*His Eminence

“That in all things he might have the preeminence.” At the heading of each book in my Bible, I have put a brief definition of what I believe that particular book’s overall teaching is. In the book of Colossians I have written “Christ, the Colossus of Colossians.” Some of the meanings of the word “colossus” are, “extra-ordinarily great; gigantic; huge; very powerful.” These are certainly good descriptive terms for our blessed Lord.

I heard an old preacher say once, “Jesus is the only Person you can brag on and never be guilty of over exaggeration.” You can always tell what kind of church you’re in by the place they give Jesus. There is an interesting text in Job that says, “How little a portion is heard of him.” In the Church, He is to be the center of our preaching, teaching, singing, testimonies, fellowship, praying, giving, and all business transactions. He is to tower over everything and everyone else.

I am fearful that too many ministers and people have the stamp of Diotrephes upon their foreheads (lll Jno.9).

*Our Only Hope

One of our modern-day sayings that really annoys me is, “Well, all we can do now is pray.” This may sound spiritual to the carnal hearer, but any Spirit-filled believer realizes immediately they’re listening to someone who knows little or nothing of God.

Prayer is not the last thing on the agenda, it’s first and foremost. Prayer is always to be our top priority, without exception.

Our problem in times of crises is attempting to find help horizontally, but the scriptures tell us, “Vain is the help of man.” Our only hope is to be found vertically. David knew this: “My help commeth from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” And so you can see the cause of our dilemma is a directional one.

We came into this world in a fetal position, and leave it in a fetal position. You would think we’d take the hint!

*Blessed by a Billboard

Years ago, as a young Evangelist, my wife and I were traveling to a revival meeting. As we came upon a giant-like billboard, I said to her, “There is the secret to the Christian life! In large, colorful letters was just one word, “Available.”

It is possible to be so busy “serving Him,” that one is not “available” to Him. As the prophet of old, we too must confess, “Thy servant was busy here and there.” We should never be so taken up with our “Daily Duties,” we would not welcome a “Divine Interruption.”

Philip, was in the midst of a Spiritual atmosphere where the blessings of God were being poured out abundantly. Yet, when the Lord asked him to suspend his activities, he obeyed immediately. And for what purpose: an obscure, behind the scene task, which few would have chosen. But there was one who was glad Philip made himself available.
God considers availability greater than ability!

Knowing is Believing

I can believe you have a father without ever knowing him. Knowing him would be prerequisite to an intimate, personal relationship. To pride oneself in telling others, that you believe in God, is really not that impressive, “…the devils also believe and tremble.” It could be asked, “What doest thou more than these?”

The Apostle John wrote extensively about belief. But when he qualifies true Biblical belief he writes, “…we have known and believed…” Paul said, “I know whom I have believed.” That is, he had a personal knowledge of the “whom” he believed in. To believe in a God you do not know is fantasy; to believe in a God you do know, is true faith.

George McDonald writes, “To say Thou art God, without knowing what the Thou means- of what use is it?” God is a name only, except we know God. Is it any wonder then that David impressed upon Solomon, “…my son, know thou the God of thy father.”

You will never know the God of the Bible apart from Jesus Christ! (Matt.11:27,b)

Charity Begins at Home

I like little quips such as the above title. I think another good one would be Faith Begins Within. God’s way is to work from the inside out. It seems to me we are concerned more with external faith, than internal faith.

Samson had a show of faith without, but was sadly lacking it within. He could overcome the outward, but couldn’t conqueror the inward. I doubt he realized the most important part of his life was that part that only God saw.

David killed a lion and a bear privately, before slaying the giant publicly. The greatest achievements in a Christian’s life are generally accomplished behind closed doors, with only God looking on. “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God.”

A faith that subdues fleshly desires on the inside, to me, is better than a faith that can remove mountains on the outside.

Perfection

My homespun definition of perfection is, “Completeness at stages.” A good example would be a carpenter building a table. There is the time of completion when putting together the rough materials; then come the sanding, staining, and the final shellacking. At each of these stages we would say to the professional, “That’s perfect.” Meaning, at that particular stage.

