Sunday, August 31, 2014

A Giant...Joshua 1:8

Joshua 1:8


I heard of a teacher who quizzed a group of college-bound high school juniors and seniors on the Bible. The quiz preceded a Bible-as-literature course he planned to teach at the Newton (Massachusetts) High School, generally considered one of the best public schools in the nation. Among the most astounding findings he got from the students were:


Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers.

Jezebel was Ahab's donkey.

The four horsemen appeared on the Acropolis.

The New Testament Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John.

Eve was created from an apple.

Jesus was baptized by Moses.


Seriously! The answer that took the cake was given by a fellow who was in the top 5 percent of the graduating class, academically.


The question: What was Golgotha?

The answer: Golgotha was the name of the giant who slew the apostle David.


If it were not so pathetic, it would be hilarious. Isn't it amazing how pitifully illiterate John Q. Public is of the written Word of God? In a land filled with churches and chapels, temples and tabernacles, there is only an insignificant handful of fairly well-informed students of the Book of books. We have Scriptures in hardback, paperback, cloth, and leather . . . versions and paraphrases too numerous to count, red-letter editions along with various sizes of print on the page . . . Bibles as big as a library dictionary and as small as one frame of microfilm . . . yet the years roll by as one generation after another passes on its biblical illiteracy.


Our nation's technical knowledge and scientific expertise overshadow our grasp of Bible basics to an appalling degree. We are moving toward an era similar to the Dark Ages . . . when copies of the Scriptures were chained to the pulpit in the secret language of the clergy . . . when the public was kept stone ignorant of the life-changing teachings of the truth. But I see one great difference. In those days biblical ignorance was forced . . . in our day it is voluntary. Therein lies the saddest fact of all.


Upon whom do we rest the blame? Some would say the seminaries of America. Indeed, part of the problem does rest there. Others blame the pulpits of our land. That's possible, for a mist in the pulpit will invariably cause a fog in the pew. Far too many preachers are specializing in "longhorn" sermons—a point here and a point there with a lot of bull in between.


Still others would blame this satanic, pressurized system we call the world—society—with its persuasive pleadings and so-called academic arguments against what is termed "a fanatical, foolish belief in the Bible." To embrace its truths, we have been told, is tantamount to committing intellectual suicide. The morticians promoting this lie have nothing to offer in its place beyond the grave, I might add, except a cold hole in the ground.


But in the final analysis, ignorance is a personal choice—your choice. If something is going to plug the dike, it will take your finger to stop the leak . . . and I mean fast.


Source unknown

Friday, August 29, 2014

Strength in times of trouble...Philippians 4:12-13

Philippians 4:12–13

Two extreme tests exist that disturb our balance in life. Each has its own set of problems. On one side is adversity. Solomon realized this when he wrote:

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! 
(Proverbs 24:10 
NIV)

The Mes
sage paraphrases that verse:

If you fall to pieces in a crisis,
there wasn't much to you in the first place.

Adversity is a good test of our resiliency, our ability to cope, to stand back up, and to recover from misfortune. Adversity is a painful pedagogue.

On the other side is prosperity. In all honesty, it's a tougher test than adversity. Precious few are those who can live in the lap of luxury—who can keep their moral, spiritual, and financial equilibrium while balancing on the elevated tightrope of success. It's ironic that most of us can handle a sudden demotion much better than a sizable promotion.

Why? Well, it really isn't too difficult to explain. When adversity strikes, life becomes rather simple. Our need is to survive. To make it through the night. But when prosperity occurs, life gets complicated. Our needs become numerous and often extremely complex. Invariably, our integrity is put to the test. And only about one person in a hundred can dance to the tune of success without paying the piper named Compromise.

Now, before we get too carried away, let's understand that being successful isn't necessarily wrong. Being promoted, being elevated to a place of prominence can come from God Himself.

For not from the east, nor from the west,
Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
But God is the Judge;
He puts down one and exalts another. (Psalm 75:67)

Asaph, the guy who wrote those words, was correct. It is the Lord's sovereign right to demote as well as to promote . . . and we seldom know why He chooses whom.

Any biblical proof that some have been snatched from obscurity and exalted to prosperity without losing their integrity? Any examples of prosperous people who kept their balance while walking on the wire? Sure, several of them.

Joseph was launched from a pit and a prison to the role of Egypt's prime minister (Genesis 41:42–43).
Daniel was lifted from a lowly peon in a boot camp at Babylon to a national commander in charge of one-third of the kingdom (Daniel6:1–2).
Amos was promoted from a fig-picker in Tekoa, nothing more than an ancient sharecropper, to the prophet of God at Bethel, the royal residence of the king (Amos 7:14–15).
Job was a rancher in Uz when God prospered him and granted him financial independence (Job1:1–5).
And not one of the four lost his integrity in the process.

