Us and Our Children

“Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.”

 The choice of who will rule over us is far reaching. It not only affects the present, but future generations to come. Israel’s choice not only plagued their nation then existing but their posterity down through time, even to this very day. Therefore, much care and prayer should be taken in one’s choice of who will lead them, whether it relates to their home, church, or country.   

This is not the first time this nation, blessed of God, had a problem in their choice of leadership. We are told in the Old Testament, because they desired to be like other nations, they chose a man who they thought would be to them everything, but instead, he took everything. Their children became his servants (government workers), there was a heavy levy put upon those that had possessions, and the things taken from them were given to his cronies. Also, their fields and lands were confiscated and given to those of his choosing. It’s all there, read 1Sam.8:11-18.

What a difference in leaders Saul and David were. The former had a religion that could get along with the godless; the latter refused to walk, stand, or sit with them. Saul only cared how the others saw him; David’s main concern was how God saw him. King Saul cared little for the lives of other people, King David, on the other hand, was very involved and concerned with the lives of others, even the unborn. You’ll remember, at a weak moment in David’s life, he impregnated Bathsheba, another man’s wife. But rather than abort the child, saving himself embarrassment and disgrace, he chose rather life. That is the man of God’s own choosing!

Knowledge Plus

Knowledge alone is like trying to walk with one leg. That is, knowledge by itself will get you nowhere. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, and at the same time, very dangerous. Wonderful, if it’s used as a starting point to get you somewhere; dangerous, if it lies dormant and becomes stagnant.

Peter tells us knowledge is one of the things in life that needs an additive. Once you have knowledge you must follow through with it, “Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD.” Doing something follows knowing something: James writes, “Him that knoweth to do good…” Jesus tells us the servant who knows, but doesn’t do anything with that knowledge, well, that is bad news for him or her.

Daniel records for us, at “the time of the end… knowledge shall be increased.” There is an eerie thirst for knowledge today. People want it just for the sake of having it; but they have no intention of doing anything with it. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. used to say, “We have enough brains to damn the world.” I think we need to put a temporary hold on knowledge until we catch up by using what we already have.

First and Then

You’ll find these two little words coupled together throughout the book of Matthew. We read about reconciliation with a brother, then worship; seeking the kingdom, then comes the additives; taking the beam from your eye, then your brother’s; binding the strong man, then spoiling his goods.

We say, “First things first,” yes, but this doesn’t negate second things. The very word prioritize necessitates other things. There are certain things we are to put at the top of the list, but then the next. We are not to neglect what follows the first. “These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” It seems today many Christian’s never seem to get around to the “then” Jesus spoke of.

For example, to cite just one such case, “Cleanse first that [which is] within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Here we see Jesus works from the inside out. But notice, He is interested in the outward when taken in its proper order. To use the anemic argument that God is only concerned with the inward shows a total ignorance of the scriptures.

I do not know of one person who’d be willing to drink from a cup that had lipstick smudges, grease, and old food particles caked to it on the outside, although it is sparkling clean on the inside. Do you, my friend?

Time Heals

In my writings I like to use popular clichés from time to time. But all such little quips do not necessarily have a scriptural principle connected to them. One such saying is, “Time heals all wounds.” This is not so, and I’m sure knowledgeable medical professionals would agree with me.

 I have observed in today’s society that no matter what one does, and how many are hurt by their actions, if he or she waits long enough, they can be accepted back into their previous position with welcoming arms.

I can understand an unregenerate world doing this, but not the body of Christ. I’ve noticed all types of wrong-doers are being accepted back into fellowship with their Christian brethren and families if they simply put enough space between their sins and their return.

But no matter how lengthy the interval between the wrong done and the acceptance back into fellowship, there must be a repentance proved by its fruit. If you sin privately, you repent privately. But, if you sin publically, you repent publically.

Taking people back into your life because of misguided affections, personal advantage, or because your peers will think you hard or harsh, will not cut the mustard with God! Remember, the person who has not truly repented of his or her wrong, remains the same person. And when you accept them without a complete turn-around in their lives, you condone their sin!

 “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”

The Silence of God

Between the Old and New Testaments there were four hundred silent years when God said nothing. And in our precious Lord’s case, He waited some thirty years to hear God say, “Thou art my beloved Son.” When He recorded for us, “Let thy words be few,” God practiced what He preached. The Bible (K.J.V. 1611) has 773,746 words; considering the fact God is infinite, that “ain’t” very many.

Blaise Pascal wrote a friend, “I am sorry to have wearied you with so long a letter but I did not have time to write a short one.” Well, time is something God has plenty of. God doesn’t waste words. His philosophy, it is apparent, is “Brevity is best.” You might say, He is not a big talker. He is truly a man of few words. The type person who follows His example, generally, can say a lot in few words.

