An Open Letter to My Son-in-law

My Beloved Son-in-law

Let me congratulate you on your forty-fifth year as an evangelist, bragging on Jesus, from behind the sacred desk. What a blessing that He chose lepers such as us to tell the good news. We certainly did not take this honor upon ourselves, but being called of God, are so very honored by Him.

Job's statement is so pertinent today: "How little a portion is heard of him." 

June eighth, I myself, began my sixtieth-year of pointing people to the bleeding Lamb. Apart from my salvation, (and I'm sure it's true of you) the day I heard those immortal words, "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men," was the second greatest day of my life.

I read once, "When God has an impossible task to perform, He takes an impossible man and crushes him." How blessed to be crushed under His nail-scarred heel. 

When I think of you and the ministry God has called you to, I'm reminded of a thought I had that I wrote down in the flyleaf of my Bible, "Anywhere, Anytime, Anything, at Any Cost!"

I am praying for a fresh anointing upon you this special day. "But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil."

I close with something I heard an old camp meeting preacher say years ago. "I'll preach till the PREACHER comes."

An Old Disciple,

Dad

The Husband/Wife Relationship

One Roof and Two People

"And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel." Jacob was put out with his favorite wife, and, in this case, justifiably so. Rachel was blaming him for something over which he had no control. Disagreements in the home should not surprise us. As an old preacher, Dr. Bob Jones, used to say, "You can't put two completely different personalities under one roof and not expect conflict from time to time.

As long as the exception does not become the rule, we who still retain the Adamic nature should not be overly concerned. Personally, I've always been suspicious of couples who say they never have any disagreements. I think, in such cases, one of the mates has died without the other realizing it! My wife has a book entitled, Marriage to a Difficult Man: the Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards. I mentioned to her that she should write one and call it, "Married to an Impossible Man"! Jacob's seed has not died out; I'm proof of that.

A few violent storms should not destroy the enjoyment of those long, tranquil seasons between.

I like what my wife tells young brides. "Marriage is like riding a train; there are a lot of "getting off" places. But if you'll ride it through, you'll get to your desired destination.”

My "FATHER" and I

With a plurality of children, it is a wise father who makes each feel like he or she is an only child. Our Heavenly Father does this with every one of His children. In our Father’s House we are told that He “…will give [to him that overcometh] a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

Here is a relationship that is not only unknown, but unknowable. It is a peculiar and individual intimacy with God, which none other can ever know. Therefore, there can be no comparison among siblings, for no one knows, save the person themselves, what transpires between the Father and that individual. You might say it’s a little secret between God and His child.

As a family member I address Him as, “Our Father”; as an individual child, He is “My Father.”

Miniature Pontiffs

Miniature Pontiffs

Martin Luther wrote, “I am not as concerned with the Pope that resides at Rome as the one that lives within me.” Totalitarianism is alive and flourishing in many circles of Christendom today. One expects this of the cults, but not Christians. When it comes to lording it over one another, Jesus tells His followers it should not be so with them.

Far too many are like Martha. We try to control every aspect of the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Such pastors and people know absolutely nothing about the priesthood of all believers. The scripture is clear on this matter. No believer, including a minister, is to ever have supremacy  over another’s faith. FAITH MUST BE FREE!

We need to constantly remind ourselves of the Apostle’s words, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

You Just Wait and See

“And it shall come to pass…And when this cometh to pass…And it came to pass.” The first text is a promise made; the second, a promise anticipated; the third, a promise fulfilled.

Child of God, did the Lord make you a promise in the past? If so, you can have full assurance in your present situation that it will happen. For in the future, your testimony will most certainly be, “And it came to pass.”

Let us take solace in God’s word to Habakkuk. When everything around him was dark, and all seemed impossible, the prophet received this encouragement from God concerning the promise He gave him, “Though it tarry, wait for it; because it shall surely come, it will not tarry.”

It is better to be as low as hell with a promise, than in Paradise without one! (Puritan John Flavel)

In the Sweet Hereafter

“Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”

I am neither a novelty preacher or writer; nevertheless, to get a point across it is sometimes necessary to have a play upon words. When Jesus spoke, in our text, of the hereafter it was in reference to this life, not the next. Thus we find there is a here and an after-here. There becomes here when you drop the “T.” When you arrive there it becomes here to you. I speak of a double-here. Where you’re at and where you are headed. They’re both here in time.

Peter writes of that blessed hereafter, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” Also Daniel could testify to what awaits one in the hereafter, when finally loosed from the lion's mouth, “So this Daniel prospered.”

