Magnifying Christ

“So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)

When we look through a pair of seven power binoculars, we see things seven times larger than they really are. Turn those same binoculars around and look through the wrong end and objects appear seven times smaller.

Paul says here that he wants to “magnify Christ” in his body. He is not saying that he can make Christ larger, rather his desire is to make Christ more visible and more easily seen in him by others. So whether it is by the way he lives the Christian life or by the way he dies as a Christian, he wants Christ to be seen by those who are watching his life.

We cannot improve on Christ, but we can let others see Jesus in us so they won’t have to guess if we are one of His. By loving God and loving others, Christ can be readily seen. If we profess to be Christian but curse, tell dirty jokes, drink strong drink, seldom attend church, have hatred and malice, are unfaithful to our spouse, we have “the binoculars turned around the wrong way,” and we are diminishing rather than magnifying Christ. The old song says, “Let others see Jesus in you.”

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12

Evil men may take away everything you have, your goods, your health, your freedom, your reputation and even your life. But, if your heart and your head are committed to heaven God can take the evil and make good come from it.

When Joseph’s brothers so mistreated him no one saw that good would come from it. When their father, Jacob, died the eleven brothers said, “Joseph will hate us and requite us all the evil which we did unto him.” (Genesis 50:15) Joseph’s response to them when they came to him seeking forgiveness was, “Fear not…But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:19, 20)

Many people, including the men guarding him, were saved as a result of Paul’s wrongful imprisonment. Also, fellow believers were encouraged to speak the word with boldness when they saw Paul’s courage in the face of persecution.(Philippians 1:13-14) The crucifixion of Christ and the scourging and beatings leading up to the crucifixion have done far more to encourage and inspire believers to “keep on keeping on,” and to stand steadfast, than there would have been if He had not suffered at the hands of wicked men.

God Began it: He Will Finish It

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which bath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

If you are a Christian, a saved person, God began the work of salvation in you through the work of the Holy Spirit.  He convicted you of sin and led you to Jesus Christ. Even though you may have been very young and had not committed major crimes and major sins, or you were the biggest sinner in the county, He showed you how desperately you needed Jesus to come into your life.  Then He led you to trust Him.

After you got saved He led you to serve Him and gave you faith to follow Him. He has sustained you from then until now. You can be assured that He will keep you until He takes you to Himself in death or He comes again for the church in the rapture.

I see in this verse the three tenses of salvation.

            Past - I have been saved from the penalty of sin.

            Present – I am being saved from the power of sin.

            Future - I shall be saved from the presence of sin.

A little song says, “He’s able, He’s able, I know He is able; I know the Lord is able to carry me through.”

Inspiration of the Bible

“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.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)

When the apostle wrote his second letter to Timothy he wanted his young Christian friend to know the dependability of the scriptures. He said it was given by inspiration of God. Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, lived from 1759 to 1796. He was in church one Sunday morning and seeing a louse crawling through a well-to-do lady’s fur collar as he sat in the pew behind her, he was “inspired” to write, “An ode to a Louse.” Others have been “inspired” to write poems about trees, flowers, old age and a host of things.

But that is not the same kind of inspiration as Biblical inspiration. Peter tells us that “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:21) In other words, God gave them both the thought and the words to express the thought. The Biblical word for “inspiration” is “God Breathed.” The Bible is the “God breathed book.” Therefore we are able to say it is infallible, inerrant and truth without any mixture of error.

Biblical doctrine is correct, as are Biblical reproof, correction and instruction. If you want to know God’s will for your life, His teaching on major doctrines and how He wants you to live, read and study the Bible. If you want to discover His friendship, companionship, leadership and comfort, read His Word.

Let Us Go Into the House Of The Lord

“I was glad when they said unto me ‘ Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)

This is one of fifteen Songs of degrees. This one was written by David. Likely it was written prophetically because the temple was not built until David’s son, Solomon, built it. But however one interprets it, the invitation to go to the house of the Lord brought gladness then and should bring gladness now.

If one finds going to the house of the Lord a boring drudgery perhaps he needs to take a hard look at his life and see why he does not enjoy going to the house of the Lord. Perhaps it is because he has never been saved and has no desire for the things of God.

