Devotionals by Charlotte Ingersoll @ VLC

A little more about Charlotte: Charlotte Ingersoll is a person who is full of the joy and love of Christ. She is a fully devoted follower of Christ who attends VLC every Sunday. She is the head of the prayer team ministry at VLC and has a passion to see others as excited about Jesus as she is! As you read these devotions, allow God to speak to you in a real and practical way!

A BLESSED LIFE

What does it mean to have a blessed life? In the twelfth chapter of Genesis we find that when God told Abram to leave his country and go to a land He would show him, He set the pattern for a blessed life. Verses 2-3 tell us plainly I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Yes, Israel has its important place in the scheme of things, but what does that have to do with me and my blessings? In the 14th chapter of John verses 15-16 say speaking as Jesus As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Don’t misunderstand me! I am not saying that this is going to happen for all. You have to include the words “through you” – those who hear, heed and understand the Word given to Abram, who later became Abraham as a sign of covenant, are eligible for the blessing.

The point is that blessings flow out to each of us from an umbrella that was established from the beginning of time – obedience to God the Father. The first and greatest commandment as stated in Matthew 22:37-39 says You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The dictionary tells me that blessing means to invoke God’s favor upon a person or thing; to bestow happiness or prosperity upon; to endow as with a gift. I hear you still asking the question – how does this cause me to have a blessed life? It is true that blessing those that God loves brings joy and joy is contagious, which is a wonderful thing, but according to the Word of God blessing itself comes to those who bless.

All of us, myself included, have asked repeatedly for God’s blessings and we thank Him sincerely when we receive them, but a blessed life is not a one time, momentary thing; it comes from a life dedicated to pleasing our Father; it is a state in which we reside. A blessed life exhibits itself in many ways – you are constantly grateful; a confident individual who walks with joy in your steps and a song in your heart; there may even be times when you swear that you can walk on water or fly like an eagle; there is nothing, literally nothing, that has more meaning than “What is it, Lord, that you want from me for this day?”.

Can a blessed life be earned? No, my friends, it cannot, no matter how much we wish it were so. It comes only as a reward for being an obedient child. But, isn’t that really awfully hard? Yes and no – we are the ones who determine the option. If you spend time in the Word; if you come to really know and love our Father, loving His children will come naturally. It will be the best investment you have ever made and it will bring you more happiness than you could ever buy. Is that a guarantee? No, it is a promise, bought and paid for, from the beginning of time.

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of Glory divine; heir of Salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blessed.

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A LIFE OF PRAYER

As I was growing up I was taught by my parents to pray before meals. I doubt I understood, but it was what we did. It has been a long road traveled to hope I understand better a life of prayer. Yes, you understood me rightly, prayer is not something we do - it is a life we lead.

The Word of God is filled with lessons on what to pray, how to pray and where to pray. There are many scholars and pastors who can give us all the technical answers and are wise in the eyes of man. How can a simple person hope to comprehend something so important to the King of Kings? And yet the Father, who made us, knew us and knew also that things easily obtained really have little value. And so we plod, many of us for years, before we return to the understanding of what is found in Matthew 19:4 – Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. What is it about little children – they are innocent, they have not been adulterated by the sins of the world; they come to their Lord from the depths of their hearts knowing only love and recognizing the love they see in Him.

Surely it is not possible to become again as little children. No, but we can let go and listen with our hearts. You wouldn’t waste your time praying to someone without the power to respond. The Word tells us specifically in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:9, who we are praying to – Our Father, who art in heaven. That tells us all we need to know about His power and capabilities and Thy will be done - what He desires of us. Give us this day our daily bread does not imply just food for our table, but all that sustains us for each moment of our day. As we ask for forgiveness for our sins and protection from temptation we can be returned to the state of innocence and purity which God desires and which prayer requires.

Then we begin to learn! We are both encouraged to pray in secret and to realize the power of agreement with others who love the Lord. We can’t spend all day shut up in a closet; neither can we spend all day surrounded by other people, no matter how much we love them. So what does this mean? Prayer doesn’t need to be compartmentalized. It is like the air you breathe, always with you. You may not always realize you are praying, but there will be moments when you can’t help but say thank you to God and there will be those moments when you are aware of the fact that you really need help and are asking God simply to help you. The Word tells us He will never leave us or forsake us – He patiently waits for our attention because He desires for the relationship He planned to come to fruition.

A life of prayer is not like opening a door and simply walking through; it is like the blooming of a flower as the petals slowly open until the glory of the whole flower is seen. A life of prayer is an ever growing thing and once it begins you can be sure it will not stop, surprising even you with the security and joy it brings into your life as the Lord becomes “closer than a brother”. As this happens you will begin to realize an overwhelming thankfulness that exhibits itself in an ever increasing desire to spend time learning more about the One you love and honoring Him with praise and worship. Your thoughts and your words will become powerful in sharing the love of the Lord with others; your exuberance contagious – can you see yourself shouting from the rooftop?

Don’t doubt it! Our Lord has plans for us more glorious than we can possibly imagine. Ask for His help in developing a life of prayer and allow yourself to soar with the eagles.

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A NEW SONG!

Can you hear it – the voices of the saints in joyous exultation? Is your heart so full that it cannot help but burst into song, a song of praise and thanksgiving because you are finally where your spirit has always belonged? It will happen you know if you are among those who are found obedient to the Holy One, those who will make their home with Him for all eternity.

We read and hear often the phrase “a new song”. What is a new song? Is it one just written or is it one that finally strikes a new chord or a new understanding in your heart? There is much confusion in the church today as people divide themselves between today’s music and yesterday’s old hymns. How can the beauty of one eclipse the beauty of another? Maybe it’s because we are basically a people of habit and that is where the rub comes in.

It is not just music that has changed in today’s church. We have dropped the ritualistic saying of the Lord’s Prayer and the singing of the Gloria Patri and the Doxology. Why did we do this? Is it because we, as a people, are always looking for something new and better? If so, why do we have trouble with “a new song”? Is music in a different category than other ritualistic things? Have we held onto music as the last stronghold, so to speak, of a generation that we remember as being good?

The forming of good habits only becomes a negative thing when we lose our excitement, when relevance becomes sporadic, when concept is remembered but becomes rote.

In the Psalms David refers to songs many times. You shall surround me with songs of deliverance (32:7); He has put a new song in my mouth (40:3); Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage (119:54); I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You (144:9). In Ephesians Paul talks of speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (5:19).

And finally in Revelation we find John recounting the period when the Lamb takes up the scroll and the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood…and have made us kings and priests to our God and we shall reign on the earth (5:9)..

Obviously, songs and particularly a new song are important to the Father. He has a plan, not one that is stagnant, but one that is ever expanding in passion and heart commitment; one that is worthy of the sacrifice of the Lamb.

Can we shed our outdated habits (not our values) and open ourselves to a new move of God? Not until after the tribulation will the children of Israel be able to sing a new song unto their God, but we have been redeemed and blessed by our Father and the responsibility has been given to us to proclaim His glory to the ends of the earth in a venue He so enjoys – voices lifted together in joyful song. As Casting Crowns puts it – “until the whole world hears”. Can we overlook our differences and raise our voices in “a new song”?

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, I can feel His mighty power and His grace; I can

hear the brush of angel wings, I see glory on each face; surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

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A PLEASURE BEYOND MEASURE

Have you ever been so happy that you thought you might just pop with the fullness? Do you believe it has to do with accidental good fortune or is the result of something that you meticulously planned? There was a time when I might have thought so; however, as babies move from milk to meat so God’s intent has always been for his children to grow spiritually. As we do, all of a sudden one day, we will discover an amazing truth – no matter what the struggle or the pain, that wonderful, unspeakable joy does not leave our lives, but has become a constant. You might even say it is like having heaven on earth.

How does this happen? Luke 10:21 says – At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Does this mean that only little children can truly be happy? No, it means that even as adults we must retain some of the characteristics that little children are born with – an expectation of joy, a pure and humble heart, and an absolute trust in a Father who loves us. As adults it assumes an unquestioning love that seeks to serve, knowing that the service itself will result in an unfathomable joy because it pleases the Father.

It doesn’t mean that we will be perfect, but is accepting of the fact that as humans there will be times when we will fail. However, the sorrow of failure is instantly replaced by the knowledge that our Father, the great I AM, is by nature, a merciful and forgiving God. And, whoops, you will realize in the same breath that your joy has not diminished, but rather has increased because you understand what has always been truth – our Father God loves us beyond measure.

You may shake your head and say this all sounds good BUT..… Before you go any further, let me remind you that the Word of God is, always has been and always will be the final argument in any discussion. Our Father made this earth for a purpose and though He gave man free will it was with the hope that we might choose rightly and enjoy the relationship and results that He always intended.

Is it a tough choice; is it a hard, almost impossible lesson? No, it is a matter of let go and let God. It is the easiest, most clutter free path that we can take; a decision that will find us reaping in a field full of the finest harvest. Our Lord has always provided a yoke that was easy and a burden that was light.

Today we are living in a world of unprecedented turmoil – religious persecution and unrest, economic downturn, physical disasters in the form of tsunamis, hurricanes, forest fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and oil spills. Plus we live in a country divided in its loyalties whose government is making what most consider to be unwise decisions. In its efforts to meet the needs of the weak we have diminished the possibilities of the strong to meet those needs. Can we be any more despondent? How can we make the time to find joy?

Many will place their hope in the fact that every cloud has a silver lining. Maybe it’s time to reconsider our options – to allow the God who made the universe to direct our paths; to give up our fear and doubt and latch onto His solid promise as stated by David in Psalm 16 verse 11 – You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

Such glory – a pleasure beyond measure!

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FEAR – AN ENEMY OF THE SOUL

Fear is not something we want to talk about, read about or really even think about yet it is something that we all experience at one time or another no matter how hard we try to deny it or avoid it. Is fear something that can ever be totally extinguished or can it only be covered as we strive to pretend we are bigger than it seems to be?

To clear up any confusion the fear we are talking about is not the fear of God, but the fear that the dictionary talks about as an agitated feeling aroused by awareness of actual or threatening danger or trouble; to live in a state of fright or dread; to be uneasy or apprehensive knowing we are not in control. It is not like we could just take a pill and wait thirty minutes or turn our backs and it would go away. Why is there such a thing as fear in God’s world?

In the beginning, in the Garden, man knew no fear because there was literally nothing to fear. When man disobeyed God and was turned out of the Garden his first fears were of existing wildlife, but then Satan began to carry out his plan for man and as evil entered into hearts man found a need to protect himself from other human beings. Proverbs 29:25 states plainly that fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. God never desired for fear to exist, but as man preferred sin fear became a part of life.

As society evolved into what we know today many causes of fear arose. Yes, we still have to fear the evil of man, but there are also the increased complications of disease, famine, financial considerations, weather conditions, equipment failure and even water to drink. There seem to be an unending number of things that can cause our hearts to beat faster and make us wish we could hide our heads in the sand.

Where do we turn? John, beloved of Jesus, tells us that in the beginning was the Word (Jn 1:1). So?!!

Philippians 4:7 says and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. You’re still asking how does that help. We have already established that fear is a tool of the devil and the only thing that will defeat the devil is the Word of God, but it will not do it while it is sitting on the table. It must be indelibly stamped upon your heart and that will take some effort on your part. How badly do you want to eliminate fear from your life?

Does your heart automatically respond with the 23^rd Psalm – even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Are you aware that 2^nd Chronicles 16:9 tells us that the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him and Proverbs 1:33 assures us that whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear or harm? Those are wonderful truths! Can we make them an integral part of our lives?

I wish I could give you an automatic and unequivocal “yes”. There is none perfect but our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. However, I will tell you that as you are diligent to make the Word of God an important part of your life, not just a dessert, you will find that it begins to get easier and over time it will grow beyond what you imagined. No, on this earth you will never make perfection, but you will become increasingly comfortable with the surety that our God is on your side; that He has loved you from the very beginning, that His love never fails and if you request His presence and live with a thankful heart your life will be rewarded many times over. All He has ever wanted is for us to love Him as He loves us.

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…

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MERCY

I have so much to do and I must hurry, but in the midst of my confusion I keep hearing – mercy, mercy. What is it about mercy that smoothes out all the rough spots of life? In her morning devotional Marsha Burns stated that the demands on our time and energy have taken a toll and we need a time of refreshing and renewal spiritually. Oh dear, there is that word time and we all have an automatic reaction these days because we can never find enough. True as it may be, God is the maker and provider of time. Do we really need to spend it though on trying to obtain mercy - why do we need mercy?

Mercy in these times of hard living is not just something to make us feel better; it is also according to the dictionary a disposition to be kind, forgiving and helpful. Whoops, that’s just another time eater – or is that all it is. God’s gifts to mankind have many reasons and many facets. People, as a whole do not want to be obligated to anyone – that word has a heavy ring to it. Have we not heard most of our lives that God’s burdens are not heavy? Do we not believe anymore or is it simply a matter of understanding and experience?

Our churches preach and preach and preach about God’s love and yet do we really understand? We thank Him earnestly for our blessings and mean it sincerely, but somehow it gets stopped before it goes any further. And yet Psalm 145 verse 9 tells us that His tender mercies are over all His works. Micah 6:8 explains simply God’s expectations – He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy.

To love mercy, oh how I wish I could share with you the joy and blessing that can fill a life that understands the ramifications of God’s mercy. I am not trying to tell you that I have reached the pinnacle – there is still an endless path uphill to travel. However, I believe in my innermost being that the Word of God breeds mercy – it is not something that happens once every so often for a special occasion rather it is something you can’t help but live, day in and day out.

There is no greater gift that you can give than mercy to the children the Father loves. I’m not talking about the down trodden children in foreign countries, although that is important, I am talking about the person you are rubbing elbows with who is trying so hard to be brave; the ones whose problems might be considered small, but who really need a simple hug or a word of encouragement or maybe for you to walk a mile with them as they try to wrap their minds around what their heart knows.

Casting Crowns, in their CD entitled “Until the Whole World Hears” desirous of wanting the world to know, sings “Your mercy saved me, mercy made me whole...” Whole? Is that enough sunshine, enough rain, enough fertilizer to cause an extraordinarily beautiful bloom? Does it come from a love that is so beyond comprehension that it will totally change your life? Can it become a part of your very skin; a reaction that springs from a heart that loves as God loves until you become a servant as Jesus was because you simply cannot help yourself? If you would like the answers to these questions, you will find them in the written Word of a Holy and loving Father.

Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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OUR FATHER’S HEART

In the short span of life we’ve all probably spent some time in the contemplation of just why are we here – why me – why now – what is my purpose. Many of us have heard from our parents, our teachers, our pastor that the answers to all our questions are found in the Word. So as we start to figure out these answers we start at the beginning. The Word tells us in the beginning that God made man and placed him in a garden. It sounds like a fitting start for a story, but as we continue on through the story we find that man was created for relationship. The dictionary defines relationship as one which is connected by blood or of common ancestry. The Word refers to our maker as Father. Father is defined as a parent who has begotten a child; one who originates or establishes something; one who commands respect. We were not made on a whim; on a rainy day afternoon when there was nothing else better to do. We were made for an everlasting relationship with the One who loves us like no other.

Throughout the Old Testament we see how efforts were made to develop this relationship; how time after time the Father chastened His children to teach them and time after time He drew them back into His bosom and surrounded them with His love. Yet, due to the fact that He had also instilled in them free will which is necessary for any great relationship they failed Him, over and over again. So, the Father, in His unfailing love, directed prophets to foretell the future to those who were willing to listen for He always knew what the end of the story would be.

Throughout the ages the story continued with its peaks and valleys; up and down, up and down until finally one day the Father played His trump card – He sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. His role was to be an example to the world of what a child of the Father was supposed to be like; what was always intended. And so, the New Testament is filled with parables and examples - pictures more detailed of what was originally desired by God, the maker of heaven and earth.

Still we find that those who heard were persecuted by the world and it looked like the Father’s plan would never be completed. When it looked like all was lost the Father gave up His Son to be crucified, a gift never to be surpassed, to save the relationships He had always desired.

What is so important about relationships?

Relationships are the fodder or nourishment that makes the blood flow, the heart leap, the brain sizzle. They may sometimes cause pain, but they are designed for the greatest joy; an unending exhilaration that feeds upon itself until it can no longer be contained, but spreads to all and reaches to the heights of the Father’s throne where the angels shout “Hallelujah” and send it back into the hearts of all those who desire the great relationship between Father and child.

Where are we going with this? It is true that Jesus died for our sins, He made it possible for all who desired relationship to have it, but it still existed as our choice, our free will, to be developed over the span of an individual lifetime. He has given us a box full of tools commonly known as “The Word of the Living God”. The question I leave up to you to answer is in your effort to be the loving children of the Father, are you “stale bread” or “fresh manna”?

Matthew 11:15 – “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

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SET APART

Many of us as children often played a game called “Red Rover” where one team sent individuals to attempt to break through the line of another team determined to protect that very same line at all costs. Consequently as the teams were chosen the team leaders did their best to select the strongest and most determined individuals whose only aim was to prove superiority. You might say they were set apart for victory’s sake.

In today’s world those who are successful or according to one’s viewpoint “set apart” are those who seem to be constantly trying to follow this youthful pattern, but what was once fun has become increasingly sick as they have resorted to every imaginable evil to further individual desire for power and status. Team effort has become every man for himself as people strive to reach the top of the hill with the most wealth and more power than ever imagined, only to find that satisfaction is elusive.

