Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)
"11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
When I was an older child (8-10 years old), a man who was a member of the church I attended told our church he felt GOD calling him to preach the Gospel. Our pastor allowed him to preach one Sunday evening. I was sitting near the back of the sanctuary and he was rambling on and on about his weakness with alcohol. (He never did overcome that demon). A few of us were fidgeting and restless and begin to show our youth and immaturity. After the service was concluded, we who were restless were "instructed" to behave more appropriately, even when the speaker was struggling with closing his remarks.
There are teachers of the Word of GOD and there are "called" teachers of the Word of GOD! To be "called", and anointed, is an honor bestowed on SOME! In Ephesians 4:11-13, the Apostle Paul writes "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for BUILDING UP the body of Christ, UNTIL WE ALL ATTAIN to the unity of the faith and of the KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God, to MATURE manhood, to the MEASURE of the STATURE of the FULLNESS of CHRIST".
Some were not MATURING as Christians. The writer of Hebrews said "You need milk, not solid food". Evidently, they were more interested in their daily activities than their spiritual growth. In verse 13 it is written the ones who lived on milk were "unskilled in the word of righteousness"! Why were they "unskilled"? Apparently, the amount of exposure to "THE WORD" was limited. They did not have a desire to grow spiritually near as much as the other aspects of their lives.
This Sunday afternoon/evening millions of people across the world will tune in to watch the Super Bowl. I am wondering, how many churches,and true Believers, have matured enough in their Christian walk to attend church rather than watch the Super Bowl? Am I mature enough now to sit through someone rambling? Or am I still on the spiritual "baby bottle"? Do the things of GOD mean more to me than the things of THIS world? How do I demonstrate it, if it does?
HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray YOU will continue to instruct me in the ways of YOUR Kingdom. Cause me to be a man YOU can use for YOUR glory, and that I will have a "MATURE MEASURE" attained in my life!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
"THOU ART MY GOD!"
Psalms 31:14-17 (KJV)
"14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave."
Occasionally, we just have a need to crawl up in HIS arms and REST in HIM!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
"MATURE???"
Romans 4:4-6 (ESV)
"4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in
honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
A stronger, more mature person, may have freedom to eat (or other actions) whatever he chooses. A more immature (not sure in his faith) person may not have that freedom yet. And it may not be eating, it may be something else that you may have freedom to do that I still am convicted is wrong for me to do.
Today, I offer no cute words or analogies. Only a personal experience to reflect upon. I was teaching a Sunday School class about 20 years ago and one of my class members telephoned me inquiring about going to a local oyster bar to eat oysters? I told him "I" could not go to a place known to be a "beer joint" to eat. On the other hand, I felt if I decided to go to a local Mexican eatery (known more as a restaurant than a bar) was okay! Both served alcohol, but for me, I had (and still have) serious reservations about the oyster bar. I had not been "released" to go to Oyster bar, but I had been released to eat at the Mexican diner. I would not choose to drink alcohol no matter where I dined, but the atmosphere prohibited me from going into the oyster bar.
Verse 5 says "Each person should be FULLY convinced in his own mind". You shouldn't be wishy-washy about where you stand on a subject. Either GOD has given you freedom in an area, or HE hasn't. 1 Corinthians 8:13 states "Therefore, if eating a certain food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." GOD gives freedoms, so you don't need to apologize for not being given something! The Apostle Paul was saying he was secure enough in his faith that he had been given freedom to do a lot of things. Yet, he proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 8:13 that he would abstain from eating meat if it offended his brother. He did not want a less mature believer having a spiritual issue with something of insignificance.
As I mature, I find more and more the freedom GOD gives me does not bring a need to prove I have overcome. Isn't it ironic, the more I mature, the more I see I need to mature?
"4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in
honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
A stronger, more mature person, may have freedom to eat (or other actions) whatever he chooses. A more immature (not sure in his faith) person may not have that freedom yet. And it may not be eating, it may be something else that you may have freedom to do that I still am convicted is wrong for me to do.
Today, I offer no cute words or analogies. Only a personal experience to reflect upon. I was teaching a Sunday School class about 20 years ago and one of my class members telephoned me inquiring about going to a local oyster bar to eat oysters? I told him "I" could not go to a place known to be a "beer joint" to eat. On the other hand, I felt if I decided to go to a local Mexican eatery (known more as a restaurant than a bar) was okay! Both served alcohol, but for me, I had (and still have) serious reservations about the oyster bar. I had not been "released" to go to Oyster bar, but I had been released to eat at the Mexican diner. I would not choose to drink alcohol no matter where I dined, but the atmosphere prohibited me from going into the oyster bar.
Verse 5 says "Each person should be FULLY convinced in his own mind". You shouldn't be wishy-washy about where you stand on a subject. Either GOD has given you freedom in an area, or HE hasn't. 1 Corinthians 8:13 states "Therefore, if eating a certain food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." GOD gives freedoms, so you don't need to apologize for not being given something! The Apostle Paul was saying he was secure enough in his faith that he had been given freedom to do a lot of things. Yet, he proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 8:13 that he would abstain from eating meat if it offended his brother. He did not want a less mature believer having a spiritual issue with something of insignificance.
