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12-31-2006

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen”

Jude 24,25


There are two very precious words in the above verse of Scripture. They are the words “keep” and “you”. He is able to keep you! He is able to keep you with all your weakness from falling! He is able to keep you with all your fears from falling! It is only when we rely on our own strength that we fall. In God there is no failing or falling!

Some people have an obsessive fear of falling. In my younger days as a carpenter I worked with a man who could not work on a high scaffold. Others tried to convince him that he would not fall but he answered, “I can’t get any work done up there while I’m holding on with both hands.”

God does not want us to go through life walking in fear. We are to walk carefully, ”Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15) but not fearfully. God’s promise is “Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.” {Psalm 91:9-11)

I take the word falling above to mean that we shall not be overcome. Because we are trusting God we shall not stay down. We shall face the same trials, tribulations and problems that are common to mankind but we shall overcome. We are trusting in the strength of the Lord and there is nothing between here and there that can keep us from getting from here to there. We are people with an invisible means of support! We are going to be “presented before the presence of His glory” in that day. Is it because we are smarter, stronger or better than the average? No, No, No, It is because we are trusting Him Who knows no falling or failure and He has promised that we shall be where He is. (John 14:3)

12-29-2006

SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13,14

The beginning of another year is before us and we are curious as to what it will bring.

As the result of the recent election we have new officeholders in our government. A favorite expression of new office holders is, “We are going to change the direction of our country”.

Deciding which way is the right way seems to be the problem.

I would refer our congress men and congress women to some good advice from another congressman.

“I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid.

We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this! I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the building of Babel;'

Benjamin Franklin

What direction Congress takes our country in the coming year remains to be seen; what direction you and I, as individuals, will take is open to choice.

Congress would be wise to follow Franklin's advice and we would do well to follow the advice of Paul given above.

Whatever the year may bring we must keep our eyes on “...the prize of the upward call of God in Christ...”

I can say with Mr. Franklin, “I have lived, sir, a long time.” I can further say that God has, for a long time, governed in my affairs and my determination is that, regardless of which direction our congress takes our country in the new year, God will continue to govern in the affairs of Pastor Bill Cummins.

Regardless of which political party is leading in the new year, America is still the best place in this world but the long view is that we are headed for a better world.

“... for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day,”

2nd. Tim. 1:12

12-17-2006

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4,5

“For there is born to you this night in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11

Make no mistake! As in the creation of all things, there was “intelligent design” in the coming of the Christ!

It can't be credited to chance or accident. God foreordained the time, place and purpose.

I have in one of my Bibles, a list of 38 Old Testament prophecies , written over a period of 1100+ years giving details that identify the coming Savior. They were all fulfilled completely in Jesus Christ and that was no matter of chance..

Only the Almighty God could have, and would have, planned and executed it all.

“In the fullness of time” Jesus came! He was not well received (John 1:10,11) but nothing could prevent His coming. Herod made an early, unsuccessful, attempt on His life. Later, those who should have welcomed Him with open arms were successful in having Him condemned to death but only because the Almighty arranger had it so planned.

He came into the world to become the Savior of all who would believe and He had to die to accomplish His mission. The unbelieving world cannot deny the fact of His coming but will not accept the purpose of His coming.

It has long been the effort of the enemy to attempt to refute the sinlessness of Jesus.

A recent effort was the production of the movie called the Da Vinci Code. A more recent development is a newly discovered manuscript titled,

“The Hidden Life of Jesus” is which He is “revealed” as a mere sinful man.

One archaeologist called it 'authentic fiction'. The document is authentic but the contents are fiction. Like the movie mentioned, Leonardo Da Vinci was real but the code and the movie, is fiction.

I don't believe that the Leonardo Da Vinci who painted the “Last Supper” would appreciate being given credit for the inspiration for Mr. Brown's book.

Jesus once said, “Which of you can truthfully accuse me of a single sin? (no one)

John 8:46 LB.

It can't be done but apparently some will continue to try if there is enough money to be made for their effort.

The baby born in the stable at Bethlehem was the incarnation of the sinless and Almighty Son of the Most High and don't settle for anything less.


12-16-2006

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”.

Isaiah 7:14

Matthew, quoting Isaiah, added.

” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matt. 1:23

Angels announced to the world that the time had arrived.

“...Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”

Luke 2:10

Scripture from NKJV

The devout had waited a long time for the prophecy to be fulfilled but the angels had waited much longer. The determination was made before the world ever was (Rev.13:8); The promise was made at the fall of man , (Genesis 3:15) and repeated by Isaiah. (7:14)

What God promises, God does, and the great day arrived.

How those angels who were commissioned to make the announcement must have rejoiced.

The hymn writer said it this way;

“Angels from the realm of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth,

Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth.”

The essential doctrine of Christianity is contained in these words “God with us”.

To have Him come, stay a little while and go away would not have been, “Good tidings of great joy”.

His orders are; “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

His promise is,”...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt.28:20)

His means of fulfilling the promise; “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away;for if I do not go away the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

(John 16:7)

When we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then, through the Holy Spirit the promise “God with us” becomes a reality. There is that, invisible but never failing, presence in our lives until we literally go to “...dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. (Psalm 23:6)

One day we shall “be where He is” (John 14:3) but in the meantime, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, He is “where we are.”

In those times of great crisis,( I speak from experience) that “unseen presence” becomes the “help in time of need” (Heb.4:16) to see us through.

“Emmanuel” “God with us” is one of the most precious promises in the Bible.

Don't allow the 'Happy Holiday' syndrome to obscure the true meaning and promise that we celebrate December 25.

12-15-2006

For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder, And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:6,7

NKJV

“Unto us a Child is born” refers to the humanity of Jesus; “Unto us a Son is given” refers to the deity of Jesus.

The “child is born” part was an everyday occurrence and didn't attract much attention but when the news that “Son is given” was proclaimed it threw the underworld into an ongoing panic and started a continuing controversy in the upper world.

If Jesus had admitted to being just an ordinary man, albeit a prophet, the Jewish leaders would have accepted Him, but when He claimed to be the unique and only Son of God, their wrath was directed at Him.

If He had claimed to be just a god, which the Romans could add to the great roster that they already possessed, which included some of the Caesars, they would not have been concerned about Him.

If we were to preach Him today as one way among many ways, our preaching would be more acceptable to some, but when we maintain that He is the “Son Given” and the “only way”, battle lines are drawn.

If Jesus were just 'a way' like the many other ways, there was no need for Him to die the agonizing death that He willingly suffered.

There are enough 'ways' to heaven in the world already; what the world needed and needs is a “Way” that will get us there and Jesus is that kind of a “Way”.

The angels said it first (Luke 2:10,11) but every thing about Jesus, from His miraculous birth, His life, His ministry, His death and His resurrection is evidence that He was not an ordinary man.

No one can duplicate His birth; no one can duplicate His life, no one is anxious to duplicate His death and no one can duplicate His resurrection.

He is the one and only “Son Given”; the unique and only “Christ of God” and the only “...name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
12-13-2006

Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”

John 14:6


Jesus said to His followers, “I am the Way!” which suggests that we are going somewhere and we need to be shown how to get there. The book of Hebrews (11:13) explains it this way, “…they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. And they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” A pilgrim is a temporary resident on his way to another land. This is a truth that none of the present day opponents of the Gospel message even try to dispute. We are all temporary residents! God’s pilgrims declare that they, “…desire a better country, that is a heavenly;” (Hebrews 11:16) Those who despise the Gospel declare that they are not concerned as to where they are going, but they will be when they arrive. Once you check in you cannot check out!

There was no clear description of this heavenly country until Jesus came. He came from that country and when it was time for Him to return He promised that he would have a place ready for His “Pilgrims”. (John 14:1-6) It would be beautiful beyond description and the cost would be far beyond our ability to pay. Our “prepared place” however, does not have a “For Sale’ sign on it, it is marked “It is finished” (Paid in full) John 19:30)

Jesus has prepared our heavenly home and paid our entry fee into that land. We have but to accept His provisions and follow His leading. I read the following joke in a paper, Two ladies were overheard talking and one asked, “Did you enjoy your vacation?” The other replied, “Yes, but it was pretty hot in Texas!” The first lady said, “Texas! I thought you were going to Colorado!” The second lady replied, “We were! But you know George, He refuses to ask directions!”

Jesus not only gives directions, He has said, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19) which means that He does not want to make the way of truth and life complicated, He makes it simple and easy. Now we have traveled a lot and I do have a definite talent for getting lost in a large city even after listening to directions. I can, however follow someone who knows the way. So it isn’t a matter of understanding a multitude of complicated directions it is a matter of believing and following.

Jesus said,”... Whosoever will, let him come...” (Rev.22:17) It isn't a matter of “can't”, anyone can follow! It is a matter of “won't”. if men miss heaven.



12-10-2006

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel 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.”

Luke 2:8-11NKJV

The Christmas season is here again and of course the usual barrage of unbelief, criticisms and objections is being stepped up. I heard, as usual, that old worn-out complaint that December 25 was a pagan holiday. What does that have to do with the disciples of Jesus Christ in this twenty first century?

Probably most any day you could choose was some kind of a pagan holiday sometime in the ancient past.

Both bad things and good things happen on about every day of the year.

We, as Christians, celebrate a most evident fact. Jesus was born!

I read about a black man, Satchel Paige, one of the best baseball pitchers who ever lived.

Mr. Paige was born in a tiny country cabin and no record of his birth was made.

When asked about his birth he answered, “I don't know when I was born but I know I was!” Amen! The other ball players who had to bat against his pitching were reminded of that fact!

We are reminded that we don't know for certain just when Jesus was born into the world. Granted! We know that He was and any day that we choose to celebrate that fact is in order.

As Christians we live every day of our lives in the assurance of two of the greatest facts in the history of the world. Jesus Christ was born and He rose from the dead!

We know that Jesus was born into the world and December 25 is a day in which we give special thought and consideration to the fact that He was.

There is a much greater fact that is responsible for the opposition behind the celebration of Jesus' birth.

Jesus was alive before He was born! (John1:1-12) He came to earth to become the Savior of all who will believe. The arch-enemy knows that but he doesn't want the world to know that.

His present strategy? Celebrate the season but reject the reason!

