IN THE MORNING LIGHT!

Monday, February 25, 2019

IN THE MORNING LIGHT!

Ps 30:4-5

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

           Have you ever wondered why birds sing in the morning? They know that whatever darkness, wind, or storm they may have endured is over and the bright light of sunrise welcomes a new unblemished day. They have survived. They have rested. They are hungry and they are thankful.

           Few things wipe away weariness like a good nights rest. In the morning light everything looks different. The dark drape of night is lifted and the dawn heralds an end and a beginning.

           Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint the body of Jesus. It was dark and gloomy but the dawn was near. Oh, the joy they shared when the Son rose and chased the gloom away.

Ps 34:3, 17-18

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Ps 34:17-18

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

It is morning Lord and the prospects are bright. Thank you for a new day. AMEN

The Regions BEYOND you!

Sunday, February 24, 2019

The Regions BEYOND you!

2 Cor 10:15-16

15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

The word translated BEYOND is the Greek word huperekeina (hoop-er-ek'-i-nah) which means “above those parts” or “still farther.” Since I have traveled to England once, to the Philippines twice, and to Brazil three times, I think I have a little pretty good grasp of the word beyond. The idea of World Missions is taking the gospel beyond our comfort zone.

Beyond our culture!

If you’ve never been BEYOND your city, county, state or country, you can’t imagine the things that are beyond your borders! Language is the first difference that greets you but that is only the first. Differences in climate and geography are sometimes stark in contrast with our own. Living conditions in some parts of what we call the third world cause the poorest of Americans to feel guilty because of our waste.

Beyond our care!

What we do not see can not produce in us any concern.

Lam 3:51

51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.

Ezek 3:15

15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

Beyond our means!

When we finally understand the enormity of the task of reaching the globe with the gospel, we understand that this is a task for God. We do not have the means to accomplish it without God’s providence.

2 Cor 8:1-3

8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Dear Lord, because things are in such a mess in America, we are tempted to forget our duty to the World. Let us renew our commitment to mission work today. AMEN

OVERWHELMED BUT NOT OVERTHROWN!

Saturday, February 23, 2019

OVERWHELMED BUT NOT OVERTHROWN!

2 Cor 4:8-9

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

           Everyone has trouble! Some are of our own making, some are Satan’s work, and some are given to us as gifts for our learning and maturity. Paul had “trouble on every side.” He was surrounded but not defeated.

           The language indicates almost desperate circumstances. The idea is that Paul and his company were hemmed in without an escape route. They were tripped up and thrown to the ground but they were able to get up and fight again. Life can sometimes feel like a battle but Paul was not in despair exaporeomai “to be utterly at a loss.”

           Paul knew that God was always near and that rescue was available. He saw resources that were invisible to others – especially to his enemies. He may finish this fight with yet another “Purple Heart” but he would survives to fight again. His most important asset was his faith!

Prov 18:14

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Lord, I don’t always do what is right and much of my distress is self inflicted. I have given you many reasons to stop loving me and to abandon me but you persist in loving and sustaining me. Thank you for your faithfulness to me. AMEN