And what saith darling David about the storms of life; when we have moved from the first here to the second here? “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.”

Our blessed Lord leaves us an example of this truth. After His great temptation we read, “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” O, the sweet hereafter!

The Real Culprit

“Get thee behind me, Satan.” The late Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “If we cannot discern the chief cause of our ills, how can we discern the cure?” Jesus looked past the means to the real culprit.

When we play our blame game, we usually list either the political, social, or cultural conditions for our dilemma. But they are only puppets on strings, controlled by Satan behind the scene.

If we can only see flesh and blood as our adversary, then we will never overcome. We are in a spiritual battle with the Prince of Darkness, who hides in the shadows. Those who have put on the armor of light will recognize him for who he really is.

Lon Chaney, the actor, was known as “the man of a thousand faces," but it was always him behind each one. So it is with Satan.

Throw Your Worries to the Wind

“...the chaff which the wind driveth away.”

Idioms such as “Cast it to the wind,” or “Throw it to the wind,” simply means to discard or dispense with; especially in an abrupt or reckless manner. I believe this is what we’re to do, like the useless chaff, cast our worries to the wind.

When worrisome caution challenges Biblical faith we are to, “Throw caution to the wind.” In this particular setting, personally, I’m cautious of cautious Christian’s. As A.W. Tozer says concerning trust, “We need a reckless abandonment.”  

Sometimes, like Paul when in the storm, we need to cast everything out that hinders, and let come what will! The saints of Hebrews, chapter eleven, cast all their doubts and fears to the wind. God said, “They had a good report card.”

As a missionary friend of mine used to say, “RISK EVERYTHING ON GOD!” Let’s do it beloved, let’s cast everything to the wind. Right now!

You're in the Army Now

“Chosen...to be a soldier.”

(2Tim.2:4)

We hear much today about using diplomacy to avoid war. But diplomatic efforts, when dealing with the world, the flesh, and the devil, are futile. It’s a war from beginning to end, “…and there is no discharge in that war.” A random reading of the writings of the old war-horse, Paul, confirms this. “Fight the good fight of faith...so fight I,” he tells a younger generation. Down to old age the warrior’s last words, before the axe fell, were“I have fought a good fight”

But this battle is a spiritual one. “…we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal). ” Our fight is with “…spiritual wickedness in high places.”  And so the elder exhorts the younger, “…war a good warfare.” He goes on to say, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life.” Christian soldiers can’t fight when all wound-up in this world’s ball of yarn. This is not being “A good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

From all the above texts, one can deduct, Biblical Christianity has no place in its ranks for cowards. As Goliath came out daily to challenge God’s people, so our giants confront us day to day. The victors in this life are those who dare to face the devil’s dares, by boldly telling him as David did, “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.” Then, by faith, hurling at him one small, smooth, scriptural stone. As a line in Martin Luther’s song says:     

“We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo, his doom is sure;

One little word shall fell him.”

(Martin Luther)

Take it Up With the Potter

I was brought up in the thirties and forties in a traditional home. But without traditional values. It was non-Christian. There was love there, but the worlds kind, if you know what I mean. Sin was the accepted norm and as a result left a little boy very insecure, leaving him with no idea who he was and with little, or no, self-esteem.

I started going to movies at the age of seven by myself. It was here I found my escape from reality; I could pretend to be someone I wasn’t, even if it was for a brief time. But soon I found I could take this character outside the theater. I could live another's life. Thus my most enjoyable time of all was play-acting with other kids.

This continued into my teens, then on into the military. Upon my discharge, I went to Los Angeles and entered, what else, dramatic school. Then, in my early twenties, Christ saved me. Finally it was over. NOT BY A LONG SHOT; the battle had just begun. Now it was no longer actors, but preachers I would emulate. O, the agony of not being yourself!

After many years of God chiseling away at the granite house I hid all my insecurities in, the real me came forth; a vessel meet for the Master's use, a chipped, broken piece of pottery, but, nevertheless, one in which the Potter chose to live. With all my faults, failings, and idiosyncrasies, CHRIST LIVETH IN ME! He is so easy to live with. And as a result, I can finally live with myself.

If you have a problem with yourself, or another marred vessel like you, I recommend you take it up with the Potter.

Helpers Along the Way

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”

Is Jesus teaching in the story of these ten cleansed lepers that only one in ten will show gratitude to the one who has been a great help to them, along life's long journey? It seems, from my observation, having lived awhile in this old world, this is probably a fact.

Throughout my life and ministry, I’ve attempted to express my gratitude personally, by phone or letter, to those who helped me up and kept me going when things were rough.

