Yesterday I wrote about the works (deeds/acts) of the flesh although I singled out anger. I wrote about the harmful effects they can impose on our testimony. (reputation) Today, I want to focus on that issue through a different perspective. I want to remind you of those who give up on their family members, friends, or Christian brethren on the day they see them exhibiting one of the deeds of the old nature. To me, it is understandable when the world in general does such a thing because it is a tendency of the human nature. What I find hard to accept is when God’s children do it, because the One who lives inside us is greater than our human inclinations.
As God’s children, we should know that each one of us is capable of doing things that dishonor Him. If we lose confidence in our brethren who “mess up” here and there, we have forgotten the many times God has had mercy on us. That is one reason why Paul wrote: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Sometimes Christians are especially hard on those who teach and preach the Word. They forget that God’s servants are no different than they, that they can fall as easily as anyone else. They fail to understand that, as a general rule, God’s servants are tempted and attacked more than most people. The higher the glory, the greater the responsibility. That is why Jesus said: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)
Please don’t think that I am in any way trying to excuse those who fall victims to the deeds of the flesh, especially those who keep repeating them. Sin is sin, and it will always have it’s consequences. And while it is not fair for others to give up on us when we mess up here and there, we cannot blame them for losing confidence in us if we keep falling continuously. Regarding our trust and confidence in others, lets ask God to help us gauge them correctly. Lets not go by what others may say. We had a neighbor some years ago who was evicted by his own sister, the owner of the house. According to her, her brother was the scum of the earth. Whether he was or not we may never know. What we did know, however, is that to us he was about as good a neighbor as anyone can have. What should matter most to us is not what others say or think about certain people, but what they are to us.
God’s promise for today: (Psalm 103:10) “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
We’ve all heard those who happily testify that God miraculously freed them from some situation or addiction. When we hear such reports, our hearts are filled with gladness but oftentimes we tend to think that these folks’ troubles are over or at least that their biggest battle has been won. In many cases it is not. Let me start with this example. An ex-coworker of mine struggled with alcoholism for many years until he finally decided to Join AA. Not long after that, he would constantly tell others what the program had done and how happy he was to finally be free from his addiction. It was obvious to all that he was different than before, but here’s the sad part: Other than drinking, he still kept on smoking, cussing, being a loudmouth, belittling others, and womanizing. He conquered one foe but not the biggest one, sin.
Even in cases where folks are freed from a situation or addiction and wholeheartedly turn to Christ, that is not always their biggest obstacle to hurdle. They still have to contend with the old nature within. They may still have a hard time with issues such as anger, impatience, un-forgiveness, and a few others. I know of a young man who was recently delivered from drug addiction. He was not ashamed to tell others about it. Yet, he had not conquered anger, and not long after his deliverance from drugs he got into a headed argument at home and was forced to leave. In his case too, he overcame his drug addiction but his anger got the best of him.
Anger is among the sins listed in the 5th Chapter of Galatians categorized as the “works” (acts/deeds) of the flesh. (old nature) Paul added that they which do such things (practice) will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since the old nature still lives within us, we are all capable of outbursts of anger. To be more specific, however, God’s genuine children do not practice sin but fall into it when they yield to the flesh. Even so, anger can cause great harm in the life of a Christian. One of the things anger does is hurt our testimony. (reputation) In fact, Proverbs 22:24 advises us: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.” One outburst alone can cause others to lose confidence in us. It becomes a bigger matter if we are involved in ministry. On the other hand Proverbs 19:11 says: “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” When others see that we can control our anger, that we are patient, that we can overlook offenses that others can’t, it greatly enhances our reputation. Let’s be honest; this is one area where almost all Christians need help. Lets make a real effort to draw closer to God, to become more like Jesus each new day. Remember this: There are very few things we can’t do, when we trust God and draw close to Him.
God’s word for today: (Proverbs 16:32) “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
Here’s a joke I read recently on the internet: A pastor came up with an idea to test his membership, so one Sunday morning he stepped out dressed as Satan. Everyone ran out except a man named Bob. The pastor (dressed as Satan) walked up to him and said: “Sir don't you know who I am?” Bob replied: “Yes sir I do.” Then he asked Bob “Aren't you afraid of me?” Bob answered: “Not anymore.” “Why not?” replied the pastor (dressed as Satan). Bob answered: “Because I've been married to your sister for twenty years.” Please don’t get upset ladies, its just a joke. We all know that the devil in a marriage can also be the husband. I only started with that corny fabrication because it seems that lately, more than before, I’ve heard some people, including Christians, who claim they are not afraid of anything or anybody, not even the devil himself.