Don't fall into that trap! Celebrate the season acknowledging the true reason and may the Good Lord make it the happiest day of the year for you.

12-06-2006

“And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes…”

“And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man which had devils a long time.”

Luke 8:26,27

And He (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and as His custom was , He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read….And when He had opened the book He found the place where it was written. The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor.”

Luke 4:16-18

Read Luke 8:26-40


To borrow part of a line from Charles Dickens, this is “A Tale of Two Men”. It is a story of a man who was filled with demons meeting a Man who was filled with the Holy Spirit. It is about a man from Gadara meeting the Man from Galilee.

The man from Gadara endured a miserable existence. He was driven by the demons, night and day, crying and cutting himself on the stones. He was a terror to the countryside until that happy day when Jesus paid a visit to that land.

Jesus commanded the demons to depart from the man and although we can’t say anything good about demons, they were smarter than some of the apostate, liberal minded, self appointed Bible authorities that are around today. The demons knew who Jesus was for they called Him the, ”Son of the Most High God”. They knew that when Jesus said leave, He meant leave and they knew where they would be going eventually,(v.31) but they wanted to postpone it as long as they could so they asked permission to enter into a nearby herd of pigs.

Jesus gave permission for them to try but they had a problem. The pigs were particular about who they kept company with and they all ran down the hill to the water and drowned. We are not told what happened to the demons after that. It isn’t likely that they continued to live in the dead pigs and they could not return to their former home. He was now on an assignment for Jesus,”return to thine own home and show how great things God hath done unto thee.” (V.39) and there was no longer room in his life for demons.

Jesus told another story of an unnamed man who was delivered from a demon but who failed to invite God into his life. The demon returned and brought his brothers, sisters and cousins with him and that man was worse off than before. (Matthew 12:43-45)



12-03-2006

“Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”

Matt. 7:24,25

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus.

1st. Cor. 3:11

Jesus said building a life is like building a house; It will stand or fall according to it's foundation.

Most of my earlier life I worked as a carpenter to support our family and our ministry. Our five sons are all carpenters today.

We know about the necessity of digging down to solid ground, setting the forms and pouring a solid concrete foundation.

The best built house will not survive the storm if it is not built on a solid foundation.

We are all building a life but we do not build the foundation.

Paul claimed to be a “master builder” (1st.Cor.3:10) but he admitted that he could not build a foundation that would hold. He could only build on the foundation that God has provided.

Faith in Christ is the only foundation that will support us through the storms of this life and see us safely across to our eternal life when this journey is complete.

We need a foundation that will stand the test of time.

A while back I found a replay of an old TV program called “C,H,I,P,S,. It was about the California Highway Patrol. I watched the movie as the Patrol Officers chased a lawbreaker down the Los Angeles river bed. They went under a bridge that I recognized. I helped set the forms for the concrete abutments over fifty years ago. The foundation still holds and the bridge stands while the travelers cross the river.

There is a bridge that we must all cross over. The foundation was established nearly 2,000 years ago but it still stands and it will stand. It has been carrying travelers over for these many years and it will stand until the last pilgrim is safely on the other side.

“On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”


11-30-2006

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech of knowledge Where their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

Someone wrote;

“Who can watch the rising sun Or see the wonders God has done,

Who can count them one by one--and say, There is no God.”

I could sooner believe that our auto is the result of an explosion in the auto parts store than to believe that the world around us is the result of an accidental explosion in space.

When I turn on my computer early each morning it records every word that I type onto it's screen and files them away somewhere in it's electronic brain, then, in an instant of time,at my command, it mails them out to locations all around the world,

Like the auto, the computer is not the result of an explosion in the computer parts store. There is an intelligence behind the construction of it.

The complexities of the computer do not begin to compare with the complexities of God's universe.

Autos and computers wear out and often fail; God's world doesn't!

Altho no one in their right mind would maintain that the computer or the auto built itself some do insist that the world did.

I have a little problem that!

As of this morning I have been living on God's earth for 30,245 days and every morning God's sun has appeared on the eastern horizon. It is a bit too early at the moment but I am confident that it will appear this morning also.

Someone is responsible for that and I can't be convinced otherwise.

A heard a scientist say that “Special creation is not true science.”

The Apostle Paul maintains that a science that denies God is “a science falsely so called.” (1st.Tim.^:20 KJ)

I'll stay with Paul. The Bible teaches that the God who created this world is, one day, going to create a new earth and new heavens where we shall live with Him forever and ever.

The evolutionists don't offer much hope beyond this life.

11-28-2006

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

Hebrews 11:7

Read Genesis chapters 6,7

Noah’s name is written in the “faith chapter” of the New Testament due to his obeying God and building the ark according to God’s instructions. Noah was asked to do some things that certainly tested his faith to the limit and, no doubt, seemed quite ridiculous to the world around him.

Once the ark was completed, the animals loaded and Noah and his family were on board, they were committed. There was no turning back for it is written in Genesis 7:16 that “God shut him in” and after that Noah had no control. Everything was in God’s hands!

There are a number of things about this that would not much appeal to our modern generation. For one thing, the ark had no power of it’s own. It did not have a diesel engine and twin screws to drive it through the water. It didn’t even have a sail, it just floated along at its God ordained pace and that would be a frustration to most people of today. One thing that today’s travelers have in common is that, wherever they are going, they want to go fast.

Another thing is that the ark didn’t have a steering wheel and most people wouldn’t care for that arrangement! If Noah had been provided with a steering mechanism, being human, he likely would have landed at the wrong place.

Noah furnished obedience and that’s all. God furnished the power and God directed the course.

The rains came, the water from the subterranean reservoirs gushed out (Genesis 7:11) and the waters rose but the record tells us (7:17) that “the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.” No man-made ship ever built could have survived such a storm. If there were other ships in existence at that time, they all perished. Only a God-Designed, God-Powered and God- Directed vessel could survive.

The ark is, I believe, a type of our salvation. There is but one way by which we can survive the storms of life and arrive at our desired destination and that is by God’s plan of salvation. Like Noah we must enter in and like Noah we must be committed. God will lead us along at His pace and God will direct our path (Psalm 23:3 – 37:5 Proverbs 3:6) and in God’s time we shall arrive at the place of God’s choosing.



11-25-2006

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:31,32

Scripture from NKJV

GOD IS FOR YOU!!! There is no doubt intended by the word “if” in verse 31. If your Bible has a center or side reference it will refer you to Psalm 118:6 which removes all doubt.

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

This puts the question mark where it belongs.

The Lord who “...did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all... (v.32) is for us!

If God were not for us, every problem would take on a much greater significance.

Men can and will, be against us but since God is for us the oppositions power is limited.

God is for us so “What can man do unto us?” No more than the God “Who is for us” will allow.

Isaiah 59:19 (NKJV)assures us that “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”

Some translators word that verse a little differently but Jesus summed it up

saying that the floods would come but the house built on the rock would survive. (Matt. 7:24,25)

The “Rock” our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the protecting standard against the flood.

Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites of his day, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Now all, 'Jew or Gentile' who believe in the Son who was delivered up” (to the cross) are included in the plan and promise. In Jesus, we have a great future and hope and altho the enemy is against us he cannot stop us.

Our invisible means of support will see us through.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen”

Jude 24,25


11-23-2006

A THANKSGIVING MEDITATION

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; And the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it;And His hands formed the dry land.

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.

Psalms 95:2-7

NKJV

A day of thanksgiving was established in 1621 by Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony.

It was a day set aside for thanksgiving to God for His blessings on the people. The people of that day must have approved of his action for he was re-elected 30 times.

It was declared a National Holiday (for the same reason) in 1863 By President Lincoln.

We still celebrate the day but now,many have yielded, once again, to the “loud voices” (Luke 23:23) of a, (the Name offends me) minority and the day is celebrated but the reason will not be mentioned, Like Christmas and Easter the day will be celebrated but, the One who is the reason for the celebration will be ignored. The blessings will be accepted but the provider will not be acknowledged.

It is a special day for giving thanks to “Ye Almighty God” not “turkey day” as it is now commonly called.

The Pilgrims enjoyed a meal together in thanksgiving to God for the provisions and I suppose it is likely that they cooked a turkey, but the reason they braved the voyage across the Atlantic in those tiny sailing ships, to an unknown land was for the privilege and the blessing to worship God openly.

Not everyone in today's world can worship God openly and we who can should never cease to thank God for the privilege.

There are a lot of people who do “remember their Creator” and will not be intimidated by the “loud mouths”. We don't express our thankfulness to God to offend the unbelievers but we certainly are not going to offend God by failing to express our thankfulness to Him.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good.”

Psalm 100:4


11-20-2006

Do not forget this one thing, my dear friends! There is no difference in the Lord's sight between one day and a thousand years; to Him the two are the same.

But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth and everything in it will vanish...

But we wait for what God has promised; new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will be at home.

2nd. Peter 3:8,10,13

Good News For Modern Man

In the Lord's sight, one day and a thousand years are the same and the time is coming when they will be the same to us also. The only birthday that we shall remember then is the one when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and were “born again” (John 3:3)

Time, as we know it now will be no more. Clocks and calendars will be unnecessary.

The Bible makes many references to a coming.“Day of The Lord”.

In the light of the above Scripture we see that it does not refer to a 24 hour period. It covers a length of time in which several things are to happen. The earth and heavens, as we know them now, will pass away and a new earth and heavens will be born.

V 12, in the Good News, has a curious translation “...as you wait for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon.”

Some scientists speak of the world coming into existence with a “big bang”. I can't say about that but it's going out that way.

We can't do anything about making that part of the “Day” to “come soon”. A few present day nations are working on it but it is in God's control. We are to concentrate on the latter part of the “Day of the Lord” where “righteousness will be at home.”

Righteousness is finding it a little difficult to “be at home” is this present world but that is going to change.

We can encourage as many as will listen, to become “born again” so they also will “be at home” in the new world of righteousness.

When the last name is written in the Book, the promised new world will come into existence.


11-18-2006

“The things I tell you in the dark you must say in the daylight, and the things you hear in your private ear you must proclaim from the housetops.

Never be afraid of those who can kill the body but are powerless to kill the soul! Far better to stand in awe of the one who has the power to destroy body and soul in the fires of destruction!

