HANGING TOUGH!

 

Monday, March 31, 2025

 

HANGING TOUGH!

 

Isa 40:29-31

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

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.

 

          Hanging tough! It’s a modern term with a very old history. In every age there have been those who have endured great trials and strength-sapping struggles. The temptation is to yield to the pressure and walk away with a participant’s trophy but those who hang tough sometimes win!

 

          We win when we know who we are! As a blood-bought child of God I am already on the winning side. The final chapter is not yet finished although it may be being written now. At the end of the struggle I shall stand in robes washed white and embrace my Savior on streets of gold!

 

          We win when we know our enemy! He is formidable but his defeat has already been recorded. His destiny is as sure as if it had already happened. Soon Jesus shall crush all his enemies under his feet (1 Cor. 15:25).

 

          We win when we don’t quit! Victory comes to those who stubbornly persevere. The hammer blows of great effort may require one final blow so just keep hammering.

 

Gal 6:9

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

Dear Lord, let me hang tough through struggle and trial. AMEN

 

WHAT REAL BALANCE LOOKS LIKE!

 

Sunday, March 30, 2025

 

WHAT REAL BALANCE LOOKS LIKE!

 

Reading: Philippians 4:4-8

 

Phil 4:4-5

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

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

 

          The word “balance” appears eight times in the Authorized Version, but it refers to an instrument that measures weight. It does not refer to a balanced attitude, opinion or demeanor. For that more modern meaning, we must look at the word “moderation” which shows up only once. That word is the Greek epieikes and it literally means “mild, gentle, moderate and patient.” One commentator has called it “sweet reasonableness.”

 

          We live in a world of aggravated extremes and contention. Each side, convinced that they and they alone are right, is determined to destroy the other opinion and practice. It has invaded all areas of our culture including the church. Its root is selfishness, and it is as old as Cain and Abel.

 

          Moderation acknowledges another way without feeling intimidated or threatened. It does not demand its own way. It is loving and accepting without excusing that which is clearly wrong. That which is clearly wrong can be measured by its product. Does a certain practice produce peace or is it divisive. “Sweet reasonableness” is not faring well in modern times!

 

          Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit – the Holy Spirit. Do not expect moderation from the unsaved. Also, do not expect reasonableness from those who are following the world or their flesh. These are incompatible. Oh, and don’t expect to assume moderation in yourself without a fight because “the flesh lusteth against [are opposed to] the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:17) Moderation does not reside in one who is willful and proud.

 

Dear Lord, in a world of angry extremes, let me own and display sweet reasonableness. AMEN

 

A GIFT OF PATIENT GRACE!

 

Saturday, March 29, 2025

 

A GIFT OF PATIENT GRACE!

 

Matt 18:23-35

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

 

 

          The word “patient” in verses 26 and 29 is the word makrothumeo and means “to bear with; to suffer long or to patiently endure.” Certainly, I am not perfect and require many people throughout the day to patiently endure my faults. The story that Jesus told points this out and requires us to show the same kind of patient grace to others.

 

          We who are church people think we know the meaning of the word grace. Flippantly we will say it is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. This dismisses anyone who questions us without having to give an answer. Someone has said that grace is “the desire and ability to do God’s will.” However, Merriam-Webster has a lengthy definition of the word which includes: “a temporary respite.” Grace, then, can be a temporary pardon until a better pattern of behavior is learned. That is certainly what I need!

 

          Today you will need others to extend to you patient grace. I know this is true because you are human and imperfect. Today you will be given many opportunities to extend patient grace to others. When we are tempted to cut someone short because of their imperfections – let us remember our own.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the patient grace that you extend to me so many times. Help me to be gracious to others. Let others see Jesus in me today. AMEN

 

THE MASTER AND THE STUDENT!

 

Friday, March 28, 2025

 

THE MASTER AND THE STUDENT!