Some of you may remember that last week I wrote about “respecting” anything or anyone who has or represents power or authority. I say this grudgingly, but even though he is a defeated foe in many ways, the devil still has enough power to qualify as a respected adversary. It is beyond foolish, therefore, to go around boasting that we’re not afraid of him or anybody else. In fact, anybody who does it is just inviting trouble. To begin with, everyone is afraid of something or someone, even if they deny it. Secondly, God detests this type of attitude. I was reading again the story of Gideon recently and, to me, one of the outstanding features of the account is when the Lord commanded Gideon to start whittling down the size of his army. The Lord told him: “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me saying, ‘My own strength has saved me’.” (Judges 7:2)
Many centuries have come and gone since the days of Gideon. Still, many people, including Christians, are always claiming, or at least implying, that they are the reason for their own success. How often have we heard someone who has just been blessed or has had a special prayer petition answered, imply that it was because of something they did? They may include their tithing, helping others, faithful church attendance, long prayer sessions, bible reading, etc.. All these are good things but they are really part of our Christian duty. Teaching about the master/servant relationship, Jesus told His Disciples: “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:10) People who boast about everything they do for God are really trying to rob Him of His glory. God will be always be pleased when His children honor Him by serving Him wholeheartedly, but He will never be impressed by our good deeds or holy living. Lets remember that it is because of God’s grace and mercy that we are constantly blessed and lets be careful that we don’t give others the impression that God blesses us because we deserve it.
God’s word for today: (1 Corinthians 1:31) “Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
This is an amplified version of a devotional thought I wrote for yesterday’s church bulletin: My wife and I just spent an enjoyable overnight vacation with a few members of our family. For many years, and even now, we have had many family vacations, sometimes with more than twenty of us in the group. I suppose it is the same with all who take group vacations, but it seems that there is always something unusual or noteworthy happening in these vacations which makes for good conversation many years later. You know the bit. It goes something like “Do you remember this and that when we went to…..?"
Well, despite being a one-day vacation, this most recent one also featured a couple of memory making events. First, I left one of my shoes on the beach and did not notice it until we were well on our way back home. Maybe I’ll write a song and title it “I left my shoe in Corpus Christi.” I bet, some of you are thinking “How in the world does someone lose a shoe on vacation?” All I know is that, for me, it wasn’t all that hard. What did prove to be impossible, however, was to convince Sears to sell me only one shoe the following day.
On a more serious matter, we almost got hit by a wrong way driver on Interstate 37 as we were coming home Friday night. Since, like many of you, I don’t believe in coincidences, I’m convinced these things happened for a reason. To me, it was a reminder and a picture of our lives here on earth, where just about anything can happen at any time. In fact some of you may be going through an experience today that seems to have just popped out of nowhere which is highly unusual and difficult to understand. These things will happen in everyone’s life sooner or later, but for God’s children there is always hope and always an answer. For these unexpected events, the Bible says: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."(Ephesians 6:13) Keep this reminder in mind: There is a purpose and a reason you are in the situation you’re in. Because you are human, you may not understand it now, but one thing is for sure: God is in it, and everything will turn out well.
God’s promise for today: (1 Corinthians 10 13, MSG Version) “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He will never let you be pushed past your limit; He will always be there to help you come through it.”
Although he didn’t do it with the best of intentions, a religious lawyer once asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 7:37-40) This simply means that anyone who can fulfill these two commandments, will automatically keep the other eight. But let me be clear: We are not talking here about merely believing it in our head; we are talking about actually loving God with all our being. In fact, I believe that anyone who loves the Lord in this manner, will also love his neighbor.
When we think about it, everything in life would be many times better if everyone did things with all their heart, even in the small, simple things many deem insignificant. For example, if you cook a meal for people you love, I choose to believe it will be more delicious and satisfying if you do it with all your heart. If your spouse, or your children, or your parents do something for you, it will mean so much more to you if you know that they did it with a heart filled with love. Even in church, the prayers, the singing, yes even the preaching will touch people more deeply when those who did it, did it with all their heart.
