Silence Can Be Bliss

The four hundred year interval between the two testaments is known as, “The Silent Years.” Some have called it, “The Dark Period.” The reason being, there was neither prophet nor inspired writer during this time. Undoubtedly, God’s people quoted this sad Psalm which seems to be applicable to them during this long night in human history, “We see not our signs; there is no more any prophet; neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.”

But silence does not mean God is sleeping; for He neither sleeps, nor slumbers. What it does denote, more times than one, is that He is getting ready to do something spectacular. In Israel’s case, it was the first coming of Christ; in our situation, it could mean His Second Coming to earth again. One way or the other, a great event may soon be in store for His elect. To be sure, sooner or later, God always breaks His silence.

But this fact is not only true collectively, but individually. When there are long seasons in our lives and ministries when it seems nothing is happening, and the heavens are quiet, it is then that the Lord breaks through and pours out His abundant blessings upon us. And so, we see, silence can be bliss.

May each of us, during this muted time in our lives pray Isaiah’ prayer, “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down…."

Misjudgement

You can judge the manner in which a person does something, but not their motive. Joseph’s manner in speaking to his brothers was, “roughly,” which was apparent to all; but his inward motive was to bring them to repentance. After this was accomplished we’re told he “...spake kindly unto them.” If you had judged him too quickly, you would have found to your own embarrassment, you were wrong in your assessment of this good man. 

It is difficult to be misjudged, to be condemned, especially by loved ones and friends, as Paul was; while trying to do ones best. Paul experienced this injustice by the pharisaical Corinthian believers. Interestingly, in his case, those doing the judging were immoral, divisive, and immature. This is definitely one of those times when the pot is calling the kettle black.

But Paul said he had little or no concern for their censorship of him. He considered it a trifle. The reason being, he knew he could not even judge himself without being biased. Thus, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.” Therefore he would leave the judging of his motives to God. It was of little consequence to Paul what estimate even he placed on himself.

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ~Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ

When the Colors Run Together

What does one do when the colors of life seem to run together; when doctrines and  you’ve held for a life-time appear to have lost their distinction? Like John the Baptist, you become uncertain of what you have always held as being certain? When your dogmatism, if you please, ends up in the doghouse?

Well, I’ll tell you what I do at such times; I immediately come back to my foundation. This “Sure Foundation” is the only thing in my life I am truly sure of. When the top floors of my life begin to sway, I hurry back down that long flight of stairs to my settled, solid, and unmovable foundation. It is here I get my sure footing once again.

My dear friends, build your life as high as you’re capable; but remember the Foundation upon which you have built it. Forgetting will only bring everything we’ve built down in shambles, so that we might be reminded of Him who is the True Foundation of our life and ministry.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (I Cor.3:11)

The Sheep's Nature

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” It’s a sheep’s nature to stray. If any so-called deeper life Christian tells you otherwise mark it down, you’re listening to a shallow person. An old preacher friend of mine used to say of this sort, “They’re not deep, they’re just muddy.”

The song that says, “Coming home…never more to roam,” may be a good sentiment, but it’s not scriptural. The Christian life from start to finish is a process of returning. We may not show external signs of going away from the Lord, but God knows we do in our hearts. Speaking of His elect in the book of Isaiah, He says, “[They] have removed their heart far from me.” We all have prodigal hearts.

Daily, God has to call unto us, "Return unto me…" It’s a wonderful thing to return home from a hog pen and find a hot meal awaiting you. And then, to have the bath water run for us, with the fluffy towels laid out, is more than one can imagine.

But the climax is when the Father tucks us into our bed, between clean white sheets, then kisses us on the forehead, saying, “I’m glad you have returned home, child.” It is then and only then that our wayward souls find true rest.

My friend, if you can go away and stay away, it’s doubtful you ever had a home and Father to return to.

God's Plan for Each of His Children

Acts 12:1, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2, And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3, And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also...4, And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him...5, Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him...11, Peter... said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod.”

A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN

It’s a wise father who deals with each of his children individually, according to their personal needs. The saying, “One size fits all,” is not true in a family. True generally, but not specifically.   

JAMES AND PETER

I heard a camp meeting preacher once say, “James died and Peter lived because the church prayed for Peter.” Such speculation is unfounded. The main characteristic of the early church was prayer.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES, NOT PARTICULAR PEOPLE

It is a dangerous norm to follow someone else's life in every detail. Whether it be great saints of the past or even Biblical biographies. Elijah was caught up to heaven, Elisha died of his sickness.

EACH HAS HIS OR HER OWN CROSS

Some crosses are made of velvet, still others of rough materials. But they all have one thing in common: they crucify the bearer. The rich with the invalid child, and the healthy, but poor man.

