Just as a word of clarification on my purpose, I created this blog as a way to share a bit of myself with my friends and family - but mostly to share about my passion for the Lord Jesus Christ with anyone - and I mean anyone who will glimpse at these pages. In recent days, one person in particular has tried to make this blog a place for political commentary or debate. This is not the place.
Secondly, I would ask as a courtesy that - if you have a comment to make about a post - and I welcome that whether it's good, bad or indifferent - of course I would expect it to be "civil" and absent of profanity or other disrespectful overtones - that you attach your name. It simply is not the stuff of a real man to submit a writing and then run away from it as a scared dog. That is not what being a man is about.
I hope you will honor these requests - which I think are reasonable.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
A Timely Word on Giving - 2011
It seems like a good time to think about the idea of giving. I want to share a word from my friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Don Wilton, pastor of First Baptist Church Spartanburg. He shared in a writing yesterday morning:
Are you tithing? The Old and New Testament support the idea of the tithe. That is 10% on the gross - the gross - that is - of your family income.
This "tithe" is to the LOCAL CHURCH - NOT to the local YMCA, the United Way, the local organization that supports Pro Life or the Boy Scouts of America or the local Christian College or Love Worth Finding with Dr. Adrian Rogers or "Focus on the Family" or some other worthy ministry that is indeed worthy of your support. And if they are an organization focused on Biblical truth, they will tell you not to give to their organization until you have given your tithe to your local church.
Many of you are thinking, "my gosh, there's no way I can afford to do that!" - well, I'll only tell you what I've heard Dr. Gaines say a hundred times - "Respectfully, you can't afford NOT do do it... Will a man ROB the living God!?"
Are you giving above the tithe? This is called "sacrificial giving". Are you giving out of obedience to ministries and individuals God calls you by his Holy Spirit to give to? In short, are you giving 'til it hurts? There is nothing inherantly "wrong" with saving money for rainy days and retirement, but you must realize that "hoarding" money or being greedy with what God has given you is indeed sinful. All of it is on loan from Him. "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." II Corinthians 9:7 We should never, ever give compulsively, without thinking it out or give with a bad feeling or in duress.. "God, I wish you weren't making me do this." We should, instead, think carefully and pray and listen for the Holy Spirit. According to Malachi 3:7-12,man cannot "outgive"God.
7Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
This is the one time in the Bible where God seems to say, "Go ahead, I dare you, try me!!" And that is most definitely what he is saying!! He is saying, you have my promise, OBEY my command and I will fulfill what I have told you. We have three reasons to tithe. First of all, we need to obey as his children as an indication of our love for him. Secondly, he promises there will be - to use the parlance of our time "R.O.I. - "Return On Investment". Finally, we know that our local church needs these funds for basic operating costs, but that people are going to be saved, lives are going to changed forever, saints are being edified, these moneys are being used for KINGDOM PURPOSES!!! That's big - and it's everlasting. It will not burn up. If I spend $.99 on an iTunes songs or $24.99 on a new base ball cap, where will either one be in just five years? If I send $25 to Gideons International it will buy 33 copies of the New Testament to send around the World. It's just a thought.
Where is your heart in giving? When God lays it on your heart to help someone - and I hope he does that often - how do you do it? Do you make a public spectacle of it? Do you tell everyone about it? OR - do you casually slip the cash into an envelope and give it to a trusted acquaintance and ask him or her to give it to the person and insist that they NOT divulge who it came from?? That way - NO DOUBT about it - GOD gets all the credit - NOT YOU..
In conclusion, these are all difficult questions for me, too. And they are extraordinarily challenging financial times. More difficult for me than ever, now that I find myself unemployed and looking for work - and having to rely on people and their kindnesses and - more than ever - pleading with people for their prayer. I tell you this my friends - with all my heart - we need from God what we cannot do for ourselves. And this, too, the prayer of God's people ALWAYS helps. I'm hear for you and love you with all of my heart. Thanks for taking the time to read. With the New Year upon us, I pray that you might bow the knee in prayer and think some on the subject of giving. More than ever, though, I pray that you might think some on what you have done with Jesus. If you haven't bowed your knee in the larger sense, confessed your sin before him and reached out to him to fill the greatest need in your life, I pray that you will begin that journey. Click here for more information from a trusted source:
http://theencouragingword.org/know-him-act-now
“Do not do your charitable deeds…to be seen.” Mt 6:1 NKJV God measures your giving in two ways: (a) Your means—how much do you have? (b) Your motives—why are you giving?
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven…Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (vv. 1-4 NKJV).
Here are two stories that illustrate the point Jesus was making.
Story one: In 1977 a couple agreed to donate the three million dollars needed to build a new children’s zoo in Central Park, New York City. But problems arose because the two-inch-tall plaque acknowledging their gift wasn’t big enough. Plus, a couple who’d donated half a million dollars thirty years earlier to build the original zoo, had a bigger plaque. It was proposed that the names of the original donors be replaced by the names of the new ones. When the park commission refused, the couple withdrew their gift.
Story two: It’s said that Charles Spurgeon and his wife would sell, but refused to give away the eggs their chickens laid. Even close relatives were told, “You may have them if you pay for them.” As a result the Spurgeons were misrepresented as being greedy. Only after Mrs. Spurgeon died was the full story revealed. All the profits from the sale of the eggs went to support two elderly widows.
Apparently the Spurgeons were more concerned with how God felt about their giving, than how people felt. How about you?"
