DO YOU NEED A REDUX?

 

Monday, March 23, 2026

 

DO YOU NEED A REDUX?

 

Rev 2:4-5

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

 

          The word redux (pronounced re-ducks) is from the Latin and means “to lead back.” The Roman Goddess, Fortuna Redux was "one who brings another safely home." But it was the "brought back" meaning that made its way into English.

 

          The Ephesian church had forgotten and abandoned their first love of Jesus. This required repentance and a redux! They needed to be led back again to a fresh start. The consequence was the loss of their light or messenger. Perhaps we need a redux as well.

 

          Revivals have fallen out of favor because they are viewed as moldy tents hastily erected upon soggy soil with dim electric lights encircled by bugs. The preaching is viewed as unlearned and harsh. Notwithstanding it is revival that our churches and our culture needs.

 

           Why, even our own government is long overdue for a redux. When Australia's government shut down in 1975, Queen Elizabeth II's official representative in Australia, Governor General Sir John Kerr, simply dismissed the prime minister. He appointed a replacement, who immediately passed the spending bill to fund the government. Three hours later, Kerr dismissed the rest of Parliament. Then Australia held elections to restart from scratch. And they haven't had another shutdown since.

 

          When unredeemed people assemble to worship a God with whom they are unacquainted and unfamiliar, the result can only be hypocrisy. Shame and sincere grief because of sin is conspicuously absent from modern worship. King David, in sackcloth and ashes, would be a stranger.

 

Dear Lamb of God let me remember our first love and ever fan the flames of it in my heart. AMEN

 

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR!

 

Sunday, March 22, 2026

 

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR!

 

1 Sam 3:9-10

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.

 

          If you travel north in this third chapter to verse eight you will note that Samuel heard and misunderstood the voice of the lord three times! I wonder how many times every day that we hear His voice from someone else? I am reminded of an old Simon & Garfunkle song which contained these words: “the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls – and tenement halls.” If we are to hear the voice of God, we must listen carefully and sometimes pay attention to those whom the rest of the world ignores.

 

          Now our nation and our churches are stumbling in the darkness of extravagance and wastefulness, in the relaxation of disciplined morals, and in the widespread rebellion against God. At these times God calls not just for a servant but for a prophet. The call often comes during ordinary days and ordinary activities. He called Samuel while lying down to sleep. Peter, James, and John were called while washing their fishing nets.

 

          Chance encounters seldom are! We are encouraged in Hebrews 13:2 to pay close attention to strangers because they may be unsuspected angels. I think it would also be wise to listen to strangers and perhaps to children for the voice of God.

 

          Paul’s classic question, “who art thou Lord,” after being blinded by God’s glory was to verify what he suspected. Who are you? I suspect you may be the Lord! His next question changed his life. He asked: “What wilt thou have me to do?”

 

Dear Lord, in the midst of the noise of this day, please speak to me the words I need to hear. Let me listen carefully so that I might hear your voice from unsuspected places. AMEN

 

INTENSE MENTAL SUFFERING!

 

Saturday, March 21, 2026

 

INTENSE MENTAL SUFFERING!

 

Matt 26:37-38

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. KJV

 

          It has been said that “nobody fakes depression but many fake being okay.” Jesus was not okay! His complex union of deity and humanity suffered sorrow. Supper was over, and all but Judas had resorted to a quiet garden. It was there that Jesus would struggle with the weight of man’s sin and the knowledge of the high cost of redemption.

 

          Because words have meaning, several of the words in our text require our keen attention. The word began stands out as intentional. It was a planned enterprise. Sorrow and heaviness were part of redemption. In fact, the Greek confirms this saying that the word means something “rehearsed.”

 

          Jesus was “exceeding sorrowful.” The Greek word is perilupos which means “grieved all around.” This tells me that there was no relief from any quarter. He asked to be released from the contents of the cup he must drink, and His Father did not answer. He came to His disciples and found them asleep. Luke chapter 22 said they were “sleeping for sorrow.” The air hung heavy with grief, and their only escape was to close their minds to it, and sleep.

 

          Jesus requested their company while he agonized. He did not ask them to share it but to simply be with Him while he suffered. I have learned the “ministry of presence.” The Ministry of Presence is a ministry given to all believers. We are all priests in service to God. We are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and as priests we represent God's presence. When Christians express their care and love for another by being present, they are also expressing Jesus' loving concern. It is a gift of time.

 

          Two important things can be gained from our brief study today. First, we need to remember the depth of suffering given by Jesus on our behalf. Next, we need to be aware of those suffering around us and be a companion of comfort to them. A visit or a phone call may be the difference between courage and despair.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for your unspeakable suffering for me. Let me be a comfort to someone today. AMEN