LIKE THEM THAT DREAM!

LIKE THEM THAT DREAM!

Ps 126

126 When the Lord  turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord  hath done great things for them.

3 The Lord  hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord , as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Isa 44:24-28

24 Thus saith the Lord , thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord  that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

          Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would release the Jews from captivity and allow them to return home to rebuild and resettle Jerusalem. Cyrus gave this decree in 537 B.C. but on the day the captives heard it – it was like a dream! Their joy could not be contained and those who saw and heard their rejoicing declared “the Lord hath done great things for them!” So it is when God brings about a long-awaited deliverance. We can’t believe that it is real! Our joy overflows! Others see it and God is glorified.

          Once the Jews arrive back in the city they found that it wasn’t the same as when they left it. Time did not stop when they were carried away and then resume when they returned. The city had suffered during the captivity and repairs needed to be made. Life is so arranged that we often must make new beginnings. When that happens God gives us special encouragements so that we can adjust to the new normal.

          Have you been in some kind of personal “captivity?” Has the old “normal” been turned upside down and you are now trying to make your way through a maze of confusion and disappointment? Wait patiently for God! He will turn your captivity and restore you – but you might have to begin again with a new set of circumstances. You might have to adjust to a new normal.

          Life is full of surprises! God may soon present you with a new set of circumstances. These might be different from the old, but so wonderful as to make you think it is just a dream. God is able to “raise up the decayed places.” (Isaiah 44:26) Trust Him! Wait for Him! While you wait – dream!

Dear Lord, someone is waiting for you to deliver them from their present circumstances. Please make their new beginnings so wonderful that it will seem like a dream. Make their joy so full that others will see it and glorify you. AMEN

EMPATHY!

EMPATHY!

Heb 4:15-16

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

          Merriam-Webster defines the word “empathy” as: “to experience as one’s own the feelings of another.” More simply put, it is actually feeling the pain of someone else’s hurt. This is actually possible! Perhaps you have suffered some injury or trauma through the years. The pain of that injury is recorded in your mind. When you hear of someone’s hurt you replay the recorded pain stored in your mind. You actually hurt FOR and WITH someone else. This is empathy!

          The Greek word for “touched” in verse 15 is sumpatheo which forms the basis of our word “sympathy.” Because of the sentence structure, the word “feeling” is translated from the same Greek word! We can conclude that our Great High Priest, Jesus, feels our feelings. Yet the fearful apostles in a tiny boat on the stormy sea cried out “carest thou not that we perish?” (See Mark 4:38) Everywhere the Bible reminds us that God willingly feels our deepest hurts and carries our sorrows.

Isa 53:4-5

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Dear Lord, thank you that I can come boldly to the throne of grace because I know you feel what I am feeling. I know that you care and will answer with my best interest in mind. I know you will speedily relieve my sufferings because you feel them yourself. AMEN

METHODS OF EVANGELISM!

METHODS OF EVANGELISM!

Matt 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

          We are timid souls and the challenge of discipling all nations is huge. We whose job it is to encounter, encourage, and enlist lost souls for the kingdom are always searching for a better way to do the job. In our politically correct world we shun the direct approach and organize concerts and events so that the gospel might be presented. The problem, I think, is that so much energy is spent in organizing the event that the energy needed to present the gospel is spent. We have become showmen or worse.

          As we look at the biblical record, we do not see Jesus fretting over methods. While He drew large crowds, more often He was found sitting with a single person or a small group. If salvation is a personal decision then the approach must also be personal. One-by-one encounters is, I think, what Jesus had in mind.

          “Go ye therefore” seems to have the force of a command but, as some translations have it, “as you are going” seems more casual and less confrontational. It is the confrontation that we try to avoid. Evangelism requires that we see ourselves as evangelists. Outreach is not what we do but an outgrowth of who we are.

          No generation before us has enjoyed more opportunities than we. We can literally speak to nations simultaneously in their own language. It is now possible to be obedient to Christ’s command in ways unthought-of of by the twelve. Look around you! Who can you reach? What tools are available to you? Why aren’t you taking advantage of them?

Rev 3:8

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Dear Lord, let me see clearly who and what I am. Let me see clearly those in need of redemption. Let me do what I can to tell them about you. AMEN