"He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith." -- Acts 11:24
Goodness is the radiance or out-shining of a pure and happy Christian soul. It is quick to see and magnify whatever is good in others, as Barnabas was: It is incapable of jealousy or envy, else he would never have gone to Tarsus to seek Saul. The goodness of this man was evinced in his generous donation of the proceeds of his patrimony, and in the ministry of consolation which he exercised among the disciples.
Such goodness is not natural to us. It is the fruit of our union with the true Vine, whose sap may be compared to the Holy Spirit. Before we can be the good man, for whom some would even dare to die, we must become grafted into Christ, that His goodness may make its way through our sour dispositions.
The most difficult thing of all is to continue to manifest this goodness when our lives are united, as Abigail's was, to that of a churl (1Sa 25:3). She was a beautiful woman, of good understanding, and full of tact. Her speech, which arrested David when about to avenge himself on Nabal, is a model of good sense. He heartily thanked her for it, as having saved him from a hasty deed, which would have filled his after-life with regret. Nabal was a churl, evil in his doings, and as his servants said, "'such a son of Belial, that none could speak to him"--a man who did not know what it was to be merry. Nabal was his name and his nature! What a constant pain it must have been to this noble woman to be united to such a churl! That is a test of real goodness; it is a triumph of God's grace.
Guard against stinginess and niggardliness. Give liberally and generously to every good cause. Be very careful of going back on your first intentions, which in the matter of giving are probably more trustworthy than the proverbial after-thoughts. Be always careful to dwell on and extol whatever you find admirable and noble in the character of others.
It was said of Charles Kingsley: "No fatigue was too great to make him forget the courtesy of less wearied moments, no business too engrossing to deprive him of his readiness to show kindness and sympathy. To school himself to this code of unfaltering high and noble living was truly one of the great works of his life."
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
A New Creature
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -- 2 Corinthians 5:17
True Christianity is very different from much that we see around us, and which is known as such, and is summed up in orthodoxy of creed, in religious service, in gifts and deeds which cost little or nothing. If Christianity is anything, it is self-giving, even to death. If Christianity means anything we must renounce self as the centre of our life and be willing to sacrifice ourselves for others. Nothing will save the world, which is cursed with the spirit of selfishness, but the repetition and filling-up as far as possible of Christ's sacrifice by those who profess to be His servants and followers. Selfishness is destructive, but the love that gives itself even to blood and tears is constructive.
But we must be sure that the supreme thought of every word and act must be Christ who died and rose again (2Co 5:14-15). Let us not live only for humanity, but for the Son of Man, and as we live for Him the bitter will be sweet and the rough smooth, and we shall find ourselves living for the whole race of men for whom He died.
When this becomes the law of life, we are necessarily a new creation; we live under a new heaven, and walk over a new earth. There is a new aspect upon the most familiar objects of our environment. It is not that they have altered, but that we are changed from self to the spiritual; from the old life of sin to the new life of which the centre is the glorified Saviour. In his book "Grace Abounding," Bunyan gives expression to this thought of the wonderful change that passes over the face of creation, and the aspect of human life, so soon as the heart is full of the love of God.
Let us notice the emphasis of 2Co 5:18. God was in Christ when He bore the burden of the world's sin upon the Cross and that we have been brought to know and love Him as of His grace. It is God also who has given us the right to carry the message of mercy and forgiveness to all within our reach. "He hath given to us," that is, to you and me, "the ministry of reconciliation." It is for us to go forth into the world, our hearts filled with Christ's love, telling men and women that this is a redeemed world, and that God is waiting for them to accept His love and mercy. This is the message of Christianity.
True Christianity is very different from much that we see around us, and which is known as such, and is summed up in orthodoxy of creed, in religious service, in gifts and deeds which cost little or nothing. If Christianity is anything, it is self-giving, even to death. If Christianity means anything we must renounce self as the centre of our life and be willing to sacrifice ourselves for others. Nothing will save the world, which is cursed with the spirit of selfishness, but the repetition and filling-up as far as possible of Christ's sacrifice by those who profess to be His servants and followers. Selfishness is destructive, but the love that gives itself even to blood and tears is constructive.
But we must be sure that the supreme thought of every word and act must be Christ who died and rose again (2Co 5:14-15). Let us not live only for humanity, but for the Son of Man, and as we live for Him the bitter will be sweet and the rough smooth, and we shall find ourselves living for the whole race of men for whom He died.
When this becomes the law of life, we are necessarily a new creation; we live under a new heaven, and walk over a new earth. There is a new aspect upon the most familiar objects of our environment. It is not that they have altered, but that we are changed from self to the spiritual; from the old life of sin to the new life of which the centre is the glorified Saviour. In his book "Grace Abounding," Bunyan gives expression to this thought of the wonderful change that passes over the face of creation, and the aspect of human life, so soon as the heart is full of the love of God.
Let us notice the emphasis of 2Co 5:18. God was in Christ when He bore the burden of the world's sin upon the Cross and that we have been brought to know and love Him as of His grace. It is God also who has given us the right to carry the message of mercy and forgiveness to all within our reach. "He hath given to us," that is, to you and me, "the ministry of reconciliation." It is for us to go forth into the world, our hearts filled with Christ's love, telling men and women that this is a redeemed world, and that God is waiting for them to accept His love and mercy. This is the message of Christianity.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Victory Out Of Defeat (Our Daily Walk)
"I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth."-- Hosea 2:15
The Valley of Achor is the emblem of defeat, failure, and the fainting heart. Down its long pass the terrified fugitives had fled, bearing to Joshua the story of defeat (Joshua 7.). Is there a single life without its valley of Achor? Is there one of us who has not gone up against a foe, which in the distance appeared quite insignificant, but it has proved to be more than a match for all the resolutions with which we had braced ourselves to meet it. Can good come out of such evil, and sweetness from such bitter despair?
The tragic story told in the seventh chapter of Joshua tells how that defeat wrought good. The disaster led to the searching out of the sin of Achan, and the cutting away of gangrene, which, otherwise, would have eaten out the heart of Israel. It led to humiliation, self-examination, prayer and faith, and finally to victory. May we not say as much of our defeats? Certainly, it would have been better had they not cast their shadow on our past; but they have not been without their lessons of priceless value. Each valley of Achor has had its door of Hope. Sin has reigned unto death, but the grace of God has reigned unto eternal life. Through our sins we have learned, as never before, to appreciate God's forgiveness; through our failures we have been taught our own weakness, and led to magnify the grace which is made perfect in weakness.
Out of such experiences comes the song--"She shall sing as in the days of her youth." You say that the spring and gladness of life are gone for ever. You insist that you must go mourning all your days, and that life will only bring added grief. But God says that you shall sing! Though the summer is gone, there will be a second--an Indian summer, even mellower than the first. God wants to give you a new revelation of His love, to draw you into His tenderest friendship and fellowship, to lift you into the life of victory and satisfaction. And when all these things come to pass, and they may begin to-day as you return to Him, you will find that He has put a new song into your mouth, even praise unto our God.
The Valley of Achor is the emblem of defeat, failure, and the fainting heart. Down its long pass the terrified fugitives had fled, bearing to Joshua the story of defeat (Joshua 7.). Is there a single life without its valley of Achor? Is there one of us who has not gone up against a foe, which in the distance appeared quite insignificant, but it has proved to be more than a match for all the resolutions with which we had braced ourselves to meet it. Can good come out of such evil, and sweetness from such bitter despair?
