“…troubled about many things.” How like Martha some of us are. If we do not tie up all the loose ends, it leaves our stomachs in a knot.
The quicker we realize and accept the fact that there will always be things left undone, the happier and more content we will be. There is no way on earth to get all our ducks in a row. At least one will always be out of place.
The story is told of a little girl who cried when she learned to tie her shoe. Asked why she was crying, she replied, “Now I’ll have to do it the rest of my life!” Tying our shoes is the beginning of a lifetime of tying up loose ends.
Apr 30, 2009
Apr 29, 2009
What School Did You Attend?
"Now…Peter and John…were unlearned and ignorant men…” Not illiterate men, by any stretch of the imagination. Between these two “ignorant” fishermen, they wrote seven books of the New Testament! The absence of a formal education does not cancel out the presence of intelligence. They had not graduated from the approved rabbinical school of their day, but, though unlicensed and unapproved, they were attending “St. Mary’s Seminary” (sitting at Jesus’ feet).
Their Teacher came with the highest credentials in the universe. He was the incarnation of all wisdom and knowledge. Those in the schools of higher learning could not figure out how Christ obtained His education “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” And of His oratory they said, “Never man spake like this man.”
The intelligentsias of this world, along with the religionists, still “marvel” at such people. They’re without formal education, college diploma, or university training; yet, when they speak, people’s hearts are strangely moved and blessed. Talk to them about politics, education, philosophy, etc., and they may know little or nothing. But mention Christ, and you’re in for a lengthy, enlightening, and enjoyable time. It is apparent that such people “…have been with Jesus.”
Education is good; just don’t let it go to your head!
Their Teacher came with the highest credentials in the universe. He was the incarnation of all wisdom and knowledge. Those in the schools of higher learning could not figure out how Christ obtained His education “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” And of His oratory they said, “Never man spake like this man.”
The intelligentsias of this world, along with the religionists, still “marvel” at such people. They’re without formal education, college diploma, or university training; yet, when they speak, people’s hearts are strangely moved and blessed. Talk to them about politics, education, philosophy, etc., and they may know little or nothing. But mention Christ, and you’re in for a lengthy, enlightening, and enjoyable time. It is apparent that such people “…have been with Jesus.”
Education is good; just don’t let it go to your head!
Apr 26, 2009
This Plagiaristic World
A good definition of the word plagiarism is, “To take another’s writings and ideas and pass them off for your own.” Most certainly, all of us have assimilated a wealth of material from others in our lifetime. But this knowledge is now an unconscious part of us. It is when we are consciously aware of taking another’s writings and ideas, taking the credit for it ourselves, that we become frauds; or to put it more bluntly, literary thieves. I’m sure Ralph Waldo Emerson had a tongue-in-cheek when he wrote, “All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients.”
This world knows full well that its judicial laws (Deuteronomy), plots for movies and books (the hero on the white horse), along with its quaint sayings, (“the patience of Job”), have been stolen from God’s Word. Why will they not own up to this fact? Simple, then they would have to recognize that everything else in this life was received from their Creator. As John said, “A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven.”
We Christians are also sometimes guilty of plagiarizing God. That is, taking credit for something that was first His idea. We pass it off as if it originally came from us (Eccl.1:9). We have a problem admitting, “It is God which worketh in [us] both to will, and to do of his good pleasure.” Or as Paul puts it in another place, “What hast thou that thou didist not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
God uses those He can trust with His Glory. (A.W. Tozer)
This world knows full well that its judicial laws (Deuteronomy), plots for movies and books (the hero on the white horse), along with its quaint sayings, (“the patience of Job”), have been stolen from God’s Word. Why will they not own up to this fact? Simple, then they would have to recognize that everything else in this life was received from their Creator. As John said, “A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven.”
