Minute Devotionals

2012-02-15T09:01:00.001-08:00

“In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.” (De 28:67 AV)

Been there done that. And I am not so sure I won't have to do that again! Have you ever been in a living nightmare? I have! Have you ever been in situation that is out of control and there seems to be nothing but darkness all around? All hope is lost. It is so bad all we wish for is the next night. And when that comes and things haven't changed, or gotten worse, we just want a new day. And when that new day comes, it is just as bad, or even worse so we want another night. There is no significant change in a positive direction. I have lived those times. Some of my own making. Some by the hands of others. Specially in days of ministry, these times come and go. And they can get pretty severe.

But, I can honestly say they do not last forever. Worse case scenario: If we are saved, then eternity ends it all! But in the mean time, we have to learn to survive. And survive we will. Even if these days are of our own making, the to will pass. Things do get better before something else comes along. It is not always dark days. Some of the darkest days my wife and I have every gone through we thought we would never survive. But the LORD is faithful. Even when these times are caused by our own foolishness, the grace of God can bring the penitent out of the middle of it.

The key to surviving is humility and faith. In our text, this warning is for disobedience. Therefore, humility is required. If, however, it is a trial of faith, then patience and faith is required. But one way or another, the LORD will get us through. When I look back on some of those times, I still cannot believe we made it. Outside of the grace of God, there was no possible way to survive. But, praise His name, we did. And the LORD became very real to us! If you are suffering at this moment from a trial or chastisement larger than life, I am here to tell you these things will pass! Do not lose hope! Do not lose your resolve. Repent or trust. Whatever it is the LORD is trying to teach you, learn it! And the sun will eventually shine again!

Prayer: Father, I do want to thank you for those times. Although I hope I never have some of those times again, I know they are coming. Please get us through those times of nightmares! Please be by our side as we take one day at a time. Please let us rest in the hope that You are always in control, that You love us, and that there is a plan for it all. That is the only hope we have!

2012-02-14T07:43:00.002-08:00

“And if the man [be] poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:” (De 24:12 AV)

A portion of this chapter deals with ethical and moral rightness as compared to what might be right in a legal sense. Verse six required the lender to leave a means of income to the borrower. He was not to take to pledge the upper or lower mill stone so the debtor could continue to grind and earn a living. In the verse above, the lender was not to take the one thing a poor man had for security and comfort. His outer coat was often his bed things. He may not have a cot or blanket. His outer coat was the only thing he owned. So the lender may keep is during the day, as a means to repay a debt, but at night, he was to graciously return it to the poor man. Legal rightness and grace needs to be held in the balance. What we might be able to push and legally right, may be overly oppressive to those who are indebted.

It feels really good to forgive and forget. It feels really good to help out someone who may be destitute, specially if it's not by their own doing. We have many people who come by for help. Some we can help. Others we cannot. There are those who know how the system works and rather than be self-reliant, the abuse the system because they know the good charity of others will meet their needs. Then there are those who are genuinely in need and they are doing all they can to meet those needs. And they still need help. There are times when someone makes a foolish financial decision that leaves them in a bind. Requiring of them to repay a debt might be a lesson they need to learn. But there are others who get into financial problems because the company laid them off. They are taking side jobs and trying to make ends meet. These people could sure use a helping hand.

The principle here is oppression of the vulnerable is never a good thing. A little charity, even though it is fair, is the better, and more loving thing to do.

Prayer: Father, we want to be charitable. We want to be giving. We want to help others in need. But we have seen good people turned down while others, who have no intention of changing, abuse the good charity of others. Give us the wisdom to know who to help and who not to help. And let us love others as Thou lovest them!

2012-02-13T07:45:00.001-08:00

“Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he [is] thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.” (De 23:7 AV)

This seems kind of odd. Seeing as how the Egyptians enslaved Israel for hundreds of years and mistreated them in the process. But let's not forget how that relationship started.

In a time of regional drought and famine, Jacob, by the invitation of his son Joseph, moved his entire family to Egypt. Joseph, by the wisdom of God, was able to save and feed all the region. And his father and brothers were well taken care of. There was a mutual agreement between Jacob and Pharaoh. Pharaoh would let the Hebrews stay in the best of the land. In return, Jacob and his sons would tend to the cattle of Pharaoh's house. It worked for a short while. When there arose a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph or his descendents, then they were enslaved. But remember, the original relationship between Egypt and Israel was one of mutual benefit. It was Israel's choice to enter into this arrangement, even after God had warned them not to. So as much as we would want to place all the blame on Egypt, Israel was more to blame for their compromise!

The nature of the world, the devil, and the flesh are well known. We cannot claim ignorance. We cannot claim entrapment. If we fall into sin, it is our own fault! And we cannot become and enemy of those who are acting in the manner they have always acted! They need Christ too!

Prayer: Father, we need a spirit of renewed accountability! It is our fault when we do these things. Yes, maybe the adversary uses the world to tempt us, but we do not have to fall. We do this of our own free will! Please help us to love the lost enough to share the gospel with them!

2012-02-12T05:38:00.001-08:00

“And the LORD said unto me, They have well [spoken that] which they have spoken.” (De 18:17 AV)

This didn't happen the majority of the time, specially in the wilderness wandering. When the people spoke in the wilderness, more times than not is was not well. More times than not it was complaining, moaning, and rebellion. When the people spake, then wanted to go back to Egypt. When the people spake, they made a golden calf. When the people spake the complained there was no water or quail. When the people spake, they chose a king like unto all the other nations. When the people spake, our LORD was crucified. When the people speak, the majority of the time it may not be in accord with the will of God. But that doesn't mean all the time. The wisdom is to know when to listen and when not to listen.

Moses is referring to a particular time in the recent past. When they arrived as Mt. Horeb, the mount where Moses met with God, the people were invited to join with Moses to approach the mountain that burned with fire. They were extended the opportunity to meet with God face to face, just as Moses had. They saw the lightening. They heard the thunder. The felt the earth shake. And they thought the better of it. They chose, rather, to send Moses on their behalf to meet with God. And that was the wise thing to do.

It wasn't because God would not have given them access. He certainly would have. But for this nation to move as one, someone has got to lead. If there is no leader, then all are leaders. If there is no form of authority, then the people rule in chaos. There must be a line of accountability and focused leadership in order for a group to go forward. By sending Moses in their stead, the people wisely chose a theocracy. God led, leader organized, and group following form of government. Elder rule never works. Even though there are theological arguments supporting this method, it simply does not work. A deacon led church does not work. A marriage wherein husband and wife see themselves as co-leaders does not work. It may be manageable, but it cannot go forward.

Even geese have a leader. The people were wise enough to know that God provides those men and women who have courage to stand before the face of God and listen to His voice. These people have a faith that most of us do not. These men and women have learned to walk humbly and love the people tho whom God sent them. These people, even though they know their limitations and failures, have the courage to walk with God unlike most. The people are wise when they recognize this type of person and ask him or her to lead.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the men and women that you have placed in my life as an example of godly leadership. Men and women who approach your throne in humility yet confident that You will guide them. These people are amazing! And we need them desperately! Please, Father, raise up those leaders, but also, please make us the type of people who will follow! Let us be as wise as the children of Israel were when they sent Moses on their behalf!

2012-02-11T08:30:00.001-08:00

“If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; [Namely], of the gods of the people which [are] round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:” (De 13:6-8 AV)

In our generation obsessed with self-affirmation, we do not even know what true friendship is. We think that supporting someone close to us regardless of how they are living is showing friendship. But that is not the case! True friendship takes responsibility for another's actions and attempts to correct it, not look the other way. We are too afraid that if we say anything, then that person may not be our friend anymore. We are afraid that if we share with them their failure to comply to scripture, the will stomp off and we will never see them again. That just goes to show why we have friends. We have them for our own affirmation. We do not show ourselves friendly, as the Bible tells us too. Our friends are here for us, and not we for them.

In our text, the family and close friend was the first one responsible to correct the error of another. Now, we are not saying we should stone them to death today. But the principle still applies. It is up the the friend to confront their companion with the error of their lives. After all, if we really love them as we say we do, we cannot stand by and allow them to continue in sin. That is immoral! It is unethical! And it is selfish.

As a child, I did not have a lot of casual friends. I always had one or two very close friends. And there was something similar to all those friends. We dreamed together. We explored together. We played together. We studied together. But one other thing that was common in all my friendships was that we corrected each other. Whether it was in Boy Scouts when we held leadership positions, or when we explored the dating scene. If we saw something the other was doing that we didn't think was very smart, we said something. We didn't overlook it because we knew that our friendship could endure the advice of someone who cared. Whether it was Scott and I walking home from school and talking of the trouble I got into, or Mark who needed some advice on the ladies, we were not afraid of losing the friendship of the other if we spoke our mind.

If we say we love someone, then we need to be forthcoming! If there is error, then we need to speak up. It is our biblical duty! It is our moral duty!

Prayer: Father, we do want to thank you for the friends that You have given to us! What a precious blessing they are and a sure help is times of need. But we need to ask Thee to help us to be true friends. Friends that will sharpen one another as stone does to a blade. Help us, Father, sharpen the continence of our friends! Let us learn to put our own affirmation at the last, and our friends walk with Thee foremost!

2012-02-10T10:08:00.001-08:00

“For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, [is] not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst [it] with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land, whither ye go to possess it, [is] a land of hills and valleys, [and] drinketh water of the rain of heaven:” (De 11:10-11 AV)

Israel left prime real estate in Goshen. They left one of the most fertile places in all of the middle east. The Nile River delta seldom dries up and even in time of drought, the delta stays pretty well watered. It was a place of constant supply. There was plenty of land to graze. It is flat and did not require hard work to traverse. Year round growing seasons provided plenty of provender. Farming was mere maintenance of a very fertile and well watered land. Because of all the hard labor Pharaoh demanded of them, the fertile plane was a godsend in provision for daily life. Now, the LORD is placing them in a dry and hilly land. A land of mountains and valleys. A land that would soak up the rain almost as fast as it dropped. A land that would require far more effort to till and plant. A land that is not a prime piece of real estate. At least in comparison to the fertile plane. But the LORD was there! And there was a purpose for it.

Our generation is attempting to have a life with the least amount of turmoil and hardship possible. We want our needs met with little or no effort on our part. We want guaranteed health care and retirement benefits. We want little worry, we want instant gratification, we want a life of ease. But these things may not be good for us. At least in the long run. Having to work for it. Having to suffer a little adversity. Having to struggle from time to time is often more beneficial then having it easy.

The ups and downs of life are good. We need the valleys so we can appreciate exactly how much God does for us and how powerful He really is! We need the mountain tops that we might declare to others the good news of God's grace. We need the low times that we might be humbled. We need the high times that we might exalt the LORD. We need the times of drought that we might repent and beg for revival. We need the times of rain that we might reproduce the fruit of holiness in our lives and the lives of others.

We used to do a lot of camping when we were young. My father owned a few acres of woods and a small pond. There was nothing on this property but woods and a pond, and a swing set my father set there. Do you know how hard it is to keep children occupied for a week without tv or entertainment? Near to impossible. There are only so many times one can go swimming. There were only so many times we could play volleyball, badmitten, or horseshoes. Just about day three, we were miserable and wanted to go home. So, my father, in his infinite wisdom, had us work the mornings clearing the land of thorn apple trees and building hiking paths. He taught us how to safely fell a tree with an ax, use a chainsaw, sharpen woodsman tools, and how to use old fashioned farming tools. He taught us knot tying, first aid, and how to build log structures. There were good times, and there were hard times. But both were needed for us to grow as persons.

The LORD does the same for us! We need to give up trying to find the fertile plain. For if we do find it, it is a place of bondage to ease, and eventually sin. We need to go to the place where God builds character. A place were there are valleys and mountains. A place where character is formed. Where saints are molded. Were we can find our own cross and, daily taking it up, grow into Christlikeness.

Prayer: Father, we wish to deeply thank you for all of these times. Personally, I never want to get to that fertile plain until eternity brings eternal rest. We won't need those valleys and mountains once the old man is complete disposed of! Until then, please continue to send the valleys and the mountains that we might grow thereby!

2012-02-09T07:29:00.001-08:00

“Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people.” (De 4:6 AV)

The credibility of the message has always been the life of the messenger. If the messenger's life is a failure, then the message has no depth. The difference between the Hebrew nation and those around them had always been the righteous and wise laws given to them by the LORD at Mount Sinai. The old testament law was given so that a nation would show forth the wisdom, righteousness, and praise of God. They are designed to opposed the world's idea or sense of right and wrong. And, the consequences for each system would be clearly contrasted.

I read an interesting article on MSNBC.com the other day. It was about sex education and teen pregnancy rates. All things being equal, with mandated sex-ed being taught in all states, there were states that fared better than others. What I found astounding was which state was the lowest and which state was the highest. And what was more startling was the rate of teen pregnancy in the highest state. According to Live Science, who wrote the story, the more conservative the state, the higher the birth rate. The more liberal the state, the lower the birth rate. Now here is the kicker. The state with the highest, at 34.8 per 1,000, or 3.5% is in the center of the bible belt! The state with the lowest at 9.7 per 1,000, or .9%, is in the very liberal north east. How can that be? How can a state which is saturated with the Bible, and populated abundantly with so called born-again congregations have a higher teen pregnancy rate than a state which has less Bible preaching churches in their entire state than most Bible belt states have in three counties!

We complain that our churches are shrinking and that little conversions are seen lately. Maybe it's not the world! Maybe it's us! Maybe the reason there are little salvation decisions or few baptisms anymore is that there is little, if any difference between the world and the church! Maybe, just maybe, we will have to stand before the LORD Jesus Christ and give an account of why we didn't show a little discipline in the law of God and used legalism as an excuse to abuse our liberty, all the while those around us are one their way to hell! Maybe, just maybe, the LORD will show us His nail scared hands and ask us what price we were willing to pay that others might be saved!

Prayer: Father, please send revival! If revival does not come, there is no use for Your church to be in this world anymore! Forgive us, if you can, of our pitiful excuse for a holy life. If people are not getting saved around us, it might be that we are not living as someone who is saved! Forgive us and revive us - please!

2012-02-08T07:55:00.001-08:00

“But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold [it] with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.” (De 3:26-27 AV)

Moses is asking, one more time, to be allowed to at least step a foot in the promised land. One more time, the LORD says no. But note here that Moses' tone changes a little bit. Notice here where Moses places some of the blame. Prior to this, Moses was taking upon himself all the blame. But now, he shares it. And rightly so. A leader can only lead to the extent that he is allowed to lead. He can lead no further. The old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink", applies here.

There is no excuse for Moses over reacting at the waters of Meribah. It appears as though he struck the rock once. And when water did not immediately come forth, he struck it again. The people had been chiding with him and with God for forty years. Moses had patiently worked with them, put up with a lot of their grief, and got them through some very tough times. But when they got to Meribah, Moses snapped. He lost it. His old nemesis, anger, came roaring back and he failed to show Christ at the cross pierced by the centurion's sword. One can hardly blame him. How many can put up with complaining, backbiting, moaning, and a desire to undo all that God had done? Not many leaders could put up with it! But Moses did.

Moses had no excuse! He should have not over reacted. And God punished him for it. But just because he had a momentary lapse of judgment, and will be reaping the consequence for it, does not mean he needs to carry the burden of failure all himself. The people pushed him to it! The people fought every attempt at being led. The people bear some of the responsibility.

Prayer: Father, we know that as leaders, we bear the bulk of responsibility for success or failure. But sometimes, we carry a load which should be shared among all. Please, Father, help us to lighten, if even just a little bit, the burden we carry. We love those whom You have entrusted to us! We would give anything to see others mature as believers! And it is this heart which oft times carried a weight just slightly heavier than it needs to be.

2012-02-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

“And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:” (Nu 32:29 AV)

When one stops to think about it, this was quite a risk. Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh wanted to settle on the east side of Jordan. They apparently had a great number of cattle and the fields were far superior. It was not God's first choice, but he allowed it. One two conditions: first, all of the able bodied men were to joint with the nation and help them secure their inheritance. Second, they were to still come to Jerusalem to worship. They were to never establish worship on the other side Jordan no matter what. It is the first requirement that really struck me today.

According to the agreement, all men able to fight would leave their families and households behind. They would join with the other 9 1/2 tribes until the land was cleansed of enemies. This would happen over many years. This wasn't a simple in and out operation. If one thinks about it, this means the able bodied men would be separated for years, leaving them unprotected and alone while they helped the rest of the country. That was quite a risk and cost for a better plot of land. Who would farm the land? Who would protect in the case of invasion? Who would be there to father a new generation? Who would guide the home? No doubt there were grandfathers and youth there to take up the slack. But for one generation, these two and a half tribes lay vulnerable all they said they valued. I think that is quite extreme.

When we really want something, we often lay open to risk the very things we say we value. These men valued their families, the wealth, and their future. But in trying to save them, they actually placed them at risk. Now, the LORD was good and protected them. Not because their choice was right, but rather, because God had a bigger plan for them. But that cannot always be counted on. What are we laying open for attack or neglect? What are we willing to risk for something that we value?

Prayer: Father, these men acted irresponsibly. But we do the same thing! We are no different. Of all the choices we make, there are those that risk harming the very ones that we say we love. Please, Father, convict our hearts and help us to make the right choices!

2012-02-06T07:32:00.001-08:00

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.” (Nu 31:1-2 AV)

Moses has a lot of ups and downs. There were times of great success, but there were also some times of failure. There were times the people followed him wholly, then there were times when things happened which he could not control. Such is the case of the Midianites. Balak could not convince Balaam to curse Israel, so instead Balaam revealed to Balak that intermarrying with them would defeat them. Moses could not have prevented this. It was individual choices of some of the people that we done in private. What I see here, though, is an opportunity for Moses to go out in a high note.

The LORD rebuked Moses for his lack of faith at the rock of Meribah. Instead of striking the rock once, which would have pictured Christ and the sword driven in his side, Moses struck the rock twice. For this act of unbelief and rebellion, Moses was not permitted to walk in the promised land. That would be left to Joshua. That does not mean, however, that God is not a God of grace. Rather than taking Moses home on a low note, the LORD allows Moses one more campaign. One last hurrah. One last victory! One last wonderful opportunity to glorify the God who led him! What Grace!

There is redemption! There is opportunity. Even if the die is cast and the LORD has set His hand of chastisement upon us, that does not mean He is completely done with us! Maybe there is something out there for us to do. Maybe the LORD, in His wonderful matchless love, will give us one more opportunity to serve Him! Maybe, no matter what we have done, there is still something else for which God can use us! Maybe, just maybe, that same grace which gave Moses the opportunity to go out a victor, is still available today! Don't you think?

Prayer: Father, when I saw that this morning, it was a wonderful reminder of how loving and gracious You truly are. You did not have to give Moses that opportunity. You could have ended his ministry at the rock of Meribah. But You didn't! Rather, You chose to remember all the good Moses did, and even though he had a ministry ending choice, You didn't let him go out that way! Thank You for such wonderful grace! And thank You that we can have that same grace.

2012-02-05T05:10:00.001-08:00

“Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.” (Nu 27:16-17 AV)

Moses is an incredible man! The verse just prior to this request are the words of the LORD to Moses that he was to ascend to the mountain and see the land that he would never go into because of his rebellion. Moses and Aaron rebelled at the rock of Marabah. Rather than believe the LORD would bring forth water with one strike of the rod, Moses struck the rock twice. The LORD was trying to give a type, or picture, of an event at the crucifixion: namely, the sword of the guard piercing the side of Christ with water and blood coming forth. Because of their rebellion, the picture was ruined. That is why the LORD forbade them both from entering the promised land. But before the LORD had the chance to tell Moses that Joshua would be taking his place, Moses requested a replacement. Rather than plead with the LORD for grace and mercy, perhaps to change his mind about entering the promised land, he would rather plead with the LORD for his people! No one can dispute Moses' love for his people! It was always in the forefront of his heart!

Moses had to put up with a lot of stuff with Israel. He had to deal with a lot of petty things as well as a lot of large things. There was one time when he requested of the LORD to start all over. To destroy Israel and restart the nation from scratch. But there were several times the LORD threatened to do just that, but Moses' intervention prevented it. Moses is an amazing man. As all of God's men are. They are truly giants among men who bear up well under the responsibility of leadership. When we compare ourselves among some of the most faithful of all of God's servants, we come up woefully short! To have the love of Moses, or the integrity of David, or the wisdom of Solomon, or forgiving heart of Joseph would be a gift beyond description! To have the foresight of Nehemiah, or the faith of Abraham, or the hope of Jeremiah would be mind blowing.

These men should be admired! These men should be imitated. And when the those for whom we are responsible are a little taxing on our souls, let us have the heart of Moses! Moses, who loved his people more than he loved himself! That is a mark of a great leader!

Prayer: Father, I must admit that when I read of your great men of the Bible, I cannot even hold a candlestick to them. I simply do not know how they did it! Father, help us! Please give us the right spirit, wisdom, and love that we might minister to thy people as You would have it. Give us the heart of Jesus, who loved His church and gave himself for it. Please, Father, use us!

2012-02-04T05:46:00.001-08:00

“And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it [is] no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither [is] there any water to drink.” (Nu 20:3-5 AV)

Praise the LORD to His wonderful works to the children of Men! The LORD really encouraged my heart this morning! A thought occurred to me as I read these verses. And it was directly from the Holy Spirit! After reading one chapter and another of this generation's constant complaining and rebellion, the thought occurred that it was a miracle their kids grew up to be what they ended up to be. Their children were the ones who got behind Joshua and took Palestine. They are the generation that stepped out on faith and obeyed the LORD. What a miracle!

Imagine growing up in a Christian home where all you hear from your parents is complaining, criticism, and caustic opinions. Imagine hearing that day in and day out. If they weren't complaining about the preacher, they were complaining about the LORD's provision or protection. If they weren't complaining about their duties as parents and fellow Christians, they were complaining about having to do hardly anything as God provided for them. And worse of all was they desired the hard bondage of sin over the liberty of responsibility and faith! Sounds a lot like today! This was their daily demeanor. Sure, when they gathered for a time of worship, they sounded like an army preparing for war. They were excited and they were participating in worship. But when the music stopped and they went home; when Monday morning rolled around; when the Bibles went back on the shelves until the next LORD's day; that old complaining, vitriol, mean hearted criticism came out. And their kids and grandkids saw it. And I thought: It was a miracle these kids turned out as well as they did.

And the LORD spoke to me that there is always hope! All we have to do is open our favorite news sites and read about the devil's victories in the world. All we have to do is work with children in dysfunctional families. All we have to do is see a generation that is stiffnecked and unwilling to be anything different and wonder if there is any hope. And there is! God can overcome my poor parenting! Amen! God can overcome my poor example, my inappropriate words, or my complaining! God can overcome the same in others and provide a generation that is willing to wholly follow the LORD! God can overcome it all!

Prayer: Father, what a great word of encouragement this morning! What we need to do is pray for a miracle! We need to pray that You can provide leaders who will not compromise and truly believe their is hope in future generations! There is, as long as the future generations have some leader whom they can see is willing to obey and follow Thee! Father, please provide those leaders and that generation!

2012-02-03T15:55:00.001-08:00

“And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even.” (Nu 19:8 AV)

That red heifer was the sin offering. The priest would take her without th camp and slay her their. Her blood was drained and brought with the dead animal to the tabernacle. Then the priest would sprinkle the blood around the altar and burn the entire animal on the altar as a temporary covering of sin. Inadvertently, some of the blood would end up on the priest. Until hie washed both his cloths and himself, he would be unclean. Even after he bathed, he would still be considered unclean until the evening. This makes practical sense in that blood is a pathogen. If the animal had any disease, the priest was at risk as long as he was blood covered. But this also has spiritual implications as well.

The heifer covered all the sin. But death alone did not cover it. The animal had to be totally consumed upon the altar before the wrath of God was satisfied. The blood spattered on the priest was some of what was to be consumed because of God's wrath. The residual of the offering was considered unclean. It had to be consumed by fire! And the point is this: everything sin touches is made unclean. Even if we are an innocent bystander. Even if we are the ones trying to help another. Sin still affects all it touches. And we are walking around with blood all over our cloths and skin! We need to consider that the world and the devil affect us day in and day out. And we need a good cleansing from the word of God.

Where I live in western Kentucky, we have a weird weather event. It's called 'dirty rain'. No kiddin'! I don't know what it is exactly. It's not smog because we live in the open country. But a few times a year, when it rains, the drops are laden with filth. We know this because we clean our cars and then if it rains this rain right away, it looks like we just went muddin' yet our cars never left the driveway! I think it might be when there is so much pollen in the air a good hard rain knocks it all down. But there it is. Our cars are covered with the residue of nature. Though no fault of it's own. But it still needs a good cleaning!