Two sparrows are sold for a farthing, aren't they? Yet not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Never be afraid, then—you are far more valuable than sparrows.

Matt. 10:27-31

J. B. Phillips N. T.

The above is God's way of publishing the “Good News” and our encouragement in being unafraid in proclaiming it.

He could shout it from the heavens in a voice like a great waterfall (Rev. 1:15) or He could write it in the sky in words of fire but He has given men and women the privilege of being His messengers.

Much depends on us and God does not want us to be afraid and intimidated by those who do not want the word sounded forth.

God wants us to know that we are not just an employee number on the record but He assures us, “ I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (Isa. 49:16 NKJV)

How much more personal can He get? When we call on the Lord about something that we need special help with we don't hear a recorded voice saying, “When you hear the sound of the tone,please enter your full identification number” “Be assured that your call is important to us and someone, a real live person, will answer when they get around to it.”

There are no mechanical answering devices in heaven! PTL!!!

God has our number! You can count on it! That can be reassuring or alarming. Depending on your relationship with Jesus.

It is written, “the very hairs of your head are all numbered” It wouldn't take quite so long to number the hairs of my head now as it would have when I was a young man but it is still something that only God could accomplish.

The political parties each accuse the other of being “Out of touch with the common people!” They may both be right about that but,

God is in touch!!

It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “God must love the common people! He made so many of them!”

He did and He does!

He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb.13:5)

11-15-2006

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us(and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.”

John 1:1,14

A wonder of the ages that God came to the earth, assumed a body of flesh and blood and lived among men. Another wonder is that many did not recognize Him and would not receive Him. “He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not” (vvs 10,11)

Another wonder is that some did and do, recognize and receive Him and of them it is written, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (v.12)

Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man! Isaiah the prophet spoke of His coming saying, “For unto us a child is born (His humanity) unto us a Son is given, (His Deity) the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Might God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Because He was truly human He has experienced the trials and temptations that we experience. (Hebrews 4:15) Because He was and is God He can help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Throughout His time on earth Jesus demonstrated both His human and Divine qualities. 1. He walked, ate and slept as a man. He thought, spoke and acted as God. 2.He was born as a human but Angels adored Him as God. (Luke 2:7-14) 3. He fell asleep in the fishing boat as a man, a tired and weary man but when He stood up and spoke to the storm, He spoke as God. (Mark 4:38,39) 4. Like a man He wept at the grave of Lazarus but when He called the dead man forth from the tomb, He was God. (John 11:35,43,44)

As a man He was nailed to a cross but when the sun refused to shine, the earth shuddered, the veil of the temple was rent, and the dead arose at least one discerning man said, “We have nailed God to a cross this day.” (Matthew 27:35-54)

People asked, “What manner of man is this?” (Matthew 8:27) There was never a man like Him before and there will never be a man like Him again. He is the “first and the last” (Revelation 1:11) He is mankind’s first chance and last chance and only chance to be right with God. (Acts 3:12) Don’t make the mistake recorded in John 1:10;11.


11-12-2006

“…so everything will live where the river goes.”

Ezekiel 47:9

Read Ezekiel 47:1-12

When I was a child we lived on the banks of a river! It was not a pretty river! It was called the “Muddy Missouri” and that describes it very well.

Ezekiel, in the vision, saw a beautiful river which is described in ch.47. It started as being ankle deep but soon was deep enough to swim in and too wide to cross over. It was a life giving river, “everything will live where the river goes.” Ezekiel’s river is a type of the “water of life” of the New Testament! Jesus said, “He who believes in Me , as the Scripture said, From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” (John7:38) “ So everything will live where the Gospel goes.” I can say this because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about life and living! It is not about hate and killing! It is “Good News” about abundant living not “bad news” about suicide dying!

It is a great river of life that was set in motion by Jesus’ death and resurrection and cannot be crossed over,(it is for whosoever will) neither can it be dammed up or dried up.

Ezekiel’s river brought life everywhere it went but also it had trees growing along it’s banks on both sides. (v.12) The trees never withered and their fruit never failed and they were there for the health and healing of the people.

The Psalmist said, the man or woman of God, “shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3)

Wherever the Gospel River goes, life becomes better for all, for the trees that spring up along it’s banks,(men and women of God) are a healing and life giving influence. We can say to others as Moses said to Hobab, “…come thou with us, and we will do thee good:” (Numbers 10:29)

Critics can object, deny, file lawsuits etc. etc. until they run out of breath but the Gospel is the only hope for the world, for where it is accepted it will always, “do thee good.”

11-09-2006

“Behold the Lamb..”

John 1:36

“Behold the Lion..”

Revelation 5:5

In the above Scripture John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God. This was not well received! The nation of Israel was looking for their Messiah but they did not expect Him to be represented as a lamb. There were those who outright rejected Him and even those who accepted and loved Him had trouble understanding the Lamb part.

The world still does not admire lamb-like qualities! The nations have their national emblems. We have the British Lion! The American Eagle! The Russian Bear and the Chinese Dragon. I know of no nation that would want to be known as the Lamb Nation. Nations aee busily displaying and promoting theit weapons of destruction and bragging about how many lives they can destroy with one blast.

The greatest battle ever fought, against the greatest enemy the world has ever known was won on a cross but the very sight of a cross seems to throw many into a frenzy and attempts are in progress, in our own Christian land, to remove the cross from public view.

In many things God gives the world a choice and the world gets what it asks for and that is the way it is in this matter. If the world won't accept the cross, the gun and the bomb is the alternative.

There's coming a day when, in the words of the old spiritual, “Ain't gonna study war no more.” What a day that will be!

The Scripture from Revelation shown above presents Jesus as the Lion of Judah Who is about to open the seven seals of judgment upon the world which would not receive Him as the Lamb. The world did not want Him as a Lamb but the world will not like meeting Him as a Lion.

A lamb is easily rejected but a lion will not be ignored.

The good news is that the world as an entity cannot make a choice for you and I. We can make our own personal choice and it is not complicated. It is

Lamb or Lion; Saviour or Judge.
Right now death and destruction is a part of life on earth and our young men and women, God Bless them, are fighting to keep the death dealers away from our land, but we must not lose sight of the promise that it will not always be this way and the permanent change will come when the rejected Lamb is revealed as the Lion.

11-05-2006

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 who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

Read Psalm 121

NKJV

As a result of the 9/11 terrorist attack and of the continuing threat of additional terrorist attacks our government is greatly concerned about National Security and is upgrading our Surveillance system. That is a comfort, of course but I would suggest that, as Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the greatest security and the perfect Surveillance System, for the same God Who watches over Israel and Who “neither slumbers nor sleeps” is watching over us.
Nothing escapes His notice for it is written, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

We are in “perilous times”, as most people realize. Our only true security is in the Lord, which some people don't realize. The Psalmist said that he would look to the hills but his help didn't come from the hills, his help could only come from the One who made the hill's. When I look up at the Big Horn mountains, surrounding us, which I do several times every day, I am reminded that the God who made those mountains will preserve my soul and that is where my security is to found.

It is written (Rev.6:16) that some who have rejected God's security will look to the mountains to fall on them and hide them from the coming wrath but that doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Men can disbelieve and reject the Almighty but the alternatives aren't encouraging.

One of the statesmen in the early days of our nation said,(I believe this is correct) “Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty” I suggest again that we, as Christians, have an “Eternal Vigilance”! Nothing esapes His notice! He listens in on the enemies telephone conversations and reads their private e mail and doesn't ask for congressional approval.
As these troubled times appear it seems that people are divided into three groups. One group says,”peace and safety” but sudden destruction comes upon them, (Ist Thess 5:3) Another group with, “hearts failing them for fear…”(Luke 21:26) of the coming destruction but continue rejecting their only security,and a third group who, seeing the danger, “look up, and lift up their heads; for they know their redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)


11-04-2006

“Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

Proverbs 27:1

God, in His wisdom has kept the future locked to human eyes. It is true that He has revealed some of His future plans for this world to His prophets and they in turn wrote them down for us to read, but as to our personal lives, we get one day at a time. In the New Testament, James admonishes to always say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.” (James 4:15)

How many times have we found ourselves saying, “If I had known that this was going to happen?” But we don’t know what is going to happen from day to day so what is the answer? We look to the One Who does know what is going to happen and live for Him day by day.

God, Who knows all things and Who is from everlasting to everlasting, (Psalm 90:2) has never said, “If I had known what was going to happen!” God has never been caught unawares, been surprised or mistaken. So then when God allows something to happen in our lives today, it is because that He knows of something that is going to happen to us tomorrow. Or it may be that He causes something to happen to us today that will enable us to avoid something that He sees coming our way tomorrow.

We know where we are and if we are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, we know where we are going. We don't know everything that is to happen between here and there, but when our tomorrows become yesterdays we will see God's hand upon us through it all.

He is the only One Who does know about the tomorrows so the only safe course for us to follow is to trust Him and be attentive to His leading. In the words of the Gospel Song “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand. But I know Who holds tomorrow, And I know Who holds my hand.

God leads His dear children along.

Some through thro' the waters, some thro' the flood.

Some thro' the fire, but all thro' the blood;

Some thro' great sorrow, but God gives a song;

In the night season and all the day long.


11-01-2006

“ALL we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us ALL.”

Isaiah 53:6

The first ALL in the above Scripture describes a malady common to all mankind and the second ALL points us to the remedy and only effective remedy for all mankind.

The first ALL reads, “ALL we like sheep have gone astray;” That is a conclusive statement! There are no exceptions and no loopholes! It is evident that some have strayed farther and have been gone longer but ALL have strayed. In New Testament language it reads, “For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

THAT IS THE MALADY!

The second ALL reads, “and the Lord has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us ALL.” Jesus (on the cross) suffered for the sins of ALL. Not just for His earthly family! Not just for His close friends! Not just for the nation! Not just for those who have strayed, only a little, but also for those who have strayed far and been gone long! The second ALL has no exclusions!

THAT IS THE REMEDY!

