Archive for March, 2011

  • 31 Mar

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    BELIEVING IN OTHERS

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    “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

    Acts 9:26-27

    The most notorious persecutor of churches and Christians had reportedly been converted. Saul of Tarsus had been ruthless and determined in his efforts to stamp out this new religious movement – Christianity. Saul claimed to have changed from an enemy of Christ to a devout believer. Could he be trusted? Saul was forced to leave Damascus because the Jews were conspiring to kill him. When Saul, later to be known as Paul the apostle, finally made it to Jerusalem, his reception was anything but enthusiastic. There was great skepticism among the disciples there. They did not believe that Saul’s profession was genuine. Thankfully Barnabas befriended Saul and defended him to the rest, declaring both his conversion and the life change that accompanied it. The rest, of course, is history.

    Barnabas modeled a quality that is much needed in the body of Christ; he believed in others. When others doubted, he believed. When some were pessimistic, he was optimistic. When others were skeptical, he was confident. He fulfilled a valuable role for both parties.

    Paul needed someone to believe in him. Imagine the discouragement if no one would be willing to give you a chance. Some will cross our paths that need that same vote of confidence. They are sincere in their desire to change; and need someone to believe in them. Rather than keeping our distance and watching critically to see if they are sincere, they need us to take a bit of risk and befriend them.

    Likewise, the disciples in Jerusalem needed for someone to believe in Saul. They were filled with doubt and needed for someone to convince them to give this new convert an opportunity to prove himself. Some might ask, “If we try to be a Barnabas to others, will we ever be disappointed?” If we spend our lives believing in others and encouraging their progress, we probably will; but isn’t it worth it? It is worth some occasional disappointment if some become followers of Christ. Be willing, for Jesus’ sake, to believe in others.

  • 30 Mar

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    EVERYONE DOING HIS PART

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    “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”

    II Corinthians 8:13, 15

    This passage is a part of a lengthy section of Scripture dealing with the subject of grace giving. Paul was giving instructions concerning money that was being given from several churches to help relieve the suffering of the saints. This is the biblical pattern of churches cooperating. It forms the Scriptural basis of what is often called faith promise giving, or grace giving, which is used for supporting missions and mission projects in many churches. As part of Paul’s detailed teaching about the grace of giving, he addressed the matter of equality in our participation in giving. “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened.”

    God never intended that the responsibility of supporting His work be a burden that was borne by only a few, but rather that it would be shared by all. This principle has many applications for the way God’s work is to be carried out in our day. The gospel ministry includes such things as witnessing, missions, teaching, discipleship, etc. Every part of the ministry requires laborers and finances to get this great work accomplished. Who has been given the responsibility of supporting these local and worldwide projects? Clearly, the Lord has assigned this responsibility to every Christian and to every church. It is not His desire that a small percentage of His children be “burdened” with the entire responsibility of carrying out His work, while others are unwilling to participate. God’s plan is for everyone to do his part. Serving and giving is both the privilege and the duty of every Christian and every church member.

    Later in this teaching Paul writes, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7). Every individual is to seek the Lord about his or her role, and trust the Lord for His leadership. But, everyone should be doing his part. In too many churches, those who are willing to work and serve are overloaded, often because of those who are unwilling to do their share. If God’s work was being done God’s way, everyone would be letting God direct and would be cheerfully doing his part.

  • 29 Mar

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    DO NOT MY WORDS DO YOU GOOD?

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    “O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?”

    Micah 2:7

    Micah warned God’s people of the judgment that was coming to them because of their idolatry and rebellion. As part of his message, Micah asked the wayward nation this question: “do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?” God’s Words are good, and they are just. But, the blessings of God come to those who obey God’s Word and walk uprightly. It is obvious that those who are in rebellion will not experience the same measure of spiritual blessing as “him that walketh uprightly.” In appealing to the people, Micah spoke of the listener’s identity, saying, “O thou that art named the house of Jacob.” These were the descendents of the great patriarch and were called by his name. However, their piety, morals, and behavior were not consistent with their name.

    We also need to be reminded at times of our identity and the responsibility that accompanies that privilege. It is one thing to be called a Christian, or be named by God’s name, but it is another thing to live up to that sacred honor. Those that belong to Christ have an obligation to bear His name in a worthy manner.

