Now and Then

AM I ANY DIFFERENT?

I have thought during this time of grievance, other good and godly men have lost wives, am I any different? The answer I come up with is an emphatic, YES! Other men were not blessed or privileged to be married to this rare gem. When I would be courting her, which went on for some 56 years, I would sing in the car to her the popular song of a few years past, “You’re just too good to be true.” If I told you of all her exceptional attributes, I doubt most would believe them. To mention just one, in all our years of married life she never ever said no to me, on any occasion. See, I told you.

IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS NOW SINCE SALLE’S HOMEGOING

During the past fourteen days I have passed through some difficult as well as blessed times. Some of the descriptive words would be: sad-elated; regret-rejoicing;  fearfulness-boldness; doubt-assurance; longing- contentment; hopelessness-cheerfulness; turmoil-peace. One of the things I have always appreciated about Oswald Chambers’ writings, as well as C.S. Lewis, is that they do not attempt to de-humanize the Christian life. Paul told us not to grieve as others, who have no hope. But he did not say not to grieve.

THE FIRST MEMORIAL SERVICE

This Saturday the 26th, at 1:00 p.m. will be the first of two memorial services held for my dear wife. It will be at our home church here in Lodi, California, Temple Baptist. The second in Middletown, Ohio. It will be at Grace Baptist, on Thursday the 5th of October (her birthday), a 6:30 p.m. Please pray for both services. As my daughter Leah said, “We want a sweet, Spirit-filled time.” I am not up on technical terms but think they are going to try to stream it live, for those who cannot attend, athough we do look for a great number of out-of-towners.

SOME HAVE ASK ABOUT OUR WRITING MINISTRY

Soon we will be back in the saddle, so to speak. In recent weeks we have been sending older Journals. But we will be back to those fresh off the press in a week or so, Lord willing. The saying is, Jack of all trades, master of one.” Well, Salle was master of all she put her hand to, one of which was proofreading my articles. As A.W. Tozer, I only attended the ninth grade, but unlike him I am not a wordsmith. I am in the process now of finding someone to pick up Salle’s duties in this area. It is a kind of a on-call-now, type of ministry. That is, as I do them the proofreading needs immediate attention.

MY HEALTH

I have several upcoming tests at the V.A. the next couple of months. Enlarged aortic aneurysm, endoscopy for bleeding stomach, cat-scan to check some things going on around my heart, and liver problems. Other than these, I’m as healthy as a sick horse. My son Andrew along with his wife Sharon, take real good care of this old disciple. Sharon was previously a nurse. Does not God look ahead for us?

Blessed Words, “And it came to pass.”

Brother Sandlin

Bitter Sweet

"Thy heart is not right in the sight of God…For I perceive thou art in the gall of bitterness.”

The context of our scripture is is built around the person of the Holy Spirit. One similitude the Bible gives to the Holy Spirit is that of a dove. I am told that of all God’s fowl creation, it is the only one without a gallbladder, that is, the place where bitterness is stored. Harboring bitterness is not only hurtful to one's self, Hebrews tells us, "...lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." Not only does this deep rooted sin affect you but those around you.

It is virtually impossible to be filled with the Holy Ghost and be full of bitterness at the same time. Amy Carmichael writes, "For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted."  As James tells us in his little Epistle, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”  You’ll remember it was when Moses put a tree into the bitter waters of Marah that they became sweet. Only the Cross can cure this cancerous curse.

The acid test for bitterness, I find, is if when a particular person's name is mentioned, there is a sick feeling in the heart. If so, it is pretty safe to say one's heart is filled with vinegar, so to speak. As a preacher friend told me once, "You're servant to the one you're bitter toward." They dominate most all your waking hours...thought, talk, etc.

Ezekiel mentions an "old hatred," let us each judge our hearts and make sure no old grudges are festering there.

Ripe For the Pickin

Some of the definitions the dictionary gives for the word ripe are: ready to harvest; sufficient age; fully developed; mature; seasoned; mellow. As we grow older in the Lord these synonyms ought to characterize our lives.

Billy Graham’s third daughter, Ruth, has written a book entitled, Things I Learned from My Father. In describing the change the years have brought to his life she writes, “I am much more warmed by the embers than I ever was by the fire.” She goes on to quote what her father’s pastor used to say to him on various occasions, “Billy, the older you get the more like yourself you become.”

