When a Little Comma Covers a Long Period

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord”, (Isa.61:1-2).

Every writer has his or her own style. For example, I like to use commas. And so did my wife in her writings until she was intimidated by my daughter for using them so often. But she (Leah) doesn’t scare me. Well most of the time, anyway.

In our opening text, the little comma we stopped with covers some two- thousand years. You’ll recall in the synagogue how Jesus quoted this portion from Isaiah’s prophecy, but did not finish it, stopping at the comma (Lk.4:18-20). Why? Because when He said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled,” it would have not been true had he continued on with the verse. For the rest of the text says, “And the day of the vengeance of our God.” You can see the former has to do with His first coming, the latter His second coming.

Thank God, “He closed the book…and sat down.” The first part of the text reaches to our age. He is still binding up the brokenhearted and freeing the captives. May God have mercy in the day of His vengeance.

Background or Foreground

“And he is before all things…” Christ is to be first in line, at the head of the pack, if you please. I’m fearful that He is in the background, rather than the foreground, in many of our lives. The former word meaning, “the distant part of a scene; behind or subordinate to something.” The definition of the latter is “nearest the viewer.” It can be said, and rightly so, that scores of Christians today are like the prophets of old who “…stood to view afar off.”

Our relationship with Christ is to be “up close and personal.” What lover wants to court from a distance? You have to be close to Him, if you’re going to cling to Him. Saintly Brainard said, “I want to be so close to Jesus that I can hear His heart beat.” John the Beloved would have said, “Amen” to that statement, for, you remember it was he who leaned his head on Jesus’ bosom. When will we learn, familiarity is not intimacy.

The best way to get close to God is to make over His Son.

Check the Price Tag

"Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” The reserved, conservative, religious Jews could only surmise that these Spirit-filled disciples had gone over the edge. They had become fanatical. Someone defined the word, when used in Christian circles today, as meaning “someone closer to God than me.”

There is a cost to being filled with the Holy Ghost. The lives of John the Baptist, Stephen, and Paul, along with a host of other humble believers, as well as Jesus, testify to this fact. As a preacher of old used to say, “There is no Pentecost without plenty-cost.” The price tag on a powerful race car is much more than that of a mope-along four cylinder.

All Christians want the power of God until they check the price tag.

A Book and It's Author

Recently my wife and older son Andrew drove form our home in Northern CA. to the Los Angeles area. The purpose was to hear and meet an author my wife had been reading after; our son had recommended him to her. The book is entitled, “What’s So Great About Christianity?” The author’s name is Dinesh D’Souza. She was so taken up with the book she would not be satisfied until meeting the writer. She was thrilled when introduced to him by our son.

Is this not the way it should be in the Christian life? We begin by reading the Word of God; and then we are so impressed, we long to know the God of the Word. How sad to see so many Believers today talking about and quoting this Divine Book, who do not know, or have an intimate knowledge of, the One who wrote it? They stop short, spending their entire Christian life in the outer court at the Laver (type of the Word) rather than continuing on and entering the Holy of Holies, where the Glory was. Every time God rends the veil of their lives so they can enter in, they patch the veil back up.

The purpose of knowing God’s Word is that it will ultimately lead one to knowing Him. Toward the end of David’s life he wanted to show his son Solomon the importance of this great find, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy Father.” This was also Paul’s one great desire. As an old man, he tells the Philippians of this longing, “That I may know him…”

The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him. (John Milton)

Feeding the Feeder

As a new-born babe in Christ, I remember listening to The Old-Fashioned Revival Hour and Radio Bible Class every Sunday morning before church. On the weekdays, it was Back to the Bible. How I was fed through their ministries. Much of my spiritual growth as a Christian I attribute directly to these marvelous ministries.

Though I believe, generally speaking, one should tithe through their local assembly (if they are being fed and nourished from the Word of God), I also preached and practiced the truth that your offerings could prayerfully be given to a ministry, or ministries, that have been a blessing to you.

I am so thankful, as I look back over the years, that I supported some of these ministries on a regular basis. I knew what they did for me, and I dearly wanted them to do the same for others.

How I appreciate now that little handful of faithful friends who financially help us each month. A seasoned preacher told me when I first started out, “You feed God’s people and they’ll feed you.” I call it, “feeding the feeder. I praise God for my “feeders!”

“If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” (1 Cor. 9:11)

Inside Issues

In the future, from time to time, I will be writing about what I believe to be some serious problems within the Body of Christ (Inside Issues). Mind you, this is only one man’s humble opinion. It comes from an old disciple’s observance of an institution he has dearly loved and been an intricate part of for more than half a century. I’m speaking of The Church of Jesus Christ.

Today I’d like to discuss the Christian and politics. I want to cover this controversial subject a little differently from that which is generally presented. One’s involvement in the political process, I believe, is up to an individual’s conscience before God. My position is that of the little proverbial saying, “Some can, others can’t.” And as far as which of the two is better, I think we could apply Paul’s words to each side, “…neither…are we the better; neither …are we the worse.”

My concern is not with a believer’s involvement in governmental affairs, but their entanglement. Paul warns us, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life.” It seems to me when preachers and churches intertwined with the world, they lost the power of God. When your brand of Christianity is accepted and applauded by this world, you have the wrong sort. Jesus said the world hated Him, and it will hate us. We need to be more concerned with God’s acceptance than the world’s corrupt system.

God said He would have spared Sodom had Lot been a Spiritual influence rather than getting tangled up in their political affairs (Gen.19:9). As D.L. Moody said, “It’s alright for the ship to be in the water, but it sinks when the water gets in the ship.” Separation is not isolation, but insulation without contamination. Even a casual reading of the book of Acts would settle many doubts as to a Christian and politics.

You’ll never straighten out this world with crooked Christians.

Caught in the Middle

The story is told of a young man during the Civil War who wanted to play it safe, so he put on Yankee pants and a Rebel coat. But, to his dismay, he was shot at by both sides. And so, without compromise, I hope to appease both sides of a warring issue, but feel I’m in a no-win position. I speak of the Atonement. Was it universal or particular; was it for all or only the elect?

As much as one side “wrestles the scriptures,” it still comes out, “He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” If you change “the whole world” to mean something else; then you must do it later on in John’s first Epistle when he writes, “The whole world lieth in wickedness.” On the other side of the coin, to deny God has an elect people, you must take a penknife, as Jehudi of old, and cut out great portions of scripture.

And so, is it universal or limited? His atonement is sufficient for all, but only efficient to those who believe. We are to, “…do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Watch these two words in italics as they’re used elsewhere. “[He] is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

To me, this is the only way you can make a legitimate offer of the gospel to the whole world. For those who believe in a “Limited Atonement” limit God’s love for the world. But, on the other hand, those who detest “Election,” as the old preacher said, “That’s why God didn’t elect you; He knew you wouldn’t like it.”

Well that’s it, and I can already sense some taking aim.

A Divine Invitation

If I understand it right, no one can approach a king on his throne except by the king’s personal approval. Esther realized this when she told Mordecai, “...whoever...shall come unto the king...who is not called...[shall be] put...to death.” That is, she adds, “...except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre.” She went on to say, “...I have not been called to come unto the king these thirty days.”

How I thank God that I can approach my King anytime, day or night—not with fear and trembling, but with full assurance in my heart. I am told I can enter boldly on the basis of the blood of His Son. Jesus is God’s “sceptre of righteousness” which God has reached out to me. Because of this, we have a Divine invitation to approach His throne. “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy (for past failures), and find grace to help (for the present) in time of need.” Yes, there are warnings in the Book of Hebrews, but, overall, it is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, books in the Bible on assurance and comfort for the believer.

Years ago, a man in England named Dr. Barnardo, took in little waifs from the streets of London. He clothed, fed, and gave them a home. One little fellow entered his office on a certain night, requesting help. The doctor asked who had recommended him. The reply from the little urchin was, “I thought these tattered clothes would be recommendation enough.”

Oh, how I thank God I can come to His throne today, knowing my tattered, soiled rags of failures and shortcomings will be recommendation enough for help in my time of need!

Doom's Day

“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them…” The disciples were in the midst of the sea, toiling in the storm. Jesus was on high, praying. It was when His elect were engulfed in darkness, with the wind and the waves raging all about them, that Christ left His place of intercession and came to them, walking on a liquid floor.

Throughout the Scriptures, you find God always showing up at the last minute. You can look for Him when all hope is taken away. He waits till the fourth watch, when it’s the darkest, so that we will not be tempted to say later, “…mine own hand hath gotten me this.”

And so it will be with His Second Coming. The darkest hour of the night is just before the dawn. The morning watch (3 a.m. to 6 a.m.) is when those who are watching can see the “Bright and Morning Star.” As the night intensifies, you can look for “The Star” to show up.

This is not a Doom’s Day approach; it’s about His Glorious Appearing.

Getting Into Hot Water

Jesus didn’t get into trouble with His Jewish brethren for glorifying God. He got into hot water because He glorified Him at their expense. As long as He didn’t bring them and theirs into the picture, everything was fine. But when He put God before their exalted personalities (Abraham, Moses, etc.) and their religious rituals and rites (the Sabbath, Circumcision, etc.) they went after His scalp.

