Attention!!!

“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times saying I repent, you must forgive him.” Luke 17: 3&4. I doubt the sincerity of anyone who asks forgiveness from me seven times in a day. That’s the point of this verse. We are not to look continually at others and how they treat us. We are to love them friend or foe. “Pay attention to yourselves.” When I read passages like the one above I tend to pass over them quickly, much less try to put them into practice. I am astounded Jesus wants us to do so many things difficult. Things like continually forgiving, loving our enemies, being last of all, not putting ourselves forward and take the last seat. The disciples thought these difficult too. “The Apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith.” Jesus replies, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you.” Luke 17: 5&6. In Matthew 17: 20 Jesus says of mustard seed faith that it could “move mountains.” If one can move trees and mountains with faith the size of a mustard seed than how small is the faith needed to forgive? How small is the faith needed to love enemies? It seems that Jesus is telling us that these things take much less faith than the mustard seed size faith. No wonder Jesus ask the question, “When the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18: 8. So this coming year may we pay more attention to ourselves and put more faith and trust in Christ to be able to love our enemies, turn the other cheek and continually forgive. Then, quite possibly, maybe, trees will be uprooted and mountains moved. Happy New Year!!!

Light

There are dark places in the world. Some believe that these are the darkest of times. The news is depressing. Our television screens are full of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Korea and Sudan. Everywhere, even at home darkness envelopes the earth. BUT, a light has been given. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” Isaiah 9: 2. Christmas is a great time to point to the light. To tell all of the child who was born and the Son who is given. Christmas is a great time to be involved in the increase of His government. “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9: 7. We never know when our acquaintances, friends and relatives who we believe are too far gone will see the light and live in the land of deep darkness no more. And as for those countries who actively try to keep out the light, they don’t stand a chance. In the end there will be people from every nation along with some of our too far gone friends who will join us in saying “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6.
Merry Christmas!!!

Salus Mundi

I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew him, had Him in their care,
To men He was a stranger.
The safety of the world was lying there,
And the world's danger.

Mary Coleridge (1861-1907)
www.edwardsly.com/coleridgem.htm

Gift

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory.. John 1:14.
O. Henry has a short story about a lad who was brought up in a village. In school he used to sit beside a girl and they were fond of each other. He became a pickpocket and a petty thief. One day he snatched an old lady’s purse. It was clever work and he was pleased. And then he saw coming down the street the girl whom he used to know, still sweet with the radiance of innocence. Suddenly he saw himself for the cheap, vile thing he was. Burning with shame, he leaned his head against the cool iron of a lamp standard. “God,” He said, “I wish I could die.”
He saw himself. Christ enables man to see himself. (William Barclay )


..glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 14.
God’s greatest gift to us is Himself. When we see Jesus we react like the lad in O. Henry’s story or we run away and try to ignore Him. This is the reason so many try to remove Christ from Christmas. There is no person on earth who can measure up to Him, no CEO, athlete, actor, banker, forklift driver or unemployed. He makes our lives look vile. And this is great news for we actually see ourselves as we are. Blessed are the poor in spirit. We see truth. Jesus is the stone that makes men stumble and the rock that makes men fall.

And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1: 16.
If we face the truth, if we do not run and try to ignore the truth, than we can realize that God loves us and loves us so much that He would not allow us to live a lie. Jesus brings us grace upon grace, blessing upon blessing. If we ask Him into our life we can have a growing, fulfilling relationship with Him. We can have forgiveness. We can practice grace and love the way God does and we too can forgive. What freedom! What peace!

But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1: 12.

Shepherd

. Jesus says “I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10: 11. I have found that shepherds in Jesus time were looked down upon. They were continually in the field with their sheep and could not keep the rules of the orthodox, hand washing, ceremonial cleansing and stated hours of prayer. I have heard them called the homeless of their day. They did the hardest most time consuming work for the smallest of pay. Society did not think much of them but yet scripture, Old and New, is full of their example. I find comfort that Jesus identifies himself with the most humble of people. The shepherds may not have been able to keep the rules of the orthodox, but they spent their time with a strong awareness of God. Whenever they slept under the stars and were caught in the elements of nature, they, more than others were aware of God’s presence. I am reminded of the story of Christ birth. When God announced the birth of his son he did not announce it to the wealthy or the powerful. He did not announce it to Caesar. He did not announce it to Herod. He did not announce it the orthodox, Scribes and Pharisees. He did not announce it to the wise. The Magi had to study, search, and seek, but God split the skies open with angels who said to the humble shepherds, He’s over there! Be last of all. Be servant of all. Sit in the last chair.

Stone

Each Christian knows and loves Jesus in a way that no other Christian does. Each relationship is special and unique. This relationship will last through all eternity. You love and know God in a way that I and all other Christians do not. Yes that’s right even those who are in prominent positions in the church, pastors and teachers.
In Matthew chapter 26 the story is told of the woman who came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and she poured it on his head. The disciples who were with Jesus were angry that she wasted the money that bought this perfume and did not use it on the poor. Jesus reply? “The poor you will always have with you but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in her memory”. Think about this, the ones whom Jesus had chosen to spread the gospel around the world, the ones who were close to Jesus and been following him for three years did not understand that he was going to Jerusalem to be crucified, buried and raised. This simple woman did but they did not.
Later in chapter 26 Jesus tells the disciples to make preparations for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He tells them; “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house”. This unnamed man knew what the appointed time meant, but even at The Lord’s Supper the disciples were arguing over who would be first in heaven and questioning Jesus on where he was going and why they could not follow. Jesus closest disciples Peter, James and John still did not understand even though Jesus had been telling them since Peter’s confession of Christ at Caesarea Philippi. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priest and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16: 21. They did not understand but there were others who did.
Yes we look up to and honor those who care and minister to us as we should, but please realize that your relationship with Jesus is just as special. You know Jesus in ways that none of us do. “To him who overcomes, I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it”. Revelation 2: 17. For all of eternity you will have a name known only by God and you!! Through all of eternity your relationship with God will not only be corporate but personal, one to one. You love and understand God in ways that I never will, and we will have eternity to try and teach each other about our wonderful Sovereign Lord God, Jesus Christ.

Freedom

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude vs. 4. (ESV)

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2: 20-23. (ESV)

These are extremes. They were part of the early Church and they are with us today. John and Jude fought against those who would trade upon the grace of God to live a life gratifying any of their desires. The elderly disciple John would write that “anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God.” 2John: 9. (Message). The Apostle Paul was in a continual battle against those who would want to place burdens, rules and regulations on the Church to secure a place of control. Paul would say that “they want to shut you out of the free world of God’s grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and directions, making them feel important.” Galatians 4:17. (Message). You can find Churches that are close to one extreme or the other. Most of the arguing we have among ourselves as Christians is because our doctrines lean toward one or the other. To be honest I find this battle rages inside me. So what is the answer? Jude tells us to “carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love. Keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life.” Jude vs. 20-21. (Message). Spend time in personal communion with God. Read Scripture and practice the freedom of living deeply in Christ. We are free to imitate Jesus. We are free to be the person He wants us to be. We are free to walk with Him. We are free to talk with Him. When you commune with Christ wherever it may be, the living room, bedroom, outdoors or anywhere, heaven and earth become one, the seen and the unseen. Christ is all that matters and He lives in us. What a glorious time.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3: 17-18. (ESV)

Communion

“And they heard the sound of The Lord God walking in the garden…” Genesis 3: 8. (NASB)

“Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the son’s of Israel; and they beheld God, and they ate and drank.” Exodus 24: 9-11. (NASB)