When I was just a young convert and dismayed with my spiritual development, my brother-in-law gave me some great words of encouragement. He said, “I’m not what I wanna be; I’m not what I oughta be; I’m not what I’m gonna be; but, thank God, I’m more than I used to be!”

I don’t know about you, but when God calls me home, I want to be ripe for the pickin.

No, Never Alone

“Every man…shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me”. Someone has said, “Loneliness is the result of the absence of personal intimacy.” No child of God should ever think of himself or herself as being alone. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Whether you are a widower, single, divorcee, shut-in, or aged, you have an unseen companion with you always. You may be by yourself, but you’re not alone. God is good company!

Jesus left us an example, when, in His darkest hour of loneliness; He confessed His unshakable confidence in His Father’s abiding presence. Some have difficulty appropriating Hebrews 13:5, feeling the promise is only for Jewish believers. They feel as though they are opening someone else’s mail, not addressed to them. But the Gentile believers at Galatia are reminded, “If you belong to Christ, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to promise.”

Therefore, our text in Hebrews becomes one of God’s greatest therapeutic agents for lonely saints everywhere, no matter what their ethnic background!     

Hibernation Time is Over

To All My Beloved Friends in Christ Jesus,

I want to thank each of you for allowing me to mourn the death of my beloved, this past week. Tomorrow, Tuesday, at 1:32 p.m. (actual time, not official) my darling went to be with her DARLING exactly one week ago! Unknown to anyone, even my children, I had set aside one week for grieving the greatest loss of my life. We both had previously discussed the surviving one doing this, long before her cancer. Then, we agreed, to take a nice long trip in the car to a place, or places of our choosing. After this, to get up and go again, living out the rest of our days, as in the past, to the Glory of God. The time I've chosen will be when I travel to Ohio for her memorial service. I will take my time returning home to California enjoying some sights, as we used to do together.

Tomorrow, the 14th of August, she will be buried at Sunset View Cemetery, in Jackson, CA. The reason for the delay is because they had to order the casket, since we live in a very small western town. Some years ago we decided, together, we would not have funerals, but memorials, never realizing, that in her case, we would not, and could not show, the Temple of God that the cancer had so destroyed. To put it bluntly, it was skin covering bone. None would want to have seen her this way. 

My Son Andrew informs me after the memorial services at our home church in Lodi, CA family members will visit her grave site.

As to my future plans, they remain the same as they have always been for sixty years, MY PLAN IS WHATEVER HE PLANS! After much prayer and thought these last seven days I am assured that the Lord would have me put all ​effort into my writings, maybe a book or two. Concerning going back out into the work, my preaching days are ended, with the exception of an occasional speaking engagement. Paul did his greatest work in giving us his writings, and they outlasted his preaching, by far.

Please pray for me these next few months. I have some extensive medical tests coming up. I was not able to take care of myself the way I had in the past these last ten months, and it has taken its toll. But I would not have had it any other way!

Ask God to give me a fresh anointing for my articles, as well as discernment on what each of you need.

As of tomorrow 1:32 p.m. (West Coast time), I am available for whatever you need. My life is HIS and yours.

An Old Disciple,

Brother Sandlin, or Richard (I like the former)  

Matt.17:8

Addendum: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever...Psa, 30:11-12 

The days of thy mourning shall be ended...Isa. 60:20  

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified...Isa. 61:3.  

Glorifying God

The man Christ Jesus spent the whole of His earthly life (brief but full) glorifying God. But glorifying God to Him meant it would be at His own personal expense. I’m sure it never crossed His mind it could be done without paying a dear price.

And He never shirked from anteing up, though it ultimately cost Him everything. He emptied Himself that God might be glorified. Truly He was the fulfillment of the drink offering of the Old Testament, pouring Himself out to Jehovah. There was not a drop left that wasn’t offered up to God. “He… poured out His soul unto death.”

The greatest prayer a saint will ever pray is, “God glorify thyself, and do it at my expense.” But before you do, sit down first and count the cost.

To glorify God is to make Him look good!

Geography or Jesus

Down through history, both in sermon and song, Heaven seems to have been made the goal for the Christian. It has been placed first on his list of desires, even above Jesus. We are told that we should long for Heaven. But what if it were (and it shall be) reversed, and Jesus were reigning on earth? Would we feel the same? The truth is, it’s not geography, it’s Jesus.

