It's No Big Deal

Deism teaches that God exists and created the world, but has no part in the functioning of it thereafter. I am not a deist. I hold to the belief that God is interested and active in world conditions and the daily affairs of men. But I think some saints have gone to seed with this truth.

Someone said, “You can get so sweet you’re sticky,” and I’d like to add, it is possible to act so spiritual it’s sickening. There’s people who think there is a spiritual significance in every little thing that happens in their lives. I doubt seriously there is any divine design attached to many of the things we do, and that happen to us.

For example, when Isaac was up in years, his eyes got dim (possibly cataracts). This was not because God was chastening him, or he was not taking care of his eyes, nor was it a test to teach him some deep spiritual truth; it was simply part of getting old.

A.W. Tozer likens our journey to Heaven as being on a cruise ship. There are certain restrictions and daily commonsense functions, but much of the activity and movements are up to one’s own discretion. For example, what you’ll wear, what time you get up, what kind of food you eat that day, etc.

Let’s stop trying to analyze every little thing that happens in our lives. Don’t read more into situations than is actually there. And remember, all those little non-consequential happenings, they’re not that big a deal.

Bible Biographies

At the conclusion of most biographies I have read, I find myself saying, “This is too high for me: I cannot attain unto it.” Rather than going away encouraged, on many occasions it has produced the opposite effect. Why is this? Well, I have noticed most peoples’ enemies do not write about them. It is their admirers, friends, and loved ones, who write their biographies. If an adversary does write, you realize at once there is bias to be found in the book. But this is just as true if the former writes about them. The one emphasizes the bad; the other, the good, in the individual’s life. And both are generally blown out of proportion.

But this is not true in Bible biographies. Here we see the Author is the first to bring out anything commendable, even in the lives of those He has no respect for. On the other hand, He does not put cosmetics over the blemishes of the ones He dearly loves. There is no “sugar-coating,” even for the elect’s sake. This is one proof of inspiration. Bad men wouldn’t have written such things about themselves. Good men couldn’t have written it, for embarrassment. It’s God’s writings.

How I thank God for recording for me the lives of these saints, and not hiding their sins, faults, and short-comings. And how appreciative each of us should be of these people whose lives are laid bare, so that the entire world can read about them. How would I like for my life to be displayed in its rawest form? I have been so blessed and helped by reading the paradoxical stories of the lives of these sinning and shining saints. Only God could work these evils for their good and His glory. “Now all these things happened unto them for our ensamples: and they are written for our admonition...” (1 Cor. 10:11)

Can you Keep a Secret?

“He charged them that they should tell no man…” I have found Spiritual secrets are the hardest to keep quiet about, especially personal victories behind closed doors with that old lion-like devil. The youthful David never mentioned killing a lion to anyone until it was absolutely necessary, and then only to one man: Saul.

People need not hear our report, but rather enjoy the results that come from such experiences in our lives. You’ll remember Samson did not tell his parents of killing a lion with his bare hands, but they shared the sweet pleasure in the benefits of his personal victory. It is noticeable that soon after, when he told the world his secret, things started downhill.

It is written, after Jesus’ mighty triumph over Satan in the Wilderness, the devil left Him for a season. Then it says, “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit.” This conquest is recorded, but nowhere does Jesus recount it to others. The outcome from this event was “and He taught (fed them the honey of the Word) in their synagogues.”

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;Each vict’ry will help you some other to win;Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

For Ministering Saints

“Thou shalt never wash my feet.” Though I do not believe it to be true in Peter’s case, there are many of us who minister to others who don’t necessarily cherish the thought of being ministered to by someone else, especially if that someone is inferior and lowly in our appraisal. We’d rather choose the one who is to minister to us, that is, if we choose at all. Balaam would never have chosen the instrument to minister and speak the truth to him that God did (2Pet.2:16).

There is something humbling in being ministered to. We do not always like being the recipients. Because of our pride, many of us would rather be the givers. This way, we feel we are no man’s debtor. With our independent spirits, we enjoy giving the impression that we have need of nothing (Rev.3:17). Oh, that more of us were like Apollos! (Acts 18:24-28).

“Every man knows something I do not; therefore every man is my teacher." (Plato)

A Personal Physician

“Jesus…said…They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” The “goody-goody-two-shoes” Christian of our day has missed out on a great blessing, a spiritual intimacy with the Divine Doctor. Just as Dr. Luke “the beloved physician” was the constant companion of ailing Paul, so it can be with our Great Physician and us. But only when we get rid of our Laodacean attitude of “I have need of nothing.” Physicians are not found among the healthy, but the hurting. Their place is among the sick.

John Owen said, “The whole may give the physician a good word, but the sick alone know how to prize him.” He went on to say, “The more we are convinced of our depravity and inability from first to last, the more excellent Jesus will appear.” I have found among believers who give the appearance of being whole, boast of their health. While the sick boast of Him.

While on earth, Christians need daily transfusions from their Great Physician.

The Boomerang Effect

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Showing mercy to others has a boomerang effect to the one who displays it. The world knows little or nothing of this virtue. Mercy is distinctively a Christian attribute. Mercy is something shown to those who have no claim on it, and mercy knows no retaliation.

The merciful person does good to his soul. Not to show mercy, can be disastrous to one’s life. “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shown no mercy.” We all might remember if we got our just deserts it would be anything but sweet! “Never forget, what goes around comes around.”

To show mercy to those who have failed builds up a reservoir for us when we do so, and, be assured, we will do so. To make allowances for others in their misery is doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. The Bible’s admonition is to consider ourselves. For someday, we may be sitting on the other side of the table from them.

A visitor (seeking to console the dying Thomas Hooker): Sir, you are going to receive the reward of your labour. Thomas Hooker: Brother, I am going to receive mercy!

Proof of God

I personally do not know of a greater proof that “there is a God in heaven” than answered prayer. I think Elijah would be inclined to agree with me. You’ll remember, when challenging the unbelieving religious apostates of his day, he said, “the God that answereth…let him be God.” God did, and the result was “when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.”

