Every week we add the thought provoker that was previously on our home page here for later reference.
He chose five smooth stones from the stream
(1 Samuel 17:40).
Saul had tried to equip David with armour and a sword. But David refused them because he had not tried them out. He wanted to have weapons he could handle successfully. Going out to meed Goliath, he stopped at a stream and picked out five smooth stones. They had to be smooth so that as they flew through the air their aim would be true - they would reach their target.
Just as David needed to be prepared to kill a giant, we also need to be prepared to save souls. Choose your weapons carefully - be fully prepared in the Word of God when dealing with the unsaved. You have an unseen opponent in the devil, who will not easily relinquish his hold of his citizens of darkness. You also have an unseen ally in the Holy Spirit who will use what you have prepared to convince the unsaved. Be prepared. (RG)
How much more shall your Father which is in heaven, give good
things...
(Matthew 7:11)
In chapter six, Jesus gives a depiction of our heavenly Father. In v. 11, He pictures a good earthly father providing for and meeting the needs of his children. Jesus wants to show us the Father-child relationship which exists between God and one who is His child.
A child will unhesitatingly approach his father. He doesn’t have to make an appointment. As soon as his need arises, he goes to his father. He doesn’t plan his approach, or prepare a speech, or get into good clothes. What simplicity! What implicit trust!
It is this way with our heavenly Father. Jesus is telling us that our heavenly Father is willing to give far more than the best earthly father. Whatever you need at this moment, just ask the Father. (RG)
And they (the priests) went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse
it, and brought out all the uncleanness they found in the temple of the LORD
(2 Chronicles 29:16-19).
This was no superficial cleansing, a general tidying up that would satisfy the casual glance. The priests
went into the inner part
. That they found indicated a thorough search. They would
let nothing remain to defile the temple, and displease the Lord.
The temples of the Holy Spirit, our bodies, may not undergo the devastation and defilement of Solomon’s temple. Nevertheless, it is necessary to carry out continual cleanings - to search thoroughly for anything that would grieve the Holy Spirit.
The priests took the filth and emptied it into the brook Kidron. It was washed away in running water. There
is still a stream, a fountain
, flowing for sin and uncleanness. The blood of
Jesus Christ, God’s Son (still) cleanses from all sin.
(1 John 1:7)
The priests began on the first day of the first month. Begin immediately. Let us not delay when cleansing is necessary. (RG)
In John 2:6 A.V. we read about some water pots. Six, to be exact.
The water pots were set there ready for use. There was no last-minute rush for them, one doing duty as an umbrella stand - another holding a pot plant, or serving some other practical purpose.
They were useful - not things of beauty - they were used in menial service. There was no competition by the ladies of Cana to possess the most expensive or decorative pots.
When Jesus took them into His service they were still water pots. It was what came out of them that was changed. From external cleansing, the water was now used for internal refreshing. After the wedding feast, no one paid any tribute to them.
The lesson they teach: We must be emptied of pride, of self-importance, waiting to be filled
and used as Jesus wills. Credit for the success of the Cana wedding went to Jesus. But He needed those water
pots. How about being a water pot
for Jesus? (RG)
I read about an evangelist and his wife who were engaged in regular prison visitation. They occasionally
took their small son with them. One day he asked if he might take part in the service, so the was taught
to say John 3:16 A.V. At the appropriate time he stood up and said
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish but have ever laughing life
.
The men who were listening had been imprisoned for their crimes. They had nothing to laugh about. But in
the child’s mistake some of them saw a truth. Salvation was not a grim and gloomy state. While they
had to pay for their sins against society, Someone had paid for their sins against God. Several of the men
believed in Him
and returned to their cells with ever laughing life
.
Are you hilariously happy about your salvation? (RG)
Zechariah, an Old-Testament prophet, describes part of a vision. Now Joshua was
dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing
before him,
Take off his filthy clothes.
.
Joshua was well aware of the filthy state of his clothes, and Satan was on hand to rub it in (Zechariah 3:1-3).
In Colossians 3:8 we have a list of garments we are to put off. Are you wearing any of these garments? Are some of them hanging among your spiritual wardrobe? Do not be clothed with anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lies. If any of them are mixed into your spiritual wardrobe, don’t send them to a jumble sale - no one else wants them. Get rid of them and be dressed like Joshua, in rich apparel, the robe of righteousness, and those mentioned in Colossians 3:12-14, the garments of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, forbearance and forgiveness, and cover them all with a topcoat of love. These are the garments worn by the best-dressed Christians. Are you one? (RG)
Shall we give thanks when the going is tough?