I find that many church leaders are attempting to make attending church more enjoyable for those less hungry for the things of the Spirit. The sermons that once held God’s Word in high regard and thus brought the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, are being replaced in some places by drama, skits and amusing plays. One famous preacher boasts of never mentioning hell or the judgment of God. All of this so today’s moderns will be glad to attend church and will want to come back again. I have heard that some preachers have developed the fine art of almost saying something.

Let’s not change church to make people feel comfortable. Let’s let God change the people so they will say with the psalmist, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Remember You

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Philippians 1:3)

You have perhaps seen this verse when someone has written to you and your mate, giving you best wishes on an anniversary, birthday, or Christmas greeting. Perhaps you have used this verse when writing to others on those occasions.

Paul is writing from prison and he is encouraging fellow believers to have joy in the Christian life.  In prison he remembers his stay in Philippi and how he came to be there in the first place.  Perhaps he calls to mind what is commonly spoken of as, “Paul’s Macedonian call,” the vision of the man saying “come over into Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9) He probably remembers those first converts. There was Lydia, then the young girl possessed with a spirit of divination, and the jailer and his household, saved at midnight. He remembered the Philippian Church’s  sacrificial offerings for the Lord’s work, written about in his second epistle to the Church of Corinth.

While we are remembering others, as we did over the Memorial Day week-end, let’s remember and pray for our fellow Christians who have added so much to our Christian experience. And, let us live the Christian life in such a way that when others think of us they will thank God for what they remember about us.

I Do Remember My Faults

“Then spoke the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day.” (Genesis 41:9)

When Joseph, the son of Jacob was in jail, having been falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of wrong-doing, he met Pharaoh’s butler and chief baker. Each of these two men had dreams which Joseph correctly interpreted for them. Just like Joseph interpreted, the baker was executed and the butler was delivered. Joseph said to the butler, “Think on me when it shall be well with you and mention me to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 40:14) Two years passed, Joseph is still in prison and Pharaoh had dreams he could not understand. Pharaoh called for the magicians of Egypt who were of no help. The Butler said, “I do remember my faults this day.” As a result, Joseph was delivered from prison, correctly interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and became second in the land only to Pharaoh, and invited his father Jacob and Jacob’s sons to come live there.

To make a long story short all of Joseph’s family, including his eleven brothers and his father Jacob, came to Egypt and lived there four hundred and thirty years because one man remembered his faults after two years.

I often wonder what would happen if, when someone has wronged another, they remembered their wrong doing, confessed it, repented from it and started walking with the Lord. Memorial Day is a day of remembering good thoughts concerning those who have gone on. Do we not need a day that we can remember our un-confessed faults and sins and get things right with God and with one another?

Remember

“And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me.”(I Corinthians 11:24-25)

Someone said, “There are three things I have lost and really miss in old age. One is my eyesight. Another is my hearing. And for the life of me, I can’t remember what the third one is.”

Our Lord established a way for us to remember His sacrificial death because we humans sometimes forget. The Lord’s Supper is observed by most churches. It is a holy, reverent time as Christians examine themselves and reflect on and remember what our Savior did for us on the cross of Calvary.

While it is appropriate for us on Memorial Day to remember our military personnel who gave their lives in service for our country and to remember our non-military loved ones who have left us in death, it is mandatory that we never forget the suffering and death the Lord Jesus Christ endured that we could have eternal life.

Teach the Bible to The Children

“And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (II Timothy 3:15)

Even though Paul refers to Timothy as his “son in the faith,” he does not leave us to wonder about where Timothy received his knowledge of Scripture. We look back in chapter one of this epistle and Paul is remembering the “unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice” (II Timothy 1:5) Then he tells us in our text that from a child Timothy has known the Holy Scriptures.

What a blessing to see parents and children worshiping together in church under the sound of the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. It is an equal blessing to know that at home and in everyday life children are watching, listening, learning and practicing the faith of Godly parents and grandparents.

Parents and grandparents must take their place as spiritual, Godly leaders of children and grandchildren. Only then will we see our nation turn around from the brink of disaster to which we are now headed. 

Be Ready to Tell The Story of Your Salvation

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (I Peter 3:15)

Stuart Hamblen was saved in Billy Graham’s first major crusade in 1949 in Los Angeles, California. When Hamblen’s friend, John Wayne, observed the changes that had taken place in Hamblen, Wayne remarked, “What’s the secret to the changes in your life?” Stuart Hamblen replied, “It’s no secret what God can do.”  John Wayne said, “That would be a good title for a song.” As the late Paul Harvey would say, “And now you know the rest of the story.”

