillars of the meeting house for stability fearing the floor would open and hell would swallow them up!

 

While some discount its importance, the impact upon the American Revolution seems clear. The American Revolution was less about tea and taxation than it was about tyranny, freedom and man’s inalienable rights handed down by the Creator. Just as Jesus said, “the truth shall make you free.” The foundation of the truth preached by Whitfield, Edwards and Tennant created the air in which freedom could breathe.

 

The need today is not so much a return to political conservatism and integrity but a spiritual revival which will produce a climate in which government reform can take place. Without a spiritual revival political reform will only serve to replace one tyrant with another. The most important thing I can do for my country is to be a Christ follower and a prayer warrior!

 

Prov 29:2

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

 

Dear Lord, our nation needs you desperately! Create in us a thirst for godliness and return to us in great strength. Hear us when we pray! Restrain evil in our land and in ourselves.  Oh Lord, revive us again! AMEN

 

A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY

 

Thursday, June 27, 2024

 

A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY

 

Acts 8:1 & 4

8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

 

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

 

Historian K. S. Latourette A History of Christianity, Harper & Row Publishers, 1975, observes that throughout the history of the church, whenever the Word of God was put into the hands of laymen, the Gospel tended to spread like a prairie fire. When however, the Word remained in the hands of the clergy, evangelism ground to a near halt!

 

The challenge, of course, is motivation. How is it possible to motivate a laity that is comfortable? The answer is discomfort in the form of “great persecution” (verse 1). 

 

A new sense of urgency seems to be sweeping through some of our young people. They have found Christ, truly found Him, and their friends are lost, truly lost. There is no time to wait for clergy who may be occupied with church administration. They must rescue their friends now!

 

So, which method, do you think would prove more effective in reaching the lost with the Gospel: (1) twenty Billy Grahams daily reaching 20,000 people for Christ, or (2) one layperson discipling another for a year, after which the two of them would split off and each disciple another?

The answer: In 30 years the Graham method would reach 2.9 billion people with the Gospel, while the one-to-one approach would reach 8.5 billion. (Facts of the Matter)

Dear Lord, my friends are too precious, and time is too short to wait for clergy! Help me to reach my friends with the Gospel. AMEN

 

LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE!

 

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

 

LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE!

 

Eccl 9:11

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

 

          Our abilities are no guarantee of success! Solomon had observed that the fastest runners do not always win the race. They may stumble and lose to a slower, more patient runner. We have all heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. The rapid rabbit was so confident in himself that he literally ran rings around the lumbering turtle. In doing this he wearied himself and decided to take a nap. The tortoise kept up his slow and steady pace and edged out the hare at the finish line.

 

          Solomon must have remembered the success of his own father, David, against the almost ten-foot-tall Goliath. Natural abilities and strength do not always win battles. “Men of skill” do not necessarily have the advantage.

 

          The idea of “time and chance” is actually a reference to the rule of God in the affairs of men. Adam Clarke, in his commentary, said that “All things are under the government and disposal of God.” The smooth stone exited young David’s sling and was guided upon its path to the most vulnerable part of Goliath’s head which was soon removed by a much smaller and weaker David.

 

          I am a plodder! I try to run my race as a marathon instead of a dash or sprint. I’m not particularly strong or talented so I rely upon God to bring about His will and purposes in my life. I run to win but my strength is in the Lord.

 

Heb 12:1-2

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Lord, help me to keep on running, jogging, or crawling, if necessary, toward the goal. AMEN

 

WHAT HAPPENS AT CONVERSION?

 

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

 

WHAT HAPPENS AT CONVERSION?

 

Acts 26:18

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

 

          Paul testified before Agrippa that Christ had commissioned him to a lifelong effort to convert men. Certain specific changes would define conversion. First, there would be a change of view. Their eyes would be opened so that they might clearly see things as they really are. Next, they would be changed from darkness (“shadiness”) to light. The power (“mastery”) of Satan would be broken and men would then be at liberty to serve God. Sins would be forgiven and a new life of not sinning would begin.

