RandallSpace

The Answer

2011-08-30T08:23:00.000-05:00

"Life'll make sure that you've got your trouble
Life'll make sure that you work too hard
Ain't nobody that don't get tired of watchin' troubles pile up big in their own back yard"

The answer to life's problems doesn't lie in your job. The fulfillment it brings will wane.

The answer doesn't lie with beer, though that may taste good.

It doesn't lie in a vacation. Life's problems will be waiting when your vacation is over.

The answer doesn't even lie in your loved ones, for life is fragile and they could be gone in an instant.

The answer, dear ones, is with the One who holds the seven seas in the palm of his hand. The One who has been given a name that is above every name. He is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thankfulness

2011-04-10T03:03:00.003-05:00

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:4-5

My thoughts have been on thanksgiving lately. I have not been thankful enough. And even when I've felt thankful, I've only recently come to see that there is a whole level to thankfulness that I've been missing. Let's look at some lessons from God's holy word.

In Numbers 11, the children of Israel had been led out of Egyptian captivity by the mighty hand of God, and he was sustaining them and providing them with manna to eat. Yet rather than being thankful, they began to want more. Numbers 11:4 says they "fell a lusting". In verses 5-6, they said, "We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick; But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes."

Brothers and sisters, sometimes there are things in this life that appear to be better for us than what we currently have. Yet what we think is best for us isn't always what is truly best for us. God knows us better than we know ourselves.

We must also remember an important truth that is contrary to our selfish nature: Our life on this earth should not be centered around concerning ourselves with what's better for us. We do not find such a concept in the scriptures. What we do find is that our lives are supposed to be about bringing glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And if the path on which he has directed us brings more glory to him as a result of our enduring hardships, how dare we complain!

"...but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps," - I Peter 2:20-21

The Apostle Peter tells us here that it is acceptable with God if we suffer for doing well, for we were called to do that, because we are following in Christ's steps. If we do good yet experience suffering as we live on this earth we are in good company, because Jesus did no wrong yet he was crucified.

Peter goes on to tell us in Verse 14 of Chapter 3, that "if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye". In other words, we should be thankful even if we encounter hardships when we do what is right. How contrary such concepts are to the philosophies we hear in our world today! But Christianity has always been in opposition to this world's philosophies. In Acts 17, the disciples were said to "have turned the world upside down". The truth be told, this world has been upside down since the fall in the garden of Eden. The preaching of the gospel by the disciples in Acts 17 was turning some of the world right side up, but the gospel has always appeared upside down to those "which believed not" (Acts 17:5).

As we continue to look at the concept of thankfulness by reading in Numbers 11, Verse 10 tells us that "the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses was also displeased." In Verse 20, God tells them, "ye have despised the LORD which is among you..." Together with the scriptures referenced earlier from Numbers 11, these words bring to light a sobering truth: To be ungrateful to God for his blessings or to question him because we don't have what we desire in our hearts is to despise him. I remember a dear brother preaching on God's sovereignty once, and he uttered the statement, "The audacity of a man to question God!" Amen!

The Apostle Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 6:8, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." A preacher said once, "That means 'bread and britches'." But how many of us are satisfied, as we ought to be, with simply having food and clothing? Brothers and sisters, to be otherwise is to despise God.

Most of us have dreams...goals...ambitions. There is nothing wrong with doing so. In Titus 3:12, we read where Paul made plans for the winter: "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter." Yet while we make plans and set goals, we should not let our happiness hinge on the outcome of such plans. Proverbs 27:1 tells us, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Though he was given divine revelation, Paul didn't always know what a day would bring forth. We read where he experienced shipwreck during some of his travels, yet he is the same man who wrote in Philippians 4:11, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

Are we content with food and clothing? Are we thankful for the smallest things in life, even the suffering we sometimes endure for righteousness' sake? I fail daily at having this attitude as I ought. But as we reflect on thankfulness, how appropriate to also remember that we can be thankful we serve a merciful, longsuffering Heavenly Father who loves us even when we fail! But let us seek to please him by conforming our attitudes more to what is taught to us in his holy word.

All praise be "to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb," - Revelation 7:10. God bless you all!

Driving Life, Part Two: Spiritual Wrecks

2011-02-19T10:33:00.003-06:00

Driving is a serious matter with potentially dangerous consequences, and our life in this world is no different. When driving a vehicle, the failure to constantly make those little necessary corrections might result in you drifting into the wrong lane of traffic. And you may get away with driving into the other lane for a while, but eventually it'll catch up with you and you'll have a wreck. This will not only impact you; it will also impact someone else's life. If you're driving and you have a wreck with another vehicle, it may be more than yourself that is affected. You may severely injure or kill someone else. You could also hurt someone close to you (for example, if a family member or a friend is in the car with you).

By comparison, our "spiritual wrecks" in this life can severely impact our life, the lives of our loved ones, and the lives of strangers. Though our sins are forgiven eternally, often there are consequences to sin that we have to live with here in time—consequences that we may never be able to change. Just as a wreck while driving may result in a fatality or serious injury, our spiritual wrecks may impact our life and the lives of others for years or even decades.

Sometimes mistakes happen and traffic accidents are not our fault; but often they can be avoided by drivers taking heed to themselves and practicing defensive driving. We are constantly warned about how texting, talking on the phone, or playing with our iPod while driving will distract us and cause an accident. And how many spiritual wrecks in this life could be avoided if God's children were taking heed to themselves, putting on the whole armor of God, and practicing "defensive living" by not setting their affection on things on this earth?

Some scriptures for consideration:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour..." - I Peter 5:8

"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." - I Thessalonians 5:5-6

Your spiritual problems can affect others in ways you may not imagine. You may sometimes feel that no one cares or you may feel that you are "less than the least of all saints", but all the while there is someone looking up to you. Mr. Gene Currie, an influential teacher in my life, taught me this important lesson when I was a freshman in high school. Follow me as I share this brief story.

Mr. Currie reminded us that the year before (8th grade), we were the "big kids on campus" at the junior high school. We perhaps felt important at that time. Mr. Currie basically said, "But just think, even though you felt important in junior high, you were looking up to the high school kids" (even the freshman). And Mr. Currie was right. When we were in junior high, we looked up to the high school kids and emulated their behavior. Mr. Currie pointed out to us that because we were now in high school, the junior high kids were looking up to us even though we felt like we were on the bottom rung in the ladder of life. Lesson: there is always somebody looking up to you even when you're feeling low.

The lesson that someone is always looking up to us should make us feel a sense of responsibility, just as we have a great responsibility when driving. And sometimes we don't want this responsibility. You may be thinking, "But I have so many problems in my life to deal with. I can't be constantly worried about what other people think of me!" Well, I agree. First thing's first. Deal with the major problems in life as your first priority. There's the old saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day." It may take baby steps. But to completely dismiss the idea that we shouldn't be concerned with what other people think of us is to be irresponsible and go against scripture. There are multitudes of scriptures which teach us that we have a responsibility in how we conduct ourselves before our brethren and sisters. Some examples:

"Abstain from all appearance of evil." - I Thessalonians 5:22

"A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." - Proverbs 22:1

We have a responsibility to be shining lights in this dark world. The Lord Jesus Christ told us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

The Apostle Paul taught us a great lesson when he said, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." - I Corinthians 8:13. The entire chapter of I Corinthians 8 is fascinating. But the primary lesson I draw from it is that we are to prefer others before ourself, even if it means we have to give up something we love.

When we prefer others before ourself, we help them along the roadway of life. The holy scriptures tell us, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it;" - Proverbs 3:27. When you see a person having car trouble on the side of the road, you stop and help them. And sometimes your car is broken down and you need someone to stop and help you.

My brothers and sisters, many spiritual wrecks in this world can be avoided by taking heed, being sober, and watching closely. But when those problems in life do occur, let us be there to provide "first aid" to our brothers and sisters in need. We may need them to be there for us someday. Let us be like the good Samaritan who had compassion, for without God's grace we would all be in an unthinkably worse condition.

Praise be to Him in all things!

Driving Life, Part One: Lanes

2011-02-13T19:24:00.005-06:00

Tom Cochrane had a hit song "Life Is a Highway" back in the 1990s. My thoughts lately have been on how different aspects of our life—especially in a spiritual sense—can be compared to highways and driving.

On most roads where I grew up, there were two lanes of traffic with one lane going each way. If you want to get to your destination using such a road, you get in the lane going that direction and stay there. The other lane, although it looks very similar to your lane, will take you in the opposite direction from where you want to be going.

God says in His word that you cannot be a friend of the world and friend of His. In James 4:4, we are told, "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." If you're a friend of the world you're an enemy of God. Pick one direction and go with it. If you're not going God's direction, then you're either going the enemy's direction or you're standing still and will eventually get run over. (Just like you'll get run over if you try to stand in the middle of a highway.)

