A MERRY HEART

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance...he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast…A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart…[The] people…[were] glad and merry in heart for the goodness [of] the LORD…”

(Prov. 15:13,15;17:22;Eccl. 9:7; 2 Chr. 7:10)

A gloom and doom spirit, I think, is the poorest of all advertisements for Christianity. Those in such a morbid melancholy state will see only the backs and not the faces of those to whom they recommend it, as they walk away in utter disgust. You can’t sell a product to someone who feels it is inferior to what he already has.

True Biblical cheerfulness originates in the heart. It has nothing to do with what is going on around  us but what is going on inside us! When it is in us, it will invariably radiate out through us. It is a continual feasting, without fear, as we eat and drink at His table. It’s the medicine that heals our soul. It comes from a “God is Good,” attitude.

Nothing can affect both our physical and Spiritual health in a negative way like cheerlessness. On the other hand, there is nothing that can revive both body and soul like a God-given cheerfulness! We might say, cheerfulness is just what the DOCTOR ordered. By the way, He still makes old-fashioned house calls, even late at night!

Paul mentions being of good cheer three time in the midst of the worst of storms. How could this be?

“And now I exhort you to be of good cheer…. For there stood by me this night the angel of God…. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me… Then were they all of good cheer.”

(Acts 27:22,23,25,36)

SACRIFICIAL LOVE

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

(1 Cor.13:3)

If our text teaches us anything, it teaches one can sacrifice without love but cannot truly love without sacrifice (see context).  Costless love is foreign to the Bible. To truly love our fellow man or our God there must first be some type of sacrifice connected with it. In our everyday vernacular, “I love you” has come to be a threadbare cliche; and it is usually said to someone very easy to love. And without any price paid.

At the foot of the Cross, you find the Blood of His sacrifice. Generally speaking you will look in vain for any such evidence in our displays of love. In the Old Testament we’re told two and a half tribes, on the other side of Jordan, built an altar. “Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see...not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice,” (Josh. 22:10,26,28). Bloodless!

It’s recorded that Jesus loved the rich young  man, Lazarus, and those He chastens; but nowhere did He ever actually tell anyone He loved them— He showed it with His sacrificial living and dying. As John tell us in his first epistle, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (3:18) When Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, it was followed by asking him to show it. It was a, SHOW-ME LOVE.

SINK OR SWIM?

"...according to the custom, as the duty of every day required."

(Ezr. 3:4)

An old preacher who used little quips to preach entire sermons, used to say, “Duties never conflict.” Three little words, but what a wealth of wisdom! If we ever needed to heed them, it’s today. After years in a busy ministry, I had to learn this great truth the hard way, as I have most things of importance.

Most of us busy bees have so many irons in the fire that, when it comes time for branding, we don’t even know which one to use. The frustration, anxiety, and confusion we experience, come from the fact, we have too much on our plate. Something can be good and right, but it’s not for us. Most of our burdens are self-imposed.

In God’s plan for each life, He leaves time for us to “smell the flowers.” It is not all work and no play. The Lord never puts on us more than we can carry. It is Satan who overloads us with the extra baggage. God has certain things He has ordained for us to accomplish—certain specific things. "Daily Duties," if you please.To go beyond these is to go beyond the will of God.

In my first pastorate, we went through a dire financial time. I prayed for two years, every day, but things only grew worse. Then the Lord revealed to me that if I would let go of my staff of five, it would solve any and all of the problems. But because of my affection for them (and some pride), I refused and held on. Finally, when I did submit, everything turned for the better. My life, my church, my home, and the lives of my staff, were all blessed.

Things we hold to are fine until they begin to sink us; then we must let go of them if we expect to survive. You know, "Let go, and let God."

ReplyForward

KNOW THINE ENEMY

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

(2Cor. 2:11)

The saying, “Know Thyself”, is attributed to the Greek philosopher Socrates, but how about this one, “Know Thine Enemy”? Paul would have approved, I think, of Victor Hugo’s remarks, “A good general must penetrate the brain of his enemy.” By doing this, the Chinese proverb will be proven out: “Know your enemy: then in one hundred battles you will be victorious one hundred times.” Jesus said if the good man of the house had known more about the thief’s tactics, he’d have been ready and not suffered the setback.

