Convictions - What are they?

Convictions – What Are They?

Read: Genesis 39:1-18

“Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.  It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’  But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house then I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.  How then could I do this great evil and sin against God.” (Genesis 39:6c – 9 NASB)

          Joseph was a man of principle and conviction.  When Potiphar’s wife attempted to get Joseph to commit adultery he refused and defended his actions by claiming such action would be a great sin against God.  Not a sin against her or her husband, but a sin against his Holy God.  (Gen. 39:8-9)  It is apparent from this context that Joseph believed in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman for life. 

          Around the lake where I live there are approximately forty or fifty ducks and geese.  Whenever it rains (we’ve had a wet spring) puddles of water gather on our sidewalk and in the back yard.  A beautiful Mallard duck and his mate (they mate for life) spend most of their time splashing around in the water.  The male does not allow any of the other ducks or geese  to interfere with his relationship.  The same holds true for the mating of the geese.  I have watched male geese chase their counterparts away if they get to close to his mate. 

          Joseph held the same conviction as our duck and geese friends.  He had no intention of interfering with the relationship between his master and his wife.  Of course, the same was not true for Potiphar’s wife as she persisted in her attempts to seduce Joseph.  Joseph made a final refusal and ran away from her leaving her with a vindictive spirit whereupon she accused him of rape.  Without being given an opportunity to defend himself against the false accusation, Joseph was thrown into prison. 

          What do we mean when we say, “\We have convictions?”  We are claiming to have a system of belief about certain issues in life.  Upon what should our convictions or beliefs be based?  Biblical convictions must be based upon truths found in the word of God.  In order to undergird our Biblical belief system, we must be saturated with the word of God.  God’s word is our standard by which we compare and judge truth or untruths.  Without a knowledge of the truth, we will be unable to spot error.

          Periodically we need to stop and check our belief system.  What do we believe about the sanctity of marriage?  Is it God ordained?  Is marriage between one man and one woman?  Is it for life?  Or do we believe it’s okay to bail out whenever it comes inconvenient or something better comes along?  And what about our obligation to children?  Friends?  Finances?  Morality?  Church?  Is there sufficient Scripture to deal with all these issues?

          What should we do if doubt arises or questions persist?  When that happens it is time to set down with the Bible and do some research until we come to a solid conviction concerning each area. 

          The mistake that I’ve made in the past, and many others make, is we ask God to help us interpret his word to suit our preconceived ideas, or the worldly philosophy of relativism.  This can only lead to more confusion and uncertainty.

          Trust the Holy Spirit indwelling with you for guidance in finding the truth, and allow him to mold your God given convictions in such a way that truth will prevail. 

Thought for the Day: God promotes truth; Satan is a liar and promotes error.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to stand upon convictions that are based upon the truth found in the Word of God.

          

Brotherly Love Reaches Across the Aisle

“If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life…”  (1 John 5:16a NLT)

          It is obvious from verse 16 that the Apostle John is concerned not only about our own obedience, but also about the obedience of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  If we love God, John says, “We should love our brother also.” (1 John 4:21)  (my paraphrase)  In other words, brotherly love should reach across the aisle to those who are struggling with sin in their daily lives. 

          Prayer is not only a resource to be used in meeting the needs in our own lives, but is also to be directed to God on behalf of our brothers and sisters who’s need may far exceed our own. 

          Paul encouraged this practice in 1 Timothy 2:1; “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.  Ask God to help them; interceded on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” (NLT)

.         Eternal death is not the issue in 1 John 5:16.  Once a person has believed in Jesus as Savior, he receives the gift of eternal life and his name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life with a non-erasable Sharpies indelible ink pen.  His position in Christ before a Holy God is eternally secure.  Jesus said, “I give eternal life to them (who believe) and they shall never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28 [parenthesis mine].

            We might better understand the meaning of John’s message if we place the word “premature” in front of each use of the word “death” as suggested by Dr. Constable in his notes on 1 John found on Sonic Light Ministries. 

          What can you expect to happen if you pray for a situation where the sin is one that does not lead directly to death?  John says in verse 16, “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to (premature) death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to (premature) death [parenthesis mine].  In other words, our prayers may play a part in God relenting of his judgment and extending the life of the sinning brother.  This was the case with king Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:1-6.  The king was mortally ill and facing death, but he turned and opened his heart in prayer to God.  God saw his tears and heard his prayer, and said, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.  On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.  I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”  (2 Kings 20:5b)

          Thus prayer and restoration of a sinning brother may secure a prolonging of his physical life.   

          Praying for a brother or sister entangled in the web of sin is evidence of our love for them.

          If you know of a fellow believer, family member, co-worker, or friend entrapped in a sinful lifestyle that is ruining their testimony and bringing shame and reproach on the name of Christ – by all mean pray for them that God will get a hold of their lives and turn them around before it is too late. 

          Ask God the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction in how you might show the love of Christ to them.    