Time for the people of God to realize we do not live in a vacuum. Time for us to take a good soaking bath in the word of God tempered with the heat of prayer! Time to get all cleaned up!

Prayer: Father, we are so busy sometimes that we do not realize just what is going on. We are naïve when it comes to how much of what goes on around us affects us! Please, Father, clean is up! And right quick!

2012-02-02T08:44:00.001-08:00

“Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” (Nu 14:23-24 AV)

Later, in verse 30, the LORD would also include Joshua with Caleb as the only two spies that would enter the holy land. In verse 24, however, the reason for Caleb is different from any other, including Joshua. Caleb has another spirit with him! He had a spirit that even Joshua did not have. Caleb has a spirit that no one else had. Not the remaining ten spies. Not even Moses. Caleb had a spirit that God blessed with blessings that no one else would ever realize. And a close study of Caleb would reveal this same spirit carried him well into the conquering of the land. What was that spirit? And, can the people of God have it today.

Caleb was able to see something that no one else saw. They all saw the land. They all saw the fruit of the land. They all saw cities that were walled. They all saw the giants in the land. And they all saw the land which flowed with milk and honey. But what was it that Caleb saw which was a result of this different spirit?

We can lump all the rebellious spies and people together and say all they saw was the giants in the land. They saw with eyes of fear. We can group Moses, Aaron, and Joshua together. Great leaders who were driven by duty! If God told us to do it, and He has promised to be with us, then we need to do it. They saw the land with some of it's benefits. They saw a contest. They saw a goal to be accomplished. But then there was Caleb. He had a different spirit. A unique spirit. Only he had it and it was juxtaposed against the fear of the rebellious. I think what Caleb had was the spirit of extreme foresight. He could see how the LORD wanted to bless them and establish a nation in a land that flowed with milk and honey. He could look beyond the fear. And he could look beyond the duty. He could see a future that no one else could see. And that spirit was the spirit of optimism! In a time of hopelessness and bad news all around, the spirit of optimism is a rare commodity!

All Israel needed was a few more with the spirit of optimism! All they needed was a few more who could see far into the future and know that God was in the plan! Oh, for a few more Calebs! Oh for the yeah-sayers to out number the nay-sayers! Oh, for a few saints who can see that God is as much in the future as He was in the past! Then we can move mountains and take the promised land!

Prayer: Father, we are skeptics by nature. We want to believe the worst so that if the worst does happen, we are not hurt. We don't dare dream a dream! We don't dare hope for the future! Please forgive us for cutting You off so short! Please, Father, give us that spirit of Caleb!

2012-02-01T08:25:00.001-08:00

“At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” (Nu 9:23 AV)

The time determined in which they would stay at any one place was unknown to them. The LORD knew when and why they would move. But to the Hebrew who wandered in the wilderness, it may be weeks or years before they would pack up again and move. That had to be frustrating for many different reasons. But the warning was they were not to move until the pillar of fire or cloud removed from off the tabernacle and began to move in a different direction. As long as the glory of God rested on that tabernacle, then they were to remain.

There had to be the discontentment of not having a permanent place in which to call home. For 40 years, they lived in tents and went from place to place. No permanent dwelling or land to farm. No property ownership. And, if the LORD so chose, He could have them pack up just after they had gotten all things unpacked. But there was another frustration. We will call it the "are we there yet" syndrome. Every had that happen in the back seat of the family car? "Are we there yet?" It doesn't take long before the children are asking that question. We are barely out of the driveway before one of the smaller children pipes up, "Are we there yet?" About two thirds into the trip, the older children join in the chorus. Only the driver can be sure of a time of arrival. The passengers are doomed to a journey of uncertainty.

So it is with life. God has a plan. And that plan does include change. But we cannot get ahead of God. We must wait for His leading. Even if we know that our present circumstances will eventually change, we cannot jump ahead until the LORD has removed His glory from off the tabernacle. Whether its a new job, a different address, a change of health, or, as my wife and I are experiencing, downsizing because the children are moving away. These changes will come. The wisest thing to do is to allow the LORD to lead. Only He knows where the car is going and if we jump out of a moving car, it really hurts. If we jump out of a car that is idling, we may miss our ride when it leaves. Better to sit in the back, read our book, do our puzzle, and enjoy the ride.

Prayer: Father, This is hard to do. Heaven awaits us! That is our permanent abode. In the mean time, it is hard to sit and wait on Thee! We so much want the future to come. But the future will only come in Your timing. Please help us to be still and enjoy the experience You have for us today!

2012-01-31T09:36:00.001-08:00

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites: But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden: But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.” (Nu 4:17-20 AV)

The Kohathites would be cousins to Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron were brothers. Moses being the younger. The Kohathites were descendants of Kohath who was grandfather to Moses and Aaron. Korah, who challenged Moses and Aaron resulting in he and his house being swallowed up, was a direct descendant of Kohath, perhaps uncle to Moses and Aaron. The Levites were split up onto three or four groups, depending on whom you ask, and were responsible for certain duties. The Kohathites were responsible for the maintenance and transportation of all the furniture and implements associated with tabernacle worship. Others were responsible for music, while Aaron and his descendents were responsible for the sacrifices and worship within the holy place and Holy of Holies.

In our text, we see that the Kohathites were not allowed to gaze upon the furniture within the tabernacle. This included the golden candlestick, the table of shewbread, the altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant. These were covered prior to the tent of the congregation being disassembled. They were not allowed to go into the holy place nor the holy of holies to help assist covering and preparing for transportation. They were not allowed to even gaze underneath the coverings for curiosity's sake. If they did, God would kill them. It was the job of the priests, descendants of Aaron, to enforce this rule to protect the Kohathites. Korah, son of Kohath, had a history of rebellion. So God put a check on those Levites so they would never rebel again!

The priesthood ended centuries of patriarchal rule. Prior to Moses, heads of families decided what the nation would do. Now, all of a sudden, the LORD establishes a form of rule were authority is vested in the written law, and taught and enforced by one tribe. This was a hard adjustment to make. But one that the LORD was directing them to do. The Kohathites had a great and important responsibility. They got to carry the Ark with all the other furniture! They were out in front! But they did not have the privilege of guiding with the law. They were important. But they were also no the leader. Moses and Aaron led by the written word of God.

Being a good leader is knowing our place and our limits. If we are called to lead, wonderful. But we need to know in what manner and with what responsibilities the LORD wishes for us to lead. To do otherwise places at risk all opportunity of leadership!

Prayer: Father, all we ask for today is the humility to know where you want us and what you want us to do! Please give us that, and the contentment we need to rest in whatever station You would have us to serve!

2012-01-30T12:33:00.001-08:00

“And when a man shall sanctify his house [to be] holy unto the LORD, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.” (Le 27:14 AV)

The 27th chapter of Leviticus regards dedicating something or someone to the LORD above and beyond what was required of the law. It could be a son or daughter. It could be a clean or unclean animal. Or, in the above verse, it could be a portion of one's estate. The point to be seen here, however, it the one placing a value on the gift is not the giver, but the receiver. It was the priest who estimated the value of what was given. Not the one bringing the thing or person to be dedicated.

So many times we offer what we have in excess and over value it because we are giving it away. Any one who has served as a pastor knows this all too well. It was their first piece of furniture. Or their first BBQ. They went and bought a new one but just couldn't bare the thought that this nostalgic piece would end up in the dump somewhere. Or the preacher announces the church is in need of something, and we remember we have one of those buried in the back yard somewhere! We do the same for our time, our service, or our worship. We expect God to value what we bring because we value it. But if it's not biblical, or has no usable purpose to the work of God, then who are we to be offended?

God deserves our best! Not our leftovers! God deserves brand new, not recycled! God deserves that which is hard for us to part with. Not that which we would never miss if we gave it away!

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for giving our trash! It is worse than an embarrassment. It is a shame! Next time the work of God has a need, Father, remind us to bring our best! Remind us what your Son did for us! And may we show the same appreciation for Thee!

2012-01-29T05:39:00.001-08:00

“And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother [that dwelleth] by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger [or] sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger’s family: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:” (Le 25:47-48 AV)

If an Hebrew fell into debt, he could be redeemed by someone with means. What would happen is this poor fellow would approach someone with means and offer his services of labor in place of payment of his debt. If the individual with means agreed, he would pay the debtor's debt, and the debtor would then be servant to the lender until the debt was satisfied. In the case mentioned above, if the Hebrew debtor was redeemed by a non-Jewish neighbor, and it is known, then the next of kin of the Hebrew debtor was required to redeem his relative from the services of the stranger. The context is the year of Jubilee which the stranger would not have observed. There may not have been any eventual freedom for the Hebrew. Only continued captivity.

The saint who falls into sin will go to those whom he feels are most accepting of him and his situation. And it may not always be his fellow believers. This is unfortunate! If we are saved, then when one of our own falls away, we should be there to help them stand again. Sometimes, that may be the case, but the backslidden are convinced otherwise. We would take them back and help restore them in a heart beat, but they are convinced we would only accuse or disrespect. Nevertheless, the lesson is in our text. If we see our brother or sister fall away, and go back to the world for acceptance, we need to jump in and try as hard as we can to redeem them back to fellowship. But the responsibility for restoration is also on the shoulders of the backslidden. They need to allow the church to restore them. In the law of redemption, the debt was paid. But there was still consequences for falling into debt. The only difference is the church will eventually set free at the year of jubilee. The world will not. Both exact consequences. But only the church truly forgives!

Prayer: Father, I know there were times when I needed faithful saints to help me through some rough times. These times were humbling. And I needed to experience them. Help us in two ways, Father: To return to the church and accept the guidance of her leadership, even though it might cause us a little discomfort; and if we are the ones restoring, Father, please help us to welcome them back with hearts of compassion and understanding.

2012-01-28T07:21:00.001-08:00

“Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I [am] the LORD which hallow you,” (Le 22:32 AV)

I know that we have written a lot about separation, but indulge me as we tackle this once more. Woven into the laws of the Old Testament are laws of separation. Some of the laws are for no other purpose than to illustrate separation. For example, some of the dietary laws make good sense. Eating the meat of a meat eater increases disease. But eating the meat of a forager which is also cloven footed does not make sense. Or, mixing wool and cotton is forbidden and doesn't make practical sense. Or mixing the crops of a single field doesn't make sense. That is, unless the LORD is trying to establish a pattern of separation. Everything in it's place. Order and function. Right and wrong. Godly and ungodly.

The word 'hollowed' means to separate. As God is separate from His creation, we need to be separate from the world. This is why the old time preachers preached on separation. This is why they preached on dress standards, standards for entertainment, standards for places we frequent. The carnal or worldly want to label this type of preaching as legalistic, but they miss the point. There may have been no directly practical reason the Jew could not eat pork. It is a healthy meat. Pigs eat plant life, not other animals. It might be more fatty than other grazing animals, but it is still better for consumption than other types of meat. But the LORD was trying to give the people of Israel a pattern of separation. Even though the activity or standard may not have been directly harmful, it was what everyone else did. And as God's people, there has to be a difference.

By separation, we think it's like categorizing things. On the side of my tool box, I have one of the organizers mounted. The kind with all sorts of little drawers. Before that, I had all my bolts, nuts, screws, nails, and everything else thrown into a bucket. So, I took the time and separated them, categorizing them, and storing them in a drawer. That is one type of separation. But that is not what the Bible means when it teaches the principle of separation. Peter tells us that we are a peculiar people. We are a royal priesthood. Peculiar means different and unique. Screws, bolts, nuts, nails, etc are all similar in that they are hardware. There may be a difference, but their differences are minor. God is holy! He is separate and unique. There is not other God! In the same way, God's people need to be unique. At a glance, those who are not God's people need to see there is a difference! That is the principle of separation. And that is exactly why God's people do not want to be separated. We are embarrassed! We are ashamed! We don't want to be a side show. We don't want to be a freak show! So we get as close to the world as we can. And the LORD is disappointed.

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for our lack of courage! Please forgive us for being embarrassed at our uniqueness! Forgive us for trying to cover our testimony with the standards of the world! Please give us some backbone before we embarrass Thee!

2012-01-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

“And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send [him] away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.” (Le 16:21-22 AV)

There has been so much debate on what this law of the scapegoat is supposed to represent. The problem is, the first goat is offered and an offering for sins, then the second is freed after the high priest confesses the sins of Israel upon his head. Why does he go free? Shouldn't that animal be sacrificed as a sacrifice for sin seeing he has been made to be sin for Israel? I think that misses the whole point. What is done with that scapegoat and where that scapegoat goes shows us what part of atonement this law is supposed to illustrate.

Some obvious questions arise. Where is that scapegoat let go? What happens to that scapegoat? Does that scapegoat ever return? Does anyone search for that scapegoat once it is freed? In essence, is that particular scapegoat ever a part of the life of the Hebrew from that point forward? Answer these questions, and we will see the point of the law of the scapegoat!

The Bible tells us that if our sins are atoned for and forgiven, God casts them as far as the east is from the west. The Bible tells us that if our sins are atoned for and forgiven, it is like throwing a rock into the deepest sea! The scapegoat was driven into the wilderness. By nature, the goat is a wild goat. It will not return. It will wander the wilderness to either survive, or be eaten by a predator. Only one person was allowed to take that goat out. He alone would know were he set that goat free. No one would be able to find that goat. It would wander in the wilderness and die off their, never to return and be associated with those who sent it away. And that is exactly what the LORD does with our sin! It is gone! It does not exist! It is forgiven! Praise God!

Prayer: Father, thank You so very much for the picture of the scapegoat. If, when the adversary wants to remind us of our sinfulness, we can remember just what Your grace has provided, we would shout with a joy! Thank You for your grace that would absolve us from all guilt and shame through the blood of Christ. But let us remember, that absolution came at the cost of a life. One goat died. The other goat was freed! Thank You for so free a salvation!

2012-01-26T11:47:00.001-08:00

“This [is] the law [of him] in whom [is] the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get [that which pertaineth] to his cleansing.” (Le 14:32 AV)

Isn't that the truth! We are not able to get that which pertaineth to our cleansing! Because if we could, we would make it unclean! That is why the LORD Jesus Christ had to come. He came as God's son, born of a woman so the sinfulness of mankind could not touch it! He came perfect wand without sin! He came by the conception of the Holy Ghost! He came by the power of God and is the fullness of the Godhead bodily! If salvation came by us, our wickedness would tarnish it! It would have been corrupted! Is would have been unacceptable!

For eighteen years I tried by my own had, to get that which pertained to my cleansing! For eighteen years I tried to earn my way to glory. For eighteen years I expected the LORD to accept what I offered. But then I found out why He could not! The Bible tells us that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. The Bible tells us that God counts all our righteousnesses as filthy rags. He does so because they are done for the wrong reason. Repentance is not a part of it. We try to overcome disobedience with obedience. The problem is, we have no intention to changing the disobedience. It doesn't work that way! God demands absolute perfection. And since we are not, then He provides that perfection for us! In the person of the LORD Jesus Christ!

I am so glad that when we could not attain that which pertains to our cleansing, that the great High Priest brought the sacrifice himself! Just like the leper who could not touch the sacrifice and bring it himself, lest he dirty it, the great High Priest, Jesus brought himself for our pitiful souls!

Prayer: Father, please accept our humble gratitude for Thy grace in providing the sacrifice we so desperately needed! Please, Father, accept our humble hearts and give us a new heart that will strive after righteousness. Like the leper loosed from his illness, we are set free from our sin! Keep us from the leper's den and keep us clean!

2012-01-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

“And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation [in] seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you. As he hath done this day, [so] the LORD hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you. Therefore shall ye abide [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded. So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.” (Le 8:33-36 AV)

Aaron and his sons were required to stay within the tabernacle for seven days. There meals were prepared at the door of the tabernacle. After boiling their meat and eating, they would take what was left and offer it on the altar. These seven days had to be completed before they were qualified to perform their duties at the tabernacle. They had no visitors. They had no company other than themselves. They had no entertainment. They had no furniture like beds or even chairs. What they did for seven days, how the rested, or how they functioned is a mystery. The only thing we do know is what the LORD feels is important. God personally cleansed them.

One might think that if God can do anything, He could cleanse in a matter of minutes, and not days. Why the seven days? What pattern or lesson was the LORD giving to Israel in separating the priests for seven days? What application of this object lesson where they supposed to understand? For seven days, Aaron and his sons were removed from everyone and everything other than themselves and the LORD. And for seven days, the LORD consecrated them.

The number seven has the meaning of completed perfection. God created in seven days. Then He rested because all He made was good and perfect. Each week has seven days. There are seven dispensations. There are seven churches in Revelation often thought of as seven church ages. When God works, He often does in increments of sevens. And when His work is complete, it is perfect. For Aaron to be used of God, Aaron and his sons need to learn to allow the LORD to have perfect work throughout the entire process. Partial separation and partial sanctification will not do. Jas 1:4 says, "But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Not many folks are willing to allow the LORD have His will and His way over the long haul. We want God's hand to be brief and quick. But if we are to pursue perfection, it is a long term goal!

Prayer: Father, when I put myself in the place of Aaron and his sons, my first thought was what one might do with seven days of nothing but Thee. How would I occupy my time? How would I try to keep busy. But that is just the point. We need to learn to remove distraction so that You can work in our spirits. We need to learn to separate from those things that drown out Your voice that we might be changed from glory to glory. Please, Father, we need Thy help!

2012-01-24T11:43:00.001-08:00

“And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist [it] not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.” (Le 5:17 AV)

Ignorance is not a defense. No matter how unfair we might think that is, it is not a defense. Think about it. If ignorance is a defense, then all man has to do is purposefully remain ignorant. As long as he doesn't know, then he can do what ever he wants. That wouldn't happen, would it? But the natural law which God has set down means that we take every effort to know what is expected, and that we avoid ignorance. And, even if we were ignorant, it doesn't change the law. We are still guilty!

This is a game that children play. Remember those school days some of the games we used to play to get out of tests or assignments? We knew that every Monday the teacher would announce a test for Friday. We knew that there was a project coming up and we would guess on what day it would be announced. Then that pesky 24 hour flu would suddenly attack. Or, there was a doctors appointment which we had to go to, or a favor for another teacher, or some other reason why we were not in class that day. The test day or due date came around, and low and behold, we didn't know about it. We wanted a day or two to ask our classmates what the answers were to the test. We wanted extra time to complete our project when we had been working on it all along. Or, because we didn't know about it, we wanted to be excused. It doesn't work that way!

God has given us His word. If we chose not to read it or study it, He will not relax the principles or standards which are found therein. Even if we didn't read it, we are held accountable for what is contained in it's precious pages. Ignorance is no defense. And with today's Christianity which has replaced the word of God with experience, there will be many believers shocked at their true relationship with the LORD. No matter how their music makes them feel, it could be they are ignorantly offending the very LORD they claim to love! What a tragedy!

Prayer: Father, many of us do not like this truth. It is hard enough to admit when we are wrong when we know we are wrong. It is even more humbling to admit when we are wrong when we did not know we were wrong. That takes a great amount of humility. Please, Father, heighten our sense of personal accountability so that we might be right before Thee and others!

2012-01-23T11:05:00.001-08:00

“And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:” (Le 1:16 AV)

The crop of a bird is that extended part of the throat that goes directly to the large intestine. Birds do not have stomachs. The crop is where food is processed into the body. The crop is also that part of a bird that is swollen when courting a mate. It is just above the breast and just below the neck. A male pigeon will often drag his wings on the ground and puff up the crop to appear more attractive to a mate. In our text, it was the intestines, crop, and the feathers of the crop that were discarded at the altar. The metaphor is obvious.

The intestines are where waste is processed. Dirt and filth were not allowed on the altar of sacrifice. It was discarded at the side of the altar. But the crop, which might contain unprocessed food, with the feathers, were also discarded. It is possible to remove the crop and still leave the feathers. I know this because I have processed a few game birds in my time. But for a reason which had practical application, the feathers of the crop and the crop itself were also removed and discarded. The crop is the source of a birds pride. The larger he can puff that crop out, the more he impresses a mate and intimidates his enemies. It is that source of pride that needs to be discarded at the altar for the sacrifice to be worthy.

And the same is true for us today. If we are to a living sacrifice, fit for God's use, then the crop and his feathers must come out! What we take in, and how we want to appear before others, has got to go! Many a saint serves the LORD for the wrong reason. He is a show for himself and others. The crop and his feathers are thrust out! But God cannot use a sacrifice like that! He demands humility and abasement! He demands what we think of ourselves be left at the side of the altar! If we will rip out our self-image and our reputations, leave them at the side of the altar, then w e are worthy to place ourselves at the feet of the LORD as His choice servant.

Prayer: Father, thank you for this reminder of the kind of people we need to be. Thank You for telling us the truth of what we are and what we need to be. We know this can be a painful process. And we trust that by the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can rip our crops out with the feathers.

2012-01-22T05:18:00.001-08:00

“Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.” (Ex 35:3 AV)

This verse brought to memory another truth that is written later on in the book of Exodus. The only fire that burned twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, twelve months of the year was the fire of the altar. Even the private cook fires of the Hebrew children were extinguished one day in seven. But I do not know why it did not occur to be that if the fire at the altar was to burn without failure, then hypothetically, there would be those who went to that altar to offer a sin offering at any time, day or night.

The priesthood was a 24/7 job. There were always priests attending to the altar of sacrifice and the singers in the temple. Worship and atonement was not reserved for the Sabbath only. If the average Hebrew was convicted of their sin in the middle of the night, he could take his offering to the priest and have it offered. And I wonder how frequent that was. Think about it. With our nature, the vast majority would go when it was the most convenient. We would arrange our offering around work, family, and rest. It would fit into the most convenient part of our day. Atonement would not be motivated by conscience. Sacrifice would be motivated by duty and obligation.

The best time to get right with God is when the Holy Spirit prompts us to do just that. Not when it fits into our schedule. The fires of atonement are always burning and always available. To put it off when it best fits into our pattern of life is revealing how seriously we feel about our sin! Get right! And get right, right now!

Prayer: Father, we are religious by nature. We want to think of our relationship with Thee as disconnected and rigorous. But we cannot think that way. We need to be careful to thank You for being a 24/7 God! And if You are, we have failed to live that way. Forgive us and make us tender to the conviction of Thy Holy Spirit that we might come and beg mercy any time day or night!

2012-01-21T19:52:00.000-08:00

“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” (Ex 33:18 AV)

This is an odd request. Think about what Moses had seen. It had all started with a child in Egypt. He was raised by his mother for the Pharaoh's daughter. The only child his age. He was called of God as a young man. But he turned aside to see the burning bush and heard the voice of God. He and Aaron were used to call down ten plagues. Moses saw God split the Red sea. Moses saw countless miracles while they wandered in the wilderness. Then, if all of that wasn't enough, Moses spent 40 days and nights one a mountain alone with God and got the law from Him. He saw God as no one else saw God. He came down, dealt with rebellious Israel, and went back up on the mount for a second copy of the law. And then this request. Why? He saw the LORD as no one else saw the LORD. Why ask for God's glory? Hadn't he seen it?

Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much you know you have seen God's hand, there are times when you need more. Remember, Moses had experienced God as no other man had ever done so before. He had been used of God and no other man had before, or more than likely, will ever be. When he went up to the mount, he did so because the people of God were too terrified at the smoldering mountain and the voice of God. Not Moses! But the one thing that shook him to begin to doubt was when he compared his experience with his people's. When he experienced God, it dramatically changed him! He was never the same again. He knew God was real. When the people experienced God, they were changed. But only temporarily. Moses came down off that mount completely a different person. And when he came down, he half expected the people to at least be somewhat reverential. But the had forged a great idol. Total rebellion against God. Then this request. All that God had done did not seem enough to change his people. And he needed reassurance from God presence.

Moses was not asking for a miracle. He had seen plenty of those. He was not asking for God to reveal His divine hand of providence and how He had worked all things for His glory. He was not asking for reassurance. All Moses wanted to see was pure righteousness personified. All he wanted to see was the glory of God. Nothing else. The golden calf had sickened him. And he needed pure God! I can understand that! There are no answers because all that one could do, has been done. We need the pure glory of God! Uncomplicated. Simple. Glorious. God!

Prayer: Father, I need this and I need it now! Please show me Thy glory!

