The Inconsistencies of Life

I think most if not all youth, when becoming conscious of life and living, are idealists. We are all, for the most part, dreamers during our early stages; fantasizing occupies a large part of a youngsters thinking. Both the young lad and young lassie pretty-well have their whole life planned out. This unrealistic, starry-eyed romanticizing is expected and accepted in children. But as Paul says, "When I became a man (mature), I put away childish things." 

Early in life, one finds that keeping all your ducks in a row is not only improbable, but impossible. Yet in spite of this, many enter adulthood refusing to accept the fact life is inconsistent, full of ups and downs. It can be like a roller coaster ride, at times. God early on, intentionally it seems, upsets our apple carts that we may learn this important lesson. Read the life of David in the Psalms to see the inconsistencies of life. Remember, it's David's autobiography; and for our learning. 

We need to be careful we do not carry our child-hood dreaming into our Christian life. All our plans are to be given up at conversion for His. If not, then we are in for a frustrating and tormented life, always seeing our hopes, plans, and wishes vanish like a morning cloud which goeth away. In Job we read, "When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness." This is not being pessimistic, but realistic. 

The Spiritually mature know how to roll with the punches, so to speak. They know all the sand castles they've concocted will dissolve with the first big wave of adversity! Therefore, they have given up their plans for HIS plan.

In Defense of the OldTestament

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." This one statement should forever dispel the notion the Old Testament has no relevance for us today. Jesus authenticates it by the fact there were no other scriptures than the Old Testament when He uttered these words. 

Paul tells us the Old Testament was: "for our learning; our ensample; our example; for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." He goes on to say, referring to the Old, for that's all he had at the time, that they were "the Sword of the Spirit", and by hearing them is how faith came to the early Believers. Also, when he spoke of "the comfort of the scriptures", the reference was to the Old Testament. 

To quote my minister son, Andrew, "All the Bible for all of life." I say, to take away the one is to rob God's children of the other. You give them only half a loaf of bread when our Father intended us to have a full loaf. As David gave to each of his followers, "one loaf of bread," so God gives to His followers.

We used to sing a little chorus, "Every Promise in the Book is Mine": I still sing, as well as believe it! New Testament Believers, throughout, appropriated Old Testament promises. IT IS ALL THEY HAD! 

Jesus "opened the scriptures," (in reference to the Old Testament), let's not be guilty in closing them.  

The Archaic Anointing

Different groups use various terms to describe it. This has been true in every age. It has been referred to as: the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the fullness of the Spirit, the anointing of the Spirit, the special enduement of the Spirit, and filled with the Spirit; but however it was referred to they all meant one and the same thing, the mighty power of God coming upon a man or woman. Today one is seen to be “religiously incorrect” to use such terms.

I knew of an old preacher years ago who referred to this experience as a crisis that becomes a process. It is simply coming to the end of yourself and wanting the  power of God more that all else. It’s like a man dying of thirst in a desert who gives up everything for a drink of water. I have observed in our day, not many Christians are thirsting for God and His power. Is it any wonder then that their lives are like a desert?

I like the story of the old Indian who went to hear a speaker of great reputation. When asked what he thought of his talk he replied, “Big thunder, much wind, no rain.” How about you? Do showers of blessing follow wherever you go?

A preacher who has a well prepared message is ill-prepared without Holy Ghost anointing!

Bullies in the Christian's Life

I read that at one point in John Wesley's life he had an eating problem. He is purported to have said, "Food is not going to bully me!" As a result, he ate nothing but potatoes for the next two years to prove his point. I do not necessarily agree with this solution, but I do believe we need to stop the bullies in our lives. As long as we cower in a corner and give them their way they will continue to push us around all of our lives.

Peter tells us, "...for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." Scripture teaches the saints are to be the overcomers. Paul wrote, he would not allow himself to be brought into bondage even to things that were lawful (legitimate). Good sometimes can be a greater enemy than the bad. As to the things of the world, too much of a good thing can become harmful, even distasteful. 