We Christians are also sometimes guilty of plagiarizing God. That is, taking credit for something that was first His idea. We pass it off as if it originally came from us (Eccl.1:9). We have a problem admitting, “It is God which worketh in [us] both to will, and to do of his good pleasure.” Or as Paul puts it in another place, “What hast thou that thou didist not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
God uses those He can trust with His Glory. (A.W. Tozer)
Apr 25, 2009
Parental Respect
“And the Lord had respect unto Abel…But unto Cain…he had not respect.” God’s love is unconditional, but it is not so with His respect; that must be earned. Today, it seems not to matter to some of the Lord’s children whether they have His respect or not. He does not mete out His respect indiscriminately, but only, rather, to those who merit it. And who are these meritorious marvels? To be sure, they are not to be found in some elite group. They come from all sorts of spiritual backgrounds. But each has one characteristic that qualifies them for God’s smile: they are obedient to His revealed Will.
In our text, we have two grown children who were brought up in the same environment, had identical teaching, and saw the same example, yet the one chose to go his own way. No doubt, like many in our time, he felt his father’s faith was no longer relevant. Some adult children mistakenly believe their sibling or siblings, who receive their father’s and mother’s respect, are the parents pet. And as a result, like Cain of old, end up with a hateful spirit. But this is far from the truth. It’s just that those who live out the parental principles they were taught while at home are the recipients of their parent’s respect.
I have found those who care nothing about having God’s and their parent’s respect, are void of any self-respect. When children are small, they’re to obey their parents but when grown, they’re to honor them. And the best way to honor them is by living out their parent’s godly principles in their own daily lives. Not necessarily to the letter, but most certainly in the spirit. This does not take away individuality from one’s life, but it does add respectability.
In our text, we have two grown children who were brought up in the same environment, had identical teaching, and saw the same example, yet the one chose to go his own way. No doubt, like many in our time, he felt his father’s faith was no longer relevant. Some adult children mistakenly believe their sibling or siblings, who receive their father’s and mother’s respect, are the parents pet. And as a result, like Cain of old, end up with a hateful spirit. But this is far from the truth. It’s just that those who live out the parental principles they were taught while at home are the recipients of their parent’s respect.
I have found those who care nothing about having God’s and their parent’s respect, are void of any self-respect. When children are small, they’re to obey their parents but when grown, they’re to honor them. And the best way to honor them is by living out their parent’s godly principles in their own daily lives. Not necessarily to the letter, but most certainly in the spirit. This does not take away individuality from one’s life, but it does add respectability.
A Walking Wonder.
(Read Psalm 71)
As a new convert, I was privileged to sit under the ministry of a godly old evangelist named Lester Rolloff; it was in a two week tent revival. I remember that over the platform hung a sign with large, red letters, reading, “PRAISE GOD ANYHOW.” The thought being, no matter our circumstances or condition, we should praise God anyhow.
In Psalms 71, the Psalmist is reviewing his life before God, taking us from his birth, youth, and to his mature years. He thought possibly because of his old age that he might be exempt from certain troubles, but realized such reasoning was only wishful thinking. He found the wise man to be right when he said, “There is no discharge in that war.”
The turning point in the Psalm is in verse 14 where he says “I will…yet praise thee more and more.” That is, he would add praise to praise; his praise would be over and above the previous praise: it would be praise upon praise; it would increase; he would accumulate praise; store it up if you please! The old man was a walking wonder (v7).
An hour of praises is worth a day of fasting and mourning! (John Livingstone)
Apr 23, 2009
A New Tense in English
There are present, past, past perfect, present perfect, future, and future perfect tenses. A.W. Tozer was an outstanding wordsmith; in fact, I think he came up with some new ones of his own, along with their definitions. If you’ll permit me, I want to present a new tense; at least I think it is. What about a past present tense?
I’d like to believe it was a past present tense when Jesus said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” We need to follow our Lord’s example in this respect, and assign the devil to a place in the past, while we’re living in the present. Anything or anybody behind us is part of the past. Remember, the cause of Lucifer’s fall was because he wanted to be first in line. How humiliating for the epitome of pride to be sent to the back of the line.
Whenever the devil comes to tempt you, leave him in the dust!