It has been popular as far back as I can remember to hear the phrase, “The Lord spoke to me,” or “God told me.” And to hear this spiritually elite group talk about it, it happens frequently in lengthy conversations with the Lord. If this be true, I wonder why God spoke from heaven to his Son so infrequently, in comparison, while He was on earth. I used to be one of the above who boasted of God speaking to me on a regular basis. Now, I think it best to simply say, “I feel impressed God might want me to do such and such.”

 The true test of a prophet in the Old Testament was whether or not what God told him actually came to pass. I have found on more occasions than I’d like to admit, it didn’t in my life and ministry.

The Critics of the Godly

A professing Christian once criticized the saintly evangelist, John R. Rice. The old man did not reply to the criticism, but simply  mentioned that he’d read his Bible through countless times, prayed daily, won hundreds to Christ, raised godly girls, gave of his income, had been true to his wife, etc. Then he asked his critic, “Have you done these, or even a small part of them?” The man shamefully looked down. Dr. Rice then replied, “Well, your criticism of me doesn’t say much for you, does it?”

Criticism always comes from those who have a superior attitude. The lofty ones of Jesus day supposed themselves greater than the “lowly One.” Thus, our Lord’s warning to His followers, “If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” If they “bad-mouthed” the sinless Son of God day and night, what do you think they will do to us? The advantage of the critic over the godly is that the latter does not generally answer directly to the criticism, or attempt to defend his or her self. “But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.”

These enemies of all righteousness cannot comprehend the godly are the glue holding this world together. Take them away and everything falls apart. It is only their presence and prayers that is preserving things such as our homes, schools, cities, and even individual lives. And yes, entire nations also! These calloused critics are unconscious of the fact that God’s blessings are on His people, the ungodly simply happen to enjoy the benefits. You know, “My cup runneth over.” Thus, the less is blessed by the better. They have never come to the realization that Laban did, “And Laban said unto him [Jacob]… I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

 “Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth.”

Unsung Heroes

Every real man has buried deep within his heart the hope that someday he will do something heroic, thereby proving his manhood. It is something he carries in his bosom from childhood to adulthood. But many, if not most of us, come to the end of our days saddened by the fact we never saw our dream come true. That is, we mistakenly think so!

 

My grandpa Morrison (on my mother’s side) worked forty years at the Sorg Paper Mill in Middletown, Ohio, as a night watchman. He never missed a day in all those years. He was presented a gold pocket watch at retirement. As a young man he had gone from Kentucky to Ohio alone, worked a year, sending most of his paycheck back to Granny, until they had saved enough for her and their seven children to move.

 

A hero is a man who does what has to be done, simply because it has to be done. The world is full of men who are heroes! They go to work every day of their lives, love their families, help their neighbors, and make the world a better place to live in. It makes you feel safer knowing their kind is around. You feel good inside having known such men. Oh, they may never have saved a drowning child or an elderly person from a burning house. But they’re made out of the same kind of stuff as those who do such things.

 

His Right to Servitude

Most are familiar with the story of Jesus washing the disciple feet. There is an interesting statement that came from Simon when He began to wash his. “Peter saith unto Him, thou shalt never wash my feet.” I’m sure Peter thought this to be a worthy declaration. But, as usual, like most of us, he didn’t realize what he was saying. No matter how commendable it may have sounded.

You see, he was refusing to let Jesus do something in his life, which was needful. But, Peter evidently thought it too lowly for Jesus. Will we never get it through our thick skulls that Jesus loves to serve us? He said it Himself, “I came to minister.” He is the eternal Servant! It is the likes of most of us that detest servitude. And look upon those who do with disgust.

Is there some area of your life that seems either insignificant or too lowly for you to allow Jesus to be a part of, and help you? If so, in essence, you’re saying to Him, “Thou shalt never…” If you refuse to let Him enter that part of your life, then He says to you, as He did to Peter, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

*What Do You Expect?

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”

A young pastor came to Charles Spurgeon complaining nothing ever happened at his church. Spurgeon replied, “You don’t expect something to happen all the time, do you”? His answer was, “Well, I guess not;” to which Spurgeon again replied, “Young man, that’s why nothing’s happening; you don’t expect it to.” In Acts 3, the lame man at the gate looked upon Peter and John, expecting to receive something of them. Isn’t it a shame we have greater expectations from man, than of God?

“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,” from the beginning of my Christian life to this present hour, I have always had a divine expectation. If you are saved and surrendered to God, you have every right to expect Him to do things on your behalf and for His glory.  As the great missionary said, “Attempt great things for God; expect great thing from God.”

Whatever may be your particular situation today, why not mull over these two scriptures, “My expectation is from Him…and thine expectation shall not be cut off.” Friend, He will not disappoint you!