2012-01-20T08:44:00.001-08:00

“And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.” (Ex 28:32 AV)

This is the robe of the ephod. It was a blue robe with arm holes and a hole for the head. At the neck line, the robe was stitched over and again so that it was as hard to rip as chain mail. The office of the high priest illustrated to the people of Israel exactly what the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ would be. Everything he wore signified something about the LORD. The breastplate had the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on them and it was close to the heart of the high priest and Israel is to God. On his shoulders was two onyx stones that had the twelve names of Israel on them, showing Christ bears responsibility for the twelve tribes of Israel. If one where to look at the blue which the High Priest wore, it would be in the shape of the cross!

But what of the robe that was woven so thick that it would be very hard to rip? At the neck line and not at the bottom? Why just one place and not at all the hems? Blue signifies heaven, or where the LORD Jesus came from. The robe could be torn from the bottom up. But one the tear reached the top, it would stop at the neckline. The authority by which Christ rules can be torn, to a point. His authority comes from above, not from beneath. And there is an application for the Christian leader here.

His authority does not come from the people. In our republic, the power is supposed to come from the bottom up. The people divest power in their government. But the church and the family is slightly different. I understand the position of pastor is not the same as a father of a family. He is not to lead as a dictator, driving the LORD's sheep into God's will. But that does not mean he derives his authority from the people. His authority comes from God. He should not follow the lead of his people. He needs to find his lead from the LORD Jesus Christ. That is where his authority comes from and from time to time, we need to be reminded of that. We cannot force others to follow. They have a free will and God honors that free will. But we have a responsibility as well. That responsibility is to reveal what we believe the will of God is for the family and the church. Without compromise.

Prayer: Father, thank you for this reminder! As a leader, we need this from time to time. It is a lonely job which you ask us to do. But if we are not willing to follow your lead, and acquiesce to the people instead, then we are not fit to lead. Please give us that determination! Please give us that focus.

2012-01-19T08:09:00.001-08:00

“Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name [is] in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.” (Ex 23:20-22 AV)

There really are several applications one can make of this promise to Israel. The Angel is, more than likely, and Old Testament appearance of the LORD Jesus Christ himself. We know it is one of the three persons of the trinity, for God says his name is in him. We can assume this Angel is neither the Father, of the Holy Spirit because they are both spirit, and no man has seen God at any time. That leaves the Son. Jesus Christ. But there are two applications the New Testament saint can apply to himself.

First, the LORD will not leave us without guidance. He will not leave us nor forsake us. And as to the phrase regarding unforgiveness: the context is entering the promised land and assimilating false gods. It is not that Jesus hasn't forgiven sins. For see this in the gospels all the time. It is not that Calvary opens the way of forgiveness, of we know that it does. So that portion of this promise does not apply to us. But the promise of guidance does. There certainly are times, some more, some less, that we cry out for that guidance. If we could learn to become as little children who have no other choice but to trust the guidance of someone far more capable than ourselves, it would go much better for us! That is were I am striving to attain. To let go and let God! To have no judgment or opinion of my own. As the psalmist says in Ps 131:1 "LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me." To become as a small quiet child who looks towards his father for all the answers, that is where we need to be.

Equally so, the second application comes in the unity of the Father and His Angel. Note that what the Angel says is exactly what the Father says. Their voices are one. In my experience, I have known many believers who claim to hear the voice of God. But they fail to realize the voice of God and the voice of the Son are one in the same! And the Son is also called the Word of God! Therefore, the voice of God is also the Word of God. And to hear some other "voice" that contradicts or adds to the written Word of God is patently wrong and dangerous! Let's face it. We live in a generation who elevates the "experience" of Christianity while minimizing the Bible. The Bible is seen as one tool among equals for the Christian walk. The Bible is seen equal to, and in most cases, sub par with, worship, music, human teachers or authors, or fellowships. Those things are fine. They compliment the Word of God. But they cannot replace the Word of God! The Word of God is God's voice! That is were we find truth and companionship with the Father!

Prayer: Father, thank You so much for the guidance which Jesus provides! Thank You so much for the record of His life and ministry which we can follow. And thank You so much for leaving us Your supernatural voice in the form of the written Word! Thank You so much for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that opens to our hearts the truths of Thy word. But Father, we need more! Please, help us to feel the leading of the Holy Spirit and guidance of the Son. Please, Father, open our eyes and hearts.

2012-01-18T08:21:00.001-08:00

“If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.” (Ex 21:4-6 AV)

At first glance, this may seem unfair and harsh. In other words, if a master gives a servant a wife, both the wife and their offspring belong to the master. This seems unfair until one realizes the context of servitude as described here.

It was the practice to buy the debt of others for their service as servants. Every seven years, the master who bought the debt was required to release that servant from any more obligation. The longest someone would serve, then, was seven years. It was a better system then what had been practiced in the recent past, being debtor's prison. In that system, is someone inquired a debt which he could not pay, he was thrown in jail. There, he may labor and the fruits of his labor would go to the creditor. In this humane system of the Old Testament, a debtor could approach a wealth individual and promise to serve him without wages, and in return, the wealthy man would pay the debtor's debts. But before we assume there that the retaining of a wife or children is unfair, let us remember a few things.

First, the debtor did not have to approach the benefactor. He may have felt as though he had no choice, but no one forced him to. It was an act of his own free will. His debt was his doing. Second, the offer to pay that debt was an offer of grace. Indeed, the master got a laborer, but having to release him every seventh year, it may not have been worth his investment. The debtor's service might have been six years. But it might have been a little as one day. So the offer of the Master to pay the debt which he himself did not owe was an act of grace. And thirdly, no one forced the debtor to marry while under the rule of the master. That was another act of the debtor's free will and an act of grace on the master's part. More benefits bestowed on the debtor by the grace of the master. What the law teaches the Jewish debtor should teach the saved Christian. Grace has ethical obligations associated with it.

The LORD Jesus Christ did not have to pay our sin debt! He was not obligated. God is not obligated to provide us with the benefits and blessings of life. They are given by grace and grace alone. Yes, there is no law that requires us to repay grace. Otherwise, grace is not grace. But, there is a moral imperative to do just that! Romans 12:1,2 teaches is that very principle. How can we expect to take the benefits of grace (the wife and children) and not feel any obligation to repay that grace? How can we take the blessings of salvation (the master paying the debt) and not feel any guilt from a self-centered life? Grace is grace! And God will not stop showing grace! But that does not mean we have the moral right to walk away with that which we did not earn and which does not belong to us, simply because it was given by grace.

Prayer: Father, You are so right! Thank you for this reminder! Thank you for teaching us the difference between what is fair, and what is right! We need this gentile reminder. Sometimes, we get too cocky and think we deserve what we have. But we need a reminder that everything in life is because of Your grace. And if we think that we can enjoy life and the blessings which You have given, without showing our appreciation by faithful service, then please, Father, forgive us! Please forgive us!

2012-01-17T12:26:00.001-08:00

“Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people [which] thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.” (Ex 15:13 AV)

And that is exactly what we need today! We need the LORD to lead His people! We need it desperately. Our churches, families, and nations are being led by men. Men and their ideas and philosophies. Men and their newest and best creative programs. Men and their logic, natural ways of thinking, and wrongful motives of the heart. We do not need men to lead us anymore! We need the LORD who has redeemed us to lead us!

When Israel came from Egypt, the first thing God gave them was a law. Moses was on that mountain for several weeks. He was transcribing what the finger of God did not write himself. When they came out of bondage picturing the salvation of the soul coming from the world of sin, God gave them law. God gave them rules to live by that would guarantee the best possible human life which they could enjoy! They received by God's grace the wonder of God's law that would guide them from a life of sin and bondage to a life of liberty and fruitfulness. They needed the LORD to lead them!

And that is what we need today! God's ways! God's law! God's wisdom! God's standards! God's heartbeat! We need a dedicated people who are willing, no matter what, to follow the lead of God as found in His word! I am tired! I am ready for the LORD to lead once and for all! How about you?

Prayer: Father, I know what it is like to have You lead completely and wholly! I know what it is like to have no other choice but one! To have You so completely in control that every decision is a no brainer. And we simply are asking you to do the same again! Lead! Please, Father, lead!

2012-01-16T08:42:00.001-08:00

“And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.” (Ex 13:13 AV)

The redemption of the firstborn was a picture of what God did for Israel in Egypt, and a picture of what Christ would do for mankind. The law of the firstborn was five shekels of silver. Five shekels of silver was paid to the treasury of the tabernacle for the service and maintenance of the tabernacle. As Israel offered a lamb in the place of the firstborn for grace from the angel of death, the five pieces of silver (typifying the five pieces of silver Judas was paid to betray Christ) provided grace for the firstborn from permanent dedication to the tabernacle. In the first Passover, a life was given for a life. In the law of the firstborn, the number of death (five pieces of silver) was given for the life of the firstborn.

Christ is called the firstborn among many brethren. Because he was the first to rise from the dead, he is the firstborn. But we are also called the first fruits because the church will rise to heaven before the rest of the world. But there must be a price paid for the firstborn. For the church. And that firstborn is the price of redemption. No one gets off scot free. No one gets a pass. There must be a price of redemption paid for there to be any entrance into the tabernacle.

If the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in not applies to your soul, the law of redemption has n to been fulfilled. There must still be a price paid specifically and individually for us. That price of redemption is five pieces of silver. The pieces of silver paid to kill Jesus. He must be our Passover Lamb! He must be our redeemer! He must be our Savior!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the price that was paid for our souls! Thank You that we can know for sure the price of the firstborn is satisfied in full. Please, Father, if there is anyone out there who is reading this, and had never been saved, let them humble themselves under Thy mighty hand and turn to our Firstborn before it's eternally too late! Please, Father, save all who would have it!

2012-01-15T04:56:00.001-08:00

“And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.” (Ex 8:28 AV)

“And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.” (Ex 8:32 AV)

It never was really about slavery. It was about religious oppression. Think about it. Moses was asking for three days journey and an undetermined amount of time to offer sacrifice to the LORD. If Pharaoh was merely concerned about losing his slave work force, then he could have sent an armed escort to bring them back to the fields once their sacrifice was done. He could have cordoned off all escapes and once Israel ran out of food or water, would have returned to the clay pits. There would have been ways to ensure Israel's return to Egypt and still allowed them the liberty to offer sacrifice. But it never was about slavery. It was about the free exercise of religion.

And that is exactly what the world is like today. When God's people exercise their Biblical faith, then it convicts the world of sin. They can do anything else, including unspeakable acts of sin. Just don't teach and preach Christ. This is so common it is almost not worth pointing out. Any believer who chooses to live his faith before the lives of others is often persecuted for it. The lost around them couldn't care less what he or she does until the name of Christ enters the picture. Sing any song you want about anything good or bad. Just don't sing those hymns that praise the Cross of Christ! Quote any movie line or relay the last episode of some T.V. program, but just don't quote the scriptures. They'll even let you have Sundays off if it's for family or sports. But be prepared to work on Sundays if you want it off to go to church.

That is the way of the world! The saint better adjust. He better stand for his liberty to worship God with a clear conscience. But don't expect the world to assist you. They will fight you all the way!

Prayer: Father, we must admit it was hard at first. But after a while, we grew to expect it! Please, Father, strengthen us and give us that patience that Moses had to see You hand work for the glory of Thy name! Let us stand firm on what You have asked us to do and put the world on the defensive. We have You. They have nothing! Praise be to God!

2012-01-14T08:52:00.001-08:00

“These [are] they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these [are] that Moses and Aaron.” (Ex 6:27 AV)

Just in case there was a mistake. Just in case there was someone who didn't know who it was that was speaking to Pharaoh. Just on the outside chance there is confusion and there is another Moses or Aaron. Just in case there needs to be accolades later brought to those responsible for the freedom of Israel. It is that Moses and Aaron.

Moses was a great leader. What made him a great leader was that he was a reluctant leader. He did not seek the position. He did not run for office. He did not push others out of the way. And when he was given the responsibility to lead, he sought someone more qualified than he. We wanted to hand it off to Aaron. Moses, because he was the reluctant leader, was a great leader. He never assumed or looked for power that wasn't his to have. He followed the LORD wholly. He understood that whatever authority he had came directly from God. Even the law which he received from the law he neither added to or took away from. But, the down side of being a reluctant leader is the inclination to lead from behind the scenes. The tendency is to remain in the shadows and desire no up-front position. But that is impossible.

The right spirit is one of non-presumptuousness. To only do that which the LORD directs. To keep the ego in check and walk humbly with God and man. But the temptation is to walk too humbly. Or, better still, with false humility. The leader must stand in the forefront and be recognized. He must stand among and above the people. Physically, but not mentally. Remaining humble and still standing in front of the people one is trying to lead is a difficult balance to maintain. We want to recede into the background. We do not want our names mentioned or honored. We will lead, but we almost want to do it from the shadows. But that cannot be done.

This was Moses' Achilles heel. He was more comfortable to relinquish leadership and give it to another who wanted it. But he could not do that. God called him. God did not call Aaron or Mariam. God tapped him on the shoulder. He did not call the more aggressive rebels to lead the charge. God called him because of his humility and faith. Because he could trust Moses. But it was time for Moses to stand and be recognized.

Prayer: Father, those who are humble never want their names mentioned. And for the most part, that is a good thing. But help us to understand that when we lead, that is often a harmful thing. Those who lead must be willing to be in front. It might be uncomfortable. But it is needful. Please, Father, help us to get over our false humility!

2012-01-13T09:37:00.001-08:00

“Simeon and Levi [are] brethren; instruments of cruelty [are in] their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed [be] their anger, for [it was] fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” (Ge 49:5-7 AV)

There are actually thirteen tribes of Israel, but we say there are twelve because Levi is the priestly tribe and has no inheritance in Israel. They have no borders. They have no name outside of the temple service. The reason for this goes way back when Israel was first formed.

Simeon and Levi had a sister, Dinah. Dinah failed to be discrete and found herself in an immoral relationship with neighbors of theirs. A pagan king's son fell in love with Dinah and ended up sleeping with her out of wedlock. Simeon and Levi being both shocked and embarrassed, acted in righteous indignation. Convincing the their pagan neighbors to be circumcised, Simeon and Levi entered their camp while they recovered of their surgery and killed all the males. They took all the females and animals as spoil. They acted in a rage before their father Jacob could have handled the situation. Because of their rash indignation, Jacob pronounces Simeon and Levi to be two tribes that will never be in collusion again. And the way to prevent that was to scatter on of them among God's people so they could never join in a cause again.

However, there is more than one way to look at this. Because in scattering Levi among God's people, God took the righteous indignation of the tribe of Levi and both tempered it, and reproduced it. There is no doubt that Levi had a deep passion for what was right. And, he was willing to act upon it! So, instead of punishing it, the LORD disciplined and used it.

We may see an event as God punishing us. But that might not be what He is doing. It could be those strengths we have are a little on the rough side. They need to be refined. And those talents. abilities, or gifts need to benefit others. What seemed at the onset as a bad thing from the mouth of Jacob, turned into a blessed thing that benefited a passionate tribe and an undisciplined nation. Next time we wonder why the LORD is asking us to back off our abilities, talents, or gifts, remember, He might be doing two things: refining them, and scattering the blessing of your gifts among God's people.

Prayer: Father, we think it is pretty awesome when things work out exactly as You wish even though our actions or choices may seem to frustrate those plans. Both Levi's actions and Jacob's pronouncement seem to work against the tribe of Levi. But You turned it right around and used the pronouncement of Jacob for the benefit of both Levi and Israel. May we learn how wonderful and all powerful Your hand is which is not limited to what we do. Please, Father, help us see the wisdom of what You are trying to do so that we might be encouraged no matter what the circumstances of life might be.

2012-01-12T09:41:00.001-08:00

“And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What [is] your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, [and] also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.” (Ge 46:33-34 AV)

There are so many things going on here that I do not know what to write about. What is interesting is these verses went right along with what we preached last night. Isn't the LORD amazing?

Who originated labels and segregation? Was it the LORD, or is it the world? There are two divisions that God makes. God's people, and the lost. That is it. And an individual can go from the later group into the first group by a choice of faith. So no one is forced into a group without his consent. This segregation happens in our society and in our churches. And it is wrong.

But in our verses, this segregation worked to the favor or God's people. I had to stop and think about the Egyptian's feeling towards herders. Just think about it. Without cattlemen, there is no wool or meat. There are no oxen to plow the fields. No donkeys to ride into battle. No goats to provide milk and cheese. No lambs to provide a wonderful meal. The Egyptians are one of the first to segregate society based on personal taste. They need what the other provides, but what they do offends them greatly. What hypocrisy! But we do this all the time. We segregate into our own little cliques because that is our comfort zone. We need those who are outside our comfort zone. We need the mean men of the baser sort to do those things we would prefer not to do. And we have feelings about them. And the door swings both ways. Maybe we are one of those simple folk who do not find a problem with getting dirty or working at tasks that the more refined would find repulsive. They may look down on us, but we look right back up at their snooty little noses and charge them ten times what our labor is worth because we know they would never do what we do. Labor resents management. Management may not appreciate labor. The educated are separated according to net worth, while the barely educated scorn those different than them. We all do it. But it is worldly and carnal. That is not what Christ intended.

Joseph instructed his family to claim sheep herding as their occupation when they had never assumed a label or title before. They were God's chosen people regardless of what they did for a living. But to protect them and reap the best of the land, they assumed the label. Too bad that could not have benefited without the derogatory label being placed on them. The lesson is this: labels are o.k. as long as they are used right. We categorize ourselves so that others know who we are. We are Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterian, etc. because of our doctrinal bent. And that is biblical and fine. But when we place value of the human soul on what label they were, then it becomes wrong. And that is what the Egyptian did.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for our prejudice. Forgive us for placing worth and value on a person because of what they do, or do not do, for a living. Forgive us for our lack of compassion and love. Help us, Father, to overcome our biases so that we might be a more effective minister for thee.

2012-01-11T08:39:00.001-08:00

“And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;” (Ge 41:30 AV)

It is interesting what happens in times of trial. Both years being equal, the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine, it doesn't take much for the people to be oblivious to the blessings of God in the past. Joseph is giving the solution to future misery in his interpretation of the dream. No doubt that once the provisions are spent from the seven years of plenty, and the depth of the famine sets in, unless there is something done, they will not remember how good they had it in the past.

It is very wise to lay up in store against times of crisis. Materially, this makes obvious sense. A savings account or investments to cover times of slow business, layoffs, or unemployment is always wise. But spiritually, we need to do the same thing. We need to lay up for ourselves times of remembrance. Times that we can reflect on how good God was in the past. Times of great altar calls, weekly baptisms, or biannual ordinations. Times when the Spirit of God seemed to move on our communities. Times in our own spiritual life when things tended to be more dramatic. Times at the altar when serious issues were dealt with at the altar, or times when we really stepped out on faith, or times when God used us far above our abilities and He got the glory.

There needs to be remembrance. A scrap book or journal which records all that God had done in the past. But this book needs to be viewed with a spirit of hope, not of regret. Remembering the past is o.k. as long as remembering it doesn't keep us in it. These memorials are reflects of how mighty a God we serve. Not to continue laying seeds of bitterness over the present situation. These remembrances are declarations of a faithful and unchanging God. A God who can change our present and give us a future. A God who is mighty no matter what year it might be!

Prayer: Father, we are truly blessed! Salvation is so free! And Your grace is so sufficient! Father, we praise Thee for Thy wonderful works to the children of men. Regardless of what we might be going through, or what we might have to face shortly, we pray, Father, we will always remember how gracious and benevolent You have been. Because we know it will no always be as it is. But things go in cycles. Help us to journal, takes photos, record stories, and meditate! It is by reflecting on Your hand in the past that we can get through the hard times of the present.

2012-01-10T09:12:00.001-08:00

“And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? [this] breach [be] upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.” (Ge 38:29-30 AV)

Depending on how one would emphasize the phrase, "this breach be upon thee" could be a negative, positive, or neutral thing. The Hebrew meaning of his name means a breaking forth. We often look at a breach as a bad thing. As in a line of defense. Or a dam. If those are breached, then distruction is in it's wake. But in this case, the breach is a good thing. If there is no breach in the womb, then there is no live birth. If there is no live birth, then there is no seed that replaces Judah's two dead sons. And if there is no breach, then Pharez, who is in the line of Christ, is not born. So, this breach is a good thing. But it also has possible good and bad circumstances.

By circumventing his twin brother Zarah, there was potential for complications in childbirth of his twin and possible harm to their mother. Zarah was closest to the birth canal. This narrow channel of birth can only handle one child at a time. Somehow Pharez worked his way around his twin brother and breached the womb first. Physically, that had to potential of causing trauma to both mother and child. So when the midwife said, "this breach be upon thee" she meant the unforeseen circumstances of what could possibly happen by shoving his brother aside and being born first. The results of what ever happens falls on Pharez. Poor Pharex had to assume responsibility for something he had little control over from the moment he was born. And he carried this weight of responsibility on his shoulders for his entire life.

What a picture of the LORD Jesus Christ. He took upon himself the responsibility of something he could not control. The sinful actions of mankind. And he did so even before his birth. From the moment of his birth, Christ assumed the responsibility of saving man from their sin. And he bore that responsibility for his entire short life. Why didn't Christ come through the line of Shelah? Because his name means getting what is asked for. A completed event. Pharez means bearing the responsibility of breaching or of breaking forth.

Next time we are handed a responsibility for which we did little or nothing to assume it, let us remember the weight that Pharez and Christ bore. Our weight may pale in comparison.

Prayer: Father, I cannot imagine what would have gone through the mind of Pharez. He was born of a mother who played the harlot and his father was also his grandfather. He was given a name reflecting something he could not have controlled, and he had to carry that name where ever he went. Pharez had to have broad shoulders. As certainly our LORD has. Help us to bear under the responsibilities you have given to us. Let us bear well.

2012-01-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

“And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which [is] Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.” (Ge 35:27-28 AV)

When Jacob left his father, Isaac thought his days were coming to a close. But that was over twenty years ago. Jacob was with Laban a total of twenty years, and Jacob also had some travel time before he came to Isaac. It just goes to show you that we never really know how long we will live. It could be sooner, or later. We just don't know.

This has happened another time in scripture. Elijah burnt out over Ahab and Jezebel. He had given what he had thought was all that he had. So the LORD provided Elisha as an apprentice. The LORD promised Elijah that he would 'shortly' be relieved of his ministry and be taken up into glory. But the 'shortly' was fifteen years later. I am sure he thought that when the LORD told him he time was nearing to an end, he believed it would be sooner than later. He may not have had it in his mind that it would be another fifteen years of dodging the enemies of God before the fiery chariot took him gloriously home. We just do not know.

The problem with trying to predict when God might be done using us, is that we simply cannot see what God can do with us. It doesn't matter if we are young and think that there is no more ministry were God has placed us, or we are getting older and do not think the LORD can use us in our feeble state. The fact of the matter is, God is the determiner of how, when, and for how long He can use us for His glory. Don't ever quit! I have been there a few times myself. Where I have emotionally disengaged. I have thought there is nothing more that I can do. There are times when I walked away. And only the wisdom of God knows whether I have done to right thing or no. But there are times when I stuck it out, more times than not, to the bitter end. It as in those times when some of the hardest work is done. So stick it out! Even if it looks like it's the end! Stick it out. You just might have twenty plus more years!

Prayer: Father, we do appreciate all the opportunities You have provided to serve. Help us to continue on with as much strength as we have until you change our course. Help us to continue on no matter what! Never quit. Never stop. Until we simply are forced into the glories of heaven!

2012-01-08T05:51:00.001-08:00

“This twenty years [have] I [been] with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn [of beasts] I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, [whether] stolen by day, or stolen by night. [Thus] I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked [thee] yesternight.” (Ge 31:38-42 AV)

Here is were Jacob grew up from being a boy to a man. Laban is his uncle, his father-in-law, and his ex-boss. Jacob did two things here that made the obvious statement that he was his own man. He left the employ of Laban without announcing it. He simple left. The agreement of labor had come to an end, and he was under no obligation to ask leave. It would have been a little better had he done so. But he was not obligated. Then here, in the passage, after Laban had lectured him about stealing something which he didn't steal, and about leaving unannounced, Jacob drops the truth anvil right on his head!

He states the obvious that Laban was an unfair and deceiving employer. First for switching out the two sisters. Then for changing his wages ten times by having to personally absorb any and all loss to Laban. Jacob then levels the boom and sights God's protection upon him. If Laban so much as thinks about harming Jacob, God will intervene. Jacob sites God's protection as a means of proving Laban's unethical behavior. But this is his father-in-law and uncle. It took a great amount of maturity and courage to confront someone who is one's elder. But he does. It is right here that Jacob grows into a nation. A man. Someone whom the LORD will say later, is a prince with God and man. Jacob stares down Laban because he knows God is with him!