Recently, my earliest mentor, who was also instrumental in my salvation, and who was ninety-four, went to be with the Lord. I was his first preacher-boy and the oldest (82) living. I called him at the rest home he was in a few days before his departure, and we had a good conversation. I let him know how thankful I was for taking all the time with me in the early stage of my Christian life. We had our differences, but that fades when one thinks of the person who was there when you needed them! YOU DON’T WANT TO EVER FORGET THAT!

A dear pastor friend, now in heaven, used to say of a preacher he had helped tremendously when a novice, who wanted nothing to do with him in later years, “He has a short memory.” I am afraid this could be said of far too many saints today. We need to follow Paul’s blessed example in Romans chapter sixteen. He names no less than thirty individuals or groups of people who had been a help to him.

“When gratitude goes a person is shipwrecked.”

(Bob Jones Sr.)

 

Those Lovable Prophets

“The prophets prophesy falsely...and my people love to have it so”

Among God’s prophets there were both forth-tellers and foretellers. Nevertheless, all had one characteristic that distinguished  them; they gave out God’s true message, whether it had to do with the present or future. They were fewer in number than the false prophets, by, let’s say, some four-hundred to one. Whether you liked him or not, he was a man hard to forget, “And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.” The other kind are easy to forget.

Usually, God’s prophets didn’t have much good to say about the conditions of their day. Or as to that matter, God’s people themselves. They have come to be referred to among many, in today’s Christianity, as “Doomsday Preachers.” The false prophets, generally, seem to have been those with a positive message. Their words were pleasant and enticing, in spite of the fact they were all lies. But the people loved their cheerie message, as well as the deceiving prophet. They hated God’s negative messenger. “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”

Jesus Christ was, among His many titles, a prophet of God. So much so that the people of his day were constantly equating Him with one of the prophets of old, Elias, Jeremias, etc. We are told Jesus was hated because of His words. After reading Matthew chapter twenty-three, one can understand why.

There’s still a few rugged prophets of God running around; some call them, “Revivalists.” If you happen to know one, bow your head and thank God for him. For you are literally seeing, “The Last of the Breed.”

God’s prophet’s Sword is not single-edged, but double edged.

One side cuts, the other heals.

(rds)

Looking in All the Wrong Places

“And the man of God said, Where fell it?”

I heard an amusing story years ago. It seems, a fella had lost something small, but valuable. As he was feverishly seeking the item under the streetlight, a passer-by stopped and inquired what he was doing. After being told, he offered his help, asking the specific area in which the man thought he had lost the article. To which he replied, “Across the street.”

The inquirer then asked why he wasn’t searching there? The bewildered man said, “There is more light over here.”

We laugh but how many of us have lost something we hold dear and are looking in all the wrong places? I realize this is a simplistic statement, but generally you’ll  find what you lost where you lost it. Thus the man of God, in our text, says “Where fell it?” Many, I have found, like to look in the more convenient places; but if we’re to find our lost valuable, a lot of us are going to have to get down into the weeds and search!

“He that seeketh findeth.” But not if you’re looking in all the wrong places.

Staying Sharp Till the End

“If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength.”

Andrew A. Bonar writes, .“Very few ministers (as well as Christians in general) keep up to the end the edge that was on their spirit at the first.”

How many there are, like the man in the book of Kings, have lost their ax-head some time ago. No longer do the chips fly and trees fall in their lives and ministries; now there is only a going through the motions. And that wears one down quickly.

Again the blessed old sage pens a warning to us all who name the name of Christ, “See that your last days are your best days-not like David, of some of whose descendants it was said in praise, “they walked in the first ways of their father David.”

“Paul the aged,” when shut-in and shut-up in prison wrote, “Onisimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.” The old warhorse was a good example of what David wrote in Psalms, “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.”

The evangelist Gypsy Smith was asked when he turned eighty if he was going to retire, to which he answered, “Shucks no, I’m going to re-fire!”

Harboring Hatred

In the Old Testament, we find a vicious enemy who was trying to destroy God’s people. We are told it was “for the old hatred.” It’s recorded that these same people had “a despiteful heart,” which is always characteristic of this sort of person.

What is the cause of such a perpetual hatred? Simple, they allowed an “old hurt” to fester until it became “an old hatred.” Old grudges must be vented sooner or later. Like a volcanic mountain that has lain dormant for years, once it erupts and spews its hot lava, it can be destructive even to itself.

I’ve seen people whose grudges became their graves.

(rds)

Grace and Pain

“They gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains.”