I think Dr. Wilton's words are spot on. In my time at Bellevue Baptist Church, Dr. Steve Gaines preached several sermons on this topic. And I took several things away from those teachings that I'd like to share with you in this post. The summary of those points is really quite simple and cut to the heart of the matter.
Are you tithing? The Old and New Testament support the idea of the tithe. That is 10% on the gross - the gross - that is - of your family income.
This "tithe" is to the LOCAL CHURCH - NOT to the local YMCA, the United Way, the local organization that supports Pro Life or the Boy Scouts of America or the local Christian College or Love Worth Finding with Dr. Adrian Rogers or "Focus on the Family" or some other worthy ministry that is indeed worthy of your support. And if they are an organization focused on Biblical truth, they will tell you not to give to their organization until you have given your tithe to your local church.
Many of you are thinking, "my gosh, there's no way I can afford to do that!" - well, I'll only tell you what I've heard Dr. Gaines say a hundred times - "Respectfully, you can't afford NOT do do it... Will a man ROB the living God!?"
Are you giving above the tithe? This is called "sacrificial giving". Are you giving out of obedience to ministries and individuals God calls you by his Holy Spirit to give to? In short, are you giving 'til it hurts? There is nothing inherantly "wrong" with saving money for rainy days and retirement, but you must realize that "hoarding" money or being greedy with what God has given you is indeed sinful. All of it is on loan from Him. "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." II Corinthians 9:7 We should never, ever give compulsively, without thinking it out or give with a bad feeling or in duress.. "God, I wish you weren't making me do this." We should, instead, think carefully and pray and listen for the Holy Spirit. According to Malachi 3:7-12,man cannot "outgive"God.
7Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
This is the one time in the Bible where God seems to say, "Go ahead, I dare you, try me!!" And that is most definitely what he is saying!! He is saying, you have my promise, OBEY my command and I will fulfill what I have told you. We have three reasons to tithe. First of all, we need to obey as his children as an indication of our love for him. Secondly, he promises there will be - to use the parlance of our time "R.O.I. - "Return On Investment". Finally, we know that our local church needs these funds for basic operating costs, but that people are going to be saved, lives are going to changed forever, saints are being edified, these moneys are being used for KINGDOM PURPOSES!!! That's big - and it's everlasting. It will not burn up. If I spend $.99 on an iTunes songs or $24.99 on a new base ball cap, where will either one be in just five years? If I send $25 to Gideons International it will buy 33 copies of the New Testament to send around the World. It's just a thought.
Where is your heart in giving? When God lays it on your heart to help someone - and I hope he does that often - how do you do it? Do you make a public spectacle of it? Do you tell everyone about it? OR - do you casually slip the cash into an envelope and give it to a trusted acquaintance and ask him or her to give it to the person and insist that they NOT divulge who it came from?? That way - NO DOUBT about it - GOD gets all the credit - NOT YOU..
In conclusion, these are all difficult questions for me, too. And they are extraordinarily challenging financial times. More difficult for me than ever, now that I find myself unemployed and looking for work - and having to rely on people and their kindnesses and - more than ever - pleading with people for their prayer. I tell you this my friends - with all my heart - we need from God what we cannot do for ourselves. And this, too, the prayer of God's people ALWAYS helps. I'm hear for you and love you with all of my heart. Thanks for taking the time to read. With the New Year upon us, I pray that you might bow the knee in prayer and think some on the subject of giving. More than ever, though, I pray that you might think some on what you have done with Jesus. If you haven't bowed your knee in the larger sense, confessed your sin before him and reached out to him to fill the greatest need in your life, I pray that you will begin that journey. Click here for more information from a trusted source:
http://theencouragingword.org/know-him-act-now
Friday, November 19, 2010
Why Does Evil Come Our Way - and What Do We Do About It?
Friends, There's no pretense in the question. Why does evil come our way? And what does God's Word have to say about it?? These are questions I have pondered especially closely in recent days as my job was downsized, outsized or in any other way you might like to word it - I lost it without cause.
Let us consider this passage of scripture from Matthew Chapter 5:
"For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust."
Is that tough to swallow or what? Translated: bad things do indeed happen to God's children - and God's "arrangement" allows for that. But the question remains - WHY? Well, we don't understand all the reasons for that. But let me give you my best crack at it according to God's Word and according to my prayer and the ministry of God's Holy Spirit to my heart.
#1: When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, he opened up "Pandora's Box" as it relates to God's plan. God never planned for there to be sin, pain, disease, earthquake, famine or death in the world. But when Adam fell, there was a domino effect that has followed through Abraham and Isaac - and on to us to this very generation. In short, part of the reason that bad things happen to good people is because we (as men) invited sin and bad things into the world even after God pled with Adam and Even NOT to..
#2: One of God's principle and chief tools in conforming us to the image of his son Jesus is adversity:
From I Peter 4
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
According to this passage from God's Word - despite the difficulty there may be at the time of the trial - we should feel honored when we go through "fiery trials" as Christians, confident that God is using these trials in his divine sovereignty to conform us to the image of His dear Son.
3. Going through these trials and experiencing the joy of the Holy Spirit through it all can lead to some of the most joyous, happy times of our lives because of the closeness we find in the valley of darkness when we draw close to God. His spirit confirms in us that we are his children because of his chastening.
Read this from Hebrews 12:
2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
5and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
"MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
6FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
7It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
"Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; for those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives."