Job and His Children

That good and godly man, Job, had seven grown sons and three daughters. We are told “…he rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all.” The reason for this is that he feared that they might have sinned and cursed God “…in their hearts.”

I wonder—what part of our children’s lives are we the most concerned with? Is it that “outward form” that appears to man, or the “inward part” that only God sees?  That part that determines who and what a person really is.

My mentor, Dr. Joe Henry Hankins used to say to me, “Sonny boy, remember, get their hearts. When you get a man’s heart, you’ve got the whole man.” The wise old man knew, as Jesus taught, that the heart is where the real issues of life lie.

If the kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, and He turns it whithersoever He will. He can surely do it with our grown children!

A Mountain Really Real

“…say unto this mountain, Be thou removed.” I previously wrote of the danger of being a strict literalist when reading the Bible. In this article, I want to caution against the spiritualization of a vast number of its texts. We cannot, whenever we feel the whim to do so, spiritualize scriptures, disregarding the context. Interestingly, at times we find both the literal and spiritual within one text. The above is a good example.

I personally believe Jesus wanted His disciples to take what He said about moving a mountain in a spiritual sense. The reason I lean this way is because of the fact, you do not find the disciples going around moving literal mountains or even attempting to. But we do see them moving a great many obstacles that were mountainous in their and others lives.

But, as I said, the text can still be taken literally, for literal mountains are moved in scripture. For example, we are told “…every mountain and island were moved out of there places.” And Zachariah tells us of a mountain cleaving in the middle. Paul certainly believed in literally removing mountains. And David says, “…and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”

And what does all this teach us—the literal and the spiritual? Simply that if God can move physical mountains, it’s a very little chore to take care of the spiritual ones facing us today!

“If the plain text makes sense, seek no other sense.”

A Really Real Mountain?

“…this mountain.” We have a generation of Bible believers who pride themselves in taking the entire Bible literally. But one must be careful he or she does not go too far pursuing this ideal. The Jews of the Old Testament, and those of Jesus’ day, were strict literalists. Subsequently, they missed the truth God was trying to teach them on many occasions.

When discussing the New Birth with Nicodemus, this Jewish rabbi thought Jesus was referring to the physical, when it is plain He was speaking spiritually. And when Christ spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, His hearers took it literally, when the context shows He was presenting a spiritual truth. Again, speaking to the disciples, He warned them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and so they, being literalists, took it that way. They did not understand He spoke of their doctrine.

It is important to remember at all times that God is a Spirit, and that the Bible is a Spiritual Book. It is to be interpreted by a spiritual man or woman, by comparing spiritual things with spiritual. What a challenge to be Spirit-filled when coming to God’s Spiritual Book. If not, we are in danger of making certain scriptures literal and physical, when God is speaking in the spiritual sense. The carnal Christian, along with self-appointed scholars will invariably follow Jewish tradition of old. That is, taking literal many important passages of Scripture God intended to be understood as spiritual.

Disbelief and the Mountain

“…and shall not doubt in his heart.” It is clear from this scripture that anyone who has a doubtful heart need not think the mount of difficulties facing them is going anywhere. It will remain unmovable. If you have been saved any amount of time, you know once you step out by faith in any seemingly impossible situation, the temptation to doubt arises.

A dear, departed preacher friend, Dr. Tom Malone, used to tell an amusing story that illustrates my point. As a boy, he was challenged by his big brother to jump across an exceptionally wide creek bed. He said it was a good jump for a little fella with short legs. Beneath were jagged rocks with prickly bushes. Finally, he got up enough faith to jump. He took a long run and leaped. He said, right in midair, he heard a voice within him say, “Tom, you know you can’t jump across this creek.” “And,” said he, “I didn’t.”

Let us be leery of those thoughts that would invade our faith. They will always come as soon as we take a leap of faith. But pay no attention to them. Abraham is to be the example in our life of faith. You will remember he was placed in an impossible situation by the Lord. And having every reason, humanly speaking, to doubt, it is written, “...he consider not.” 

Do not allow anything or anyone to invade your faith today. When doubt sticks up its ugly head, ignore it!

*The Will of God

In Colossians chapter one Paul prayed for those early believers that they would have, “…the knowledge of [God’s] will.” In chapter four, Epaphras prayed, “…that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” We are told we can “prove” the will of God, and that we should do it from the heart.

There is nothing so important in the Christian life as knowing and doing the will of God! We are told in Romans that it is “good…acceptable…and perfect.”

It is GOOD—therefore we can’t complain about it; we would be ingrates.

It is ACCEPTABLE—therefore we should not reject it; we’d be fools.

It is PERFECT—therefore we cannot improve on it; we would be ridiculous.

Let each of us this day embrace the will of God to our bosom, and say to our Maker above, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.”  Even if it means bearing a cross.  

Empty Churches

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled.”