Human beings were born with an innate desire to be set apart for God’s pleasure; the problem being that we have misunderstood our calling. It has been clouded by what we see around us and what people currently applaud. Our eyes have adjusted to our world becoming dark and we fail to realize that the light is growing dimmer.

Psalm 4:2-3 still speaks – How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly…As in days past the handwriting is on the wall for all to see. Will we respond to the still relevant Word of God as it was written? At whose feet will we place our hearts?

In the book of Daniel we find that Belshazzar asked Daniel to give an interpretation for the words written on the wall by the fingers of a hand. Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin – God has numbered your kingdom and finished it; you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.

Can you hear a prophetic voice in the times in which we live? Do you really believe that the many things happening in this world are simply accidents of nature or the misguided ramblings of a deluded religion; that they will go away on their own because after all God is a god of love and mercy. Are you familiar with the Old Testament which is after all a part of the Living Word of God?

During the days of Paul’s ministry he continually attempted to stretch the early believers to a broader understanding of God’s eternal purposes. In the fourth and fifth chapters of Ephesians he talks about walking in unity, in love, in light and in wisdom. For the sake of challenging our thinking – do we define these words as Jesus did or have they been infiltrated with a worldly viewpoint? Are we, as Christ followers, really set apart?

It is true that no one can know the day or the hour, but as a people of God, we cannot allow the Belshazzar’s of the day to determine our eternal destiny. We must rise up to the expectations of our risen Christ and bring His light to shine more brightly upon our darkened world so that people will say “those Christians are truly set apart”.

Psalm 133:1 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

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THE PATH OF SUFFERING

Have you ever sat and pondered the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ as He went to the cross to save those the Father loved. I can remember when the Passion of the Christ hit the movie houses and people rushed to get tickets and sat in the theater after the movie ended weeping tears, tears too soon forgotten because we live in a world so far removed from the Kingdom of God and because we are not equipped to truly understand real suffering.

Many of us have read the book “Tortured for Christ” by Richard Wurmbrand and tried to imagine ourselves in a similar situation. Just what is it we would do? To our misfortune we were brought up and live in a country that until this day has not required very much from us. If we work, we are paid; if we sow, we reap; if we have catastrophes we go through the proper channels to receive help which is always available in some form or fashion. We have been a blessed people, but it has made us weak.

You have probably heard a pastor at some point in time preach about how testing builds strength of character. Most of us have been through some sort of trial with someone we love and are either praising the goodness of the Lord or wondering why this one was called home or had to suffer so much. Is there a satisfactory answer to these questions?

Have you ever had an experience with training a dog; have you been harsh because it is imperative that the dog learn just who the boss is for its own benefit – a wonderful life? You think nothing of what must be done to train this dog, merely of the end result – a better life for both of you. Did it cause you pain to be harsh with this small creature? I doubt it; it’s just a fact of life!

A fact of life? When God the Father first decided to create mankind He had expectations that we would love Him as He loved us. With this in mind He gave His first commandment in Genesis 3:3 - …but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ That doesn’t sound so hard, does it, but being humans we have always pushed the limit. And thus began the scenario – we must follow the path of suffering.

Some of us will survive and some of us will fail – cruel life? – no simply a fact of life. As stated in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:13 – Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.

I can even now hear you saying, but there is a big difference between spiritual suffering and physical suffering. Is there? Could it be that the level or type of suffering is dependent on the plan God has for each individual life? Knowing our frame does He consider where we are on the path and what each of us is capable of handling? Will there be more favor for those who suffer most? If you read your Bible you will know that the Lord does not play favorites; however, He does require of each of us the very best we have to offer. But wait just a minute, are we forgetting that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ balanced the scales?

I Peter 4:1-2 tells us – Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. Maybe this is where we find the point for suffering – whatever it takes to turn our hearts to the will of God the Father, who ultimately has already provided a way for the children He loves. Selah!

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THE PRACTICE OF TRUTH

In the turmoil and confusion of these days what is one thing that we really need? If you take a poll and ask many people what they need you will get a variety of answers, none of which are satisfying for all. Some will desire riches, some health, some will choose temporary things that do not last and on and on. What is it we need to know to live life to its fullest? What is the bottom line, the actual truth?

Truth is defined in our dictionaries as something that conforms to an existing situation, to fact or reality, but if we consider the continual transformation of our world and the mixture of cultures and beliefs how can we really know what truth is. Is truth something that can change with the winds of fortune?

John 17:17 records the prayer of Jesus as He petitions the Father – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth. That tells us where we can find truth, but many of us will find it in concept only; in paths to follow, rules or suggestions for righteous living. Is that enough to base one’s life upon, to satisfy our minds and hearts?

John 1:1 tells us that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. Now we are approaching something with a little more meat, something tangible that if we can wrap our minds around it we will have finally found a treasure. If the Word is truth and the Word is God then that means we are dealing with an actual personality not just a written word. Could Truth actually be a person rather than simply a pattern of behavior?

Many people throughout history have chosen to follow an individual because they have seen something beyond the normal in a man that brings out the best in them and is often worth dying for. Could it be that Truth, a man, is the ultimate answer to living a life well with all the seasoning that makes it special – fellowship, love, joy, generosity, power, peace, compassion?

Are you saying that sounds good, but how do I get to know Truth? If you are looking for gold you have to dig. If you really want to know Truth you will have to study the Word. There is no quick fix. The book of John records over and over again the words I tell you the truth. In the 16^th chapter verse 13 John assures us that when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Jesus has told us I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (Jn14:6). And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (Jn8:32).

Most of you in your life have heard the words “practice makes perfect”. When you practice it is not something you do every once in awhile as you think about it or at least it shouldn’t be – it requires effort and stamina and determination; it is when it literally becomes a part of you. It is God increasing as you are decreasing. It is not only spending time in the Word, but it is walking throughout the day holding the hand of the One you love more than life itself and listening to His words of wisdom. That is when you will not only find yourself practicing truth, but living Truth in the fullness our Father has always desired.

Oh, send out Your light and Your Truth; let them lead me. Psalm 43:3

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TO WALK IN PEACE

There are many things to seek after in this life. True peace is probably one of the most illusive and often hard to come by but without it all the other things in life lose their significance. Jesus has told us that He will not strive with man forever and man himself cannot strive forever if there is no peace in what he is doing.

In today’s world, with evil surrounding us at every turn and time passing so fast we find it hard to keep up, peace has become even harder to find more the less maintain. Where do we start, where do we look? So many look at the Word of God as taking time they don’t have or not relevant to the world in which we live. After all, in Jesus’ day things were much more simple. Were they really?

If we read our Bibles we can easily see that evil was just as prevalent then as it is now. People still participated in murder, in cheating, in adulterous affairs, in worshipping many false gods – all the things that the Ten Commandments said not to do. We know that God was angry for we are told of how he instructed Noah to build an ark and then saved only the immediate family in an effort to start over. And yet it continued to be the same.

Would man ever be able to walk in peace?

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us that blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God (Mt. 5:9). And in the second chapter of 1 Timothy He urges that prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (I Tim. 2:1-2). Peace is important to our Lord and necessary for us to enjoy the life Jesus Christ died to provide. We need to remember that He didn’t just die, but He suffered unimaginable pain and rejection to provide for us a future that will be wonderful beyond imagination.

It is true that many distressing obstacles will try to divert or sidetrack our walk, but determination with the help of the Holy Spirit will win out every time. Jesus tells us in Matthew 17:20 - …if you have faith, as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. When you let Jesus be in charge of your mind and spirit and believe what scripture says your mountain is going to be moved and you will find it becoming a plain before you.

Any of the blessings of life – love, joy, knowledge, thanksgiving – are wonderful to have, but become fleeting if there is no peace. Peace is the glue that holds them together and keeps them operating in your life; it’s the assurance deep in your heart that everything is as it should be, as the Lord desires for it to be. Blessings are drawn to those who have learned the art of walking in peace, a peace that has been made a permanent fixture in your life and canot be overcome.

There will come a day when our plans do not matter, when our God will call down the fire and brimstone that is revealed in the book of Revelation; when the Anti-Christ will cry peace, peace, but there will be no peace. Can we choose to engage the help of the Holy Spirit now; to allow Him to show us how to walk in the peace that can only be found in the man, Jesus Christ? There is nothing more satisfying than a life of peace and the joy that accompanies it.

Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine.

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WHOSE CHOICE?

No matter what part of the country or even what country we grew up in we are a people who like to make our own choices – what shall we wear, what shall we eat, most importantly where shall we go to church. As we grow from children into adults we learn from our parents and those around us and we make plans for our future – what we want to be and where we want to live.

We almost always have a plan of some sort. We can sit for hours and ponder a future full of the most desirous of things – a car that will make all our friends envious – one with the latest hub caps in the most outstanding color and equipped with a sound system that will really make people sit up and notice and of course it must also have the latest computer technology, a great GPS system and who knows, one of these days it may be able to order our dinner before we even know what we want.

We have become dreamers! All things are possible! Or so we think. But we have forgotten one thing – things beyond our control can mess up all of our plans in an infinitesimal moment. What then, what can we do to put things back on track or because of circumstances is that even possible? It might be a horrible accident that leaves us physically unable to function or it could be a devastating illness that totally incapacitates us, maybe temporarily or maybe forever. How could life deal us such an unfair blow – we have not been bad, we do not deserve this, we are good people.

Yes, most of us are good people, but people who need to wake up. The Word of God plainly tells us in John 15 verse 16 (NLT) – You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

What does that mean – that our life is not our own, we are to be like puppets pulled by a simple string? I guess you could choose to think of it like that, but I would like to give you a different perspective. The living Word of God, whether we like to think of it or not, is literally an overflowing pot of pure gold at the end of the rainbow. Sure it is, but tell me how to find, more the less get to the end of a rainbow. I am not being facetious. Truth has always been something that has to be searched out. It has always been as close as the end of your nose. When you finally comprehend God’s reality you will find the greatest riches the world has ever known.

You might say that is all well and good, but it is much too hard for me. However, before you give up let me remind you of another awesome fact – our all-knowing, all-loving Father has already provided us with our answer. The book of John is a good place to start. Chapter 14:16-17 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. 16:15 – All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me. 17:17 – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.

The Father who made and cares for us has not left us fatherless – He has not even buried our treasure in a field, but has left it in plain sight. It may take some time and effort, but haven’t we always heard that things of value require some effort. The world today may not be as we would like it, but in the midst of all strife we can be assured of both peace and joy if we but desire it. It has always and forever will be the Father’s choice!

Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

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THE ISSUES OF HEALTH

I’m sure that you, like I, have often pondered just why it is that someone we love has to be sick, particularly if they are ones who seem to walk with the Lord and love Him with all their hearts. There doesn’t seem to be a satisfactory answer. Is the God we serve unfair in His dealings with men?

I think after all the years of wondering I finally understand that I will never understand until the day when I can ask the Lord and hear His answer. However, my spirit has found peace in believing that the Lord shapes our lives by many trials and tests. Our own thoughts and strengths can either help us or hinder us as we are molded into what He has always intended for us to be and to know.

The Word tells us that God loves the creation He made. 3^rd John 2 tells us – Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers. Is there a connection between the health of the body and the health of the soul? Do they interact with and affect each other?

Our lives have been entwined from before we were born that God’s perfect Kingdom could be established. Our thoughts and deeds can have the power to change a life for good or evil. There are many examples in history of the saying that a bad apple can spoil the whole bushel. In Waco, Texas, not too many years ago David Koresh was responsible for the cessation of life for many who lacked understanding of God’s plan for His people to be totally healthy.

At the other extreme we find that the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior affected many lives unto salvation. For those left behind life became a terrifying reality, but I think if you could ask those involved today if they would do it all over again you would find that the answer would be yes. The arena was a temporary suffering for an eternal glory beyond imagination.

Today as we read the Word we find it plainly stated in Isaiah 53:5 that He was wounded for our transgressions…bruised for our iniquities…and by His stripes we are healed. If we truly believe that with our whole heart why do we need nurses and doctors in this day to tend our worldly ailments? In fact, why has sickness not disappeared from the scene altogether if that is so? You haven’t forgotten the Garden of Eden, have you?

John 16:8 says that when He (Jesus) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment and He gives us a choice of which path to take while telling us in Matthew 21:22 – And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. The key is in the believing. When Paul fled Lystra to avoid being stoned and was overheard speaking by a man crippled from birth Acts 14:9 tells us that Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed told him to stand and walk and he did.

We are living in a world today where a strong faith is becoming a rare commodity. We have done our best to tie the hands of God Almighty and yet He is the same today as He was yesterday. I believe that if we choose to grow strong in our spiritual health we will find that our physical health will often follow. Yes, there will be times when that seems to have no effect, but we can reach the point that our suffering can be endured when we are constantly aware that the Lord who loved us enough to die for us will reward us according to our acquiescence to His loving training. He can take a pot of clay with all its imperfections and mold it into a glorious vessel that He can use for His glory.

“I know not by what methods rare, but this I know, God answers prayer.” Eliza M. Hickok

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A FAST PACE

Our World seems to be spinning out of control. Everywhere we go and everything we do seems to occur at such a fast pace that we wonder just what is going on and how can it possibly be a good thing if it comes and goes so quickly and leaves us so exhausted.

Have you ever used a salad spinner? Its purpose is to spin out all the water leaving only the fresh and tender leaf. Could it be that our Lord is trying to clear out all of the worthless things we spend time on and help us to see only the things that are really important in life?

Friends, that is something for serious contemplation! I am going to admit to you one of my failings. I have been so overwhelmed by the blessings of the Lord and yet I spend quite a bit of time denying that I am a writer and when I do so I am decreasing what God has done in my life for His glory. I am not allowing Him to increase so that His purpose in my life might be fulfilled. That is not only a waste; it is also a sin for He created me with a purpose!

May I remind you of the parable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25 where Jesus likens even the seemingly insignificant things we do to the kingdom of heaven. Most of us will automatically apply this to our fiscal responsibilities, but the teachings of our Lord were often many faceted. Verse 25 becomes a common response, and I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. He continues by taking the talent from the servant who was afraid replying – You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown; and gather where I have not scattered seed…and (He) cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Many of us do not see the common, ordinary capabilities that the Lord has placed in our lives as talents and yet if we look we can see all through history the achievements of unknown men who have then become great because of the little imaginings in their spirits. Most of us at one time or another have thought peanut butter was the nectar of the gods and how did we ever manage without the electric light and on and on. For every great achievement there is a small beginning, but we often fail to give credit to the actual Creator.

But what about those of us who don’t have small imaginings? There is no excuse! Paul tells us in Ephesians 5: 1-2 – Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. We also find in Hebrews 13:16 – But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Dear, dear friends, may I share my heart with you. You don’t even have to count to ten on Sunday mornings before the sanctuary is empty as people are hurrying to be first in line at the local restaurants. We came to worship and to hear the Word of God – did we really? Do we think to look around us for the newcomer in our midst or even the dear friend who for some reason doesn’t seem to be as we would expect this morning? Is there a need waiting for us specifically to meet? Is the Holy Spirit in our very midst writing in the Book of Life? I am not asking anything of you I don’t ask of myself as I recall Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise.

“Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord…” Amen and amen!!!

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IT’S ONLY YOU WHO CAN MAKE MY HEART SING!

We are living today in a world that has reached the pinnacle of technical advances. We often hear the words – “where there’s a will there’s a way”. We have accepted this as an ultimate truth because we have been able to see the results. We all know that no matter how downtrodden a person is if he has a vision and the strength to pursue it he will reach his mark.

Just look at the life of George Washington Carver. He and his mother were kidnapped by slave traders when he was still a baby. He was returned to the plantation from which he was kidnapped, but as he grew and was not strong enough to work in the fields he was given menial jobs in the kitchen and as there were no schools for African Americans he had no initial education. Yet he went on to become a member of the faculty at Iowa State College and from there to being given many degrees, some honorary, and many awards for his inventions that have benefitted mankind down through the ages. Today we thank him as we enjoy one of life’s greatest treats – a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

This is just one example of a beneficial technical advance, but today we seem to be in a contest designed to produce whatever evil can efficiently get rid of all the people who stand in our way or who are hated by a difference in race or religious beliefs or practices. Have we come to the end of the road?

Many would say “yes” and they could very well be right. The Living Word of God, maker of Heaven and Earth and all things in it and available to us, told us through His servant, Moses, in the book of Genesis, chapter 1, Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light… Moses went on to declare in detail the order and design of what God made and declared good.

We see in the Old Testament how over and over God corrected His children and how they still would try to override His desires with their own. In the New Testament the Son of God comes to this earth not only to give those who choose an everlasting relationship with the Father, but also to reiterate the desires of God’s heart. Did we do any better in our listening this time? No, and so the final book of the Living Word, Revelation, tells us what the end will be and when it will come.

Does this mean we have no choice? No, Psalm 32:10 tells us - Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Do we look at this verse and only read the first part? The eighth chapter of Romans asks a relevant question – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger of sword? ....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Are you still feeling uncertain, off-balance? Have you ever wondered just how it would change your life if you simply allowed the Lord to have His way? I Corinthians, verses 18-19 tells us – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God, for it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Can you sit quietly before the Lord and allow Him to speak to the deepest places of your heart from the depths of His heart?

I will guarantee the most wonderful place to be is when you can respond with your whole heart – “I thank you, Lord, for everything, for it’s only You who can make my heart sing!”