And you might say "I haven't sinned in God's eyes!" - or - "I don't deserve this!!" - I say to you - neither had Job. Yet that did not stop God from allowing Satan to execute acts of torment upon God's servant. God knew Job's limits and he never left Job's side through his torments and anxiety. And through it all, Job remained constant and faithful to his God.
Through our hardship, let us do likewise. Let me do likewise through mine. And may God give me special help during this time to bless them that curse me, do good to them that hate me, and pray for them which despitefully use me, and persecute me... God bless You today.
Love,
Rudy
Let us consider this passage of scripture from Matthew Chapter 5:
"44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
"For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust."
Is that tough to swallow or what? Translated: bad things do indeed happen to God's children - and God's "arrangement" allows for that. But the question remains - WHY? Well, we don't understand all the reasons for that. But let me give you my best crack at it according to God's Word and according to my prayer and the ministry of God's Holy Spirit to my heart.
#1: When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, he opened up "Pandora's Box" as it relates to God's plan. God never planned for there to be sin, pain, disease, earthquake, famine or death in the world. But when Adam fell, there was a domino effect that has followed through Abraham and Isaac - and on to us to this very generation. In short, part of the reason that bad things happen to good people is because we (as men) invited sin and bad things into the world even after God pled with Adam and Even NOT to..
#2: One of God's principle and chief tools in conforming us to the image of his son Jesus is adversity:
From I Peter 4
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
According to this passage from God's Word - despite the difficulty there may be at the time of the trial - we should feel honored when we go through "fiery trials" as Christians, confident that God is using these trials in his divine sovereignty to conform us to the image of His dear Son.
3. Going through these trials and experiencing the joy of the Holy Spirit through it all can lead to some of the most joyous, happy times of our lives because of the closeness we find in the valley of darkness when we draw close to God. His spirit confirms in us that we are his children because of his chastening.
Read this from Hebrews 12:
2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
A Father's Discipline
4You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;5and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
"MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
6FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
7It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
"Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; for those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives."
And you might say "I haven't sinned in God's eyes!" - or - "I don't deserve this!!" - I say to you - neither had Job. Yet that did not stop God from allowing Satan to execute acts of torment upon God's servant. God knew Job's limits and he never left Job's side through his torments and anxiety. And through it all, Job remained constant and faithful to his God.
Through our hardship, let us do likewise. Let me do likewise through mine. And may God give me special help during this time to bless them that curse me, do good to them that hate me, and pray for them which despitefully use me, and persecute me... God bless You today.
Love,
Rudy
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Prodigal Son
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
Let us take three important notes from this story:
1. It took him NO time to squander his inheritance. He "set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living." Even the brevity of the sentence in the early part of the parable suggests the amount of time that it took the son to lose this money. The "friends" he made in the world were doubtless happy to be part of his celebration - until the money was gone. Can't you just picture him buying shots for everybody at the bar and tucking dollar bills into the waitress's skirts and buying lavish meals and clothing? You might find it surprising, but even God himself concedes that there is pleasure in sin for the carnal man - but only for a season (Hebrews 11:25).
2. Repentance is the Key. The Bible tells us that the son reasoned "I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father." This is a picture of true repentance. This young man, after he came to his senses (reads v. 17) made a decision with the help of the Holy Spirit. He decided to repent. Sure, it required him to swallow his pride and ego and admit that he had royally messed up, but look at the mess he had created for himself and the life that his riotous living had caused. I like that phrase, "after he came to his senses" in the NIV - repentance is a sensible thing!! We are sinners, it's obvious, and the sensible thing is to realize that we are a mess and that are lives are filthy as swine and that we need Christ's unmerited favor on our lives. He came to his senses, praise God!
3. Unmerited favor was his for the asking. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Can you just imagine that picture?! I've found one online and provided it for you below.. I love it. It's a sad picture, because it shows this young man in a humbled, kneeling, sad, rather contrite position, but if it were animated, I have a feeling that the next few scenes would be ones of exhilarated joy and happiness - the whole community would be there joining in the scene. Near pandemonium erupted because the boy who had gone - perhaps presumed dead - had returned home and forgiveness, favor and unequivocal love were his.
As many times as I have read this story, it just never gets old. I guess that's the case because I realize that the Prodigal Son is really me. I hope it's you, too. Because if it's not, it means that you haven't gotten out of the pig field yet - you haven't had an encounter with the Lord Jesus. I pray you have tonight - and I pray otherwise that you have a blessed night of peaceful rest in the hands of the Lord Jesus.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
Let us take three important notes from this story:
1. It took him NO time to squander his inheritance. He "set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living." Even the brevity of the sentence in the early part of the parable suggests the amount of time that it took the son to lose this money. The "friends" he made in the world were doubtless happy to be part of his celebration - until the money was gone. Can't you just picture him buying shots for everybody at the bar and tucking dollar bills into the waitress's skirts and buying lavish meals and clothing? You might find it surprising, but even God himself concedes that there is pleasure in sin for the carnal man - but only for a season (Hebrews 11:25).
2. Repentance is the Key. The Bible tells us that the son reasoned "I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father." This is a picture of true repentance. This young man, after he came to his senses (reads v. 17) made a decision with the help of the Holy Spirit. He decided to repent. Sure, it required him to swallow his pride and ego and admit that he had royally messed up, but look at the mess he had created for himself and the life that his riotous living had caused. I like that phrase, "after he came to his senses" in the NIV - repentance is a sensible thing!! We are sinners, it's obvious, and the sensible thing is to realize that we are a mess and that are lives are filthy as swine and that we need Christ's unmerited favor on our lives. He came to his senses, praise God!
