tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65880173960507098782024-02-20T11:15:23.842-08:00University Heights Church of ChristAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-31436711108469482772016-02-26T06:20:00.001-08:002016-02-26T06:20:39.226-08:00A Minute With The Master (Jesus cares)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-46618536909870424142016-02-09T06:21:00.000-08:002016-02-09T06:21:50.442-08:00"She Has Done What She Could"
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> The title of this post comes from a statement of
Jesus found in Mark 14:8a. We’re told in verse 3 that a woman (Mary, John 12:3)
came in with very expensive ointment and used it to anoint our Lord’s head. She
met the indignation of some present before Jesus quickly came to her defense.
As he spoke on her behalf we come to verse 8, which says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for
burial.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> There were
things she could <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> do. She could
not remove the cup of which he was to drink shortly thereafter. She could not
become a gospel preacher after his resurrection and the establishment of the
church on Pentecost. She could not even avoid the ire of some of his closest
disciples that day in Bethany. What she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i>
do was use that expensive ointment to anoint his head and she did it. Is there
anything for us to learn from her example? I believe so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> There is
something that every saint can do for the Lord. I’ve noticed a tendency among
some Christians who cannot take part in public roles due to lack of God’s
authorization or their own lack of confidence look upon themselves as a sort of
second class Christian. That’s a shame. If you are one who tends to this
unfortunate (and quite incorrect) viewpoint than take a moment to hear Paul by
reading 1 Corinthians 12. If you are inclined to claim Paul speaks only of
miraculous spiritual gifts ask yourself why the principles stated would not
apply to all spiritual gifts, miraculous or otherwise?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Now confront
yourself with this question: what can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
do for your Lord and your brethren? Do you believe that because you cannot be
an elder, evangelist, adult Bible class teacher, song leader, or Lord’s table
speaker that you have little to offer? Think again. How lacking the Lord’s
church would be if it were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">only </i>made
up of those holding more public positions! Peter and Paul were immensely
important to the Lord’s church, but so too was Tabitha and she had never
preached a sermon or taught an adult Bible class in her life. She hadn’t the
right to. Yet she was the quintessential servant to her brethren in Joppa (Acts
9:36-39). The mother of Rufus never stood before the congregation to lead
singing or offered words before partaking of the Lord’s Supper. She hadn’t the
right to. Yet her hospitality and care for Paul was such that he claimed she
became as a mother to him (Romans 16:13). You cannot preach? You can be a
servant to your brethren. You cannot serve as an elder? You can serve as an
encourager to your brethren. You cannot teach an adult Bible class? You can
teach everyone who observes you through your godly example. You cannot lead
singing? You can seek to lead many souls to Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> There is so
much each of us can do if we would just put our minds to the doing! I came
across a quote from Jim Jonas some time ago that I found striking. He said, “I
am convinced that most Christians have tremendous stores of talent and skill
buried beneath a pile of distraction, insecurity, and fear. We find excuses
that seem reasonable to us, that don’t arouse an offended conscience, and we
trot them out whenever obligation comes calling.” I firmly believe the only
thing that limits my usefulness to the Lord is me. I just as firmly believe the
same of you. Indeed, when all of the excuses spawning from the insecurity and
distraction mentioned by Mr. Jonas are set aside, I believe there is very
little that a child of God truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can’t </i>do
in their service to their Lord and brethren. Having the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">desire</i> to do for the Lord and for brethren is a different matter
altogether and a topic for a different time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Mary was
commended because she did what she could. Nothing more was expected of her.
Indeed, nothing more is expected of any of us. But know this: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> much is expected. Mary did it
because she loved Jesus and wanted to serve him. It’s that love that motivates
us to discover, use, and increase our abilities for our Lord and brethren. When
we grow to love Jesus as we should we’ll find that the boundaries of what we
can do just keep expanding. This is because, in the final analysis, so many of
our boundaries are purely self-imposed. What can we do for the Lord and our
brethren? Whatever it may be let us resolve to do it with all our might.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-30141946065499423642016-02-04T06:18:00.000-08:002016-02-04T06:18:22.010-08:00A Minute With The Master (The proper response to God's love)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-68645697144127657972016-02-03T06:02:00.002-08:002016-02-03T15:35:08.740-08:00A Minute With The Master (Service)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-60315730416992240532015-12-31T07:04:00.002-08:002015-12-31T07:04:38.553-08:00Have You Been With Jesus?
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Acts 5:27-29
says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And when they had brought them,
they set them before the council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you
not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching,
and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Peter answered, “We must obey God rather than men</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> It required
extraordinary courage for Peter and the others to stand before the council and
say the things they did. The Sanhedrin charged the apostles with disobeying
their command to teach no more in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18). The apostles
said that it was right for them to disobey. The Sanhedrin accused the apostles
of trying to bring the blood of Jesus Christ upon their heads. The apostles
accused them of killing Jesus (Acts 5:30). The Sanhedrin denied that Jesus
possessed divine authority. The apostles declared, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give
repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins</i>” (Acts 5:31). By then much of
the Sanhedrin was prepared to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33). Had they not
heeded the advice of Gamaliel (Acts 5:34-39) they likely would have done so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> What an
awesome display of faith and courage. It is not difficult to begin imagining
that they were a different breed of human, a group of first century “supermen”
exempt from the discouragements and fears that often plague “the rest of us.”
After all, what else could explain their ability to stand with straight backs
and determined brows before an enraged Sanhedrin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> They were not
supermen. In fact, they had not always been as bold as this. Even after this
event Peter, the spokesmen for the group, would briefly turn hypocrite and lead
others astray by his example (Galatians 2:11-13). God reveals their failings so
that we will recognize that they were just like us, fraught with all the
frailties and fears indigenous to humanity. Like us, they occasionally
succumbed to temptation. Like us, they experienced illnesses and death. Like
us, they sometimes needed a shoulder to cry on. Like us, they needed to be
encouraged. Like us, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they needed to be
saved</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> So if they
were not supermen, if they really were just like us, how did they manage to
bravely stand before a hostile council and so thoroughly make their defense
that the council could not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">begin</i> to
deal with the points they made? I believe we find all the answer we need in Acts
4:13, the first time two apostles were brought before the council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now
when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were
uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had
been with Jesus.”</i> They had been with Jesus. They had traveled with Him,
listened to Him, received their training from Him, and been saved by Him. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They had been with Jesus</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> When ordinary
people are filled with extraordinary faith that they have been with Jesus
becomes apparent to all who are paying attention. Our ordinary daily lives
should show us the truth of this. Why do faithful Christian spouses patiently
work at their marriage when folks all around them with similar troubles and
fears separate from one another? It is because they have been with Jesus. Why
does the faithful Christian see the glory of God in the brilliant morning
sunlight while other folks are grumbling about going to work in the morning? It
is because they have been with Jesus. Why doesn’t the faithful Christian curse
and throw out vulgar gestures when someone cuts them off while driving or
shoves in front of them in the grocery line? It is because they have been with
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Living hand in
hand with Jesus does not reveal itself only when one’s life is on the line. It
is something that shines through in daily life. Of course, it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> require a mature, committed faith
to hold its resolve in the face of personal danger. It is the type of faith all
saints should work for. Christians often say that they do not know what they
would do if faced with the same challenges of some of our earliest brethren,
such as those faced by the apostles in Acts 4 and 5. I don’t believe that to be
the correct attitude. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All</i> committed
Christians should be prepared to not just have their faith tested, but to cling
to it to the end, even if that end is death (Matthew 10:22). Such would
certainly not be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">easy</i>, but it would
be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expected</i> by the One prepared to
welcome them on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Yes, we are
ordinary people. None of us are masquerading as regular humans until we find
the nearest phone booth. Yet we are all capable of extraordinary things through
our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Living the faithful Christian life each day
is as extraordinary as surviving the most trying moments with faith intact.