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A THANKFUL HEART

Hopefully most of us don’t have to look far to find something or someone we are thankful for. Even though our lives are usually lived with feelings at either end of the spectrum, up or down, we usually don’t have to tax our minds to find something that will put an instant smile upon our face.

In the meantime there are countries all over the world where people live in poverty and squalor with little or no food to fill their empty bellies and literally have no conception of what it means to be thankful. Can you imagine such a life?

Whatever your answer I have a more relevant question for you. How would you feel about trading an opportunity to be thankful for a life lived with a thankful heart? Can that really be a possibility?

Psalm 30 is David’s commitment to praise the Lord because of His saving grace and favor. You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever (v 11-12). David, as he has experienced for himself the very love of His Lord, has learned a lesson that is meant for all of us – that our God desires us to live a life with a thankful heart. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Okay, I can hear you saying that you just can’t go to the store and purchase a thankful heart. No, you can’t! A thankful heart is something that develops over time as you learn to love and trust the God who made you, Jesus Christ who left Heaven and came to earth for the express purpose of covering your sins to make you fit for the Kingdom of His Father and the Holy Spirit who desires to lead and guide you through your time on this earth.

A baby learns to be thankful for its mother’s milk and as he grows begins to relate giving thanks for things that bless him in a personal way. The problem is that we are thanking the hand that we see rather than the originator of the thought which is not so easily discerned. If we are fortunate enough to be taught as youngsters that there is a God who made us and who loves us we can make the choice to get to know Him better. And as we give Him reign to do so He will reveal Himself to us and begin to shape us into the child He always meant for us to be.

Can we cease to be thankful and go our own way? Yes, we can! And what about those who did not have the same start in life as most of us do? Interestingly enough, God knows the plans He has for us and He has the foreknowledge to know just what we will do and where we will go when we leave this earth. The Word tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Yes, we can live from day to day giving thanks as it pleases us or we can strive to develop a thankful heart and be constantly aware of what Psalm 92 says in verses 1-2 – It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.

“Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home; all is safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin; God, our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied; come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.”

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THE MANGER

Have you ever given any thought to the manger where our Lord first laid his infant head? It was such a lowly place for a heavenly Savior. And yet, unlike our appearance into this world, He had angels to sing him to sleep and in the clear, crisp night, a bright and shining star overhead.

Have you ever contemplated why this was part of God the Father’s plan? Could the manger be symbolic of the hearts where Jesus was meant to rest? A manger with sweet smelling hay – can we offer Him hearts unadulterated with the sins of the world for His resting place? It is no less than what He deserves – the God-man who came to show us what life was all about and to die an unimaginable death on a windy hill surrounded by convicted sinners for the purpose of giving us the richest gift imaginable – eternal life with more glory than we will ever observe or know while we remain on this earth.

It is not the normal place that one would look for when searching for the King of Kings. Herod expected that there would be something much more grandiose for the resting place of one born of such noble heritage. When the wise men first appeared before him asking where is the King of the Jews, Herod was troubled and called together all the chief priests and scribes in order to discover where the Christ was to be born. As recorded in Matthew chapter 2:6 they replied – But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.

Maybe that is where we often make our mistake – we expect that a King would only be looking for our loyalty rather than a deep-seated love relationship. And yet it was love, not just obedience, that gave Jesus the courage needed to walk that lonesome path. Yes, He was obedient to the Father’s program for man’s salvation, but it was His love for the Father that tied him tightly to the suffering He would gladly endure. The stakes were high, but the end result would be what the Father originally desired – a large group of children who would give their all for the Father who gave His all – his dearly loved first-born son to save mankind whose creation He planned from the very beginning of time.

What is a manger – it is just a simple trough for feeding horses or cattle. What is placed in the manger would be considered food for the hungry animals. Is the baby Jesus food for hungering souls? We spend so much time in this life searching and searching for something of value, when all we were ever meant to do was to go to the manger and fill our hungering bodies with the manna from heaven. Manna was first mentioned in the Bible as food miraculously given to the Israelites in the wilderness as they fled from Egypt – the dictionary tells us it means any nourishment or help received as by divine bounty. Jesus was always meant to be the sustenance that mankind would need to survive and become beloved children of our Father, who art in heaven.

When we receive Jesus, He expects us to be as He was – the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Mt 5:13 -14). You may hear people today say that their faith is personal, but Jesus would have us know that it is never private.

At this Christmas season as we remind ourselves of the reason for the season let us seek the manger as we never have before.

“Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed….”

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GOOD NEWS!

Are you tired of listening to the news as you drive your car to wherever you are going? As truthful and reliable as Fox News is these days are you tired of hearing about the possibilities for your tomorrow? Then this is the season for you not only to look for, but to absorb the fact that there is good news to be had.

I’m sure that at some time in your past you have enjoyed good news. Usually things of this kind are stored in our memory. As you are sitting in front of the fireplace or singing around the piano someone will probably bring up something from the past that awakens a smile in your heart. Good news has a way of being recorded, whether on paper or in our hearts, for future generations or for times of need.

What is good news? Is it something to be shared? Isaiah 52:7 portrays a messenger hurriedly leaving the scene of battle and running across the mountains to announce to his anxious city the good news of victory - How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! Can you imagine the excitement, the sense of joy and peace that this generated in the hearts of God’s people in Jerusalem?

In times long past there were wise men, men who studied the stars and were considered by those in the day to be philosophers. They made the long trip to Jerusalem to discover the good news their studies had divined for them and confronting Herod, the king, asked - Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him (Mt. 2:2).

Luke tells us of shepherds abiding in the field who received good news from an angel who said to them – Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Lk. 2:10-11)

I realize that we are living in vastly different times with much more sophisticated methods of delivering news, both good and bad. The media today is forever competing to see who can deliver the most heart-stopping news the quickest, not at all concerned about how much truth they can pad, rearrange or deny. We are becoming less inclined to turn on the TV or radio for fear of what we will hear that we don’t want to hear. It could easily be something that would compound our problems and change our way of life. What we really want is a guarantee that the news we hear will always be “good news”.

I hate to burst your bubble, but good news is becoming scarce in today’s market. Is there something we can do about this? Is there somewhere else to turn? Psalm 121 tells us – I will lift up my eyes to the hills - From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

If you are following John’s Revelation from God you will discover that the need for good news is becoming like a prized pearl. Phil. 4:6-7 tells us – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Now that’s what I call good news and it can be found in the Living Word of God. May your coming year be blessed with His Good News!

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PEACE ON EARTH?

Is your heart troubled because of the things going on in this world? There are so many needs to consider – the dollar is becoming worthless, our government can’t seem to see the forest for the trees, our homes can’t be sold, our jobs are at risk, our weather is confused and our food has been so contaminated over the years that we are beginning to wonder what we can and should eat. However, the worst thing and something we never thought would happen is that religious persecution is spreading across the planet. Is the world going backwards? For our indifference are we going to be taught by God the same lessons that He once tried to teach the Jews? Will peace ever be found again on this earth until after the Tribulation?

It was never meant to be that way. When God placed Adam and Eve in the garden it was His plan that they prosper and live in peace. However, the serpent, that God also allowed, because He knew that love without choice was not really love at all, didn’t waste any time before he began to sow discord that would put an end to peace.

From that time on we can read in the Word about the changing thought patterns that developed. People began to make up their own rules for life and built statues to worship. Even after God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai the people continued to stray from the path that was set apart for those who love the Lord. We can spend all day talking about why people are the way they are and asking why God would allow us to be too blind to see. However, I have already answered that question so let’s go on.

Most of us have been fortunate to live through periods of peace though often at the expense of others. Earth’s population has increased tremendously since the days of Noah when God decided He had absolutely had enough. He started over once and vowed never again to flood the earth, however we know from the Word that there will finally be an end to man’s endeavor to control his own existence.

If we were to take a poll most of us would agree that a peaceful world is what we desire. Is there any way to obtain it and what is the part we as individuals are to play?

The Word gives us many references to peace. We are told in the 14^th chapter of Romans – Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way (v. 13) and Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace (v. 19). 1 Peter 3:11 tells us that whoever would love life must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 1 Thes. 2:1-2 says as we worship first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

After we have done our part though Jesus reminds us that in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). Our Prince of Peace promises - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (Jn. 14:27).

As a new year approaches let us make the decision to let peace rule in our hearts and lives so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Amen!

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LET THERE BE LIGHT

So much of what we see, hear and read these days is so full of darkness that we can get no real and lasting joy or peace and often end up with a sigh, wondering why the Lord is hesitating so long to blow His trumpet. Of course, there are those who are not looking for the trumpet to blow; whom shake their heads feeling that a God of love and mercy will surely not hold them responsible for this world’s devastation, or will He? And besides that Tom is getting ready to be married, Susie is having a baby and there is still so much to do.

Unfortunately when we wake up on a cloudy day we have become accepting of it as a part of life while hoping that tomorrow the sun will shine and things will be better. Why is it we think the sun will make things better; is it because the sun is a source of light? What is light? The dictionary defines light as a form of radiant energy which stimulates the organs of sight, but it also gives another definition; that of mental or spiritual understanding or insight.

What definition do we as Christians choose to place on the subject of light? Jesus says in John 8:12 – I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Can we imagine and accept a life of living in the light? What are the requirements? Matthew 5:14-16 tells us what the Lord expects of His followers – You are the light of the world – and again in 1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Okay we have the requirements, but how do we become the light; how do we declare the praises of God to a people who do not really understand or know Him even when they think they do? One of the easiest ways is to remember that as we go about our daily busy-ness our hand is enclosed in the hand of our best Friend. When walking with your best friend you wouldn’t want him or her to see you doing something unworthy of your friendship, would you? You wouldn’t say or do anything demeaning to that friendship if you want to keep it. No, you probably would be carefully looking for ways to demonstrate how great our God is – you would be wearing a smile on your face; greeting those you meet with joy; working with all the skill God has provided to be your very best and do your very best.

But you say, how does that really impact someone else’s life; how does that bring them into the light? People are always drawn to the joy of others and desirous of wanting to understand the source, that is a fact of life; however, the Word does not tell us that we must actually make a change in other lives only that we must witness to the Truth that we have had revealed to us and then leave the transformation to the work of the Holy Spirit. We are also expected to know that our part of the follow-up is to pray.

Vernon McGee in his commentary on Philippians states that joy is the source of power, prayer is the secret of power, and contemplation of Christ is the sanctuary of power. Lets face it folks, this is doable and has such great and lasting rewards. It’s what we desire, isn’t it – a world full of light?

I pray that in each new day we face your prayer will be as mine – Grant me wisdom and light, Lord, as I seek to follow the One I love with all my heart.

“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”

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A FRUITFUL REST

I believe I am safe in saying that most of the people you run into today feel that they would really love to have a little more time to rest; a little more time to cease from exertion whether physically or mentally; an opportunity to regain strength and enthusiasm, to renew soul and spirit. In the very beginning God set aside a day for rest and blessed it. It wasn’t because He was tired rather that He made time to look at what was done and declare it good. Today I believe He expects us as faulty humans to take time to rest and cry unto Him as did the Psalmist in Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Our Father has made no secret about His desire for relationship with us; it has always been His plan that we would reside with Him in a heavenly place. In order to do that though our spirits must be united with His spirit through Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3:7-11 (Message) says – Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear as in...the time of wilderness testing! Even though they watched me at work for forty years your ancestors refused to let me do it my way...And I was provoked...’They’ll never keep their minds on God’;...Exasperated, I vowed, ‘They’ll never get where they’re going, never be able to sit down and rest.’ God still finds Himself exasperated with His people.

When God considers rest He goes all the way back to the basics – Come unto me…and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28). It is in the rest of God that we will find wisdom and according to James 3:17 wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits.

What do good fruits have to do with rest? Galatians 5:22 (Message) lists the fruits of the spirit as being affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity, a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. If you feel the need to prove what I am saying, try it out – see if you possess all of these things if you can still be tired in spirit or body.

God has always known what we as humans often refuse to accept and constantly challenge – that His way is easy and His burden is light. We still complain of being tired, don’t we? Please don’t think I am unaware of the many obligations we have in today’s world; I’ve been there, done that. However, the Lord has finally helped me to realize that my life could have been so much easier if I had just done it His way. If we trust Him and place our complicated lives before Him, He will show us what we are doing wrong and if we allow Him to do so, He will make a way; a way that leaves us with a glad heart, at rest and with peace and energy for tomorrow.

Paul prays in Col. 1:10 (Message) asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to His will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making Him proud of you as you work hard in His orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul – not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee with sweetness fills my breast;

But sweeter far Thy face to see, and in Thy presence rest.

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BALANCED – ARE WE?

We often hear people today talking about balancing their lives because time never seems to allow us to finish all we desire or need to accomplish. Just what is meant by a balanced life? Are we considering a “Christian life” to be balanced or has time watered down our definition of Christian and we really should be talking about a life lived as a child of God? There can be a big difference!

To begin lets consider how many interpret a Christian life. Is a Christian life one in which you find a family attending church every Sunday? Scripture does tell us in Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. That is certainly true, but it doesn’t account for the other six days of the week and is certainly not the balanced life we are looking for.

In our everyday life if the tires on our car need balancing we go to an appropriate place and have them balanced. If we want to know how to balance our lives as children of God we should go to the Word and find out just what Jesus has in mind. We don’t have to run to and fro gathering information before we start – it has already been gathered for us.

It is impossible to list in a few short sentences or even in a lifetime the continuing growth the Word provides, but we get credit for beginning and persevering. A good place to start is with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. But don’t stop there. As you continue to study you will find that there will be layers upon layers that will be opened up for you.

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Mt. 9:37); Freely you have received, freely give (Mt. 10:8); Feed my sheep (Jn. 21:17); Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2); Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial (1 Cor. 6:12). And you could and should go on and on because balance can change as each day arrives. One of my favorite passages is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 in the Message Bible where it is entitled “The way He wants you to live”.

Most people will agree that no matter how diligent we are, perfection will never be attained, but if our weaknesses are cloaked by God things it will be much harder for the enemy to know where to attack us or even if he can afford to do so. Also we need to remember that balance is achieved not just by taking in, but it must be part of our giving out.

If you don’t know or can’t take the time to learn about the pain of others it is impossible to feed the Lord’s sheep or to share in the responsibility of keeping up the house of the Lord which you are using. Sadly in a lot of churches today you will find people arriving late and rushing out as the last Amen is uttered. You may wonder if they are leaving richer than when they arrived.

Psalm 37:23 tells us The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. The dictionary tells us that good means morally excellent, righteous, honorable, worthy. Do we ever ask ourselves if we are worthy to be loved and cared for by a Holy God? Lets desire to have a life that is balanced by the Holy Spirit and the Word so that we may bring delight to the Lord we love.

“I walked today where Jesus walked, in days of long ago.
I wandered down each path He knew, with reverent step and slow.
Those little lanes, they have not changed, a sweet peace fills the air.

I walked today where Jesus walked, and felt His presence there.”

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JOY IN THE MIDST OF SADNESS

God promises us many things in the Word. Some are the result of things we do or decisions we make. However, some are simply because of who God is. For instance, God is love; He has loved us and all His creation since He formed us and placed us here, hoping that we would be and do the things that His heart longed for. Since He gave man free will to choose, He knew in His foreknowledge just what would happen, but His arms are still outstretched to those who would choose as He has desired. Hebrews 10:23 tells us to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who has promised is faithful.

That verse in itself is enough to give us courage for the road ahead. While 1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us that God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be, we all have certain things that are common to each of us. Each one of us has the responsibility of exhibiting joy which is a fruit of love. Have you ever considered this thought, particularly as you are walking down a road which is especially rough?

When a person is by nature joyful most of us assume his life is outrageously blessed and this is sufficient reason for the joy and we need look no further. But there is more to joy than window dressing. Joy is an action produced by the love we have for our Father; it is not only what He desires, but an attribute we cannot help if we truly love Him.

Some of you with an analytical mind might suggest that love doesn’t always bring joy, that love is sometimes sorrowful, but Scripture tells us Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Ps. 30:5) and I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (Jn. 15:11).

Does this mean we should be joyful even when suffering and sadness are part of our daily portion? Yes, people, it does! It is not the joy of feeling, but the joy of knowing that we have a Savior who loves us and is looking out for us.

We are not a people who lived in Biblical times seeing the Lord for ourselves in all His wonderful glory, but 1 Peter 1:8-9 reminds us Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Is there anything in the entire world that you would rather have than this, the salvation of your soul? The word “joy” itself is mentioned too many times in the Word to be discounted easily. Life would be so very bland without it. It is not just important for your life, however. Joy is something that grows as it is shared. At Christmas we sing an old, familiar hymn “Joy to the World” and that is exactly what the Lord meant for it to be - something that resonates in the world which He created for the children He loves.

When we wake in the morning and prepare for the day ahead, can we remind ourselves to practice joy, to greet the world with a song in our hearts?

“Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the dark of doubt away,

Giver of Immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.”

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DOES YOUR SOUL GRIEVE?

Are you wondering if I’ve lost it? Why would I want to write about the process of grieving; a deep grieving that the soul does when it is convicted by the overpowering love of a Holy God?

It wasn’t many years ago that I wouldn’t have understood what soul grief was. I can relate to the heart grieving over a lost child, the death of a beloved pet, a house burning to the ground with years of memories. But what does it mean for a soul to grieve over something you can’t even totally grasp; to grieve for something you long for, not something you’ve lost, but something that is bigger than anything you have ever encountered?

