Promptings from the Pulpit

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

I heard a preacher in Nashville, Tennessee say that the pastor is to be like a prompter off stage, to the side, in the wings and unseen.  He is to prompt the people who are “on stage” playing, or rather, living their parts before the world.  The pastor has in his sermon the “script” (the Bible) before him given by inspiration of God.  As the Christians live their lives the pastor is to prompt them with reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. He must not let them forget their lines. That’s why he is instructed in 2 Timothy 4:1-2 to preach the Word of God.

Since I heard the pastor say that thirty-seven years ago my church bulletins have read, “Promptings from the Pulpit,” instead of “Morning Message” or “Pastor’s Message.” I’m not on stage performing.  I’m in the wings, prompting.

That’s why these blog devotionals are not performances. They are “promptings.”  I pray that these promptings will be of help for you to remember your part.

Jesus, the Model Person

“And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them.” (Luke 2:51)

We often think of Jesus as the model man, the man God the Father would have us imitate.  He is the only perfect, sinless man. As a man He paid His taxes. (Matthew 17:24-27)  He prayed and was assured that the Father heard His prayers. (John 11:41-42) He obeyed God’s will, suffering death on the cross for the redemption of mankind.

Before Jesus was the model man, He first was the model boy. Scripture tells us that when Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem looking for Jesus, they found their twelve year old boy in the temple.  He went back home to Nazareth with them and was subject unto them.  He set the example for every child born of woman to be in subjection to their parents.

How tragic and unlike Jesus when children and teenagers are rebellious, spoiled and throw fits of anger toward their parents, demanding to have their way.  The same can be said of immature Christians who demand their own way instead of submitting to the will of the heavenly Father. Strive to be like Jesus.

Can Jesus Be Found With You?

“And they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found Him not they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.” (Luke 2:44-45)

Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus had gone to Jerusalem for the observance of Passover. When it was time to go home to Nazareth they supposed Jesus was somewhere among the others who had attended the feast. They traveled a day’s journey without realizing He was not with them. Then they sought Jesus in the obvious place, among family and friends, but never found Him.

This thought comes to me: If your kinfolk, acquaintances and friends were looking for Jesus, would they find Him with you?

There was a man who had never taken his young son to church. One day the son heard something about Christians and he asked his dad, “What is a Christian?” His father, who prided himself in having all the answers to his son’s questions, gave the usual descriptions: someone who loves Jesus, obeys Him, attends church regularly, gives money to the church, prays, keeps the Ten Commandments, obeys all the laws of the land and never raises his voice in anger. The little boy thought for a few moments and asked, “Daddy, have I ever seen a Christian?”

The very first step in making sure people observe the presence of Jesus in your life is to repent and surrender to Him, letting Him be your Savior and Lord. May our lives always manifest Jesus.

Go Another Way

“…They departed into their own country another way.”  (Luke 2:12)

The wise men had visited Jesus and had presented Him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  In a dream they were warned of God not to go back to Herod, so they departed into their own country another way. 

Those last words, “…departed into their own country another way,” speak volumes to me.  When you and I have been in the presence of Jesus we should leave differently than when we came.  I have seen numerous persons attend revival services as a lost person.  They went back home a different way, a saved person.  Evangelist, Wade House was preaching in a revival.  I went to church one night as a lost person.  Before I left to go home I was a saved person. The Lord had made me a different person. I went back a different way.  Someone did you wrong.  You came to Jesus with bitterness and an unforgiving attitude.  You went back a different way. The Lord had given you a new, sweet spirit of forgiveness.

When you go to church this Sunday or any Sunday, or when you are meeting with Jesus in private devotions, come into His presence expecting to go back “another way.”

Where is Jesus?

“…where is He that is born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2)

For several weeks we have displayed all the trappings of Christmas, the lights, the baking, the manger scenes, the Christmas cards, the parties and a thousand other things associated with individual families, communities and churches. So the question the magi asked perhaps two years after His birth seems appropriate to ask again, “Where is Jesus?”

For a lost world to believe He is real, we Christians must be as fervent in our faith, praise and worship year round as we said we were in our Christmas celebration activities. Where is He?  Yes, He is with us just as He promised He would be.  But, is He in your decision making, in your business affairs, in your school activities? Is Jesus included at your table in a prayer before you have your meals? Do you pause to thank Him for the abundance on the table?

May Jesus be as real to us for the next 364 days as we said He was for the past week.

Have You Received Your Gift?