Both are made possible because the saint has been with Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-74367938608824852812015-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:002015-12-09T07:06:34.022-08:00A Few Thoughts On Fellowship
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"> Where many
have concluded that fellowship is the thing Christians do over fried chicken, a
cup of coffee, and conversation; the New Testament use of the word shows it to
be spiritual in nature. We have fellowship with those who stand for the truth,
worship God in the ways He said He wants to be worshipped, and live their lives
making every effort to walk worthy of their calling. New Testament Christians
take tremendous delight in laughing with one another over a meal and recognize
such intimacy to be a product of the blessing of being in fellowship with God.
They recognize this foundatinal truth: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it
always comes back to God</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> How is the fellowship God desires established?
The answer is found in 1 John 1:5-7. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This
is the message we have heard and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him
is no darkenss at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in
darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as
He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus
His Son cleanses us from all sin.</i> To claim fellowship with God is to walk
in the way He walked. Look at Jesus Christ and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do what he did</i>. Love truth as he loved it, walk according to the
Father’s will as he did, and love souls the way he loved them. Those who are
willing to do this will not hesitate to put him on in baptism and will, as a
result, join with those who share the same faithful commitment. They will work
and worship together, fellowshipping one another <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> they are in fellowship with God. Anyone can claim to love
Christ, sit down over a hearty meal with other such claimers, have a grand old
time, and call the whole thing fellowship. But if one wants to be part of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spiritual</i> fellowship in which God
delights 1 John 1:5-7 tells them how.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Not long ago a brother declared, “We cannot
have fellowship with someone God does not fellowship.” If by “cannot” he means
it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">should</i> never happen then he is
absolutey right. If by “cannot” he means it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">couldn’t</i>
actually happen…Well, that’s a different story. Let’s consider Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> We read the following from 3 John 9-10. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have written something to the church, but
Diotrophes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknoweldge our authority.
So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against
us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also
stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.</i> Diotrophes refused
to fellowship a group of traveling preachers (5-8). What’s more, he raised his
fist against his brothers and sisters in the congregation who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> welcome them, casting these faithful
Christians out of the church. Further, he refused to recognize the authority of
the apostle John. Thus, Diotrophes refused fellowship to faithful traveling
preachers, faithful brothers and sisters within the congregation of which he
was part, and an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Note this well, beloved: God<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>fellowshipped while Diotrophes didn’t.
Severing fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ is never something to be
done without prayerful study and meditation. Neither should it ever be the
result of an emotional reaction. Man’s emotions lead him wrong. A lot. When
fellowship is severed it must only ever be for a single reason: a Christian or
group of Christians has chosen to no longer walk in the light. That conclusion
should only ever be reached after calm and prayerful consideration of God’s
Word. Otherwise, one may disfellowship where God has not. What a frightening
proposition!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Turning to 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 we find a
different, though equally disturbing, situation. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is actually reported that there is sexaul immorality among you, and
of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s
wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rathe to mourn? Let him who has done
this be removed from among you.”</i> These brethren had among them one walking
in darkness. He was living in sin without remorese or repentance. They were
aware of it and yet took no action to remove him from their midst. His wicked
influence (leaven, v. 6) was left unchecked and could easily have ravaged that
church had not Paul stepped it to get it sorted. Note this well, beloved: God
did not fellowship while the Corinthian brethren did. When calm and prayerful
study reveals that fellowship must be severed faithful saints had better have
the courage and conviction to follow through. It is no better to extend
fellowship where God does not than to sever fellowship where God extends it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> What determines biblical fellowship? What are
its boundries? What is to occur when those boundries are reached? Man has had
much to say about this throughout the centuries and has left folks more
confused than ever. So stop listening to man. Let us resolve to simply hear
God. We know with certainty that He will never lead us wrong. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-10599681151500758282015-11-17T07:24:00.001-08:002015-11-17T07:24:12.406-08:00The Majority Appeal
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> In Exodus 23:2
God cautioned against something that has been a problem for man almost from the
very beginning. He said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You shall not
fall in with the many to do evil.</i> Centuries later Jesus made a couple of
very informative statements along these lines. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that
leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is
narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.</i>
(Matthew 7:13-14). Yet even with these warnings the appeal of the majority
remains incredibly strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> It is quite
common for those in the minority on issues to be mocked and pressured to join
the majority. I can only assume that Noah and his family must have seemed like
a crazy (and tiny) group of religious extremists as they built the ark (Genesis
6-7). Righteous Lot infuriated the men of Sodom as he refused to take part in
their deeds, clearly judging them wicked and ungodly. They would have killed
him for it had he not been rescued (Genesis 19:5-9). Joshua and Caleb offered
their minority report, rocked the boat every which way, and nearly received a
stoning for going against the majority opinion (Numbers 13:25-14:10). Students
of the Scripture know that in each of these cases (and many more could be
added) the majority was wrong. If we can determine why the majority is nearly
always wrong in spiritual matters we can equip ourselves to stand correctly and
remove the appeal of “majorityism” (if that’s not a real word it should be!)
altogether.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Let’s
understand this first: no majority is ever wrong simply because it’s a
majority. Right and wrong are not determined by numbers, either great or small.