The dictionary defines the soul as an entity distinct from the body consisting of the mind, will and emotions; the spiritual part of man as related to God. Grief is defined as a deep sorrow or mental distress caused by remorse; to mourn or lament.

No matter what segment of time you are considering grief has always been a part of man’s existence. God grieved over Jerusalem, but He was also fiercely angry. We don’t talk or hear much about God’s anger these days. We are much more interested in His love for all of mankind. Consequently we don’t indulge our time in grieving as perhaps we should. In Lamentations 1:12 however Jeremiah cries out – see if there is any sorrow like unto my sorrow. In Psalm 95:10 David says for forty years I was grieved with that generation. In John 21:17 Peter, one of the twelve disciples, was himself grieved when Jesus asked him for the third time – Peter, do you love Me? That question is the most fundamental question Christ ever asks of us. And finally we find Isaiah describing Jesus himself in chapter 53:3 as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

Are we missing out on an integral part of our existence, part of life’s balance? Ecclesiastes 1:18 informs us that with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief and Proverbs 14:13 says – even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief.

Fortunately for us though, God’s Spirit is a teacher and counselor here to guide His people through life’s dangers. God’s wisdom is beyond us, but He reveals it to us so we will know what to do. Left on our own, we would self-destruct. Is our Lord attempting to show us something that we might be inclined to overlook? Lamentations 3:32 tells us – though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. Even as Jesus returned to His proper place in Heaven He admonished His disciples with these words found in John 16:20 – you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Should grief precede the request found in Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me? A spirit that is sorrowfully repentant and grieves over the status of mankind in today’s world can truly turn the tide of events. Can we pour out our hearts and find ourselves washed with our own tears as well as with the tears of the One we love; the One who loved us so much that He willing gave His only begotten Son over to die for our salvation?

Grief is not always something to be avoided. It is cathartic (purifying) and it will clean out all of the unnecessary and undesirable trash in our lives and allow God the Father to do the work in us that He has always wanted to do.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

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PERSPECTIVE

Friends, as you walk in newness of life do you ever return in your memory to a time before you knew the Lord, a time you wished you could forever erase? I doubt if the truth were told there would be many of us who did not. We were born needing to grow and growth is a long, hard process through many valleys.

When we look at our lives we look through our current perspective – we see yesterday, today and what we hope for tomorrow. That appears to be the logical way to check ourselves and our progress. How-ever, we are told in Isaiah 43:18 to” forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” and in Isaiah 65:16 “…for the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from My eyes.” If our God has decided to forgive and forget our human sins why is it we have such a hard time with rehashing our past? The operative word here is “dwell” – we are not meant to live in the past, but we are to learn from it.

The Word tells us in Hebrews 1:1 – “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways” and in Romans 15:4 – “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The past as revealed to us in Scripture can help us to understand why and where we are today and give us encouragement for the future.

Okay, how do we deal with today and a world that seems to have gone amuck? Psalm 95:7-8 and Hebrews 3:7-8 both tell us the same thing – “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts and Ecclesiastes 8:7 says, “Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?” So what are we to do? Matthew 6:34 tells us “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” That seems perfectly clear but often hard to accomplish. Can we trust the Word found in Proverbs 23:18? – “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

We began this by looking at the past, the present and the future and that is helpful if we want to make earthly plans. However there is another dimension to consider and that is up. It is true that we cannot technically define this dimension because it is a heavenly one, but nevertheless when we entrusted our lives to Christ Jesus it became available to us.

Our Father has not left us without a clear picture for He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 – ”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Our lives would be so much easier if we could just relax, open our eyes and ears to the Lord and allow Him to guide us step by step, day by day. Yes, it is true that there are decisions to make and sometimes we don’t hear from Him, but we can be sure that He will not allow those that are His to do anything contrary to His plan for our lives.

Romans 8:38 gives us a lasting confidence that should bring joy to each and every day. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Let us engrave these thoughts on our hearts so that our lives will be the everlasting example He wants us to be. One of my favorite scriptures for the rainy days is Psalm 121:1-2, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth.”

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TO GROW IN RICHES

That sounds great, doesn’t it? It is what most of us would love to see happen in our lives because it would bring us pleasure and comfort in the world in which we live. The dictionary gives us many definitions of being rich – having large possessions, as of money; goods or lands; valuable; costly; but it also states something we often ignore – an abundance of whatever is precious. Precious is defined as greatly esteemed as for spiritual qualities; cherished.

Life brings a richness into our days as we enjoy the beautiful brilliance of a spring morning with the blooming of the trees and flowers; with the singing of the birds; with the smiles on the faces of young children; with the return of a loved one from a foreign country. However, these are fleeting and no matter how hard we try to keep the memories they will fade. How can we make richness a lasting part of life?

James 2:5 speaks saying Listen my dear brother: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him – a kingdom, surely that means great wealth in anyone’s vernacular. And again in Psalm 112:1-3 – Blessed is the man who fears the Lord…wealth and riches are in his house and Proverbs 8:18 – with Me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. Wow! That doesn’t sound like it is terribly hard to become rich; all we have to do is please the Father.

But wait a moment – we are told in Luke 12:33-34 – Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven, that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Hmm! that sounds like you have to get rid of riches in order to have riches. Surely that is not right!

Maybe we misunderstood. Yet 1 Timothy 6:17-19 just adds to the confusion – Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Does that mean that for all practical purposes riches cannot be held onto in this world; that it is only a concept for a future age? Well, that might not be so bad. We know that normally riches are not obtained overnight – we must work and save rather than spend if we want to accumulate wealth. But we want that now, not later. Can we have our cake and eat it too? The good news is that yes, we can have it now. It is free and waiting simply for us to reach out our hands and accept what our Lord has always intended.

The riches that Christ Jesus brought to the children of God is that which brings joy to the soul; that which penetrates each and every day with a high that bursts forth in song; that turns heads to see the beauty of life that many desire. Glory! It may still take work, but it is attainable right now and God in His mercy has already given us the keys to His kingdom.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

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TO PURSUE HOLINESS

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory”. (Isaiah 6:1-3)

What is holiness? For many people today holiness means being stuffy and they would rather spend their time tickling their senses, but becoming holy was God’s original intent for all of mankind; that we should walk through life as He walked. In the beginning He told mankind You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2) and it is reiterated for us today in 1 Peter 1:15-16 – but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy”.

Where did we lose out on the notion that holiness is a beautiful thing, something to be desired? For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness (I Cor. 4:7). Holiness is not something you can learn and be done with; it is an on-going process, knowing that we will never reach the perfection of God’s holiness, but we want to and must begin. Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1)

To pursue something the dictionary tells us we must use all diligence because we want it with all our hearts. Where do we start? We begin and continue with the Word – doing our best to discover who God is, what His life is about and what it means practically to be holy. Then we strive to make what we have learned a part of our lives, something that we put on as we prepare for each and every day; something we will have at our fingertips to use as the Lord directs our lives.

I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness….now that you have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life (Rom. 6:19-22). Isn’t that what we who call ourselves Christians should desire?

We can be chastened by our parents, our friends, our pastor, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb. 19..22) That sounds serious, folks! Without holiness none of us will see the Lord who loves us and whom we profess to love.

Will we ever be able to reach this lofty goal? Revelation 22:12 tells us Behold I am coming quickly. Since we cannot pin quickly down maybe we should start immediately so that we can hope to reach the point that Paul speaks of in 2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

As we call upon you today, Holy Spirit, we ask you to open our hearts to make use of what our minds already know.

O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee;

I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.

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THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

How far down can we sink? In the world in which we live today do we regard anything as precious?

We are told in the book of Exodus when God gave instructions to Moses for the people that the blood of young bulls was used to seal the Covenant between God and man, and the people responded – We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey. Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” (Ex. 24:7-8)

Down through the ages blood has been used in many situations – the blood of animals was sacrificed on the altars to appease different gods; was poured out in the arenas for entertainment; has been shed by soldiers to satisfy power; and even on a smaller scale to meet the sinful nature of those with a sick mind. Without blood man cannot live.

So maybe this would be a good time to remind you that we have been bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are not our own. We were made with a purpose in mind, instructed on how to fulfill that purpose and finally redeemed and given the choice of eternal life through the most precious and unimaginable sacrifice – the very life blood of the only begotten Son of the Father.

While today we do not live in Old Testament times, the New Testament tells us over and over again just exactly how important, how precious, is the blood of our living Lord. But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh, by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13); How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb. 9:14); But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (I Jn. 1:7).

Today we observe the ritual of communion in the church. Unfortunately, it has too often become like unto the Lord’s Prayer, something we do from habit, without thought. Yet, 1 Cor. 10:16 asks the question – The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And Heb. 9:22 adds additional weight by stating that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Over time there have been things in life that we have deemed precious – diamonds, gold, etc. – but as we have reached a point in life where money has not allowed us to invest in these things they have become downgraded in our thoughts and hence in our lives. Have we allowed the same thing to occur in our Christian walk? Because we cannot feel God’s presence or see His face or His activity in our daily lives is He losing His place of honor in our thinking? I surely hope not.

I have cried many tears over this devotional because it is a subject I am so unworthy to attempt and yet it has driven me. I know in my innermost being that there is nothing more precious in my life than the blood of my Savior shed for me. I put my trust in Rev. 5:9 which says And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. I thank you, precious Lord, for the greatest gift I will ever receive.

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

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ARE THE FIELDS WHITE?

We don’t have to think about it long before we must admit that God released tremendous power in nature when He formed the earth. In Genesis 8:22 He tells us While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.

There have been many years since the writing of the Holy Bible, but the Word of God has not changed. We have seen developments in our world that the people in biblical times could never even imagine and yet we have much in common. In our struggles we have won sometimes and failed sometimes, but Isaiah 9:3 tells us Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy: they joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest… The joy that the Lord seeks is in direct relation to the harvest that He plans to have and that He hopes to share with those who have committed themselves to sowing the necessary seed to accomplish that harvest.

Does that mean that we should be joyful today because souls are being saved? Unfortunately we seem to see this happening more in foreign countries than in our own United States of America. Jeremiah warned the people of his day in chapter 8, verse 20 – The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. We, as the people of God, don’t always behave as we should and often forget that any church, nation or individual disintegrates from the inside, not from what happens on the outside.

As we listen to the news on Fox or read information passed on through the internet today we don’t have to be extremely intelligent to realize that our world is in serious trouble. Have we waited too long? Is the Lord demanding payment that we do not have?

It is good to be in a church community, but that is no longer enough. John 4:35 tells us Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And Mark 4:29 admonishes us But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come. Our time is growing short. Have we sown seed for our harvest; have we spoken to our friends and neighbors about the thing most dear to our hearts – the living Word of God? Do we live our lives in preparation for the reaping of God’s sickle?

Matthew 9:38 suggests – Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Prayer is a powerful tool when used with the proper attitude. Our tithes are also valuable when it comes to sending missionaries abroad or providing the necessities of life which impact the hearts of those on the receiving end. All of us can participate at some level, but we must always be tuned in to the Father’s heart for there are fields to be harvested in our own backyard and it is up to us to see that the seed is sown.

We are given a clear picture in Revelation 14:14-16 of the reaping of earth’s harvest – Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud. ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

“But once I pass this way, and then no more;

But once – and then the silent door swings on its hinges,

Opens – closes – and no more I pass this way.”

John Oxenham

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WILL WE BOW DOWN?

Our pastor asked us Sunday “Why are we here?” Did we leave that thought in the sanctuary or did we take it home to chew on in place of our earthly cravings? Is it too hard to see a life of Godly service when we are surrounded with earthly treasures?

In the 32^nd chapter of Exodus, when Moses was on the mountain so long, the people began to wonder just where he was and they asked Aaron to make a god for them. They collected gold earrings from the people, built a golden calf and declared a festival for the purpose of sacrificing burnt offerings. Verse 6 says …afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

Turn the page and consider Sunday when we faithfully (maybe I should say religiously) go to church, then out to eat followed by a football game or something equally self satisfying. It seems as a people we need to see or feel something for it to have value and yet the spirit of man is where value is found. Have we become a robotic people with schedules to perform in repetition day after day? Satan loves routine and complexities because they can drive people away from visions and dreams that could be turned into reality. We need to spend time remembering just how big our God is and that He truly wants to share His vastness with us. When we don’t make the habit of fellowship with the Lord, we can lose sight of who He is and what He desires and requires. Do we need a golden calf?

In the New Testament, in the book of Acts, Luke tells his audience of the life of Moses in order to give them an understanding of the principles that ought to govern the church of any age. Chapter 7:48-49 reminds us that the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.’ And in verse 53 He chastises us saying you have received the law that was put into effect through angels, but have not obeyed it.

The book of Revelation gives us a picture of seven churches which are examples of today’s churches – they have both good and bad qualities. However, we need to remember that our Lord is not looking for an acceptable church but a perfect church.

What does a perfect church consist of – respect, obedience, reverence? There is a song of yesteryear that tells us simply – “The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is His new creation by water and the Word. From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.”

A perfect church! In Matthew 16:18 Jesus tells Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it indicating that the church is built on the foundation given to the apostles and prophets. Paul tells the Corinthians in his first letter since you are eager to have spiritual gifts try to excel in gifts that build up the church (14:12). We are admonished to be examples to others as it is the body of Christ, not just individuals that our Lord is looking for – the unity of many brothers and sisters.

Paul tells us in Romans 1:5 that having received grace his purpose is to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And in the 6^th chapter verse 19 – I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

David was a man after God’s own heart and he showed his reverence in Psalm 5:7 –But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down. And in chapter 33:8-9 – Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. Paul tells us like it is – Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under His care.

Our dictionary tells us that the word “bow” means to bend one’s body or head in an act of worship or reverence, to submit or yield. That is a hard thing for a proud people to do. But then do we really have much to be proud of these days? In Isaiah 45, verses 22-24 assure us that the Lord is not just talking to hear himself talk. He states authoritatively – Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow, by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.’

Paul reiterates in the New Testament the words found in Isaiah. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God (Rom. 14:11); Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11).

How far have we come? There are many different understandings and practices today in denomina-tions, but we all should treasure in our hearts the act of “bowing down” before an Almighty God. It is not a question of giving up or settling, it’s a determination to reach for something beyond ourselves – not a hoped for dream, but a glorious reality. Can we take the chance before it’s too late?

In Revelation 11:18 we are told – the time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great – and for destroying those who destroy the earth.

The title of this devotional asks a question, but I hope by this time you realize that there is no question – whether we spend eternity with our Lord in heaven, or not, in the final analysis we will all bow before our Creator.

As Paul prays for the people of Ephesus (3:16-19) let us pray for one another. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

“Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.”

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SHALL WE CAUSE HELL TO TREMBLE?

Before I ever set my fingers to the keyboard I had already had a reaction to the title of this devotional. It didn’t surprise me, but it made me sad. We have come so far in many ways and yet we are still a people wandering in the desert for forty years. How can this be?

It is easy enough to accept that this world in which we live has a Creator. Colossians 1:16 testifies to that truth with these words – For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Chapter 2 verse 3 tells us that in Him (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and verse 15 says that having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. We can easily agree to all of this.

However, knowing the frailty of mankind Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10 – Your kingdom come, Your will be done. We all know that prayer has the ability to change things, but our Lord was even more desirous of our fellowship with Him and with one another and He reminds us in 1 Peter 2:9 that He created us to be a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we might declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Satan did his best to tempt Jesus to turn from His eternal purpose, but he was the one who was defeated. He has been trying ever since to turn the hearts of the people God loves, but God would have us defeat him as did Jesus. His Word that became flesh gives us all the encouragement that we need. His promise to us is found in John 14:12-14 where it states – I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Today we can find many people who will say they are Christian and they believe, but if their belief is not translated into action it has very little value. The fact that we can read in the book of Revelation about how we can and will fail and what the Lord will do to bring correction to the world He created is not so that we can sit back and watch it happen. We are supposed to fight the good fight. Yes, I know that it seems impossible at times. What can one man do even if he wanted to? We have a tendency to wring our hands and shake our heads.

And yet our individual responsibility is to be the properly working part that the Father created us for; each segment of the picture has its place and its effect. Casting Crowns tells of a young man who is a wrong way traveling, slowly unraveling shell of a man, whose fire is just an ember way down in the corner of his cold heart. At the altar he lays down his life, but his eyes are dry before he leaves the floor. He tries so hard but how can he be sure that he will not lose his follow through between the altar and the door.

I think this is where many of us are today. Do we care enough to try to change? If we will make the effort, together we can please the One who loves us and we absolutely can cause hell to tremble.

Father we humbly ask today for You to –

Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be:

Let us see Thy great salvation perfectly restored in Thee;

Changed from glory into glory, ‘till in heaven we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise. Amen!

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DID YOU FORGET THE SALT?

Salt is one of the things in life that people have a hard time doing without. At the dinner table you will often hear someone ask you to pass the salt. Salt is used both as a seasoning and as a preservative. In the Old Testament it was used to seal a covenant. The book of Leviticus reveals to us the responsibilities God demanded of the priests who came from the tribe of Levi. And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt (2:13).

You ask what does that have to do with us today. If you remember, 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that we were created to be a chosen people, a royal priesthood. Salt was the token of faithfulness between the offerer and God. It was called a “covenant of salt” because of its durability and permanence. God’s people were pledged to Him for eternity, and He had promised them His ever-lasting presence. I don’t need to tell you that Israel is in the forefront of discussion these days, but 2 Chronicles 13:5 reminds us plainly – Should you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons, by a covenant of salt.

