THIS ONE THING!

 

Saturday, August 30, 2025

 

THIS ONE THING!

 

Phil 3:10-14

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Luke 10:42

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

 

Paul entered the ministry a bit later in life and was spared the brashness of youth. In fact, most of the disciples were men of maturity who had been involved successfully in other ventures before God’s claim on their life. But it was Paul who offers his opinion of the most important thing and Jesus says AMEN to it. This ONE THING is a close-and-getting-closer relationship to Christ.

 

Paul presented a past that should remain in the past, a present full of activity and a future of even closer association with the Master. Mary might have busied herself in the kitchen with Martha, but she chose the ONE THING that was essential to her which was sitting at the feet of Jesus. We do not need more stuff! We need more of Jesus!

 

Dear Lord, be close to me today – and let me be closer to you. AMEN

 

AVOIDING A BREAKDOWN!

 

Friday, August 29, 2025

 

AVOIDING A BREAKDOWN!

 

1 Kings 19:4

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

 

          If we study Elijah as a movie instead of Elijah as a snapshot, we see a pattern of physical, emotional, and spiritual danger. The winding road from Cherith, where he was fed by ravens, to Zarephath, where a widow shared her last meal, ended under a Juniper tree where he was fed by angels. The Bible says that meal lasted him for forty days!

 

          Most of us don’t have the constitution or character of Elijah. Even Elisha, his successor, noticed it and wanted a double portion. But even superheroes have chinks in their armor.

 

          It is either a break or a breakdown for most of us! Improper nutrition, insufficient rest, and the pressure of constant challenges can break us down. We see ourselves small and the problems large. We are wounded so we snap at our friends and helpers. We need a break – or we are headed for a breakdown.

 

          Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is to rest. If stress can challenge one like Elijah or the Apostle Paul, it surely can wear us down. Run to Jesus and let him give you rest.

 

2 Cor 1:8

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

 

Dear Lord, help us to pay attention to ourselves and to be aware of the signs of fatigue. Let us run to you for rest and refreshment. AMEN

 

THE SINNER’S TEARS

 

Thursday, August 28, 2025

 

THE SINNER’S TEARS

 

Luke 7:37-38

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

 

            The woman is only described by Luke as “a sinner.” Her sins are not named but we get the impression that she was what we might call a “street walker” with quite a reputation. Her tears, her humble attitude, and her expensive gift all spoke of a changed heart. We are not told when or how this woman came to repentance. Perhaps it was when Jesus gave the invitation to the weary to “come unto me … and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

          When our sins become so heavy that we can no longer carry them, we must find a place to lay them down. When our rebellion is found to be more painful than returning to divine authority, we will return. When the grief for what we have done far outweighs the pleasure we had sought, we will cry.

 

          During times of revival, I have seen many at the altar of prayer weeping and sobbing. As their pastor, I am both glad and sad to see these tears. I am glad because I know that God welcomes the humble and resists the stubborn. (1 Peter 5:5) I am sad because I know the pain these are going through. I have been there many times myself.

 

          Michael Trimble, a British professor at the Institute of Neurology in London, tells us, humans are the only creatures who cry for emotional reasons. I have no reason to challenge his research. Humans cry while other animals don’t. It makes one wonder just what it is that God placed inside of man that makes him different. I think it is our capacity for knowing and responding to God.

 

O Hope Of Every Contrite Heart

 

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

 

Dear Lord, how I remember, in my struggles against your will, the day I could not sustain my rebellion. I surrendered and you took me in. O the tears that fell in that precious hour – that hour when you smiled upon me in forgiveness. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

 

LIFE CHANGES!

 

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

 

LIFE CHANGES!

 

          In childhood our flesh is ignored, and we hardly give our bodies much thought. Our days are spent running and playing and catching lightning bugs and pollywogs. We ford streams and climb trees; our skin is burned by the sun and scraped by the rocks. The pains of the body are quickly removed by a mother’s kiss. God is a mystery!

 

          In youth our flesh demands attention. Great sweeping change takes place and almost violent emotions emerge. All is drama! The eyes swell with new sights and the skin tingles with new sensations. Desire is awakened and demands to be fed. Lightening bugs chase us, but we pay no attention. Our bodies are strong yet out of balance and clumsy. God is postponed for another time!