As I mature, I find more and more the freedom GOD gives me does not bring a need to prove I have overcome. Isn't it ironic, the more I mature, the more I see I need to mature?
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
"THOU ART WITH ME!"
Psalms 23:1-6 (KJV)
"1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
I was recently perusing the internet and came across this PRAYER on a social media site: Dear GOD, I don't ask You to make my life easier, but I ask You to give me the strength to face all of my trouble. AMEN. As I began to meditate this prayer, my mind went to verse 4 and 5 of Psalms 23.
King David recognized trouble and heartache. Many times he wrote how he had failed GOD and needed forgiveness. Yet, in Psalms 23:4 King David did not ask GOD for the "valley of the shadow of death" to disappear. Rather he pledged, as he walked through this valley, he would "fear no evil"!
How do you "fear no evil" when your world is crashing in on you? How do you "fear no evil" when your banker calls wanting a payment? How do you "fear no evil" when the doctor gives you a bad diagnosis? How do you "fear no evil" when the police officer brings unwanted news about a family member? The answer is in the next breath....."FOR THOU ART WITH ME"! GOD ALMIGHTY is with us when trials and tribulations come our way or when good times are here. HIS rod and staff they comfort me lets us know HE loves us too much to allow us to stray out of HIS care.
For HIM to prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies has to be one of the most comforting statements in scripture. GOD ALMIGHTY is not worried that the enemy will gain advantage over us when we are eating. Our spending time with HIM, eating from HIS table, tells HIM that we are trusting in HIM to protect and provide for us.
FATHER GOD, cause me to be reminded that as long as "THOU ART WITH ME", I have nothing to fear! The enemy can throw all the darts he can muster, but I will not fear. Thank you GOD, for the peace and comfort of resting in the green pastures and the cool, still waters!
"1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
I was recently perusing the internet and came across this PRAYER on a social media site: Dear GOD, I don't ask You to make my life easier, but I ask You to give me the strength to face all of my trouble. AMEN. As I began to meditate this prayer, my mind went to verse 4 and 5 of Psalms 23.
King David recognized trouble and heartache. Many times he wrote how he had failed GOD and needed forgiveness. Yet, in Psalms 23:4 King David did not ask GOD for the "valley of the shadow of death" to disappear. Rather he pledged, as he walked through this valley, he would "fear no evil"!
How do you "fear no evil" when your world is crashing in on you? How do you "fear no evil" when your banker calls wanting a payment? How do you "fear no evil" when the doctor gives you a bad diagnosis? How do you "fear no evil" when the police officer brings unwanted news about a family member? The answer is in the next breath....."FOR THOU ART WITH ME"! GOD ALMIGHTY is with us when trials and tribulations come our way or when good times are here. HIS rod and staff they comfort me lets us know HE loves us too much to allow us to stray out of HIS care.
For HIM to prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies has to be one of the most comforting statements in scripture. GOD ALMIGHTY is not worried that the enemy will gain advantage over us when we are eating. Our spending time with HIM, eating from HIS table, tells HIM that we are trusting in HIM to protect and provide for us.
FATHER GOD, cause me to be reminded that as long as "THOU ART WITH ME", I have nothing to fear! The enemy can throw all the darts he can muster, but I will not fear. Thank you GOD, for the peace and comfort of resting in the green pastures and the cool, still waters!
Monday, January 27, 2014
"KEEP THYSELF PURE!"
1 Timothy 5:21-22 (KJV)
"21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure."
The Apostle Paul was sometimes rather straightforward in getting his point across. For Paul, the Sovereignty of GOD demanded nothing less. Paul could not take time to make sure he wasn't hurting people's feelings. The writer of Hebrews said it plainly when he wrote in chapter 4 and verse 12 "For the word of GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the DIVIDING asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Paul let the "the Word of GOD" divide the TRUTH from the pretenders.
In this letter to Timothy, Paul lets us know that we should "observe these things". Scripture says we are not to have a predisposed idea of what an outcome should be. One view of this scripture was "There ought to be judgment, but not prejudging." We don't need to let the TRUTH be obscured by the way we are viewing the truth.
Paul then warns against "ordaining" men without "observing" their actions. The enemy can, and will, place demonic spirits among us in an attempt to tear down what GOD is doing. Paul warned against putting people in a position to where the church would be a "partaker" of their sin, rather to "keep thyself pure"!
We are made in GOD's image, but we have Adams nature. We want to make excuses for our sins and not take responsibility for our actions. Adam blamed Eve for his eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, Eve blamed the serpent, and we ALL have followed suit. JESUS came to give us HIS SPIRIT to replace our sin nature. 2 Corinthians 5:21 proclaims "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM." The Apostle Paul was teaching us to make certain we see the Spirit of CHRIST in men before we follow them anywhere. Our chief goal in life should be to "KEEP THYSELF PURE!"
"21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure."