Not much has changed from those olden times. Many of the brethren today are all for glorifying God, as long as it doesn’t show them up. But, if you take away the outward spiritual tinsel, leaving them bare, with God towering over them, they’ll be looking for a cross to nail you to, also. Characteristically, these personalities and pet projects that are passed off as spiritual, must not be overshadowed by God; He is to take His place at the end of the line.

People such as this can never sincerely pray the prayer of A.W. Tozer: “God, glorify thyself, and do it at my expense.”

You Can't Change the Unchangeable

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” There are some things in our lives that will never change. True, God can give both of these a new nature. The Ethiopian eunuch can testify to this as well as the leopard that lies down with the kid. But neither has a change of their skin or spots. They will always remain the same. Some are like Sisera’s mother, anticipating something that is never going to happen.

We need to read again the little “Prayer of Serenity”:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

C.S. Lewis says, “Don’t you think the things people are most ashamed of are those things they can’t help?” I believe this to be true. But I also believe we should be ashamed of those things we can help and refuse to change.

I can’t change the wind’s direction, but I can change my own.

Are Babies in Heaven?

There is a difference of opinion on the above question. The Scriptures are not too clear on the subject. My personal belief is that they are not; my reason for saying this is the same as that of no old people being there: imperfection. What mother going to Heaven before her infant would want it to remain a baby on earth? She would want it to grow and mature. It seems to me we will all be of a perfect age. Our Lord died in the prime of life and stayed that way.

No matter your position on the subject, one thing all of us should agree on is that maturity is one of the great necessities of life. Most all our problems stem from this lack. We hear a lot about growth today in the Christian realm, but Peter tells us that along with growth, there should be knowledge of the Lord Jesus. The result of growth without knowledge is retardation.

Paul told the Philippian believers he had lost everything for the knowledge of Christ. C.S. Lewis said, “The process of growing up is to be valued for what we gain, not for what we lose.”

A person doesn’t know anything until they know Christ intimately. (Col.2:3)

*Faith's Funeral

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” A living faith has works; if not, it’s in a coffin. Is it any wonder that we are exhorted to “...be careful to maintain good works.” The judgment seat of Christ is not about the existence of works in a Christian’s life, but the quality of their works. We are to assume all believers have them, of one “sort” or another.

Jesus told His disciples that when men saw their good works, they would glorify the Father in Heaven. Good works are something we can leave behind for our loved ones to remember us by. “Dorcas...was full of good works...and all the widows stood by him [Peter] weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.” And, ultimately, they will follow us to Heaven: “...and their works do follow them.”

If James were living today, I imagine he would have come from Missouri—the “show-me” state. “Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” In other words, James believed we ought to “put-up or shut-up.”

Like a rowboat, the Christian life has two oars—faith and works; take away one, and you go in circles.

*Were or Are?

“And such were some of you." It is not "then"; it is "now." It is not the past; it is the present. It is not what you were; it's what you are that counts with God and is what should occupy our minds. An old Methodist preacher used to say, "A person who builds his life on his past is destined to fall."

Paul only gave his testimony two times in Acts. That's twice in some thirty years, and both times it was given out of necessity. The Apostle's epistles give little space to our being "in Adam" in comparison to our being "in Christ." Dwelling on the former can bring on a state of defeat, but dwelling on the latter brings victory.

Constantly inspecting a corrupt corpse can cause morbidity and depression. Like the man of Gadara, we need to leave the tombs and go among the living. The Prodigal's father said of his son, "This my son was dead, and is alive again." Let us dwell on the "is," not on the "was."

A person can do nothing about who he was, but can, who he is.

*One Bad Experience

I was a boy of eight or nine and had just finished playing baseball on an extremely hot day. I stopped at the corner ice cream parlor on my way home and got a delicious, creamy, vanilla ice cream cone. After consuming about half of it, while heading for the house, I got horribly sick and brought it all up. From that day, I never ate that flavor again until recent years.

How many of us in life are like this? We spend years blaming others for one bad experience, when all the time, it would never have transpired had it not been for the condition we were in at the time. What is so pitiful about the whole thing is that we could be enjoying that thing or person we blame if we only admitted it was not them or it that was the cause, but us! I now thoroughly love vanilla, but cringe when I think of the wasted years of enjoyment I forfeited by living on one bad experience.

*Divine Interruption

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell...” In recounting this event to others, Peter said, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell…” I am so thankful to say that I have been in such services—services where God interrupted preaching, singing, and even the praying. I was once asked, “What do you do when God gets in it?” My reply was, “I get out of it.”

The Bible teaches order, but not at the expense of God interrupting that order. I am not against bulletins listing the order of the service, but let us be careful we do not organize God out of them. You cannot dictate time to an eternal God.

Let’s be more concerned about our heart’s burning than the Sunday roast.

*Throw Away Your Catcher's Mitt

“Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And [Jesus] said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you” They could not get Jesus entangled in the affairs of others. He could have given the right answer, but He would have been meddling in business that was not His own. To have gone out on the limb, so to speak, would have had one of the two parties cut it off. When we invade areas that are none of our business, we do it to our own hurt.

In Richard Carlson’s book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…And It’s All Small Stuff, he has a chapter on this very subject. Though his book is not Christian, it has many Christian principles. One of his philosophical quips is “If someone throws you the ball, you don’t have to catch it.” He mentions our tendency to jump on board someone else’s problem and how we assume, because they throw us a concern, we must catch it and respond. He goes on to say, you have a choice; you don’t have to catch the ball. I’ve made up my mind, and I hope you will, too, that I’m not going to play in that game.

There are bodies who are busy; then there are busy-bodies.

*Free Will

The sovereignty of God and the free will of man have been argued and debated from early Church history. Good and godly men have held opposing views—John Calvin and John Wesley, to name two. In spite of all the endless debates by some of the greatest minds, it is still unsettled. And I believe it will remain so until we get to Heaven and see them as two separate train tracks coming together in an arch.

Admittedly, I do not understand these two seemingly opposite doctrines, but, at the same time, I believe them to be equally true. Having said this let me give you my personal convictions about these twins, and how they relate to my own life.

Five times it is said of Lucifer (Satan) before his fall, “I will...” Of our first parents we are told, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.” It seems from the first, that each time someone could exercise their free will, they chose wrongly. Therefore, I am fearful of my free will. I find it best to say, “Not my will, but thy will.”
God works in me both to will and do His will. I’m so thankful He didn’t leave me to work out my own.

*A Divine Peek Behind Closed Doors

“…and thy Father, which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” This phrase, I believe, is found three times in Matthew chapter six. And, if it teaches anything, it certainly tells us that what we do behind closed doors, where only God can see us, is of vital importance to our public lives. For it is in the secret place that we determine what the reward will be in public. It seems today there is a great desire to put oneself on public display. And the result is a tragic amount of casualties.

I am sure most of us are familiar with the story when young David was brought before Saul, who questioned whether such a youth was qualified to face the giant, Goliath. When being challenged by Saul for his lack of military experience, as well as his youth, out of necessity, David told of an experience he had had in secret. This young man had fearlessly killed a lion and a bear, single-handedly, while shepherding his flock. We can now understand God rewarding him openly by helping him slay his giant.

Each of us, no matter what our age or maturity as Christians, will have “giants” that we will be confronted with in the public arena of life. Our victories over these will be determined by our personal victories in secret, behind closed doors. Never underestimate the importance of that part of your life that is secret.

Remember, the most important part of your life is the part that only God sees.

*Those Contemptible Contemporaries

“Say not thou...that the former days were better than these.” To some, the past was better than the present, and they believe the future will even surpass that. But to such sad souls the present is the worse time in which anyone could live. I find that people who believe and say this are unwilling to put forth any effort in making the present excel the past. We know this can be accomplished, for we have the past to go on.

To the many who despise and detest anything that smacks of the new or modern I would remind that everything was so at one time. The advantage of the old is that it has had time to be tried and proven. Thus, with age, it has become vintage. Many things that are contemporary and thus viewed as being contemptible now, will someday be cherished by others. Remember, Jesus said, “...the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that...bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” And don’t forget, Jesus is going to “make all things new.” You can sit and reminisce about the past; just make sure you live in the reality of the present, and work to make it better.

The old paths we are to ask for were paved by the contemptible contemporaries of that day.

*Contented Admiration

Those characteristics we admire in others and lack in our own lives, undoubtedly, are the cause of so much emulation among us. We are not content to admire another’s attributes and gift’s; we must have them. Or at least act as though we do. There are things that are unique about each of us that others do not, and will not, ever possess. It’s called individuality. And what a boring, bland world it would be without it.

Each of us has his or her strengths and shortcomings. We all desire to be in possession of the first, but want nothing to do with the latter. But that is not how it works. God ordained that we should complement each other. Another’s strength, undergirds my weakness, and visa versa. In other words, God fixed it so that we should need each other. No man is an island. We all need someone to help us on to God.

Individuality does not mean independence.

*He'll Get Around to You

After Jesus called His disciples, He began to teach and preach in various towns. The men who followed Him had left loved ones, livelihoods, homes, and their childhood communities. It would be only human for them to want their friends and families to meet their Master and miracle- worker. Who would not long for Him to do, among their own, what they observed Him doing with others?