The tragic story told in the seventh chapter of Joshua tells how that defeat wrought good. The disaster led to the searching out of the sin of Achan, and the cutting away of gangrene, which, otherwise, would have eaten out the heart of Israel. It led to humiliation, self-examination, prayer and faith, and finally to victory. May we not say as much of our defeats? Certainly, it would have been better had they not cast their shadow on our past; but they have not been without their lessons of priceless value. Each valley of Achor has had its door of Hope. Sin has reigned unto death, but the grace of God has reigned unto eternal life. Through our sins we have learned, as never before, to appreciate God's forgiveness; through our failures we have been taught our own weakness, and led to magnify the grace which is made perfect in weakness.
Out of such experiences comes the song--"She shall sing as in the days of her youth." You say that the spring and gladness of life are gone for ever. You insist that you must go mourning all your days, and that life will only bring added grief. But God says that you shall sing! Though the summer is gone, there will be a second--an Indian summer, even mellower than the first. God wants to give you a new revelation of His love, to draw you into His tenderest friendship and fellowship, to lift you into the life of victory and satisfaction. And when all these things come to pass, and they may begin to-day as you return to Him, you will find that He has put a new song into your mouth, even praise unto our God.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Burden-Bearing (Our Daily Walk)
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."-- Galatians 6:2
In these words the Apostle is evidently thinking more especially of the trespasses and sins into which men and women fall. We are not to rejoice over their failure, nor talk about it to others, but to consider ourselves, remembering our own liability to fall in the event of temptation. We are to be tender, gentle, and compassionate, helping to bear the burden of temptation, remorse, and shame. There is great comfort for us all in these words, for surely, if our Lord expects us to forgive and restore our brother, we may count on Him to do as much for us!
But sin is not the only burden we are to bear with our brethren. The young man or girl who fails to make good; the business man who meets with sudden reverse; those who suffer bitter disappointment; when faces are averted, and tongues are busily engaged in criticism--let us seek out the one who has consciously disappointed everybody, and help by our strong and tender sympathy. It is like the coming of the good Ananias into Saul's darkness, with the greeting: "Brother Saul!"
We may help to bear the burden of bereavement--when the husband is suddenly stricken down, or the mother is taken away and there is no one to care for the children, then we may show our practical sympathy and helpfulness. All through His life on earth our Lord sought to carry the burdens of the people, and we are to follow in His steps. Sympathy means suffering with; and as we endeavour to enter into the griefs and sorrows of those around us, in proportion to the burden of grief that we carry do we succeed in lightening another's load. You cannot bear a burden without feeling its pressure; and in bearing the burdens of others, we must be prepared to suffer with them.
This was the law of Christ, the principle of His life, and the precept which He enjoined on His followers to fulfil. Let us remember, also, that in carrying the burdens of others, we often lose our own.
In these words the Apostle is evidently thinking more especially of the trespasses and sins into which men and women fall. We are not to rejoice over their failure, nor talk about it to others, but to consider ourselves, remembering our own liability to fall in the event of temptation. We are to be tender, gentle, and compassionate, helping to bear the burden of temptation, remorse, and shame. There is great comfort for us all in these words, for surely, if our Lord expects us to forgive and restore our brother, we may count on Him to do as much for us!
But sin is not the only burden we are to bear with our brethren. The young man or girl who fails to make good; the business man who meets with sudden reverse; those who suffer bitter disappointment; when faces are averted, and tongues are busily engaged in criticism--let us seek out the one who has consciously disappointed everybody, and help by our strong and tender sympathy. It is like the coming of the good Ananias into Saul's darkness, with the greeting: "Brother Saul!"
We may help to bear the burden of bereavement--when the husband is suddenly stricken down, or the mother is taken away and there is no one to care for the children, then we may show our practical sympathy and helpfulness. All through His life on earth our Lord sought to carry the burdens of the people, and we are to follow in His steps. Sympathy means suffering with; and as we endeavour to enter into the griefs and sorrows of those around us, in proportion to the burden of grief that we carry do we succeed in lightening another's load. You cannot bear a burden without feeling its pressure; and in bearing the burdens of others, we must be prepared to suffer with them.
This was the law of Christ, the principle of His life, and the precept which He enjoined on His followers to fulfil. Let us remember, also, that in carrying the burdens of others, we often lose our own.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
God's Largesse and Bounty
"Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, He smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; Can He give bread also? They did eat, and were well filled."-- Psalms 78:19, 78:20, 78:29
This is always the cry of unbelief, Can God? whilst the triumphant assertion of faith is: God can. What a difference is wrought by the collocation of words! Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? God can spread a table, even in the wilderness, and in the presence of our enemies our cup can overflow. Can He give bread also? He can satisfy the desire of every living thing, by the opening of His hand. Canst Thou do anything for us, our child is grievously possessed of the devil? If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
The wanderings of the Israelites for forty years were due to the fact that they looked at their difficulties and questioned if God could overcome them. Amongst the people, only Caleb and Joshua looked away from the Canaanites and their fortified cities to Him who had brought them where they were, and was pledged to extricate them. Some people speak of Giants with a capital G, and forget to magnify the power of God. what wonder that they account themselves as grass-hoppers, and lose heart! Let us not forget that we are sons and daughters of God, "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." (Compare Numbers 13:33 and Romans 8:17.)
Look back on the past; see what God has done for you; remember He is pledged to finish what He has begun. If He gave water, He can certainly give bread.
"They did eat, and were well filled." When we are poor and needy, we are inclined to humble prayer. But if suddenly our lot is changed, and there is abundance instead of poverty, how often there is a change in our demeanour. We are apt to become self-indulgent, and forgetful of the needs of the world. Instead of remembering that we are still God's pensioners, we magnify ourselves as though we were exclusive owners. Probably this is why God keeps some of us in poverty, for no greater temptation could befall us than to find ourselves with riches. In this way He answers our daily prayer, "Lead us not into temptation!"
This is always the cry of unbelief, Can God? whilst the triumphant assertion of faith is: God can. What a difference is wrought by the collocation of words! Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? God can spread a table, even in the wilderness, and in the presence of our enemies our cup can overflow. Can He give bread also? He can satisfy the desire of every living thing, by the opening of His hand. Canst Thou do anything for us, our child is grievously possessed of the devil? If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
The wanderings of the Israelites for forty years were due to the fact that they looked at their difficulties and questioned if God could overcome them. Amongst the people, only Caleb and Joshua looked away from the Canaanites and their fortified cities to Him who had brought them where they were, and was pledged to extricate them. Some people speak of Giants with a capital G, and forget to magnify the power of God. what wonder that they account themselves as grass-hoppers, and lose heart! Let us not forget that we are sons and daughters of God, "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." (Compare Numbers 13:33 and Romans 8:17.)
Look back on the past; see what God has done for you; remember He is pledged to finish what He has begun. If He gave water, He can certainly give bread.
"They did eat, and were well filled." When we are poor and needy, we are inclined to humble prayer. But if suddenly our lot is changed, and there is abundance instead of poverty, how often there is a change in our demeanour. We are apt to become self-indulgent, and forgetful of the needs of the world. Instead of remembering that we are still God's pensioners, we magnify ourselves as though we were exclusive owners. Probably this is why God keeps some of us in poverty, for no greater temptation could befall us than to find ourselves with riches. In this way He answers our daily prayer, "Lead us not into temptation!"