The starting place is when men believe both! It is obviously true that the world has some good people and some bad people. The Scripture in Romans above reads that all, “have sinned” (missed the mark) and all “come short” of what God wants us to be. Some have strayed a little and some have strayed a long way. Some come a little closer but some get farther away by the day, Jesus “bore the iniquity of us all” and all must be “born again” (John 3:3) if they would make heaven their home.

It is a matter of choice! Two thieves died on the cross within arms length of God's salvation. One died trusting Jesus and the other died blaspheming Jesus.

Going too far does not write the epilogue to your earthly life but staying too long might. We don't know when we are writing the final page and it could be while you are out there so the wise thing to do is accept Jesus' provision now have the matter settled.

10-28-2006

A man said to Him, “Is it only a few, sir, who are saved?”

So He said to them, “Strive to get in through the narrow door, for I tell you many will try to get in and not be able, once the master of the house has got up and closed the door.”

Luke 13:23,24

Moffatt


I chose the Moffatt translation for this morning's devotion for one reason. Dr. Moffatt placed a comma after the word “able” rather than a period which connects the verse together and suggests a truth that is important.

The door is narrow but open and entry is possible; but entry through the closed door is impossible.

The emphasis is upon a time when the door will be closed.

The Scripture reminds us that “...now is the day of salvation.”(2nd.Cor. 6:2) and the above Scripture reminds us that the day will pass for each of us and some will be on the wrong side of a locked door.

It is the urgency of attending to our soul's salvation, by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ that is emphasized.

We are urged to see to it that we are not left outside. The striving has to do, not with trying to get through the narrow door but in getting through before the door is closed.

We must strive against all advice and suggestion that there is plenty of time. There may be a lot of time yet but we don't know that.

The dispairing cry of the ancient Israelies, “The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved!” (Jer.8:20) was music to the tempters ears.

There is one song that every person should be able to sing,

“The old account was settled long ago.

And the records clear today For He washed my sins away,

When the old account was settled long ago.”

If you can sing that in sincerity you will never face a closed door; if you cannot sing that song, when the door is closed you will find yourself on the outside.

10-27-2006

“And the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them,

They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Isaiah 11:6,9

A world with no sin, sickness, violence or death? It seems hard to believe but it will, in God's time, come to pass.

The animals are not a problem. God, who spoke “Peace be still” to the stormy waters will speak to the animal world and the savage wolf will become as gentle as a lamb and the carnivorous lion will develop an appetite for straw. (Isaiah 11:7)

Men are the problem! They always are! Men (and women) have the privilege of choice and it was their wrong choice that started the trouble and it is wrong choices that cause the trouble to continue.

There are those who would claim to approve of a peaceful world such as the one described above but they are radically opposed to a world that is as “full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” We can't have one without the other.

There can be no peaceful world that rejects the Prince of peace!

Right now much of the world has officially rejected the “Prince of peace” and are busily writing resolutions and threatening sanctions that are supposed to promote peace.

At best it is a temporary fix. They are saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace. (Jer.8:11) Lasting peace comes from the Lord and it will come when the Prince of peace Himself comes to rule and reign.

When he came the first time to bring “Peace on earth good will toward men” (Luke 2:14) He was “despised and rejected” officially.

He is still “despised and rejected” officially, by much of the world but to those who, personally, “love and accept Him, He is coming again they shall enter into that promised existence where the is no more, sin, sickness, violence and death and God's peace shall reign for ever and ever.

10-23-2006

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Heb. 2:9,10

Jesus was God incarnate! (John 1:1-3) God is perfect; Jesus being God was, and is, perfect.

What about the phrase in verse 10 “made perfect through sufferings.?”

The Amp. N. T. explains as follows, (that is, should bring to maturity the human experience necessary for a perfect equipment for His office as high priest)

When Jesus cried, from the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) His human experience of suffering was over, the sacrifice became perfect, and Jesus became our eternal high priest and the “way, the truth, and the life;” (John 14:6) for all mankind.

He didn't have to do it but it was the only way!

Like the bond servant of Exodus 21:1-4, He could have gone out free but would have gone out alone. The “bringing many sons (and daughters) to glory” of verse ten could not have happened except Jesus paid the price.

“We owed a debt we could not pay; He paid a debt He did not owe!”

He said, “...I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again...(John 10:17,18)

Jesus was on the cross by choice! When those at the cross said, “If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross...” (Matt. 27:42 He could have done just that! The One whom the “wind and water obey” (Luke 8:25) could have left the cross and slowly ascended “up into the heavens until a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9)

We can be eternally thankful that He didn't but I can't help trying to imagine the pandemonium that would have resulted had He done so.

“Love beyond our human comprehending, Love of God in Christ how can it be? This will be my theme and never ending, Great redeming love of Calvary.”

10-20-2006

HO! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come buy and eat.

Come, buy wine and milk. Without money and without cost.

Isaiah 55:1

“Come and buy without money!” That is a most amazing offer! I see many products advertised for sale at a reduced price but I have not yet seen an offer to buy at no cost at all to the customer. I often see offers to “buy now, pay later” but there is always a payday for the consumer somewhere in the transaction.

I believe that the above Scripture is a reference to God’s plan and offer of salvation for mankind. I believe that there are several reasons why the offer is made without requiring money or cost to us.

1.Salvation cannot be bought with money.

2. There is nothing that men can do or give that would pay the cost of salvation. All of the money spent and the lives lost in the Iraqi war would not and could not pay the cost of one person's salvation. Money can help to publish the fact of a “paid for” salvation and many lives have been lost in defence of the message of God's plan of salvation, but as it is written, “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” (Psalm 3:8)

3. The price for our salvation has already been paid! It was an unbelievable cost for nothing short of the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross at Calvary could pay such an enormous price. It is the only acceptable price and unless we accept it we have no means to pay. (1st.Peter 1:18,19)

4.There is a cost to us of another kind for we are required to have a “thirst”. In Matthew 5:6 we read, ”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.” This represents an extraordinary thirst. It is a hunger and thirst that cannot be satisfied with a doughnut and a cup of coffee. It is a spiritual thirst that cries out, “ O, God! If this thirst is not satisfied I shall die, and there is nothing in this world that can satisfy. I must be reconciled to fellowship with You.” (Psalm 42:1,2) When we are that thirsty, God tells us to come and be satisfied for the price has been paid and the provision has been made

10-17-2006

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward

How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.

Hebrews 2:1-3


Neglect is a very common practice but invariably results in loss to the offender. To neglect the marriage vows is to invite marriage failure! To neglect the family is to lose “quality” time that will never return! To neglect the job is to invite unemployment! To neglect salvation is the most serious and costly offence of all.

The form of negligence referred to here is neglecting salvation by not hearing God’s word. The Bible makes repeated reference to those “who have ears but do not hear.” We can hear within really listening. I had a school teacher who referred to that practice as “wool gathering” We were there but our mind was occupied with other things in other places

The solution to that problem is to “give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.” The word “earnest” is a good, strong word! It is used to describe the praying of Elijah, which reached heaven and got answers. (James 5:17)

Our salvation and the future life is not a “ho hum” matter! It merits our most earnest attention. We are warned of the danger of allowing things to “slip”. Some of us have a problem with things to which we have listened carefully, slipping from memory so what chance do we have if we only half hear?

The third verse asks an unanswerable question. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” If we neglect God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ, there is no way of escape! Listening to any of the many false and unscriptural teachings, even if “earnest heed” is given, will not lead to salvation.

Men have the ability and ingenuity to devise and invent many new ways and means of accomplishing many things but salvation is not one of them. There is a sign along the Texas highways, referring to littering, that reads, “Don’t Mess With Texas” Let me apply that here ! “Don’t Mess With God’s Salvation Plan”! You are on dangerous ground if you do!

Just listen carefully, then do it!


10-16-2006

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name.”

Psalm 100:4


The above Scripture is God’s formula for Christian living that will greatly please Him, present a good testimony to the world and bring happiness and satisfaction to our own hearts.

Dr. Alexander Whyte, a Scottish minister was famous for his public praying in which he always found something to thank God for, even in bad times.

One stormy, miserable Sunday morning a member of his congregation thought to himself, “The preacher will be unable to thank God for such a wretched morning as this!” Dr. Whyte begin his prayer by saying, “We thank Thee O God, that the weather is not always like this.” If our contentment in the Lord changes with the weather, we have a problem.

Someone once said, “If you can’t thank God for what you have then start thanking God for some things that you don’t have.” For a starter be thankful that we don’t yet have a degree of terrorist activity in our country that some of God’s people are living under. The Scripture reads, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22) A thankful heart will do the same thing. A thankful heart will make the rough road seem smoother, the burdens seem lighter, the disappointments seem less important, our priorities will be kept in order and we shall be much more pleasant to be around.

The enemy has limited power to hinder and hurt and nothing frustrates him so much as to give a man or woman of God his best shot and they still maintain a thankful heart to God.

Someone coined the phrase, P. T. L. A. “Praise the Lord Anyway”. I have been on my pilgrim journey for many years and sometimes the road has its bumps but I praise the Lord anyway. My steps are slower now but I am still on the upward path. We have a joy in our heart that neither the price of gasoline nor the coming election results can affect.

Not everything in the world is as we would like and not everything that happens to us is of our choosing but we are just passing through. Paul had more troubles than most but he was so thankful for the wonder of the place to where he was going that he said the troubles and trials of the journey couldn’t compare. (Rom. 8:18)

Sickness, financial reverses etc. are not easy to bear but keeping our eyes on our destination helps. Everyone has troubles! Be thankful that you, as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, have “outside help” that unbelievers do not have.


10-13-2006

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I then do with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Matthew 27:22

Jesus Christ was and is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16) “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:3) Of all of His created things only one is given a choice of “what to do with Jesus?” and of all of His creations only one became hateful enough and mean enough to give such an unbelievable answer as the one recorded above, “Let Him be crucified!”

The rest of His creation works according to His will without question. “He was before all else began and it is His power than holds everything together.” (Colossians 1:17 LB) Only man is allowed to rebel and disobey.

It is written, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1,2) The world and all of God’s planets continue in their prescribed course day after day, held there by His power and bringing honor and glory to His name.

Only man, the highest order of His creation, made after God’s image (Genesis 1:24-27) and who was given the power of choice, abuses that choice and brings dishonor to God’s name.