Stuart Hamblen was ready to tell his friend what had happened to him. He had no Bible college degree or seminary degree. He just knew that God had changed him from the inside out and he couldn’t wait to tell others.

Our text calls for us to set the Lord apart in our hearts and be ready to answer folks when they want to know what has happened. A witness in a trial is asked to tell what he knows from first hand knowledge. Be ready, as the text says.  The Lord will give you opportunities to tell others.

Be Doers, Not Just Hearers

“And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” (Ezekiel 33:31)

I heard the story of one of those all day meetings and dinner on the grounds. It was in the afternoon, the women had cleared the outdoor tables of the last dish, the congregation had sung the first song. The preacher was preaching and one little boy had gone out to get some fresh air. As he was coming back he met another little boy who also needed some fresh air. As they met the first boy said to the second, “Is the preaching done yet? The second boy said, “The preaching is done but they ain’t done nothing about it yet.”

In Ezekiel’s day they admired the preacher, expressing much love toward him and said good things about his sermons. Ezekiel was to them like a beautiful song being sung by an accomplished singer. The last part of verse thirty-three sums it up. It says, “For they hear thy words, but they do them not.” (Ezekiel 33:32)

Every Sunday in churches across America it can be said, “The preaching is done, but no one has done anything about it.” We must be doers of the Word and not just hearers only. (James 1:22)

When Jesus Comes

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1-3)

I was on the patio holding my nine month old great-grand-daughter, and playing “Jesus Loves Me” on my harmonica. A full grown wild rabbit came up on the edge of the patio within eight or ten feet of us. I kept playing, the rabbit kept sitting there watching us, seemingly enthralled, while Mackenzie kept listening to the music and watching the rabbit. The rabbit sat there, unafraid of an old man and a baby girl and seemed to be enjoying the music about Jesus.

I thought of the time following the Second Coming of Jesus and before the earth as we know it ends. There will be a thousand years of perfect peace. It will be known as the Kingdom Age of Christ. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, a leopard shall lie down with a baby goat, a calf and young lion will be together and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear will feed together. Swords and implements of war will be turned into tools for farming. For that thousand years there will be no war.  (Isaiah 11:6-9; Micah 4:3)

How can that be? It will happen because Satan will not be running loose and causing problems and Jesus will be ruling and reigning.

What’s At the End of The Road You’re Traveling?

“Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be go in thereat: Because strait (small) is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Life is full of choices. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is describing some of those choices and their consequences. In describing the choices Jesus is encouraging us to be wise. He tells us that beyond the wide gate and the broad way there is destruction. Going through that wide gate and traveling that broad way are many people. They are the crowd described by the phrase, “Everybody’s doing it.” Or, “everybody likes it, wears it, or thinks it’s cool.”

But our Lord tells us that the small gate and the narrow way lead to life. Going through that small gate and narrow way, or road, are very few travelers. It’s just not appealing to the crowds. They are the folks described by the phrase, “Nobody’s going.” Or, “Nobody likes it.” Or, “It’s not cool.”

Everyone is on one of these roads. On which one are you?

Walk in Christ Jesus

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with

thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

 

Perhaps you have heard about the child who fell out of bed one night. When asked why she fell out, she replied, “I think I stayed too close to where I got in.” When we receive Christ as Savior we are to walk in Him. Walking is forward progress, one step at a time and is not as difficult as standing still. The Christian life was never intended to end at the altar or wherever one received Christ for salvation. 

 

We are to be rooted in Him, firmly planted that we might grow, and be able to stand as an oak tree during the storms that will surely come. We are not to be blown about by every wind of doctrine, but rather are to be established as though anchored and not drifting. And let there be an abundance of thanksgiving for His blessings on us during our walk with Him.

Who Will Go For Us?

“And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I : send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

This tenth and final question in this series of Biblical questions is asked by Isaiah as he has just witnessed his vision of God.

In this vision Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne, plus seraphims, each having six wings and crying Holy, Holy, Holy. The house of God was shaken and the Shekinah  glory of God filled the house. In the vision Isaiah confessed his sin and one of the seraphims came to him with a coal of fire from off the altar and laid it on Isaiah’s lips and told him his iniquity was taken away and his sin was purged. Isaiah’s vision would not be complete until he heard the voice of God asking the question recorded in our text and his response to it.

