REJOICING MOTHERS

Pr 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Pr 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Pr 23:25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. Pr 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

I wish I could say that I always brought my mother joy and gladness, but I can not. There were so many times that I tried the patience and love of my mom. It was not easy raising my brother and me. We were wild at times and certainly disobedience. We did little in the way of honoring our mother, albeit our father tried his best to instill it within us. I would have been blessed to give mom the respect she was due, but I was dull to the importance of selflessness. 

But what I could not give or would not give to mom, the Lord Jesus Christ supplied. She is rejoicing now in the presence of her Lord. And I would like to think that in a small way, while I am spending the rest of my life serving Christ, she is rejoicing over that. Thanks Mom, for being such an unselfish, understanding mother. And for all the prayers you prayed on behalf of your sons, especially this one, I can never repay you.

(In honor of Lola Fay Groves)

IFB UNDERFIRE NOTHING NEW

Mt 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

In recent days independent, fundamental, Baptist churches have come under great criticism. It is not surprisingly so because since the death, burial and resurrection of our Saviour, men and women who seek to justify there actions try to cast a dark shadow upon any thing or any one who would take a stand for righteousness. Sinners try to hide their sin, and when that does not work they try to redefine sin, and when that does not work they will try to castigate believers who endeavor to live for Christ and follow truth.

With the help of modern day devises it has become easier for Bible rejectors to propagate their deception. The use of the internet, liberal news media and modernistic religion, these deceivers will spread their venom, calling godly men everything from hypocrites to child molesters. Today’s society resides so much in the dark and is dulled by the flood of perverted truth that it has been poisoned to believe any thing it hears from the mouth of liars, requiring no honest proof to the outlandish claims they propose.

If the United States is ever to become strong morally and blessed spiritually once again, it will have to learn to close its ears to the false prophets and turn to the truth of the Word of God.

BTW, the King James Bible now is 400 years old as a translation and is still being used by God to win souls to Jesus Christ and disciple belivers. AMAZING! Think about it.

PRIVATE BLESSINGS

Mt 9:18

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Mt 9:19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. Mt 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: Mt 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. Mt 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Have you noticed that many of the divine, supernatural acts of our Lord were done privately or off to the side rather than in a public way? Our text today is an example of one of those instances. You may find that this is evident in your life. The Lord may get you alone before He begins to work in your life rather than putting it all on display for the world to see.

There is a story about a pastor who was having lunch with several of his parishoners. A lady and her grandson came and sat at a table close to the church group. As the meal progressed the pastor noticed that the ten year old grandson was staring at him intensely. When it became more obvious that the boy was watching the pastor, the grandmother explained that the boy was not trying to be rude but was attracted by the eagle on the pastor’s tie. “My father really likes eagles,” the young man said. Everyone at the pastor’s table smiled.

When the meal was over and everyone from the church began to leave, the pastor lingered behind and walked over to the boy’s table. “So your father likes eagles?” asked the pastor. “Oh, yes,” replied the boy. “Does your father wear ties?” asked the man of God. The grandmother explained that the boy’s father wore ties quite often and admired eagles a great deal.

“What is your name, son?” asked the pastor. “Devin” he said. “Well, Devin, you give this tie to your father,” said the pastor as he slipped it from around his neck, “and promise me you will give him this card.” 

The boy grinned from ear to ear as he accepted the gift and promised he would give his father the tie along the card which had printed upon it the plan of salvation.

Simple acts in private may come to mean more than those done before a throng.

STAYING FRESH IN THE YEAR TO COME

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Three days already into the new year. Yesterday I preached on the immutability of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the many things I have found to be important in the ministry is to stay fresh. There is no secret formula, just make Jesus Christ your theme! I have seen preachers espouse causes and champion movements, and when the causes die out and the movements collapse, the preachers vanish too. But the man who glories in Jesus Christ never grows stale. Our Lord is perennial and he who makes his boast in Christ stays forever fresh. He shall bring forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper, so it says in Psalm 1.

How long it takes us to learn that the issue is simply Jesus! We read books and feel that the magic word is sure to appear on the next page, but it doesn’t. We read biography, but we cannot live on second-hand experience. We try to work up visions and ecstasies of our own, but even if we succeed the glory fades. At last we arrive where we should have started, to learn that once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord. 

It is all Jesus. Why not start at center and work out instead of starting on the circumference and working in? Stand by the Hub and the spokes are yours.

AS I REACH MY JOURNEY'S END

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul was granted his heart's desire. "I have finished my course," he wrote later, and it was with joy. Not with money or earthly possessions, because he wrote from a dungeon, needing his cloak and parchments. Not with a host of friends, for all men had forsook him. Not with fame, for he died a martyr. But he finished with joy, anticipating a crown.

Just as the last day of the year anticipates a new year, so journey's end for the Christian is but the end of a prelude. Phil 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  There are no turns for the worse. To die is gain, even death for the believer is a paying proposition. 

It was for the joy that was set before Him that our Lord endured the cross despising the shame. And looking unto him we run with patience and finish with joy.

Some who have known starting grace and sustaining grace have grown careless about finishing grace. What fools we can be on the mile! Be sure to make your last testimony the joy of journey's end!

SUFFICIENT

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In January of 2005, our church closed the deal of the sale of our old building on Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis. We moved into a warehouse in Lawrence, which was suppose to be for only a short period of one year. We did this thinking that we would be able to begin the building of our new church building by fall of 2006. We had our architectural plans made, secured the services of a builder, and purchased a steel building for the primary structure. All this not taking into account that the Lord was going to allow the “messenger of Satan” to bring us a thorn in the flesh. We spent five years and three months in that warehouse praying, pruning and preparing for the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We discovered that the harshest thorn can bring us to a greater knowledge and relationship in the grace of God. Therefore, I say, we owe that thorn a debt of gratitude.