Yes, it is possible to stand firm against the winds of compromise and to stay balanced on the tightrope of success . . . by God's grace.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Balance prt 2...1 Kings 9:3-5

1 Kings 9:3–5


Both adversity and prosperity confront our equilibrium, but prosperity is perhaps the more challenging test. Today we look at another biblical person who rose to the top and kept his balance. The classic example is David. According to the last three verses of Psalm 78:


[God] also chose David His servant

And took him from the sheepfolds;

From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him

To shepherd Jacob His people,

And Israel His inheritance.

So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,

And guided them with his skillful hands.

(Psalm 78:70–72, emphasis added)


As Jehovah scanned the Judean landscape in search of Saul's successor, He found a youth in his mid-teens who possessed a unique combination: the humility of a servant, the heart of a shepherd, and the hands of skill.


And by his thirtieth birthday, Jesse's youngest son held the premier office in the nation. King. At his fingertips were a vast treasury, unlimited privileges, and enormous power.


And how did he handle such prosperity? Read that final verse again. He shepherded the nation "according to the integrity of his heart." In spite of his limitations and imperfections, he was one of the few who passed the test of prosperity.


Are you? If so, when you give your word, you do it. Exactly as you said you would. Because integrity means you are verbally trustworthy. Furthermore, when bills come due, you pay them. Because integrity means you are financially dependable. Also, when you're tempted to mess around with an illicit affair, you resist. Because integrity means you are morally pure. You don't fudge because you're able to cover your tracks. Neither do you fake it because you're now a big shot. Being successful doesn't give anybody the right to call wrong right. Or the okay to say something's okay if it isn't okay.


Adversity or prosperity, both are tough tests on our balance. To stay balanced through prosperity—ah, that demands integrity. The swift wind of compromise is a lot more devastating than the sudden jolt of misfortune.


That's why walking on a wire is harder than standing up in a storm. Height has a strange way of disturbing our balance.


Source unknown

Balance pt 1...Philippians 4:12-13

Philippians 4:12–13


Two extreme tests exist that disturb our balance in life. Each has its own set of problems. On one side is adversity. Solomon realized this when he wrote:


If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!

(Proverbs 24:10 NIV)


The Message paraphrases that verse:


If you fall to pieces in a crisis,

there wasn't much to you in the first place.


Adversity is a good test of our resiliency, our ability to cope, to stand back up, and to recover from misfortune. Adversity is a painful pedagogue.


On the other side is prosperity. In all honesty, it's a tougher test than adversity. Precious few are those who can live in the lap of luxury—who can keep their moral, spiritual, and financial equilibrium while balancing on the elevated tightrope of success. It's ironic that most of us can handle a sudden demotion much better than a sizable promotion.


Why? Well, it really isn't too difficult to explain. When adversity strikes, life becomes rather simple. Our need is to survive. To make it through the night. But when prosperity occurs, life gets complicated. Our needs become numerous and often extremely complex. Invariably, our integrity is put to the test. And only about one person in a hundred can dance to the tune of success without paying the piper named Compromise.


Now, before we get too carried away, let's understand that being successful isn't necessarily wrong. Being promoted, being elevated to a place of prominence can come from God Himself.


For not from the east, nor from the west,

Nor from the desert comes exaltation;

But God is the Judge;

He puts down one and exalts another. (Psalm 75:67)


Asaph, the guy who wrote those words, was correct. It is the Lord's sovereign right to demote as well as to promote . . . and we seldom know why He chooses whom.


Any biblical proof that some have been snatched from obscurity and exalted to prosperity without losing their integrity? Any examples of prosperous people who kept their balance while walking on the wire? Sure, several of them.


Joseph was launched from a pit and a prison to the role of Egypt's prime minister (Genesis 41:42–43).

Daniel was lifted from a lowly peon in a boot camp at Babylon to a national commander in charge of one-third of the kingdom (Daniel 6:1–2).

Amos was promoted from a fig-picker in Tekoa, nothing more than an ancient sharecropper, to the prophet of God at Bethel, the royal residence of the king (Amos 7:14–15).

Job was a rancher in Uz when God prospered him and granted him financial independence (Job 1:1–5).

And not one of the four lost his integrity in the process.


Yes, it is possible to stand firm against the winds of compromise and to stay balanced on the tightrope of success . . . by God's grace.


Source unknown

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

True Satisfaction...Isaiah 14:12-15

Isaiah 14:12-15 records the fall of Satan.  Created as God's archangel, we read about the dissatisfaction that got him in trouble,


"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!  For you have said in your heart:  ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'  Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit."


