...Shout to God with cries of joy.
(Psalm 47:1
NIV). God’s saints should know how to make a joyful noise. God does not dwell in eternal
and solemn silence, and He doesn’t expect His saints to do so. Heaven rings with the audible worship
of angels, and one day heaven will resound with the ransom song of the redeemed. In a day when noise
abatement societies are needed, we appreciate seasons of silence. But we should be able to shout
for joy.
Other sections of scripture exhort us to make a joyful noise unto
the Lord...
(Psalm 100:1 NIV), and Shout for
joy to the LORD...
(Psalm 98:4 NIV). Have you ever shouted to God?
You will be able to do so when you are filled with joy. Still reluctant? You cannot shout quietly - no
one ever shouted in a whisper! Get in a little practice for the day when we shall have a share in making
the courts of heaven ring with shouts of triumph over sin and death. (RG)
A motherless daughter was living with her drunkard father. When he was the worse for drink he would
beat her and turn her out of the house. But when he had fallen into a drunken sleep she would silently
slip in and put the house in order. One morning her father heard her softly singing as she
prepared the breakfast. He seemed deeply moved and asked, Sarah, why do you stay with me?
She
replied, Because I love you.
He exclaimed, Love me! everyone else despises me.
She said,
You are my father and I love you.
Her love led him to the one who could and did deliver him from
his drinking habit, the Lord Jesus
In 1 Peter 4:8 we read, ... love will cover a
multitude of sins.
How easily we are put off by the unloving acts and attitudes of others. Covering
sins
is an Old Testament proverbial saying, meaning, love refuses to see faults.
.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered
(Psalm 32:1 NKJV). Hatred stirs up strife, But love
covers all sins.
(Proverbs 10:12 NKVJ). If only we realised the power
of love - love is covering and love is conquering. (RG)
Philip the evangelist had been having a revival in Samaria. Suddenly he was asked to go to a
deserted road. He saw a chariot coming along with a man in it who was reading aloud. Philip called
out, ...Do you understand what you are reading?
(Acts 8:30 NKJV).
How readest thou?
(Luke 10:26 KJV). Do we understand what we are reading of the Word
of God? While at one of my husband’s churches I went with him to visit one of the church members.
During her conversation she said, Pastor, its just like you said in your sermon on Sunday night.
Remembering that particular point of his sermon I had to smile at her interpretation of what he had said.
She was most surprised when he explained what he had said. How easy it is to read the Bible and to
interpret it to suit ourselves instead of reading what God is really saying. We need to let the Holy
Spirit guide us as we read the Word of God. He is the one who will, according to the promise of Jesus,
lead and guide us into all truth. (RG)
...This is my beloved, And this is my friend,...
(Song
of Solomon 5:16 NKJV). There is pride and pleasure in the voice of the one making the introduction.
There is also a possessive tone in the my beloved, and my friend. We are beginning to feel compelled to
look closely at the one being introduced. What friend is this who is held so possessively, and yet introduced
so eagerly?
Have we any friend whom we could proudly present to others? Jesus is willing and waiting to be that one. He became poor that we might become rich. He died that we might live. He rose again that we might follow Him to the mansions He has prepared for us. He prays for us and is preparing for us to live with Him forever.
If we had such a wonderful Friend wouldn’t we wish to show Him to, and share Him with others? Can
we say of Jesus, This is my beloved, and this is my Friend
?
(RG)
Not everyone was bitterly opposed to the captives from Israel. Daniel was determined to live for God in
the land of His captivity. Even though the ceremonial law could not be practiced, he kept God’s law in
his heart, and it was evidenced in his conduct. God worked in the heart of the prince of the eunuchs and
... God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
(Daniel 1:9 KJV). His work was to train these foreigners in the affairs of
Babylon; train them for positions of power and prominence. He could have resented this and made life difficult
for the selected captives.
When we find ourselves accepted
by the world in spite of our stand for God, it is because God has
given us ...favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
(1 Samuel 2:26 KJV). This is indeed a rare privilege and places great
responsibility on those to whom it is given. If we are in such a privileged position, let us maintain our
stand of separation. (RG)
Jesus knew he was coming to the end of His earthly ministry. And he went through the
cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
(Luke 13:22
KJV). Jerusalem was Jesus’ goal. He knew that when He reached it, humiliation and death awaited
Him. In the eyes of the world His great goal was set at the lowest level possible. But Jesus knew that
whatever suffering and shame He experienced, His goal was victory over sin, and triumph over death. He was
going ahead to open the gates of hell in order that a multitude that no man can number
might follow
Him.
His eyes were on Jerusalem, but His heart was with the people around Him, teaching as
he made his way ...
(NIV) The needs of the people were met as He made
His way towards His goal. He was not in a rat race - He was not progressing at the expense of others. People
were not stepping stones, or obstacles to impede His progress. He was journeying to Jerusalem for them. Although
they may not understand His purpose now, they would remember His teaching when they faced their personal Jerusalem.
The teachings of Jesus will also help us when we face our personal Jerusalem. (RG)
During one of their travels, Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium. Acts 14:1
tells us, they ...went both together into the synagogue of the Jews...
(KJV). Going to
church was not something that had to be done. It wasn’t a ritual - it was a way of life. Church life was an
inseparable part of the lives of the Early Church christians. Paul and Barnabas were visitors to Iconium. They
had something the residents of Iconium needed. We may not be going to church to preach, or sing in the choir, or
play a musical instrument, but we may by our very presence be just the blessing that someone needs. By our
corporate gathering we should be showing that we care for each other.
We go to church primarily to worship God, to sing to Him and about Him; to hear what He has to say to us
personally through His preached Word; to hear Him through the ministry of the Spirit; It is our corporate hour
of fellowship with God and should be as precious as our daily devotions at home. Praise ye
the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
(Psalm 111:1 KJV) Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and
bless the LORD.