I’d like to believe it was a past present tense when Jesus said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” We need to follow our Lord’s example in this respect, and assign the devil to a place in the past, while we’re living in the present. Anything or anybody behind us is part of the past. Remember, the cause of Lucifer’s fall was because he wanted to be first in line. How humiliating for the epitome of pride to be sent to the back of the line.
Whenever the devil comes to tempt you, leave him in the dust!
Apr 22, 2009
*Grace That Runs Well
"For the grace of God... [teaches] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Like a car battery, grace has a negative and positive side. It will not run on just one effectively.
The old-school grace preachers majored, for the most part, on the negative. But the new-school emphasizes, almost entirely, the positive. The former ends up with a grace-less grace; and the latter sadly ends with a grace that's disgraceful. Grace is limitless when it comes to what a person has done, but it has its limits as to what a person can do.
Grace never condemns, neither does it condone, it simply caresses.
The old-school grace preachers majored, for the most part, on the negative. But the new-school emphasizes, almost entirely, the positive. The former ends up with a grace-less grace; and the latter sadly ends with a grace that's disgraceful. Grace is limitless when it comes to what a person has done, but it has its limits as to what a person can do.
Grace never condemns, neither does it condone, it simply caresses.
Apr 21, 2009
*Plodding Along
Keep on keeping on. This quaint little saying may sound overly simplistic, but in many instances, it has made the difference between success and failure. The only way to reach your goal is to keep plodding along. Interestingly, the word “plod” comes from an old English one meaning, “to paddle.” Only by perseverance did the snail reach the Ark, says Spurgeon.
Edison considered each of the hundreds of failures he experienced in perfecting the light bulb to be another step closer to achieving his dream. He certainly proved the cliché to be true that says, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
If you’re ready to throw in the towel, I beg you to stop, wipe the sweat from your brow and keep on fighting. It’s always too soon to quit. The torments of an unattained idea are not easy to live with. Be resolute; don’t let anything or anyone discourage or deter you.
Keep plodding on through the mud of difficulty, knowing that when you’ve reached your goal, He will be there to wash your feet.
Edison considered each of the hundreds of failures he experienced in perfecting the light bulb to be another step closer to achieving his dream. He certainly proved the cliché to be true that says, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
If you’re ready to throw in the towel, I beg you to stop, wipe the sweat from your brow and keep on fighting. It’s always too soon to quit. The torments of an unattained idea are not easy to live with. Be resolute; don’t let anything or anyone discourage or deter you.
Keep plodding on through the mud of difficulty, knowing that when you’ve reached your goal, He will be there to wash your feet.
Apr 20, 2009
*Help's On the Way
“For he shall deliver…him that hath no helper." We say, “God helps those who help themselves.” I believe this little quip, if it’s kept in context. But what happens when a person can't help himself? For example, the impotent man at the Pool of Bethesda—he would certainly fall into this category. When we find ourselves in such a condition, it is a comfort to be able to say with the writer of Hebrews, "The Lord is my helper…I will not fear."
There will be times in your Christian life when you find yourself experiencing temporary paralysis. All your inward, spiritual, vital organs will be functioning; but, in spite of this, it seems you are unable to move, or to help yourself. Like Israel at the Red Sea, you are paralyzed by circumstances. What is one to do at such a crucial time? Simply "stand still,” and know that help is on the way. Remember, Jesus always shows up when He's needed. "But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son…"
If Christ is your helper, you're never helpless.
There will be times in your Christian life when you find yourself experiencing temporary paralysis. All your inward, spiritual, vital organs will be functioning; but, in spite of this, it seems you are unable to move, or to help yourself. Like Israel at the Red Sea, you are paralyzed by circumstances. What is one to do at such a crucial time? Simply "stand still,” and know that help is on the way. Remember, Jesus always shows up when He's needed. "But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son…"
If Christ is your helper, you're never helpless.
Apr 16, 2009
*Dead Issues
I, for one, do not believe in shooting a dead horse. The only sensible thing to do in such a case is to bury the four-legged creature. When something no longer has life, it is wise to walk away, leave it in the grave yard, and go on with your own life. Some waste precious years trying to breathe life into dead issues that will never be resurrected.
