THE REWARDS OF FAITH!

 

Monday, June 30, 2025

 

THE REWARDS OF FAITH!

 

Ruth 2:10-12

10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

12 The Lord  recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord  God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

 

          Ruth’s past was tragic! She, being a Moabitess, married a Jewish man who died leaving her in widowhood. The same circumstance gripped her sister-in-law and her mother-in-law. Both decided to return home, which forced Ruth to make a life changing decision. Should she return to her former life in Moab or follow her mother-in-law to Israel? Her choice made all the difference.

 

          Many of us have tragedy and pain in our past. Often the events of life present us with life-changing choices. It is at these times we must avoid the temptation to sink into self pity. Like Ruth, we must choose the path of trust and place ourselves under the wings of God. The choice seems easy when we read the story because we already know the outcome, but it is not so easy when the outcome is uncertain.

 

          The long journey to Bethlehem with Naomi was filled with danger and uncertainty but Bethlehem was filled with wonderful “coincidences” that made Ruth the great-grandmother of the King!

 

As the hymn writer put it:

 

Well of water ever springing,

Bread of life so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.

 

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings,

Through His blood I now am saved.

(Clara T. Williams)

 

Dear Lord, who catches our tears in your bottle, recompense us who have fled for refuge under your wings. AMEN

 

TRUTH AND FREEDOM!

 

Sunday, June 29, 2025

 

TRUTH AND FREEDOM!

 

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 purposes of our nation are the same, although they are lightly held. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

 

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 reforms will only serve to replace one tyrant with another. The most important thing I can do for my country is to be a revived Christian!

 

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. Oh Lord, revive us again! AMEN

 

SATISFIED?

 

Saturday, June 28, 2025

 

SATISFIED?

 

Ps 17:5-8

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

 

Ps 17:15

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

 

          The word “satisfied” is found 43 times in our Bible but the phrase “I shall be satisfied” appears only here. The Hebrew word used here is saba’ (saw-bah) and means “copiousness, plenty; to be weary of.” Sitting down to a fine meal the hungriest man will eventually be weary of eating because he is full.

 

          David’s prayer in Psalm 17 compares the pleasures and treasures of his enemies while he and his band of men were scavenging for food and hiding in caves. Even so, David evaluates his situation and finds that God’s rich supply was enough. He was satisfied deep within and knew that ultimately; he would run out of room to receive God’s limitless supply. When he awakes from the sleep of death to find himself in the likeness of God it will be more than enough.

 

          Often, we find ourselves dissatisfied even when we are surrounded by lavish supplies. There is a longing for more. We try to fill the emptiness with many things and while we grasp at new things, we often fail to realize how rich we really are.

 

A man wanted to sell his farm. The story goes something like this: “A farmer had lived on the same farm all his life. It was a good farm, but with the passing years, the farmer began to tire of it. He longed for a change--for something "better." Every day he found a new reason for criticizing some feature of the old place. Finally, he decided to sell, and listed the farm with a real estate broker who promptly prepared a sales advertisement. As one might expect, it emphasized all the farm's advantages: ideal location, modern equipment, healthy stock, acres of fertile ground, etc. Before placing the ad in the newspaper, the realtor called the farmer and read the copy to him for his approval. When he had finished, the farmer cried out, "Hold everything! I have changed my mind. I am not going to sell. I've been looking for a place like that all my life."

 

Ps 90:14

14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

 

Dear Lord, the wealth of the world cannot quench the thirst of the soul. I know that, like David, I will be satisfied when I wake with thy likeness. AMEN

 

QUICK ANSWERS TO PRAYER!

 

Friday, June 27, 2025

 

QUICK ANSWERS TO PRAYER!

 

James 5:16-18

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

 

          About thirteen years ago, I had a total knee replacement. At about 2:00 A.M. my newly replaced knee began to hurt. I had taken my prescribed dosage of pain medication but still it gave me pain. My wife woke up and we talked for a while. Soon, very soon, my pain went away. I said to my wife: “Thank you!” She said: “For what?” and I said, “for the prayers.” She said: “How did you know”? I reminded her that we have been married for nearly 44 years (at that time) and that I believed in the power of prayer.

 

          The above story provides the opportunity for both doubt and belief, as most religious things do. Scientists will tell me that the pain medicine had finally provided the relief, but the Christian will glorify God because of answered prayer. Prayer does not so much confirm the existence and power of God as it does to confirm either our doubt or our faith.

 

          Elias, or Elijah, was a man of “like passions” or similar mental and emotional makeup as the rest of us. He was subject to doubt but was yielded to faith. Resisting his doubt, and in obedience to God, Elijah prayed that the heavens would stop sending rain. The result was that it did not rain for a period of three years and 6 months! Was this the result of some natural occurrence? Unbelievers would think so, but believers would know it to be an act of God.

 

Matt 21:22

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

Dear Lord, many of our prayers are said in doubt. Often, we do not exercise an active belief. Whether our answers come quickly or force us to wait, let us come before your throne with confidence. AMEN

 

GET UNDERSTANDING!

 

Thursday, June 26, 2025

 

GET UNDERSTANDING!

 

Prov 4:5-7

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

 

One might easily guess that Solomon was the giver of this advice, but his source was God. He was offered anything he needed as he began his reign as king, and he rejected wealth and power for wisdom. Wealth and power, he discovered, are the traveling companions of wisdom.

 

To know who is the essence of all relationships. It is the foundation of friendships, romance, and diplomacy. Study to know who.

 

To know what is the clarity of all action. This is evident by the demonstration of so many who do not know just what they are doing.

 

To know when is the power of discretion. Discretion is the restraint of desire and the bounds of liberty.