The Christian life is like this, we are all at various junctures in our lives at any given time. No one moves immediately from the first point to the last, without experiencing those in-between. Some, whom the “Master Builder” has moved to another stage, are in danger of looking back critically on those who are now where they were at one time. It would be wise to listen to the song that falls from the lips of these who are treading the path to the Celestial City; those following the more advanced saints. Part of the lyrics goes something like this: “He’s still working on me.” It is well for all of us to remember this.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Powerless Pretenders

“We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth...And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” Here we have some amateur actors assuming authority over one of Satan’s emissaries. But they lacked one important ingredient: authentic authority. Satan’s evil spirits are only subservient to God’s Holy Spirit.

There are still spiritual pretenders trying to perform like Paul. But the apostle tells us emulations are a work of the flesh, and always unprofitable. Satan sees through religious masks, for he is a master of disguise himself. He is always trying to be someone else. That’s what caused his fall. “I will be like the most high God.”

Only those yielded to God are on Satan’s watch list of potential threats. To all the rest he says, “...but who are ye?” To every Spirit-filled child of God, Jesus has personally relegated authority, for it is the Spiritual person who will not misuse God’s power for his own gratification, but only for good. It is to the latter of these that Jesus promised, “Behold, I give unto you power...over all the power of the enemy.”

When David stripped himself of another’s armor, and armed himself with the authority of God, his enemy fell before him.

The Secret of God’s Use of Me

Over the years I’ve been asked on occasions both by young preachers, as well as laymen, if there was any secret of God’s use of me. To deny God’s unusual use of this marred vessel through-out these many long years, for me would be the worst kind of false humility. As I look back over my life and ministry, I stand in awe, as do those who know a little of my past circumstances.

I was brought up in a home where the norm was infidelity, cursing, arguing, lies, drunkenness, and hurt. I was molested at the early age of five, and it continued for the next few years. God and religion were never mentioned, unless in a slang way. My schooling ended at the ninth grade, when I joined the U.S.A.F. as a seventeen year old boy, and went shortly thereafter to Korea.

And so, why is it God would use such a one as me? Contrary to many, I do not believe it was in spite of these handicaps, but because of the very fact of them, so that, “No flesh should glory in His presence.”

Apart from God’s Sovereignty, I believe there are seven things from the human standpoint that went into His use of this “wash pot.” (Psl.60:8, a)

Firsst, I gave everything to Jesus Christ from the first. All, then, now, and forever was to be His.

Second, I sought the anointing of the Spirit, and He graciously poured His Holy Ghost upon this dry, thirsty soul.

Third, The King James Bible was, and is, “The Book.” No kitchen knives, as the new translations, but only God’s sharp two-edged sword.

Fourth, To the best of my ability, God’s Glory was to always be first and foremost.

Fifth, I determined to go-it-alone, if need be, whatever the cost.

Six, I knew there would be a lot of knock-downs, so I decided I’d always get up one more time.

Seven, I made it a reality that if I were to ever sin and give it all up, I’d regret it, every day, and the rest of my life.

“God can hit an awful hard lick with a crooked stick, if the stick belongs to Him.” (Dr. Joe Henry Hankins)

The Devil’s Dollar

It’s purported that an old drunk on skid row offered the Evangelist D.L. Moody a dollar bill, which he readily accepted. When asked why he received such a gift from such a person, his reply was simply, “The devil has used it long enough; it’s time to put it into God’s service.”

David took the world’s means and used them in a way contrary to them. The smooth stones he used to slay Goliath (1Sam.17:17:40), were used by the heathen in their worship (Isa.57:6). And don’t forget the youngster took the giant’s own sword and used it against him to sever his head from his body (1Sam.17:50-51)

I remember in the early 50’s how Billy Graham was criticized for using television in getting out the gospel. Now most, if not the entire world has heard it. If you have not yet begun to take the world’s technical knowledge and turnit against them, it is time to start. As Moody said, “The devil has used it long enough.”Moody was right!

In John 9, the blind man was made to see, when Deity from Heaven used the cursed dirt of this world.

Looking Is Not Enough

Paul, writing to his young protégé Timothy, warned him of “doctrines of devils.” Under the guise of spiritual leadership, authoritarian spirits would both “forbid” and “command.” The former having to do with marriage; the latter being related to meats. But the Bible teaches “Marriage is honourable in all,” and that meats are to be “received with thanksgiving.” Yet some had departed from the faith and had given heed to these “seducing spirits.”

Paul is addressing professing Believers in this instance. The safeguard he tells them from not going away from the truth is in both believing and knowing it. Not just in believing the truth, but knowing it. The fact that they were Believers tells us they believed the truth. The problem lay in the fact that they did not know the truth. Belief of the truth is not good enough; you must know it. Many of God’s children believe the Bible is true, yet their lives are in shambles for lack of knowledge of it.