Face to Face with God

Face to Face with God

Read: Exodus 33:7-11

“So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”    (Exodus 33:11a NASB)

          Can you visualize the scene in Exodus 33:11 – Face to face with God?

Here’s Moses, the one who said to Jehovah at the burning bush, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)  He also gave several other excuses, one being, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10). 

          Moses had plenty of speech training when he was attending the educational institutions of Egypt.  He had received the best education the Egyptian universities had to offer, but forty years in the backside of the desert attending lazy dirty sheep had apparently stripped him of his eloquence.  “I can’t talk,” he moaned to God.  How ridiculous!  What a flimsy excuse! 

          Now we see him standing in the door of the Tabernacle carrying on a friendly conversation with the Holy God of the universe face to face.  What a change!  How does a tongue-tied sheepherder become such a dynamic leader and conservationist? 

          If you had to deal for forty years with a congregation full of grumblers and complainers like Moses did wouldn’t your life change?  Would it be for better or worse?  How would you react to a disobedient and obstinate people?  Consider what effect spending forty days and nights in the very presence of God would have on your life.  Would you expect changes from that experience?  

          I’ve always admired Moses for his fiery leadership and humble attitude.  He faced unparalleled criticism and bore the brunt of the people’s sinful ways for forty years; yet he remained compassionate and humble before God.  Yes, he grew angry, showed frustration, and acted impulsively at times, but his heart remained in tune with Jehovah.

          When God wanted to annihilate the people because of their idolatrous sin, Moses interceded for them, even suggesting that the Lord blot his name out of the book rather than destroy His heritage.  That, my friends, speaks of true humility and compassion.

          One of the most profound statements regarding Moses’ relationship with Jehovah was penned by the psalmist David, “He (God) made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the sons of Israel” (Psalm 103:7 NASB).  The “ways” of God are the innermost secrets of His being.  Moses had a special relationship that few Old or New Testament servants could claim. 

          Bible characters such as Enoch (who walked with God and was not because God took him), Abraham (who was called the friend of God), Noah (who was the only righteous man on the earth before the flood), Abraham (who was called the friend of God), David (who was regarded as a man after God’s own heart), and the prophets were noted men of courage and strength, but Moses is the only one who the bible says talked to God “face to face.”

          What would a face to face experience with God be like?  If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and have been washed in the blood of the lamb, and have your name written in the lamb’s book of life, you will get that opportunity when you enter heaven’s gate. 

          The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”  (NASB)

Thought for the Day: God is waiting to carry on a friendly conversation with you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I can hardly wait for the day when I will see you face to face and carry on a father/son conversation. 

          

A Stiff-necked People

A Stiff-necked People

Read: Exodus 33:1-6

For the Lord God said to Moses, “Say to the children of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people.’” (Exodus 33:5a NKJ)

          How would you like to be called “stiff-necked?”  What an awful thing to say about someone!  Where did this term originate?  What is it referring to when used in the bible? 

          The term originated in ancient Israel.  The farmers would plow their fields by using oxen.  If the ox didn’t want to follow the guidance of the farmer, it would stiffen the muscles in its neck.  This would make it impossible to guide the ox where it needed to go. 

          The dictionary defines a “stiff-necked” person as one who is stubborn, haughty, obstinate, insolent, and arrogant.  When a person or a group of people are characterized as “stiff-necked” in the Scriptures it means they refuse to follow the guidance of the Lord.

          Was God justified in referring to his people as “stiff-necked?”  Yes indeed!  Multiple times the leaders and people who left Egypt grumbled and complained about Moses’ leadership.  At the Red Sea they said, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?”  (Ex. 14:11)  Again, in the Wilderness of Sin between Elim and Sinai, “the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness” (Ex. 16:2).  The straw that broke the camel’s back, as the saying goes, happened at Mt. Sinai while Moses was up in the mountain getting the Ten Commandments.  The people grew restless and came to Aaron demanding that he make them a god to worship in place of Jehovah.  How foolish!  What arrogance!  Unbelievable!  This was truly an example of stiff-necked people.  God was so outraged that he wanted to eradicate the people, but Moses entreated for them and reminded the Lord of His greatness, grace, and mercy.  The Lord relented of his wrath, but warned the people that they would not go unpunished.  Moses also grew anger as he approached the revelry and slammed the tablets on the ground indicating that the people had already broken the Law

          Have you ever had to deal with stiff-necked people?  Sad to say, I’ve experienced that in the ministry on several occasions.  People who were so determined that their way was the right way that they would not bend or compromise.  It’s like the person who says, “It’s my way or the highway.”  How many times has that happened in the ministry of well-meaning servants of the Lord?

          Unfortunately, stiff-necked people are not only found among the Jewish people.  There are plenty of folks in our churches today who are stubborn, obstinate, and unwilling to follow the leadership that God has placed over them.  I know of church situations where the influential members hold back their tithes because activities aren’t going the way “they” think they should.

