John's "Wish List"

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." I just returned home from a two day stay at the VA hospital in Sacramento. I needed a blood transfusion (four units) for blood I was losing in my stomach, and naturally, an endoscopy to cauterize the source of the cause. Even though I had been up for twenty-four hours, the night before the procedure, I was unable to sleep, I think because of weakness and anxiety, 

About two in the morning, I turned on the TV, hoping that would possibly help me in drifting off into La-La Land. As I surfed all seven channels, I came across one of the "feel good" TV ministries. For the life of me, I cannot understand how even a novice could fall for that jargon. But as P.T. Barnum is purported to have said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Any worldly con-man would spot such shams. Our Lord told us as much when He said the children of this world are wiser than those of light.

I seriously doubt some Christians put their thinking caps on when reading the Bible. To use our opening text to prove a "health and wealth" philosophy is utter nonsense. John is speaking in a general sense. What would you expect him to say? "I wish above all things you will be in want and poor health?" To ask about one's health was common custom in ancient Jewish correspondence. Evidently Gaius' spiritual state was of such excellence that John prayed his physical health would match it. Or, it may be, John's beloved friend was not well and the apostle was praying Gaius would be as healthy in body as in soul.

The scriptures teach throughout, God's people are still a part of humanity after He calls them out from the world. In one sense, we are nothing like natural man, but in another, just like them. This is so that we can still relate to their infirmities and sufferings. You know, like Jesus came in the flesh to identify with us. From godly Isaac's poor eyesight to Paul's continual affliction, God's elect have always suffered in one form or another. And as to wealth, let us not forget Jesus had to borrow a penny. To by-pass the Cross for a "health and wealth" life is Satan inspired, to be sure (Matt.4 cp. Lk.4). As my dear friend, Dr. John R. Rice used to say, "Healers die also."

No cross, no crown! It's not now, it's later (Ro.8:18). 

A Branded Conscience

"Having their conscience seared with a hot iron..." I once heard a preacher illustrate this text by applying it to a branded calf. He said, once the seared place healed, you could jab it with a penknife and the beast would nor flinch; it was now insensitive in that area. 

There has been much discussion and written about the subject of conscience. Generally speaking, there seems to be no debate it is an inner sense of what is right and wrong in one's conduct or motives. As to the latter, before conversion, because of depravity, there is a bent to follow the evil. Concerning the former, after salvation, because of the divine nature, there is a leaning to pursue the good.

It seems when Satan has put his brand upon an individual life by cauterizing their conscience, there is no longer conviction. That is, no conviction without conscience! " John.8:9 tells us, "...being convicted by their own conscience..." If as the old adage says, "Conscience is your guide," when seared, the two choices will disappear. And you will naturally choose the latter, though it is no longer set before you, it is ingrained in you. What will be missing is the good.

The devil is no respecter of persons when it comes to the ruination of a life. Young or old, it matters not to him. Many religious young people, because of their continual refusal to do the good and leave off the bad, have had their conscience seared, just like the old reprobate in the gutter. What a chilling thought, to go through life in such a hopeless condition!      

Those Dreaded Confrontations

One of the negative characteristics in Jacob's life was his dislike for facing people. He ran from those he didn't like to face. We're told he, "left" home, and in Laban's case, "stole away." How many there are of us that can relate to him. Like the ostrich, we'd prefer to bury our head in the sand. But sooner or later, all must face the music.

The word confrontation means: (1) to meet face to face; to stand facing. (2) to place before. There are three necessary encounters we cannot avoid indefinitely. Facing others, God, and ourselves. Jacob ran for years trying to avoid facing these three  with whom he had dealings earlier in life. But God brought him to a place he couldn't get out of and demanded of him a confrontation.

Interestingly, the whole of Jacob's life was changed when he came to the end of himself and faced those he'd evaded for so long. When the Lord asked what his name was, and he said, "Jacob" (meaning supplanted, schemer, deceiver), it was then God said he was a prince. And after coming face to face with his offended brother, he found a warm reception, with much affection and blessings.

Why, O, why, do we run from God's best?

The Separatist Movement

I believe most emphatically in Biblical separation. But I do not, and will not, accept a list of man-made rules. My son, Andrew, mentioned once to a woman that the Bible did not teach total abstinence; to which she replied, "But don't you think God holds us to a higher standard than that?"