In other words, just looking at the scale doesn’t take off weight. I hope you get my meaning!

Snubbing Good Advice

Ahab, like many today, turned his nose up at good advice. The reason was that the one giving it didn’t tell him what he wanted to hear. He was looking for agreement, not advice. He said of Micaiah, “…he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil.” It was for this reason Micaiah earned Ahab’s hatred.

Some people don’t seem to understand, you can’t prophecy good things to bad people. They criticize their advisor for rubbing the cat the wrong way, while all the time refusing of turn the cat around themselves. If one wants to hear good, he or she must of necessity be willing to do good.

It is always a wise thing to seek the counsel of the wise. Only a fool rejects the advice of a person who has already been down the road they’re to travel. Know-it-alls end up finding out they knew nothing at all. They incessantly run into ditches and wonder why they can’t get anywhere on the road of life.

On my way to a speaking engagement, I once went a hundred miles the wrong way, simply because I would not ask for directions. You’ll never get where you want to go by going the wrong way. The sooner you stop and ask the right way the sooner you will arrive at your desired destination.

Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns! ~Allison Gappa Bottke

*Precious Memories

When Paul admonishes “Forgetting those things which are behind,” he is not speaking of the pleasantries of the past, but rather, only those things that would bring us down or puff us up. Throughout the Scriptures, God encourages His children by reminding them of the prized blessings He bestowed upon them in the past. He only deviates from this when we are in danger of straying, and a warning is needed. He never brings up anything that was unpleasant in our past to discourage us. That is the ministry of Satan.

It is good to sit down now and then and think back of all the wonderful and good things He has done for us. There is nothing that will produce courage to go on, and faith to face the future, like the precious memories of the past. Take a little time this very moment and “…consider how great things he hath done for you.”

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. ~J.M. Barrie, Courage, 1922

*Narcissistic Christians

I go along with A.W. Tozer who detested contemporary words that were in vogue. One such word at present is “narcissist.” Though I do not care for its worn-out over-use, I am, nevertheless, fascinated by its derivation. It comes from the Greek word “narke,” (narcotic) meaning numbness or stupor. In Greek mythology, we are told there was a young man named Narcissus, who pined his life away by falling in love with his own reflection.

It is difficult for many who pass as “sacrificial Christians” to believe they would fit into this category. But Paul tells us, in no uncertain terms, such creatures exist. The old saint told the proud Corinthians that it was possible for him to, “Bestow all [his] goods to feed the poor, and…give [his] body to be burned,” yet it profit him nothing. Why? Because he could be doing it with the wrong motive, for self. In other words, he would be a “Narcissistic Christian,” if you please. We Christians who live sacrificial lives need to be careful using the word “narcissist” of others; it might just boomerang on us!

“God sends no one away empty, except those who are full of themselves.” (D.L. Moody)

Tarry at the Promise

“…men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” It is supposed all God’s people are praying people. In spite of all the mysteries involved, the followers of Christ should pray without ceasing. It should be as natural as breathing. It’s not something you think about or talk about; you just do it.

But why the shortness of breath? Why the weariness? Why the loss of heart in our prayer petitions? Simple. Because of the time lapse involved. God is not on our time table. He goes by Heavenly Standard Time. Concerning the woman’s plea in our story, it says of the judge, “…he would not for a while: but afterward…” God’s delays are not denials.

Persevering prayer is the prescription for getting our petitions granted. We need patience in prayer. We can be assured “…though he bear long with [us]…” yet he will answer His own elect that cry unto Him day and night. The prophet knew this when he penned, “…though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

God’s “afterwards” is worth waiting for.

Does Your Bible Have Bite?

The Word preached by the prophets, apostles, and preachers in the Holy Scriptures had a bite to it. It had two-edges, both equally razor-sharp. Today’s modern translations have left the healing side, but filed to a dull edge the wounding side. We are told when Peter, that unlearned and ignorant fisherman, preached, the people were “pricked” and “cut” to the heart. The Word he preached had teeth. Today’s ministers seem to be “gummin it,” if you’ll pardon the expression.

I notice in the contemporary books of our day that we are made to believe such men as A.W. Tozer, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and A.W. Pink used watered-down translations. Certainly these men did not believe the Authorized Version as this writer does, but it was their main source in reading, studying, writing, and preaching. Tozer, in referring to an anemic translation of his day, said it was like “shaving with a banana.”