God is not forgetful of our devotion and obedience to Him. In Luke’s Gospel, chapter eleven, we are told, “...he [Christ] departed thence to teach and to preach in their [disciples’] cities.” If we are patient, Jesus will always get around to us. We may be sure that what He has been, and is doing in other homes, lives, churches, and cities, we will experience also, if we but follow and obey Him as He ministers to others.

God may start with the first house on the block, but be sure He’ll visit you, in time.

Bursting Bubbles

“…every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” Old or young, prince or pauper, wise or a fool—when they have reached the top will find themselves at the bottom. This truth is for all men; none is excluded. Flesh is flesh; therefore, the carnal Christian is included in this cauldron with its sickening stench.

I’m fearful for these carnivorous Christian achievers who mingle among us today. What a surprise it will be when they arrive at their zenith and hear, not “Well done,” but, rather, “Vanity of vanities.” And, if you would like to know what vanity is, it’s what’s left after you break a soap bubble. And, believe me; God knows how to burst our bubbles.

For any Christian “professional,” who may be reading this, allow me to give you my homespun definition of the word: “Professionalism is man at his best without God.”

Achievers never achieve without God.

God is Behind the Scene

I do not understand the intricate movements of my watch. Everything seems to move contrary to the other. So it is with God’s dealings in my life, yet I know they all work for my good. When time is no more, I’ll be able to look back and see every movement of my life was for my benefit regardless of how trying the circumstances.

The axe cannot cut without a hand first picking it up, and no instrument can be used against me unless the Lord first gives His approval. In spite of who brings the affliction to us, it is God that sends it. Augustine observes that the Bible did not say, “The Lord gave and the devil took away: but, the Lord hath taken away.” The hand that slaps me across the face could have been torn from its socket by Almighty God when it was first lifted up against me, had He chosen to do so.

May God help us today to see Him behind every affliction in our lives. May we learn to look past the instrument that brings the pain, to Him who works it for our good. In every unpleasant situation, bringing to mind Joseph’s words, “Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Amen.

Series "Letter to a Friend"

Please scroll down to the first letter, then work backward.

Letter to a Friend (5 of 5)

To My Four Unique Christian Friends,

I have written to each of you, personally and briefly. Please allow me now, in this last letter, to humbly address all four of you. There are some things I’ve observed in my ministry of over fifty years that I’d like to pass along to you.

Our greatest error and danger today is in seeking to develop the characteristics of the other. The real challenge is to accept one’s own temperament and rely upon the Holy Spirit within to emphasize the unique virtues we possess, while subduing our weaknesses that are inclined to surface from time to time.

Let us always keep before us David’s words in Psalms: “It is he [God] that made us, and not we ourselves.” It was David who refused to go in someone else’s armor. We’d be wise to follow his example.

Marred, yes; discarded, never! (Jer.18:1-6)

Letter to a Friend (4 of 5)

To My Faithful Friend: Melancholic,

It must be very difficult for one with your perfectionist spirit to take constructive criticism from your other “siblings.” Some of the things I’ve heard said about you are: “He is slow to embrace new concepts”; “When he meets resistance, he lacks resilience to come back”; “It never occurs to him that others do not share his ideas”; “He has real difficulty accepting human failure”; “He is so easily hurt, especially by those close to him”; “He has trouble interacting with others when it’s not on the level of his choice”; “And his frequent bouts with depression are difficult to be around.”

You are such a loyal and devoted friend that these things, for the most part, fade into obscurity. The thing that dwarfs all your faults and shortcomings is your intimate relationship with God. The intimacy and devotion are like a love affair. Your depth and dedication to our Lord is exceeded by none. Your lofty conception of God is many times misunderstood by those around you.

When one loves God with all his being, as you do, I find it hard to major on your minor faults. You are in the category with Elijah, Moses, David, and John the Beloved. I don’t think you, or others, should feel too badly about yourself. “Let him that is without sin cast the first stone.”

Letter to a Friend (3 of 5)

To My Christian Friend: Choleric,

It seems to me that those whom the Lord has gifted most (as the great Apostle) must all their lives bear a thorn in their flesh. This certainly seems to be true in your case. I understand that an angry spirit has plagued you all your life, along with other gouging unpleasantries. Your ability to inspire is sometimes overshadowed by intimidation. Your lack of patience and disgust with those who show little depth is well known, and those who maneuver and manipulate can provoke you to bitterness. Unlike some of your “siblings,” when you fall, it’s not a short one, but all the way down. All this can make for one lonely person.

Though few, if any, would be willing to carry your negative characteristics throughout life, they covet the attributes you possess. No one can question you genuineness. Personal acclaim and recognition have never been your sole concern. Your militant spirit has given courage to many to fight the good fight of faith. From your kind come heroes, founders, zealots, and achievers. Your principles are unshakable. The total dedication to Christ, with no half-measures, is inspiring to all. And your awareness of God is matched by few.

Your Christian family understands how difficult it must be to carry around all your excess baggage. I know it’s a tremendous burden to you, but, thank you for not allowing your chipped pitcher to keep you from giving us fresh water. We respect you for this.

Your Friend

Letter to a Friend (2 of 5)

To Phlegmatic, Christian and Friend:

Let me begin by saying how terribly sorry I am for not understanding you better, as well as for having misrepresented you over the years of our friendship. Because it’s your nature to be unemotional and detached, it appeared to me that you were indifferent and passionless in your friendships.

Like most people who judge others, I never looked for your good qualities, only those I ignorantly thought to be inferior. How blind I’ve been to those areas where you excel: your adaptability; your direct approach to solving problems; your sense of duty and responsibility; your obedience; the stabilizing effect you have on people, especially groups; how you never intentionally rock the boat. And I covet the spirit you display in having no need for the attention of others.

In closing, on behalf of our entire Christian family, let me say that we appreciate you more than you can know. We realize now you have a deep love and loyalty to our Lord, and your spirit of “keeping on” when others have thrown in the towel has been an inspiration to the whole household of God.

Your Friend

Letter to a Friend (1 of 5)

My Dear Christian Sanguine,

I was going to write you and your three “siblings” together, but I felt that each of you deserves a personal letter. Though I am not into psychology, I know a little of what it has to say about each of you. The interesting thing is that all four of you were found in the Bible before you were ever named. It’s amazing how modern the Old Book is!

Sanguine, I realize at times you are misunderstood by us who are your brethren because of some of your characteristics. Your talkativenesss, impulsiveness, restlessness, etc, can often get on people’s nerves. Some say you’re not a great thinker, and, as a result, are shallow. Say what they will, but I, for one, thank God each time I meet you. You always brighten up my life. Your cheerful spirit, winning smile, and refusal to take offense, bless my soul.

Whatever your shortcomings, they are overshadowed by your childlike faith, your undying gratitude to God for the smallest of blessings, along with your delight in the simple things of life. I honestly do not know what this dull, drab world would do without your smiling face. Stick in there; we all need you.

Your Friend

Commentaries and Dictionaries

“The holy scriptures...are able to make thee...perfect, throughly furnished…” After all is said and done, it must be admitted the Bible is all we need for doctrine and rule of life. I am not against helps that benefit us as long as we realize the Word of God needs no crutches. Since most of us, at best, are innately lazy, we grow weary seeking and searching for the hidden treasures of the Word. So we spend a lot of time and money on modern machinery, believing we can mine-out its riches the easy way.

I am not contentious over the various translations used by men, but this old man is content that the 1611 KJV he has used for over half a century is God’s Word to the English-speaking world. I go so far as to say it is perfect, without error, preserved by God. It is its own best dictionary and commentary. It interprets itself; it proves itself. Other translations contain the Word, but the old 1611 Is the Word.

I am told the word “inspiration” (2 Tim.3:16), in the Greek, means “God-breathed,” but my A.V. English translation explains the Greek. Psalm 33:6 “By the word of the Lord...by the breath of his mouth.” As to archaic words, the old book is accurate again. The word “spew,” found in Revelation 3:16, is interpreted as “vomit” in Leviticus 18:28,25. The meaning of Christ (“the anointed”) can be found by comparing Psalm 2:2 and Acts 4:26. There be many other things of which I cannot write at this time, such as this Bible being self-correcting concerning publishers’ typographical errors. Our computer does; why not God?

Addendum: Just recently in devotions I got this. I’ve been searching for it for fifty years. The meaning of Holy (Lk.2:23). It means Sanctify (Ex.13:2). And those two words mean Set Apart (Ex.13:12). Got that without the Hebrew or Greek!)

All this is crazy, you say? Maybe so; but if so, don’t forget you are told to comfort this feeble old man!

God has only one Living Word and He has only one Written Word.

*Dangerous Inventions

The word “invent,” in one form or another, is found eight times in the Bible. It means to create by the exercise of the imagination; to think; to weave; to fabricate; to contrive. Most of the time, it’s used in a bad setting.