Concerning the existence of God, old Dr. Bob Jones used to give a homespun illustration I thought good. He said if he were in a dark room with all the windows and doors shut from the inside, and he asked for a hamburger, then one suddenly was in his hand, he would be a fool not to admit someone or something was present in that room with him. Christian, He is not only a prayer hearing God, but an answering God!

The book of Hebrews tells us it is impossible to please God unless we believe, not just in His existence, but that He answers prayer (Heb. 11:6). When shut-up in prison God told Jeremiah to “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Elijah believed a God who could not answer prayer was a laughable God.

George Muller recorded 50,000 answers to prayers that not one living soul knew of except God and him.

Sure, You Can

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This is not an idle boast but a stated fact. Various experiences throughout this old man’s life helped him form this conclusion. He had a firm confidence that Christ would enable him to perform his daily duties both toward God and man. He believed he could bear any trial, perform any task, subdue any evil in his nature, shoulder any burden, and meet any and all temptations, with the strength he derived from the indwelling Christ.

Paul believed he could do what he ought to do. This was not self-confidence, but God-confidence. There was no doubt in his mind that as long as he abode in the vine, he could draw from its life-giving strength, thereby enabling him to meet life’s responsibilities. He did not look at outward circumstances; he looked inward to Christ.

I’ve known some among the so-called learned, who thought of some others as being “a brick short on top.” Yet I’ve seen these same underdogs excel spiritually over their analysts. It has little to do with our intellect, but it has everything to do with the One who indwells. As one teenager said, “I’ve learned that my “I can” is more important than my “I.Q.”

Christ's commandments are His ennoblements!

It's No Trouble

Have you ever called or approached a busy person you wanted help from in a crisis? And have you said to them apologetically, “I hate to trouble you?” Have you noticed those with giant souls always answer, “It’s no trouble at all.”

Jairus’ daughter was at the point of death when her father came to Jesus seeking His help. On the way to Jairus’ home, the Lord stopped temporarily to help another in great need. It was at this interval Jairus’ servants showed up with the discouraging news of his daughter’s demise. And so they added, “…why troublest thou the Master any further?” To which Jesus replied, “Be not afraid, only believe.”

From this story we learn that delays are not denials. Whenever Jesus helps another before us, it is well to remember we never lose by the gain of others. Another important lesson is that our Lord waits in crucial times to show us, man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. When we come to the end of ourselves, it is then we find God. When all hope is taken away, it is then the Lord says unto us, “Only Believe.”

But the central theme of the story is that we are no trouble at all to Christ. Never hesitate to call upon Him at any time and for any thing. If at such times you feel you are a trouble to Him, I assure you, you’ll hear a still, small voice say, “My child, you’re no trouble at all to Me.”

If you’re no trouble to Jesus, then you ought not be troubled!

*The Claims of Christ

I always get a good chuckle when I read an advertisement claiming, “Satisfaction Guaranteed.” Temporal, maybe; permanent, never. If the latter were true, why then would it be necessary to keep going back? “What does not satisfy when we find it, was not the thing we were desiring” (C.S. Lewis).

My wife sings a song, “Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul.” That, my friend, is the only true claim to permanent satisfaction. And what He promises, He is well able to fulfill. As the old preacher used to say, “He saves, He sanctifies, and He satisfies.”

Isaiah posed a question to the elect of his day that we must also answer in ours. Please allow me to paraphrase a little without doing any injustice to the text. “Why spend your life on things which will never satisfy you?” King David, who had everything imaginable to make one happy said, “For [He] satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
If “Christ is all,” then He is all you need.

Only God Can Please God.

My dearest friend, Marvin Clanton, now with the Lord, used to say, “Only God can please God.” This statement went over the heads of most Christians. It was so profound; they didn’t realize the depth of it. They simply passed it off as another one of this strange country preacher’s sayings.

But Marv was only echoing what Paul said to the Hebrews in the Book by that name. In the thirteenth chapter, verse twenty-one, he tells them that God is “working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight.” We see this truth exemplified in faith. Without it, we cannot please God; but we are told it is a gift from God. Hence, only God can please God.

Why then is God not more pleased through our lives by the things He gives us? A good illustration of this is found in Hannah. She was barren, and asked the Lord for a child. She promised to give him back to God if He would only answer her prayer. So the Lord gave this woman something, who had nothing, and she offered it back to Him in appreciation. Thus, God was pleased. In the case of most of us, we keep our “Samuels.”

God’s gifts and blessings are conceived in Heaven, given birth on earth, and are to be presented back to Him in thanksgiving. It is a re-cycling process. David knew this. Speaking to the Lord, he says, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given them” Mary, the mother of our Lord, said “Amen” to this statement, in the temple, after the birth of Jesus.

All our darling “Isaacs” are from God, therefore, they are to be offered back to Him.

Slain in the Sun

Our Lord had just performed the miracle of feeding the multitude. They come now to make Him King. What does He do? He goes immediately into seclusion. He flees alone unto a mountain to pray, realizing the danger that exists after great spiritual feats. It is at these times the devil lifts us up with pride, that we might fall into his snare. But our Lord was not “ignorant of his devices.” He shut Himself up alone with His Father.

I find we all are given to prayer up to our successes. But there seems to be a cessation while enjoying our victories. We have a way of remembering God in our battles, but forgetting Him in times of peace. There is sweet communion with Him as we travel, but a parting from His company after we arrive. It is easy for Christians at such times to become “practical atheists.” Our only security after personal achievements is to go alone to our mountain to pray. I must see God at noonday as well as in the night.

After our Lord’s return from His private communion with God, He performs even greater miracles. He had satisfied the hungry; now He stills the storm. If we, like Jesus, remain humble and dependent on God during our triumphs, then it can truly be said of us, “Greater works than these shall ye do.”

It would be well for all to remember, when basking in the sunshine of victory, that destruction can come at noonday, and that the arrow “flieth by day.”

Spiritual Muscle

When Paul says, “…bodily exercise profiteth little,” he is not saying it is of no value. The context is in comparison to godliness. In this respect its worth decreases. For we are told “…godliness…is great gain.” Its spiritual muscle we are to be concerned with first and foremost, not physical.