In referring to the Authorized Version Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, “Still, there are certain few differences that remain, but it is significant that they are never with respect to doctrine or historical facts. It is a matter of figures or something which is comparatively unimportant and which can be explained quite readily - the mistake, perhaps, of a copyist, or of some translator. There is nothing which in any way interferes with vital, essential doctrine. So what we affirm and state is this: The original documents, as originally written, are inerrant and infallible. We say even of this Authorized Version that apart from a mere handful of minor discrepancies, which hitherto have not been explained and which are completely unimportant, this is the Word of God and the only infallible rule for faith and conduct.”

“Other translations will doubtless jostle for place in the nation’s bookstores in the twenty-first century. Yet the King James Bible retains its place as a literary and religious classic, by which all others continue to be judged.” (Alister Mc Grath)

FEAR.

Someone has said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” I’m so grateful that early in my Christian life, I was shown that courage is not necessarily the absence of fear—that they can run side by side, and generally do. Courage is simply going on by faith in spite of fear. We are told in the Scriptures “by faith they feared not.” I have been plagued by fear since I was a small boy. Learning the above truth, after my conversion, has helped me tremendously.

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


Fear paralyzes. And John tells us, “Fear hath torments.” But, thank God, we no longer have to be held in this vice of fearfulness. God promises, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say...I will not fear.” A consciousness of His presence will do away with this dreaded plague, Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Remember, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

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

“Missed-understanding”

One of the effects of the Fall is having a carnal confidence in our own understanding. I emphasize “our own.” Since that notable but tragic day in the Garden, man’s understanding has been darkened. Only by Divine light shining upon his clouded intellect will he be enlightened. To trust our own understanding is to lean, as it were, upon a broken reed; it just won’t hold one up. It is difficult for most to admit “…there is none that understandest.” It is not figgerin’ or finagelin’ but “…by faith we understand…”

David had difficulty trying to understand one of life’s great mysteries. Speaking of this agonizing experience, he writes, “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went unto the sanctuary of God; then I understood…” David got it, once his understanding was sanctified.

We all need a humble spirit, as the Ethiopian eunuch. When asked by Philip “understandest thou…” his reply was “…How can I except…” Until we go to God for life’s answers, nothing will make sense to us; we’ll never understand!

God’s a Good Listener

“O thou that hearest prayer...” Hearing prayer is a part of God’s nature. It is one of His attributes. He is a generational God—the same yesterday, today and forever. He heard earnest prayers before the flood as well as after it. He heard the prayers of His people when they were in the land of Canaan and in Babylonian captivity. He heard the prayer of a Canaanitish woman and those of the chiefest apostle. God eagerly waits to hear our prayers, no matter what the condition or our position in life.

But how many of us are like Job of old, who, in his dark hour cried, “If I had called...yet would I not believe that he had harkened unto my voice.” The persecuted, primitive Church had the same problem. Praying for Peter’s deliverance from prison, and told by the maid, Rhoda, that God had heard their prayer, they answered, “Thou art mad.”

O why are we so slow to believe He will hear us? In spite of scores of great prayer promises, we still refuse to believe. Listen to one such promise given to Jeremiah while he was shut up in prison: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

If He hears the young ravens that cry to Him for food, “are ye not much better than they?”

Total Depravity

God tells us through His prophet Isaiah that man is depraved, “From the sole of the foot even unto the head.” J.I. Packer defines depravity as a, “universal deformity of human nature, found at every point in every person.” It is total in its degree of corruption, both in our moral and spiritual makeup. No part of us is left untouched by sin. Therefore, total depravity necessitates total inability. We need God’s divine intervention in our lives from start to finish.

We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners, and it’s our nature to do so. The external life may look healthy, but the inward is eaten up with cancerous sin. As C.S. Lewis states, “Of all created beings the wickedest is one who originally stood in the immediate presence of God.” Dress a corpse with all the niceties you will, but it is still putrefying within. Cosmetics can’t change that.

We see horrible things happening all around us today, and invariably someone will say, “If I know my heart, I could never do such a thing.” The truth is we do not know our hearts. The Bible tells us that it’s, “… deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” We are like Peter when the Lord told him the hideous thing he was about to do; he believed others could do such a thing, but never himself. My friend, we are capable of the vilest acts; therefore, let us humble ourselves, bowing in the dust before our God, trusting Him to keep us.