THERE SHOULD BE NO GUILT TRIPS FOR ANY OF US

None should lament the fact they are not in the same position as another brother or sister, whose lot is seemingly worse than their own. “Man looketh on the outward appearance.”

EYE HATH NOT SEEN

There are those who would gladly suffer in his brother or sister’s place, if they could only rid themselves of that deep, unseen, agony of soul, they’ve suffered their whole lifelong!

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

HE STOLE MY HEART

“…and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure…” The song writer said it best when he penned, “I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene.” The word “amazed” is found often in the Gospels, and is usually related to Jesus, either directly or indirectly. It’s definition is “filled with great surprise, astonishment, or wonder.”

The Christian should live in perennial amazement at who Jesus is and what He does. I never cease to be amazed at God’s people, who are no longer amazed. You can always tell when one has lost the wonder of it all; it shows in every area of his or her life. In their fellowship, singing, preaching, yes, and especially in their lifeless, formal prayers.

The old evangelist, Gypsy Smith, when in his eighties, was asked how he had managed to keep his freshness over the long years he had served the Lord. His reply was simply, “I guess it’s because I’ve never lost the wonder of it all.”

"Since He looked upon me, my heart is not my own; He hath run away to Heaven with it."
— Samuel Rutherford

Jesus and Family Squabbles

“And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  (Lk. 12:13)

FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

You couldn’t get Jesus involved in family squabbles. He knew, as the old saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water.” Our Lord minded His Father’s business, not others’ 

PERCHED ON THE WRONG END OF THE LIMB

Individual families have something going between them that the outsider, even loved ones, know nothing of. Husband and wife, siblings, mothers and fathers, married children, have a way of working things out, without our expertise. Invaratably the busybody finds himself or herself on the wrong end of the limb. When it is sawed off, the two parties get back together, but both, with disgust, remember your meddling. Such situations do not heal quickly. Some never do. 

Where Peace Is To Be Found

“HE IS OUR PEACE”

LOOKING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

Peace is not to be found in a pill, pleasure, or playthings. Real, true, legitimate peace is to be found only is a PERSON! Lasting peace is found in a lasting PERSON, not in perishable things.

THE WORLD’S PEACE

The world has a peace it offers, but it is only cosmetic. Like everything else they offer, it is painted on. It is superficial. A cheap whitewash, if you please. Moses told God’s elect, “Thou shalt not seek their peace.” Why? because when they say, “Peace, peace, there is no peace...the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

OUR ELDER BROTHER’S BEQUEATHAL

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” His peace is greater than all this world's troubles and fears. Where they abound, His peace doth much more abound!

STORMS AND PEACE

Like a buoy, we may be tossed to and fro in the storm, but in the depth of our souls there is tranquility. For like the buoy, we have an unseen anchor.“We have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”

OUR TRIUNE GOD’S COVENANT OF PEACE

Our peace is to be found in the eternal Godhead, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. We are told of our Father, He is the God of peace; of the Son, He is our peace; and of the Spirit,  His fruit is peace.

Rushing to Go Nowhere

...the king's business required haste.”  (1 Sam. 21:8)
“...he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isa. 28:16)

There is a vast difference in running for the King and running to go nowhere. If you run nowhere you're sure to get nowhere. Joab sent Cushi with a message for king David. Ahimaaz didn’t have one, yet he wanted to run anyway. He outran Cushi, but didn’t have anything to offer when he arrived. Therefore, the king told him to stand aside, while he listened to Cushi. The lesson learned from this is, “The race is not to the swift,” and, “The first shall be last.”

As Mary of old, we need to sit still until we hear the words, “The Master is come, and calleth for thee.” It is when He commands that we are to, as they say, “Get a leg on.” Movement in itself doesn’t mean progress; look at a merry-go-round, if you doubt me. Israel went in circles for forty years. This age is characterized, as Daniel puts it, “[at] the time of the end: many shall run to and fro.” One old preacher said, “I don’t go anyplace any more. I spend all my time just dodging.” As God’s people, let’s not get caught up in the hurry and scurry of this frustrated world.

We are told of our Lord, “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.” And of the maniac of Gadara, “[he] was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) One’s movement was for the the Glory of God. The other was for the purpose of the devil. WHO'S DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE?

Looking For Someone To Care

“To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend…Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends.” 

In spite of his passionate plea, this good man was shown little, if any pity from these “miserable comforters.” How self-righteous we can be at those times when we do not understand the “why” of another’s sufferings. Like Job’s acquaintances, we invariably tag onto them, “He must have sinned against God.”

