But the word of our God stands forever."

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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.

Isaiah 40:31

 

            We live in a generation that seems to be in a perpetual hurry. We have “Rapid Transit” and everyone uses it. Drive on the Interstate at 65 MPH and see how many autos pass you.

            No one wants to wait! We have “Quick Stops” “Fast lanes” and “Instant Foods”. Quality is sacrificed, sometimes, for quick service but we can’t let that happen in our spiritual life.

            I know that sometimes matters are urgent and waiting can be carried to the extreme. During the 3+ years that I was in the air Force during W.W.II I probably spent a one-month total, standing in line, waiting, for one reason or another.

            Waiting on God is never a waste of time.  There is no “crash course” in spiritual maturity! It is written, “Be still and know that I am God:” (Psalm 46:10) God has not changed the plan to accommodate the jet age.

            God takes longer to make some things. He makes a mushroom in one night but uses many years to grow an oak tree. The mushroom is like the “shallow ground” hearer of Matthew 13. It sprouts up overnight and wilts the next day. But like the oak, we are in this for the long haul and we need God’s personal touch, which comes by spending time in His presence. 

            Time spent with God does something for you that becomes evident. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived they were unlearned and ignorant men, (that was their opinion but actually those who cannot see Jesus for what He is, are the unlearned and ignorant) they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

            Peter and John had been in the presence of the resurrected Jesus and they were no longer hiding behind “shut doors” (John 20:26)

            Paul wrote “...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.”(2^nd.Timothy 1:12) We only really learn to know someone by spending time in their presence. There is no other way.

 

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All Scripture today from The Living Bible

The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand forever.

Isaiah 40:8

Don’t ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a man, born into King David’s family; and that He was God, as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead.

It is because I have preached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained, even though I am.

2^nd.Timothy 2:8,9

            There are some things that cannot be done! Speaking through the Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah, God said that there is no power that can prevent His spoken word from accomplishing whatever he decides.

            “so also is My Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it.” (Isaiah 55:11) Every Federal Judge in America may rule it unconstitutional but heaven does not recognize their authority in the matter.

Paul could be chained but God’s word cannot be chained or destroyed. It has been tried but it can’t be done. If God’s word could be destroyed or chained, robbed of it’s ability to work, we would have no Christian church today. The ministers have been killed but the “Word” remains.

            There are more organized assaults being made on the Bible today than ever before in our National History but don’t be anxious, the Bible is not on the “Endangered Species” list. The printed pages could be, and have been, destroyed but the message is indestructible.  

            The above Scriptures are referring primarily to the power of the word of God to change the hearts and lives of mankind and to restore them to fellowship with their Maker. Men have long disputed and tried to prevent this transformation from taking place in the lives of men and women but it can’t be done.

            In ages past the Book was burned but now the endeavors are to confine it. Legislate against it and keep it out of the courts, out of the schools and out of the workplace.  God allows men to continue in their foolish efforts up to a point but He has His ways. In spite of the opposition, more people now are hearing God’s word and more people are accepting Jesus Christ than at any time in history.

            The message cannot be contained and it continues to find receptive hearts and accomplish what God desires, which is to change lives and prepare men and women for heaven.

 

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“...and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any war.”

Isaiah 2:4

There’s a bright day coming,  A bright day coming,

There’s a bright day coming by and by.

But its brightness shall only come to those who love the Lord,

Are you ready for that day to come?

            Right now most of the nations of the world are more interested in swords and spears than they are in plowshares and pruning hooks but the day is going to come. It’s in God’s plan.

            The slaves of the pre-Civil War days believed the promise and sang about it.

Ain’t gonna study war no more, ain’t gonna study war no more,

Ain’t gonna study....war no more.

            It is one of those “Things will get worse before they get better” situations but it will happen in God’s time. When you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior you received something called “Eternal Life’ so you can do long range planning now.

            In this life all of our plans are prefaced with the words “How much time do I have?” You will never have to say that in that coming land of “eternal today”.

            It is difficult to imagine a land of which it can truly be said (as the cowboy sang), “Where never is heard, a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day.”(No smog either)

            It isn’t going to be the “No Jesus allowed” world that the nations are planning. The prophet has more to say! “They shall not hurt nor 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 11:9)

            The world will never learn that a peaceful world cannot be when the Prince of Peace is rejected so don’t place your confidence and hope in world leaders or world organizations.