All of mankind has black hearts hiding behind white vests!

First Steps

If you’ve been saved any length of time, then you are probably familiar with the Bible story of the Pharisee and the Publican. We find from this account, that after all is said and done, each of us has one of two choices in our approach to God. We come before Him with religious pride or a humble spirit. And need I mention which of the two our Lord commended?

An old Puritan wrote, “Humility is the repentance of pride.” I am fearful that far too many of us come into Gods presence with our spiritual “credentials”, hoping to impress Him. But He cares not for our “rags of righteousness”.

If we are to see things happen in our homes, churches, ministries, and personal lives, then we need to realize the first step toward God is a humble heart. And how does one acquire this? C. S. Lewis tells us, “If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed”.

“Our father was Adam, our grandfather dust, our great-grand-father nothing.” (Puritan Saying)

The Divine Alphabet

“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book.” It’s been said of the writings of C.S. Lewis that his first sentence always had the last in view. This should be especially true in our Christian lives. We began with God, and we are to keep in mind, that is how we are to end. Though, sad to say, like some books, many of us start out good but end up bad.

To live life without God is like an incomplete sentence. But, on the other hand, those whose every thought and endeavor in this life originates with “In the beginning God” will find at its conclusion the main subject of their sentence—God.

A heathen philosopher once asked: “Where is God?” The Christian answered: “Let me first ask you, where is He not?”

The Perpetual List

If there is any practical lesson to be learned from Creation, it is this: The Lord didn’t do it all in one day. So why must we? Our frustration comes from refusing to follow this Divine example. We are constantly trying to tie-up all the loose ends by the end of one day. It might be well for us to remember that there will always be untied shoes awaiting us.

Life doesn’t stand still while we get it all together; it’s an ongoing thing. We must learn to go with the flow. Because of this, the only thing left for us is to prioritize our lives, putting the most important things at the top. And what you don’t get done today, transfer to tomorrow’s list, always keeping in mind, you’ll never catch-up. Or, as someone has so apply said: “When you die, your in-basket won’t be empty

A good philosophy to live by is to do what comes next; that is, “Do the next thing.”

Seeing the Invisible God

“...what likeness will ye compare unto him?” The teacher asked the little boy, “What are you drawing?” To which the little fellow answered, “A picture of God.” “But no one knows what God looks like,” said the teacher. Smiling, the young artist replied, “They will when I get through!”

I’m afraid many of us, also, are guilty of this attempt. We conjure up in our minds a mental picture of God. To paint His image on the canvass of our minds is just as wrong as drawing it on paper or chiseling it in stone. To do so is to break the second commandment.

It is impossible to please God until you, by faith, simply believe “that he is.” God is eternally invisible. Yet, we, like Moses, can see the Invisible, by faith. You can see God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the only Son Who is the true “spittin’ image” of His Father!

Affliction’s Advantage

“Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word…It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes…I know, O Lord…that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” David, in retrospect, could say affliction was good for him. And each of us, in hindsight, should be able to see affliction was to our advantage. Sometimes, we do not know what is good for us, but God always does. Affliction is one of those “all things” that works together for our good. Is it any wonder then that Paul rejoiced in them?

Plenty does not always mean richer; sometimes it leaves us poorer. In prosperity, Israel was prone to forget God. But, in affliction, she could say, “Yet have we not forgotten thee.” More times than one, sickness teaches us more than a sermon. Whatever the form or design, affliction benefits us. The Psalmist tells us the result is that we will keep God’s Word, as well as learn it. And, as an old saint said, “Who cares if the file is rough, if there’s less rust?”

Whoever brings affliction, it is God that sends it. (Thomas Watson, Puritan)

Carried By My Father

In Isaiah chapter forty-six, God says of His elect that they were, “...borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age, I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” What a promise! He will not only carry us in our infancy, but down to old age. As someone has rightly said, “From the womb to the tomb.”

Now we can understand David’s words in the twenty-second Psalm: “I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.” This was not only prophetically true of our Lord Jesus, but we read it was so with such men as David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul, etc.

What a wonderful, secure place to be—wrapped in the Everlasting Arms, with our heads resting against the loving heart of our Heavenly Father.

O, the joy I found in carrying my own children in their infancy! And there was just as much pleasure in carrying my little frail mother of ninety-four in her closing days. If this be so with man, how much more with God?