Spiritual Atlas’s are a result of “…exercis[ing] thyself rather unto godliness.” I’ve seen those who proudly flex their manly muscles, but who are constantly penned to the mat by their sins. Samson would be a good example of this.

Not one of us would be impressed with the “little” (the meaning of his name) Apostle Paul’s appearance. For it is said of him that “…his bodily presence [was] weak.” I doubt the 195 stripes on his back, and the scars left from being beaten with rods, and stoned with rocks, left anything to be desired in that blessed body. But Oh, the power that dwelt in that broken, earthen vessel!

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2Cor.4:7)

Indwelling Sin

Three times in Romans chapter seven the Apostle tells us sin dwells in us. The emphasis today is on the outward results of sin, not the inward reality of it. It is only that person who understands indwelling sin who is useful to and fruitful for God.

Our very nature is opposed to God. Every act of sin shows the old nature being antagonistic toward God. No area of our life is secured without a struggle. When we would do good, evil is always there to fight against it. There is a continual civil war going on within each of us, and it will remain so “till death do us part.” This is why we are to, “put no confidence in the flesh.” We are to have a habitual distrust in ourselves.

In our modern day we no longer blame sinfulness, but replace it with “sickness.” We want external reformation, without the Spirit’s internal regeneration. Outward cosmetic surgery will not change the inward condition of the heart. The Puritan, John Owen, dreamed for “a commonwealth of godliness,” but saw it all collapse. The political aspiration he had for his beloved nation burst like soap bubbles. He saw clearly, in the latter part of his life, that the reality of it all was indwelling sin.

“What shall it profit a man if he [change] the world, and lose his own soul?”

*Stay Connected

“For without me ye can do nothing.” That is, separate from me—the expression implies dependence. John Newton writes, “We are never safer, never have more reason to expect the Lord’s help, than when we are most sensible that we can do nothing without Him.”

King David, on four different occasions in Psalms said, “I am poor and needy.” The king, before the King of Kings, saw himself a pauper. Such a poverty of spirit will never be denied before the throne of grace. It is when strong Paul acknowledged his weakness and insufficiency before God that he found the Lord’s all-sufficient strength.

When a Christian lives his life independent of God, he loses his fellowship with God.

*Born Procrastinators

“And Moses said unto Pharaoh...when shall I intreat for thee…to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, [that] they may remain in the river only? And he said, To morrow.”
A preacher I knew many years ago had a sermon on this text entitled, “One More Night With the Frogs.” I am sure many of you who are familiar with this story, like me, have wondered about Pharaoh’s choice. Why one more night of misery, when it could have been taken care of then and there? As the old saying goes, “Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” When serving as pastor, I used to tell my people, “I’m gonna never did nothin.”

I do not know Pharaoh’s reason for waiting, but I have observed most of us are born procrastinators. Diets started, jobs to be done, apologies needed, sins righted, old debts settled, along with an innumerable list, are generally put off until tomorrow. The little quip, “Tomorrow never comes,” seems to fit our particular situation every time. In spite of Bible admonitions such as, “Now is the time,” and, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow.”

Procrastination is opportunity's assassin. ~Victor Kiam

*Scars

Scars are generally a reminder of an unpleasant or painful experience. We hear much today about emotional scars. In this psychological age that overemphasizes particularly ugly incidents in one’s life, it is easy to major on a minor. It would be well for us to remember, a scar is only a part of the whole, not the whole itself.

One of Webster’s definitions for the word “scar” is “a mark left by a healed wound, sore, or burn.” By this you can see a scar could be seen as something good also. It is a sign that one has been healed from whatever affliction they have suffered. It is important for we who have emotional and psychological scars to realize the hurt is over, and the unpleasantness is behind us. I might add a scar leaves one tougher. A scar can take more than the sensitive skin around it.

We who bear unsightly scars need not worry about the world around us gawking, with their self-righteous pity, for God has arranged for such things. You see, the Lord is a very good cosmetologist. When He gets through with His procedure, even loved ones lose consciousness of the hideous scars we bear.

What deep wounds ever closed without a scar? ~George Gordon, Lord Byron, Child Harold's Pilgrimage

*A Wonderful Word: "Friend"

It has been said, “A friend is someone coming in, when others are going out.” To our dismay, many of us have found this to be true from personal experience. It is these types that are known as fair-weather friends. How we need to hold to and cherish that small circle of genuine friends, of whom it is said stick closer than a brother and love us at all times.

I heard an old preacher once say, “If, when you die, you can count your true friends on one hand, consider yourself blessed.” As I get older, I find myself agreeing with this more and more. As you pass through the fiery trials of life, you’ll find few supposed friends indeed will be in your company on the other side of the furnace. But what a treasure those are who are there to greet you!

David and Jonathan give us a picture of an authentic friendship. In this knitted relationship we see that David needed Jonathan more than Jonathan did David. That is the way I feel toward my few friends. O how much I need them, more than they will ever know!

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world. ~Thomas A. Edison

*Reasoning with Jesus

“Lord, help me. Then he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour”.

In the Old Testament it says, “Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons.” The woman in our text did just this, and it impressed Jesus so must that He granted her request. She showed no disrespect in doing so. After all, God invites His people to do this very thing, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.”

Certainly, our Lord knows what we’re going to say before we say it (Psl.139:4), but He still wants to converse with us. This is clearly seen in the story of Him walking along the Emmaus road with two of His disciples. They were discussing His crucifixion; and Jesus, who had disguised Himself as a stranger asked “what things” they were talking of, as if He didn’t know. He wanted to hear their side. And He wants to hear ours, as well.

Never fear to present your arguments to Jesus. Don’t forget, He’s the human side of God; He understands us. Our reasoning is no threat to Him. Let us come before Him as Moses, when God and he spoke face to face, and as friend to friend. If you feel you have a strong case, present it to Him. Who knows? You may win out! The woman in our story did.