(Psalm 134:2 KJV). (RG)
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen ...
(2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV).
The curling storm clouds piled above,
And turned the earth so dark.
God made a seven-hue’d bar of light
And bent it in an arc
A brilliant bow of colours blent
And placed it in the cloud
And to the earth’s inhabitants
He solemnly avowed,
This is My bow of promise given,
I will not flood again
The world with judgment waters cold,
In form of pouring rain.
God’s promises like rainbows, shine
Across life’s stormy days;
Reminding that He keeps His Word
Performing what He says. (RG)
We were in England during July. It seemed that nearly everyone in England who had a garden grew roses.
They were everywhere. On admiring some of the gardens it was obvious their owners knew something about roses.
Let us take an imaginary walk around one of these gardens. The rose garden is filled with fragrance and beauty.
Oh, how lovely they are,
we exclaim as we go from rose to rose. But let us follow the gardener. He
too, looks intently at each beautiful bloom. He cuts off a rose here and there as he walks from bush to
bush. These roses are perfect. They seem flawless in form and colour. Though the other roses are also beautful,
these are choice
- these are the ones the gardener has selected to enhance his home. How is it that the
chosen roses are better? It is because they were growing on new wood. When the heavenly Gardener looks at us,
does He see in us the perfection of beauty? Is our growth on the new wood of today’s reading and study of
His Word? Jesus said that For many are called, but few are chosen.
(Matthew 22:14 KJV).
Let our prayer be, Make me one of Your choice blooms.
(RG)
At the close of one of his missionary journeys Paul and his companions returned to Jerusalem. It is
recorded that ... the brethren received us gladly.
(Acts 21:17 KJV). Paul and his companions were well received, not because
of who they were, but because of what they were - brothers in Christ.
It may be that some of these
Jerusalem brothers had never met Paul. They didn’t erect a barrier of reserve - Let’s wait
to see what this man is like.
Paul was warmly welcomed. They had been looking forward to his arrival
and on meeting, they were one with him.
Do we accept our brothers and sisters in Christ whom we have not previously met? Or do we wait to see what they are like? If this is so, we may well be putting up an unconscious barrier which is sensed by those we are meeting. Let us do away with cold cautiousness and give all our brothers and sisters in Christ a loving, laughing welcome. (RG)
While Jesus was with the disciples He made it clear that the Good News was to be universal. He said
to them, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations
...;
(Matthew 28:19 NKJV). After His resurrection and after the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the disciples remained in Jerusalem. True, they were to begin
there, but at that time there was no attempt to move out ... into
all the world ...
(Mark 16:15 KJV) as Jesus had commissioned them.
It was the persecution of the church that sent believers into Samaria and surrounding districts, and later,
across the sea.
When Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit, went to the house of Cornelius, he and his companions were amazed
that the Gentiles believed and were baptised in the Holy Spirit. He didn’t connect the event with the
words, Go ye into all the world.
The disciples only
heard what they wanted to hear, not taking in all Jesus was saying. It was only when circumstances jolted them
out of their groove, that they remembered and understood the words of Jesus. We too, are often guilty of grasping
that part of the message which we want to hear, and it is only when our circumstances change we realise all that
was meant. (RG)
The Israelites, in their wilderness wanderings, had so little of material possessions that they were
entirely dependent on God. Now Moses was prophesying of prosperity beyond their imagining. He saw a time
of affluence as they fought and conquered the inhabitants of Canaan. He saw them become materially-minded
till they rarely had any thought of God. Moses reminded them, Because you did not serve
the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything ...
(Deuteronomy 28:47 NKJV).
God wanted them to prosper. He wanted them to enjoy His land which He was giving to them. He wanted them
to be glad in Him and serve Him as their King. But riches are a snare, and the christian today faces the same
trials and temptations as the Israelites. It is so easy for him to become absorbed with material possessions
till he feels he cannot live without them. The pleasure of owning them fills his mind till he has thought for
little else. The writer to the Hebrews said, ... be content with such things as you
have ...
(Hebrews 13:5 NKJV). Do not make the acquiring of personal
possessions an all-absorbing aim, for riches can fly away, according to Proverbs 23:5. Spiritual possessions
are for keeps. (RG)
Paul was writing a letter to the Ephesian believers and he made it quite clear that he was not a prisoner
of Caesar’s, having committed no crime against Roman law. He wrote, ... I Paul,
the prisoner of Jesus Christ ...
(Ephesians 3:1 KVJ). He was so
completely controlled by the Lord, and his circumstances so ordered by the Lord, that he accepted his present
position as part of the Lord’s plan for him. He was the Lord’s prisoner. He was able to say,
... in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(Philippians 4:11 KVJ). If the Lord wanted him in prison, it was alright
by Paul. We would be less fearful and fretful of our circumstances if our will was surrendered to the Lord.
There are times when His will is not our will. We struggle and scheme to keep out of prison
, only to
find we are less happy out of prison, than we would have been in our God-appointed cell.
(RG)
Be still, and know that I am God;
(Psalm 46:10 KJV).
At times we reach the threshhold of that stillness when we are in church - that holy stillness which makes
us aware of God. Almost invariably that stillness only lasts for a few seconds. We seem to get no further
than the threshhold!
At our weekly prayer meeting we praised God and moved into worship. Then stillness, absolute stillness would settle over us. Each person felt completely alone with God. On one occasion I opened my eyes to see if the people were still there, the stillness was so intense! During these times of stillness, God often spoke a word of knowledge, or wisdom, or made a promise, or gave guidance to our praying. But the stillness was never broken by those to whom God has spoken. From the stillness we emerged into vocal praise and adoration, followed by the ministries which had been given in the silence.