True, much has been attributed to Satan he was not in; but many things he’s the culprit in goes undetected. It is important to know the difference between the two. If it is the latter, we need to say unequivocally, “An enemy hath done this.” The Apostle most certainly could and did, he said on one occasion, “Satan hindered us.”  The devil is a quick-change artist, you might say he has a thousand faces. He can come in sheep’s clothing, as an angel of light, or a minister of righteousness. He’s very religious.

Satan’s many stratagems can be found in the best book ever written on the subject, THE BIBLE!  “It is written,” is the saint’s best defense against him.

“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us; The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.”

(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)

CARDBOARD THINKERS

"Think on these things..."

(Phil. 4:8,b)

I have always been impressed with Samson's mother. Not only was she a spiritual woman, but a profound Christian thinker. When the angel she had previously talked with alone showed himself to both her and her husband a second time, her husband said, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God." To which his wife replied, in essence,"If the Lord was going to kill us, He would not have accepted our offering nor told us all these things". A practical thinker indeed!

Most of you are familiar with the sub-heading on our blog-site. It reads, "Brief, Biblical Essays for Thinking People." My sincere intent is to get saints to think for themselves; it is so liberating and satisfying. Don't accept the norm, simply because it is tradition. Ask yourself questions, such as: "If the wine the saints drank was just grape juice, in Ro.14:21, why all the controversy? If a Fundamentalist woman's modest dress is considered worldly by the Amish standard, what would a first century Christian consider both of them? Does "one" always mean singular? Paul says all the law is fulfilled in one word, then adds six more.

O, beloved, think through things, then work them out. And after that, ask God for the courage to stand on your own two intellectual feet! Don't let the pseudo spiritual know-it-alls intimidate you. Read opposing views, have those in your inner circle who are independent thinkers;  and above all, break free of the cardboard, and think outside the box.

Oswald Chambers writes,"Some have a blatant pride of knowing nothing outside the Bible, which, in all probability, means knowing the inside of it either. Christian thinking is a rare and difficult thing. So many seem unaware that the first great commandment according to our Lord is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy...mind."  

“Had Eve thought things through, I assume, we’d not be in the mess we’re in.”

(rds)

ABIGAIL'S CLAN

“Abigail...was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance...And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from...avenging myself with mine own hand.”

1 Sam.25:31;32-33

Blessed be the man who has a wise Abigail by his side. I had such a companion for fifty-six years. “Abigail's Clan,” as I like to call them, are constantly keeping their man from unwise decisions and the possible tragic actions that could follow. Those men wise enough to listen to their Abigail’s advice become wiser themselves.

The name Abigail means, “My Father’s Joy.” I have found through these many long years it is altogether joyous to be around her breed. One main mark that identifies those who belong to Abigail’s like is the fact they’re always looking out for their man’s interests! That’s first priority with them. Her lifetime goal is guarding his character.

Abigail's are, “The Wind Beneath His Wings.”

https://youtu.be/UnrK97Mx1NA

NO! IT’S NOT TOO LATE.

“Hear this, ye old men...Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten...I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm...and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of [you], and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.”

(Joel 1:2-4;2:23-27)

Such texts as the above were written for our example and instruction, says the Apostle Paul. Most of us have fallen into the world’s philosophy that lost time can never be recovered, that opportunities missed are gone forever; but here is a promise of God that refutes that theory. With God all things are possible- even by-passing time.

If you have missed His plan for your life up to this time, take heart! It’s not too late to begin again. The Bible is a Book of new beginnings, of starting over again. We are told in the last book of God’s Book, that even He begins again. God delights in giving His children a chance to start over. No amount of past failure makes future victory less obtainable.

I’ve  found in my own life and ministry that God has, on many occasions, taken my past failings to qualify me for future success. He knew I needed the humiliation and brokenness of defeat to loosen my tight hold on an independent spirit. Jacob’s life was one humiliating failure after another, each being accompanied by an exaltation, of a kind.

“...before honour is humility.”