The universe obeys God because it has no choice but God would have men and women to obey Him because they choose to do so. Only mankind can choose! We can obey or disobey! We can honor Him or dishonor Him! We can acknowledge Him or deny Him! For us it is an age of choice but it will not always be that way.

God has made a determination in which we have no choice. It is written, “And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) We have no choice about these coming events! They are in our future!

Our choices now, however, will have a great effect on the second of the two coming events “the judgment after”. Our choice to honor Jesus now insures our place in the “mansions prepared” (John 14:1-3) A choice to reject Jesus now is be rejected by Him in that day.(Matthew 10:32,33)


10-11-2006
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:5,6

When God prepares a table for His people He does it with a lavish hand. God’s provisions never come with a notice stating “Good while the supply lasts.” God has never yet run short on resources and it isn’t going to happen.

We live at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains. We love God’s mountains! We think they are beautiful! Men have been allowed by God to accomplish some amazing things but no man can make a mountain.

In the spring we will buy a few boxes of plants and fill our flower pots so we can enjoy their beauty through the summer months, but God will spread wildflowers over His mountains without number.

God’s spiritual blessings come that way. God is more anxious to give than men are to receive. I have quoted General Booth before in these “thoughts” but I love what he once said, “Friend, When God purchased salvation, He bought enough to go around!” Amen! The General sure got that right!

The Psalmist said, “My cup runneth over!” God doesn’t bless with an eye dropper; He pours His love and blessings forth like a river. (Revelation 22:1)

Paul once said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.” (Philippians 4:12) NIV But Paul was referring to the comforts of earthly life which do come and go. He was not always comfortable in this life. He wrote at least five of his letters, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2nd. Timothy and Philemon from a Roman prison. He could still say, “...but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (2nd.Corinthians 4:16)

If we are in need spiritually, it is because we are too far away from the river.

There is something within the disciple of Jesus Christ that, “the world didn’t give and the world can’t take away.” The Psalmist said “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” That’s some kind of security!

With that in mind, we, like Paul, can face the circumstances of life with confidence.


10-07-2006

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

1st.Peter 1:3,4

We, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have an inheritance that will not fade away! Things in this life do fade away! We have enjoyed a spectacular fall but now the beautiful fall colors are fading away.

In the hall of our home we have a picture of Mrs. Cummins and I when we were first married which was nearly 61 years ago. I can look at my picture on the wall, then turn around and look into the mirror that hangs on the opposite wall and the fading process is brought into pretty sharp focus.

As far as this life is concerned we have more behind us that we have ahead but we will “press on” until we reach the “mark.” (Philippians 3:14) in that land of “unclouded day.”

In this life we shall have tribulation, (John 16:33) some, it seems, more than others, but that also will fade away. When I was a young man there was a Country-Western song that was quite popular for a while. The song writer was singing of the hectic life that he lived and the title was “If It Ain’t one Thing, It’s Another.”

Paul knew all about the “unfading inheritance” and according to (2nd.Corinthians 11:23-29) he faced some difficult times in life. He probably would have agreed with the song writer but he had “his affections set on things above” (Colossians 3:2) and he “pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)


We have a hope that will resist the fading times because it is guaranteed by God! We have a joy that will survive the trials of earthly living because it involves a relationship with God! We have an “unfading inheritance” that is secure because it is in the keeping of Almighty God. We have an “invisible means of support” that will see us through every trial and test until we reach our inheritance.

Don’t give up the battle! We’re on the winning side! We have God’s word for it!



10-04-2006

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them because He knew all men.

John 2:23,24

Jesus calls for men and women to follow Him but Jesus wants men and women to understand fully what it means to follow Him. The crowds were attracted to the miracles that Jesus performed but they were less enthused about the “take up your cross” business. Like the rich young ruler of (Mark 10:17-22) they went away sad.

Being a follower of Jesus invariably caused suffering and Jesus wanted men to know that. There was a price to pay for becoming a disciple of Jesus but the eternal benefits of such a decision could not be priced. Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

The “loaves and fishes” preaching is very popular but what about the “take up your cross” part? In America we are seldom subjected to physical violence because of our faith in Christ, but it could happen. The enemy has other ways to try your faith and mine. When we dedicate our lives to following Jesus, opposition will come. You can plan on it! It is written, “...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) Hard times come to all of us but Jesus will not forsake us in the hard times. He knew “all men” and He knows that some would and do forsake Him in hard times. A poor decision! It is in the hard times when we desperately need His strength and help.

He also knows that there are those whose love and determination is only strengthened by hard times. Some have been called “fairweather friends” Don’t be a “fairweather follower.” Don’t be as the young man who said to his girl friend, “I love you so much that I would climb the highest mountain and swim the deepest river for you. I’ll see you Friday night, if it don’t rain!”

In the words of the song, “He is the God of the mountain and He is the God of the valley. He is the God of the good times and the God of the bad. He is the God of the day and the God of the night.”

It is written that “…God shall supply all your need…” (Phil.4:19) It is also written that there is a mansion in our future. (John 14:1-3 I wouldn’t plan on a mansion down here. On earth “you will have tribulation” (John 16:33); in heaven “you will have a mansion.” John 14:2) The Gospel is for “all the world” (Mark 16:15) and in ‘all the world’ throughout ‘all history’ more of God’s people have lived in tribulation than in mansions. God doesn’t promise prosperity and pleasure to American Christians and tribulation to Eastern Christians.

Hard times will come to the child of God but we are not going down we are going up. With His help there aren’t enough hard times to keep us from “going through.”



10-03-2006

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…

2nd.Timothy 4:1-3

Paul, a veteran minister now, is writing to the young minister, Timothy, to impress him with the seriousness of his calling and obligations to the work of the ministry. He reminds him that Jesus Christ is the judge of all and that Timothy’s work and service will, one day, be judged by Christ.

Since Christ is the judge of all, then it follows that our first priority is to so live and work that we may please Jesus Christ and this will never please all people. At the present time we have legal organizations such as the A.C.L.U. who insist that our actions and our spoken words must be acceptable to a public that has countless opinions on everything, and that pleasing Jesus Christ is irrelevant to life in the United States.

The Bible tells us that we are to stand for what the Bible stands for and stand against that which is contradictory to the Bible and that the A. C. L. U. opinion is irrelevant to our decision in that matter.

I heard a Congressman being interviewed on a newscast and he said, “In Congress, compromise is the name of the game.” Most compromises in congress probably won’t make a noticeable change in our everyday life anyway but to compromise the revealed word of God, is a serious matter.

Paul writes in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Paul also knew that if he pleased Jesus Christ he would never please some men. (Ref.2nd.Corinthians 11:23-33) and would never be at peace with them.

I believe that as Christians, we are peace loving people but when it comes to a choice as to Who we want most to be at peace with, we know what we are going to do, regardless of the “fall out” At the Judgment Seat of Christ where you and I shall appear, there will be no A.C.L.U. judges on the bench or A.C.L.U. lawyers there to prosecute and public opinion will not be a consideration.

Only one verdict will count in that “day of His appearing”. Jesus’ decision, “Well done, good and faithful servant” and Jesus’ verdict, “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matt. 25:21

 

09-30-2006

For in it the righteousness of God is reveal from faith to faith; as it is written,

“The just shall live by faith”

Romans 1:17

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

1st.Thess. 2:4

As men and women of faith we are to do all things for the glory of God. That which is done for personal acclaim or accolade is not acceptable.

The Bible speaks of a coming time when “…we shall all stand at the judgment seat of Christ.” And “each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:10,12)

Only Christians will be there so our salvation will not be called into question but our stewardship will be. What we have done with the life that God gave us will be considered or more explicitly, the motives which influenced us to do what we have done.

As people of faith our intentions are to please and glorify God in all that we do. That may or may not please people.

It doesn’t really matter if others commend us for it, criticize us for it or just ignore it. Public acclamation is a capricious thing. I’m not an avid football fan but I often check the standings in the paper. Denver’s quarterback, is Jake Plummer, as you already know, of course. Denver won a game and the fans cheered Jake; he lost the next game and the fans wanted him replaced; he won the next game and he was back in favor with the fans.

With the world it is a “win or else” situation. Intentions and trying don’t count.

God is more concerned with why we are doing it than in how much we get done.

The Bible tells us that “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark10:31)

Some of the first, who have perhaps, accomplished much and received their expected recognition and awards in this world, will come in last at God’s judgment while others, discounted and dismissed by the world but concerned only with God’s smile of approval will be will called to the front.

We all want to do as much for God as we can but in the doing of it we must be sure to do it for God’s glory and by God’s rules.


09-27-2006

He was in the world and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own and those who were His own did not receive Him.

John 1:10,11 NAS

If angels can be puzzled, they surely must have been puzzled by men’s rejection of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not go to Rome, Athens or Carthage! He went to Palestine! A nation chosen by, and blessed of God. A nation that possessed the “oracles of God” (Romans 3:2) and with a history of God’s mighty deeds of deliverance in their behalf. He came to a people who had heard from true prophets of God over and over telling them that their Messiah would come in God’s time and as God had promised.

Of all nations He should have received a royal welcome there. Of all nations they were without excuse for rejecting Him.

The situation that we find ourselves in today is equally puzzling! It is less difficult to understand the rejection of Jesus Christ by the many Eastern countries who worship false gods that are in direct opposition to Jesus and His teaching. In America, a nation blessed of God more than any modern nation of the world, the animosity that is shown by the number of activists who are all recipients of those blessings, is puzzling.

The TV news recently featured a woman being interviewed by a reporter and she said, “I think that the Christians are the biggest threat to our country!” I wonder how happy she would be living under Taliban rule?

Not all people in Israel rejected Jesus and not all people in America, by any means, are rejecting Jesus.

John 1:12 reads, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God...” There were many in that day who received Him! Actually, those who were at the cross that day shouting, Crucify, crucify! were the activists of the day and mostly hired ones, at that.(Matthew 26:60,61 & 28:12-15)

There are those today who have received Him and there are “many” when we all get together. As it was in the day when Jesus was crucified, so it is today. There are not so many who oppose and reject Jesus and His claims on our lives but those few who do reject Him make a lot of noise about it and get a lot of exposure in the news.

