RECONCILIATION!

 

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

 

RECONCILIATION!

 

Col 1:19-22

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

 

          The etymology of the word “reconcile” is from the late Middle English: from Old French reconcilier or Latin reconciliare, from Latin re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + conciliare ‘bring together.’

 

          Legally, in human relationships, reconciliation is seldom possible unless restitution has been made. If something has been stolen it should be paid back. Even so there must also be repentance, a promise never to do the wrong ever again, and forgiveness. Forgiveness is treating the offending party as if the offense had never happened. It is easy to see how difficult this is!

 

          When we offended God, He paid the debt himself by the death of His Son Jesus. Restitution was made, forgiveness was possible, and reconciliation then was offered to the guilty. The only thing preventing God and man from coming together is man’s refusal of God’s offer. When man refuses God’s offer, either because of a lack of faith or will, he remains in the realm of guilt and condemnation because of his choice.

 

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for making it possible for me to be brought back and brought together with you. AMEN

 

RACING THE CLOCK!

 

Monday, June 29, 2026

 

RACING THE CLOCK!

 

Eph 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

          Paul sensed it and tried to instill a sense of urgency in the people of Ephesus. Jesus certainly understood the race against the clock when He said in the Garden: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matt 26:40-41

 

          Teachers sense it but drill sergeants probably sense it more keenly. Raw recruits with trendy clothes and haircuts must be reshaped into soldiers. I feel it too. Tick Tock! My time as teacher and leader was limited. There was a race against that inevitable time when I must announce to some Timothy that “I have fought a good fight and have finished my course.” I wonder if the instructor ever feels confident in the learners! It is that serious.

 

          Was I ever as uncommitted as I feel some are? Probably! I was as lazy as I dared to be, distracted by glitz and glitter, and weak in resolve. I did not change until my heart broke and even now the struggle continues.

 

          What is my hope then? It is the powerful, personal, and formative nature of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Listen to the encouragement of Jesus when he said: “when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” John 16:13

 

Ps 71:18

18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

 

Dear Lord, help me to make good use of my allotted time. AMEN

 

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR!

 

Sunday, June 28, 2026

 

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR!

 

Phil 4:10-13

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

          Paul was a vagabond preacher with no certain income. The Philippian believers had, once again, sent money and supplies. He wanted to say thank you and he did.

 

          Whether he had little or much, Paul was determined to do what God wanted him to do. It was a choice based on obedience and not on resources. That choice took him into the depths of want and up to the mountain peak of plenty. Whether feast or famine, it was all the same to Paul.

 

          Notice that he said, “I have learned.” Coming to terms with the ebb and flow of material supply is a matter of trust. It is a process and often slow. He had experienced abuse and he knew how to abound. It was part of his instruction. But Paul learned one very important thing. He learned that he could count on God.

 

Dear Lord, I know down deep that my contentment is not based on my resources but on my relationship with You. Thank you for daily bread and daily supply. AMEN

 

CONSEQUENCES!

 

Saturday, June 27, 2026

 

CONSEQUENCES!

 

Gal 6:7-9

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

          A consequence is the penalty or the reward we receive from a decision we have made. We are free moral agents and not puppets of a God who pulls all the strings. While we are free to make choices those choices have accompanying consequences.

 

          Our text uses an agricultural analogy. If you plant corn, you can’t expect watermelon as a crop. By the same analogy, we can determine your choices by observing your fruit. This is exactly what Jesus said in Matthew 7:20. “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

 

          This truth should cause us to be cautious regarding which life force we obey. The flesh is always demanding attention and pampering. We may give ourselves completely to the demands of the flesh but there are consequences. The Spirit – God’s Holy Spirit – is always cooing and wooing us to do right and to do well. If we listen and obey there are consequences.

 

          Verse 9 seems to indicate that “well doing” requires much more forethought and energy than wrongdoing. We are advised not to grow weary of the effort because there are consequences and rewards.

 

Heb 11:24-26

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

 

Dear Lord, help me to keep my wits about me when I make choices. AMEN

 

FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

 

Friday, June 26, 2026

 

FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

 

1 Tim 1:18-20

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

 

          Combat gear can weigh what seems to be a ton, but warriors know that some pieces of equipment are absolutely essential in a fire fight. Mess kits may be abandoned and bed rolls tossed aside until the battle is over, but your weapon and sufficient ammo are a must.

 

          Such was the instruction of Paul to young Timothy. Two pieces of spiritual equipment are essential to “war a good warfare” and those are faith and a good conscience.

 

          Webster's Dictionary defines conscience as "the sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action." The word “conscience” is the Greek word suneidesis and means “being aware of your moral condition.”

 

          The conscience can be “seared” by repeated exposure to the abuse of wrong decisions. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1 Tim 4:1-2). It is dangerous to ignore your internal alarm! The result is shipwreck.

 

          Dr. Charles Stanley says that our conscience responds to “programming.” It is formed by either good or bad input. If that is so we must filter and control what we allow into our mind.

 

Prov 4:23

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

 

Dear Lord, I can’t trust my conscience to be my guide. Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit today. AMEN

 

UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

 

Thursday, June 25, 2026

 

UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

 

Rom 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

          Compromise is part of the give and take of daily life. Husbands and wives compromise on which restaurant to visit but both are still able to enjoy a good meal. No deep-seated values have been damaged and harmony is maintained. That is what we would call a healthy compromise. Each one gives up something to gain something.

