Territorial Animals

“I said, Not so Lord.” This is the wrong mix. These two ingredients will never blend together. It is either a “Not so,” or “Lord”; but not both. The little cliché is right that says, “If He’s not Lord of all, then He’s not Lord at all.”

Someone said to me once, about their pet, that he was very “territorial.” I looked up the definition. It means, “An assigned area, under the jurisdiction of a ruler.” God has a lot of children who are “territorial.” They like to say to the Lord about areas in their lives, what He said to the sea: “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.”  I might add, we are also guilty of saying such to loved ones and friends.

When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, then God doesn’t own it. Like the loaves, Christ only blesses what is placed into His hands. Jesus did this with His Father all His earthly life. Even unto death, when He uttered with His last breath, “Into thy hands I commit…” From my hand to Thy hand, that’s the only safe deposit!

Getting Rid of Stuff

The word downsize essentially means: to reduce in number or size; to make in a smaller size; to simplify one's life. This is especially painful in the life of the aged, when heart-breaking choices must be made concerning things they’ve always held dear. Nevertheless, some things must go if they’re to move on. Getting rid of assets is a lifelong chore. It doesn’t get easier!

But this is not only true of the elderly, but also in the lives of children, teens, young adults, and those in mid-life. As I said, it’s lifelong. In these various stages of life, we are called upon to “let go” of the toys we cling to so desperately. The Bible refers to it as “stuff.” Many of us have far too much baggage on our journey home. Most of us like addition, in reference to the good in life; but not the subtraction. Ask Job.

Downsizing is a particularly important part of the Christian’s Spiritual life. Getting rid of “spiritual” things can be more agonizing than parting with the material. If we are to “finish our course with joy,” as Paul tells us, we must not even count our lives dear unto ourselves. In that great storm recorded in Acts twenty-seven, the experienced mariners knew what some would deem necessary, had to be cast out.

A lot of us would consider it a wonderful thing to have a money-belt full of gold coins around our waist, that is, until the ship wrecks; then an important decision has to be made.

Let's take time to smell the flowers; they’ll be on top of us soon enough.”

(rds)   

Both Are Great

How many today, both in the Christian and secular world, are striving for greatness, but are going about it in the wrong way.

You'll find the term "He shall be great" twice in Luke chapter one. It is spoken of John the Baptist and Jesus. The question of greatness has to do with whether we are looking through God's eyes or man's. Neither of the two mentioned above were great in the eyes of man, but were in God's eyes. Greatness in God's sight is a result of anyone fulfilling what He placed him upon earth to do.

In Genesis one, referring to the sun, God said that it was, "the greater light". Of the moon, He says, it was "the lesser light." That's found in verse sixteen. But, if you'll notice, before He mentions "greater and lesser," it says, "And God made two great light." Here we find something strange and wonderful. There's a greater and lesser, but God calls them both great.

Dear friend, there are Christians greater in position and authority than us, who are fulfilling the will of God for their lives. Certainly, in comparison, we are lesser, but, if we're fulfilling God's eternal plan in the place where He has put us, though the one is greater, and we, the lesser, God calls both great.

Greatness is in the eyes of the "Beholder."

New Agers Need to Come of Age

And God gave Solomon wisdom...And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

Go into any large secular bookstore and you will find, generally, New Age literature far outnumbers the Christian. Largely filled with eastern oriental mysticism, it is the “in-thing,” among our younger generation of Christian elitists. These “doctrines of devils,” have influenced both the pulpit and pew. The “spiritual,” being mixed with the “SPIRITUAL.”

You can spot these spiritual showoffs by the cliches they use. They tack God’s name to their little diddies, hoping to legitimize them. Its basic teaching is that man himself is a god and has the potential of pulling himself up by his own boot-straps. The only thing wrong with this teaching is that fallen, depraved man doesn’t have any straps on his boots!

Solomon chose to put God’s interests and pleasure above his own, God gave him a wisdom that surpassed all the philosophers, mystics, and worldly wise around him. His was a wisdom superior to all the peoples to the east of him: Mesopotamia, Arabia, and Egypt, who were renowned for their wisdom, knowledge, arts, and science.

I have noticed in my long life and ministry, God’s gem of wisdom does not generally come in a rare setting of gold or silver. More times than not, you will find it glistening from tarnished material.