You can trace all separatist movements back as far as the Pharisees, and yes, even further, to Israel of old. They added hundreds of their own commandments to God's law. We find such descriptive terms of these separatists as, "They say, and do not." And, "Thou that sayest a man should not...dost thou...? 

Francis Schaeffer, J.I. Packer, and Harry Ironside all belonged to strict separatist groups in their day, the latter two coming close to nervous breakdowns, because they could not live up to the rigidity of the "elites" teaching. But each found, in time, that the strongest advocates of the movements didn't live up to what they preached.

This was the whole issue over Paul's stern rebuke of Peter in Galatians 2:11-14. Especially verse 14, "If thou being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest the Gentiles to live as do the Jews.?"

Let each reader heed the words of the first Church council."Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear."      

A Spittin' Image

"He also did predestinate [us] to be conformed to the image of His Son...be not conformed to this world." 

Matthew Henry says, "None can know their election but by their conformity to the image of Christ...it cannot be a temptation to any to be conformed to the world to believe that they were predestined to be conformed to Christ."

Predestination has to do with saved people. God predetermined before hand that His elect be like His Son. He has destined each who name the name of Christ to ultimately bear the moral and spiritual image of the Son of God. As the old timers used to say, "We'll be the spittin' image of Him."

A preacher visiting a mountain man noticed he was whittling on a piece of wood. Trying to get a conversation started, the pastor asked what he was making. The reply was, "An elephant," to which the man of God said, "Wow, that must be difficult!" The old man answered, "Not really, I just cut off everything that don't look like an elephant."

And so it is with us beloved, God is cutting away everything in our lives that does not look like Jesus Christ!

Don' Give Up On God

In Psalm 81:14 God tells His people, “I should soon have…” The context, verses 11 through 16, show they couldn’t wait for God, but rather gave up on Him. Their clocks, like our own, ran fast. How many have given up on the Lord, not knowing the answer was on it’s way, right around the corner, so to speak? As someone has said, “It’s always too soon to give up.”

When your need seems slow in coming, remember the “raven” is on it’s way...Don’t give up! When life feels useless, think of John the Baptist in the wilderness all those years...Don’t give up! When your prayers are not answered immediately, remind yourself of Daniel’s three week wait...Don’t give up! When deliverance looks afar off, read about the three Hebrew children...Don”t give up! When darkness is prolonged, take Job for your example, see the end of the Lord...Don’t give up!

Some will never know what would have happened in their lives had they waited for the Lord just a little longer. Throughout scripture, God is known to wait before taking action on His children’s behalf. “God waited in the days of Noah.” And so, we need to learn to wait on a waiting God. “Therefore will the Lord wait...Blessed are all they that wait for Him.”

Learning the Word

Darling David said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted;that I might learn thy statutes (Word).” David knew the “letter” of God’s Law; but in his affliction he learned the “spirit” of the Word. That is, the underlying and deeper meaning.

A preacher friend, now with the Lord, exemplified the above truth to me years ago. He was born with Cerebral Palsy and knew first hand the meaning of affliction. He asked me why God wanted Abraham to offer up Isaac? My immediate answer was “He was a type of Christ, says Hebrews.” Bill said, “True, but is there also not a deep spiritual meaning?” Then continued, “Two equal loves cannot coexist, one love must die.”

Affliction has a way, if you’ll pardon the expression, of putting clothes on naked truth. Suffering makes truths we have long known come alive. Truths that had laid dormant, suddenly have new meaning. They bleed, weep, and hurt like we ourselves. An example of this is when we put Joseph’s clothes on Romans 8:28. It is then the latter means so much more to us.

Those Blessed Psalms

My wife has a book by C.S. Lewis entitled, Reflections on the Psalms. Whenever I see it I’m reminded again of how I, along with a multitude of others, love this precious book. Through the years, I have jotted down some little personal notes in the heading this book. I’d like to share some of these thoughts with you today, if you don't mind:

1. The Spirit-filled believer is drawn to Psalms (Eph.5:18-19).

2. Much of the book is autobiographical...about David's personal life.

3. There is a Balm in Psalms. It’s the “Gilead” of the Bible (Jer.8:22 a, cp. Gen.37:25).

4. It is in the very heart of the Bible because it’s to the heart.

5. David’s physical foes have become our spiritual enemies today
(1Cor.10:6 a, 11).

6. Look for Jesus when you read the Psalms (Luke 24:44 cp. Psl.2:2 and  Acts 4:26).

A Psalm a day will bring the Great Physician your way.