As I said before, both lanes of traffic can look very similar. To know which direction you need to go, you need to look at the map (read the Bible), ask for directions (listen to gospel preaching), or have an excellent sense of direction (guidance of the Holy Spirit). My contention is that God would have us to use all three of these methods for finding our way as we go about this life.

When driving, you have to constantly be turning the steering wheel to keep the vehicle aimed in the correct direction. Did you ever watch children when they pretend to drive? Even they know this! You'll see them using both hands to turn the wheel from side to side a lot. Of course, it's humorous to watch them because they do it in such an exaggerated fashion. But we can learn a great truth from such an observation: We have to take heed and constantly be on guard in our lives, and we need to be constantly making little adjustments here and there. There are many distractions and false teachings along life's highway. These distractions or false teachings can cause us to go too far to one side or too far to the other side; and either way, we end up in a ditch. I've found that the answer usually lies somewhere in the middle—"just to the right of center," so to speak.

Successful driving—and a successful spiritual walk in this world—requires paying close attention. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:14 that we should "henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..." Such a verse puts me in mind of the tumbleweeds we see blowing across the road here in West Texas; they are carried about by the wind with no control over where they're going next. Brothers and sisters, the optimal spot for us on life's highway is directly in the center of our lane and headed in the proper direction, constantly taking heed.

Puzzles

2011-01-04T23:17:00.000-06:00

I've spent a lot of time working jigsaw puzzles. My granddad enjoyed putting them together, and most of the puzzle time I've invested was at my grandparents' house.

I was thinking how puzzles relate very well to different aspects of our lives.

Some single men or women may have a list of qualifications they're looking for in their eventual spouse. But in the end, the person they end up with may be completely different from what they imagined—perhaps even better than they imagined. God knows what is best for us even when we don't. I've heard many stories, some first hand, of people who thought they knew what they wanted when all along God knew better than they did. God can make the right man and right woman fit together just like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

And two jigsaw pieces can sometimes be nothing alike, yet they fit together. Many times I've been putting together a puzzle, and I'll be looking for the matching piece to a piece I have in my hand. When I eventually found the matching piece, it wasn't what I had pictured it to be.

When you're working a puzzle, sometimes you find two pieces right away that fit together. And how often is this true of men and women? I've known of multiple cases where a couple found each other when they were very young, and they ended up having a happy marriage.

Other times when working a puzzle you may spend thirty minutes, an hour, or even days trying to find the right fit for one particular puzzle piece. By comparison, some men or women may wait or search for years or decades before the right person comes along.

The Lord's church and her gifts can also be compared to a jigsaw puzzle. God has given different gifts "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," (Ephesians 4:12). And we should be thankful that we're not all alike. The different gifts fit together beautifully just like the beautiful picture of a finished puzzle.

We all have our strengths, and we all have our weaknesses. Some of God's people are so focused on adhering to the doctrine taught in the Bible and contending "for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3) that they fail to show forth love as they ought. They don't show forth charity as the Apostle Paul taught in I Corinthians 13.

But some of God's children go too far the other way and are so concerned with loving everybody and keeping the peace that they aren't paying attention to the other important work of maintaining discipline and seeing that all things are "done decently and in order," (I Corinthians 14:40).

You need those hard, straight lines sometimes—they're the edge pieces that make sure we stay within a particular border. But we need those others, too. That's where the beauty of the jigsaw puzzle normally lies: in the middle where the pieces have rounded edges. It's a beautiful thing to see brothers and sisters in Christ showing forth love and showing their softer sides.

We all have our gift. We all have our place to fill. Are you filling your place? Or are you that piece that fell underneath the table and is keeping the puzzle from being as beautiful as it could be? Maybe you're a missing edge piece. Maybe you're one of those hard, straight lines that the church needs to make sure we adhere to the doctrine taught in God's book. Maybe you're one of the pieces with rounded edges that could be following Paul's exhortation to "comfort the feebleminded" (I Thessalonians 5:14) and "edify one another" (I Thessalonians 5:11).

Did you ever work a puzzle with sky, or clouds, or grass? There are sometimes a lot of pieces that look alike. Take the sky, for instance. Had they feelings, those blue pieces may feel as if they have no special gift. Yet each one of them is unique, and each one has its proper place. And the puzzle just isn't the same without each one of them in their proper place, doing what they were called to do.

My 4 Goals for 2011

2010-12-29T11:22:00.006-06:00

Here are my four goals for 2011:

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T05:31:00.002-06:00

In Ephesians 3:14, the Apostle Paul said, "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..." Are you bowing your knees to the Father this Thursday? If Thanksgiving means we are to give thanks, to whom is thanks due? Giving thanks means someone needs to be the recipient of that thanks. Consider for what cause you should bow your knees this Thanksgiving, and give thanks to Christ whom it is due.

Homosexual Suicides

2010-10-02T10:18:00.002-05:00

I watched a video recently of Ellen DeGeneres commenting on a story of a homosexual who committed suicide. It is always tragic news to hear of someone taking their own life, but especially because they felt pressured and felt they had no other alternatives. Bullying is not condoned in God's word, and Christians or anyone else who does so is in the wrong.

There is, however, a difference between bullying and standing up for what is good and right. Celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres often speak of messages of "hatred" and "intolerance". Such messages often come from me and others like me who speak out against homosexuality, drunkenness, fornication, and other sins because God speaks out against them in His word. He tells us to provoke one another unto love and good works. That is not the same as bullying.

God tells us to confess our sins and turn from our wicked ways (II Chronicles 7:14; I John 1:9; James 5:16), yet we live in a time when there are those who call good evil and evil good. To rid ourselves of some of the problems we have today, the first step is confessing that homosexuality is wrong (Leviticus 18:22). The next step is turning from it to serve the living God (Mark 6:12).

The Lord Jesus Christ does love us despite our sins. But we are to turn from that sin. The Apostle Paul said, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2)

If one of God's children becomes addicted to alcohol or drugs, we recognize that they are caught up in sin. People reach out to them and try to help them turn from that (Hebrews 3:13). We do the same for other sins. So why should homosexuality be any different? We have let evil forces in this world convince us that people are born that way and should remain that way.

Let's use an analogy to learn a lesson. There are people who are diagnosed as alcoholics. Some got themselves into that situation, and some are born with problems because poor choices on the part of their parents. How do they deal with such a problem? They learn to stay away from alcohol, and they are encouraged to do so by those who love them. They choose a good path to avoid falling into the pit of sin. Why should homosexuality be any different?

Supposedly we should look over this type of sin, excuse it, and say it's okay (even though we don't do that for other sins). The world tells us that homosexuality is normal and okay; bible readers know differently. Bible readers also know we are to love them and do good to all men. But while we know that homosexuals have forgiveness through Christ just as any other sinner has that forgiveness, we can love the sinner and hate the sin (I Timothy 5:20).

It is tragic that someone takes their own life because of the pressures of this world. At the same time, we need to remember that people take their own lives for many other reasons. The spotlight is on this particular situation right now because Ellen has put it there, partly to accomplish her agenda but also I'm sure because she does care. But I doubt seriously that the number of suicides because of bullying of homosexuals are any greater than because of any other reason. We may hear about them more because we have a society full of liberal celebrities and lamestream media who have an agenda to put forth. But what about those other suicides? Why are they any less tragic? If a young girl commits suicide because she was called "fatty", why should that situation get any less media attention than a homosexual who was teased?

I am not trying to minimize the importance of the loss of any life. What I'm doing is trying to make sure we don't let our emotions about such a situation cloud our judgment about what is good and what is evil. Homosexuality is evil and an abomination in the sight of God (Leviticus 20:13). It should be treated as such. Those who feel they may have such a problem should be the recipients of a godly ministry with the word of God as the foundation (II Timothy 3:16-17). Bullies should be disciplined according to the situation at hand. Following God's path will keep us on the right track. Following Hell-ywood's path leads us down a dark way. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25)

Religion & Science: Separate, or in Harmony?

2010-08-30T21:33:00.008-05:00

"Do we keep religion out of science because they know science is wrong and they just don't want to admit it?"

A dear sister in Christ posted this question on Facebook recently, and it got the wheels of my mind turning. I'd like to share my thoughts below.
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The term science at its root simply means "knowledge" or "to know".

I Timothy 6:20 warns us about "science falsely so called". Much of what is called "science" in this world is not science at all. It's faux science. That is true today, and evidently it was true in the times of Christ. Let's call them "anti-scientists".

Some of these anti-scientists actually believe they're right; others are being intentionally deceitful. In either case, they like to explain away God. If there's no God, then in their minds they're not accountable to anyone. The scriptures tell us of those that did not like to retain God in their mind. It's inconvenient for them, because they don't want to be submissive to His rule. So for them, it's best if God is kept separate from all parts of our lives...in a little compartment that's only allowed open on Sunday morning or not at all.