These are a few verses that tell of times when Heaven and Earth were one, the seen and the unseen. God walks and talks with man. God even dines with men. I like these verses for they show what God wants from us. He wants us to be with Him. Heaven and Earth, the seen and the unseen, united together. In the garden, sin and rebellion separated man from God. On the mountain top the elders of Israel enjoyed God for a short time but again sin and rebellion separated them from the Eternal One. Once off the mountain top Israel turned from the living God and worshiped a man made god of gold. In the very first chapter of Ephesians we read how God had us in mind long before the foundations of the world were created. He has always wanted us to be with Him, eternally with Him in fellowship. God wants us to be with Him so much that He gave His own son to accomplish it. God became man, God came to earth physically. In the first chapter of 1st John, the elderly disciple speaks for all the first generation Christians who were with Jesus. John writes, “That which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked at and our hands have touched…The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it.” 1 John 1: 1-2. (NIV) That first generation of Christians also walked, talked and dined with God. My motive for this post is simple. It is the same as John’s motive for writing 1 John. “We’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We want you to enjoy this too.” 1 John 1: 3-4. (The Message)

Last

Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35. Simple verse isn’t it. Straight forward, clear, and understandable. So why do we want to rush past it and move on? In the previous verses the disciples are arguing among themselves who is the greatest follower of Jesus. Can’t you just imagine the thoughts going through the disciples minds as the argument unfolds? Peter may have been thinking about how Jesus had said to him “On this rock I will build My Church.” John or any of the other disciples might have been thinking that they were better than Peter because didn’t Jesus call him Satan? Isn’t that just like you and me to remember the good things we have done and only the shortcomings of others? Thoughts like these occur in all of our minds. But Jesus sets the disciples and us straight. If anyone wants to be great he must be last of all and servant of all.
Jesus also taught a parable on this that is very practical for us at our places of worship. And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them…, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor…But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place… Luke 14: 7&10. Where is the last place at Church? Usually the jobs that no one else wants to do. These are jobs where there will be no recognition. Every church has different needs so the last seat may differ from church to church. One of the great benefits of these jobs is that you won’t be fighting anyone else for the seat. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29&30. No struggling for position here. But the greatest benefit and I know of none better is that Jesus will think your great.

Bling

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1: 8-9. Each week I have my son memorize a proverb. I show him which one and then we discuss it. For Garrett this verse will be important to him when he is not with us. Yes it is important that he listen to his parents but more importantly that he remembers what we have taught.
As I began to think about this proverb, I wondered what did my parents teach me that is like jewelry, what makes me look good, what makes me stand out? One of the shiniest pieces of jewelry that was given to me was honesty. Do not lie. Tell the truth. In a world where there are so many who stretch the truth about themselves in order to be significant, simple honesty in a person is beautiful. Good sportsmanship is something that I have not always done but was stubbornly taught in our household. Win or lose we are to be gracious, good character is to remain intact. The character of the individual is more important than winning. I remember at one of my little league baseball games I struck out and then hit the ground with the bat. I knew after I had done it that I would be spanked. I was not, but after the parental reprimand I knew I would not get off so easy next time. Today some would say my actions on the field shows virtue. To them hating to lose and a strong desire to win is what’s most important. The young child who throws a tantrum after a loss at tic tac toe would agree with them.
My jewelry is not unique. I find that my brother and sisters have the exact same pieces. I was blessed with parents that had much of this type of wealth.

Unchanging

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13: 8.

Since God is the same today as He has always been, God’s character in the Old Testament should match that of the New Testament. It seems that the difference between the Old and New Testaments is one of perspective. The Old focuses more on Israel and God’s dealing with the nations on Israel’s behalf. God protects Israel, from whom will come salvation for all nations and all men, Jesus Christ. The New Testament focuses on Christ life, death, and resurrection. It tells of the spread of the Gospel, the good news, the church. It is concerned with only one kingdom, the Kingdom of God.
In the Old Testament the relationships between God and the individuals who trust in Him are lovely. In the book of Genesis, I like the passages where God takes care of women who are in bad situations by no fault of their own. I love the verbs attributed to God. Sarah’s pregnant maidservant, Hagar, runs away. Sarah has become jealous and abusive because of the pregnancy. God is so gracious. In chapter 16 scripture states that God found Hagar, God heard Hagar, God answered Hagar. The Angel of God appeared to Hagar. God’s grace was so great that it gave Hagar strength to do what God wanted her to do, go back and put up with the abuse. Hagar was so amazed that she calls God the “God who sees me!” God was also gracious to Sarah for He fulfilled His promise to her and she in her old age became pregnant with Isaac.
Leah and Rachel were sisters married to the same man because of the deceit of their father. Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Scripture states in chapter 29 that God realized Leah was unloved. God opened her womb. God saw her misery. God heard her prayers. God gave her sons. God is so compassionate, He didn’t stop there. In this rivalry both sides felt hurt, both sides felt pain. God was gracious to both. Rachel also had children from her maidservant and then herself. Rachel says of God, “He took my side, He vindicated me, He listened to me, He gave me a son, He remembered me, He rewarded me.” The God of the Old is the God of the New, the same love and the same gracious acts.

So Jacob sent word for Rachel and Leah to meet him out in the field where his flocks were. He said, “I notice that your father has changed toward me; he doesn’t treat me the same as before. But the God of my father hasn’t changed; He’s still with me.
Genesis 31: 4-5.

Inspiration

“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.” Revelation 12: 11. On my post, What is a Man Worth, I received a comment, “God died for me, would I do the same?” Good question. It is clear from the New Testament that we, if necessary, are to do just that, to be loyal to Christ even unto death. Eleven of the twelve disciples were martyred. In their deaths they gave the world one of the great proofs of the resurrection of Jesus. Men will not die for a hoax. They will not die for a lie. They saw the risen Lord and they died horrible, painful deaths in the confidence that they would be with Him.
The Apostle Paul and most of his church planting companions were martyred, Barnabas, Silas, Aristarchus, Secundus, Sopater, Titus, Timothy, Gaius, John Mark, Aquila, and Luke. Thousands upon thousands of first and second generation Christians were executed because they would not proclaim Caesar as Lord. The early church father Polycarp while being led to his execution was asked to proclaim Caesar as Lord. He replied, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” And as he waited to be burned alive he prayed, “I give thanks that You have counted me worthy of this day and this hour.”
Today in many countries, Christians risk their lives by professing faith in Christ. Anti- conversion laws have been written. Churches are burned, Christians beaten, arrested, taken away, imprisoned and yes some are being killed.
And so the question remains, am I; are you, willing to die for Him? Am I; are you, willing to remain loyal to Christ and give up living the comfortable way? If we can’t do the latter I doubt we can do the former. The truth of Revelation 12: 11 is if we remain loyal in our lifestyle and our deaths, if we choose loyalty to Christ and suffer we defeat the “great dragon, that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan who leads the whole world astray.” Revelation 12: 9.
Our Father, “deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.

Pray for the persecuted Church.

Wedding

Congratulations to my nephew Brandon and his beautiful bride Candace. They were married Saturday and I had the privilege to perform the wedding. The following is the bulk of the message.

Scripture states that “A man will leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and they shall become one flesh.” The Apostle Paul explains fuller by writing that “He who loves his own wife loves himself, for no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes it and cherishes it.” Brandon, Candice the two of you should be so close that the others best is your best. Brandon, if you love yourself you will love Candace. Candace if you love yourself you will love Brandon. Let me extend this thought further. Brandon if your friends love you they will love Candace. Candace if your friends love you they will love Brandon. For the two are now one. “For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes it and cherishes it.”

Scripture gives us a couple who demonstrate this idea of being one. They are a couple to imitate. Their names are Aquila and Priscilla. They are mentioned in Scripture only six times, but from those few verses we gain a wealth of information on how to have a strong, happy marriage, how to be one. They are never mention separately. Never just Aquila, never just Priscilla. Always Aquila and Priscilla together. And that’s how you should be known. Always Brandon and Candace, Candace and Brandon. Strive to let everyone at work and all places know who your spouse is. Be proud of them. Speak highly of them, because when you do, you speak highly of yourself. “For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes it and cherishes it.” You will be as Aquila and Priscilla known always together as one.