When you worship the Lord today or any other day, let your response to God be like that of Isaiah’s response. “Lord, I have heard your voice. Here I am to do your bidding.”

Bringing Up Boys and Girls

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9)

This is the ninth in a series of ten Biblical questions. This question should be asked by every young man concerned about pleasing God with his life. It should be asked by every parent of young men and boys. It should be asked by every youth leader in every church who wishes to lead young men down a strait and narrow path.

But just asking the question is only the beginning. The answer to the question is given in the second half of this verse. Having the answer must be accompanied by heeding the answer.

It is amazing that God’s word, the Bible, is still the best guide to raising young men and women to be God fearing, productive and honorable adult men and women in today’s society. Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3) Young people need to give heed to the teaching of the Bible to stay clean spiritually, morally and emotionally.

What Manner of Man is This?

“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)

This is the eighth in a series of Biblical questions. There was a storm on the Sea of Galilee.  The wind was howling, waves were very high and the sailors were afraid their little ship was going to sink.  Their Special Passenger, the Lord Jesus Christ, was on board the ship and was asleep in the back part of the boat. They awakened Him and He rebuked the wind and sea and said, “Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39)

So, now, they wanted to know, what manner of man is this. Many men, much smarter than I, have been preaching and teaching about this man and attempting to answer this question for centuries.  He is the Son of God, the image of the invisible God, the creator of the universe, the sustainer who holds it all together, the head of the church, the Savior of all mankind who place their faith in Him and He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and He cares about you and all your problems.

Blessed Assurance

“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:14)

This is the seventh in a series of Biblical questions. Job, the man who lost all his wealth, all his children and his health, is posing this question.  He has observed that a tree may be cut down but through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. But, he is asking, does the same apply to a man.

He concludes this inquiry by acknowledging his deep, strong and abiding faith. He answers his own question by saying, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27)

Do you have that kind of assurance? Job is expressing New Testament faith and understanding which would be developed by the Gospel writers and the writers of the epistles as inspired by the Holy Spirit centuries later. It will help your faith to read your Bible prayerfully and make plans to attend a Bible believing church this Sunday where the Gospel will be preached in simplicity, understanding and power.

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:29-30)

In the sixth Biblical question in this series, we find a jailer in the city of Philippi confronting two of his prisoners. The two prisoners, Paul and Silas, were Christians and had been arrested and put in jail for casting a demon out of a young woman. In jail at midnight the two men were singing and praying. God sent an earthquake which opened the prison doors and loosed everyone’s bands. That’s when the jailer came in and asked, “What must I do to be saved?”

This is the greatest question anyone could ask, for its answer will determine one’s eternal destiny. There is only one correct answer. The answer these two Christians gave the jailer is the answer the world needs. The answer they told him is the answer I pass on to you. Their answer was, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)  To believe is more than just retaining a head full of facts about Jesus. To believe is to rest one’s eternal destiny on the Lord Jesus.  It is similar to what you do when you make a deposit at the bank, committing a sum of money to the care of the bank and resting in the assurance that the bank will take care of all you have committed to it.  Believing on Him is to trust the sacrifice He made for you at Calvary.

What Will You Do With Jesus?

“’Pilate saith unto them, what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?’ They all say unto him, ‘‘Let Him be crucified.’’” (Matthew 27:22)

In our fifth Biblical question in this series we find Pilate, the governor, caught on the horns of a dilemma.  It was Passover time in Jerusalem. There was a custom that Pilate could release a prisoner to the people at the feast. There was a notable prisoner named Barabbas who was a robber, a seditionist and had committed murder. And there was Jesus in whom Pilate found no fault. If Pilate released Jesus and executed Barabbas he would be out of favor with the Jewish people. If he released Barabbas and crucified Jesus he would be out of favor with his conscience. He desired to remain neutral but could not.  He attempted to wash his hands of any responsibility then released Barabbas and had Jesus scourged and delivered to be crucified. 

Many people face a similar dilemma today. Your friends all like the dance halls, the bars, the drinking, the sexual “freedom,” the living together without marriage with no thought of church or the hereafter. But these are done in opposition to the teaching of Jesus. 

