HE IS THERE!

 

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

 

HE IS THERE!

 

Ps 139:7-10

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

 

There are two aspects to God being everywhere at once. On the one hand we cannot escape from him and on the other hand he will never leave you alone. We is the difference? Our own current set of circumstances makes his presence either a precious thing or a problem for us.

 

If there is sin in my heart and I want to run away from God’s piercing gaze, I learn quickly that I cannot. He is everywhere convicting me of my sin and wooing me back again. I cannot be comfortable sinning because He is there.

 

If I am disappointed with my God and want to leave him like a pouting child, I find that I cannot. Oh, yes, we often become disenchanted with a God who does only as He wishes. Our plans are cut off and our expectations are dashed because they are not HIS plans for us. We pout and whimper and try to run away but we can’t find a place where God is not. There is no place to hide. We are forced by His presence to reconcile.

 

On the other hand, He is the friend that sticks close. We feel him in the gentle breeze upon our cheek. We hear Him in the robin’s song. He wraps his huge arms around us when we are afraid. He is always there.

 

Both are blessings, the God I cannot escape keeps me clean and the God who will not leave me alone keeps me safe.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for being with me today. AMEN

 

ACRES OF DIAMONDS

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

 

ACRES OF DIAMONDS

 

Matt 16:25-26

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

Russell Herman Conwell (February 15, 1843 – December 6, 1925) was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, author, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphia, as the Pastor of The Baptist Temple, and for his inspirational lecture, "Acres of Diamonds".

As a Union soldier, during the "Gum Swamp" expedition, he returned to the battlefield to retrieve the bodies of two of his deceased soldiers, and later during the same campaign purposefully drew enemy fire upon his position – resulting in his being shot in the shoulder. He knew the value of life. Source: Wikipedia)

 

But this morning I awoke with an old-fashioned Gospel song rattling in my head. Written by Arthur Smith and recorded by Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, the song in my head was called Acres of Diamonds.

 

Acres of Diamonds, mountains of gold,

Rivers of silver, jewels untold

All these together, wouldn't buy you or me,

Peace when we're sleeping or a conscience that's free.

 

A heart that's contented, a satisfied mind,

These are the treasures, money can't buy.

If you have Jesus, there's more wealth in your soul,

Than Acres of Diamonds, mountains of gold.

 

Col 3:2

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

 

Lord, I am bound for a city where the streets are paved with Gold, whose walls are jewels, and whose gates are pearls. Help me to assign true value to things, friends, and myself. AMEN

 

GUIDE ME!

 

Monday, January 29, 2024

 

GUIDE ME!

 

Ps 31:3

3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

 

Believers sense the need of guidance from God. Since our conversion we have had a connection with the Holy Spirit. He is our silent, unseen partner who both urges us on and restrains our movements. Our rest is sometimes interrupted by a strong urge to move along and our hectic activity is sometimes brought to an abrupt halt by circumstance and a sense of caution. This is guidance, and this is what we need.

 

Solomon would soon be king instead of his father David and he felt a strong need of guidance. He felt ill-equipped to lead and he appealed to his Leader.

 

1 Kings 3:7-10

7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

 

Perhaps you sense God’s movement, that He is preparing you for something you are not yet aware. I need guidance, perhaps you do too.

 

Isa 30:21

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

Dear Lord, we, like Solomon, are not equipped to direct our own steps. We need your guidance today. AMEN

 

WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY!

 

Sunday, January 28, 2024

 

WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY!

 

Ps 35:22

O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

 

Acts 17:25-28

…he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being…

 

The most difficult times for me are those times when God seems far away. Oh, I know with my mind that He is everywhere and that He is near, even in my heart, but there are times when I need Him so badly to be within reach. I need to sense His presence and I need to hear His voice. Like a child who pillows his head on his mother’s breast I need to feel His breath on my cheek. Many are the times when my soul cries out to God for the comfort of His presence.

 

Many are the songs that have been written and sung about our human longing for God. “Abide with me” is one and “Nearer my God to Thee” is another of the songs that remind us of the great gulf that sin has now fixed between us and our God. Yet our very soul was made for fellowship with Him as Adam enjoyed in the cool of the evening.

 

Job deeply felt the absence of God although God was every moment observing his calamity. It may seem cruel to us, but God had set in motion a test for Job that would put Satan to open shame. Job was required to remain faithful to an absentee God. So, it seems often with us. We feel that we must walk the trail of tears alone, yet God is there and He will arrive just in time.