When it is all said and done there will be, “a multitude which no man can number” around the throne of God. (Revelation 7:9)

09-25-2006

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

“But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.”

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect.

Matt. 24:42-44

Jesus is coming back! The fact is not called into question. There are two points made in the above Scripture. (1) His return will be completely unannounced. (2) His return will be unexpected to the unbeliever but should not be unexpected to the Bible believer.

Jesus used many illustrations from every day life to teach spiritual truth. Sometimes the truth presented is found in a comparison, and sometimes in a contrast.

The comparison is that as we do not know the “day or the hour” that Jesus will come, so we do not know the “day or hour” when the thief will come. We must be prepared for the “certainty” that Jesus will come and for the “possibility” that a thief will come.

The contrast is in the believers, preparedness for both, and the unbelievers, failure to prepare for either one.

The house represents our lives, “what we are”.

Jesus does not break into our lives; a thief, if we are not watching, does break in. A thief represents anything that breaks in while we are not watching and steals away that which belongs to God.

The thief is only able to do this because we do not expect it to ever happen and become careless so are told to “watch”. Watch for the “glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13) and also watch for any break in attempt by the enemy.

My youngest brother, Kenny, once lived a few miles out into the country. In those days none of the farm people there ever locked anything. One day while Kenny and his wife were gone, someone entered the house and stole all of his furniture.

Don’t underestimate the subtlety of the thief.

Like some congressmen he tacks a bad rider on a good bill hoping we will pass on the whole package.

We don’t have to!

God has given us a “line item veto”. It is written of Jesus that, “…He may know how to refuse the evil and choose the good” (Isaiah 7:15b) God will help the “watchers” to do the same and keep the thief out.

It is written that we must have our “lamps trimmed” (Matt. 25:7)

That means that we are be found, watching, waiting and working, when Jesus comes.

09-24-2006

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...and of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

John 1:14,16

There is a fullness of grace in Jesus Christ that cannot be exhausted! I have quoted General Booth before but I will do so again this morning. The General said, “Friends, When Jesus bought salvation He bought enough to go around.” I once read of a widow in a certain city with very limited resources and several children to care for. On one occasion a friend took her to see the ocean for the first time in her life. After gazing in wonderment at the expanse of the ocean for several moments, she commented, “It is wonderful to see something that there is enough of!”

The fullness of grace in Jesus Christ is enough to reach all of your needs. It is like the widow’s meal barrel of 1st.Kings 17 that would not run dry. Jesus is the ‘rock in the wilderness’ (Exodus 17:6 & 1st.Corinthians 10:4) from which the life giving water flowed. Jesus is Jeremiah’s “fountain of living water” (Jeremiah 2:13)

It is from His throne that the river flows which brings life everywhere it goes! (Ezekiel 47 & Revelation 22:1)

God has no lack of resources! His offer of “grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16) is not labeled, “good as long as the supply lasts.” If a need is not met the problem is at the receiving end, not at the source.

We read in Isaiah 41:10, God speaking, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” That sounds like God has anticipated all of our needs and made provision for all eventualities.

We can go to God in prayer and we will not hear a voice saying, “If you are sick, press I; If you are frightened, press 2; If you need guidance, press 3. The “fullness of grace in Jesus Christ” covers all needs and he doesn’t use an answering machine.

In the words of the song writer, “And what joy fills my soul just to know, just to know/ That His grace is sufficient for me, for me”

09-23-2006

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the coming of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who will transform our lowly body that is may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20,21

We are people of dual citizenship. We are citizens of some country on the present earth but believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are citizens of a place called heaven where we shall go to live when we leave here.

That poses the question, “What kind of place is heaven?”

There is much that remains for us to learn about heaven. Some, contrary to what Jesus said, (John 14:1-3) do not believe that it is a real place.

A “minister?” in our town wrote for the church page of the daily paper that neither heaven nor hell were real places. He wrote, “I shall soon die and just fade back into a beautiful existence as part of the natural world.”

We have long heard some maintain that heaven is just an “idea” or a “state of mind”

I believe that when Jesus said it was a “place” that He meant a real, literal place. The above Scripture tells us the place where we are going is the place from which Jesus will come and that is a place “not of this world”. (John 8:23)

Hebrews 11:16 calls our future place of residence “a heavenly country.”

John saw a part of that place! It was a city coming down from heaven. (Rev. 21:2) John saw an angel measure the city (Rev. 21:15,16) and it measured 1500 miles in “length and width and height” NASB

That sounds like a real place!

I have not heard of a physiatrist who diagnosed a patient who had a state of mind 1500 miles square.

I have read of motivational speakers who advise their listeners to “think big” but have not heard anyone give a measurement to their thinking.

Paul also wrote of “…having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” (Philippians 1:23)

The hope and confidence of every believer is that when we depart we shall be with Christ and that is, without doubt, “far better”.

But if departing is to just fade back into some non-existential part of the natural world then I would prefer to remain in this world of trial and tribulation for as long as I can.

We are to be “where Jesus is” (John 14:3) and He was last seen (Acts 7:56) “Standing at the right hand of God”.

09-21-2006

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ.

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Philippians 1: 1-3

NKJV

This is one of several times in which the New Testament refers to believers as “saints”.

Someone described a saint as “a person who makes it easier for others to believe in Jesus Christ.”

There are a lot of people who merit that description and fit into that category. They influence others to become believers and encourage believers along their way. There are some of the opposite kind, of course, who actually, bring discredit to the Christian faith and discourage others from becoming believers.

There are not many like that but the world sees to it that they get a great deal of publicity.

I can think of many over the years who were used of God to encourage me along my pilgrim walk by just being what they were; “a saint” of the above description.

I’m not a “self-made man” as some claim to be; I have had a lot of help.

My own wife of 60 years has been the single greatest force for God in my life but if all of the “saints” who have helped me along the way were gathered together, they would be a crowd.

Most “saints” work in the background and never get much publicity but, be assured, their works are known in heaven. “And whosoever gives one of the little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward”. (Matt. 10:42)

The giving of a cup of cold water does not merit much publicity in the world but it means a lot to the thirsty man and is never overlooked by God.

One of my favorite people in Bible records is Barnabas. (Acts 4:36) “Son of encouragement”

Not many can be a Wesley, a Spurgeon or a Billy Graham but we can be a Barnabas (or Mrs. Barnabas)

There is always the need for “A word in season to him who is weary” (Isaiah 50:4)

The danger is that we may not notice the “weary one” right beside us.

May God help us to be the “saints” that influence others to become believers and cause believers to be glad that they are.



09-18-2006

But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Jesus warned, “In the world you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33)

I believe that the Scripture in Isaiah above points us to some very wonderful resources with which we can meet, and overcome those tribulations that are common to man.

We are provided with “wings like eagles” and they will do several things for us when trouble strikes, as it surely will.

I don’t take that to mean that we can rise above and avoid all trouble but I take it to mean that our wings of faith will enable us to rise above the hopelessness and despair that trouble brings.

James wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2) It takes a higher vision to do that, the normal tendency being to complain when trials come.

The trials, that come to all without “respect of “persons” only cause the Christian to use their “wings” and rise higher, which glorifies God and aggravates the devil.

Looking at trials from underneath can be pretty discouraging but if we rise up to a higher elevation where we can see the top side it will look much less disheartening.

When we get up where we can get the long view of things, as God sees them, we will be much encouraged.

We have many eagles in Wyoming and I mention two eagle characteristics. They fly very high and they have amazing vision. They have built-in binoculars to see clearly from a great distance.

When we are close to the ground our vision is limited but when we use our “eagle wings of faith” and rise up above all obstructions, we get the greater vision. It is written, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18)

Paul was one of the most amazing men of New Testament history! He pressed on against unbelievable opposition and endured almost constant suffering.

How could he do that?

One reason is that he had a vision and he never lost sight of it.

“Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”

Acts 26:19

A minister of long ago, who was opposed to the invention of the airplane, (Rev. Wright, the father of Orville and Wilber) once said, “If God wanted men to fly He would have given them wings!”

Spiritually speaking, God did give us wings; we just have to remember to use them.

09-16-2006

Now a certain man asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 18:18

“For by grace you have bee saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8, 9



In the first Scripture above, “do” and “inherit” do not have the same meaning anymore than “gift” and “works” do in the verse in Ephesians.

Eternal life is not the result of what we do it is what we are! Eternal life is inherited, not earned and only heirs, inherit. If we believe in Jesus as our Savior we become heirs and receive the “gift” of eternal life. If we don’t believe in Jesus and will not accept Him as Savior, a lifetime of good works will not earn eternal life.

The most gifted and generous person cannot do and give enough to earn eternal life but the most helpless and handicapped can believe and accept.

“Doing” to acquire something has to do with earning while an inheritance is a legacy.

The rewards of doing are considered wages. “Now him that works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.” (Romans 4:4) but an inheritance is sharing in something that another earned.

It is about what Jesus did on the cross. The above Scripture also tells us that, “…ye are saved through faith.” But if Jesus had not gone to the cross for us, faith or no faith, salvation would never have come to us.

The effectiveness of our faith is determined by the object of our faith and faith in anything or anyone except Jesus Christ will bring you no closer to God.

Good works can change things and improve conditions on earth but they do not effect the change that is necessary for residence in heaven “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Only faith in Jesus as our Savior can accomplish that.

Good works are always in order, “Do you want to be unafraid of the authorities? Do what is good, and you will have praise of the same.” (Romans 13:3) but our hope of heaven must be based on what Jesus did and His promise that we who have faith in Him will inherit a share in the benefits.

Accepting Jesus as Savior is the most important “work” of any life!

A charge to keep, I have

A God to glorify.

A never dying soul to save,

And fit it for the sky.


09-14-2006

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Isaiah 28:16

These are strange words for most twenty first century ears considering that the order of the day is to ‘make haste’.

We have highways with no speed limits (not that most people would notice anyway). We have ‘Quick Stop Stores’ with instant foods for those who are in a perpetual hurry and cell phones so people can talk on the run.

I guess ‘hurrying’ is not a new practice. Evangelist D. L. Moody, preaching a sermon about 1860, remarked, “It is getting to where our young men all think that they must have a new buggy and a fast horse.”