 

2 Tim 2:1-2

2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

 

          Both First and Second Timothy were written from an older sage to a younger apprentice. Both seemed to understand the relationship and now Paul urges Timothy to gradually become that older mentor. The idea is that truth and tradition might be passed along unchanged. Merriam-Webster says that a mentor is: a trusted counselor or guide; a tutor or coach.

 

          Becoming a mentor presumes that you know something and that you have experience. There is also the presumption that you have accomplished something worth copying. There must have been something very attractive about Jesus to make Peter, James and John to leave their fishing careers to follow this itinerant preacher.

 

          Becoming a student presumes that you do NOT know as yet but that you are eager to learn. There was no challenge coming from young Timothy either of the truth or the traditions. At the end of the day Timothy wanted to be like Paul. Immediately following verses one and two we see a warning because there would be “hardness” to endure and options to filter through the net of reason.

 

2 Tim 2:3-4

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

 

          Today you know something that needs to be taught to another. Be a good teacher! You may also still be a student. Study hard! Learn both the truths and the traditions! There will be time to be innovative but for now learn the basics. There will be times of hardness. There will always be choices to make. Choose wisely.

 

Dear Lord, I know so much and yet so very little. Let me be a good teacher and a faithful student. AMEN

 

GOD’S SECOND BEST!

 

Thursday, March 27, 2025

 

GOD’S SECOND BEST!

 

Jer 18:3-4

3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

 

1 Cor 12:14-18

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

 

          The word “marred” in Jeremiah means “ruined or spoiled.” I have lived long enough to know many people who thought their lives were spoiled by either poor decisions or a sad twist of fate. These people plod through life thinking that they are doomed to settle for God’s second best for their lives. But take a closer look at the portions of scripture selected for today.

 

          The vessel in Jeremiah was marred “in” the potter’s hand but not necessarily “by” the potter. I don’t want to twist this point too much, but I think it is significant. While being fashioned by the potter’s hand something happened that caused the potter to change his mind about the design! It could never be a bowl, so He made it a cup instead … “as it hath pleased him.”

 

          As we jump to the New Testament, Paul reminds the Corinthians that there is not a favored part of the body. It is foolish to imagine an argument between the various parts as to which of them are the more important. The eye proudly states that the body would stumble in the dark without the eye. The ear argues that he is the most important because he makes it possible to hear fine music. Each part makes similar arguments, but all are mistaken. None of them have had to settle for second best. Each of them is exactly where God has placed them.

 

          Handicaps and mishaps come in various shapes and colors. Each one forces us to make adjustments in our lives. Some of them cause us to wonder if we have had to settle for God’s second best. Seriously flawed decisions have produced deep scars in some and have ruined certain plans and goals. Sometimes it is the evil actions of others that have wounded us so that we are unfit for our dreams. We tend to live the rest of our lives in disappointment.

 

          Could it be that what we think is God’s second best might actually be God’s original plan for us? Fanny Crosby was blinded as an infant, but she wrote hundreds of poems, songs and hymns. Joni Erickson Toda was crippled by a dive into Chesapeake Bay as a teenager but her very handicap has launched an international ministry. Our wounds define us! The potter has made us “another vessel as it has pleased him.”

 

Dear Lord, I don’t want to live the rest of my life disappointed in what I am not. I want to be glad for what you have made me. Thank you for making me exactly what pleases you. AMEN

JOHN’S CRISIS OF FAITH!

 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

 

JOHN’S CRISIS OF FAITH!

 

Matt 11:2-5

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

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.

 

          John’s message never changed whether he was speaking to a crowd or to a king. Herod was having a sordid affair with his sister-in-law and John forcefully confronted them both. John was placed in prison as a result and while there he had time to question the validity of Jesus’ claims and his own preaching. Was it true? Had he been wasting his time and perhaps his very life?

 

          John sent a couple of his own disciples to Jesus to ask him once again if he was truly the Messiah. Jesus knew the nature of doubt and pointed to the fulfillment of prophecy as evidence. Jesus never condemned John for his doubts. Then Jesus did an amazing thing by confirming His faith in John.