Many of us need to hold a funeral, and bury those things we have been hugging to our bosoms so dearly. That is, those things that have, “given up the ghost,” as they say. The mother of Sisera waited, anticipating life, when there was only death.
When we no longer have control over things, when we can no longer do anything about them, they need to be committed to the grave. And as I have often said, “throw away the shovel.” The devil will have you spend your life among dead things. Ask the maniac of Gadara. But Jesus told him to get back to the living. “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Many of us need to hold a funeral, and bury those things we have been hugging to our bosoms so dearly. That is, those things that have, “given up the ghost,” as they say. The mother of Sisera waited, anticipating life, when there was only death.
When we no longer have control over things, when we can no longer do anything about them, they need to be committed to the grave. And as I have often said, “throw away the shovel.” The devil will have you spend your life among dead things. Ask the maniac of Gadara. But Jesus told him to get back to the living. “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Apr 14, 2009
Playing on the Battlefield
There is no place in God’s army for cowards! The Psalmist tells us, “The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.” And what did the Lord think of such cowering cowardice? We are told God, “...chose not the tribe of Ephraim,” but rather, “he chose David,” the courageous shepherd boy (Psl. 78:9,67,70).
If I were an artist, and had to depict the Church today, I’d draw a picture of children playing on a battlefield. We no longer want to fight; we want to have fun. In the political world, they speak of “detente”. This is a French word meaning, “slacking the bow strings.” Christians are no longer aggressive warriors, but have settled down to a life of passivity. We have made a treaty with the devil of co-existence, and peace through compromise.
Satan knows he has but a short time. He is making a last ditch effort to defeat the purpose of God. Jesus promised, “...the gates of hell shall not prevail against [His Church].” Gates do not move; we are to storm the devil’s domain. David ran to meet his giant. The devil is to flee from us, not the opposite.
Let us put on the whole armor of God, take our position on the high ground, and, as children of the Kingdom of Light, attack the kingdom of darkness. May we bring back our churches, children, and ministries that have been taken captive by Apollyon. As we enter his dark domain, interceding in prayer for the deliverance of those bound by Satan, let us boldly say with the shepherd lad of old, “I come to you in the name of the Lord.”
Tis better to be at war with the devil than to be at peace with him!
If I were an artist, and had to depict the Church today, I’d draw a picture of children playing on a battlefield. We no longer want to fight; we want to have fun. In the political world, they speak of “detente”. This is a French word meaning, “slacking the bow strings.” Christians are no longer aggressive warriors, but have settled down to a life of passivity. We have made a treaty with the devil of co-existence, and peace through compromise.
Satan knows he has but a short time. He is making a last ditch effort to defeat the purpose of God. Jesus promised, “...the gates of hell shall not prevail against [His Church].” Gates do not move; we are to storm the devil’s domain. David ran to meet his giant. The devil is to flee from us, not the opposite.
Let us put on the whole armor of God, take our position on the high ground, and, as children of the Kingdom of Light, attack the kingdom of darkness. May we bring back our churches, children, and ministries that have been taken captive by Apollyon. As we enter his dark domain, interceding in prayer for the deliverance of those bound by Satan, let us boldly say with the shepherd lad of old, “I come to you in the name of the Lord.”
Tis better to be at war with the devil than to be at peace with him!
Apr 13, 2009
*Second-Guessing God
“And Moses said, The people, among whom I [am], [are] six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.” Num.11:21-23
How like Moses we all are. God gives us a promise, and then we immediately begin figuring out the way in which He will accomplish it. This fault in His followers is also seen among the early New Testament believers. You’ll recall the primitive church had gathered together to pray for Peter’s deliverance from prison; and when their request was granted, they had a problem believing it. Why? They were accustomed to getting big prayers answered on a daily basis. Therefore it should have been no surprise when Peter knocked at the gate. Their problem lay not in the fact that God would, but rather in the way He would bring it about.