As Christians, we need to be conscious that we are not guilty of concocting some new invention in our “laboratories.” Jacob and his mother schemed together, using their own ingenuity, to invent a plan to bring to pass the will of God. Be careful, lest God leave us to our own “witty inventions.”
Amos tells us that when God’s people were not in a right relationship with Him, they “invent[ed] to themselves instruments of music like David.” When we are carnal, we are prone to invent something that mimics the spiritual. We need something to substitute for our lack of spirituality.

Beware that we do not invent something to our own destruction; remember Dr. Frankenstein.

On Being a Good Listner

A preacher acquaintance of mine was holding a revival. He told the people that if they would bring a friend who had not yet heard him, they would receive a nice gift. The next night, a little boy marched up to him with his friend to receive his much awaited prize. Upon seeing the little guest, the minister commented that he had noticed him there the previous night, therefore disqualifying him, since he had already heard him. The little boy would not be outdone, and said, “Oh, that’s OK preacher; he heard you, but he wasn’t listening to a thing you said!”

How true this is of us, not only with our Lord, but with one another. We hear, but few of us listen. To me, hearing is the information side, but listening is the assimilation part. Listening takes effort, concentration, along with concern. If what we hear is not absorbed, becoming a part of us, then, as Jesus said, it will be “cast out into the draught.” Like young Joshua of old, we hear the sound, but we can’t discern.

We are so interested in what we have to say, it’s hard for us to listen to others attentively. This is derived from a superior attitude. Talkers are not learners; listeners are. I guess this accounts for all the ignorance in the world today. There are a lot of lonely, hurting people who long for someone to listen to them. God help us to not just hear them, but to listen.

“Swift to hear, slow to speak.” So says the Scriptures.

*It Doesn't Fit There

One of a child’s first learning skills is fitting different shapes of wooden pieces (squares, ovals, pegs, etc.) into a board with corresponding empty spaces. It seems the most frustrating time is when they realize a square peg doesn’t fit in a round hole, no matter how many times it is tried.

Nothing is more pointless or fruitless than repeatedly attempting the same thing, in the same way, and expecting different results. When will we “grown-ups” learn to cease trying continually to make things fit into our lives that were never meant to be placed there?

*God's Highway to Happiness

“And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people...like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.” So says Isaiah concerning God’s elect who had gotten themselves into a real mess. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that He could and would do it, for He had done it before. Therefore, they could sing to one another, “It is no secret what God can do/ What He’s done for others He’ll do for you.”
There is always a way out of any and all situations, if we will but look for it and then courageously take it by faith. Most certainly there will be mountains of difficulties on this road as on that of the world’s. The difference is that God removes the mountains for those on His road. Zerubbabel found this to be true. God speaking to this man’s difficulty says, “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.”
God can turn gloomy days into glorious ones; it all depends on which road we chose to travel. At the end of God’s highway is happiness!

Difference is Divine.

“[He] made the stars also...one star differeth from another star...” We sometimes hear the worn out cliché, when referring to a person who is a strong individualist, “God threw away the mold when he made him.” The inference is that those who are left are all alike. The truth of the matter is, when God made each of us, He threw away the mold. No two people are exactly alike—not even, so-called identical twins. God is a God of variety. Both now on earth and in our resurrection bodies, each will differ from the other.

Only on the human assembly line of life are replicas made. Mankind has an affinity for look-alikes, act-alikes, and think-alikes. As my younger daughter used to say of such people, when she was a little tyke, “They’re “same-alikes.” Paul recognized this truth when he wrote to the Christians at Corinth saying, “For who maketh thee to differ from another?” The simple answer, of course, is: God did.

Let us not allow anyone, especially the religious world, to put us in a man made mold. Be yourself, and don’t be ashamed of it. Put off Saul’s armor, and be the person you are. Something supernatural happens when a person is willing to be their natural self. Read the story of David and Goliath.

Don’t be a carbon copy; be an original.

*Identical Cloth

“I thank thee, that I am not as other men are...” Be careful; words such as these are always associated with a pharisaical spirit, whether they be spoken audibly or a hidden attitude of the heart. The truth is, we are all cut from the same cloth. There is nothing in life that touches another that we are not susceptible to. The Scriptures tell us it is common to all men.

The people of James’ day, like many of us, believed the Patriarchs of old to be in a separate category from them. Thus, James speaks of one such saint as being “a man of like passions as we are.” Peter made the grave mistake that so many of us are making: “Although all shall...yet will not I.” The most dangerous words that can come from our lips are, “How could they do such a thing? I would never do that.” Whenever we see or hear of such things, we need to remind ourselves, “But for the grace of God, there go I.” Paul admonishes believers to consider their own selves, lest they end up in similar circumstances.

We become vulnerable when we vaunt ourselves against another.

The Place to Transact Business

"They were pricked to their heart and said…Men and brethren, what shall we do?” I’ve had scores of Christians through the years tell me they liked preaching that stepped on their toes. I, personally, would rather hear the type that treads on my heart. For men, like Daniel’s image, have feet of clay and are prone to break in pieces when stepped on.

An old preacher advised me years ago to preach to the heart. He said, “When you get a man’s heart, you’ve got the whole man.” Every mother with wayward children knows this, even if we Christians do not. This is what Jesus did; He knew all of life’s issues proceed from the heart.

If you’re going to hit the bulls-eye, you must shoot straight for the heart.

Cannot or Wil lNot

"I cannot dig.” There are many things in life we cannot do, but any can dig. It does not take a PhD. The most ignorant can do it. Unless one is lame or too feeble, there is no excuse for not picking up a shovel when necessary. It’s not that we are unable, but, rather, unwilling, to involve ourselves in such lowly employment.

“I cannot,” in many cases, is “I will not.” It is not a natural disability, but a moral one that keeps us from the grimiest jobs. Jesus, though a King, washed His disciples’ feet. He was more than willing to do the dirtiest and filthiest of jobs. In fact, he didn’t even have to be told to do it; He volunteered. While the disciples were concerned with who among them was the greatest, He took the place of the lowliest.

When you’re too high for a lowly task, you’re too low for a high one.

*The Besetting Sin

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Brethren, not only in the flesh, but in the Lord. An unbelieving heart was the cause of their departing from God, and it will produce the same ruin in us. “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” says Shakespeare, but there is no “sweet” to it, if it is departing from God—it’s just sorrow.

Departure from God exists first in the heart then manifests itself in the life. Indulging in unbelief in any form or subject is the one great source of all alienation from God. To distrust God is to depart from Him.

We feel it is of little consequence whether we have faith or not, provided our conduct is right. But you can have a clean life and behind it hide an evil heart of unbelief. Only the man who lives a life of faith in God is safe, and none else are safe but him.

Till men have faith in Christ, their best services are but glorious sins. (Thomas Brooks, Puritan)

Count to One-Hundred First

There’s a little home-spun, philosophical proverb that has been around since I was a boy. It goes something like this: Before you say or do anything you might be sorry for later on, first count to one-hundred. That is a wise thing to do, and I’m sure it has helped untold numbers of people.

But something that would have saved me a lot of heartache and grief, had someone thought of it, would have been this: Before you give in to depression, first count one-hundred blessings God has given you. I’m not a psychologist, but it seems to me that depression is basically derived from using a microscope instead of a telescope. It’s zooming in on one particular, minute thing, rather than looking at the big picture.

My darkest days used to be those when I had forgotten all God’s blessings upon my life. During those melancholy times, I’d centered my attention on, and magnify one thing. I could only see the little cancerous cell by itself, and not all the good tissue around it. It is the healthy cells that will help you overcome that individual bad one.

The song writer wrote “Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one; and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”

Maybe some of us should take a piece of blank paper and write down one-hundred blessings God has given us. It is one cure for spiritual depression that will work every time.

“If I should count them, they are more than the sand.” (Psalm 139:18)

It's a Wonderful Life

"...love life, and see good days..." Here Peter is quoting David from the Old Testament. A spiritually healthy Christian loves life, no matter how difficult it may be at times. Certainly, there are brief intervals when the circumstances are such that some would wish to die. Of such were Job, Moses, Elijah, and Jonah. But they soon snapped out of it and changed their minds.

It is the man who sees the world through the natural eye who says, "So I hated life." To such a person, life seems irrational and futile. But the spiritual eye sees that God had a purpose and plan for our inhabiting this planet.

To the child of God who lives by promises rather than explanations, this can be a wonderful life. To be sure, we may not enjoy the prick of the thorns along the way, but the scent of the Rose of Sharon more than makes up for the few hurts we may incur. Just as the woman who travails in birth "remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man child is born," so we forget our sufferings in the presence of the Man, Christ Jesus.

To enjoy life you must first enjoy the Lord.

A Misnomer

Webster gives the definition for “misnomer” as: 1)a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation; 2) an error in naming a person or thing. Years ago, I held a meeting in a Missionary Baptist church. They had $18,000 in their mission’s account, yet they did not support one missionary. That, I believe, would fall under our definition of the word “misnomer.”

We have quite a bit of this in Christendom today. There are those who pass themselves off as something they are not. For instance, there are churches who parade themselves as a “soul-winning” church and that criticize some of us who do things a little differently from them. Yet, I’ve observed both pastor and people of said churches seldom, if ever, win anyone themselves. Then, there is the professing Christian who lives in open sin without any shame or sense of guilt toward God. And what of the Evangelicals who profess to believe in the cardinal doctrines of the Bible, but never mention hell? Or the Fundamentalists who say they adhere to the fundamentals of the Faith, but only major on their pet peeves? And, yes, the Reformed also, who recite the Apostle’s Creed weekly, saying they believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, yet try to change the world through politics. Misnomer, misnomer, misnomer, all.