But what Job could not find in others, in the end, he found in his God. In the inspired history of the old patriarch’s life, James records for us, “Ye have heard of…Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.”
If we are going to play God, let’s make sure we’re reading from the right script. In life’s divine drama, each of us has the same lines: “…be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”

It’s a pitiful person indeed who will not show pity to another. (rds)

If Heaven Is Not Real

"If it were not so, I would have told you.” (Jn.14:2)
As my dear old mentor, Dr. Joe Henry Hankins, used to say, “If it wasn't so, He’d have told us so.” Some say our Lord is only using a figure of speech, thinking it will lessen our hope. I say, if a figure, a figure of what? Even if true, the substance is greater than the shadow, and the object than the picture. I agree with C.S. Lewis. If what our Lord is saying is symbolic language, then He is attempting to express the inexpressible to us. WOW! How much greater then, will heaven be?

The atheist, who is all dressed up with no place to go, takes it a step further. He holds there is no heaven. The pagans of old would disagree with this pseudo-enlightened, intellectual dunce. The ancient Eskimo believed there was a land awaiting him where he would sit down and eat his whale blubber to the full. The American indian spoke of a happy hunting ground, he would enter at death. And the Egyptians were buried with their treasures, believing they’d take with them into the next world.

Think of it, if there is no heaven, Jesus lied to His followers. This means we’ll never see our loved ones again; we don’t have a home to go to. We’ll be eternally homeless, wandering the streets of nowhere. And in this life we’ll be miserable, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." (1Cor.15:19)

But, thank God, in spite of the lack of preaching today on heaven, and the difficulty of finding a good contemporary book on the subject, along with the muted songs about this place we saints call home, this doesn’t void it. We, with father Abraham and all the elect through the ages, are also looking for that City whose builder and maker is God. And as my dear wife has sung for years, upon entering it, we all will say, “Finally Home!”

“I believe in Heaven. If I’m dreaming, don’t wake me; let me dream on.” (Evangelist D.L. Moody)

Assurance the Beloved is Yours

"My beloved is mine, and I am his...Until the day break, and the shadows flee away.” (Song 2:16-17)

An old time preacher taught his son to know a thing, and then to know you know it. This is primarily what John teaches in his little book of 1 John chapter 2 verse 3. “And hereby we do know that we know Him…”

Many professing Christians have problems with assurance that the Lord is theirs during times of darkness. From the above text we see one will never know the former till the latter is settled. You will know the Beloved is truly yours when the Beloved knows you are truly His! The same principle is seen in the life of the Man Christ Jesus, when He said, “All mine are thine, and thine are mine.” (John 17:10). God had all of Him and He had all of God.

Divided allegiance always brings doubts. Those who sing “Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine,” with confidence, are those who can truthfully say, “He has all there is of me. There is nothing left to give.”

God revealing Himself to the individual Christian generally has to do with how much of that man or woman God  possesses! May we say to our heavenly KING, the greater than David, what Amasai said to his earthly king, David. “Then the spirit came upon Amasai... and he said, Thine are we, David.” (1 Chron.12:18) That is, as the song says, “I am thine O Lord.”

Christ, Historically and Heavenly Viewed

I realize I have written much on the following subject, but as Peter said to his readers, “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”

Every modernistic theologian, as well as the secular world, along with cults and isms, makes much ado about the historic Christ, as found in the gospels. When attempting to prove their point they’re noticeably consistent in avoiding the Pauline epistles, which puts the emphasis on the heavenly Christ. True, you cannot have one without the other, for each necessitates the other.  But just as true is progressive revelation. The new is enfolded in the old, but the old is unfolded in the new.

Now we can understand Paul’s statement, “though we have known Christ after the flesh (historically), yet now henceforth know we [Him] no more.” It is no longer the historic Christ, as important as this might be, but the heavenly Christ we are to give our attention to. As long as Christians worship a babe, they themselves will remain one. The days of His flesh are ended (Heb.5:7). Or as my pastor friend in Canada brought to my attention, we must get past the veil of His flesh, if we are to find and know God.

It is in Paul’s writings alone we learn the truths pertinent to how we, in this church age, are to live. Paul’s revelation is what Jesus wanted to say while here on earth but couldn’t. He told His disciples they were not ready, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”

Therefore, let me challenge each saint, not to be remiss in reading Paul’s letters. Read and re-read them often. They were written particularly with you in mind! GENTILES!  

All the Bible is for us, but not all of it is to us, or about us.

