Our Lot in Life

How many of us are like Ephraim and Manasseh of old. When God allocated their lot in the newly-conquered land of Canaan, through Joshua, they complained. As my dear sainted mother used to say, “You couldn’t satisfy some people if you hung them with a new rope.”

We murmur because we feel others have a better life than we. I would remind all such what Jesus said to Peter, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.”  As Thomas à Kempis says in his book, The Imitation of Christ, “For man proposes, but God disposes.” Shakespeare, too, had a similar message in Hamlet: "There is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will."

Paul’s lot in life was to suffer for the Lord Jesus; God told him that at his conversion. Nevertheless, he rejoiced and wanted nothing but the best for others. He wrote to the Corinthians, “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.”

And what did old John the Beloved, who was very familiar with loneliness and pain, say to the saints of his day? “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” Although it may not be true of some of our own lots in life, we should want nothing but the best for our dear brethren.

Whatever my lot,

Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well,

with my soul.

The Other Gospel

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

(Gal.1:6-9)

Paul also tells us in 2 Cor. 11:4 that along with this “other gospel,” there is “another Jesus” and “another spirit.” Satan is a great imitator; therefore, we should not marvel that “the god of this world” transforms himself into an “angel of light.”  And that it is“...no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness."

The main difference between the “perverted” gospel, and the true gospel, is found in two small words, “do” and “done.” No matter how angelic the countenance may appear, or godly and righteous the outward life, if anything is added to the finished work of Christ, they’re as twisted and perverted as a pedophile. Yea, even more so!

If, perchance, you believe this “other” gospel, then what you have is a “make-believe belief!” You’re childishly pretending. It’s time for some to grow-up.

Jesus Christ did not suffer, bleed, die, and endure the eternal pains of hell, so that a “worm” can boast of his or her good works. We work from the cross, not to the cross. We work, not in order to be saved, but because we are saved. We are saved by grace unto good works. Paul plainly tells us if salvation is by works, then it is no more of grace. And if it is by grace, it is no more of works. Works just won’t work! “By GRACE Are Ye Saved.”

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;

could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

AUGUSTUS TOPLADY

Wherein Lies Great Thoughts

A.W. Tozer writes, “Without doubt, the mightiest thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God.” One of the great indictments the Word of God brings against the worldling is, “God [is] not in all his thoughts.” And again, “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.”

I read the testimony of one godly saint who said, “I truthfully do not believe there has been more than a fifteen minute period in my Christian life that Christ has not occupied my thinking.” I believe this to be true of a small remnant of God’s elect in every age.

This type of person is so special to God that He has recorded their name in a special book, “...a book of remembrance was written before him for them that ...thought upon his name.” And why should I not think upon that blessed and most Holy One? I am told He thinks upon this worm! As David said, “But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me.”

Narcissistic Christians crowd God out of their thoughts; there is only room for them.

 

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Our title is a phrase adapted from the poem, “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns. The poem actually says, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men.”  It is about his plowing a field and accidentally turning over and ruining the nest of a small field mouse at a time of year when it's impossible for the mouse to rebuild. Burns tries to reassure the frightened mouse that he meant no harm.

This proverbial expression is simply telling about the futility of making detailed plans when the outcome is uncertain. A Christian’s plans, especially, are always subject to change and disruption by the outside intervention of God. To be sure, whenever Divine interference occurs, it is not almost, but always, for our good, and God’s glory. But how tragic it is when so many of us get upset when God sees fit to upset our plans.

God does everything after the pleasure of His own will, and what pleases Him should please His children. But alas, how many of us are quick to pity ourselves, rather than praise Him. We pride ourselves with our hindsight, but lack little, if any, foresight, when it relates to the eternal plan of God. God doesn’t mind us planning, just as long as we are willing to give ours up for His. “Not my plan, but thy plan be done.”

 

 

The "Signs" Mania

Anyone halfway familiar with Church history recognizes the fact that every age thought theirs to be the last. Each of these periods used various “signs” from the Bible to prove it.

But could it be the absence of signs will be the one great sign?

Peter says just prior to our Lord’s return “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.”   

In both Matthew and Luke’s gospels, Jesus says, “As it was in the days of Noe,” and, “As it was in the days of Lot,” so it will be preceding His coming. I was taught as a young believer that every minute detail of these two men’s generations was the thing to watch for. But the context says nothing of the kind!

The one thing, and only one thing He teaches, is the fact that the world was going on at its normal state (that is, normal for a sinning world). They were marrying and giving in marriage, eating and drinking, “until the day.” That is, right up till the time. Thus, He ends His teaching concerning His second coming with these words, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

There is no question, someday, will be the last day. But as my dear friend Dr. John R. Rice used to say, “Jesus is coming again, signs or no signs.”