Let’s make sure our product lives up to what we tag it as being. Or else, remove the tag.

*Seen in Secret

“…thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” This is part of the Sermon on the Mount. In chapter six of Matthew, Jesus reiterates the above text five different times. Oh, how the spirit of the Pharisees that is within us all, loves “…to be seen of men.” The great problem with being rewarded with the attention and admiration of our peers on earth, is that we need not expect any parcel posts from Heaven showing up at our doors.

The most important part of our lives is the part that only God sees. Like David of old, when we kill our lions and bears behind closed doors, in secret, where none else but God can see, it is then He rewards us openly with a giant-kill before the eyes of men.

A person can be no better in public than he or she is in secret

Been There; Done That

"…after the most straightest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” I have observed that most of us Christians, at one time or another, have belonged to this strict sect. Like Paul, many find the glorious liberty that is in Christ, and leave it. But others keep this yoke of legalism upon their necks that neither their fathers were, nor they are, able to bear. They continue to live by their rigid rules and regulations and condemn all those who rejoice in their own emancipation.

This tight, elitist group works tirelessly to keep up appearances. They pretend to be either what they are not, or not to be what they are. Once you’re on the inside of this externally pietistic group, you discover their internal pitiful condition. There is little, if any, real joy. I found in my own life (as well as others’) that if there seemed to be any semblance of it, you could be sure it was manufactured. It is a cosmetic that is taken off when one is alone and out of sight of their peers. Each of these only finds solace when secluded from their contemporaries, who, like they, have to be constantly jumping through a hoop to please the other.

If you can only be yourself when you’re alone, you’re running with the wrong crowd.

*Superstitious Saints

To the worldly-wise Athenians, the Apostle said, “Ye are too superstitious...therefore ye ignorantly worship.” Their worship, like much today, had degenerated into superstition. I become superstitious whenever the means of worship is permitted to eclipse the object of my worship. If we are not careful, the means of worship can become like a magical instrument causing us to lose sight of our lovely Lord.

For example, I can become superstitious about prayer. Rather than a means of fellowship with God, it can become like a genie in a bottle, with my wanting only selfish wishes granted. The same is true of the Bible. Instead of allowing it to lead me into a deep personal relationship with my Maker, it can become so mechanical that it actually hides His face and becomes a hindrance instead of a help in my worship. Ministers of the Gospel who are to bring us into the light can so be exalted that God is relegated to their dark shadow.

Let us not make the mistake of Israel of old; they rejoiced over the returning Ark more than the Architect.

It Takes Two

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” There are today in Christendom (as in Bible times), those who profess to having something, but whose lives show they possess nothing. People who invariably go back to the past to prove their salvation by some formula they recited, but cannot verify their salvation in the present by fruit in their lives.

Such people cling to a doctrine called “Eternal Security.” But, while doing this, they have no internal assurance. As an old Southern preacher used to say, “Eternal security only works if you’re saved!”

Every true Christian has a Witness who takes the stand in the courtroom of his heart to testify that he is a child of God. Even Jesus said of Himself, “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me.” Why? Because, “It is written in [the] law, that the testimony of two...is true.” To testify of yourself that you are His is not a true witness.

Only a Divine voice from within saying, “This is my beloved Son” makes it so.

The Purpose of Preaching

"Preach the word.” This is only the first step in a progressive revelation. The preached Word is to reveal the Written Word. The Written Word reveals the Living Word, and the Living Word reveals the Eternal Word. The whole purpose of preaching, then, is ultimately knowing God.

Too many preachers come short in this area. They stop at the Written Word. Thus, it becomes to them a novelty rather than a revelation. Those who do this would do well to heed Paul’s words, when he said, “Let us go on…” It is possible to know the Word of God without ever knowing the God of the Word. Both the devil and Pharisees fit into this category.

Familiarity with a book doesn’t mean you know its author.

One Thing and the Other

David said, “One thing I desire”; Jesus said, “One thing is needful”; the blind man said, “One thing I know”; and Paul said, “One thing I do.” One thing does not necessarily mean the only thing. It does not exclude other things, but rather, it gives precedence to the one thing.

There should be some things in our lives that are more important than other things. But while we do the one thing, we should be careful not to leave the other things undone. As the old adage goes, “Some people are so Heavenly minded they’re no earthly good.” Duties never conflict. God never asks us to do something for Him and neglect a lesser thing. He only asks that He be first on our list of things. When He’s the One Thing, all other things fall into place.

Certainly, we need to get our priorities straight. But remember, the other things, after you have accomplished the one thing. Don’t throw the baby out with the wash. Mothers, devotions come first; but don’t forget there are also the dishes. Fathers, it’s not just worship; remember there is your work. And children, it’s not only your chums; there are also your chores.

To the Christian it’s not one thing or the other. Its one thing and the other.

*Personal Loss.

“The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.” Amaziah, like many of us, had made a bad decision, and it was going to cost him dearly. God’s instruction at such times is to do the right thing even though the loss seems great. The one who owns the cattle on a thousand hills can make up for our meager losses. “[He] is able to do exceeding abundant above all that we ask of think.”

The Bible promises “…he that loseth…for my sake shall find…” Hannah lost one child for the Lord and got five back in exchange. God is no man’s debtor. King Amaziah lost a hundred talents of silver by obeying God, but this exact sum was given to his grandson, Jotham, as a present. That was the principle. Then God added the interest of ten thousand measures of both wheat and barley.

Any personal loss for God is gain.

Ask Dad

I remember how that our three older children when they were small would send Charity to me, to ask for things they wanted; I guess, because she was the youngest and tiniest, they imagined she had something going for her. I might add, she was also the boldest! As I think back, there were very few times I denied her when she came on their behalf. We’d all get in the car and go get ice creams, or to the hamburger place. Of course, Chip (Charity) got in on all of this herself.

Martha knew something akin to this, when, after burying her brother, Lazarus, she said to Jesus, “I know that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask God, God will give it Thee.” Faith like this will always receive its request. Notice the words, “even now.” That is, it’s too late--it’s humanly impossible--it’s beyond all hope. Yet, “even now, if You ask God, He will give You what You ask.”

If I can just get Jesus to go to the Father on my behalf, I know I’ll have what I need. For God never denies Him anything. It matters not the darkness of the hour, the impossibilities of the situation, or the discouragement I may feel. If I can get Jesus to intercede on my behalf, to our Father, it will be no time until I’ll be “licking my ice cream, or eating my hamburger!”

“If ye shall ask anything in my name...I will pray the Father, and He shall give you...” (John 14:14,16)

Anticipating the Answer

“Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” When the writer of Hebrews quotes this text in the New Testament, he changes the “it” to “he” (Hab.2:3; cp. Heb.10:37). Habakkuk’s historical interpretation is speaking of the end of the Babylonian captivity; Hebrews, the prophetical application of our Lord’s return. To the discouraged Jew awaiting deliverance, Habakkuk pleads, “Wait for it; because it will surely come.” To the disheartened Christian waiting for Christ’s coming, Hebrews promises, “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

Scoffers say, “Where is his promise..?” God says, “Wait for it.” One of the greatest secrets of the Christian life is being able to patiently wait on God to fulfill His promises. Saul’s decline came because he couldn’t wait for Samuel to keep his promise to meet him at an appointed time. When God makes us a promise, it is not a question of “if,” but “when” He will fulfill it. The promise may tarry, but when the answer comes, it will be speedily.

“Wait for the promise of the Father.” Tarry at a promise till God meets you there. He always returns by the way of His promises. (D.L. Moody)

Both Mind and Heart

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and the cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." There is a little saying in the acting profession that can truly be applied to the life of a Christian. It goes something like this: "Have the heart of a child but the head of an adult." As most of you who are familiar with my ministry know, it emphasizes a heart religion. But, certainly, not at the expense of your intellect. It seems today we must choose one or the other. It's either cold, factual, doctrinal truth, or heartwarming "ditties" that have no Scriptural foundation. Why can't we let a calculating mind sink into, and become part of, a compassionate heart, finding completeness with this mixture?

Beware of any person or situation that plays upon the heart, without any basic, logical reasoning. A good illustration of this today is seen in Christian enterprises that are attempting to get support for their "man-made" ministries. We have become a generation of believers who are spiritual robots, who allow others to control our actions, while we refuse to use our sanctified minds that God has equipped us with. P.T. Barnum is reported to have said, "There's a sucker born every minute," and I'm afraid this is often true in the Christian community, as well.

Let's put an end to our incessant impulsiveness, and start taking time to think things through. Check out your preacher and what he says; listen intently when in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, and weigh in your mind what is being said; spend some time "chewing the cud," so to speak, after reading a book, before you digest it, and letting it become a part of you; and beware when someone attempts to get you to make quick decisions without thinking it through. Almost every Christian I know of, whose life is a wreck today, can trace it back to a tragic failure to reason and think

Chew Before Swallowing

“I heard…and I partly believer it.” Paul didn’t believer everything he heard, even when it came from sanctified saints! Most people mean well, but we are all experts at exaggeration. Because of this, our grandparents learned, as the old saying goes, to take everything “with a grain of salt.”

