A MOTHER’S HOPE!

 

Sunday, May 10, 2026

 

A MOTHER’S HOPE!

 

Ex 2:1-2

2 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

 

          A goodly child! The Hebrew has no more insight than this into the nature of the child we now know as Moses. The word indicates perfection in physical form and also beauty. Acts 7:20 in the New International Version says that he was “no ordinary child.” But what were Jochebed’s hopes for her son?

 

I was born just a little less than two months after the Nuremburg trials. The war was over and Germany’s ruins were being cleared away by the Marshal plan. Germany had reason now to hope. The birth of a second son at the Abbott house must have filled my mother with hope as well. Mothers always hope and dream.

 

          I wonder if Gospel Ministry was one of Mother’s hopes for me. I’m sure I often disappointed her in many ways. Through the years I tried to paint ministry with the best brush and colors, but mothers often see the blemishes on the canvas anyway. She continued to hope. One day I’ll be reunited with Momma, and we will both know how wonderful God’s plan for her boy really was.

 

          Honor your mother whether she is alive or gone. Exodus 20:12 tells us that there is a promise and a reward for doing so.

 

Dear Lord, please give Mom a hug for me and let her know that we are still working out your plan for my life. AMEN

 

BIBLICAL BALANCE

 

Saturday, May 9, 2026

 

BIBLICAL BALANCE

 

Reading: Philippians 4:4-8

 

Phil 4:4-5

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

          The word “balance” appears eight times in the Authorized Version, but it refers to an instrument that measures weight. It does not refer to a balanced attitude or demeanor. For that more modern meaning, we must look at the word “moderation” which shows up only once. That word is the Greek epieikes and it literally means “mild, gentle, moderate and patient.” One commentator has called it “sweet reasonableness.”

 

          We live in a world of aggravated extremes and contention. Each side, convinced that they and they alone are right, is determined to destroy the other opinion and practice. It has invaded all areas of our culture including the church. Its root is selfishness and it is as old as Cain and Abel.

 

          Moderation acknowledges another way without feeling intimidated or threatened. It does not demand its own way. It is loving and accepting without excusing that which is clearly wrong. That which is clearly wrong can be measured by its product. Does a certain practice produce peace or is it divisive. “Sweet reasonableness” is not faring well in modern times!

 

          Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit – the Holy Spirit. Do not expect moderation from the unsaved. Also, do not expect reasonableness from those who are following the world or their flesh. These are incompatible. Oh, and don’t expect to assume moderation in yourself without a fight because “the flesh lusteth against [are opposed to] the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:17) Moderation does not reside in one who is willful and proud.

 

Dear Lord, in a world of angry extremes, let me own and display sweet reasonableness. AMEN

 

NO CONDEMNATION!

 

Friday, May 8, 2026

 

NO CONDEMNATION!

 

Rom 8:1-4

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

          The words “righteous” and “righteousness” seem to refer to the conformity to some generally acceptable standard of being and doing. Thayer says that righteousness is “the state of him who is such as he ought to be.” Prior to the giving of the law, cultural custom established what was right and the general population either conformed or not. Non-conformists were “unrighteous.”

 

          The Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, specifically spelled out God’s standard of acceptable behavior. Within the list are both dos and don’ts. “To be sure, in the days of later Pharisaism righteousness came to be so much a matter of externals that the inner intent was often lost sight of altogether (Matt 23:23); but, on the whole and in the main, Christian thought in all ages has recognized as the central element in righteousness the intention to be and do right.” (from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.)

 

          Jesus came to change the paradigm of righteousness. Because man had failed in doing, Jesus came to introduce righteousness by being. Now the righteousness without the law is introduced (Romans 3:21). Yet Jesus explained that he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-20). The Law promoted conformity to deeds and creeds while Jesus introduced righteousness through relationship. We who are unrighteous are declared to be righteous through relationship with Christ.

 

          Conformity to God’s standards, obligation to obey, and accountability for disobedience has not been removed but Jesus has introduced a new means of reckoning (Ephesians 2:8-10). Salvation is by grace without conformity to the law, but that relationship does not remove responsibility. We are His workmanship unto (epi) good works. So, while good works do not produce salvation, salvation should produce good works. I am unrighteous but I have been infused with the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This new relationship empowers me and enables me to progressively conform to the image of Christ.

 

Dear Jesus, once again I have failed to explain the incomprehensible. This is as it should be. The grace of God that brings salvation is contrary to every standard of man. Because you suffered, I am released. Because you obeyed, my disobedience is forgiven. Thank you for your wonderful salvation. AMEN