3. Unmerited favor was his for the asking. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Can you just imagine that picture?! I've found one online and provided it for you below.. I love it. It's a sad picture, because it shows this young man in a humbled, kneeling, sad, rather contrite position, but if it were animated, I have a feeling that the next few scenes would be ones of exhilarated joy and happiness - the whole community would be there joining in the scene. Near pandemonium erupted because the boy who had gone - perhaps presumed dead - had returned home and forgiveness, favor and unequivocal love were his.
As many times as I have read this story, it just never gets old. I guess that's the case because I realize that the Prodigal Son is really me. I hope it's you, too. Because if it's not, it means that you haven't gotten out of the pig field yet - you haven't had an encounter with the Lord Jesus. I pray you have tonight - and I pray otherwise that you have a blessed night of peaceful rest in the hands of the Lord Jesus.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Do the Numbers
Do the Numbers
“Seventy…or…eighty years…pass quickly.” Ps 90:10 NCV
Job said, “My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle” (Job 7:6 NLT); “What’s left…races off too fast” (Job 9:25 TM). Bryan Wilkerson says: “Teens count the number of friends they have, the number of colleges they get into. College students count grade points…credit hours…how many beers they can drink…Adults measure success by the number of bedrooms in their house, cars in the garage…or the yield on their investments. Most make two mistakes…they think they’ve so much [time] they can afford to waste it, or so little time they can’t possibly do something significant so they don’t try. Our days are like suitcases—all the same size—but some can pack more into them than others.
‘Fools idle away their time’ (See Pr 12:11 NLT). Numbering your days means offering them to God and seeking His direction for your life.”
(authored by Dr. Don Wilton, First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Do You Need to Forgive Someone?
I just need to ask you - is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive??? I just have to ask. For some reason, that subject has just been on my mind so very much lately. I've been under the preaching of two of the finest preachers that a person could ask for -- and bitterness and criticism and forgiving others seems to be a reoccurring theme among each of them.
And through that, and the spirit that God has given me, I find myself often examining myself, to see if there is unforgiveness in my spirit. But it has also increased the sensitivity in my "smeller" for unforgiveness, and so when I observe and hear and feel it in the lives of others - especially my loved ones and friends - it hurts me in the deep places of my heart - because it just doesn't have to be. Particularly for you who are my Christian brothers and sisters - you who love and serve the Lord Jesus.
I ask again: is there someone you need to forgive?
God deals with this issue in the Word of God in several different instances. One thing I love about Jesus is that he loved spending time with his disciples and he invested in them and cared about them and poured his being into them one by one.
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Of course, Jesus did not mean that Peter should stop forgiving at 490 times (an intentionally odd number). He was telling Peter that he should go on forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving .... ad infinitum - to infinity - and beyond.
And these are quite simply some of the most sobering words of the Bible. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Do not mistake this passage. Jesus is not saying that saved people will lose their salvation. He is stating that Christians that refuse to forgive men their trespasses will suffer great loss as a result of their bitterness - both in this life - and in the life to come.
Regardless of who is at fault - the bitterness and unforgiving spirit that can consume us if we allow it can do so for a lifetime and it is NOT worth it, friends. The Bible says that the enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy. (I John 4:9-10) He wants your testimony, your earthy life, but most of all, he wants the souls of men. Let us resolve to forgive those who have wronged us, so that the root of bitterness doesn't destroy us. Perhaps the time has come to make a call, write a letter or pay a visit to that person. Heck, if you need me to pray about the matter with me, give me a call and I'd be happy to - 901-237-9504. I love to pray with people about this subject matter.. May God bless your richly tonight.
And through that, and the spirit that God has given me, I find myself often examining myself, to see if there is unforgiveness in my spirit. But it has also increased the sensitivity in my "smeller" for unforgiveness, and so when I observe and hear and feel it in the lives of others - especially my loved ones and friends - it hurts me in the deep places of my heart - because it just doesn't have to be. Particularly for you who are my Christian brothers and sisters - you who love and serve the Lord Jesus.
I ask again: is there someone you need to forgive?
God deals with this issue in the Word of God in several different instances. One thing I love about Jesus is that he loved spending time with his disciples and he invested in them and cared about them and poured his being into them one by one.
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Of course, Jesus did not mean that Peter should stop forgiving at 490 times (an intentionally odd number). He was telling Peter that he should go on forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving .... ad infinitum - to infinity - and beyond.
And these are quite simply some of the most sobering words of the Bible. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Do not mistake this passage. Jesus is not saying that saved people will lose their salvation. He is stating that Christians that refuse to forgive men their trespasses will suffer great loss as a result of their bitterness - both in this life - and in the life to come.
Regardless of who is at fault - the bitterness and unforgiving spirit that can consume us if we allow it can do so for a lifetime and it is NOT worth it, friends. The Bible says that the enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy. (I John 4:9-10) He wants your testimony, your earthy life, but most of all, he wants the souls of men. Let us resolve to forgive those who have wronged us, so that the root of bitterness doesn't destroy us. Perhaps the time has come to make a call, write a letter or pay a visit to that person. Heck, if you need me to pray about the matter with me, give me a call and I'd be happy to - 901-237-9504. I love to pray with people about this subject matter.. May God bless your richly tonight.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Noah - and a Book Referral
I've got a new book I would really, really refer strongly to you. I think I picked it up at the Bellevue bookstore (for my Memphis friends). But if you don't live in Memphis, I'm sure you could find the book at Amazon.com. Anyhow, the book is called Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture - written by Ann Spangler & Robert Wolgemuth.