Like the apostle, we are to take most of the things we hear…only in part. That is, we need to minimize what well-intentioned loved ones and friends maximize. It’s generally not as bad as it seems, and usually not as good, either. There needs to be restraint in the information that we receive. Jesus said, “Take heed therefore how ye hear.”

If you swallow everything, it’s for sure you’ll choke on something. Let’s make one another a promise: If you’ll not believer everything you hear about me, I’ll not believe all the things I heard about you!

It takes somebody really smart to believe something that stupid. (George Orwell)

A Crisis in the Church

I have just read afresh the book of Acts, along with Paul’s Epistles. I’m convinced many pastors have been sold a bill of goods by their peers who possess powerful, persuasive personalities...and it just ain’t so. I’m referring to the practice of using regular church services as a time for preaching to, and reaching, the lost.

It seems plain to me from the Scripture that the Church is not a place for evangelization, but for edification. The ministering gifts found in Ephesians 4 are for the purpose of, “perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Notice also from this text that all of God’s people are what is known as “full-time workers.” It’s just that some among us get a salary for it!

Some simple metaphors, I believe, will enlighten us to the purpose of the Church. To begin with, it’s to be a first-class restaurant where one can be fed and satisfied with nutritious food that strengthens. Secondly, it’s a filling station where we can be empowered to continue on the road we’re traveling. It’s a hospital, where we can be healed and can convalesce till we’re back on our feet. It’s a place where all the family meets regularly to enjoy and encourage one another. Finally, and most importantly, it’s where the children can collectively shower all their adoration and love upon their Father.

I wonder if the problem with many fainting Christians today does not stem from the fact that they are not fed?

*Stop to Review

“All these things are against me.” Unknown to the old patriarch, God was behind the scenes working everything out for Jacob’s good. Because of weakness of faith, and weariness of the flesh, we, like Jacob, respond in the same manner. We often misapprehend that which is for us, as being against us. It proved otherwise in Jacob’s case, and it will in ours. True, humanly, everything was working against him; but, divinely, it was all working for him.

No wonder the sweet psalmist said, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help...” The suffering servant, Paul, had grasped this blessed truth in his life. Listen to him: “For our light affliction [severe sufferings], which is but for a moment [twenty years], worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” How did he come to this concrete conclusion? By simply not looking at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” So says our precious Lord.

Hind-sight always proves the truth of Romans 8:28.

The Unmovable Seems to Move

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...” The third definition of the word “anchor” in Webster’s Dictionary is: “a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay.” This certainly describes the Lord Jesus, does it not? An anchor is the symbol of hope, and the Scriptures tell us He is our Hope. He does for the soul what an anchor does for a ship. Because our Anchor is both sure and steadfast, it enables us to outride the storms of life. No matter how severe the tempest, wild the waves, or boisterous the winds, there is a calm within the veil.

That is our unmovable standing, but our state may present us entirely different. We may be tossed to and fro with the tempest, but, like a buoy in a storm that appears to be movable on the surface, unseen to the naked eye, it is both “sure and steadfast” underneath the tempestuous storm. Our flesh may be weak, but our faith is strong.

Hope is never ill when faith is well. (John Bunyan, Puritan

*Mr. Great-heart

“I am this day fourscore and five years old…Now therefore give me this mountain.” Caleb reminds us of Bunyan’s “Mr. Great-heart.” It is said of Caleb, the ageless adventurer, that from the time he was a sprig until he became an old oak, “…he wholly followed the Lord.” He had soared like an eagle in his youth, and run in mid-life without growing weary, but now this advanced, aggressive achiever is going for his greatest victory. He was not retiring; he was re-firing!

“Give me this mountain,” he says to his old friend, Joshua. In old age, though alone, Caleb was still climbing upward. It is said only of this vintage saint that he completely subdued the territory allotted him. He had evicted all his enemies. He had waited over forty years for God to keep His promise to Him, but the wait was well worth it. He is now entering the land of milk and honey, the place where he would go from victory to victory. It can be said of “Caleb’s clan,” winter is on their heads, but spring is in their hearts.

To all you aging saints, let me encourage you to be mountain men, always climbing higher. As one has said, “Wrinkles may be upon our brows, but let them never be upon our hearts.” Let us stay young at heart.

For age is opportunity no less/Than youth itself, though in another dress. (Longfellow )

Cut From the Same Cloth

“To the Jew first…” Some believe the Jews are special in God’s sight and that the Gentile is second-rate. A random reading of Ephesians shows the Gentile was not an after thought with God. They were not “stuck in,” as some teach, after Israel rejected Christ. We are not a fill-in, but part of God’s eternal plan. First does not necessarily mean preference, but simply, in order. A dying patriarch blesses each of his children, according to their ages, not according to his affection, for he loves each the same. Speaking of Jews and Gentiles, Paul says, “…there is no difference…”

God’s love for a Jewish saint of the Old Testament and His love for a Gentile saint of the New, is the same. “Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.” We are “…joint heirs with Christ.”

There is nothing God ever did for a believing Old Testament Jew that He cannot, and will not, do for a believing Gentile of the New Covenant. He loves us the same; He answers our prayers the same; He leads us the same; and He provides for and protects us the same. As one of my children used to say when she was small, about identical things, “We’re same-alikes.”

The Jew was not God's pet, but a pattern.

Rearranging the Price tags

I read an interesting story recently. It seems, some thieves broke into a jewelry store, but they didn’t steal anything; they simply rearranged the price tags. By doing this, they put a high price on things of little worth, and made cheap and irrelevant, the items of great value.

Jesus spoke of “weightier maters.” There are some things in the Christian’s life that take priority over others. The Church today has put gym class before math class. When you major on a minor, it’s not long before the lesser becomes the more important.

Many churches are trying to pass off a cheap piece of costume jewelry in place of the “Pearl of Great Price.” The Divine Christ has been devalued, and religious “things” have been elevated to the high-price bracket. No wonder many of our young people (along with their parents) are so shallow and superficial. They cast out the pearls, to be trampled under-foot by the swine; while indoors, they’re playing with their imitation jewelry.

Christ is the required Subject; everything else is electives.

Sometimes or All the Time

Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Before returning to Heaven, He told His disciples, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always.” Paul’s personal testimony was that he was “praying always,” and of Epaphras, it is said that he was “always laboring fervently...in prayers.” It is recorded of Cornelius that he “prayed to God alway.”

The little cliché, “All we can do now is pray” may sound spiritual, but when analyzed, it’s anything but that. When you hear this statement, you know you’re listening to a person who believes prayer is their last resort. Let’s face it; most of our problems stem from our having a prayer problem. Prayer is to be first and foremost. It has nothing to do with how we feel. There’s a gospel song that says, “When you don’t feel like praying, pray.”

The Cesspool Within

One definition of “cesspool is: “a place of filth or immorality.” Jesus said, “From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [t]hefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blaspheme, pride, foolishness; All these things come from within..” (Mark 7). Thirteen defiling sins, and not one comes from without; all originate in our hearts.

We love to blame people and things for our sin, but the problem is our heart. As someone has so apply said, “At the heart of every problem is the heart.” True, many times, individuals and situations are involved in our sin. But they are not the cause. The cause, says our Lord, lies wholly within us. People and things are only “stir-sticks” that stir up what is already lying dormant in our hearts.

Our hearts are cesspools. They are desperately wicked, and a deceiver lives within. We have blamed everything and everyone for our sins—from the devil, to TV, to our children’s friends, to magazines, to billboards. But they are not the culprits. It’s the person we see in the mirror every morning.

Until you see your heart and your true self, you’ll never appreciate the holiness of God.

Having Your Day

In his excellent little book, The Life of Christ, James Stalker divides our Lord’s ministry into three parts: the year of obscurity, the year of favor, and the year of opposition. The second of these was not all we would think it to be. For one thing, the year that followed would keep most of us from being desirous of popularity. Jesus knew what was in the human heart; He knew the fickleness in man. Full well did He know the ones who shouted “Hosanna,” today would scream, “Crucify him,” tomorrow. Because of this He sought the shadows.

The best work is usually done in secret. Elijah had a public ministry, Elisha a private one; interestingly, the latter did twice the miracles of the former. In the Bible, it seems Closed Door Ministries generally bear the most fruit.

We sometimes use little idioms to describe life. Sayings like “Every man and woman will have their day in the sun,” (that is, your time of deserved recognition and appreciation). But those of us who have experienced “our day in the sun” will tell you, it was not as hot as we thought it would be. It was just that: “a day.” And those days are brief, at best!

Each of us should live not for “our day in the sun”; but rather, “that day before the Son.”

A "God " of Our Own Making

In the beginning God made man after His own likeness; now, since the Fall, man makes a god after his own likeness. That is, one that suits him. It’s a god of his own making. Like Aaron’s golden calf, we fashion it according to our desires, after our vain imagination.