What about you? How often do you do things for God or for others with “all your heart?” How many things in a day can we find that we don’t have to put all our heart into it? That’s a tough question, right? Many years ago, a young lady who was helping us fold the church bulletin for that Sunday, noticed the way the other volunteers were doing it. She turned to me and asked: “These bulletins don’t have to be perfectly folded, right?” I answered: “Well, it depends on who your doing it for. Are you doing it for me or for God?” She quickly replied: “I see what you mean.” Assuming you are a genuine child of God, I believe you will ask the Lord to help you do more things with all your heart from now on, that is, if you aren’t already.
God’s word for today: (Psalm 119:2) “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies and that seek Him with the whole heart.”
I want to share with you today a shorter version of the study I have prepared for the Men’s Bible Class in church tonight. The topic is “respect.” If someone were to ask you “who or what is worthy of our respect?”, after some consideration you would conclude “anything or anyone who has power and authority.” Just in weather alone, water, heat, and cold are three things many have come to respect by personal experience. Some who didn’t respect these powerful weather elements paid a heavy, sometimes fatal, price.
Respect must be shown at work, play, and in church, although it really begins at home. Because we are human, it is easy for us to get careless and not give people or things the respect they deserve. We mistakenly tend to think that it does not apply to our spouse, family, or children, but it does. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote this: “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (1 Tim. 5:1-2) These two verses speak of respect. Whether a man or a woman, no adult appreciates being treated like a child. That is not only disrespectful, it is demeaning. And how often have we seen older parents being scolded in public by their own children? In Moses’ time, God set forth this command: “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:32)
What are the consequences when we don’t show others the respect they deserve? Here’s one: In his letter to Timothy, Paul also added: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim. 5:8) Primarily, the verse refers to financial support, but “respect” is also something that needs to be provided to our family and loved ones. God says that those who fail to provide are “worse” than unbelievers. Here’s something else that can happen: Apart from God’s grace, people who have been offended by being disrespected in one way or another, are often impossible to win back. Even in those relationships that are restored, things may never be the same again. For the love of God, and for your own benefit as well, make every effort you can to not disrespect anyone, especially those in your own family.
God’s word for today: (Romans 13:7) “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
During last week’s Vacation Bible School at church, I was reminded of the vital importance of the eternal truth in Proverbs 22:6 which reads: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” By God’s grace, I have been pastor at the same church for over forty years and I have seen that truth played out in the lives of our members. In our case, many of the adults which participated this year as teachers and helpers were at one time children in VBS themselves. I too remember being in VBS as a child and although I strayed far from the things of God in my early adult life, I choose to believe that what I learned in VBS played a big part in my coming back.
I read a report recently where a Princeton Scholar by the name of Benjamin Warfield, made a study of five generations which followed the great theologian, Jonathan Edwards, and a well known atheist of his day, Max Jukes. His results should not be surprising. Among Edwards’ descendants there were 13 college presidents, 65 professors, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, and 100 pastors. Among Jukes’ descendants there were 310 paupers, (homeless people) 150 criminals, seven murderers, and more than a hundred alcoholics. The truth of Proverbs 22:6 has also been proven time and time again in the lives of many biblical figures. Reading in the biblical books of the Kings and also the Chronicles, the evidence is quite clear, especially with the kings of Israel. One after another, these were all bad kings. Should it surprise us that none of these were descendants of David?
We should make every effort, therefore, to put the advice of Proverbs 22:6 into practice in the lives of all the children in our family and any others in whose lives we play a part. Not only will that be good for them, it will be good for all those who are connected to them. It will expand and make a big difference in our communities, city, state, nation, yes, even in the world. If what we have in Christ is invaluable, it is worthy of being shared with our family and friends, beginning with the children. It is beyond invaluable, it is life saving. In every generation, the children are our future. And that was true even before someone thought of including the thought in a popular hit song of some years back.
God’s word for today: (Proverbs 14:26) “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”
All pastors have this question posed to them from time to time: “What the best thing I can do in order to please God?” I was thinking about my general answer when asked this question as I read Psalm 4 earlier today. David ends this short psalm with these words: “ In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (vs. 8) I instantly recognized it as proof of David’s complete trust in God, the type of faith that enables you to get a sound, restful sleep each night regardless of your circumstances. This is the answer to the question. God is always pleased when His children trust Him wholeheartedly.