He that cannot reason is a fool.He that will not is a bigot.He that dare not is a slave. ~Andrew Carnegie

*The Young'uns are Comin'

The young’uns are comin! And I don’t mean the children or grandchildren showing up for a visit. I mean by this statement that a new crop of young’uns is waiting in the wings to make up the gap that we old’uns are going to leave. At the end of our generation (and it will end) is the beginning of the next. Solomon puts it this way: “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh.” In spite of this divine truth, in each generation there seems to be some who think everything will end with them.. As Job said of his friends, “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.”

Because of this, we who are passing off the scene need to help the next crop of God’s children along. This is not done by shutting them out, but by taking them in. In spite of presenting our generation as being superior to the previous ones, it remains a fact that we are pretty much alike. The costumes and sets may change, but the actors and scripts stay about the same.

It’s true; David served his own generation, but equally true is that he prepared the Temple for the next. The argument that this generation will not listen sounds like what the generation before said of us. We often use the excuse for not guiding these youngsters that you can lead a horse to water, by you can’t make him drink. I say, true; but you can give him a little salt and make him thirsty!

The one best thing a younger generation could say of the previous one is, “They helped us on to God.”

*God's Intention

“God, having raised up his son Jesus, sent him to bless you.” To be blessed is also to be happy (Gen.30:13). This was Jesus’ primary mission—to bless, not to curse. The latter is only true when we refuse the former. Our Lord came blessing His people, and, as He ascended back to Heaven, he blessed them. Now that He is in Heaven, we are blessed “...with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

God is intent on blessing us, and it is a serious thing to resist it. The qualifying condition for being blessed of God is “turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” God blesses no one in sin, only those who turn from sin. Sin is the source of all our woes. No one can be happy in sin. God sets before each of us a blessing and a curse. It’s our choice. But if, perchance, you have foolishly chosen the latter in the past, be of good cheer! He can turn the “...curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loveth thee.”

Sin shuts up Heaven, and that’s where all our bountiful blessings are stored.

*Successful Failures

“And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.” This has been my life-long text these past fifty years. He is not an explanation of Christianity, HE IS CHRISTIANITY!

O the simplicity of Jesus! Many have put so much clutter around Christ today that His blessed face is hid from them. They can no longer see the beauty of the One on “The Tree,” for all the religious ornaments hung on Him, thus concealing the “altogether lovely[ one].” He needs not our tripe trappings to make Him more attractive.

We confuse our pious loyalty to our convictions for devotion to Him. We serve our causes, movements, and institutions to the extent of worshiping them, thereby becoming idolaters! It is easy to be consecrated to a creed and lose sight of Christ. What is the ruling passion of your life? If the mainspring is not “Jesus Only,” although you are successful, you’re a failure at best.

Jesus was a common man, preaching a common gospel, to common people, who possessed a common faith!

Either He Is or He Isn't

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man commeth unto the Father, but by me.” What an emphatic, dogmatic statement. Not one of many ways, but the only way! In this brief twenty-one word sentence, He answers mankind’s never-ending quest for answers to three of life’s most important questions.

He states He is the way, which answers the question about the heathen’s salvation, as well as the good intentions of the world’s religions. He is the truth; this answers all the great philosophers who spent their lives looking for truth in every place, but the right place. And He being the life, answers the baffled scientists who are still looking for life’s origin.

You choose: Jesus Christ is a good man, a bad man, or The God Man. He couldn’t be the first for He said He was God, thus making himself a liar if He were not. As to the second, what bad man would preach against the sins of his own kind? No, either He is or He isn’t what He said He was! Other ways may seem right, but their end is the way of death; so say the scriptures.

The bodies of all the false religious leaders of the past, every one of them self-appointed gurus, are in the grave, while their everlasting souls inhabit the city of the damned. But the risen Christ now sits in His glorified body at His Father’s right hand, awaiting the day when every knee shall bow, and every tongue, both in heaven and in earth and under the earth, will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

*Phase One, Two, or Three?

The Christian life is in phases. You start out soaring in the Heavenlies with the wings of an eagle. Then you gracefully glide down to earth, where you hit the ground running, so to speak. And after a well run race, you find your pace slackening to a slow, steady walk.

Going from one of these phases to the other is transitory. It’s not done abruptly. You ease into each, many times, unconscious of the fact, until you have been there awhile. No one phase is superior in itself. It is God’s goal that His children pass through each phase on their pilgrim journey.

At any given time in Church History you will find new born babes, spreading their wings and taking their flight into the Heavenlies, where they enjoy the celestial air. But you will also see those mid-life Christians, who have settled down, scurrying past you, believing (and rightly so) that the King’s business requires haste. Then, of course, there is the senior saint, who has learned to walk with God. And who has come to realize there is still a place for him or her in God’s plan; that being, to mend broken wings and to get those who fell while running back on their feet again.

But no matter what phase any of us are in today, whether it be flying, running, or walking, we can all look forward to resting in God when this life is over.

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (Heb.4:9)

*Goliath vs. God

All knowledgeable Christians are familiar with the story of David and Goliath, but, in reality, the issue was between God and Goliath. David was only the means—the instrument God used to bring to pass Goliath’s downfall. God was more than qualified to do his own fighting had He wished to. David, like us, was given the wonderful privilege of standing publicly with God against the, seemingly, impossible human odds. As my wife Salle brought to my attention, God has a sling, also (1 Sam. 25:29; Jer. 10:18), and He is very capable of using it.

On that momentous day, there were only two kinds of people present: those who trusted Goliath, and those who put their trust in God. It is so easy to fall into the trap of trusting in the giants of our day. Goliath had the physical appeal as well as the natural means to win. These, in themselves, are enough to gain the confidence of people. The only thing this giant lacked was God; but this always makes the difference. Without Him, we are leaning on a broken reed.

May God grant us the ability to not trust in the impressive giants of our generation, for protection or provision, but in God alone. It is not to the giant Goliath, but to the great God of Heaven that we are to look.