Many of us are way too "Spiritual" when it come to our physical cravings. I like something J.I. Packer said in his introduction to John Owen's book, Sin and Temptation. "I nowadays think the way to deal with temptation is at once to say "NO!" And with that to ask the Lord for strength to keep saying, "NO!" I have found doing this and meaning it, works far better than quoting many scriptures without meaning it.

In India, I'm told, they tie baby elephants to a straw chain to hold them. When older and grown, they never try to free themselves, having come to believe they do not have the power to do so. 

Dreaming Can Be Devine

“And Joseph dreamed a dream...” If you’re familiar with the story, then you know this young man got into a lot of trouble with his brethren because of the dreams he had. Even for us today, speaking allegorically, there is a price to pay for having Divine dreams; as Joseph's cost him. Nevertheless, we should dare to dream, even to old age (Joel 2:28). Once it is discerned that the dream is of God, nothing should divert our attention from seeing it come to fruition.

On the other hand, let me caution all those who have a dream to make sure the ingredients of that dream have come from God. For this is what real dreams are made of. Be careful your dreams are not of your own making. “Neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.” We need to be dead certain that God is the Author of our dreams. If He is not, they are only fantasies. Any dream that does not have God’s glory for its goal is not from Him.

God is the only Person who can interpret dreams; He is also the only one who can fulfill them.

Wishing Doesn't Make it So

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

This is a brief but unusual salutation. Bible students are more familiar and used to it being: grace, mercy and peace. Nevertheless asking about or showing a concern for others' health in greetings, whether it be personal or in correspondence, was standard. We pretty much follow this pattern in our own culture. We say such things as, "How are you?" when meeting a friend. And in a letter, "I trust this finds you in good health." 

The health and wealth gurus, along with many of the tell-evangelists use this scripture to promote their healing ministries, attempting to convince sincere and misguided saints they should never be sick, and if so, that God does not want it so. The result is long healing lines of sick folk, while the shyster lines his or her pockets with their silver. As P.T. Barnum is purported to have said, "There's a sucker born every minute."  

But John is only saying what, for example, every pastor says to his flock around the holidays, "I wish all of you a Merry Christmas," realizing in reality this will not be true in many of their cases. But that is his longing, his desire, his deepest wish. It is a general statement, not a factual reality. 

If good health and lack of any physical sufferings in a saint's life is an indication of being spiritual and of great faith, then the likes of Job, Paul, and yes, I say it reverently, our own blessed Lord would be left out. 

Wishing never abdicates God's Will for one's life!  

Routine

Customary, regular, habitual, unvarying, unimaginative, rehearsed, repeated, common-place, dull. One thing you cannot associate with any of these words is excitement. This list of bland words is various definitions of the word “routine.” True, there are high points in life, but these experiences are intermittent. For the most part, every day life is routine.

Many do not understand our lives are not lived on the mountain peaks, but in the valleys. There are those who mistakenly look at the mountain peak experiences of the Bible and see them as being close together. But, actually, there is a long valley between each. This valley is called, “The Valley of Routine.” In it you will find the “same-old, same-old.” Jesus walked it thirty years as a common laborer. He knew what it was to live a routine life.

Routine is not rut; it’s life. Get used to it, and make the best of it.

Habit/Tradition

I haven't taken time to look up the dictionary's definition of these two words (habit/tradition); I wanted to be a little 'Sandlinesque' in this article, so please forgive me. To me, the word habit brings to mind such descriptive words as personal or individual. Whereas tradition, to my way of thinking, carries a wider meaning, that being public and collective. A habit can be bad or good, and so it is with tradition. 

But even when one or both of these are found in a good context, they can be turned into the opposite. For example, Bible reading or prayer; when one thinks he or she cannot break the traditional or habitual mold they've always been accustomed to, then it becomes a weight in one's life. Strictly observing and adhering to the status-quo, you can be slowed to a stop. To put oneself under a law where no law is, is truly being a legalist! 

There's a way to tell when it is a man-made law or a legitimately scriptural one. David tells us God's commandments are "exceeding broad." He gives us elbow room, remembering we are but dust. On the other hand, man-made laws and rules are confining; there is no wiggle room to be found in them, for one's humanity is never considered. 