Clearly his problem was pride.  "I will, I will, I will…I am going to be like God."  He wasn't satisfied with being the archangel that God had created him to be.  He wanted to take God's place.


The root of Satan's pride was his discontent with the post and station that the supreme Monarch of the universe had assigned and allotted him.  He thought he deserved better.


We all have our sphere of influence, and we all have our gifting from God.  Your sphere of influence and gifting are different than mine, and mine are different than yours.  It is unwise to desire something that someone else has rather than exploring what God has given you and developing that to its highest potential.


When you look over the fence, it looks like the grass is greener on the other side, but when you hop over, you find out it is spray-painted!


You will only be satisfied if you will develop what God has put inside of you and take that to its highest level possible.  That is what you will be rewarded for.


Source unknown

Friday, August 22, 2014

Small Stuff...Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:17


"Don't sweat the small stuff."


Somebody said that to me the other day. It helped . . . momentarily. I needed reality's nudge. Being casual on the outside but a fairly thorough and disciplined soul within, I sometimes need to be reminded that few people will even notice the thing I'm camping on. Or care, for that matter. So? So sweating the small stuff can occasionally be a drag.


But there's another side to that coin. Greatness and the attention to detail, in my opinion, are welded together. A great piece of music is like that—carefully arranged orchestration carrying out a majestic melody with the whole sound of harmony. Haunting chords, rhythm, and lyrics. The choral group that performs is also committed to the fine line. Not much room for "don't sweat the small stuff" philosophy.


A great piece of writing is equally a masterpiece of detail. Phrases are turned. Words are chosen, shaped, sometimes chiseled so as to dovetail into the precise meaning or description the author requires. And behind such exactness, such literary beauty? Sweat. Trust me, a lot of sweat. Because great writing, like great music, comprises not only sweeping, broad-brush scenes but also small stuff, which takes time . . . so very much time.


Great artwork is the same. Look at the masters. Observe the choice of colors, the texture, the shading. Study the lines on that ton of white marble to which Michelangelo once put his hands. Those fluid lines in David's form don't just happen to flow. It's no accident that you're surprised to find the stonework cold to the touch. Something that real is supposed to have warm blood in it. Why? Because the Italian genius labored long hours over the small stuff. Something inside his head could settle for nothing less.


A solid biblical basis for such an emphasis on quality is not hard to find. Consider the superb manner in which the tabernacle was designed and constructed. Next, the temple built during Solomon's rule . . . with its "windows with artistic frames," elaborate beams, winding stairways, gold-covered cherubim, and "stone prepared at the quarry" so that "neither hammer nor axe nor iron tool [would be] heard in the house while it was being built" (1 Kings 6:4–8, 28). The name of God was exalted as people witnessed such detailed beauty. It still is.


What is true of grand music, great writing, priceless art, and quality construction is also true of the way some still practice medicine or law, do their architectural drawings, teach their students, type their letters, preach their sermons, play their instruments, cook meals, fix cars, coach teams, sell insurance, run a business, a home, a school, a restaurant, or a ministry. It makes them stand out in bold relief . . . clearly a cut above the average. It's not for the money or for the glory or for the fame it may bring. It's simply a matter of deep-seated personal pride and commitment. Nothing less satisfies. It all boils down to fine, rare, quality craftsmanship.


Decide now to do something special in the next twenty-four hours—something no one may ever notice except you and your Creator—in which you can demonstrate high-quality workmanship. While you're deciding what to do, read with reverence the first chapter of Genesis—and think about workmanship.


Sometimes the small stuff is a big deal.


Source unknown

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Starting Over...1 Peter 4:7-11

1 Peter 4:7–11


Instant replays have become old hat. We now expect them in all televised sports. Whether it's a tennis pro's impressive backhand or an NBA center's slam dunk or a heavyweight boxer's smashing jab, we never have to worry about missing it the first time around. It'll be back again and again and, probably, again.


It has occurred to me that I'd enjoy (for lack of a better title) delayed replays of some of the more significant times in my life. But these would be different from fixed frames on film. In "delayed replays," I'm fantasizing the possibility of going back and being given another chance to relive a particular experience that could have been handled differently. More wisely. With greater tact. In better taste. You know—all those "if-I-had-that-to-do-over-again" thoughts. What a second chance that would be!


Just think of all the things we'd refrain from saying that we blurted out the first time around. And consider the different attitudes we would have toward unexpected interruptions, unplanned babies, unrealistic expectations, unimportant details. I really think we would take a lot more things a lot less seriously, don't you?


Fun times form great memories . . . so let's hear it for fewer frowns and more smiles. Laughter lingers. It soaks into the walls of a home, coming back to encourage us many years later.


Yes, if we had the benefit of "delayed replays," we would gain a lot of perspective on life we often miss the first time around.