Some take a peculiar delight in holding a minority opinion on just about
everything. Where many believe the expression “might makes right”, these just
as heartily accept the proposition “if believed by few it must be true.” That’s
silly. A small group can be just as wrong as a large group. Nothing is true <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> either a majority or minority
accepts it as such. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let <u>God be true</u>
though every one were a liar</i>. (Romans 3:4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> So why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> the majority usually wrong on spiritual
matters? Well, how do the majority of people respond to divine truth and
authority? You don’t need to do any research into this besides considering your
own relationships. Set aside your brethren for a moment and answer the question
by simply considering all other acquaintances in your life. It doesn’t take
much thought to see that people, as a whole, lack faith in God (at least as God
Himself would define it). Every day we see the majority of people substituting
human plans and purposes for divine. Practically speaking this means that there
is very little chance for sound conclusions in spiritual matters from the
majority. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Neither is it
a surprise that most people seek out a majority. Without faith in God and the
strength to stand alone, most people seek security in numbers. When a majority
forms, regardless of the morality or appropriateness of the position they
advocate, they convince themselves that “everyone can’t be wrong” and continue
to “go alone to get along.” Their numbers grow and the broad way remains
heavily traversed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Beloved, there
is nothing appealing about condemnation and if Jesus meant what he said in
Matthew 7:13-14 (he did) the majority is marching steadily toward destruction
even with its flowing banners of “might”, “popular opinion”, and “wisdom”. How
many fathers have asked the child who foolishly followed his friends into some
mischief, “If your friends jumped off a bridge would you?” The Father above
asks, “If the majority chooses condemnation will you?” Don’t say “no” and live
“yes”. Find God’s truth in Scripture and let it guide your steps. It will set
you on an awfully narrow road and for long stretches you may not see another
traveler upon it, yet it ends at the very gates of Heaven. The majority won’t
be there, but God will. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No</i> majority
is so appealing as that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-6842682956184745102015-11-05T06:42:00.001-08:002015-11-05T06:42:10.878-08:00Think On These ThingsIt is good to be tolerant in matters of no consequence. Where the rights of men are equal, where God has not legislated, let each man make his own determinations. However, to be tolerant of sins against God's Law is to usurp the right to "judge" God's Law (James 4:9-12). Perhaps there are times where "tolerance" is a mask for lack of conviction and concern.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-50704340085470373972015-10-28T07:55:00.002-07:002015-10-28T07:55:53.185-07:00Think On These Things (Excerpts From The Preacher's Journal) "I am convinced that most Christians have tremendous stores of talent and skill buried beneath a pile of distraction, insecurity, and fear. We find excuses that seem reasonable to us, that don't arouse an offended conscience, and we trot them out whenever obligation comes calling." (Jim Jonas)<br />
Interesting thoughts from Mr. Jonas. The next time obligation and opportunity come calling, how will we answer?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-9672495479715451222015-10-21T06:32:00.003-07:002015-10-21T06:32:32.783-07:00National Security?
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Nahum prophesied about Assyria and
specifically Assyria’s capital city, Nineveh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is a sort of “sequel” to Jonah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a hundred years before Nahum
Nineveh had repented through the reluctant preaching of Jonah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time Nahum arrived on the scene
things in Nineveh had gotten so bad that God had determined it was time for
them to suffer one of the terrible “days of the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> A
wicked nation suffering God’s vengeful judgment (Nahum 1:2) is certainly not
unique to Nahum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can read of
the prophets delivering God’s message of judgment to Edom, Philistia, Moab, Babylon,
Egypt, and many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
case of Nahum’s prophesy, God seems to take special care to point out that it
was when Assyria was as her strongest that He would see her humbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nahum 1:12-13 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thus says the Lord, ‘Though they are at full
strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I have afflicted you, I will
afflict you no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now I
will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Truly
Assyria was as strong as they were only because God permitted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Assyria had destroyed Israel and
provided a constant threat to Judah, God wanted His people to know that He was
using the wicked Assyrian’s as a chastening rod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Assyrian iniquity became complete God broke Assyria’s
yoke from off Judah’s neck and burst their bonds apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point I want us to get is this: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there was nothing Assyria could do about it</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Take a
moment to read Nahum 2 (only 13 verses).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you see listed all that Nineveh trusted in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their walls were strong, their soldiers
were mighty, their chariots were many, their officers were skilled, and their
wealth was immense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were described
as lions!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet verse 13 makes the
one statement that rendered all of Assyria’s assets useless—“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord
of hosts.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Friends,
when God is against a nation there is no such thing as national security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nineveh’s wall could have stood a mile
high, all of her soldiers could have stood as tall as Goliath, gold and
precious metals could have filled the streets for lack of space to store them, all of her allies could have stood at the gates, her chariots
could have numbered in the millions with the most skillful soldiers to man
them, all of her horses could have been of the finest stock, and every nation
could have trembled in terror beholding her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the simple fact that she made God her enemy doomed her and
all she trusted in for her security was as useless as a miniscule whisper of
wind against a mighty oak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
Nineveh’s security was not based upon God Nineveh was not secure at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unless the Lord builds the house, those who
build it labor in vain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless the
Lord watches over the city, the watchman stay awake in vain”</i> (Psalm 127:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends, where is your security?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon what do you base your trust?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jehovah prompted Nineveh to keep her
trust where it had been and see the result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Nahum 3:14 He says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Draw
water for the siege; strengthen your forts; go into the clay; tread the mortar;
take hold of the brick mold!”</i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had always trusted in her provisions and the strength of her
city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jehovah urged her to keep it
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grab some water, gather the
material to make bricks, and just keep strengthening that wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely no one could them, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verse 15 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There will the fire devour you; the sword
will cut you off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I</span>t will devour
you like the locust.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Nineveh’s
national security was an illusion, nothing more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rejected true security and was destroyed because of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her destruction was so
thorough, so complete, that the location of that once majestic city was not
discovered until 1842.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such is the
“security” of those who reject God.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-71494375773409166142015-10-02T06:30:00.003-07:002015-10-02T06:30:50.905-07:00What if God were like us?