True science will harmonize with God's word. And therefore, true science doesn't have to explain away any of God's word (by trying to make the days in Genesis 1 be 1000 year periods or any other such stretching). When men come across something through true scientific study that seems to be contradictory to God's word, either they are misunderstanding God's word or they are misunderstanding their scientific findings.

The problem is that due to human pride, few are willing to admit that there's something they don't know. Their natural tendency is to believe that somehow the Bible must be wrong. Or if they don't believe the Bible is wrong, they will attempt to spiritualize particular passages to shape them into what they want them to say rather than taking those passages at face value.

Here are some links to a message that Elder Sonny Pyles delivered in the 1970s in Muleshoe, TX, on the subject of science and religion.

Part 1, Listen Now: http://primitivebaptistsermons.org/listen.php?id=151
Part 2, Listen Now: http://primitivebaptistsermons.org/listen.php?id=873

Part 1, Download Now: http://primitivebaptistsermons.org/download.php?FILENAME=Cfreation-Evolution-A.mp3
Part 2, Download Now: http://primitivebaptistsermons.org/download.php?FILENAME=1228354112B02_B_Track_1.mp3

If God Were a Democrat

2010-08-09T04:15:00.001-05:00

If God were a Democrat, the parable of the talents would've gone this way:

Man with ten talents, I'm taking away five of your talents and giving them to the man with one talent. After all, he must've been cheated or wronged by society in some way. And you're making too much money; it's not fair.

But it would be politically incorrect to just take those five talents from you. So, I'm going to tax you more heavily, and then I'll give those talents to the guy with one talent in the form of an "economic stimulus package".

My Musings on Health Care, Personal Responsibility, and Charity

2010-03-15T21:50:00.011-05:00

I applaud a letter to the editor which was published in the Clarion Ledger. Dr. Starner Jones hit the proverbial nail on the head.

I read some comments about his letter on various websites this evening. Unfortunately, some accused Dr. Jones of racism. Ludicrous! (And actually, the critics' approach is more racist, as they assume the race of the person based upon the characteristics given when Dr. Jones doesn't mention race at all.)

Others accused him of tarnishing the medical profession by "passing judgment" on a patient's behavior. Please! Am I to believe, for example, that if a patient with COPD is smoking a pack of cigarettes a day it is not appropriate for a doctor to disapprove of that person's actions? Disapproving of a patient's choices does not equate to lack of care for that patient, after all.

Dr. Jones' beliefs also do not mean he lacks charity. Rather, those beliefs reflect an understanding that charity should not be forced upon us by our federal government, for that is not the intended function of said government. And after all, forced charity is even in opposition to scripture. As the Apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 9:7, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

Our country was founded upon principles which were intended to guarantee liberty so that men *could* give from the heart. Liberty allows us to prosper through hard work—we are rewarded with the fruit of our labors. As a result, we are able to give back a portion of those fruits to others. On the other hand, forced charity through programs created by our federal government results in citizens giving out of necessity, and eventually those citizens begin to resent it. Ultimately we come to a state of socialism and then communism, and under such systems the hard workers begin to see the futility of their hard work. After all, the beneficiaries of their labors are others who are not working as hard. Those hard workers inevitably begin to realize that they can stop producing and ride the gravy train along with the sluggards.

Sluggards? Did I call all those who are not working "sluggards"? Certainly not, and I am not implying such. There are exceptions. And those exceptions would be cared for in a country where liberty abounds. Through the grace of Almighty God, the citizens of the United States of America are the most charitable of any nation on Earth. But they are becoming less so, and I believe it's due in part to the resentment which surrounds the forced charity mentioned earlier.

Our great country's Declaration of Independence states that our Creator has endowed us with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Note that it does *not* state that we are guaranteed happiness, but rather the liberty to pursue that happiness! And no citizen should feel that they are owed happiness and prosperity at the forced expense of others.

As I stated before, Dr. Jones hit the nail on the head. The head of the nail is that of personal responsibility and the injustice which lies in one person being forced to pay for another person's mistakes. The concept of accepting responsibility for oneself is fast fading in these United States.

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy

How timely are these words, when so many in our country are looking to our federal government to solve the nation's problems! The solution to our problems will not come from Washington D.C., but rather from *individuals* accepting *personal responsibility* for themselves instead of harboring an attitude of entitlement.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - II Chronicles 7:14

God Meant it For Good

2010-02-28T19:00:00.000-06:00

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brethren that they thought evil against him, "but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." It boggles my mind that the God we serve is so good that He can bring good things out of evil. It would do us good to realize that sometimes even if we're going through difficult times in our lives, God may be bringing something wonderful to pass. If our eyes were on Him rather than on our problems, we could probably come closer to understanding the Apostle Paul's statement in II Corinthians 4:17.

As we consider the passage above in Genesis 50:20, we see a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph's own brethren had betrayed him, and likewise Christ was betrayed by His brethren. ("He came unto his own, and his own received him not." - John 1:11)

Christ suffered at the hand of his brethren, just as in the case of Joseph. In both instances, men meant it for evil but God meant it for good. Acts 2:23 tells us that Jesus was "delivered by the determinant counsel and foreknowledge of God", but that they took and with wicked hands crucified and slay the Lord of glory. Men committed a wicked act, yet God meant it for good. And, just as in the case of Joseph, much people were saved alive as a result of God bringing such a thing to pass—this time in an eternal sense. Praise be to the God of all grace!

Obedience or legalism?

2010-01-30T13:29:00.018-06:00

I've been wanting to preach on the subject of legalism for a long time. I've had some thoughts about this subject, but hadn't done the studying necessary to bring it all together. Today, a dear sister in Christ shared with me a link to a blog post titled, "When did obedience become legalism?" by Mike Adkins. (See http://www.mikeadkins.com/article/when-did-obedience-become-legalism.) That title was a perfect match for the thoughts I'd had on the subject, and it really got the wheels of my mind turning. I'm going to use this post on my blog to expand on the thoughts I've had, and along the way I'll probably share some thoughts from Brother Adkins. There are multiple thoughts in his post which I don't believe harmonize with scripture, but at the same time there is an abundance of good thoughts from which to glean. Let's get started.

Among some of my dear brothers and sisters, I've heard the words "legalism" and "legalistic" more often than I would like. Modern use of the terms "legalist" and "legalism" are contrary to what I believe the scripture teaches on this subject. Modern thinking among some seems to be that obedience to God's word somehow equals legalism. There are those in this world who want to serve God according to their own ideas and/or they want to be friends with the world; this causes them to have resentment for those who've chosen to live a stricter life in obedience to God's book. It causes them to point fingers and call them "legalists".

Let's look at the scriptures to see what we can learn on this subject.

The biblical teaching on the subject of legalism is quite different. Scripture teaches us that we shouldn't think that keeping the law makes us righteous before God. The whole point of Paul's letter to the Galatian brethren was to address this very subject. He told them, "if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain," (Galatians 2:21). Earlier, in verse 16, he told them that, "by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Obviously, we are justified before God by the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, period. To think that we can keep the law and thereby make ourselves righteous before God is biblical legalism.

From studying scriptures such as Paul's epistle to the Galatians, we see that biblical warnings against legalism are not warnings against obeying the word of God and keeping His commandments. Rather, they are warnings against the mindset that doing so will somehow make you righteous in His sight. Isaiah 64:6 says that, "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags". But just because our works don't make us justified in His sight is no reason to cease from good works or to condemn those who do them.

Paul told the Galatians, "use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another," (Galatians 5:13). In other words, just because we have liberty in Christ Jesus and the knowledge that we have been eternally saved by His grace, that doesn't give us license to sin all we want. Paul wrote to the Romans, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid," (Romans 6:1-2). We should be keeping God's commandments, but we should do so with our heart in the right place. Why then are some of God's children called legalists when they are simply trying to follow God completely in their lives? Can we go too far in keeping God's commandments? Can we go too far in making aggressive changes to our lives to conform ourselves more to His image? I don't believe so.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46)

A sister in Christ who blogs under the name "Mrs. Lindblom" (http://generationfour.blogspot.com/2009/12/legalism.html) wrote:

I'm not entirely sure how, but somehow people who homeschool their children, are cautious about what entertainment they partake in, who align on the more reformed side of theology and generally take an interest in deep, personal Bible study and application without a seminary degree hanging on their wall have the tendency to get grouped into this catagory called "legalists".

Some of us in our current day want to be Christians on Sunday morning and then live however we want to live the rest of the week. When some are corrected using biblical teachings or simply reproved by observing the godly behavior of others, they shout, "Legalist!" They want to have their cake and eat it, too. They want to have one foot in the world and one foot in church, and they have deep-seated resentment for those who are trying to conform themselves more to the image of Christ. Why? Perhaps it's because they aren't taking such steps themselves and the Holy Spirit is convicting them. But rather than forsaking all and following Christ, they chose to be lukewarm.