Aquila and Priscilla did two things that make for a strong marriage. First they worked together. Scripture first mentions the couple in the city of Corinth where we are told they are tent makers. It was a Jewish custom for families whether rich or poor to teach their sons manual labor. Tent making was one of those vocations they taught. And so Aquila probably learned tent making from his father. Priscilla probably learned it from Aquila. Marriage is work. Both of you will be working and building your own tent. You will be building a home. Each of you will bring to this marriage skills and abilities that are vital for the building of it. Whether it is something useful like automotive maintenance, cooking a meal or writing a budget you will, at times, learn a new skill from the other. We don’t know if Priscilla enjoyed the skill of tent making but she learned it, because it was needed for her family. As you practice self sacrifice you will love each other more. You will meet each others needs without expecting anything in return. You will think the other more important than yourself, but if you love the other you love yourself. “For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes it and cherishes it.”


The most important example from Aquila and Priscilla is that they worshiped together. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he sends them greetings from Aquila and Priscilla, together with the church in their house. Christ was at the very center of their home and their marriage. Let the worship of Christ and His work be at the very center of your marriage. Pray together at home. Read the New Testament together. Do not neglect gathering with other believers at your church, in the worship of God. The closer to Christ you become the closer you will be to each other. Do not neglect what scripture calls your spiritual act of worship. Become involved together at your church. Be active. You can be greeters at the door, pass out bulletins, teach a Sunday school, work the food pantry or the clothes closet, or sing in the choir. Find a place of service and serve together.

And so Brandon and Candace, as you leave your fathers and mothers and cling together, may you truly become one flesh, united in work, worship and love.

What's A Man Worth?

What's a man worth?
Does anyone know?
Is he measured by riches,
By friend or foe?
Can we tell by his virtues,
His station in life?
His accent? His color?
His peace, or his strife?
The length of his hair,
The shape of his nose,
His smile or his handshake
The cut of his clothes?
What's a man worth?
We turn to our Guide.
And Christ gives His answer,
"For each man I died."

Author unknown.

Rebel

We are to die to self and live for Christ. Andrew Murray says that mankind has fallen from life in God into a life of self -- a life of self- love, self- esteem, and self- seeking, a life concentrated on the perishing pleasures of the world. He calls this the kingdom of self. I like the term. Jesus calls us to the kingdom of God. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news. Mark 1: 15.” Repent? From what should we repent? From the kingdom of self, sin. All sin which includes greed, drunkenness, slander, stealing, envy, sexual immorality and so on comes from self. Repent from sin, stop living life the way you want to, and live it God’s way. And what is God’s way. Jesus is God’s way. Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. John 14: 6. C. S. Lewis writes that “fallen man is not just imperfect, needing improvement; he is a rebel who must surrender his weapons. It is not that man is only a little less then he should be but that he actively rebelled against his very best, what he was intended to be.”
And what is the good news? For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16. Repent and accept Jesus death on the cross as the punishment for your sin. Give up living life your way. Surrender and ask Jesus to forgive you for your sin and to come into your life and heart and lead you in the way you should go. That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. Romans 10: 9. You will leave the kingdom of self and enter into the kingdom of God. You will be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ our King. There is nothing to fear from God. God is Love. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Though you are hostile toward God, he loves you. Though you resent God for spoiling your good times he loves you. Though you have ridiculed God and laughed at Jesus and all of his followers, he still loves you and pursues you. There is nothing that you have done that Jesus will not forgive. He was betrayed, rejected, beaten and scourged, abandoned, and crucified. Yet on the cross as the religious leaders mocked him saying,” He saved others but he can’t save himself, let him come down now from the cross. He trust in God let God rescue him now if he wants him, Matthew 27: 41-43”, what did Jesus do? He said Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23: 34.” We have done this and more and yet Jesus will forgive us.
Repent and believe the good news. Surrender and pray for forgiveness. Accept Jesus unfailing love for you and ask him into your heart and life. The kingdom of God is here please enter in.

Grace

Grace. If there is one word that I want to understand fully it is this one. I have experienced the grace of God, and yet I really do not know what grace is. How can I experience something and not know what it is? I feel like Paul, “I see in a mirror dimly.” With me there is the realization that I fully do not understand the grace and love that God bestows upon me. I am still so blind in so many areas concerning Christ, especially grace. I have looked up definitions of grace, but from the written page they come across coldly. In Vines Expository Dictionary the definition of grace is in part, favorable regard, loving-kindness and goodwill generally. Jesus while we were still at enmity with Him responded with grace. Even now despite the pride, selfishness, condescension, materialism, etc...etc...etc... which still exist within, Jesus treats me graciously. He has a favorable regard, loving-kindness, and goodwill toward me. Amazing. If I truly believe that God is gracious to me, despite myself, why the difficulty in being gracious toward others? Do I have a high regard for the inattentive waitress? Grace. Do I show loving-kindness for my co-worker who insults? Grace. Do I have goodwill generally for the person who may or may not be taking advantage of social services or am I just angry? Grace. Do I have a favorable regard for my supervisor? Grace. Do I show loving-kindness to my wife when we are at odds? Grace. Do I have goodwill generally for the brother or sister in Christ who seems always to hold a different opinion at Church business meetings? Grace. Grace is wonderful and easy to receive but sometimes difficult to give. May we choose to be gracious and pray for the strength.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.” Romans 12: 14-17.

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how to respond to each person.” Colossians 4: 6.

Steadfast

“You will give him perfect peace whose mind is steadfast on You.” Isaiah 26: 3. I say this verse everyday. I want always, to keep my mind, my sight, on Christ no matter how difficult the circumstances. At present there is looming a situation that brings anxiety and I seek perfect peace by keeping my mind steadfast. The situation, though worrisome, is no greater than what most people have faced before and will face again. Life on earth is chaotic and Jesus will bring me through. In Matthew 14: 22-33, Jesus comes to the disciples with the storm, walking on the water. The wind and waves batter the boat just as chaos, turmoil and change batter our lives. We, as Peter, hear Christ say, “Take courage,” “Do not be afraid.” Peter shows us how we should respond. “Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” If the storm is of God’s doing, the difficult circumstances are meant to bring us closer to Him. Peter got out of the boat. He acted courageously. As long as his gaze was on Jesus he walked on the waves. He conquered through Christ who strengthened him. When he became afraid, he focused more on the circumstances and sank. The situation overcame him. I can relate. Verse 31 is my favorite of the whole passage. “Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him.” I’m guessing it was a very powerful grip. It comforts me to know that in life’s storms I can come through walking above the waves, unafraid, with my mind steadfast on Jesus. If my faith falters and I look more at the problems of life instead of Christ, He will grab hold. A Hymnist wrote it best with these lyrics;
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.”

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4: 8.

Question

As I read Mark’s Gospel, I wonder where I would be if I lived during the time that Jesus was on earth. What would I be doing, where would I fit into the narrative? Would I need, like Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, to be taken by the hand and lifted up in order to serve? Ch 1: 31. Would I be like the leper who came in need of cleansing? Ch 1: 40. Would I be as the four, who brought their friend to Christ, and would let nothing and no one, including a crowd stand in their way? Ch 2: 3-5. Would I, as Levi, leave my love for money and follow Jesus. Ch 2: 13-14. Would I be like the man who turned away from following, because of my many possessions? Ch 10: 17-22. Maybe I would be just one within the multitudes, part of the masses for whom Christ had great compassion. Ch 6: 34. Certainly I would have been one of those who followed Him but were not one of the chosen twelve. Ch 4: 10. Probably not. A shiver runs down my spine, for I know myself. When Jesus chose the twelve, I would have left in disappointment and possibly anger, thinking that Jesus plays favorites. Would I be like the men who asked Jesus to leave the area because he hurt business? Ch 5: 17. How I wish I was like the Gentile woman from Syrophenicia, who no matter how rudely treated kept her faith in Christ. Ch 7: 24-30. Am I like the twelve, jockeying for position of who would be the greatest when Christ came into His kingdom? Ch 9: 33-34. Do I want more recognition within my church, and would I argue with others to get it? Would I be like the Scribes and Pharisees, unable to give up my position? Who were unable to say, like John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease?” John 3: 30. It is so difficult to voluntarily sit in a lower chair. I am some of all, good and bad. So who would you be? Who are you most like?