Many people seem afraid of stillness, silence. We are acclimatised to noise , the radio, T.V. or Hi-fi in the
home. Some have the radio on all day long. Factories and shops have the radio relayed into their departments.
People simply don’t know what to do with silence. God says, Be still, and know that
I am God.
If those times of stillness only deepen our consciousness of God, we shall be blessed indeed.
(RG)
Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom when Moses laid his hands on him in blessing. A month later
this wisdom was evident. And Joshua ... sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly ...
(Joshua 2:1 KJV). Chiefly on a reconnaissance of the city of Jericho. He
remembered what happened when he and Caleb, along with ten other men, were sent into Canaan to spy out the
land after their journey from Egypt. He and Caleb had brought back good reports, and were full of faith that
they could conquer the land. But because of the evil reports of ten of the spies, the people were filled with
fear, and God in His anger allowed the Israelites to wander in the wilderness for 4O years. Now Joshua stood
on the threshhold of the Promised Land. This time he was the leader of this vast multitude. His two spies (which
in wisdom he had sent out secretly) returned to speak of the great fear that rested on the people of Canaan. When
we are faced with a great undertaking we can count on God to impart the necessary wisdom.
James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask
God, who gives generously to all ...
(NIV).
(RG)
In Luke 22:55 we read, ...Peter sat down among
them.
(KJV). He was identifying himself with the crowd. If he had stood at the edge of the crowd he
would have appeared a stranger, and drawn attention to himself. He chose to sit
in the seat of the scornful.
It is possible the crowd around the fire were discussing the arrest of
Jesus. Perhaps some spoke of the miracles of healing which He had performed. Perhaps others related having
heard Jesus teaching the multitudes. Others may have mentioned that special band of chosen men, the Twelve.
As the firelight lit Peter’s face a servant girl looked hard at him, and said, This
man was also with Him.
(Luke 22:56 KJV).
When we associate closely with the world, we are in danger of becoming close companions with them. This
puts a distance between us and our Lord. The closer we move to the world, the further we move from Jesus.
Paul exhorted the Romans, ... be not conformed ... but be ye transformed ...
(Romans 12:2 KJV). Then the world will not mistake us for one of them.
(RG)
Micah was contemporary with Isaiah. His prophecies were in part related to the Messianic age and the
church age. In this chapter he speaks specifically to Judah. His prophecy takes the form of a controversy
between God and the people of Judah, where God reproves them for unkindness, ignorance, injustice, and
lastly, idolatry. God began with what we might list as lesser sins. Exactly half way between the catalogue
of crimes, and the impending calamities is a sparkling jewel in Micah 6:8.
...what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?.
(KJV).
In nine words we have what past preachers have termed true religion
. Do
justly
- its modern meaning is fair play
. No decision which gives advantage to one person to the
detriment of another, is just
, whether in the home, at work or at pleasure. love
mercy
- God’s justice calls for the death of the sinner - His mercy secured a substitute for us,
Jesus Christ. Can we be less merciful with one another? Walk humbly with thy God
.
If we are walking humbly with God there will be no place for pride, unkindness, or injustice.
(RG)
In Thessalonians we read that some people will be ... punished with everlasting
destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord ...
(2 Thessalonians
1:9 NIV. What a frightful experience! Perhaps some people can remember a childhood incident when
returning from play, they found the door of their home closed, and they were too small to be able to open
it. Shut out! Shut out from their parents.
People say, God is love. He wouldn’t do that.
This is presuming on the love of God.
Verse 8 tells us why they will be shut out from God’s presence.
...those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
(2 Thessalonians 1:8 NIV). Shut out from His love - His joy - His peace -
mercy, forgiveness. Since they didn’t want His presence along with which came His blessings, they
cannot expect to enjoy Him and His blessings in eternity. Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem because they
didn’t want Him. ...how often I have longed to gather
your chidren ... but you were not willing.
(Matthew 23:37 NIV). Shall we open the gospel door and invite in our
friends and neighbours so they will not have this shut out
experience? (RG)
Each evening, God walked in the Garden of Eden to have fellowship with Adam. One day, Adam was missing.
God called out, ...Where are you?
(Genesis 3:9 NKJV).
God knew where Adam was geographically. But where was he spiritually? He was not in the place God expected
him to be. God came to keep His tryst with Adam, but for the first time since his creation, Adam did not
want to meet God. He hid. He separated himself from God in a physical sense - he was already separated from
God spiritually. We cannot accidentally become separated from God. We know the thing which separates us from
Him; that which makes us disinclined to draw near to Him. It is not absenting ourselves from church attendance
which causes us to backslide. It is the backslidden heart which causes us to absent ourselves from church.
Absenteeism is not the cause but the effect of backsliding. When God has to say Where are you?
it is
certain that we have disobeyed Him, gone our own way, pleased ourselves. But God still comes seeking.
(RG)
We were in the Conference dining room when I first saw her - little Mrs Nobody, sitting alone at a
table, not interested in anyone or anything. I walked over and greeted her and sat in a chair near her.
Opening my Bible, I said I wanted to show her something. Turning to 1 Timothy 6:15
in my Bible, Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate,
the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
(KJV). I asked her to read the verse, which she did. From then on
the conversation went like this:
Me: What is a potentate?
Janice: A king.
Me: So God is a King. In John 20:17 (KJV) Jesus said to Mary,
... I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God,
and your God.
What is another name for God?
Janice: Father.
Me: When you accepted Jesus as your Saviour, Janice, God became your Father. (She nodded her agreement).
Me: Since your heavenly Father is a King, what does that make you?
Janice: (Hesitantly) A princess.
She stared at me, and then I watched as the truth dawned. It was like watching a sunrise.