Am I on my righteous high horse? Not at all. We should be living in obedience to God, but we should have charity and compassion for those who aren't doing so, realizing that without God we ourselves would be worse than any other sinner. Jesus clearly taught against the elitist attitude forcefully and often. One of my favorite places in scripture where Jesus did so is a passage that my former pastor, Elder George Johnson, mentioned many times during his preaching:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:9-14)

Even the Apostle Paul—who wrote the majority of the books in the New Testament—said, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do," (Romans 7:18-19). And, "when I would do good, evil is present with me," (Romans 7:21).

I certainly don't live my life as I should on a daily basis—no one does; but the point is, I am trying. Is this about me? No! As Paul said, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 3:14). This should be the cry of all Christians!

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11-12)

Why would some sit on the sidelines and cry "Legalist!" at those who are making real changes in their lives? Our sinful attitudes sometimes cause us to focus our attention on others and how they're living rather than focusing our attention on our Savior. On one hand, we can err like a Pharisee who says, "All of you people need to live more like me!" On the other hand, we can err by saying, "That person is such a Pharisee. They think they're better than everyone else." Either approach looks at the righteousness of others rather than looking within to see how we can serve the Lord better in our own lives.

Brother Adkins further writes in his blog, "Did you ever give it thought that if obedience is legalism that Jesus was the biggest legalist of all time? He kept every commandment, never sinned once. [...] He was the only one that ever kept the law of God perfectly, obedient in every detail." Brother Adkins points out, "Jesus never condemned the Pharisees for keeping the law, not once. He condemned them for hypocrisy, for not keeping the law, for making commandments and adding them to God’s word and making them of equal force with God’s word binding them on men."

As an example, in Matthew 23:23, Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that they had, "omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Notice how Jesus told them that they ought to have done the weightier matters of the law and not to leave the other undone. In other words, do both!

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (I John 5:2-3)

As Brother Adkins states in his blog, "Love means obedience; and obedience, despite the cry to the contrary, is not legalism."

The more we read God's word and hear the preaching of the gospel, the more we learn about Him. We learn what is good in His sight and what is evil in His sight. There are those who have studied the bible in depth and have made real changes in their lives to conform themselves more to the image of Christ. These changes are not done because they are trying to make themselves righteous before God but because they want to truly serve God from their heart. This can cause resentment on the part of those who cannot give up the pleasures of this world to follow after Christ with their whole heart.

Another quote from Brother Adkins' blog: "I believe the cry 'legalism' against the teaching of obedience is in reality a smoke screen to cover up and make an excuse for a life lived for self..." Jesus told us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (II Corinthians 6:17-18)

The only way to truly serve the Lord Jesus Christ in this life is to deny ourselves of the pleasures of the flesh that we desire and to get busy doing the things we should be doing. We should not try to keep one foot in the world and one foot in the church. We cannot have our cake and eat it, too!

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

To quote Brother Adkins again, "Do you want to be like Jesus? If so start condemning sin and be obedient. You will not be working your way to heaven in doing so. You will simply be an obedient Christian, not a disobedient one."

People may call you a legalist when they begin to notice changes in your life. But as Brother Adkins states, "There are far worse things that can happen to a man than to be called a legalist by one who does not want to obey."

What did Jesus have to say about this?

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26)

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)

And again, as we begin to be more obedient to Christ and live our lives in submission to Him, we should be careful of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. We should not take on a self-righteous attitude. Just as we do not want others calling us "legalists" for making godly decisions in our life, we do not want to look down our noses and feel that we are more righteous than others, for we are all sinners in the sight of God. Our focus should be upon our dear Savior, the Lamb of God who gave Himself to redeem and rescue vile sinners.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Our service should be from a pure heart with our eyes on our King of kings and Lord of lords. As Sister Lindblom states, "I strive to obey because I love my Savior and have a desire to obey Him because of the great love He first showed me."

Valleys

2010-01-21T22:22:00.007-06:00

I realize I'm falling behind on my blog posts. I've had some ideas, and I have several drafts started...just shells of new posts at this point.

I'm honestly going through a lot in my life right now and just thought I'd write a little about that. There are so many people in my life that need prayers (more so than ever, it seems), and I need prayers myself. I've shared this with some folks, but I haven't felt like I'm in the right spot geographically in my life. It's hard to explain, but I have a feeling that I need to be some place other than Lubbock. The hard part is figuring out where that's supposed to be. My continual prayer is that the Lord will guide my footsteps and direct my paths...to show me where I'm supposed to be, even if that's to remain in Lubbock.

I get depressed with my life sometimes...disgusted with it and with myself, and yet I feel so helpless to fix it all. I ask the Lord for help, and though He's been so gracious to me in so many ways I don't seem to get answers. I am trying to be patient; I know that the Lord doesn't work on my timetable.

A favorite hymn of mine lately has been Thorny Desert.

Dark and thorny is the desert thru which pilgrims make their way,
But beyond this vale of sorrows lie the fields of endless day;
Fiends, loud howling thru the desert, make them tremble as they go;
And the fiery darts of Satan often bring their courage low;

O young soldiers are you weary of the troubles on the way?
Does your strength begin to fail you, and your vigor to decay?
Jesus, Jesus will go with you; He will lead you to His throne;
He who dyed his garments for you and the winepress trod alone.

I am still young (33), and I realize that I haven't gone through so many of the difficulties that those older than me have faced. And, some of God's children who are younger than me have been through adversities that make me ashamed of the fact that I sometimes feel sorry for myself. If I live on this earth much longer, I don't doubt that I will face more problems than those that I've already faced. The scriptures tell us that in this world we shall have tribulation. I also know that God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, and because of that promise I do not fear what the world will hurl at me. I do not fear because I know that the Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world. This brings gladness to my heart, and yet the daily grind continues to get me down.

When I've written some of my posts, I've been on top of the mountain. I suppose it's appropriate that I also write some when I'm down in a valley. It's not a joyous place to be, and were it not for the knowledge that I have victory in the resurrection of Jesus, my Savior forever, I would be of all men most miserable.

Much love to all who may be reading this. I thank each of you for your prayers on my behalf. May God's richest blessings be upon you!

Are we really in the image of God?

2009-11-09T16:56:00.004-06:00

My dearest brothers and sisters,

Our familiarity with the holy scriptures helps us to notice and avoid errors when they arise. We should approach the things of God with a serious mind and seek to be on the side of truth rather than error. Does our Almighty Savior not deserve such to worship Him? Let us look at one common error of thought found in the world today.

You may hear it said that "we are made in the image of God". That sounds good at first. But, as the Apostle Paul said, "what saith the scripture?"

The first thing that comes to mind is the account of creation. Here are Verses 26 and 27 from the first chapter of Genesis:

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

So, God did make man in His own image. Did he stay that way? Let's read Genesis 5:3:

And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth...

Here we notice a very important detail. Adam's son was born not in the likeness of God but in the likeness of his father Adam.

What says the New Testament? (Note: As we read the following passage, we must remember that the text "the last Adam" and "the second man" refers to the Lord Jesus Christ.)

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (I Corinthians 15:45-49)

The Apostle Paul tells us that "we have borne the image of the earthy". We are not in God's image. If "we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" in the future, then we do not currently bear the image of the heavenly. When the fall occurred in the Garden of Eden, sin entered into this world and there were consequences to that.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned... (Romans 5:12)

Sin had an effect, brothers and sisters. Because of the effects of sin on the human race, we are not in the image of God. But be of good cheer...there is good news!

In the excerpt from the I Corinthians above, Paul says, "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." We shall bear the image of the heavenly!? Wow! I can't wait! Later in the same chapter, Paul goes on to tell us that "in the twinkling of an eye" "we shall all be changed". This is known as glorification and is further mentioned in the Roman letter:

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

These are some of the most comforting scriptures to be found, in my opinion. Paul's letter to the Romans—divinely inspired and divinely preserved by God Almighty—tells us of our position before God. Past tense is used because this deal is as good as done, though not all of it is technically completed yet. But in God's eyes it's locked, signed, sealed, and delivered. You can take it to the bank!

Now, even though these things are as good as done, some of God's elect are still being called (born of God by the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit). And, we are still waiting for His glorious return when He shall change our bodies and we shall be glorified.

Let's consider another thought. If we were truly in the image of God, why did Jesus have to be made like us? Romans 8:3 tells us that Jesus came "in the likeness of sinful flesh". (It's important to note that He did not come "in sinful flesh" but "in the likeness of sinful flesh".) Jesus was God manifested in flesh; He was 100% God and 100% man. Consider another passage:

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)

Jesus did not come in his own likeness. He was "made like unto his brethren". But thanks to His conquering of death through the resurrection, one day we shall be made like our God. We sing a hymn that states, "When we wake in His likeness we'll be satisfied." If we were already in His likeness, why would we sing a hymn about someday awaking in His likeness? The simple fact is that we are not in His likeness, but some sweet day we shall be.