    Micah pointed out that they had no interest in hearing from God. This backslidden nation told the prophets to keep silent. A person’s attitude about the Bible, and more specifically about Bible preaching, will tell you a great deal about their spiritual condition. When someone does not want to hear what God says, he is in serious trouble. Micah said that the Spirit of God in the prophets was “straitened,” which means God’s Spirit was grieved or shortened. He then asked the question, “do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?” Micah wanted them to see that God’s Word is good, and the fact that these people rejected His Word was evidence that their walk was not as it should be.

    The same is true today. Those who prefer to live in rebellion and disobedience find God’s Word offensive and have no appetite for hearing the truth. For some, it is easier to silence God’s Word than to repent and get their hearts right. In contrast, to those who love God and want to live for Him, His Words are good and they will do good. There is nothing wrong in our day that old-fashioned repentance and obedience cannot fix.

  • 28 Mar

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    WHY ARE YOU SO FEARFUL?

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    “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”

    Matthew 8:24-26

    There is not one of us who has not experienced fear in some form or another. For some, it may be the fear of failing, the fear of dying, or the fear of the unknown. For others, it might be the fear of losing employment, the fear of leaving home, or the fear of being rejected. The disciples were in the midst of a terrible storm in the sea, and fear had overtaken them.

    When you think about it, just as storms are a part of life on the sea, storms are a part of life on the land. We all are going to face storms. This was a “great tempest” for the experienced sailors. That is the kind of storm that causes us to fear. We would not be afraid if there were no storms, and we would probably not fear if the storm were small and short-lived. When our trials are intense and we do not know how or when they will end, fear seeks to take hold of us.

    Jesus was not concerned in the least bit, for He was sleeping throughout the whole thing. When Jesus was awakened, He asked the question, “Why are ye fearful?” He did not ask if they were afraid, but why they were afraid. We should personalize this question. Why are we sometimes so fearful?

    One obvious reason we can be overtaken with fear is because we are not trusting the Lord. Jesus said to these disciples, “O ye of little faith.” When fear fills our hearts, it must be that we are not relying on the Savior. He wants us, as children of God, to trust Him in the practical daily circumstances of life, but especially in our storms and trials. At times we are given to fear because we have the tendency to expect the worst. The disciples were convinced they were perishing. Fear has a way of multiplying itself. The more we think about a potential danger, the more severe it becomes to us. Very often when a trial passes, we are stricken that it was not nearly as tragic as we had imagined it to be. We are also fearful when we forget that we are not alone. Jesus is always with us. With the Master on board, surely we can trust Him to see us through.

  • 27 Mar

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    ASKING OUR FATHERS

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    “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”

    Deuteronomy 32:7

    Moses would soon die, and go to his eternal reward. He had given his life in service to God and caring for God’s people. He had counseled them, instructed them, prayed for them, and led them to the Promised Land. He would not be allowed to accompany them into Canaan. Before he departed, he gave Israel a powerful message in song. The faithful man of God admonished the people he so dearly loved to look back and learn from the generation that preceded them. “Remember the days of old…ask thy father, and he will shew thee.”

    Moses knew the people would benefit from consulting their elders and taking heed to their wisdom. This is not an isolated bit of counsel, but one that is repeated often in the Bible. It is wise to listen to the voice of experience and those who are older. Just because a person is older is no guarantee that he is wiser; more often than not, however, his advice will be beneficial.

    This practical wisdom should be applied in our homes. Children should be encouraged to respect their elders, obey their parents, and seek the counsel of godly leaders. Teenagers could also benefit greatly from some sagely insight from those who are older. It is a unique and unusually prudent teenager who draws upon the advice of those their seniors. Young adults would likewise do well to listen to the wisdom of their elders. Their parents’ and grandparents’ generations have learned many lessons by rearing their children and seeing God bless in their homes. It only stands to reason that the older generation would be able to offer some valuable counsel.

    Younger preachers would also benefit from carefully heeding the wise words of seasoned and mature spiritual leaders. It is difficult to see young and inexperienced people create hardships for their lives which could have been avoided by simply asking questions or seeking advice.

    Unfortunately many young people show little interest in the vast reservoir of wisdom available in their elders. This does not mean the older generation is more intelligent or even more spiritual. What it does mean is that years of living and walking with God provides valuable lessons. Moses’ dying message is still sound advice after all these years, “ask thy father.”