 

Former atheist, Lee Stroble, tells that his young daughter told her mother: “Mom, I want what God has done to daddy!” This is the observable change that takes place when men are converted. Specifically, conversion is a change in the thoughts, desires, dispositions and behavior of a sinner. He changes his mind about right and wrong. His appetite begins to change and he craves good and right things instead of wicked and damaging behavior. The Bible refers to him as a “new man” (Eph. 2:15; 4:24).

 

In my desire to discover a reason or a pattern for conversion, I often miss miracles. As I ask what caused the change, I miss the blessing of the change itself. True conversion is due to the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart and mind of an individual. It is personal and therefore defies being pressed into a formula. The specific circumstances needed to bring one to conversion will not necessarily be needed for another. When it happens, it is mysterious and marvelous!

 

Mark 5:15

15 And they come to Jesus, and see (saw) him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

 

Dear Lord, let your Holy Spirit apply the pressures and circumstances necessary to bring conversion. AMEN

 

REPLACING GOD!

 

Monday, June 24, 2024

 

REPLACING GOD!

 

Ex 32:3-4

3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

 

          Moses was away receiving the Law from God. The people were busily abandoning all restraints. Moses was face to face with the Sublime while the people had fashioned the ridiculous. Moses was communing with the Divine while the people were enjoying debauchery. How does such a thing happen?

 

          Fast forward more than two thousand years and we should have matured as a race beyond a golden calf, but we have not. Because the blessings of God are not fresh in our minds, we abandon Him to things seemingly more tangible. We drift from our moorings and go after something that will fill what we perceive as a void. But what has taken the place of God in our lives?

 

          If you have replaced God with something more fragile, think of what you have inserted into that blank space. Is it Holy? Does it rescue you when you are in the ditch? Does it love you with an everlasting love? Does it receive you and embrace you even in your imperfection? Does it hear you when you pray?

 

          I have learned that, in those times when God seems far away, He is working hardest on my behalf. He is busy for me even when He is not busy with me. Like Solomon, I have learned that nothing can be inserted into that gnawing void. I am learning to wait. I am learning that there are some things I should not, cannot, and do not control. Who can adequately measure God for a replacement?

 

Acts 17:24-25

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

 

Almighty God, since I cannot measure all that you are, let me wait patiently for you to work out all your plans for me today. Let me not replace you with ridiculous things. AMEN

 

HE MAY NOT!

 

Sunday, June 23, 2024

 

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 damage everything and life may never be rainbows and gumdrops. Jesus warned us that following 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 gave him contentment instead. 

 

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 the difficult and dry places and make a difference for others.

 

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.

 

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

STOP LIVING LIKE A VICTIM

 

Saturday, June 22, 2024

 

STOP LIVING LIKE A VICTIM

 

John 8:32-36

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

          I smile at the comments of Adam Clarke regarding the assertion of the Jews in verse 33. He says: “This assertion was not only false, but it was ridiculous in the extreme; seeing their whole History, sacred and profane, is full of recitals of their servitude in Egypt, in Chaldea, under the Persians, under the Macedonians, and [now] under the Romans. “

 

          Those who are truly free must learn how to rule themselves. This is not to engage in every activity urged by desire. It requires sensibility and balance. Those who are at liberty do not pick quarrels with those in authority. They study to be at peace with others. They are not prickly. They have learned not to whine or play the victim. They may walk in confidence but not in pride. They know they may do anything but they may not do everything.

 

1 Peter 2:13-17

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

 

Thank you, Lord, for the freedom to do right. AMEN

 

WATCH YOUR WORDS

 

Friday, June 21, 2024

 

WATCH YOUR WORDS

 

James 3:8-10

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

 

          If you are, like me, the father of a girl then you were her first love. You are her model of what a husband and father should be. When she looks for a life partner, she will look for one like you. Her self-esteem and her appearance reflect the words you have spoken to her.

 

          If you are the father of a boy, then he will mimic you. He will clop around the house in your boots or shoes. He will handle and scatter your tools. His eyes observe your every move, and his ears absorb every word. He believes what you say to him whether good or ill. Day by day you will mold him to be a copy of yourself.

 

          Words have power! With them you can destroy another’s very self. With them you can place courage in the breast of the coward or cower the strongest of heart. You can create beauty in the common or make ugly that which is comely with words alone.

 

Col 4:6

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

 

Dear Lord, let me be honest, kind, and encouraging with my words because someone will take them to heart. AMEN