PURE AND SIMPLE!

 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

 

PURE AND SIMPLE!

 

2 Cor 4:5-7

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

 

          Can a smile become a trademark? Can a particular booming voice become a name brand? We live in a day when preachers and churches have tapped into the advertising world. We are now marketing ourselves, our churches, and our gospel. Packaging has become of utmost importance and, while we were polishing the packaging, we were neglecting the product.

 

          Our vessel is deliberately simple while our treasured content is sublime. The most important aspect of the vessel is that it be clean, empty, and available for service. Clean because the gospel is pure. Empty because the gospel fills the vessel completely and because nothing must dilute or pollute the gospel. The vessel must also be available. If the vessel is on the shelf, it is there because it stands ready to be used and not because it has been discarded. At a time suitable to the master, it will be taken down again and filled.

 

Not only must we focus on the treasure and not on the vessel, but we must also focus on the Master and not on the servant. If we suffer, it is for Jesus' sake. If we die to self, it is so that the life of Christ might be revealed in us. If we go through trials, it is so that Christ might be glorified. And all of this is for the sake of others. As we serve Christ, death works in us - but life works in those to whom we minister.

 

Dr. John Henry Jowett said, "Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing." He was right. A pastor friend and I once heard a young man preach an eloquent sermon, but it lacked something. "There was something missing," I said to my friend; and he replied, "Yes, and it won't be there until his heart is broken. After he has suffered awhile, he will have a message worth listening to." (The Bible Exposition Commentary.)

 

1 Cor 1:27-29

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

 

Dear Master, fashion my jar on your wheel and gild it not. Let me, by my simplicity, become a fit vessel for the great treasure of the gospel. AMEN

 

HE IS OUR PEACE!

 

Monday, January 13, 2025

 

HE IS OUR PEACE!

 

Eph 2:14-19

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

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. 

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 

          Paul addressed a mixed congregation of Ephesians. Part believing Jews, and the rest believing Gentiles. The “middle wall of partition” between them was “the law!” The Jews continued to feel privileged because of their Jewish heritage and failed to fully assimilate into the new Christian community. To correct this division, Paul explained a few things to both groups.

 

          Peace is not in precepts but a Person! He is our peace. In fact, He has “broken down” (the Greek luo means to dissolve or to melt) that middle wall. The remaining language is just as graphic. The word “abolished” in verse 15 means “to render useless.” The word “ordinances” is the word dogma and refers to ceremonial ritual. The word “slain” in verse 16 means “to kill outright.”

 

          The rallying point is not in a list of laws but in “one body by the cross.” We are reminded of this every time we take the Lord’s Supper. Jesus said: “this is my body which is broken for you” and “this cup is the New Testament in my blood.” Clearly it is the cross and not the law which unifies all men, all cultures, and all conditions. So, stop feuding over critical and cultural differences and come together at the foot of the cross.

 

          “We both have access!” This is the message of verse 18. The word is prosagoge which simply means “admission.” The result is that we are fellow citizens, literally “natives of the same town” and of the same “household.” This equality under the blood removes both shame and pride. Having gained admission, we now reside under the same roof. We call each other brother and sister because God is our heavenly Father.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for melting the wall and paying the price of admission for me. AMEN

 

MODERATION!

 

Sunday, January 12, 2025

 

MODERATION!

Phil 4:5

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

Ex 23:1-2

23 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

 

          Between two extremes, moderation is a radical position! The word “moderation” in Philippians is the Greek word epieikes and literally means “mild.” I would define it as “sweet reasonableness” and, oh, how we need that today.

 

          There is a great need for thoughtful action. Paul urged the Philippians to develop moderation because of the at-any-moment possibility of the Lord’s return. Exodus 23:2 houses one of my favorite sayings and it can be shortened to our modern “chill.” Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. I think that one of the reasons Jesus was killed is that he refused to take sides. He found Himself sandwiched between various extremes.

 

          When you are not sure what to do, it is best not to do it.

 

Ps 37:7-8

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

 

Lord, when confusion reigns, let me patiently wait for clear direction. Restrict my thoughts from a mob mentality. AMEN

 

I AM NOT

 

Saturday, January 11, 2025

 

I AM NOT

 

Rom 7:18-24

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.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

 

          I remember as a child a TV program called “The Incredible Hulk.” A mild-mannered scientist inadvertently discovered a chemical formula that unleashed the monster that was inside of him. Anger unlocked this animal in every episode, but he always emerged as the hero at the end. Shirtless and calm, he sat pondering his identity.

 

          Paul had been transformed by the grace of God and the blood of Christ but there was an uncomfortable remnant of the man Paul used to be. In Romans chapter seven Paul tries to explain his dilemma. He does what he does not want to do and fails in his attempts to do good. I often feel the same as Paul.

 

           I am not good. I am not kind, benevolent, or helpful. I am often just a petulant child, selfish, and moody. If, at the end of the episode, I emerge as an accidental hero, it is all of God and none of me.

 

Rom 7:24-25

24 O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?

25 O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

AMPLIFIED

 

Lord, thank you for the victory that is in Christ. AMEN

 

SEASONING NOT SPICE!

 

Friday, January 10, 2025

 

SEASONING NOT SPICE!