The Downs and Ups of a Child of God

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” The worldling has his or her ups and downs, while God’s elect have their downs and ups. That is, God’s people ultimately bounce back. You know, “You can’t keep a good man down.”

David had his down moments, and he knew God knew of them. God understanding his thoughts, I’m sure, was aware David, like ourselves, wished it were not so. In an old time camp meeting, David would have given a hearty AMEN! to the quartet singing the old spiritual, “Sometimes I’m Up, Sometimes I’m Down, O, Yes, Lord!”    

Is this not why we all love the book of Psalms so dearly? The Psalmist did not go from mountaintop to mountaintop without having his valley experiences. And this was so he might appreciate and enjoy breathing that celestial air once he climbed back up.

In the Christian life, the rule is we’re to be up, the exception being when we’re down; Whenever reversed, there is dire reason for concern. I heard a preacher say once, “I’m never down. I won’t allow myself to be down.” I knew immediately I was listening to a spiritual sham or a self-deceived braggart.

   

Yielding To Temptation

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Being tempted is not sin; giving in to it is. Therefore, it is imperative there be no flag of surrender.

I have found a great number of those who have yielded fell for the lie the devil told them, “Your temptation is greater than others, God will understand if you submit.” And so they pride themselves that their particular enticement was different from anyone else’s, among God’s people. True, it may not have been the same in kind, but it can be the same in intensity. Sorry Mr. or Mrs. Narcissus, you’re not the only one, it’s common to all.

How some love to broadcast their great temptation in front of groups, councillors, and those close to them. Interestingly, Jesus never mentioned to anyone His temptation on the Mount, nor that in the Garden. God only knows those precious souls who fought it through behind closed doors, and came out victorious. There is always a way out, As my pastor says, “When tempted, look for the escape hatch.”

It would be well for each of us who have “pity parties” when severely tempted, to remind ourselves to, “Consider HIM that endured...lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”  

“A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later.” C. S. Lewis.

God Vindicates His Own

“But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Texts such as this can be found throughout the New Testament, especially the Gospels. Not only do they prove the inspiration of the Bible, but the vindication of the prophets.

Whenever the words of God’s man or woman, speaking on behalf of the Lord, came to pass,they were vindicated. No matter how long it took. Sometimes hundreds of years had to elapse before what they said was realized as credible and authentic.

And so it will be with many of us. In spite of the fact that a great number are belittled and maligned for what they say today, down the road, possibly in the far off future, God will vindicate their testimony. You see, the grave is not silent, for “He being dead yet speaketh.”

As Night Follows Day

“The earth was also corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” The old adage, “As night follows day,” simply means you can depend on it. That is, you can count on it, expect it, yes! Look for it with assurance. One will follow upon the heels of the other; it will always be close by.

And so it is with corruption,whenever you find it, you can be certain violence will soon come on the scene. Whether it be an individual, city, state, nation, or the entire earth, when corruption enters, violence will be the result.

Today, as in that of Noah (history repeats itself), corruption is universal. Extreme violence has already begun happening in many parts of the world. And don’t be deceived, we are not exempt. You can hang your hat on the fact that intense violence, such as we have never seen in our beloved nation, is at the door.

No sane, sensible person, would deny our entire country is steeped in corruption. From politics to religion, every facet of society has been severely tainted. The only answer is a Revival or His Return. Personally, I pray for the second. But if the second is on hold, then I'm for the first.

Until one of these two happens, as Noah of old, we can walk victoriously with our God in the midst of all the filth.     

One of the Crowd

“Then shall I be...as another man.” Once Samson decided to disobey God he became just like one of the guys. He was no longer one of a kind, but rather, one of the crowd. As long as he followed the Lord, he was of a rare breed; when he went back, he became a regular toy soldier, in step with everyone else. Someone wrote, “Be like a diamond; precious and rare, not like a stone that is found everywhere.” 