 

Here I Come, Ready or Not

I’ve heard just about every plea for revival imaginable, from the need for godly living to loving each other. But I contend, and have for many years, the need is to be revived concerning His Return. There is not one thing wrong that His return won’t right. As C.S. Lewis says, “The second coming of Christ is the medicine our condition especially needs.” It is not, revival or return, it is a Revival of His Return!

The reason early Christians lived such exceptional, godly lives, had a undying love for each other, and laid their lives on the altar of sacrifice, was for the simple fact they looked for, and expected their Lord’s return at any time. In Paul’s earliest letter to the Thessalonians, each of the five chapters ends with a promise of His return.

Again, allow me quote Lewis, “Because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments.” If we really believe our heavenly Bridegroom can return at any moment, then we’ll keep the house clean. We will not emulate the “foolish,” and slumber and sleep.

As a boy, when we played hide-n-seek, after a long count, you’d hear the words shouted out, “Here I come, ready or not.” My dear friends, He is coming, whether you’re ready or not.

The Reality of Heaven

Heaven is real; it is a literal place. Jesus said, “If it were not so, I would have told you.” Heaven is a country, with a capital city, New Jerusalem. Of the old patriarchs we are told, “...they sought a country,” and of Abraham it says, “He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.” And after a lifetime searching for it, upon taking his final breath on this earth, he found it.

The same God who made heaven, made the earth. There is no reason for “spiritualizing” the first while “literalizing” the second. One is the type of the other. When God describes heaven He uses the things of the earth, things we are familiar with, to depict heaven. God mingles heaven with earth. Read the Lord’s Prayer if you doubt this. Heaven is not a different place, but a better place, “But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly... for he hath prepared for them a city.”

The paganistic Eskimo believed in a future land where he would eat his whale blubber to the full; the materialistic Egyptians were buried with their treasures, so they could enjoy them in the next life; and the heathenistic Indians looked forward to the, “Happy Hunting Grounds” at their death.

And we Christians, who have and know the truth, are awaiting a place known to us as “The Father’s House”. No child of God need worry about adjusting upon their arrival, as if they’ll be in a strange place, you’re going to be right at “HOME!”

    

Those Dry Times

“O God, thou [art] my God...my soul thirsteth for thee...[I] longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”

Godly David knew what it was like to experience the dry spells that come into every Christian’s life. He was mindful of those times when the “green pastures” turned into hay. When everything around him was parched and there was not one drop of moisture coming down from the heavens. When “the brook dried up,” and his bucket empty.

What did the saints of the scriptures do at such times? They looked forward, trusting God to keep His promise, “...when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”  They knew if they could just wait it out, that God would, “...cause the shower to come down in his season; (and that there would be) showers of blessings.”

In God’s own good time He says, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”  To be sure, we will once again taste those “cold waters to a thirsty soul.”    

If you are going through a time such as I have just written, here is Elijah’s advice. “And said to his servant, Go up now, look... And he went up, and looked, and said, [There is] nothing. And he said, Go again seven times... And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And it came to pass... there was a great rain.”

All My Trees Are Gone

“[Jesus] asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put [his] hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.”

Most certainly, I believe the scriptures when they declare we are to give honour to whom honour is due. But I also accept its admonition, “not to think [of men] above that which is written.” Honouring the worthy is one thing; hero worship is another.

Men in the Bible are likened to trees, and if we are not careful, we will be awed by them. In this life, you will come across some mighty tall oaks, which can be very impressive. Paul was careful to not allow others to put him on a pedestal. He didn’t use any spiritual cosmetics, but rather allowed all his blemishes to show through. And what was his reason for this? “Lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me.

You’ll know you have arrived at the place God wants you, when Jesus is the last Man standing! When your heroes like Moses and Elijah are no longer next to Jesus, but you are left alone with “Jesus only.”

A Translation You Can Trust

I, like Hilkiah of old can say, “I have found the Book,” The “Book” I refer to is the Authorized, King James, 1611 Bible. I believe it is the very Word of God for the English speaking people today. I say this, not only because I was saved under the preaching of it, nor because I was taught it by man, but for over fifty-five years God has shown me, personally, truths concerning it that I have never read or heard from any other living soul, past or present

This book is its own dictionary, commentary, interpreter, and I can show that like modern computers, it corrects its own misspelled words (caused by the printer). I would no more look for a better translation than a literary critic would look for a better version of Shakespeare.