Until our glorification, we bear the image of our father Adam, looking forward to the triumphant return of our King of kings, and Lord of lords!

Mirrors

2009-10-17T21:13:00.002-05:00

How much time do we spend looking in a mirror at our natural reflection? What if there was a mirror where we could see our spiritual reflection instead of our natural reflection? Would we spend more time working on our spiritual physique and our spiritual appearance?

Super Powers

2009-09-01T04:59:00.004-05:00

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

Did you know you have super powers?

I grew up with comic books and cartoons which told of people with special powers. Peter Parker could spin webs and climb walls. He put on a red, blue, and black suit and called himself "Spider-Man". He used his special powers for good and fought evil.

Similarly, Clark Kent could fly, was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and could see through walls. He put on a red, blue, and yellow suit with the letter "S" on his chest and called himself "Superman".

Whether they realize it or not, all children of God have an "S" on their chest. That "S" stands for "Spirit".

In Galatians 4:6, the Apostle Paul tells us that, "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Colossians 1:27 says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," and Romans 8:11 tells us that His Spirit dwells in us.

Having the Spirit of Jesus Christ within us has an effect. It gives us special abilities that we did not have before and that others do not have.

First, having God's Spirit within us gives us a spiritual mind and spiritual ears (I Corinthians 2:12). In man's natural state he cannot receive or discern spiritual things; they are foolishness unto him (I Corinthians 2:14). So, the very ability to seek after and understand spiritual things is a divine power bestowed upon us by God. We have a special ability that those who are not born of God lack (John 8:42-47).

Jesus said repeatedly, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." How do we get the Spirit? How do we get these "spiritual ears"? It is a sovereign act of God upon His elect children (Romans 8:28-30). In John 3:7-8, Jesus tells us, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Again, Jesus says to "marvel not". It's not something you have control over; just as you had no control over your natural birth, you have no control over your spiritual birth. He basically says, "Don't worry about it. It will happen at God's appointed time if you're one of His elect." Besides, if you have an interest in whether or not you're born again, it's evidence that you already are born from above. After all, as we saw earlier, in a purely natural state you would not be interested in—nor able to understand—the things of God. You will not run into anyone who wants to spend eternity with God in Heaven but cannot, because the very fact that they have that desire is evidence they are of His flock (Psalms 110:3).

What other abilities does the Spirit give us? Let's look at the holy scriptures. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," (Ephesians 3:20). This tells us that the very power of God to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think is at work within each of us. Stephen used that power when he was being stoned to death in Acts 7:59-60. Although he had just delivered a mighty sermon about our God, those without spiritual ears hated him for it and slew him wickedly. Did he fight back? Did he curse them and return evil for evil? No, my dear brothers and sisters. He did something that he could only have done with the power of God's Spirit. He prayed that the Lord would not lay this sin to their charge. Wow!

In Acts 5, we read where Peter and the apostles were ordered not to teach in the name of Jesus. Nevertheless, they rightly decided to obey God rather than men. For this they were beaten and commanded once again not to speak in His name. At that point, a man in his natural state would likely rationalize that the best course of action would be to lay low and take heed to this command. But these men had "super powers" which enabled them to do something contrary to the natural course of action. They not only continued teaching and preaching Jesus Christ but they also rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name," (Acts 5:41). How could someone rejoice at being beaten, threatened, and suffering shame? By the power of Almighty God, that's how!

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - I John 4:4

There are some hard teachings in Jesus' sermon on the mount. Let's look at both Matthew and Luke's account.

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?" - Matthew 5:43-47

"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." - Luke 6:27-35

A man in his natural state looks at these teachings and thinks, "That's impossible! How in the world could someone be expected to do this?!" Again, the answer is:

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13

Notice the higher calling that a disciple of Christ has when compared to others in this world. Jesus says that if we love them that love us, so what?! Everybody does that! He says that if you smile, greet, or wave at folks that do the same to you, so what!? Everybody else does that! Children of God are expected to do more and are given the power to do so!

Do we loan out our possessions expecting to get them back? Do we get upset when we don't get them back? We shouldn't. By the Spirit implanted within us we're given the ability (power) to not set our affection on things on this earth. Oh, that we might learn the lesson!

Dearest one, the powers you and I have are unique. They are special. God's word tells us that there are wolves in sheeps' clothing. But a wolf is not that same as a sheep, no matter how he dresses up. Anyone can put on a Superman costume, but if they jumped off a building they'd fall down and go SPLAT! Only Superman has Superman's powers, and only a child of God's has the Spirit and the powers that accompanies having Christ within you.

Are you using your powers?

In the movie Spider-Man 2, our hero decided that he was missing out on too much in his life by being Spider-Man. He tossed out his costume and decided to be like everyone else. But inside he wasn't like everyone else, was he? When they walk around in their "secret identity" as Peter Parker and as Clark Kent, those men look like everyone else, but they are not. Similarly, a child of God is not like everyone else in the world even though he/she may appear to be so.

So what happened with Peter Parker? When he realized his mistake and finally decided to help someone in trouble, some of his abilities had faded. His powers weren't what they once were because he hadn't been using them. As children of God, we are told to exercise ourselves unto godliness (I Timothy 4:7). If we don't, pretty soon we become more and more like everyone else in the world. Hebrews 2:1 tells us, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." In the Apostle Peter's writings in God's word, he said two different times that he desired to put us in remembrance. We need our "daily bread", my brothers and sisters. We need to exercise our faith. We need constant reminders, and we need to be thinking on spiritual things daily. In doing so our powers will grow and we'll be stronger in the Lord.

"...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Ephesians 6:10

The first Spider-Man movie contained the line, "With great power comes great responsibility." The idea is that because he was "blest" with great powers, Peter Parker was to be self-sacrificing and use those powers for the greater good. This puts me in mind of Luke 12:48 ("For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required,") and also of the parable of the talents. It also puts us in mind of the divine powers God has given to us and whether we are using those for a greater good. Do we accept our great call, or do we put our "super hero suit" in the trash can and go about in this world like everyone else? When people look at us, do we shine forth (Matthew 5:16) like the colorful heroes in the comic books, or do we walk around in our "secret identities" so that no one can tell who we really are?

Brethren, we are called to, "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord," (II Corinthians 6:17). Followers of Jesus Christ have a high calling. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" (I Peter 2:9). "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness," (I Thessalonians 5:5).

The very power of God is within us! Are we using it?

A True Story: How Prayer and Fasting Saved a Marriage

2009-07-29T17:11:00.012-05:00

A man was having a conversation with a dear sister in Christ when she received a text message on her phone from a childhood friend of hers. The friend said in the text message that she had finally decided to leave her husband and get a divorce.

The man and the sister he was talking with were both deeply concerned about this situation. The woman who sent the text message had been having problems with her husband for a while, but no one wants to see another marriage end in divorce.

What a thought to know we worship a God who is able to intervene and make crooked things straight! He's able and pleased to help us, but He tells us in his word that we have not because we ask not. (I discussed some of these ideas in my previous two posts on the subject of prayer.)

The man who heard this news decided to take action. He began fasting and praying for this dear couple who were experiencing problems. He is a sinner like all of us, so he forgot to pray sometimes. But he kept after it, diligently asking for God's help. He prayed multiple times daily. This is for a couple he didn't even know, but he cared deeply for his sister in Christ (who is, again, a childhood friend of the married woman).

The married woman had decided to meet with an attorney to discuss divorce options. The day of her appointment fell on the third day of the man's prayer and fasting. That evening, he received good news. The woman had received an email about a Christian marriage counseling seminar that was coming to town. She forwarded the email to a friend and asked if she should attend. The friend told her, "Why not? You have nothing to lose, and you should do whatever it takes to save your marriage." The woman decided to attend the upcoming seminar, and she cancelled the appointment with her attorney! What glorious news!

Brothers and sisters, the God who created the heavens and the earth is the same God who is ruling today. Jesus Christ is on his throne! He can and does intervene in our lives by His divine providence to help us. We should be in earnest prayer, and fasting when necessary, to seek His help.

Fasting is a New Testament concept that many have overlooked. In the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus said, "when ye fast," not "if ye fast". Fasting is something Christians did once upon a time. Some still do, but in our prosperity the United States of America has lost the concept for the most part. The Christians who do fast typically do not follow Jesus' teachings about it.

Past presidents of our country such as Abraham Lincoln have declared national days of prayer and fasting, but when was the last time you heard of that happening? What happened to us? Have we gotten so comfortable that we've forgotten where our blessings come from? God warned His people about this in Deuteronomy 6:10-12. I was thankful a few years ago when it was brought to my attention that fasting is a New Testament concept that is still very much relevant. I'm thankful the man I mentioned above feels the same way.