Only in doing the Will of God will you find individual distinctiveness. Everything and everyone outside His plan is run-of-the-mill. All look and taste like vanilla, life becomes monotonous. The adventure and excitement resulting from serving the Lord leaves one, and nothing is left but daily boredom. Without God as the center of our lives, all our created enthusiastic endeavours fizzle out like a sparkler.

Only the life wholly given up to God is the one full of constant surprises. When we are willing to be different from the mass, it is then He distributes His individual gifts. To the rest, like those working in an office during holidays, all receive the same thing.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter; and those who matter don’t mind.” Dr, Seuss

I Forgive You

I personally do not know of three sweeter words an offending saint will ever hear from those whom they have offended than, “I forgive you.” I guess it is because I have so often had to ask God and loved ones to grant me this request, as well as those unrelated.

The Bible makes plain it is wicked to not forgive (Matt.18:32-33). We need not ever expect peace of mind as long as we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts. And this is just as true when applied to oneself. If God so willingly forgives us, should we not then follow His example? 

A woman gave testimony at our church that she had had great difficulty forgiving herself for killing (aborting) her unborn son some years previous. I whispered to my wife, “Why? she murdered God’s Son, and He freely forgave her.”

I think something I saw and heard on the old western T.V. series, Gunsmoke, holds the answer for those of us who have miserably let ourselves down. The statement was made by the town drunk to Marshal Dillon, “All my life people have given me another chance; the problem is, I have not been willing to give myself one.

Don’t you think it’s about time you forgive yourself? God has, and so have others, way back when you first asked them.    

Renovating the Old

A young man sold his recently deceased parents’ farmhouse and land to a developer. Having received an unusually good price for his inheritance, he wanted to do something special in return for the generous buyer. And so he made some needed repairs and put a fresh coat of paint on the old place. Upon seeing the new look, the now owner said, “Son, I wish you had not taken the time or effort. You see, my intention is to tear the old down and start all over again.”  

I have spent a large part of my Christian life trying to patch-up what God condemned, trying to whitewash the dry-rot in my old Adamic nature. In spite of the fact that I am told over and again in scripture, God by-passes the old nature, condemning it, for the new. Every time I have put new wine into old bottles, they burst; and each time I patch an old garment with a new, I look ridiculous!

We need to cease striving to change the “old man.” It can’t be done, anymore than an Ethiopian can his skin or a leopard his spots. Change comes, not by trying, but in applying. It is not in attempting by works to change the old, but in appropriating by faith what we already have in the new. You might say, “It’s a done deal.” Our appropriation makes a fact a reality.  

To put a garment on or off is a physical act. To put the “old man” off and the “new man” on is a spiritual act of faith.

God's Family and Ours

Taken in the right context, one might say,”God is a family man.” One of His first acts in creation was the establishing of the family. And Jesus’ first social function was attending a wedding, the beginning of a family.

God has a Kingdom and Satan has a kingdom. God has a family, referred to in scripture as, “The Family of God.” But Satan does not have a family! He was once, so to speak, a member of God’s loving family, but choose to leave it so he could have his own way.

Satan hates God’s family, and because he cannot attack the Father directly, he assails the objects of His love, His children. He is out to divide a house against itself, knowing how devastating this is to a parent. He creates a “great gulf” between them so that,"they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." 

In the Christian family, only Christ can bridge this great chasm. He is the link that makes two one again. All the secular and religious means in the world cannot, if you permit me, "put Humpty-Dumpty back together again." Until Christ is put first in all our lives, there will be no partying "at the Father's House." 

"And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

In Spite Of Or Because Of

I used to believe the generally accepted term, “God uses them in spite of...”; but am now convinced from the scriptures, experiences in my own life, as well as observing scores of others throughout these long years, the right phrase is, “God uses them because of...” We spend a lifetime trying to rid ourselves of an asset.    

It pleases God to choose those with irritating quirks, strange idiosyncrasies, revolting defects, and a host of other observable deficiencies and weaknesses. It was because of these inadequacies, He picked us out to join the ranks of His laughable army. The reason? “That no flesh should glory in His presence.”