So the question is, “What shall you do with Jesus?” You cannot remain neutral about Jesus, about His sacrificial death at Calvary, His resurrection and His claims upon your life.

Where is Jesus?

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Our fourth Biblical question in this series is framed by the wise men who were led by the star to Jerusalem.  This inquiry troubled Herod the king who could not stand the thought of a rival or competing king.

Many people are still troubled by this question. Where is He? He is no longer in Bethlehem’s manger. Nor is He any longer on the cross.  Neither is He in Joseph’s tomb.  He is alive.

Where is He? He is in heaven at the right hand of God, a place of honor, power and priesthood. He is there making intercession for those who have been saved by grace through faith in Him.

Where is He? He meets with the saints of God, on the Lord’s Day and any other time two or three are gathered in His name. Where is He? He is coming again to resurrect the dead in Christ and to rapture or snatch away the living Christians when He comes.

Where is He? Is He abiding in your heart?

A Virtuous Woman

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)

This is an appropriate Biblical question for Mother’s Day. It is the third in a series of Biblical questions. One would need to know what traits or characteristics he is looking for in his search for a virtuous woman. The key to finding such a woman is found in the verses that follow the question.

As we look in this passage a virtuous woman is described as trustworthy, hard working, keeps food in the pantry for her family and is industrious. She is further described as benevolent, fearless in hard times, contributes to her husband’s success, a woman of strength, dresses and talks like a lady and she is God fearing. She is greatly loved and appreciated by her family.

The Bible doesn’t say she is perfect, but she is priceless. The Bible gives her worth as, “far above rubies,” one off the rarest of gem stones.

It is appropriate here for your writer to say to our mothers, “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Where are You?

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, ‘where art thou?’” (Genesis 3:8-9)

 

God, who is omniscient, or all knowing, did not need a GPS to know where Adam was hiding in the garden or to know where you and I are. In this second question in the Bible God was asking the question for Adam’s benefit. It’s much like the question you put to a four year old when they are finger painting a picture on a wall in your house: “What are you doing?” You know full well what they are doing, but the question jolts them back into reality.

 

Where are you today in your relationship and your fellowship with the Lord? He knows where you are, but do you know where you are? You may be lost, a sinner needing the Savior. Or you may be a Christian following God at a guilty distance. Or, you may be a child of God facing a major health problem, financial dilemma or other serious difficulty. Call out to Him. Acknowledge where you are. Let Him save you. Let Him set your feet on the solid Rock and the right path. He is the Deliverer.

Did God Really Say That?

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, ‘yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’”(Genesis 3:1)

There are many questions recorded in the Bible. The very first question is regarding the truthfulness of God’s Word. “Did God really say that?

The Bible refers to Satan as, “that old serpent, which is the devil, and satan.”  (Revelation 20:2)  He is the master of disguises, sometimes transforming himself into an angel of light.  (II Corinthians 11:14)   Here, he presents himself as a beautiful serpent. But, he is like a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour. ( I Peter 5:8)

The devil calls into question and casts doubts on all of God’s Word. Satan would have mankind believe that there is no such thing as sin and consequently no need for forgiveness, no need for repentance, no need for a sacrifice and no need for a Savior. Our society has swallowed that lie hook, line and sinker. The blacker the sin, the more the devil attempts to persuade mankind that God is a God of love and a loving God would never judge someone guilty of committing a sin, especially if that sin, activity, is now accepted by everyone.

Scoffers in the Last Days

 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep (died) all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.’” (II Peter 3:3-4)

The Bible teaches us that Jesus is coming to this earth again in what is called the Second Coming. The first coming of Jesus was to Bethlehem where He was born.

One of the signs of the second coming, and that He is near, are the scoffers who make fun of the whole idea, saying, “everything is just like it’s always been.” Proof of their scoffing is not only in what they say but in the way they live, “walking in sin after their own lusts.”

We are encouraged to make preparation for His return by being saved through faith in Christ Jesus and by living a life based on the teaching of God’s Word. Do you believe He is coming again? Be ready.

Feed on God’s Word

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)

Food is an absolute necessity for life.  One can live a few minutes without oxygen, a few hours without water and somewhat longer without food. Eventually all living things need the above mentioned nutrients to live. 