Share

All Christians should want to bring others to Christ. As we begin to experience and delight in Him there should grow a desire to share Him. We live in a country where the majority of its citizens have already heard about Jesus. There are some who have not heard, from lack of attention or interest. Most, I believe, have heard and rejected Christ at some time. To speak for Him, can seem futile, a waste of time. Every excuse and reason is given why they cannot believe in Him.
They abandoned the God who made them, and rejected the Rock their Savior. Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you”? Deuteronomy 32: 4-6 & 15
We must not stop trying. How can we make our friends, family and co-workers realize the joy and peace of believing God by following Jesus if we do not tell them? Oh how I want them to confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead so they will be saved (Romans 10: 9). How can we persuade them that Jesus brings peace even through trials, and that he gives hope for a glorious future. Our prayer should be the same as Paul’s.
Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God’s secret plan…pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for Him as I should”. Ephesians 6: 19- 20
Jesus also gave us a promise.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… Acts 1: 8
May we continually pray for our friends and acquaintances that they would accept Jesus and the Holy Spirit will give us courage and tell us what to say.

Peacemaker

These are articles from the Daily Oklahoman. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan-Militant attacks killed four Canadian soldiers and wounded ten. BEIRUT, Lebanon- Israel and Hezbollah sharply intensified fighting Saturday with air strikes, rocket attacks and brutal ground fighting. BAGHDAD, Iraq- At least 21 were killed or found dead, most of them in the capital. And now for a rebuttal. “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all of my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” Isaiah 11: 6-9.
I so much would like to be around for Christ return. What a privilege. Better yet that He would return today. The above verse states that when the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord there will be peace. No one will be hurt anymore. When Jesus returns, the wars will be over. Why does He delay His coming? Why must sin and strife and wars continue? Because He want’s all who will, to freely love and join with Him. When He returns the chance is gone. Now is the only guaranteed time that anyone has to trust in Him. In the meantime we who are Christians should do our best to increase the knowledge of Christ to all the world, to all peoples. Because when we do, we increase peace, one person at a time.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5: 9

“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear…” Psalm 46: 9

Devastated

One of the great theologians, Scarlett O’Hara, said in a time of great distress “tomorrow is another day.” If you don’t like receiving your theology from Scarlett how about from the Prophet Jeremiah? “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness,” Lamentations 3: 22-23. Jeremiah, unlike Scarlett, knew to hold on for the next day because he knew intimately God’s character. Jeremiah was a prophet that most did not want to hear. He did not fill large arenas. The popular false prophets told the citizens of Jerusalem what they wanted to hear. Jeremiah told them the uncomfortable truth. He brought God’s indictment against them. Their unrighteousness would bring punishment.
As he stood on a hillside overlooking the devastated war torn city, he wrote the great words “His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning.” He wrote these words after seeing things that no human eyes should have to see. He wrote these words after being treated like no one should be treated. I don’t believe he had great joy in his heart when he wrote about God’s mercies. He was as devastated as the city. His laments are sorrowful and full of pain. “He had besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.” Lamentations 3: 5-7. Walled me down with chains, besieged and surrounded! Jeremiah is paralleling his life with that of Jerusalem’s. His life has been bitter because he obeyed God, Jerusalem’s because they disobeyed. But then he remembered God! He remembered God and it brought him hope. “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,” Jeremiah 3: 21, 22. Jeremiah knew God, he trusted God, and he had experienced God. The words he wrote about God’s character were fact. God is merciful and that was enough for him to go on to the next day and the next.
We know more of God’s character than even Jeremiah. Jeremiah was looking ahead for the Messiah. We know, that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son..” We know that God gave His son to a world of chaos, devastation, bitterness and chains. Jesus experienced it all and he conquered. He loved us so much he was tortured and slain for us. Devastation is all around us, tsunamis, hurricanes, wars and terrorist have layed waste to many lives. Maybe the devastation is as simple as, being hurt by those we love, or the loss of a job. But then we remember God and there is hope.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 35-39.

Mixture

I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted…. “Woe is me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6: 1&5. Someone told me this week that one sin is as bad as another. He spoke the truth and that is the great horror. There is a strange mix of joy, and horror in a relationship with God. The joy of being close and growing closer is very real but so is the horror of the awareness of sin and ugliness in my life. The closer my relationship to Jesus, the more I become aware, like Isaiah, of sin in myself and sin in the world.
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the alter. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. Isaiah 6: 6-7. Ouch!! Sounds painful and it is. Once sin is seen it must be repented of and cut out. I have found that sometimes God uses people who are just like me to do the cutting. He has used other Gary’s who are arrogant, prideful, selfish and hurtful to cut out the arrogance, pride, selfishness and hurtfulness in me. Sometimes sin is a one time occurrence that once revealed can be forgiven by saying I’m sorry and never doing it again. More than I would like to admit, it is deeper than that and can only be taken care of with pain. “My son do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 11: 5-6. And there is joy! He loves us. He changes us. He helps us to become the human beings he always intended us to be. Oh what a mix! “ If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with a rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness…Psalm 89: 30-35.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Almighty;
The whole earth if full of his
glory.” Isaiah 6: 3.

Confession

I have a confession to make. I struggled with last weeks post. Jesus tells the woman at the well that when you drink the living water which He gives, you will never thirst again, never. I was thirsty last week. There have been times that I read the Bible, pray, seek Christ and it seems He is not there. So why the difference between my experience and Scripture? There could be many reasons. I think the main reason is one of not being able to see the forest because of all the trees. For the woman at the well and all who do not know Christ, there is nowhere to turn when life is full of burdens and struggles. They must rely on themselves or other flawed human beings. They may simply try to ignore the problem and use anything to forget. But the problems remain.
For the Christian there is given a Helper, a Comforter, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Councilor, the Holy Spirit. “He who believes in Me as the Scripture has said. From his inner most being shall flow springs and rivers of living water. He was speaking here of the Spirit…” John 7: 38, 39. The Christian is also given the living water of God’s word. “His delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water…” Psalm 1: 2, 3.
I still don’t think I quite understand what Jesus meant by never thirsting but this I do know, If I’m swimming in a large body of fresh water I don’t need to ever go thirsty. Jesus provides the Spirit in abundance, “welling up, flowing, bubbling, continually within.” John 4:14. I pray for you and me as the Apostle Paul prayed, that we “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ…according to the power that works within us.” Ephesians 3: 18, 19, 20. May we grow in Christ and come to the place where we will never thirst. May we comprehend, at all times, the enormity of His love.
“Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42: 7.

Thirst

I look danger in the face and laugh. I click the next blog button on Blogspot. I never knew there were so many knitters. Seriously I now know more than ever that the world needs Christ. They need him badly. I share him when I can and post comments, praying that they will follow the comment back to my blog. One of the most common types of blog is what I call the Blog of Angst. They write to find themselves, to work out their disappointments and frustrations. There are thousands of them, and they are thirsty for meaning, purpose and joy in their lives.
Jesus has a gift for all the bloggers of angst. A gift of living water. If you ask Jesus, he will give it. Jesus says to all who ask “But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never be thirsty anymore. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) (continually) within him, unto eternal life.” John 4: 4 AMP. Jesus spoke these words originally to a woman at a well. A woman of angst. She was frustrated. She felt no doubt bitter disappointment over failure in five marriages. It doesn’t matter whose fault it was, his or hers. The result was the same. Five failed marriages and probably not much hope for the relationship she was in. She was thirsty.
Bloggers of angst, are you thirsty? The Psalmist writes that “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God the living God.” Psalm 42: 1-2. And who is this true living God? Jesus told the woman at the well and he tells you, “I Who now speak with you am He.” John 4: 26. Ask Jesus into you life. Believe, adhere to, trust in and rely on Him, and you will never, never thirst again.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread? And wages for what does not satisfy? Everyone who thirst, come to the waters. Isaiah 55: 2&1.