Just to think of it—we’re safe in the arms of God!

At the Bottom of the List

The last sin to be acknowledged or confessed in our lives is that of prayerlessness; even if we admit to it then. Samuel says to the Lord’s people, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” If it’s a sin not to pray for others, how much more is it not to pray at all? And notice, to not pray is a “sin against the Lord."

If we were honest with ourselves we would say with Job, “If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had harkened unto my voice.” It is during those long intervals when God has us wait that we loose our faith. And when this happens, we also lose face. Like the old suffering patriarch, we impulsively say, “…what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?”

Jesus said, “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” If you have fainted during a long night of silence form God, try praying. Its a good smelling salts.

"Set no time to the Lord the creator of time, for His time is always best." (Samuel Rutherford)

In Lucifer’s Likeness

C.S. Lewis points out, “No one is proud because he is rich or clever, or good looking. He is proud because he is richer, or more clever, or better looking than someone else. It involves a comparison which always goes in the favor of the one who makes it.” How we love to exalt ourselves at another’s expense. This caused Lucifer’s downfall.

God hates pride, and we harbor it. How can we condone what God condemns? William Law wrote: “Pride must die in you or nothing of Heaven can live in you…Look not at pride only as an unbecoming temper, nor at humility only as a decent virtue…one is all hell and the other all Heaven.”

If a person is not embarrassed when you speak to them of their humility, they are proud.

Taking up the Apologist Cloak

Please allow me to attire myself in the garb of an “apologist” for just a little while. I use the word as the dictionary defines it: “A person who argues in defense or justification of something, such as a doctrine, policy, or institution.” I’d like to use the latter of these three meanings and plead the case for Fundamentalist Churches.

These Bible assemblies have gotten a bad rap from the world. And what makes it worse, many of the respect seeking Evangelical churches and those associated with the Reformed movement, to name just two, have piled on. To be sure, the Fundamentalist are known for often “doing the right thing, in the wrong way.” But in the end, they are doing right! It is much better than doing “the wrong thing in the right way,” like so many of their pious critics are known for.

This belittled band of Believer’s give more to missions; have more young men surrender to go into the ministry; preach on clean living; win more souls; preach on hell, sin, death and judgment; start more churches; oppose apostasy; keep Christ’s coming constantly before their people; pass out tracts; preach on street corners; are unashamed to shout, raise their hands, and, yes, dance for Jesus; and last, but not least, they are the workingest people you’ll ever meet!

So remember the next time you hear one of these uninformed, dry branches criticize one of these stalwart saints, who are getting the job done, you’re listening to a person with no more substance than cotton candy. Hot Air!

It’s one thing to say, “We need more John the Baptists; it’s quite another to be one!”

Sad Saints

I agree with C.S. Lewis who says there are only two times a Christian is justified in being sad: when it has to do with his or her own sins, or when seeing other peoples’ sufferings. The Corinthians, I believe, would fit under the heading of the first and Nehemiah the second.

I wonder if Joseph’s question to the butler and baker couldn’t be applied to many of us, “Wherefore look ye so sadly today?” Or better yet, Jesus query to the two disciples on the Emmaus road, as they walked with the risen Saviour and were sad.

I find when I’m in such a sad condition, like Hannah of old; it is a good thing to have a talk with my High Priest. After her chat with hers we are told, “[She]…was no more sad.” And neither will we be!

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The High and Mighty

“...the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deut.7:6). Special—not meaning better than, but, rather, different from. Unique from others of its own kind. Chosen to be a pattern, not a pet (1Tim.1:16). Christians sometimes flaunt themselves before the unregenerate of the world, giving the impression of superiority, forgetting they are what they are by the grace of God (1Cor.15:10).

We need to constantly remind ourselves when observing the non-Christian community around us, “But for the grace of God, there go I.” We are warned to “...be not high minded but fear.” “The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were...” better, holier, more intelligent, stronger, or greater than others. “But because the Lord loved you...” He loved us simply because He loved us (Deut.7:7-8).

May God help some of us to come down from our high and mighty perch, and “...walk humbly with [our] God” (Micah 7:8); and to “...condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits...” (Rom.12:16).

He who thinks he’s better than all sinners is the greatest sinner of all.