(Prov. 18:12)

A GREAT DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PREACHER

“The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel.”

(Ezk. 1:3)

“...preach...the preaching that I bid thee.”

(Jon. 3:2)

Although I do not remember the exact time or place, there was a turning point in my ministry that I will never forget. It revolutionized my preaching, and took a tremendous load off my shoulders. It was the beginning of blessings both for me and those who heard me.

The day of which I am speaking was when I ceased trying to find a sermon, and trusted God to give me a message. The word “sermon” is not found in the Bible, but the word “message” and its equivalent runs throughout its pages.

God’s people deserve “hot bread from Heaven’s oven,” not moldy, dry bread from the ovens of Egypt. How often we preachers are tempted to take the crumbs from another’s plate to feed our people with. When Jesus said, “Feed my sheep,” He did not mean with the leftovers from someone else’s table.

Certainly, we can gather various fruits, vegetables, and food from the marketplace, but it must be we who prepare it. Each meal is to be prepared from God’s recipe Book, and it is He who chooses from the menu what His children are to eat.

I remember a lady once asked my wife Salle what I did all day alone in motel rooms while I was in meetings. Her reply, “He waits on God for the right message.” It says in the Scriptures, “...the word of the Lord came unto him saying…” What a great day it was in my life and ministry when the Word of the Lord came unto me.

By the way, this includes written messages also!

UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES

“...even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood...”

(2 Pet. 3:15-16)

Peter had read all of Paul’s letters that were in circulation at that time. In spite of the latter’s open rebuke of the spokesman of the twelve in the past, he was still “...our beloved brother Paul.” My, my, what grace he displayed, and growth! Thus qualifying him to pen 2 Peter 3:18?

We see in Simon Peter a Spirit-filled servant and leader who was a  greatly used man of God. Yet this seasoned saint tells us he had a difficult time understanding some scriptures (in this case Paul’s). His was not an isolated case; greatly beloved Daniel had the same problem (Dan. 10).

Notice please, unlike some of us, not understanding some things didn’t keep Peter from reading the other things. The opening of the scripture is completely in the Lord’s hands, Lk. 24:32,45. Paul knew this truth. He prayed for the Colossians that they might have spiritual understanding, Col. 1:9.

It should be remembered that we must be ready to receive certain truths. Jesus told his disciples, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now,”  John 16:12. A.W. Tozer said that he would struggle with certain scriptures a week, month, and longer, before they opened up.

The question is not what we do not understand, but what are we doing with that which we do comprehend? Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “It is not what I don’t understand in the Bible that bothers me, but what I do understand.” James tells us it is the doers of the Word who are blessed.

With a problem text, always take the principle it teaches until the Holy Spirit opens it up to you. For example, prophecy— we do not understand many of the texts making reference to this subject, but we do know they all teach He is coming again! That’s the principle. Doing this will take you a long way in your Christian life.

A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”

(Heb. 7:12)

My pastor brought a message some time back that gave me some food for thought. His reference was to Peter’s original call to be a “fisher of men.” He then brought out the fact that, toward the end of Christ’s ministry, He seemed to re-commission Peter. Now, the emphasis is not on a “fisher of men,” but rather, being a “feeder of sheep.”

I wonder how many of we preachers would be willing to take a different direction in our ministries if the Lord so ordered? I shudder when I hear an older preacher say something like, “I’m preaching the same things I preached forty years ago.” If he means by this, the basic cardinal doctrines, I can accept that; but if he means in every particular, I believe the man is found wanting.

After over sixty years of preaching, the Lord has shut me in, putting the focus on writing these daily articles. Looking back, I bless His name for this. I have always tried to be willing to change as He directs. Some might consider this a weakness (the changeableness), but I think of the untold blessings I would have missed had I not followed His leadership.

The writer of Hebrews said the priesthood had been changed, and because of this, there was, of necessity, a change in their ministry. May God help me, along with my preacher brethren who peek into the Journal each day, to be willing to change at the Lord’s bidding, knowing there will come greater opportunity and blessing.

OVER-THE-HILL SAINTS

“...mine age is as nothing before thee.”