You have probably seen the plaque that some businesses have displayed that reads, “The hurrier I go the behinder I get”

I don’t believe that we should take the above Scripture to mean that, as Christians, we do not feel the urgency of the work. I believe that it has to do more with the effectiveness of our efforts rather than the rapidity. As believers in the Lord we take time to prepare for His work.

Isaiah 40:31 reads, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” We shall run when running is required but we shall also wait on the Lord to renew our strength else we just ‘run down’.

In 2nd.Samuel chapter 18 you can read of the young man Ahimaaz. He ran fast but he didn’t wait the get a message.

Waiting on the Lord is not wasted time! Paul spoke of this in 1st.Corinthians 9:26, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:”

Paul waited on the Lord so that when he ran, he had a message to deliver and when he fought he hit the target.

At this point in time, physically speaking, I still walk a lot, but seldom run. Spiritually, I do feel the urgency of the time but I have learned the necessity of waiting on the Lord so I can run and run well.


09-12-2006

Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

NASB

A point of somewhat varied opinions is the meaning of the words “emptied Himself”

Jesus Christ was God Almighty” (John 1:1-3) And God Almighty cannot become anything less than God Almighty so we must look for another meaning of “empty”.

J. B. Phillips translates, “He stripped Himself of every advantage” and that gives us more understanding of what happened.

He came in “the appearance of a man but there was more than a mere man behind that appearance.

Jesus limited Himself but He was not limited.

When He and His disciples were caught on the Sea of Galilee in a storm He commanded the storm to cease and was instantly obeyed. That does not appear to be someone working under limitations.

He stripped Himself of advantage but the advantage was there.

When He was being viciously attacked by the enemy in the garden He said “I have twelve legions of angels at my call.” That is quite an advantage but He chose not to use it.

When Jesus was being crucified I’m sure that it was only His authority that prevented all of the angels from coming to His rescue and only His great love for fallen man caused Him to refuse rescue.

The very fact that He allowed men to crucify Him is proof that He was more than a man.

No mere, disadvantaged, mortal man, facing crucifixion, could resist temptation to call for the help of angels if he knew that help was available.

While Jesus was on the cross the onlookers shouted, “If you are the Son of God. Come down from the cross.” (Matt. 27:40)

I have always tried to visualize their reaction if He had done that very thing, for He could have, had He chosen to do so.

All men should be eternally thankful that Jesus didn’t come down from the cross until it was time for Him to say, “It is finished.”

“He was in the world and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.”(John 1:10)

He is coming again and when He does, there will be no denial or doubt as to who He is.

Read ( Rev.19:11-16)

09-07-2006

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Romans 8:31,32,35,37

NKJV

(read; vvs 31-39)

The above is about God’s plan for “Homeland Security”! When we commit our lives to the care and keeping of Jesus Christ, our place in our future home is secure.

There will be battles but we are on the winning side. We who are (in Christ) are “more than conquerors”. The NASB reads that our victory is overwhelming. The enemy is allowed (within limits) to bring ‘various trials” into our lives (James 1:6), but with “God for us” the enemy is overwhelmed. And the trials increase our faith.

So what is the fight all about if the victory is already won?

We don’t fight to earn our salvation! Jesus fought and won that battle and we trust in Him and what He has done. We fight for others! If we can convince and influence one other soul to accept Jesus and His offer of eternal salvation, our life is a great success.

We are promised victory in this fight also.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Gal. 6:9)

We fight against “growing weary” and we fight against “losing heart”.

Someone else’s eternal salvation may depend on our not “growing weary” not “losing heart” and not giving up.

We must “contend earnestly for the faith’. (Jude 3)

We are all aware of the attacks that are being made against our Christian faith. We are not all in a position to be involved in the legal actions against the attacks but we all have a weapon. called prayer.

Never underestimate the power of prayer and become weary and lose heart.

As for as the enemy hordes are concerned, prayer in Jesus Name is a weapon of mass destruction. (see 2nd.Cor. 10:3-6)

The enemy is a formidable opponent but against Jesus he is a distant loser.

We are not discouraged because “we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2nd.Cor.4:18)

The enemy’s apparent victories are but temporary; the final and permanent victory belongs to Jesus.

09-03-2006

“For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?...Or what king going to war against another king, sitteth not down first and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh nor all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:28-33

Jesus told us (v.33) that these parables refer to discipleship. The first one has to do with counting the cost of living a Christian life. It does cost something to live a life for the Lord! Some family members may object! Some friends may disagree and even turn away. It could cost you some influence and promotion on your job. Are you able and willing to complete the building of the tower?

As to living the Christian life to the end, it is not a matter of having enough strength. It is a matter of determination and dedication! When the cost has been considered and the decision made, God will furnish the enablements to finish the course. (2nd.Timothy 4:7)

The second parable has to do with counting the cost of not living for God. If you refuse God’s offer of salvation you are fighting against a King much stronger and with far more resources than you have. No amount of determination will help you in this battle. No man can fight against God and win.

You had better consider, very carefully, the cost of such a decision. If you would reject God’s offer you must be prepared to accept the consequences. The final cost will be realized at the close of this short life and you face Him at the judgment.

The choice is clear. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

Jesus said that the wise course of action is to approach the Strong King and negotiate for peace. “Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord...”(Isaiah 1:18)

The only conditions of peace, and they are reasonable, is unconditional surrender on your part. You then have a new life, a much better and more satisfying life, here and a secure promise for the life to come.


09-02-2006

“He who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Revelation 2:7 ; 2:11 ; 2:17 ; 2:29 ; 3:6 ; 3:13 ; 3:22



I have a physical hearing disability! Too many years working around loud construction equipment, I guess. I have ears, of course, but they just don’t hear everything.

I recently bought some hearing aids which opened a new world of sounds to me. Previously, when I would take my early morning walk along the ravine, which is near our home, all was silent. Now I hear a veritable chorus of birds chirping and cheeping to announce the dawn of a new day.

The Scripture above, repeated seven times to include the entire church age, suggests the possibility that men have ears that do not hear what God has to say to them. There are no hearing aids on the market that can correct a spiritual hearing deficiency because it more of a matter of attention failure.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear…”. It is not a matter of “we cannot”; it is a matter of “we do not.”

“And now…saith the Lord, I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you but ye answered not.” Jer. 7:13

God will not hold us accountable if we cannot hear but He will hold us to account if we choose not to listen.

God speaks to us in various ways but the most common means is through His written word.

If we are going to hear, we must open the Book!

It is the safest way!

We all know what it is to receive an impression from the Lord. We also know that it is possible to receive an impression from the wrong source.

We know the source of what is written in the Bible. It has been tried and found true for many generations and is completely trustworthy.

It is also our means of judging all other impressions as to their trustworthiness.

It is “…a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

It is “…a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21)

It is forever established and it will never go away.

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

It is to our great advantage if we listen to what God has to say to us.



09-01-06

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Matthew 5:14,15

I see two truths here for our consideration. A city that cannot be hid and a candle that should not be hidden! It is not possible to hide the city but it is possible to hide our candle. The city is there to be seen by men but as to whether it is filled with light or whether it is dark depends on what we all do with our candles.

A favorite maneuver of the enemy is to cause us to think, “I’m just one person, I can’t make a difference!” If enough people think that way, the city will be dark. If we all take care of our candle, the city will take care of itself.

You and I are not responsible for the whole city; We are responsible for our candle. One candle only lights a small place, it is true, but enough candles will light the city. An old Gospel song that was a favorite of my mother, was “Brighten the Corner Where you are!”

You may be tempted to believe that the little corner where you are is not very important but to any one person who hears the Gospel through your influence, it is very important. People can see our light in whatever corner of service that God assigns to us but they cannot see it under a bushel.

In a dark world the light of one candle can be seen and can bring hope to some searching soul. There were times when great crowds followed Jesus to hear His words but the Gospel record also shows the many times that Jesus took time to minister to one individual. The woman at the well! (John 4) The little man in the tree! (Luke 19) The demonic at Gadara! (Mark 5)

Wherever we may be in this world others will see our lives. Whether they see darkness or light depends on what we do with the light God has given us. Is it carefully hidden under a bushel or it shinning brightly for all to see?


08-30-2006

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee”

Jeremiah 31:3

God is love! (1st.John 4:16) That fact cannot be changed! All of the ingratitudes and refusels of men does not change God’s love, it affects only the men. God’s love is such that, in contrast to much that is declared to be love in today’s world, it will survive all the tests and trials of time and circumstances.

God is everlasting , therefore His love is everlasting.

God loved us at the cross and a million years from now we shall still be recipients of that love. Sin can send a person into an eternity of torment but it is only effective to do so if that person rejects the love of God that can salvage any wasted life. God’s love reaches the most hopeless case that will only believe and receive.

The song writer wrote, “The love of God is greater far, Than tongue or pen can ever tell: It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell:”

When we accept God’s “everlasting love” we receive something called “everlasting life” (John 6:40) “And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone that seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have “everlasting life”.

Everlasting life is more than an unending existence! An unending existence could be considerably less than a blessing. (See Matthew 8:12 , 22:13)

The everlasting life that Jesus promises those who believe on Him will be “unbroken happiness” “no sickness, pain or death” “no more separation from loved ones”. You will never become bored with life in the eternal realm with Jesus. Whatever place of service that we are assigned to we may be sure that there will be no “job burnout” there. You will never become discontented with life in the Celestial City.

God’s love is reaching out to you, the greatest mistake any one could make is a refusal to respond to and receive that love.



08-27-2006

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;”

2nd.Corionthians 5:11

Becoming a Christian and living a dedicated life is a matter of persuasion! It is not the result of force or coercion! Salvation involves a change of heart,” A new heart also, will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you;” (Ezekiel 33:26)

Salvation is not reformation although it certainly effects a change in our lives. Salvation is not just a “profit or loss” situation! Salvation is dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ even if it means the loss of possessions, position and maybe friends. It is loving God with all the heart, soul , mind and strength.(Mark 12:30)

Paul preached the Gospel to King Agrippa and the king was “almost persuaded” to become a Christian. (Acts 26:28) but the thought of losing possessions, position and power was a price that he was not willing to pay. His position depended on his remaining in favor with Rome and Christianity was not very popular with Rome

There are those at work in our own country now, who, if they could have their way with it, all Christians would be disqualified from holding any position of authority or service in our government or public life.