The Apostle Paul was sometimes rather straightforward in getting his point across. For Paul, the Sovereignty of GOD demanded nothing less. Paul could not take time to make sure he wasn't hurting people's feelings. The writer of Hebrews said it plainly when he wrote in chapter 4 and verse 12 "For the word of GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the DIVIDING asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Paul let the "the Word of GOD" divide the TRUTH from the pretenders.
In this letter to Timothy, Paul lets us know that we should "observe these things". Scripture says we are not to have a predisposed idea of what an outcome should be. One view of this scripture was "There ought to be judgment, but not prejudging." We don't need to let the TRUTH be obscured by the way we are viewing the truth.
Paul then warns against "ordaining" men without "observing" their actions. The enemy can, and will, place demonic spirits among us in an attempt to tear down what GOD is doing. Paul warned against putting people in a position to where the church would be a "partaker" of their sin, rather to "keep thyself pure"!
We are made in GOD's image, but we have Adams nature. We want to make excuses for our sins and not take responsibility for our actions. Adam blamed Eve for his eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, Eve blamed the serpent, and we ALL have followed suit. JESUS came to give us HIS SPIRIT to replace our sin nature. 2 Corinthians 5:21 proclaims "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM." The Apostle Paul was teaching us to make certain we see the Spirit of CHRIST in men before we follow them anywhere. Our chief goal in life should be to "KEEP THYSELF PURE!"
Sunday, January 26, 2014
"HOLY MEANNESS???"
Romans 16:19-20 (KJV)
"For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
Romans 16:19-20 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"19 For your obedience is come abroad among all: I am glad therefore of you: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 The God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
Romans 16:19-20 (ESV)
"19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
I read out of several translation of scripture. Some days I will read a passage out of seven or eight translations to get a better understanding of what the passage is giving instruction on. But some days, it is a slight bit of "holy meanness" that causes my search. I must admit that I find slight enjoyment when I read of the enemies demise!!!
The English Standard Version of scripture tends to "twist" the knife a bit in verse 20 when it says "The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet." The enemy may cause some difficulty for a time, but scripture leaves NO DOUBT he will be CRUSHED! And SOON!
How soon? I too, would enjoy not having to wait any longer than a day or so for JESUS to come back, and I pray for HIS swift return. But, for those who have yet to come to a realization that there is something more than this life awaiting us, I pray for HIS gracious and merciful patience!
Whether my "holy meanness" is the correct feeling or not, I cannot say. But "The GOD of Peace" will "bruise", "tread", or "CRUSH" the enemy............. and SOON!
"For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
Romans 16:19-20 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"19 For your obedience is come abroad among all: I am glad therefore of you: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 The God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
Romans 16:19-20 (ESV)
"19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
I read out of several translation of scripture. Some days I will read a passage out of seven or eight translations to get a better understanding of what the passage is giving instruction on. But some days, it is a slight bit of "holy meanness" that causes my search. I must admit that I find slight enjoyment when I read of the enemies demise!!!
The English Standard Version of scripture tends to "twist" the knife a bit in verse 20 when it says "The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet." The enemy may cause some difficulty for a time, but scripture leaves NO DOUBT he will be CRUSHED! And SOON!
How soon? I too, would enjoy not having to wait any longer than a day or so for JESUS to come back, and I pray for HIS swift return. But, for those who have yet to come to a realization that there is something more than this life awaiting us, I pray for HIS gracious and merciful patience!
Whether my "holy meanness" is the correct feeling or not, I cannot say. But "The GOD of Peace" will "bruise", "tread", or "CRUSH" the enemy............. and SOON!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
"GOD'S PLAN!"
Lamentations 2:17 (ESV)
"The LORD has done what HE purposed; HE has carried out HIS word, which HE commanded long ago; HE has thrown down without pity; HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes."
"GOD works in mysterious ways" is something I have always heard. A man named William Cowper wrote the song with this title in 1773. But the ways of GOD are only mysterious to man!
The verse above shares that "The LORD has done what HE purposed"! My sister died of cancer in 1996. My mom and dad divorced in 1964. I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007. When drawing a schematic of a perfect life, none of these events would make my list of favorites.
Yet GOD "commanded long ago" that things that happen in this world would happen and when they would happen! GOD is not surprised by events that occur in our lives. "HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes" is not a declaration of victory, yet a tool GOD is using to teach and grow us.
Don't get in a hurry to get through a trial. GOD may be grooming you for great things in the future, but you may have to experience the trials before you see the victory!!!
"The LORD has done what HE purposed; HE has carried out HIS word, which HE commanded long ago; HE has thrown down without pity; HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes."
"GOD works in mysterious ways" is something I have always heard. A man named William Cowper wrote the song with this title in 1773. But the ways of GOD are only mysterious to man!
The verse above shares that "The LORD has done what HE purposed"! My sister died of cancer in 1996. My mom and dad divorced in 1964. I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007. When drawing a schematic of a perfect life, none of these events would make my list of favorites.
Yet GOD "commanded long ago" that things that happen in this world would happen and when they would happen! GOD is not surprised by events that occur in our lives. "HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes" is not a declaration of victory, yet a tool GOD is using to teach and grow us.
Don't get in a hurry to get through a trial. GOD may be grooming you for great things in the future, but you may have to experience the trials before you see the victory!!!
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