"Men of the Bible takes a close-up look at fifty-two men in Scripture - complex flesh-and-blood 'characters' whose strengths and weaknesses are similar to our own. Heroes and villains, sinners and prophets, commoners and kings, their dramatic life stories provide us with a fresh perspective on the unfolding story of redemption."
I put quotes around the word "characters" because I don't like that word when used when talking about people from the Bible. We must always remember that these people are not fictional. The Bible is: the direct, infallible, inerrant, God-BREATHED word of God. And I think that using the word "characters" - even with innocent motive - can make it seem like we're referencing Jack and the Beanstalk.
But I digress.
This book has just been a real blessing to me, and I really encourage you to order a copy right away. I was reading the chapter on Noah today and I was impressed with the courage and "intestinal fortitude" of this guy - you might say "guts"! God came down and gave Noah a really rather incredible, unbelievably awesome set of instructions. Men were literally driving their camels past his house scorning and mocking him. "So, still pounding away on that boat, are ya!? Ha ha ha ha ha!!!" And on and on and on they laughed. And Noah lived with that - and the doubting and stress that it placed on his marriage for nearly eight years. But the key is that Noah trusted God. But what I really loved about this passage from this book especially was this quote:
"Tucked away in this story is the secret to Noah's success. Noah walked with God. For Noah, surrender was not a decision or noteworthy event; it was a process. A routine. A journey. A walk. Obedience was the natural result of this methodical approach. Walking with God meant knowing him. Knowing God meant loving him. Loving meant hearing. Hearing, obeying. And obeying God meant salvation.
We can imagine that decades of subtle and overt ridicule may have led Noah to question God. There had to have been moments of loneliness and genuine doubt. But taking one step at a time along the path God had laid out for him kept Noah on track."
But really hear what the author is saying there - "Walking with God meant knowing him. Knowing God meant loving him. Loving meant hearing. Hearing, obeying."
That is a deeply important and profound lesson for us as believers in Christ and it really has to do with Lordship and giving ourselves over to the Lord completely. This really makes me think of the Lord Jesus walking up to a couple of guys with fish bait on their hands and telling them to drop their nets and follow him - that he was going to make them fishers of men. What does the Bible say they did? - - "they forsook ALL." They didn't go home and consult their families. They didn't stop and think about it. They didn't even seem to ask many questions. They trusted - they dropped their nets and followed him. May we do the same. God bless you tonight.
"Men of the Bible takes a close-up look at fifty-two men in Scripture - complex flesh-and-blood 'characters' whose strengths and weaknesses are similar to our own. Heroes and villains, sinners and prophets, commoners and kings, their dramatic life stories provide us with a fresh perspective on the unfolding story of redemption."
I put quotes around the word "characters" because I don't like that word when used when talking about people from the Bible. We must always remember that these people are not fictional. The Bible is: the direct, infallible, inerrant, God-BREATHED word of God. And I think that using the word "characters" - even with innocent motive - can make it seem like we're referencing Jack and the Beanstalk.
But I digress.
This book has just been a real blessing to me, and I really encourage you to order a copy right away. I was reading the chapter on Noah today and I was impressed with the courage and "intestinal fortitude" of this guy - you might say "guts"! God came down and gave Noah a really rather incredible, unbelievably awesome set of instructions. Men were literally driving their camels past his house scorning and mocking him. "So, still pounding away on that boat, are ya!? Ha ha ha ha ha!!!" And on and on and on they laughed. And Noah lived with that - and the doubting and stress that it placed on his marriage for nearly eight years. But the key is that Noah trusted God. But what I really loved about this passage from this book especially was this quote:
"Tucked away in this story is the secret to Noah's success. Noah walked with God. For Noah, surrender was not a decision or noteworthy event; it was a process. A routine. A journey. A walk. Obedience was the natural result of this methodical approach. Walking with God meant knowing him. Knowing God meant loving him. Loving meant hearing. Hearing, obeying. And obeying God meant salvation.
We can imagine that decades of subtle and overt ridicule may have led Noah to question God. There had to have been moments of loneliness and genuine doubt. But taking one step at a time along the path God had laid out for him kept Noah on track."
But really hear what the author is saying there - "Walking with God meant knowing him. Knowing God meant loving him. Loving meant hearing. Hearing, obeying."
That is a deeply important and profound lesson for us as believers in Christ and it really has to do with Lordship and giving ourselves over to the Lord completely. This really makes me think of the Lord Jesus walking up to a couple of guys with fish bait on their hands and telling them to drop their nets and follow him - that he was going to make them fishers of men. What does the Bible say they did? - - "they forsook ALL." They didn't go home and consult their families. They didn't stop and think about it. They didn't even seem to ask many questions. They trusted - they dropped their nets and followed him. May we do the same. God bless you tonight.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thanksgiving
Well, it's certainly not Thanksgiving yet. But Thanksgiving is truly one of my favorite times of the year. It is because of the reasons that it is for so many people. Not only because of the good food and the good times spent with people we love, but also because we stop and take an inventory of all of that we have to be thankful for.