In this story, Jesus lays down a principle, He wants the house full. Now, you can read anything you want into this narrative, but it will not change this one outstanding objective. We are not speaking of the “numbers racket,” but simply declaring, if the Gospel is good for ten, then it’s good for twenty, and so on.

In Nehemiah we find the question, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” No doubt one can find many reasons, but one is for sure, they must be brought, says Jesus. I pastored twenty years, and in that time we had very few walk-ins. They were brought-ins. Like a good restaurant, it is word of mouth that gets people in.

We have a Calvinistic teaching today of sitting on your hands and doing nothing. Neither Calvin nor those who understand his teaching correctly, adhere to such nonsense. They believed, like the wise woman of Tekoah told David, “[God] deviseth means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” Paul used “all” means.

My dear departed evangelist friend, Dr. John R. Rice used to say, “Have you ever noticed there seems to be more of God’s elect in those areas where there is a soul winner.” Now whether you like the term “soul winner” or not, that is not the issue. The fact is more attend church where the people are aggressively attempting to bring them in.

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

HAPPY YEAR OF JUBILEE

The “Year of Jubilee” was a special year for Israel. It occurred only once every fifty years. This coming week, August 9^th, will also be a very special time for someone I love dearly, my firstborn son, Andrew. On the date mentioned he will celebrate his 50^th Birthday.

I still remember the unspeakable happiness that filled my soul when the nurse told me I had a son. Or putting it scripturally, “[She] who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad. And again it says, “For joy that a man is born into the world.”

And what a man he has become! He is everything that a Christian father desires in his son. To start with, just to list a few of the  qualities he possesses: He is manly; a wonderful father and husband; a delightful grandfather; a true friend; a loving, compassionate pastor; a man of character and great integrity; and most important of all, he is godly to the core, loving his God with all his being.

The one thing for which I am most thankful to God is that which the Lord said to David, I believe it’s true of my son also.  “…for I have chosen him [to be] my son, and I will be his father.” Is it any wonder  Andrew’s life verse is, “But thou [art] he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's belly.”

This Lord’s Day, my wife and I will travel from our home in San Andreas, CA to Scotts Valley. We will attend Cornerstone Bible Church and listen to one of the greatest preachers of this generation. And then, after the service, along with his faithful flock and family, celebrate his 50^th year on God’s good earth.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am so thankful you know what it is like to be a Father and have a Son you love so much!

Poor Paul

I think most have heard the term, “Robbing Peter to pay Paul.” But in reality it is Paul who is being robbed. Modern theologians have made Paul a pauper. They have followed the ways of the world. As someone wrote my son: “We love Jesus; Paul? Not so much.” Paul never slighted our Lord’s teachings (1 Tim.6:3), but simply took them a step further. Nevertheless, you will not hear Paul quoted by the worldlings as authoritative on any of today’s issues.

This is in spite of the fact that Paul’s writings are specifically to this Church Age. All the Bible is for us, but not all of it is to or about us. Jesus and the twelve ministered to the Jews; Paul, to the Gentiles. Lift Paul’s Epistles from the Bible and you would be in complete darkness as to most of the great doctrines (Resurrection, Atonement, Justification, etc.), as well as how Christians should live today.

Someone has said, “Christianity is the only religion that teaches by letters.”  This being the case, every saint should be familiar with Paul’s Letters. You should not be long out of them.

The following is from my own personal Bible study. Notice the progression in Paul’s life and teachings (Prov. 4:18). Here are three examples of it: 1) Early in his ministry he seemed to believe in the immediate return of the Lord, while toward the end, the imminent return. 2) He cast out devils at the offset of his ministry, but at the last, I believe, taught individual saints how to instruct others to do it in their own personal lives (2 Tim. 2:24-26, notice v 26. 3) He healed at the commencement of his ministry, but toward the end, left sick saints unaided by him (2 Tim.4:20). He also travelled with Doctor Luke in many of his journeys.

Who Said What?

He said, she said, they said; but what do you say? Quoting others on a subject is commendable, but no more authoritative than your two cents worth; unless, of course, it is God who said it. We have some babbling bullies today that are so busy telling you what they think, that they’re deaf to other’s ideas.

Each time I read my Bible through, before beginning a new, I read the dedicatory in the 1611 A.V. There is a phrase in it that the translators use which illustrates the type of person I’m speaking of, even way back then. They wrote, “…we shall be maligned by selfconceited Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil…”

Some of us need to start listening better; while others among us need to cease being wooden Indians, and speak up. It should be a mutual admiration society. One of the philosophers said, “Every man knows something I do not, therefore every man is my teacher.” Now that’s a quote worth quoting!  

Slandering Paul

There seems to be three types of preaching and teaching on Grace today: Grace-less, grace-full, or a grace that is a disgrace. I’d like to believe I belong in the second category. As to the first group, it appears that all their sermons are prepared from Mount Sinai. Possibly, they’ve never heard of Mount Calvary.