Interestingly, after God laid down His Law, the Decalogue, He followed it by the sacrificial offerings, providing for all who break it. There is no such provision when you break man's, or those we have self-imposed upon ourselves.

GOD IS GOOD

There are many who have a problem reconciling the goodness of God with all the pain and suffering in the world. The former stems from the Holy character of God, the latter is the result of the fallen state of man. No sensible person would blame a morally upstanding parent, who was a wonderful father or mother, for a grown child who contacted a loathsome and incurable disease as a result of a willful life of debauchery. 

I used to preach in a church in Virginia, where whenever I would mention God was good, in unison the whole assembly would shout, "All the time!" From my Spiritually enlightened readers, I hear a hearty "Amen!" Darling David had his share of set-backs, disappointments, and ups and downs, yet all he could ever speak of was how good God was. Read the Psalms. You'll find such statements as, "Thou art good, and doest good"; "Truly God is good."

The scriptures tell us His goodness is: Great; Abundant; Rich; Satisfying; Enduring; and Universal. We read in His Word, "The Lord is good to all"; that is, both to the saved and unsaved." A good companion passage is, "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. I say with the Psalmist, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness." 

Let none of us who know and love the the Lord ever forget one of the Bible's great truths. Satan's first temptation to our parents was to get them to question the goodness of God. Don't you fall for it! No matter what difficulties are transpiring in your life at this particular time. 

"GOD IS GOOD"  

Obscurity's Reward

“Made in the likeness of men.” Any spiritual person studying the life of our Lord soon realizes it is a portrait of their own. I’m not referring to His Deity, but His Humanity. When one steps back and looks at Jesus’ life panoramically, he or she notices a strange, but common, pattern to their own. When the Christian sees the overall picture, they are conscious that their own life falls into the same mold of that of their Savior.

First we have those long years of preparation. This is followed by entering public life. Then there is a brief time of popularity, when we ride the crest. But this is short lived. The crowd’s “Hosanna’s” soon die out and we are left with a few loved ones and true friends. This last stage of life—that of obscurity—can be our greatest.

His last days were spent with His faithful few. It was during this time, away from the clamor of the crowd, that He taught them the deep things of God. Having completed this, his closing ministry, His friends were then able to minister to Him in His final hour.

May God grant each of us older saints, during the closing years of our lives, to pass along to those He has placed around us the real issues of life. It is then that we can say in our final hour with satisfaction, “It is finished.”

For the Elect's Sakes

"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

I do not want to argue whether it is free will or God's arbitrary will in an individual's salvation. Nevertheless, it is undeniable, one of the many words God uses throughout the scriptures to describe His people is the term "Elect." Whether Israel or the Church, God has always had but one people. There are not two elects!

Some would rather labor debating sovereignty and free will than answer the searching question, "What am I willing to endure for God's Elect?" Paul's answer was all inclusive, as found in his words "all things." He had proved this on many occasions: by being shipwrecked, thrown into prison, etc. In each incident God's elect were involved.

We hear much sentimental jargon today about being, "Christ-like." I would remind my readers, Jesus was the ultimate in suffering for the "Elect's Sake." He poured out His soul for God's elect. In Christ's case, and Paul's, these chosen were anything but lovable and deserving. On the contrary, we were filthy and abhorring in God's sight.

Addendum: Early this morning (Sunday), I received a call from a dear saint who sat under my ministry when I was pastor, years ago. Saturday, she was rushed to the hospital with acute pneumonia. This morning she was reading my new devotional book, "Breakfast With the King." The nurse asked what she was reading, and when told, she requested it be read to her. The article was about being amazed with Christ. As a result the nurse was saved. My friend thanked God for her situation and its glorious result.  

Making Progress

I remember reading somewhere in C.S. Lewis’ writings about one making progress in his or her life. It goes something like this. If you get off on the wrong road, no matter how far you go, that is not progress. To go back to where you took the incorrect turn and continue on, that’s progress. And, he adds, the man or woman who turns back soonest makes the speediest progress.

I have said to wayward souls in the past, “Begin again from where you’re at.” But I was mistaken; what I should have said is, “Start from where you got off.” The advice of the former only changes ones attitude, not their direction. They’re still on the wrong road. God’s way is to come back to Bethel and start over from there. Jacob found this to be true.