“…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Many gifts were given and received yesterday.  Some were very expensive while others were humble but were given with as much love as the expensive ones. The most expensive gift ever given or received was the gift of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Like every other gift, this Gift must be received.

I had an elderly aunt to whom my wife and I attempted to give Christmas gifts for years.  She never would open them saying, “Oh, you spent too much” or, “I’m not worthy.” Each year when we went again with another gift we discovered the one from the year before. We quit trying to give her gifts because she was not receiving them.

God’s gift to us is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  John 1:12 says that salvation is a result of receiving Christ by faith.  In Ephesians 2:8 we are told that salvation is a gift. And like every other gift, this one is free, or it is no longer a gift.  It is free, but I add, not cheap.

Have you received your gift so freely offered you from a heart of love?  Or, are you like my elderly aunt?  Don’t let foolish pride tell you that you don’t need it. His loving gift of eternal life will do no good to the person who does not receive it.

This Day

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

So, maybe it was not December 25^th when Christ was born. But, the fact remains that Christ was born on “This Day,” the day of which the angel spoke as recorded by Luke. Not knowing the exact day does not keep us from celebrating the greatest event in history, the day when God became man and lived among us.  He is our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Why did God choose a little place like Bethlehem?  And why appear to lowly shepherds?  He desired to identify with common people from common places.  He is still one of us, our Savior, our Lord. 

Have a wonderful celebration of Christ on “This Day.”

The Inn Keeper

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

The Inn Keeper of Bethlehem has gotten some bad press over the years for not making room for Jesus. Today, the Christmas story is repeated for us over and over so that the youngest child can tell it word for word, naming all the characters, especially Jesus.  The Inn Keeper had never heard the story which we all know so well.

Plus we have the advantage of knowing about Christ’s three years of preaching, teaching and healing. We know of the opposition toward Him, the brutal scourging, crucifixion, death, burial and His resurrection.  We hear constantly who the man Jesus is, what He came to do and what He is doing now.

The Inn Keeper of Bethlehem knew none of that. No one in the inn except Mary and Joseph knew any of it.   There was no advance publicity team that had gone ahead to reserve the finest room for this coming King. Probably, no one in the little village of Bethlehem knew who was being born that night. There is no evidence telling us that the Inn Keeper knew.

Everyone in America and in much of the rest of the world can make an educated decision about Jesus.  We know the story. The Inn Keeper did not know.  Maybe he found out later, perhaps sometime after Calvary or Pentecost. We are very, very privileged to know the story of Jesus in our day. I encourage you to make room in your heart and life for Him now. 

The “Fear Not” of the Gospel

“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.’” (Luke 2:10)

You would have been afraid, too if you were outside at night, tending sheep and minding your own business when an angel of the Lord came upon you and your fellow shepherds. I have a feeling you would have listened if the angel began talking to you and saying, “Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

This is the “Fear Not” of the gospel.  The phrase, “good tidings” means “gospel” or “good news.”  The Gospel is good news. The four writers of the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are writing the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel which Paul preached when he was in Corinth was “that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day. (1Corinthians 15:1-4) That’s good news.  He tells us that it is by our faith in the Gospel that we are saved.

If you are struggling with the question of eternity, “Fear Not,” and trust the One who died for you, was buried and rose from the grave to give you eternal life.

The “Fear Not” of Faith

If ever there was a man who needed strong faith it was Joseph.  His espoused wife, Mary, had been told by the angel Gabriel that she, a virgin, would give birth to the Son of God.  Joseph and Mary had never had physical relations, so Joseph knew the child was not his.

Joseph, a good man, was thinking on these things trying to decide the appropriate thing to do.  The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:20)  So Joseph demonstrated his faith and took unto him his wife. This was the “Fear Not” of faith.

Faith must have a foundation.  The foundation of Joseph’s faith was the word of God through the angel of the Lord.  The foundation of our faith is the Word of God also.  “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Paul, while on board a ship that appeared to be domed to sink in a storm at sea, was told by an angel of God to fear not.  Everyone on board will make it to shore.  The apostle declared his “fear not” of faith.  “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” (Acts 27:25)  Have faith. Believe God. Fear not.

The “Fear Not” of Grace

We began yesterday exploring the “Fear Nots” of Christmas, looking at the fear not of answered prayer.  We saw how the angel Gabriel had appeared to Zacharias.  Now, six months later the angel appears to Mary. She, like Zacharias, was troubled at the appearance of this angelic being.  Gabriel says to Mary, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)  The word favor is another word for grace.  I call this the “fear not” of grace.