As to the “archaic words,” I have yet to find a modern translation translate the word, “dung” into its equivalent in today’s English. There are some one million words in the English vocabulary; 5000,000 are cited in most dictionaries. The King James Bible has less than an 8,000 word vocabulary. They tell us a child knows 300 words by the age of two, 3000 by the time he or she is three. By the time they’re five, it’s possible they could know the 8000 word vocabulary of the King James Bible.

I believe God personally superintended this blessed translation. I also believe with all my heart that there is a scheme to discredit it at all costs. Think about it for a moment. Each new translation flaunts the fact that it is superior to the King James 1611. Why, if the previous translation was better than the KJV? Why not say its bible was more excellent than the previous?

The religious world of our day hates what I have just written, and to be perfectly honest with you, I cherish the thought. Jesus said, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them.” There is only one translation the religious crowd despises. They will accept any and all with arms open, except for one, the preserved Word of God, the old KJV 1611.

Other translations, like a tract, contain the Word of God. But only the Authorized Version IS the pure Word of God!

If you think I’m dreaming, PLEASE DON’T WAKE ME.

Knowing and Doing

I must confess, understanding man’s will is much more difficult for me than apprehending God’s will. As to the former, Paul tells us, although he had the will to do something, he was impotent in the performance of it. Yet, in another place, he speaks of a man who had power over his own will. He also mentions doing God’s will willingly, but then adds, doing it against his will. Mystery of mysteries!

But not so with God’s will. The apostle tells us in Acts that God chose him“that thou shouldest know His will.”  It is just plain common sense, how can we intelligently do the will of God unless it is made known to us? God’s will must be known if it is to be done! But as the little adage goes, “Knowing is one thing; doing is another.” Balaam knew God’s will but didn’t do it as originally presented to him.

Many in our churches today say they desire to know God’s will. But few there are who will do it once it is shown. And why is this? Because the will of God is always bigger than we planned for. Jesus said, “I delight to do thy will, O my God,” even when it meant a cross. He, truly, “Did God’s will from the heart.” Our problem, as Spurgeon says is that we play with sacred things.

God told His people of old the reason He did not bless them was “because ye do not lay it to heart.” The will of God is a serious matter, it cost His dear Son His last drop of blood. Again, to quote that Prince of Preachers, “It will not give any man in heaven even a moment's joy to think that he gratified himself while here”...”Oh, brothers, let us live as we shall wish we had lived when life is over.”

Do you seriously want to know and do God’s will? Then follow the instructions in Romans chapter twelve, verses one and two.

Whittling Away

The story is told of a mountain preacher visiting his flock. He came upon one house where an old man was sitting on the porch whittling away at a crude piece of wood. When asked what he was doing, he said he was making an elephant. The pastor mentioned he thought that would a difficult task. To which the mountain man answered, “Not really, you just cut off everything that don’t look like an elephant.”

The apostle Paul tells us that God is conforming each of His children to the image of Jesus Christ. I’ve heard some really profound explanations of how this is accomplished, some of which were very deep expositions on the subject.  But on second thought, maybe they were not really so deep, just muddy enough so you couldn’t see how shallow they really were.

Actually, the procedure is not so complicated. God simply cuts off in our lives everything that doesn’t look like Jesus Christ. It is an ongoing process. It began at our conversion and will end at death or His coming. God has predestined each of His elect to be conformed to the image of His Son. Therefore, He will keep whittling away at us until the replica is complete. For some, the procedure has just begun. With others, a vague form is beginning to show through. And with a host of others, the long process is in its final stages.

It is not so much a look-alike God is conforming us to, as it is an act-alike 1Jn.2:6).   

Two Natures/One Person

When the Bible speaks of a “new man” and an “old man,” it is not speaking of two distinct separate personages in the Christian’s body. But rather, two natures in one person, the old Adamic nature (received at the first birth), and the new Divine nature (received at the second birth). The Believer has one personality with two natures within. One is sinlessly perfect, the other sinfully incurable.

To which of these two principles the saint yields and follows, will determine the life he or she displays before God and man. These entities are constantly in conflict with each other, vying to sit upon the throne of the heart. Both desire to reign in the life; one yearns to rule in righteousness, and the other in unrighteousness. One aggravates the other. When yielding to the baser of the two there will be a retrogression, not an advancement in our life. This inner warfare will continue as long as the saint lives on this earth.