  • 26 Mar

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    FEED MY SOUL

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    “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

    Psalm 107:9

    The Psalmist is recalling the desperate condition of a people that were in bondage and despair. They were alone and weak, sitting in darkness and afflicted, all because of their rebellion. Their souls fainted for hunger and thirst. In their trouble, they cried unto the Lord and He delivered them. In declaring the mercy of God, the writer said, “he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

    There is a hunger and thirst within man that only God Himself can satisfy. God wants to feed the soul of the hungry. Unfortunately, many do not realize their need for soul nourishment. They think they are satisfied, filling their spiritual bellies with the garbage of the world. Perhaps you were once there. Thank God for the day that enlightenment began to come to our souls. Thank God for the day that the pleasures of sin were no longer satisfying. Sometimes God uses circumstances and afflictions to bring us to the place where we see how desperately we need Him.

    There is something refreshing in seeing the soul that is longing for God. Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). God satisfies the longing soul; He feeds the soul of the hungry. This is seen in the soul of the sinner seeking salvation. The Holy Spirit brings the convicted sinner to the place of realizing that he is spiritually bankrupt and deserving of eternal damnation. Made aware of his pitiful condition, he cries out to God for mercy and grace, and God fills his longing soul. This should not be the end of this new creature’s longing for the satisfaction of the soul that only Jesus can give. Although the true child of God is eternally secure in his relationship with God, there ought to be a lifetime of hungering and thirsting for more of God’s grace and Spirit to work in the heart. It is grievous for professing believers to see themselves as satisfied, having need of nothing.

    It is those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that He has promised to fill. He wants to feed our souls with the nourishment of the Word of God and the precious Spirit of God. As we daily seek Him and feast regularly upon the Word, He will indeed feed and satisfy our hungry souls.

  • 25 Mar

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    LOT VEXED HIS RIGHTEOUS SOUL

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    “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.)”

    II Peter 2:7, 8

    This testimony concerning Lot reveals the potentially negative influence of the sinful world on the child of God. Every true Christian who has worked in a typical secular environment can relate to the challenge it can present. We know that secular employment is part of God’s plan for the majority of us. It is the means whereby the needs of the family can be met; we gain the ability to support the Lord’s work by tithes and offerings; and we are able to give to the needs of others as well. Another purpose we find in the work place is the opportunities it provides for witnessing and sharing our faith in Christ. These are all positive and productive benefits of our job.

    Although it really is a ministry, it can have a negative effect on the spiritual life. The Bible says that Lot was “just” and a “righteous man.” Lot was a believer, one of God’s children. As we know, he lived in a notoriously wicked environment, Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says that “his righteous soul” was vexed “from day to day.” The filthy lifestyle of his neighbors, the language he heard, the things he saw, took its toll on the spiritual health of Lot.

    The same can happen to believers today. As our world increases in its ungodliness, the language becomes more wicked and blasphemous, styles of dress are more revealing, and the respect for God and Christians declines. In this environment, we find excellent opportunities to stand for Christ, but the potential is also there for spiritual problems to arise. In such a setting, will Christians influence those without Christ or will the unsaved have a damaging impact on the believers?

    How can we keep our souls from being vexed in the wicked world where we reside? We must learn to daily feed on God’s Word and receive strength from Him. We should also see ourselves as missionaries in a hostile environment. Remain faithful in church attendance, including the very important mid-week service. We must keep our minds and hearts pure, confessing our sins daily to Christ, and learning to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. With God as our helper, we can have victory in this world.

  • 24 Mar

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    COMPLAINING

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    “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.”

    Numbers 11:1

    The children of Israel were guilty, on numerous occasions, of displeasing the Lord. In this example, “when the people complained, it displeased the LORD.” Their complaining angered God. They complained about the general difficulty of the journey, the presence of giants in Canaan, the lack of food or water, the absence of Moses when he was away seeking God, etc. Complaining sometimes brought God’s chastening hand against His people. Most people would not consider complaining to be a serious sin, but when “the LORD heard it; . . . his anger was kindled.”

    We all have, at some time or another, been guilty of complaining. Why would complaining so displease the Lord? For one thing, those who are complaining have usually been blinded to the wonderful things that God has done or is doing. God had delivered these people from their Egyptian slavery and given them hope and promise for the future, but those realities were momentarily forgotten. Having forgotten God’s great blessings, they focused on their present lack, and the result was complaining.