          What are the marks of a stiff-necked person?

1.     Refusal to listen to reason.

2.     Insistence on having one’s own way.

3.     Defensive when criticized.

4.     Making excuses for short-comings.

5.     Lashing out at others.

6.     Prayer without repentance.

          One of Stephen’s accusations in his defense of the gospel is found in Acts 7:51, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” 

         

          Let us replace our attitude of stubbornness with an attitude of conciliation, compassion, and love.  

Thought for the Day: God is gracious and merciful, but opposes the proud and obstinate.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to have a conciliatory attitude of grace and mercy towards others.   

Jehovah Alone is Worthy

Jehovah Alone is Worthy

Read: 2 Kings 17:7-41

Worship only the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt with such mighty miracles and power.  You must worship him and bow before him; offer sacrifices to him alone.  (2 Kings 17:36 NLT)

            Disaster came upon the nation of Israel because the people worshipped the gods of the pagan nations around them.  They turned away from the God of their forefathers,  built shrines, set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles, sacrificed their sons and daughters in fire, consulted fortune-tellers, and used sorcery arousing the anger of the Lord. 

            Is this how the people of Israel thought about worship?  Their actions reveal that they rejected God as the object of their affections and substituted worthless idols.  What was the result?  The Scriptural record says, “They worshipped worthless idols and became worthless themselves.  They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them.”  (2 Kings 17:15b NLT)

            Therein lays the danger for us today.  We live in a world full of idols and false worship.  No longer are God and his Son Jesus Christ the center of worship around the world.  No longer is Jesus the object of man’s affection.  He has been relegated into obscurity by secularism and humanism.  Feel good and prosperity gospels have replaced the good news.  Sin is only a figment of the imagination and rarely mentioned in public debate.  Greed and lavish lifestyles have replaced modesty and reverence. 

            It is a well-known fact that our style of worship shapes the character of the worshippers into a likeness of the object worshipped.  Though created in the image and likeness of God, when we worship false gods of any kind, our souls become infused with the substitute deities.  As a result, our worship becomes a mockery to the very God who created us. 

            “Holy, Holy, Holy,” a hymn written generations ago is our call to worship.  “Only thou are holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.”  It is God alone whom we worship.  He alone should be the object of our affection.

            Are you worshipping the great Creator God?  Is his son, Jesus Christ the object of your affection?  Jesus is lord of all and Lord over all --- including you – including me – He alone is Worthy.

Thought for the Day: God is a jealous God and will have no other gods before Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for revealing to us that you alone are worthy of worship.

Finding Treasures within God's Word

Finding Treasures within God’s Word

Read: Psalm 119:1-16

“Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.  You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.  Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!  (Psalm 119:2,4-5 NLT)

          What intrinsic value do we place upon the Word of God?  What treasures are contained within its pages that will make us a better person, or provide us with a foundation for living a meaningful and purposeful life? 

          We are living in a digital age.  Every day it seems a new electronic gadget hits the marketplace.  As soon as we manage to master one device another one appears.  Learning to use the latest technical jargon leaves one intimidated and confused.  I find myself overcome with an overwhelming sense of apprehension and dread. 

          This is the way many people – even believers – feel about the Bible.  For many centuries the common people were told that only the church fathers were qualified to read and interpret the Scriptures.  To the laity it was a closed and forbidden book.  Along came John Wycliffe who translated the Latin Vulgate bible into English.  He was declared a heretic and condemned by the Roman church.  The Lollards spent countless hours making copies by hand.  Then Gutenburg invented the printing press, and bibles reached the hands of the common people.  Today millions of people own one or more bibles, but many still do not know how to use or interpret its message.

          For many the bible is still a closed book.  Their failure to realize its value and the treasures contained therein leave them with the attitude – why bother!  They ask: “What does this book have for me?”

          Consider this: If someone gave you an old discarded and outdated map, you’d wonder, What am I supposed to do with this?  But if you knew that the “X” on the map was the location of a treasure trove, wouldn’t you want to examine it further and follow its directions? 

          Likewise, there are treasures galore in the word of God ready for the seeker.  The question is: “How do I find them?  Let me suggest some ways to accomplish this task:

1.     Take time to read the bible every day.  The morning when you get up is a good time.  Use various translations to help explain the meaning of words.  (Joshua 8:34-35)

2.     Take time to meditate and allow the treasures within to soak into your soul.  (Psalm 119:148)

3.     Take time to pray over passages that seem difficult to understand.  Ask the Holy Spirit for His help.  He promises to be your teacher and guide.  (John 14-16)

4.     Take time to draw upon its transforming power.  (Romans 12:1-2)

          You’ll find yourself becoming a walking treasure house filled to overflowing with the promises of God’s word.

Thought for the Day: God’s word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to saturate myself with the treasures of your Holy word.   