But it’s the third in the above list that I’m concerned with in this writing. It’s because of these “perverts,” Paul’s words, not mine, that true Grace advocates get a “bad rap.” Jude speaks of these as “turning the grace of God into lasciviousness” (that is, lustful, licentious, or lewd living).

Paul said of his own grace teaching and preaching: “(we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come.” His answer to this slur was “God forbid how shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Mr. Law was my tutor; Miss Grace is my teacher; her moral standards are no less than his (Tit.2:11-12).

I Love You

I won my father to Christ and baptized him several years before his death. I also held his funeral. But for most of his life he was a heavy drinker, and as such, did all the things that go along with that life-style. As a boy I remember how he brought untold sorrow to my mother. I do not know the times he said to her, “I love you honey.” After a while, in cases such as this, such words become like “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.”

I like syrup, but I like some substance under it. You know, like waffles, pancakes or French toast. I do not order syrup on a plate by itself. Like syrup, love is never solitary; some other item is involved with it. And that component is the element that proves its worth.

God says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Bible love always has actions connected with it (1John 4:19). It is not just some passive attitude. When we say “I love you” to God or anyone else, proof must precede, accompany, or follow close after such a statement. You have to earn the right to use such hollowed words. Love will work itself to the bone to prove itself. Ask Jacob!

Going for the Gold

Paul likens the Christian life to running in a race. One of his admonitions for those who would win is to not look back. Or as the old black relief pitcher Satch Paige used to say, “Don’t look back, deh might be a-gainin’ on yuh!”

You can’t win a race looking backward. For this reason the Apostle tells us to forget those things which are behind. Two things will cause us to lose in life’s race: gloating over previous successes, or resurrecting former sins. The first will puff us up, bringing about a fall; and the latter will discourage us, and be the reason for our quitting. No one ever won the gold laying with his or her face in the dirt, nor was the prize presented to anyone who walked off the track in the middle of the race.

Advancement comes from keeping your eye on the goal. And our goal is God! And that, my dear Christian friend, is the joy that is set before us. Go for it!

A Spot on the Paper

What did these men and women have in common: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Naomi, Sarah, Jeremiah, John Mark, Peter, Paul, John the Baptist? They all had their moments of shame and embarrassment. Experiences they wished had never happened. Events they would change, if they could go back and do them again. Yet, as tragic as some of these were, God worked them out for their good, His glory, and our example.

Never mistake the moment for the man. It is not the one spot on the paper t we are to concern ourselves with, but the vast unsoiled portion that surrounds it. Many of us are too tough on ourselves, and that causes us to transfer this to others when they come up short. The Scriptures are not half as hard on our shortcomings and failings as we are. It’s not the exceptions we are to interest ourselves with, but, rather when they become the rule.

A minute is only a small part of twenty-four hours; don’t stop the clock because you’ve lost one.

(R.D.S)

Heaven Can Wait

Paul tells us he had “…a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better.” No amount of theological juggling can make this text mean anything other than what it says. Being with Christ was preferred over being on earth by the apostle. Not because of his suffering, or that he was disappointed with life, or that he’d given up on sinful humanity; nor was it because of the fact that the old warrior was worn out. His motive was pure and higher than these. The aged saint had such a love for the Lover of his soul that it dwarfed everything else in life.

In a ministry that spans some fifty-four years now, I’ve only met one person who I believed truly wanted what Paul did. He was my best friend, and the Lord called him home at fifty-two years old. Upon hearing of his death, the first thing my wife said was, “Well, he finally got what he always wanted.” On his tombstone are the words, “With Christ…far better.”

I’m afraid most of us are like the little fellow down South, who, when asked if he wanted to go to Heaven, replied, “No, Sir!” But when the amazed witness added, “You mean, you don’t want to go to Heaven when you die?” the answer was, “Oh, you mean when I die. I thought you were getting a load up to go now!” We laugh, but the tragedy is, most of us fall into this category.

We are never as dedicated as we’d like to think we are.

Honey and Vinegar

There are some things, whether in business, work, school, family, or church, etc., that aren’t worth arguing or fighting over. A bull dog can whip a skunk, but it’s not worth the fight! We need to choose our battles, making sure they are over principles, not personalities or preferences. Nonessentials are not essential to life.

We can neutralize potent and explosive situations with a fair amount of understanding. When an issue is concentrated it is always good to add this additive. It can many times change a potentially bitter situation. When things are not clear in Scripture, let’s learn to neutralize by compromise. As my son Andrew once advised me, “Don’t use vinegar until you have first tried the honey.