Around Thanksgiving of 2009, I was sort of moping around and my dear cousin Judy encouraged me in this way to take it a bit further - to put pen to paper and write out a list of all the things I had to be thankful for. Once my pen started flying (or, as it were, fingers), I found that I just couldn't hardly stop! - I want to share a few of these with you:
Around Thanksgiving of 2009, I was sort of moping around and my dear cousin Judy encouraged me in this way to take it a bit further - to put pen to paper and write out a list of all the things I had to be thankful for. Once my pen started flying (or, as it were, fingers), I found that I just couldn't hardly stop! - I want to share a few of these with you:
My Salvation - Guaranteed by God's authority and seal
John 6:37 - "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
I John 5:13 - "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
The Knowledge That God Will Not Leave Nor Forsake Me; I am HIS -
Hebrews 13:5(b) - "..I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Ephesians 2:13 -14(a) - "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise. (v. 14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance..
I have received the earnest of my inheritance; I am HIS! Hallelujah!
That Christ Himself Makes Intercession for me at the Throne of the Father -
Romans 8:34 - "Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
I John 2:1 - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
This is simply stunning. Christ took my sin upon himself. He who knew no sin allowed himself to be ashamed and separated from the Father he had always known and loved: just for me. If that wasn't enough, he approaches the throne to act as an intercessor - pleading my case - with the Father. If that doesn't boggle the mind...
My heritage and family
Mom Cope - Who lived a life of Christlikeness and fought a brave fight and loved me unconditionally.
Ralph Cope - who gave his heart to Christ and lived for Christ and worked with his hands and back his whole life and laughed hard and loved hard - and earned the respect of many by his quiet spirit and kindly, Christlike demeanor.
Juanita Cope - who taught me the importance of memorizing scripture
Bob Shotts - who served the Lord his whole life in truth, put others before himself and led many to Christ because he saw evangelism with the urgency that the Lord Jesus intended us all to see it
Jude - My fav cousin. Who encourages me always and loves me even when I'm cynical. I love you so dearly.
Jamie - King of generosity..
Larry - Worker of workers
Well, I assure you the list goes on and on and on and on... and it includes many, many more people, and it also includes things like my job and education, but it also talks about tangible things, too, like a roof over my head and clothes on my back! But there's no doubt about it, after spiritual things, humans beings are what dominate the day. There's simply nothing that money can buy that is worth a whole lot in real terms. On Thanksgiving Day, if you've got ten million dollars, it won't make much difference if you're spending the day in depressing loneliness and not knowing who God is.
This day, I hope you might consider putting your own list of Thanksgiving together. I guarantee you, you've got a LOT for which to be thankful, regardless of what your lot in life may be. May our dear Father in heaven bless you as you sleep tonight...
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Watch out for the Dogs
"Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision."
Phillipians 3:2
"Beware of the dogs.." What on earth, you might ask, is Paul trying to convey to the church at Phillipi? Should they have concern about Rover? - or Spot, the next door terrier?? Not hardly. As you are doubtless aware, the original texts were written in Green and Hebrew. The word "dog" here could be interpreted in one of two ways. In its original Greek, it would look like this: κύων
(pronounced koo'-ohn)..
Paul was most assuredly not speaking about the domesticated animals that you and I know about - and many of us love and treat as part of our family. No, Paul was issuing a very stern warning to church members and comparing them to the "dogs" of his time. In that day, these creatures would roam around in packs - very mean and vicious creatures looking for food to pillage through. They were doubtless very dangerous, dangerous animals; types of animals that might be dangerous to cross paths with if you were alone and they were in a pack. The closest modern day comparison might be a hyena, which makes a very loud barking, almost a laughing sound - the stuff of which nightmares are made.
Paul was referring, I believe, not only to people, who could be vicious like this, but issues and baggage, if you please, that could nip at the heals of the Phillipians and do damage to them, hinder their ministry, or worse, make them ineffective totally. So: here are my top several attack dogs for the year 2010 (in no particular order - you will be able to think of many, many more):
1. Racism - It is still absolutely incipient in our country. No Christian - be he black, white or any other color, can have full fellowship with God if he has animosity in his heart toward a man of another color
2. Legalism -
3. Liberalism
4. Ritualism -
5. Moralism - "I plan on going to heaven because of the good I've done helping in poor and starving children in Africa. I've given millions!"
6. Traditionalism - "Pastor, I don't think you understand!, my grandmama gave the money for the ground that this church was built on!"
Be aware of Satan's devices my friends. We are warned by the Lord Jesus that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). He is not ignorant. Nor is he impatient.
"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." (Ephisians 6:13)
Men and women, let us stand and fight. Rest well after you've prayed tonight.
Phillipians 3:2
"Beware of the dogs.." What on earth, you might ask, is Paul trying to convey to the church at Phillipi? Should they have concern about Rover? - or Spot, the next door terrier?? Not hardly. As you are doubtless aware, the original texts were written in Green and Hebrew. The word "dog" here could be interpreted in one of two ways. In its original Greek, it would look like this: κύων
(pronounced koo'-ohn)..
Paul was most assuredly not speaking about the domesticated animals that you and I know about - and many of us love and treat as part of our family. No, Paul was issuing a very stern warning to church members and comparing them to the "dogs" of his time. In that day, these creatures would roam around in packs - very mean and vicious creatures looking for food to pillage through. They were doubtless very dangerous, dangerous animals; types of animals that might be dangerous to cross paths with if you were alone and they were in a pack. The closest modern day comparison might be a hyena, which makes a very loud barking, almost a laughing sound - the stuff of which nightmares are made.