Is Anyone Listening?

Is Anyone Listening?

My child, listen when your father corrects you!  Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.  (Proverbs 1:8 NLT)

            The Greek philosopher Zeno made a statement that parents have used with their children down through the ages: “The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less.” 

            If Zeno were living in today’s culture, he might have revised his philosophy from listening with open ears to covering his ears to protect them from all the noise. 

Most of us have had at least one experience with noise so loud that it hurt our ears. Having said all this, a far greater tragedy occurs when there is so much noise around us that we fail to hear the voice of God when he speaks to us. 

            A similar situation existed in Solomon’s day when he wrote the book of Proverbs.  God was trying to speak to the children of Israel, but for one reason or another, they weren’t listening.  He mentions two voices in Chapter one, vv. 8-19 that were trying to get their attention.

            First, there is the voice of a godly father as he seeks to instruct his children:

            “My child, listen when your father corrects you!  Don’t neglect your mother’s instructions.  What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.”

            Please take note that both parents are involved in the teaching process.  There is an old adage that says: “Families that pray together – stay together.”  Perhaps the failure on the part of families to heed this sage advice has led to the breakdown of the home.  Nevertheless, the combined teaching effort will ultimately pay off in rich dividends.

            Second, there is the voice of a father warning his child to watch his path and steer clear of wrong associations.  The temptation of going along with the crowd is strong, and it takes courage to avoid the traps that lead to sinful consequences.  He uses the illustration of a bird who watches a trap being laid:

            “If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.”  In essence he is saying, “Aren’t you smarter than a bird?” 

            Finally, the writer sums up his instruction by saying, “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”  (Proverbs 1:33 NLT)

Thought for the Day: In order to hear God speak, we need to turn down the volume.

Prayer

God's Love and Faithfulness Abides Forever

God’s Love and Faithfulness Abides Forever

Read: Psalm 89:1-17

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!  Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.  Your unfailing love will last forever.  Your faithfulness is an enduring as the heavens.  (Psalm 89:1,2 NLT)

            It was November 9, 1966 that I made the frantic drive to Normandy Osteopathic Hospital.  With my pregnant wife sitting beside me, we raced down Natural Bridge Road in the midst of torrential rain storm to reach the emergency room of the hospital before the anticipated arrival.  I was so scared that we wouldn’t make the hospital in time, and a baby would be born in our car.  Wow!

            Attendants were waiting for us when we raced into the emergency room entrance and wheeled Elaine into the hospital.  Before I could even sign my name on the admittance papers, I heard a piercing cry.  A newborn baby girl was born.

            As the parents gazed upon the face of their baby girl, love and joy filled our hearts.  Finally, after five boys (we lost one a birth), we had a lovely little baby girl.  We were so happy that we named her Carol Joy.  She was so tiny weighing only five pounds, four ounces.  She lost some weight so it took two weeks before we could take our bundle of joy home. 

            Parents love for their children is not unlike the love that God showers upon his offspring.  We provide for them safety and protection, instruction in the word of God, impart moral values, counseling, consoling, reprimanding for wrongs committed, food, clothing, shelter, and spiritual leadership. 

            King David was declared to be “a man after God’s own heart”; yet he sinned grievously.   After confession and repentance, God forgave him and promised, “I will love him and be kind to him forever; my covenant with him will never end” (Psalm 89:28 NLT). 

            Just as a parent’s love for their children reaches beyond the grave, so also God’s love for David reached beyond the grave, for he promised to love and bless David’s heirs.  “His dynasty will go on forever; his throne is as secure as the sun.”  (Psalm 89:36 NLT)

            What have we learned as a family on our pilgrim journey with the Lord?  Just this: no matter how great our trouble, God’s love and faithfulness are greater.  No ocean is deeper or mountain higher than the love our heavenly father has bestowed upon us.  Human relationships will falter and break down, but your heavenly Father’s love never fails.  We are safe and secure “in the arms of Jesus.”

Thought for the Day: God will always be a loving and faithful Father.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, how thankful I am for your love and faithfulness to me and my family

Misplaced Faith

Misplaced Faith

Read: 1 Samuel 17:32-50

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you, and cut off your head…” (1 Samuel 17:45-46a NLT)

          When you look at great Bible characters such as Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, the prophets, Peter and Paul, just to name a few, you see people whose faith is solidly placed in the God who commands Heaven’s Armies.

          On the other hand, there are numerous accounts of misplaced faith in the word of God:

·        Cain had a misplaced faith and slew his brother Abel because his offering was rejected by God.  The Lord said to him, “Why are you so angry?  Why do you look so dejected?  You will be accepted if you do what is right.  But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out!  Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.  But you must subdue it and be its master.”  (Genesis 4:6-7 NLT)

·        Achan had a misplaced faith and stole articles of clothing, silver and gold from Jericho in disobedience to God.  Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us?  The Lord will now bring trouble on you.”(Joshua 7:24 NLT)  Achan and his family were stoned in the Valley of Anchor (Trouble). 