When Christ returns to this earth again, we are told that He empties out Heaven of all the redeemed. Paul didn’t long for Heaven; he longed for Him. Listen to his testimony, “I have a desire to depart and be with Christ.” Again: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” His emphasis is not on a place, but a Person.

Even our Lord directs our attention to Himself, not on Heaven: “I go to prepare a place for you...that where I am, there ye may be also.” His Priestly prayer was, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am...”WHEREVER JESUS IS,TIS HEAVEN!"

Without the Lord Jesus, the Heavenly City, with its mansions, streets of gold, and fine linen clothing, would be like the earth is now....simply a materialistic place.

(rds)  

The Power of Praise

“...to triumph in thy praise.”

Commentators have little or nothing to say on this excerpt from our text. Those who do have a comment, vary in their interpretation of it. The word praise itself, in its various forms, is found some 314 times in scripture. It is one of the most powerful and poignant words in the Bible.

Rather than concern ourselves with, “What meaneth this?” in reference to this verse, we will first, as we should with all the holy writ, emphasize, “What saith the scripture.”  And that is plain; we are triumphant when we praise our God.

Victorious Christians are praising Christians. To cease from the latter is to bring instant defeat to the former. When David was praising God we are told he was leaping over walls. But on that dark night, standing on his veranda, when praise ceased to come from his lips, he experienced the greatest setback of his life.

We are to always be praising God. But Paul tells us in the New Testament there is a particular time when it becomes special, and that is when we, “...offer the sacrifice of praise to God.”  May each of us follow darling David’s example, “Neither will I offer...offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.

Praise has much more worth when it costs us!

(rds)

Those In-Between Times

The reason so many get hung-up in the book of Acts is because they do not realize (or accept) the fact, that it is a transitional book. It moves us, as it were, from the Gospels into the Epistles, from the earthly into the heavenlies. And just like moving from one house to another, it can be a little bewildering and unsettling during the interval between.

So it is with those in-between times in our lives, when God is transferring us from one phase of life to another. It is not too awfully difficult getting adjusted to a new stage in life, from that of the previous period; it’s the time in-between that can be very problematic. Most of us can take the “from” and the “to”; it is the link connecting the two that tries us most. Its the crossing Jordan, if you please, that’s so challenging. Getting from the one place to the other is one thing. but right in the middle...?

During a transitional time you are letting go of some old things, and acquiring new ones. The difficulty lies in the fact the new has not been proved like the old. There is an element of faith with the one that necessitates us leaving our old comfort zone. None of us like our nest being stirred up. New endeavors take a new, fresh faith, and we are creatures who like to live on the “old manna” of the wilderness, rather than to take the step of faith required to enjoy the “fresh fruits” of Canaan’s Eschol. You can’t get from where you are to where God wants you to be without faith. Faith is the thing that connects the two. It’s the thing in-between.

“It is not the leaving and arriving, it’s the journey between that can be so taxing.”

(rds)

The Lamb in the Lions Mouth

When questioned by Saul on his ability to meet Goliath in warfare, David told him of two incidents that happened while he was watching his father’s flock. One of which was when a lion had come among the sheep, and had taken one of the lambs in his mouth, and David had caught him by the beard and slain him.

We hear and read much about this story, highlighting David, Saul, and Goliath. But to my knowledge, I find no place where anyone has given mention of the little lamb taken captive by the lion. How do you think he felt? Taken away from his secure place, his little heart beats like a drum, and then feels those sharp-edged teeth sinking through that wooly coat to his flesh. Ah, but then, all of a sudden, his shepherd shows up, there’s a sudden jerk, and he’s free. He stands there, defenseless, as he observes his defender kill his arch-enemy.

Thank God for that blessed One who is greater than David, our heavenly Shepherd, who delivers us poor, weak, defenseless lambs, from the greatest of all our enemies—Satan himself. Is not our testimony the same as that of Paul? “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Inept Interpreters

“And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”.

(Jud. 6:13)

GIDEON’S PROBLEM IS OUR PROBLEM

Gideon interpreted the Word of God by his own personal experience. That is, he interpreted the Bible in light of present circumstances. To do this can cause a person to question or worse bring about a collapse to one's faith in the Holy Scriptures.