In a world that had gone mad with sin, the Bible tells us that, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:8)  Noah was not sinless.  Later in the story of Noah and the flood we can see sin evident in his character. (Genesis 9:20-27)  But, Noah the sinner, found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord and God used him to deliver Adam’s race beyond the judgment of the flood.

Like Noah, we are living in a sinful world also. The Bible describes the exceeding sinfulness of mankind but lets us know that we can be saved by the grace of God. Perhaps you are afraid that you have gone to deeply in sin and have stayed in sin too long and that there is no hope for you. Fear not.  You are not beyond the reach of the grace of God.  Surrender your all to Him who gave His life for you at Calvary.

The “Fear Not” of Answered Prayer

The phrase, “Fear Not” is in the Bible numerous times.  There are at least four connected with the Christmas story.  Let’s look at these beginning today and for the next three days.

Zacharias was an old priest.  He and his wife, Elisabeth, who also was old, had no children.  The Angel, Gabriel, came into the temple and appeared to Zacharias who became afraid at the appearance of the angel. But the angel said unto him, “Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shall call his name John.” (Luke 1:13)

This is the “Fear Not” of answered prayer.  Apparently, Zacharias had prayed in the will of God.  The Bible says, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (I John 5:14)

God does not always answer our prayers the way we think He should. God may answer “yes,” “no,” or “later.”    Paul had a thorn in the flesh, for which he prayed three times that God would remove it but God chose not to.  God did answer his prayer. Just as good parents do not give their children everything they want, knowing that some things they ask for may bring bodily harm or in some way not be good for them, neither does God give His children everything they request. The key is to pray and leave it in God’s hands and don’t be afraid.

Emmanuel, God with Us

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

When Isaiah prophesied of the virgin birth of Jesus telling king Ahaz that the name of the offspring of the virgin would be, “Immanuel,” he never told us the meaning of the name. When the angel spoke to Joseph, to whom Mary was espoused, Matthew picks up on the story and tells us the name Emmanuel means “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

John the Baptist is quoted in the Gospel of John: “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1:18)  A child was busy with her water colors.  “What are you painting?” her mother asked.  “I’m painting a picture of God,” she replied.  “But sugar, no one knows what God looks like.”  Without looking up, the little girl said, “They will when I get through.”  When Emmanuel finished His work on this earth, people truly knew what God looked like.

It has been correctly stated, “If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.” He is Emmanuel, God with us. He is worthy of your trust, your honor, your praise and worship.

Possess Your Possessions

“But upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” (Obadiah 1:17)

In surrounding verses Obadiah is prophesying the judgment of God upon Edom for their part in the taking of Judah by the Babylonians. Judah would once again possess their possessions when they would return from exile.

Just as God had given possessions to Judah, just so He has given possessions to us when we accepted Christ as our Savior.  We are too often like the stow-away on board an ocean liner, eating out of garbage cans and hiding in dark corners of the lower decks.  He had a first class ticket that entitled him to eat at the captain’s table and occupy one of the finest state rooms.

We Christians have a first class ticket to heaven. While we are making our voyage to the other side, our ticket entitles us to dine with the Captain of our salvation, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You will enjoy your trip to heaven much more if you will possess your possessions and stop living like a stow-away.  Come, sit at His table and talk things over with Him.

Salvation: Past, Present and Future

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

When I first became a Christian I thought of salvation in one verb tense only.  "I got saved!"  And, oh what a joy!  As the song says, "Life now is sweet and my joy is complete for I'm saved, saved, saved."  Little did I know in my young days as a Christian what I had.

All three tenses: past, present and future, are exemplified in salvation. In the past tense, the believer has been saved from the penalty of sin. Jesus paid once for all for our sins. "Christ died for our sins." (I Corinthians 15:3)  "He bore our sins in His own body on the tree" (I Peter 2:24) and many other passages.

In the present tense, the believer is being saved from the power of sin. "For sin shall not have dominion over you." (Romans 6:14)  With the aid of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit living within us God gives us the power to resist sin, temptation and the devil.

In the future tense, believers will one day be saved from the presence of sin.  Revelation 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving. And the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."  See also Revelation 21:27. 

Our Offensive Weapon

"Forever, Oh Lord, thy Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)

There is a statement that goes like this: "God said it; I believe it; that settles it." That statement is only partially true.  It is accurate to state: "God said it and that settles it."