You can’t go on until you have first come back.

Learning to Pray

The best way in learning to ride a bike is in riding a bike. The best way in learning to pray is to pray. With all the falls one may encounter, if he or she persists, they will achieve their desired goal in either one. The perennial proverb, "Practice makes perfect," is certainly true in the case of prayer.  

Don't attempt to understand prayer and its workings, before you do it, any more than you would the digestive system before you eat. It's better experienced than explained. The Christian life is made up of scores of unfathomable doctrines we cannot comprehend before we enter our heavenly class room. Nevertheless, until then, we accept them by faith, and act upon them. 

Jesus taught distinctively that prayer has to do with FATHER and child. In our vast family there are the theologian and and the novice; the intellect and the illiterate; religious Jews and non-religious Gentiles; the city-fied and the country-fied; as well as the eloquent and the crude. But the FATHER knows each of His children and their innermost longings; even those they can't seem to be able to articulate at times.

Let us follow the example of the newly converted little Irish boy. He said he didn't know how to pray, so he said his alphabet, trusting God to put it into words. This was exactly what the great apostle Paul taught. After years of being saved, this seasoned saint wrote: 

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that 

searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he

maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." 

Pray as you can and don't try to pray as you can't!    

Tied Hands

God has given us all the tools we need to work through, and out of, our daily problems; physically, psychologically, and spiritually. But He allows, and sometimes creates, complexities that only He alone can solve. This is done to remind us, as Daniel say's, "There is a God in heaven"; and that we can't get through life without Divine help.

At such hopeless times we need to commit the impossible person or predicament into God's hands. And having done so, to keep our hands out of it. He does not need our assistance in such situations. When we do so, we become, as Oswald Chambers writes, "Miniature Providences." 

Remember Uzza attempting to give God a hand? "And when they came unto the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark." 

Faith unties the hands of God, so to speak, allowing Him to work. And at the same time, ties ours with the same rope; so that we will cease from our own works! 

Seeing Eye to Eye

There is more truth than humor in the little quip, "Let's stand back to back, face to face, and go forward." Many times we think if our brethren and sisters are not headed in the same direction as ourselves, they're not one of us. The disciples had this problem: 

"Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me."

Barnabas and Paul went different directions, but were on the same team; both had a deep abiding love for Christ, their lovely Lord. They were simply at odds on the best way to get the job done. The two cherubims on the Mercy Seat faced different directions, and though seemingly opposites, still they were looking at the same thing. 

In John's writings he preeminently makes Christ and Christ alone the focal point of our fellowship with one another. Personally, I can go a long way with a man or woman who believes in the deity of Jesus Christ, and His substitutionary death, who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, strength, and might. We'll work our differences out around the family table when we get home.

"IN ESSENTIALS, UNITY; IN NON-ESSENTIALS, LIBERTY; IN ALL THINGS, CHARITY." 

(Augustine)

One Thing After Another

"And there came a messenger unto Job...While he was yet speaking, there came also another...While he was yet speaking, there came also another...While he was yet speaking, there came also another."

I remember the old timers saying, concerning their trials: "If it's not one thing, it's another"; or, "It's one thing on top of another"; or, "It seems it's just one thing after another." Paul referred to them as, "Sorrow upon sorrow." 

Any of the above quotes could have applied to Job. On four different occasions, on the same day, one messenger after another brought the old patriarch bad news. Actually, it was devastating, heartrending news! As my granny would say, "It seemed more than a soul could bear."

But if we skip ahead and read the conclusion of the story, we find the final message from God after all his sufferings, we might say it was the great finale. We're told the Lord doubled-up, so to speak, on all the blessings he had previously enjoyed. WHAT A GOD WE HAVE! 

The Answer Is Nigh

"But when the time of the promise drew nigh..." Sooner or later all of God's long-range promises (as well as the short-range ones), have a time when they "draw nigh"; are close at hand, if you please. Jesus told the disciples to "wait" for the promise until it was fulfilled. D.L. Moody, commenting on this text said, "Tarry at the promise till God meets you there. He always returns by way of His promises."  