One thing we must remember as we study to learn is that the Word is not just a bunch of tidbits that are good things to live by; they are part of a larger whole which brings revelation as we put the pieces together. It is true that we don’t hear much about the salt covenant today, but it gives us a basis for understanding when we read in the New Testament, in Matthew 5:13 the words of Jesus given in the Sermon on the Mount – You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

The sacrifices of the Old Testament ceased when Jesus Christ made himself a living sacrifice, but the responsibility was then passed on to us and His instructions were plain. We are to take the place of the salt in an established New Covenant. Colossians 4:6 tells us - Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. God has given us a tongue to bless others; our speech should be honest and free of hypocrisy; worthwhile and profitable – not dull, flat, or aimless. As food is tasty and appealing to our physical nourishment so should our speech be exciting and compelling, drawing new souls into their own search for the holy and the heavenly.

You might ask at this point how we can replenish our salt, because obviously we are imperfect people and the world makes a lot of demands on us. Is there a storehouse where we can go because we surely don’t want to be trampled underfoot? Most assuredly, our Father has not left us helpless. He has given us the richest storehouse imaginable; it will give us more information than we can handle, but as we spend the time to study His Word we will find Him answering our questions and guiding us in our attempts to do His will. He can make us the salt He always intended us to be if we will only allow Him to do so.

Our words and actions in these days that are becoming worse by the minute are going to determine whether we are nominal Christians or whether we will take up our cross and follow the Lord we profess to love. We need to reestablish within ourselves the heart of the salt covenant; we need to act and speak with the love and joy of Christ in whatever situation we find ourselves. We need to pray with fervor and determination the words found in Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth.....be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Please - don’t forget the salt!

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RESIDUE

The pendulum swings, time passes and all too often we realize that there are way too many things that we intended to do, but never managed to accomplish. Does it really matter? I think so!

The dictionary tells us that residue is the portion of an estate that remains after all charges, debts and particular requests have been satisfied. One definition of an estate is a particular stage of development in life. So basically we are talking about what gets leftover or left behind as we go through this life we lead.

The Father knew from the beginning that all those He created would not end up with him. Zephaniah 2:9 reveals a pattern set for the rest of time – Therefore, as I live, says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, surely Moab shall be like Sodom, and the people of Ammon like Gomorrah – overrun with weeds and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation. The residue of My people shall plunder them, and the remnant of My people shall possess them.

That sounds like being a part of the residue is not so bad, but we should know that the world’s residue is considerably larger than the Lord’s residue. The very first Psalm tells us Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful (v1)....The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away(v4). The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God (14:2). Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart (15:1-2).

Jesus, himself, when He preached the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount, tells us in Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; No one can serve two masters....You cannot serve God and mammon (6:24); But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand (7:26).

What about the residue that each and every one of us chooses daily? The world has a way of hardening our souls, but God’s presence restores and refreshes us. We cannot live long without the life-giving water of God’s loving kindness. We do have a way of testing that though every day that we live.

Years ago, when I was a college student, I was the recipient of a poem written by a good friend’s father. Through the years it has flitted in and out of my mind, but every time it does I promise myself that I will do a better job tomorrow. I cannot tell you what has happened to all of those tomorrows, but I can tell you that as I write this I make another promise to myself to be more diligent with the time our Lord has so generously given me.

Isaiah Isaiah 44:17 "And the residue thereof he maketh a god"

Lord, forbid I make thy due nothing but the residue!

Idle moments of each day as time enough in which to pray;

Fragments of myself, the rest, after self has claimed the best;

Though T Thoughts and talents at frayed ends, remnants, as my fancy wends.

Help me, Lord, lest this be true--I give Thee but residue.

Arthur Boand

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THE JOY OF EXPECTATION

Most people today spend much of their time looking forward to an event that they expect is going to be joyful (they have an expectation of joy), but the Father who loves us wants us to have joy in our normal day-to-day living because of what He is going to do for us in the future (the joy of expectation).

There came a time in the reign of David when he realized that the Ark of the Covenant needed to be in the temple built for it, but because of not following the Lord’s instructions regarding it being carried by the Levites one man had died and the ark had been left in a temporary place. I Chr. 15:25 tells us – So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy. They expected that when the Ark was in its proper place that the Lord would bless their lives.

You will find that when you are following the Lord’s instructions, found in the Living Word, that it will bring you a freedom which will lead to great joy and give you an expectation for unimaginable, beyond your wildest dreams, joy for your future.

You will find many scriptures in the Word dealing with joy. So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads (Is. 51:11); Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation (Hab. 5:18); Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your saints shout for joy (Ps. 132:9). You might say that is all well and good, but we are not living in Old Testament times and the problems of our day are vastly different. Yes, they are different; they are worse and we have never needed the joy of the Lord more.

This might be the time to explain that we are not talking about something that lasts for a short time, a momentary human joy; we are talking about a spiritual joy that invades your very being, a seed that was planted in you when God formed you for Himself. This kind of pure joy comes from our love relationship with God. The greater our love for God, the greater will be our joy. Our God whose very being is too complex for us to understand knows that we will never, ever, be able to grow into the kind of love that He has for us, but in His mercy He has made provision for its growth and as we grow to know Him better, we will love Him more, and as we love Him more, the greater will be our joy. Is that not something to desire with all our hearts?

One of the fruits of the Spirit according to Gal. 5:22 is joy and Jn: 5:11 tells us – These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. The problem, people, is while our God has spoken, we have not heard because we have not spent time in the Word to ingrain within our very beings a constant and lasting awareness of what brings this joy into our lives. We can talk about it, we can long for it, but until we take the time to reach out and grab it, it will not be there for us. This is one of those times in life when the horse must come before the cart.

Casting Crowns (yes, I do have an affinity for them) reminds us in the venue of song that the Word is alive and it cuts like a sword through the darkness, breathing life into all who believe; the Word is alive and its truth will not pass away.

Is it possible for us to wake up every morning with the joy of expectation, eagerly awaiting whatever the Lord has chosen for this particular segment of time? I believe it is, and I am diligently working on it. Will you join me?

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AROUND THE CORNER

Do you remember a song of yesterday that went – Around the corner and under the tree a sergeant major once said to me - who would marry you I would like to know, for every time I look at you it makes me want to go around the corner? Have we frequently wondered about what is around the corner of life for us? It has to be something better – doesn’t it?

In 2 Kings we find that the King of Syria was more than frustrated that his plans for capturing Israel always seemed to come to naught. When he was finally informed that the traitor was not one of his own but the prophet Elisha, he sent his men to surround the camp. When the servant of Elisha went out in the morning to get water he saw that the Syrian army surrounded the city of Dothan. He went back to tell his master, asking whatever shall we do. Verse 16 of chapter 6 says - So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes to see the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire. This was a life changing incident for the servant; you might say he turned a corner in his life.

Also in the New Testament we find Saul on the road to Damascus in his travels to persecute those calling themselves Christians. In the ninth chapter of Acts we find the Lord blinding Saul with a light that shone around him from heaven. A short time later the Lord sent Ananias to restore Saul’s sight and he became Paul, a man used mightily in the kingdom of God. Another corner?

Fortunately, while we cannot know the particulars for our individual lives, we have been given advance notice in the book of Revelation as to the corner that is soon to be upon us. The question is – will we be prepared to go around it?

If you have ever watched the TV program “I Shouldn’t be Alive”, you might have wondered as I do why those people would put themselves in that position without the proper equipment, which most of the time proves to be the case? It wasn’t supposed to snow; that avalanche wasn’t supposed to happen; there shouldn’t be ice on the river at this time of the year and for goodness sakes why don’t I have the proper communication to reach help.

People, we are in much the same shape. We may have prepared for a lot of our worldly problems, but we have neglected the fact that this world is not our home. We are simply journeying through this land. Do we need to seriously think about preparing for our new home?

In Luke, Jesus tells us to Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (21:36); and in Mark, Jesus says Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (13:35-37).

In the 6^th chapter of Ephesians, we find exactly what we need in the way of equipment to be ready for the corner that is before us (10-18). Let us not take the Word of our Lord lightly in this day or in the days ahead!

“Just think of stepping on the shore and finding it heaven!

Of touching a hand and finding it God’s!

Of breathing new air and finding it celestial!

Of waking up in glory and finding it home!” (From Finally Home by Don Wyrtzen)

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THE ABSENCE OF AWE

We are living in a day and age where the individual has become more important than the collective. We are always trying to climb a rung higher on our own personal ladder; to be sure we can not only keep up, but surpass our neighbor. Could this be one of the reasons that we are seeing so much trouble in our world today? We have ceased to care, not only for one another, but for the One who is the very reason for our existence. After all He is not a King, is He?

Rev. 1:17 tells us - And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me. “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.” Ps. 33:8 says Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

Today we talk more about the love of God than we do the awe of God. The dictionary tells us that awe is a reverential fear; dread mingled with veneration, respect, deference. It seems easier to put our everyday problems in the hands of a loving and forgiving God than think of Him in fear and awe. If you love your children it hurts to spank them, but if you want what is best for them then you will allow them to know the fear of disobedience. A God who continually does right for His children loves them more than we can comprehend, but He must be held in awe if we are to learn properly the lessons needed for life and service. He is worthy of our praise and actually requires it of us if we are to be truly His.

Heb. 10:31 states that It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; and Ps. 34:11 says

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The fear of God does not come naturally – rebellion and disobedience do. As we grow in our understanding of who God is, we will develop a wholesome reverence for Him. We are issued an invitation in Ps. 95:6-7 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.

We are not meant to cower in His presence, but we are to understand the reasoning and benefits of a reverential fear. Ps. 34:9 plainly tells us Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is not want to those who fear Him. No want! Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy (Ps. 33:18). People, you have to admit that what we need more than anything else in these times is the mercy of the One who is powerful enough to resolve the problems we face, but we also have to accept the fact that our knowledge is inferior and the resolution may not be to our liking. Revelation is not a book to fear, but a book to try and understand.

We have spent so much time drawing on our own line of understanding; can we learn to combine love with awe? It is probably one of the hardest lessons we will have to learn, but James gives us all the encouragement we will need when he tells us Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

May we have the desire and courage to join together in the worship of the one true King - Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together (Ps. 34:3).

“Come, thou Almighty King, help us Thy Name to sing,

Help us to praise: Father, all glorious, o’er all victorious,

Come, and reign over us, Ancient of Days.”

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LET’S DUMP THE GARBAGE

You might be saying to yourself – I don’t have any garbage, where are you going with this title, but you might be surprised if you stop and think about it. The dictionary defines garbage as something that is worthless or offensive. Paul in Phil. 3:8 tells us that everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ.

Gee! everything else - that sounds like we might have a little more garbage than we realized. It is easy in these complicated days in which we live to make excuses. While it is true that life is much more controlling now than it was in the days of shepherds who simply had to tend their sheep, it is also true that we, as humans, have a way of adding to our own problems. We do this by false imaginings – what if the stock market does fail; what if I get fired from my job tomorrow; what if something happens to my spouse or my children. What if? I simply must be prepared, but surely we know even as we make this statement that there is no way we can accomplish covering all the bases.

James 1:21 challenges us to get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls. Well, what if we, as good Christian people, don’t have a lot of filth and evil in our lives; we still have the problems of everyday living. Heb. 12:1 says since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down…and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

Could every weight include worrying about what might happen tomorrow? Could it include agonizing over the dinner we are serving to our spouse’s boss and praying it will not turn out to be a disaster? What about those weird people that just moved in down the street that might ruin our property values? Johnny just has to make an “A” if he is going to be eligible for sports this year. You may say I am being ridiculous and trying to wear rose-colored glasses. Yet, don’t we all do these things and are they really necessary? It is much easier to answer that question after the fact.

Ps. 55:22 tells us to give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Also in Matt. 11:30 – For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light. Isn’t a lot of our problem a lack of trust? Do we trust the One who made us in His image or do we simply rely on the imperfect being that we are becoming more and more like every day?

If we can work on losing the weightiness of life and learning to trust in our God who is more than enough we can throw away a lot of garbage and make room to respond to a portion of the Sermon on the Mount which tells us Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt. 6:19-21). Isn’t that what we would really like and wouldn’t it make life so much easier? We need to decide our answer soon for the night cometh.

“God hath not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways, all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way;

Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.”

Annie Johnson

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LOVERS OF GOD?

Did you ever have someone you knew truly love you? Did you trust them? Did you find it easy to love them in return? Why is it we have such a hard time submitting to the love of God, the one who cares and gives to us more than it is humanly possible to give?

In the 6^th chapter of Deuteronomy we find Moses restating God’s original commandments to the world. The people, as has been true of all ages, were rapidly removing their hearts from God. The heart attitude of people is always evidenced by their obedience or disobedience. We are free to choose many gods or no god and we have taken that freedom to indulge ourselves, but just look where it has brought us. Can any of us say that we are happy with the world of today? In verse 5 Moses tells the people – and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Jesus in His day declared that to be the greatest of the commandments.

Though the Word is a book of discipline it is foremost a book of love. It is for love that God made this world in the first place. He loved His creation and He desired for us to love Him, but in His wisdom He knew that it had to be a free choice. The Word records many verses about love and you can spend hours learning about how God shows and expects us to show our love.

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him (Jn. 14:21); And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins (I Pet. 4:8); knowledge puffs up, but love edifies (1 Cor. 8:1).

Over the years many authors have written about love, but love was never meant to be defined in human terms, which can change from one year to the next, but rather in heavenly terms. God defined the word when He made the world.

We are instructed in 1 Jn. 2:15 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. We are warned that in the last days men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away (2 Tim. 3:2-5). John in speaking to the latter day church of Ephesus recorded the words of the Lord saying Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love (Rev. 2:4).

When we enter a relationship with Jesus Christ love becomes our supreme motivation. A side note in the Blackaby Bible says – “His sacrificial love on the cross revives our soul, overwhelms our intellect, captures our heart and compels us to live for Him who died for us.”

Can you imagine what our world would be like if all men were lovers of God? There was a point in time I asked the Lord what truly worthy thing I could possibly have to give Him and in His awesome mercy He gave me the answer which from that time on has controlled my life.

“But all along He’s known the answer, one thing that I alone can give;

Something earnestly desired, uniquely special, my heart – and the way I choose to live.”

C. Ingersoll

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SPOKES IN THE WHEEL

The dictionary defines a wheel as that which imparts or directs motion or controls activity; a moving force. A spoke is considered to be one of the rods or bars that serve to support the rim of a wheel by connecting it to the hub.

When Ezekiel had a vision from the Lord calling him for service, chapter one describes some wheels that were seen – as I looked at the living creatures I saw a wheel (15); when the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved…wherever the spirit would go, they would go…because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels (19-20). Commentators find the book of Ezekiel hard to deal with, but they do agree that it is a vision of the glory and presence of God. The living creatures represent the cherubim whose job was to keep the way open to God. God is intelligently carrying out His purpose in the world and the wheels speak of the ceaseless activity and energy of God.

Not meaning to attempt a jump into left field may I suggest that in the world today God might use the people He has called and who are led by the Spirit to be the spokes in the wheels that maintain the open pathway to God?

Spokes are usually not fancy and often ignored in favor of the wheel itself which is as it should be, but they still have a purpose. So many of us today are used to going our own way, not realizing that we are meant to be a part and have a purpose in bringing about the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior. Perhaps one of the most important jobs we have on the face of this earth is found in Ephesians 4:12-13 - …so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

We know that the times we are living in are beginning to be fearful for many, but do we ever wonder if the Holy Spirit is saddened by the state of affairs in God’s world? Pastors today are raised up by God for His use, but who is it that carries out the work they preach about? 2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 tells us that He …has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ.

Romans 10:15 tells us …how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. However, we must be reminded of what our Lord says in John 15:20 - …A servant is not greater than his master. So as the spokes are not greater than the wheel, so are the feet not greater than the body. They are both significant but only as an added tool to the implementation of both the wheel and/or the body. We, as God’s children, should be motivated by the Word of God to come out from among them (the world) and be separate (2 Cor. 6:17).

Can we strive today in our busy lives to remember that without our effort the Word of God will not be spread about in this world which He created and which He loves? John 9:4-5 prods us saying – As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world and Matthew 5:15 reminds us that neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl, instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

We are not the wheel, as individuals we are not the Body of Christ, but we are working parts. God is the hub who tells us what the plan is, the Holy Spirit is the wheel who determines what is needed in each situation and we are the spokes who assist the Holy Spirit in His work here on earth. Are we going to accept this challenge? Are we able, can we, will we?

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THE SHAKING!

Many days are what we would call typical and then there are the others. This day began uneventfully until an earthquake was reported beginning in Virginia and running along the eastern seaboard clear to Toronto, Canada. Our world was shaken!

Some will look at this as a natural part of worldly processes, others won’t. For the latter it may be our time to ask ourselves the question – are we prepared to be shaken?

The writer of Hebrews attempts to warn us. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” (12:25-26)

I know that many writers are writing about the end of days and television programs are geared to do the same. It sells well and is exciting for the viewer to watch, but there are many who don’t take it seriously, choosing to think the God they know is one of love and not such evil punishment. It’s true that many are sitting on the fence, unsure but searching for something, they are not sure exactly what. In the middle of this we cannot deny that our world, the one we know and love, is in serious trouble – the stock market is questionable, the debt is mounting, the leadership is arguing among themselves finding it impossible to come up with a workable solution, and the legality of our president is in question.