“But the Lord said…Look not on…the height of his stature.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

*Transference of Good

“The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” Yesterday we wrote on “The Transference of Evil”; today is the flip-side, “The Transference of Good.” Elisha hung out with godly Elijah, and as a result it was apparent to all that he had picked up some of his friend’s characteristics. Proverbs tells us, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” You spend enough time in a rose garden and you’ll acquire some of the aroma.

Is it any wonder then that Paul exhorted young Titus to be “…a lover of good men.” The aged saint knew his “preacher boy” would be a good man, if he constantly kept company with good men. The apostle had learned this from first hand experience. When just a young convert, Paul was taken under the wing of one called Barnabas, of whom we are told, “He was a good man.” And thus also was his product!

If at end of my life they can say, “He was a good man,” that will be good enough!

Transference of Evil

“And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them…” Many years ago when I was a young pastor, my wife brought something interesting to my attention. Whenever dealing with the unregenerate or professing Christians who had strong demonic influences in their lives, my characteristics would sometimes change for the worse.

I believe there is such a thing as demonic transference (in possession or influence). And as in Acts chapter nineteen verses thirteen through sixteen, it is always in a religious setting. The devil is looking for “spiritual” people who are “passive” people. Generally, those people who are not satisfied with themselves, who constantly try to emulate others. He seems to pass by those who are “comfortable in their own skin,” so to speak.

The cause of Lucifer’s fall was in wanting to be like someone else (Isa.14:14). Whenever we try to disguise ourselves, for example in another’s dress, hair style, actions, or speech, we are attempting to hide who we really are, saying in essence, “I don’t like the way I am!” But in reality we are actually telling God we do not like the way He made us (Ro. 9:20-21). Thus, agreeing with the devil’s assessment.

God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. ~William Shakespeare

Never Say Never

“Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended.” Peter’s problem is ours: he thought himself a notch above his brethren. It takes God a long time to wean us of our pseudo spirituality.

Though we do not say with our lips, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,” yet we think it in our hearts. As difficult as it is for some to admit, we are all cut from the same cloth. We’re “[men] subject to like passions as [they are]."

Paul tells us when we see a fault in a brother we are to “[consider] thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” You’ll remember it was Paul who rebuked Peter for his compromise, but who later was guilty of the same. Elijah had to find out the hard way, as many of us do, “for I [am] not better than my fathers."

To be sure, whenever we say, “I’ll never,” is when doing it is close at hand.

*Equity in Judgment

“Nevertheless, there are good things found in thee...” An old Irish scrub woman who was known for giving due credit to her worst enemies, when taunted by others to apply her unusual trait to the devil, said, “Well, at least he’s consistent!” And so it is with God. He takes note of anything praiseworthy in our lives. He does not let things that He is displeased with blind him to those good qualities we may possess. He seeks out the good, be it ever so little.

We could take a lesson from the Lord Jesus in this coveted virtue. Addressing Christians in each of the seven churches of Asia Minor, He made a point of addressing their good characteristics before proceeding to those less desirable ones. First, commendation; then follows the condemnation. Both in family, church, school, work, and life in general, one is apt to take a rebuke better if this order is followed. And those who observe us will take notice of our fairness and unbiased principles.

Fairness to a person’s good qualities does not mean we excuse the bad.

*A Lion is Loose

“...the devil, as a...lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” He doesn’t run about. He knows you can’t get anything done by doing this. Only we frantic believers, “run to and fro.” He patiently walks about, seeking his prey, while we hurry around; too busy to notice we’re in grave danger. I wonder how cautious we would be if a circus nearby announced a lion had gotten loose and was in our neighborhood.

I was watching the Animal Channel on TV some years ago and received some interesting information about lions. First, they have padded feet. They’re so quiet they can walk up and sit next to you before you are conscious of it (Rev.2:13). Secondly, they blend in with their surroundings. The camera scanned the edge of a forest several times and the lion sitting there went unnoticed until they zoomed in on him (2Cor.11:14). Third, he does not roar unless he has his prey; then it is too late (Amos 3:4). Fourthly, they have retractable claws, holding their prey in a vice-like grip (Isa.5:29). And last, they, as the bear, eat the heart of their victims first (Hos.13:8). He wants what God wants (Prov.23:26).

Walk circumspectly, Christian; you’re in lion country.

*The Right Smelling Salts

“…as we have received mercy, we faint not.” The “machoism” of today’s world, like many of its humanistic trends, has crept into the Church, putting the creature on the pedestal, and thus, removing the Creator. It used to be, “If I make it, it’s because of God and not me.” Now it’s just the opposite. The teaching in some circles is that the feeble faint and the strong persevere. But I’d like to remind some that strong Samson’s have their fainting spells also.

Steadfast faithfulness is due, first and foremost, to the mercy of God. The best would melt like a snail, if not for His mercy. Paul had that one attribute believed to keep a man going. It’s known by various names: backbone, intestinal fortitude, and, if it’s not too coarse, old-fashioned guts. But it is not to this that Paul attributes his ability to “keep on keeping on.” It was simply and profoundly the Mercy of God.

The reason “mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,” is because it is a pick-me-up when I fall.

*A Onesided Christ

“Jesus saith…Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me..?” Philip was like so many Christians today; he only saw one side of Christ. He knew him as Messiah (John 1:45), but did not recognize the other aspect of Him (John14:9). Almost three years of intimate fellowship, and still he was only familiar with this one side of Christ. His problem is ours. He did not compound the truths he already had of Him.

The problem with extremism is that there is no possibility of another view. They can only see one of two sides. For example, as it relates to Christ, they can only see One who looked upon people with compassion, or One who looked on them in anger. With their one-eyed theology they cannot imagine opposites fused into one, yet still being consistent. As a result, the one camp tends to be too liberal, with an anything goes philosophy. While at the other end of the pendulum they are hard and judgmental.

We need to stop trying to make Christ consistent. The only thing He is consistent in is His inconsistencies! Carnal Christians will never get this, much less accept it. In spite of the fact that He’s been, “long time with [them]”. But the longer we have enjoyed His presence in our lives, the more responsible we are to know the complete Christ. Make dead sure when you study the “Lord’s Christ” you don’t interpret Him through your temperament! Those who do, create God after their own image.