    Complaining also indicates a lack of contentment with God and His will. From a prison where Paul was rejoicing, he wrote that we are to be content with the basic necessities of life. Not only is complaining an expression of personal discontent, it also helps to spread discontentment. Complaining discourages others and affects their attitudes and spiritual growth. Just as a grateful spirit can be contagious, a grumbling spirit can be infectious.

    Complaining demonstrates a lack of trust in God. God is trustworthy and He wants us to trust Him. He consistently met the needs of these Israelites by providing them with manna and water out of the rock, and by destroying their enemies.

    To complain is to forget all the ways God has guided and provided in the past and to assume that He has somehow become incapable of supplying now. Complaining is a serious sin and must be taken seriously. It displeased the Lord then, and we can be sure that it displeases Him now. Let us purpose to develop and maintain a positive attitude, free from complaining.

  • 23 Mar

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    MY HEART IS TOWARD THE GOVERNORS

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    “My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.”

    Judges 5:9

    The time of the Judges was the period after the death of Joshua and before Saul became the first king of Israel. During this era, when God’s people would stray far from His ways, the Lord would raise up leaders to deliver His backsliding people. Deborah was such a leader, and the Bible records the song of Deborah that was sung after God subdued their enemies. It included these words, “My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.”

    She recognized the leaders, or governors, who gave themselves to their cause. Her song also indicates there were many who did not engage in the battle, as is the case in many contests. She was grateful to the leaders and to God for those who were willing to get involved. There is such a need for good and godly leaders. We should thank the Lord for leaders who are out front, leading us in the battles of life. Whether in the home or the church, they are making a great contribution.

    I have been encouraged many times by the testimony of younger Christian men expressing their indebtedness to older spiritual leaders, particularly those who serve as examples to the generations that are following. Sometimes we forget that others are watching us. Growing believers need to be able to see the consistency and courageous service of those who are stronger and more mature in the Lord.

    Deborah mentioned the fact that these governors offered themselves willingly “among the people.” They were not better than the people, or removed from the people, but were among the people. Some of us have seen when this was not the case. Older Christians, who should be leading by example, sometimes take the attitude that they have “served their time,” and thus leave the spiritual battles to the younger and more zealous. We should reject this line of reasoning as being unbiblical.

    This would be a good time to join Deborah in thanking the Lord for the leaders that have been used to encourage us in our spiritual growth and service. Where would we be without the faithful and dedicated service of mature leaders? All of us are to be engaged in the Lord’s work. Some are followers and some as leaders, but all are servants of the Lord. “Bless ye the LORD” for every soldier in the fight.

  • 22 Mar

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    SUBDUING ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF

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    “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

    Philippians 3:20, 21

    Paul often wrote of the coming of Christ and the fact that he was looking for the Lord’s glorious return. When Jesus does return, an exciting thing will happen to the bodies of believers. The Scripture describes our present bodies as being “vile.” When Jesus comes back, our bodies will be transformed and “fashioned like unto his glorious body.” What an expression of God’s might, to change the body of every child of God into a glorious body. When that happens, this corruptible will put on incorruption and this mortal will put on immortality.

    We need not wonder if this great transformation is beyond His ability, for our text reminds us “he is able.” Not only is He able to change every sinful body in a moment of time, but the passage also tells us that this is just one example of how He is able to “subdue all things unto himself.” To subdue means “to bring into subordination, bring under obedience, or bring into subjection.” Again we marvel at the greatness of our Lord. He is able to “subdue all things unto himself.”

    This is a tremendous promise for Christians who long for a new body without the sinful tendencies associated with our present bodies. However, this promise is not just a promise of what God can do in the future, but of what He wants to do in the present. He is in the business of bringing things into subjection or under obedience to Him. One day our “vile body” will be changed, and we will receive a “glorious body” like the resurrected body of Jesus. This is possible because “he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

    In the meantime, He is interested in changing many other things about our lives. He wants to change our thinking, our attitudes, our priorities, our character, etc. He is committed to conforming us into His own image. Can He conquer habits and character traits that have been a part of us all our lives? Certainly He can, if He is able to “subdue all things unto himself.” We can believe that God is able to give us the victory through His great power.

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