Contrary to what many Christians believe, peace is not the absence of fear; joy, the absence of sorrow; victory, the absence of battle; nor grace, the absence of its opposite. If one did not have the latter running along side of the former, how would you know you really possessed the better of the two?

This is true with grace and pain. Grace doesn’t take away the pain. Grace is not the absence from pain, but an addition to it. GRACE IS AN ADDITIVE. It’s the crutch or wheelchair that enable us to, “keep-on-keeping-on!” It doesn’t take away the limp or paralysis. God didn’t take away Paul's painful thorn, He gave him something to keep him going.

I have always found it difficult to be patient when in pain, but I’m learning. It seems pain brings out the best and worst in people. Some, like in our text above, blaspheme His name, others bless His name. I want to be among the latter. When God permits pain in our lives, each of us has one of two choices: to KISS the Son; or curse the Creator.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes...neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Do You Know What You Believe?

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils...Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

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

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

“The devil loves Christians who pride themselves in saying they believe the Bible is Word of God, but who know nothing of its contents.”

(rds)

Dogs, Hogs, and Apostates

“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

2 Peter 2:22

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

Matt. 7:6

The best definition of an apostate I’ve heard was given by Dr. Bob Jones. Years ago, I heard him say, “An apostate is one who has heard the truth, embraced the truth, then rejected the truth.” It’s not that they got it and lost it; they never got it in the first place.

The book of Hebrews is all about this, people who had: “received the knowledge of the truth;” “tasted the good Word of God”; been “enlightened” and “illuminated”; but had “gone back;” and now, “consider the blood unholy;” they “despise the Spirit of grace;” and, “sold their birthright.”

Notice in Peter’s account of apostates the male is likened to a dog going back to his vomit and the female as a sow, who, onced washed, returned to wallowing in the filthy mire again. The key word is, “turned.” It’s willfully, consciously, decisively, and adamantly, going back to what you were.

In our second text, Jesus tells us not to give holy things to these “dogs” and “hogs.” Nor should we lay precious things (pearls) before them. Why? Because, says our Lord, they’ll only trample these holy, precious things, under their feet and turn against you again.

Harsh words? Yes, but I didn’t say them!

A Motherless Child

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you” (Isa.66:13). Not as a precious, protective father does, but as a tender, affectionate, and compassionate mother. Someone has said, “A mother’s love for her infant child could possibly be the strongest of all natural loves.”

I remember going through a great trial in my early ministry. At the time, it seemed as though I would never preach again. I was so burdened that I got in my car and just drove around. After awhile, I found myself sitting in front of the house where my mother lived. When I went into the apartment where she lived alone, I sat next to her on the couch. It was then that I broke down and cried like a baby. Not knowing any of the circumstances, she simply put her arm around me, and as I laid my head on her bosom, she whispered gently, as she had done so many times when I was a boy, “Everything’s going to be alright, Son.” And so it was. I left there feeling I could conquer the world.

That blessed day was years ago. My ninety-four year old, sainted mother is now with Him whom she loved and adored. But this has not left me motherless, for I have One who still comforts me as a mother does her child. He puts His Divine arms around me, lays my head next to His heart, and I hear Him say in a still, small voice, “It’s alright, Son; everything is going to be alright.” And it always is.

The Fatherhood of God guarantees me that I’ll never be motherless.
(rds)

Two Questions on Prayer

After almost a lifetime of preaching, reading, and hearing sermons on God answering “big” prayers, I believe it boils down to just two simple questions. I mean simple to ask, most certainly not to answer. If the answer to both is in the positive, then there will be a tremendous cost to be paid on the petitioner’s part. A price more than most want to pay! This is why one needs to sit down first and count the cost.

My first inquiry is this, “Do you honestly, from your heart, hunger, thirst, and long to see God do great and mighty things on your behalf, for His glory and Kingdom?” Large prayers answered, akin to those of Bible saints? Those recorded answers to prayer that cause our hearts to leap and burn within us, as we read them? As one remembers they were written for us, for our learning and example.

The second query is not as easily answered. It is cause for much deep thought; it should not be responded to with an impulsive spirit. There is to be much soul searching before a “Yeah” falls form one’s lips. My question is, “HOW LONG ARE YOU WILLING TO WAIT?” It may be years of long, agonizing waiting. And during such times all you can do is cling to such promises as, “Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

God’s Word tells us, “They shall not be ashamed that wait for me.” There were no blushing faces among the likes of such saints as Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joshua and Caleb, along with a host of others who waited long periods of time before seeing the evidence of their faith fulfilled. Nor will you, my beloved, who have risked everything on God. He always comes through for those who are willing be last in line, waiting patiently!