God asks some of us to wait a long time before fulfilling His promise to us, but the testimony of those who have waited it out is, the wait was more than worth it! Ask, to mention just a few, the children of Israel, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Zacharias, and John the Baptist. Each would say "Amen" to Habakkuk's words, "...though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." 

In telling the story of the widow coming continually before a judge to get her request granted, Jesus applies it to His elect who, He says, "... cry day and night unto [Me]..." He goes on to tell us, "...though [I] bear long with them. I tell you that [I] will avenge them speedily." Notice it may be a long wait but when He does answer, it will be so quick, as they say, it will make your head swim.

Remember, to God, "A promise made, is a promise kept!"

The Need For Extreme Dogmatism

To me, for all practical purposes, there is a difference between

dogma and being dogmatic. Dogma, meaning a religious doctrine or system of doctrines proclaimed by the collective Church throughout the ages as authoritatively true. This word is legitimate, as long as it stays in the confines of its corral (context). But when it jumps the fence and goes wild by asserting its own individual unproved doctrines as truth, its name changes to dogmatic. Such are characterized by an arrogant, egotistical, and overbearing spirit.

A dogmatist simply takes sound dogma too far. They take a good thing to extreme until it is distorted and unrecognizable. For example: the sovereignty of God and the free will of man; faith and works; God's love and His wrath; doctrine and devotion; the local church and the true Church; etc. There are always two extremes, two dog houses, if you please, each at opposite ends of a truth and far apart. Each take one side of that truth and run off to their doghouse to feed innocent pups. There is no middle ground with a dogmatist; only his or her way or the highway! 

But having said all this, as despicable, detestable, and hideous as these dogmatists are, we owe them a debt of gratitude. Because, for the most part, many of us can attest to the fact that because of them we found our scriptural balance by observing where their teaching leads one. And it lead us back to the middle, thus saving our spiritual sanity.   

The Right Thing/The Wrong Way

I’m sure all my readers are familiar with the old saying, “It’s better to do the right thing in the wrong way than to do the wrong thing in the right way.” That is, it would be better to preach on Hell with a bad spirit than having a good one and not preach it at all. We are not to let the weakness of our humanity keep us from performing right. If we do, we’ll never achieve anything worthwhile. Paul said it was an accepted fact in his life that when he did good, evil was present with him.

David experienced this also. Because of the weakness of the flesh, he decided he would refrain from doing anything, therefore accomplishing nothing. By going to the extreme and carrying things too far he wound up having to admit he had kept himself “even from good.” But at such times we, like David, find sorrow is stirred within us, and our hearts burn. It is then, as he, we come out of our self-imposed prison to do right, even if it’s at the expense of our own embarrassment.

All of us want to do the right thing in the right way, but if we can’t accomplish the latter because of our frailties, let us always perform the former, even at the cost of being humiliated.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE

"For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." What higher compliment can be given a godly man or woman than that these words be spoken of them in a eulogy or inscribed upon their headstone? Fifteen brief words that sum up the entirety of one's existence while upon this earth. Their life in a nutshell, so to speak. When all is said and done, this will more than suffice.

Notice the first part of our text has to do with humanity, "he was a good man"; the latter with Deity, "full of the Holy Ghost." The former is man-ward, the latter is God-ward. It is possible to be the first without possessing the second. But you can't have the latter without displaying the former. It is said of our Lord, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."   

Several things can be said of those who are blessed with Barnabas's noble spirit. First, they're the underdog's best friend. Secondly, they promote others at their own expense, even if it means living in the shadow of the one they advance. Thirdly, when there are needs among God's people, they're the first to give sacrificially. Fourthly, these stalwart  characters are always encouraging others to, "cleave to the Lord". And lastly, everyone whose lives they have touched give testimony to the fact they're sons (and daughters) of consolation.

Yes, these gallant souls have their shortcomings; but when you look at a life, like a spot on a piece of white paper, you don't look at the spot but all the clean around it!

No Ones Perfect

"I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad." Anyone in the least familiar with the temperaments would place David under the melancholy category. And by doing so would automatically place him in the perfectionist group of individuals. As you can see from our text, God's "darling" had come to the place to see the end result of all perfection, and concluded the Lord gives us a lot of elbow room, so to speak, in His demands. Deity never forgets our humanity.