Disclosure

Prayer is like watching for the
Kingfisher. All you can do is
Be where he is likely to appear, and
Wait.
Often nothing much happens;
There is space, silence and
Expectancy.
No visible sign, only the
Knowledge that he's been there
And may come again.
Seeing or not seeing cease to matter,
You have been prepared.
But sometimes, when you've almost
Stopped expecting it,
A flash of brightness
Gives encouragement.

(Ann Lewin)

From, Watching for the Kingfisher,
published by the Methodist Publishing House,
ISBN 1-85852-256-0.

Pursuit

“A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, give me a drink” John 4:7. So begins the conversation between the woman at the well and Jesus. This conversation is so much different than the conversation Jesus had with another non- Jewish woman in Matthew 15. (See last weeks post, Slain.) The difference is one of faith. The Canaanite woman of Matthew had strong faith in Jesus, even after being treated rudely by him and his disciples. The Samaritan woman doesn’t know who Jesus is. She has no faith in him. Jesus speaks to her first. Jesus pursues her. He wants her to know him. He wants her, as he does all of us, to put her faith and trust in him. Jesus will meet us where we are. The Canaanite woman’s large faith was exercised and shown to us by being greatly tested. She was ignored and ridiculed. The Samaritan woman who had no faith was pursued. Jesus knows how to treat each individual. One size does not fit all. He knows each of our needs and acts accordingly.
The one thing that the Samaritan woman believed about the Messiah was that he would know all things. “I know the Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” John 4: 25. Jesus through his love and mercy for her provided this. Jesus brings her to faith by telling her about herself. “You have well said I have no husband, for you have had five husbands and the one whom you now have is not your husband.” John 4: 18. Jesus told her this before she told him that she expected the Messiah to know all things. She tries to change the conversation to one about differences in theology. Jesus patiently answers her question but returns the conversation back to knowing God. At the end of this conversation Jesus plainly and directly tells her “I who speak to you am He.” John 4: 26.
Sometimes I can say God is Love without really thinking about what that really means. The Sovereign Creator loves us so much that he will pursue us. He comes after us. He speaks first. He tells us about ourselves. He‘s patient with us. He wants our love as much as we need Him. And that’s truly an amazing thought.

There will be more about the woman at the well and her conversation with Jesus in upcoming post.

Slain

“Lord, Son of David have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. Matthew 15: 22, 23. He ignored her. She was not insulted; her need was greater than her pride. This Canaanite woman knew who could meet her needs. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” verse 23. She was persistent; she continually kept following after them to get to Jesus. Not only that but she was persistent in the presence of many, many who were condescending to her, and these many were the people who were closest to Jesus. Once again it didn’t matter her need was larger than her pride; her love for her daughter was greater than insult. He answered, “I came only to the lost sheep of Israel.” verse 24. Jesus tells her that he is here only to help certain people. For the third time she does not give up. The women came and knelt before him. Lord, help me! verse 25. And now what does Jesus do? He calls her a dog. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” verse 26. Was she hurt, was she crushed? No, she only knew the need of her daughter and she knew that Jesus was the only one who could help her. Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him. Job 13: 15. Her answer to Jesus seems even to have surprised him. Yes, Lord,” but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” verse 27. Then Jesus answered, “ Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” verse 28.
One of the great difficulties for us when we read this passage of scripture is that it seems so unlike Jesus. We can’t believe he could act in such a way, that he would respond in such a rude manner to this poor needy woman. Sometimes though Jesus would act much like an actor on stage to bring out the best in people. After the resurrection on the road to Emmaus Jesus acted like he was traveling further than the two disciples so that they would invite him to stay with them for the evening. Luke 24: 28-29. Jesus acted to bring out the best in this Canaanite woman so we could learn from her.
Is our need for Jesus greater than our pride? No matter how good the church there are always some in it who will ignore you. There are always people in it who are condescending because you’re not the right type of person, you don’t wear the right clothes, you’re not in management, or you don’t golf. Some of these people may even be in positions of leadership. But you must have fellowship, don’t let a few people keep you from experiencing all that God has for you. You can’t go it alone. Don’t let your pride keep you from your needs being healed. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. verse 28.

Example

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance of a man, humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Philippians 2: 5-11.
To me this is one of the most exciting passages of scripture. My heart beats a little faster when Paul writes that every knee should bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus is so wonderful, but Paul uses this as an example which we should follow in our relationship with others. This is how we should behave toward other believers. Paul writes in these verses that Jesus did four things and expects us to do them as well.
1. He made himself nothing.
2. He took the very nature of a servant.
3. He humbled himself.
4. He became obedient.
When we are asked to do as Jesus did the passage becomes daunting. It is our very nature to exalt ourselves, to be self important, to be dominating and to do as we please.
It is clear we are unable to do this without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Do we really believe that we can do nothing without Christ? If we do we will pray. The very act of prayer is an act of humility. If we cannot humble ourselves before God how are we going to be able to humble ourselves before man? If we do not pray then we are trying to be self-sufficient and we will never be able to obey.
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2 what we should be like with other believers. Is this how we are when we gather at our local church? “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God. Philippians 2: 2-4, 14.” Let us pray.

Road

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.” Matthew 7: 13 & 14. This is another of those verses that are disturbing. If you ask a group of people if they were going to Heaven most would say they are. According to Jesus that is not the case. How I wish this verse were reversed and told us that the majority would find life and only a few of the very worst of people would go to destruction. To write that most will go to destruction and not find life is difficult. But I didn’t say it, Jesus did. Am I more loving and compassionate than Jesus? No, no, no, and neither are you. For Jesus is love, and he came to this earth to die. To sacrifice his life, to suffer, that all who would accept his sacrifice, might take the narrow road to life. “Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15: 13. In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul wrote about the narrow road to life and it has become known as the Roman Road. “All have sinned and fell short of the glory of God.” Romans 3: 23. I have heard it said that we are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners. We all in our heart fall so short of the goodness and purity of God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6: 23. But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 8. This is to me is the most amazing verse in scripture. To think that the Sovereign Creator of the universe would care for us at all is unbelievable! Add to that, that we are far short of what he created us to be and he still cares! He still loves! What is man that God is mindful of him? Yet Christ died for us! The last verses of the Roman Road state; “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10: 9. Welcome to the narrow road. “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 10: 11 & Isaiah 28: 16.

Danger

“Forgive seventy times seven.” Matthew 18: 22. There are many times in scripture that what I read disturbs me. When I first read, Jesus wants me to forgive others infinitely, continually and completely, I think to myself, I can’t do it. This is impossible! Then I remember that Jesus doesn’t tell us to do anything that he doesn’t do himself. The greatest danger to my fellowship with Christ is when I sin and must ask him to forgive me for something I have asked forgiveness for time and time again. When this occurs I am so ashamed. Thoughts come to me that he will not forgive, that there is a limit. He is so holy. He is righteous. He is perfect. He also is love and he is merciful. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1: 9.
Another danger is if I do not forgive. After Jesus tells Peter to forgive seventy times seven he tells the parable about the unmerciful servant. The servant after being forgiven a large sum of money by his master did not forgive a small amount that was owed to him. The master finds out and “in anger turned him over to the jailers to be tortured.” Matthew 18: 34. I have been in that prison, the prison of anger, bitterness and resentment. There is no happiness or joy in that place. Jesus paid a heavy price so that we may be forgiven. He “being the very nature of God”, “made himself nothing, and taking the very nature of a servant.” “He humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!” Philippians 2: 6, 7, 8. Torture. To not forgive shows us as insincere and ungrateful for what He did.

Ride On

Ride on! ride on in majesty! Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry; O Savior meek, pursue thy road with palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; O Christ, thy triumphs now begin o’er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on! ride on in majesty! The angel-squadrons of the sky look down with sad and wondering eyes to see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on! ride on in majesty! Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh; the Father on his sapphire throne expects his own anointed Son.

Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; bow thy meek head to mortal pain, then take, O God, thy power, and reign.

Henry Hart Milman 1791-1868

"HENRY HART MILMAN." LoveToKnow 1911 Online Encyclopedia. © 2003, 2004 http://63.1911encyclopedia.org/M/MI/MILMAN_HENRY_HART.htm

Thunder

“And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder.” Revelation 4: 5. One of the things I like best about Oklahoma is the thunder storms. I thrill to the hard rain, the low roll of thunder followed by the flash of lightning. Then the loud boom, which shakes the ground and the house. I feel the power of God and yet I realize that this is only an infinitesimal fraction of that power. In our own solar system Jupiter’s red spot is a storm that can swallow the earth whole. On a 12 inch scale, Earth would be one inch away from the Sun, Pluto 3 ½ feet. The nearest star other than the Sun would lie 4 ½ miles away! Our sun is only one lonely star among several hundred billion throughout the universe. Our galaxy is one amongst millions. Yet the Sovereign Almighty God who created all this became a man and lived among us! He was born not in a palace but a stable. He cried. His wonderful mother not much more than a girl herself cleaned him. He grew. He played. He worked. His muscles ached. He hungered. He ate. He was thirsty. He drank. He grew tired. He slept. He showed anger. He laughed with our children on his lap. He prayed. He fasted. He had compassion. He healed us. He fed us. He forgave us. He told stories. He taught. He taught us how to love. He showed us how to love. He told us to pray for those who persecute us, to love our enemies. He washes our feet and told us to do likewise. And then we killed him. I hear thunder.

“And I looked and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by
Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,”
Revelation 4: 6, 7, 9.

Command

Love one another. God’s people should love one another. John the Apostle repeats over and over, love one another. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4: 7. “ Dear friends since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4: 11. “ God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4: 16. “We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4: 19-21.
The Apostle Peter instructs the Church to love one another. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1: 22. Finally, all of you live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers. 1 Peter 3: 8. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4: 8.
Where do I begin in quoting the Apostle Paul writing about the Church loving one another? He wrote so much on the subject. Read chapter 13 of 1st Corinthians. Paul writes in Philippians to “make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:2”.
Our Sovereign Lord Jesus commanded us directly to love one another. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13: 34. Let me draw your attention to a couple of words, command and must.
For a command to believers that is so repeated and stressed in scripture why are we doing such a poor job? We treat church quarrels as a natural occurrence. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. James 4: 1-2. In the meantime many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being wounded. They leave our churches never to return. Do we care about the damage we have done? Do we regret the pain the wounds we have caused? Do we really take our Lord’s command seriously? Love one another. Be last of all. Be servant of all. Sit in the last chair.

Shepherd

I have been reading about names and titles in scripture that Jesus took for himself. Jesus says “I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10: 11. I have found that shepherds in Jesus time were looked down upon. They were continually in the field with their sheep and could not keep the rules of the orthodox, hand washing, ceremonial cleansing and stated hours of prayer. I have heard them called the homeless of their day. They did the hardest most time consuming work for the smallest of pay. Society did not think much of them but yet scripture, Old and New, is full of their example. I find comfort that Jesus identifies himself with the most humble of people. The shepherds may not have been able to keep the rules of the orthodox, but they spent their time with a strong awareness of God. Whenever they slept under the stars and were caught in the elements of nature, they, more than others were aware of God’s presence. I am reminded of the story of Christ birth. When God announced the birth of his son he did not announce it to the wealthy or the powerful. He did not announce it to Caesar. He did not announce it to Herod. He did not announce it the orthodox, Scribes and Pharisees. He did not announce it to the wise. The Magi had to study, search, and seek, but God split the skies open with angels who said to the humble shepherds, He’s over there! Be last of all. Be servant of all. Sit in the last chair.

Voice

I know a little about everyone’s future. We are all going to die. A voice tells Isaiah to “cry out”. Isaiah asks “What shall I cry?” The voice answers “All men are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.” Isaiah 40: 6-8. Everything we take pride in ourselves about will end and be forgotten. Some are great writers; they and their writings will eventually be forgotten. Some are great artists, they and their drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and music will end. Some are proud of their exploits but in the end they are nothing, for they all will perish. Some are intellectuals and have great pride in their intellect but that too will die. We are grass! We are grass! Our glory is like the flowers that fade and fall. We live and then die all too quickly. But there is a way for permanence. The voice continues, “The word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40: 8. If we stand with God’s word than we too will stand forever. The Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God! The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. We beheld his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father full of grace and truth….grace and truth came from Jesus Christ. Yet to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1: 1,14,17,12. We do not have to die. We can have permanence and live eternally with God. God tells Isaiah, “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who live in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew (fruitfulness) is like the dew of the morning, the earth will give birth to her dead.” Isaiah 26: 19. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16. Trust in Christ today, and live.

Shoes

Jesus: I tell you the truth, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.
John: After me will come one who is more powerful than I. Whose sandals I am not fit to carry.
Jesus: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.
Whose sandals I am not fit to carry!
Jesus: For I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.
Whose sandals I am not fit to carry!
Jesus: I was a stranger and you invited me in.
Whose sandals I am not fit to carry!
Jesus: I needed clothes and you clothed me.
Whose sandals I am not fit to carry!
Jesus: I was sick and you looked after me.
Whose sandals I am not fit to carry!
Jesus: I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Whose sandals I am not fit carry!
Jesus: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did it for me.
Whose sandals I am not fit to carry!
Jesus: I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.
Whose sandals I am not fit to carry!
Paul: Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all.
David: Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Whose sandals we are not fit to carry.


Matthew 11: 11, Matthew: 3: 11, Matthew 25: 35-36, Matthew 25: 40, Matthew 25: 45, Romans 12: 14-16, Psalm 95: 6.

Spear

I picked up my 9 year old son from school one day and as I always do I asked him how school went. On this day he said fine and told me that during recess he asked three boys if he could play with them and they said no. Needless to say I hurt for him. I like most parents worry about my child and this information soured my day. He told me the names of the three and I hurt more. They’re all generally good kids. Within my mind I said a quick prayer for my son and asked God to help him. Sometimes as parents it is very difficult to trust God and understand what he is doing with your child. But the lessons of this life must be taught and as all of us know the one on handling rejection is tough.
When we got home he had his snack and I read to him. At this time I was reading A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards. It is the story of Saul, David and Absalom. On previous days we read about King Saul throwing spears at David and David not throwing them back. He would not throw Saul’s spear back or throw one of his own. I told my son this meant when others throw insult to harm you, you are not to throw insult back. This day, we read about when David finally fled King Saul and the kingdom, he left alone. I asked my son a question from the book, when you leave a kingdom why must you leave alone? I was not expecting the right answer, but that’s what I got. He told me if you leave with others you’re not leaving the kingdom you’re splitting the kingdom and taking part of it with you. The only way to leave is alone. I was amazed and in a split second I thought to myself that flesh and blood did not reveal this to him but the Holy Spirit did. There in front of me I saw God talk to my son. The Lord Jesus is with my boy and is shaping him and teaching him into the young man he wants him to be. The lessons of life are sometimes cruel and difficult but Jesus is with him and knowing that brings me joy and peace.

Table

“Love your enemies”. “Pray for those who curse you.” Turn the other cheek.” Forgive “seventy-seven times.” “Be last of all.” All things Jesus taught. Sometimes, we look at these teachings and think, they can’t be done. They can’t by us, but through Christ they can. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Jesus dwells in us and we in him. If we have close fellowship with him we can follow him in his teaching of non-resentment and non-retaliation. Part of the 23rd Psalm has always puzzled me. The phrase in verse 5, “Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies.” Why would God set a table for David so his enemies could look on? I believe that David is not to sit there and gloat. He is to invite them to dinner. They are to partake of the abundance that God has provided. The best way to destroy enemies is to make them friends. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5: 44, 45. We say we want to be like Jesus, to be the person he wants us to be. I have read that scripture uses the term “son of” as an adjective. So if someone calls you a “son of contentment” this means that you are a contented person. In the verse above we are “sons of the Father if we love our enemies. We are most like the Father and look most like him if we love our enemies. Do we really want to be like Jesus? Share your table. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 8. “He causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5: 45.