A leader will submit to rightful authority. He will humble himself when in the wrong. But he will not cower in the corner out of a false sense of loyalty or subornation. He is his own man before God and no one else. If he is in the right, he will not apologize for it. He refuses to be controlled, even emotionally, by those who think they see weakness. He will stand and declare his autonomy! He and he alone will stand! Even if it's against someone he once submitted to. All leaders must make this choice. All leaders must take this step. Otherwise, those who would follow him will follow the one the leader is submitting to. He must stand and declare his position of leadership.

Prayer: Father, we all have to go through this. Every married couple must eventually declare themselves as a new family. They may welcome the help of parents, but there must come a time when they are their own unique family. There comes a time when the man of God can declare himself to be a man in his own right. He might still seek and follow the advice of the elders, but he has to stand on his own. Help us to do that. And those of us who are elders, Father, please help us to let go and encourage them to do just that. They need to stand! Thy need to be who you made them to be.

2012-01-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

“And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put [them for] his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.” (Ge 28:10-11 AV)

Alone time, even when caused by adverse circumstances, are frequently times when God can talk to us. I don't know why I never thought of this before, but Jacob was being threatened by Esau his brother. Isaac and Rebekah, his parents are sending him away for two reasons. He needs to get away from his older brother before he is killed. But he is of the age to take a wife. And the women in Canaan are ungodly. Jacob's mom and dad send him off to dwell with Rebekah's brother, Laban. Laban has two daughters to whom he will eventually be married. He just doesn't know that yet. But his parents send him off alone for a long trip. It is during this trip that God gets a hold of Jacob and reveals God's will for him!

It had to be a time of fear and anxiety for Jacob. He was in the wilderness, all alone. This is the first time he has been away from his mother. He has no escort. He has no company. It is just him and God alone. And it wasn't even his fault. The LORD told Isaac that through Jacob would come the promises. It shouldn't have been a surprise when he learned Jacob bartered Esau for his birthright. That should have been a reminder of God's will. Then, Rebekah and Jacob concoct this plan to get the blessing. It wasn't right. But they should have had to if Isaac would have blessed Jacob because it was God's original intent. So there Jacob is. His methods may have been unethical. But the result was God's desire. And his life was threatened because of it.

But alone he was. And that is where he needed to be! He needed affirmation. He needed reassurance. He needed direction.

Prayer: Father, those times of solitude are alarming. They can be disconcerting. But I have learned those times are often the most fruitful to our souls. It is in those times when we hear the still small voice. It is in those times that we can clear our heads, quiet the world, and listen to thy voice. Thank you so much for those times of solitude! Please, Father, continue sending those times. We desperately need them.

2012-01-06T08:58:00.001-08:00

“And she went, and sat her down over against [him] a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against [him], and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he [is].” (Ge 21:16-17 AV)

Did you notice the Bible tells us that Mom lifted up her voice, but it was the voice of the child which God heard? Did you notice that? Quite interesting! It sure is a good thing that God answers the prayers of others when it concerns us. Sometimes, we may not be qualified to pray. Maybe there is sin in the heart that keeps us from an audience with God. It is at those times the righteous pray of a right person avails much!

Hagar and Ishmael were removed from Abraham's family. As we recall, Hagar was Sarah's handmade who bare Ishmael for Sarah's sake. Sartah was going to raise Ishmael, who would in turn inherit Abraham's wealth and promises. But God had other ideas. He had already promised that it would be the seed of Abraham and Sarah who would receive these promises. Not Hagar. It was the impatience of Sarah that produced Ishmael. Consequently, Hagar and Ishmael would begin to increase in presumptuousness. Hager would disrespect her boss, Sarah. Isaac would be taunted by his half-brother Ishmael. No doubt, Ishmael learned is distain for Isaac from his mother, Hagar. Since Ishmael had lost respect for Isaac, and threatened him frequently, the LORD instructed Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.

It is here we pick it up. Given only a few days of bread and water, they were dying of dehydration. They went as far as they could. Hagar placed her son, Ishmael, under a brush pile to die. She separated so that she didn't have to see his death. What kind of mother would do that? Since she conceived Ishmael, Hagar would be a changed woman. She lost her humility and became self-centered. It was her example which Ishmael followed. It was her fault he was the way he was. But God still heard. He didn't hear Hagar. He heard the child!

And we can be eternally grateful for those who pray for us, specially when our prayers are not effective. It is often their determination, spiritual discipline, and holiness that works to our benefit! Pray that we might be that prayer warrior for another who desperately needs it!

Prayer: Father, we are so thankful for those who live right and pray hard! We need those folks! Please bless them greatly. But Father, we desire to be those people for others. We think of the lost who need to be saved. We need to pray for them. We think of the back-slidden saint who needs the fastings and prayers of the saints! We need to be the Ishmaels for others. The are counting on us. Please, Father, raise us up to be the prayer warriors that others so desperately need!

2012-01-05T08:11:00.001-08:00

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?” (Ge 18:17-18 AV)

There are things we wish we didn't have to see, but by way of warning, we need to see them. Such is the case here. The LORD is speaking to the trinity and asking the rhetorical question of Abraham's need to witness the justice and wrath of God. He asks, in essence, since Abraham and his descendants will be a great nation, isn't it wise to let him see what we do to sinful nations?

I am an advocate of private punishment. What I mean is, if one has an erring child, for the most part, punishment should be a private matter between parent and child. For the most part. But there are times when it needs to be public. There are times when his siblings need to see the punishment. One motivation is often the embarrassment of the punishment is more effective than than the punishment itself. Another reason for public punishment is if the infraction effected the whole group. Then all need to see the punishment for sake of closer. But there is another reason why severe punishment should be public. It deters some from doing the same sin that results in punishment.

There is no perfect deterring motivation for disobedience. And that is where our government is wrong. Just because one form of punishment does not deter all, does not mean is doesn't deter some. And as unpleasant as it might be, we need to see what God does to those who choose to live completely in rebellion against Him. The tribulation will not be a pleasant sight to see. Much of the world's population will be destroyed by the wrath of God. Hell is real! And the consequences of rebellion are hard subject matters to preach. But preached they must be! We must not turn our faces away from God's justice. It just might be the motivating factor in our own obedience.

Prayer: Father, we admit that we would rather not see such pitiful ends to a disobedient people. We wish we didn't have to see it. We wish we didn't have to witness what happens to those who turn their back on Thee. But see it we must. Because if we do not see it, we might be bound to make the same choices. Please, Father, wake us up!

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

“And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;” (Ge 15:13 AV)

It is good to remember where we are. It is good to meditate that this world is not our final home. It is good to remember that eventually, we will no longer be pilgrims in on a planet that hates God. It is good to recall that even though things will be difficult, eventually the trumpet will blow or our time will be up, and we will leave this place to the hands of those who want to destroy it anyway.

This land is not ours. It is under the temporary influence of the Devil. The Bible teaches us that he is the prince of the power of the air. And even though the LORD has ultimate control, He has abdicated some of that influence to the Prince of Murders that he might give man cause to rebel. Since the garden of Eden, this land has not really been in the possession of man. Just look at the temptation of Christ. Satan offered him the kingdoms of the world. That is because the devil has influence on the powers that be. Even though the Bible teaches us that the powers that be are of the LORD, it also stands as truth that the forces of evil do have influence on them. This land is not our land. We look, like Abraham did, for a heavenly country. That is were we belong. That is were we long to be!

It's interesting. We don't here that kind of talk a whole lot anymore. We hear how wonderful life is. And with the LORD at the helm, that is truly the case. But we don't hear a yearning for glory too much anymore. It is almost as if our contemporary church thinks life here on earth is the best that God has. We forget just how much bondage the people of God are in. We forget, because we don't seek liberty towards righteousness. This is not our home. It never will be! Praise God there awaits a heavenly home wherein righteousness dwells!

Prayer: Father, what a wonderful truth to meditate upon. We get frustrated and loose our enthusiasm when we hear persecution rising on the church. We loose our zeal when we see sin advancing which seems unabated in it's march. We get discouraged when we hear of one case after another of good Christians loosing their testimony and families over a brief temptation of the flesh. But we have this hope too! This is not our land. Our land is heavenly! And that truth is what spurs us on! Please, Father, help us to remember this!

2012-01-03T10:48:00.001-08:00

“And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife [was] Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.” (Ge 11:29 AV)

Details, details. God promises, even before they are given, are hidden in the details. There is a wonderful principle here that I have often used to help people determine God's direction for their lives. The past! That's right, the past. The past is often a trail marker for where God would have you to go in the future. In our text is a seemingly mundane or unnecessary detail about the marriages within a family. Many believe that Iscah is also Sarai, or Sarah. Haran is the oldest of the three brothers. Then Nahor, and then Abram is the youngest. Haran dies in a town with the same name. He leaves behind two daughters. Nahor takes one, then Abram takes the other, to be their wives. BTW, prior to Leviticus, it was permitted for uncles to marry their nieces. But what is obviously God's hand in it is easily seen!

Haran, who had two daughters and no son, had no heir for his name. It was customary that a brother would marry the deceased's wife and raise up seed to his name. In other words, the first born would bare the name of the dead brother. In the event that he was widowed prior to his death, then his daughters would raise up seed, and the first one born of the eldest living brother, would carry the name of the deceased. And herein is the miracle! God had yet to promise to Abram a seed and nation. Later, he would promise through Isaac his seed soul be called. Twice, the devil tried to keep this promise from being destroyed before it was even given. Once with the marriage arrangements of Nahor and Abram. Then again with Hagar and Ishmael. But God knew all this before He even promised. The sovereign hand of God protected Abram from committing to raise his firstborn with Sarai to the name of his dead brother. Nahor, taking to wife the elder sister, was now bound. IT PROTECTED THE PROMISE BEFORE IT WAS GIVEN!

Just when we think the LORD might not know what He is doing, His hand is all over a situation and we haven't a clue why. Because the future is not hidden from God, and the past is a well lit path that gives us a general direction, we can rest assured that today's events are all part of God's providence to use us for His glory. Perhaps Abram didn't know why his elder brother took to himself the elder niece. But I guarantee you when God promises Isaac, it all made sense. And he probably sighed a sigh of relief for not having to raise seed to his dead brother.

Prayer: Father, I am astounded every time I see how little things become an important part of Your overall will. How a simple custom and choice worked to the starting of a nation through Your promise! What a miracle! Please, Father, help us to be patient and look for that very Hand when we do not understand why things are happening the way they are! Please help us to have that same faith as Abraham did! Please, Father, let us see the wonder of Thy omniscient and omnipotent hand!

2012-01-02T08:29:00.001-08:00

“And he called his name Noah, saying, This [same] shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.” (Ge 5:29 AV)

I found it rather odd that Noah's father would give Noah a name that means 'comfort' when a few hundred years later, all but Noah and his family would be dead! But there is more to Lamech's name choice that at first meets the eye. He says that Noah shall comfort the people which Lamech is referring to because something would happen to the ground cursed. Maybe Lamech could foresee the inevitable, but did not know the details of what was going to happen. Maybe Lamech knew that the sinful condition of mankind could not continue as it was without it coming to some kind of resolution. Maybe he didn't see a worldwide flood, but he certainly saw a holy, righteous, and just God in comparison to sinful men and knew something was going to happen. And he knew his own son Noah would be the instrument by which the hand of God would work.

The church is in a precarious situation. She desperately wants the lost to be saved. But she also knows that vast majority will not. That vast majority will continue to slide ever increasingly into deep sin. One one hand, the church wants revival and salvation decisions. But on the other hand, she hates the sinfulness around her so much that she desires God to work! It takes great maturity to see the conflicting truth of these two desires. And it takes greater maturity to desire the glory of God over the consequences of that glory on those whom are dear to us. Noah would be the instrument of salvation for the righteous. He would build an ark which in turn, would condemn an unrepentant and rebellious earth. Noah would be a comfort for those who desired to do right. He would be a curse for those who had no wish to turn towards God. There has to be this balance for the LORD to receive the glory. Compassion on the lost, but at the same time, righteous indignation for sinfulness that offends God and destroys mankind.

The other day, I saw a t-shirt advertising a church. Their slogan was "Compassion. Acceptance. Truth" Sounds very loving. Sounds really heavenly. The problem is churches that stress compassion and acceptance often do so to a fault, believing truth is the least important. In turn, there is no real repentance, no real and substantive life change, no endurance through holiness, and a weakened testimony of God's active grace among the penitent. There must be a balance! Compassion - absolutely! Acceptance; of the person, not his sin! Truth - the foundation for the other two! Lamech knew this! And God's grace in balance with His justice brought comfort to the godly!

Prayer: Father, the church desperately needs the foresight of Lamech! We desperately need grace balanced with the desire to glorify thee! Father, our churches are so out of balance today that there is no real difference between the church and the world. Divorce rates are the same. Alcoholism is identical. Suicide, drug use, and fornication are only slightly lower in the church. These things ought to be eradicated! They shouldn't even be mentioned as existing in the church. We have lost our way! We have compromised! We need the heart of Lamech! We need it today!

2012-01-01T05:14:00.001-08:00

“Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” (Ge 3:23 AV)

Something I never noticed before. Adam was not made from the dust of the garden of Eden. He was made from the dust of the earth. Why? Remember that God formed Adam from the dust, then placed him in the garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve fell, God caused Adam to return to the dust of the Earth and farm from it rather than the garden of Eden. What was the difference? Why make a point of it?

The greatest lesson I see is the hope of redemption. This is kinda deep, do bear with me. The host of Heaven were not made of anything temporal. They are spirit and they are eternal. The angels, good and bad, were made from spirit. There was no physical death of which they could suffer. Depending on their choice at the rebellion of Satan, they are either eternally in heaven, or will be eternally in hell. Those who are on their way to torment have no hope of ever returning to the glory of heaven. They came directly from heaven, therefore, rebelling against God and his direct presence lost forever any hope of eternal glory. They left were they came from.

Adam, on the other hand, came from the earth. He did not come from Eden. When he and Eve rebelled against God, they merely returned from whence they came. So, there is hope of return! Only God has to provide them means of return. Eden does not exist today. We cannot find it anywhere. The Scriptures are silent as to where it might be, or even if it still exists somewhere. There is no more mention of Eden as in existence anywhere in the Bible. So, Eden can be a type of Heaven. A place where mankind could directly fellowship with God. God made man out of the earth, but placed him in the garden that He might have fellowship with man. Man came from temporal Earth. But he was made to dwell with God eternally. Since Adam and Eve did not rebel against Eden, but rather, the choice of fruit, God's presence, through redemption, is still possible. There is still hope!

Prayer: Father, thank You for such a wonderful picture of the hope of redemption in Adam and Eden. Yes, we understand that we must toil in the Earth from the dust from which we were taken. But that life is temporary. If we have repented of sin and placed our trust in Your Son, we have hope of returning to the glory Thou has provided for us! Oh, what glorious news! What precious hope!

2011-12-31T08:32:00.001-08:00

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Re 21:5 AV)

What a promise! And the promise is sure because the LORD told John to write it down! It will happen! There is no stopping it! Gone is everything old! Gone is everything that defiles. Gone is everything that offends a righteous and holy God! It is all gone.

I like winter. I miss the cold snow. The dry snow. The snow that falls when the temperature is well below freezing and the humility is less than 20%. I like seeing it blanket and cover everything. All the mud, dirt, grime, and filth is covered up. The trees and their branches are loaded with the snow. There are no tracks to speak of. The ground is one smooth, glistening, bright white that screams the words 'perfect' and 'purity'. There is something about going out in a morning like this. The air is so clean and crisp. The coldness of the air and the over night snow fall and brought all the pollution down to the ground. Before the cars and businesses have a chance to contribute to the days smog, one can breathe in absolutely clean air. All things are new. As the day wears on, and we traipse through our clean snow, it becomes dirty. The air is filled with carbon dioxide from the cars and plants. Streets become an ugly brown as dirt and oil mix to melt the snow. But then is snows again. Overnight. And all things are new again.

That is a glimpse of what the new heaven and new earth will be like. All things are new. All things will be clean. There will be no sin. No stress. No anxiety. No sickness. No sorrow. No worries. No tragedy. I can hardly wait!

Prayer: Father, if it wasn't for this promise, there are many who would be terminally discouraged. If we had no hope that things were not going to change, I think we would quit! Praise Thy Name that you have given us such a promise as to make all things new. There will come a day when there will be no more of this! And that gives us motivation to serve Thee more. Thank You!

2011-12-30T08:52:00.001-08:00

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Re 16:15 AV)

Blessed is he that keepeth his garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame. In this life, if we lack garments, we simply go out and buy more. If we wear them out and there are holes, then we simply go to Walmart or the mall and pick up a new set. If they fall out of style, we outgrow them, or we simply want something else, a new set of garments are only a few dollars away. No so with the garments of righteousness that Christ gives us at salvation. It has to be kept. It has to be cleaned. It has to be tended to, cared for, and spot or wrinkles removed. There is only one set of garments and what we do with them will be telling for all of eternity!

Our family grew up on the lower rung of wealth. With eleven children to care for and provide for, simple excesses of life were never a reality. One of those excesses was the abundance of cloths. We had enough to get us by. But we never had an excess. One of the great milestones of growing up was getting our first suit. We got it for making our first communion. I remember mine. It was a three piece suit in the classic style of the seventies. Real gaudy wide brown, tan, red and white strips. In every family photo of that period, I was always wearing that suit. It didn't matter if it was a formal family portrait, or a snap shot after some family event. There I was, in that awful looking suit. I care so much for that suit that I got the bright ides to wash it all myself. I was going to throw it in the washing machine, wash it on gentile cycle, then dry it in the dryer. Mind you, I was only about 8 or 9 at the time and I has never done a load of laundry in my life. Down stairs I marched with my suit in hand. Into the washer it went. But I remembered an episode of The Brady Bunch wherein one of the boys did their one laundry and put way too much soap in causing suds to go all over the place. So I was careful not to do the same thing. When the buzzer went off, I took out my suit. Something didn't look quit right, but I figured the dryer would fix it. It didn't! It came out permanently wrinkled and shrunk enough to fit my baby brother who was two! I didn't read the label, and even if I had, I didn't know what "dry cleaning" meant anyway. I had failed to take care of my garment! I washed it my way. Not the way the manufacturer instructed. I dried it the best way I could. But not the way it was designed to be dried.

We are given one robe of righteousness. One and only one. How we live our lives in this life does matter in eternity. There will be some of us who fritter away our rob of righteousness on fornication, indulgence, laziness, or revelings. We will sully it with the filth of the world and the flesh. When we need to run to the Cross of Christ and plead the only cleaning agent there is, the blood of Christ, we fail to do so. We try to clean and dry it our way by increased giving, winning others to Christ, faithfulness in some of our Christian duties. But we fail to repent and ask forgiveness. May we keep our garments!

Prayer: Father, we are so foolish as to think our choices have no consequences in eternity. We are so short sighted as to think that if we fail to live a holy life here, it matters little in eternity. But quite the opposite is true. Please, Father, wake us up to the need for holy living! Please, Father, wake us up to the sad reality that some of us will suffer shame in eternity because we lacked simple discipline to keep our garments clean. Please, Father, send revival!

2011-12-29T08:20:00.000-08:00

“And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:” (Re 10:6 AV)

It is that time of the year when we look towards the future. 2011 will be in the history books and 2012 will take it's place. The new year always brings a ray of hope. Change, although initially may not be welcomed, is appreciated. New memories are made. New opportunities are opened. We are one year closer to glory. Unless we have bought into the Mayan myth of the world ending this coming year, we are filled with hope that our current trials will end. 2012 could indeed be the year that the rapture happens. Or, it could very well be the year of revival! However, bear in mind that even if the LORD tarries, time will be no more. For some of us, we will not celebrate another Christmas here on earth. For some of us, the number of opportunities to serve the LORD will lessen. For some of us, 2011 will be the last complete year we will dwell upon the earth.

We only have one more January to appreciate the winter weather. There will only be one more February in which to send our spouse a Valentines card. Just one more Easter. Only one more spring morning in which we see the first robin. Just one more Mother's Day to send flowers to our wives. Or one more Father's day to give him breakfast in his arm chair. One more Fourth of July, one more first day of school to see our grandkids off, one more wedding anniversery, one more birthday, and one more Thanksgiving day. There will only be fifty-two or less Lord's Days in which we will sit in the same pew we have sat in for years. Only a few dozen Saturdays to knock on doors and invite others to Christ. Only a few more days to be asked to baby sit the grandkids, only a few more school plays or ball games, or only a few more family picnics. There will only be less than fifty-two more times to show our love for the LORD in worship by tithing our first fruits. Only fifty-two more times to sing in the choir, only one more Easter Cantata, and only one more Christmas play.

Time will cease for some of us, and the question is, what will we do with the time we have remaining? Shall we wait it out, easy in our arm chairs relaxing in front of the TV while others still gather at the LORD's house? Shall we sit at home enjoying a hot cup of chocolate while we could be driving around a visitation team of young people eager to share their faith? Shall we sit at home and grow more tired in our idleness, asking for the prayers of the saints, while they gather and offer those prayers? We have time. But we just do not know how much we have. What will we do with what we have left?

Prayer: Father, it doesn't matter how old we are. There are no guarantees. Our lives could be over by tomorrow. There is no certainty of the future. We think things will continue as they have in the past. But there are no guarantees, Father, please help us to make the most of the time we have left. Let us not fritter it away in idleness and meaninglessness. Convict our hearts to do all that we can do before our time is up! Help us to use our time wisely, redeeming it, that others may be won by our lives.

2011-12-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Re 5:13-14 AV)

This is what is missing in our churches today. We are trying to manufacture true worship by a style of music that simply ends in emotional manipulation. But note here there is no signing. That's not to say there is no singing in Heaven. This we know will occur. But singing is just one for of worship. It is not the be all and and all of worship. Here, and in the previous chapters in Revelation, there are acts of worship without the aid of signing. That is because worship is an act motivated by a heart condition.

Worship is so distorted today that it has almost become meaningless. Worship is the act by which we acknowledge God as the Creator, Sustainer, and LORD of our lives. The Bible teaches that worship can be manifested in many different ways. The Bible calls offering tithes and offerings and act of worship. The Bible calls the assembly of the saints as an act of worship. The Bible teaches that evenagelism is an act of worship. The Bible refers to prayer as an act of worship. And perhaps the least important today, but one of the most important, is the study and application of God's word by obedient and separated living is an act of worship. Again, worship is an act motivated by the realization of God as our Creator, Sustainer, and LORD! That is what worship is.

In our passage, the host of heaven including the twenty-four elders (representing the church) fall down at the feet of Christ and acknowledge Him as the God of gods. Their only word is Amen! Creation screams out that God and His Christ are absolutely sovereign, and the host of heaven worship by falling down at His throne and uttering one word! It is not a lengthy, repetitive, and melodious chorus. It is one word accompanied by a heart of humility: Amen! Humility and obeisance cannot be manufactured or manipulated. We either have it or we do not. It is either a work of grace on the heart and will of the believer, or it is not there. If the church was humbled to the point that at the mere suggestion that God is sovereign she would fall on her knees and say Amen, what an impact we would have on the world.

What we so desperately need today is true worship. Not what the world calls worship. Not what unlearned Christians call worship. Not what the popular culture calls worship. But what the Bible teaches is worship. We need revival or the rapture! Pray for either!

Prayer: Father, we are all guilty of the failure to truly worship Thee. We would rather sit in our seats and let a "team" worship, feeling a few feelings and call it worship, than to change who we are by confession of sin and obedience to Thy word! We are content to stay just what we are. We are content to cover our failures by a superficial experience that soon disappears when the event ceases. Forgive us, dear Father, and help us to understand the true understanding of worship!

2011-12-27T07:10:00.001-08:00

“The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3Jo 1:1-2 AV)

Paul, as well as others, are praying for Gaius that his health may improve. The is no indication what his situation might be. But knowing Paul, it has to be serious. Paul is not one to overreact to smaller matters. This isn't a simple flu or slight condition. This ailment is of a serious nature. Perhaps even terminal. It may even be one of great discomfort, causing enough pain to alter Gaius' lifestyle. His quality of life is definitely suffering. And this letter is Paul's way of encouraging this faithful saint through a trial of faith.