*Mind Your Mending

“Mending their nets...he called them.” Peter and Andrew were “casting [their] net,” while their brethren, James and John, were “mending their nets.” The former were using their nets, while the latter were fixing theirs. Mending is as necessary as fishing, but we hear little, if anything, about the maintenance of mending.

Years ago, while learning to throw a cast net, my teacher, a deacon by the name of George Kendrick, told me, “Preacher, inspect your net often, and keep it mended, for if there is but one tiny hole in it, the fish will find it and escape.” We need to constantly check our lives and mend those areas where we are most vulnerable, lest we toil all night and catch nothing.

When we sit down to mend our nets, we are as occupied and busy as those who are casting theirs. The wise man tells us there is “...a time to sew (mend).” Notice Jesus calls the ones who are mending as well as those who are fishing.

It’s not a new net we need but a mending of our old one; God makes due with what we have.

                                                                                    

Knowing Christ

"[F]or I know whom I have believed…" "That I may know him…" Paul was willing to lose everything "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." Unlike so many Christians today, the apostle was not content with his initial knowledge of Christ, but, years later, was seeking a more intimate knowledge of Him. No true saint should be satisfied knowing about him, but knowing Him.

The lack of devotion to Jesus Christ in our day is the result of not really knowing Him; for to know Him is to love Him. Intellectual knowledge of Him is necessary, but far from complete. An intellectual head knowledge must sink into an emotional heart if our relationship to him is to be personal. A man's knowledge can be wide without being deep. Certainly, Jonathan Edwards knew theology better than John Bunyan, but he didn’t know God any better.

Jesus admonished, "Search the scriptures…they are they which testify of me." Peter tells us, if we are to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we need to be Bible beavers. The Lover's letter to His beloved should be well worn from reading it over and again, with tear stains on every page.

Make sure the God you know is not the god of this world, but rather, the God of the Word.

                                                                                     

Accepting Ageing

“I have been young, and [now] am old.” Apparently David did not have the problem many have today, that of accepting his age. The old man had come to realize that with age comes limitations. He could no longer kill his giants as he once did (2 Sam.21:15-17). He needed brave younger men to help him. But this did not stop the old war horse from “pawing in the valley” (Job 39:21), at the sound of the battle.

David knew his age was not an issue with the “Ancient of Days.” This is clear in his statement to God, “Mine age [is] as nothing before thee” (Psl.39:5). He, like “Paul the aged” (Phi. 9-10), knew he would still bring forth fruit in his old age (Psl.92:14). He was confident God would not forsake him when he old and grayheaded (Psl.71:18).

O, aged saints, let us lay hold of His promise left us in Isaiah 46:4."Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."

TOGETHER

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus.”

Oswald Chambers states, “Christianity is in its essence social.” He goes on to say, “The main characteristic of Christianity is the “together” aspect. The Bible teaches most emphatically, no man is an island. If you try to make it alone you will end up with an Elijah complex.

Paul tells us God has “knit together” those who are His, as Jonathan and David’s souls were knit together. And as Israel, “Knit together as one man,” so it is with the Body of Christ. Like Joseph’s coat of many colours, we are God’s fabric woven with multi-shades. We are to blend together for God’s glory.

Jesus said to the people of His day, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! But this was not true of His elect, that small remnant, in comparison, who came “together” to hear the preaching, pray, and break bread.

O, dear saints of God, until that day when we “shall be caught up together…in the clouds, to meet the Lord,” let us come together in our local assemblies to meet Him each Lord’s Day.

Grace and Thorns

“There was given to me a thorn in the flesh…For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me…And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee."

God gave Paul a gift; it was a thorn in the flesh. Its purpose was to deflate his ego during those times he was tempted to become over-inflated. During a period of fourteen years he had prayed on three specific occasions that God would remove it. To which the Lord answered, in essence, that if He took away the thorn there would no longer be a need for his daily Grace in his life and ministry.

I’m afraid many of us, if the truth were known, would sacrifice God’s moment by moment sustaining grace for the eliminating of any and all means used by Deity to keep us humble and useable. We need to take warning from King Uzziah in the Old Testament. We’re told, “He was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to [his] destruction.” Or as Paul so aptly puts it, “being lifted up with pride he [fell] into the condemnation of the devil.

We say to our children, “Remember your place.” Those of us used of God need to also constantly remind ourselves of ours. We should follow King David’s example. When entering his house, he sat before the Lord and said, “Who [am] I, O Lord GOD? and what [is] my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? Don’t you think David would have liked the little wall plaque which reads, “Lest I forget”?

Unacceptable Sacrifice

“Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not… (neither hadst pleasure [therein])…but a body hast thou prepared me…I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.”

The issue with God is not yours but you. If He has the latter, He most certainly will get the former. It’s a package deal, you see. But, it’s possible to give Him the first without you being in the bargain. And this is unacceptable with God. Paul alludes to this truth when writing of the Macedonian Christians. They had sacrificed what they had unto the Lord but had first given themselves.