The Bound Resurrected Life

What good is a resurrected life if you’re still bound in grave clothes? Lazarus could attest to this truth. Jesus preformed the miracle of giving Lazarus life but used others as the means of loosing him from his bondage. Every Believer’s ministry is to emancipate, not enslave. “Jesus saith unto them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Far too many saints are in a straitjacket. We need to be cautious that we do not put a “restricted” sign on things God has not prohibited. Everything that is not specifically spelled out as sin in the scriptures comes under the label of liberty.

We are told, “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Paul taught this principle when he told young Timothy, if it was of God then it was good, and that nothing was to be refused, if received with thanksgiving. True, under this heading some can, and others cannot; but these sensitive decisions are to be left entirely up to the Spirit-filled believer and their God (Ro.14).

My son, Andrew, has an article entitled, “Only God Gets to Define Sin.” Let us be careful not to replace our man-made tag for God’s. I think Peter put it best at the first Church council when he said, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear.” Or as my mentor, Dr. Joe Henry Hankins, used to say, “Never put more of a burden on a man than he already has.”

Paddling Your Own Boat

We will never know God as long as we remain a stranger to the Stranger of Galilee. He was God in disguise. As H. A. Ironside brings out ,the Shunnamite in Song of Solomon found, her shepherd lover was, in reality, her King in disguise. Christ’s greatest claim while on earth was that He and God were one. Therefore, it is a wise thing to hold claim to His claim. There is no halfway house on this issue.

Christianity is not a religion; it’s a relationship. Jesus was so intimate with His Father that He called Him “Abba” (Papa). And we are told that we also can have such a relationship (Gal.4:6). This is authentic Christianity. When you spend time with Jesus, you become intensely aware of God. As one writer says, “Jesus is an unclouded window into God.”

Jesus’ credential was Himself, and those who knew Him were convinced of His right to Lordship in their lives. His early followers had no doubt of this Carpenter’s claim upon themselves and all they possessed. “…neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own.” It goes on to say that such people had “…great power,” and “great grace.”

For those who want to paddle their own canoe, I would warn that ultimately you’ll find yourselves “up a creek without a paddle!” (rds)

I'm As Good As They Were...Really!

“I am not better than my fathers.” This statement by the discouraged prophet has more unmined nuggets in it than most realize. Can we take by his saying this there was a time that he did think he was better than his father's? Did he have to be put in a difficult situation to realize and admit to it? And was there still a portion of unyielding pride that would not allow him to go all the way and say, “I am not as good as my father's”?

I have found in both the physical and spiritual world that we also have an “Elijah Syndrome.”

As to the first of these, the physical,how many young married people believe they are just a notch higher than their parents. In such things as; rearing their children, making important decisions, and living life in general. But I assure you, among the honest ones, after they’ve experienced the difficult tasks of their forefathers, they too will say, “I am no better than my parents.” And how embarrassing this is to oneself when admitted.   

Then there is the spiritual realm where we are guilty of arrogantly saying of our forefathers, “They were good men and women, but he or she were “off” on this or that particular thing.” But, after God shows us our hearts, if truly humbled, we finally get to the place where we say, “I’m no better than they were.”

“I am no better than my fathers,” brings you from superiority to equality. Real humility is to say (and mean), “I’m not as good as my father's.” (rds)

Beneath the Surface

"Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.”

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO BE LIKE THEM?

Qualities anyone would desire to emulate, would you not agree? That is, until he disrobed at night. After taking away all the medals of achievement, and laying aside his attractive attire, our deep craving to be this person would fade. For under that external façade, we would find a disgusting and nauseating dry rot. It is amazing how many blemishes, scars, and ugly defects, cosmetics hide.

THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS THE WAY THEY LOOK

If we could see beneath the surface of those we long to be like, we would be more than content to live in our own skins. I’m sure, had we lived in Solomon’s day, we’d have given anything to be in his shoes, not realizing, under that glorious apparel and material wealth was a man who hated life. And what’s worse had an unquenchable lust resting in his bosom, which would ultimately turn him from the God he loved.

GOD HAS GIVEN YOU ONE FACE, AND YOU MAKE YOURSELF ANOTHER. ~WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

You’re a rarity; God threw away the mold after making you. Why be like someone else, there’s already one of them. But no one is quite like you.

Successful Saints

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

(Joshua 1:8)

SUCCESSFUL-BUT UNAWARE OF IT   

Years ago, I held a meeting in a country church in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. After preaching a sermon in which I exalted the common layman, an aged couple approached me. With tears in his eyes the gentleman said, “Preacher, for fifty-years my wife and I thought we were second class saints, until we heard you tonight. We have always been made to believe preachers and full time workers were the most important.” Thank God He doesn’t see things the way we do.