Don’ be blindsided when looking at Christ.

Hurry Up and Slow Down

There is an old, country, proverbial saying: “Make haste while the sun shines.” But another seems to contradict it: “Haste makes waste.” Which then of the two is true? Both, when taken in the context of their setting. The Bible, at the same time, commends the one and condemns the other.

It is the latter—the negative one—that I would like to discuss. My father-in-law once told me of a sign he had seen in an office. It read: “Why is it we never have time to do it right the first time, but always find time to do it right the second time?

Our problem is that our feet are moving before our brains are in gear. Or, to put it like my Granny used to say, “We are running around like a chicken with its head cut off.” I’ve seen this; and, believe me, it’s not a pretty sight!

Daniel says, at the time of the end, “Many shall run to and fro.” I heard an old preacher say once that in the hustle and bustle of today’s world, he didn’t really go anywhere; he just spent his time dodging!

May God help many who read this to slow down, so that they may get more done. The wise man tells us the kind of hastening we have been speaking of, shall not be blessed.

Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness. ~Richard Carlson

Life's Contradictions

Life is paradoxical; it is both simple and complex. It is ordinary, yet filled with mysteries. The former involves work, school, cooking, play, and a host of other everyday things that are not difficult to understand at all. But the latter can tax one’s mind to the limit, and throw a person into a fit of despair.

Great philosophical minds have sought answers to life’s complexities throughout the ages, but to no avail. We are told in the Holy Scriptures, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children for ever, that we may do all the words of [His] law.”

There are some things out of our reach, spiritually and intellectually. David was no simpleton; he had a great mind, but he knew his limitations. He tells us that delving into areas that God has kept secret, comes from a haughty heart. Because of this he pens, “…neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” Again he writes, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

I think many try to excuse not obeying the plain, because of not understanding the complex. God will not hold us accountable for what we can’t know, but He will for those things we can know. And that is way more than I want to be responsible for! How about you?

*The Wise Country Mother

"But without thy mind would I do nothing." Paul had a good mind, but he did not presume to know Philemon's mind concerning this most important matter. The great apostle would do nothing without first getting his friend's consent. He would not move forward until he had Philemon's permission. His friend's desire would be his command.

How this should shame us when it comes to our dealings with our Heavenly Friend. We use our carnal ingenuity and flawed understanding in the decisions of life without ever seeking the mind of Christ. And then we wonder why our thinking led us into a fruitless wilderness instead of a fruitful Canaan.

In olden times, it was the wise country mother who told her children she could do nothing until first finding out what their father's mind was concerning their wishes. We all would be wise to emulate her.

The mind of God is to be found only in the Word of God.

Those "Feisty" Old-Timers

“Whom say the people that I am? They answering said…some say…one of the old prophets.” Jesus didn’t mind being equated with the “old-timers.” Not even one like that ruff and tumble, testy Elijah. It didn’t bother Him a bit that the people of His day saw characteristics of the old time ways in His life and ministry. Nor did He hesitate quoting them on a regular basis.

I fear there are few in this present generation that would be mistaken for, or accused of, having any traits of the ancients. As one young Bible school student said to me, when I mentioned winning men to Jesus, “We don’t do it that way any more.” How sad; how very sad indeed! Most certainly, there should be changes over time, but never in the teachings and commands of Christ. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN NEVER BE IMPROVED UPON!

Because of distancing and divorcing themselves from the old-time ways, we have a generation of powerless, compassionless prigs. I’m not speaking of a refusal to give up a washing machine for a scrub-board . I’m talking about “throwing the baby out with the wash.” You don’t pull every tooth left in a man’s head because he has one cavity. The prophets of old had a lot to be desired, but doing things God’s way was not one of them. Not everything that is old is outdated. You know, like “The Ancient of Days.”

One generation will never learn from another, until each believes there is something to be learned.

*The Triumphant Trinity

The word “trinity” is not found in the Bible, but its glorious truth is. The word is derived from Latin, meaning “three-ness.” This threesome mystery is stated, not explained. Because there is no explanation, some cover their ignorance by their words, rather than accept the fact that it’s unexplainable. As A.W. Tozer said, “It’s truth for the heart.” If we comprehended it, we’d lose the wonder. This is one of those “secret things” that belongs only to God. But while we cannot know it, we can enjoy it.

Trinitarianism doesn’t mean Deity is divided. It is not three separate roles played by one person, nor a cluster of gods working independently of one another. It is a harmonious unity, co-equal and co-eternal. Two are not inactive while the One works. They are, if you please, a “Team,” always working together. There is only one will, one plan, and one objective.

It is this Divine Trio who is on the Christian’s side, working everything out for their good and God’s glory. Is it any wonder then that the apostle said, “…if God be for us, who can be against us?” Child of God, rejoice, for we have working for us around the clock “The Triumphant Three!”

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Deliverance

“Is thy God…able to deliver thee..? This question reverberates down the corridors of time to our present age. Every child of God, as Daniel of old, must give an answer; there can be no shirking it. Strong’s Concordance has five lengthy columns for the word “deliver” and its equivalent. God would have each of us to know that He is distinctively in the deliverance business.

Our age is infested with addictions such as drugs, drunkenness, immorality, gluttonies, and a host of other sins of the flesh. It seems that many have come to accept these evil habits in their lives, and feel they will plaque them till death do them part. They believe this is to be the norm. But if this be true, what are we to do with such statements as, “He hath sent me to…preach deliverance to the captives?”

Are Gods promises of deliverance only written to torment our souls? They are either true or not. If you believe the latter, then you have resigned yourself to live a miserable and torturous life of defeat. But He has not left us to grovel, groan, and despair; to tantalize us with the impossible and unattainable. There is no chain so binding that He cannot break it, nor yoke so burdensome that He will not remove it.

When Paul says, “Let not sin reign…” He is not speaking of sins banished presence, but rather its broken dominion. Though sin will always be present in our lives, its power over us has been broken. But to argue with the Spirit over this, will inevitably result in one’s downfall. “If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.”