Moses imagined God would fulfill His promise through bulky animals of the earth or either with the innumerable fishes of the sea. He never thought of the little birds (quail) of heaven being the answer to their predicament. Naaman was another who fell into the trap of attempting to anticipate God. When it was revealed to him the unorthodox, but natural way in which God would take care of his dilemma, he became very upset. The reason for his distress is found in his words, “I thought.” He had a pre-conceived idea of how it ought to be done.
We say today, “You wait and see.” Concerning God’s promises He says, “Thou shalt see now.”
How like Moses we all are. God gives us a promise, and then we immediately begin figuring out the way in which He will accomplish it. This fault in His followers is also seen among the early New Testament believers. You’ll recall the primitive church had gathered together to pray for Peter’s deliverance from prison; and when their request was granted, they had a problem believing it. Why? They were accustomed to getting big prayers answered on a daily basis. Therefore it should have been no surprise when Peter knocked at the gate. Their problem lay not in the fact that God would, but rather in the way He would bring it about.
Moses imagined God would fulfill His promise through bulky animals of the earth or either with the innumerable fishes of the sea. He never thought of the little birds (quail) of heaven being the answer to their predicament. Naaman was another who fell into the trap of attempting to anticipate God. When it was revealed to him the unorthodox, but natural way in which God would take care of his dilemma, he became very upset. The reason for his distress is found in his words, “I thought.” He had a pre-conceived idea of how it ought to be done.
We say today, “You wait and see.” Concerning God’s promises He says, “Thou shalt see now.”
Apr 10, 2009
Alone or Lonley
“It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely”; so said Albert Einstein. This painful plague invades the lives of the great and intellectual, as well as those in the lower stations of life. I think there is a difference between “alone-ness” and loneliness. One can be alone without being lonely. Intermittent periods of the former can be advantageous to a Christian’s growth, but never can this be said of the latter condition. Loneliness is the first thing God said was not good.
Loneliness has been described as being one of the most desolate words in the English language. Another has said, “It’s the disease of the decade.” Many things can contribute to this dreaded desolation. Aging, divorce, widowhood and the immobility that sickness brings, are just a few reasons. Whatever the cause, it leaves its victims with an inner ache, a vacuum, a craving for satisfaction, and an insatiable longing to be loved.
What is the cure for this toxic torment? Man has a two-fold need—fellowship with God and companionship with others. The first is met when the lonely person lays hold, by faith, on Jesus’ promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” The second is fulfilled when we ourselves fill in the blank space in the lonely person’s life and become an intricate part of it. Remember, “It is not good that the man [or woman] should be alone.”
Man loves company even if it is only that of a small burning candle. ~Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Loneliness has been described as being one of the most desolate words in the English language. Another has said, “It’s the disease of the decade.” Many things can contribute to this dreaded desolation. Aging, divorce, widowhood and the immobility that sickness brings, are just a few reasons. Whatever the cause, it leaves its victims with an inner ache, a vacuum, a craving for satisfaction, and an insatiable longing to be loved.
What is the cure for this toxic torment? Man has a two-fold need—fellowship with God and companionship with others. The first is met when the lonely person lays hold, by faith, on Jesus’ promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” The second is fulfilled when we ourselves fill in the blank space in the lonely person’s life and become an intricate part of it. Remember, “It is not good that the man [or woman] should be alone.”
Man loves company even if it is only that of a small burning candle. ~Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Apr 4, 2009
Heaven
“Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old” (11Sam.19:31-39). It is hard for me to believe that in just a little over four short years, I too will enter the ranks of the octogenarians. Because of this fact, I, like Barzillai, am very aware of my home going. My next big and final stop is Heaven. I find nearing Heaven’s gate, the entrance to that celestial eternal city, to be very exciting! And I believe any true saint who is a robust thinker will find it so! But just what can a Christian expect upon his or her departure from this world?