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

The old-time evangelist and president of the college named after him, Dr. Bob Jones Sr., used to say, “Success is finding the Will of God and doing it.” He went on to say, “The little bird is happy flying in the heavens and the fish swimming in the waters, because that is what God created them for.” Dear reader, if you are where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do, be it ever so humble and seemingly insignificant-THEN YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL SUCCESS!

GOD’S HOW-TO BOOK ON BEING A SUCCESS

The word success is found only once in the Bible (our text). But in it you have all the ingredients that go into a successful life, Look at Joshua. Anyone considered successful who does not follow this pattern, may be considered successful in some peoples’ eyes, but, in God’s, they are successful failures. They certainly do not impress God in the least. Who would believe the godly scrub woman on her knees and the saintly farmer behind the plow, would have their names in lights in Heaven?

“THE CARPENTER FOREVER PUT HIS STAMP OF APPROVAL UPON THE LIFE OF THE COMMON LAYMAN.”

The "ONE" True Altar

"We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle."  

(Heb.13:10)

THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

Reading the book of Hebrews through at a single sitting one is impressed that it’s predominantly a book of contrasts. It contrasts: shadows with substance; physical with spiritual; type with anti-type; outward with inward; seen with unseen; earthly with heavenly; and yes! Moses with Christ.

THE ALTAR OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The New Testament churches knew nothing of altars in their assemblies. The Jews objected to them not having a literal altar. The Christians’ answer was, “We have an altar”; a spiritual one, Christ. He was both their gift and sacrifice. He sanctified the gift. The altar, offerer, and sacrifice, were all closely connected. Being associated with the altar identified one with the sacrifice.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

Rome invented an altar in their churches, emulating apostate Israel. This was soon followed by the Protestants copying the Catholic. But Christ is the only altar God owns. The only one that must be recognized by Christians. Those, like the priests who trusted in ceremony and tradition, are excluded from the benefits of God’s true altar-CHRIST JESUS!

Using God's Name to One's Advantage

“And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me. “

Gen. 27:20

As only a boy (seventeen), in the Air Force during the early fifties, I had, before it was acceptable, a best friend, a black man. He told me a funny story about some of his brothers. It seems they would buy cheap suits at Goodwill, then sew a Hart Schaffner and Marx label in them.

Some people think cheap things are of more value if you put the right name on the tag. Jacob, like most of us, thought if he put God’s name on the label of his manufactured scheme, it would make it more honorable and ease his guilty conscious. It was not God who prospered him, but his own hand.

How many of Jacob’s carnal clan believe if you put God’s name to it, it will sell, that it will be acceptable to other worldly Christians. We put that blessed name to everything from the commercialization of the gospel to the approval of fornication, under the guise of God’s love.

To use God’s name in vain to support your personal agenda in gaining acceptance with this apostate age, will never be acceptable with God. You may tell Him you have done many wonderful things in His name, but there will be no commendation, if you're looking for that, only a “I never knew you.”

“But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.”

A Stone From the Brook

"The waters wear the stones.” The sense here is that constant changes are going on in nature. Over a period of years, as the swift waters flow over these ragged-edged stones, and they continually collide with one another, they become smooth. Such a process is not accomplished in a day.

And so it is with God’s elect. We lie in the stream of life, tossed to and fro, and are battered about until the rough edges are gone. It is then that a greater than David reaches His nail-pierced hand into the swift-moving current and lifts us out. And, for what purpose? To do with one insignificant smooth stone what Saul’s entire army could not do: take down a giant. Marvelous, is it not, the potential of one little stone?

The next time you’re “rubbed wrong,” remember; God is taking off the rough places.

As I Grow Older

MORE CONVINCED THAN EVER

After almost sixty-years of studying God’s Word and observing people, I have added to my short list of core convictions two more, and set them in cement. I have always strongly believed in both, but not to the almost radical extent I do now. I’m referring to my belief in God’s absolute sovereignty over man and matter, and the total depravity of man in every area of his being.

WHEN ALL'S SAID AND DONE

As to the former, in the above mentioned, the certainty that an omnipotent God is in control of this insane world today, is the only thing that’s allowed me to keep my sanity. A world where the inmates are now running the institution and the sane people are considered the “crazies.” It is wonderful to know at such a time, as Daniel of old said, “There is a God in Heaven.” And when things have run their course according to His plan, He will step in! And when He puts His foot down, I guarantee all will know it.

CROOKED AS A CORKSCREW

Concerning my second persuasion, as Isaiah says in the first chapter of his book, man is tainted with sin from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. No part is left untouched; he is depraved in all aspects. Left to himself, free to act and think as he pleases, he will invariably choose his own interests above God’s. Total depravity entails total inability. That is, he has lost all ability to understand or accomplish anything truly Spiritual. Cornelius Van Til put it something like this; “It’s not that unregenerate man is not sharp; he can saw as good, if not better, than a Christian. The problem is, his saw is crooked, never allowing him to saw a straight line.”