A life is the only acceptable sacrifice God will take. Inanimate things are bloodless. And Cain found out, “you can’t get blood out a turnip.” Also, God has no respect for such things on His altar, unless, of course, they are connected with a life already on it.  For example, God doesn’t want your wallet in the offering plate; He wants you in it. If He gets that, He’ll have what’s in your pockets.

Innocent By-Standers

“Come…and see my zeal for the Lord.” Looks can be deceiving. This man was not what he passed himself off to be. If anyone thinks this man’s zeal was for the Lord, then their thinking is not “according to knowledge.” When we put this man under the microscope of God’s Word, we find him to be ambitious, calculating, ruthless, stern, and passionless. Great leaders are not always great men. True, he was commissioned to exterminate all of Ahab’s bloodline, but, in his misguided zeal, he killed forty-two innocent men who were the descendants of David, and only because they were associated with Ahab— guilty by association, you know. And what’s worse, he made it look like it was all for the Lord.

His zeal originated more from Jehu than Jehovah. God was only a means to an end for him. We see this today in many, so-called, soul winners. Another convert simply means another notch on their Bibles. This is the type who leaves the dust on the knees of their trousers for all to see they are men of prayer.

The pitiful thing about Jehu’s is that good people are taken in by them. Jehonadab was a Rechabite, a respected and spiritual people among the Jews. Jehu persuaded him to join his endeavor, because he needed such a person to add respectability and credence to his ambitions and to help him sell his policies and practices to the public. Let’s make sure we are not one of those sincere puppets.

A man’s motive is God’s primary concern.

                                                                  

*Just Passing Through

“When thou passest through the waters...when thou walkest through the fire...”

God’s people at the Red Sea and the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace are proof-texts of this wonderful promise. The watermark may get high, but not high enough that we’ll drown. And the fires may get seven times hotter than they are known to get, yet it will not consume us. God has provided for us “life-jackets” for the storms, and fire-proof garments for the furnace. They are found in Jesus Christ.

Notice both of these dreaded experiences are something we go through, not stay in. If the devil can get us to believe that it will always be like this, then he has won. For we most certainly will ultimately give up and give in, if we think there is no deliverance. But, thank God, the darkness passes and light shines again! “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

The Bible says, “And it came to pass”; it does not say, “It came to stay”

Wondering Out Loud

Out of Paul’s thirteen Epistles (fourteen, if you count Hebrews), seven were addressed to a particular church in a specific place. Interestingly, Jesus also wrote an equal amount of assemblies in the book of Revelation. In each case, you will find, for the most part, each body had its own shortcomings and sins. In other words, there were no perfect churches. If there had been, you would think we’d find them closer to the time of their inception, rather than two- thousand years later. Time generally has a way of corroding things that originally were clear.

Though I come miserably short, I try to read my Bible through the eyes of 1st Century believers. I endeavor to see things the way they were then. I wonder, for example, if, say, a Christian coming from Corinth to Philippi would have been received into their assembly upon his or her profession of faith. After all, you do realize one of the great stigmas of the Corinthian church was “tongues.” Would a believer, then, have to make another profession of faith and be re-baptized? And what if they came from Galatia, where a strong works element was taught? What about the church at Rome that had those teaching antinomianism? And, of course, there was the church at Colosse with its mysticism. And how were missionaries treated from these churches?

If it be argued the Epistles are corrective, and these assemblies would have ceased to be churches had they not heeded the correction, is that also true of me, as a Christian? Do I cease to be a Christian if I do not heed all that is written? With all their faults, both Jesus and Paul called them churches.

I personally believe, in the end, we balance out each other. In church history, it seems each group was raised up to emphasize an important element that had been lying dormant; for example, the filling of the Holy Spirit, the grace of God, justification by faith, holiness, etc. Each doctrine was resurrected because of its needed emphasis. Can we not thank God for this and them?

You're Not Alone

“Scripture saith of Elias… Lord…I am left alone… But what saith the answer of God unto him… I have reserved to myself seven thousand…”

Many years ago, a young business man and his wife approached me at a camp meeting. I had just finished preaching, and as he walked up, he put forth his hand to shake mine. The first words out of his mouth were, “I thought I was the only one until I heard you. I felt like I was going crazy at times.” As a result, he became one of my dearest friends, as well as a faithful supporter.

Since then, others have echoed his sentiment. One man suggested it would be nice if this small remnant of rag-tags were all in one place. But this, of course, would necessitate removing the lone candle from the dark place in which God placed each of us. Elijah, like you and me, forgot there are others in this war, although we may not always be able to see them in the dense jungle in which we battle.