·        King Saul had a misplaced faith.  He was so insecure that he trusted in his army and his armor rather than the God who at one time had ordained his rule.  He endeavored to thrust his armor on David who volunteered to fight Goliath, but David wisely refused.

·        Goliath had a misplaced faith trusting in his pagan gods and his religion.  His cursing and mocking of the army of Israel was soon silenced by a single stone from the sling of a shepherd boy named David.

       

        Every time I read this story it convicts me in my daily life.  The question arises, “Am I more like Goliath than David?  Is my faith misplaced at times?  Sure, I ask the blessing at meals, and say Lord willing this or that will happen, but do I really trust God when the tough times come?  How do I react when I walk onto the field of battle and a difficult relationship occurs, or an ongoing temptation arises?  Do I resort to my own strength, my own skills, my own weapons of war?  Do I hedge my bets by trusting in my own strength (a misplaced faith) or do I exercise faith like that of David?

        David killed the giant because God was with him, and as a result of his rightly placed faith in Jehovah. 

Thought for the Day:  God honors the faith of those who trust completely in him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me the kind of faith that the shepherd boy David had.  

          

Christian Love Involves Doing Good

“We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us.”  (1 John 3:16)

          A group of people were overheard discussing the subject of love.  Words such as “affection, concern, attraction, loyalty, benevolence, passion, devotion, tenderness, caress, and emotion were heard.  Finally, a Christian standing silently on the fringe said, “I believe to understand true love we need look no further than the cross where Jesus gave his life to save others.”  This statement was supported by quoting Romans 5:8, “But God showed (demonstrated) his great love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners.”  (NLT)

          John the apostle further explains this love by quoting Jesus’ words, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  (John 15:13)  Then Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command.”  (15:14)

          Love is viewed by the prophet Isaiah as both positive and negative.  “Wash yourselves and be clean!  Get your sins out of my sight.  Give up your evil ways.  Learn to do good.  Seek justice.  Help the oppressed.  Defend the cause of orphans.  Fight for the rights of widows.”  (Isaiah 1:16-17)

          The test of Christian love is not simply turning away from doing evil to others.  Love also involves doing them good. 

          Cain is our example of false love; Christ is the perfect example of true love that believers should display.  Christ not only wants us to know true love, but he also wants us to experience this love by doing good to others.

          Jesus along with other New Testament writers emphasized showing love by our good works.

Jesus said, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.”  (Matthew 5:16)

“But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.  Give your gifts in private, and your father, who sees everything, will reward you.”  (Matthew 6:3-4)

Paul said, “Tell them (the rich) to use their money to do good.  They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”  (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

James said, “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’ – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing.  What good does that do?  So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough.  Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”  (James 2:15-17)

Peter said, “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors.  Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”  (1 Peter 1:12)

          John’s readers were struggling to find out how to share the love of Christ with others.  No wonder he spent so much time and space in this letter dealing with showing love to others.  John pointed them to the cross, where Jesus “laid down his life for us.” 

          How can you show the love of Christ to those around you, especially the household of faith?  When asked by a Pharisee what was the greatest commandment Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-38, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.”  Then notice what he said in verse 39, “A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Did you see the word equally? 

          When was the last time you spoke to your neighbor?  Have you ever offered your services?  Or asked if they had any prayer needs?  Or shared the love of Christ with them? 

          What are some other ways to show the love of Christ? 

1.     Put a note of encouragement in someone’s mail file.

2.     Give a word of affirmation to someone .

3.     Write a note telling someone you are praying for them.

4.     Greet everyone with a smile and happy greeting. 

Consuming Passion

Consuming Passion

Read: Nehemiah 1:1-11

When I heard this, I sat down and wept.  In fact, for days I mourned, fasted and prayed to the God of heaven.  (Nehemiah 1:4 NLT)

            One thing I admire about Nehemiah is his consuming passion for the people of Israel who were under extreme distress.  They were in danger from neighboring enemies because of the broken down walls and gates surrounding the city.  If something wasn’t done, the work on the temple would come to a screeching halt.

            John Wycliffe was another man with a consuming passion.  He wanted the common people in England to have a copy of the word of God in the English language.  In 1382, he began to translate the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into English.  In the process, he gathered some poor priests (called Lollards) to preach the word to the masses.  He also used them as scribes to make copies of his English Bible beginning with the gospels.  It took them one year using a quill pen and ink to complete one copy.  The Roman church opposed his work and severely persecuted the Lollards.  Many were captured, tied up in chains, and burnt at the stake.  Wycliffe’s English Bible was completed early in 1384 whereupon he was condemned by the Roman church as a heretic.  John Wycliffe died on 31 December 1384 at Hipswell near Richmond, in Yorkshire, England.  He was so hated by the Roman Catholic Church that forty years later his bones were exhumed, burnt into ashes, and tossed into the river Swift. 