“ Now there was found in it (the city) a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.”  
(Ecc.(9)  

Jesus and Bible Reading

“And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him?”

(Lk.6 cp. 1Sam.21)

From the above text we find our Lord is interested in Bible reading. And not only in the reading itself, but in how much of it has been read. We see this in His wise rebuke, “Have ye not read so much as this?” Haven’t you read as far as Samuel?, asks He.  

But this is not the only occasion He showed concern for reading the Bible, there are others: “Have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?” (Matt. 12 cp. Num. 28); again, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female.” (Matt. 19 cp. Gen. 1-2); and again, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God.” (Mk. 12 cp. Ex. 3-4); and yet again, “And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.” (Mk. 12 cp. Psl.118). His questions, “Have ye not read,” Genesis, Samuel, Exodus, Psalms, Numbers? Well?

I’m told that in Jesus’ earthly ministry He quoted no less than twenty-four different Old Testament Books. This is where His power lay, in the Written Word. Throughout Scripture we’re told of the power of the Word of God. Our Lord told those of His day, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Like two wings of a bird, they go together.

One writer mentions something I thought interesting. I haven’t checked it out. But if true, as I said, interesting.  When God’s people of old tasted the Manna, and it tasted as “oil,” they were out of His Will. But when the taste was as “honey,” they were right with God.

What does His Word taste like to you?

Cease and Desist

Definition: “A cease and desist letter, also known as "infringement letter" or "demand letter," is a document sent to an individual or business to halt purportedly unlawful activity ("cease") and not take it up again later ("desist"). To put it simply, “Stop what you’re doing now! And don’t start it up again.”

The Bible is full of such orders from God. The Lord told Moses to cease and desist. ”...the LORD said unto me...speak no more unto me of this matter.” This was also the case in the lives of Samuel and Paul. Not only is this true in our prayer life, but also touches every area of daily living; from sin to that which is not harmful in itself, but not good for us.

To be dogged in a thing is commendable, except when God tells us to STOP and discontinue its pursuance. One can know when God wants us to “cease and desist.” Like the merry-go-round, when we always end up where we started. In such cases, to be sure, God’s trying to tell us something. God’s way is always straight, not circular. 

Ask Israel! For forty-years they went in circles. Why? They refused to “cease and desist.”  

Destructive Doctrines

The extremist’s cemetery is always full to overflowing, as they say. They seem to die off early, in their infancy, hardly before they get started. But there is always another simpleton standing in the wings, waiting to take up their dogmatic mantle, to keep their guru’s wild assertions and teachings alive.

The Church, down through history, has had its share of these die-hards. Men who have argued vehemently for their extreme views. Three of these beliefs, taken to the extreme, end-up being “destructive doctrines.” They sap a saint of all his or her inward joy and peace, leaving only a critical spirit.

These three dogmas are: Calvinism, Arminianism, and for the last one-hundred years, Dispensationalism.

The first will leave one fatalistic; the second, humanistic; and the third, academic. Going off the deep end with the one will have you saying, “Whatever will be, will be.” But to follow the second to its extreme bounds is to believe you have a magic wand, and all that is necessary is for you to wave it at your discretion. You know, like Aladdin’s Lamp, just make a wish. The last of these destructive teachings appeals to the head, the intellect. It takes the heart out of Christianity. Like the Modernist of old, it takes a penknife and cuts out large portions of the scripture, in spite of the fact Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”      

“Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”

(Job 31:6)

It Doesn't Add up

I know very little about math. I dropped algebra when I embarrassingly found out “PI” was not the same as my mother's pie. I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide; after that, other than these listed, it’s all just a bunch of jumbled figures. And so I’ll have to borrow the brains of others to make my point.

I am told, I believe it's in geometry, that part which completes a circle is known as the “compliment,” or “completer.” Whether it is a circle that needs very little to complete it, or one that needs a great amount, that part that completes is still known as the “compliment.” What I am desperately attempting to convey to you is the fact that the less of the circle, more of the compliment is needed.

There are many of us who feel we come so miserably short in our Christian lives. But we need to remember, “[We] are complete in Him.”  Truly, He is our Compliment! He can make up in every area of our life where we are incomplete. The less there is of us, the more there will be of Him.

