KEEP IT UP BUDDY!

 

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

You’re right. It is a classic.

 

KEEP IT UP BUDDY!

 

2 Kings 13:22-23

22 But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

23 And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

 

          My Momma had a unique way of warning me to stop my wrongful behavior. She would raise one eyebrow (a talent I inherited) and squint with the other eye while saying firmly: “Keep it up buddy.” This, of course, was not meant to allow me to actually continue the behavior. It meant that if I didn’t stop quickly judgment would surely fall.

 

          In our Scripture, this morning, there seems to be a thinly veiled warning. Things were not good but, because God had made a covenant with the patriarchs, He would not destroy them – as yet! In other words, God had raised one eyebrow, squinted with the other eye menacingly, and warned “keep it up buddy!”

 

          Warren Wiersbe explains that “when the people sinned so flagrantly that they blasphemed the name of the Lord and defiled His land that God permitted both Israel and Judah to be defeated and taken into bondage. In 722, Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, and in 586, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians.”

 

          When those who call themselves Christians change the name and nature of sin to make it acceptable, I think God begins to raise one holy eyebrow as if to say, “Keep it up buddy!”

 

Col 3:5-6

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

 

Dear Lord, in wrath remember mercy. Revive us again. AMEN

 

SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY!

 

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

 

SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY!

 

1 Cor 13:11

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 

          The Greek word for “childish” here is nepios which indicates a simple minded person. It seems a bit proud to even begin a discussion on the topic of spiritual maturity because it implies that I think myself to be spiritually mature and indicates a sneering pride. I hope that is not what you are thinking.

 

          I have observed in many professing believers a childishness that is almost shocking. Children are, at the outset, demanding and self-focused. If they are hungry, wet or in need, they cry until someone notices them and begins an investigation into whatever it is that is bothering them. Their comfort and satisfaction are always of primary importance. As an aside, this seems also to be true of political activists.

 

          Children are irresponsible and can’t be counted on to perform beyond basic duties. They like to play and will turn any task into a game even if it destroys productivity in the process. They become bored easily and require stimulation and entertainment to keep them from abandoning a project. If it is not fun, they are not interested.

 

          But we must move a couple of verses down to verse 13 if we are to understand what Paul is trying to communicate. In a long list of spiritual gifts, some of which are still very controversial, Paul focuses on only three which endure. Faith, hope, and charity which is love, continues to grow to maturity and will never become outdated.

 

          Immature believers find it hard to recognize maturity while mature believers have no trouble identifying spiritual childishness. It is hard to make it sound like anything but pride to those who are immature.

 

Heb 5:11-14

11 (Jesus) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

Dear Lord, show me my own childishness that I might abandon those things. Help me to learn responsibility, integrity, and honor. Help me to grow up. AMEN

 

YOUR FOCUS REVEALS YOUR HEART!

 

Monday, April 28, 2025

 

YOUR FOCUS REVEALS YOUR HEART!

 

Luke 18:9-14

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 

          Do you see the difference between the Pharisee and the publican? The Pharisee was focused on himself. Actually, two views are offered to explain the phrase “stood and prayed thus with himself.” One says that he stood aloof from the despised tax collector. This would have been the characteristic stance of all Pharisees as they thought themselves to be more holy than others. Another view is that the Pharisee stood and rehearsed the good deeds he had done which he supposed would win him favor with God. Five times he begins with the letter “I” in reminding God that he was worthy of being blessed.

 

          The Publican [one employed in collecting taxes and therefore hated] would not even lift up his eyes. Wycliffe says: “The Pharisee stood in the center of the temple area, where he would be noticed; the publican crept into a corner crying ‘God be merciful to me, the sinner.’” The Pharisee reached into his pocket to find good works which would impress a God who he thought required them. The Publican reached into an empty pocket and asked for mercy by virtue of God’s grace.

 

          Jesus Himself pronounced the result when he said “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” How sinister is the pride that stands while the humble and broken stoop. How vile is the pride that dares to look God in the face and demand blessings based upon a list of works. How charming and polite is the one who fears even the presence of God but pleads for mercy. How blind is pride?

 

Dear Savior, I know that today I am not worthy of the least of Thy mercies, but I plead with you on the merits of Thy own Cross. AMEN

 

THE PRAYER LESSON

 

Sunday, April 27, 2025

 

THE PRAYER LESSON

 

Luke 11:1

11 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

 

          I wonder if it was uncomfortable to be “watched” while praying. Try to imagine the scene as Jesus was surrounded by His disciples who stood or sat quietly while Jesus prayed. There must have been a great difference between the manner in which Jesus prayed and the kind of praying that the disciples were familiar with. It must have been challenging to them and probably a bit embarrassing – but it was attractive and appealing as well. It was something that they wanted to do.

 

          Jesus taught them structure in prayer. He begins by saying: “When ye pray say …” I rather doubt that Jesus had what we would call a prayer list written on paper. It is certainly not wrong to have one, but it is, in my thinking, limiting. While it focuses my thoughts it also limits my thoughts. My mind does not wander but neither can I pray spontaneously. I like to pray for the deepest burdens of my heart without a list.

 

          Jesus also taught persistence and patience in prayer in verse 5. A neighbor comes at midnight to borrow food for an unexpected and late arriving company. It is late and the kids are all in bed but because the neighbor keeps knocking and asking, the sleepy man rises to fill a sack with provisions. So, Jesus suggests that we make a pest of ourselves in prayer.

 

          Jesus reminds us of our relationship in prayer in verses 11 and 12. It would be foolish to think that a father would give a stone to a child asking for bread. No, a loving father would eagerly grant the wishes of one of his children. We should always pray remembering that we are His children and that he loves us.