            Nehemiah’s consuming passion was to get the walls and gates surrounding Jerusalem rebuilt.  He prayed and made plans to execute his heart’s desires.  The biblical text reveals that Nehemiah’s desires were in line with God’s desires.  That is a sure fire recipe for success.

            What is your passion?  Everyone has one, you know.  Is it to gain fame and fortune, sports, reading, traveling, or Is it to reach your neighborhood, family, fellow workers, and those you meet in the marketplace with the gospel of Christ? 

Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

            Wherever you live is your Jerusalem.

Thought for the Day: Jesus’ passion was to “seek and save those who were lost.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, instill within me the passion to reach out to those around me with the good news of the gospel.

To do: Spend some time writing out your testimony; it is your greatest witnessing 

Word of Forgiveness

A Word of Forgiveness

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:24)

            As we stood by the cross on that fateful Friday morning, the words of the onlookers were raucous. 

            Those passing by hurled abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, “If you are the Son of God come down from the cross.”  (Matt. 27:40).   It wasn’t that he was powerless and couldn’t, but that he was in control and wouldn’t.

            The chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself.”  (Matt. 27:42a)

            They also scorned him by saying, “He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him.”  (Matt. 27:42b)

            They continued by saying, “He trusts in God; let God rescue him.”  (Matt. 27:43)

            The soldiers also mocked him, coming up to him, offering sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”  (Luke 23:36).

            What do you make of this scene?  Have you ever heard anything more bitter, hateful, scornful, sarcastic, and irreverent?  Wasn’t the shame and humiliation enough?  Was the crown of thorns with blood running down his forehead into his eyes, and streaking his face and beard not sufficient? 

            Peter described the scene in a most dramatic fashion when he said, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered, he made no threats.”  (1 Peter 2:23a NIV)  Notice the intensity of the crowd.  They were out for blood.  They wanted not only to break his body; they wanted to break his spirit.  Doesn’t that reveal the evil intent of the heart of man?

            Kick a man when he’s down.  Add to his misery.  Pour salt into his wounds.  Make the crown of thorns sharper more piercing.  Belittle.  Humiliate.  What a hostile crowd! 

            Are we any different?  How many times have you said, “He made his own bed, let him sleep in it,” or “He’s only getting what he deserves.”  Did Jesus deserve this kind of treatment?  Was he ever guilty of a crime?  Where are his accusers?  Only false witnesses showed up at the trial.  No evidence was presented.  He wasn’t even allowed a defense.  Why is man so heartless?  So unforgiving.  So determined to punish the innocent.  You can be sure that Satan and his adversaries had their hand in the proceedings.  This was Satan’s last stand – his chance to wreck God’s plan.  He thought he won a victory, but in the end he lost the war. 

            This is not something new to many of you.  No doubt you’ve heard your share of ill-advised words.  Insults and lies were aimed at you.  You’ve been knocked to the ground by a slur or slip of the tongue.  You lie there beaten, wounded in spirit, harboring a broken heart.  Abandoned and left alone to suffer embarrassment and humiliation. 

            As we witness the scene, we see the true heart of God.  Jesus did not retaliate.  He did not say, “Come up here and say that to my face.”  He did not threaten to “get even.”  None of these statements came from his lips.

             Jesus uttered, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:24)

            Yes, on that Good Friday morning bitter words were hurled.  The verbal slurs were meant to hurt.  How could Jesus who was suffering excruciating pain respond with Words of Forgiveness is beyond me?  It just shows the depth of his love.  Truly the Cross was a picture of his Amazing Grace. 

            

Baby Tears Saved a Nation

When the princess opened it, (basket) she saw the baby.  The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him.  ”This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said.             (Exodus 2:6 NLT)

            The king’s edict said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is daughter, then she shall live”  (Exo. 2:16).

            The boy babies were sentenced to death.  Why?  Because the king feared the increasing Jewish population growth.  The “fly in the ointment” so to speak was that the midwives feared God more than they did the king and refused to kill the boy babies.  (Exo. 2:17)  What a brave and courageous group of women!

            Many of our missionaries who are serving in countries where their location and names cannot be mentioned for fear of death are following the same principle.  They are adhering to the example of the Apostle Peter and the disciples who said, “We must obey God rather than men”  (Acts 5:29).

 I find the birth of Moses an intriguing account for several reasons:

1.     It took tremendous faith and courage for Amram and Jochebed to have marital relations during that dangerous time when Jewish baby boys were subject to death.

2.     They saw that the baby was no ordinary child (Acts 7:20 NIV).  God gave them a special insight into his divine purpose for the child. 

3.     Jochebed obeyed the letter of the law by putting the baby in the Nile, but trusted in the providence of God in the way she did it. 

4.     The oldest child, Miriam, was dispatched to watch over the baby with instructions to intervene should he be found.  They were well aware that the Princess came down to do her daily ablutions and trusted God to spare the child.

