TERMS OF ENDEARMENT!

 

Thursday, March 19, 2026

 

TERMS OF ENDEARMENT!

 

Song 2:10-13

10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. KJV

 

          When is the last time you heard a sermon from Song of Solomon? Exactly! It is so intimate as to be almost embarrassing. We excuse ourselves and slip away to give the couple some privacy.

 

          We quickly understand that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We know Him to be both Lamb and Lion, but do we know Him as the loving husband of the bride? Are we intimate with Him?

 

          Our casual culture has reduced not only the majesty of God but the terms of endearment as well. God is now our copilot and the Man Upstairs, but seldom is he our beloved!

 

Song 2:16

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. KJV

 

Beloved Lord, remind me that ours is not a theological discussion but a relationship of love. AMEN

 

RUN YOUR OWN RACE!

 

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

 

RUN YOUR OWN RACE!

 

Heb 12:1-2

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

          Adam Clarke says: “Here is another allusion to the Olympic games: the agonistae, [those who were agonizing] or contenders, were often greatly animated by the consideration that the eyes of the principal men of their country were fixed upon them; and by this they were induced to make the most extraordinary exertions.”

 

          The Greek hupomone is translated “patience” and means “cheerful and hopeful endurance.” Living the Christian life has always required more exertion and endurance than expected. Christ’s offer of abundant life is often misunderstood as leisure ease. It is not! It is cheerful and hopeful endurance.

 

          More than a misunderstanding of the nature of the race is the comparison of myself with other runners. It is my race alone and I will never win if I watch others who run. My focus must be on Christ for He is the author and finisher. He fires the starting gun and watches the tape. I must keep my eyes on Him.

 

1 Cor 9:24

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.

AMP

 

Lord, let me not be distracted by other runners but let me sprint the last mile with my eyes firmly on you. AMEN

 

EXTREME PARENTING!

 

Sunday, March 15, 2026

 

EXTREME PARENTING!

 

1 Sam 1:27-28

27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

 

          Hannah knew that Samuel was both a gift and a stewardship. He was a gift because he was the answer to an agonized prayer of a barren mother. He was the elimination of her humiliation. He was a constant reminder of the faithfulness of a compassionate God.

 

          Did Samuel ever have the colic? Did he ever cry endlessly driving sleep from Hannah’s eyes? Did he ever weary her with childishness? No, I think Samuel was a normal little Jewish boy. Was this part of the “gift?” I think Hannah knew that it was.

 

          Hannah also knew that Samuel was a “stewardship.” He did not ultimately belong to her. He was given by God, and she returned him to God’s service. This is when parenting becomes extreme and difficult. The moment we realize that parenting is for the child and not for the parent, we become good parents indeed. Guidance, training, and correction are all part of parental love and responsibility.

 

          Hannah learned that whatever you give to God is kept safe. It is made better, stronger, and more useful. This was Hannah’s reward.

 

Dear Lord, bless and help our embattled parents today. AMEN