Monday, October 11, 2010
Our Possessions (Our Daily Walk)
"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."-- Luke 12:15
"'Little children, keep yourselves from idols."-- 1 John 5:21
The petition addressed to Christ, in this paragraph from which our text is selected, has been constantly made to Him in subsequent ages. Men are always demanding that He should divide the inheritance more equally. But our Lord did not come to adjust human relationships by the exercise of His autocratic will. He deals rather with the overreaching and grasping avarice which leads the rich to withhold, and the discontent which compels the poor to murmur. He saw in the demand of the suppliant a tendency to the same covetousness which prompted the other brother to withhold the portion of the inheritance, which was not justly his.
Our Lord announced the far-reaching truth that life does not consist in what we possess, but in what we are. We are rich, not in proportion to the amount standing to our credit in the bank, or to the acreage of our inheritance, but to the purity, strength, and generosity of our nature. When we lay up treasure for ourselves, we become paupers in God's universe. The only way of dealing with covetousness, which makes an idol of money or possessions, is to regard our property only as gifts entrusted to us for the benefit of others. Let us mortify the spirit of greed, which is so strong within us all, by sowing the acreage of our life as indicated in 2 Corinthians 9:1-15.
Sensual appetite is an idol with many (Philippians 3:19). Eating and drinking, feasting and pleasure-seeking are idols before which many prostrate themselves. And there are other idols than these, for whenever any earthly object engrosses our soul, and intercepts the love and faith that should pass from us to God, it is an idol which must be overthrown. Whenever we can look up from anything that we possess into the face of God, and thank Him as its Giver, we may use and enjoy it without fear. We are not likely to make an idol of that which we receive direct from the hand of our Heavenly Father, whose good pleasure it is to give good gifts to His children (1Timothy 4:4-5).
"'Little children, keep yourselves from idols."-- 1 John 5:21
The petition addressed to Christ, in this paragraph from which our text is selected, has been constantly made to Him in subsequent ages. Men are always demanding that He should divide the inheritance more equally. But our Lord did not come to adjust human relationships by the exercise of His autocratic will. He deals rather with the overreaching and grasping avarice which leads the rich to withhold, and the discontent which compels the poor to murmur. He saw in the demand of the suppliant a tendency to the same covetousness which prompted the other brother to withhold the portion of the inheritance, which was not justly his.
Our Lord announced the far-reaching truth that life does not consist in what we possess, but in what we are. We are rich, not in proportion to the amount standing to our credit in the bank, or to the acreage of our inheritance, but to the purity, strength, and generosity of our nature. When we lay up treasure for ourselves, we become paupers in God's universe. The only way of dealing with covetousness, which makes an idol of money or possessions, is to regard our property only as gifts entrusted to us for the benefit of others. Let us mortify the spirit of greed, which is so strong within us all, by sowing the acreage of our life as indicated in 2 Corinthians 9:1-15.
Sensual appetite is an idol with many (Philippians 3:19). Eating and drinking, feasting and pleasure-seeking are idols before which many prostrate themselves. And there are other idols than these, for whenever any earthly object engrosses our soul, and intercepts the love and faith that should pass from us to God, it is an idol which must be overthrown. Whenever we can look up from anything that we possess into the face of God, and thank Him as its Giver, we may use and enjoy it without fear. We are not likely to make an idol of that which we receive direct from the hand of our Heavenly Father, whose good pleasure it is to give good gifts to His children (1Timothy 4:4-5).
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Talisman of Victory (Our Daily Walk)
"In all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us."-- Romans 8:37
Can anything separate me from the love of Christ? was the only question that St. Paul felt worth consideration. In this paragraph he takes the extreme conditions of being, and carefully investigates them, knowing that they include all between. First, he interrogates Existence--"death and life"; next, created Intelligences--"Angels, principalities, and powers"; next, the extremes of Time--"things present, things to come"; next, of Space---"height and depth"; lastly, the created Universe --"any other creature." Each of these extremes is passed in review. He is like a man proving every link of the chain in which he is going to swing out over the abyss. Carefully and fervently he has tested all, and is satisfied that none of them can cut him off from the love of God.
We strangely misjudge and mistrust the Love of God our Father, and think that our distresses and sufferings, our sins and failures, may make Him love us less. But in the home, it is not the troop of sturdy children that engross the mother's care so much as the puny feeble life, that lies in the cot, unable to help itself and reciprocate her love. And in the world, death and pain, disease and sorrow, sin and failure, so far from separating us from God's love, bind us closer.
Oh blessed Love! that comes down to us from the heart of Jesus, the essence of the eternal love of God--nothing can ever staunch, exhaust, intercept it. It is not our love to Him, but His to us, and since nothing can separate us from the love of God, He will go on loving us for ever, and pouring into us the entire fullness of His life and glory. Whatever our difficulties, whatever our weakness and infirmity, we shall be kept steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; gaining by our losses, succeeding by our failures, triumphing in our defeats, and ever more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
Can anything separate me from the love of Christ? was the only question that St. Paul felt worth consideration. In this paragraph he takes the extreme conditions of being, and carefully investigates them, knowing that they include all between. First, he interrogates Existence--"death and life"; next, created Intelligences--"Angels, principalities, and powers"; next, the extremes of Time--"things present, things to come"; next, of Space---"height and depth"; lastly, the created Universe --"any other creature." Each of these extremes is passed in review. He is like a man proving every link of the chain in which he is going to swing out over the abyss. Carefully and fervently he has tested all, and is satisfied that none of them can cut him off from the love of God.
We strangely misjudge and mistrust the Love of God our Father, and think that our distresses and sufferings, our sins and failures, may make Him love us less. But in the home, it is not the troop of sturdy children that engross the mother's care so much as the puny feeble life, that lies in the cot, unable to help itself and reciprocate her love. And in the world, death and pain, disease and sorrow, sin and failure, so far from separating us from God's love, bind us closer.
Oh blessed Love! that comes down to us from the heart of Jesus, the essence of the eternal love of God--nothing can ever staunch, exhaust, intercept it. It is not our love to Him, but His to us, and since nothing can separate us from the love of God, He will go on loving us for ever, and pouring into us the entire fullness of His life and glory. Whatever our difficulties, whatever our weakness and infirmity, we shall be kept steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; gaining by our losses, succeeding by our failures, triumphing in our defeats, and ever more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
Monday, September 27, 2010
GOD MADE ME DIFFERENT.....GET OVER IT
It gets really discouraging when people don't listen to me. They tend to classify me and categorize me with the modern teens of this day and age. I am not some shallow minded air headed teenager who has only brains for socializing with other no brains and partying. I consider myself a young adult. I do not follow after the world's standards of living or anything else. I have a set of higher God-written standards that I live by. It's not just a religion or something to wear on the outside. I have a deep yearning to seek after God and His word. I eat and drink the Word. It's a life-sustaining gift that is sitting right before each and every one of us. If only we would just dig in and consume every standard and promise God has so graciously placed before us. I think differently than most everyone my age and most older adults. I believe that how I see things is a gift from God...a gift I don't thank God enough for. I wish others would see things as I do, but they don't. And when I try to share something I have found or learned, they blow me off like a disgusting little insect that lands on your arm very much uninvited. This even happens in church. They say I'm too young to take on some form of role in their systematic hierarchy. Again, they classify me as the world does...with all the shallow minded teenagers......when will they wake up and realize I'm different?....when I leave their puppet show?....maybe that's what it will take....Another thing. The Bible says (and several people are continually quoting this) that God gives us talents and He will take them away if we don't use them. What is a person to do, though, if they try to use what God gave them, but are pushed back with disdain? I guess finding another place to use my talent is what I must do.