The pagans of old had a plurality of gods and so do many professing Christians today. Some of the names given to these imitation gods are: the god of money; the god of sex; the god of power; the god of pleasure, etc. The one characteristic of each god is their permissiveness. You can do and be anything you want and still your created god will accept your worship.

But real Christians who worship the One True God can say of these would be Ephesian craftsmen, “Your god is not our God!”

We Are Not in Denial

We hear much about a person being in a state of denial. That is, they are unwilling to admit, or accept, an established fact. Self-denial is not necessarily the same as denying self.

When Jesus said, “Deny thyself,” He did not mean to deny personal self. To attempt this will lead to all sorts of spiritual problems. We must live with self until our termination at death, or transformation at His descent.

We are not to deny the recognition of self, but rather, we are to deny the “rights” of self. The old, Adamic, sinful, egotistical behavior pattern we have been nurturing since birth is to be denied any rights, under our new management.

I will always be me. Attempting to get rid of my personality is a slap in the face to my Creator. The thing that is wrong with me is my fallen nature. But now, with the new nature, I am enabled to squelch all the inherently evil things in my life.

I no longer have to pretend either to be what I am not, or not to be what I am. The so-called secret of the victorious life is not to be found in steps, formulas, or rules, but rather, by simply saying an emphatic “No” to the old nature by the help of the new Divine nature.

When the last Adam reigns in your life, you can deny the first Adam his right over it.

Used but Useful

Both my wife and I enjoy visiting old bookstores, searching for old and outdated books. Recently, randomly leafing through a used book, I came across an outline that I believe characterizes my ministry these fifty years. You who are familiar with my preaching and writings are aware that both are highly practical. I like to put everyday clothes on naked truths, and shoe leather on doctrine. You know; something you can comfortly walk in on a daily basis.

Let me give you the skeleton of this outline, and then I’ll try to put a little meat on it. It went like this: “Start where you are; use what you have; and do what you can.” As to the first, the Chinese proverb says, “A thousand mile journey is started with one step.” Secondly, if you don’t have a hammer to drive in a nail, use your shoe heel. And thirdly, if you can’t do great things in a great way, do little things in a great way.

With Christ’s enablement, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. No matter the odds or opposition, they can overcome. But we need to begin in the sacred now! Wherever here is, that’s where we need to start. As someone has said, “We live our lives like we have another one in the bank.” The best time to plant a fruit tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.

In closing let me give you two more thoughts from the little book that blessed me. “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” And this one could be my all-time favorite: “No one can go back and make a brand-new start, but anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” Amen and Amen!

Correct or Corrupt

I am not as concerned with the outward “fashion of this world,” entering into the Church as I am with its philosophy creeping in. Outward fashions come and go; they pass away. But philosophy is ingrained in the inner-man, and controls all his decisions.

We should not be surprised by anything the world does. After all, the leper cannot change his spots or the Ethiopian his skin. But we should be shocked when the world’s philosophy of political correctness is transferred into our assemblies, and we become “religiously correct” instead of Biblically governed.

I believe this is one of the purposes of the modern-day translators. It seems they believe God needs a vocabulary that fits with their idea of correctness. God must not offend secular man with His sacred Words.

Humanism is deifying man and humanizing God; there seem to be many Christian humanists today.

Changeable Christians

“…meddle not with them who are given to change.” There are some changes that are good as well as necessary. For example, all improvement is change. And each of us periodically ought to be experiencing this. But our text is speaking of a different kind of change. It is speaking of one who is “given over” to it. When the Bible uses the term “given over,” it is speaking of dissipation as opposed to moderation.

The root problem with this sort of changeable Christian is discontent. It seems they get weary of the old and are easily captivated by the novelty of the new and untried. They are forever experimenting. Their restless, turbulent spirit makes for “unstable souls.” This type can undo all the good that has been done. They like change for no other reason than change itself. And they are oblivious to how their attitude and actions affect family and friends.

An Arminian Calvinist

“Father, all things are possible unto thee...nevertheless not what I will but what thou wilt.” For years I’ve heard the little cliché, “When you’re praying, pray like a Calvinist (Sovereignty); but when you arise from prayer, work like an Arminian (free-will). I believe we make a grave mistake by doing this. I find the reverse of this little saying is what brings great peace to my heart, banishing all frustrations.

What a joyful time it is in prayer to mull over God’s sweet promises, requesting He perform certain ones on my behalf. Like a bee that goes from flower to flower, I go freely from promise to promise. But when leaving that sacred closet of prayer, as I open the door to enter the world once again, to say in a still, small voice, “Nevertheless, thy will be done.” This is the peace that passes all understanding.

Let your request be known unto God, but leave the choice to Him

Who's That Knocking at the Door?

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Notice Jesus did not say, “I want you to come out to me,” but rather, “I want to come in to you.” This church was in a sad, deplorable condition. The members were lifeless and filled with blind pride. What made things worse, they were both unconscious as well as unconcerned about the matter.

Out of our Lord’s letters to the seven churches, our text to the Laodiceans is the tenderest. Yet they were the least deserving. We learn from this Scripture that no matter what the state of other Christians may be in our assembly, one soul with a hunger for God may have intimate Divine fellowship in the midst of deadness.

Jesus told His disciples, “I have meat to eat, that ye know not of.” So does the “any man” of the Laodicean church.

Healing the Hidden Hurts

I believe in Scriptural, physical healing, but, at best, it is only a temporary patch on the outward man that’s perishing. Our greatest need is for an inward, permanent healing of the soul. David prayed in Psalms, “Heal my soul.” We are all prone to glory in appearances, but it is in the secret places of the heart that our Lord does His most lasting work.

If we could pull back the veil of the flesh and see the inward lives of each other, how we would pity one another. Our spirits would be bound to our brethren of like passions. We would see hopes that are crushed, strengths that have been drained, faith like the broken wing of a bird that can no longer fly heavenward, and hearts that are shattered. When will we ever learn, the world can fix about anything, but a broken heart.

It says of our Lord, He came “to heal the broken in heart.” Though we are poor replicas of the Great Physician, we are still to emulate His ministry. As miniature physicians, we can bind up the wounds and pour in the oil to those hurting in the hidden places of their lives.

We have a plaque on our wall that belonged to my blessed mother; it reads....

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

Painting a Floor.

In Hosea, God’s people are prospering outwardly, but decaying inwardly. This is always the result when we think we can live our lives independent of Him, when His instructions are not heeded. Hosea is a master of imagery. He paints pictures with words. Two of his favorite words are “as” and “like.” For example, “Ephraim’s as a moth,” or “They are like a deceitful bow.”

In chapter seven and verse two he tells us “Now their own doings have beset them about.” That is, they got themselves in a mess they couldn’t get out of. They wanted to do their own thing, and it has now encompassed them so that they cannot escape. Or in other words, “They painted themselves into a corner.” And whenever this happens, all you can do is wait till the paint dries! If you don’t, you’ll make a mess of everything. At such times when we are encircled with such difficulties, it is wise, like the children of Israel at the Red Sea, to “Stand still,” until He commands, “God forward.”

We can do it our way; but, in the end, we’ll have to come back to the “Instruction Manual.”

The Best is Yet to Come

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Paul is contrasting our present state with our future glory. And there is no worthy comparison. This spiritual mathematician knew his arithmetic. After balancing out the two columns (today's suffering and tomorrow's glory), the eternal far outweighed the temporal (2 Cor.4:17). Our pain only lasts as long as time, and, for we who are Heaven-bound, there is a time when time shall be no more. When our human clock stops, so does the pain. Then, only endless glory.

Dear saint, if we are following the steps of the Man of Sorrows, then we will experience the same as we trod His path. The order is: first the cross then the crown. He left us an example to follow, and the way we get from one to the other is the way He did. "For the joy that was set before him endured the cross."

When speaking of the saints' future state, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!"

*Rightness

It is never too late to make things right…to do right…to be right. Never look at your clock and imagine it’s too late for you. Look at God’s timepiece. It has no hands on it.

Nothing can keep a person from righting things, if they have a mind to. The only thing that can prevent them is themselves. Advanced years cannot stop one; look at the old patriarch, Abraham. Depraved sins committed can’t keep you back; read the story of the wickedest man in the Bible, Manasseh. Broken, ruined relationships can be restored; remember Jacob and Esau. And even at the brink of eternity, things can be turned around; don’t forget the thief on the cross.

If you want to make things right…do right…and be right. Be assured God will do right toward you, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” It’s never later than you think when it has to do with rightness in your life.

As a young preacher I remember sitting under the ministry of the old Methodist Evangelist, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. I can still see him cup his hand around his mouth and shout, "DO RIGHT IF THE STARS FALL."

*Skimpy Shelters

“Be it far from thee...this shall not be unto thee.” I have the same problem as Peter. I’m like an old mother hen. I like to overly protect those dear to me. I don’t want them to suffer any hardship or hurts, not realizing these things often are a part of God’s will for their lives. To such carnal reasoning our Lord says, “Thou savourest not the things that be of God.”

Attempting to shield our loved ones from God’s dealings with them, we become amateur providences and skimpy shelters. Trying to prevent the Lord’s workings in the lives of others, we do not realize it brings an obstruction between us and our God. Satan provokes us and then delights when we play God in the lives of other people. It is better to stay out of the Lord’s dealings with those close to us. “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?” says the Lord.