O dear friend, never let the devil get you to think you’re the only one. Like you, there are others who are in the same fight, with like temptations, and sufferings in their flesh. They have kindred fears, problems, and anxieties. This little band of misfits, like you, are misunderstood and misrepresented by their contemporaries also. But remember, though they be far off and cannot share your grief, there is One who was also put “outside the camp,” who can and will.

“Are you weary, are you heavy hearted? Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.”

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself

I’m so grateful that early in my Christian life, I was shown that courage is not necessarily the absence of fear—that they can run side by side, and generally do. Courage is simply going on by faith in spite of fear. We are told in the Scriptures “by faith they feared not.” I have been plagued by a fearful spirit since I was a small boy. Learning the above truth, after my conversion, has helped me tremendously. Also, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

How often we fear the intangible—a nameless dread grips and numbs our spirits. We seem to be afraid of anything and everything. We fear people, the past, and the future. We are fearful of the unknown, of undertaking responsibilities, and making decisions. If not careful, we can live a lifetime of fear. The writer of Hebrews describes such people. He says, “...through fear...were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Fear paralyzes. John tells us “fear hath torments.” But, thank God, we no longer have to be held in this vice of fearfulness. “He hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. So that we may boldly say...I WILL NOT FEAR.” During those fearful times, like Elijah’s, “great and strong wind…earthquake…and fire,” listen for that “still small voice,” “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway.  (John Wayne)

Why No Scripture

“Search the scriptures.” The Bible was not written to, or for, a lazy person. Only those who “…search…as for hid treasure,” will discover its true riches. As far as I can tell, only one book in the sixty-six was written for the unbeliever, that being John’s gospel.

I am asked from time to time why I do not give chapter and verse when making most of my scriptural statements. Basically, it’s for two reasons: First, the “Journal” is primarily written for those who mean business with God and are willing to dig for the treasure. And, secondly, to follow the Bible pattern its writers left us. Apart from Paul referring to the “…second Psalm,” you’ll not find any other such reference, only to the book where the Scripture is found. And even this method is not overdone.

The readers of the book of Hebrews didn’t even get the luxury of the book where the writer’s proof-text was found. You’ll find him making such statements as, “…in a certain place…and again…and again…in a certain place…and in this place again…as it is said…he saith in another place…Him that hath said…etc.”

By this we can surmise the importance of being personally familiar with the Scriptures. And, to accomplish this, we must read and reread them. As one old Divine put it, “Wallow in the Word, wallow in the Word!”

*Loaded Down

"[M]y burden is light."  Christ's burden is not burdensome. It is our manufactured, self-imposed ones that weigh us down and cause us to stoop. We are to cast our heavy burden upon Him and take His light burden in exchange. God never intended for us to carry the worries, frustrations, and cares of this world. To do so is to end up like Martha.

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee..." When we are so burdened we cannot go on, to be sure, this is not the burden of the Lord. When God places His burden upon us, it is never more than we can carry. "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Therefore He will not put upon us anything "above that ye are able...to bear."

A little boy, on Christmas Eve, was standing outside a store loaded down with packages. A passerby asked if he could help, to which the lad replied, “No, thank you, sir; my father gave them to me, and he never puts more on me than I can carry.”

Which Way?

"He shall direct thy paths.” Most certainly, Bible study and prayer should have top priority in seeking God’s direction in our lives, but these are foundational. Other ingredients go into the mix that does not seem to be as “spiritual.” Therefore, many neglect them leaving them confused.

I’m speaking of old-fashioned common sense. You’re not to throw away your head when you get saved. A sanctified mind can take you a long way in ascertaining God’s royal route. The importance of thinking something through cannot be exaggerated. Some are so worried they will take a wrong step; they take no step at all. God can and will correct a wrong decision (if the motive is right), but He can’t do anything if there is no decision at all.

A good illustration of this is found in Acts chapter sixteen. Paul knew you couldn’t take the gospel to the wrong door, so he attempted on two different occasions to go to places he felt were in need. Both times, God stopped him. Then the Lord spoke directly to him, showing the place of His choice.

We’re told in Matthew’s gospel on more than one occasion that when Joseph thought on certain things pertaining to God’s will, the Lord gave him direction. Beloved, let us put on our thinking caps!

Watch Your Step

“Though all men shall…yet will I never…” How little we know of ourselves, not realizing we are capable of anything and everything others do. Spiritual pride is a cancerous condition, to be guarded against continually. It caused Lucifer’s fall and is one of the main marks of a Pharisee. “I thank thee, that I am not as other men are.” Is it any wonder we are warned, “…let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” We are least safe when we are most secure.

We need to be cautious of sudden resolutions. We can become over confident in our ability and stability. Peter found talk was easy at a distance, but was more difficult “up close and personal.” I have found over the years that they who are shallowest fall soonest.

Those who think themselves better than others oft time find themselves worse.

(R.D.S)