But unfortunately, second times around don't happen. We cannot re-rear our children. I cannot re-pastor my first church. Initial impressions cannot be remade. Cutting remarks cannot be re-said. Scars can't be completely removed. Tear stains on the delicate fabric of our emotions are, more often than not, permanent. Memories are fixed, not flexible.


"You mean God won't forgive?"

You know better than that.


"And people can't overlook my failures?"

Come on, now. That's not the issue at all. Most people I know are amazingly understanding. Our biggest task is forgiving ourselves.


The main message is clear: think before you speak. Pause before you act.


Another chance? No chance. It's absolutely impossible to go back and start over. Today is tomorrow's yesterday . . . and "delayed replays" will never occur. Today is memory in the making, a deposit in the bank of time. Let's make it a good one!


In the now-or-later battle for priorities, it's clear where the secret lies. Let's take care of the biggies now—today. It's amazing how the incidentals will fade away when we focus fully on the essentials. And that's impossible unless we put the important ahead of the urgent.


Source unknown

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Rewards of Patience...Psalms 40

Psalms 40


The Scriptures contain many stories of people who waited years or even decades before the Lord's promises came to pass. What modern believers can learn from the patience of biblical saints like Abraham, Joseph, David, and Paul is that waiting upon the Lord has eternal rewards.


Today let's look at Israel's most memorable monarch. David was the chosen heir to Israel's throne, but he spent years dodging King Saul's wrathful pursuit. Despite having two different opportunities for vengeance, David resisted the temptation and spared Saul's life. He chose to adhere to God's timetable for his coronation instead of dishonoring the Lord by killing the divinely anointed king. David's psalms reveal his intimate awareness of Yahweh's work in his life. The shepherd king not only achieved his objective through patience; he also observed that God's way was always best.


David left behind an incredible testimony of God's faithfulness for each of us to read and meditate upon. He was committed to waiting upon the Lord, and as a result, he had the Father's approval and blessing. We cannot underestimate the reward of living in divine favor. That isn't a special state reserved for "giants of the faith" like David. All who obediently endure until the Lord acts on their behalf abide in His favor.


David didn't receive his blessings because he was special; he was honored among men because he honored the Lord above all. And since he trusted in God's faithfulness, he endured hardship with patience. We, too, can expect to be blessed when we wait upon the Lord


Source unknown

Monday, August 18, 2014

Gentle Answer...Psalms 97

Psalms 97; Romans 16


A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1


If a gentle answer turns away wrath, why do we choose to say harsh words? We hear harsh words everywhere we go. People seem to be so angry these days. The southern California freeways are notoriously known for drivers having "road rage." I do not even want to know what kinds of words are being spoken in the cars of others while driving.


Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Our mouths are speaking right from our hearts. The difficulty with having a "gentle answer" is that the character trait of self-control has to be developed first. If we look at the fruits of the Spirit, the last one is self-control. It starts with love and ends with self-control. We all have the ability to speak gentle and kind words to each other when we want to be kind and loving. However, we do not want to be gentle and kind when we have been criticized or mistreated. These situations require self-control so we can watch our words and answer with gentleness and kindness.


I pray for self-control daily. Not only do I not want to regret my words, but also I really want my heart to reflect the Lord. I see the Lord's reflection in me when I hear the words that come from my heart. Listen to yourself today. What kind of words do you use? What kind of tone or attitude do you have? Are your words edifying and encouraging or destructive and negative? Then, when you get angry, evaluate your words again. God wants us to have peace: He left it and He gave it. Anger is not a sin but stirring anger up is. Pray for the Lord to take hold of your heart to help you to hold your words. Pray for self-control of your tongue.


Source unknown

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Agape Love...John 15:12

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” --John 15:12


Agape love is God’s special kind of self-giving. Agape describes a love that comes from and is rooted in God. It is totally selfless love. It delights in giving, even though the loved one may be unkind, unlovely, and unworthy. Agape love continues to give.


Agape determines to do whatever is best for the loved one. It willingly sacrifices itself for another’s good. Agape gives when it gets nothing in return. It does not even think of getting something back.


Do you think love is just a feeling? It is not a feeling. Love is a decision. The Bible says God is love. God is not a feeling. The Bible says we are commanded to love. We don’t have any option.


Maybe you don’t feel like loving. Do it anyway. God commands you to love. Maybe you think you can’t love. Then find out whatever it is you are supposed to do when you love somebody and do all those things. Depend upon God to do His part. When we do what we’re commanded in obedience to God, we discover that grace begins to develop in our lives.