There is no benefit given to anyone who doubts the Bible, ignores it or casts ridicule toward it or toward those who believe it and live by it. However, there are eternal benefits for those who embrace the Word of God and live by it.  

Part of the whole armor of God, it is the Christian's only offensive weapon against Satan. (Ephesians 6:17)  It is quick (alive) and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)  Jesus used it to fight the devil and will use it to "smite the nations," following His return.  I encourage you to read, study, memorize and meditate upon the Word of God. 

Walk with God

"Can two walk together except they be agreed?  (Amos 3:3) 

A circus performer rode his horse round and round under the big tent.  He stood on the horse, then stood on his head on the horse still going round and round. Another horse was brought out. He stood on the backs of both horses as they galloped along. He rode backwards on the horses. But, he was not able to ride two horses going in opposite directions. Both horses had to be going in the same direction. 

God and the devil are going in opposite directions.  One cannot serve God and Satan at the same time. 

The Bible says "Enoch walked with God." ( Genesis 5:22)  For Enoch to walk with God it was Enoch and not God who had to alter his course.  

Walk with God today and be a blessing. 

Jesus, the Creator

"All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:3)

You have seen the pictures of a sweet, little, pale Jesus boy.  In fact, one song says, "Sweet little Jesus boy, we didn't know who you was."  Don't be fooled by the trappings of the manger and the lowing of the cattle.  He is the creator of the universe.  We are told in Colossians 1:16, "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him."

In the beginning He was God in the Spirit.  He left heaven's glory and stopped by here just long enough to put on a robe of flesh and live among us, taking time to go to a cross outside Jerusalem to pay our debt of sin.

But, this man among men arose from the grave in resurrection power, ascended to heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father, making priestly intercession for us while He runs the universe.  He is very capable of being your Savior if you will turn your life over to Him and trust Him completely. 

It is No Secret

"...For this thing was not done in a corner." Acts 26:26  

Recently my wife and I saw a group perform live and on stage the advent scene, complete with live animals including a donkey, two camels and four sheep. The birth story from the Bible was read. It was a truly amazing, professionally done, presentation. Numerous churches are presenting the story of the birth of Jesus this Christmas. Tell it again and again.  

Around 2,000 years ago the Jews were once again observing Passover, an annual event that drew as many as three million Jewish pilgrims to Jerusalem. It was on the day when the Passover Lamb was slain that Jesus Christ was crucified and died. It was an open, public execution, just outside the wall of the old city. Many people saw that terrible event that day when the sun refused to shine for three of the six hours that Jesus was on the cross. Tell it over and over again.  

In the spring many churches will go to great lengths to present an accurate account of the arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion, death burial and resurrection of Jesus. Sunday after Sunday, week in and week out, pastors and evangelists will stand before congregations of people and declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tell it again and again.  

This thing was not done in a corner. These are not secret events. Tell it over and over again and again.

Pray for those in Authority

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior."  (I Timothy 2:1-3)

All of us have known some good, decent, honest and Godly people. Fortunately, many of these good people have run for public office and some have been elected. They were deserving of public trust. They made or are making excellent leaders.

But, let's face it. There are people that are difficult if not impossible to like. I have seen voted into public office people that one could assume were part of Al Capone's immediate family, had "Baby Face" Nelson as a bosom pal and whose immoral lifestyle would cause the devil to blush with embarrassment.

It's easy to pray for good, Godly, decent people.  However, the Bible tells us to pray for all, the bad as well as the good. The prayers of Christian citizens can make a huge difference in a community, county, state or nation. Who is the very worst elected public official you know?  Pray for that person as you pray for others. 

What's This All About?

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (I Timothy 1:15)

Sometimes we hear things spoken and see things written that are just not true.  However, this saying before us is true and trustworthy. One can accept all of it.  You can stake all of your eternity on it.

First, Christ Jesus came into the world. We have a host of eyewitness accounts of His miraculous birth and His sinless life. His coming into the world and living among us is an established historical fact.

Second, His purpose in coming into the world was not to give us a long, festive holiday once a year.  He came into the world to save sinners. Notice also, He did not come to condemn sinners, but to save sinners. (John 3:17)

Finally, the apostle acknowledges that Christ Jesus came to save "chiefest" of sinners.

Let Him save you from sin, its guilt and the eternal consequences of sin. Repent: turn around and Receive Christ by faith. 