(Psa. 39:5)

Generally speaking, whenever someone says about an old person, “They are over-the-hill,” they're rudely saying they’re old and no longer fit, attractive, or capable of doing useful work. Saints such as: Abraham, ninety and nine; Paul the aged; Barzillai, fourscore years old; Anna, in her nineties; Zacharias and Elisabeth, well stricken in years; and a great host of other senior saints recorded in the Holy Writ, obviously wouldn’t agree with the term. Someone forgot to tell them they were too old!

David knew that the “Ancient of Days,” has no problem with old saints, referred to by a number of today's disrespectful Christian youth as “ancient.” Our brief time on earth is nothing to our Eternal God in Heaven. When Bernard Baruch was asked, “When is old?” he replied, “Old age is fifteen years older than I am.” Caleb, at eighty-five, must have believed this; he was still climbing mountains as a octogenarian. I love what Caleb said to Joshua when he was dividing inheritances, “Give me this mountain.”

Someone has said, “It is magnificent to grow old, if one keeps young.” Well, I admit my flesh is old, but I still have a young man living within me, and his spirit doesn’t age. As Victor Hugo said, “Winter is on my head, but spring is in my heart.” A large number of Bible saints achieved their greatest victories in their advanced years. Their last years were their best years! These stalwart saints didn’t spend their last days in a rocking chair, but going forward with God! You know, “Onward Christian Soldiers.” 

“I can no longer soar like an eagle, as I did in my youth; nor can I run without growing weary, as I could in mid-life; but I can walk with my God in my old age, and not faint.”

THE PERFECT PORTRAIT

“And they shall see his face.”

(Rev. 22:4)

The last book of Bible, the last chapter, gives us one of God’s last promises to His servants: we will see His face. Some of us have been waiting a long time for this blessed event; others may have had a lesser amount of time, but with no less a kindred excited spirit of expectation.

His face is what every artist and photographer seeks for their entire life. In His face alone can one see complete perfection. No earthling could ever capture it on canvas or film. To gaze on that face is to see humanity and deity, time and eternity, etched together in His every feature.

When He graced this earth with His presence His face was slapped, spit upon, and buffeted (punched). His face was so marred one could not recognize Him. Those who were the culprits had unbelieving hearts, like us before conversion, thereby making us just as guilty, after the fact.

But now, after He hath sought us and saved us,“HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY!” To be able to look upon that loving, compassionate, forgiving, kind, tender, and understanding face for all eternity, is inexpressible. Oh, for just one glimpse of that dear face will make it worth all life's trials!

“It  would be heaven to me just to look through a hole of heaven’s door to see Christ’s countenance.”

(Samuel Rutherford)

THEY'RE INSEPARABLE

 "...but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 

(1Cor. 10:13)

God doesn't take away the temptation, but rather provides a way to bear up under it. He doesn't take away the one when supplying the other. Joseph's temptress  remained after his escape. And the three Hebrew children were still in the fire although it did not have any effect upon them.

And so it is with such things as peace; turmoil still remains. Just as affliction continues once grace has entered into the picture. And the blahs linger on, even when joy has replaced them. And what warrior has not known the enemy to still fight long after you have won the victory? 

And why does God permit this? Simply because we would never know the one was legitimate if the other were absent. Generally it takes the negative to prove the positive. In such cases you do not deny the reality of the former, but its right to rule. 

Enjoying the blessings of the Christian life is found in one word, "appropriation" (the act of taking for one's own). And it's accomplished by faith! 

(rds)

IT ALL STARTED WITH WORDS

“In the beginning...God said…”

“In the beginning was the Word...”

(Gen. 1:1,3;Jn. 1:1)

As I started through my Bible again in my devotional time, it struck me that God created Adam with a built-in vocabulary. Adam knew all the different terms, those God used in their conversations. Although he had not seen or experienced many of them, evidently he was still familiar with their meanings, for example; eating and death. Up till that moment he had not partaken of the one or seen the other.