Then someone has the audacity to remind us what Ezekiel has recorded in the 22^nd chapter - You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult (4-5). Haggai joins in with for thus says the Lord of hosts; Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations…(2:6-7).

The dictionary tells us that the word shake means to unsettle, to agitate, to cause to fall or be brought down. It can easily involve the vivid imagery of an earthquake.

In the days of Israel’s captivity the people refused to believe that God would destroy His temple; after all, that was His sanctuary and the place where His glory resided. The false prophets encouraged them in their unbelief. Today will God allow the false and deadly Islamic religion to overtake the country in which His people reside and which He created for them to be free to worship Him?

Satan is still being very subtle as he tries to accomplish his plans for our world. We have to be very careful in whom we put our trust. Our news media may very well mislead us on purpose; our friends, unwittingly; even our churches and pastors can be in error (they are after all human). I don’t mean to suggest that we walk around as suspicious people, but we should weigh all of what we see and hear against the one true Word that we can absolutely trust. It will never fail us. And we must pray, asking for forgiveness and mercy.

Lastly may I remind you of Ezekiel’s question in chapter 22:14 – Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you?

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MILD OR WITH JALAPENOS?

Have I caught your attention? The Lord said I would when He gave me the title. What I want to talk about in this devotional is the Christian life. Over time the true meaning of words often become altered. The term Christian has become so watered down over the years that today you will more frequently hear the question “are you a born again believer?” Technically they are synonymous; you can’t be one without the other.

In John 3:3 Jesus tells Nicodemus (representing the Pharisees) …except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. The Greek word for “again” is anothen, which means “from above”. When Nicodemus asked how a man could be born the second time Jesus tells us in verse 5 ...except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Water is likened again and again to the Living Word of God. Therefore, what Jesus is saying to Nicodemus is that a man must be born from above by the Word, and the Holy Spirit, who makes the Word real to the heart. The word Christian, more commonly used today, was first used in Antioch where Paul and Barnabas spent a year teaching a great multitude of people.

Unfortunately, you will find many people today who claim to be Christian who really don’t have a clue what they are committing to in their daily lives. It doesn’t mean that you will be in Church every Sunday and then go home to spend the week in the world. Matthew Hagee says what we need is a “reboot” (that’s a term used by computer people which simply means shut her down and start over).

In Ephesians we are told not to cease giving thanks and praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…(1:17-19); for you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins (2:1).

Okay! What do we do with this wisdom we just finished praying for? Jesus tells us plainly I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…(Jn.15:5). There are three degrees of fruit-bearing: fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. What is fruit? We are told the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23). These are things we don’t have to make time for, they are things that we represent wherever we happen to be. When we live these things people won’t have to ask us if we are Christians. We are told herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples (Jn. 15:8).

I so desire to see our portion of the Body of Christ living with the joy of our Lord. I like to imagine what it would be like to feel God’s glory rain down on us, to feel His presence in our midst healing those of us who need it, feeding those of us who are hungry. Mild (lukewarm) has no place in the life of the Christian, but the fire and zest of the jalapeno (the fire of God) can make all the difference in the world. We need to remember because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Rev. 3:16).

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,

But the Church of Jesus constant will remain;

Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that church prevail;

We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

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ONE LAST CHANCE?

The one true God has always had good things in place for those who love and serve Him. However, if one studies the Word one has to be aware of what scriptures say in the light of today’s events.

Behold the Lord God called for conflict by fire and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory (Amos 7:4); your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire, strangers devour your land in your presence (Is. 1:7); I made it rain on one city. I withheld rain from another city (Amos 4:7); I will punish her for the days of Baal to which she burned incense…but me she forgot says the Lord (Hosea 2:13).

From the beginning to the end God has set standards for His people and He is not unaware of how far we have spiraled into sin. You may attempt excuses by contending that these scriptures are all in the Old Testament and pertain strictly to the Jewish people, but the Word in its entirety will contradict that opinion.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:5); Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel (Eph. 3:6); even us who He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles (Rom 3:24). Paul tells us that he was called as a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:16) and for by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit (I Cor. 12:13).

Isaiah, appointed as a prophet by God, tells us plainly that unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah (1:9), but he encourages us by reminding us that if you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (1:19).

Our nation in its history has had many good years. In spite of isolated incidences of war, economic turmoil and changing philosophies of life we have continued to prosper. However, it is no surprise to all of us that this has changed, most likely forever, due to a struggle for power among the world’s nations, an increasing attitude to let others tell us how we should live our lives, the way we have refused to take responsibility for the preservation of this earth and its resources and the fact that we have begun to forsake our God in favor of our own wisdom. The greatest sin we can possibly commit is to forget God.

The church of today needs to remind itself that Satan doesn’t waste his time in places where blatant sin resides. He concentrates his time in places where there is spiritual life and the Word of God is being given out. There has never been a church, no matter how large or how small, in which there wasn’t at least a little leaven (a little error or sin). I know there are many out there who neither understand nor believe in the Christian concept of the Rapture of the Church, the body of Christ, but whatever position we hold to maybe it should concern us if we are not prepared for the arrival of our soon coming King. Spend some time in John’s Revelation to the people of God and make yourselves ready for what it seems the times are pointing towards.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Ps. 34:1).

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MORE COSTLY THAN GOLD

In today’s market with the devaluing of the dollar we are hearing, from people who are supposed to know, that we should spend what we have investing in gold. Gold has always been a precious commodity from the beginning of time. Its brilliance, natural beauty, and luster, and its great malleability and resistance to tarnish made it enjoyable to work and play with. The earliest history of human interaction with gold is long lost to us, but its association with the gods, with immortality, and with wealth itself is common to many cultures throughout the world.

In 1 Kings we find Jeroboam, king of all the Israelites except the tribe of Judah, saying to the people – It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt (12:28). He had made two golden calves for them to worship.

Solomon, the third of the three great kings of the united kingdom of Israel, possessed great wisdom and at the beginning of his reign followed the beliefs of his father, David. To honor the Lord he built the most expensive and beautiful temple of the day and furnished it with gold beyond our imagination – the mercy seat, tables, candlesticks, goblets, everything was either totally pure gold or wood embellished with gold. Even the hinges for the doors were gold.

We find the three kings from the Orient honoring the new born King of the Jews with gold, frankincense and myrrh. If you were to ask someone today if they would like to own some gold you would most likely get an enthusiastic yes. And yet that is far from the end of the story for we are told plainly in the Word that there is indeed something that has always been more valuable than gold.

In discussing the statutes of the Lord, Psalm 19:9-10 says – the ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold and chapter 119:72 states that the law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Have we as a people of God forgotten that God did not send His beloved Son to die for our happiness, prosperity, or health, but for our holiness?

The New Testament tells us in many ways, many times why the Lord chose to die for us and what He expects from His people. …though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine…(1 Pt.1:6-7). Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted…Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days (James 5:1-3). In His last words to John, recorded from the isle of Patmos – You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich (Rev. 3:17-18).

Maybe it is time to take another look at what we value most.

Lord You are more precious than silver
Lord You are more costly than gold
Lord You are more beautiful than diamonds
And nothing I desire compares with You!

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A CHILDLIKE FAITH

Most of the people we talk to these days are so far removed from a childlike faith. What is it that is so important about a childlike faith? Aren’t we supposed to grow and develop into mature people with logical thoughts and practical application for our lives? At this point in time we might wonder if the achievement was wise. Is losing one’s childlike faith a bad thing? It would appear so.

Jesus speaks and His Word is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke emphatically and absolutely stating – Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it (Luke 18:16-17).

When confronted by the disciples in their fleshly ambition asking who would be greatest in the Kingdom He disappointed them by replying - whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4). It would seem that humility is most important and overrides human competition.

What kind of sense does this make? What is it about little children that is so important to dwelling in a kingdom that it would prohibit a fully taught, well experienced individual from residing there also? Little children come into this world in all innocence, not tainted by the rules and regulations of society. They are accepting of whatever is told them and they feel no animosity toward anyone. They are able to believe, not taught by the world to doubt.

When I turned on the TV this morning and before I had a chance to select a channel I was captured by a conversation between an interviewer and a man from South Africa. They were talking about faith and actually seeing people brought back from the dead. That is something that a lot of Christian people would like to see happen in these days. I couldn’t help but ask myself why we don’t, even though I knew the answer even as the question was asked. It is a matter of faith.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Is there something about the people of South Africa that is different from the people of the United States? You could quickly answer that their country is backward, illiterate, without the advantages we have, but what makes their faith stronger when they don’t know as much about God as we do (or is that as we should)? Have we succeeded in making life so about the nuts and bolts that we have forgotten that God didn’t make things complicated, we did?

Does this take you back to where we first started; the importance of being as little children, with an unquestioning faith that tells us that God can and will do whatever He pleases to do? It would seem so. It would seem that in the process of growth and evolutionary advance we have lost something that while not crucial in this world is decidedly crucial in heaven, a place we hope will be our eternal home.

I am not saying that we have to destroy all the advances our society has achieved. I am saying that we have to accept these things for what they are – temporary things used in a temporary society. We need to remember that we have a new home in a new place that has been promised to us and we need to remind ourselves that we cannot wait until the last moment to make preparations for our move.

Maybe we should consider washing ourselves in the blood of the Lamb and trying once more to be the people God desires for us to be - His children and possessors of a childlike faith.

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A NEW DAY DAWNING

Is this not what our hearts are hoping for? A correction of all the mistakes we have made and a chance to start over and get it right. Is that even a possibility? I say it is - if we can choose the renewal of our childlike faith that we talked about yesterday and walk into our tomorrow with an unquenchable truth, we will find that all things are possible as we hold the hand of the Lord who loves us.

Isaiah in speaking to the wickedness of Judah gives the Word of God to them saying – Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. (1:14); come now and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (1:18-20). The people were too steeped in tradition that had lost all its meaning and become merely ritualistic which greatly saddened God.

However, the Lord who made us is always offering a new day. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (43:19). You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate (62:3-4). For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create…(65:17-18).

We are told in Lamentations that they (the Lord’s compassions) are new every morning (3:23). Therefore we should sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy (Ps. 33:3) for the Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love (33:5).

Does this not sound like a good idea to you? The very fact that we are being offered another opportunity after having so mightily messed up the first time is almost more than one can comprehend. We cannot say we deserve it, but if we ask for forgiveness and offer the Lord a new wineskin in which to put His new wine He will give us a new life. The Word tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.

The promise was given to John and recorded in the book of Revelation. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son’ (21:5).

Does it make your heart smile to know that you can see a brand new day dawning? It’s there for our choosing. It was God’s plan for us from the beginning of time. What a wonderful gift!

Lord, what a change within us one short hour spent in Thy presence will prevail to make!

What heavy burdens from our bosoms take! What parched grounds refresh as with a shower!

We kneel, and all around us seems to lower; we rise, and all, the distant and the near,

Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear; we kneel, how weak! We rise, how full of power!

Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong, or others – that we are not always strong –

That we are sometimes overborne with care – That we should ever weak or heartless be,

Anxious or troubled – when with us is prayer, and joy and strength and courage are with Thee?

Richard C. Trench

WHO IS HE, WHO ARE WE?

If you want to learn and consequently know who someone is, you will probably turn to his biography. The most important biography we will ever read is one with more depth than we will ever be able to explore in our lifetime and yet it is the most fulfilling from its very first word.

Most of today’s books will have a cover that will give you a snippet of what the book is about or if not a cover, a short introduction sometimes giving you a glimpse of the author’s heart. The Holy Bible as we know it starts with a list of contents which doesn’t really tell us very much. If we look at the first words of the Old Testament we see – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. That sounds like the beginning of a book of fiction. If we decide to look at the beginning of the New Testament thinking it might be more understandable we find that it doesn’t look much better because it seems to be about the lineage of someone called Jesus Christ and we all know lineage is usually pretty dull. However, if we happen to check out the beginning of a book called John, of whom it has been said he was the apostle that God loved, we find – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Now that just might catch our attention because a simple meditation doesn’t give us an answer, it simply challenges us to figure out a few things.

God never intended that we would be able to read a book and know all there was to know about Him, but He did expect to weed out those who didn’t really have the desire to know Him and to seek His face. He first explained Himself to Moses by saying – I AM WHO I AM (Ex. 3:14) – and these words became the foremost name identified with the covenant between God and His people. God has always been our Healer, Protector, Provider, Comforter and Savior. If you take the time you can find in your Bible Concordance many examples of who He is – I am the bread of life, the light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection, the way, the truth and the life. To those who seek Him and find Him, He is everything that has value, even to the air we breathe.

Okay, but what does that make us; being sheep doesn’t sound like much. There has to be more than that. You’re right, there is more, much more. In the first place, though, don’t let us discount sheep. The Shepherd has the responsibility for the sheep; their very existence is dependent upon Him. They are important to Him and He will search and go after even one that is lost. Being sheep doesn’t seem so bad. However, as we read and learn more of His Word we find we are referred to as the light of the world, the salt of the earth, His children saved by His very blood, designed to love one another, keep His commandments and dwell with Him forever in His kingdom.

That’s improving considerably, but there is a hitch – our names must be written in the Book of Life.

The requirements and the means of fulfilling them will be found in the hearts of those who have cared enough to seek the Truth revealed in the Word manifest from the beginning. The book of Revelation tells us in chapter 22:6-7 – Then he said to me (John), ‘These words are faithful and true.’ …’Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’

Who is He? Who are we? Maybe it is time to make time, to quit making earthly excuses and work harder to discover these answers for ourselves.

There are depths of love that I yet may know ere Thee face to face I see;

There are heights of joy that I yet may reach ere I rest in peace with Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.

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HE WHO WOULD BE WISE!

How often have you heard that to make it in this world you must be smart? The dictionary defines smart as bright, acute, clever, shrewd, quick in thought or action. But I would like to pose a question – where has that gotten us? You only have to look around today to know that somewhere, at sometime we were not smart. Yes, we have grown from tents to grand palaces, from home schooling to vast educational institutions, from hand tools to elaborate machinery, etc. Yet I cannot believe this is what our Creator intended when in the beginning He looked down from His throne and pronounced that it was good.

Rather I believe He intended that we should be wise. Wise is defined in the dictionary as seeing clearly what is right and just; having sound judgment and wisdom as the power of true and right discernment. Still that does not represent the whole picture for the Word of God carries the definition even further as He states in 1 Cor. 3:18 - Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

People, we have followed the path of Adam and Eve and tested the Lord at every turn. Prov. 1:5 tells us that a wise man will hear and increase learning and when wisdom enters your heart, understanding will keep you (2:10-11). That sounds great, but how can we abusers of life obtain wisdom? Here again the answers can be found in the Word as James tells us in chapter 1, verse 5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him

and in Luke 21:15 - For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Amazing! that last verse is something we could really use in this day as we watch our politicians argue, promise things we know are unlikely to happen and sling mud at one another at every opportunity. Our Creator has always known what would occur in the world He created, but He has given us the Word in an attempt to avoid some of life’s pitfalls. He warns us over and over again - See then that you walk circumspectly; not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Eph. 5:15).

It is true that we are concerned about the world’s affairs; everything seems to be going to hell in a hand basket. What can we do? We can return to the Word. We can be like the wise man who built his house on a rock (Mt. 7:24); we can be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Mt. 10:16); we can let the word of Christ dwell in (us) richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in (our) hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16).

Our Father has been more than good to us, restoring us whenever we ask, healing us whenever we pray, loving us at all times. We must not let complacency, prejudice, or the fear of change rob us of the joy of becoming all God intends for us to be. He wants us to pick up His cross and know that what He is going to do within us can only be done by Him. He wants us to be not wise in (our) own eyes (Prov. 3:7), but to trust the One who loved us enough to die for us.

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor's song;
To him that overcometh, a crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory, shall reign eternally.

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HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD

In the beginning of your Christian walk did you ever wonder if this was all about being a puppet? If you had a choice, why was it that every one but one was the wrong one? That doesn’t sound actually like a choice. But then we are not talking about chocolate or vanilla ice cream; we are talking about life or death, something that you can’t continually switch back and forth between. I am not saying that circumstances will never cause us to get off track, God is ever forgiving, but each choice we make solidifies the path we will finally follow.

The question is whether we will follow our choice or allow the Lord to have His way. We are told in 2 Tim. 1:9 that God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began and in Eph.1:11 that in Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

That makes it sound like things are really cut and dried. The Word in Isaiah 14:24 does say that the Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand’ and indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it (46:11).

Are you getting that sense of resistance in your spirit? Maybe you should be for 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, he is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. However it is also true that we are told in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Maybe we can begin to see that there is a wise option to take even though there seem to be many choices.

When you can see the whole picture, you will begin to grasp what the Word is trying to tell you, that if your choice is Life, the individual decisions you make will be those that support your objective. You will be motivated by those things that are in accordance with the path you desire to follow.

To help you make sense of what I am trying to say - if you are talking about chocolate versus vanilla, they are both sweet and both pleasant, neither earth-shattering. However, if you are talking about life versus death, that is obviously a more weighty decision.

Jesus has made the considerations very plain in the Word where He says I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (Jn. 14:6). The reward for accepting this truth is found in 1 John 2:25 – And this is the promise that He has promised us – eternal life.

In the early morning hours I heard the Lord say to me - do you really want to know what I want you to do; do you really want to do what I want you to do? Will you let Me have my way in your life? It caused me to ponder. I hope it will do the same for you and that your decision may come early rather than later!

