Lk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Sometime I believe I should change my name to “Lazarus” because it seems I am always begging. Nearly everyday I beg the lost to come to Christ or the saints of God to obey the will of God. I beg the church member to honor God with his substance, that is to say, be honest with tithes and offerings. I beg the young people to remain pure and seek after their Creator in the days of their youth. I beg the wayward to repent and turn back to God. I beg the absentee to return to the house of God.
And I beg God to be merciful to me, to forgive my sins and restore unto me the joy of His salvation. I plead for strength to stand aright and not compromise. I ask for His grace to go on another day, to beg some more. And though I am “full of sores” I beg to see the completion of my redemption…the rapture. Or perhaps, some day it will be said of me, Lk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom…
I do not know which shall be my exit from this world, but I know the eternal fate of this old beggar. 1Sa 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.
Amen!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Foolish Words
Pr 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
There is an old adage that states, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Even the best of us will struggle from time to time trying to control that little member known as the tongue. I remember my father telling me that some things are better left unsaid.
Words spoken, even in jest, can be damaging to others as well as to our own testimony for Christ. I was reminded of this just recently when words were exchanged by some folks during a volley of comments and were taken the wrong way. Once words are let loose they can never be recovered. It is difficult to guard our feelings when the spirit has been wounded so.
Pr 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
There is an old adage that states, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Even the best of us will struggle from time to time trying to control that little member known as the tongue. I remember my father telling me that some things are better left unsaid.
Words spoken, even in jest, can be damaging to others as well as to our own testimony for Christ. I was reminded of this just recently when words were exchanged by some folks during a volley of comments and were taken the wrong way. Once words are let loose they can never be recovered. It is difficult to guard our feelings when the spirit has been wounded so.
Pr 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Friday, November 14, 2008
A Little Bird Told Me
Ecc 10:20 “…for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.”
Every morning, before my four grandchildren which live with me go to school, I sit at the dining room table and read the Scriptures to them. Recently, we have been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes. This morning we read chapter ten. I explained to them that when I was a boy folks had an expression they used when someone would ask, “How do you know that?” or “How did you find that out?” The response would be with a smile, “A little bird told me.”
I wondered many times in my childhood how my mother knew exactly what I was doing. If I had been mischievous she knew it. If I had mistreated my younger brother she knew it. If I had gone somewhere without permission she knew it. How? A little bird had told her.
The principle is a Biblical one. “Be sure your sins will find you out.” No one escapes the watchful eye of God. He is ever present to witness our actions, thoughts and spirit. And He uses our very transgression to tell on us. For example, the liar must cover his lie with another, and then another, until the lie is so big it is unbelievable by even the most gullible person. The thief is never satisfied with what he steals, he must steal again. The hypocrite who cries, “Don’t judge me!” finally becomes judgmental himself.
If we would be reminded that our sins tattle on us, we may become more cautious in our character. Because…the little bird is always there to tell.
Every morning, before my four grandchildren which live with me go to school, I sit at the dining room table and read the Scriptures to them. Recently, we have been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes. This morning we read chapter ten. I explained to them that when I was a boy folks had an expression they used when someone would ask, “How do you know that?” or “How did you find that out?” The response would be with a smile, “A little bird told me.”
I wondered many times in my childhood how my mother knew exactly what I was doing. If I had been mischievous she knew it. If I had mistreated my younger brother she knew it. If I had gone somewhere without permission she knew it. How? A little bird had told her.
The principle is a Biblical one. “Be sure your sins will find you out.” No one escapes the watchful eye of God. He is ever present to witness our actions, thoughts and spirit. And He uses our very transgression to tell on us. For example, the liar must cover his lie with another, and then another, until the lie is so big it is unbelievable by even the most gullible person. The thief is never satisfied with what he steals, he must steal again. The hypocrite who cries, “Don’t judge me!” finally becomes judgmental himself.
If we would be reminded that our sins tattle on us, we may become more cautious in our character. Because…the little bird is always there to tell.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Likeable Liars
1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
Recent events have once again affirmed that there are a lot of folks who believe what they want to believe regardless of how much truth you present to them. All the campaigning that was done, all the warning that was given, had little or no effect upon the presidential election. There is no convincing one who has misguided loyalties. He will reject the truth in favor of his false belief almost every time. Why? Because he is faithful to the flesh and does not walk after the spirit.