5.     The Princess found the basket and heard the baby cry and saw his tears.  God used a baby’s tears to control the heart of a powerful Princess, and he used Miriam’s words to arrange for the baby’s mother to raise the boy, and get paid for it. 

Don’t you just love this story?  Can’t you just see God’s hand in every detail?  Who would be better able to raise the boy and instill within him a love for God than his godly parents? 

A Baby ’s tears were God’s first weapons in his war with Egypt. 

There’s a lot of recalculating going on from the time Moses lay in a wicker basket in the Nile to the time he became a prince in Egypt, and later when he took over the reins of deliverer to God’s people – Israel. 

I can look back over my life and see how many times God said, RECALCULATE – change direction.  That’s what my book: God’s Unfolding Plan is all about. 

Thought for the Day: God wants us to take time to recalculate on occasion.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for the times when you caused me to recalculate and change directions to get in line with your will and purpose.

Substitutes for the Real Thing

            In today’s world we have a hard time distinguishing between the false and the true, the substitute and the real thing.  We have substitutes in gasoline (Ethanol), clothing (synthetic fibers), furniture (oak veneer), and instead of metal we get plastic. 

            The spiritual realm has its share of substitutes.  People in many cultures are worshipping false gods in place of the one and only true God.  Jesus warned us in the gospels, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really vicious wolves” (Matthew 7:15 NLT).  Substitutes can be deceiving.  They taste almost as good as the real thing, but they are only second best.  To me, cookies taste better made with real butter rather than the substitute margarine.

            There is no substitute for the real thing in the spiritual realm.  I love the hymn, “I’d rather than Jesus than silver and gold” made famous by George Beverly Shea.  The words of the hymn emphasize the real thing as opposed to that which is false. 

            If we follow the principles laid down by God in his Holy Word, we won’t have to rely on substitutes – he is the real thing.   

Star Light - Star Bright

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers -- the moon and the stars you set in place -- what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human being that you should care for them.  (Psalm 8:3-4 NLT)

   Lying on the grass and gazing at the Milky Way Galaxy, I wondered how Abraham must have felt when God said, "Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can.  Your descendants will be like that -- too many to count."  (Genesis 15:5 NLT)

Wow!  Count the stars?  You must be kidding.  God, how can I ever begin to count them?  Do you mean my descendants will be that innumerable?  I'm sure he must have marveled at God's promise.  It would take a strong faith to believe in such a promise.  Abraham exhibited that kind of faith throughout his lifetime.

Are you a star gazer?  When you look up to the heavens, what do you see?  Do you see the creative power of a supernatural God?  Does the wonder of the heavenly hosts cause you to bow in worship, adoration, and praise?  If not, it surely should.  Take time tonight to worship God by starlight.

Stairway to Heaven

As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth to heaven.  And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.  At the top of the stairway stood the LORD.  Gen. 28:12-13

   Escalators and stairways are a big thing in London, England.  You seem to go down forever before reaching the bottom.  During the morning rush hour people are literally running up and down to reach the streets and trains.  One day on our way to the "tube" (that's what the subway is called) we found the escalators not working.  Hundreds of steps had to be navigated to reach the subway platforms.  The rule seemed to be "slow people on the right and fast people on the left."  Those who didn't abide by the rule were rudely pushed aside to make way for the ones in a rush.

   I am glad that the Lord doesn't expect me to rush hither and yon in endless pursuit of meaningless activity.  I am at a point where sitting calmly at his feet is a special blessing.  When we get to heaven we will have eternity to sit and listen to the wisdom of the Lord.

   What did I learn from my experience on the London escalators?  Slow down, enjoy life, and spend more time in devotion and prayer.

Led by the Spirit

That day the Spirit led him into the temple.  (Luke 2:27a NLT)

   On numerous occasions the Bible tells us that people were led by the Spirit.  Jesus was led by the Spirit to be temped in the wilderness (Luke 4:1); Simeon was led to the temple to fulfill a prophecy (Luke 2:27); Paul and Barnabas were set apart and led by the Spirit to go out from Antioch and preach the gospel to the Gentiles; and Peter was led by the Spirit to talk to Cornelius.

   My wife and I were led by the Spirit to volunteer our services to several Christian organizations.  We made eight trips overseas to Peru, France, Papua New Guinea, and Cameroon with Wycliffe Associates holding VBS sessions with missionary kids.  We spent a month at a time serving with the Navigators at Glen Eyrie conference center in Colorado Springs. We volunteer on a regular basis with Child Evangelism Fellowship's "Truth Chasers Club" in our home town of Warrenton, Mo.

   We mention this solely to encourage believers to listen to the prompting of the Spirit of God who is able to place the desire in their hearts to serve the Lord.  Take time to seek out Christian organizations to find out what opportunities are available to volunteer your services.  The two key words in serving the Lord are: "availability and flexibility."  Be prepared to go wherever the Spirit leads you no matter what the cost.