Esther’s Secret

When Esther’s time came to appear before the king we are told that, “…she required nothing.” The other women who came before him loaded themselves with precious ornaments of various kinds; such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets, and the like. But there was nothing artificial about this woman. What you saw was what you got. She was not out to impress the king with who she was not, but was willing for him to see her as she really was.

Such godly Christian women today come into their King’s presence singing, “Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me.” There is no attempt, like Jacob of old; to pass themselves off as someone they’re not. Nor do they try to merit anything before their Royal Sovereign. Their testimony to Him is simply, “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.” In other words, they never take extras when appearing before the King of Kings.

It is interesting to note that, “The king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight…” It goes on to say. “He set the royal crown upon her head.” If Jacob was a prince with God, then Esther’s clan is princesses. The woman who sat next to the king, and was closest to him, was the one who dared to be herself before him.

"The king's daughter is all glorious within." (Psl.45:13, a)

All That Glitters Isn’t Gold

The old-time Nazarene preacher, Uncle Buddy Robinson, after touring the sights of New York said, “I’ve seen it all, and there ain’t nothin’ I want.” This is how I feel about the brand of Christianity on display today. Both in the pulpit and pew there is giddiness whenever a politician, athlete, or actor professes to be a Christian. Once it was the walk, not the talk that characterized a person as belonging to Him. Nowadays it seems to have reversed.

These wide-gate professors are great ones for name dropping, their favorite word being “Lord.” But Jesus said, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Lordship, then, has to do with doing! We are explicitly told to keep His commandments. Not in order to be saved, but because of the fact we are saved. These “cosmetic Christians” believe their God commands nothing of them, thus He expects nothing from them. Sure is convenient, huh? No commands, no demands.

A grace that does not deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, is a disgrace! Jude tells us, it is this sort that has turned the grace of God into lasciviousness. It seems to be the in thing today among the younger set of Christians to accept lying, fornication, thievery, and all the other sins of this filthy flesh as the norm. They believe its vogue, but God still says it is vile. Their one authority for this dogmatic ignorance is an embarrassing, yet emphatic, “I think.”

Years ago, the old Baptist preacher Vance Havner said, “The time is coming when the man picking your pocket, when caught by you will say, “It’s okay, I’m a Christian, too.” I believe that time is upon us!

A Ruined Reputation

“But made of himself no reputation.” I heard an old preacher years ago say, “Most of us spend a lifetime trying to get a reputation; while our Lord tried to get rid of one.” A reputation can be a good or a bad thing. If it keeps one from change, it falls under the latter of these.

Your reputation is to never come before God’s revelation. As we grow in the Lord, only pride will keep us from changing our past views, and rejecting a present, fuller, enlightenment. It seems we’d rather seem consistent before the brethren than Biblically correct before God.

A marvelously used missionary once told me, “The first pre-requisite of being used of God, is a ruined reputation.” Dr. Bob Jones Sr. used to say, “Reputation is what people think you to be, character is who God knows you to be.”

Light rejected brings greater darkness.

Missing What Life is All About

In one of his many books, a well known Dispensational Bible teacher says that the theme of the Bible is the Kingdom. How sad that so-called scholarship should be so shallow. The central theme of the Bible is Jesus Christ. Theologians refer to it as, “Christocentric.” Eliminate Christ from the two Testaments and the Bible disintegrates into fragments. If He is subtracted you are left with unexplained ceremonies, unachieved purposes, unappeased longings, and unfulfilled prophecies.

In a well meaning attempt today, I’m sure, many, in trying to bring about a moral change are majoring on the political, psychological, and philosophical aspects of life. But all such attempts apart from Christ are immoral. “What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”

We are told, “…that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.” Anything or anyone who is put in His place throws our lives completely off kilter. Nothing in this life is of any value unless directly related to Him. He is to be the center-piece on the mantle of our hearts, all else is to be moved to the sides.

“The crown of all the saints’ victories must be set upon the head of Christ.” (Thomas Watson)

God Wondered

“And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.” God’s people had deteriorated to the level of the nations around them. They had corrupted their manners by lying, worshipping idols, indulging in sexual sins, sacrificing their children, and mocking that little weak remnant who were trying to live Godly. Seems contemporary, doesn’t it?

In the midst of all this, God searched for one person to intercede for His people, but found none. No man would do anything for the support of the bleeding cause of God’s elect. No doubt there were those who complained of the evil of the times, but they did not have the faith or courage to do anything about it.