 

          Unhealthy compromise is when we give up deeply held values to avoid ridicule or discomfort. Paul understood that maintaining strong values required sacrifice. It often involved denying comfort to the body. It ignores the holiness of God and considers the reward of such a decision reasonable.

 

          Conformity to the world always presents a danger to the spiritual integrity of man. Resistance requires a new way of thinking. We preface each decision with the question “Would this please God?” God is always given the right to refuse us what we want to maintain our spiritual strength. We listen to God. We obey God.

 

1 Peter 2:11

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

 

Dear Lord, I often spoil myself with luxuries. Prompt me whenever my self-pampering endangers my values and convictions. AMEN

 

ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FOR THE DOWNHEARTED!

 

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

 

ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FOR THE DOWNHEARTED!

 

2 Cor 7:5-6

5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 

We all get down from time to time. Even the Apostle Paul, though a spiritual giant, admitted to being “troubled on every side.” Externally there were fightings and internally there were fears. He was cast down and then comforted.

 

What can we do when we are cast down? Let me suggest that we check the balance in our spiritual account. We need a reality check to see just who we are in Christ. Consider the following truths.

 

1. GOD HAS ALWAYS LOVED YOU!

 

Jer 31:3

3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

 

Ps 103:17

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

 

2 Thess 2:13

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

 

2. GOD LOVED YOU ENOUGH TO ALLOW JESUS TO DIE!

 

1 Peter 1:18-19

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

 

Heb 9:12-14

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

3. GOD HAS INVITED YOU TO BE PART OF HIS FAMILY!

 

Rom 8:16-17

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

Gal 4:7

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

 

4. HE IS COMING FOR YOU SOON!

 

Luke 21:27-28

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

Ps 126:2-3

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

 

Dear Lord, whenever my heart is downcast help me to count the many blessings of my salvation. AMEN

 

WORSHIP WILL REMAIN!

 

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

 

WORSHIP WILL REMAIN!

 

1 Chron 15:15-16

15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.

16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

 

          I’m a preacher but one day I will cease to preach. I am to be an evangelist but one day the need for those services will end. I am a missionary but one day there will be no foreign field to reach. I am a pastor but one day all the sheep will be under one mighty shepherd. One day all necessity and opportunity for outreach service will end. I sing bass in my church choir and that joyful privilege will go on forever.

 

          The appointment of singers and musicians demonstrates the importance and permanence of worship. Then, in heaven, a heightened form of worship will rise. Our voices, aided by the one we worship, will not slip to either flat or sharp. Our hearts, covered by the blood and released from earthly bondage will exalt the Savior. In heaven we will all be singers!

 

Ps 13:5-6

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

 

Oh, Lord, put into my heart a melody and let me sing in harmony with my brothers and sisters. Let me sing your praises today. AMEN

 

A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

 

Monday, June 22, 2026

 

A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

 

Ps 68:5-6

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

 

          Fatherless has a hollow sound to it. It speaks of a significant void where something significant ought to be. Ah, but it isn’t empty at all. In my mind there are pictures of my father and memories, like short movies. He’s still there. Archived in the depths of – what – my heart? Yes, more than the mind, those images are in my heart.

 

          I remember his look, his laugh, and his tears. No one piece of advice stands out but a collage of wisdom follows me still whispering in my ear. He still reminds me of things that should be done and warns me of things that should definitely not be done. He has already travelled the roads of wisdom and folly and now marks them for me. Perhaps this is too much lavish praise. Perhaps not enough.

 

          My heavenly Father supersedes all others who are praiseworthy. He is consistent in His wisdom and stubbornly steadfast in His love. My foolishness does not cause Him to abandon His hope nor His plans for my success. He encourages me when I try and goads me when I do not. The aim is the same. I wobble on the high wire of endeavor with His safety net beneath. When I fall, I shall not be utterly cast down! (Psalm 37:24)

 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sheltering me and investing in me. AMEN

 

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER!

 

Sunday, June 21, 2026

A Fathers’ Day Classic

 

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER!

 

Eph 6:1-4

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

          June is not only the month in which we find Father’s Day, it is the month in which my own father was both born and died. Dad was born on June 26, 1917, and died on June 21, 2001, just five days short of his 84^th birthday. I miss him.

 

It is a terrible thing to be “fatherless” even when you are fully grown with children and grandchildren of your own. There is a place deep inside where the memory of Dad still dwells. I can go there and review a photo album of memories. I can see how he dressed, how he walked and talked and even how he responded to troubling situations. I can see how he responded to the needs of those less fortunate while at the same time being disgusted at those who simply would not do for themselves. I can choose from the best of his character, sorting out the best of his nature and comparing it with my own. Every now and then I can see huge parts of him in the mirror. Sometimes I turn and stare, half expecting him to speak to me. 

 

          Since the commandment is to honor my father, I wonder how I might do that today. I can’t take him to dinner or go fishing with him. He never was one for receiving gifts. I think the best way to honor my father is to assemble a list of his best qualities and emulate them. Next, I think I should assemble a list of his worst qualities and forgive them and reject them.

 

Dear Lord, since my father is closer to you than me today, would you please give him a hug for me? Thanks!