Uncle Buddy Robinson stuttered so badly that he could hardly tell his name. F.B.Meyer was given to deep depression. Alexander Cruden was in and out of mental institutions most of his adult life. C.I. Scofield was divorced and remarried after his conversion. And D.L.Moody
had a 6^th grade education, calling “Daniel,” “Dan’l.” These all, along with a great host of other men and women successful in the service of the Lord, cannot be explained apart from God.

In other words, our flaws can lead back to a flawless God!

Richard. D. Sandlin

The Meaning of Holiness

As I have said so often in my writings, “God’s Word (A.V. 1611 K.J.V.) is its own interpreter,” not the Church of Rome, or Greek scholars! Peter says, “Knowing this first, that no ...scripture is of any private interpretation.” That ought to settle it for a Roman Catholic. And a Protestant should know better. Ask Joseph who the Great Interpreter is (Gen.40:8,b)

Because of the fact that many saints have a misconception of what the word Holy means, much damage has been done to their spiritual lives.

Allowing scripture to explain itself, we find the following.

Lk.2:23, “As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)...Ex.13:2, Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel... it is mine...V12, thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix... [they] shall be the LORD'S...”

Notice, to be “Holy” simply means to be, “Sanctified,” or “Set Apart” for the Lord.  It is not speaking of moral value. Clothes, ground, days, and utensils know nothing of morality. Nor is holiness sinlessness; inanimate things can’t sin. Neither does our word mean perfection; Paul speaks of, “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Holiness then, can be perfected.

It is not emphasizing what one is separated from, but what a person is separated to, that count with God. The more we experience the latter, the more it will be true of the former. The Pharisees were separated from the world, but not unto God. They missed out on what true holiness really is, separated unto God!

Richard. D. Sandlin

I Am an Adopted Child

“Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

I understand some adopted children have a problem with not knowing their real parents, and this I understand. But personally, as an adopted child, I have no such difficulty; I know my Original Parents and want nothing whatsoever to do with them. They sold me into the house of bondage, and were responsible for the shameful deformity I’ll carry with me throughout this life.

But I am glad to say I am now happy, content, and I think fairly well-adjusted, considering my first state. O, how well I remember being lined up with the other urchins, all cleaned-up and in their nice clothes, standing tall and straight, hoping to impress. And there I was, at the end of the line in my wheelchair, crippled, and in my filthy rags.

All my peers were waiting with bated breath, anticipating the kind looking man stopping by them with a smile of approval. But I had no such expectation. I was very conscious of the fact there was nothing about me, an untainted MAN such as I beheld, would desire to call His son. But miracles of miracles! as He stood over me, looking down with eyes full of tears and compassion, He uttered three words that will remain with me throughout eternity, “I choose him.”

And what do I call the parent who adopted me? I refer to Him as, “MY HEAVENLY FATHER!”       

Richard. D. Sandlin

Bold Preaching

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

If you were to ask me the greatest change I have seen in churches in my fifty-five year ministry, my answer would be one word: “preaching.” We today, as Paul foretold us, have gone from preaching to teaching. It is important to realize, men are called to preach, then gifted as teachers, pastors, evangelists, etc. No man can hide behind his gift as an excuse for neglecting bold preaching!

A pastor friend in Canada, who is also a veterinarian, told me they now have a procedure where they cut a dog’s vocal cord to keep them from barking and bothering neighbors. The Old prophet spoke of this kind of preacher. He described them as, “dumb dogs [that] cannot bark.” Dumb, not as in intellectually, but as in audibly. Years ago, a preacher said to my home pastor, “I wish I could preach to my people the way you do to yours.” He could, it’s just that he wouldn’t.

We no longer hear fiery messages on Bible topics such as: judgment, sin, wrath, sodomy, death, sowing and reaping, etc. When we stopped preaching on hell from the pulpits they started living like it in the pews. I think, to hear some preachers preach, they believe the word apologetics (concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity), means to apologize for their preaching.

The norm today is that love is all that counts. No! Truth is what counts. Paul tells us love rejoices in truth. Dr. Bob Jones used to have a message to preachers who trimmed their messages in the pretense of love. The text he used was, “Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love?” God help those preachers who, so to speak, tiptoe through the tulips.