When steep is the pathway and winding and rough?
Shall we give thanks for each insult and wrong?
When we’re heavy of heart and can’t raise a song?
Shall we give thanks when folks don’t understand?
When nobody cares and we’re treated offhand?
Shall we give thanks when God takes from our sight
Our loved one to dwell in the mansion of light?
Shall we give thanks when the daily rounds pall,
And nothing exciting e’er happens at all?
Yes, we’ll give thanks in the rain and sunshine,
When everything’s wrong and when everything’s fine.
God planned our journey, the whole, not just parts,
So let us press onward with thanks in our hearts. (RG)
Jesus Himself drew near and went with them
(Luke 24:15 A.V.).
How like Jesus! Then, because the two on the way to Emmaus, did not recognise Him, he questioned them about their conversation. So they opened their hearts as they related the happenings of the past three days.
I wonder if Jesus was trying to hide a smile as He listened? He knew what had happened, and He explained from the scriptures that these things had to happen.
How often does Jesus draw near and we fail to recognise Him? When we tell Him our problems, He already knows about them, but is it right that we should share them with Him? Does your heart burn within you at such times? Recognise it as being a concious awareness of His presence with you by His Holy Spirit. (RG)
The apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthian Christians had described their pre-salvation state, and
added, And that is what some of you were. But you were washed ... sanctified ...
(1 Corinthians 6:11)
My copper cannister catches the eye of all who enter the lounge. But it was not always so. It was once a brown tin with an unusual, embossed design on it. I was content to let it remain a tea-caddy, and kept it in a cupboard.
One day, while waiting for a kettle of water to boil, I studied the design on the cannister and noticed what looked like a rosy gleam around the rim. I went to the kitchen for some cleaning fluid and began to rub the cannister vigorously. It was made of copper!
It took several days of rubbing, till at last the cannister was restored to the condition which its maker had intended. Now it was placed in the lounge for all to see.
It is a shining example of what God has done for us. Tarnished by sin and fit only to be left in the cupboard of the world, God took us, cleansed us with the blood of Jesus and made us fit to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
My cannister must be continually cleaned to keep it bright. We constantly need the applying of the blood of Jesus to keep us cleansed from sin (1 John 1:9) (RG)
(1 Timothy 2:5)
He was so human He knew weariness; So divine, said, Come and I will give rest.
He was so human He hungered for bread; So divine, I am the Bread of Life
said.
He was so human He wept at a grave; So divine, resurrection life gave.
He was so human, keen loneliness knew; So divine, said I am always with you.
He was so human He needed to pray; So divine He prays for us always.
He was so human His heart broke for man; So divine, carried out redemption’s plan.
He was so human He drew His last breath; Divine - rose in triumph, conquering death.
Because He was human, knows our weak frame; Divine - gives us power to live in His name.
(RG)
I love the story of Peter’s walk on the water to Jesus. It is found in Matthew 14:22-31.
Peter was in difficulties. The self-confidence which took him out of the boat, had sunk, and Peter was fast following and floundering.
The help Jesus gave was prompt and practical. Prompt in that Jesus did not allow Peter to sink up to his neck before helping him - and practical in that Jesus held out His hand and caught Peter. Jesus could have stopped Peter from sinking by just a word, but Peter’s dilemma demanded practical assistance.
Jesus is just as close to us in our trial times. We may have set out in our own strength, and in self-confidence, and Jesus waited for us to sink so that we may learn to lean on Him completely and confidently. The moment the self-confidence crashes, at that moment Jesus is there to lift us up. (RG)
At times life becomes hectic for Jesus and His disciples. He saw they needed rest. He said,
Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some
rest.
Mark 6:31 He says this to us, too.
COME - a royal loving invitation. An invitation, not a command. Jesus does not say, Go ...
but Come ...
He will be there.
BY YOURSELVES. Don’t bring your friends, with their trivial talk. Don’t bring your
relatives with their troubles and trials. Don’t bring your business associates with all their plans,
propositions, prospects, and profits and losses. Don’t bring all your problems and burdens. If they
are not solved by the time your rest
is over, you will be so well refreshed, you will know how to
deal with them.
A QUIET PLACE. One cannot obey this loving invitation while still carrying on with daily duties. Get away from the hassle and hustle and have a quiet time with the Lord.