Perfectionists can be a very unhappy people, as well as make those around them miserable, if they do not possess the strength of character to face and admit to the fact, "No one is perfect." True, some confess to it but not in sincerity, for you can see the pride peeking through their self-righteous garments. On the other hand the imperfect who constantly give testimony to the fact of their shortcomings, often flaunt the fact to excuse their apathetic lives. Human frailty is no excuse for sin.

Those who feel they're a notch above others in their impeccableness are in great danger of not feeling the need of betterment. Being satisfied with the status quo. And on the other hand, those who care little for keeping all their ducks in a row should at lest make a worthy attempt of lining them up. Accepting one another, whether it be a perfectionist or one to the contrary, would go a long way in solving problems. There is no disgrace in being human, nor should there be in attempting to produce to perfection.

Reason or Results

“And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” It was neither of the two reasons these “toy” theologians thought. Jesus tells them it was not parental or personal, but by the providential arrangement of God that he was the way he was. All suffering is not necessarily the effect of sin. In many cases (as in this blind man’s), it is for the glory of God.

We can debate, discuss, and speculate “…why am I thus,” but, at the end of the day, it is not the original cause, but the final cure, that counts. What does it matter why, if the grand finale is our good and God’s glory? It is not why and what I was, but who and what I am, that matters.

Leave the question of past reasons with God. Rejoice in His present results in your life.

Testimonies/Tread Lightly

We need to be very careful when giving our testimonies, as well as hearing or reading them. Even those found in the Holy Scriptures. They're for our learning, not necessarily for us to emulate. As an old divine once wrote, "We are to seek the apostles' teachings, not their experience." When we're told we should follow their example, it's generally in principle, not experience. 

Throughout my long tenure as a gospel preacher I have both heard and read quite a few testimonies that would curl your hair, as the saying goes. I found in my own case as a young believer, when I gave my personal testimony, as the audience became more awestruck , like the "blow-fish," my testimony got bigger and bigger. The flesh loves to wow people, and it seems many want it so.

Acts has twenty-eight chapters and covers some thirty years. The Holy Spirit records Paul's testimony once, and the "chief of sinners" gives it twice, publicly. He mentions bits and pieces in his personal letters to churches and individuals, but not in its entirety. That means Paul gave his testimony publicly two times in thirty years. It was not for general public consumption, it seems.This gentle giant of a man was not in the habit of calling attention to himself, but the ONE who saved him.

My wife was saved as a child of nine, and never experienced the ravages of sin in her life. On the other hand, I lived a life of sin and debauchery for twenty-four years. People would flock to hear my testimony, but not hers. Yet, she had the greatest of we two. 

Cults

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants…” There is a principle found in this text that talks to us all. It is possible for one to encourage others to leave one kind of bondage only to enter into another kind. The “promiser’s” kind. This type promises but cannot produce. The reason? They themselves are enslaved within their own group.

Many wonder how it is that cults can so easily sway Christians when recruiting them into their ranks. The answer is fairly simple. Most of their converts come from assemblies not unlike their own. Therefore, it takes very little adjusting on the part of the one who is proselytized. They feel more or less at home.

There are basically three main cultic characteristics: first, there is unquestioning loyalty to the leader; secondly, there is an exclusion of all who are independent thinkers; and thirdly, there is absolutely no spiritual growth to be seen. Let each of us beware lest we be a cultic Christian.

Addendum by D.M. Lloyd-Jones: "There are cults that can change your life, cults that can deliver you from things that defeat you, cults that can give you happiness. Psychotherapy also can do so, and many other agencies, even an operation on your brain. We must have a test. If the experience is not an experience of the living God through His Son who has come to live and to die and rise again in order to give it; if it is not through the Holy Spirit, it is not a true Christian experience."

Good Advice

“…with the well advised is wisdom.” My wife did an excellent article recently on advice. I thought I'd emulate her example to my readers. Only ignorant pride keeps us from taking good advice. I know Christians whose lives are now in shambles, simply because they refused to ask advice and if they did, rejected it, when given. And, of course, there are those who boast of both listening to and taking counsel from others, but who, after investigation, took the advice only because it was in agreement with their plans.