Eyewitness Report: Jesus is Real

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life (I John 1:1)

Despite what some first century critics said, and what some say today, Jesus was a real person.  Some said that Jesus only seemed real to His followers, that Jesus was the figment of their imaginations.  They said the disciples wanted Jesus to be real so they invented this imaginary friend, much as children sometimes have imaginary friends.

However, His reality is seen throughout the New Testament.  We have the testimony of an eyewitness in the person of John the apostle. He tells his readers, "We have heard Him." Imagine what it would be like in an early morning Bible study with Jesus or hearing Him preach a sermon.

He further states, "We have seen Him with our eyes." How many pairs of eyes are included in the pronouns, "We," and "Our?"  Then this eyewitness states, "We have looked upon." The word, "Looked," means to "gaze upon." They must have sat in open-mouthed awe, not just seeing Him but gazing upon Him.  In addition, they "handled" this Word of life.  They touched Him, bumped against Him, perhaps steadied themselves putting a hand on His shoulder as friends will sometimes do. 

This Son of God that went to the cross paying our sin debt was/is a real person.  You can trust Him completely. 

One of Us

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14)

In three phrases in the first verse of the first chapter of the Gospel of John we have descriptions of who Jesus is.  At the end of each phrase we could insert John 1:14.  For instance, the first phrase followed by verse 14 would read, "In the beginning was the Word...and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."  The second phrase followed by verse 14, "And the Word was with God...and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."  And then the third phrase in verse one, "and the Word was God...and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."

A little girl was frightened in her room one night after going to bed.  She called to her mother to come to her room.  Her mother responded, "Don't be afraid. God is with you."  Following a long pause the little girl said, "But I want someone with skin on."

That is exactly who Jesus is.  He is God with skin on.  That's what verse fourteen means. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."  One translation says, "He pitched His tent with us." 

"He became one of us," is the message of Christmas. 

Praying Three Times a Day

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice." (Psalms 55:17)

The greatest unclaimed resource available to us today is prayer.

David's testimony was that he prayed three times a day.  I see him perhaps on his knees by his bedside after a hard day.  He closes his day by giving a brief farewell to the heavenly Father until morning, thanking Him for His presence through all the difficulties of the day and asking for His protection through the night.

I see this king of Israel checking in with God and reporting for duty early in the morning.  He acknowledges, as we should, that the day is too long if spent without God.

Then, at noon this shepherd boy chosen to be king of God's people admits that he needs God in the middle of the day, so he prays.

If the great King of Israel needed to talk things over with God three times a day, who is this peasant preacher not to need to do the same. David had confidence that God would hear his voice.  You can exercise that same confidence.  Begin to pray frequently. 

The Best Dish on the Table

"Mary...sat at Jesus feet, and heard His word." (Luke 10:34)

It must have been Martha's house that her sister Mary and their Brother Lazarus lived in.  So Martha must have felt some responsibility for the meal being served to this special guest named Jesus.

Feeling responsible, she must have "put the big pot in the little one," as folks sometimes say.  With flour perhaps up to her elbows she realized her sister Mary was not helping with the preparation and asked Jesus, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?" (Luke 10:40)

Sometimes we, like Martha, get so busy serving the Lord that we fail to spend time with the Lord.  Martha was not a bad person. But for the moment she had her priorities confused.  Serve Him? Yes. But before we serve Him as Martha did, we must spend time at His feet in worship, as Mary did.  The best dish on the table is fellowship with the Savior.

Hear what our Lord has to say and serve Him from the overflow.  Both Christ and you will get more out of it. 

What Manner of Man?

"And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, 'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'" (Mark 4:41)

In the storm on the Sea of Galilee the disciples cried out to Jesus and He stilled the storm. He has rebuked them for their fear and lack of faith. 

They had two questions that night.  The first was addressed to Jesus: "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Now, in their second question they are asking each other, "What manner of man is this?"  ( Mark 4:41)

If they had been observing His miracles and listening to His sermons they would have known without question that He was the "God-Man."   Only God could do the things He had done. His miracles had authenticated and verified Him as deity. His sleeping on board the ship, becoming tired at times and needing to rest, of being hungry and thirsty would have verified His manhood.

Indeed, what manner of man is this? When you and I leave church on Sunday morning the conversation we have with other attendees should not be about the preacher or the music or the church budget or some denominational presentation.  The conversations should be about our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

They were in the very presence of the Son of God, the God of the universe who would be the perfect sacrifice for their sins and the sins of all mankind. Have you trusted Him for eternal life?

There is nothing to be gained by waiting. 