Me: As a princess you are a representative of the King. You will speak for Him, and live to bring credit
to Him. Psalm 45:13 (NIV) says, All glorious is the
princess within her chamber...
I quickly wrote out all the references and gave them to her. It was two months before I next met Janice.
I hardly recognised the bubbling, sparkling woman. As we hugged each other I said, Hello, princess Janice.
During our conversation she said, Tom and I are Home Cell leaders.
She had accepted her spiritual royal
status and was functioning as a daughter of the King - a princess. Remember your spiritual royal status, and be
a faithful representative of the King. (RG)
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
MY. A personal God. Mine by virtue of His Son’s death at Calvary.
GOD. Jesus taught us dependence on God. He meets our needs, loads us with uncountable blessings, forgives
sins, heals diseases, crowns with lovingkindness.
SHALL. The shall of certainty. God already has those things of which we are in need, so thank Him in
advance.
SUPPLY. Supplied in various ways. God doesn’t arrange an airlift to drop them from the skies. He
supplies, they come from Him, but He usually uses human agents to do the delivery.
ALL. There are NO exceptions. This text does not mean some or a great many, but all. There is not anything
we need that God is not able to supply.
YOUR. If the text had said most people’s
or many people’s
needs we could
reasonably conclude that it didn’t necessarily mean us. Your
is a personal word. God does not
meet our needs en masse. Your needs differ greatly from your friends’ and neighbours’. This
your
guarantees individual attention.
NEED. The necessities of life. Whatever we need, for any service or for any journey, whether He is sending
us or leading us, we can confidently expect Him to furnish all we need.
ACCORDING TO. If God is a little short in any commodity, we may expect an equal reduction in the supply.
How utterly absurd! Whoever heard of God being impoverished in any way? Such words as plenteous>
,
loadeth
, and abundantly
, and riches of His goodness
are strewn throughout the scriptures
to encourage us.
HIS RICHES. Supplied from His riches. The thrifty housewife’s laden pantry shelves are not her only
assets. She goes to her storeroom and takes from her abundance those things she knows her neighbour needs.
IN GLORY. If the words indicate a place, then our poor, finite minds cannot begin to imagine the extent of
God’s riches.
BY CHRIST JESUS. What do we NOT have, because of Jesus! His giving began with salvation and we have
received exceeding abundantly ever since. (RG)
How eagerly I looked forward to the blue airmail letters from overseas. A letter from a relative! It
is usually a joy to receive a personal letter from someone. The apostle Paul tells us that we are letters
from Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:2. Williams
translation puts it this way: Anyone can see you are Christ’s letters.
The Living Bible says, The only letter I need is you
yourselves.
. It is sad that many unsaved people will not read the Bible, but they will read the christian.
We are a letter written by the Holy Spirit. We must be careful not to add anything that would damage, deceive
or disgust the readers.
Some people when reading a letter try to read between the lines
, that is, they read more than what
the writer has said. So often, the world will either ignorantly or purposely misinterpret our christian lives.
On the other hand, some people will see the love of Christ in We must be loving and living letters - not
smudged or made illegible by sin. (RG)
Can we imagine ourselves with literally nothing of this world’s goods? Could we say in such
circumstances, I don’t mind, I have Christ
? We care very much about our homes, and may even be
conscious that they are not as finely furnished as our neighbour’s. We have some treasures
which
we wouldn’t part with for the world.
Perhaps some of our treasures, though not costly, are
precious for their sentimental value, and would cause, if only momentarily, some grief if we had to part with
them. Human relationships are so tightly bound to us that when we are temporarily or permanently parted from
a loved one, the wrench is unbearable. If the word wrench
describes the parting, we are surely holding
on too tightly. If Paul had any treasures, he counted them as nothing. He could say,
...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ
Jesus my Lord, ...
(Philippians 3:8 NKJV). To Paul, the only treasure
worth possessing was the Lord Jesus. How is it with you? (RG)
Tom Kelly was an Irish minister. One day the Archbishop sent for him and rebuked him for his fiery
preaching, and refused for him to preach again. But Tom was on fire for God, and this wind of persecution
from such an unexpected source, only fanned the fire. Like the apostles and early christians in
Acts rejoiced 41... that
they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42And daily in the temple,
and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
(Acts
5:41-42 KJV).
Tom Kelly built his own church and the crowds flocked to hear him preach the truths of God’s Word.
His ministry reached his pen, and he wrote such hymns as Look ye saints, the sight is glorious
, We
sing the praise of Him who died
and The head that once was crowned with thorns
.
The winds of persecution are still blowing. Men and women are still being forbidden to speak of their desires being met for more of God; being put out of their churches because they share their faith. Are the winds of persecution blowing your way? Let them cause you to burn more brightly for the Lord. (RG)
The Corinthians, in spite of the visit Paul had made to them and the letter he wrote to them, still seemed
to discredit his ministry. They were prepared to listen to gossip about him instead of accepting him as they
had seen him to be. He wrote to them, ... open wide your hearts also.
(2 Corinthians 6:13 NIV). In verses 4-10
he relates a formidable list of the hardships which he and his companions, and colleagues had endured for the
gospel’s sake. He concluded it by saying his heart was open to them. In effect,I have gladly suffered
all this for you.
Verse 14 gives a clue to their attitude. He admonishes
them not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Although this verse is aptly used to warn people
against marrying unbelievers, it refers to any yoking together with unbelievers in business; in slander,
especially of men of God. Paul pleads with them, addressing them as though they were his own children, to
open their hearts. Let us make sure we are open-hearted, and big-hearted, not taking sides with those who try
to tear down the characters of others. (RG)
We can face an unsure future with God’s sure, promised presence. He has already planned the way for
each one of His children. In His infinite wisdom He reveals only one step at a time. The
steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.