It hasn’t come to that yet but if it should, our persuasion must be such that we could say I would rather be a Christian than a governor or a president.

There are some who are so attached to the pleasures of this life that they cannot be persuaded concerning the life to come. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus spoke of five brothers in a wealthy family who were of that disposition, He said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Of course, we cannot know who those people are so we keep on, “...preaching the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Paul said that he had, by his dedication to the Lord Jesus, “suffered the loss of all things.”(Philippians 3:8) He could also say, concerning the important things of life and eternity, “...for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” (2nd. Timothy 1:12)

Paul was also persuaded that nothing could or would separate him from the love of the God to whom he was dedicated. (Romans 8:37,38)




08-24-2006

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

Jesus was Almighty God! “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1) He was also a man! ”But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman...”(Galatians 4:4) He lived a perfect, sinless life! “Which one of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46 NAS) He died an atoning death! “And the next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

These are four major truths about the life and person of Jesus Christ and it is not a ‘multiple choice’ situation. They are all essential to the efficacy of the plan of salvation. You cannot believe that Jesus was the son of Mary by a Roman soldier and still believe that He is the Savior of the world. You cannot believe that Jesus was a good man, albeit a misguided one, but a man only. You cannot believe that Jesus committed sin like any other man, (as some teach) and still believe that he is the Savior.

You cannot believe that Jesus died as a martyr only (as many others died) and still believe that He is the Savior of the world. To believe on Jesus Christ as the Savior of your soul you must believe all of the above.

The son of a Roman soldier could save no one from sin no matter how godly the mother may have been. The best man who ever lived could not save a single soul from sin only the God-man could do that. If Jesus sinned while in this life then He would have needed a Savior rather than being a Savior.

If Jesus died as a martyr, then His body would still be in the grave and there would be no Easter morning. If we do not believe that Jesus is everything that the Scriptures say that He is then we have a false hope.

Someone says, ”I just can’t understand the virgin birth!” You can’t understand a natural birth! They are both miracles of God and beyond our understanding but not beyond our believing.

There are multitudes all about us who are living proof of natural birth and there are many walking, talking living examples of the reality of spiritual birth.

Salvation is a matter of believing (John 3:36) but we must believe the right things.

08-19-2006

“For I am the Lord, I change not:”

Malachi 3:6

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

There are not many things in this life that are absolutely dependable and unchanging but the word of God is one of those things. God’s word is unchanging because it’s Author is unchanging! Other writings can be, legitimately, revised, corrected or updated to coincide with modern thought and life styles. The Bible cannot be corrected because God got it right in the first place. It doesn’t need to be updated because God knew all about the twenty first century at the time He directed the writing of the Bible.

The Bible cannot be revised to put it in harmony with modern life styles and behavior patterns although attempts are being made in that direction at the present time. It won’t work! Men must adjust their life style to the Bible teaching if they want to stay out of trouble

Some are not willing to live by Bible standards, their solution is to reinterpret the Scripture to match their behavior.

It won’t work!

Men can rewrite the Scriptures but that does not change the facts. Our National survival, I believe, depends on our honoring the Scriptures, as God had them written Our personal salvation depends on our acceptance of the plan described in the Scriptures, as God had, them written. Men will be judged according to the Scriptures, as God had them written. Breaking the mirror doesn’t change the facts.

I could write my own traffic laws but I will be judged by the ones that the Police officers enforce.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12)

The names in the Book of Life were written in there by God, not a man. The book of the records of men’s works will not be an autobiography, God writes our life history as He sees it. The basis for the judgment will be the record that we now call the Bible, as God had it written.

Men can approve or disapprove, agree or disagree, obey or disobey but God’s word stands as it was written.

08-17-2006

“What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 116:12,13

Hardly a day passes that we don’t receive mail extolling the benefits of some plan, program or product. If I accepted all of the credit cards that are continually offered to us I would have buying power of over $100,000:00. It isn’t mentioned in the mailing but the pay back would be even more.

We have a letter from God, called the Holy Scriptures that offers unimaginable benefits.

The Psalmist speaks of the many benefits that are provided and offered by the Lord and he singles out the greatest benefit of all, which is called salvation. This one great benefit, the salvation of our soul, is of greater value that all the credit cards ever printed.

You can accept it with confidence because the price has already been paid. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1st.Peter 1:18,19)

We couldn’t pay because we don’t have the resources. All the silver and gold in the world would not pay this debt. All of the billions that will be required to rebuild the country of Iraq would not be enough to pay to cost of redeeming one lost soul. The combined value of all the gold and precious jewels in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10-21) could not pay the price of our redemption.

There is nothing that you and I can do to earn our redemption and a place in heaven but there is much that we can do to show our appreciation to our loving Lord for having provided it for us.

The Psalmist said that the first thing to do is to accept that salvation promise. In New Testament language it means to accept the Lord Jesus Christ (Who paid the price that made it all possible) as our Lord and Savior and as the controlling influence of our lives.

The Lord has provided many benefits in this life that are enjoyed by the believer and the unbeliever. “...for He maketh His sun to shine on the just and the unjust...”(Matthew 5:45.) In the life to come there are incredible, eternal provisions for the Believer but for the unbeliever, it is payday.

Like the credit card plan, someone pays! If you enjoy all of the benefits on credit and refuse to accept God’s payment, you will get the bill. Not a happy thought!
08-11-2006

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:1-3

Nicodemus was a very prominent and respected Jewish religious official who came to Jesus that night. He acknowledged that Jesus was a true teacher of the word of God as the accompanying miracles proved. He was apparently leading up to a question, but Jesus, knowing what was on his mind, answered it, once and for all time, saying, “Ye must be born again.”
Nicodemus couldn’t quite understand the being, “born again” part but, I think, was suggesting that, with qualified teaching, a person could be educated into the kingdom of God.
The Jewish teachers of the day believed it! They were great on teaching the many amendments to the Ten Commandments that they had developed. They had added so many rules and regulations to the original document that men couldn’t even remember them, let alone keep them.

It is a question that is still debated today. Are we “educated into the kingdom” or are we “born into the kingdom”. Jesus, the only infallible teacher who ever lived, said that we “must be born again.”

We must hear and believe the teaching of the Gospel but there comes a time when we must accept the Teacher as our Lord and Savior at which time we are “born again” or born from above. We are born into the kingdom and educated to become profitable disciples of the king.

We are born into the family and educated in the teaching to become mature members. What we know enables us to be effective workers but it is Who we know that places us in the family.

If we are educated into the kingdom of God, how much do we have to know to get there? Learning about God is an unending process. We shall never know it all. We shall never understand it “at all” until we first accept the Author as our Lord and Savior.

We accept Jesus as Savior, commit our lives to Him and begin a learning process that will never stop.

08-08-2006

We were God’s enemies, but He made us His friends through the death of His Son. Now that we are God’s friends: How much more will we be saved by Christ’s life! But that is not all; we rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God’s friends.

Romans 5:10,11

Good News For Modern Man

The prophet reminds us, that, “We were God’s enemies”.

That is as dangerous and as hopeless a position as we could possibly be in. No one in their right mind would want to be an enemy of God.

No one could hope to win a battle against God.

Some claim that it offends them to see the Ten Commandments posted in public view and have convinced some judges to have them removed.

That is only hiding their heads in the sand and changes nothing. They will still face the Author of those commandments at the judgment, who will then be the one offended and it won’t be pleasant for them.

Concealing the presence of the Commandments does not change the fact of them.

The only hope is in God Himself who loved us so much that He died on a cross that we who were His enemies could become His friends.

Paul speaks from the standpoint of the believer, saying “We ‘were’ God’s enemies.” No one must ‘remain’ God’s enemy. There is no excuse! Jesus died to make us His friends! Who could ask for more?

It is written, that, “God, “…is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2nd. Pet.3:9)

God’s wrath is His final dealing with unrepentant mankind. Right now we are in the time of mercy and grace, but make no mistake, if the world continues in a course of rebellion, it will reach the limit and then it is written, “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:17)

There is one friend who can see you through! Jesus is the, “…friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) and only becomes man’s enemy because men reject His offer of friendship.

I have heard it said, “He is his own worst enemy!” The man or woman who rejects the friendship of Jesus , is, in truth, their own worst enemy.



08-06-2006

“But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”

Ephesians 2:13,14

The Scripture informs us that there was a time when you and I were “far off”. How far off can be determined only by that which was necessary to bring us back. Nothing less than the long, painful, downward journey of wounds, bruises, betrayal and rejection of the Son of God as described in Isaiah 53 culminating in the agonizing death on the cross could accomplish it.

How did we get to be so far away from God? Isaiah 53 :6 tells us ,”All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;” We inherited, from our forefather, Adam, a rebellious nature that has led us far astray from God’s plan for our lives and the human nature is neither inclined or able to find it’s way back.

Matthew 7:13 tells us that we were traveling a broad, downward way that leads eventually to a place of no return.

Men can get so far away that they cannot get back but as long as they are living on earth they do not get so far away that God’s Holy Spirit cannot find them. He knows just where every soul is and He does not give up easily. In Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, the shepherd, representing the Savior, searched until He found the sheep.

Jesus Christ paid far too great a price for your salvation and mine to give up on us. The words sin and iniquity are, it would seem, considered “politically incorrect” by many but it is the sin and iniquity of mankind that caused Jesus to pay such a price for their reconciliation. “...And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

The Lord, not only does not want us to be far away from Him but He does not want us to be far away from each other. The text above also tells us “He hath...broken down the middle wall of partition between us...for to make in Himself of twain one new man.” People tend to separate themselves by ethnicity, affluence or the lack of it, political convictions and any number of things but in God’s sight we were all “far away” and can only be “made nigh” in Jesus Christ. So in that most important of all assets, eternal life, we are made one.


08-02-2006

“No one sews a piece of un-shrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.”

Mark 2:21

NKJV

Jesus is referring to a common practice in earthly life to teach a heavenly truth.

A patch covers but does not cure.

A ‘cover-up’ is the common earthly practice but God requires a cure.

The Bible informs us that