Do we need patience? Then let us pray, “Lord, be my patience this very hour.” Maybe you are lacking in wisdom, strength, peace, contentment, courage, or any number of things. Why not right now pray this simple prayer, “Lord, at this exact moment be thou my ___________. If you will appropriate this by faith, He will complete what you lack.

All the aforementioned doesn’t add-up, unless you put Christ in the equation!

What Could Be Better Than Your Best?

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts...Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not...But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly...But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD [their] God...And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

From this story in 1 Samuel, chapter fifteen, we find, “Our best is not good enough.” God had plainly specified everything was to be destroyed utterly, not just the vile and refuse. When the Lord condemns the whole, we are not to spare a part. When our Sovereign says, “All must go,” we are not at liberty to keep back what we deem exceptions to His rule.

Crucifixion of self is not partial but complete. Any portion of the flesh that is not “nailed down,” I guarantee, will destroy you in the end. You kill it, or it will end up killing you. Interestingly, when David received news that Saul had been killed, and asked who was responsible for his final demise, the young man answered, “I was.”

And just exactly who was this young man in particular? Let his own words answer this question, “I AM AN AMALEKITE!”

Things Sure Have Changed

The early Christians did not get into trouble for saying that Christ was crucified. They got into hot water for saying He was alive. There was little controversy in His death; it was His Resurrection that was debated. His Resurrection is the central theme of every sermon recorded in Acts. No amount of persecution or suffering could stop these common people; no, not even martyrdom. 


True, Christianity died with Christ, and was laid with Him in the tomb; but just as true, when Christ rose from the dead, transfigured, so also did Christianity! It was once again in motion with an even greater zeal than it had possessed before. The world would factually say of Christianity after His Glorious Resurrection, “We never saw it on this fashion.”

Timid lambs were given lion-like hearts; sad and depressed devotees became exceedingly joyful; doubting skeptics were transformed into loyal followers; the hopeless became hopeful; and best of all, the conquered became the conquerors!

“You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”

Sniffing the Perfume

“When thou [wast] little in thine own sight.” It is perfectly legitimate to be a giant for God, if that’s God’s plan for you. But when you see yourself as such, well, that is when the problems arise. This same principle is illustrated in Moses face shining; it was acceptable for others to be aware of it, as long as Moses’ was not conscious of it.

At the zenith of David’s life, when he was king, we are told, “Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who [am] I? This royal soul considered himself a “flea” when attention was placed upon him by others. He stuffed his ears with cotton when the crowds cried out, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” This wise warrior knew the fickleness of people. He was well aware, as his blessed Lord would be in future years, that those who cry “Hosanna” today, may be saying “Crucify Him,” the next.

I heard an old preacher say years ago, “Live fish stay on the bottom, dead ones float to the top.” For those who seem to be riding the crest of popularity now, I might remind you, one goes down faster than he or she went up. And once you hit bottom, and pick yourself up again, you don’t begin where you previously were, but where you are, at the bottom. And the climb back up can take longer than you’d like. So, God’s good advice to all is, “take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently.”

“A compliment is like perfume, it is to be smelled not swallowed.” 

(Bob Jones, Sr.)

Let's Think About Preservation

This article is not written with the idea of trying to convince anyone to embrace my viewpoint. For a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. I realize the truth of the old adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” But I, like the old-timers, know you can give them a little salt and make them thirsty. I hope this essay does just that.

The purpose of The Journal, as most of you know, is to get people to think for themselves, to be independent thinkers, if you please. Paul tells us a man needs to be “fully persuaded in his own mind.” It is not learning something new that is so difficult, but unlearning the old. And so often pride, or position, keeps us from giving up the wrong for the right.

Think about it, all true Bible believers accept the fact God has preserved His Word. The question is, Where? When a young novice preacher asked a seasoned scholar this question, the old gentleman pointed to his book shelf and to a long row of translations, replying, “It’s in them.” But, an inquiring mind would wonder, who then is to decide what is, and what isn’t, the Word of God. If you leave it to individuals, even theologians, they all would come up with different opinions. Thus each would have their own private interpretation, which the Bible condemns. “Interpretations belong to God,” says Joseph. Not the Catholic Church or some evangelical Greek or Hebrew scholar.

God preserved the Living Word in one body, using human means, and He without error. He was not the closest thing to the Living Word of God; He was the authentic, 100%, Living Word of God.  