(Psalm 37:23 KJV). His will
for us for some special service in the near future may be revealed to us. But the steps toward it are taken one
at a time. If God should show us the way just one week ahead, we might shrink back in dread and dismay. We can
manage a step at a time - keeping in step with God - walking with Him. Not lagging behind and following reluctantly,
nor rushing ahead in foolish haste. We read that Enoch walked with God, not that God walked with Enoch. God sets
the pace, shows the path, and strengthens with His presence. (RG)
We are apt to forget God’s blessings when we experience adverse circumstances. Taking our eyes off
God we look around, as Jeremiah did. No wonder he is referred to as the weeping prophet.
In
Lamentations 3:1-20 we have a picture of Jeremiah in deep despair. He feels
that God is against him (v3); broken his bones
(v4); put him in the dark (v6); pulled him
in pieces (v11); broken his teeth (v16),
to mention a few of his complaints.
But in verse 22 Jeremiah begins to count his blessings. While turning his
face Godward he is humbled and heartbroken for the sins of his countrymen, but through his tears begins to sing,
(Lamentations 3:22-26, 41, 56-58). When the enemy would overwhelm us, then is
the time to count our blessings, one of which is that we may never suffer as did Jeremiah. He said
22... His compassions fail not. 23They
are new every morning; ...
(Lamentations 3:22,23 NKJV).
(RG)
Mirrors - most people possess them in the home,or a handbag, or the car. The Word of God is a mirror. (James 1:23-25.)
IT SHOWS US WHAT WE WERE. In Matthew 27:36 we read,
Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.
(NKJV). Those at the cross saw only
a dying man. They should have seen themselves - sinners.
IT SHOWS US GOD’S HOLINESS. And when we see His holiness, we also see our sins. How unlike Him we are!
IT SHOWS US GOD’S LOVE. Some people may think they should smarten themselves up a bit before they come to God. We cannot dry-clean our souls - only the precious blood of Jesus cleans.
IT SHOWS US WHAT WE ARE. When made clean we want to stay that way. God’s mirror shows us faults that others can see, but we cannot. Blemishes on our hands soil our service. Unclean lips spoil our testimony. Unclean hearts hinder our prayer life. Blemishes on our feet make us disobedient. God doesn’t have hand mirrors - His is a full-length one. Let us use it to check up on every area in our lives. (RG)
Nowhere in the gospels do we read that Jesus Himself said He was our friend. True, the Scribes and Pharisees
called Him the Friend of publicans and sinners, and Jesus referred to this. But Jesus did say to His disciples,
You are My friends ...
(John
15:14 KJV)
Hymn-writers have written in expressive language of the friendship of Jesus. How well He deserves to be called our Friend! But what of our friendship with Jesus? He is all we could wish for in a friend. How do we measure up to being His friend?
How do we treat Him? Do we seek out His company - tell Him all that is in our hearts - let Him into every department of our lives? Do we constantly converse with Him - love to listen to what He has to say? Do we resent His needful admonitions, or His wise and kindly guidance? Would we be willing to die for Him, or do we find it difficult to live for Him? We should let our friendship to the Lord Jesus measure up to what we receive from Him. (RG)
In Ephesians 2:7 Paul tells us that God has exceeding riches of His grace.
He says that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace ...
(Ephesians 2:7 NKJV). His riches are so great that it will take ages to show
them to us. How true are the words of Paul when he quotes from Isaiah 64:4,
... Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things
which God has prepared for those who love Him.
(1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV).
These riches are being prepared for US!
It has already been known for some centuries that God has riches beyond our wildest dreams - prepared for those who love Him. The treasures of time are transient. Let us not set our affection on those things which we cannot carry with us into eternity. God’s riches cannot be compared to the wealth of this world. Our earthly treasures will appear as junk when we gaze on what God has been storing up for us. It is when we are seated together in Christ that our thoughts will centre on the promises of God, particularly on those which concern our future in eternity. What a wonderful prospect! (RG)
I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’
(Psalm 122:1 NKJV).
It was God’s will that His people should meet together in His presence. It demonstrates that we are united in heart, worshipping one God. Otherwise, our worship is unacceptable to God. Meeting together we are a testimony to the unbeliever. One person who stands alone in his beliefs may be regarded as a fanantic. But a group together will make an impressive impact.
Meeting together we strengthen and encourage one another, we share each other’s trials and triumphs.
It is small wonder that the writer to the Hebrews writes Not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together, ...
(Hebrews 10:25 KJV) - not to follow the fashion
of some of their number who were habitually absenting themselves from corporate worship. There are times when
earnest effort is necessary for meeting together. Let us be among those who seek
to meet with
God’s people. (RG)
Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; ...
(Isaiah 30:18 NKJV).
Our daughter, at the age of nine years, wanted a bicycle for a Christmas present. She spoke about it quite
often and in anticipation during the weeks before Christmas. But as this important day draw near, we had to tell
her that we could not afford to buy a bicycle for her. Her reply was absolutely amazing. Never mind, Mummy,
I shall be able to look forward to it for another year.
She had learned to wait, and wait expectantly. I
think it may be true to say that children have as much pleasure in anticipating a present, as in the actual
receiving of one. She was waiting in the same spirit that God expects us to wait - in anticipation.
Isaiah said the Lord would wait that He may be gracious to us, and concluded with the fact that those who wait for the Lord are blessed. God must have eagerly looked forward to that moment of the bountiful bestowing of His grace. There is no hardship or desire for haste in our waiting when it is filled with anticipation. (RG)
Ivy was a young convert. She was head over heels in love with Jesus. Wherever she went she spoke of Him,
and she was just as eager to talk to Him. We had risen from our knees after a time of prayer together, and
Ivy’s face shone like a polished apple. Besides the clean complexion of youth there was a radiance that
could only have come from heaven. Nor was it a receding radiance. Whenever we met Ivy she was shining. She was
a walking illustration of Psalm 34:5 (NIV), Those who
look to him are radiant; ...