Our Lord certainly knows how to prepare us for what we must face in the future. Whether it be illness, lack of finances, or emotional heartache, the grace of God is sufficient to turn our weaknesses into the strength of Almighty God. We owe a debt of gratitude to every adversity that comes our way for it allows us to see the hand of God in our lives. We can glory in our infirmities and when we do it brings us to the power of Christ resting upon us.

By the way, God has given us a wonderful church building to worship in and though the thorns keep coming the grace of God is still sufficient. Amen!

FAMILY CAMP 2010

Jos 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Our family just returned from attending Family Camp at Camp Victory in Somerset, Kentucky. I have always enjoyed this particular three days there. Family Camp has been a great source of encouragement to me and other members of my family. This year was no exception, I was not disappointed in the least. If ever a group of people desired to lift up Jesus Christ and worship the Lord, I certainly was with them this year. And we had a great number from our church attend, as well.

The “old timers” really knew how to worship because they learned what worship really is! We need to learn a lesson from them about true worship. No fakery, no human glorification, nothing worked up, no distraction from the real purpose of worship. As they would say, “God got on it!” You just had to be there to know and experience it. Others, like myself, have gone in years past and it has always been Holy Spirit blessed, but there was just something filling and satisfying this year that only God could supply. As my friend, Pastor George Heitman, said “I’d rather sing than grieve.” 

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word.

Just to rest upon His promise,

Just to know “thus saith the Lord.”

I DON'T NEED TO KNOW, I JUST WANT TO KNOW

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Of late, as a devotional for my grandchildren (Kaycee, Laurisa and James) I have been reading from “Streams For Teens,” which is an adaptation of the devotional book by L. B. Cowman, “Streams In The Desert.” Each morning before they go off to school we have a moment of  Bible reading and a selection from this book. I do not know if they are getting much from it, but my cup is over flowing.

Today’s offering was based upon our text and featured comments by F. B. Meyer, one of my favorite authors. Meyer said, “Abraham’s decision to leave was based not so much upon the promise, but rather the Promiser.” This really hit home with me and reminded me that the direction for our lives is not so much what we can see and understand or even desire. It is based totally upon the character and integrity of our Lord and Master. Many are saying “Lord, Lord” today, but never follow Him as their Captain. Modern Christians have a habit of mapping out their own plan and strategy then seeking God’s approval. The old timers would call this “putting the cart before the horse.”

As we walk and serve and worship our Lord, we must allow Him to “lead His dear children along.” The Holy Spirit’s phrase in Hebrews 11, “By faith” must have a deeper meaning than we put to it today. However, we would say “I need to know the promise before I move.”  No, we don’t need to know, we just want to know.

As my friend says, “think about it.”

WAITING FOR GOD

Isa 30:18

And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

I found this poem in one of my devotional books. I do not know who the author is for it is listed in the book as “selected.” But the thoughts truly minister to my heart.

I longed to walk along an easy road,

And leave behind the dull routine of home,

Thinking in other fields to serve my God;

But Jesus said, “My time has not yet come.”

I longed to sow the seed in other soil,

To be unfettered in the work, and free,

To join with other laborers in their toil;

But Jesus said, “‘Tis not My choice for thee.”

I longed to leave the desert, and be led

To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,

That I might win them; but the Master said,

“I have not called thee, publish here My name.”

I longed to fight the battles of my King,

Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;

But my great Captain bade me wait and sing

Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

I longed to leave the uncongenial sphere,

Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,

To feel I had some human helper near,

But Jesus bade me guard one lonely gate.

I longed to leave the round of daily toil,

Where no one seemed to understand or care;

But Jesus said, “I choose for thee this soil,

That thou might’st raise for Me some blossoms rare.”

And now I have no longing but to do

At home, or else afar, His blessed will,

To work amid the many or the few;

Thus, “choosing not to choose,” my heart is still.

John Bunyan wrote in Pilgrim’s Progress, “And Patience was willing to wait.” Patience is not easy to come by, for patience means our lives are about waiting for God not consumed with self. The Word says “tribulation worketh patience.” God can not be served any other way for to try to do a work in His name without His timing is only self-serving. I am two months away from age sixty-one at this writing...I believe I can say this much, patience displays our faith and trust in the One Who called us. I’ve learned that much in my lifetime.

SHAME! SHAME!

Ps 35:26 “Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.”

The Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “shame” as: A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation; or by of that which nature nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. Shame is particularly excited by the disclosure of actions which, in the view of men, are mean and degrading. Hence it it is often or always manifested by a downcast look or by blushes, called confusion of face.

Our text, no doubt, is a reference to David being mistreated by Saul. Even Jonathan was ashamed of his father’s actions in doing so. For it says in 1Sa 20:34 “So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.”

There will be times when those of authority will act shamefully. Sometimes it will be a close friend or even a family member who seeks your hurt. As I have said many times, we all have to stand in front of the same Jesus. He is always the righteous Judge. It is then, if not before, that Christ will bring them to confusion and clothe them with shame and dishonour. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.

Recently, I learned of two “preachers” who have acted shamefully. Once I respected both these men, but because of their foolish and shameful speech and actions I have lost all respect for them. It is such a pity because both of them claim to represent our precious Lord. My fear is that one day they both will stand to give an account and be brought to shame before the Lord. That will neither be productive for the ministry nor for them as God’s men.

Let us be careful to do as the Scriptures command, Eph 5:15 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” this should always be our endeavor, this is always wise.