            God has “thoughts of peace” for you (Jeremiah 29:11) and He is taking applications for reservations now. “And the lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”(Luke 14:23)  “Now is the accepted time...” (2^nd.Corinthians 6:2)

            Someone said, “Opportunity only knocks once!” I don’t know just how true that statement is but I do know that the opportunity for men to accept the  Lord’s invitation will one day be withdrawn and the door will close, so don’t delay.

 

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Be it known unto ye all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:10-12

            The greatest need of mankind is the salvation of the soul and only Jesus Christ can meet that need. We are hearing many promises now but, even the most ambitious candidate for political office has not promised, “if I’m elected”, to provide for that need.

            Jesus, by His crucifixion provided for our salvation! No one founder of any of the many religions in the world is inclined to pay such a price for the salvation of their followers. If they have seen the Mel Gibson film they are even less inclined to pay such a price. If they were willing to be crucified, their death would not even atone for their own sin. It is only “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:’ (1^st.Peter 1:19) that can transform believers from ‘lost’ to ‘found’.

            Although the way of life is called a “narrow” way (Matthew 7:14) it is wide enough to accommodate ‘whosoever’ will believe. It was General Booth of the Salvation Army who said, “Friend, when Jesus purchased salvation, He purchased enough to go around.” 

You are not disqualified by nationality! Jesus understands your language! (Revelation 7:9,10) You do not need a background check! He knows all about you already.(Psalm 139:2) You have a record? You are the very one that he is looking for! (Mark 2:17)

You do not need a resume! It is about what Jesus did; not about what you can do.

“In my hand no price I bring,

Simply to the cross I cling.”

            I can’t explain why or how the agonizing death of  Jesus  can make the necessary change in the life of one who will believe in Him and accept the provision. However, it did happen and it does work! Now, as my basketball minded son would say, “The ball is in your court.”

            The age-old question, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) requires a personal  answer from you and I.  

 

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While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ?

Matthew 22:41,42

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

Matthew 27:22

            The questions in the above Scripture are the two most important questions ever asked. They are questions that must be answered by every person who has heard the name of Jesus.

            We are in another election year and constantly exposed to the many speeches, debates and interviews. That is the American way choosing our leaders and we need to know what the candidate’s intentions are.

            We hear some honest answers but we also listen to some who are expert in the art of evading issues and making promises with escape routes attached.

            The questions in the above Scripture will be answered! They cannot be avoided, evaded or circumvented! They cannot be passed off with a smile and a “no comment.”

            It is not a question of “can” or “can’t!” It is a question of “will” or “won’t!”

“What think ye of Christ? If you can think, you are accountable. We are for or against Him! There is no “no man’s land” in this war! There is a fork in the road!

            We have a choice! Believing that He is the Christ and the Savior of the world, we accept Him as our personal Savior and  take the upward way  or reject Him and continue on the downward way. There are no non-partisans here. To abstain is to vote no!

            I am an early riser! I am always up and about by 4 a. m. and  working on my “Thought for the Day”.  There is another blessing to my rising early. I can watch the sun rise from our kitchen window and we have some spectacular sunrises here.  It will happen whether I watch it or not but if I choose not to watch, I am the loser. It won’t change the fact. The sun will rise tomorrow morning as God has ordained but I may not be here, God knows!

            Men can reject Jesus Christ but that won’t change the fact. He is now and will be tomorrow, the Savior of the world and to reject Him is to become the loser. Perhaps you will have another opportunity tomorrow, to choose Him and perhaps you won’t. It is a matter much to important to postpone.

            “...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2^nd.Corinthians 6:2)

 

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God makes a home for the lonely; He leads the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Psalm 68:6 NAS

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you; for if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:2,3 NAS

            The word “Home” has a precious connotation to nearly everyone! John Howard Payne made the thought of home enduring with his song “Home Sweet Home” One line reading “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home”

            We listen to the Gospel Music Channel a lot and one group called the Sadler Family sing a song called “I’ve got me a Home!”  The reference being to the heavenly home.

            On earth some people live in a modest house and others live in a much more imposing dwelling. During W. W. II I lived in a tent for about 1 1/2 years. When I returned  and Carol and I married in 1946 we purchased a new  house for $9,200.