Listen when God Speaks

"And He said unto them, 'Why are ye so fearful (full of fear)? How is it that ye have no faith?'" (Mark 4:40)

This was the third time Jesus spoke that night.   

First, before the storm, He spoke to the disciples saying, "Let us pass over to the other side." (Mark 4:35) He had spoken to them before that evening saying "Follow me."  He had spoken to them through His miracles.  They had seen Him cast out demons, heal Peter's mother-in-law, heal the diseased, cleanse a leprous man, heal a palsied man, heal a withered hand, all recorded in Mark's Gospel before the storm in chapter four. He had spoken to them through His preaching.   Mark 2:2 says, "He preached the Word unto them." Perhaps once He had used Nahum 1:3 as His text, "The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." Perhaps the parting of the waters of the Red Sea on that fearful night when Israel came out of Egypt had been the subject of a sermon.

The second time He spoke that night He spoke to the storm.  "Peace, be still." (Mark 4:39) The storm obeyed His voice.

The third time He spoke that night He spoke to His disciples after the storm.  When God speaks to your storm and the storm obeys His command and ceases, pause and let Him speak to you. He still has something to say to us even when the storm has passed.  We should listen when He speaks. 

What About the Others?

 Mark records that there were also with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee that night other little ships. (Mark 4:36)    We don't know how many little ships there were. Perhaps three or four or it could have been a dozen. Nor, do we know how many people were on board each of the ships. They were all sailing on the same sea.

When the storm came there is no indication that it was isolated to the little ship Christ was in.  All the boats and all the people on board the other boats were equally affected by the storm.

When Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace, be still," the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)  Those in the other little ships were equally affected by the great calm. In a very real sense, this was a community of fellow strugglers.  When Jesus stilled the storm for His closest disciples, He did not exclude those in the surrounding little ships.

I am very thankful that when Jesus went to Calvary and died for the sins of the world, He included me in the community of sinners struggling with sin. Christ invites you to come to Him and experience the calm He can give.  Call on Him and trust Him today.

When the Storms Come

His disciples were simply following Jesus. As one of them said one time, "We have left all and followed thee." (Luke 18:28)  So, here they are, heeding His invitation to get in a boat with Him and cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. (Mark 4:35)

It was then, while they were doing His will, that the storm came.  The storm did not come upon men who were disobedient to the Lord. These were men who loved Jesus, followed Him and on this night were close to Him.  Jesus and His followers were sharing a boat.  And now they were sharing a storm.

Becoming a Christian and living the Christian life is not a guarantee that storms won't come.  In fact, often just the opposite is true.  The testimony of the martyrs, those persecuted and killed as they followed the Lord and did His will, is that they aroused the anger of Satan and his followers by living the Christian life thus bringing the hatred of the devil down on them. There are numerous storms that are part of life such as storms of bad health, financial reverses, misunderstandings, divorce and the list of possible storms goes on.

Mark 4:35-41 teaches us that the safest place you can be when storms come is in the boat with Jesus. 

Jesus Cares about You

"Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38)

It was evening. The Disciples were on a boat with Jesus at His invitation. A great storm came and they were sinking. They awakened Jesus, who was asleep on a pillow in the back part of the boat, and asked Him the question that many people since that evening have asked Him, "Carest thou not that we perish?"

Sometimes it seems that He is staying aloof from us even in the worst of storms that threaten our survival.

Many years ago Frank E. Graff was going through some of the very things you are facing when he wrote the song, "Does Jesus Care." Look at a verse and the chorus:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained 

too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress, 

And the way grows weary and long?

Chorus:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares, 

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, 

I know my Savior cares.

Beloved, Jesus cares. Just as Jesus stilled the storm and His disciples arrived safe on shore, He can still your storm.

Perfect Peace

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

In a chorus that we sang many years ago were the words. "I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart" and that would be repeated.  Then the next verse said, "I have the peace that passes understanding down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart..." It was a fun chorus and very true. Philippians 4:7 says "And the peace that passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

The key to perfect peace is pointed out in many places in the Bible. It is summed up in Isaiah 26:3 shown above. Keep your mind, heart, life and your very being firmly fixed on Jesus.  In the bad times as well as the good times stay focused on Him. And even if your faith falters, He still keeps His promise to never leave you nor forsake you. That's not just peace: that's perfect peace.

An Upside-Down World

We live in an "upside-down" confused world, a world that doesn't seem to know right from wrong.