But what I noticed is Paul's comparison of health to his soul's condition. He desires Gaius to have the same health of body as Gaius has health of soul. Paul desires that as whole as his beloved friend's soul is, the same is desired of his physical condition. That tells us something admirable about Gaius. Gaius, who is obviously in a great deal of concern or discomfort, is able to allow his soul and spirit to thrive. He is now allowing his trial of the flesh to affect his soul and spirit! What a testimony to all who are watching. And it is this demeanor to which Paul addresses. Gaius is allowing his spirit and soul to thrive, when he would have every right to be the center of attention. The flowers, cards, and visits no doubt came. But as those who loved him sat by his bedside, it was his strength of soul and spirit that uplifted that visit.

I have know a few of those people in my time! People who will not let a serious ailment hinder their spirit. They could be on death's door, and there is still a smile upon their face, a laugh in their weakened lungs, and a word of encouragement for all those who are worried for them. Time and space will not permit me to write of people like Vicky who struggled with kidney disease which finally took her life. Or of Mrs. Withers who gave birth to a hemophiliac son all the while battling her own terminal illness. Or of Grannie Bo who is struggling with her own trial in the flesh, but who makes everyone laugh whenever they call on her. Then there is ole' Bob, kicked in the head by a buffalo, battling cancer on and off, for a good number of years. Need a prayer partner who can touch the skirts of heaven? So ole' Bob. Then there is B.W.! A hero to a lot of people. His trials are too numerous to mention, but whenever he has the strength, he is in church. There in his pew. And he always has a word of encouragement for the preacher.

We will have these times of trials. And the way we respond tells a lot of our faith and character. These are the times of greatest ministry. When we can hold our head high, even though we feel like burying it far away from sight. These are the times when those of us who are going through minor trials in comparison, can find the strength to do our best. May we be the same type of believer when we are in such a straight!

Prayer: Father, I want to thank You for all those Christians whom You have placed in my life to be a source of untold strength. These are the people who push us all along. These are the people who set the example of endurance which we can all follow. Strengthen them all, Father, and reward them openly in the sight of all the saints as we gather in glory! They certainly deserve it!

2011-12-26T13:02:00.001-08:00

“Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.” (1Jo 2:24 AV)

I like the first phrase of this verse. "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning." Let it abide. Let it stay. Let it be the most important part of your life. The gospel message which we have heard from the beginning, let it abide. Let it stay. The transforming power of the gospel message. Let it abide. Let it sit there and do it's work. Repentance from sin and dead works. Let it continue to have it's way in the heart. The sensitivity of heart that came with salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truth. Let it abide. Let is stay and grow. Let wisdom have her perfect work.

There are these patches which were given to us. They stick on to you skin over sore muscles and is supposed to relieve topical pain. The problem is they don't have that distinct smell of the icy/hot which people normally use. You know that smell? Hard to hide when you're wearing it. When one places one of these large patches on, it seems as though it does no good. There is no heat, not icy feeling, no tingling, no nothing. But I noticed that if I put one of those on and take an Aleve, its a wonder what it does. The pain is gone by morning! Even though I cannot sense it happening, I am allowing the medicine to work. It is abiding. It is relaxing the muscles and relieving me of pain. But if I give up too soon, an remove it, then when I wake up in the morning, there is little change.

One of the major sources of our problems is that we do not allow the hand of God to abide! We avoid it. We circumvent it. We try to escape the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God's word. And because we do not allow it to abide, then God does not abide with us. Let it stay!!

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for seeking ways to avoid you work in our lives! Please, even though we fight Your abiding presence, do not give up on us! Let us learn to relax and allow the power of Thy Spirit to have His perfect work in our lives and hearts! Please, Father, conquer the old man!

2011-12-25T05:56:00.001-08:00

“And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.” (2Pe 3:4 AV)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! What a glorious day to look to the past in the hope that was born in Bethlehem that day! A Savior, who is Christ the LORD! But that wonderful night, when Christ was born, was a look into the future. Not just Calvary's sacrifice. But his eminent return. And the circumstances of the two appearings of Christ are eerily similar.

When Christ came almost two thousand years age, the circumstances of the age were not that particular. Rome ruled the civilized world. There was Pax Romano. Roman peace. Not too much turmoil. There was the normal earthquake here and there. I am sure there was poverty, but there was also wealth. War was kept to a minimum due to Rome's rule. Israel was in her land observing her traditions. Persecution, although it existed, was minimal. If there was ever a time when the LORD would come and those to whom He came wouldn't need Him, it was then. It wasn't a time of national crisis wherein a Savior had to come to rescue His people. Except from their sin!

And today is much the same. There is contentment and prosperity. The world may be going through a financial struggle at the moment, but it will be ironed out and things will continue. Even our own economy will begin, albeit slowly, to improve. The indicators of a falling society are improving. Even though there is moral decay, the Devil knows the best way to kill a revival is apathy. Spiritually, there is great dearth. But that has never been the concern of the world. Things are not perfect, but they are not dramatically horrible either. Things continue as they always have. Much like the first Christmas. And the mockers continue.

But the world will be in awe as the trumpet sounds! Not for a baby. Not this time! But for the rapture of the church which will count down the last seven years of the Devils' influence on this old earth! It will not be expected. It cannot be scheduled. It will happen! They were wrong about the babe in a manger. And they will be wrong of the Savior on His white horse, taking vengeance on a rebellious world! He will come, just as the physical world could not stop the natural process of child birth, resulting in a babe born in Bethlehem, they cannot stop the return of the LORD Jesus as the King of King and LORD of Lords! He will come! And His star will rise again!

Prayer: Father, thank You so much for this word of hope! Thank You so very much that we can look towards that Eastern sky for the appearing of our wonderful and glorious Savior, our Bridegroom, our King! Give us more faith that no matter how things deteriorate, we will continue steadfastly in hope and faith at the certain return of Your Son! Praise God!

2011-12-24T12:04:00.001-08:00

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.” (2Ti 4:14-15 AV)

Alexander is the typical manipulative statesman. In Acts 19, there was a huge uproar over Paul at Ephesus. The crowd pulled Alexander out of the crowd and threw him up there to solve the uproar. Alexander was a wealthy coppersmith and, no doubt, an influential person in the community. His argument in Acts 19 quieted the crowd and resulted in the dismissal of the assembly. His argument was an eloquent one. He argued that their near riot was unlawful and if they continued to do so, the Roman authorities would enter in and solve it violently. If there was just cause, then they had the courts at their disposal. Make no mistake, though. Alexander was no believer. He was a political appeaser. His ability to sway crowds may have saved Paul's life. But the same ability caused Paul much grief.

Every once is a while we meet someone like this. They pretend to be above the fray! More spiritually mature and full of wisdom than most. They come off as sincere, wise, mature, and gentle. But the real nature is to manipulate for ego's sake. What is right or wrong has little value. They are far more interested in how they appear and desire to be the person to whom everyone else goes to. When we are battling right verses wrong, error verses truth, or principle verses passion, Alexander is right there debating the immaturity of our "standards". He pretends to take the higher ground. He portends to be more enlightened. And, if we do not follow his advice, then we are in error and have a lot of growing up to do.

Be aware of this individual. Perhaps we shouldn't debate as vehemently when our cause will not be accepted. But that does not mean the positions we take are wrong. And that doesn't mean we shouldn't take them! And we have the liberty to pray the LORD's hand of judgment on this slick operator!

Prayer: Father, I have met a person or two who fits into this description! And Your word does not exaggerate. They are that slick. We pray Your hand of judgment on such a fellow as this. One who would undermine the work of God with his smooth words and rational thinking. One who would talk about the church and her leadership in private, differently than he would in public. We need protection! Please send it!

2011-12-23T08:33:00.000-08:00

“For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Heb 12:17 AV)

The prior verse tells us the context. It is Esau when he sells his birthright and gives up his blessings to Jacob for a bowl of pottage. The place of repentance is a place of going back and undoing what was done. He could not go back to the place he was before and undo the bargain made with Jacob. Because he could not control his flesh, he was left with the consequences of an impulsive decision. There was no place of repentance.

We all have these in our past. We make decisions that affect us for the remainder of our lives. Whether a moment of passion or an impulsive financial decision. We all have to deal with the consequences of unfortunate and impulsive choices that we have made. The LORD appreciates the tears of sorrow that accompany remorse. He is pleased when we admit the error and ask for forgiveness. We may never do something so foolish again. But the place of repentance was lost because of the severity of the choice.

It is important to understand two things. Theses choices are not inevitable. Even though many of us make them, and suffer because of it, they do not have to happen. There are other choices we can make. The consequences from sinful choices can be kept to a minimum if we exercise discipline of the flesh and spirit. But secondly, it is important to note that even if there isn't a place of repentance, it does not mean that life is over. Esau could never reclaim his position as the firstborn. He could never gain the blessings that where once his. He lost them to his younger brother. But that doesn't mean that God could not bless Esau in his own way.

Esau met Jacob as Jacob returned from Laban. Jacob thought Esau was going to destroy he and his family so he sent ahead a gift. Esau refused it because Esau, in that same time, out grew Jacob and his wealth. Esau was tremendously blessed of the LORD even though he lost the distinction of being God's chosen people. Esau is Edom. Edom is the territory that lies directly west of Israel. In the Bible, Edom is also were Mount Seir is wherein Israel wandered for forty years. Later, in the prophecies of the restored Messianic kingdom, Israel is told to live peaceably with Edom because they are related and Edom did care for Israel while they wondered. Even in the future reign of Christ, Edom, or Esau will have a significant place.

But, there was no place for repentance. We need to be very careful of the choices we make! We need to be sure of the consequences then stop and ask the LORD to give us the strength to resist by the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to pray for the endurance to get through the trials of the flesh and the Spirit. Then perhaps we will not need to wish for a place of repentance that can never be had.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your grace! We have made a mess of this old life! And it seems that sometimes, we never learn. We go through life and make the same mistakes over and again. Then we have to live with our choices. Please forgive us for our foolishness. And I for one am praying real hard for the rapture! We are tired of the battles of the flesh and the spirit! We are so ready to be redeemed! We are so ready to be changed in a moment! Give us the grace, dear Father, to continue in Thy Word! Give us the wisdom to say 'no'!

2011-12-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.” (Heb 10:32-33 AV)

That is good advice. call to remembrance the former days. The days when salvation came and there was a choice to make. A choice to either accept or deny the LORD Jesus Christ. That choice came with a cost. A cost of reproaches and afflictions. That choice had to be made. And it wasn't easy. And when it was made, those who used to be cordial or friendly all of a sudden became your worst enemies. It wasn't something you asked for. And it didn't make sense. Why would anyone object to a personal choice that guaranteed heaven? Why would anyone find it offensive if you no longer lived in a life of sin as you did before? Then a strange thing happened. You became a companion of those who went through the same thing. God gave you a church family and a new set of friends who filled in the whole which your choice to be saved caused. It is good to remember those days. It is healthy to remember many years ago for a number of reasons.

It is good to remember from whence we came out. Not to glory in our sinful past, but so we might remember how much of a miracle salvation truly is. It is good to remember what we came out of and imagine where we would have been had salvation never came. It is good to remember what we came out of so that we know that no matter how bad things get, God is bigger than our circumstances.

It is good to remember the event of salvation and the loneliness that sometimes accompanies that decision. It is good to remember because there will be those who make the same choice, and they will need someone to show the same care which we received.

It is good to remember from what we came out of and what the LORD did for us in salvation so that we can see it as a continuing process of sanctification and direction. That God brought us out of sin and the cost that was required, reveals that God has a plan for us. That plan starts with a separated and holy life. It also includes a purpose or calling. Remembering the past helps us look to the future.

It is good to look to the past. To a point. It is good to remember the affliction that we endured because to backslide and give it all up makes the former affliction and cost meaningless. We endured a lot. We paid a heavy price. It would be a shame to have it all come to naught.

Prayer: Father, some of us have been saved for so long that we have forgotten that we were once lost. We might have been raised in a Christian home and never got deeply entangled with sin. But that doesn't mean that there wasn't a cost that was paid. If the world didn't give us fits, the devil and flesh certainly did. Help us to remember. Remember what it was like to have a life without Thee. And let us rededicate our lives for the sake of our the past decision of salvation.

2011-12-21T07:37:00.001-08:00

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;” (Heb 5:8 AV)

Obedience is easy when there are obvious rewards for it. Ask you son or daughter to do something and pay them a very generous allowance for it, and you can be sure that it will get done. Give employees a huge bonus for meeting and deadline, and the business can be assured they will beat the deadline. Give points back or lower one's interest rate by legal and safer driving, and it is amazing how it alters habits. Go to a diet program that rewards wise choices and it is amazing how much weight one can drop. The point is, obedience is not tested sufficiently unless it is required under duress. Place negative consequences for obedience in front and obedience is hard to come by. Obedience may be accomplished by positive rewards, but obedience is not learned until tested under trials and tests. Then the depth of obedience is really known.

When I think of someone who tried to do the right thing, even when it was inconvenient or the costs were high, I think of my father. As I have written before, there isn't another man I have ever known who would pay the cost of doing the right thing as he would. It wouldn't matter what the consequences were, if he felt it was the right thing to do, then there was nothing that would stop him! He wasn't perfect. He didn't do everything right, as is the case with all of us. But he could not be bought, persuaded, or pressured into doing something his conscience would not allow. When other Scoutmasters looked for ways to manipulate or skirt the rules, my father was by the book. When other teachers were after the "most popular teacher" award, my father was consistent is his classroom discipline. When others only went to church two times a year, my father would never miss unless deathly ill. When others were laid off and using the system, my father was out there looking for any work he could find, no matter how many hours he had to put in.

Adam and Eve could have learned obedience by refusing to eat the fruit. But instead, they learned obedience by disobeying. We have the same choice. We could learn obedience as a child, by reward or risk. Or, we could learn obedience by trials and testing. We can learn obedience by superficial motivation. Or we can learn obedience by enduring and lasting motivations. By trials of life.

Prayer: Father, this verse ties in very will with Proverbs 6:23. Reproofs are the way of life. Thank you for the adversities of life that teach us what true and lasting obedience is. Thank you for sending them and we would be foolish to desire they never return. We would be very wise if we ask Thee to send those trials of obedience that strengthen us. We would show tremendous maturity of we asked Thee to grow us up by difficult processes. By trials, by testings, by steps of faith that must be endured shall we learn obedience. So, Father, send those things Thou deemest appropriate! Send what we need!

2011-12-20T08:03:00.001-08:00

“As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Pe 4:10 AV)

This 'gift' is more than likely salvation. Peter is instructing his converts that as they have received the gift of salvation, so too should we share it with others. And that is certainly true. The churches that are successful soul-winning churches are churches that understand it is everyone's personal responsibility to memorize the scriptures, learn basic doctrine, and be able to relate the story of the gospel that others might be won. It is not the sole duty of the preacher and the deacons to evangelize. It is everyone's responsibility. A soul-winning church involved everyone. Soul-winning night or afternoon is one of the highest attended functions of the church. The tract rack is constantly replenished because the tracts are flying out the doors. When we go to a public place, it should be common to find one of our tracts there even if we are not the one who placed it there. But salvation is not the only gift we are to share.

There are gifts of the Holy Spirit that each saint is given. These gifts are given so they can be used for the edification of the church. They are not given that we might hoard them for our own enjoyment. My parents were very wise. When we made up our Christmas toy list, it had to include at least one game. A board game or other multiplayer game. If we got more than a few toys, one of them would always be a game. In their wisdom, they were trying to get the siblings to plat together. I still remember some of the games I asked for and received. There was that one with plastic encased marbles and one would push the marbles up the board, they would bounce off two rubber bands, and stop at the other side on a point value. There was Rock'm Sock'm Robots. Bean bag toss, Operation, Battleship, and Othello. Then there were the classics like Stratego, Life, Monopoly, chess, and Chinese Checkers. The point is, if we did not find someone to play with and tried to hoard the gift, Christmas became very boring! And that is exactly what happens to the Christian who id given gifts of the Holy Spirit yet chooses to remain uninvolved in the body of Christ. He gets board!

Gifts are meant to be shared. Gifts are meant to reproduce charity. Gifts are meant to produce spiritual fruit that might abound in eternity. Share them. Use them. Edify the Body!

Prayer: Father, thank you so very much for giving us the privilege of service. Thank you so very much for giving us the tools by which we might be able to bless others. Please give us the motivation to share what You have so graciously given. Help us to see when we are idle, we are the most miserable. Help us to see that participation in the church with the gifts that You have given is one of the ways in which we can be the most contented in our lives! Please, Father, wake us up!

2011-12-19T06:42:00.001-08:00

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:12-13 AV)

There are one of two ways in which we can choose to live in light of the eminent return of Jesus Christ. Since the mid 1800's, the church has believed it is in the later days. With current events such as Israel reestablished in Canaan, to the organization of the world into a one world movement, it is apparent to even the most casual Bible student that the LORD can return at any moment. Heap on top of the the clear apostasy of the church and the godlessness of the world, and there is no wonder the Bible believer is looking for and hastening to the return of his wonderful Savior. But there are one of two ways we can choose to live. With hope, or without hope. We can choose to clean up our own lives and seek to live as separated and godly as we can, or we can give up and live as close to the world, enjoying the pleasures of sin because we know the end is near.

We see this in patients all the time. They are diagnosed with a terminal illness and that terminal illness is caused by poor lifestyle choices. Maybe it was drinking, smoking, drug use, immorality, or poor diet. There is nothing that can be done. No treatment can reverse the symptoms. No transplant can be procured. It may be a matter of months or a few short years. That patient has one of two choice. He can either continue in his lifestyle and enjoy it as long as he wishes, hastening his death; or, he can choose to change his habits and life a better quality of life for a little longer. The choice is his. Many of us would agree that the later is the better option. If wrong and sinful choices got him into this mess, as a matter of principle, why not abandon them even though the consequences cannot be reversed.

The church is making the wrong decision. As we approach the return of Christ, we should be more committed. Not less. We should shed more sin, not stay as we are. We should prepare to meet our Savior in the best possible manner. Not party because we know the world is winding down. We should be in church more, not less. We should reject the world's standards for music, worship, and separation and take a stronger stand on what is right. But we are giving up. We are told we must be more tolerant of cults. We must be more loving towards sodomy. We have to conform or we will be relegated to a mocking sound bite for a popular pol. It is time for the church to accept and embrace revival! It is time for the church to make up her mind! It is time to put away or forms of "Christian entertainment" and embrace the command to assemble together under the preaching of God's word! It is time for real revival because the return of the LORD Jesus Christ is just around the corner.

Prayer: Father, I have to admit, the Devil is pretty subtle in brainwashing us into giving up. The days of world-wide soul-winning revival seem to be rapidly coming to a close. The only "churches" that seem to be growing are those who ask the lost how they want to worship them condescend to the rebellious! God help us! Let us throw off the chains of apathy and recommit to a God who demands holiness! Give us the courage! Give us the strength! Give us revival!

2011-12-18T05:18:00.001-08:00

“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;” (1Ti 4:1-2 AV)

I think this is what scared me the most when it comes to unresolved sin. The searing of the conscience. Note that departing from the faith is the first step. Giving into seducing spirits is the next. Accepting false doctrine follows. Then it ends with a searing of the conscience. But there are two observations here. First, those spoken of here have begun in the faith. They either had an understanding of the gospel and were heading towards salvation, or they were saved. It makes no difference. The next, and the point of this morning's devotion is the possibility of a seared conscience. A conscience that is incapable of feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When we live in habitual and unrepentant sin, eventually we are incapable of feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit and other areas of our lives will fail because of it.

This reality is doubly so in the latter days. The days close to the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. Empty altars will be the mark of the end times. Preaching that no longer convicts the heart wherein the hearer feels compelled to act will become increasingly rare. Gone will be the days when the pews are empty because the people of God will not, or cannot, feel the convicting of the Holy Spirit. We won't even know what it feels like anymore. The salvation decisions recorded will not be real because there was no conviction of sin. A statement of belief without faith will be sufficient to claim salvation. More and more unregenerate candidates will stir the baptismal waters because repentance from sin was not preached for salvation.

But what is equally troubling is the ineffectiveness of the saint to grow in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. He cannot grow because his sin is so deeply ingrained he simply cannot sense the conviction of the Holy Spirit in any part of his life. He has lost the sensitivity he once had and he becomes and stagnant and unliving believer. He replaces the conviction of the Holy Spirit with emotionally manipulative music and calls his experience "spiritual". All the while shutting out the voice of the Holy Spirit that is trying to illuminate sin in the heart. No more weeping over sin. No more godly sorrow that worketh towards repentance, not to be repented of. No more sanctification. No more holiness. No more deep and abiding separation. It is all gone because we have seared the conscience. We cannot hear the voice of God anymore. And we simply do not care.

Prayer: Father, we are in a world of hurt! Much of your church is dull of hearing. We cannot hear Your plain voice screaming above the business of "doing church". We are busy in our own definition of worship, but the convicting of the Holy Spirit is not invited to our party. We don't want any of those "downers". We don't want the humility that comes with Thy Spirit's work. Forgive us, Father, and create in us a clean heart that can be overwhelmed by Thy Spirit's voice again! Please send revival before we become completely Spirit deaf.

2011-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

“But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.” (Php 1:22 AV)

Years ago, there was a comic strip that ran in our Sunday paper for a while. It was called Non Sequitur. I think that's Latin for Non-Starter. It means a position or statement taken as absolute and unchangeable fact and cannot be negotiated. One of the characters in that comic strip was Captain Obvious. A superhero that appeared any time someone made an observation or statement so clearly known that it needed not be said. We hear these types of statements from sports commentators all the time. Like, "Well, if the team isn't doing well on offense, they will be playing defense." Duh! Paul's statement here is a non-starter. It is obvious. If Paul is going to live his life to please the LORD, then prison and perhaps martyrdom is the fruit of that labor. It is a natural conclusion. But what Paul says next is a little convicting. Even though the fruit of his labor is trials, he cannot choose between staying and suffering for Christ and others, or going home to an eternity with Christ.

We desperately need more Pauls. Men and women who will accept the fruit of their labors in the LORD. People who know the cost of serving the LORD without compromise and willing to suffer reproach for the cause of Christ. People who claim salvation, then tread where their lives may by changed by hard or challenging times. People who are torn between the sufferings which the cause of Christ bring, or eternity is glory. People who know what it is like to stick their necks out and endure criticism, attacks, and even reproaches. Men and women who throw caution to the wind for the sole purpose of proclaiming Holiness to the LORD in the form of salvation to others and separated, holy lives.

We desperately need Pauls. In a world of comfort and ease, there is seldom a Paul who can look beyond his own little world to see the greater cause. We need Pauls! We need them now!

Prayer: Father, our world is going to the devil and there doesn't seem like anyone is willing to pay the cost to change that. We are so selfish with our tastes in music, our Christian liberty, or our preferences of doctrine and Bibles that we are unwilling to stand in truth, nothing wavering. We lost our backbone generations ago and have no absolutes to declare. Please, Father, raise us up some Pauls! Raise us up some men and women who would dare to go against the popular tide. We need Pauls. And we need them now!

2011-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

“But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Eph 5:13-14 AV)

There is a scary event that happens to me every day. It is so scary that my heart jumps a beat or two. Sometimes it happens in the middle of the night. Sometimes in the wee hours of the morning. But mostly, it happens first thing in the day. It cannot be avoided. There is no way around it. It happens whether I want it too or not. And what is worse, sometimes others are effected by it. They are shocked, as much as I, that it would be as bad as it is. It has to be fixed really quick or the image of it is permanently burned in the brain and I am sure others have had nightmares about it. What is it? What could be so hideous that myself and others are marred for life? MORNING FACE!

Each morning I get up and as most of us do, retire to the restroom. On goes the light and because one must face the mirror when turning on the light switch, there I am. In full ugliness! My hair never rests straight after a night of sleep. I have a thick and full head of hair that has a mind of it's own. After a shower, I have to cement my hair in place with enough wax to light an entire city! I look like a zombie who lost a beauty contest. It's horrible! When I stay with family, they have the unfortunate experience of seeing me before I have a chance to get fixed up. I am sure my wife's family has been tempted to call Animal Control when I roll out of bed. Whatever they see, it cannot be human.

But that is what light does. It shows all the flaws. No matter what kind of like, natural or manmade, it reveals the problems. And that is what our passage teaches us. Paul is encouraging this church to shed light on the sins of the church. By the word of God and compassionate ministry, faults must be revealed and addressed. Sooner or later, the light will go on. Better to fix it before it becomes too repulsive. And we cannot be offended at the light. Maybe someone isn't as tactful as we wish. But if they observe a fault, then we need to thank God for the light. Light is good. Even though the view may not be, it affords an opportunity for change. And change is a good thing!