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

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The Business of Dying

You may think to yourselves that you are too young to think about dying; most of us prefer to be happy as we hope and/or believe that we will one day live with the Lord in an unimaginable and beautiful place called Heaven. And of course, most of us will agree that surely we can put off dealing with this subject until a future date.

I would like to challenge you to consider that this might be the very best time in your life to think about what it means to die, for as in all things preparation just might make a real difference. The Word of God would have us recognize that it is in dying that we will actually find life. Weird, you say - maybe so, maybe no!

If you consider our world today you just might have to admit that there are way too many dead bodies walking around. I don’t want to be one of those, but how can we be assured of life and what does that have to do with dying? When God created this world and its inhabitants He also established the eternal spiritual laws of life and death, but He allowed us to choose a rich and rewarding life or a miserable existence. John 5:24 tells us most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life and Romans 8:6 adds - for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

How can one be alive and dead at the same time?

You’ve heard the statement “dead man walking”. If a life is not rewarding it’s really not much of a life and as human beings we are a mixture of good and evil from the days in the Garden. God the Father intended His creation to be sons and daughters in the likeness of Jesus, the Beloved that He sent to earth to teach us and then to die for the sins we cannot help but commit.

Dying is not an instantaneous event, it happens daily as we allow the Holy Spirit to exchange His life for the dead life within us. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:7-11).

The Word tells us that it is God who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has not been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:9-10).

We will never be perfect while we remain on this earth, but we can escape the sting of death; we can know the hope of glory; we can spend our days rejoicing in the sweetness of our Father’s love; we can bless other lives with the joy of our Beloved Savior.

In the cross of Christ I glory

Tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time;

All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o'ertake me

Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,

Never shall the cross forsake me

Lo! It glows with peace and joy.

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A CRY OF THE UNIVERSE

There is not a one of us that has not desired a healing in our lives. Usually we think of healing as something to do with the body, even though we are aware of the fact that the mind likewise can often require a healing. However, does it ever enter your mind that your spirit could use a healing; actually might even require one in order to be in right standing with God the Father?

We live in a world today that is shamefully filled with aberrations. You don’t have to spend a minute to come up with quite a list of ways in which we have deviated from the Word of God. The United States of America is in desperate need of healing on many levels of our existence. Will we follow in the steps of Israel; the nation that is God’s chosen bride, the nation that more than once has fallen from grace?

What is Israel’s relevance in the midst of today’s problems? It was Israel who gave us faith in one God; it was the religion of Israel which was the seed for the religion of Christ. Today’s body of Christ is a spiritual Israel.

In the year that King Uzziah died (Isaiah) saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up (Is. 6:1) and God told Isaiah to tell the people of His anger in the sinfulness of their lives. When Isaiah asked the Lord how long His wrath would last the response was – until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, the houses without a man, the land is utterly desolate (6:11).

People have always had a tendency to forget what they do not want to remember, so they continued over time to repeat their sins. Isaiah goes on – But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue has muttered perversity. No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity (59:2-4). We find that our Heavenly Father is ever gracious, however, for He assures His people that – the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear (59:1).

If you are beginning to look for relevance Amos 3:7 tells us that – Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants, the prophets. Yes, there are prophets in today’s world, maybe not always recognized, but if there are doubts in your mind the truth revealed in the Old Testament is still the truth and the examples relevant.

We, the people of today’s world, can hope, holler and cry or we can turn from our wicked ways and once again become the bride of Christ, clothed in garments whiter than snow (Ps. 51:7). 2 Corinthians 2:9 encourages us with these words – Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

We may have a long way to go to correct our wrongs and the path may be more narrow than we supposed, but the choice is ours. The question – do we care enough to make the effort?

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,

The shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat and the burden of the day.

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IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR

“How has the character of American leadership sunk this low?” That is a question asked by a member of the President’s staff in Joel Rosenberg’s new book – The Tehran Initiative.

The book goes on as the President of Israel speaks to his cabinet. “I think history will show we did everything we could. We urged the world to do more to stop Iran. We especially urged the Americans, up to and including the last few days. But there comes a time in every nation’s destiny when it must act alone for its own survival. This is one of those times. I say this with neither joy nor malice. It is simply a fact. We are out of other options and we are out of time. We must act in defense of the Jewish people and in defense of all of humanity. The world will hate us for what we are about to do, but I for one will be able to lay my head on my pillow every night in peace until I rest with my fathers, knowing I did the right thing.”

Do we ever think about how important it is to do the right thing right now? The dictionary does say that midnight refers to the middle of the night, but it also says it can mean a time that is very dark. Surely that is what we find ourselves living in today. People are angry, confused, fearful, desperate to see something change and not knowing where to begin or how to start. We only know that something must be done and soon. Whether you agree with the thinking of many that time is coming to an end sooner than we think it is never a good idea to put off until tomorrow.

The book of Job tells us that in a moment they die, in the middle of the night (12:20) and He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and sets others in their place (12:24). The midnight hour can be a time for fear or a time for rejoicing depending upon your position in this life. Psalm 119:62 says At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You because of your righteous judgments and in Matthew 25:6 we read And at midnight a cry was heard: Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!

Most of us will agree that when a wedding is about to take place there are lists upon lists as plans and preparations are made for a special and glorious time with friends and relatives. Are we involved in preparations for the wedding feast that will be prepared for God’s children when we become the bride of Christ? Don’t tell me you have not yet received an invitation. The invitations were sent out before you were even born, it is simply up to you to accept or reject. And of course there is the question of a gift. What kind of gift could you possibly offer to the King of Kings? Psalm 51:17 gives us the perfect solution – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart – These, O God, You will not despise.

About this time you may think we have gotten off track, but go back and reread the second paragraph. It describes a situation that required a decision – today we have a worldly situation and a heavenly situation, both needing urgent and timely decisions and we most certainly are facing a midnight hour. Let us heed the warning Mark gives in chapter 13:35 - Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming.....at midnight....?

I will worship You, in the midnight hour

I will worship You, when I'm in the fire
I will worship You, when all hope seems gone

I will stand and proclaim that You are my God

I will worship You.

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LOVE, THE BEAUTY OF THE SOUL

Does it please you when someone sees you as beautiful? We, as human beings, seem to be engrafted with a need to be appreciated for our looks and we will spend dollars, time and effort to accomplish this end. And yet, as we grow older and time takes its toll we begin to realize that there is something to be said for the inner beauty of the soul.

The dictionary defines the soul as the rational, emotional and volitional faculties in man, conceived of as forming an entity distinct from the body; the moral or spiritual part of man as related to God. When God first formed man He wasn’t interested in having a bunch of puppets; He wanted man to choose to love Him and He knew there would be mistakes made and forgiveness required, but still He knew that beneath the tarnish of life there would shine forth the beauty of the soul. To this end He willingly sent His beloved Son to show us the way, the truth and the life and yet we humans have continued through the ages to disappoint Him. Will we ever learn?

John 1:1 declares In the beginning was the Word...and the Word was God and then we are told in 1 Jn. 4:8 that God is love. If God is love does that mean that the things that are said about God are also applicable to love? The Word tells us God is faithful (1 Cor. 1:9); God is my salvation (Is. 12:2); God is mighty (Job 36:5); God is a consuming fire (Deut. 4:24); God is our refuge and strength (Ps. 46:1); God is Spirit (Jn. 4:24); God is greater than all gods (2 Chr. 2:5); and Ps.116:5 tells us God is gracious and righteous.

We can read these verses; we can agree with them; the question is can we apply them. We find in the day in which we live a constant inundation from the newspapers, the TV, radio, everyday conversation and even in the church we attend on Sunday. It is not hard to understand that “we are going to hell in a hand basket”. Is it possible, at this late date, to reverse the trend of society; to turn hearts back to the beginning before Adam and Eve made their first mistake; a time when all they knew was the love of God and everything was sweet and innocent?

1 Jn. 4:12 tells us that No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. We just read that God (love) is a consuming fire. Surely, we have seen this year how fast and far a fire can spread. Then why are we seeing sin abound all around us? Matthew gives us the answer in chapter 24:12 when Jesus says And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Vicious circle? It would seem so! How did this happen and what are we to do? It would seem that the Ecclesia, the body of Christ, somehow turned into churches and that churches lost their fervor. Why? Did we take the wonders God placed at our feet and allow them to turn us into slaves? And, as slaves, have we given up, accepting that there is no help, no rest for the weary? People, every question has an answer if we desire it. It was written down in the beginning, the answers have always been in the living Word. When we care enough to test it out, then we will finally understand that the only thing in this world that will give us and the world around us true beauty is the love of God in our souls.

O Love, that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

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CAN DEPENDENCY BE AN ASSET?

What a strange question to ask. We spend all our lives working on becoming independent. As children we hurry through every aspect of growth in an effort to no longer be dependent on mom and dad. If we are fortunate in our life choice we will become our own boss, not having to listen to someone else tell us what to do. Rather we will be the ones who are able to make the schedules and tell the others just how high to jump. That’s the epitome of success – right?

That may sound like just what you have in mind, BUT -----

We have all heard the story of Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar to bow down and worship the golden image or be thrown into a fiery furnace. They refused and in chapter 3, verses 16-17 we read - O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king and in verse 25 an astonished king saying I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

The Bible is full of many incidences where a picture of dependency can turn a bad situation into a good one. In 2^nd Chronicles when Israel attempted an ambush against Judah, the people cried unto the Lord and He was gracious and in chapter 13:18 we read - Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers. Being dependent on the Lord greatly benefited Asa when he reigned in Judah as he did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. He destroyed the sinful things and fortified the city. He sought the Lord and He gave them rest on every side. So they built and prospered (14:7).

There are many instances in the Old Testament when kings and rulers counseled against the Lord but we are told in the 2^nd chapter of Psalms, verse 4 that He who sits in the heavens shall laugh and verse 12 that ....blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Isaiah asks the question – Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God (50:10).

No matter where you live or what you do, you need God’s peace. We can easily read about many in our society who have made it as far as today’s world is concerned, but many of those have ended up at some point falling into disgrace or losing what they worked so hard to obtain. 1 Tim. 6:17 tells us – Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy because cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD (Jer. 17:5).

We, as people who walk this earth today, often think that we have control of our lives, that we are entitled to make our own decisions, but if we are honest we also know we often fail and need help. Where do we turn? If we truly are smart we will consider what Jeremiah says in verse 10, chapter 17 -

I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.

It’s plain, it’s simple, and it will work. Write it in your heart, paste it on your wall, live it and you will not be sorry - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

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HOW DO YOU SEE GOD?

Most of us would like to see God as a benevolent FATHER and He is. Jesus says – I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth (Matt. 11:25) and blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3). The word father identifies a paternal relationship demanding respect, at least it used to. We are in the process of watching our world change because we are redefining words to suit our own personal preferences. So let’s open our eyes and our minds and ask ourselves – how do we see God?

God was first of all CREATOR which is revealed in the very first sentence to be found in the Holy Bible. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1) and all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made (Jn. 1:3). He followed that up with a personal description of Himself stating to Abram – I am the ALMIGHTY God; walk before me, and be thou perfect (Gen 17:1). He also tells us that He appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty (Ex. 6:3).

God is the SEARCHER OF HEARTS. For the Lord searches all hearts, and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever (1 Chr. 28:9) and would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart (Ps. 44:21). God is a DISPOSER OF EVENTS. A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Prov. 16:9) and there are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand (Prov. 19:21). God is the SUPREME JUDGE. He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness (Ps. 9:8) and but God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another (Ps. 75:7).

We could probably sit here for hours listing the attributes of God for they are as numerous as the grains of sand. He is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, invisible, just, unsearchable, impartial, faithful, true, loving, good, merciful and jealous. We have been told that no matter how many times we read through the Word that there will always be new layers to uncover. Why then should we even try? Our God has given us a mountain to climb, a goal to achieve when He tells us plainly and expectantly – You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy (Lev. 19:2). As we live out our lives experiencing God we will come to know him as our Healer, Protector, Provider, Comforter and Savior.

In my first devotional book my pastor made a statement – “She still believes in our great God who CAN do anything.” That is a true statement, but I would not be honest with you if I didn’t also tell you that there are times when my vision can become cloudy. However my God, who remains faithful, reminds me that He is not done with me yet and I find peace in the covenant God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when He says – I AM WHO I AM..

In one of his devotionals Chip Brogden says that “God will grant us a discerning heart and eyes to see if we will ask for them and if we are willing to accept both the joy and the burden that accompanies such a revelation.” Let us pray for one another as we strive to be the people our gracious God created us to be with the desire and the ability to see His glory.

Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

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DO YOU HAVE A TICKET TO HEAVEN?

What a ridiculous question! You don’t need a ticket to get to Heaven. Maybe we better rethink that because there are definitely requirements if you want to find you haven’t been left behind.

Most everyone knows that the Ten Commandments, found in Ex. 20, explicitly detail the things we are to do or not do, but the New Testament tells us that Jesus came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. What does that mean? It means that God is not satisfied with just the legality of the law. 1 Sam. 16:7 tells us that the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. God recognizes what He hopes for when He sees that the truth of His Word has moved from your head to your heart and is expressed in your life.

Col 3:2 tells us to set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. I doubt seriously if you will find anyone today who isn’t wondering where the time has gone. No matter how you slice the pie we all have earthly responsibilities that give us little time to ponder and realize just what we might be missing in this life. However, the One who sees and knows all is firm in what He has to say. James 1:23-25 reminds us if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

I can hear you saying that those are great words, but maybe tomorrow when things slow down just a little. I don’t have to remind you though that our tomorrows truly are uncertain. Yes, I am retired and it is easier for me to manage my schedule even though my days have not really slowed down, but I can also tell you that I regret the time that was wasted and is gone. There is no price too high to pay for the joy that comes with pleasing the Lord.

We are told to be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). The dictionary defines diligent as showing perseverance; pursuing with painstaking effort. Doesn’t it seem the Lord could be a little easier on us considering that our world is not as simple now as it was in Biblical times? He could be, yes; it is His choice, but He knows that nothing of value is obtained without passion and effort. The truth does not change with the seasons and if you want something of value you must pay the price.

If Heaven is where you want to spend eternity you should take heed to the words of Paul found in Eph 4:1-3 – I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Paul gave his life for his belief in his Savior and suffered in many agonizing ways, but he hesitates not to pray for the people of Colossae and us as well in chapter 1 verse 10 desiring that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Do you want a ticket?

One ship drives east, another west, with the selfsame winds that blow,

‘Tis the set of the sails and not the gales that tells them the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the winds of fate, as we voyage along through life,

‘Tis the set of the soul that decides the goal and not the calm or the strife.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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AM I ASKING TOO MUCH?

While it is true that the downtrodden of all varieties are always with us, basically we are a blessed people. Do you ever wonder why you have been blessed? Do you think you are just a lucky person or do you believe there is more to it than meets the eye? Could the God/man, Jesus Christ, be the reason for the blessings that have crossed your path?

How does God decide who to bless and who not to bless? The Beatitudes, found in the 5^th chapter of Matthew give us a description of the people who will be blessed by God. The rest of the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) gives us details of the lives our God hopes we will live. Most of us, at one time or another, have read over the list and determining that it is not so hard go back to living our lives as before. However, I challenge you to go back and read those chapters again, slowly and with deep thought. They contain the richness of a life that will please our Lord. Is He asking too much?

The apostles, understanding little at the time, left their lives and belongings behind and followed Him. That would be a hard thing for most of us to do today. It would be easy to say that they witnessed something, something that irresistibly drew them. I wonder if that is why we so often avoid the written Word because we don’t want to feel condemned and we especially don’t want to be drawn. It is simply asking too much to lay down everything we have worked for, our predetermined lives and that of our families who depend on us. Is it?

In Romans, considered by many to be the greatest letter ever written, Paul, having been given wisdom, entreats us saying – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (12:1). And in Eph. 4:1 – I (Paul), therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

Parents learn quickly that their children will not obey those for whom they have no respect. It seems perfectly reasonable that our wise Father knows this. He also knows what it takes for His children to be truly joyful in the midst of a stubborn world. He asks of us only those things necessary to provide the life He always intended we should have. Maybe we are the ones who are asking too much of Him.

We are told to Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Mt. 7:13-14).

Apparently we have also forgotten Luke 23:34 – Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Jesus is the One who paid the price, a ghastly one at that, for our sins so that we might one day join Him in the Father’s kingdom.

Christmas is the time our thoughts turn to the birth of the baby Jesus, but they should not stop there. We need to constantly remember the cross and consider seriously the gift we have been given. We need to turn our thoughts away from what we selfishly desire and wrongly need and give Almighty God not only our thankful hearts, but our lives in gratitude and faithfulness.

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me.

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come.

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CAN WE TURN THE TIDE?

It is so disheartening to not be able to pass a day without some cloud overhead. We all know we are living in rough times, but since we don’t know what to do we dismiss it as if it were some science fiction movie and it will go away tomorrow. I don’t think so. In fact it seems to me more like a snowball rolling down a hill that keeps getting bigger and bigger and rolling faster and faster. Can it be stopped?

I dare say we all remember from the book of Exodus when the Lord forced Pharaoh to let the children of Israel go from Egypt and the Red Sea was parted before them. Exodus 15:7 tells us And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. Surely we can expect such a powerful God to again protect His children. And yet we are told in 2^nd Samuel that David, greatly loved by God, had his son by Bathsheba taken from him. Nathan, speaking for God, asked David – Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?