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> There
are many who refuse to believe in God because they say if there really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> a God things on this earth would be
different. They would do things a certain way and they will not believe in a
God who does things differently. In essence, they refuse to believe in a God
who is not a mirror image of them. We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i>
discuss how and why God is different by examining many of His own statements in
Scripture and do so to great benefit. However, for the purposes of this article
we’re going to consider the question stated in the title. What if God really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> like me? What if He thought like
me, behaved like me, and spoke like me? 1 Peter 1:14-16 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As obedient children, do not be conformed to
the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you
also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for
I am holy’.”</i> We are called upon to conduct ourselves in a holy manner just
as the One who called us is holy. But what if the Holy One, if only for a
month, chose to conduct Himself after the pattern that He sees in us? How much
do you suppose would change?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Psalm 34:15 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The eyes of
the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cries.”</i> Hebrews
4:16 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let us then with confidence
draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to
help in time of need.”</i> It is wonderfully comforting knowing that God’s eyes
and ears are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> inclined toward
the saint. But would that still be the case for the month He patterned His
conduct after ours? Would there be times when He was not very inclined at all
to see, listen to, and help His saints through their daily struggles? Would He
be too tired, preoccupied, or self-absorbed to care?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Ezekiel 18:21-23 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But if
a wicked person turns from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my
statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not
die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered
against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any
pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that
he should turn from his way and live?”</i> More than anything else our God wants
to be able to forgive a person of their sins and enjoy a saving relationship
with them. The entirety of Scripture is about the deployment and fruition of a
plan to accomplish His will in this matter. But would that still be the case
for the month He patterned His conduct after ours? Would a desire and
willingness to forgive characterize Him for that month? Or is it possible that
He would become a grudge-holder for the month, refusing to forgive those who
slighted Him even as they repent and ask forgiveness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Malachi 3:10 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bring the
full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby
put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of
heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”</i>
Our God has always been eager to pour blessings upon His people, physically and
spiritually. But would that still be the case for the month He patterned His
conduct after ours? Would He eagerly rain spiritual blessings upon those
faithful to His cause? Or is it possible that He’d be too preoccupied with
Himself to even appreciate those working for and trusting in Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
course, God is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> going to pattern
His conduct after ours. He is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i>
faithful and true even when we’re not. Indeed, we’re commanded to imitate Him,
not the other way around (Ephesians 5:1). However, answering these questions tells
us a great deal about ourselves. Did you like the answers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-17696938477174431272015-09-16T06:44:00.004-07:002015-09-16T06:44:35.684-07:00Therefore do not throw away your confidence (1)
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<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hebrews
10:32-36 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But recall the former
days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with
sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and
sometimes being partners with those so treated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully
accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves
had a better possession and an abiding one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a
great reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For you have need of
endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is
promised.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Christians addressed by the Hebrew writer had suffered upon their
conversion to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of them
were held up before the public eye and ridiculed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were made a spectacle of as they were cast into
prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some had their property
plundered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ones who may not
have experienced these things first hand were so concerned and involved with
the saints who were that they could truly be considered partners with them in
their suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Few things would be as stressful, particularly from the perspective of a
father, as having his home and property confiscated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A father must provide for his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works hard to provide a place where
his wife and children can feel safe, a place to which they can return each day
confident that food, clothing, and shelter will be available to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may not be able to present them with
an abundance of worldly goods, but love for his family and His God powerfully
motivates him try and make their lives as comfortable as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How his faith must be shaken when those
things are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">plundered</i> from him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hebrew writer
reminds those first century saints of a time when they did not just accept such
persecution, but they accepted it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">joyfully</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But how can that be?”today’s
non-Christian <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> worldly-minded
Christian ask incredulously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
all, Jesus’ statement in Luke 12:15 that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one’s
life does not consist in the abundance of His possessions</i>” just sounds so
strange, so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unrealistic</i>, doesn’t
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, if approached from a
worldly perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
nothing praiseworthy or commendable in suffering to the one whose vision cannot
see beyond his life on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, early after their conversions the recipients of the Hebrew
letter had been able to take a much longer view than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as their houses and property were
taken from before their physical eyes, their spiritual eyes were fastened upon
a “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">better possession and an abiding one</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were very much like Moses, of whom
the Hebrew writer would remind them just a few verses later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">By
faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s
daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy
the fleeting pleasures of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for
he was looking to the reward”</i> (Hebrews 11:24-26).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One must not gloss over the fact that Moses knew of a reward
exceeding that of being called the grandson of the most powerful man on the
planet and enjoying all the vice and pleasure associated with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One must be even further moved in
considering that he thought of these sinful pleasures as merely “passing” when
he could have indulged in them for the greatest part of a long life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worldly-minded exclaim, “What a
wonderful life this man gave up!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
spiritually minded exclaim, “What a wonderful reward he grasped!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning, the Hebrew saints
kept that reward firmly in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about you and I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-85274853820399947622015-09-09T05:56:00.000-07:002015-09-09T05:56:07.115-07:00Draw Near To God--4
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James
4:8 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Draw near to God, and he will draw
near to you</i>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
article will conclude the four-part series on drawing near to God. The
consistent lesson of the preceding three articles has been that in order to
draw near to God one must find out where He is. So far, we have learned that
God is in His creation, in His word, and in the church, the body of His only
begotten Son. In this article we will look at passages that show God is in
heaven, His dwelling place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the midst of listing the numerous laws contained in the Law of Moses,
Deuteronomy 26:15 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Look down from
your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground
that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk
and honey</i>.” Heaven is the holy habitation of God. Solomon, when he
dedicated the temple, in 1 Kings 8:30 said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when
they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when
you hear, forgive</i>.” Heaven is God’s dwelling place. Cautioning his readers
regarding their speech, the preacher in Ecclesiastes 5:2 wrote, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your
heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on
earth. Therefore let your words be few</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
dwells in heaven. That is where He is. If we would draw near to Him, then we
must have heaven as our goal and be ever striving to get there. All of our
time, energy, and our physical resources should be mere tools that help us on
the road to heaven. That statement is not made to teach us that we should turn
over all of our assets to some sort of central treasury. But it is stated to
teach that we will have difficulty drawing near to God in heaven if we hold
back from a total commitment to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
do we draw near to God in heaven? We draw near to God through prayer. When
Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9 He began, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
knew where God, the Father, was and where prayer should be directed. If our
prayers are to be an avenue whereby we draw near to God, then we need to direct
those prayers to God in heaven. In Psalm 18:6, having been rescued by God from
the hand of Saul, David wrote, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In my
distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he
heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears</i>.” 1 Peter 3:12 shows how
receptive God is to the prayers of the righteous. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to
their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
Jeremiah 29, God sent a letter to the exiles in Babylon instructing them to be
good citizens of whatever city they found themselves in during the exile. They
were to build houses, rear families, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of the
city in which they lived. In this letter God told them that at the end of the
seventy years, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then you will call upon
me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me,
when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord</i>.”