Prayer: Father, we need that light. It might be uncomfortable at first. Our eyes may have to get used to it. We may have to be honest with what we see. But the light is good. And as Paul says, once the light is shone, we need to awaken out of our complacency and do something about what we see!

2011-12-15T06:36:00.000-08:00

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?” (Phm 1:15-16 AV)

Philemon was a slave owner in the church of Colosse. Being a slave owner was not as it was in early American history. Servants were not bought and sold as property. They were seen as human beings. More than likely, Philemon was a wealthy individual and he paid off debt owed by Onesimus. Onesimus became an indentured servant. Assuming that Philemon was a fair and just master, a born-again Christian who was dedicated to the church at Colosse, and a good man, Onesimus would have had no justification to run away. Under Roman law, a run-away servant was brought to trial and could result in pretty serious consequences. It also appears that in some way, Onesimus defrauded Philemon, either by lost wages, or by theft. Paul states to charge whatever was lost to his account. While imprisoned in Rome, Paul witnesses to Onesimus and wins him to the LORD. If Paul knew Philemon (Paul won him to the LORD while at Colosse), then more than likely he knew Onesimus as well. What Onesimus did was out of pure spite and not because of the master Philemon was. What I found edifying was meditating on the reunion these two must have had.

Imagine the feelings Philemon must have had learning Onesimus ran away and stole from him in the process. Now, Paul writes a letter telling Philemon that his servant got saved and is a new person. He is to welcome him back not as a servant, but as a fellow believer. The grace that it must have taken to do that! To rejoice enough in the salvation of someone who has done him wrong and to treat him better than he was treated when he left. What grace! But this goes to show were we should be. No matter what someone has done to us, if they have received Christ, all our feeling should be dissolved. There should be immediate and thorough forgiveness which is replaced with overwhelming joy.

It is one thing to forgive if there is no restoration of a relationship. But the master/servant relationship would still be in force. And now it is complicated by both being saved. It is further complicated by the servant taking for granted the benevolence and charity of the Christian he has wronged. No doubt, if salvation was real and deep, the first thing Onesimus must have done is to ask forgiveness. The second thing Onesimus most likely did was to tack on more time for his service to pay for what was lost. Having done all he could do to make it right, Philemon more than likely welcomed him back with opened arms! What a picture of how restoration should happen!

Prayer: Father, Jesus tells us to pray for those who despitefully use us. He tells us to turn the other cheek. He teaches us to pray for and win our enemies. This we should do! But it is not easy. Please, Father, help us to do the right thing! Help us to forgive and forget! Help us to rejoice!

2011-12-14T08:34:00.001-08:00

“So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.” (Ac 28:9-10 AV)

When the ship Paul was sailing on became wrecked on the Island of Melita, all but the souls were lost. All their material belongings and needed supplies were lost. All there food, provisions, and personal belongings sank to the bottom. They only escaped with their lives. This ship included criminals, centurions, and many other lost folk. Paul was the minority. He, and his traveling companions were most likely the only believers on that ship and on that island. But when Paul began to minister, he had more friends than he could count. And as he began to minister, everyone around him benefited even to the point that the Melita citizens replaced what was lost so they could continue on their journey.

Think about what Paul was doing. He was wrongly arrested. He was on his way to a trial in Rome. He was pursued by Jewish rebels who wanted nothing more than to end his life. Yet, he is working miracles in the Island of Melita that will assist in those ends. If the people of Melita help, then he will be on his way to Rome. But what struck me is how many people who did not deserve it, benefited by the ministry of Paul. His advise saved all of their lives. He healed many on the Island of Melita. And it is never revealed now many made a spiritual decision because of it.

When the church is allowed to minister freely, then the community at large benefits. Even if they never darken the doorway of the church, the church's presence does benefit them. From charity shared with the community to staying the hand of the wicked, the churches influence should effect the community at large. Lord willing, the community will respond by making spiritual decisions. This is an encouragement to continue on the good fight of faith.

Prayer: Father, help us to believe that our labors are not in vain. That our efforts to make an impact on those around us. Help us to see that if we invest in others around us, that we will indeed see some fruit by it!

2011-12-13T06:32:00.000-08:00

“And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” (Ac 26:29 AV)

There isn't a saved person who does not want all people to be saved! To desire someone be damned forever is almost unheard of. We all express our hope that many if not all come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But the extent that we try to make that happen shows how much we really have internalized that belief.

Paul was testifying before two men who could take his life. If he had said the wrong thing, or if he turned on them, then his life and ministry would be over. Paul even had the opportunity to pay a fine and be free when Felix sent the oftener to receive a bribe. Rather, Paul wanted to go to Rome and plead the cause for Christianity to the Emperor himself. The most powerful man on the planet who would kill Christians would have to listen to the gospel message from Paul. Paul was willing to pay with his life that another would hear the gospel message. What are we willing to do?

We often do that which comes easiest for us. Preachers can get behind the pulpit and preach the gospel message in a safe and expected environment. The people can leave it to the preacher or deacons to get out and share the good news. We can give money to those who need it, but to spend time and tell them of their need of a Savior, that involves a little risk. We can give the kids snacks and games, but to sit them down and teach the Bible may result in them not returning. We don't want to tell others their sin is risky, hurtful, and offensive to God because if we do, they might not fellowship with us. We say we want them to come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but we do not press for repentance from sin. In our wish to be accepted, we are damning others to eternity. We say we want everyone to be saved, but we are not willing to do what it takes to make it happen.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for our selfishness. Forgive us for our self-centeredness. Forgive us for carrying more about ourselves that we do to get the truth of the gospel to a lost and dying world. Please, Father, convict our hearts heavily of our duty to witness to others!

2011-12-12T16:18:00.001-08:00

“And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.” (Ac 23:9 AV)

With friends like this, who needs enemies? Paul discerned he was in a no win situation. He saw that half the crowd was sadduces and the other Pharisees. Paul, being a convert from the Pharisee sect, used this to his advantage and brought up a major doctrinal dispute these two groups held, gaining the unsaved Pharisees to his aid. No doubt it wouldn't last long. These same Pharisees gave him trouble in Antioch and Galatia. But for the moment, they were getting him out of a jam. What Paul did was found a common enemy of someone who could assist him. Later, this would not be good enough.

But what struck me as ironic was the hypocrisy of these Pharisees. They were ready to kill Paul the first chance they had. They were ready to destroy his ministry. To to Pharisee, a converted Paul was a discredit to the sect. He was a real danger to the movement. That is, until the question of the resurrection was brought up and the Sadducees objected. Paul was taking a big gamble here. He used his natural enemies for his temporary benefit. In time, they would realize just what he did and their desire for vengeance would be increased.

It may be advantageous at the moment to make agreements with those whom we think we need, but bear in mind by changing allegiances that quick, they are showing their hypocrisy. Eventually that same hypocrisy will turn to bit one back. They may even compliment you on the job you are doing. But that is only because they like the other less than you!

Prayer: Father, we are not standing in judgment of Paul. He had to do what he had to do in order to stay alive. All we ask is wisdom to understand the agreements we enter into with others. Let us stop and consider that an enemy turned friend by any other motive than salvation and Thy glory will not remain a friend. Please help us to have faith and assess all relationships in the light of Thy truth!

2011-12-11T05:36:00.001-08:00

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Ro 15:13 AV)

There is a direct link between joy, peace, and believing. The ones who have the deepest faith are often the same ones with the deepest joy and peace. They know that God is faithful! That no matter how things may appear on the outside, God is still working His perfect will. No matter what others may think or feel, the LORD has not lost control. He is still ruling over the affairs of His creation.

Growing up in the snow belt has afforded many experiences of danger. The times that we traveled on the road in a blinding snow storm are probably too many to count. My grandparents lived about thirty minutes from where we grew up and we would go to see them every other week. No doubt there were times we probably shouldn't have traveled because of the snow. But as kids, it really didn't dawn on us how hairy it could be. Every once in a while, my Mom would be more agitated as usual with our antics in the back seat. But that was only because she was nervous as we traveled in rough weather. But for the most part, we were either fast asleep in the back of the station wagon, or having a wonderful time with our siblings as we trekked back home. There was no reason to fear that our Dad would not drive us safely back to our warm beds. He had made this trip countless times and in all sorts of weather. And just because the snow was falling at the rate of a foot an hour, it made no difference. We had made it before and my Dad was a master behind the wheel. Joy and peace filled the family car because we believed that Dad was more than capable to care for his family.

Fear and unbelief have just the opposite effect. Agitation, strife, envy, etc. all come from a heart of unbelief. It is easy to say but hard to attain: simply believe and life will vastly improve.

Prayer: Father, as the father of the sick child said, we believe. Help thou our unbelief! Thank you for saving our wretched souls! Thank you for your hand of care, guiding us through life's obstacles. What we ask is a calming Spirit upon our hearts and a meditative mind that we might believe in You sovereign hand. We must believe. We want that joy and peace. And in order to get it, we need to believe. Help us Father!

2011-12-10T07:28:00.001-08:00

“For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.” (Ro 11:16 AV)

Paul is dealing with a division between the Jewish and Gentile believers in the book of Romans. The Jewish believers are having a hard time accepting that Gentiles can be saved and share in the covenants with Israel. But a quick study of the book of Isaiah shows that Gentiles will indeed enjoy the covenants with Israel. The Gentiles, on the other hand, took too much comfort in the fact that God had put Israel on the shelf and was turning to the Gentiles to spread the gospel. They began to look down on the Jewish believers and somewhat of outcasts because of the nations disobedience. The above verse is directed towards the Gentiles and is instructing them of the holiness of Israel. The root is still intact. The foundation is still pure. Even though Israel rejected Christ the first time, there is enough remaining that when He returns the second time, they will repent and flourish as God intended. As long as there is a foundation; as long as the roots still remain, there is hope.

I have enough experience with churches and people to know that foundations mean a lot. No matter what the condition of the church or person, giving enough time and trials, they always revert back to the foundation which God has laid. Good or bad, the church or individual will go back to that which is comfortable and familiar. I have seen this time and again with churches. The reason they were established, regardless of what a constitution or doctrinal statement reads, is what they will revert back to when things are difficult. If the church was started because of a split over a standard or way of doing things as opposed to a clear doctrinal difference, when things get tough, it will split again. If it was established because they believed there was no "good" church around, the will revert back to elitism when crisis arises.

The same is true of the saint. How they were saved and the foundation that was laid immediately upon salvation is what they revert back to when crisis comes in. If it was a new way of doing things, an incentive other than repentance, or peer pressure to conform, those motivating factors will be what he or she relies upon when things are tough. The point is this. There is hope for a church or a person, regardless of present condition, if the right foundation was laid from the beginning. If the church was established for the positive reason of being a local assembly of believers committed to the great commission, then that is what will establish them is times of trial. If the saint was discipled and mentored on how to live the Christian life; if the foundation of the Bible and not other acts of worship was laid; if they were taught that conformity to Christlikeness is the purpose of life's events, then when things get challenging, that is what they will rely upon. And there is hope because the root system is still intact. How we start is imperative to finishing well!

Prayer: Father, help us to see the importance of foundation. Help us to see that there has to be a strong footer in which to lay the rest of the house. Help us to have hope that no matter what may lie ahead, this foundation will stand. And help us to have hope that no matter what happens, if the foundation was right, we can still be built up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD!

2011-12-09T08:55:00.001-08:00

“For he will finish the work, and cut [it] short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” (Ro 9:28 AV)

This passage comes from Isa 10:20-23. The prophet is pronouncing the eventual return of Christ and the re-establishment of Israel for a thousand year reign. This short work is the return of Christ and defeat of the Antichrist. It will be very short and the kingdom will be established in righteousness. The reign of the Antichrist will be a seven year reign. To us, that may seem like a very long time for evil to run unabated. But to and eternal God, it is a short time.

Just because we fail to see the LORD work in obvious ways to establish righteousness, does not mean that He is not. It just might be that the LORD is not as tolerant or patient as we assume He is. God is a God of righteousness! He will strive to establish it here on earth, but most certainly in eternity. God has promised to protect His church. If unrighteousness is allowed to run rampant, the LORD will and does make quick work of rooting it out.

I don't know about anyone else, but I really appreciate a God who makes righteousness the highest priority! I thank God himself for working in the lives of the saints, making a short work, that they may live a life of righteousness. He makes a short work of it. God does not, nor can He, tolerate sin, specially in the lives of believers. He will deal with it. He will chasten. He will encourage towards obedience. He will not abandon the work of His hands and He will perfect that which concerns the saint. His church is no different. He will chasten those who seem to cause problems for the body of Christ that is counter productive to unity and harmony. I have seen many saints pay the price of strife, disunity, and murmuring in the lives of their own children and grandchildren. Many saints cannot connect the dots of their attitude with the circumstances of life. They backbit the church and God's man, then wonder why their children have no interest in church. God will and does make a short work. He will deal with it. And he most assuredly will.

Prayer: Father, how foolish we are to think we will get away with anything. How foolish we are to presume upon your grace. How foolish we are to live a life of unconfessed sin, refusing to change a thing, and then thinking we will not have to suffer for it. Please, Father, help us to wise up before You are forced to deal with it. Praise Thy name for loving and instilling righteousness among your people! Please, Father, continue to do so no matter what the cost.

2011-12-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

“And the commandment, which [was ordained] to life, I found [to be] unto death.” (Ro 7:10 AV)

Has your parent given a rule and than said something like, "I'm doing this for your won good?" Perhaps it was when we approached our teen years and as we sought to exercise liberty and responsibility, they made rules that governed that liberty. We didn't understand it at the time, but given a little more maturity, we saw how that rule or boundary protected us against some foolish choices that would have resulted in the loss of liberty.

My father was very generous when it came to his eleven children using the family car. Looking back on it, I wonder what was going through his mind when there was three teenage drivers at any one time wanting to use the family car and taking who knows where. But he had some rules. We had to always, always, always, put fuel in the car if we were going to use it. It could not be used for private errands or trips unless it was cleared with all in the house. We were never, ever, ever to get any ticket for any infraction ever! To do so meant the loss of the car for the remainder or our natural life, our own insurance policy, and our own set of wheels. There had to be at least one more sibling that would ride along as a spy! His or her job was to report back to Dad regarding our driving habits. We had to know how to change a flat tire, check the oil, and basic troubleshooting. And there were certain areas of town we were never allowed to go. These restrictions may have hampered our style. But they were meant to keep us safe and alive! They were ordained to life.

God wants all of us to have the most rewarding and enriching life possible! He created us to live a life far beyond our imagination. But to do so, we must live according to the designs of the master. And that includes following His law. The law was given that mankind would live as God designed. His law is ordained to life. But we behave like rebellious adolescents who think the Bible is nothing more than a rule book to hamper our enjoyment of life. And nothing could be further from the truth. Embrace the law. Live in the law! Then life becomes less of having to deal with consequences of sinful choices and more about enjoying the blessings associated with living right!

Prayer: Father, it is a wonder that we do not see Your law with the intention in which You provided it. Why cannot we see the law as a good thing? Why are we always trying to find a way around it, or turning our back on it completely? We are only hurting ourselves! Please forgive us for our immaturity and please help us to wake up before we do serious damage to ourselves and others!

2011-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

“Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” (Ro 3:27 AV)

I love this truth! All bragging and boasting comes to an end in Christ! In our text, the topic is salvation. But for life it applies as well. It is Christ who saves the soul! It is Christ who changes the life! It is Christ, by the influences and indwelling of the Holy Spirit who enables the saint to life a God honoring life! It is Christ who does it all and who deserves all the credit!

Every once in a while one sees a refreshing interview of a sports star. A humble, and probably a saved, quarterback receives and honor for his play. Perhaps for en entire season. He could hog the spotlight, but instead, he realizes there are ten other men on that field at exactly the same time he is, and there is no way he could accomplish what he did without them as equal participants in the contest. He knows there are five men in front of him that protect and open up holes for the running back. He knows that a great running back opens up the passing game. He understands there has to be awesome receivers on the other end of the pass or there would be no stats to mention. He appreciates the influence and faith his coach showed towards him, the conditioning coach who pushed him to build muscle mass and prepare that he might escape injury, and the quarterbacks coach who watched his every move that a little adjustment here and there would dramatically improve his game. Then, the most important accolade of all goes to his family and his God. Because without them, any success would be impossible.

And so it should be with every saint. We have no standing to take any credit for anything! It is all because of what Christ has done! It is all because of His grace and power! And what we should feel, instead of pride, is deep and abiding gratitude that He would even bestow upon us the privilege to be in His hand! What an unspeakable gift!

Prayer: Father, there are no words to express just how thankful we are for Your mercy, love, and blessings of life! Thank You so much! Forgive us for even once, taking the credit that so thoroughly belongs to Christ! Forgive us! And please, Father, don't let the ride end!

2011-12-06T09:26:00.001-08:00

“Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” (2Co 13:3-4 AV)

Apparently, the Corinthians still brought into question the authority given to Paul as an Apostle. They had their eyes on the wrong proof! Verse three teaches us the Corinthians were seeking proof of Christ speaking in and by Paul, because they deemed it weak. But Paul says his preaching and teaching accomplished just the opposite. The results of his teaching and preaching was mighty! It was mighty within them individually. Then note the example given. Christ was crucified in a moment of physical weakness. But he was raised and exists by the power of God. The proof of Christ is that he lives! Not the miracles his once performed. And that was the Corinthian's problem.

Remember, the Corinthian Christian was very shallow. They were very immature and carnal. They judged by the outward appearance. They boasted of the spiritual sign gifts. The more they exercised their sigh gifts, the more spiritual they must be. And the placed more value on the temporary sign gifts than they did the permanent spiritual gifts. Because they were more spectacular to witness and an obvious sign of the Holy Spirit, those who had them were perceived as more authoritative. Paul is recorded to have performed miracles in the book of Acts. But they were less spectacular and in response to a spontaneous situation. Jesus and even Peter seemed to perform these miracles as a means to prove who Christ was. Paul generally preformed them as ministry of helps to the saved. The reason is easy to find. The Jews seek as sign. The Greeks seek after wisdom. Those to whom Paul was called did not need signs and miracles as those to whom Christ as Peter were sent.

The point is this. Christ lives by the power of the Godhead. And even though Paul may have appeared weaker because he performed less miracles and with a different purpose, the proof of his ministry was the change that was wrought by the preaching and teaching given to him. Today, there are many measuring sticks held up to men who claim to be called. But the one measuring rod that should be the greatest consideration is his pulpit and classroom ministry. Does he know his Bible? Does the ministry of the Word of God by his tongue change the lives of those around him? They wanted proof? The proof was themselves. They fact they were saved and they dealt with the sin of the church as Paul instructed is proof of his authority. Today, we look at charisma, talent, and exterior indicators because we do not know the Bible well enough to tell if someone is teaching it correctly. The proof is in changed lives by the application of the scriptures.

Prayer: Father, in today's churches we are more and more devaluing the teaching and preaching of the Word in favor of an experience. And the charismatic leader who can get up and lead a group into a "deep experience" is seen as a more genuine and spiritual leader than the one who knows and can teach the Bible. We have surrendered our services to the Worship Teams and the preacher gets no more than forty-five minutes a week. Shame on us! Forgive us for our carnality and bring revival to our pews!

2011-12-05T08:06:00.001-08:00

“For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.” (2Co 9:2 AV)

There was this young man in my son's class that apply describes the later part of this verse. This young man had an infectious personality and an energy level far beyond ten people. I have never seen a person quite like him. He could manage a dozen different and unrelated responsibilities all at the same time. At present, he is attending a division one school triple majoring and passing. Although is mental gifts are off the charts (he scored a perfect score on his ACTs), it is he zeal that motivates him to accomplish so much. However, that zeal that he has carried with him a large group of others who help him in whatever plans he might have. He need not boss around people. He needn't dominate people. All he does is show so much zeal that others want to be around him. Zeal goes a long way in motivating others to do what needs to be done.

This church at Corinth had some severe problems. But God used Paul to take a character trait they had and re-focus it in the right way. These people were impulsive, zealous, yet unprincipled. No doubt this carnal church accomplished a lot. But much of what they accomplished was misguided and ended in severe sin. They may have had their problems, but giving was not one of them. And this is what Paul is referencing here. In their zeal to give and meet the needs of Paul's ministry, there were other churches motivated to do the same. They saw what this poor little church did, and believing God would bless them as well, stepped out on faith giving beyond measure as well.

To understand where Corinth's zeal came from is very important. It wasn't zeal for zeal's sake. It was zeal that came because these people understood just how far from God's will they were, and appreciated God forgiving them for it. Sort of like the zeal one feels right after they are saved! It is zeal based upon repentance from sin and a feeling of forgiveness. It is not the zeal that most of our contemporary churches are built upon today. Today, the zeal is based on a new style of music or a new idea of ministry. This zeal is temporary and does not last. The zeal we need today is the same zeal the old time churches had. Based upon our unworthiness and God's grace, this zeal is excited about the liberty of being set free from sin and guilt. That is the zeal we need today! And this zeal is infectious!

Prayer: Father, to say we need zeal in an understatement! We desperately need Holy Ghost zeal! We need the energy that zeal can bring. Bring us that zeal that is based on repentance! Not the zeal the world brings. Not the zeal based on temporary inventions of men. But real and deep zeal that can only come from revival!

2011-12-04T05:05:00.001-08:00

“For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I [forgive] also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave [it], for your sakes [forgave I it] in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2Co 2:9-11 AV)

What particular transgression is forgiven here is not known. Many suppose it t be the man taken in an incestuous relationship with his Stepmother. Let us remember, though, that Paul would not have forgiven this man had not the church resolved the situation. He would not have forgiven him if the church did nothing about it and this evil and wicked relationship still continued. One of two things must have happened. Either this man and his stepmother repented and asked forgiveness of the church, or they were excommunicated and the church, although they could not receive him back into fellowship, forgave him nonetheless. The sin was dealt with, and regardless of what the guilty person decided to do, forgiveness is still granted.

Which is a wonderful picture of how we need to treat those who have wronged us or the church. Even if we cannot condone their present situation, even though they are still continuing in sin, even though we may not be able to have fellowship with them because of their rebellion, does not mean that we cannot forgive. But it is that later phrase that I really want to meditate on. The absence of forgiveness is the Devil's device. Paul states that unity in the body of Christ is one of the highest priorities of the church. Disunity is the Devil's device. If he can stir up a crowd, or if he can get a portion of the crowd to hand on to resentment, bitterness, or unforgiveness, then he can cause great harm in the church. And there are people who thrive on disunity and chaos.

In our part of the country, there are people who still fly the confederate flag. They proudly stand against anything and everything. To them, the war has never ended. Resentment over a loss, no matter the moral rightness or wrongness of it, does not matter. They are still fighting a fight that was resolved over a hundred years ago. In the Corinthian church, what was done needed to be done. There was sin in the camp. More than likely there were hurt feelings. After all, until Paul dealt with it, they gloried in this man's sin. No doubt there were people who felt is sin wasn't worthy of excommunication. They felt they merely needed to love one another. But the Apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, demanded confrontation and purification. No doubt, after the dust settled, there was bitterness, resentment, and hurt feelings. But if the church would forgive this man, so too will Paul. They have to go on. And the have to go on as one body.

Prayer: Father, help us to see just how disunity in the body of Christ is a tool of the Devil. Help us to see that an unforgiving heart, in particular, is the soil upon which the Devil can sow his seed of discontent. Help us to see how destructive the Devil is and what it means to the church if we do not learn to forgive. If we do not Father, the Devil has won!

2011-12-03T06:19:00.001-08:00

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.” (1Co 16:13-14 AV)

"Quit you like men" means act like a man. The world has an idea of what that means, but the LORD has something completely different in mind. The understanding of being a man is similar, but how to work it out is not the same. Note here in these verses that watching, standing, and strength are all qualities of acting like a man. The same is true with the world. Watching for any harm that might come our way. Protecting that which is our responsibility to protect. Watching out for our families, our homes, our churches, and our country is definitely a manly thing. Standing on principle no matter what is absolutely a manly thing. Not backing down when we know we are right is often the only way to get respect. To compromise would appear weak. It was by the principle of self-determination and liberty which our forefathers stood upon to fight our war of freedom. It is principle that guides the Christian businessman to take care of his employees. It is truth that grounds the saintly father in his leadership of the home. And strength! That is perhaps the epitome of what it means to be a man. How many call to remembrance the often seen picture of a strong muscular man kicking sand in the face of the little scrawny man trying to impress his date? This scrawny man finally stands up to the muscle man and pulverizes him lest he lose face in front of his love! Strength.