Does this give us a clue? The written Word gives us God’s commandments and it also gives us a picture of what happens when His commandments are disobeyed, but there is wisdom to guide us. Isaiah has very wise words to say in chapter 55:6-7 – Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

God could have given up on the world He created when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, but Genesis 6:9 tells us that He was merciful because Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. God didn’t make this world with a throw of the dice, a let’s just see what happens attitude. He made this world because He wanted a family. He wanted a relationship with all those He made with love. And so He gave us a second chance and a third and so forth until as a final solution He sent His only Son and still we humans have ceased to value a relationship that is the most important we will ever have.

The New Testament doesn’t leave us with any room for confusion. It tells us over and over again how to live our lives. It is true that the book of Revelation tells us how this world will eventually end, but it also tells us that God will rescue His children who as Noah, walked with Him. One thing we must take into consideration is that God has put us in the position while on this earth of being His hands and feet. He has commissioned us to Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mk 16:15).

Okay! I know our world is considerably larger and we can’t all go to the mission field, but there is another instruction we are given that allows for no excuses. We are told in Matthew 6 starting with verse 9 how we are to pray. Although it is often used in habit, repeated by rote, I encourage you to reexamine it line by line. It will take much longer than 5 minutes if you allow your spirit to be open to the Holy Spirit. We may not visibly see the results, but prayer does change things.

Can we turn the tide? LET US PRAY!

Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea,

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, ‘Christian, follow Me.’

Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,

From each idol that would keep us, saying, ‘Christian, love me more.’

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BREATH OF HEAVEN

I wonder in the course of living if we ever stop to think about the very breath we breathe. Obviously we would not be able to live if we could not breathe, but in the beginning when God made man He didn’t make him just to exist; He made man to live. I’m afraid too many of us relate life to existence and we don’t question our thinking until we find ourselves in trouble or in need.

One of the definitions of life in the dictionary is a spiritual state regarded as a continuation or perfection of animate existence after death; eternal life. Live is to be joyously or enthusiastically alive. We are told in Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living creature.

In the Bible we find a man named Job, who was probably the best man that ever lived in the time of the Old Testament. Job thought he was alright before God, but God had to strip Job of all his securities in order to bring him to Himself. Verse 4 of the 33^rd chapter states The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Can you imagine how it would affect our lives if for every breath we took we were aware of just exactly where that breath came from? Isaiah tells us His breath is like an overflowing stream (30:28).

A stream never stands still; it is in constant movement, always fulfilling the purpose of the Lord who created it. Follow that through in your mind like an equation. If we could live as intended our world surely wouldn’t be going through such turmoil. We need to tattoo our hearts with Psalm 150:6 - Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.

I hope you’re not saying to yourselves that since you are not perfect that you just have to do the best you can. No, we are not perfect, but the Lord knew we would not be and He provided us with the help we would need. He told the apostles in John 20:22 - And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them “Receive the Holy Spirit”. He has made the same provision for us today; He has given us a Helper who is more than adequate for any challenge we face.

Point of Grace sings a song entitled Breath of Heaven which could very well be used as a daily prayer. It beautifully asks – hold me together, be forever near me; lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness for You are holy.

I don’t need to remind you that the Living Word of God is full of the breath of Heaven. Napoleon was noted for declaring - What happiness the Bible procures for those who believe it! What marvels it bestows upon those who reflect upon it! Our forefathers in this country knew it and did their best to live it. Abraham Lincoln has been quoted as saying - I have only to say that it is the best gift God has given to man.

If we can let go and let God; if we can accept the fact that Christ living in us is the only way to live then we will not only understand, but will live with the breath of Heaven and know the joy of life.

Breathe on me, Breath of God; fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love and do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God; till I am wholly Thine,

Till all this earthly part of me glows with Thy fire divine.

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WHO SITS ON THE THRONE?

If you have been taught from early childhood that there is a God, Almighty in power; a loving God who cares about your every thought and deed and who desires your presence in His heavenly kingdom then you are indeed a fortunate person. There are many of us however, who have spent years learning what our position is in His heavenly plan. It is a good thing that one of His many facets is patience.

Even though we don’t normally see a throne except in a picture it is defined as a royal chair occupied by a sovereign. The Bible in Isaiah 33:20 states that the Lord is our King. Matthew in chapter 2:2 asks where is He who has been born King of the Jews and John states in chapter 19:14 Behold your King. Our Lord, the one who created us, is our King! The throne which we will hopefully see one day in Heaven belongs to Him and Him alone.

All kings have a territory over which they rule, but in all territories except one the people themselves have no choice. In the Kingdom of Heaven our King created us for a companionship He desired and He gave us the choice to accept His offer. Whether you want to accept His offer is up to you, but He has made it plain in the Word that He desires for us to not only need Him but want His presence with us in our daily activities, our thoughts, our dreams. He wants to be a friend closer than a brother.

The apostles in Jesus’ day did not have the easy life you might expect for those who personally knew the Lord and walked with Him. They suffered greatly for their belief, but it was their absolute belief that gave them strength. As the Psalmist and we today ask the question - Who is man that Thou aren’t mindful of him (Ps, 8:4); they found their answer from their walk with Him and we will find ours the same way.

In the early development of America, settlers who misguidedly spent more time than they should have searching for gold found that it was not lasting; it didn’t fill that empty space in their hearts and often caused them great grief. Those of us who like to read have read many books over our lifetime, some fact, some fiction, but have found that none can give us a true picture of what our destiny is and should be other than the Bible and yet it often sits on the shelf because it is too hard to understand or to live by. Why is it that our priorities are so skewed? Could it be that as gold is refined in the fire, human lives must also be refined by time; the hills and valleys of life are what cause us to grow and to finally see and accept that we are not in control of what seems to happen to us? We are guided and controlled by a Power who desires us to be as His Son – holy.

“Until we clearly recognize the reality of God’s absolute holiness, we will tend to question His ways” (Blackaby Bible). Fortunately for us John, the beloved of Jesus, in his last days on the island of Patmos was given the Revelation to help us see the truth. He saw the Lamb, who was worthy, take up the scroll and heard the angels and every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them....saying: Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever (5:13).

Are you ready to join in that chorus? Are you ready to join John as he saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse? And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and....on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (19:11 and 16).

We are truly fortunate to have a righteous Judge and loving Father sitting on the throne in the Heavenly realm!

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WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE STORED?

These days we seem to always be struggling to either find a treasure or hold onto it. We don’t want to hear about either the Euro or Wall Street. We are seriously hoping that we will have enough to make it in the hard times, but before we can really get into discussing storage we need to define what really makes up our treasure. While defining treasure as riches, mainly money or jewels, the dictionary also states that it is something to retain carefully, as in the mind; something on which a high value is placed; a prize.

In the Old Testament the people who wandered in the desert for forty years had become accustomed to their life. Although God had told them that every promise that was made would be fulfilled and they would prosper they had become hesitant and fearful. If you are trying to decide whether to risk the stock market or not you may feel fearful. Even though seeking a treasure can sometimes be a risky business, God tells Joshua what he would tell us today - Have I not commanded? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (1:9) and I might add whatever you do.

Today we see people as being wealthy if their appearance reveals that to us. If a person holds a high position in a profitable company, dresses well and looks and acts the part we see them as successful and wish we could enjoy their life benefits. And yet we find recorded in 1 Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Maybe it is time we start considering the second definition of treasure; what is lasting and what really brings joy and satisfaction to the heart as well as the body. As we answer that question we will automatically know exactly where to store our treasure.

Throughout the Word we can find many treasures that are indeed worth struggling for and yet Paul tells us in Colossians what the Father has always wanted us to know; that THE TREASURE is Christ in you, the hope of glory (1:27); in whom are hidden all the treasures, of wisdom and knowledge (2:3).

Can we count on this – absolutely! Malachi 3:6 tells us – For I am the Lord, I do not change; and in Romans 8:38-39 – For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor thing to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I don’t doubt that from the beginning most of you knew exactly where I was heading. It is true that we are living in very unsettling times and there is much we could worry about and much we cannot do anything about, but we have a heavenly Father who faithfully loves us. We hope we know how to live doing without, but maybe it’s time we should start learning how to live having it all. That excites me; I hope you feel the same.

As for the answer to the original question, Jesus, himself, tells us in the Sermon on the Mount – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew. 6:19-21).

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WHO HAS THE LAST SHOT?

Can that serious question be answered easily? I wonder how often in a day’s activities it comes to the forefront of your mind. We can do a good job of reminding the Lord that we are just human, living in a human world; however, God did not make this human world without expectations. He made it, looked on it as good, and when we failed to cooperate sent His Son to give us another chance. He doesn’t ask anything of us that He did not ask of His son. But, you say, Jesus was the son of God. Are you forgetting that we are also the children of God?

We daily face temptations, but hardly ever as dramatic as when Jesus was tempted by Satan. You can read the entire scripture in the fourth chapter of Matthew. The bottom line is that when Satan offered all the kingdoms of the world and all their glory to Jesus, His response was - Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ (Mt. 4:10)

When you were growing up and your father had faith in you, didn’t you find yourself giving it your best shot; didn’t you want with all your heart to please him? Isn’t it the same with our Heavenly Father? Joe Jamerson, a guest speaker at Victorious Life, reminded us that the Word is really simple to understand. John 6:44 tells us – No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day; Matthew 16:17 – Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven; and finally Romans 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. God will draw us, reveal the truth to us and guide us if we will but give Him the opportunity to do so.

That does make it sound easier, but our days are so busy, our lists so long; we hardly have time to breathe, more the less think. You’ve heard of the word “habit”, haven’t you? There are many things we do by habit; why not make the Word of God a daily habit. Does that mean we have to give up all our excuses? Yes, it probably does!

In this world we have never been able to have our cake and eat it too. If we spend our time satisfying our human nature, we will in all likelihood have to give up the future that is promised to those who walk uprightly. John, the beloved, tells us blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city (Rev. 22:14).

What?! You say you feel like a yoyo. First it’s easier and now it’s harder. Before you lose hope Paul tells us but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty (1 Cor. 1:27); therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:10); and finally I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).

Just because God has the last shot doesn’t mean that He expects us to fail. His wish for us is that we will overcome, that He will have numerous sons and daughters like unto Jesus and so He gives us comfort by saying when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you (Is. 43:2).

The last shot was determined in the beginning and is the word revealed by John in Rev. 22:13 - I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

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JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT!

That is one of our goals in life, is it not? We relish the times when we feel we have done well, whether it is in our job or in our family, or even in our church. We might even give ourselves a pat on the back and whisper “well done”. However, we always find that life comes along and steals that lovely feeling away from us. Why is that?

Our Father, who loves us, has always wanted us to be joyful and triumphant, but not only for those special moments in life; He wants us to live a joyful and triumphant life. Is that possible? I believe that it is.

2 Cor. 4:7 tells us that – we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. As you look around you will often find that those who seem to live in Christ have an inexhaustible well of joy. Living a life in Christ is to be where He is; knowing heavenly realities while still on this earth. Jesus wants us to triumph, to be victorious, over the sadness and sorrow of this world; over the evils that men pursue thinking it will give them what they need, but He doesn’t want us to be burdened by it. Rather He desires for us to walk constantly in joy as Neh. 8:10 reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

We should not find ourselves discouraged and beaten down as these trials approach, wondering how we are going to manage. We have been given a mandate by the One who loves us - that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him....strengthened....for all patience and longsuffering with joy (Col. 1:10-11). The Psalmist goes even further as he suggests exuberance - Shout to God with the voice of triumph (Ps. 47:1) while Paul tells us not to forget to give thanks to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14).

Yes, there are times in life when we will fail, mostly because we are trying to accomplish something with our own strength and wisdom. We can excuse ourselves by acknowledging that we are, after all, only human, but it simply does not have to be that way. We have been given a choice. Over and over and over again we are given a clear picture of the path Jesus wants us to walk. I am exceedingly joyful in all my tribulation (2 Cor. 7:4); in your presence is fullness of joy (Ps 16:11); for you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands (Is. 55:12).

Was it easy for our Lord to make this possible for us? No, we are told in Heb.12:2 that for the joy that was set before Him (He) endured the cross. The Word has told us that in this world there will be tribulation, but Jesus gives us peace in the 15^th chapter of John, verse 11 saying these things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

What a lovely circle – triumph (victory) breeds joy which turns around and breeds more victory. I don’t believe we can do any better.

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above.

Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife,

Joyful music leads us Sunward, In the triumph song of life.

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IS YOUR ALARM GOING OFF?

I don’t imagine there are any of us who haven’t been influenced in some way by the sound of an alarm clock going off. Some of us may jump eagerly from bed to start a day, but probably most of us are like me – please, just another few minutes. There is a time coming however, when an alarm which we have no power over is going to sound. How will we react and what will be the outcome for each of us?

It’s not necessary to reiterate all the problems in today’s world, but it might be wise to consider the fact that there is someone watching our reactions and activities in this day and we are going to be held accountable. I read an introduction of a book the other day that really grabbed me – “Fastest-growing faith on planet is not what you think!” That’s right, it’s not Islam in spite of what we in America think. It’s a biblically-inspired, evangelical Christianity sweeping through places like China, Africa, India and Southeast Asia – making it, by far, the fastest growing faith on the planet. Hundreds of millions of Christians, not associated with institutional churches are meeting in homes, underground, in caves, in secret. They are driven by miracles and real resurrections of actual corpses.

How can this be happening? Are we allowing our abundant blessings to become a curse? When Moses was up on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people once so grateful quickly forgot. And the Lord said to Moses, “Go get down! For your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves (Ex. 32:7). Are we just repeating an age old story? 1 Jn. 5:21 tells us plainly little children, keep yourselves from idols and Zech. 10:2 tells us why - For the idols speak delusion; the diviners envision lies, and tell false dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; they are in trouble because there is no shepherd.

Despite God’s miraculous intervention in our lives, our memories are remarkably short. We tend to trade our loyalty to the true and living God for any passing whim or fancy. We are not very smart people. The Word is explicit – But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Is. 57:20-21)

The book of Revelation describes for us the seven churches of John’s day; they also are representative of similar types of churches, regardless of place or time. The churches at Pergamos and Thyatira tolerated immorality, idolatry, and heresies (chap. 2); the church at Ephesus had lost its fervent love for Christ (chap. 2) and the church at Sardis had become a dead church (chap. 3). You don’t have to look hard to see the movement in churches today. People are not satisfied and are moving from church to church hoping to find the peace they long for. The answer, my friends, is not found in people or in churches – it is found in humble submission to Jesus Christ and in the wisdom of the Living Word.

Fortunately in John’s day the seven churches were given instructions and glorious promises for obedience. Today the Word tells us to search our hearts and humbly, on our knees, ask the Father who loves us to Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Ps. 51:10) and then to protect what we have learned – Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You, My Lord! (Ps. 119:11).

While it is true that no one can know the time that beautiful trumpet will blow, the Lord God sent an angel to His servant, John, to show His servants the things which must be done and He established the sayings of Revelation as faithful and true. When the events revealed begin to come He will even then be at the door. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen! (Rev. 22:21)

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DO YOU NEED BIFOCALS?

Before you put this devotional down thinking I don’t even need glasses, why would I need bifocals, allow me to explain just why you might. Bifocals are designed for near vision. Can you suppose with me that this not only could be, but is a major problem in our world today? We spend entirely too much time looking down the road assuring ourselves that things can change; that they will be better shortly, maybe even tomorrow.

It is easy to read Genesis and accept creation; it is after all recorded in the Holy Scripture. Why would the things that happened so long ago make any difference in our lives today? Have we simply lost the ability to see? The truth has never changed; it is our language and life styles that have changed. We think we no longer need our God for the simple tasks of life and yet failing to see we have allowed life to grow into an insurmountable mountain that we no longer have the ability to climb.

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments because people’s lives were ceasing to follow the path that He had intended. There are many scriptures in both the Old and New Testament that prove that we continually choose not to see what we don’t want to remember. Refusing to learn from the past and repeating history has become like a book of fiction rather than a warning for today’s world.

We are told in Isaiah 5:21 - Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight and in Ezekiel 20:43 - …and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed.

What we see makes a difference in the way we live our lives. When Jesus visited the home of Martha, it was her sister, Mary who sat at His feet to listen while Martha busied herself with the chores of company. They were seeing differently and Jesus commented on it telling us in Luke 10:42 but one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Mary was focused on what was right in front of her.

Today we see the country God gave us in trouble. We have many things we can blame this on – the development of nuclear weapons, the many countries who hate and begrudge us our possessions and prosperity, a local government who has become greedy as they look out for themselves and the possibility of even greater fame; but the bottom line is we have failed to see what has been right in front of us individually. We have failed each other, our families and our country as we have turned our eyes away from what has always been in our near vision – our Father God, our Savior Jesus and our Helper Holy Spirit. The Word tells us in Matthew 6:22 that the lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

Is it too late to change things? It could be for our country, but our God is ever forgiving and He loves each of us individually. The Word left to guide us through this life can show us what we need to do right now; how to use our near vision and begin to change our lives and that of our families and friends. We are told to pray for the world in which we live, to testify according to the Scriptures and anticipate the day this earth will be ruled by Jesus Christ. We cannot change the judgment of the book of Revelation, but we can go to meet our Lord knowing that we have done our best and looking forward to spending eternity with our Creator.

Behold He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him (Rev. 1:7).

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