Paul was referring, I believe, not only to people, who could be vicious like this, but issues and baggage, if you please, that could nip at the heals of the Phillipians and do damage to them, hinder their ministry, or worse, make them ineffective totally. So: here are my top several attack dogs for the year 2010 (in no particular order - you will be able to think of many, many more):
1. Racism - It is still absolutely incipient in our country. No Christian - be he black, white or any other color, can have full fellowship with God if he has animosity in his heart toward a man of another color
2. Legalism -
3. Liberalism
4. Ritualism -
5. Moralism - "I plan on going to heaven because of the good I've done helping in poor and starving children in Africa. I've given millions!"
6. Traditionalism - "Pastor, I don't think you understand!, my grandmama gave the money for the ground that this church was built on!"
Be aware of Satan's devices my friends. We are warned by the Lord Jesus that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). He is not ignorant. Nor is he impatient.
"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." (Ephisians 6:13)
Men and women, let us stand and fight. Rest well after you've prayed tonight.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Joseph
2 This is the account of Jacob.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented [a] robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Many of you have heard the story of Joseph. The Bible gives account of many men and women of the Bible who had great endings and whose lives bore testimony to the remarkable good they did in serving the Lord Jesus. In fact, the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith" speaks about Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the Israelites (and the great faith they demonstrated passing through the Red Sea), Rahab. All of these lived a life of faith that resulted in remarkable, uncommon service to the Lord Jesus - and there are many, many more that are worth mentioning. There are precious, precious few men and women of the Bible whose lives lack significant moral failure of one kind or another.
But one could read from Old Testament to New Testament, book to book, chapter to chapter and verse to verse and see precious few who lived a life as righteous and upstanding as Joseph. Sinless? Absolutely not. The Bible tells us that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Only one who walked the earth was without sin, and He is the one we place our trust in.
The story goes on. Because his brothers hated him so much, because Joseph loved the Lord and was interested in serving the Lord, they threw him into the bottom of a pit and then sold him into slavery for twenty shekels of silver. Surely they never could have imagined how things would evolve from there. There's a long journey that unfolds that results in Pharoh's recognition that Joseph is a special, special man: a prophet of God. Before you know it, Joseph is elevated to a lofty position in the Egyptian government and his brothers appear before him, hungry, penniless and at his mercy.
Joseph could have repaid them with the cruelty and brutality that they had so mercilessly inflicted upon him. And so many of us wouldn't have thought twice about doing that. What did Joseph say, though? "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20) What remarkable wisdom, patience and forgiveness Joseph demonstrates to us all. God surely demonstrates through this picture that through it all, he was working all along - through their evil - to elevate Joseph to this lofty position to save the lives of many.
What can we learn from this? So much. We must learn to repay the evil that others do to us with patience and love. We must also remember with each moment that - according to Romans 8:28 - "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
God is working for GOOD in ALL things if you love him. If you love him tonight, then you have been called according to his purpose. Pray and seek his will for your life. God bless you.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented [a] robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Many of you have heard the story of Joseph. The Bible gives account of many men and women of the Bible who had great endings and whose lives bore testimony to the remarkable good they did in serving the Lord Jesus. In fact, the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith" speaks about Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the Israelites (and the great faith they demonstrated passing through the Red Sea), Rahab. All of these lived a life of faith that resulted in remarkable, uncommon service to the Lord Jesus - and there are many, many more that are worth mentioning. There are precious, precious few men and women of the Bible whose lives lack significant moral failure of one kind or another.
But one could read from Old Testament to New Testament, book to book, chapter to chapter and verse to verse and see precious few who lived a life as righteous and upstanding as Joseph. Sinless? Absolutely not. The Bible tells us that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Only one who walked the earth was without sin, and He is the one we place our trust in.
The story goes on. Because his brothers hated him so much, because Joseph loved the Lord and was interested in serving the Lord, they threw him into the bottom of a pit and then sold him into slavery for twenty shekels of silver. Surely they never could have imagined how things would evolve from there. There's a long journey that unfolds that results in Pharoh's recognition that Joseph is a special, special man: a prophet of God. Before you know it, Joseph is elevated to a lofty position in the Egyptian government and his brothers appear before him, hungry, penniless and at his mercy.
Joseph could have repaid them with the cruelty and brutality that they had so mercilessly inflicted upon him. And so many of us wouldn't have thought twice about doing that. What did Joseph say, though? "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20) What remarkable wisdom, patience and forgiveness Joseph demonstrates to us all. God surely demonstrates through this picture that through it all, he was working all along - through their evil - to elevate Joseph to this lofty position to save the lives of many.
What can we learn from this? So much. We must learn to repay the evil that others do to us with patience and love. We must also remember with each moment that - according to Romans 8:28 - "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
God is working for GOOD in ALL things if you love him. If you love him tonight, then you have been called according to his purpose. Pray and seek his will for your life. God bless you.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A New Blogger
Well, I never imagined that I would be a blogger. But today, September 26th, I'll enter a first and give it a crack. Not exactly sure what my intentions are - but perhaps they include keeping loved ones and friends apprised of my comings and goings - but most certainly they include pointing anyone who reads these lines toward the one who has made such a difference in my life: Jesus Christ.
And I suppose the beginning of this blog is well timed, in that it marks the beginning of a new life in Heaven for my dear uncle Pastor Robert Lee Shotts, who reported for new duty this past Friday, September 24th. Following is his obituary:
Pastor Shotts (Uncle Bob) made an indelible impact on my life. While preaching on one occasion at Fremont Street Baptist Church (probably the last time he did), I recall his encouraging people that they could always, always look to God for help in times of temptation.