 

Ps 56:3

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

 

Dear Lord, I know with my head that Thou art there, but my spirit needs Thee now. Be not far from me. AMEN

 

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL!

 

Saturday, January 27, 2024

 

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL!

 

Ps 23:2-3

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

One scholar clarifies this beautifully in the following quote.

 

It refers to the spirit when exhausted, weary, or sad; and the meaning is, that God quickens or vivifies the spirit when thus exhausted. The reference is not to the soul as wandering or backsliding from God, but to the life or spirit as exhausted, wearied, troubled, anxious, worn down with care and toil. The heart, thus exhausted, He re-animates. He brings back its vigor. He encourages it; excites it to new effort; fills it with new joy.

(From Barnes' Notes)

 

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, certainly knows how to deal with us during times of our backsliding but this is not the case here. Because He is the Good Shepherd, He also knows how to mend us when we are broken. When the disciples wanted to press forward – He said rest. When burdened down with care, we are urged to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us.

 

Often in the midst of urgent labor He will “make” us, or force us, to lie down in green pastures. Thus, lying on the soft green earth, chewing contentedly, we are able to separate the urgent from the truly important. I am convinced that many are not so much involved with sinful behavior as with urgent things that are not important.

 

Dear Lord, today a thousand voices will cry out for my attention. One of those voices will be your very own. Help me to hear you when you speak. Today, Lord, restore my soul. AMEN

 

A REPROBATE MIND INVENTS EVIL THINGS!

 

Friday, January 26, 2024

 

A REPROBATE MIND INVENTS EVIL THINGS!

 

Rom 1:28-32

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

Our world is full of new technology; the products of someone’s imagination.   I am, however, stricken with the thought of “inventing” evil things. Someone has said that “necessity is the mother of invention” but I must wonder at the necessity of evil and the mind of the man who invents it.

 

From verse 28, we learn that God gave them over [gave up restraining] to a reprobate mind. That small evil – unrestrained – led to the enormous list of evils in the verses that follow. When we read it, we pick out one or two sins that belong to us and we then think ourselves incapable of all the rest. We might own deceit, but we are offended at the thought of being a murderer. Yet it seems to be a package and not a list at all. Each evil, all these evils, springs forth from a reprobate mind.

 

Take the work of termites as an example. They work undetected from the inside out until the whole house is ready to collapse beneath its own load. Onlookers wonder how a house with such lovely paint could fall so tragically. So, it is with sin. Our mind invents the evil and, with enough time, our life collapses upon itself. How could so many wonderful “role models” be seen reading a script of apology for evil deeds? Sin undetected spreads and makes a person brazen. They think they will never be caught. Suddenly everything collapses around them.

 

You can’t treat termites with a fresh coat of paint! You can’t stop the spread of sin by adding good deeds to an evil life. Only God has the cure for sin.

 

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

Dear Lord, guard my heart and mind today as I yield myself to you. AMEN

 

HEAVEN’S FLOW CHART

 

Thursday, January 25, 2024

 

HEAVEN’S FLOW CHART

 

John 1:40-46

40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

 

          The word “findeth” or “find” is translated from the Greek heurisko and it means “to find, get, and to obtain.” In the above portion of God’s Word, we see a flow chart. One believer finds (gets and obtains) another who finds another who finds another. This is how the family of God grows.

 

          You are connected to an enormous family. Someone found you. You probably didn’t know you were lost, but someone did. Perhaps they stumbled upon you in some casual meeting. They eventually explained to you that they had found the Messiah. Now you are part of the family.

 

          The question now is, will your flow line end with you? Is there enough excitement in you to cause you to share your discovery with others? One day you will be shown how you fit into God’s program of redemption. It will surprise you to learn how far your influence has flowed.

 

2 Tim 1:5-6

…I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee …

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the one who found me and those who mentored me. Let me find others. AMEN

 

JUST SAY NO

 

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

 

JUST SAY NO

 

Prov 1:9

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

 

Prov 13:20-21

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

 

          I have observed freshly caught criminals saying, “I didn’t do nothing man!”, when it is clear that they did do something, man. We are adept at blaming others for our downfall when it is clear that we had a choice and that we chose foolishly. We are responsible for our own behavior and are held accountable.