The couple I mentioned will still have problems. They are not perfect—they are both sinners like each one of us. We should all be in prayer for them that the Lord will continue to heal and help in this situation. However, they are on a better road already. For today, their marriage is saved because of the mercy and grace of an Almighty God. Praise and glory be to Him!

The Praying Man tis returning

2009-05-18T23:01:00.003-05:00

Good day to you all! We previously discussed the need to be in prayer continually. I'd like to look at what we should pray for and how we should pray. May the Lord Jesus bless us as we look into His word for answers.

First, Jesus Himself gives us excellent instruction in the sixth chapter of The Gospel According to Matthew:

He tells us not to use vain repetitions. Our prayers should come from the heart. Let us avoid "getting into a rut" and saying the same things over and over in our prayers to our Father.
We should not pray to be heard of men that we might receive their praise. We need to pray to God so that He might hear our prayer and bless.
Jesus said, "enter into thy closet" when you pray. This teaches us that we should have some private time in prayer with our Father. We should not let our only prayer be during worship services in the house of God.

Speaking of praying in God's house, I heard someone complaining one time because a man in the worship service had prayed for several minutes. What?! I couldn't believe it. He said we can say everything we need in a few seconds and move on. Of course, a moment ago we just looked at how our prayers shouldn't be said "standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men" (Matthew 6:5). Those types of folks "think that they shall be heard for their much speaking" (Matthew 6:7). But again, the key factor is prayer from the heart! If a prayer is from the heart then it can be either short or long.

One of the most wonderful prayers I've ever "heard" is long and it comes from I Kings 8:22-53. (Please take time to turn in your bible and read it; I feel you will receive a blessing from it.) Certainly God was with our dear brother Solomon as he prayed this prayer. When a prayer comes from the Spirit within us it will be just the right length, whether it lasts for two hours or two seconds! God's house is a house of prayer, and when we go there to worship our Lord and Savior we should expect prayer to be a significant part of that worship!

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. - Matthew 21:13

Sometimes we go through times in our lives when don't even have the words to express ourselves to our Father in a way we'd like. I had a discussion with a dear sister in Christ several weeks ago about depression and suicide. She made the statement to me that she had experienced times in her life when she was so depressed that all she could do was lay on her bed and moan. I knew how she felt; sadly, I've had times in my life when I did not want to live any more. When I look back on those times, I know that I was in a state where I was truly unthankful for the blessings in my life that God had given me. I was looking at what I didn't have instead of what I did have. However, it's comforting to know that even at those dark times in our life our God hears even our groanings.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. - Romans 8:26

What a blessing!

Our prayers also need to go up to God with belief that he is pleased to answer them.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. - Matthew 21:22

Is the God to which we pray not the same God who created the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that is therein? Is He not then able to provide whatever we ask if it pleases Him to do so?

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? - Luke 11:9-13

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. - Mark 11:22-26

The verses in Luke 18:1-5 teach us persistence in prayer, as well:

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

When you don't have an answer, keep praying! :) Never give up on God!

Some times we are guilty of praying for only the "big" problems in our lives. Why not pray for the small things, too? Think about it. Have you ever dropped a load of groceries when carrying them up the steps? It's just one of those things that happens, right? Hmm... Did you ask God for His help in getting up the steps safely, and that you wouldn't drop anything so as not to waste what He's blest you with, and that by not dropping anything you would have more time to complete your other tasks at hand such as studying His word? If that seems like a silly prayer to you, then please continue living your life as you have lived it before, praying only when you're afflicted greatly. But brothers and sisters, I'm writing this blog about a God who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows the number of hairs on your head! He is concerned about the daily details of your life! And He stands ready, willing, able, and pleased to help you with the daily challenges you face, even and especially the "little problems" you face!

My precious brothers and sisters, how much better would our lives be on a daily basis if we practiced these teachings faithfully and continually? Let us meditate on this and attempt to apply these things to our lives.

May the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you!

A Praying Man tis on the right track

2009-05-15T22:45:00.008-05:00

Brothers and sisters, I've thought about prayer quite a bit lately. I've gone though times in my life when my prayer life wasn't what it should have been. Even during the times in my life when I've prayed a lot, I fall far short. I'm sure if we all examined ourselves honestly before God we would see that we do not pray as often or as well as we'd should. I see the words "praying always" used in both Colossians 1:3 and Ephesians 6:18. Can we pray too much?

I Thessalonians 5:17 says to "pray without ceasing."

Does this mean we can't ever do anything besides pray?

I could not find the word "continuously" in God's word. However, I found that "continually" occurs 81 times. A quick peek in the dictionary reveals that continuously means "without interruption", while continually means "frequently recurring". For instance, one might make the accurate statement that, "Randall is continually hungry." That's accurate because there are times each day when I get hungry; it's something that frequently recurs. However, to make the statement that, "Randall is continuously hungry," is inaccurate; I am far from being hungry after I eat a full meal.

I believe I Thessalonians 5:17 is telling us to be in prayer continually but not continuously.

Take Psalm 34:1 as another example:

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

If the LORD's praise were continuously in our mouth, we could never eat. After all, our mothers all taught us never to talk with our mouths full. Of course, the verse reads, "continually" rather than "continuously", so we're safe. :) Likewise, we should be in prayer continually, which is perfectly reasonable.

We find that the brethren in God's holy scriptures were continually in prayer. "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray" in Acts 10:9. We notice that in Acts 10:2, Cornelius "prayed to God alway". We should be in prayer not just on Sunday morning. We should be in prayer not just before our Thanksgiving meal when gathered with family.

God has blest us with tremendous and unspeakable blessings. Our mouths should continually be giving him thanks for these blessings.

We as sinners are also in constant need of His mercy and grace in our daily lives. We should be going before our Father in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ and asking for His help...not just for ourselves but for all His dear children who need Him daily. We need His forgiveness. We need Him to direct us in paths of righteousness as we make decisions daily.

If we are to be continually in prayer, what should we pray for? How should we pray? What should our prayers be like? You can read "the book" and get ahead of me if you'd like! Or just show up next time for the exciting conclusion! Until then, may God's grace and peace shine upon you!

I'm still here...

2009-05-11T08:41:00.002-05:00

I realize I haven't posted in a while. Just wanted everyone to know I haven't abandoned this little project and will hopefully post again soon. :)

Sacrifice

2009-03-08T20:30:00.000-05:00

Dear reader,

We hear the word "sacrifice" used in the world today when someone gives up something in exchange for something else. We may refer to a mother who makes sacrifices for her children; she gives up something she would like to have so that her children may have something they need.

In baseball, a batter may hit a sacrifice fly ball; instead of thinking of himself and trying to get on base so that he can gain more glory for himself, he sacrifices himself by hitting a fly ball. This allows a runner already on base to advance and perhaps score. The sacrifice, of course, has the overall effect of helping the team more than if the batter were to focus only on getting himself on base.

In the Old Testament portion of God's word, God gave orders to the children of Israel regarding the sacrifices they were to offer to Him. The items they were to give up were the best they could give. Bread made with fine flour. Rams without blemish. Lambs of the first year. These things were to be the best they had. They were to give the firstfruits. It was their "bread and butter".

Of course, the sacrifices in the Old Testament worship could never take away sin and, in fact, served as a continual remembrance of sins (Hebrews 10:3-4). It took a more excellent sacrifice: Jesus Christ the Righteous. He offered Himself to God the Father, and His sacrifice was accepted as a full payment for the sin debt that His people owed.

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. -- Hebrews 7:27

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. -- Hebrews 9:24-26

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. -- Hebrews 10:14

That is not to say the Old Testament sacrifices were not good. In fact, they serve as a great example to us in modern times. It's convicting to read about those sacrifices because in this day and time we're so often guilty of giving God the "leftovers". It's as though we say, "Lord, I'm going to buy all this stuff I want first, and if I have anything left over I'll gladly give it to you." How displeasing this must be to our God!

So, since we no longer offer the Old Testament sacrifices, is there no longer a sacrifice we should make? What does God's word indicate? In the eleventh chapter of Romans, Paul is relating the mercy of God to the brethren at Rome when he stops to exclaim, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" He then begins the twelfth chapter with, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

The sacrifice we are to make in the New Testament day is ourselves! God is pleased through our sacrificing ourselves to Him. He is pleased when we "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing..." (II Corinthians 6:17). He is pleased when we humble ourselves (James 4:10). He is pleased when we keep ourselves "unspotted from the world," (James 1:27).