Too many of us are like Job’s wife; we want to spare our loved ones any suffering. But we need to wait and see “the end of the Lord.”

*To Appropriate is Appropriate

Two of Webster’s definitions for the word “appropriate” are 1) proper; 2) to take for oneself; so it is appropriate... to appropriate. When it comes to spiritual blessings, it is proper to take them for one’s own self. How I thank God for bringing this great truth into my Christian life while I was still an infant in Christ.

I have noticed many sincere and godly saints who spend a lifetime praying for certain things without ever receiving them. Why is this? Because God does not give us what we already have. In cases of spiritual blessings, I need to appropriate them, not pray for them. I may need to pray for a car or finances—anything I need and do not already have—but not for something I already possess.

For example, He has already given me His peace; for me to pray for it would be futile. I need to appropriate the peace I already have. I’m reminded of how God had already given Israel the land, but told Joshua they must go in and appropriate it by faith (Josh. 1:3). Interestingly enough, Paul tells New Testament believers in Ephesians 1:3 that God “...hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places…”

It’s a “done deal.” All I have to do is take them for my own. “According to your faith be it unto you,” says the Lord Jesus.

*Morbid Anticipation

“…be strong, and be of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.” David adopts Moses’ words to Israel to exhort his son. Solomon had a vast undertaking lying before him in the future. And so this experienced, wise father admonishes him to “…dread not.” My own definition of this word would be “a morbid anticipation.”

How can we dread an unknown future, if we truly believe all things are working for our good? As one old-time missionary said, “My future is as bright as the promises of God.” Certainly, this agrees with the wise little saying, “I don’t know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future.”

This is why Jesus instructs us, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow.” To do so paralyzes a person in the present. Take my word for it, I ashamedly confess I know from experience. When we are controlled by dread, we cease to be controlled by Deity. We need not dread. God knows all about our tomorrows, and He has planned for each of them.

C.S. Lewis writes, “Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.”

*The Supernatural

“[T]he water was made wine...this beginning of miracles did Jesus...” There is a term used among Bible students known as “the law of first mention.” That is, the way anything is used originally, it almost always remains that way thereafter. We find this truth in Jesus’ first miracle.

In our Lord’s “beginning of miracles,” He uses all natural means to perform the supernatural. I have not looked up the dictionary meaning of the word “supernatural.” But it seems to me, generally speaking, that the Bible’s definition would be, “The supernatural is the natural with God in it.”

Therefore, it behooves each of us not to be too quick in ignoring and passing up the scrub bushes in your lives. God may be in one of them. Moses found this to be true.

*Aspiration / Inspiration

From the story of the Pharisee and the Publican we find that spiritual progress is not in moral attainments, but in having a sense of need. The Laodicean Christian has need of nothing. What can God give the man who has everything? The Pharisee was self-satisfied, the Publican, dissatisfied.

God is looking for hungry hearts to fill. He bypasses bloated, boastful egos. An inward, overwhelming sense of need beats an outward, superficial decor every time. The Pharisee had gained an inch before men, but the Publican had passed him by a mile in God’s sight.

The Christian life is not validated by possessing, but by a sense of want. The measure of our want determines our poverty or communion with our Lord. The self-satisfied have no cravings, but God promises to fill the hungry soul. When aspiration dies, inspiration ceases.

A crock pot with a treasure within is better than an ornamented vase that is empty.

Christians in the Cluches of Cults

In a ministry that spans some fifty years I have never preached on individual cults. I am not opposed to others doing it; it just seemed to me like bobbing for apples. You know, there is always another one popping up. Therefore, like the Treasury Department teaches its agents, I’ve taught people to know and be familiar with the real thing. As a result it is not difficult to spot a counterfeit.

False religions feed upon shallow saints who do not have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. These professing Christians, as my Granny used to say, jumped “from the frying pan into the fire.” That is, most, if not all, came from cultic type, man-centered Evangelical or Fundamental churches. They simply exchanged one cult leader for another. And believe me; the latter is more dangerous and deadly.

It’s one thing to be in a church with cultic characteristics, but it is quite another to be in a real cult. The acid test between the look-alike and the genuine cult is to simply ask the question, “What think ye of Christ?” If the answer is not, “He is God,” then you are in a full-fledged cult. Read 11Peter 2:17-22 for a description of these devils. Notice in Jude 12, their gatherings are called Love Feasts.

Intellectual fads invariably lead to false fables.

*The Faith Life

“…the life which I now live…I live by…faith.” Paul lived his Christian life in the present. He was not a “use-to-be-er” or an “I’m-gonna.” This realist did not live in a fantasy world. He was always present. And this life he lived was lived by faith. It was the “now faith…” that the writer of Hebrews spoke of. Past faith is ineffective; future faith is untried; present faith is all that really works.

If we are justified in Christ, then this life of faith the Apostle lived is to be emulated by us. For we are told, “The just shall live by faith.” Our lives are to be lived in a conscious (or unconscious) moment by moment trust in God. Without such a faith, it is impossible to please Him.

Faith only grows by using it!

*The Carpenter

“Is not this the carpenter..?” The people of Jesus’ day associated Him with the general work force. Our Lord wore work clothes for some thirty years.

The first men Jesus called were not from the universities, but summoned while laboring on the job. Many times scholars are hostile to simplicity. Stained glass is beautiful, but it doesn’t let the light in like plain glass does. Our Lord likes transparency, not obscurity.

By selecting laboring men, Jesus forever put His approval on the working man. When a king wears workmen’s attire, it becomes royal apparel. If only everyday Christian workmen would realize they are wearing the regal garments of our Lord.

In a day when the clergy and “full-time” Christian workers are exalted above the laity, it is important for the working man to realize he is not a second-class Christian.

“Every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.”

*Out of Options?

“…all hope…was then taken away.” “…hope thou in God.” Sometimes we hear it said that there are no more options. But that is not so if you’re a child of God. All options are not gone if you have God. It can never be said of a Christian, in any circumstance, that they are out of options.

The world thought Israel at the Red Sea, Joseph in the pit, Daniel in the lion’s den, the Jews in captivity, and our Lord on the Cross, had no options. But they, as always, were sorely wrong. Truly, it could be said of these and others like them, “It ain’t over till it’s over!” When the devil whispers, “There is no way out,” the believer can shout, "There is a God in heaven.”
And this Great God of ours promises through His Prophet Isaiah, “I…will make a way…”

“No option” is the world’s opinion…not God’s.

Clothe Him with the Best Robe

I stand in awe at how God can undo our mistakes and correct our shortcomings. He keeps His children from embarrassing situations whenever possible. He goes to great lengths to make us look good before others. Simon Peter’s life bears this out.

With well intentions, he steps out for God, but immediately Peter begins to shamefully sink. But Jesus instantly lifts him up and with him, walks back to the boat, where the others sit and gaze in amazement. God will never let anyone sink whose motive is, “...bid me come unto thee…”

How often we, like Peter, have caused unnecessary hurt to others, while trying to defend the Person of our Lord. We, also, must be careful how we use the “sharp two-edged sword,” lest it be used in an inappropriate and unscriptural way. But, thanks be unto God, when we do fail, our Lord is still able to touch and heal Malchus’ ear!

And what are we to do with those human limitations of ours? Put them in the hands of a limitless God! You’d never know the unlearned and ignorant fisherman preached those grammatically flawless sermons in the book of Acts. Or that he could write two letters in which the finest English teacher would find no place for corrections, but would instead leave an “A+” on his work.

He not only clothes ours sins, but our flaws, too.

*From Captivity to Freedom

When Christ sets captives free, it does not always mean from their afflictions, but rather, in them. On many occasions, God allows His people to be taken captive for their own good. He says through the prophet Jeremiah concerning Judah’s Babylonian captivity, “I have sent [you] out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for [your] good.” One of the many profitable results of this captivity is that Israel never again worshipped idols, even to this day.

David said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” Joseph could echo an “Amen” to this. His abasement was his advancement. Jacob was willing to have a bone out of joint, and limp all his life, that he might walk with God. Manasseh traded his proud, golden crown, for iron chains. The result of this captivity was that “when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord, and humbled himself greatly, and the Lord was entreated of him.” The three Hebrew children could praise God for the fire. It was the flames of adversity that burned off the things that bound them. They were free in the fire. All the above providential afflictions seemed to be prejudicial, but, in reality they were beneficial.

Our “prison” ultimately becomes our palace

Praise is the Addemdum

There are many who stand before God and cry, “God be merciful,” who will never stand in the presence of men and cry, “God be praised.” A plea for deliverance should be followed with a psalm of praise. You can either be with the nine who never returned to give thanks or a companion of the one who did. “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness.”

Many blessings become stale because they are not followed by telling them to others. It’s like the Dead Sea with no outlet. Un-told blessings lose their freshness. It would be wise for us to follow the four lepers’ advice, “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace…now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.”

We are to tell the story of our deliverance to the enslaved that they too, like Peter, may find the “iron gate” swing open, and so find freedom.

Don’t be ungrateful for His many graces.