 

          In adulthood our bodies serve us well as vehicles for all our ventures. Hard work is done, and sweet sleep is enjoyed. The body settles down and so do we. Families are built and memories are stored to be enjoyed later. Business and busyness fill our days. In making a living we often forget to live. God stands waiting!

 

          In older age our bodies are an inconvenience. The spirit awakens to a waiting God, hopefully. Children are our greatest joy, and we sympathize with the struggle of youth, close our eyes and shake our heads at them. They will survive if they are careful. Pain can no longer be kissed away and becomes a familiar companion but not a friend. Sleep is sporadic, fitful and unfulfilling. Friends depart and loneliness arrives, but memory is either our companion or abandons us to grope in uncertainty. Wisdom is abundant but no one seeks it. God is a Friend!

 

Gal 5:16-17 (KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Dear Father, be my Lord in all the changes of my life. AMEN

LORD, HAVE MERCY!

 

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

 

LORD, HAVE MERCY!

 

Ps 123

123 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

 

          This Psalm addresses the cruel treatment of those Jews held captive by the Babylonians. We ask ourselves if anyone has ever suffered like the Jew! Yet missiologists say that more Christians have been martyred in the twentieth century than all other centuries combined.

 

          “Lord, have mercy!” was used often by mother and her generation. I have heard her say it many times. Too many times actually because I was often the cause of her consternation. Whenever she couldn’t understand my actions and attitudes, whenever she couldn’t believe the mess I had made of things, and whenever I needed grace she would often say “Lord, have mercy.” I usually joined her very soon in saying it myself.

 

          Asking for God’s mercy is an admission of our weakness and His strength. It acknowledges our emptiness and His fullness. It confesses our stupidity and His wisdom. It is a cry for help when we are suffering. It is a cry for wisdom when we are perplexed. It is a cry for rescue when we are in trouble.

 

Lord, have mercy on all those who call on thee today. AMEN

 

TRANSITION AND CHANGE

 

Monday, August 25, 2025

 

TRANSITION AND CHANGE

 

Josh 3:4

4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, [the ark] about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

 

          The “wilderness” was a relatively small area geographically. Because the ten spies feared to enter the land of promise, they discouraged the people. They wandered round and round for 40 years!

 

          Those forty years were spent learning to trust God for provision, protection, and direction. Most of the fearful died off! Moses was also dead, and the leadership was given to Joshua. It was time for a change. It was time for a transition. It was time to enter the land of promise. Some preparation was in order because they had not gone this far before.

 

          Joshua ordered the camp to move ten miles from their encampment to the banks of the Jordan. How would they cross over? God would answer that. How would walled Jericho respond to their encroachment? God would take care of that too. Change is almost always fearful and, for Christians, always requires trust and obedience. Miracles follow!

 

          Are you facing great changes? Perhaps God is leading you to a place you have never been. This is always fearful because you are entering unfamiliar territory. The proper response is to keep God in clear view, trust, and obey.

 

Dear Lord, many today are facing unsettling changes and challenges. Help us to never lose sight of your leading. Give us strength to follow you. Encourage us because we have not passed this way before. AMEN

CHECK IT OUT!

 

Sunday, August 24, 2025

 

CHECK IT OUT!

 

Acts 17:10-11

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These [the believers in Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

 

2 Tim 4:2-4

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

          Sometimes in a sermon, or a conversation with another believer, something will be said that sounds an alarm in me. Something just doesn’t fit what I’ve always read or been told. Excuse me, but I’ll have to check that out! This was the common practice of Berean believers. Oh, they received the word with all readiness of mind, but they compared teaching with the written word.

 

          Paul told Timothy the time would come when sound doctrine wouldn’t matter to those that listened. They would heap to themselves teachers who would scratch where they itched. Ultimately, they would venture off into fables and pure fantasy. The remedy for this would be a meticulous adherence to written scripture.

 

          Timothy was urged to “preach the Word” and to be “instant” in season and out of season. The Greek word for “instant” is ephistemi which means “to stand by or to be present.”  To continue the military “guard duty” analogy, we can say that there must have been some marching or drilling before the soldier is ready to stand by. Constant study is the only thing that can prepare a person for any attack on the truth. Study takes time and our hurried lifestyle has filled all our appointments.

 

          Cults are full of those who have listened to someone weave a thread of pure fantasy into the fabric of reason and truth. Satan will not attack with a frontal assault but will flank you with a mixture of truth and error. You must compare what you hear with what has been written. You must check it out.