Some preachers, before preaching ask, “Who is out there?” Then load or unload their gun. Others go to the pulpit and shoot, and then ask, “Who’d I hit?”

Richard. D. Sandlin

50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY PICS

Dear Readers,

My wife and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary two years ago this October 14th. My daughter, Leah, who is a photographer, planned to visit during that time and take pictures, but was unable to do so. 

 

She visited with us recently and was able to make good her and our desire. Here are a few of the photos she took of Salle and me at Carmel by the Sea, CA during her stay. Since I am not on Facebook I thought some of you might enjoy seeing the 'old man' (80 in Oct.) and his young looking wife.

 

 

 

*The Saints Saucer

“My Cup Runneth Over”

I can remember, as a boy, seeing my Kentucky bred Grampaw drinking his coffee out of his saucer, while eating a breakfast of bacon and eggs, along with his biscuits and gravy. He was like the trucker I heard of, who when asked by the waitress if he wanted his cup filled, answered “Yep, and my saucer too!”

I notice today in homes and restaurants old fashioned saucers are not much in use, if at all. I can only surmise from this that people no longer desire full cups. This doesn’t trouble me, but Christians not craving the “fullness of God,” does. David drank from an overflowing cup; his saucer, if you please.

O, that each of us will seek God’s fulness until, like the wine skins, we are about to burst. Every spiritual need in the Christian’s life is found in the Spirit’s nine-fold fruit. When we unreservedly yield to Him, then our lives will yield His fruit.

“Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.”

Richard. D. Sandlin

My Favorite O.T. Bible Story

“[There was] a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise [men are] heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war...”

I recently read something about Alexander the Great that illustrates this passage. “When Alexander the Great was about to destroy the city Lampsacus, his old master Anaximenes came out to meet him. Alexander, suspecting his design, that he would intercede for the city, being determined to destroy it, swore that he would not grant him anything he should ask. Then said Anaximenes, ‘I desire that you destroy this city.’ Alexander respected his oath, and the city was spared.”

To be sure, Alexander was a great man, but, as Job tells us, “Great men are not always wise.”

There are seven pearls, so to speak, in this shell of truth.

1. Wisdom can be found among obscure places and people. “Little city...few men.”

2. Wisdom is not limited to position. “A great king...a poor wise man.”

3. Wisdom is to be used for others, to help deliver them from dire circumstances. “By his wisdom delivered the city.”

4. “Wisdom is better than strength.” It’s not brawn but the brain of the wise that wins out.

5. Wisdom many times gives birth to jealousy in those who do not possess it. “The poor man’s wisdom is despised and not heard.”

6. Wisdom is heard best in quiet. “Heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”

7. Wisdom is the best of all weapons. “Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war

True, such wisdom is soon forgotten by the ones who have been helped by it. But the wise man is wise enough to know, his “All wise God” hasn’t!”

Richard. D. Sandlin

The Big Picture

“For God so loved the world...”

We need to learn to emulate God when it comes to where to start in any and all situations. He starts with the big picture, and then works toward the more detailed. This is seen in such things as Creation, and the building of Noah’s ark.

The little quip, “The devil is in the details,” most certainly is not true in every case, but is in some. It is the latter of the two that needs guarded against. A bird’s-eye view will always help us see more clearly. Don't lose sight of the whole in people or problems.

Many times majoring on the detailed is what causes disagreement and division among us. For example, all Bible Believer’s believe in the second coming of Christ. The difficulty comes when the subject become exhaustive. This is also true of rightly dividing the Word; you can slice it so thin, there’s not enough left to feed on or to go around.

Let us all back off awhile; some of us “can’t see the forest for the trees.”

Richard. D. Sandlin

Sick Saints

“And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.”

Doctor Luke, “the beloved physician,” penned these words from the mouth of the Great Physician. Many times Jesus takes physical truths to illustrate spiritual ones. It is easy to miss the former because of the importance of the latter. Nevertheless, the physical has its place.

As hard as it may be for some of the “spiritually elite,” to accept this fact, Jesus did say if you are sick, go to a doctor. Yes, like the woman with the issue of blood found, there are quacks among the medical profession, like any other, but that doesn’t change what our Lord said. The Bible way in sickness seems to be first, seek the Lord; then, if no clear cut direction, use the means God has provided.