The Cost of Closeness

ROTTEN TO THE CORE

“I am vile”… “O wretched man that I am!”…”Woe is me! for I am undone”…”Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Each of these men’s confession (Job, Paul, Isaiah, Peter) brought an end to self, nevertheless, it was the beginning of God in their lives. We are never as good as we think we are; but we are always worse than we think we are. When we come before God, it is possible to be too good, but we never need fear feeling we are too bad.

ONLY THE SICK REALIZE THEIR NEED OF A PHYSICIAN

I am not speaking of morbidity that manifests itself in a false humility, but, rather, accepting sane, scriptural facts about our inward condition. Until we see the utter corruption within, and stop making excuses, we will feel no reason for forgiveness. The Blood of Christ cleanses sin, not excuses. And we need not despair at the greatness of our sins. His grace is always greater. In God’s sight, the Pharisee was a good bad man; the Publican, a bad good man.

ON THE PSYCHIATRIST'S COUCH          

The psychoanalyst (shrinks with big heads) would have a field day with the the aforementioned four men thought to be maladjusted. They definitely had a problem with self esteem and you wouldn’t want to ask them if they were comfortable in their own skin. This kind are rejected not only by the world, but what’s worse, many times, by their own Christian family, friends, and acquaintances. Ask the man Christ Jesus, if you doubt me.

Why God Uses Some We Wouldn't

A CLOSE KEPT SECRET

An associate of a great, but controversial, preacher of the past, describing why God used him so mightily said, “God and him have something between them that neither has let the rest of us in on.”

THE CLICHE OF OUR DAY GIVEN TO THIS PARTICULAR CLAN

We like to say of these embarrassing, undesirable ones, that “God uses him or her in spite of themselves.” But that won’t wash, as they say. If you’ll pardon my crudeness, God is not hard-up for people to use.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER

The Lord uses a person exactly because of who they are, not in spite of the fact. God’s fivefold laughable army in 1 Corinthians bears this out. He purposely chose, “...the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” Few stand in awe at qualified saints.

MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HAD IT RIGHT ALL THE TIME

When just a babe in Christ, I was having problems coming from a deep life of sin. My brother-in-law, a baptist preacher, now in his nineties, would say to me, “You may not be what you want to be, you may not be what you ought to be, but you’re a whole lot better than you would be without Christ.”

“A cur dog that recognizes his master’s ownership is better than a thoroughbred that refuses to do so.” (rds)  

In the Name of Jesus

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME

Shakespeare said, “What’s in a name?” Plenty, if it’s the name of Jesus. At that name, “every knee [will] bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” It’s this name on your check that can withdraw large amounts from Heaven’s bank. It’s at the name of Jesus that lame souls can, “rise up and walk” again. At the mention of this name, from a heart of faith, there is remission of sins, evil spirits flee away, and every type of wonder under Heaven is done.

THE WORLD WANTS TO MUTE BELIEVERS

No marvel, then, that the early believers were threatened “that they should not speak in the name of Jesus.” Yet they were not intimidated. They were willing to “hazard their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Yea, even to “die...for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS WITH YOU

David met Goliath in the name of the Lord. Our giants will fall also when we approach them in the name of Jesus.

The Hidden Monster Within

“And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?”
(1Sam.18:7-8)

THOUSANDS OR TENS OF THOUSANDS

Why would not a man or woman, used of God, not be satisfied with being just that, used of God? Why not be content with your “thousands?” Why does one always have to do things bigger and better than those who excel him or her? The answer is simple, it is that hidden green-eyed-monster within, ENVY! Which, we are told, causes rottenness to the bones; and is a work of the flesh.

LESS I FORGET

“And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?” How soon Saul forgot this. Amazing how a little God-given success can dull the memory. We need to be reminded from time to time, as Samuel reminded Saul. “And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

TRUE HUMILITY

We hear a lot of talk today from the syrupy-saints crowd, about humility. How about we start here? Lets all begin to pray God will use and bless a brother or sister, doing the same work, greater than we ourselves. Rejoicing when we hear they have slain their tens of thousands while we have slain our thousands.

Optimism/Pessimism...And One Other

POPULAR TERMS DO NOT ALWAYS PROVE TO BE TRUE

The terms optimist and pessimist are much used today. The latter being frowned upon by all. The non-religious world along with the religious New Agers, as well as many professing Christians, pride themselves in their optimism. But I’m afraid that horse will come up short in life's race, once thoroughly checked out.

THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE

If the battery on you car ever died out then you know it will not start with only the positive cable; it takes the negative also. There is a balance. In the Ten Commandments there are more negative commands than positive. “Thou Shalt,” should always be balanced out with “Thou Shalt Not.”

WHAT FEW SEEM TO REALIZE-THEY DON’T STOP TO THINK

An optimist can be, and is, resented as much as the pessimist, if his or her expectations do not come to pass. No one, in the end, tolerates one who gives a false hope. Wants and desires don’t make it so, no matter how sincere one may be. To see things the way you wish they were is commendable, but it is not life.

THE ALTERNATIVE-YOU CAN INCORPORATE THE TWO IN ONE

There is the optimist, there is the pessimist, but there is one more, THE REALIST. He or she sees things the way they actually are. It is fact with them, nothing fictional! Among the false prophets you’ll find both optimist and pessimist, but not a realist. That should tell us something.


                

Giving Credit

"I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

John 4:38

GIVING CREDIT TO WHOM CREDIT IS DUE

It is difficult to resist taking credit that in reality belongs to another. In such cases even the Spiritual man or woman finds, “the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” And for the carnal person, it is almost impossible to give up the spotlight for another.

CHILDBIRTH WITHOUT PAIN

There are people who walk into hospitals and steal babies whom the mother of the child went through great suffering to deliver. Many of God’s dear people have gone through untold agony and paid a tremendous price for what someone else got recognition for.

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

For the most part the whole of the Old Testament was preparatory for the New. All the prophets up to John the Baptist plowed and planted for the Disciples of our Lord. Even Phillip’s revival success in Samaria was due to our wearied Lord, going out of His way to lay the groundwork for that event.

IF NOT NOW-LATER

For you who have stood in the wings while someone else stole the spotlight, you can be sure, your time will come. For all those who love the glare of the lights, Jesus tells us, “They have their reward.” Soon, maybe sooner than any of us think, God will say to you in the back row to take a seat in the front. And the one whose seat you take will be asked to move to the back row.

A Question For Every Christian

A THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTION

In the classic movie, “The Wind and the Lion,” toward the end of the movie, the character that plays Sean Connery’s side-kick makes this statement to him: “We have lost all.” To which Connery’s character replies, “Is there not anything in your life worth losing everything for?”

THE WORTH OF LOSING

Three times in two verses the Apostle Paul tells us that he had lost all things for the sake of Christ (Phil.3:7-8). I think if Paul were still among us today, he would have said a hearty “Amen”

THE TESTIMONY OF MANY AT LIFE'S END

How sad to see Carnal Christians hold to their own plans and desires, knowing they will never come to fruition. The testimony of such pitiful people at their end is always, “I lived an unfulfilled life.” I’m reminded of martyred missionary Jim Elliott’s words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

THE QUESTION STILL REMAINS 

Let me ask you the question “Is there not anything in your life worth losing everything for?”

I'm Almost Persuaded...I Guess

THINK! THINK! THINK!

“Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Associated with arriving at this blissful and peaceful place of total confidence, is the use of the mind. To come to this point, you must be one who thinks things through. To go by your feelings, others’ opinions, or any other substitute, will only end in your being tossed about. It is not sufficient to be almost; you must be altogether persuaded, to have settledness and stability of soul.

TWO OPPOSITE OPINIONS

The background of our text, as found in the fourteenth chapter of Romans, concerns minor, or secondary, things in the Christian life. Those gray areas, if you please. Contrary to what some, whom Paul describes as “somewhats” say, no individual or group has a corner on all the truth. Two Christians, holding two completely different viewpoints, may be fully persuaded theirs is right. It is here the tug-of-war begins. Or as some call it, a “Mexican stand-off.”

TO EACH HIS OWN

Is there a right or wrong concerning these questionable things? Is one worse off if he does, and the other better off if he doesn’t? No! For God has received them both, and they are each accountable to Him. God (unlike us) knows that culture and upbringing, as well as temperament, play a large part in how we come to our conclusions in shaded areas. Like it or not, although all the Scriptures are inspired, they still have a “human-flavoredness.” And so we conclude, the issue is not “to do or not to do,” but rather, “to be and let be.”

“Intellectual stimulation ceases when all around you think just like you.” (rds)

Neither Rhyme or Reason

“I applied mine heart to know... the reason [of things]”

THE MEANING OF THE TERM

We’re told the little aphorism I entitled this article began as far back as the year 1475 in France. To we English speaking people it has come to mean something that doesn’t make sense, without any reasonable human explanation.