Daniel served the Master, therefore he had the mastery!

Covered With the Comforter

“…cover with a covering…of my spirit…” Woe be to the person who doesn’t, says the Lord. Our lives are to be completely immersed—baptized, if you please—in the Spirit of God. We are born of the Spirit, therefore we are admonished to be filled with the Spirit; to live in the Spirit; to walk after the Spirit; to be led by the Spirit; and we are to manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Would I be stretching the point to say a Christian is to be constantly under the control and dominion of the Spirit of God?

There is as much difference in a life lived in the Spirit and one lived under law, as there is night and day. The Holy Spirit doesn’t want to be a part of our lives; He wants to be all it. Too many Christians are living their lives with portions of it outside the Divine “blanket.” Or, as Isaiah says, “For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

Only the Spirit’s covering can keep you warm.

Benifits Without Baggage

We are told that God “…daily loadeth us with benefits.” But some cannot enjoy these blessings for the excess baggage they carry. It is not the weight of His benefits that causes us to cave in, but the extra baggage we lug around. There’s a reason they call it luggage!

God gave us richly all things to enjoy, but all of us do not enjoy everything. The “all things” is up to one’s individual liking. A smorgasbord is for everyone, but the choice is according to each one’s taste. Not everybody likes broccoli, but it’s there for the ones who do. And for those who do like it, don’t try to stuff it down another’s throat that has no taste for it.

Every Christian needs to read Romans chapter fourteen on a regular basis. This chapter should be mastered by all believers. Its about Diet (v2), Days (v5), Drink (21), and all in between. Without a doubt, it would do away with the greatest part of the dissentions that are so prevalent among God’s people today.

The overall teaching of the chapter is that some cannot, while others can. If what we do cannot be done in good faith, then we are not to do it. If we do, there will be a continual nagging of conscience. If the head says yes, and the heart no, you will be wise to cease from it. You need these two witnesses to agree to the truth, if you’re to be established. “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Just make sure another’s personal preference is not pawned off on you and accepted by you as your own. When this happens you lose your God-given conscience to discern for yourself.

There may be nothing wrong with your baggage, unless it keeps you from getting to where you want to go.

*No Time like the Present

It’s not about what you were, but what you are that counts with God. He’s an ever-present God. He is a God who is here. To boast that we once stood in the presence of God won’t cut it. Satan can make that claim. It’s what you are at this moment that registers with God. Past laurels wither fast. They’re only good for kindling.

On the other hand, what an encouragement to those who have made a wreck of their past lives to realize God deals with us in the “now,” and not in some distant past. He’s the I AM, not I was or will be. God can take past nothings and make them into present something’s. And it’s this crowd that can ever say, “I am what I am, because of the great I AM. So, if you’re going to be one of these “new-lifers,” I’d remind you, there’s no time like the present.

I was so in the present moment the past was no longer part of me. ~Terri Guillemets

God's Requirement

“…it is required...that a man be found faithful.” Both Isaiah and Jeremiah, though not fruitful, were found to be faithful. Today we are impressed with the first but not so much with the second. In fact, in some churches the former seems to take precedent over the latter. In Paul’s letters, he addresses “...the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

The wise man tells us it is difficult to find a faithful man. But goes on to say, once you have, you will see a person that “…abounds with blessings.”

We are told, “God is faithful.” It is a Godly characteristic to be faithful; therefore we should all strive to emulate Him. The main business of a child of God is faithfulness, above all else.

It is the faithful few that He commends with the coveted words, “Well done…” And this includes those of us who have been faithful over a little, as well as those who have been faithful over much.

When it is most difficult to be faithful, that is when it is most necessary.

Overemphasis

The devil knows most of us are extremists; “If ones good, two are better.” He is an expert in getting Christian’s to go off the deep end. He wants us to get in over our heads. This way we lose all sense of what’s going on around us. He gets us to put all our eggs in one basket, knowing we’ll give them all our attention; while he fills the other baskets with rotten ones. If he can convince us tunnel vision is best, we’ll sacrifice consciousness of other things of importance for just one thing. He’ll urge us to put something or someone on one side of the scale, and then tempt us to remove the just balance on the opposite side, thereby resulting in overestimating that thing or person’s value.

For example, if you go overboard on Calvinism you become a fatalist. But to go too far with Arminianism you end up being a humanist. And to be overly concerned with the prodigal child, neglecting the good one, you may end up loosing both. “If we pay attention to the Spiritual, the devil will pay attention to the nerves” (Oswald Chambers). Satan relies on your extreme loves and dislikes to drive you in the opposite direction. To the outer limits, if you please. This way you end up in no mans land, and that’s no place to be. One extreme is as bad as the other. The only way to keep your Spiritual sanity is by keeping to the middle ground. I’m not speaking of compromise, but of sound, sensible evaluation of things and people in life. No hang-ups!

All extremes, except our devotion to Christ, are to be guarded.

A Rose by Any Other Name is Still a Rose

While reading George MacDonald recently I came across one brief line that gave birth to this article. I find great writers say little, but like the small acorn, much comes from it.

The statement MacDonald used that caught my attention was this: “Jesus would not change into another thing what His Father had made into one thing.” That is, He would not change a stone into bread. If God said it is a stone, the Son would not say it is a loaf.

When Jesus changed the water into wine, it was still a liquid substance. When God changes a sinner into a saint, he remains a part of the human race. But I find many of us try to deny this by, as my Son Andrew says, “Running from our humanity.”

When I was associated with the Deeper Life groups I found most, if not all its adherence refused to accept that they were who they were. Paul states it this way, “I am what I am.” Or as my wife wrote in one of her articles, “It is what it is.”

When Jesus spoke of denying self, it was in reference to rights, not recognition. When the Holy Spirit comes into one’s life, his or her principles are converted from ones of depravity to that of Deity. Your tastes, likes, and temperament stay the same, but are now governed by the Divine Nature.

If you want to live a happy, contented life, I would strongly advise you to accept your humanity, live in the Word, obey it the best you can, and take it a day at a time. It will work, if you work it. It works for me!

