CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

 

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

 

James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

 

There was an old, retired preacher who lived with his wife down the street. He was content to care for his wife and tend his vegetable garden. Many times, people would come to his house for advice, prayer and comfort. Much of his ministry now was done in blue jeans and at odd times.

 

One day a young man dropped by for a talk. He was desperate because he had lost his job and didn’t know how he was going to provide for his family. As he poured out his heart to the preacher he angrily declared "I’ve begged and begged God to say something to help me, preacher. Why doesn’t God answer?"

 

The old preacher, who was sitting across the room, spoke a reply so quietly the young man was unable to make it out. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, again in a soft tone. So, the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher’s chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn’t hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear him."

 

Dear Lord, if I can’t hear your voice in my deep need, help me to be smart enough to move closer. AMEN

DON’T COMPROMISE WITH EVIL!

 

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

 

DON’T COMPROMISE WITH EVIL!

 

Prov 25:26

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. KJV

 

Prov 25:26

26 Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

AMPLIFIED

 

           When a righteous man, or woman, is allured or frightened into yielding to wickedness then the waters of truth and integrity are muddied as if by the feet of the cattle that drink it.

 

           It is, once again, political season and the waters of truth have been trampled by promises. Don’t drink from those waters. The pockets of the wicked cannot provide for you what God’s handful can give. The threats of the wicked can’t hurt the ones who are protected by God. Don’t yield. Don’t compromise either your integrity or your convictions.

 

           Avoid being rude and abusive but simply state your position and hold to it. Don’t allow promises or threats muddy the waters for you.

 

Acts 5:29

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

Lord, give us the courage not to kneel when we should stand. AMEN

WHY JESUS RESORTED TO HIGH MOUNTAINS!

 

Monday, October 26, 2020

 

WHY JESUS RESORTED TO HIGH MOUNTAINS!

 

Matt 14:22-23

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

 

           The phrase “mountain apart” can be found three times in the New Testament. Once after Jesus and the disciples had finished feeding and dealing with a multitude. He sent them across the lake, and he climbed the mountain. The other two times the phrase refers to the mount of transfiguration where Jesus revealed to them His glory.

 

           Interestingly, the word “apart” is the Greek idios which literally means private! If you will excuse the cuteness, idios could mean adios! Sometimes you just have to get away! It has nothing to do with a loss of love for those who are needy. It has everything to do with a loss of energy.

 

           It is also very encouraging to note that it was atop a mountain “apart” that Jesus was transfigured. He changed forms. He appeared as spirit talking with other spirits. His whole person shined like the day. Peter was so amazed that he did not know what to say – so he said it. I have heard similar responses myself. Impractical and unreasonable!

 

           Jesus recommended the same therapy for his disciples who helped Him conduct his ministry. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place [a place without people], and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”  Mark 6:31

 

Dear Lord, every now and then I feel the need to withdraw temporarily from the needy so that I might see your glory and refresh my spirit. Refresh me today so that I may refresh others. AMEN