(Jeremiah 29:12-14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
is on His throne in heaven always attuned to those who pray in an effort to be
nearer to Him. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But for me it is good to
be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your
works</i>.” (Psalm 73:28)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-68698475021569366032015-09-03T07:54:00.000-07:002015-09-03T07:54:09.290-07:00Draw Near To God--3
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> “<i>Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.</i>”
(James 4:8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Previous posts in this series indicated that we draw near to God by
perceiving Him in His creation and by studying our Bibles wherein God reveals
Himself more fully. But where else can God be found? Are there additional
avenues whereby we might draw near to Him? The answer, or course, is yes, and
this article and the one to follow will explore two other means by which we can
draw near to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God can be found in the church, that body of the faithful. The faithful
are those who have dedicated themselves to being as much like God as they can
possibly be. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But as he who called you is
holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You
shall be holy, for I am holy</i>.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) If we willingly obey God, that is, be holy as He is holy,
then we draw near to Him and He to us. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things</i>.”
(Philippians 4:8) If we think like God, that is, fill our minds with the
thoughts enumerated in Philippians 4:8, then we draw near to God and He to us.
God always has our best interests at heart. The members of a church where God
can be found always have each member’s best interests in mind. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in
humility count others more significant than yourselves</i>.” (Philippians 2:3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We draw near to God, and He to us, every time we function collectively
as the church. We draw near to God as we worship Him together. We draw near to
Him when we read and listen to the public reading of the scriptures. We draw
near to God when we encourage and assist each other to think honorable and
lovely thoughts. We come closer to God when we exhort and encourage each other,
when we lift each other up, when we help each other press on, when we mutually
overcome all that Satan puts in our way, when we <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>share
our faith and work as a body to spread the gospel. If we are working to be a
church that God approves of, then there is never a time that our work does not
bring us closer to God, and He to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the
fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent pray’rs; our fears, our
hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our fears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each
other flows the sympathizing tear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly the fellowship of kindred
minds is like to that above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-16790273085495455802015-08-20T05:41:00.000-07:002015-08-20T05:41:07.786-07:00Draw Near To God--2
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> James 4:8 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Draw
near to God, and he will draw near to you</i>.” As was stated in the previous post, if one would draw near to God one must know where to look for
Him. Not only can God be found in His creation, He can also be found in the
scriptures. While we can draw near to God by being receptive to what creation
informs us about Him, we can draw nearer by means of the knowledge God reveals
about Himself in His word. It is as if creation is merely a preface or
introduction to the infinitely more detailed content contained within the
bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one would know God, if one would really and truly draw near to God,
the bible is where He can be found. In order to really draw near to God one
must get into His word wherein He reveals Himself. In the bible God tells us
who He is, who we are, and where we stand in relation to Him. Not only does God
describe Himself in His book, He also tells us what He has done and why He did
it. In addition He tells us what He will do in the future. He doesn’t stop
there; He informs us what He likes and what He does not like. He makes clear
what pleases Him and what displeases Him. He shares His promises,<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> gives warnings, and provides ample evidence that His
promises can be relied upon without fail. In the remainder of this article we
can only begin to mine the depths of the scriptures to extract the vast
treasures contained therein. Even though space is limited, we can establish the
profound truth that if we will draw near to God by going to the scriptures God
will draw near to us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s
draw near to God through the following scriptures:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is eternal and infinite</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the
work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear
out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
but you are the same, and your years have no end</i>.” (Ps 102:25-27)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is sovereign</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no
other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the
beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel
shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from
the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will
bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it</i>.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has done great and wonderful
things.</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In him also you were circumcised with a
circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the
circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you
were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who
raised him from the dead. <sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>And
you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God
made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by
canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This
he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities
and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him</i>.” (Col. 2:11-16)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s power works to our best
interests.</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He gives power to the faint, and to him
who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be
weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they
shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint</i>.” (Isaiah
40:29-31) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
bible is all about God. It contains God’s revelation about Himself. Just think
about that fact: God, the Creator, has not left us, the creation, in the dark
about Him, but has fully enlightened us so that we might know Him. There is no
better way to draw near to God than to make His word a vital part of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-81547507069598339682015-08-13T07:47:00.002-07:002015-08-13T07:47:28.365-07:00Draw Near To God--1
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> James 4:8 says, “<i>Draw
near to God, and he will draw near to you</i>.” Can you think of a statement
more precious and wonderful than that? What a marvelous blessing it is to know
that if one will move towards God, then God in turn will move towards the one
who wants to be near Him. Drawing near to God means coming closer to Him,
approaching His presence, coming under His influence. Drawing near to God opens
up the possibility of being in His presence and experiencing safety, peace,
happiness, and intimacy with deity, contentment and so many other spiritual
blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For good reason we sing “<i>There is a place of quiet rest, near to the
heart of God, a place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God. There
is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God, a place where we our
Savior meet, near to the heart of God. There is a place of full release, near
to the heart of God, a place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of
God</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> But where is God? Where is He to be found? If one is
to draw near to Him one must know where he can be located. This is the first of
four articles about drawing near to God where He is. This first
article is about finding God in His creation. The articles to follow will be
about finding God in His word; finding God in the Church, i.e. His people; and
finding God in heaven, His dwelling place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God can be found in His creation. Romans 1:20 says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For his invisible attributes, namely, his
eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the
creation of the world, in the things that have been made</i>.” One who observes
the physical world and fails to find God misses one of the fundamental,
essential truths of the universe. This world is not the result of some
accidental, cataclysmic phenomenon. The beauty, the combination of simplicity
and complexity working hand in hand, the order, the variety, the connectedness,
the resources, the richness, and even the sometimes devastating power displayed
in the forces of nature all speak to the working of a divine presence. How can
one miss this truth? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i>This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings,
and round me rings the music of the spheres</i>.” Is this what happens within you
when you consider the world in which you live? We draw near to God when we
attend our ears to what the creation is telling us about the Creator. “<i>This is
my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought of rocks, of skies and seas-His
hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols
raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is
my Father’s world, He shines in all that’s fair; in the rustling grass I hear
Him pass, He speaks to me ev’ry where</i>.” Look around you. Everywhere you look
you will find a message from God. He is saying that He is real, He is powerful,
He is kind and thoughtful, and He wants you to draw near to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">
God can be found in His creation. One draws near to Him by listening to
and acknowledging what the very creation itself openly asserts about the one
who spoke it all into existence. Truly “<i>The
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">heavens</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">declare</span> the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his
handiwork</i>.” (Psalm 19:1) </span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-87087692721286418712015-07-29T06:22:00.001-07:002015-07-29T06:22:26.128-07:00An All-Seeing Eye
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “The Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids
test the children of man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord
tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves
violence…For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall
behold his face.” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 11:4-5, 7</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “The
Lord is in his holy temple.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
that thought must have comforted David!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reflecting upon that great truth took a situation that seemed impossible
to overcome and reminded David that Saul was not ultimately in charge, God
was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saul could rampage and
threaten, he could set the entire nation on David, yet God had plans for David
that no man could nullify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saul
was not fighting against David, he was fighting against God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Every step that both David and Saul made was
carefully observed and weighed by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every prayer and demonstration of faith from David was noted and
considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time Saul cursed
David or committed violence in a murderous rage, God was watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loved David because of David’s
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He demonstrated a heart
that God approved of, saying that it was even a heart similar to His own (1
Samuel 13:13-14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For that reason
God protected him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet Saul became
as wicked as David was righteous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His jealous, ungodly heart even moved him to commit an atrocious crime
by having the priests of the city of Nob along with their families executed (1
Samuel 22:6-23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> David stated in verse 5 of our psalm that God
tests the children of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Viewing
it through that prism it is easy to see that while David passed this test of
faith with flying colors, Saul failed it just as thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After such a promising beginning Saul
transformed into the very thing David reminds us that God hates—a wicked person
who falls in love with violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, that description pretty well sums up the final years of Saul’s
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> David concludes this wonderful psalm with a
powerful statement of encouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no doubt that he was reminding himself of God’s great love for
righteousness and all His wonderful promises to the faithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As bad as things appeared to be David
was buoyed by the knowledge that his trusting faith would result in seeing
the face of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That wonderful promise still stands for the righteous!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-22743294263756300282015-07-22T05:29:00.002-07:002015-07-22T05:29:28.702-07:00Fight Or Flight?