 

Dear Lord, help me to be a student of your Word that I may be able to “stand by” and to discern between truth and fables. AMEN

 

HIS GREAT LOVE

 

Saturday, August 23, 2025

 

HIS GREAT LOVE

 

Read: Ephesians 2:1-9

 

Eph 2:4

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

 

          We have memorized and sliced out Ephesians 2: 8 & 9 because those verses highlight the wonderful biblical truth of Grace. But what about the seven verses that precede them? “The great love wherewith He loved us!” These words are meant to amaze! We investigate the history of God’s love and are buried with the evidence of it. We gaze at Calvary frozen with amazement and aghast at the spectacle.

 

          The history of redemption began in the garden of Eden immediately after the first sin. Oh! The great love wherewith he loved us! Clothed by the very deity they had offended, man was sent on a journey of rescue and recovery that spanned ages.

 

          The intricacies of redemption are amazing. When we trace the lineage of Messiah and the great care with which God fulfilled each and every prophecy, we stand in awe. When we see the frightened Mary and Joseph in the cattle stall, we wonder at God’s logic and reasoning. Poverty brought riches! Weakness brought strength! Oh! The great love wherewith he loved us!

 

          When we see the value of redemption, we want to sell all that we may purchase it. But, alas, it is already purchased and offered to us as a free gift. Our only response can be to humbly receive it with gratitude.

 

John 17:26

26 [Jesus prayed] “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

 

Lord, I stand amazed at the great love wherewith you loved me. AMEN

 

MY EXPECTATION!

 

Friday, August 22, 2025

 

MY EXPECTATION!

 

Ps 62:5

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

 

          The word which is translated “expectation” is literally “a cord or attachment.” This gives meaning to the often-used advice: “When you find yourself at the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on!” In David’s present circumstance, he felt that his only hope was in God.

 

          Note the increase in confidence as he moves from “I shall not be greatly moved” (v.2) to “I shall not be moved” (v.6) As he waited on God, his spirit went from “it won’t be too bad” to “it’s going to be alright.” He will soon burst into praise as he sings “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” (v.8) There is an old Gospel song that should be an encouragement today.

 

Be not dismayed whate’re betide.

God will take care of you.

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you!

 

God will take care of you,

Through every day o’re all the way.

He will take care of you;

God will take care of you!

 

Dear Lord, some of my dear friends are facing great challenges. Others are at the end of their rope. Their only hope is in YOU. What an encouraging thought! Thank you for being my best hope and not just my last straw. AMEN

 

THROUGH THE DARK VALLEY!

 

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

 

THROUGH THE DARK VALLEY!  

 

Ps 23:1-4

23 The Lord  is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

          Everything was going well through the first three verses of Psalm 23. The Shepherd was a good shepherd. The sheep felt no need that was not supplied. The pastures were green, and the water was still and cool. Contentment prevailed so why would anyone leave this place to pass through the dark valley?

 

          Suddenly the sheep are led through a valley but not just any valley. This is the dreaded shadow of death. Verse 4 is the central verse in this entire chapter. The focus changes here! Suddenly the shepherd is not “before” the sheep but “beside” the sheep. He has drawn closer to give clear guidance and to calm fears. You can hear Him whisper “we are no longer in the pasture, but it will be alright. I am here with you. Do not be afraid.”

 

          Two instruments are applied in the dark valley. The rod is a heavy club with which the Shepherd can stun or kill an attacking beast. The very sight of it causes the sheep to take courage. Nothing shall attack unless it first defeats the Shepherd! The staff was the Shepherd’s crook which would prod and assist the individual sheep. At night the sheep would pass beneath the rod and be counted and examined. The sheep knew that to be counted meant that he was valuable to the Shepherd. The Shepherd would not allow the sheep to be lost.

 

          Today you may be asked to walk through the “vale of deep darkness.” You may learn of some fearful illness in your body, or you may be challenged with a circumstance where winning is not guaranteed. The Shepherd is there. Huddle close to him and feel the folds of His robe as you walk along. Keep moving because there is an end to this valley. Yes, it is dark, but the Shepherd knows the way and will not let you be lost or suffer damage. Verses 5 and 6 take place on the other side of the valley!

 

Ps 23:5-6

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Dear Shepherd of the sheep, today you may lead some through the valley. Keep them safe by rod and staff. AMEN