Source unknown

Saturday, August 16, 2014

New birth & baptism...Romans 6:3-10

Romans 6:3-10


Jesus commissioned His followers to go and make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). As the early church spread the gospel message, baptism would follow a new believer's response of faith. It publicly signified that the individual was now a follower of Jesus


Metaphors often communicate on a level that words cannot. Baptism is a powerful picture of our salvation experience. Through this act, we proclaim the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again--and testify that we've welcomed His transforming power into our life.


The Greek word for "baptize" in Scripture is the same term used to describe a cloth dipped in dye--it refers to total change. So by being plunged into the water, we declare that we're choosing to die to our old way of life and are uniting with Christ. Our sin is buried with Him, and its power is conquered through His atoning death on the cross (Rom. 6:14). When we're raised up out of the water, we affirm His resurrection. Baptism is a symbolic way of expressing that just as the Lord conquered death and rose again, we are spiritually resurrected from death into new life. We are "born again" and irrevocably transformed through the power of His Holy Spirit.


In the Bible, the word "believe" isn't a conceptual word describing intellectual agreement alone. It is a word of action. Our belief should never be hidden like a light placed under a bowl (Luke 11:33)--when unbelieving family and friends look at our lives, they need to see the gospel in action.


Source unknown

Friday, August 15, 2014

Friendship...Genesis 2:18



Do you have friends? I know it sounds like a silly question, but it's an important one. God created us as social beings—we all need friends. When we're alone, we don't grow much spiritually or emotionally. By ourselves, we're easy to get along with; it's when we get around other people that we start to have trouble. But God gave us friends to reveal our flaws and help us smooth out the rough edges.

Sometimes it seems easier to be alone. There are people who say, "Why bother with friendships? If I let myself be vulnerable, I'll get burned. Isn't it better to be alone and aloof?" Let me tell you, it may be easier, but it's not better. God's comment when He looked at man was, "It is not good that man should be alone" (Gen. 2:18). God created relationships, beginning withmarriage, to take care of the problem of isolation.

When you call people your friends, you give them quite a title. When someone calls you their friend, you receive quite an honor. It's a wonderful thing to be called a friend, but it's not something to take lightly; friendship is a great responsibility. As Christians, we need friendship and fellowship to guard one another against temptation and to protect one another from compromise.

I've noticed that in relationships, people operate from one of two platforms: the platform of need or the platform of supply. When you operate from the platform of need, you make demands on people. When you operate from the platform of supply, you serve the needs of others. A true friend builds on the platform of supply, not need.

To help you become a better friend, I'd like to share six marks of a true friend:

1. A friend is friendly. While you can't necessarily choose to have a friend, you can choose to be one. Just as love begets love, friendliness begets friends.

2. A friend is faithful. In good times and bad, "A friend loves at all times" (Prov. 17:17).

3. A friend is frank. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Prov. 27:6). Friends who are tactfully and lovingly honest with you cause you to grow.

4. A friend is fortifying. "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (Prov. 27:17).

5. A friend is forbearing. There is an ebb and flow to friendship—sometimes timing is everything. "He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him" (Prov. 27:14). It's good to give encouragement and even reproof, but a true friend patiently waits for the right time.

6. A friend is forgiving. One of the greatest things about friends is that they will confront you, yet give you latitude. When you mess up, true friends won't make you feel that it's permanent—they help you clean up your mess.

Because friendship is so valuable, it's vulnerable. We often fail one another because we're imperfect and fragile. Friendships should be handled with care and guarded vigilantly.

Do you have a good friend who you are having problems with? I encourage you to take the steps to resolve them today! Start by verbally telling your friend how much you appreciate and value them. Most importantly, take time now to tell Jesus, the best friend you will ever have, that you love Him.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Difficult Circumstances...Philippians 3:8-11

Philippians 3:8-11


The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough circumstances. Even while he was confined in a prison cell, he kept his eyes on Christ and trusted firmly in the Savior. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord’s work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing (1:18; 2:18; 3:1).


Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles look scary and overwhelm us with a sense of defeat.


However, fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I’m not saying you’ll forget what you’re going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2 Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov. 3:6).  The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil. 4:11). You aren’t going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble.


The Lord’s principles and promises don’t change, no matter how severe or painful the situation is. Focus on Christ instead of the circumstances—God will comfort your heart and bring you safely through the trial. Then you can answer Paul’s call to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)


Source unknown 

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Fallibility part 2...1 Peter 1:24-25

1 Peter 1:24–25


God's Word is infallible; people are not. Yesterday, we noted that this point is particularly underscored in the realm of leadership. We naturally seek after ministers we can respect and follow. And then—glory!—we come across some whose lives are admirable, whose leadership seems to be blessed of God, and whose instruction is biblical, wise, and dynamic. Everything's great until one such individual teaches something that is different from another minister who is equally admired. That never fails to leave groupies in a confused tailspin.