NO...KNOW-IT-ALLS

There is a segment of Christianity who teach that the Bible has the answer to every one of life’s problems. This is true in many cases, but not in all. For anyone to say or believe this, he or she would have to be immature in the faith or much ill-informed. And in some cases, I’m sure, pride has crept in. Most of us like to be known as having all the answers. Spiritual superiority, you know.

FILL-IN THE BLANK

The fact is, the Word of God does not give us the answer to everything that happens in one’s life. If each of God’s reasons were made known to us, there would be no need for faith. The purpose for Romans 8:28 is to fill in the blank when there is no apparent reason. To be sure, when no reason is revealed to us, still, THERE IS A REASON!

BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND

The prayer God is pleased with, I’m sure, is, “Lord, I do not ask thee to explain the reason to me, just help me to accept your silence as a sufficient answer.” As someone has said, “He who demands a reason from God is not in a fit state to receive one.” The song says, “I’ll ask the reasons—He’ll tell me why, When we talk it over in the by and by.” Some things we’ll just have to wait for till we get home. By God’s grace I’m willing. Are you?

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

Adult Christian Children

Dear Chistian Parents,

I wanted you Christian parents of grown Christian children to hear this message by my son Andrew. It is brief, but full of encouragement for those of us who have prodigal sons and daughters.

rds

http://www.buzzsprout.com/3449/460983-a-christian-heritage-is-hard-to-shake

Things That Really Matter

RUSHING TO CONCLUSIONS 

I was reading a quote by a ninety-year-old man some time ago. He said, “There are some things I haven’t made up my mind about yet.” Some, especially among the younger generation, should take this aged one’s words as good advice. You do not have to cross all your “t’s” and dot all your “i’s” on minor subjects. In fact, you can go a lifetime with these kind of unsettled conclusions. There is no rush to settle things that have been unsettled among great minds for centuries.

DOG HOUSES ARE CRAMPED PLACES-THERE'S LITTLE SPACE TO MOVE AROUND IN

Don’t let some dogmatist dog you into taking a position that both your conscience and convictions are not convinced of. Remember, a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. Paul tells us concerning questionable things, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." If we would major on things that matter we would all be a whole lot better off. As Dr. M.R. DeHaan used to say, "Far too many of us arguing our position creates more friction than light!

The Worth of the Wait

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

ADAM’S KIN

From my observation through the years I do not think many, if any, of Adam’s posterity are born with an innate bent toward patience. It seems this virtue is acquired, as Paul says, through the tribulations of life. We just naturally want it yesterday. Possibly, the very worst pit into which one can fall is what has been called the mire of despondency and to sink even deeper as time passes, making it impossible to work one’s way out. That is, (unless God comes to our aid) the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

DAVID IS OUR EXAMPLE

But, thank God, He does hear our cry. As in David’s case, He stoops when we are at our lowest and brings us up out of the horrible pit. But more often than not, it is not instantaneous. We do not, so to speak, go from here to there. What I mean is going immediately from the bottom to the top; most of the time, it is a slow process. As the words of the gospel song goes, at times He removes our mountains one stone at a time. If we will just be patient, we’ll notice our mountainous problem is getting smaller with time. Just like with a wound, so with our dire circumstance, “Time heals everything!”

Keep Driving the Old Clunker

JUNKYARD CARS

Many of us entered the Christian life with dented fenders, smashed in grills, and cracked windshields. It’s to you that this article is dedicated. I trust it will be as great a blessing to you as it was to me, who is also among the ranks of those unfortunate ones.

A QUOTE BY C.S. LEWIS

If you are a nice person—if virtue comes easily to you—beware! Much is expected from those to whom much is given. If you mistake for your own merits what are really God’s gifts to you through nature, and if you are contented with simply being nice, you are still a rebel: and all those gifts will only make your fall more terrible, your corruption more complicated, and your bad example more disastrous. The Devil was an archangel once; his natural gifts were as far above yours as yours are above those of a chimpanzee.

But if you are a poor creature—poisoned by a wretched upbringing in some house of vulgar jealousies and senseless quarrels—saddled, by no choice of your own, with some loathsome sexual perversion--nagged day in and day out by an inferiority complex that makes you snap at your friends—do not despair. He knows all about it. You are one of the poor whom He blessed. He knows what a wretched machine you are trying to drive. Keep on. Do what you can. One day (perhaps in another world, but perhaps far sooner than that) He will fling it on the scrap-heap and give you a new one. And then you may astonish us all—not least yourself: for you have learned you’re driving in a hard school. (Some of the last will be first and some of the first will be last.)

I MADE MY CHOICE-HOW ABOUT YOU?

Years ago I made a conscious decision that I was going to drive my old clunker right up to the Gates of Glory, then trade it in for a shiney new one. What about you, my friend?