We are to give our money, our time, our love, our service, our everything to our God.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. -- Colossians 3:17

This is a foreign concept to many in our present day. Even professing Christians will try to find ways around these sorts of scriptures by making excuses. It's in our nature to find ways around scriptures like these because the flesh wants what it wants. Peter told us, "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul," (I Peter 2:11). To present our bodies a living sacrifice to God means that our flesh has to give up things it likes. For each of us this can mean something different, but for all of us it means a struggle will take place.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. -- Galatians 5:17

But although this struggle can and does take place, we have an advocate with the Father. Jesus Christ is our strength, and with Him all things are possible.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. -- Philippians 4:13

Christ was the ultimate sacrifice—the highest price that has ever been paid for anything. We shall live forever with Him in eternal glory one day. Let us run with patience the race set before us and sacrifice ourselves in our pilgrimage here as we await His triumphant return! To Him be the glory forever!

Clean Dishes

2009-01-01T01:47:00.006-06:00

Some verses from the holy scriptures:

Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:22

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. - Proverbs 22:1

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. - Ecclesiastes 7:1

These verses are part of God's divinely inspired and divinely preserved word, and there is great wisdom in them. As with all scripture, however, we must rightly apply these to our lives in light of what other portions of holy scripture tell us. Let us use an example to illustrate.

A parent may teach her children that "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches," and that they should not do such-and-such because it could damage the family's good name. While this sort of teaching is admirable and uses God's word as a basis for the instruction given, there is a danger when this is the primary reasoning given for obedience and righteous living. Let us consider another portion of scripture:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. - Matthew 23:25-28

Our Lord Jesus plainly teaches here that we are to live righteously rather than shaping our lives in such a way as to appear righteous to others. This teaching from Matthew 23 does not nullify the verses of scripture quoted earlier. Rather, it sheds further light on them. How are we to achieve or keep a good name? We do so by cleansing ourselves from the inside out!

We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We should therefore confess our sins to our brothers and sisters in Christ (James 5:16) rather than sweeping those sins under a rug and putting on a falsely-righteous front.

Is it God's desire for His children that they sin, but hide it from their fellow church members so as to "abstain from all appearance of evil" and have good name?

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. - Romans 6:1-2

We have been saved eternally by the electing power of our Father, the redemptive work of His Son, and the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. There is liberty in understanding such truth, but Galatians 5:13 teaches us that we should not use that liberty for an occasion to the flesh. That is, once we understand that we are in possession of eternal salvation we should not use that freedom to sin willfully.

Brethren, let us do good works because it is right before the Lord. Let us remove sin from our lives because it is right before the Lord. Let us teach our children the whole counsel of God and avoid raising little Pharisees and hypocrites who only abstain from the appearance of evil while the inside of the cup and platter are never cleansed. Let us not be Pharisees and hypocrites ourselves. When we conduct our lives in a righteous manner primarily in order to have a good name, are we focusing on ourselves rather than "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"?

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. - Jude 1:25

Turning Leaves Over

2008-12-04T21:47:00.008-06:00

This past Sunday, the dear brother who was preaching God's message to us read the following text from the holy scriptures:

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. -- Psalms 70:4

Do we say continually, "Let God be magnified"? Do we do it hourly? Even daily? Do we do it with both our words and deeds?

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy... -- Psalms 107:2

Brothers and sisters, without our God we would be lost (both eternally and here in this life). He has redeemed us, saved us, called us with a holy calling, and seen us through every day of our lives. Do we give Him the glory that is due?

I once tried to speak from the pulpit on this topic, and I related a thought I had concerning the saying, "He turned over a new leaf." You have perhaps heard someone use this phrase during your life, but to whom does this saying give the glory? Would saying something like, "God turned his leaf over," be more suitable?

Some may be thinking, "Does it really matter?" After all, that's just something people say, right? What difference does it make?

God's word definitely makes it clear that we are to give God the glory. We looked at two portions of scripture above which are clear on this point, and there are countless others. We could also ask Herod, were he around, to tell his side of the story from the end of Acts, Chapter 12. I wonder what he'd say...

So...does man turn over a new leaf or does God turn his leaf over? I submit to you that no matter which is the case, God deserves the glory for both. Let's continue looking at this subject.

First, does man decide of his own will that he wants to be a better person, or does it take a divine act from God Almighty? Consider the condition we were in without God:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. -- Ephesians 2:1-9

In my last post I quoted a passage of scripture which tells us that love is of God and God is love. We also looked at a scripture which states how He has changed our hearts. His word teaches us that all good things come from Him. Let there be no doubt, if we have any goodness in us it had to come from God.

Once we have been born of God (quickened by the sovereign act of God), the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Christ Himself is within us!

...Christ in you, the hope of glory...

We now have the ability to see spiritual things, understand spiritual things, and seek after spiritual things. We now have the ability to repent, worship, and please God—an ability we did not have in our dead, natural state before He granted us spiritual life. (See I Corinthians 2:14.) At that point, our leaf has been turned over in a sense, just as Saul of Tarsus and countless others.

Is there anything for us to do at that point, or are we helpless puppets with God pulling the strings in the Earth Puppet Show? I believe we do have responsibilities. God did give man a free will to choose what he does as he lives his life here on earth. Otherwise, why would He call on us to be obedient, to repent, and to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17)?

We certainly have a duty to obey God during our lives. After all, "he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," (Hebrews 11:6). However, as we can see from the following scriptures, we do need God's help:

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. -- Jeremiah 10:23-24

All our help and strength comes from God! Let us always keep that in memory!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. -- Philippians 4:13

How can we do all things? Through Christ! Through Christ, how? Because He strengthens us!

Therefore, though we may be tempted to say, "I turned over a new leaf," let us remember who gave us the ability to repent, who gave us the ability to speak, who gave us the ability to breathe, and who upholds "all things by the word of his power"!

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
-- Philippians 2:13

May we be diligent and pay special attention to give glory where glory is due!

...to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. -- Revelation 1:6

Charity

2008-11-09T16:34:00.018-06:00

My dearest brothers and sisters, let us consider a portion of God's word found in Paul's first epistle to the church at Corinth:

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. — I Corinthians 13:3

Before sharing my thoughts on this verse, I'd like to briefly look at a fundamental concept regarding the Greek word agape, a word found throughout the verses of scripture which follow Verse 3. They are some of the most quoted scriptures of our day:

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. — I Corinthians 13:4-13

We notice the translators of the King James bible translated the Greek word agape as charity. It has reference to:

love
generous actions
benevolence
a disposition to do good

I've noticed occasionally that some of God's people use the words "biblical love" or "agape love" because the world around us has so corrupted the meaning of the English word love. As followers of Christ, let us remember that Satan is subtle; we must beware of falling into the snare of conforming to what those around us are doing and saying. (God warned the children of Israel of this very thing in the Old Testament.) In part, this will prevent our view of God's word from being adversely affected.

What, then, is love? The world uses the word love to refer to "fuzzy feelings" people can have for each other...a state one can fall into...a state one can fall out of. God's word says nothing about "falling into love" or "falling out of love".

When we listen to worldly music, watch movies, or watch TV, we notice that a sin—fornication—is sometimes called "making love". Can a man and a woman create love by participating in sin? What is love?

Let us look at what God's word says about love:

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. — I John 4:7-21

The Greek word agape was translated as love in these verses. It carries the same meaning as the passage above from the Corinthian epistle. Most notably for our purposes today: God is love, and love comes from God.

The love/charity in these passages is about both action and attitude; feelings have much less—if anything—to do with it. When Jesus told us to love our enemies, He was not commanding us to start out by having warm, fuzzy feelings about them. He was commanding us first to show unto them kindness, patience, benevolence, forgiveness, and other forms of goodness—to overcome evil with good. This is not to be done because our enemies deserve it, but in spite of whether they deserve it or not. God loved us when we were yet enemies. Our sins are forgiven in Jesus Christ because He showed forth His love to us—not because we were so lovable and deserving of His goodness! When we were yet enemies, Christ died for us. As His disciples, we are commanded to show forth love (charity) in the same fashion, and to do it with the right spirit—not begrudgingly.

Now, let's revisit I Corinthians 13:3. I notice from this verse that it's possible to give all your goods to feed the poor but still not have charity. Let's examine this concept more closely.

Charity is another of those words that the world has twisted. One dictionary's definition of charity reads "something given to a person or persons in need; alms". I observe that the world's definition usually retains the action, but it sometimes loses site of the purpose of the action or the attitude with which it's to be done. Paul tells us that if we give all our goods to feed the poor, it's still possible to not have charity. Charity is something deeper and of a much higher calling than having 5% of our paycheck donated to a worthwhile cause.

After church services today, my thoughts were turned to charity after a conversation at the dinner table. Two of my dear sisters were discussing President-elect Obama, his policies, and our obligation to help those in need. My intent in this writing is not to discuss politics. I have never claimed to be a Republican or a Democrat. I do, however, believe in the following verses from God's word:

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. — Acts 2:44-45

Some in the political world feel the government should ensure the ideas found in these verses of scripture are carried out, though they claim "deservedness" and "fairness" rather than God's word as their motivation. Others feel it is not the role of government to take things from some citizens and redistribute them to others. Regardless of whether our nation's leaders share either of these views or another view entirely, we as God's people have an obligation to follow the teachings found in God's word.