He quoted I Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful; who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bare it."
He talked about the many things contained in just that one verse - about the fact that there's nothing new under the sun - that, at some point in the history of mankind, men and women have experienced the very same thing you have (and experienced victory with God's help!). In fact, even Jesus himself experienced temptation and looked to God for help and did not yield to Satan's wooings.
He talked about the fact that God is faithful - always.
He talked about the fact that God knows your breaking point. He allows Satan (just as he did with Job) to shape you and and make you stronger and conform you to the image of his dear Son. But he never, ever allows Satan to put more on you than you can handle.
He talked about the fact that he also gives an escape route: every time. Look for it. God gives it.
Finally, at the end of the verse, it says "that ye MAY be able to bare it"... Implication: "MAY" be able to bare it. There is choice here. There is a matter of will. God will not force himself on you. You will choose his way or yours.
I don't know about you, but I have been in moments of temptation and seen God's hand at work where that route of escape was very clearly in front of me. Thankfully, there have been times when I took God's escape route. But regretably, there have been many that I didn't.
Well, that's it for my first blog post. I pray for you tonight that God might bless you and give you a good night's rest.
And I suppose the beginning of this blog is well timed, in that it marks the beginning of a new life in Heaven for my dear uncle Pastor Robert Lee Shotts, who reported for new duty this past Friday, September 24th. Following is his obituary:
Robert Lee Shotts
After a sixteen-year illness, Rev. Robert Lee Shotts went home to meet the Lord on Friday, September 24, 2010. He died at the Battle Creek Health System in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Born April 29, 1926, in Vina, Alabama, he was the son of Robert Paul Shotts and Lula Floy Thorn Shotts. At age 8, his family moved to Detroit, MI, to find work following the Great Depression.
On September 2, 1948, he was married to Dorothy Jane Pettit in Detroit, Michigan. Immediately following their marriage, they departed for Greenville, South Carolina, for him to attend Bob Jones University as a ministerial student. During his time as a student at BJU, he was called to serve his country in the Korean Conflict.
On September 13, 1950, Robert Lee was ordained to the ministry by Temple Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. During his life, he was the pastor of churches in Statesville, GA; Bedford, IN; Crawfordsville, IN; Goldsboro, NC; Monroe, NC; Battle Creek, MI; and Holland, MI. While living in Bedford, IN, he also taught high school at Williams High School; while living in Crawfordsville, IN, he taught at Linden High School.
He spent seventeen years in Crawfordsville Indiana as pastor of the Fremont Street Baptist Church. During this time, he started a Christian School as part of the church ministry. His entire life was spent serving others in need. The impact of his selfless life was felt by hundreds of people with whom he came in contact.
Robert Lee graduated from Detroit Cass Technical High School as an ROTC graduate. He served in the United States Navy and Reserves for twelve years, ending his Navy career as a Lieutenant. During his early years in the USN, he received a Bachelor or Naval Science degree from the University of Notre Dame. In addition, he held a Masters in Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN., and two theology degrees from Bob Jones University.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of sixty-two years; six daughters: Judith Allen of Greenville, SC; Nita North and Lili Cheney, both of Dowling, MI; Robin Bishop and Misty Harley of Columbia, SC; Faith Shotts-Flikkema of Grand Rapids, MI; one son, Jonathan Shotts of Hastings, MI; and one sister, Judith Stewart, currently of Battle Creek, MI. He leaves 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren as well as one daughter-in-law and five sons-in-law.
One daughter, Dr. Ouida Shotts of Concord, NC, predeceased him in February 1998; and one grandson, Peter Scott Shotts, predeceased him in 1987.
The funeral service for Pastor Shotts will be arranged by Deaton Funeral Home of Red Bay, Alabama, and will be held at the Shottsville Community Church, in Shottsville, Alabama, on Wednesday, September 29, 2006 at 2:00 pm. Burial in the adjacent Shottsville Cemetery will follow the service. The family can be contacted at P.O. Box 61, Dowling, MI 49050.
Pastor Shotts (Uncle Bob) made an indelible impact on my life. While preaching on one occasion at Fremont Street Baptist Church (probably the last time he did), I recall his encouraging people that they could always, always look to God for help in times of temptation.
He quoted I Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful; who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bare it."
He talked about the many things contained in just that one verse - about the fact that there's nothing new under the sun - that, at some point in the history of mankind, men and women have experienced the very same thing you have (and experienced victory with God's help!). In fact, even Jesus himself experienced temptation and looked to God for help and did not yield to Satan's wooings.
He talked about the fact that God is faithful - always.
He talked about the fact that God knows your breaking point. He allows Satan (just as he did with Job) to shape you and and make you stronger and conform you to the image of his dear Son. But he never, ever allows Satan to put more on you than you can handle.
He talked about the fact that he also gives an escape route: every time. Look for it. God gives it.
Finally, at the end of the verse, it says "that ye MAY be able to bare it"... Implication: "MAY" be able to bare it. There is choice here. There is a matter of will. God will not force himself on you. You will choose his way or yours.
I don't know about you, but I have been in moments of temptation and seen God's hand at work where that route of escape was very clearly in front of me. Thankfully, there have been times when I took God's escape route. But regretably, there have been many that I didn't.
Well, that's it for my first blog post. I pray for you tonight that God might bless you and give you a good night's rest.
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