   Are you open to the Spirit's prompting and willing to obey the command given in Matthew 28:19?

Speechless

But when the leading priests and other leaders made their accusations against Him, Jesus remained silent.  "Don't you hear their many charges against you?" Pilate demanded.  But Jesus said nothing, much to the governor's great surprise.  (Matthew 27:12-14)

   What if you could not see, hear, or speak?  What would your world be like?  How would you be able to function in a world of darkness and silence?

   My grandson, Jonathan, has spent twenty-one years of his life without the ability to speak.  In Jesus' day there were people who were blind, deaf, and mute.  Many of them were healed either by the touch of Jesus, or by a word from his mouth.  Yet when Jesus had the opportunity to defend himself -- he remained silent.

   The prophet Isaiah said, "All of us like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God's paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.  He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth."  (Isaiah 53:6-7 NLT)

   Jesus was The Truth, no defense was necessary.  A King does not need to defend himself.  For this reason he came.

   Are you able to speak?  Someone needs to tell the world about Jesus.  If we don't spread the truth, the false prophets and teachers will spread their lies.  Let's not be "speechless."

Specially Chosen

You did not chose me but I chose you  John 15:16 NASB

  "Pitch the ball in there, Jimmy!  Come on; give it your best shot!" the kids yelled.  With longing and yearning known only to me, I stood on the sidelines watching the neighborhood kids play stickball.  The old left-out feeling swept over me, and I wandered away shedding a few tears.  Once again, I had not been chosen.

   For many years I suffered with distasteful memories of being a child not chosen.  Lacking friends and living with an absentee father and a mother who worked full time, led to feelings of insecurity and inferiority.  It wasn't until I came into a relationship with Jesus Christ that I discovered I was a chosen one all along.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes."  (Ephesians 1:4 NLT)  

   Are you one of God's chosen ones?

Sound Sleep

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion.  Mark 4:38a NLT

   After completing a full day of teaching, Jesus was exhausted.  He instructed the disciples to get into a boat and go over to the other side.  He went into the stern and fell sound asleep on a cushion.

   A fierce storm arose, water was cascading into the boat, and the disciples feared for their lives.  None of this bothered Jesus because he was at peace with the wind and the waves.  After all, wasn't he their master?

   Jesus needed rest from his labors, and so do we.  We can push our bodies just so far before fatigue sets in and the body functions shut down.  Peter, James, and John experienced this when they fell asleep from exhaustion in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Soldiers know this when they have to stay on alert for forty-eight or seventy-two hours.  They suffer what is called "battle fatigue."  R & R is necessary for the body and mind to stay fresh and alert.

   I have found that it is much easier to gain a sound sleep when all is well between my and the Savior.  I can have the "peace of God that surpasses all comprehension" that Paul talks about in Philippians 4:8.

   Ask yourself, "Do I have peace with God?" If you do, then the peace of God is available to you.

Jeremiah Confronted by a False Prophet

Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke off Jeremiah’s neck and broke it in pieces.  And Hananiah said again to the crowd that had gathered, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Just as this yoke has been broken, within two years I will break the yoke of oppression from all the nations now subject to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.’”  (Jeremiah 28:10-11 NLT)

            There are many voices competing for the attention of people both here in the United States and around the world.  Some of them are worthy servants of God who are preaching true Biblical theology, and are proclaiming the gospel as set forth by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.  Others such as those associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, the Emergent church, Word of Faith, the New Religious Right along with others who according to Brannon Howse in his book Religious Trojan Horse (Worldview Weekend Publishing 2012) are preaching a false gospel that Paul says in Galatians 1:8 is accursed.

            Jeremiah was confronted in the courtyard of the Temple by Hananiah, who claimed to be a prophet from the Lord.  Hananiah declared that the subjection of the people to King Nebuchadnezzar would be broken in two years and the captives and treasures would be returned.  Jeremiah responded in what I believe was a sarcastic manner,

“Amen!  May your prophecies come true.  I hope the Lord does everything you say.  I hope he does bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple and all the captives.”  (Jer. 28:6)

            But remember this, “A prophet who predicts peace must show he is right.  Only when his predictions come true can we know that he is really from the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 28:9)

            Jeremiah knew that Hananiah was a false prophet because God had told him that the captives would spend seventy years in captivity before being released to return to their land. 

            Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah!  The Lord has not sent you, but the people believe your lies.”  (Jeremiah 28:15)

            People are believing the lies of false prophets today who are leading people astray with their “pagan spirituality, dominion theology, communitarianism, and other foolish notions” that have no basis in Biblical theology. 

            Sadly, many so-called conservative theologians are allowing themselves to be used and duped by the doublespeak of these false prophets. 

            Jesus said, “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”  (Matthew 24:24 NLT).