In his six woes on Israel, Isaiah said in one of them, "Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter."(Isaiah 5:20) One is reminded of the confused cook who put sugar in the salt shakers and salt in the sugar bowl."

Some pranksters spent the night in a shopping mall going from store to store changing all the price tags on the merchandise in the windows. The next morning plastic toy cars had a price tag of $5,000 while a fur coat in another window had a price posted of $2.98.  Designer hand bags could be bought for $5.00 each while a box of Cracker Jacks was listed at $200.00.

The devil has pulled a trick on our world, getting the people to ignore the undeniable teaching of God's Word while following the teachings and example of a world gone mad.

Light is still light, dark is still dark, bitter is still bitter and sweet is still sweet, good is still good and evil is still evil.  Don't be duped. Turn to Jesus and follow Him. 

What to Do with Your Sin

"He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)

From the days of the sin of Adam and Eve when they sewed fig leaves together in an attempt to cover their sin, mankind has been making similar attempts to hide his sin from God. No such attempt is ever successful. Many people are suffering mental and emotional problems from trying to hide some sin of the past from God.

The Bible instructs us to do two things instead of trying to hide from the all-seeing eye of God.  First, confess our sins. Confession means that we agree with the facts that God already knows. Second, Forsake our sins. Another word for the word forsake is the word repent.  Someone described repentance as, "Halt! About Face! Forward, March!"  If one continues down the path of a known sin, even if he has confessed, he has not repented or forsaken his sin.

We are promised mercy when we follow the path of confession and repentance. The hymn says, "Mercy there was great and grace was free: pardon there was multiplied to me: There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary." 

Give Thanks after Thanksgiving

On the day after Thanksgiving Day it is O.K. to still be thankful.  It is not required that you have a bundle of money to spend on "Black Friday" bargains.

 A prescription for misery is to "spend money you don't have to buy things you don't need to impress people you don't even know."
 

The Bible says, "Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: For He has said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5)
 

It is a good thing to be content with what we have and to be thankful for it. Yesterday's blessings are appropriate to spark a word of thanksgiving to God even in the middle of the year. We should not wait until November, 2015 to be thankful again.

Where are the Others?

Ten men with the dreaded disease, leprosy, met Jesus at the entrance of a village.  They all cried out for mercy from the Master and Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests.  As they went they were all cleansed. One man, when he saw that he was healed, turned back to Jesus and with a loud voice glorified God and fell down on his face at Jesus' feet giving the Lord thanks. Jesus said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" (Luke 17:11-19)

That's a good question.  Many people on our church rolls have made professions of faith in Christ and have been baptized.  But nobody ever sees them. The FBI couldn't find some of them. I wonder if this cleansed leper was thankful the next day and the next and the months and years to come.

The lost sinner is in much worse condition than someone with leprosy. There is but one cure for the lost soul.  That cure is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

This is not "Turkey Day."  It is Thanksgiving Day. It is not just a day to eat, to watch ball games or go shopping for bargains for Christmas. On this Thanksgiving Day pause before the Lord and give Him thanks for salvation and the many other gifts He has given you. And if you have not yet received Him as your Savior, why not do that now?

Pray with Thanksgiving

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Worry is like a rocking chair; there's a whole lot of movement, but you get nowhere.  In the above verse the apostle is not suggesting that we just ignore our problems.  The word, "careful" suggests anxiety.  It is, "to be filled with care."  He is saying "Don't worry." 

He then tells us what to do with the things that can cause care, anxiety and worry.  Tell God about it, all the while being thankful that God will hear you.

Peace of God does not come as a result of fretting and worrying over how you're going to work things out, but in talking to Him and trusting Him in the middle of the problem.  Keep praying and keep on being thankful. Faith, not worry, honors God.  As the old hymn says, "Take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there." 

Thanks to God for the Bible

"At midnight will I rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments." (Psalm 119:62)

What would get you out of bed at midnight if you had been asleep for a while? Perhaps the cry of a sick child would get you out of bed at midnight. Jesus spoke a parable about a man who was awakened at midnight by a neighbor friend who needed some bread to give a visitor. (Luke 11:5-8) Maybe a strange sound in the other part of the house would get you up at midnight.  Worry might do it.

John Phillips points out that the Jewish families in that day went to bed early and midnight would truly be the middle of the night.

The word, "judgments" is used as a reference to the Bible 18 times in this 119th Psalm. The Psalmist is saying that he gets up at midnight to express thanks for the Word of God.  We do not know if this was something he did every night. The fact is, he was thankful for the Word of God. At this thanksgiving season especially, let us express sincere thanks to God for His precious Word.