Here is a thought that just came to me.....I am so glad God made Southern Gospel music and singers......There are so many songs that uplift my spirit and that help remind me that God always has a place for me....that He can still use me somehow....that He still loves me.....
I love these words from the song "I can Pray"
You say I'm not able....I'm too young or I'm too old
And I can't sing or teach....and no title do I hold
Oh what can I do....for I want to do my part
And I want to help the hurting.....with all of my heart
I can pray..............
Thank you Lord for what You have given me and what You are still holding on to....for a later time....Your time....I will praise You always Lord...no matter what happens.......
Here is a thought that just came to me.....I am so glad God made Southern Gospel music and singers......There are so many songs that uplift my spirit and that help remind me that God always has a place for me....that He can still use me somehow....that He still loves me.....
I love these words from the song "I can Pray"
You say I'm not able....I'm too young or I'm too old
And I can't sing or teach....and no title do I hold
Oh what can I do....for I want to do my part
And I want to help the hurting.....with all of my heart
I can pray..............
Thank you Lord for what You have given me and what You are still holding on to....for a later time....Your time....I will praise You always Lord...no matter what happens.......
Modern Miracles (Our Daily Walk)
"Many resorted unto Him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things John spake of this Man were true. And many believed on Him there."-- John 10:41-42
The people were inclined to disparage the life of John the Baptist because he performed no miracle. But surely his whole life was a miracle; from first to last it vibrated with Divine power. This is still the mistake of men. They allege that the age of miracles has passed. If they admit that such prodigies may possibly have happened once, they insist that the world has outgrown them, and that in its maturity mankind has put them away as childish things!
No miracles! But last summer God made the handfuls of grain, which the farmers cast on the fields, sufficient to feed all the populations of the world as easily as He made five barley loaves suffice for more than five thousand persons! No miracles! But last autumn He changed the dews of night and the showers of morning into the fruits that rejoice the heart of man, as once in Cana He turned the water drawn from the stone jars into the blushing wine! No miracles! but next spring, from tiny seeds and dead-looking bulbs, He will clothe the world with beauty and colour and perfume.
Many who will read these lines seem powerless to work miracles. For them the monotony of the commonplace, the grey sky of uneventful routine seems the predestined lot. But let all such take heart! The real greatness of life is within their reach, if they will only claim it by the grace of God. Do not try to do a great thing, or you may waste all your life waiting for the opportunity which may never come. But since little things are always claiming your attention, do them as they come from a great motive, for the glory of God and to do good to men. No such action, however trivial, goes without the swift recognition and the ultimate recompense of Christ. All life is so interesting, but we need eyes to see and hearts to understand! Dare to be yourself--a simple, humble, sincere follower of Jesus, and it may be said also of you: "He or she did no miracle, but by life and word spoke true things about Jesus Christ, which we have tested for ourselves. Indeed, they led us to believe in Christ for ourselves."
The people were inclined to disparage the life of John the Baptist because he performed no miracle. But surely his whole life was a miracle; from first to last it vibrated with Divine power. This is still the mistake of men. They allege that the age of miracles has passed. If they admit that such prodigies may possibly have happened once, they insist that the world has outgrown them, and that in its maturity mankind has put them away as childish things!
No miracles! But last summer God made the handfuls of grain, which the farmers cast on the fields, sufficient to feed all the populations of the world as easily as He made five barley loaves suffice for more than five thousand persons! No miracles! But last autumn He changed the dews of night and the showers of morning into the fruits that rejoice the heart of man, as once in Cana He turned the water drawn from the stone jars into the blushing wine! No miracles! but next spring, from tiny seeds and dead-looking bulbs, He will clothe the world with beauty and colour and perfume.
Many who will read these lines seem powerless to work miracles. For them the monotony of the commonplace, the grey sky of uneventful routine seems the predestined lot. But let all such take heart! The real greatness of life is within their reach, if they will only claim it by the grace of God. Do not try to do a great thing, or you may waste all your life waiting for the opportunity which may never come. But since little things are always claiming your attention, do them as they come from a great motive, for the glory of God and to do good to men. No such action, however trivial, goes without the swift recognition and the ultimate recompense of Christ. All life is so interesting, but we need eyes to see and hearts to understand! Dare to be yourself--a simple, humble, sincere follower of Jesus, and it may be said also of you: "He or she did no miracle, but by life and word spoke true things about Jesus Christ, which we have tested for ourselves. Indeed, they led us to believe in Christ for ourselves."
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Grace of Christian Speech (Our Daily Walk)
"He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile."-- 1Peter 3:10.
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt." -- Colossians 4:6.
THE IDEAL of Christian speech is given in the Apostle's words to the Colossians. Our speech should be always gracious; and grace stands for mercifulness, charity, the willingness to put the best constructions upon the words and actions of another. It is a great help in dealing with envy, jealousy, or unkind feeling to compel our lips to speak as Christ would have them. If you are jealous of another, the temptation is to say unkind or depreciating things, but if we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, He will enable us to check such words and replace them by those that suggest kindly consideration on the part of ourselves and others. Endeavour to say all the good that can be said, and none of the evil. It is remarkable that when we make the effort to speak kindly on behalf of those against whom we feel exasperated, the whole inward temper changes and takes on the tone of our voice.
There should be salt in our speech--purity, antiseptic, and sparkling like the Book of Proverbs. A playful wit, a bright repartee, are not inconsistent with the Apostle's standard, but whenever we mix in conversation with people, they should be aware of an element in us which makes it impossible for them to indulge in ill-natured gossip or coarse jokes.
We must continue in prayer that God would open to us doors of utterance, so that we may speak of the hidden beauty and glory of our Saviour. Sometimes, also, when we are hard pressed to know how to answer difficult questions, it is given to us in that same hour how we ought to speak, and we find that the Holy Spirit has found an utterance by our lips (Luk 12:12; 1Pe 3:15).
It is recorded of our Lord that during His trial He spoke not a word to Pilate or Herod, but as soon as He reached the Cross, He poured out His heart as their Intercessor, saying: "Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do!" Speak more to God than to men who may be reviling and threatening you. It is blessed to realize that He is able to guard the door of our lips, for probably there is no part of our nature that stands more in need of His keeping power.
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt." -- Colossians 4:6.
THE IDEAL of Christian speech is given in the Apostle's words to the Colossians. Our speech should be always gracious; and grace stands for mercifulness, charity, the willingness to put the best constructions upon the words and actions of another. It is a great help in dealing with envy, jealousy, or unkind feeling to compel our lips to speak as Christ would have them. If you are jealous of another, the temptation is to say unkind or depreciating things, but if we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, He will enable us to check such words and replace them by those that suggest kindly consideration on the part of ourselves and others. Endeavour to say all the good that can be said, and none of the evil. It is remarkable that when we make the effort to speak kindly on behalf of those against whom we feel exasperated, the whole inward temper changes and takes on the tone of our voice.