The above is the answer to John’s perplexing statement, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” The “seed” is sinless, but not the saint in whom it dwells. Some misunderstand the text because of the word “cannot.” The Bible’s use of the word, generally, does not mean impossible, but improbable. To site just three instances: “As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”  Yes they could, but it would be unnatural. “I cannot rise and give thee.”  Most certainly, this friend could get out of bed at the late hour (for he did), but it was unseemly to do so. “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit.” O yes it can, but it is wholly against its nature. Therefore, we see a Christian can sin, but it is unnatural for him or her to do so.

I hope this Bible study helped some of you.

Pleading the Promises

“Put me in remembrance...”

Never would I be so bold as to ask our all-knowing God to remember anything. And in spite of having His Word to do so, I still do it with some trepidation. Nevertheless, it is “Thus saith the Lord.”  Saints throughout the scriptures reminded God of His promises. David is a good example of this. While in prayer he says to the Lord, “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

I read that the oriental kings of old would have with them at all times what was called, “a remembrancer.” Their duty was to remind the king of promises he made to his people. Although our King is omnipotent, yet He has chosen us to be His “remembrancers.” We are to bring before our Sovereign His own Word, then remind Him that this is what He promised. And like the old-timers used to say, “A man’s word is his bond.”

In the margin of D.L. Moody’s Bible, next to Acts 1:4, he wrote, “Tarry at the promises till God meets you there. He always returns by way of His promises.” Dear readers, let us no longer possess a dumb spirit when coming before our King, but let us rather speak boldly, reminding Him of His promises to us, His children. Charles Spurgeon said, “The best praying in the world is pleading the promises.” What father’s heart isn’t moved when he looks down into expectant little eyes and hears the words, “But Daddy, you promised.”

“He hath said...so that we may boldly say.”

No, Not One

“For, lo, I will command, and I will sift …like as [corn] is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.”

Every saint of God will experience the sifting process in their life, at one time or the other. That is, we will be placed in God’s vast sieve to be shaken and tossed to and fro, as grain being sifted. The purpose is that the chaff, the outward dry husk surrounding the grain, along with the dust of the earth clinging to it, will be blown away by the winds of adversity. It is waste material and of little or no value. Only the good grain remains. The precious endures, the vile destroyed.

Notice, it is God who holds the sieve in His hands, “I will sift,” yet, He may use others as the means in the process. You’ll remember that in the case of Peter He used Satan to sift him, but God was the principle. We know from the book of Job that the devil is limited in what he can do to a believer.

Dear child of God, if you are being sifted today, take heart. God promises not one grain shall be lost, even to the least. No, not one! As Jesus prayed, sometime after Peter’s sifting, “Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost.” And why was not Peter carried away with the chaff? Listen to Christ’s words just prior to Simon Peter entering the sieve, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” And He is praying for you this very moment.

To Each His Own

The above statement is true of many aspects in the Christian’s life, but none so spot-on as that thing we call prayer. In this most holy endeavor we must all come to realize, as the saying goes, “You’re you and I am I.” There should be a uniqueness about each of our prayer lives that matches no other. One size doesn’t fit all. What works for one may not for another. It is true in the Father’s house there is uniformity, but also, there is individuality.

I am wholeheartedly in agreement with a statement I read in one of J.I. Packer’s books, “Pray as you can and don’t try to pray as you can’t.” The only restriction is staying within the confine of the scriptures. Jesus was known on occasion to stand when He prayed, Paul knelt, Hezekiah prayed in bed;, David sat before the Lord, and Elisha walked to and fro in his house. I personally have done the latter for over fifty-five years. However you pray, be yourself, and be comfortable in doing it.

That unique and blessed old-time Nazarene preacher, Billy Bray, used to say, “I must talk to Father about that,” referring to prayer. As someone has so aptly said, “Experience can’t be taught.” It is something you learn, not from books, but from doing. There has been many a prodigal child brought back home to God by a mother praying at the altar of her sink, as she did her dishes. O, child of God, “Pray as you can and don’t try to pray as you can’t!”

 

Us and Our Children

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

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

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

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

Knowledge Plus

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

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

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

First and Then

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

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

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

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

Time Heals

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Silence of God

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

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

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

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

The Critics of the Godly

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

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

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

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

Unsung Heroes

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

 

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

 

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

 

His Right to Servitude

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

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

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

*What Do You Expect?

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

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

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

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

Job and His Children

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

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

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

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

A Mountain Really Real

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

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

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

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

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

A Really Real Mountain?

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

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

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

Disbelief and the Mountain

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

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

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

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

*The Will of God

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

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

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

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

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

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

Empty Churches

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

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

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

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

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

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

HAPPY YEAR OF JUBILEE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Poor Paul

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

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

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

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

Who Said What?

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

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

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