The Unspeakable Gift of God

A beautiful sunset is hard to describe.  The brilliant colors, the shades of light and dark and before you can call someone to enjoy it with you it's gone.  Beautiful leaves on the trees adorning a hillside are another indescribable scene.  And, even though it's a terrible inconvenience, snow has its own beauty. If we try to describe these rare scenes in nature we are at a loss for words.

During this Thanksgiving season as we think about things for which to be thankful I am reminded of Paul the Apostle's statement, "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."  (II Corinthians 9:15)  Other translations use the word, "indescribable" instead of unspeakable. 

And, just what is this indescribable gift from God?  The Bible tells us that "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) This gift from God is indescribable, unspeakable. John tells us in his first epistle that eternal life is in God's Son and he that has the Son has life and he that does not have the Son does not have life. (I John 5:11-12)

Can you paint a picture of Jesus whom you have never seen?  We can't describe Him with our limited understanding. It is much more difficult than describing a rose in full bloom to a blind person.

Receive the gift.  Enjoy the gift. Be thankful to God for the gift. 

Give Thanks in Everything

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:18)

An example of being thankful in difficult situations is Daniel, the prophet of God, who found himself about to be thrown into a den of hungry lions. Darius the king of the Medes had been tricked into signing a decree that if someone was found petitioning anyone other than Darius he would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel did not have to think it over.  The Bible says that when he knew the decree had been signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he had done before. (Daniel 6:4-15) 

The verse above in I Thessalonians says, "In" everything not "for" everything give thanks." Daniel was giving thanks "IN" everything.

The tricksters brought their charges to Darius and Daniel was indeed thrown into the den of lions. But Daniel was delivered. God closed the mouths of the lions.

What difficult situation are you facing? It may be a health problem, financial problem, family problem, school or vocational decision you must make.  In everything give thanks. God has promised not to leave nor forsake you.  Be thankful.

Give Thanks unto the LORD

'It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High." (Psalm 92:1)

For many years there has been a proclamation that a day would be set aside as a time of national thanksgiving. With or without such a proclamation the Psalmist reminds us that it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.

I am reminded of the two little boys who were neighbors. One invited the other to his house for supper. When they were all seated the guest bowed his head and waited for someone to say a prayer. The host family started eating immediately. A little embarrassed, the father said, "We don't say a blessing before we eat." The little guest, not meaning to be unkind, said, "Oh, that's the way my dog eats. He just starts right in." A hog under an oak tree eats acorns without ever looking up to see where they came from.

Let us thank Him for all things, the large and the small. Let us thank Him for our freedoms, for our security, His protection, His unfailing promises, for His great love, mercy and grace because, "it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord."

God Bless America Again

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34)

In the early days of this great nation there were no sinless people, but there were people who knew right from wrong.  They knew about the righteous path that leads individuals, families, communities, states and the nation to greatness. They knew how to lead their children to walk with God.  They knew that church and holiness of character were worthy of attention.  They feared God.  The nation walked a road to greatness.

In more recent days the blight of sin has fallen like a dirty, filthy shroud over our nation.  It seems that whatever God promotes, there is an element that says, "That's not for us."  On the other hand, if God prohibits a lifestyle or an action and if that prohibition is plainly spelled out in the Bible, that same element says, "No one, not even God, can stop us. We will have complete freedom." 

Righteousness builds up.  Sin tears down and destroys.  Just look at Israel in the Old Testament.  May God bless America again.

Discover the Light

Have you ever gone into a dimly lighted restaurant and almost stumbled over chairs and tables as you try to keep up with the hostess taking you to your table?  The dark is overwhelming. However, after a few minutes your eyes have adjusted to the dark and now you can see to read your menu without a flashlight.

Sinful people, sinful churches, sinful nations find it very easy to get used to the darkness of this world. The world embraces its own sinful ways. Jesus said, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19)  Roaches and bugs of every sort hide in dark places in your house: behind cups and saucers in your cabinets, behind the cabinet drawers.  When the light is turned on they scurry to find cover and protection from the light. Jesus further said, "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20) For the sinful person, accustomed to the dark, turning on the light of God's word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is like suddenly turning on the lights in a dark theater or having someone turn on the lights in your bedroom after you have fallen asleep.

"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:21) Saved people, Christian people, followers of Christ who have come to the Light of the World for salvation, love the light.  They enjoy being around other people who have discovered the Light.  Are you one of them?