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

You never want to interpret God’s dealings with you in the dark. You interpret them in the light. Interpretations require clarity of sight. The “MAN” Christ Jesus (and I emphasize, MAN), left us an example. When on the cross and darkness engulfed the earth He cried, “Why hast thou forsaken me?

HOW TO MISINTERPRET GOD’S DEALINGS

If you go by feelings, your situation, or carnal reasoning you’ll misinterpret what God is doing every time. When you are pressed out of measure, above strength, when you are maxed out, so to speak, do not, I say, do not, interpret it as God’s frown.

ALWAYS GO BY THE X-RAY OF GOD’S WORD-NOT EMOTIONS

Fact: all things are working for your good. Fact: nothing can separate you from God’s love. Fact: what He is doing now you’ll understand later. Fact, He does everything well. Fact, your latter end will be blessed more than the beginning. Fact: you will bear more of a Christ-like image than ever before!

Stored Up Manna

To say God’s people were not allowed to store up more than their daily portion of Manna, least it breed worms, is only partially true. They were permitted to gather a double amount on the sixth day to be kept in store for the seventh. The purpose being that God’s will and plan be carried out in their lives on that day.

I believe there is a great principle to be found in this story. The traditionalist and legalist have difficulty breaking a set pattern, even if God authorizes it. David eating the shewbread, which was not “lawful” for him to eat would be frowned upon by these carnivorous watch-dogs, no matter how great the need or scriptural proof.

Many of God’s dear children have hidden His Word, as David and Mary, in their hearts. This “stored up Manna” sometimes takes them through a day when God’s exception supersedes His rule. Running late for an early flight, caring all night for a sick loved one, evacuating your family in a sudden storm, and a host of other unforeseen circumstances.

O, dear saint of God, never fear those exceptional times, knowing more often than not, the Lord has ordained them. During these occasions, you will live off the stored up Manna. There will always be food in your pantry if you store some back in the Ark of your heart.

“I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.”

(Psa. 119:96)

Tired of the Towel

We are told, “He [Jesus] took a towel, and girded Himself…and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel.” Who would ever have believed the Deity that laid the foundation of the world would humble Himself to wash the feet of men such  as these. We’re told it was done that He might leave us an example. An example, I say, of not the lesser, but the greater and more spiritual offering Himself in menial service. “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

To be sure, we are “puffed-up” when we despair of a humble ministry. And when this happens, we can be confident the glory has departed. Greatness leaves when haughtiness enters. Christlikeness is when we perform tasks that do not cry or lift up their voice in the streets, that need no trumpet to announce their achievements. Whenever we become tired of the towel we can know we have lost our Christ-like dignity.

I encourage each true servant of Christ who is becoming “weary in well doing,” to keep on keeping on. DON’T THROW IN THE TOWEL!

Living For Christ in Today's World

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth…for the earth is filled with violence through them...the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth”

(Gen.6:5, 11-13;8:21

IS IT POSSIBLE?

As incredible as it may seem, it is possible to live for God in times of universal debauchery and depravity. The Bible records, for our learning and example, two men who lived during such an age, of whom it says, “Walked with God” The duet of Enoch and Noah.

LIVING FOR CHRIST IN A CHRISTLESS WORLD

The weak excuse of professing Christians of our day, “It is just too hard to live for God in times like these,” won’t hold up. Especially after you talk for a while to those three guys in the fire; and that one loner, surrounded by hungry lions; also, there is the likes of Joseph, Esther, and Jeremiah. And many more who lived “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.” We’re told, “That [they were] blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,”  That they shone as lights in the dark world in which they lived. (Phil. 2:15)

LIVING AMONG THOSE WITH THE DEADLY PLAQUE

God gave me a thought some years ago. I now share it with you. “Separation is not isolation. It is insulation without contamination.” Therefore, we need to keep constant check on our garment of personal righteousness, lest there be a tear in it. No matter how small, we’re doomed if it is not mended immediately!

Playing God

It is not just the children who like to play-act; we adults enjoy performing also. One of the characters we take pleasure in imitating is...God. How we relish putting on God’s garb, then playing His part in other people’s lives. Oswald Chambers calls such a person a, “Amateur Providence.”