 

          Right behavior is more than simple obedience. It is a safeguard against trouble. Speed limit signs are posted as a help to us. We see the sign and glance at our own speed. It is at that moment we have a decision to make. We may continue speedily onward without consequence, or we may meet a new friend who asks to see our license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

 

          Right behavior is often for the benefit of others. We may think that our behavior poses no threat to our safety, but we also need to consider whether it poses a danger to others. What we consider reasonable speed may be reckless behavior in a school zone where children play.

 

Prov 4:14-15

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

 

Dear Lord, let me walk wisely today, considering others. AMEN

UNDERTAKE FOR ME!

 

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

 

UNDERTAKE FOR ME!

 

Isa 38:14

14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

 

The word “undertake” is found ONLY ONCE in all the Bible but it has a wonderful meaning.

 

It means to braid, i.e. intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange). It is used in the KJV as engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be (-come, put in) surety, undertake.

n  New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance

 

If we take a look at the first two verses of Isaiah 38 we can easily see why the writer felt this way.

 

Isa 38:1-2

38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.

2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

 

One of the meanings of “undertake” is “to braid.” Think of a thin strand which, by itself, could not support much weight without breaking but, if braided with other strands, it becomes a rope capable of lifting huge amounts. The strand may boast of its lifting power, but it is ignoring that its real strength is from others. When our strength is insufficient to lift the heavy burden, God blends or braids Himself with our feeble strand and we become able to lift and to bear things too heavy for us.

 

Another meaning of the word is “to become a surety” for someone else. We might understand it better by using the modern language and say that someone with good credit becomes a co-signer of a promissory note. The bank loans money not on the credit of the borrower but on the credit of the guarantor. God did that for us. He stepped in and became the guarantor for a debt we could never pay.

 

In his song of praise in the latter part of Isaiah 38 Hezekiah says this.

 

Isa 38:17

17 Behold, for [instead of] peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

 

Dear Lord, though the load becomes heavy, and I groan beneath it, I shall never snap because you are braided to me. Neither will I ever be without necessary things for you are my guarantor, my co-signer. My hope shall never be repossessed. Thank you, Lord! AMEN

 

THE MODEL CHRISTIAN!

 

Monday, January 22, 2024

 

THE MODEL CHRISTIAN!

 

I know that many new believers are anxious to find a short cut to spiritual maturity and quickly search for a “model Christian” after whom they may pattern their lives. I can think of no better model than the Apostle Paul. In fact, he recommends himself as such. He said: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”  1 Cor 11:1 But, if I am going to follow this model, I want to investigate him a bit. Let’s see just what things I need to copy and make part of my life.

 

THIS MODEL CHRISTIAN HAD A SINFUL PAST!

 

1 Tim 1:12-13

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 

Paul had a history of being shamelessly, outrageously, and aggressively insulting to Christ and Christianity. That is what blasphemy is and many people come TO Christ having come FROM such a past. For Paul this was not just an attitude but a campaign of injury to believers and the church. He had arrested them and had some killed! Do not think that your past prohibits you from becoming a MODEL CHRISTIAN.

 

THIS MODEL CHRISTIAN STRUGGLED WITH SIN!

 

Rom 7:18-19

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

 

Paul discovered that sin is powerful and hard to defeat. The things which he now hates are the very things that he continues to do! The new principles of Christianity were hard to add to his daily habits. He saw himself as a very weak Christian.

 

1 Cor 15:9-10

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am:

 

THIS MODEL CHRISTIAN LEARNED THE SECRET OF COMMITMENT!

 

Rom 6:11-13

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

 

The words “reckon”, “let” and “yield” are words that indicate personal decision and determination. He suggested that the new believer act as if he were dead whenever tempted.

 

THIS MODEL CHRISTIAN ALSO STRUGGLED WITH GOD’S DIRECTION!

 

Acts 16:6-7

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

 

On at least this one occasion Paul’s noble plans were vetoed by the Holy Spirit. He wanted to travel to Asia, but God made it clear that was not where he should go. We never see God explain Himself further! So, if you want to follow a model Christian you need to know that you will probably struggle with God’s will for your life.

 

THIS MODEL CHRISTIAN BECAME A CLOSE FRIEND OF GOD!

 

Paul’s desire was declared in Phil 3:10 when he said: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

 

The Amplified New Testament puts it this way: “that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.”

 

Great God, help me to know my sinful past is covered and forgiven as I struggle with lingering sin in my life. Help me to make the sacrifices needed to become faithful. Most of all, Lord, be my close Friend today. AMEN