Standing in strength is an attribute we all have, to some degree or another. But every once in a while things get a little overbearing. They test the resolve of our inner strength and character. Are we willing to continue no matter how difficult it might be? It might be a physical problem that drains our strength and takes that which is important to a man! It might be family issues, church problems, or personal issues. But standing in strength is what we need to do. But notice the next verse. Paul tells us that we are to do all things with charity. Which is probably the hardest of all.

Paul tells the Corinthian church that fighting or striving for the gospel is necessary. But fighting one another is not on the agenda. Charity! It is often the more manly thing and requires more humility and strength than to stir things up and fight. To remain steadfast on our position while still knowing how to show charity is the mark of a wise and manly man. Stand strong! But stand strong with charity.

Prayer: Father, there are times when we simply want to roll things up and walk off. But that is not being a man. We need to continue on, fighting the good fight of faith. But for those of us whose disposition it is to fight on every little thing, we need to understand the principle of charity! Help us, Father, to find that balance. To stay in the battle, but also balance that disposition with charity!

2011-12-02T08:42:00.001-08:00

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (1Co 13:7 AV)

The thirteenth chapter of first Corinthians deals with charity. Most modern translations substitute the word love for charity and really miss the point. Love may be sacrificial. But love is not anonymous, and it does have a hope of love in return. Charity, on the other hand, is often done in private and has no expectation or hope of charity in return. Charity, in essence, is a higher level of love. And charity may even be the highest level of love.

But what the LORD wants us to meditate on this morning is the last quality of charity mentioned in this verse. Endureth all things. It puts up with all things. It has patience and forbears even the most unruly behavior. It is not compromising, but charity does show restraint in reacting emotionally to behavior that might not be acceptable. But charity also endures in the sense that it doesn't quite simply because another is not acting charitably. It endures regardless if his charity is acknowledged, recognized, or appreciated. It endures because it has hope that if shown enough charity, the individual might be benefited by it. They might change.

When I we in my adolescent and preteen years, I met this guy Marc through boy scouts. He joined our troop and didn't hit it off. He was one of those kids that everyone else thought was a little annoying. Our patrol went over to his house one Saturday for some type of activity, in the hopes of trying to make him feel a part, but it didn't work that well. Marc still remained really annoying to the rest of us. But I had a choice to make. Being an outcast myself, I could have either used him to gain popularity in the patrol by joining in their mockeries, or I could befriend him as someone who knew what it was like. I wasn't an annoying kid, but I was an outcast because my father taught me principles which I lived by. I was one of those "goody-too-shoes". Marc invited my over to his house one Saturday. I remember that I didn't want to go because the day that I did, my friends would label me as an outcast. But I went anyway. I wasn't that bad at all. We spent the day together messing around in the back yard and the neighborhood. I endured because someone else needed me to. I bore the reproach because another was in need of a friend. I always wondered what became of Marc. He turned out really well. An officer in the U.S. Air Force ain't a bad way to live a life! Endurance! Putting up with stuff for the sake of others. Helping them along life's way. And to tell the truth, that experience I had with Marc, in part, made me who I am today. His friendship to me meant a great deal!

Prayer: Father, if we are honest, sometimes people cause us to quite. We have had enough and our patience runs out. We cannot deal with some of the foolishness and we simply want to go and find a place were people act as they should. What we truly need, though, is a heart of charity. To endure all things. To put up with behavior that is not acceptable for the opportunity to mentor.

2011-12-01T07:16:00.000-08:00

“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” (1Co 10:10 AV)

There are few sins in which the Devil is passionate about like this one. He is intimately involved in sins like murder or idolatry. And murmuring in another. Complaining and gossip is the Devil's territory. If he can incite the people of God to complain, become discontented, and gossip about the LORD's church or the LORD's man, then he accomplishes his goal of destroying what is important to God. When this happened in Exodus and Numbers, those who murmured where eventually destroyed by the LORD. And that is exactly what happens to those who cannot keep from complaining, judgmental words, or prideful observations. And sometimes this destruction comes at the expense of those dearest to them.

What is so sad is those who would complain the loudest often have the greatest to loose. Nu 16:27 shows us the end of three men who could not stop from complaining against Moses. "So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children." It wasn't just the three men who complained and murmured who lost their lives. It was their whole family. Murmuring is the result of a faithless heart! The children of Israel refused to trust God and conquer the promised land. So they were doomed to wander in the wilderness to eke out a pointless future. They murmured and died off in the wilderness.

Churches have seen one discontented and murmuring family after another suffer the consequences of judgmental attitudes. The fall out is usually found in the next generation. Their children or grandchildren fall away from the LORD because Mom and Dad did nothing but complain about the man of God, the LORD's church, or God's blessing. We wonder why our kids fall away and we do not realize that if all we did was murmur about church, why would they want to be a miserable? The murmurer will be destroyed. By his own discontentment. He will pass that cancer on to his family and in the end, the church will be fine, because God has promised to protect it. But that which is dear to the murmurer will be lost.

Prayer: Father, we need a miracle in our hearts. This world teaches us to be discontent. It teaches us to look at the negative side of things. To concentrate on what is wrong rather than rejoice in what is right. Forgive us for our discontentment which ends in murmuring. We understand that You will protect Your man and Your church. So even if we complain, it will not result in the harm we wish. All it will do is harm what is dear to us. Please, Father, do a work of grace in our hearts before we loose that which is dear.

2011-11-30T07:08:00.001-08:00

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” (1Co 8:1-3 AV)

At issue here is holding opinions verses acting upon those opinions. Specifically, at issue is whether someone could eat meat that was offered to a pagan god. When there was a sacrifice offered to a pagan god, that which was left over was sold in the shambles, or market place. The Jewish converts would take offense to eating this meat because of the intended purpose for it. Even though the meat they were eating was left over, and since there was no such thing as these false gods, then Gentile converts didn't see a problem. They did not participate in the pagan rituals in order to attain the meat, not were they condoning the false religion by purchasing cheaper cuts left over from these sacrifices. But the Hebrew converts were offended.

Note here that all have knowledge. This means that all have an opinion. They all have strong feelings about this issue of liberty. They can all defend it from biblical principles. The Hebrew can press the principle of separation while the Gentile can press the principle of liberty. Each correct in their position. But what Paul is stating is no matter how well or strongly we hold to our opinion, charity for others, and our love for God, is far more important.

There is much we can see in these verses. Such as, Paul tells us that we don't know it all! We only know what the LORD allows us to know! And no more. Thinking we know, or taking pride in knowing, puffs up. But showing charity edifies the other. Let's face it. We are all opinionated in one way or another. But we better be very careful as to how we express our opinions! This reminds me of the "water cooler" scene in the movie Fiddler on the Roof. A bunch of Jewish men are all standing around the milkman's cart and pontificating on issues of the day. They start yelling and screaming at one another. It ends up ok at the end because they refer to the Rabbi for final judgment. But in some of our families and churches today, we do not use that resource. We fight and argue until feelings get hurt, ignoring the Bible and holding to our opinions, and this edifies no one! Let us remember the important thing here. Our love for others and God is what edifies the body and the world!

Prayer: Father, help us to see our opinions have an effect on all those around us. Even if we think we are right, it doesn't mean that it has to be that way. There would be no harm in the Gentiles to refrain from eating because they knew the Hebrews would be offended. Please give us this heart of charity towards others. Help us to hold our tongues that we not harm others. And forgive us for being so rash with our opinions.

2011-11-29T07:50:00.001-08:00

“And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.” (1Co 4:12-13 AV)

The church at Corinth is an interesting church. It had many problems, but the source of those problems began because the church was not unified to begin with. Paul makes this statement because in the next few chapters, he will sharply rebuke this church for their disunity and immorality. He knows that his remarks will not sit well initially. He knows that there will be people who will not appreciate what he has to say and that, at least initially, will not accept the truth. He knows that harsh things will be thought and said. He knows that others will not think highly of him. But those things he needs to say are right and true. For the sake of the glory of God and the future of the church, he needs to say them.

But what struck me is how Paul responds in just the opposite way to how he is being treated. If he is reviled, then in response, he blesses. If he is persecuted, then he suffers it. If he is being defamed, rather than try to defend himself, he intreats. Much easier said than done. Turning the other cheek is hard enough. Now the LORD is asking us to respond exactly the opposite are respond in a totally different way? How hard is that? But Christ is our example!

At the trial preceding his death, Christ never rebuked those who were accusing him. He never responded in kind. He never attacked back when he was being systematically defamed and mocked. He could have. But he did not. What is astounding is our Savior died for the very people who mistreated him. From the soldiers who plucked his hair from his beard to Pontious Pilate who sent him to his death. Christ died for them too. The soldiers who nailed those cruel nails in his hands and feet, or the soldier who pierced his side. He did for them too. Those who would mock and challenge him to come off the cross, or the soldiers who rolled dice for his garments, he died for them too. And he cried from the cross, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." He forgave and he wished them salvation!

Responding in a Christ like way is harder to do than we realize. But if we are going to grow in Christ, then we must.

Prayer: Father, there isn't a soul alive who could say we have this down. For us to ask that You would change us that we might have this spirit would almost seem impossible. We know that You can do all things. We know that You can change even the most vilest of offenders. But it just seems that when it comes to responding in a Christlike manner, regardless of how we are treated, is next to impossible. Please, Father, we beg of thee, help Thou us!

2011-11-28T06:39:00.000-08:00

“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” (Ac 19:8-10 AV)

Paul learned a very valuable lesson here. He went into the synagogue and preached Jesus to the Jews. In the course of his ministry, some were saved, but many were not. He continued in the synagogue but those who rejected became so hardened against the gospel, he had to take what little converts he had out of the Jewish house of worship and join himself with a Greek school of philosophy. When he left the Jewish synagogue and joined with a Greek school, then his congregation became a balanced one of Jews and Gentiles and it grew. It would figure that those with whom he had the most in common, the Jews, would be most receptive to the message. After all, they had the Old Testament. They had the words of God. They understood the promises. All they needed to do was to connect the dots. But such was not the case. He had to go outside of what seemed to be the most logical way and accomplish it God's way. But he also learned the basic principle of separation. Even though the Christian had more in common with the Jew than he did the Greek Philosopher, it simply wouldn't work. For Paul and his church to grow, he had to come out from among them. He had to separate from them. If he did not, the Gentiles would never have been accepted.

Separation is one of the Baptist Distinctives. It is one of those core beliefs that makes Baptist different from most other 'Christian' denominations. Among other are Biblical authority, autonomy of the local church, priesthood of the believer, etc. Separation also means liberty. Paul did not wish to make enemies of the unconverted Jews. He did not desire to make them unduly upset. But it just wasn't going to work. He did all that he could do and in order for the gospel to have free course, then he had to separate from the lost who would not be converted.

Whether we think so or not, the world is not a friend of the gospel. We are called to reach the world. We are called to love the world unto Christ. But we cannot hope for and wish for the world to accept the gospel message and get along with it. It just will not happen. Even if the world accepts 99% of the gospel message, it will become an enemy of the gospel over the 1%. As much as we do not like it, the world does not accept the Bible as their final authority. Even if the accept 90% of it, the 10% will become divisive and become contrary even to the 90% which was first accepted.

The church is falling into the trap of building itself on what they world wants to see in a church. She is adapting to the world's demands of music, immodesty, worldly entertainment, and lack of absolutes. She is being sold a bill of goods from the market driven church growth philosophy, and it will never work! Eventually, one of two things will happen. Either the church will compromise too much that she ceased to be a true church, or, the world will ask one thing too much which the church cannot give, and a split occurs! Trying to compromise with the world never works!

Prayer: Father, Paul learned a lesson here in practical ministry. He could not work with a majority who would not accept the truth. He was forced to abandon this philosophy of ministry for the sake of liberty to preach the gospel. Help us to see where we might be compromising truth for the sake of trying to make something work that simply cannot work. And give us the courage to stand on what we know to be true.

2011-11-27T05:09:00.001-08:00

“For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” (1Th 3:5 AV)

Make this statement in some churches today and some of your people will be offended and walk out! Realize what Paul is saying here. He is telling this little church that he was concerned. Concerned that perhaps the devil or some other influence had infiltrated the church and under minded Paul's work there. Just like they tried in Antioch and Galatia, Paul was concerned that this little church might fall prey to the tempter as well. Then he tells this little church the reason he sent Timothy to them was to check them out. Almost like a parent peeking into the bedroom of his teenager just to see if he was behaving himself. To check on them was right, but to tell them he did had to require confidence in their humility.

Teenagers are emphatic about being treated as adults. They do not feel they need to be checked up on. They are insulted if they feel they are being babysat. Trust is something they desperately want to earn. But as a parent, one still worries. So we devise creative means to watch over them without looking like we are. And unless something terribly wrong happens, we never tell them. We watch closely from a distance. We send in our spies to be sure they are ok. But we never tell them that is what we are doing lest they are offended and rebel.

That is the risk here that Paul is taking by telling them that is exactly what he did. But what is astounding is the Thessalonians never took it that way. They saw Paul's concern for what it was. His love working out through Timothy. And that takes great humility. We know they reacted positively to Paul's inquiry by comparing the first letter to the second. Those things which he admonishes them in the first letter are now the strengths in the second. And those things they did well in the first letter are doing better in the second. If only we had the same humility to accept criticism when it is warranted and not react in offense of someone else shows concern.

Prayer: Father, the humility of this little church is astounding. If only we had that same humility today. Instead, we are easily offended and march off to the next church who will make us feel special. We are offended, specially if the man of God takes notice and shows concern with our failures. Please, Father, forgive us and help us to change!

2011-11-26T06:21:00.001-08:00

“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” (Ac 17:16 AV)

There are three reactions we can have towards the ungodliness around us. The first, and perhaps the most common, is apathy. We are simply not stirred at all that the world is lost in sin-sickness. The second is disgust and repulsion. Although this is normal and perhaps a good thing, it is not where we need to stay. It is right to be repulsed and turned from sin. God calls that abomination. But to stay there in that state of mind means we do nothing to help those who are under it's influence. The third is found in our text. We need to be moved with compassion towards those who are under the clutches of sin. To see them as trapped and without hope in this world is the start of trying to reach them. If we cannot get to the third and deepest level of emotional response, then we never will impact the world with the gospel of Christ.

One of the saddest things I see during the holiday season is the lack of spiritual emphasis from the people of God. Those who are lost and are trying to earn their salvation are at church on these holidays. But the people of God will stay home and be with family. They will choose human relationships over their responsibility for public worship. And the lost are looking at us and seeing no true sincerity. We are more concerned with buying those special gifts and making our traditional recipes than we are in taking an hour out of our family time to sing and listen to a holiday message. It is really sad.

I grew up in one of those religions that asks for works of righteousness to gain eternal life. We always went to church! Every Sunday! Rain or shine, sickness or in health, we were there. Specially a holiday. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and New Years Day, regardless of what day of the week, we where in church. Christmas started with church! There wasn't a gift opened. There wasn't a slice of turkey eaten. There was no chocolate, no candy canes, no family dinner until we all went to church. We started the day with prayer and singing happy birthday around the manger scene. It was about the LORD! Not tradition.

In a way, I feel sad that true Bible believers have given up the specialness of the holidays for worldliness and materialism. It is quite sad. But the right response is to be stirred in the spirit. Not to retreat into our shell. Stay the course. Offer a holiday service. And maybe, just maybe, if our Bible-believing churches will get it together, those who are lost just might begin to darken our doors again!

Prayer: Father, I personally want to thank Thee for my Families traditions and spiritual roots. I may disagree with the doctrinal core of my heritage, but no one can dispute there was always a sense of Thy greatness. Thank you for parents who felt it important to raise their children with the fear of Thee. Who held to a body of conviction that You were and still are the most important being in life and death. Thank you for parents who taught me respect for Thy house, honor for Thy word, and humility in Thy presence. Please, Father, teach us and move our spirits to have compassion on those who do not see it this way! Use us to stir them to a deeper relationship with Thee!

2011-11-25T09:39:00.001-08:00

“From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” (Ga 6:17 AV)

I like this concluding statement of Paul's. These false teachers and preachers are attempting to undermine Paul's ministry and doctrine by accusing him of straying off the accepted path. These false teachers attempted to add the Old Testament ceremonial law to Christ making salvation by faith and works. They brought into question Paul's claim of apostleship. They questioned his intellect. They even accused him of being a rough preacher sent to preach lies. But the one thing Paul had that the others did not was the marks to prove his dedication to the truth. They sought means to avoid criticism and judgment. Paul welcomed it! They wanted a popular gospel, Paul wanted the true gospel! And nothing gives more credibility to the message that suffering persecution for it!

This is exactly why we are losing the battle for the current generation. Other radical religions in the world will suffer hardship for what they believe! But biblical Christianity has gotten soft, believing the most effective means of reaching the world is the path of least resistance. Find out what the lost want in the church and in the message, then tailor it to fit them. We have lost old time absolutes based preaching in favor of the more acceptable feel good sermonette. Emotionally motivated and manipulative music has replaced the old hymns which have a clear, doctrinal, and convicting message. All because the preacher wants to be popular. All because he doesn't what to hear an unkind word directed his way. All because he is too worried over which member he will lose this Sunday because they got their feelings hurt.

If our message is going to resonate, then there must be some persecution endured. There must be some marks. There must be some scars. There must be some hurt, some infliction of injury, some unkindness or injustice. As we suffer for the message, then those who will not are seen as fair weather, quick profit messengers who are unwilling to pay the heavy price of faithfulness to God's truth!

Prayer: Father, forgive us for being so soft! Please forgive us for being ashamed of the true gospel of Christ! If it be not too much to ask, forgive us for neglecting to remain faithful to the foundations of the faith because we were too scared to endure hardship, persecution, and hindrances. If You can, Father, please revive us to the truth! Help us to stand! Don't let us back down. The faith of others depend upon it!

2011-11-24T07:54:00.001-08:00

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Ga 3:8 AV)

Israel is certainly God's chosen people. But Israel is not the only descendant of Abraham. Abraham actually had many descendants after the death of Sarah. It was through Isaac which Israel directly descended and through Isaac the Messiah would come. It would be through the descendants of Isaac which the oracles of God would come. It would be through the descendants of Isaac which the promised land would be inherited. But Abraham still had more children. All those, including Israel, but not limited to them, who exercises faith towards God will be blessed. Even in the start of nations, God gave us hope that regardless of when or where we were born, we would have the hope of saving faith!

Even though our world is getting worse by the day, it doesn't mean there is no hope. Hope is all over the place. There is hope as long as God reigns! And He has made no plans to abdicate! God already knows the beginning from the end. He knows what will happed a millennia from now. And He has already made plans. Regardless of what Israel had chosen to do with their Messiah the first time, Gentiles would still have the gospel preached to them. This is prophesied for the millennial reign of Christ! Because of the obedience of Abraham, saving faith is available for all!

We are very thankful that the LORD made provision before He created anything for the salvation of His people! And we are thankful for the example of faith which Abraham gave unto us! We truly are fortunate people!

Prayer: Father, Abraham is an example of Thy grace! Unspeakable grace! Unfathomably grace! Grace towards us that we will never understand! Thank you for Your eternal mercy and benevolence towards such undeserving people!

2011-11-23T08:45:00.001-08:00

“And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted [thither].” (Ac 16:13 AV)

In certain Greek cities, the Jews were not allowed to erect synagogues. So, they has to erect an open air amphitheater type structure. Very small and crude. This structure was often shared by many of different faith traditions. It appears as though, on the Sabbath, Jews were gathering to make prayer. But note two things here: First, it was known as a place of prayer and not of instruction as a synagogue would be, and second, that Paul went there.

We often think that if people are religious, that it makes it harder to win them to Christ. And that simply isn't the case. In fact, the very sincerely religious are sometimes the easiest to win. They are already sensitive to spiritual things. They are already in prayer. They are already seeking for truth. It takes much tact and care to deal with these who are truly religious. But it can be done. And Paul knew this. That is why he went to this place of prayer. He wished to strike up conversation, and he could do so starting ahead of an agnostic. The religious would, at the very least, start with the belief that God exists. Then it is a matter of teaching them the inconsistency in their belief system, how it deviates from the Bible, and what the one and only gospel declares.

We frown from, and often avoid, those who tend to be sincerely religious. The key is to discern those who are truly sincere in their religion, and those who are merely traditionally motivated religious zealots. The later are seldom won because truth does not matter. Asking the LORD for wisdom goes a long way in reaching those with the gospel of Christ who can be won at a place of prayer.

Prayer: Father, I want to thank you that someone faithful took the time to show me the Bible and salvation from it! He didn't turn his back on me what I was sincerely religious! He didn't presuppose I would never be saved! And he took the time and showed the love necessary that Thy grace would shine on my heart! Thank you! And please, Father, give us that same love an patience to help others who may be misguided, but sincerely seeking for the truth!

2011-11-22T07:48:00.001-08:00

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas 4:6-7 AV)

Those who wish to gain victory over sin have at their disposal an unlimited amount of the grace of God! He giveth more grace. However, if there ever comes a time when we chose to live with, or unrepentantly take pleasure in our sin, then the grace of God is withheld. If we turn the shoulder, then God withholds His. If we stiffen our necks, then the LORD stiffens His. He gives more grace to the humble, not to the proud.

We just did one of the dumbest things a family with little time can do. We got a puppy! Before, we had always gotten a rescue dog from the pound. Those adult dogs may have had problems, but it was a walk in the park compared to raising a puppy! Raising a puppy takes more patience than raising a child! To top it all off, it is a mixed breed of two of the worst breeds one can get. A beagle/fox terrier mix. Beagles are cut, but their nose is the guide for behavior. If their nose is stimulated, you can forget trying to get their attention. And the fox terrier is either half-deaf, dumb, or simply stubborn. This puppy is learning humility. If he wants something, he must approach calm submissive. Any other state of mind gets him nothing. There are times when there is nothing we can do with him. He is out of control. Even exercising him until he drops doesn't change his unruly behavior. As long as he is learning to obey, we can happily train him and even excuse puppy behavior. But if he refuses to make any attempt at learning and following, then our grace runs out and he goes to his "house".

The same is true with our relationship with the LORD. Not that we are dogs, but the principle remains the same. God forgive and tolerates many failures on our part, as long as we are willing to learn and change. But the minute we have become set in our sinful behavior, is the minute that He withholds His grace. Better to stay tender and in the grace of God then to becomes bull headed and lose it!

Prayer: Father, too many times we are like this. We get set in our sin and fail to remain tender towards it. We fail to remember just how much it offends Thee. We are more concerned with how it pleases us. Forgive us, please Father, and renew our hearts within us to be sensitive to the times we fail to live a life of holiness that would please You more than anything in Thy creation!

2011-11-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

“But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.” (Ac 13:50 AV)

It seems quite ironic that the devout and honorable women were stirred up! Don't ya think? If these are the classy and proper ladies, what made them completely lose it? All social tact went right out the window. One can imagine these proper and socially acceptable ladies running Paul and Barnabas out of town with their finely manicured hairdos, they long lacy gowns, and an umbrellas or two. In tow were their brow beaten husbands repeating each command after their wives had already given them. "Yes, dear" was heard not a few times. So what was it that made all these well cultured people lose their sense of self-respect? It was the gospel.

The last thing a fashionable person wants to hear is their own wickedness. How dare these two common men tell them they were filthy and undone, in need of a Savior! How dare they hear the truth about their own moral condition! All the fine clothes and gallons of makeup could not cover their dark hearts. And the gospel revealed the truth of what they were. The unfortunate result of the gospel is that people do not like the truth of it! The last they want to hear is how wretched they are. Rarely does someone respond positively to the gospel message the first time around.

But the same is true of the saints of God! There are those who claim to be saved who can loose all sense of self-composer when the truth is taught or preached. They would rather run the man of God out of town than to be confronted with an area of their lives which needs to change. They would rather crucify the preacher than to allow him to preach on our sin! Our reaction to the truth tells a lot of our character, no matter how well we appear.

Prayer: Father, the same can be true of us. Whether it's a preacher or a close friend who tells us things about ourselves that we do not like, we can react much in the same way. And we should not. They are only trying to help. Please forgive us for this rebellion and please keep sending the messengers. One day we'll get it!