Jeroboam was such a person. He asked the advice of the aged men; but forsook it for the younger men’s, who were in agreement with him. His problem was the same many have today. The elders had been where he was, but he had never been where they had been. What fool asks someone about a road they themselves have never traveled?

David, in spite of a set mind to do one thing, was changed by the godly advice of a weaker vessel. After hindsight consideration, he says to Abigail, “…blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from________.” I cannot tell you the good advice I have had through these long years that has kept me from_________. How about you? It’s not too late to ask, listen, and heed, good advice.

Fickle Friends

"Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" 

It will be of great benefit to the reader of the book of Galatians to know the inhabitants of this city descended from the Gauls, a people of unstable nature. They were quick to receive impressions and just as quick to give them up; impulsiveness and fickleness characterized them. Thus, one can better understand our text. You might refer to them as "fair weather friends." Great when the sun is shinning, but nowhere to be found when clouds arise. 

But Paul was accustomed to this sort of wishy-washyness; the type who receives one with enthusiastic joy, only to reject him or her after being told the truth about themselves. The old warhorse was used to experiencing situations in which one minute he could scarcely keep people from worshiping him and in the next, they were ready to stone him. It is a real paradox, writes this seasoned saint, he told the Corinthian Christians, "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." 

Evidently this sort of human being is not familiar with the wise man's teaching, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." They're difficult to figure out. They have a real dislike for the doctor who is instrumental in their healing. They fit comfortably with the crowd that cries one day, "Hosanna in the highest," and the very next, "Crucify Him." It can truly be said of them what is said of Samson and his friend "Whom he had used as a friend." Friends are not to be used, but rather cherished and held dear to our hearts.

If you have been let down by someone you trusted, remember "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

HELD UP BY MERCY

"When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up." O, The wonderful mercies of God. We are told in scriptures that His mercy is: great, rich, manifold, plenteous, abundant, sure, everlasting, tender, new every morning, high as the heaven, fills the earth, and is God's delight. Is it any wonder then that darling David said, "I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities." Marvelous, marvelous, marvelous, is it not, to be one of God's, "vessels of mercy?"

How often in life have I have cried out to "The God of my mercy, "I'm slipping Lord, 'Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.'" And each time, in mercy, that invisible Hand has reached out and caught me, as Peter of old, just before I sank. When I could no longer stand, all strength was gone, and sinking was inevitable, I found the words of the old gospel song true, "Mercy there was great and grace was free." From that memorial day so many, many years ago, when I prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner," until this present hour, mercy has followed me; and I'm sure it will all the days of my life. 

"Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies. Mercies are never so savoury as when they savour of a Saviour."

(Puritan Saying)

Guilt and the Christian

I'm told a great majority of those in mental institutions are there because of guilt; something they've done in their past they cannot rid themselves of. No Christian should ever have what has come to be known as "a guilt complex." If a Believer had no other text to lean on, Hebrews 9:14 would be more than sufficient to hold him or her up, "How much more shall the blood of Christ...purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." 

Guilt in the saints' lives will be used against them in one of two ways: first, either the devil will constantly bring it up to keep one back from going forward; or, secondly, self-seeking loved ones or friends (intentionally or unintentionally) will regularly mention it in order to hold you down; that they may be in control of your life. One way or the other, you lose all your effective potential for God.

Peter denied the Lord but repented with tears. After that dark experience he never mentioned it again. Yet, after Pentecost, he accuses his brethren of denying the holy and just One. He did not fall for the sick idea he had no right to condemn others for what he himself had done. He lived by the scriptural philosophy, "What God hath cleansed let no man call unclean." He didn't accuse himself or allow anyone else to do so! He was cleansed and forgiven. THAT WAS IT! 

A.W. Tozer mentions that when God cleanses and forgives a man it is as if he had been newly created; like he had never sinned. It is true, as John tells us, the accuser of our souls accuses us to God night and day. But just as true, says old John, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Throne. And, by the way, He has never lost a case!