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “In the Lord I rake refuge; how can you say to my soul,
‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they
have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark the upright in
heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 11:1-3</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> The
situation described in these verses is frightening, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David’s friends and advisor’s stand
next to him as they survey the landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things look bleak indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If, as many believe, this psalm was written during the time of Saul’s
reign when his hatred and jealousy toward David was reaching epic levels then
it is very easy to see just how dark things appeared to those who had hitched
their wagon to David.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> They tell him that it’s time to abandon
ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tell him to take a
lesson from the birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birds
certainly don’t hang around when troubles approaches, but spread their wings and
fly to a place of safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
tell David to look around him and see the wicked men aligning
themselves against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is as
though they already have the bow drawn fully and are cunningly hidden in the
dark ready to fire upon him from he knows not where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would also have David know that he has no reason to
expect help to come from within Saul’s government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, the foundations of justice have been destroyed
through Saul’s poor leadership and single-minded focus on murdering David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were folks advising David today they
might say, “David, your enemies are everywhere and they have their guns loaded
with fingers on the trigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
powers that be, including law enforcement, have grown corrupt and the most
powerful man in the nation hates you and wants you dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time has come to pack your bags and
get out of dodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abandon hope for
it has certainly abandoned you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Yet David began the psalm by asking his
friends (and perhaps his own heart) how they could say that he needs to flee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could they tell him to run
away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One might say that the
answer seems obvious, but it is to the person who takes his refuge in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some problems cannot be bypassed but
must be traveled through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David
knew that God had plans for him in Israel so he wasn’t leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there was no way he was
getting through this situation without God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So David did what David always seemed to do: he put all of
his trust and faith in the One who was infinitely more powerful than Saul and
everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trusted God to
be his refuge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May you and I
possess such commitment and faith!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-72034424613736426282015-07-08T07:40:00.001-07:002015-07-08T07:40:05.253-07:00The False Security Of The Wicked
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, ‘You will
not call to account?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you do
see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands…” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 10:13-14</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px;"><b> </b>One would have been hard pressed to find a nation that was more favorably situated than Edom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
cities were high upon the mountains and nearly impossible to attack (Obadiah
1:3), they were very wealthy (Obadiah 1:6), they had many friends (Obadiah 1:7),
they were known for their great wisdom (Obadiah 1:8), and they were mighty in
war (Obadiah 1:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were also
exceedingly wicked (Obadiah 1:10-18).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> I encourage you to take a moment to consider the verses referenced
above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you notice how God took
every reason for their arrogance and used it against them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None could reach their heights?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God would see them brought down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gloried in their wealth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God would see them pillaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They boasted in their wisdom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God would remove it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were confident in their mighty
warriors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God would see them
dismayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God ultimately destroyed
everything Edom glorified in and felt secure because of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a brother to Jacob they
undoubtedly knew God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
they responded to Him precisely as the psalmist described in Psalm 10:13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They renounced God and confidently
asserted that He would never call them into account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that they no longer exist demonstrates the folly of
their conclusions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> The simple truth is that there is no reason for the ungodly to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever</i> feel secure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may build their cities upon the
highest mountains, accumulate great wealth, build massive walls, recruit the
wisest, and train the mightiest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they renounce God they will be destroyed (Psalm 2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should they be permitted to live a full
life and never have to answer for their actions while living, things will
change the very moment after their deaths (Luke 16:22-23). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px;">God’s people should take great comfort in knowing that God does
indeed see the behavior of the wicked and judges it accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows when the wicked do violence to
the righteous and He will call them into account for it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in His time</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When He
does He will “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">break the arm of the wicked
and evildoer</i>” (10:15). </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-55647712730731749482015-07-02T06:36:00.001-07:002015-07-02T06:36:21.259-07:00When God Delays
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 10:1</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px;">One of
the most difficult times for faithful saints is when trouble strikes and God
does not immediately come to their aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the case of the psalmist he compared it to God hiding when He was
needed most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This becomes
especially troubling when evil seems to be entirely unfettered to run rampant,
even trampling good people striving to remain faithful to their God. Why doesn’t God destroy all evil right
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does God allow wickedness
not just to exist, but also prosper?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> History is replete with instances of God sending His terrible “days
of the Lord” upon wicked nations and people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are the wicked empires of Babylon, Persia, and
Rome?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each faced their days
of God’s wrath and faded into the dusty annuls of history because of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet many faithful people were forced to
suffer tremendously during their wicked, tyrannical reigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Undoubtedly those hurting souls poured
their hearts out before God on a daily basis asking why He permitted such
wickedness to exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a moment
to read the three short chapters of Habakkuk to see an extraordinarily faithful
man taking these very questions directly to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> When God delays there are certain things we need to keep in the
forefront of our minds:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> -God, in His unsearchable wisdom, acts in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His</i> time (Eccl. 3:11; 1 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Timothy
6:15)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> -God’s delays do not mean He has answered “no” to our prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> -One cannot claim to have lasting faith until that faith has been
tested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>God’s delays provide the testing grounds (Hebrews 12:3-7).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> -God loves His children and will never allow them to be tried beyond
their <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>ability to bear it (1 Corinthians
10:13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> -The ultimate reward for perseverance is far beyond description (2
Corinthians <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4:17-18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> So take heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God
acts it is always to the benefit of His people! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-54991859815525818242015-06-23T06:24:00.004-07:002015-06-23T06:24:45.429-07:00They Are But Men
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Arise, O Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let not
man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put them in fear, O Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the nations know that they are but men!” </span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 9:19-20</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px;">Do you
know what Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, George
Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill all had in common?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were only men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were singular in their talents and
accomplishments, they stood above their contemporaries in terms of influence
and power, and in many ways they shaped the course of events in this world to a
greater or lesser degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you
know there are other individuals, people of supreme talent and drive, who could
be added to this list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet in the
end they are all but men and nothing more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> The day will come when even the “greatest” among us will stand still
and silent to be judged by One infinitely greater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For we will all stand
before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, declares the
Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So then each of us will give an account
of himself to God.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Romans
14:10b-12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> In the great and final Day of the Lord, when all are called to
appear at the Judgment Seat of the Lord Himself, everyone will be called to
attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world-shaping people
of nearly immeasurable influence will be there, knees bowed and mouths
closed. Presidents,
Prime-Ministers, Emperors, Pharaohs, Kings, Queens, Czars, and every great leader
who has ever lived will stand before the Creator of all things to receive their
final, eternal judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Judge
will not be hearing arguments or scheduling appeals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the power and influence they wielded in life will be
accounted as nothing before the One possessing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> power and influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they never knew it in life they will know it then: they were but men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Respect those to whom respect is due and be subject to those who
wield authority (Romans 13:1-7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, they would have none were God not permitting it (Daniel
5:28-32).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet remember, they are
but men and will be judged by God just as we will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is God and man is man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must never allow that distinction to blur. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-45007788316535815342015-06-04T06:38:00.006-07:002015-06-04T06:38:55.248-07:00Recounting the deeds of the Lord
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount
all your wonderful deeds.” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 9:1</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px;">Most
of us have our favorite figures from history, men and women who shaped the
world through their courage, brilliance, tenacity, and drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether they were soldiers, scholars,
teachers, or humanitarians they all had a combination of those four traits in common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we like to read their biographies
to keep their deeds fresh in our minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps we even memorize a few of their quotes to encourage us
throughout our days and to help us live a bit more like them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Doubtless David also had individuals from the past that he looked up
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not hard to imagine him
considering the faith of men like Abraham and Moses through the difficult
circumstances in their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is easy to picture David contemplating their actions and striving to match
their enduring faith as he descended into his various valleys of hardship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> However, the most telling part of David’s life is that the One he
contemplated more than any other was God Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While David certainly had the wonderful deeds of previous
heroes of faith to consider, he preferred to spend the greatest energy in his
recollections on the awesome activities of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout Psalm 9 David recounts several of God’s wonderful
deeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recalls God upholding
his just cause and offering righteous judgment (9:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recalls God rebuking wicked nations (9:5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recounts how God has been a
stronghold for the oppressed and has not forsaken those who seek Him
(9:9-10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recounts how often
God has rescued him from the very gates of death (9:13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He considered how God has dealt with the
nations that rejected Him (9:16-17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He remembered the Lord’s power to cause the wicked to tremble at His
presence (9:19-20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spending this
time in reflection moved David to whole-hearted worship and praise (9:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
can be good to remember the works of past human beings and the things they were
able to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will always
be better to remember the wonderful works of our God. </span><!--EndFragment-->
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-13662104667794123092015-05-19T05:05:00.004-07:002015-05-19T05:05:49.706-07:00Nothing Is Killing The Church
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Within the
last few months I have read a number of articles whose titles went something
like this: “<u>______</u> is killing the church”, or “<u>______ </u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is why the church is dying.” In fact, I
began this article Wednesday and came across another article with one of the
above titles Wednesday afternoon. The writers insert whatever particular
problem they feel needs to be addressed. In each case I believe the issues they
addressed are important and many of their warnings quite valid and needful for
Christians today. However, I do take exception to the statement that something
is killing the church today or that the church is in the process of dying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Many centuries
ago an interesting and extraordinarily important discussion took place between
the Lord and his apostles. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He asked his
disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say
John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the
prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him,
“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to
you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.”</i> (Matthew 16:13-18) Christians correctly believe that the rock upon
which Jesus would build his church was the confession that he is “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Christ, the Son of the living God</i>.”
No force existed that could keep him from building his church and no force
exists that can kill it while innumerable saints across the world boldly
continue making that confession. And friends, innumerable saints across the
world <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> boldly continuing to make
that confession!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> No, beloved;
the family and household of God (Ephesians 2:19), the body of Christ (Ephesians
4:11-12), the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), the church purchased with
Christ’s own blood (Acts 20:28), is most assuredly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> being killed nor is it in the process of dying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> But have we
not all seen local congregations close their doors, begin treating one another
abominably, simply start going through the motions, or wander off into error?
Yes. But are we to conclude that the entire body of Christ throughout the world
has been taking its cues from that one group (or even several groups) and is
about to follow suit? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Many times I
believe statements about something killing the church or the church being in
the process of dying are made as the result of frustration and discouragement
upon observing ungodly behavior among Christians. I can certainly understand
that. However, we must not allow frustration or discouragement to cloud our
vision or cause us to ignore facts. Here are some incredibly heartening facts: there
are Christians who have left the truth to promote error, yet there are so many
who remain intensely dedicated to God’s truth. There are Christians who
compromise to be accepted by the world, yet there are so many who would rather
be approved before God. There are Christians who just go through the motions,
yet there are so many who worship God in spirit and in truth. There are
Christians who are hypocrites, yet there are so many who have truly given
themselves to the Lord. There are Christians who mistreat one another, yet
there are so many who outdo one another in showing honor. There are Christians
who never pick up a Bible outside of the assembly, yet there are so many who
search the Scriptures daily. There are Christians who elevate their own
uninspired traditions to the level of inspired revelation, yet there are so
many who would never dream of doing so. There are young Christians who have
abandoned their faith and been lost to the world, yet there are so many who set
the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in
purity. We could extend this list much further if we were of a mind to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Other times I
wonder if small numbers cause people to make statements about the church dying
or being killed. I’m not sure how many people live in Lexington. I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am</i> sure that of that number only an
extraordinarily small fraction are Christians. Every Christian who reads this
knows exactly how Paul felt when he exclaimed, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I would to God that not only you but also all…might become such as I
am!</i> (Acts 26:29) Sadly, that is not going to happen. Only a very small
number of people will come to Jesus Christ on his terms. Yet let us recognize
this for what it is: not a sign that the body of Christ is dying or being
killed, but that the body of Christ will only ever be comprised of a remnant of
the people (Mathew 7:13-14). Elijah, overcome by discouragement and
frustration, was convinced that he was the only faithful servant of God left.