 

Col 4:5-6

5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

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

 

          Believers are different. They have been made different by the sacrifice of One who is perfect. It is that perfection for which we strive even though we know we shall never attain it on our own! That is where grace is needed. We develop a calmness of spirit and a temperate tone that comes from our association with Jesus. The following verse gives us a pattern of behavior.

 

1 Peter 2:21-22

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile [craft or deceit] found in his mouth: KJV

 

          Our personality should reflect our redeemed condition. We should need no bracelets, T-shirts, or tattoos to tell the world of that difference. This is especially important regarding our relationship with those who are “without.” Those who are earthlings should recognize that we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth and that our citizenship is in heaven.

 

          Our speech should be salted with grace. “Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), Col 4:6 AMP

 

Ps 39:1

39 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

 

Dear Lord, restrain my lips from hasty and angry words. AMEN

 

WHITER THAN SNOW

 

Thursday, January 9, 2025

 

WHITER THAN SNOW

 

Ps 51:1

51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

 

Ps 51:7

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

          Psalm 51 is King David’s song of confession and repentance. The title is long: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm Of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba." He had sinned with his neighbor’s wife which resulted in her husband’s death. He alludes to the ceremonies of sacrifice and washing.

 

          I live in Texas and today is our first snowfall of the season. In this snowfall I noticed a few interesting things. Watching the snowfall calms the spirit. It appears as a direct act of heaven. It seems to be a reaction to the brownness of winter. It is designed to cover and make clean.

 

          I also noticed a forced rest and a cessation of travel. Work stops so that God can work. Quiet replaces noise and it seems that quiet has a sound of its own. David asked for mercy and God responded. There was nothing else needed.

 

Isa 1:18

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

Thank you for the washing of forgiveness. AMEN

 

FREEZE!

 

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

 

FREEZE!

 

Rev 22:10-12

Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

 

          The word “freeze,” when shouted by one in authority, sends shivers down our spines. It means to stop whatever you are doing. Don’t move a muscle. Don’t change a thing. The same dread is felt by the student when the teacher administering a test says: “Time’s Up!”

 

          There is coming a day when time will be up, and we will have to FREEZE in whatever state we are in. The condition of our society is clearly not what we want Jesus to find when He stops us in our tracks.

 

Ps 81:11-13

11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

 

Lord, let us live our lives so that we will not be alarmed or ashamed at your coming. AMEN

 

AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB DESCRIPTION!

 

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

 

AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB DESCRIPTION!

 

1 Tim 6:13-14

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: KJV

 

1 Tim 6:14

14 To keep all His precepts unsullied and flawless, irreproachable,

AMP

 

          Along with Paul’s final words to young Timothy, we see the aged master delivering to his young neophyte a seemingly impossible job description. “Keep all of God’s precepts unsullied and flawless.” All Timothy was required to do was to be PERFECT.

 

          Squinting myopically, because we suspect we didn’t catch the full meaning, we see that it reads just as we first saw it. We are fearfully amazed at the spiritual and emotional “suicide mission” that is the Christian life and character. We sense that it simply can’t be done. We shall truly fail unless the teacher is kind and merciful in His method of grading. We search for easy answers for extra points.

 

          Looking a third time, we see that the Greek is ho entole, which means the entire injunction of God, or the whole of the teachings and doctrines. The purity of the Word of God, plus nothing and minus nothing, is indicated here.

 

          Verse 20 is a broader explanation.” O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]! Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination.

1 Tim 6:20 AMPLIFIED. Timothy! Know God’s book inside and out. Meditate upon it. [1 Timothy 4:15].

 

          Do you know why a “tape measure,” as we call it, has a belt clip? It is so the carpenter may have it always close at hand. Many will be the times he will need it to ensure his cuts are the proper length and breadth. Paul was insisting that young Timothy have the Bible always at the ready.

 

1 Tim 4:16

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. KJV

 

Thank you, Lord for the Bible and your Holy Spirit which makes it possible to live a life well pleasing to you. Thank you for your grace that covers our failures. AMEN

 

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!

 

Monday, January 6, 2025

 

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!

 

1 Tim 6:11-12

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

 

          In Act 1, Scene III of the famous play, Hamlet, Polonius says: “This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day,

thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!”

 

          The words “these things” in verse 11 refer to the greedy grasping of those who would be rich. Polonius’ words originally meant that a person can be harmless and good to others only when he is financially sound. Therefore, he must be loyal to his best interests first, then take care of others. The moral teaching of the Bible, however, would give the quote quite another meaning as it connotes the ideas of truth, self-ownership, and individuality.

 

          “But thou” is Paul’s admonition to young Timothy to be different from others. He no longer belonged to himself because he was God’s man. He was to be constantly evaluating himself being sure to maintain those moral traits that are consistent with Christianity.

         

          Being true would require a fight but not a fight with others. It is an internal fight with oneself. Self is the bloodiest of all battlefields, but it is a battle that must be won, and it is only won by laying hold on eternal life.

 

Dear Lord, the world around me has fallen into lunacy and debauchery. Sometimes it feels like I am the one out of sync. Let me, today, be first true to you and then to myself. AMEN