 

To know where is the limits of adventure. The earth is not flat even when one is driving across Kansas! “It is he [God] that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.”    Isa 40:22

 

To know why is the key to science. Albert Einstein determined that massive objects cause a distortion in space-time, which is felt as gravity. His discovery began with “why.”

 

Wisdom is the spirit of sagacity which is having or showing understanding and the ability to make good judgments. God, through Solomon, said: “Wisdom is the PRINCIPAL thing. In all thy getting, get wisdom.”

 

Lord, let me travel through this day with a clear head and a pure heart. AMEN

 

ISAIAH SEES THE LORD!

 

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

 

ISAIAH SEES THE LORD!

 

Isa 6:1-8

6 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

 

          Why did Isaiah mention the death of Uzziah? Well, why not? Uzziah had reigned in Judah for fifty-two years and it was a good and prosperous reign. The political fiber of the nation was strong and moral and upright. However, toward the end of his reign, he proudly decided to enter the temple and burn incense upon the golden altar (see 2 Chronicles 26:16). Government had overstepped the boundaries reserved by the church. Uzziah was resisted in his efforts by Azariah and 80 other priests. Uzziah was suddenly struck with leprosy and lived out the remainder of his days in a common house for lepers. He was buried in the field of the kings but in a grave that was off to itself; lonely and isolated.

 

          It was at this time that Isaiah was perhaps seeking God in a time of great trouble. There was much loss to mourn. Who would rise up to assume leadership after this good king? The tragedy of trespassing upon God’s business had, once again, reminded the nation that God was sovereign. All these thoughts and more were swirling around Isaiah’s head.

 

          It was in such a time that God revealed Himself. He was seen as He always was; high and lifted up, full of glory and worshipped by angels. This has been the scene since eternity past and will continue throughout eternity future. Isaiah did not see a new event but rather a snapshot of heaven. It was stunning.

 

          In the light of the glory of God, Isaiah now saw himself truly. The pretense of self-righteousness had been melted away in the glow of pure holiness. Later Isaiah would see all man’s goodness as “filthy rags” which is a reference to the rags of the lepers. Perhaps this is a glimpse of the end of the life of Uzziah who was once robed in royalty but died in leprous rags. Isaiah now saw himself as vile and feared to compare himself with the holiness of the God he now saw with fresh eyes.

 

          “What shall we do?” will be the cry as every knee bows before God. Those who bow early find cleansing for their sins and a new purpose for their lives. They are invited to hear the voice of God and share in His concerns. They are invited to volunteer to make a difference and to say: “Here am I, send me.”

 

          Political unrest and moral decay are not unique to our nation or our time. It is a symptom of sin and will not be cured till the King of Kings rests upon His throne. It is an opportune time to see God with fresh eyes, to find cleansing for our sin and new purpose for our lives.

 

Dear Lord, we live in fearful times. Reveal yourself in holiness so that we may be healed of our ills. Give clear direction so that we might find new purpose. AMEN

 

REPENTANCE!

 

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

 

REPENTANCE!

 

Ps 51:1-3

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

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

 

          Merriam-Webster says that “repentance” is an intransitive verb that means “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.” That’s pretty good from a non-theological source.

 

          Repentance has assumed a cultural transformation. Today repentance often means one of two things. [1] “Lord, I’m sorry that I got caught. I’ll be more careful in the future.” [2] “Lord, I feel guilty about this and will work harder so I can relieve myself of this guilty feeling.”

 

          Repentance denies certain natural tendencies and desires. Paul acknowledged the struggle of the two natures in Romans chapter 7. It is not easy to truly repent.

 

          Repentance means “to change your mind and amend your actions.” It requires one to agree with God regarding sin and to follow God in a new pattern of behavior.

 

 Jer 18:11

…return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

 

Dear Lord, every day is a struggle to agree with you regarding sin and to follow you in my behavior. Please give me your Holy Spirit for guidance and your grace for cleansing. AMEN

 

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

 

Monday, June 23, 2025

 

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

 

Ps 30:4-5

4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

          The Hebrew original indicates that weeping is an overnight guest, most likely an unwelcome one. Morning comes and weeping is off to bless another host. All of us play host to these occasional guests. Trouble comes around and we provide a pallet on the floor and an extra blanket while we sit up and weep with it.

 

          Morning light changes our perspective, and things seem not so troublesome. At the very least, we now have light enough to make amends and corrections so that our sorrowful guest does not stay another night.

 

          If we have angered God, we now have sufficient light to plead for forgiveness and, in doing so, we always find His favor. The result is JOY. Here the word joy is the Hebrew word rinnah and means “a creaking or shrill sound of either joy or grief.” Most interesting, don’t you think? I think of the squeal of a child welcoming her father home from work. It is the joy of reunion, love, and peace.

 

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Thank you, Lord, for a brighter new day and the joy it brings. AMEN

 

RECONCILIATION!

 

Sunday, June 22, 2025

 

RECONCILIATION!

 

Col 1:19-22

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

 

          The etymology of the word “reconcile” is from the late Middle English: from Old French reconcilier or Latin reconciliare, from Latin re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + conciliare ‘bring together.’

 

          Legally, in human relationships, reconciliation is seldom possible unless restitution has been made. If something has been stolen it should be paid back. Even so there must also be repentance, a promise never to do the wrong ever again, and forgiveness. Forgiveness is treating the offending party as if the offense had never happened. It is easy to see how difficult this is!

 

          When we offended God, He paid the debt himself by the death of His Son Jesus. Restitution was made, forgiveness was possible, and reconciliation then was offered to the guilty. The only thing preventing God and man from coming together is man’s refusal of God’s offer. When man refuses God’s offer, either because of a lack of faith or will, he remains in the realm of guilt and condemnation because of his choice.

 

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for making it possible for me to be brought back and brought together with you. AMEN