Stephen’s face shone when he testified before the Council. We read that they looked
... stedfastly on him, ...
(Acts 6:15 KJV). They
stared at him - were drawn as a magnet, to the radiance in Stephen’s face.
In Daniel 12:3 we read of the same radiance in those who win souls for the Lord. Our text tells us that those who look to the Lord are radiant. It is possible for us to have this radiance, by testifying of the Lord, by soul-winning. (RG)
In his letter to the Romans (Romans 12:1-6) Paul said,
... offer your bodies as living sacrifices, ...
(Romans
12:1 NIV). We too, are earnestly exhorted to offer (present
-
KJV) our bodies, a sacrifice. It is a once only offering, to be made in the
infancy of our christian life. Not after a life-time of self-pleasing, or half-hearted following.
We are to offer ourselves as a complete and unreserved sacrifice. Not a part. Not one sphere of our lives -
all, every part of us. The sacrifice must be ... holy, acceptable unto God ...
(Romans 12:1 KJV). No blemish in our outward appearance of which others may
accuse us.
There must be no inward impurity. Inward impurity may be occasioned by faulty diet. Some people use the Word
of God like an indigestion tablet, hoping it will dispel the discomfort brought on by consuming the unspiritual
fare of the world. The Word of God must be our main meal, that we may be alert to recognise what is unwholesome.
We are to present our bodies living
not sickly
sacrifices. Also willing sacrifices,
willing to let God use us as He wills. (RG)
... for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day
and night.
(Revelation 12:10 KJV).
Satan is a liar. Jesus said, ... for he is a liar, and the father
of it.
(John 8:44 KJV). Jesus had had personal contact with the devil
and was fully aware of his wily ways. He is the accuser of the brethren. Are his accusations of us before the
throne of God true or false? Having such an accuser, we should so live that he cannot find wherewith to accuse us.
Not only our actions, but our motives are accused. When Satan appeared before God
(Job 1:6), and God was proudly showing off Job
(Job 1:8), Satan accused Job’s motives, not his actions.
While we may be consciously careful about actions, we may be less so about our motives and attitudes. We should long for, and seek for, holiness in every area of our life, that God may not be grieved to hear the accusations of our adversary the devil. (RG)
... in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(Psalm 1:2
KJV).
Reading is not meditation. We all meditate - about our circumstances, our immediate future, about real or fancied wrongs done to us. They occupy our minds and we entertain them with our attention. We know how to meditate, but oh, how to meditate profitably!
We should meditate on God’s Word by giving it a permanent place and our constant attention. As we do so, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us aspects of truth we had not noticed before. God’s Word has many facets of truth which we cannot see or appreciate at a glance. There is certainly no gain in going over past problems or imagining ourselves in future ones.
The Psalmist included and night
for times of meditation. For when night has closed
her curtains on the day, and there is less demand on our time and thinking, our thoughts tend to drift. Reading
the Word of God gives us food for thought. Let us meditate on it, day and night.
(RG)
Song of Solomon 7:12 Let us get up early to the
vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth:
there will I give thee my loves.
(KJV).
LET US GET UP EARLY - before the daily duties call. Our Beloved knows that once we have passed the
portals of dawn, there will be little opportunity to give Him our undivided attention.
TO SEE IF THE VINE FLOURISHES. He is looking for new growth - which will bear new fruit. He is looking
for signs of decay, or a weakness which needs the support of prayer. He will help us deal with them.
THE TENDER GRAPES APPEAR - He is looking for new fruit. Last year’s fruit will not satisfy.
THE POMEGRANATES BUD FORTH - When with the Beloved He will show us other peoples’ needs; we will
see them through His eyes and learn how best we may help.
THERE WILL I GIVE THEE MY LOVES - Yes, He loves to hear us tell Him of our love, but He also wants to
speak of His to us.
What bliss; what assurance; what peace; what encouragement; what strength. We need all this. Let us get up early. (RG)
... Take heed and beware of covetousness ...
(Luke 12:15 KJV).
A Jesuit missionary remarked that of the thousands of confessions he had heard, he had never heard a
confession to being covetous. Because it is one of the least recognisable sins, Jesus gave a double warning
about it. Take heed, and beware ...
. In
Luke 12:33 (NIV) He gives what surely must be the antidote to covetousness.
... give to the poor ...
A person who is concerned
about giving
is not likely to be concerned about getting.
The examples in the Word should convince us that covetousness is abhorrent to God and detrimental to the
believer:
Achan’s covetousness brought defeat to Israel and death to himself, his family, and 36 of his
countrymen. (Joshua 7:4,5,25)
Saul’s covetousness caused God to reject him (1 Samuel 15:8-11).
Gehazi’s was punished with leprosy (2 Kings 5:26-27).
Paul said covetousness was not to be named among the saints (Ephesians 5:3).
The Jews call the tenth commandment, the hedge around the other nine.
Let us also
Take heed, and beware ...
(RG)
Esther, a Jewess of lowly birth, became a queen in the Persian Empire. There came a time when she and
her countrymen were threatened with extinction. Her uncle, Mordecai told her to plead with the king for
their lives. He said, ... who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a
time as this?
(Esther 4:14 NKJV). It is certain that had Esther not
pleaded for her people, they and she, would have been destroyed.
Sometimes we are puzzled as to the turns of events in our lives, at troubles which seem completely
catastrophic. We should not say, What is God doing to me?
But rather, What is God going to do
through me?