2011-11-20T05:16:00.001-08:00

“Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” (Ac 11:16 AV)

It always astounds me how the people God leads the easiest are those who can connect the dots. Those men and ladies who soak everything in and even though it may not make sense at the moment, it will dawn on them why God showed them that. They see connections in everything God says or does. They see the hand and mind of God everywhere and they are seeking to make some sense of it all. No matter how small something might be, it will eventually have great significance later on. So nothing is wasted. Jeremiah is perhaps the greatest example. He never missed an object lesson. God teaching him a truth through a common everyday occurrence. These types of people are the ones who are the greatest theologians who can take the truths of God's word and apply them in a way that the average person can understand. That's the person I desire to be!

I don't want to miss a thing! I want to see it all! And the longer I walk with God the more I realize how much truth there is out there and even if I live a thousand years, will never see it all! But one can wish that no matter what happens before our eyes, or what enters our ears, the LORD has a lesson in it somewhere. Like the book of Esther so aptly reveals, even when God is not directly named, His hand guides everything that happens. That is what I desire to see. But it requires a few assumptions.

First, for us to see God's hand in everything, then we must assume that He is in total control. He either causes or allows all things to happen, and He does so for a specific purpose. Secondly, we must define what we see and hear in the realm of the spiritual, not the temporal. In the realm of the eternal, not the natural. There are purposes for practical life, but these purposes also translate in the spiritual. God has a master plan, and we are a part of that plan. To know what God's perfect will for all is another step in seeing what the LORD is doing. God wishes all to be saved! Not just a pre-chosen elect. God wants all His children to be transformed into Christlikeness. These are absolute and certain desires of a loving God. When we assume God is in control and has a purpose, and one of those purposes is to redeem and transform people, then we can see Him in much of what we experience. May the LORD open our eyes!

Prayer: Father, these men of simple intellect, yet unbounded wisdom intrigue me and garner my deepest admiration! Oh, how I wish I could have but a crumb from the table of some of the men! Oh, how I wish I could connect the dots like a Jeremiah, Peter, or Paul. We don't want to miss a thing! But we also know it takes dedication, study, and time our our knees. Father, please give us what they had!

2011-11-19T08:35:00.001-08:00

“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Ac 10:33 AV)

It is a good thing that Peter came! That is what Cornelius is saying. You did a good thing by coming. Perhaps in more ways than one. By coming, Peter showed respect to a sitting officer of the Roman army. By coming, he showed the difference between the gospel going out and the Old Testament temple designed to draw men in. But there is a greater principle here. Think about it. Why wouldn't God tell Cornelius to go to Peter? Why not make the lost go to where the answer is? Why make Peter come? Because it had to do with the gospel going to the Gentile. If Peter required the Gentile to come to him, it would have established Israel and the authority and granter of salvation. By going to the Gentile, he sets a precedent the gospel is to be given out, and it can be given out to a once unclean people.

And Cornelius' statement is quite astounding! He and all that are under him are sitting, waiting to hear what the LORD would have them to do! Had Peter refused to come, or required they come to him, there may not have been a receptive crowd to the gospel message. They were willing to hear because someone was willing to go!

Herein is the truth of evangelism in the church! We do not build so they will come. We send so they will hear! We risk, we sacrifice, we labor, that we might gain a hearing with the Lost. We do not erect cathedrals or centers of entertainment that the world might be impressed with what we have and they will come to hear the gospel. We study and learn the gospel message so that when God softens their heart towards it, we go and evangelize. We are not seeing others come to Christ because we will not go to them!

Prayer: Father, please wake us up! There is limited time and limited opportunity! Time is running out for the Lost. We must go! Please forgive us for our neglect and stir us to going!

2011-11-18T07:43:00.001-08:00

“And seeing one [of them] suffer wrong, he defended [him], and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.” (Ac 7:24-25 AV)

In Exodus chapter four, Moses expresses doubt that Israel will follow him. And the incident described above is to what he is referring. Following the discovery of the killing of the Egyptian is when Moses fled into the wilderness for forty years. It is there Moses went aside to see the burning bush and as a result, God called him. Moses gives the objection to the call and God gives him several signs to show to the people of Israel that indeed, God was with him. But according to Stephen, Moses knew, even before God called and empowered him, that he was to be the deliverer which was promised. Moses' problem in Exodus was not a lack of confidence, but rather, living in the past. But the past had changed.

He assumed that just because he knew what God was going to call him to do, then he could just walk into it whenever or however he thought appropriate. But he made two mistakes. He failed to lead as God would have him too and became a self appointed judge, and he also did not wait for the hand of God upon him. It was his mistake. The people could not see it because God was not ready. But Moses believes that if he returns forty years later, the same thing will happen. He will appear as the deliverer, yet the people will still reject his leadership. "I'm not trying that again! It didn't work the first time"

Living in the past is not wise! We may be able to see danger as it approaches because we have been there before. But to assume it will always be that way may not be true. Learning from our mistakes and trying again is a process of maturity. Knowing when we have blown it and realizing of God is in it, it will work, is evidence of faith in God!

Prayer: Father, we are all a little gun shy. We all are afraid to try something again because it failed the first time. Like Moses, we think nothing will ever change. But time and chance happens to us all! Please give us the faith and confidence in Thee to pursue what You have called us to do. And may we learn from the past, but not think it's repeating is inevitable.

2011-11-17T08:40:00.001-08:00

“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Ac 5:41-42 AV)

What is interesting is what these men rejoiced about. Gamaliel had just counseled the Jews to let these men be. If the movement was of men, it would disperse soon enough. If it was from God, then there was nothing they could do to stop it. After beating the disciples, they released them and commanded they not preach in the name of Jesus. The apostles narrowly escaped with their lives. So what I found interesting was they did not rejoice that their lives were spared, which would seem the greater blessing, but rather, that they were beaten for their faith!

It is hard to stop a movement whose high value is suffering and martyrdom. To suffer for the cause is greater than to be saved from suffering! Every great movement has this principle as a foundation. Whether it's the Kamikaze of WWII or the vast number of false religions that claim dying for the cause gains eternal life, there is seldom a higher motivator than sacrifice and suffering. Today, the religion that is spreading faster than any other is utilizing this principle. And it's not Christianity.

We are too busy building our churches to suit our needs. We have fallen to the temptation of contentment, pleasure, and self-involvement. It's all about the music that we want, the Bible we want, and the lack of separation we want. We would rather spend our money on things that matter to us than to sacrificially give that we might spread the gospel more effectively. If it's not convenient or too boring, we stay at home rather than come to church. Our worship is man centered, concerned with how it makes us feel, rather than God centered, more concerned with what is said or sung and if it profoundly declares who God is and what man needs to do. Our Christian experience is as deep as we can endure and the thought of giving anything up that we prefer is anathema.

There is no revival because there is not suffering! There is not revival because there is no sacrifice! There is no revival because we have become spoiled little children with wide open mouths demanding God please us rather than asking God to send our cross that we might also bear the shame and suffer for His cause!

Prayer: Father, we are so short of the mark! Please forgive us for not even being able to see it! We think we are doing a great work for thee, but all we are doing is feeding a narcissistic generation a lot of sweet deserts for breakfast rather than challenging them to put it all on the line! Wake us up, Father, before its too late!

2011-11-16T08:30:00.001-08:00

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Ac 1:10-11 AV)

I think I would have gazed up too. But the angels were remarking at the l3ength of their gazing. They clearly tarried too long looking up towards heaven. And it is intimated they were looking up because they did not know what would happen next. Their doubt of his return is the reason they were looking up. That was the reason for the remarks of the angels that He would return in like manner. The point being they needed to leave that mount and get busy with the great commission.

However, we do the same when we give up on the gospel and just set our eyes towards heaven, either anticipating the LORD's return, or waiting on the day the LORD calls us home. We are gazing up towards heaven doing nothing here on earth. It is quite natural and right to set our eyes on things above. But if that is all we are doing, then we cannot see the fields that are already white unto harvest. There has to be a balance.

Many preachers I have heard or spoken to feel that we are indeed in the last days. We are expecting the Rapture trumpet to blow at any moment. And I have also heard the remark that not many will truly get saved in this generation. Primarily because no one wishes to repent of sin. They will believe is Jesus so long as they get to define their worship experience. But hold one to the Bible and God's commandments. No way! But the fact of the matter is, as long as the church is here on earth, we have a job to do. No man knoweth the day or the hour. So we need to get our eyes in balance. It's ok to look heavenward. But let's be sure we have our eyes on the lost souls of men as well!

Prayer: Father, we are gazing up way too much. Please forgive us! We know You can see our hearts and understand our frustration of this world! We are sick of the sin and sick of the rebellion. We so much desire Thy Son's eminent return. But we understand that is no excuse for not getting the gospel out as much as we can. Please forgive us and empower us to do thy will before there is no more time!

2011-11-15T08:56:00.001-08:00

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (Joh 20:21 AV)

How many times have we heard this verse as a foundation for a missions message? It is a great verse! In fact, it is a great verse to teach that we all are called to win souls and not just the Pastor or Deacon. All of the disciples of Jesus were in that room, not just the twelve. So when he commands that we are sent as he was sent, it is everyone. But I want to look at the first part of the statement. Jesus Says that He is leaving peace. But what does peace have to so with the great commission? And, if the are faithful in the great commission, persecution and not peace will be a part of it. So what is he talking about?

Well, let's put ourselves in their shoes for a moment. Christ has led them for a little over three years. They dedicated their lives to follow him and his doctrine. They left family, friends, and careers. Then, their leader is murdered. Now what? Will they continue a ministry were they cannot provide the King? Will they still preach the kingdom of heaven is at hand when the Messiah has been executed? One can understand the dismay and confusion of heart they must have felt. But, then a miracle! He is risen again! They see him in the flesh! It is really him! Now they are back on track! The Messiah is here and we can begin the preaching process to bring in the kingdom. But there a monkey in the wrench. He comes and goes. He doesn't stay to lead them, and he tells them he has to go back to the Father. So now what? What are they supposed to do? What was the point of the last three years if the Messiah is going back to heaven? Are they supposed to disband and return to their former life? And if so, what was this all about? And can they go back? Regardless of what happens to their leader, they will never be looked at the same again! What are they supposed to do? One can imagine the inner turmoil and upheaval of heart. Confused and without direction, it is easy to see how unsettled of a heart they must have had. And to top it all off, we are told they assembled in this upper room for fear of the Jews. So, Jesus gave them the cure for an unsettled heart! It's the great commission!

The great commission may increase trouble in the flesh, but the heart will be at peace! Winning others to Christ will bring peace to a troubled heart looking for definition of life! I have seen may disgruntled saints and perhaps the biggest reason for it is they are not busy serving in the local church trying to win others to Christ. They are not seeing their employment as a mission field with the opportunity to reach others with the gospel. We are not at peace because we are not trying to reach others!

Prayer: Father, if we could understand this principle it would radically change who and what we are. I think that many of us believe we have peace by compromising truth and getting along, but deep down inside, we really do not. They world doesn't bother us because we are not that much different. And we think we are having a wonderful Christian experience. But the truth of the matter is, we are still not at peace! Help us Father! Revive us and bring us that peace!

2011-11-14T11:41:00.001-08:00

“And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.” (Mt 28:17 AV)

Thomas wasn't the only one who doubted. In fact, all of them did on Easter morning when Mary returned from the grave. They all had to come to terms with their unbelief in at different times. But the good news is, just because we doubt now doesn't mean that we always will, nor does it mean that God will not call us to service. If we look at this from the LORD's perspective, he commissioned his church even though some of them still were not completely convinced. In essence, what the LORD is doing is showing his confidence in these eleven, even though they were struggling in their faith!

Being a parent is a challenge. But one of the greatest rewards we can have is to motivate our child to levels he didn't think he could accomplish. When we do this, we show confidence and faith in our son or daughter, and that elevates their self-worth. If Mom or Dad believes in me, then maybe I can, with the LORD's help, do this! Believing in someone goes a long way in encouraging them to greater things then they normally would.

It is a wonderful lesson to learn that God has confidence is you. We may not know all that we need to do, nor believe that we can ever be effective is where He has placed us, but that doesn't mean that the LORD can do wonders with our lives and long as we keep plugging along. Faith will come by experience. Experience comes by getting out there and doing it! So, have confidence in what the LORD has called you to do and take great joy that He has found you faithful and committed to you the ministry of reconciliation!

Prayer: Father, thank you for recording the frailties of greater men than we! If they had faults and You used them to turn the world upside down, then surely there is hope for us! Please, Father, increase our faith!

2011-11-13T05:21:00.001-08:00

“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (Lu 23:41-42 AV)

I think of all the conversion stories recorded in the scriptures, this has to rank right up there as the most beautiful. This conversion pictures perfectly a broken and contrite heart. It reveals exactly the kind of heart that comes to the foot of the Cross for forgiveness of sins. This man, with nothing earthly to gain, admitted his guilt and asked for mercy! What a story! I think if given the opportunity to see this first hand, and see the brokenness on this malefactor's face, it might bring a tear of joy to a face or two!

Today, salvation is very cheap. It is mischaracterized as a religious tradition, a way of feeling better, or a method of gaining God's favor so we can get out of a bad situation. In today's pulpits, repentance is not preached for fear that our churches might shrink. Accountability is at an all time low and if we dare preach on sin, or require righteousness for the saint, we are judged a legalistic and unloving. In our passage, this criminal had no earthly benefit in asking for forgiveness and mercy. None! He was not going to escape the consequences of his actions! He was on his cross and deserved to be there. What is really special to me is his humility in defending the character of Christ. Rather than try to justify himself, he compared himself against Christ and found himself totally wicked. He asked the LORD to remember him. Not presumptuously as though the LORD must. But humbly, if there be any hope for him.

What we have missing from our salvation preaching and experience today is total brokenness. Brokenness over our sin and what it has done to us! Total brokenness over offending a holy and righteous God who deserves our total devotion manifested by a separated and holy life. We demand God put up with whatever we are or choose to do. We demand that God look the other way of love us unconditionally all the while ignoring His Word and the commandments found in it! On the cross, the thief and murderer was ashamed at what he was. And he came to the heart of Jesus completely broken, asking for mercy. We have a sin problem in our churches and maybe it's because we rush people to a decision, getting ahead of the Holy Spirit, and they have not been broken over their sin! God help us to be the instrument by which a multitude come to the Cross as this malefactor did!

Prayer: Father, thank you for recording this conversion in Your Word! Perhaps we need to meditate on the event we just read and examine our own hearts. Are we as broken over our own sin as this man was of his? Do we cry out for mercy, hoping for it, yet not being presumptuous of it? Please forgive us for our coldness and break our stony heart for righteousness, mercy, and Your forgiving love.

2011-11-12T08:04:00.001-08:00

“And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify [him].” (Mt 27:31 AV)

There are paintings and sculptures depicting this moment. Christ, with the cross over his shoulder, climbing up the hill to be crucified. Not one soul is there by his side. On his back he carried the means of his death. I wonder how he felt.

When I was little, my father had a way of forcing us to internalize what we did wrong and the fact we had disobeyed him. He would drive us to a local department stores, give us some money, and make us go in and purchase our own means of punishment. He used the paddle from the paddle ball toy. Remember? A little rubber ball that was stapled to a wooden paddle and the point to to paddle that ball and keep it going. He would tell us to go in and purchase that paddle ball game and come out with it. He would then remove the ball and string, and sometimes, give us a spanking right there in the parking lot.

Carrying one's own means of punishment makes it very personal. You have this paddle in your hands and you know exactly what is going to happen. It isn't your brother's paddle. It isn't your sister's paddle. It's all yours. There will be no other purpose for that paddle. It is not a toy. It will not be burnt for warmth. It will be used for one purpose on one person. And it's mine! How lonely we would feel. How ashamed we would be. It's like the eyes of the entire store were on us because they knew why we were there buying another paddle ball toy. Our siblings could not be there. It was just me and my Father.

And that was the Cross to Jesus. The means of punishment which he did not deserve. A means of shame and embarrassment for all of mankind which he took upon himself. A moment of complete abandonment and support of others. All alone to receive the wrath of his own Father which he did not earn. Thank You Jesus more than we can every express!

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for our insensitivity to the depths of Christ's death on the cross. We are sincerely sorry that we haven't taken the time to meditate on just what the LORD did for us! Please forgive us and we are eternally grateful for the offering of Thy Son Jesus!

2011-11-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (Joh 14:1 AV)

Really easy advice to give, very hard advice to take. They believed the unseen. But they had a hard time believing the seen. They could place their faith in God who is Spirit, but God the Son in the flesh, was a little bit more challenging. Very soon, they will see their Messiah go to a cross and die. They will see him tortured and abused. They will see him mocked and scourged. It will be hard to believe on him then.

It is quite interesting that we can believe God is sovereign and in control of all things, yet get anxious when events of life test that truth. We know that He is sovereign, but being at peace with that truth no matter what the circumstances, is often difficult to do. It's the difference between placing our faith in a feeling rather than in evidence.

I stopped riding roller coaster rides a long time ago. They scare me to death. I hate the feeling of falling. In fact, the I can remember the last ride I ever took. There was this little roller coaster in a park called Sea Breeze in Rochester, NY. It at one time boasted the steepest drop of any roller coaster in the world. It was so steep that the cars were pulled down faster than the human body could fall. So for a split second, the rider would experience a free fall from a few hundred feet up. That was enough for me! But the interesting thing what there had never been a fatality ever recorded on the ride. No one ever fell out! There was never a single accident ever recorded. Every ride ended with all the riders in tact with no adverse results because of their bravery. Everyone returned safely. I had no rational reason to fear that ride, or any other ride. There was no empirical evidence to lead me otherwise. Yet the fear was still there.

The point it this. If we believe in a God whom we cannot see, then believe regardless of the events transpiring around us. Either God is in control, or he is not. Either He drives the car or not. Either He knows just what is going on, or He doesn't.

Prayer: Father, I have to admit, this is hard advice to apply. Your Son tells us to not let our heart be troubled. But honestly, that isn't the easiest thing to do. Our heart is troubled all the time. It is hard to keep our eyes on Jesus. But we need to learn to do just that. Please, Father, help us! Have patience with us and guide us as we learn the hard lessons of faith!

2011-11-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.” (Joh 13:3-4 AV)

This feet washing was the beginning of the end of his earthly ministry which culminated at the cross. Once he girded himself and washed the disciples feet, his actions were directed towards one objective; Calvary's Cross. Note here three things that Jesus knew: All things were given unto his hands, that he came from God, and that he was going to God. These three truths are what drove our LORD to resolve his life's calling and go forth. Even though the flesh gave him a hard time, he never wavered from his eternal calling! He never looked back. When he meditated on these three truths, which an all knowing God would know, it motivated him to endure the Father's perfect will for him!

The first truth does not apply to us in the same way it did to Jesus. When the Father gave all things to the Son, He gave him the liberty to control his own end. When they taunted him on the cross to prove his divinity by coming off the cross, he could have well done it! He is God! Jesus was no victim. He was always in complete control of everything they did to him. But this truth does apply in that Jesus, having control of all things, still surrendered his will to the will of the Father. So, that is principle number one. Complete surrender to the perfect will of God for our lives.

The second truth is that He came from the Father. God the Father sent the Son with a specific calling unique to him. He came for a divine purpose. There was something He was supposed to accomplish. This would be the second truth and cannot be completely accepted unless the will it totally surrendered.

The third principle or truth is that eventually, He would return to His Father. For us it is a little different. If we are saved, we will go to our Father. But there never was any doubt nor failure in the success of the Son. He was going to obey the Father, and there was never any doubt as to what the Father wanted him to do. So when the Son returned to the Father, it was not for judgment, but rather, sweet fellowship. Us, on the other hand, will be judged for our success in service. We will return to the Father and see if He was pleased with our sacrificial service. And we will return, like Christ, to share in blessed fellowship.

So, in conclusion, if we are to be successful in our service to the LORD, there are three truths we must meditate on. The will must be totally surrendered; God created us for a specific calling; and we will go to the Father to give and account.

Prayer: Father, it just dawned on me that we need to be grateful for these truths and not see them merely as duty. You did not have to create us at all. But You chose to. You didn't have to give us a special and unique calling. But You did. And You certainly didn't need to give us eternal life as a free gift. But praise your name, you did! Please give us some time today to meditate on these truths that we might be more faithful servants for thee.

2011-11-09T07:38:00.001-08:00

“And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.” (Mr 14:54 AV)

What a change from the man who would draw a sword and chop another man's ear off. He vehemently defended his zeal for the LORD, even when the LORD told him he would deny Christ before daybreak. To show his zeal and in an attempt to prove his LORD wrong, he bore arms, prepared to die for his LORD. But the next thing we see is that Peter followed his LORD afar off. Not right by his side. But afar off. In the garden, he was a participant. Now, on the way to trial, he is a spectator. At last, he will deny the LORD, just as he was told he would do, and become a deserter. But there is hope! Rather than admit defeat, he chose to stand up again and become arguably one of the greatest two Apostles Christ ever had.

In our walk with the LORD, we are always in one of those three conditions. Either we are zealously serving the LORD, ready to take any risk for the cause of Christ. Or, we are on the sidelines, following afar off. Not too committed, looking for a safety net if it doesn't work out. Or, we are denying the LORD altogether. I believe the majority of saints are in the second group. We follow afar off.

What is interesting here is the progression. It bodes well for where the majority of us are. Peter showed a lot of courage and perhaps not too much smarts in drawing that sword. And the LORD told him as much. He zeal needed to be tempered. And that is what most of us do. We show a lot of zeal, particularly immediately after our salvation experience. We volunteer for everything. We go door-to-door soul winning, we help at every work day, and perhaps teach a class or two. Then there comes the time when we get that zeal chopped off at the root. Someone says an unkind thing, Satan hinders us, or as Peter, someone with more wisdom corrects him in the exercise of that zeal. Rather than taking it and learning from it, we become defensive, resulting in not exercising that same zeal at all. The problem with no zeal is we begin to follow afar off. And the more afar off we follow, the more susceptible we become to a full-fledged denial of the LORD! Then we are repenting in sobs of tears as Peter did. But, again, there is hope. Peter confessed and became a mighty witness for the LORD the remainder of his years!

If we are following afar off, denial might be right around the corner. If we have failed and denial was our choice, there is still hope! Repentance and faithfulness are the key!

Prayer: Father, there isn't a one of us who have not been hurt while serving thee! We have all had our hands slapped, our feeling hurt, or our intentions questioned. Please forgive us for giving up and following afar off. Following afar off may seem admirable, but we understand that merely opens the door for full blown failure. Please, Father, revive our offended and discouraged hearts. And if we have failed, then encourage us towards repentance! May we regain the zeal which we have lost.

2011-11-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

Mt 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

What is the difference of doing ministry for the LORD and doing ministry unto the LORD? Is there a difference. We often say we are serving the LORD, but what do we mean? Are we teaching a class, serving as a deacon, providing a meal, watching little ones in the nursery, or going on a hospital call for the LORD, or are we doing them as unto the LORD? I think there is a subtle difference.

Years ago, when I worked as a manager in the pizzeria, I had one of the most unique and special experiences of ministry that I probably will ever have. I worked hard and learned quick. So the owner promoted me rather quickly. I did as I was told and even went the extra mile to prove my worthiness of these promotions. The owner rewarded me with regular raises and more responsibility. That would be akin to serving for the LORD. But then something happened that I will never forget. The owner's father died. He died rather suddenly. And the owner kept everything pent up inside. He wife was very concerned about him and shared this with me. One Friday night, the busiest night of the week, he snapped. It usually took three to four pizza makers, one pounder (dough stretching and prep) and one oven guy (pulled and boxed the pizzas) to run the kitchen. We had an average of one or two pizzas going out the door per minute. When he snapped, he dismissed everyone but he and I. It was just the two of us doing the work of five or six. It was frantic to say the least. But he was working his pain out. All that pent up sorrow and pain came out in a flurry of activity. My job ceased to be making food, but to keep up with my boss, working like a maniac, and not saying a word of his pain. I did not feel used. I felt privileged. A normally private man, this boss laid out his heart to me, in the form of flying flour, running from one station to the next, and not stopping for two hours. That's what serving unto the LORD is!

Reward or results mean nothing! All that we do is because the LORD's love for the lost and needy is great! We are not motivated by any other factor than God's love for the individual! We love them because God loves them! We minister to them because the LORD desires to show Himself as a great and loving God. And therein is the reason why we are so fickle in our service! We do it for the LORD and not unto the LORD! A vast difference.

Prayer: Father, please give us this heart of understanding. We are not rebellious. We are not disobedient. We simply cannot see the difference. And we desperately need to. The church that does ministry unto You rather than for You is the one that will most radically change the lives of those precious souls You send our way! Give us this understanding, we beg of You!