Well the first thing we will experience after our soul leaves the body (Gen.35:18a) is angelic beings transporting us to Paradise (Lk.16:2): when we arrive, we’ll be given some kind of temporary housing for the soul until we get our new resurrected bodies (11Cor.5:1-4). Remember Moses’ body was buried (Deut.34:5-6), but on the mountain, when speaking to Jesus, he had some kind of body that was recognizable (Matt.17:1-8). Then this transitory body, with our soul within, will be clothed with a white robe (Rev.6:9-11).
Best of all, we will immediately be in the Lord’s presence (11Cor.5:6,8). Ah, yes, our last breath here will be our first breath there. The intermediate state is a conscious one, else how would the thief on the cross know he was with the Lord that very day (Lk.23:42-44). And we can be assured we’ll never be bored; for what two lovers were ever bored with each others presence?
Dear Blood-washed saint of God, you need never dread death. On the Cross, our Lord defeated it. He took away its fear (Heb.2:14-15), taste (2:9), and the sting (1Cor.15:55). As someone has said, “The grave is only an underground pathway to heaven.”
AT MY BIRTH, THE WORLD REJOICED AND I CRIED; AT MY DEATH, THE WORLD WILL CRY AND I WILL REJOICE!
Well the first thing we will experience after our soul leaves the body (Gen.35:18a) is angelic beings transporting us to Paradise (Lk.16:2): when we arrive, we’ll be given some kind of temporary housing for the soul until we get our new resurrected bodies (11Cor.5:1-4). Remember Moses’ body was buried (Deut.34:5-6), but on the mountain, when speaking to Jesus, he had some kind of body that was recognizable (Matt.17:1-8). Then this transitory body, with our soul within, will be clothed with a white robe (Rev.6:9-11).
Best of all, we will immediately be in the Lord’s presence (11Cor.5:6,8). Ah, yes, our last breath here will be our first breath there. The intermediate state is a conscious one, else how would the thief on the cross know he was with the Lord that very day (Lk.23:42-44). And we can be assured we’ll never be bored; for what two lovers were ever bored with each others presence?
Dear Blood-washed saint of God, you need never dread death. On the Cross, our Lord defeated it. He took away its fear (Heb.2:14-15), taste (2:9), and the sting (1Cor.15:55). As someone has said, “The grave is only an underground pathway to heaven.”
AT MY BIRTH, THE WORLD REJOICED AND I CRIED; AT MY DEATH, THE WORLD WILL CRY AND I WILL REJOICE!
The Deeper life
I am sometimes asked, “Do you believe in the deeper life?” I generally answer with a smile, “I certainly don’t believe in a shallow one!” But like many things in Christianity today, you have to qualify what you mean by “Deeper Life.” Like Baptists (which I am), there are many variations.
Let me first state the kind of “Deeper Life” I am not. I do not belong to a small elite group that has found a truth that God hasn’t let the rest of the Body of Christ in on. Nor do believe I become someone else other than myself. And most certainly, I do not accept I am to remain passive, putting all the responsibility on God.
What I do adhere to is cooperation in the Victorious Christian Life. Paul states it clearly: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It is not Christ without “I”—it is not I without “Christ”—it is “I” with “Christ.” It is, “The Sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.”
A young preacher asked missionary George Muller to pray God would get him up each morning at 5 a.m. for devotions; to which the old man replied, “No, I’ll not pray that, but if you promise to put one foot to the floor, I will pray He’ll help you put out the other.”
Let me first state the kind of “Deeper Life” I am not. I do not belong to a small elite group that has found a truth that God hasn’t let the rest of the Body of Christ in on. Nor do believe I become someone else other than myself. And most certainly, I do not accept I am to remain passive, putting all the responsibility on God.
What I do adhere to is cooperation in the Victorious Christian Life. Paul states it clearly: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It is not Christ without “I”—it is not I without “Christ”—it is “I” with “Christ.” It is, “The Sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.”
A young preacher asked missionary George Muller to pray God would get him up each morning at 5 a.m. for devotions; to which the old man replied, “No, I’ll not pray that, but if you promise to put one foot to the floor, I will pray He’ll help you put out the other.”
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