There should be salt in our speech--purity, antiseptic, and sparkling like the Book of Proverbs. A playful wit, a bright repartee, are not inconsistent with the Apostle's standard, but whenever we mix in conversation with people, they should be aware of an element in us which makes it impossible for them to indulge in ill-natured gossip or coarse jokes.
We must continue in prayer that God would open to us doors of utterance, so that we may speak of the hidden beauty and glory of our Saviour. Sometimes, also, when we are hard pressed to know how to answer difficult questions, it is given to us in that same hour how we ought to speak, and we find that the Holy Spirit has found an utterance by our lips (Luk 12:12; 1Pe 3:15).
It is recorded of our Lord that during His trial He spoke not a word to Pilate or Herod, but as soon as He reached the Cross, He poured out His heart as their Intercessor, saying: "Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do!" Speak more to God than to men who may be reviling and threatening you. It is blessed to realize that He is able to guard the door of our lips, for probably there is no part of our nature that stands more in need of His keeping power.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Love's Compulsion (Our Daily Walk)
"Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."-- Luke 14:23
We can never estimate the yearning love of God for the souls of men. He sees us absorbed with farming and industry; business and pleasure; with our homes and family-life, and knows that these will all pass away, as a dream before the first touch of eternity. With intense passion He desires that we shall be really satisfied with abiding joys.
The Feast that He spreads is abundant and ready (Isa 25:6; Isa 55:1-2). A banquet is a happy-making time. As the guests sit together, there is the brilliant flow of conversation, the sparkle of laughter, the enjoyment of the good things provided, the interchange of friendship and fellowship. Everything that a feast stands for God is waiting to give us. "He gives us richly all things to enjoy." How strange it is that men, mocked by the Evil One, are cajoled into forfeiting their places at the banqueting table, which God has spread for them!
The Jewish people were first bidden, but they were too much occupied with material things to respond to the gracious invitation. The excuses offered were shallow and stupid; the real reason lies much deeper, in the disinclination of the soul to arouse itself to lay hold of the life which is life indeed! But God's purpose of Love cannot be defeated (Luk 13:28-30; Act 13:45-48).
"Go out into the highways and hedges.'" Here is our work as His servants! The high-roads, along which the streams of commerce and pleasure, weddings and funerals, statesmen and business men, young men and women, housewives and children--are constantly passing! The hedgerows are the quiet sequestered lanes of the country-side, now covered with spring flowers, and again with autumn tints. The up-to-date motor car, or the slow-jogging country waggon are symbols of different modes of life, but the souls that use them alike need the message of Good News. Let us go forth and constrain them to come in that our Master's House may be filled!
We can never estimate the yearning love of God for the souls of men. He sees us absorbed with farming and industry; business and pleasure; with our homes and family-life, and knows that these will all pass away, as a dream before the first touch of eternity. With intense passion He desires that we shall be really satisfied with abiding joys.
The Feast that He spreads is abundant and ready (Isa 25:6; Isa 55:1-2). A banquet is a happy-making time. As the guests sit together, there is the brilliant flow of conversation, the sparkle of laughter, the enjoyment of the good things provided, the interchange of friendship and fellowship. Everything that a feast stands for God is waiting to give us. "He gives us richly all things to enjoy." How strange it is that men, mocked by the Evil One, are cajoled into forfeiting their places at the banqueting table, which God has spread for them!
The Jewish people were first bidden, but they were too much occupied with material things to respond to the gracious invitation. The excuses offered were shallow and stupid; the real reason lies much deeper, in the disinclination of the soul to arouse itself to lay hold of the life which is life indeed! But God's purpose of Love cannot be defeated (Luk 13:28-30; Act 13:45-48).
"Go out into the highways and hedges.'" Here is our work as His servants! The high-roads, along which the streams of commerce and pleasure, weddings and funerals, statesmen and business men, young men and women, housewives and children--are constantly passing! The hedgerows are the quiet sequestered lanes of the country-side, now covered with spring flowers, and again with autumn tints. The up-to-date motor car, or the slow-jogging country waggon are symbols of different modes of life, but the souls that use them alike need the message of Good News. Let us go forth and constrain them to come in that our Master's House may be filled!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Fishers of Men (Our Daily Walk)
"Jesus saw two brethren, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."-- Matthew 4:18-19
It is thus that Christ adapts Himself to the understanding and the heart. He caught these fishermen with bait suited to them. Notice the undoubting certainty of His promise to make these two brothers fishers of men, casting their drag-net not into the waters of the sea of Galilee, but into the great ocean of humanity. How impossible it would have been to convince Peter then that within four years he would make the great haul of three thousand souls (Act 2:41). We never know what awaits us when we leave all to follow in obedience to the Master's Call!
"Follow Me!" Our Lord is always making this challenge (Joh 21:19-22). It means bearing the cross, but we must be willing to follow Christ until, like Him, we fall into the ground and die--die to our own ambitions, our love of power and influence, our own strength and gifts, that we may make way for God to work through us. We must learn not to obtrude ourselves, but to lie hidden. The first, the second, and the third condition of successful fishing is to be hidden from sight. The best line and bait for catching men are those where the human element is out of sight, and our one aim is to serve Christ's purpose, and to glorify Him.
There must be a leaving of our nets and boats, and even those who are nearest and dearest (Mat 4:20-23). It must have been something of a wrench for these brothers to leave their nets and fishing to follow Christ. But the attraction of His Personality prevailed. There is no difficulty in persuading men to surrender the lower and inferior article, if you can unfold to them the immense value of the Pearl of great price. Then they will gladly sell all that they have to buy it.
It is thus that Christ adapts Himself to the understanding and the heart. He caught these fishermen with bait suited to them. Notice the undoubting certainty of His promise to make these two brothers fishers of men, casting their drag-net not into the waters of the sea of Galilee, but into the great ocean of humanity. How impossible it would have been to convince Peter then that within four years he would make the great haul of three thousand souls (Act 2:41). We never know what awaits us when we leave all to follow in obedience to the Master's Call!
"Follow Me!" Our Lord is always making this challenge (Joh 21:19-22). It means bearing the cross, but we must be willing to follow Christ until, like Him, we fall into the ground and die--die to our own ambitions, our love of power and influence, our own strength and gifts, that we may make way for God to work through us. We must learn not to obtrude ourselves, but to lie hidden. The first, the second, and the third condition of successful fishing is to be hidden from sight. The best line and bait for catching men are those where the human element is out of sight, and our one aim is to serve Christ's purpose, and to glorify Him.
There must be a leaving of our nets and boats, and even those who are nearest and dearest (Mat 4:20-23). It must have been something of a wrench for these brothers to leave their nets and fishing to follow Christ. But the attraction of His Personality prevailed. There is no difficulty in persuading men to surrender the lower and inferior article, if you can unfold to them the immense value of the Pearl of great price. Then they will gladly sell all that they have to buy it.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Psalms 119 - Aleph
I am going to start doing a study of Psalms 119. I will take a section at a time and post my thoughts. It may take me a while to finish each section because I am going to put some deep thought into each and every verse. Now my thoughts are exactly that. Just what I am thinking when I read scripture. It's not fact....just my opinions of scripture verses.....God's word (the Bible) is the ONLY truth there is.
Aleph (vs. 1-8)
1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
I could not find the word undefiled in the dictionary. So, I looked up the word defiled instead. Dictionary.com's definition of defiled is: to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase.