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. — Luke 6:27-36

This is indeed a high calling, but it is our calling. It can be done daily, with or without the help of government, if we look for the opportunities.

As my brother Travis and I were stopped at a traffic light yesterday, we observed a man on the street corner holding a sign indicating he was an out-of-work veteran. I'm ashamed to share my thoughts, but they raced from, "He looks healthy enough to be working. Why doesn't he hustle and find a job?" to, "I'd like to help him. How much should I give?" to, "We're in a hurry and I don't want to make us late." While I was doing nothing, the car next to us motioned for the man. The driver handed him a sack of food and a drink, freshly purchased from McDonald's and no doubt intended for the car's driver and his passenger. The driver of that car was living what God's word teaches us. He was showing forth his faith by his works. What was I doing?

I don't know to what extent the driver was familiar with the teachings of scripture, but I feel strongly that God's word was written in his heart through the sovereign operation of the Holy Spirit. He would not otherwise have shown forth the charity that can only come from God.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. — Ezekiel 36:26-28

Brothers and sisters, God has replaced our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, and He has given us a new spirit. What will we do with them?

word

2008-09-30T00:46:00.007-05:00

I woke up yesterday with these passages on my mind, and I feel compelled to share my thoughts on how they relate.

· Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

· Give us day by day our daily bread.

· …Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that preceedeth out of the mouth of God.

How many of God’s people go day by day without their “daily bread”? We are clearly instructed regarding the benefits of God’s word within the word itself. Yet many days pass in our lives where the holy scriptures sit unused—unappreciated—by a people whose prosperity results in them being so comfortable that they forget the very God who blest them with their prosperity.

· Woe to them that are at ease in Zion…

Consider this passage, also:

· All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

If the scriptures are profitable and inspired of God, why do we so callously take them for granted? Why are we compelled to read every “self-help” book on the market before we read the best self-help book?

We face many difficulties in this life, and yet how many of those could be avoided or their impact lessened if we had the proper instruction from God already committed to our minds before those troubles came? The word of God is profitable for instruction in righteousness—it can help us avoid life’s pitfalls. How great our God has been to us in providing the infallible “instruction manual” for this life! Could we not avoid some of the sins that so easily beset us by immersing ourselves in God’s book?

And what better example do we have than Christ? Let us look at His example. When He was tempted of Satan, what was His response? He quoted scripture to him! The word of God will not fail us if we will learn it and use it! When Satan is tempting us, what better response could we give than quoting God’s word? I have done this many times within myself (though not nearly enough) when I find myself being tempted, and believe me it works wonders!

There are times in my life when I was more diligent than other times when it came to reading the scriptures. I recall instances during those times when I was tempted by sin, but a hymn or a scripture came to mind. I had “hid” God’s word in my heart, and it was there to help me at a time when I might otherwise have sinned against my God. How much better my life would be if I would apply myself more diligently!

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

Let us be more like the brethren at Berea and more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in studying and knowing the scriptures—they can help us when we need it most!

Shifting Sands

2008-08-11T07:12:00.006-05:00

It seems my mind has been on the ups and downs we go through in this journey called life. One of my favorite hymns lately has been "Mixtures".

Mixtures of joy and sorrow I daily do pass through
Sometimes I'm in the valley and sinking down with woe
Sometimes I am exalted—on eagles' wings I fly
I rise above my troubles and hope to reach the sky

The worship services at Oak Hill were amazing. God was certainly there, and I received more blessings from Him than I can count.

As I was driving away from the church house yesterday afternoon, I began to cry. (Yes, it's okay for a man to cry. Jesus wept.) I think mostly I was sad at the idea of going back into the world. When you're on life's mountain tops and you know you're about to encounter valleys before the next mountain top, it can bring you down a little I suppose.

A song was in my head as I was driving away, and I suddenly realized how appropriate it was for what I was feeling at the time. (Isn't it wonderful when our Father knows what we stand in need of and gives it to us before we ask?)

Oh, bear me up angels across life's shifting sands
Lest I should stumble
Bear me up in your hands

Some hymns are very special to us; the words hit home with us and speak to our hearts. Other hymns we just sing along and don't quite receive a blessing like we should. "Bear Me Up Angels" has always fit in that second category for me—until yesterday.

I had never focused on the "shifting sands" part, but that is perhaps the most important part of that hymn. The reason we need God's help, the reason we call upon Him when we otherwise might not, the reason we need His angels to bear us up, is because the sands on the shores of life shift beneath us.

Things that we trust in are so often temporal—they can be removed from our life in the blink of an eye (Psalm 46...though the mountains be moved, God is our helper). God has told us in His word to do the exact opposite of what we often do. We are commanded to set our affection on things above and not things on the earth.

"...for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Thank you, God, for the blessings I encounter when worshipping Thee. Please help me through the storms and "shifting sands" of life. Direct my paths, and help my heart to be rightly focused on the spiritual rather than the carnal.

Showing Love

2008-07-26T22:49:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to stand before the Lord's people and speak from His word for about ten years. I thank God that he's helped me to see my on again/off again service to Him and lack of diligently reading the scriptures as I should. He's been longsuffering with me and continued to bless me when I do apply myself. If God's purpose is that I am someday blest to be a minister of His gospel, I hope that I will always comprehend and appreciate the awesome responsibility and blessing of that calling.

For now, the best preaching I've ever done continues to come to me when I'm shaving, driving, or otherwise all alone, and the Lord gives me some wonderful thoughts that I long to share with others. What's comforting is that I've heard many other ministers relate this same experience. May He someday give me the words when the time comes, that it will be to the glory of His holy name!

As I sat down to write, the main thoughts on my mind were centered on my "personality type". I've been blest in my job to attend multiple seminars/training sessions that focused on the various personality types which individuals possess and how to best interact with those personalities. A side effect, at least for me, is that it causes you to reflect on yourself and think about how others view you.

I can't remember a time when I wasn't extremely self-aware—cognizant of my own behavior and interactions with others. Those thoughts lately center on how my personality might affect my ministry. I've always been the last to make new friends in a crowd...quiet...the "deep thinker" rather than the "socializer". I have a concern that my quietness comes across to some of my precious brothers and sisters as unfriendliness...coldness. I try to combat this and show my love to those around me, but that's exactly my point: should it have to be a "task" that I consciously have to work on? For some, showing love to others seems to come so naturally. Am I doing something wrong, or do others have these same struggles? I don't doubt that God's word addresses this somewhere if I can only find it.

Even if I am never ordained as an elder/bishop/minister (terms used interchangeably in the word of God) , I am still a child of God who in his interactions with others is responsible for "letting [his] light so shine before men, that they may see [my] good works and glorify [my] Father which is in heaven." My eternal destination is secured not by my works but by God's grace, but while I live here in time perhaps my good works can show forth my love towards my brothers and sisters. I will "commit [my] works UNTO THE LORD, and [my] thoughts shall be established."

We need the prayers of those we love

2008-07-10T19:03:00.003-05:00

So many hymns have flooded my mind in the past couple of hours. Someone extremely close to me is going through a deep, dark valley of life that I can only imagine.

"Mixtures of joy and sorrow I daily do pass through"

"Lord Jesus wilt thou mercy show..."

"Heal my wounded broken spirit, save me by thy grace"

David wrote, "The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses." This is my prayer for my loved one in Christ.

Show forth thy salvation, Heavenly Father, that thy name might be glorified. Thou art able to bring good out of bad, to do exceding abundantly above all that we can think or ask.

"O, help us when our spirits bleed with contrite anguish sore"

"O, help us, Jesus, from on high, we know no help but Thee"

much of my time

2008-07-05T07:38:00.001-05:00

Much of my time has run to waste
And I perhaps am near my home
But He forgives my follies past
He gives me strength for days to come

What a blessing to join together with the saints of God to praise His matchless name! The preaching service the past two days has been both convicting and comforting, and I'm looking forward to more of our Lord's presence today.

The convicting part brings to mind the words of the hymn above. Two nights ago as I lay in bed I was faced with a decision to read God's word or to browse Web sites on my iPhone. Guess which one I picked? :)

A brother spoke yesterday of someone who had asked him to come and offer prayer for a relative who had cancer. As he was telling us the story, he said something about not having the words of himself which would be necessary to bring someone comfort at such a time. I thank God that I understand, as he does, that our Father is able to bless--but how much more will He bless when we've studied the scriptures that He's preserved for our learning? How much more benefit would God help me to be to His people if I *diligently* studied the word so that when confronted with such situations myself I would have words of comfort from God's own book?

God help me to be a more faithful servant!