God was looking for someone to stand in the gap as a prayer warrior in opposition to the wickedness of the day, but His search was futile (Ezek.22:30). “He wondered that there was no intercessor.” He could not find an Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Samuel, Esther, Daniel, Paul, or Epaphras.

John tells us, “As he is, so are we in the world.” Jesus' main ministry since returning to Heaven has been that of an intercessor!

Coming and Going

“The [devil] came to him…Then the devil leaveth him.” The devil, as in the life of our Lord, comes and goes in ours also. But he never comes to stay. After he ended his time of tempting we are told, “… he departed.” We also see this from examples such as Job in the Old Testament, and Peter in the New.

And what resulted in the above mentioned men’s lives, once the enemy of their souls left them? “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit”; of Job we are told, “So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning”; and what of Peter? We see him preaching his great Pentecostal sermon, with God’s blessings poured out in abundance.

O, dear child of God, let me encourage you to resist this “Evil One” just a little bit longer. I assure you, you will find, as Jesus did, that when all was ended, “Angels came and ministered unto him. C.S. Lewis reminds us, “In scripture the visitation of an angel…begins by saying, “Fear not.”

Temporal or Perpetual

“And he felt him, and said the voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” Because Isaac went by feeling, rather than the spoken word, he was deceived. Feelings are always inferior to faith. They cannot be a part of a Christian’s regular diet. We must never gauge our spiritual life by this type of thermometer.

Feelings are like a roller-coaster; they have their extreme highs and their lowest lows. But faith is a straight, steady road. It may not have the excitement of the former, but it will get you to where you’re going quicker. Crisis feelings of any sort are essentially transitory. Feelings come and go. They never stay for long, “but the word of God abideth forever.” We may choose between the two—the temporal or the perpetual.

The woman with the issue of blood felt she was healed on the spot, but Jesus’ word gave her lasting assurance for the future.

Variety: the Spice of Life

“For who maketh thee to differ from another?” God is for individualism; most all will agree to this. Yet, when we come to the feminine gender, we have a double standard. A man can be a rugged individualist, but a woman is to fit into the “cookie-cutter” category. In some Christian circles, women (and little girls) are expected to look, act, and think alike. This is proven by the statement, “Why can’t you be more like her?” Yet everyone knows a variety of flowers is more beautiful than just one kind alone. If the latter were true, you’d soon tire and lose your enjoyment of life.

This rigid regimentation of Christian women comes from emphasizing the importance of externals in her life over her inward qualities. For example, we tell our daughters and wives they are to be meek and quiet, referring to the outward. But the Bible says this has to do with her inward spirit (1Pet.3:4). It’s the “hidden man of the heart” that God is mainly interested in. Jesus was meek and lowly, but, “in heart” (Matt.11:29). Meekness is not a physical, but a spiritual trait (1Cor.4:21b). God promises to bless, not the poor, but the poor “in spirit” (Matt.5:3).

Fella’s, let’s give the girls elbow room to be themselves. After all, that’s what we want.

If the woman is weak, protect her; if equal, share with her; if superior, learn from her.

*Missing From the Menu

“...there came a lion...and took a lamb out of the flock...And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth.” David was guarding his father’s flock, and he had no intention of losing even one lamb to that lion. His father had given him those sheep, and they were in his care. He was responsible to keep each of them.

And so it was (and is) with the greater Son of David. In His High Priestly prayer to His Father, Jesus says concerning the sheep God had given him, “I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost.”

Therefore, because of this, our testimony can be that of the Apostle Paul: “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
The devil will never know what lamb chops taste like!

Tortoise Christians

“Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran Cushi” (Read 2 Sam. 18:19-33). Being “…first in his own cause,” does not qualify one before the Judge of all the earth. The king may say to such, “Turn aside and stand here”; while the Sovereign recognizes the one that the overachiever considered to be second best. Our Lord said, “[Many] that are first shall be last.” The same Authority went on to say it is possible that “…the last shall be first.”

John and Peter ran to the tomb with the former arriving first, and “…looking in.” But, though Peter was “runner-up,” he “…went in.” It may seem others are pulling out ahead of you and getting somewhere, only to find when they stand before the King, they got nowhere. Jacob got further with God limping than he ever did running. It’s “the lame,” that take the prey. And then shall come to pass, “The lame shall leap as an hart.”

The hare can outrun the tortoise all the time, but the tortoise can outlast the hare every time.

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.