In this same psalm, I saw one reason of David’s trust in God in the last part of verse 3. He wrote: “The Lord hears when I call to Him.” I also saw a secondary benefit that comes to all who Trust God in verse 7 when he wrote: “Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.” When others who didn’t have his type of faith were asking him where their help would come from, David probably urged them to trust the Lord. And when the Lord supplied their needs, David’s heart was filled with joy because of it. Doesn’t your heart rejoice when you see your prayers for others answered?
I also saw earlier today another feature of David’s faith and trust in God in Psalm 57, King James version. Verse 7 reads: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” To me, this was another way of David saying: “My mind is made up. I am going to believe in and trust God no matter what.” I pray we will all get to this place in our faith and trust in God, the place where we have made up our mind to trust Him like never before. There are not many things we can do that will please God more than this. Have you been pleasing Him in this manner. If not, why not start today?
God’s word for today (Hebrews 11:6) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares (The NIV calls it the Parable of the Weeds) in the 13th Chapter of Matthew, is a picture of something that is quite common in many of today’s churches, other than yours, of course. I am referring to the “weeds” that are growing together with the wheat. Whether the “weeds” represent saved or unsaved members of the church, the workers of the field (pastors) cannot and should not remove them. In the parable, the workers asked the Owner if they should pull them out. He replied: “No, because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.” (Mt. 13:29)
Here’s how that situation relates to the pastor and his “weeds.” Most pastors would not hesitate to remove them…….if they could. In fact, because the weeds are oftentimes easily recognizable, many pastors are often criticized when they don’t do a thing about them. Here’s the problem: In many cases, these weeds are directly connected to the good wheat, close friends or family members, to be exact. They are like inoperable cancers. Trying to remove such cancers will result in destroying or doing great harm to the vital organs or tissues connected to them. In the church’s case, if you remove these “weeds”, many good members may go with them. That is like a surgeon cutting off a hand when only one finger is infected.
I pray yours is not one of them but many churches have “weeds”, and when they are connected to the good wheat, only the Lord can remove them if and when He wants to. If we trust God, as we should, He will take care of this problem if and whenever He sees fit. Meanwhile, He will give us the grace to endure as we wait upon Him and He will also use the situation to teach us, give us patience, and strengthen us in our faith in the process. This is just one more instance where we have to rely on the promise of Romans 8:28. Be sure about this: The Lord knows exactly what is going on and He hears us prayers. Our part is to trust and wait upon Him.
God’s word for today: (Matthew 13:30) Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
I was thinking about two women yesterday. Relax, I am referring to two notable women in the Bible. The first one was the Gentile woman who came to Jesus seeking His help for her daughter that was vexed by an evil spirit. Her story is found in 15th Chapter of Matthew. The second was a woman who approached Jesus seeking relief for a very serious blood disorder. That story is found in the 9th Chapter of Matthew. To me, there was a glaring similarity in their attitudes, one which I believe made it possible for them to have their prayers answered. It was a humble, believing heart.
The woman whose daughter was being tormented by an evil spirit, besides hearing His disciples urging Him to send her away, heard Jesus say: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” (vs. 24) She was not one of them. If that weren’t enough, when she kept pressing Him, he replied: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (vs. 26) I bet some women we know, to this comment would have replied in a huff: “What did you just call me?” and then walk away in a rage. Not her, she answered: “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Ironically, hers was a dogged determination. She was not going to give up that easily, another vital ingredient in getting our prayers answered.
The woman whom Jesus healed from her blood disorder had to fight her way to even get past the multitude of people flocking after Him. Once she got close enough, she reached out to touch the hem of His cloak believing that would be enough to get healed. She was right. One thing many people fail to consider is that, in order to take hold of His robe, she had to have been very close to the ground, perhaps even in a prone position. There are some who revere the Lord so much that when they pray, they fall prostrate before Him. This is an act of humility and reverence.
I repeat, to me, these women got their prayers answered because of their attitude. They never demanded anything relying mainly on His love, mercy, and compassion. May we keep this in mind whenever we draw near to God with our special petitions. I have heard some false teachers declare that we, as the children of the King, have every right to demand answers to our wishes and concerns. Wrong! God’s children give their Heavenly Father all the honor, reverence, praise, and glory He deserves always.
God’s word for today: (James 4:10) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