Breakfast

In chapter 21 of the Gospel of John, some of the disciples are fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They are catching nothing when the risen Lord appears and tells them to cast the net on the other side of the boat. They obey and the net is filled with fish. John is the first to recognize Jesus. Peter ties his outer garment to himself and jumps in and swims to shore. John and the others stay in the boat and row in with the fish. When they get to shore the risen Christ serves them. He has built a fire and asks for some fish to cook. He serves them bread and fish for breakfast. God serving man! After they eat Jesus pulls Peter aside and asks “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” Do you think that Peter might have thought that swimming to Jesus with his clothes on proved that he loved Jesus more than the others? Peter answers “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus reply’s “Feed my lambs.” Jesus tells Peter to do the work. If you want to show your love for me do the work I have given you. Jesus asks Peter the question again this time differently, without the comparison to the other disciples. “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” Peter replies “yes”. Jesus answers “Feed my lambs” Jesus asks Peter the third and final time “Do you love me?” Peter is hurt but again answers yes. Jesus replies “Feed my sheep”. But this time Jesus tells Peter he is being sent to places he will not want to go, he will not feel like doing the work. Peter notices John and asks Jesus “Lord what about him?” It’s as if Peter wants to know Christ’s plans for John and if they include the difficulties that Peters will. Part of Jesus reply was “what is that to you? You must follow me.” Do the work I have for you.
Sometimes I expect other Christians to behave like me, to have the same concerns I have, to serve Christ the way I serve him, but we are all part of the body and have different roles. So Jesus asks me and you individually “Do you love me? Do the work I have for you. “But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”1 Corinthians 12: 18.

Prayer in Praise of Christ

Born as a son,
led forth as a lamb,
sacrificed as a sheep,
buried as a man,
he rose from the dead as a God,
for he was by nature God and man.

He is all things:
he judges, and so he is Law;
he teaches, and so he is Wisdom;
he saves, and so he is Grace;
he begets, and so he is Father;
he is begotten, and so he is Son;
he suffers, and so he is Sacrifice;
he is buried, and so he is man;
he rises again, and so he is God;
This is Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs glory for all ages.

Written by Saint Melito of Sardis

Galilee

Within the story of King Solomon building the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, there are four verses that are somewhat different than all that is around them. In 1 Kings we are told of the wealth, skill and time that it took for Solomon’s building projects. We are told of the planning of the temple and the arrangements for labor. Thirty thousand men sent here, seventy thousand sent there, eighty thousand stonecutters. We are told about the building of the temple and the gold and all the nations that contribute. The scripture gives us details about the temple furnishings and all the wealth that was placed within, bronze pillars, the Sea of cast metal and twelve bulls on which it was placed. 1 Kings continues with the golden alter, the golden table, the pure gold lamp stands. The Ark of the Covenant is brought to the temple as a great festival takes place among the people. God appears to Solomon two times, the temple is dedicated and God moves in with a cloud. The whole world comes to visit including the Queen of Sheba. Within all this, four verses tell of King Solomon giving twenty towns in Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, 1 Kings 9: 10-14. Can you imagine the thoughts of the citizenry when they were given a way? During a great move of God and a time of national celebration they are used as payment for construction. To add insult to injury King Hiram is not pleased, he tells Solomon “What kind of towns are these you have given me, my brother?” And he called them the Land of Cabul. Cabul means good for nothing. I believe that at times we all feel like we are good for nothing. I look around at the talented and accomplished people at my church and the wonderful work that God is doing through them and I feel insignificant. But these four verses give me hope, for out of the land that was “good for nothing” came beauty, glory, grace and truth. Out of Galilee came one who was greater than the temple, (Matthew 12: 6), and greater than King Solomon, (Matthew 12: 42). So we should not feel insignificant. Out of our lives can come great beauty. We are qualified to be last of all. We are qualified to be servant of all. We are qualified to sit in the last chair. We are qualified to wash others feet. We are qualified to weep with those who weep and to laugh with those who laugh. Rejoice! Be glad, for we are like our master. We are Galileans! “We are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.” 2 Corinthians 13: 4. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 3. I pray the remaining years that I have left on earth that something beautiful will come of it.

Bread

Wherever the words of Jesus echo in the Old Testament scripture I always take a closer look. “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord? Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30: 8-9. This reminds me of the Lords Prayer when Jesus instructing us how to pray say’s “Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6: 11. For me it is quit clear from scripture that we are not to pray for more than we need. Continuing in chapter 6 of Matthew, Jesus teaches that we are not to worry about tomorrow concerning what we are to eat or drink or what we are to wear. He ends his comparison to us with the lilies of the field: So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’ Or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows you need them. Matthew 6: 31-32. Please beware of wrong teaching. Jesus compares the pursuit of material possessions with paganism. It is of the world and not of God’s kingdom. King David also assures us, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.” Psalm 37: 25-26. My favorite scripture concerning wealth and poverty comes from the Apostle Paul and should be our attitude as well. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13. May the presence of Christ be with you and me.

Reality

“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting.” Ecclesiastes 7: 2. Gary’s paraphrase; It is better to be at a funeral than to be at a party. I always take a longer glance at Old Testament scripture that reminds me of what Jesus taught. “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5: 4. What does scripture mean that mourning is better than revelry? Ecclesiastes continues: “for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the heart of pleasure.”
There are so many things in this life that distract us from God. I know that when I have been out of God‘s will it is in the stillness and darkness of night that reality comes to my mind and spirit. I know that when I was without Christ and had no relationship with God that it was at night in the silence that the horror of my reality set in. I could not wait for daylight to come and the business to take me away from reality. To me this is what Jesus meant by “Blessed are those who mourn”, it is in the disastrous times and the worst of times that we are forced to face reality. I have found that the worst times of my life have turned out to be, eventually, the greatest blessings. God has, because of them brought me closer to him, and because I am closer to him I have more joy! There is nothing wrong with having fun, but for all of us, at times, we use it to ignore or forget about our condition or relationship with God. Gary’s paraphrase; the heart of the wise face reality, the heart of fools say “party on”.

Truth

I was asked at work, in the hearing of others, if people of other religions were going to heaven. The person asking me was testing my faith in Christ. He was playing got ya. I do not like the feeling that I have when this moment comes, and if you share Christ it comes up often. I tell them the truth. It does not matter what I think. Jesus said about himself
“I am the truth the way and the life no one comes to the Father but through me.” According to Jesus heaven is not the goal anyway but a relationship with God is. All other religions are guesses about God. Jesus is the truth, and he says about himself, that he is the truth. I didn’t say it, Jesus said it. It really does not matter what I think but now it does matter what you think. C. S. Lewis wrote that to say the things Jesus said your options are limited to the following:
1. He really wasn’t who he said he was and knew it which makes him a liar.
2. He really wasn’t who he said he was but believed it which makes him a lunatic.
3. He was who he said he was and said so which makes him Lord.
Lord, liar or lunatic, the decision is yours. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even those who believe in His name. John 1: 12.

Insult

With all the turmoil in the world taking place over cartoons of Mohammad I am reminded of the insults of Jesus that are directed at Christians. The insults have increased because of the current events. Yes it does hurt but I will not be angry. On his way to the cross Jesus was insulted, ridiculed, reviled and viscously attacked verbally. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying…save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God! In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him. Matthew 27: 39-43. Every insult then and now was nailed to his cross and crucified with him there. There is forgiveness for all of us at his cross, even those who insult him. Jesus does not want revenge, he is not angry; he only wants us to be forgiven. On the cross he prayed “Father forgive them they do not know what they are doing.” Forgiveness can be found at the cross. A thief who was crucified beside him believing that Jesus was the Son of God simply asked him “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 42-43. In tears the apostle Paul said that “many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction…and their glory is in their shame.” Philippians 3: 18-19. When Jesus is insulted, our tears are not because of the insult, our tears are for the insulters.