So it is many times in the ministry. Christians will accept one who is talented, charismatic, dynamic, and personable over that person’s walk with God and testimony or the lack thereof. Tragically, the pastor in a church may even have lived a life of holiness, faithful service and personal sacrifice for the cause of Christ only to be rejected by the very sheep over which he has been charged to shepherd, all because the eyes of the members were blinded by a likeable liar.
In our text above we are cautioned to be careful about approving and recommending anyone without first observing their life and learning of what type they are. Doctrine is too important to overlook and personal holiness will effect the eventual outcome of any ministry. “Suddenly” is the red flag here. The test of time proves many things. Concerning man, if it does not make sense, it is probably wrong. A likeable liar will eventually be revealed.
Our church conducts a Reformers Unanimous ministry. We have learned that there are people who have sincere desires to get better, be happy, do the right thing, but they lack the consistency to do so. It takes time working with people to instill the Word of God within them so that those things will happen in their life. Many of them need to begin with salvation to get started right. Others know Christ but have made very poor decisions in life. There is the occasional deceiver who just wants to fulfill their desires at the expense of others, in this case, God’s people.
We must be careful not to fall for the likeable liar.
Recent events have once again affirmed that there are a lot of folks who believe what they want to believe regardless of how much truth you present to them. All the campaigning that was done, all the warning that was given, had little or no effect upon the presidential election. There is no convincing one who has misguided loyalties. He will reject the truth in favor of his false belief almost every time. Why? Because he is faithful to the flesh and does not walk after the spirit.
So it is many times in the ministry. Christians will accept one who is talented, charismatic, dynamic, and personable over that person’s walk with God and testimony or the lack thereof. Tragically, the pastor in a church may even have lived a life of holiness, faithful service and personal sacrifice for the cause of Christ only to be rejected by the very sheep over which he has been charged to shepherd, all because the eyes of the members were blinded by a likeable liar.
In our text above we are cautioned to be careful about approving and recommending anyone without first observing their life and learning of what type they are. Doctrine is too important to overlook and personal holiness will effect the eventual outcome of any ministry. “Suddenly” is the red flag here. The test of time proves many things. Concerning man, if it does not make sense, it is probably wrong. A likeable liar will eventually be revealed.
Our church conducts a Reformers Unanimous ministry. We have learned that there are people who have sincere desires to get better, be happy, do the right thing, but they lack the consistency to do so. It takes time working with people to instill the Word of God within them so that those things will happen in their life. Many of them need to begin with salvation to get started right. Others know Christ but have made very poor decisions in life. There is the occasional deceiver who just wants to fulfill their desires at the expense of others, in this case, God’s people.
We must be careful not to fall for the likeable liar.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER!
It seems a long time since I sat down and wrote out an entry to this blog. I do apologize for my tardiness in doing so. Some of you have asked several times when there would be another addition. Not to make excuses, but I have started a second job to add to our family’s income, as have my wife and daughter-in-law. I am sure you are feeling the financial pinch as we are.
Now that the election is over I have a few suggestions for the believer in Christ to consider. First, this is not a time to "duck and cover." What I mean by that is, we are to continue on serving our Lord under the same mandate we have always been under – win the lost and train the saved. The labourers are still few and the harvest is still plenteous. So remain faithful.
Second, we have children that are still in our ward. God expects us to raise them in His nurture and admonition. They should be taught to love God, honor God and serve God. Their has never been a day when it is more needful for parents to give spiritual attention to their children.
Third, we are still in a race. Our heavenly Father has left us here to live for Him. Hebrews 12 reminds us that the world is never going to understand us or help us, but we are to remain in the race until Jesus comes. In this race what matters is not who finishes first but how each of us runs.
Let me conclude this offering with something I read from another periodical just this morning:
TOP TEN PREDICTIONS NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. God will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
Upon these we can rely.
Now that the election is over I have a few suggestions for the believer in Christ to consider. First, this is not a time to "duck and cover." What I mean by that is, we are to continue on serving our Lord under the same mandate we have always been under – win the lost and train the saved. The labourers are still few and the harvest is still plenteous. So remain faithful.
Second, we have children that are still in our ward. God expects us to raise them in His nurture and admonition. They should be taught to love God, honor God and serve God. Their has never been a day when it is more needful for parents to give spiritual attention to their children.
Third, we are still in a race. Our heavenly Father has left us here to live for Him. Hebrews 12 reminds us that the world is never going to understand us or help us, but we are to remain in the race until Jesus comes. In this race what matters is not who finishes first but how each of us runs.
Let me conclude this offering with something I read from another periodical just this morning:
TOP TEN PREDICTIONS NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. God will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
Upon these we can rely.
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