Beware of applying historical truths from the Gospels, primarily to the Jews, and rejecting Paul’s teachings for us Gentiles today. And even in the Epistles one needs to be cautious. For example, early in the apostle’s writings he expected of Lord’s immediate return; toward the end he taught His imminent return. So it was with healing. In his latter letters he left a friend sick at Miletum. Timothy was to take a little wine for his stomach and “oft infirmities.” And one companion was so sick he was nigh unto death.

Sickness is part of a fallen humanity, saved or lost. If one is healed, ultimately we wind up in the cemetery with the rest of mankind. Isaac had poor eye sight as he got older, Elisha died from a sickness, David complains of some kind of bone disease, and Paul was sick all his ministry.

Whether we are healed directly or indirectly (by the use of means), God is to get the glory. And because one is cured through the latter does not mean he or she is any less spiritual than those healed by the former.          

Richard. D. Sandlin

Permanent and Temporary Necessities

“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things”

It is fitting that the first Church council be held at Antioch. The disciples were first called Christian in this city, and the first New Testament missionaries were called from the church there. In this conference three men spoke, Peter, Paul, and James, each giving his own opinion to the solution to the problem that had arisen among two factions in the churches.  

You will remember in the beginning, the primitive church consisted mostly of all Jewish believers, but later on, the door was opened to the Gentiles, and a great host of them were flooding into the assembles. Naturally, difficulties occurred between the traditional Jews and non-religious Gentiles. The problem was wisely handled by presenting to both sides the “necessary things,” required.

Some of these necessary things (fornication) were for all time, while others were only for that time (strangled things, etc.). We need to be careful not to make a present necessity a perpetual rule. Time, geography, and culture, on occasions, dictate that we abstain or do something out of necessity for the glory of God and the help of others. But this is transitory; it is never meant to be an enduring standard. Paul wished all men were like him (single), because of the “present distress.” But, that passed and is not a rule for men today (other than an exception).

Richard. D. Sandlin

The Truth about Our Kin

“To Titus, [mine] own son after the common faith...” “Titus...[is] a Greek”...“One of themselves (Greeks), [even] a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians (Greeks) [are] alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies...” “This witness is true.”

I read that when you're referring to the Greek people, you would say "Greeks," but if you're referring to Greek culture and art, you could optionally say, "Grecian." One way or the other, Greeks are Grecians, and visa-versa.  

Titus had that rare spirit wherein he could hear derogatory truths about his own kindred without taking offence. He was not a John Mark who ran home to Mama when he felt his uncle Barnabas got a raw deal.

Paul was straightforward in calling Titus’ people, “liars, evil, and slow bellies,” (referring no doubt to gluttony and sloth). Until one first faces and admits to themselves disparaging truths about loved ones, they will always be in a defensive mode. This does not help them, their loved ones, or their relationship to those who know the truth about their kin.

“The tie that binds,” must be broken when it conflicts with truth! If not, then you will spend your life justifying loved ones who are wrong, and by your actions, tell others such a life is acceptable in your eyes.

I find behind all family prejudice is pride. Which thing God hates.

     Richard. D. Sandlin

Always-"My God"

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

This is one of the many texts in the Bible that has both an immediate and far off meaning. The Old Testament is filled with scriptures that have present and prophetic truths connected with them. In this article I will not discuss the doctrinal aspect of our text, but rather its practical application.

Whether David or Jesus on the Cross (as representative man), we are all capable of the same intense cry. If one has not yet gone through his or her Calvary experience, the feeling of complete abandonment, you will, if you follow on to know the Lord. If Hebrews 13:5 be an argument against what I say, I remind you that Jesus, prior to His desolate cry told His disciples, “I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” We may feel forsaken, but we’re not forgotten.

The Lord brought to my attention recently that in spite of a sense of being forsaken, they, Darling David and His Beloved Son, still owned Him as, “My God.” In fact, over and again they repeated it, “My God, my God.”

When dire circumstances strongly argue for spiritual desertion, we must still call Him, “My God.” We must trust Him, no matter the situation. We must hold to the horns of the altar, so to speak, and as Job of old cry out in our agony, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

D.L. Moody said, “Wait for His promise. He always returns by way of His promise.”

Richard. D. Sandlin