 

Luke 11:13

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

Dear Lord, teach me to pray. Help me to be patient and persistent in prayer and never let me forget that you love me and want your best for me. AMEN

 

HE IS GRACIOUS!

 

Saturday, April 26, 2025

 

HE IS GRACIOUS!

 

1 Peter 2:1-3

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

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

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

 

          Merriam-Webster defines our English word “gracious” as “marked by kindness and courtesy.” It’s what makes a brute a gentleman. In our text this morning, the word is the Greek word chrestos and it roughly means “useful, better, easy, good and kind.” According to one source, some manuscripts use the word Christos making the text read “the Lord is Christ.” Perhaps the Lord Himself should be the definition of the word gracious since He is the embodiment of all that is useful, easy, good and kind. Peter goes on to suggest that we mimic the gracious nature of the Lord in our relationship with other believers.

 

1 Peter 1:22

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

 

          Are you gracious? Do you act kindly when it is not convenient? Allowing yourself to be inconvenienced is the essence of the nature of the Good Samaritan. It is the product of brotherly love. It is what is meant by loving your neighbor as yourself. Remember the kindness and grace that Jesus has extended to you and then apply that to your dealings with others. Be gracious.

 

Dear Lord, help me to be gracious today. Help me to be useful, kind and good. AMEN        

 

THE ATHEIST’S PLIGHT

 

Friday, April 25, 2025

 

THE ATHEIST’S PLIGHT

 

Ps 14:1

14 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

 

Eph 2:12 AMPLIFIED

12 [Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God's agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God.

 

          The atheist claims no understanding of creation. The diversity of the creatures baffles him. The platypus is a mystery. Geology makes no sense to him. The formation of strata yields no answers for him. Photosynthesis in plant life is more science than he can fathom. Plants need carbon dioxide to survive and produce oxygen as a byproduct. The atheist does not see God in any of this.

 

          The atheist has no moral authority. Since, or if, there is no God then there is no right or wrong. He chooses whatever is most comfortable, pleasant, and convenient as a lifestyle and moral code. He is his own god and answers to none other. He manages to live with others by obeying or disobeying laws established by society. He is motivated only by the threat of capture and punishment. Still, he sees no God in any of this.

 

          The atheist has no help. Since, or if, there is no God he does not pray even in the direst circumstances. He manufactures his own “miracles” by scheming and manipulating others. The atheist, therefore, is a true menace to society.

 

          The atheist has no hope. The end of life is a fearful thing. He deals with this fear by dismissing the idea of an afterlife whether good or evil. The God he refuses to acknowledge calls him a fool. The word fool, in Psalm 14:1 is the Hebrew word nabal (naw-bal) and means both stupid and wicked.

 

          The atheist may become an agnostic who simply says that he does not know whether there is a God. He has caught glimpses of Him but is still unconvinced. “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”  Rom 10:3

 

1 Cor 15:19

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

 

Lord, all that I see helps me to believe in that which I cannot see. Please reveal yourself to those who cannot see you. AMEN

 

CHRIST RECEIVETH SINFUL MEN!

 

Thursday, April 24, 2025

 

CHRIST RECEIVETH SINFUL MEN!

 

2 Cor 6:16-18

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

          Relationship is established with God when we trust Christ as our Savior but the blessings of fellowship rest upon the contingency of our obedience. We are, by nature, sinful. We are like show pigs that can be scrubbed clean and a fresh curl put in our pink tail but when the show is over, we return to roll in the mud.

 

          Paul is not referring to strangers here but those who were “temples of God.” He urges them to disavow, disagree with, and disassociate from the idols of Belial. We no longer belong together. It is upon this disassociation and separation that God’s riches blessings are promised.

 

The words to an old hymn, “Christ Receiveth Sinful Men” were written by Erd­mann Neu­meis­ter, Evan­gel­isch­er Nach­klang (Ham­burg, Ger­ma­ny: 1718). He based this hymn on his ser­mon which be­gan “Jesus nimmt die Sün­der an! Saget doch dies Trost­wort allen.” Emma F. Be­van trans­lat­ed the hymn from Ger­man to Eng­lish in her Songs of Eter­nal Life (Lon­don: 1858).

 

Sinners Jesus will receive;
Sound this word of grace to all
Who the heavenly pathway leave,
All who linger, all who fall.

 

Christ receiveth sinful men,
Even me with all my sin;
Purged from every spot and stain,
Heaven with Him I enter in.

 

Refrain

 

Sing it o’er and over again;
Christ receiveth sinful men;
Make the message clear and plain:
Christ receiveth sinful men.

 

Dear Lord, please receive us and refresh us today. We find ourselves in the mud again. AMEN

 

ABOUT THOSE BURDENS!

 

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

 

ABOUT THOSE BURDENS!

 

Gal 6:2-5

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

 

          As believers, we are enjoined to help others carry their burden. In verse 2 the Greek word for “burden” is baros which means “weight or load.” We are to have sympathy; feel for each other and try to lighten the load that others are carrying. We do this by praying for them, certainly, but we also are to practically and literally help them to carry whatever is weighing them down.

 

          The Greek word for “burden” is different in verse 5. It is the word phortion which indicates a task or service. We might paraphrase by saying that every man must do his own job and complete his own assignment.

 

          We must, if we are going to provide real relief, determine whether a burden is a load or a task. I can help you carry your load, but you must do your own work.

 

2 Cor 5:10

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

Dear Lord, let me make room on my shoulders for the burdens of others. AMEN