Most of us never stop to think how important and powerful words are. Job says, “How forcible are right words,” and Jesus tells us we will be justified or condemned by them, and must give account of them at judgment. The Good Book records death and life proceed from the tongue. The wise man in Proverbs covers the subject of our words in great detail. Thus, we should often read and heed his writings.

God only knows the countless wounds I have inflicted by my words in the lives of others. One of the great agonies of my soul is the realization that the unkind words I have spoken can never  be taken back. Most cutting (unscriptural) words only leave the recipient bleeding, without any ointment of encouragement being poured in, or lovingly bound up. We leave them wounded by the wayside to suffer alone!

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

(Prov. 16:24)

WHAT GOD EXPECTS OF US

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

(MI. 6:8)

“What do you expect from me?” is not a question foreign to most of us, nor is it with a host of God’s elect, especially among the novice and the untaught, when it comes to what God wants and expects of us. Studying the background of our opening text we find it was not abundant sacrifices, but something far above and beyond that God desired, as Samuel told Saul (1Sam. 15:22). Sacrifice can never replace obedience!

Micah tells God’s people the Lord had already shown them the things He looked for in their lives. The Old Testament was, and is, replete with them. To treat every person and situation justly (without partiality); to love mercy, displaying it cheerfully; and to walk with God humbly, with a bowed heart are what satisfies God's desire— not abundant sacrifices. To show Him seems to be the top priority! Not attempting to buy Him off.

Among Francis A. Schaeffer’s writings is one article entitled, “How Then Shall We Live.” Well, our main text tells us. Let’s put on hold for now “The Deeper Life,” “The Overcoming Life,” “The Victorious Life,”; along with their formulas, steps, and secrets, and instead focus in on our text. Without putting it into practice in everyday shoe leather, we are only “Showroom Mannequins."

"You can't be a good person without doing that which God calls good."

Mi. 6:8

(rds)

Where Faithfulness Begins

"Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram...And foundest his heart faithful before thee." 

(Neh. 9:7-8)

Faithfulness does not begin with an outward action, but an inward attitude of the heart. This is where all the issues of life begin. I have noticed in the last few years there has been more and more emphasis, both in sermon and song, on the faithfulness of God. And this is how it should be, but not to the exclusion of the saint's faithfulness. It is possible to call attention to the faithfulness of a good wife while allowing the unfaithful husband to get off scot free. One can come across as spiritual in testifying to God's faithfulness, while at the same time not emulating this Divine attribute.

The wise man tells us there has always been a problem in finding a faithful man. David showed his great concern in his day when he addressed the Lord by saying," Help Lord...for the faithful fail from among the sons of men." It is a shame, and most embarrassing for me to say this, but I know dogs more faithful to their masters than some professing Christians I know are to their Master!

When I pastored, I was frequently asked by some of my members why others in the assembly were blessed above themselves. Well, there are many reasons for this, but one of the greatest is found in the book of wisdom, "A faithful man shall abound with blessings." Paul tells us it is the first requirement for anyone who hopes to be a servant of the Lord. And Jesus says it's also the last requirement, it is to be so unto death. That is, faithful till you take your last breath. It is to this flock He will say at the last, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." 

Let us close with an encouraging word from the Lord to each of you who are found to be faithful, "Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me."

In Christ

The words “In Christ” are distinctively Pauline. The term is used just one other time apart from his writings, and that is in Peter’s first epistle, proving again the old adage, “The exception only proves the rule.” Remember Peter read Paul's writings (2 Peter 3:15-16).

The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian Christian’s that when they believed, the Holy Spirit baptized them into the mystical body of Christ. That is, they were immersed in Him, as in a burial. They were completely covered.

Stop for a moment and think of all the treasures you found when you were put into Christ. Eternal life, joy, peace, contentment, are not even a fraction of the things we discovered, when we were placed “In Christ.” But the surprise of all surprises was in finding one blessing that dwarfed all others, no matter how rich and wonderful they may be.

Not only do we find in scripture that we are “In Christ,” but that “God was in Christ.” Imagine, walking through the door of a plain looking Tabernacle made of skins, and finding the Shekinah Glory of God! O, just think of it; we walked through “The Door” and found God Almighty waiting to fellowship with the likes of us. Hallelujah!