Poem by William Barclay

Knowledge we ask not, knowledge thou hast lent,
But Lord-the will, there lies our deepest need.
Grant us to build above the high intent-
The deed-the deed.

Dollar

After school I took my son to 7-11 to get an Icee. As I waited in the car I noticed a women going car to car. She came to me and asked me if I would give her a dollar to buy gas with. I told her I would, to bring her car to the pump and I would go inside and pay. The car was old and dirty and driven by a man. I paid and as I returned to my vehicle they waved in appreciation. I felt good and of course spiritually superior to all those other people in the parking lot who had refused them. Driving away I remembered the verse in Matthew 25: 40 where Jesus said “whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” My heart sank. Jesus had come to my car window and I had given him a dollar. These people were worth so much more than a dollar. They are of infinite worth. If they were asking for money for gas then they probably needed food also. God has blessed me and my family with more than we need. We are not to hoard what he gives us but to share. It’s not my money anyway it’s his. I should have filled their tank up and brought them into the store and bought them food, but no, I was too busy feeling spiritually superior. I then remembered Jesus parable about the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10. I behaved more like the uncaring priest and Levite than I did the Samaritan. Like them I was spiritually smug. I went home told my wife and she suggested that I go back and see if they were still there. They were not so I drove to other gas stations in the area to see if I could find them. The search was unsuccessful but the lesson was learned. I have a long way to go to be the person God intends for me to be, and a good beginning is to care more for others.

Stone

Each Christian knows and loves Jesus in a way that no other Christian does. Each relationship is special and unique. This relationship will last through all eternity. You love and know God in a way that I and all other Christians do not. Yes that’s right even those who are in prominent positions in the church, pastors and teachers.
In Matthew chapter 26 the story is told of the woman who came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and she poured it on his head. The disciples who were with Jesus were angry that she wasted the money that bought this perfume and did not use it on the poor. Jesus reply? “The poor you will always have with you but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in her memory”. Think about this, the ones whom Jesus had chosen to spread the gospel around the world, the ones who were close to Jesus and been following him for three years did not understand that he was going to Jerusalem to be crucified, buried and raised. This simple woman did but they did not.
Later in chapter 26 Jesus tells the disciples to make preparations for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He tells them; “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house”. This unnamed man knew what the appointed time meant, but even at The Lord’s Supper the disciples were arguing over who would be first in heaven and questioning Jesus on where he was going and why they could not follow. Jesus closest disciples Peter, James and John still did not understand even though Jesus had been telling them since Peter’s confession of Christ at Caesarea Philippi. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priest and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16: 21. They did not understand but there were others who did.
Yes we look up to and honor those who care and minister to us as we should, but please realize that your relationship with Jesus is just as special. You know Jesus in ways that none of us do. “To him who overcomes, I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it”. Revelation 2: 17. For all of eternity you will have a name known only by God and you!! Through all of eternity your relationship with God will not only be corporate but personal, one to one. You love and understand God in ways that I never will, and we will have eternity to try and teach each other about our wonderful Sovereign Lord God, Jesus Christ.

Mountain

You are God my stronghold. Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell. I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? I rejoiced with those who said to me “Let us go to the house of the Lord”. I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word…. Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Within your temple, O God we meditate on your unfailing love. O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Psalm 43: 2-3, Psalm 120: 1, Psalm 121: 1, Psalm 122: 1, Psalm 123: 1, Hebrews 12: 22-24, Psalm 48: 1, Psalm 48: 9, Psalm 65: 2-4, Psalm 125: 1, Psalm 68: 19-20. Revelation 21: 2-4.

Faithful

For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 108: 4. God is so faithful even when I am not. It is so amazing to me how He has taken care of me in the times when I have been in the process of going further and further away from Him. I was on staff at the church when I had been hurt by members whom I had loved in it. I did not leave immediately but stayed on even after they had gotten a new Pastor, about six months. When I resigned I had only a part-time job that I worked along with the church work. My wife works fulltime so she was supporting us. After about six weeks she told me we were behind for the month, about 280 dollars. I had to get a job.
I went to a grocery store that I had been employed with while in collage. The store is family owned and one of three in the town. It was just before Thanksgiving and the day before I walked in asking for a job, they had lost an Assistant Manager. Rick a son in- law of the owner told me to go to one of the other stores the next day and speak with Larry, Manager, and son of the owner. The next day Larry hired me and then told me that his father Coy wanted to speak with me. In his office he said to me, “Gary, I knew I was going to hire you before you did.” He went on to tell me how two days previous he his son and sons in-law were discussing what they were going to do with Thanksgiving a week or two away and short one Assistant Manager. As Coy left the meeting he told them “Hire Gary Wood”. This was the same day my wife informed me that we were behind 280 dollars for the month. Just before I left his office he asked me as he reached for his wallet if I could use some help. I told him no that the job was enough and we would be fine. Then he said “Let me put it to you this way would you take a bonus for being hired?” He then laid 3 one hundred dollar bills on his desk! I went home put the money on the table with a short note and then went to my other part-time job and gave my two weeks notice. My wife came home and wept when she saw the way God had taken care of us.
I wish I could say that this experience made me stronger with God but it did not. I continued to grow more bitter and cynical and further away from Him. Even when I am not faithful God is. Today the family that God used to help me at that time attends the church that my wife and I joined. When I see them I am always reminded that God is faithful and His love truly is great.

God Heals The Wounded

God heals the wounded. He changes hearts. When you’re not expecting Him he rescues you. My name is Gary Wood. For fifteen years I lived with a cynical heart. I loved God and had been hurt by people whom I had loved in Church. I was verbally and viscously attacked. Others sat on their hands and did nothing from fear of the ones attacking. There had been a vote on a new pastor. I made a mistake. I tried to sooth the situation by saying that I believed that whatever happened, whichever way the vote went would be God’s will. The side that lost did not agree. Two weeks later after a Sunday night service the attack came.My response to the attack was wrong. My wife and I tried going to other churches but trust was gone. I would see people at the church that reminded me of the people who attacked me. All the smiles seemed fake and insincere. I became cynical. I stopped consistently attending and participating in a Church. Ultimately I am to blame for my condition. How many thousands upon thousands of people all across the country have had a similar experience? How many Christians have been wounded by those they most loved? How many have responded wrongly? I hated the way I was. I wanted the heart I used to have. This made me angrier at the Church. Is this the way you have felt? Is this the way you feel now? I have very good news. The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3: 17.
Fifteen years later I told God that he could never change my heart back the way it was. That’s right; I told the Sovereign Lord of Creation that he could not heal me; my heart was too hard and cynical. Two weeks later the Holy Spirit came for a visit.I was looking for something to read besides the histories and baseball books I usually read. I picked up a book my wife had bought entitled The Lame Prince. It told about the relationship between David, Jonathan and Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. I began to identify with Mephibosheth. I like Mephibosheth had been lamed from a civil war. I too had been living in Lo Debar (a dry place). When I read how David’s messenger went to Mephibosheth, telling him it was time to leave Lo Debar to live in the Kings palace, the Holy Spirit began to take me out of my dry place. I began to be moved as God poured out His love and presence on me. Deep calls to deep in the roars of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psalm 42: 7. If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:37-38. The experience can best be described as a flood. Gods love is so big, bigger and deeper than the oceans. My wounds and cynical heart were washed away with the flood. He overwhelmed me with his love. Like Mephibosheth I was aware that I am living with the King totally undeserved!
I don’t know the circumstances of your wounds. I don’t know who was or wasn’t at fault, but I do know that if you have stopped participating in a local church you like me have responded wrongly and sinned against God. I know now that God broke me for a reason. I am closer to Christ than I have ever been before. He remade my heart into one that was better. If you are scattered and lame and want healing for your wounds and from your own attitudes and actions ask Christ and he will answer. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:7-13