The Bible gives numerous examples of things that are foul and unclean.
So, in order to be blessed by God, we need to abstain and remove ourselves from things of this world that are tainted by Satan. Now abstaining from evil is not as hard as people want to make it seem. God wrote out a set of simple instructions that we need to live and walk by in order to be redeemed. It's called the Bible. Maybe you've heard of it. Maybe you even have one, but it's sitting on a shelf in a corner of your house somewhere collecting dust. Now is the time to read God's life instructions. They are truly life savers.
Hold on though. There's more.
Not only are we blessed if we are undefiled, but we are blessed if we walk in the law of the Lord. In other words, your mouth shouldn't be the only thing moving. We have to put action to what we read, because that's what others are going to see. Matthew 7:20 says "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." It's what we do, not what we say, that will show who we truly are. God will know that we are truly earnest in following Him, if we stop saying "I will follow", and just get up and go...'walk in the law of the Lord'.......
2. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.
We have to seek God with our whole heart. This is something a lot of people recite or say, but they really don't stop and think about what this says. Seek God with our whole heart. Whole means: comprising of the full quantity. In other words, nothing is left to give to anything else. This is how it should be. If God has your whole heart, then Satan has no place to plant his evil seeds of sin. God should come first in our lives, but He should also saturate every part of our daily lives with our jobs, family, and friends. Oh what a perfect life this is. If only we would not give God small bits of our hearts. If only we would just take our whole heart, hand it to God and say "Here, it's Yours. Lead me and mold me the way You see fit." Our lives are complete only when God has our everything.
3. They also do no iniquity:they walk in His ways.
They (the ones spoken of in the previous two verses) do no iniquity and walk in God's ways. Now what exactly is iniquity? Iniquity is: gross injustice or wickedness; wicked act; sin. If we walk in the paths that God has set before us, we will not even WANT to sin. Those lusts of the old flesh will have no power over us because we are washed clean in the precious blood our our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now Satan will tempt us, but we will have power to resist that old serpent. James 1:4 says "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." It's as simple as that.
4. Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently.
God tells us to keep His precepts (directions or commandments) diligently. This goes hand-in-hand with us giving our whole hearts to God. Diligent means: constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything. So, we need to persistently and constantly keep God's commandments. We need to always be watchful of what we think, say and do. Our attentions need to be fully focused on God. If we are focused on God Satan will have a very hard time of wavering our attentions. We are keeping our souls safe when we lock-in on what God wants and put aside our own selfish desires.
5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
This is a simple prayer that we all should pray every day of our lives. Oh that God would direct our steps to keep His commandments and law. Everything falls into their perfect place when our feet are guided and our paths are directed by God.
6. Then shall I not be ashamed , when I have respect unto all they commandments.
I will not be ashamed for lack of understanding when I know God's commandments. When we know God's commandments and are deep in His word, we will not have to be ashamed because we cannot give an answer when our faith is questioned.
7. I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.
I will praise the Lord when I have learned His righteous judgments. I cannot rightfully praise God if I do not know what I am praising Him for. We will be better witnesses for God when we know in our hearts why we praise Him and the contents of what we speak.
8. I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
A promise is made to God, then a plea for assurance. God, I promise to keep your statues...please give me the assurance that you will not forsake me and leave me alone. Like a little child we come to our Father for forgiveness and then we evoke a response that lets us know God still loves us and will always be by our side.
Aleph (vs. 1-8)
1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
I could not find the word undefiled in the dictionary. So, I looked up the word defiled instead. Dictionary.com's definition of defiled is: to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase.
The Bible gives numerous examples of things that are foul and unclean.
So, in order to be blessed by God, we need to abstain and remove ourselves from things of this world that are tainted by Satan. Now abstaining from evil is not as hard as people want to make it seem. God wrote out a set of simple instructions that we need to live and walk by in order to be redeemed. It's called the Bible. Maybe you've heard of it. Maybe you even have one, but it's sitting on a shelf in a corner of your house somewhere collecting dust. Now is the time to read God's life instructions. They are truly life savers.
Hold on though. There's more.
Not only are we blessed if we are undefiled, but we are blessed if we walk in the law of the Lord. In other words, your mouth shouldn't be the only thing moving. We have to put action to what we read, because that's what others are going to see. Matthew 7:20 says "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." It's what we do, not what we say, that will show who we truly are. God will know that we are truly earnest in following Him, if we stop saying "I will follow", and just get up and go...'walk in the law of the Lord'.......
2. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.
We have to seek God with our whole heart. This is something a lot of people recite or say, but they really don't stop and think about what this says. Seek God with our whole heart. Whole means: comprising of the full quantity. In other words, nothing is left to give to anything else. This is how it should be. If God has your whole heart, then Satan has no place to plant his evil seeds of sin. God should come first in our lives, but He should also saturate every part of our daily lives with our jobs, family, and friends. Oh what a perfect life this is. If only we would not give God small bits of our hearts. If only we would just take our whole heart, hand it to God and say "Here, it's Yours. Lead me and mold me the way You see fit." Our lives are complete only when God has our everything.
3. They also do no iniquity:they walk in His ways.
They (the ones spoken of in the previous two verses) do no iniquity and walk in God's ways. Now what exactly is iniquity? Iniquity is: gross injustice or wickedness; wicked act; sin. If we walk in the paths that God has set before us, we will not even WANT to sin. Those lusts of the old flesh will have no power over us because we are washed clean in the precious blood our our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now Satan will tempt us, but we will have power to resist that old serpent. James 1:4 says "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." It's as simple as that.
4. Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently.
God tells us to keep His precepts (directions or commandments) diligently. This goes hand-in-hand with us giving our whole hearts to God. Diligent means: constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything. So, we need to persistently and constantly keep God's commandments. We need to always be watchful of what we think, say and do. Our attentions need to be fully focused on God. If we are focused on God Satan will have a very hard time of wavering our attentions. We are keeping our souls safe when we lock-in on what God wants and put aside our own selfish desires.
5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
This is a simple prayer that we all should pray every day of our lives. Oh that God would direct our steps to keep His commandments and law. Everything falls into their perfect place when our feet are guided and our paths are directed by God.
6. Then shall I not be ashamed , when I have respect unto all they commandments.
I will not be ashamed for lack of understanding when I know God's commandments. When we know God's commandments and are deep in His word, we will not have to be ashamed because we cannot give an answer when our faith is questioned.
7. I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.
I will praise the Lord when I have learned His righteous judgments. I cannot rightfully praise God if I do not know what I am praising Him for. We will be better witnesses for God when we know in our hearts why we praise Him and the contents of what we speak.