This is a good time to consider the sage counsel of Bernard Ramm:


How do we settle the truth when two people of equal piety and devotion have different opinions? Does the Holy Spirit tell one person the Rapture is pre-tribulation, and another that it is post-tribulation? The very fact that spiritually minded interpreters come to different conclusions about these matters distresses many people's minds. They have presumed that if a man is yielded to the Holy Spirit, his interpretations must be correct.


But certain things must be kept in mind. First, the Holy Spirit gives nobody infallible interpretations. Second, piety is a help to interpretation, but it is not a substitute for knowledge or study or intelligence.


Third, all of us are still in the human body and subject to its limitations and frailties . . . we make mistakes of interpretation in Scripture as well as errors in judgment in the affairs of life.


It is the present temptation of at least American evangelicalism to substitute a class of devout Bible teachers for the Catholic Pope. To such people the meaning of Scripture is that which their favorite Bible teacher teaches. But the Protestant principle must always be this: The truest interpretations are those with the best justification.


I could just as easily have used an illustration regarding a physician's diagnosis or a therapist's counsel. The issue is identical, and it brings us back to where we started yesterday. If I could change a term and put it in the language of a famous historical document: all men are created fallible. Yes, all. If you remember that, you'll have fewer surprises and disappointments, greater wisdom, and a whole lot better perspective in life. Rather than slumping into cynicism because your hero showed feet of clay, you'll maintain a healthy and intelligent objectivity. You'll be able to show respect without worshiping him or her. And when you really need to know the truth, you'll turn to the Scriptures with firsthand confidence.


If you're looking for infallibility, look no further than God's Word.


Source unknown 

Monday, August 11, 2014

Fallibility...Psalm 119:89-96

Psalm 119:89–96


Ever since I was knee-high to a gnat, I have been taught about and have believed in the infallibility of Scripture. Among the upper echelons of doctrinal truths, this one ranks alongside the Godhead, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace. We may fuss around with a few of the events in God's eschatological calendar or leave breathing room for differing opinions regarding angels and local church government. But when the subject turns to the infallibility and inerrancy of Holy Writ, I'm convinced there's no wobble room. Can't be. Take away that absolute and you've opened a hole in your theological dike that cannot be plugged. Given enough time and pressure, it wouldn't be long before everything around you would get soggy and slippery. Make no mistake about it; the infallibility of Scripture is a watershed issue.


But wait . . . let's stop right there when it comes to infallibility. Before I make my point, allow me to quote Webster's definition:


Incapable of error . . . not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint.


While that is certainly true of Scripture, it is not true of people. When it comes to humanity, fallibility is the order of the day. Meaning what? Just this: there is not one soul on this earth who is incapable of error, who is free from fault, who is unable to make mistakes, who is absolutely and equivocally reliable. Can't be. Depravity mixed with limited knowledge and tendencies to misunderstand, misread, misquote, and misjudge should keep all of us free from two very common mistakes: first, deification of certain individuals (including ourselves); and second, disillusionment when we discover fault and mistakes in others.


Just as biblical infallibility assures us that each page is incapable of error or deception, fallibility reminds us that each person is capable of both. The implications are equally clear. When it comes to the Bible, keep trusting. When it comes to people, be discerning.


This includes all people. I don't have space enough to complete a list, so I'll be painfully general and mention one group. I choose this group only because it's the one we tend not to question: those professionals whom we trust with our bodies, minds, and souls—namely, physicians, psychologists, and pastors. What influence these men and women possess! What good they do! How necessary they are! Most of us, if asked to name 10 people we admire and appreciate the most, would include two or three from this category. How gracious of God to give us such splendid individuals to help us through this vale of tears! Yet each one has something in common with everyone else—fallibility. Those whom we most admire remind us of that from time to time; nevertheless, everything in us cries out to resist such reminders. Of the three, I believe it is the minister whom people tend most to place on a pedestal.


It is certainly an unscriptural practice. The Berean believers are commended for listening to Paul then "examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Apollos and Paul are referred to merely as "servants through whom you believed" (1 Corinthians 3:5) and later given a rather insignificant place:


So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:7)


It's easy to forget all that, especially in a day when we hunger for spiritual leaders whom we can respect and follow. Put flawed human beings on a pedestal and they are bound to topple, fail, and disappoint, but God's Word is holy, inerrant, and totally reliable. To Him be the glory.


 When it comes to the Bible, be trusting. When it comes to people, be discerning.


Source unknown

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Make it Clear...1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Corinthians 15:1–4


One of the toughest assignments in life is to communicate clearly what happened during a time when emotions were high. People who "fall in love" can hardly describe it. Those who endure a calamity or experience a sudden loss often convey the information in a confused manner. The same is true in car accidents.