He was wrong. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yet I will leave seven
thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth
that has not kissed him.</i> (1 Kings 19:18). Out of all Israel seven thousand
was such a small number, nothing more than a remnant, yet God said that remnant
was His. Such is the church today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Further, let
us not mistake the need for continued spiritual growth as a sign of impending
death. Would we claim that our newborn son is as good as dead because he has
not yet learned to walk? Would we claim that our toddler daughter is doomed
because she cannot yet do arithmetic? Growth and development are required and
will come in time. The same is true spiritually. Peter shows this when he
finishes his second letter in this way: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But
<u>grow</u> in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To him be the glory both now and to the
day of eternity. Amen.</i> (2 Peter 3:18) A babe in Christ is not a veteran
soldier of the cross and it is silly to expect them to be. This is not the say
that their mistakes and errors are to be ignored. It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> to say that patience and much training is required. Let us not
mistake growing pains as precursors to spiritual death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Finally, let
us not present that for which our Lord died in such broad, negative terms. A
preacher, not too long ago, exclaimed that “our problem today is that we just
do not love the Lord.” This was said during a sermon to a group of brethren and
visitors about the Lord’s church generally. What a terrible and false thing to
say! Were I a truth-seeking visitor I would see no reason to be among those people
any longer. Were I a weak Christian feeling a very strong pull from the world
that statement may very well have been the catalyst that sent me falling back.
As was mentioned earlier there are innumerable saints throughout this world who
love the Lord with all of their hearts, who love the brethren with all their
hearts, and who love the souls of their fellow men. Besides this, Jesus paid
the ultimate price to purchase the church. It would be better for us to bite
off our own tongues than to speak broadly and disparagingly about that which he
loves so much. This is particularly the case when just a little thought
demonstrates that what is being said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is
not true</i>! After cautioning brethren not to take becoming teachers of God’s
Word lightly because teachers will be judged with greater strictness, James
immediately began to speak of the great danger of the tongue and the terrible
destruction it can leave in its path (James 3:1-8). Let us take great care in
our words at all times, but especially when we are speaking of the church our
Lord loves and died to establish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Satan is
bringing the fight to the Lord’s church every day. Some have fallen by the
wayside, some have surrendered, and some continue on blissfully unaware as
Satan ravages their hearts and minds. Even so, countless saints around the
world, encased in the mighty armor of God, are taking the fight right back at
him. We are and have only ever been a remnant, but we are very much alive and
we are fighting the good fight (2 Timothy 4:7a). We will continue to love God
and our brethren. We will continue to grow and mature. We will continue to
worship and praise. We will continue to be opposed and persecuted. But know
this: the church will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> live
within the Word and it will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i>
live within the world as long as saints are willing to stand up and boldly confess,
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God!”</i> I have no intention of ever surrendering that confession. How
about you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-20242927676098684742015-05-08T06:26:00.002-07:002015-05-08T06:26:26.707-07:00O Lord, Our Lord
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 8:1, 9<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px;">Rarely
have I been so overcome with wonder and emotion that I did not know how to
express it in some way, even if the manner and product of expression ultimately
fell short of the intensity of the feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel’s sweet psalmist (2 Samuel 23:1) possessed the soul
of a poet and a seemingly endless collection of the most moving expressions of
adoration, praise, devotion, and wonderment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet even he could only utter a faint “O Lord, our Lord” as
his mind was transported to realms beyond his ability to capture with words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What depth of feeling must have poured
from his pen in the four words, “O Lord, our Lord”!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> It is very telling that Jehovah Himself was the object of David’s
consideration in this psalm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
righteous man who never seemed to be at a loss for words knew not what to say
when meditating upon the glory of the God whose own heart he possessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fact</i> of David’s meditation upon God that I wish to consider with
you at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> How often do you allow yourself to mentally set aside all the
activities of the day, to emotionally check out from the daily grind, to spend
time in serious thought about all that God is and all that He does?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise that you will be better for
it when you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These days it’s
rare to hear someone speaking of God in the manner David does in the psalms,
isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to assume that
this is because the vast majority of people simply do not know God the way that
David knew Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David regularly
meditated upon the Creator of the heavens, moon, and stars (Psalms 8:3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David often considered the exulted
station God has bestowed through His mercy and grace upon man (Psalm
8:4-9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David’s constant awareness
that creation proves a Creator lit within him a fire to seek out and cling to
this Creator’s revelations as a drowning man clings to driftwood (Psalm
119).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Is
there any wonder that the only way to express his depth of feeling was simply
to say the name of the One whom he adored?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, His very name is majestic in all the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much more His Person?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would do well to spend more time
considering the One who so often filled David’s thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306196121469141845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6588017396050709878.post-6415544482035538962015-04-30T06:34:00.007-07:002015-04-30T06:35:38.638-07:00Playing With Fire<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “If a man does not repent, God will whet His sword; He has bent and
readied His bow” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 7:12</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px;"><b> </b>There
is a preacher I know who is now well into his eighties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is one of the godliest men I have
ever known and I have as much respect for him as any man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surprised to hear that this
veteran soldier of Christ approached one of his brethren, a friend of his for
several decades, to essentially “come clean” over an incident that had taken
place nearly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fifty years</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>prior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out this older preacher had wronged the other
Christian in secret and had never allowed the light of day to shine upon his
actions all those years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
finally came to the conclusion that he could never rest assured of his salvation
until he repented of the action not just to God, but to the man he had
wronged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, he did not
believe that he really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i> repented
unto God until he sought to make things right with his friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Does it seem strange to you that my friend would be worrying himself
over something that had taken place fifty years prior?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does it seem odd that he would approach
that man and apologize to him over something that man could barely even
remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that my friend
made the right choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
statute of limitations on our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mere passing of time does not lessen the significance or a sin nor
does it erase the stain it leaves on our soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a person becomes a Christian by submitting to Christ in
humble faith and contacting His precious blood in the waters of baptism (Romans
6), the sins of the past are washed clean (Acts 22:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of that process is repenting of
those past sins (Luke 13:3, 5).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> However, repentance remains incredibly important in the life of the
Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sad truth is that
though the faithful Christian sins far less, he still sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To continue to be washed clean by the
blood of Christ he must be willing to continue to repent of his sins (1 John
1:8-9; Acts 8:22).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Let us not play with the fire of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we see it in our lives let us join voice with
David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my
transgressions.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Psalm 51:1) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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