THE EYES HAVE IT!

THE EYES HAVE IT!

          I sit here this morning suffering an ailment that is typically seen in children. I have conjunctivitis which is commonly known as “pink eye.” It is not fun. The eyes run with water which then turns to a jelly-like substance that crystallizes and shuts the eyelids. The eyes burn and itch but the most troublesome thing, at least for me, is that I contaminate everything I touch. It separates me from others. I couldn’t help but think about the Apostle Paul.

Gal 6:11

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

          Scholars are not unanimous in their understanding of this verse. Some say it refers to the length of the letter but there are other letters larger written by his scribe, Luke. Some say it referred to an eye disease that forced him to write with his own hand in very large characters. I think this view has some merit based on the following verses in which Paul recounts his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Acts 26:13

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

          The light temporarily blinded Paul. This blindness continued until Ananias met Paul and his sight was restored.

Acts 9:8

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:17-18

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

          Some think Paul suffered some form of difficulty with his eyes even after that. Some speculate that this might have been Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” mentioned in Second Corinthians 12:7. Even if that is so, it did not greatly hinder Paul because God promised to provide Himself as the strength he would need in weakness. Paul’s mission was to deal with spiritual blindness.

Acts 26:18

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Dear Lord, this affliction is troublesome but temporary. Thank you for being my Strength during this time of weakness and for reminding me of the blindness of the lost world. AMEN

FAMILY IS IMPORTANT!

FAMILY IS IMPORTANT!

Mic 7:2-7

2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.

7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

          A news item attracted my attention this morning. There was an analysis of why murder among young black men was ten times higher than both whites and Hispanics combined. The reason, opined the commentator, was the disintegration of the black family. White families are disintegrating as well but just not as fast. He continued to say that 73 percent of black babies are now born to unwed mothers. Those babies will grow up without a committed father figure in the home and will develop resentment without supervision. Gang structure has replaced the family structure.

          Micah begins by reviewing things as they really are in verses 2 through 4. They do evil with both hands earnestly. Like a hungry man who forgets his manners when he sits down to a fine meal, those who do evil do so vigorously. The home is specifically mentioned. Verse five describes an atmosphere of distrust among family members. Verse six describes disrespect which spawns rebellion and strife. All the boundaries and walls have broken down. No one honors rules or obeys laws because respect, honor, dignity and civility are no longer taught in the home. Jesus quotes verse six in Matthew 10:36.

          Micah knows that God is the answer and in verse seven he trusts in His mercies. Warren Wiersbe comments on this by saying: “In the light of the terrible condition of the land and the judgment that was impending, wouldn't it have been a wise thing for the people to turn from their sin and trust the Lord? Would it not have been a smart thing for them to claim 2 Chron 7:14 and seek God's face so that He might heal their land?”

Dear Lord, we wait for Thee. Heal our heart. Heal our families and heal our land. AMEN

ON BEING TRUE TO ONESELF!

ON BEING TRUE TO ONESELF!

Eph 4:22-25

Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Christianity today seems to be pretty much in the hands of “Progressives” (otherwise referred to as liberals) because the conservatives (otherwise referred to as legalists) have departed the building. I find my own home made philosophy resides uncomfortably in the middle. I like the casual attire of the left along with some of the modern upgrades to the worship format. However, at my age, I am unwilling and perhaps unable to abandon traditions. I still use the KJV while reading several other translations. I think that is honest! I still have the nagging feeling that appropriate dress in church is still, well, appropriate. I think flip-flops, tank tops and underwear worn as outerwear is disrespectful to a God who is clothed in light. I still think that the name “Baptist” is honorable enough to retain it on our church sign. It is at least as descriptive as some of the modern indistinct names of new church plants.

I’m not sure that separatism is always a good thing because it leads to an altered sense of reality. Jesus ate with publicans and sinners while the Pharisees avoided them like the plague. Which was the most balanced? I do, however, demand of myself a strict adherence to firmly held convictions which causes some to withdraw from me. The chill of loneliness because of one’s convictions is not as uncomfortable to me as the frost that settles on my soul when I openly affirm a position I do not truly hold. I therefore wander through life with my lantern held high searching for truth.

Ps 34:13-14

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Father, let me filter both my thoughts and my behavior through thy Word. AMEN