*Walking on Land

My wife spoke to me recently of a gospel song she heard that gave me the ideal for this article. I wonder if part of Peter’s failure to walk on water stemmed from the fact he had not learned to walk on land. Many Christians want to skip over basic math to trigonometry. They can’t add 2 and 2, yet they somehow think they can figure out life’s more difficult and perplexing problems.

I’m always amused to hear someone whose life is in shambles advise others in the same situation. That is, on how they can build their own unstructured lives. It’s kind of like a blind man instructing another blind man how to build his house. When will we learn, we can’t do great things until we first learn to do little things faithfully. We’ll never be able to walk supernaturally on water till we have learned to walk straight on land.

God will not put the “Super” in front of the “Natural” in our lives unless we do a good job with the latter first.

Sheep and Giraffe's

Oswald Chambers writes, “Beware of posing as a profound person; God became a Baby.” In this pseudo-intellectual philosophical, and supposedly enlightened age, it is not difficult to pass one’s self off as being a deep person. Especially impressed are those who have voluntarily chosen to unashamedly adorn a “Dunce’s Cap.” They ignorantly and mistakenly interpret shallow muddy waters as being deep.

Any seven or eight year old child, brought up in a Christian home, can understand the Sermon on the Mount, which was spoken by the ONE who possessed the greatest mind that ever graced this earth. One of the impressive characteristics of this MAN, who was the incarnation of eternal knowledge, was His “Intellectual Simplicity.” He was more concerned with instilling truth in His hearers, than impressing them with it.

Dr. Bob Jones Sr. used to say, “Simplicity is life’s most becoming garb.” Paul feared the intellectual Corinthians would lose sight of the, “simplicity that is in Christ.” Sublime simplicity, that was our Lord! It takes real humility for a great mind to “put the cookies on the bottom shelf,” so to speak. This way, those that are of lesser intellectual stature can enjoy and digest what the great minds feed on. At a zoo, I once saw the giraffes and sheep feed together. The fodder was kept low for the sheep, and all the giraffe had to do was bow his proud neck.

Defective Knowledge

“Jesus saith…Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me?” Philip had been with Jesus three years. During this time he had eaten with Him, slept near Him, heard His teachings, and listened to His prayers. But what’s even more important is the fact that this Disciple, along with the others, had seen His Lord raise the dead, cast out demons, heal the sick, walk on water, and tell people their innermost thoughts. Displaying attributes as these (omnipotence and omniscience), could only be ascribed to God Himself.

But in spite of Philip being with Jesus so long a time, he, like so many Christians today, possessed a defective knowledge of Christ. True, he knew Him as the Son of God, but had not yet comprehended Him as God the Son. You might say he had entered the Holy Place: feeding on the Word (Shew-bread); praying (Altar of incense); and enjoying light (Golden candlestick). But he had not yet entered the Holy of Holies, where God alone was! So often, God’s people never grasp the fact these three things are means to take us into God’s very presence, that we might worship Him alone.

Philip had ignorantly requested, “Lord, shew us the Father.” Poor soul, he was asking for something he already had. If you have Jesus, you have God! As Matthew Henry so ably wrote, “Many know Christ, who yet do not know what they might know of him.”

Lasting Relationships

“The Lord be between thee and me for ever.” These words were spoken to David by his good and dear friend, Jonathan. Never was there a human relationship stronger than that of these two inseparable friends. A relationship in which, we are told, “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David.” It lasted up to the grave and even beyond. This bond was pure, honorable, and godly, linked together by a Man in-between, holding each of their hands.

Contrary to popular opinion, lasting relationships are not held together by: things you have in common; your children; deep feelings; physical attraction; or mutual affirmation (You pat my back, and I’ll pat yours). An enduring union is, if you’ll pardon the expression, glued, mortared, and yes, cemented together, by Jesus Christ. If He joins two spouses, friends, or associates, no one can unknot the tie. Unless, of course, one of the partners grows weary of the MAN-in-the-middle. This Blessed go-between keeps relationships sweet. He works out all differences, while still keeping the duet on key and in harmony.

If one or both in a relationship do not want Jesus Christ to have pre-eminence, then there can never be a lasting relationship!

Born Losers

Through the years, when in the presence of real Spiritual thinkers, I have discussed at length the baffling question, “Are certain people born losers”? With some, it seems no matter how much prayer, time, or help you put into them; they are doomed to a life of defeat. Even those nourished up in the Lord, as Samson was.

Is it that they cannot because they will not; or they will not because they cannot? I have come to believe there is an element of truth in both. Isaiah tells us, “[God] hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see.” But Jesus said, referring to this text, “…their eyes[ they] have closed.” It seems that because they would not, God fixed it so that they could not.

What an awesome thought! It is no light thing trifling with one’s Christian life. Esau treated sacred things flippantly, and afterward, when he saw the folly of doing so, he sought to repent; but we are plainly told he could not. No doubt this was Paul’s concern when he mentioned being a castaway.

We need to get serious about our lives, for we are dealing with a serious God. Is it any wonder the Apostle admonishes us to, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Like all things worthwhile, you have to work at it. And as they say, “It will work if you work it.” So let us all get to work!

Peeking in Prayer

On more than one occasion, Jesus admonished His followers to, “…watch and pray.” In other words, it’s alright to pray with one eye open. Maybe our children are more scriptural than we realize! :>) For some reason we’ve gotten it in our heads that the watching part is not as important as the praying. I guess the latter seems more spiritual to us. But our Lord tells us we are just as responsible to do the one as the other.

Most certainly, the watchman watches in vain if there is no prayer, but it needs to be emphasized that the prayer is in vain also, if one is not watching. You don’t want to be praying when you’re supposed to be watching, (and vice-versa). If the good man of the house would have been watching, the thief would not have walked away with his goods; so says Jesus. The devil will rob you of everything you hold precious, if all you do is pray.

Peter, like most of us, learned this lesson the hard way. It’s interesting that years after his tragic fall, he warns other believers, “…watch unto prayer.”

Yes, let us pray, but let us also be sure to keep an eye open.