For whatever the circumstances of our lives, others are touched by them, and can be blessed
by our attitude to them. Paul speaks of us being comforted so that we may comfort others.
(RG)
In the first book of Chronicles in the Old Testament, most of the chapters seem to be nothing but lists of names. Thinking that the two Chronicles books were more a repeat of the first and second books of Kings, I used to skip them. Eventually, I began a systematic reading of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and soon discovered there were snippets of information interspersed among the lists of names, that were not in the books of Kings.
In 1 Chronicles 6:31-32 we read something about the people who were about
to be named. They were the musicians who ministered to the Lord in the temple worship. The last part of
verse 32 says, ... They performed their duties according
to the regulations laid down for them.
(NIV)
There were various musical instruments and in order that they might make a harmonious sound, the men had to follow the regulations. They didn’t play just what they wanted, and how they pleased. Today, those with musical skills who play in church orchestras should devote their skills to the Lord, and work together with their leader for the glory of God. (RG)
When Jesus met His disciples at the Last Supper He shared with them the bread and the wine and said,
... do this in remembrance of Me.
(Luke 22:19 NKJV). He was giving them something to remember Him by.
We are always delighted to receive some gift from a loved one or friend, as a token by which we are to remember them. God also gives us tokens of remembrance, but they may not always give the delight we anticipate.
God gave Jacob something to remember Him by, a limp! Jacob’s wrestling with the angel was an experience he would always remember. The limping patriarch would have to depend on God for every step he took, for the rest of his life.
God gave Paul something to remember Him by - a thorn in the flesh. He prayed three times for its removal.
But God wanted him to keep it - Paul was to depend on God for grace and strength. This man of natural power,
had authority from Jesus to arrest men and women world-wide, in their sins. He who at one time was feared by
many, was treated with contempt, and he himself quoted what was said about him. ... but
his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
(2 Corinthians 10:10
NKJV).
The Lord Jesus gave us something to remember Him by. He said, Do
this in remembrance of Me.
The Breaking of Bread Service - the Communion Service. That precious hour
when we feel He is specially near to us, remembering that He shed His blood to save us from our sins. Let us
treasure this keepsake from the Lord. (RG)
Nahum, one of the minor prophets tells of the imminent destruction of Nineveh. (Nahum 3:7). This city is better known in the story of Jonah whom God sent to preach there. After overcoming his rank disobedience (Jonah 1:1-3), he went to Nineveh, preached to them, and the whole city repented, much to the disgust of Jonah. The judgment of God was averted.
But a hundred years later, Nineveh had relapsed into its previous sinful ways. They had experienced
God’s mercy - now they were to experience His judgment. Nahum reminded them of God’s patience and
power, and warned them that the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
(Nahum 1:3 NIV). We cannot presume on the mercy of God if we are not repentant.
(RG)
One of the minor prophets, Habakkuk, was living in the days when Israel was about to be overtaken by the Babylonians. He was appalled at the sinfulness into which Israel had sunk. He dreaded the inevitable outcome. Worse still, he himself had reached the place where he felt God didn’t care and wasn’t listening to him.
In Habakkuk 2:1 he makes a sensible decision, I will
...watch ...look to see what he will say to me.
He was ready to listen to God.
When we come to God in prayer and catalogue our calamities, or those of others, it is necessary for us to listen. It is a waste of time to tell your troubles to someone, then go off without giving them an opportunity to advise or help. We need to restore the lost art of listening to God. Old Testament people had very little Bible, but they knew how to listen to God.
Let us follow the child Samuel’s example and say, Speak, Lord, for Your servant
hears.
(1 Samuel 3:9 NKJV). (RG)
This is something all of us will have to do at some time in the future. Paul, when writing to the Romans,
reminded them, So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
(Romans 14:12 KJV). It will not be that we shall meekly stand before God
while He recounts our sins of commission and ommission. That would be bad enough. We ourselves will have to
give an account. It will not be an opportunity to defend ourselves, for in That Day we shall know as we are
known. Also, we shall not stand as a family, or as husband and wife - this event will be on a one-to-one basis.
You and God.
Before the all-searching gaze of the One who loves us and gave Himself for us, we shall know either loss
and shame, or commendation, according to how we have lived here. We shall be judged as we have judged. Jesus
said, Do not judge and criticise and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and
criticised and condemned.
(Matthew 7:1 AMP)
Some people reap the harvest of their mis-deeds here and now. Others, who seem to have got away with it, will in the end, have to give an account in That Day.
While we shall stand, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, we shall either be holding our rewards, or suffering the loss of them. Let us strive to be able to present a credit account rather than a debit account. (RG)
The Children of Israel walked.
There were no cars, trains or planes to gain them a speedy passage.
Between the deliverance ahead and the dangers behind and on every side, there was a step by step experience.
There could be no haste - no running - no frantic dash to the shore of deliverance.
There were women and children and animals to be considered. Panic could have resulted in injury or even loss of life. Since God was leading them they must go at His pace, one step at a time.
That is how God leads us too. If we are slow, He will not leave us behind. In
Psalm 66:6 we read that ... They went through the river
on foot ...
(NKJV). And in Psalm 37:23, The steps of
a good man are ordered by the Lord, ...
(NKJV). Keep in step with the Lord. (RG)
The church folks were having their annual love feast. This was an occasion for them to invite non-churchgoing
neighbours along. All were seated and enjoying the food supplied by a catering firm. This was followed by a short
service at which the gospel was preached. When an appeal was made three people responded. When the service was
ended and the people were leaving, one man turned to the man walking with him and said, These Love Feasts are
a waste of money. At the last one only two people made a decision to accept Jesus as their Saviour.
The
listener patiently heard the man out, then said,Jesus said,
He went on. For
what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ...