            I read that Bill Gates house cost 50 million.

I don’t believe that the value of our heavenly dwelling, (called a mansion in the K. J. B.) could be translated into dollars & cents and I know that all of the wealth of the world could not have paid the price of our admittance into that home. “For what will a man be profited if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

            Who could presume to  place a monetary value upon the love of Jesus that sent Him to the cross to redeem us and qualify us for life in the mansions above? 

            Not all houses are really homes, of course. It is the people in the houses who  make it a home. Jesus said, “...I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) That makes it a home.

            The value of our heavenly home is above measure but to fail to go there to live is even more costly. To reject Jesus as Savior and be denied admittance into that home for all eternity would be the most colossal blunder possible.

 

 

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Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1^st.Timothy 4:7,8 NIV

            We are pilgrims, living in an earthly (temporary) environment but headed toward our heavenly (permanent) home. Some things with which we have to do are for this life only and other things are for the life to come.

            We are cautioned not to place too much emphasis on the things that are for this life only. Paul draws a comparison between physical exercise and spiritual exercise. He infers that physical is good but spiritual exercise is essential.

            Physical exercise programs are very popular in our country now. You can buy books, cassettes and videos on exercise programs. I am in favor of that! I want to keep this body as healthy as possible for as long as I am to live in it and I have followed a schedule for walking for many years.

            Everyone should try for a strong healthy body but remember that it is a temporary arrangement. Arnold Schwarzenegger will die in his time just like everyone else.

            A strong physical body is great but it is one of those things that “you can’t take with you”. 

            Paul said to place the greater emphasis on godliness because it is profitable for this life and the life to come. In fact, it is essential for the life to come because there will be no ungodliness in heaven.

            Godliness means “God-likeness.” Men and women were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) but that image became very badly tarnished. When we accept Jesus Christ  as our Lord and Savior we are born into the family and once again bear an image. It is a start but needs development so we must enlist in the Holy Spirit’s training program in godliness.(text above)  It is a lifetime assignment but it promotes a better, safer and happier life here and leads to life everlasting over there.

            The Olympic contestants train all of their life for the opportunity to win a medal but they are not all winners. There are no losers in God’s program however! If you “train yourself to be godly” (the Holy Spirit does the training but we must choose to enlist in the program)  you are guaranteed to be a winner.

 

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But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

1^st.Kings 19:4

 

Discouragement is a serious malady! It is one of the Devil’s most effective tools! It causes God’s people to make “on the spur of the moment” decisions that are wrong.

The story above is of Elijah, considered the greatest of Old Testament prophets, becoming so discouraged that he asked God to let him die. It was one of those “at the moment” decisions. Actually, did Elijah really want to die? Queen Jezebel was quite willing to accommodate him in that matter but Elijah was making no appointments. He was sitting under a tree in the wilderness as far away from Jezebel as he could get. His first thought was that he would be better off dead but as often happens to us, he had a second thought that was a better one. Verse 5 tells us that he lay down under the tree and went to sleep. Elijah may have been the originator of that common but wise suggestion, “better sleep on it.”

Anyway, it worked for Elijah. He awakened and found a meal prepared for him (verse 6) and that helped even more. It is not often that “room service’ is provided for people spending the night under a tree in the desert but God is not limited and I do believe that He enjoys surprising us on occasion.

After all He is the God who fed a million + people in the wilderness and gave them shoes that lasted for forty years (Deuteronomy 29:5). Our son’s shoes never begin to last that long although there were times when I wished that they would have lasted a little longer.

Well, at least one lesson we can learn from the above Scripture is that hasty judgment is usually faulty judgment. It is made before we have all the story. Remember the lesson that the Apostles learned; their judgments made on the first and second day after the burial of Jesus had to be drastically changed when the third day dawned.

No matter how discouraging things may appear to be we must remember that God has a “Third Day’ planned for us so it may be wise to “sleep on it” before we make a decision.

 

 

 

 

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“…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 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.” 

                                                             

 

 

 

 

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For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2^nd.Timothy 4:6,7

           

            When Paul wrote the above words he was at a point in this life when he had a lot more to look back at than he had to look ahead to.  It is a place that everyone reading this article shall arrive at in God’s time.