8. I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
A promise is made to God, then a plea for assurance. God, I promise to keep your statues...please give me the assurance that you will not forsake me and leave me alone. Like a little child we come to our Father for forgiveness and then we evoke a response that lets us know God still loves us and will always be by our side.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I Shall Ramble Ramble Ramble
Mamma told me I need to post more than just Bible devotions and thoughts on my blog. I need to write about my day and other stuff. And I agree with her; only I can never seem to think of anything to write - So I will ramble...lol...ummm...ok...I took Jesse to work with me today (vet office)...She needed her shots and an over-all check up...diagnosis: She has fleas, ear mites, and a tumor (it's benign thank the Lord) that needs to be removed. So, she goes back to work with me Friday. I pray all goes well. Jesse did enjoy the car ride though. Ok...what else...hmmmmm...I had lunch at the house with Mamma.....(good company)...oh...I semi officially started my vet tech program today....I took and PASSED (grade of 90 and 92) my math and reading assessment exams...WOOHOO.......It feels good to be doing school work again...lol.....I had grilled chicken and mac&cheese for supper with Mamma and Daddy...We watched an episode of StarGate SG-1.....Right now Jesse is kicking in her sleep, Solymon is on his "perch" with his head buried in the corner again...Smokey is sleeping on the couch right beside me....Oliver is...well, I'm not sure where Oliver is....Jordan was out slithering around her tank....Ok....I think that's good enough for tonight...I am going to bed since I have to get up at 6:25 to get ready for work.....
Thank You Lord for a good day and for my family. Thank You for Your many blessings.
Praise God in every moment of your life. Whether you are on the mountain top or down in the lowest valley; just praise God and everything will seem lighter. That's because God is right beside you, helping carry your burdens.
Exercising Happiness (365)
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman (Proverbs 7:4).
Scripture: Proverbs 7:1-5
My friend Nelson has a perpetual smile and always finds humor in the most difficult situations. You would think he's never known real sadness. But I know better. He has weathered a difficult childhood, a beloved wife who rejected God and him, and the inability to have his own children.
Yet Nelson understands that God wants him to be content in all circumstances. So he exercises being happy. Here's what I mean: He gets up in the morning and tells himself, "This is going to be a good day." It doesn't matter whether the dog chews up his best pair of shoes and wets on the carpet before Nelson gets out the door. It doesn't matter what the circumstances; Nelson will give thanks within it. (Wisdom tells Nelson that if he's not exercising happiness, then he will end up exercising sadness.)
When I think about Nelson, I realize that I walk through many of my days without exercising any kind of wisdom. But what a difference seeking the Lord's mind and heart can make.
Proverbs 7:1-5
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
This chapter puts into play the old saying "practice what you preach". Now the usual meaning of this saying is that our actions go along with what our mouths are speaking. But let's look at it a different way. It could be giving us a warning. Let's go with an example. If you are just starting to learn piano, and you do not practice, then you will loose your ability to play. The same goes for being a Christian. If we do not put into play what we read in God's word; if we do not exercise the fruits of the spirits; if we stop praying and listening to God; then Satan will find it very easy to take control of our lives. We will grow stale and slip back into our old ways of sin. So, if we don't put into action what we learn in God's word or in everyday life (practice what we preach) then we will loose our abilities and our words will mean nothing. Matthew 7:20 says "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." People will know who we truly are by our actions. We can say what we want people to think is true, but it will be our actions and character throughout our daily lives that shows who we really are.
Scripture: Proverbs 7:1-5
My friend Nelson has a perpetual smile and always finds humor in the most difficult situations. You would think he's never known real sadness. But I know better. He has weathered a difficult childhood, a beloved wife who rejected God and him, and the inability to have his own children.
Yet Nelson understands that God wants him to be content in all circumstances. So he exercises being happy. Here's what I mean: He gets up in the morning and tells himself, "This is going to be a good day." It doesn't matter whether the dog chews up his best pair of shoes and wets on the carpet before Nelson gets out the door. It doesn't matter what the circumstances; Nelson will give thanks within it. (Wisdom tells Nelson that if he's not exercising happiness, then he will end up exercising sadness.)
When I think about Nelson, I realize that I walk through many of my days without exercising any kind of wisdom. But what a difference seeking the Lord's mind and heart can make.
Proverbs 7:1-5
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
This chapter puts into play the old saying "practice what you preach". Now the usual meaning of this saying is that our actions go along with what our mouths are speaking. But let's look at it a different way. It could be giving us a warning. Let's go with an example. If you are just starting to learn piano, and you do not practice, then you will loose your ability to play. The same goes for being a Christian. If we do not put into play what we read in God's word; if we do not exercise the fruits of the spirits; if we stop praying and listening to God; then Satan will find it very easy to take control of our lives. We will grow stale and slip back into our old ways of sin. So, if we don't put into action what we learn in God's word or in everyday life (practice what we preach) then we will loose our abilities and our words will mean nothing. Matthew 7:20 says "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." People will know who we truly are by our actions. We can say what we want people to think is true, but it will be our actions and character throughout our daily lives that shows who we really are.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Psalms 37
I was feeling rather down this morning, so I asked God to give me some sign of hope. I was lead to Psalms 37...this chapter has been a comfort and hope for me and I hope it will bring comfort to someone who is down or sees no point of hope...Just remember...through every storm and valley of life, Jesus is walking right there beside us...strengthening and guiding us the whole way.
(my thoughts are in blue)
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
(vs. 1-2) It seems sometimes that the people who sin are the ones prospering and living their lives like nothing is wrong. These verses, though, show that the evil doers will be brought down because of what they are doing.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
These verses (vs. 4-5) are some of my favorites. If we delight ourselves in God and trust in what he say....if we commit our hearts and souls to God and follow His commands, then He will give us our hearts' desires. My heart's desire has always been to be a wife and a mother - to have my own family. I believe that God will grant me this, because I live my life for Him. My wish is not petty nor materialistic. It goes beyond the here and now. I believe we have to watch what we ask God for. Are material wealth and petty wants really the deep desires of our hearts? We should be like King Solomon. God told Him King Solomon that He (God) would grant him anything the king desired. Now King Solomon could have asked for great wealth and power, but he didn't. His heart's desire was wisdom and knowledge so he could be the king he needed to be. And guess what? God not only gave him what he requested, but since King Solomon was careful and thoughtful for what he wanted, God also granted him with great wealth and power. So, before you pray and ask God for something, search your hearts deep and make sure of what you are asking.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
(vs.7) Don't worry about those evil people who are prospering. Don't think about all they have done---how it's not fair that they are living theirs lives with no thought but to themselves; and you are hurting and struggling. Be patient and calm your troubled soul. Don't jump to drastic measures, just wait patiently on God to handle things. And you'll realize that God was right beside you the whole time. He was just waiting for you to step aside and let Him work His miracles.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
(vs.8) Now there is a distinct difference between unnecessary anger and righteous indignation. Being angry because you see wrong being done is not a bad thing. Even Jesus got angry and tore up the temple because the people had turned God's house into "a den of thieves". On the other hand, getting mad because things don't go your way, or because you can't keep up with the Jones's...these are not logical or biblical reasons for getting upset. And whatever you do...don't put actions to your anger. Ephesians 4:26 says: "Be ye angry and sin not..." It's the same with temptations....its not wrong that we are tempted (sometimes we can't help it)...but it is wrong to put actions to those thoughts and to give in to the temptations.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
(vs.9) Again, a warning for those who are sinning. Your days are numbered. You will be cut down. Again, a hope for those who live in God. You will be brought up. The earth is yours.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
(vs.13) Ah, a new twist. Not only will the God cut the evildoers down like dry grass, but He is also going to laugh at them. God knows what's coming, and He has done everything to try and turn people back to Him. He even sent His only son to redeem us. But there are still some people out there who are just too stupid to accept such a wonderful gift. Yes I said stupid. Those who reject God and turn away from His love are just plain STUPID. So, God laughs because He put it so plainly and still people don't get it.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
I don't know why we Christians worry so much about people who are doing wrong and seeming to get by with it. Just in this chapter alone, we see that they won't prosper for long. And here in verses 14-15 we see that the plots and schemes of evildoers will backfire. Not only will they be stopped, but their evil plans will "blow up in their faces". All because they chose to reject God and follow Satan. I would hate to be them.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
(vs.16) It's better to live in God's word and have little material wealth than to live in sin and wickedness and be the wealthiest person alive.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
(vs.17) And we see here why tis better to live in God than to live in sin.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
(vs.18)Ah what a peaceful thought indeed. To live forever in the presence of our Lord and Creator.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
(vs.19) Here is another assurance that God is always with His people. God will not let us be put to shame for believing in Him and He will make sure we are well nourished in tough times.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
(vs.20) Quite the opposite for those who do not follow God. They will perish.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
(vs.23-24) God is always beside us, guiding our way...making sure we are not defeated if we fall. He is always there to pick us up. All we have to do if clasp His outstretched hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
(vs.25) Another one of my favorites. God will never forsake or leave us and He will never let us go without the things we need to live. NEVER NEVER NEVER. It may seem like things are getting hard, but just stop and think. You still have the necessities. God will always care for His children.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
(vs.26) God gives to us and blesses us more than we will ever know. His mercy endures forever.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
(vs.27-28) If we renounce our old ways and follow God then we will live forever. But if we do not, then we will be cut down.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
(vs.30) If we are true Christians, then we will want to speak only good and pure things. We will speak only truth and we will not speak in a vile manner.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
(vs.40) If we trust in God and hold firm to His promises, then God will save us from harm, he will help us when we need help, he will lift us up when we are down....what a blessing this truly is....The One who created the universe will help me...a lowly human not worthy of such a blessing. God will do these wonders for us, though, if we only believe.