(Matthew 16:26 KJV).It seems to me that Jesus set an
incredibly high price on a soul. I am inclined to think that if we had only one person saved here today, it
would have been well worth it - we would have had a tremendous bargain. But we had three souls saved.
What might it cost to win a soul for the Lord? Some time? Some money? A baked cake? A helping hand? An outstretched hand? Some time in prayer? Jesus thought His life was worth giving in order to save you. (RG)
The christian life is described in two ways. It is a race. ... let us run with patience
the race that is set before us,
(Hebrews 12:1 KJV). It is also described
as a warfare. Perhaps this is the best description. Paul tells us about the armour we need
(Ephesians 6:10-17). He reminds us of the foe we are fighting, that we can
... be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
.
(Ephesians 6:11 KJV).
But we are also told that ... in all these things we are more than conquerors through
him that loved us.
(Romans 8:37 KJV). Paul sees our warfare as already
won. Being assured of victory does not exempt us from the battles. We still have to face the foe - to meet him
on various battle grounds. But we fight knowing the victory has already been won.
Jesus, though assured of victory over sin and death, still went to Calvary’s battlefield,
... who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:2 KJV). Let us be
encouraged and take for our motto, ... more than conquerors.
(Romans 8:37 KJV). We are winners. (RG)
In his second epistle, Peter says in chapter 1,
verse three that God’s ... divine power has given to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness ...
(2 Peter 1:3 NKJV). What wonderful assurance
this is for those who give as their reason for not accepting Jesus as their Saviour, Oh, I couldn’t keep
it up.
Or, I would never be able to live up to the standard of a christian.
In their minds they are
counting the cost. Will they be able to resist the temptations to a worldly way of life?
Here is the secret. The divine power of Jesus is theirs for every situation, and for living as Jesus would. And this power is secure through their knowledge of Him. And their knowledge of Him increases as they read the Bible, and as they allow the Holy Spirit to open their eyes. Verse 4 says that they can escape the corruption in the world caused by their evil desires. They will have the power and they will know how to use it.
For some people the thought of not being able to live the christian life, is a very real problem. They need to know they can have the power to do so. (RG)
How often one hears of the depths of sin from which believers have been rescued. The details of their sordid sinful past are painted in lurid colours. This is neither scriptural nor God-glorifying.
A schoolteacher, related an incident which took place at the school’s morning assembly. A group of
young people came to preach the gospel. They gave their testimonies to salvation from sin, describing the
awfulness of their sinful pasts. My friend heard another teacher who sat in front of her, say to the one
sitting by her, It seems you can’t get saved unless you have been a drug addict or an alcoholic.
These young people were magnifying their sinful pasts, rather than glorifying God.
The few occasions on which the apostle Paul spoke of his past were to him most painful. He was surely
heart-broken when he recalled them. The heights of pleasure to which he rose in his sinful past could not
equal the depths of sorrow which he touched when he looked back. He could say May I
never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Galatians 6:14
NIV). There are young converts who have never tasted sinful pleasures. They have a wonderful testimony
to God’s keeping power. (RG)
Blind Bartimaeus said, in response to Jesus’ question, ... ‘What do you want
me to do for you?’ ... ‘that I may receive my sight’.
(Mark 10:51
NKJV). It was his heart’s desire. He didn’t say, I want to see the Temple.
I want
to see the children.
I want to see flowers and trees.
I want to see my friends.
To him, sight
was most precious - he asked Jesus for what he really needed. (Mark 10:46-52).
When his natural eyes were opened, so were his spiritual eyes. He first saw Jesus - saw the Creator - saw the Son of God. What was it that he saw in Jesus to draw him into immediate discipleship? A deep desire to be with Jesus displaced any previous longings to see people, buildings, family, friends, nature.
What of us? When our eyes were touched we saw Jesus, the Lamb of God who took away our sins. We saw we had on the grimy garments of sin, and a fearful future awaited us. In Jesus we saw the One who could change our sin rags, into robes of righteousness. One who would be a faithful Friend, a Guide, a Comforter - all we needed for life and living.
In his blindness, Bartimaeus was not going anywhere. His life was restricted to his home and his begging patch.
He was led. Now he was following Jesus. His eyes were opened to other people’s needs. I wonder how often he
said to others, It’s alright, Jesus will meet your need - I got what I wanted
.
(RG)
In Deuteronomy we read about Moses, who did all those miraculous ... signs and wonders,
which the LORD sent him to do ...
(Deuteronomy 34:11 KJV). There was
nothing Moses did that was not commanded by God. He didn’t do his own thing. Throughout the book of
Numbers we read, The LORD said to Moses ...
And Moses obeyed. Except in the smiting
of the rock (Numbers 20:13), Moses exercised implicit obedience.
When the Lord sends us, are we immediately obedient? Or do we insist on doing things our way? It is not
enough to be obedient in the going, we must also be obedient in the doing. Jesus was sent by the Father. He
could say, ... I always do those things that please Him.
(John 8:29 NKJV). Have we completely committed ourselves to God in this way?
(RG)
Have you heard about Gaius ...? He was a man who was talked about behind his back. They said, He was
faithful.
They said, He walked in the truth
. They said, He helped people even
strangers.
They said, He was a loving man.
You can read about him in the
third epistle of John, verses 1-6. John had received a visit from some
believers who spoke specifically about this dear friend of his. How delighted he must have been to hear
all that was said about Gaius. John is termed the apostle of love.
Jesus, when He was on earth called
him son of thunder
, and no doubt his aspect of his nature would have been very prominent had these
visitors been pulling Gaius to pieces.
Gossip involves two people - the one speaking and the hearer, It is the hearer’s responsibility to let the gossip go no further if it is evil, and to accept and endorses what is good. Be a gracious gossiper. (RG)