 

Matt 11:11

11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

Ps 103:13-14

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

 

          Are you whipping yourself because you are filled with doubts? Jesus knows our frame. He doesn’t doubt us! Dig into the Bible and look again at the evidence. Jesus and all His claims are real. You can calmly pillow your head – or lose it!

 

Dear Lord, thank you for never losing faith in me even though I am often full of doubts. AMEN

 

RUIN!

 

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

 

RUIN!

 

2 Chron 28:22-23

22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz.

23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.

 

Luke 6:48-49

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

 

          Ruin! It is a horrible word! In our Old Testament portion it indicates “a tottering or a weakness of the knees.” In Luke it refers to “something torn; a fragment; a shard of some precious piece of pottery.”

 

          Warren Wiersbe comments on the actions of Ahaz in Second Chronicles and quotes A. W. Tozer in the process. Here is what he had to say: “All of this is a picture of what often happens in Christian ministries today: somebody sees something out in the world that would "fit" into the Lord's work, and the church starts to imitate the world. Moses was commanded to make the tabernacle according to what God showed him on the mount (Ex 25:40; 26:30; Heb 8:5), and likewise the temple was constructed according to the plans God gave to David (1 Chron 28:11,12,19). The Jews didn't appoint a building committee and vote on the design. But today, the church is becoming so like the world that it's getting difficult to tell them apart.

 

 A. W. Tozer wrote, “Aside from a few of the grosser sins, the sins of the unregenerated world are now approved by a shocking number of professedly "born-again" Christians, and copied eagerly. Young Christians take as their models the rankest kind of worldlings and try to be as much like them as possible. Religious leaders have adopted the techniques of the advertisers: boasting, baiting, and shameless exaggeration are now carried on as a normal procedure in church work. The moral climate is not that of the New Testament but that of Hollywood and Broadway.” (from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

 

          The stream will beat vehemently upon your house! You can’t keep that from happening. Ruinous circumstances will come. The only variable we see in Luke chapter 6 is the foundation. Is your house (your life and your future) solidly founded upon the Rock (Jesus)?

 

Dear Lord, the circumstances of life threaten to ruin us. Let the troubles you allow only serve to purge away the sin in our lives. Let us stand without ruin upon the solid rock. AMEN

 

EXPERIENCE MATTERS!

 

Monday, March 24, 2025

 

EXPERIENCE MATTERS!

 

1 Tim 3:2-6

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

 

          The word “novice” in verse 6 is the Greek word neophutos and literally means “newly planted.” New plants are tender and have not weathered the storms and trials of a more mature plant. Their “systems” are not functioning as they hopefully will. Their fruitful season is still ahead of them.

 

          Experience and proficiency are demanded of us. Teens who long for their drivers’ license are tested to assure that they know the rules of the road and have the ability to handle a vehicle. They are frustrated to see the question of experience on employment applications. They are eager for experience, but they don’t have much. They quickly learn that experience matters and that it has a price.

 

          Today, experience and age are dismissed as irrelevant in a world that is rapidly changing. Things no older than yesterday are considered antique. Everything is made of shine and plastic. Even the ministry comes packaged in slick smiles, bright lights and positive affirmation. Pastors grizzled with age and churches weathered by time are often shunned but we instinctively gravitate to experience when we are in trouble. We want our doctors to be not only experienced but experts in their fields of medicine. We don’t want a neophyte cutting into our bodies. When our lives and our homes are falling apart, we want a pastor who is mature. Experience matters.

 

          Experience is the knowledge and wisdom derived from long practice and observation. If you are newly planted, the first thing you must learn is patience (see verse 3) and the next is to pay attention. If you are an aged old sage, then find a young one to mentor. Pour yourself into him so that experience comes more easily because experience matters.

 

1 Peter 2:2

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

 

Dear Ancient of Days, thank you for being patient with me while I have grown. Let me pour myself into others that they may become fruitful. AMEN