Peter is a good example of playing a “miniature God”. We all are familiar with the scene where Jesus told His disciples He was going to suffer and die, then raise again, this being God’s will for His life. And how did Peter respond to this truth? “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

Here we learn a stark truth. Whenever we attempt to shield loved ones from the cross God has placed in their lives, Jesus says, “thou savourest not the things that are of God, but those that be of men.” To be blunt, our Lord tells us, doing so is to be satanically inspired. Let us not be spiritual thieves, robbing loved ones of “the fellowship of His sufferings.”

“You take from me a life I cannot keep, you bestow upon me a life you cannot  take.”

(an early Christian martyr)   

Thankless Duties

“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

The apostle Paul, in his epistles, did not overly concern himself with, “What meaneth this,” but rather, “What saith the scriptures?” And so will we in this article. The greatest authority that ever graced this earth said you do not thank someone for doing their duty. Why? Because it’s their duty!

Don’t misunderstand me, gratitude is always in style. Showing appreciation for one's service is commendable, but still it is required and expected.

It is not the tithe, it is the freewill offerings. It is not the first mile that counts with God, but the second. And it is only when you feel the sting of pain on the opposite cheek that you know duty has ended and something of a different nature has begun.

It is not until duty has been fulfilled and a voluntary sacrifice has entered that Divine recognition looks your way. The Lord’s, “Well Done, thou good and faithful servant,”  goes to those who exceeded their expectations. Those who have gone over and beyond their call to duty.

“Behind all true loving sacrifice there was first a duty fulfilled.”

(rds)

In Defence of Common Sense

I came from Kentucky stock that traces its linage back to Ireland. One of the good things passed down to the common Kentuckian from their forefathers is common sense. One of the bad things is Irish whiskey. As one Irishman said, “God allowed whiskey to be invented to keep the Irish from ruling the world.”

Education  has nothing to do with common sense. There’s a lot of educated fools running around today. For the most part, the world’s elite intelligentsia look down on the those who possess common sense. Their practical approach to life is a threat to the other’s manufactured and complicated way of life. As my Mom used to say about such, “They don’t have sense enough to come in out of the rain.”

What is the book of Proverbs other than inspired common sense? A book, I might add, that was penned by a wise man. Common sense always makes sense, it is easily understood. From the human side, common sense is one of the key tools in understanding truth. Generally speaking, those who display practical everyday common sense think deeply about the things that matter in life.

One with common sense doesn’t know all things, but he or she knows the important things of life. Like the educated Professor passing through a country town who asked a farmer if he knew the direction to a nearby city. The latter answered, “Nope, I don’t know.” To which the former replied, “You don’t know much, do you? The farmer answered, “I know I ain’t lost.”

“The ‘common people heard Him gladly,’ because He approached life in a common sense way.” (rds)

  

The Problematic Lamb

“Behold the Lamb of God…”

SQUEAMISH SAINTS

I offer a warning to all those professing Christians who are shallow thinkers and light hearted in their knowledge of the scriptures. This article is not for you. It can be very upsetting and unnerving for such fickle followers of Christ.

THE LAMB THE WORLD AND RELIGION GENERALLY ACCEPT

The worldling and carnal Christian have no problem with Mary’s little Lamb in the manger. It is the Lamb on the Throne, with a heart of a Lion, who creates a complication for them. Not the child Jesus, but the Man Christ Jesus is the one who becomes problematic. This is why Satan attempted on every hand to destroy Him in His infancy. The devil knew, unlike the world, what He would grow into. A REAL PROBLEM!

THE HIGH COST OF DISOBEYING AND OBEYING GOD

It was a rejection of the lamb that brought about all the deaths of the firstborn in Egypt, including children. Hundreds of years later, it was God’s Lamb who caused Herod to kill all the male children, two and younger. But it the wise men, who obeyed God, that provoked the king to do this. Was Satan trying to get even for the Passover Lamb and the death of the pagans’ children in Exodus?

THE LAMB AND THE FAMILY

God’s Lamb told the people of His Day, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Then He proceeds to tell them He will be the cause of division in their families (Matt. 10:34-38). It was a lamb that caused hatred and death in the first family. You know, Cain and Abel. IT WAS ALL ABOUT A LAMB! (1 Jn. 3:12)

A NOTE FOR ALL WHO WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD’S LAMB

“And  [they]said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us (suffocation) , and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:16-17)