Therefore, we must ask ourselves the question, “Has God preserved His Written Word in one Book, having no error or any such thing?” Can there be a Book in the world that is its own interpreter, dictionary, and corrector of any human mistakes in the compiling of it (like a computer does)? I personally think so. And as Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book”

God promised to preserve His Words, not just His Word (Psalm 12:6-7). “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” If every Word is not God’s, then whose words are you putting your faith in?
Someone has said, “Inspiration without preservation is irrelevant.” Think about it!

What Am I Here For?

There are times in many of our lives when we ask, in bewilderment, “What am I here for?” Especially during those  intervals when there seems no apparent reason for our existence here.

It’s important during these times to remember, we’re not here for a “what,” but a “who.” That little three-letter word will change one’s whole outlook on life. The “who” may not be visible to you, but you are to them. They need you!

Adam was not created for a “what,” but a “Who,” GOD! Eve was put on earth for a “who,” Adam, not a “what.” Our Creator is not interested so much in “whats,” but He most definitely is in “whos.”

Paul suffered most of his long ministry. He was a weary soul, and had cause to be. He told the Believers at Philippi he longed to depart this life and be with his Lord. But added, “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Those of us closer to His House than ours, and you who know nothing but pain, day-in and day-out, need to realize it is more necessary for us to hang-out here awhile longer than to go home. Someone, someplace, somewhere, needs you.

He's Happy To Do It

A few years back, around five in the morning, I was sitting on the edge of my bed and found I didn’t have the strength to stand. My physical malady, they had recently discovered, left me this way at times. As I sat meditating, a scripture overwhelmed my soul, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” Then it seemed an inner voice said, “You have never allowed me to minister to you.” For the first time in over half a century I acknowledged this was so. Though unconscious, and unintentional, nevertheless it was true.

As Peter, of old, I, also, had ignorantly said, as it were, “Thou shalt never wash my feet,” not realizing that it makes Him happy to do so (John 13:17). With a humility I’ll never know or understand, He still enjoys laying everything aside, condescending, and ministering to my particular need. When this truth gripped my heart I fell to my knees, asking Him to minister to any part or whole of my life, whatever He deemed I needed.

"My Jesus knows just what I need."

The God of the Old Testament

A few years before my conversion, in the mid-fifties, a book came out entitled, “God is a Dirty Bully,” the reference being to the God of the Old Testament. It still was the talk among preachers and the theme of writers, even after my salvation.

But just one scripture from the Almighty’s mouth settles this fallacy, “For I am the LORD, I change not.” He is “The same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Our God is the same God of the two Testaments.

All that the New Testament writers had before then in referencing God was the Old Testament. When they wrote of God’s love, mercy, compassion, grace, longsuffering, etc., it was to the God of the Old Testament they were pointing.

Both Testaments display the “goodness and severity of God.” He’s the God of eternal principles; they don’t fluctuate. The God of Wrath in the Old is also seen there as the God of Love; and the God of Love in the New, as the God of Wrath.

The religious crowd of our day, along with the media, tell us we’re to live according to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Meaning the “Blessed’s” of Matthew chapter six. But what of being cast into“Hell,” in chapter five?

As A.W. Tozer says, “It take two wings to fly.” Many New Testament Christians downplay the Old Testament and the Jew excludes the New Testament. Either way, you’ll never get off the ground. Whenever one says, “It is written,” there needs be a, “Again, it is written!”

The only difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament, is the God of the New Testament has skin on Him~rds

Sooner or Later

Anyone familiar with the history of the Christian Church is aware every age had its devotees who believed their age to be the last. And on the other side of the pendulum, those who believed it was up the road, so to speak, in the distant future. Which is right? Both! We are to live as if our day is the Last Day, but we are to work as if That Day is future.

The truth is, as with most questionable and frictional positions, neither side can take an absolute stand with certainty. So each needs to give their counterpart a little elbow room. For a fact, someday will be the last day; and admittedly it may be sooner than later. But then again, it may be later than sooner.

No matter one’s prophetic outlook, it is clear the PROPHET of all prophets, Christ Jesus, plainly gave the command, to His followers, concerning That Great Day,  “... and [He} said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

There is a danger on both sides of the argument. Those who believe “That Day” is upon us have a tendency to Give Up. And the opposing brethren that believe it is in the distant future, are apt to, Let up!  

Personally, as a dying man clings to life, I am going to fight down to the last breath in my body!