The following is a series of actual quotes taken from insurance or accident forms. They are the actual words of people who tried to summarize their encounters with trouble.


 "I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way."

 "The guy was all over the road; I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him."

 "I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment."

 "In my attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole."

 "I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached an intersection, a hedge sprang up obscuring my vision. I did not see the other car."

 "An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle, and vanished."

 "The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth."

 "I was unable to stop in time, and my car crashed into the other vehicle. The driver and passenger then left immediately for a vacation with injuries."


Aren't those unbelievable!


And yet, one amazing fact is that each report was made by some sincere, serious individual who tried his or her best to be clear and concise. Emotions have a way of smearing the lens of logical thinking and precise communication.


It often happens to Christians when we attempt to express our faith—how we were "born from above" and became "new creatures in Christ." As non-Christians strain to follow our words, I wonder how many of them must wonder what the religious gobbledygook is all about. We think we're communicating clearly, but we're not. We toss around terms familiar only to those in the "in" group . . . phrases foreign to those in the world system (and then we blame them for not being interested!).


Our secret language calls for a decoding process they aren't equipped to handle. How much better to talk in a plain, concrete, believable manner, as the Spirit of God works to complete the task!


What is it Peter advised? "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).


Take that assignment from God. Be ready! See if you can write out in one, nontechnical, cliché-free paragraph about the hope within you. Your salvation experience. Or—how any person can know God in a meaningful and intimate way.


Jesus took on this challenge when He spoke with a Jewish judge named Nicodemus. And if you remember, even though our Lord was painfully simple and the rabbi was awfully bright, the man still struggled as he tried to track Christ's words. Believe me—combating confusion is quite an assignment, especially when the emotions of the heart cloud the expressions of the mouth.


It's not just that many have never heard. It's that they have heard . . . and have been blown away by our verbiage.


Our job? Make it clear!


Source unknown

Friday, August 8, 2014

God Loves...Psalm 9

For reading & meditation - Psalms 9

"he [God] ... cares for the helpless. He does not ignore those who cry t o him for help" (v. 12, NLT)

Having learned something about how to cope with failure, we turn now to face the issue of what to do when life breaks us with unmerited suffering and affliction. I get more letters on this subject than on almost any other. People write and say, "My suffering is so great that I sometimes doubt the existence of a God of love. Can you say something that will help me regain my
 faith in this tragic hour?" One of the most poignant elements in suffering is that there often seems to be no meaning in it. One great writer said that anyone who was undisturbed by the problem of unmerited suffering was a victim of either a hardened heart or a softened brain. He was right. Everyone who is mentally alive, especially if he believes in a God of love, finds this problem difficult to solve. No wonder the poet cried out: My son, the world is dark with griefs and graves So dark that men cry out against the heavens. I suppose there is nothing that makes people cry out against the heavens so much as the anguish which comes unbidden and unmerited. Some of our sufferings are the result of our own crassness and stupidity. But what about when life breaks us with sufferings that are not directly related to us? Does God remember us then? Our text today says that He does. This in itself should be enough to keep us brave, if not blithe; in peace, if not in happiness. Write it on your heart. God remembers you in your suffering. He really does!

Source unknown 

Detour...Jude 1:4

Jude 1:4 gives us an ominous warning,


For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.


Jude is giving us an idea of how the devil brings error into a church.  The key phrase is men have crept in unnoticed.  That phrase literally means to come alongside by stealth.  It pictures someone creeping in and coming alongside, like coming in through a side door.


The folks Jude is talking about look like everyone else, they talk like everyone else, but they are not like everyone else.


That is the way the devil brings error and false doctrine into the Church.  It looks like the truth, sounds good, seems like the truth, and it may even be partially true.  But there is enough poison in it to kill you.


It's like the guy who wanted to break into a used car lot to steal a bunch of auto parts.  The only problem was the two guard dogs.  So for the next week he showed up every night with some pieces of meat.


At first the dogs would bark like crazy, but after the man left, they would eat the meat.  By the end of the week, they didn't bark at all, they just wanted the meat.  So, having become familiar with the dogs, knowing that they wouldn't "sound the alarm," he approached them one last time—with poisoned meat.  The dogs ate, and he was able to get into the lot and steal all he wanted.


That is the way the devil does it a lot of times.  He sends someone among the believers in order to distract and detour them from the truth.  But it is calculated and happens by degrees.  Do not let your "inner alarm system" go silent through familiarity.


Beware of those who would move you away, even subtly, from the clearly revealed truth of God's Word.


Source unknown

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Trusting God...Psalm 73:28

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works.” - Psalm 73:28


We can be so protective of our reputations, can’t we? I know of preachers who have lost their children because they were more concerned about what people thought than what God taught.