Thank you Lord for You promises and blessings. Help me to stay on the path You have made for me. Guide my steps through every moment of my life.
Praise God in times of joy and in times of distress......Praise God every moment of your life...God likes to hear praises come not only from our hearts...but also from our lips.
Let us always be thankful for what the Lord is doing. No matter what is going on around us. He will see us through.
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Folly of Being Unprepared (Our Daily Walk)
(My thoughts are in blue and are italicized)
"While they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut." -- Mat 25:10.
The foolish virgins made five great mistakes.
"While they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut." -- Mat 25:10.
The foolish virgins made five great mistakes.
(1)They made no provision for the continuance of their light. It is not enough merely to have the lamp; it must be lit and maintained, because there is something for the fire to feed on. How many there are who are on fire and in earnest during the first stage of their religious life, but they have made no provision for maintaining the flame which has been kindled by the grace of God. They have lamps, but have neglected to take oil. The oil stands for fellowship with the Lord Jesus, for the grace of the Holy Spirit, for the daily study of the Bible, for the kindling communion of worship with fellow-Christians.
(2)They slept. There was a difference between the sleep of the foolish and that of the wise. There are two kinds of sleep. The one arises from a sense of security and trust. Every preparation has been made; all has been done that could be done, and we resign ourselves deliberately to the care of God. So Peter slept in the prison, before the angel came to deliver him. But there is another kind of sleep. The sleep of the sentry, when the foe is stealing up the pass; of the pilot, when the ship is making for the serried teeth of the rocks; of the nurse, when the patient's life is quivering in the balance. These foolish ones had no right to sleep, when they were so utterly unready to meet the Bridegroom. We must not take things for granted, or say "Peace, peace, when there is no peace!"
(3) They thought they could procure oil from the wise. But the appeal was in vain. Each must bear his own burden of responsibility in the sight of God. We may "buy without money and without price," but each must appropriate the living grace and power of Jesus for himself.
(4)They thought they could get in; "Lord, Lord, open to us!" But the door was irrevocably closed! "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"
(5)They thought that the Bridegroom would recognize them. But He said: "I know you not." Let each ask himself: "Does Jesus know me? Will he recognize me at last?" The only way to be sure, is to kneel at the foot of His Cross until He seals us with the Holy Spirit, and says: "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine."
This devotional gives 5 good directions on how to be prepared when our Lord and Savior comes back to earth to bring His children home.
(1) Spread the fire of the gospel. It is a grand occasion when we turn our lives to Christ and are saved, but then what? Do we just sit around, keeping this new found key to freedom to ourselves? I think not. We take that key and unlock the chains from as many people as possible. Now, we as humans cannot save people, but we can shed some light on their chains of bondage and show them how to find this freedom we possess. Also, God gave all people a free will, so it will be their choice whether or not to be free. It is our duty as Christians to spread the gospel. I believe that if we are given the opportunity to share God's love and ignore what God has set before us, the blood of that person will be on our hands on the day of judgement (if that person dies a sinner because we did not witness).
(2) Stay alert. As the devotional said, there are 2 kinds of sleeping: (1) the sleep we finally obtain when we know all is prepared and ready to meet our Maker and (2) the slumber of the foolish who are not ready. This second kind of sleep not only endangers us, but it also risks the lives of others around us. If we are ignoring our jobs (as witnesses and in our everyday jobs), it shows that we do not care. If a nurse in the ICU is sleeping on her job and is ignoring the urgent call of her patient, she would not only be fired from her position, but would be arrested for murder, because it was because of her that the patient died. It is the same on judgement day. We are given the task of going into the world and spreading the gospel of Christ. If we are sleeping on our jobs and ignoring the urgent call from God to go and witness, then we are saying that we don't care what happens to those lost souls in need. We don't care that we could be their last hope. We see so many people in need and yet we let these souls, thirsty for the truth, pass by us without a second glance because we are too wrapped up in our own selfish pleasures (sleeping) to care about anything or anybody else.
(3) Take responsibility. In our Christian walk and in life in general, we have to take responsibility for our words and actions. We can't just pawn of our wrong doings on others and think that God will over-look what we have done. No, God expects us to "own-up" to our doings and then repent. 1John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." It didn't say if somebody else confesses our sins God will forgive us. No, we have to take responsibility.
(4) Don't wait. Never listen to somebody when they say "oh, it's never too late", because here we see that sometimes it is too late. The foolish virgins waited until the Bridegroom came before they decided to wake up and realize "I need to be prepared for when the Lord returns". If we wait until the judgement day to repent of our sins and get saved, friends it WILL BE TOO LATE. Please don't let another second go by. If your heart is not right with God, please wake up and realize that NOW is the time to be ready. Don't let God's love and salvation pass you by without grabbing hold and hanging on till you hear God say "Well done my child, you have made it home." Those are the words I long to hear. Just to think of my Creator saying those words to me is just too much to bear without my soul bursting with joy. It is such a blessing to know that if I hold my head above the waves of temptation and not give in or back down, then one day I will be able to hear those sweat melodious words.
(5) Put on the right clothes. The foolish virgins thought that Jesus would recognize them and let them in, but they weren't wearing the right spiritual clothes. They slumbered in sin and thus wore the stained and tattered garment of a sin-filled soul. God provides us with the garments that will be recognized as our invitation to enter the gates of Heaven. God has provided His word as a guide for us. He shows us what we need to do to be prepared, but it's up to us to actually gird ourselves with His holy raiment. Only with the right spiritual "clothes" will Jesus recognize that we are His and let us enter into His holy feast. I pray that each and every one of us is ready for that day to come.
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