Come and Sit Awhile

I remember my dear old Kentucky Grandma Morrison saying to visiting friends, “Come and sit awhile.” I think it was C.S. Lewis who mentioned in one of his books that there  was nothing any dearer than when two friends would sit around a fireplace and talk.

Sometimes in the dark of night when I think I can’t take any more or go another step, I ask my dear Lord and Friend to come sit awhile with me. I am not a mystic, as such, but in the rocking chair across from me in our dimly lit front room, I sense His still presence.  Josh Groban’s song says it best-

When I am down and, oh, my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

Click here to hear Josh Groban sing

Wore Out From the Ordinary

“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?”

In other words, God says to Jeremiah,  “If you can’t stay up with common everyday soldiers, how do you expect to race with the horses?” And if you get tired of things in ordinary life, when there is no great difficulty, what will you do when you’re overwhelmed? The Lord in our text is showing his man there are greater trials ahead. And if he can’t take the small stuff, what will he do when things really get rough?

The Bible likens life to a race, and who among us will not confess, it’s hard to keep up at times; we seem to be always lagging behind.  But as Elijah of old, if God’s hand is upon us, we can outrun Ahab’s chariot and horses. And like Joshua, when in the path of God’s choosing, we need not fear the swelling of Jordan. God will open a way so we drown not when the overflowing waters cover the banks of our lives.

Young people, life doesn’t get easier as it goes on, but harder. Therefore, when the tough times come we should not ask, “How can I get out of this?” But rather, “What can I get out of this?”

"Q and A" Times

In the life of a Believer there are occasions when God has a Q and A (question and answer) time with us. He doing the questioning and we left to answer. One of the most frequently asked questions, in my life at least, is, “How are things?”  His question along this line is always the same. I’m ashamed to say mine is not. It fluctuates, depending on my circumstances.

The question and answer I refer to is when He asks, “Is it well with thy soul?,” and my answer is not always, “It is well.” Invariably, I answer in the negative whenever I have refused to accept or have forgotten the truth of Romans eight, twenty-eight. “ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

There is no such thing as “bad news” for a child of God in the will of God! No matter what, it works out for our good and God’s glory. So that in the end we say, “He hath done all things well.” Nothing ever takes Him by surprise, He never sleeps, He is always on the job, 24/7. He does things, says the scripture, “according to the good pleasure of His will.” And whatever pleases Him should please us!

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Never Forget: You're Saved

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

When your health is gone and the body is suffering pain; when your grown children, in the far country, seem as though they will never return home again; when you can hardly make it financially from day to day; when Satan has unleashed his hounds of hell on you; when friends and loved ones misunderstand your good intentions; when your beloved nation has sunk lower than Sodom; when your precious spouse has been taken from you; when your church has lost its power; when the enemy comes in like a flood; when there is Spiritual dearth throughout the land; in the midst of all this turmoil, DON’T FORGET-YOU’RE SAVED!

SAVED! SAVED FOREVER! SAVED EVERLASTINGLY! SAVED ETERNALLY! Saved, Safe, and Secure in His Hand. Nothing being able to ever separate you from His love, which is in Christ Jesus. No one thing or person can rob you of your salvation. You cannot lose it! But you can lose the joy of it by looking at and yielding to the outward circumstances around you.

While the media, movies, and mankind in general make light of the Word, I unashamedly testify to this cursed world-

“Glory, I’m saved! Glory, I’m saved!

My sins are all pardoned, my guilt is all gone!

Glory, I’m saved! Glory, I’m saved!

I’m saved by the blood of the Crucified One!”

Our Right As Christians

One of the glorious rights we have as children of God is His round-the-clock GRACE. There is no pleading, agonizing, or begging connected to it. We are plainly told to, “...come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” And who gave us this right? our King Himself. You can boldly claim and expect it!

When the king reached out his sceptre to Esther, she boldly entered his presence with confidence. Jesus, says the writer of Hebrews, is God’s sceptre of righteousness. And He has reached it [Him] out to each of us. Therefore, we may boldly say, “I have a right to your grace! You yourself gave me this right.” God likes such boldness in the name of His Son.

Many years ago, a doctor in London took little sick and hungry urchins off the streets, who were recommended by his friends. He asked one such waif who had recommended him. The lad answered, as he clutched his ragged clothes, “Sir, I thought these would be recommendation enough.”