Maybe some of you are raising teenagers, and they dress in a way that isn’t your style. Maybe your church friends are saying some unpleasant things. Let them criticize! God knows your heart. Those children are yours, not theirs. You need to love them with everything that God gives you. Stand by their side.


Never sacrifice your son or daughter on the altar of your reputation. Trust your children to the Lord. Ask God to give you His wisdom so you can see how He is fulfilling His promise of Romans 8:28 in every situation.


Source unknown

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Maturity...Hebrews 5:12-14

Hebrews 5:12-14


Believers are on a continual growth track that ascends higher and higher. This side of heaven none of us ever "arrive," but we each have a responsibility to press on to maturity. Though many people think those who know a lot about the Bible are the spiritually mature ones, Hebrews 5:14 adds the element of practice to the growth equation. This word means a custom or habit. Christian growth requires the discipline of godly habits carried out daily.


The most important practice to cultivate is a personal devotional time. Since God is the source of all spiritual development, you can't neglect Him and expect to become mature. Transformation begins with time in His Word and prayer.


Obedience is another essential element for advancement. When our desire to obey the Lord is stronger than our attraction to sin, we'll know we are making progress in our spiritual life.


In terms of physical development, the goal is to become more independent and self-sufficient as we age. But in the spiritual realm, the opposite is true. Those who are mature in Christ recognize their own inadequacy and rely on the Holy Spirit within them. It's His job to transform our character and empower us to accomplish everything the Lord calls us to do.



Getting older doesn't mean maturity in God's eyes. By digging into Scripture and developing righteous habits, we can use our years to grow stronger in the Lord instead of wasting time with passivity. No one accidentally becomes mature. Spiritual growth requires a diligent pursuit of God.


Source unknown 

Monday, August 4, 2014

The Prize...Philippians 3:12-14

Philippians 3:12-14


It is found in verse 14 where Paul says,


I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.


What I want to focus our thoughts on today is the prize.  According to this passage, there is a reward for finishing, a reward that will be given openly to all those who are faithful.


In fact, the Greek word translated prize literally means a reward that is given publicly.  This is not something that is given in private.


In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul says,


I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.


This crown of righteousness is synonymous with the "prize."  Paul said, "It will be given to me on that Day."  Not the day Paul died, but rather on a day that has yet to arrive, when we are gathered before God's throne.


On that day, everyone will be there.  King David, Samuel the prophet, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Moses, the apostle Paul, Peter…every saint who has lived for God in every generation since the Resurrection.


On that day, we are going to be standing before God giving an account of our lives.  We are going to be rewarded publicly if we have fulfilled our job description and run within the lines of our calling while on this earth.


I urge you to prepare for that day!


Source unknown

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Hang On part two...Job 42:1-3

Job 42:1–3


Could it be that you are beginning to feel the nick of falling rocks? Maybe the avalanche has already fallen and you're more than a little desperate. Job is our model for staying faithful when life is reduced to rubble. How'd he do it? Let's take a look.


First, Job claimed God's loving sovereignty. He sincerely believed that the Lord who gave had every right to take away (Job 1:21). Stated in his own words:


"Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?"

(Job 2:10)


He looked up, claiming his Lord's right to rule over his life. Who is the fool that says God has no right to add sand to our clay or marks to our vessel or fire to His workmanship? Who dares lift his clay fist heavenward and question the Potter's plan? Not Job! To him, God's sovereignty was laced with His love.


Second, he counted on the promise of resurrection. Do you remember Job's immortal words?


"I know that my Redeemer lives,

And at the last . . . I shall see God." (Job 19:25–26)


He looked ahead, counting on his Lord's promise to make all things bright and beautiful in the life beyond. He knew that at that time, all pain, death, sorrow, tears, and adversity would be removed. Knowing that "hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5), he endured today by envisioning tomorrow.


Third, he confessed his own lack of understanding. What a relief this brings! Job didn't feel obligated to explain the "whys" of his situation. Listen to his admission of this fact:


"I know that You can do all things,

And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. . . .

Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,

Things too wonderful [too deep] for me, which I did not know. . . .

I will ask You, and You instruct me." (Job 42:2–4)


He looked within, confessing his inability to put it all together. Resting his case with the righteous Judge, Job did not feel compelled to answer all the questions or unravel all the burning riddles. God would judge. The Judge would be right.


For you, adversity may seem 10,000 miles away. That's the way Job felt just a few minutes before the landslide.


Review these thoughts as you turn out the lights tonight, my friend, just in case. Consider Job's method for picking up the pieces.


Cloudless days are fine, but remember: some pottery gets pretty fragile setting in the sun day after day after day.


Source unknown