            We are there now! My wife, Carol, and I, have served in Gospel ministry for more than fifty years.  The end is not yet! We shall continue to share the love of Jesus until we breathe our last breath but, obviously, most of our years of service are behind us.

            We shall all finish our course! That is already decided! Will we have fought a good fight? That is largely up to us.

            I believe that the emphasis above is more on what we are becoming than on what we are achieving. In our present generation God has raised up a number of gifted men and women who are accomplishing great things for Him. PTL! Most of us, however, are common folk and the results of our labor are not so obvious. The results are in God’s hands; the dedication is our choice! We must be faithful where He placed us, doing what He gave us to do.

            Israel’s ancient enemy Amalek, attacked them at a place called Rephidim. Joshua led the army into battle and won the victory but the outcome of the battle depended upon Moses standing upon the mountain and holding up the rod of God.

            Moses arms grew weary but God had two of His “background servants” there to hold up the weary Moses’ arms until the battle was won. (Exodus 17)

            Maybe you are more of an “arm holder” than you are an army general. Don’t despair! Your faithfulness may turn the tide of battle. 

            There is an old Gospel song that teaches good theology. “Brighten the corner where you are.” When God places us in a corner let us make it the brightest corner that others have ever seen.

            Gideon and his three hundred men won a great victory against overwhelming odds. Every man was “in his place” not quarreling over whom was going to be in charge.(Judges 7:7)

            Someone said, “A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link”. You may be an unknown soldier but you don’t have to be a weak link!

 

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Thou, O king, sawest and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass. His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces...and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Daniel 2:31-35

(Read Daniel 2:31-45)

            We are now living, I believe, in the final days of a dispensation. For several years there have been men and organizations promoting a world community concept. The question now is, “Who is going to be in control?”

            Will it be (1) Islam terrorists with their “Worship Allah or else!” government? Will it be (2) The European Union nations with their “no God” philosophy? Will it be (3) The United Nations with their conglomeration of religion and beliefs? Will it be “none of the above?” It will be “none of the above.”

The final and permanent world empire is called “ A Stone cut out without hands”

            As is recorded in Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a dream of a great image of a man. Daniel explained that the dream referred to a succession of world empires that would culminate with a world empire that would last forever.

            It is described as a “stone cut out without hands” meaning that the final empire is  originated and established by God. The nations are identified. Beginning with Babylon, then Persia, then Greece and then Rome. The feet of iron & clay, I believe, represents the world of today, with the various nations and forces striving for control.

            They will attempt to settle their disagreements at Armageddon and be “broken in pieces together, and become like the chaff of the summer threshing floors: and the wind carries them away, that no place  was found for them: and the stone ( the kingdom of Jesus the Cornerstone) that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” (v.35)   

            Its going to happen! “...the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure.” (v.45)  God didn’t give us an exact day by day schedule of events but He told us to watch developments and we would know when the time was drawing near.

 

 

 

 

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Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the king of the Jews?”   Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?”

John 18:33,34

 

            Relying on second-hand information in any matter is not wise but depending on second-hand information concerning our eternal destiny is a much more serious mistake than just being unwise.

            We must be able to say, as Paul said, “...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.”  (2^nd.timothy 1:12)

            Jesus stopped at a well in Samaria and while there He revealed Himself as the long awaited Messiah to a woman at the well. Overjoyed, the woman rushed back into the village to share the good news with others. Many of the men of the city came out to see Jesus and hear Him teach. Later they said to the woman “...Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that He is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)     

Jesus said, “Not everyone who saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven:” (Matthew 7:21)

            Acts 19:13-17 records the story of seven sons of a chief priest named Sceva. They witnessed some miraculous things accomplished by Paul in the name of Jesus and thinking that they had the procedure all figured out they approached a poor demon possessed man and commanded the demons to come out of him in the name of “Jesus whom Paul preaches.” The results were disastrous for them.

            Hearing about Jesus is the best news that we can receive but I can’t preach, with confidence, a Jesus that I have only heard about and  you can’t rely on a Jesus that you have only heard about. We must be able to say, as the men of Samaria that we have had a personal encounter with Jesus ourselves.

            Possessing the Book is the first necessary step but becoming acquainted with the Author must follow if the good news is to benefit us.

            Pilate heard from the accusers that Jesus was a criminal worthy of execution and he heard from his wife that Jesus was a good man but he never went on to really find out for himself.

 

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