REST. While resting, we can hear His voice - His assurance of His love - His promise of His presence, of His coming again. What wondrous rest! This is not to be a permanent rest. We are invited to take a brief break in which to renew our strength, renew our awareness of His presence. (RG)
A favourite pastime of my childhood days was to walk along the concrete curb at the edge of the pavement and see how far I could walk without wobbling off. I soon discovered that with my eyes on my feet I quickly lost my balance. By looking at a goal some distance ahead I was able to walk without falling.
It is just so in the christian life. When we look down at our path with its possible pitfalls and dangers,
we begin to lose our spiritual balance, and fall into the gutter of fear. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus
He takes care of the way, and keeps us from falling. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of our faith...
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV).
This experience also taught another lesson. I was so engrossed in keeping my eyes on the goal ahead that people passed by unheeded. As we keep our eyes on Jesus we shall not be taken up with passing interests. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will take care of your feet. (RG)
Ezekiel was sent to minister to the captive Children of Israel. His godly life gave him no immunity from
trials (Ezekiel 3:14-17). We read that he ...sat where
they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
Ezekiel 3:15
(KJV).
An old Red Indian proverb says, Do not judge a brother by the way he walks until you have worn his
moccasins for two moons
. Ezekiel sat among the captives and entered into their experiences. His silent
sitting enabled him to learn how his fellows felt. He was astonished. If we were to sit where they sat
we might be less prompt to pronounce judgment. There are those among our associates who may be more in need
of sympathy than censure. Sitting also gives us an opportunity to observe others in their manner of life. We
may hesitate to give the message God has entrusted to us, but having sat
, we will realise how needed
the message is. It is not our concern how the message is received. Having sat
we shall have a better
idea of how to offer God's personal, powerful message. (RG)
I read of a lady who, when someone was being ill-spoken of, always knew of something good to say about that
person. The lady's friend scoffed at her for this habit, and said, You could find something good to say about
the devil
. The lady quietly said, Well, he never lets up on his work
. In
Colossians 4:6 it says, Let your conversation be always
full of grace...
. (NIV)
We don't have to speak ill of others. What we could not, or would not speak of them in their presence should not be spoken of them in their absence. Further, we don't have to take sides with the devil, and help him out with his work - and that is just what we are doing when we speak ill of others.
We need to remember what God said in Malachi 3:16 Then
those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; ...
(NKJV). We could
make it a habit to look for something praiseworthy in everyone we know. (RG)
Jesus told a story about a father who asked his two sons to work in their vineyard
Matthew 21:28-31. Neither of the sons was willingly obedient. The father did
not approach them as an employer. He said, ... Son, go, work today
in my vineyard.
Matthew 21:28 (NKJV). It may be there was an acute
labour shortage that he should command his family to work. Let us look at just three words in the story:
Go
, work
, today
. Jesus is turning to His own and is saying,
Go, work today
GO
. It is a divine command. There is no hint of please yourself
about this command. Jesus
expects implicit obedience from all who work for Him.
WORK
. Not merely measuring the task - How much service?
- How much salary?
It is taking
up the tools and getting on with the work. It is not hanging around till someone else shows up to share the work,
but being prepared to labour alone when necessary.
TODAY
. Jesus doesn't ask How soon can you start?
You begin at once - today.
You do not
wait till Monday, or the first of the month - TODAY. Elsie Yale, a hymn-writer wrote There's a
work for Jesus, Ready at your hand.
Go, work today
. (RG)
In Thing(1 - 7 January 2006)
2 Corinthians 11:3 (KVJ) reads in part, ... the
simplicity that is in Christ.
. NIV says ... sincere
and pure devotion to Christ.
. We must beware that our christian lives don't become a complicated system of
do’s and don’ts - that we do not get out of balance. These days we seem to have a succession of the
IN THING, even in spiritual things.
Some time ago the in thing was Praise. Praise became the key to getting out of difficulties. If you praised the Lord when your house burned down, or your car was stolen, you would be sure they would be replaced! Some Christians lived in a constant attitude of praise to the exclusion of every other aspect of the Christian life. Of course, this could not, and did not, continue.
When we live with the in thing
, it is like living on a see-saw. When the in thing
jumps on to
the other end, your end goes up and you are thrilled. - but when the in thing
gets off you go down with
a bang. The in thing
can be a doctrine, a teaching that we need to help us to maturity, but it must take
its place in our building up, not throw us up for a temporary thrill.
If we live by the simplicity (sincere devotion) which is in Christ, our lives will be balanced - we will not
be swayed by the in thing
but will be able to incorporate it into our lives, when and where it is necessary.
(RG)