Job had not slacked from the commandment of God. Nor would he slack from the Word of God. Just as food is necessary for human existence, Job said that he thought of God’s Word as of more importance than food. When being tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”(Matthew 4:4)

To be the kind of spiritually healthy persons we should be it is necessary to have a good appetite for the Word of God. Peter said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby.” (I Peter 2:2)

Why Do You Want to See Jesus?

“And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.” (Luke 23:8)

Herod had heard about Jesus. Perhaps he heard of the people who had been healed. Maybe he had heard about Jesus silencing the Pharisees and Sadducees. For whatever reason he was glad to see Jesus, it was not because he wanted to have Jesus hear his confession and to receive forgiveness for his sins. Jesus was just another “side show” as far as Herod was concerned. Whatever miracle Jesus might have performed in Herod’s presence would have done nothing to persuade him to become a believer.

Why do you want to see Jesus? Is it to see Him do some “tricks” and get even with those folks who crucified Him and who have hurt you in some way? Or, do you want to see Him in order to praise Him and to thank Him for saving your sin-sick soul and for forgiving you so many times over the course of time that you have you have been a believer? Do you want to see Him so you can say “Thanks” for the many times He has helped you and sustained you?

You Need Jesus Christ

“Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

While serving in a revival in North Fairfield, Ohio, pastor, A.R. Hawkins and I were making visits, inviting people to the revival. We were introducing people to the Lord Jesus. We came to a house, and were greeted at the door by a young lady in her mid-teens. As we started telling her about Jesus she put this question to us: “Who needs Jesus Christ?” And then she shut the door.

When I have explored that question through the lens of God’s Word my answer is, “There is not a person who does not need Jesus Christ.” Jesus said that He is the only way to God. Everyone facing eternity needs Him. People in hospitals, both the patients and the medical staff, need Him. The rich young ruler in the Bible, seeking answers from Jesus about eternal life, needed Jesus. Nicodemus, the religious Pharisee needed Jesus. Sisters, Mary and Martha mourning at the tomb of their brother, Lazarus, needed Jesus as well as those in the same circumstance today need Him. Our cities torn apart by rebellion and rioting need Jesus. Our world, as never before, desperately needs Jesus.

The Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (John 16:7-8)

A preacher friend of mine was preaching one Sunday morning when one of the men of the church stood up, looked at the preacher for a moment, then stepped out into the aisle. He turned toward the door, took a couple of steps and stopped. He turned around toward the preacher, pointed his finger at him and said, “Why don’t you just call my name.” He turned toward the door and walked out. My preacher friend said he had no idea that there was a sin problem with that man.  But, the man knew and the Holy Spirit brought conviction that morning.

Jesus was teaching on the subject of the Holy Spirit, called the Comforter in John 14, 15 and 16. In our text Jesus told us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit would bring conviction for our sins. That’s what happened that Sunday morning in the middle of my friend’s sermon.  Hopefully, the man found a private place, got on his knees before the Lord and confessed his sin and repented.

When the Holy Spirit troubles us over some sin He is taking us in the direction of Jesus Christ where we can confess, repent, receive forgiveness and have peace.

A Good Question

“Be ye therefore,  followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”(Ephesians 5:1-2)

Paul the apostle gives instruction in his letter to the Church of Ephesus as to how we are to behave and conduct ourselves as a church and as private citizens.

There was a deacon in a church where I was the pastor a number of years ago. He would often say to the people, “Ask yourself this question, ‘If every church member were just like me, what kind of church would this church be?’”

Ask yourself that question in relation to your commitment to the Lord and your church. If everyone in your church were committed to the Lord the same as you and had the same morality that you have, would your church be better or worse?

Pray and Don’t Give Up

“And He spoke a parable unto them to this end,  that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1)

Jesus told of an unjust judge who was troubled by a widow who kept coming to him with a request. He finally granted her request. Jesus said hear what is said. “And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?”

Jesus was not teaching that God is reluctant to hear and answer our prayers.  He is teaching that if an earthly, unjust judge will eventually grant a request, how much more quickly will God who is holy, righteous, good and loving grant the petitions for those who have faith in Him.

Don’t ever quit praying. The Speer Family used to sing a song that asked this question: “Are you one of God’s many children, who find they’re too busy to pray, do you put it off ‘til tomorrow, or some more convenient day?”