…And He Died

“And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years and he died.” (Genesis 5:5)

I read recently that the dead out number the living by thirty to one. Someone said, “Death is the fairest thing there is. It is one per capita.” In Genesis five the phrase, “And he died,” is listed eight times. The only two exceptions are a man named Enoch and another named Elijah, the prophet of God. Even the Lord Jesus Christ, the very Son of God died.

Some folks do indeed live longer than others. King David’s baby boy died in infancy. Methuselah lived to be nine-hundred and sixty-nine years. But the Bible says, “And he died.” All will die unless Jesus soon returns.

The Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to died, but after that the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many…” (Hebrews 9:27-28)  When we appear in judgment we will stand by ourselves, lost, with our sins un-forgiven and laid to our charge or we can stand in His righteousness with our sins forgiven and washed away in the blood of the Lamb. I strongly encourage you to trust Him for salvation so that when physical death comes you will have no fear.

The Overcomer

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

It was after Job had lost his children, his wealth and his health that he said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) Perhaps you have experienced some of what Job experienced.

The Christian is not guaranteed a life free from trials, tribulations and struggles on this earth. It is quite the opposite, according to the words of our Savior. His life certainly was not free of hardships.

The Lord Jesus Christ has given us a word of strength and assurance. For those who trust Him as their Savior, He offers victory. He has overcome the world.  You can trust Him with your life and eternity.

Are You Walking With God?

“And Enoch walked with God…” (Genesis 5:22, 24)

Enoch and Elijah are the only two people who left this earth without dying. Of Enoch, the Bible says that he was translated that he should not see death. It further states that, before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5)

God did not alter His steps or His path to enable Him to walk with Enoch. It was necessary for Enoch to alter his steps. That’s the only way we can walk with God.  Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”  The obvious answer is “No.”

One might ask concerning Enoch, “did he love his neighbor?” The answer is, “He walked with God.” Was he good to his wife and children? “He walked with God.”  Did he regularly worship the Lord? Again, the answer is, “Enoch walked with God.”  Well, did he lie, steal, cheat, hate, gossip and commit adultery?  No, because “Enoch walked with God.”

Do you walk with God? God wants you to be his walking companion, on His path, walking with Him so He can bless you every day. Only by walking with Him can He be a blessing to you,  and you be a blessing to others. That walk begins with a conscious turning to Jesus and receiving Him by faith.

Pray Like Jabez

“And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (I Chronicles, 4:9-10)

If one walks with the Lord and talks with the Lord he can overcome anything, even a name which means “sorrowful” which is what the name “Jabez” means.

Allow me to point out seven truths from this prayer.

• First, as Jabez did, we must recognize our dependence on God.
• Second, we, like Jabez, must take time to pray.
• Third, we can come boldly to the throne of grace as did Jabez. (Hebrews 4:16)
• Fourth, we must be specific when we pray. His prayer had only thirty-three words.
• Fifth, Jabez’s prayer was answered. Expect an answer when you pray.
• Sixth, this prayer reminds us that even the “unknowns” and the “nobodies” can pray. Jabez is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible.
• Seventh, a life of sorrow can be changed through prayer.

Make the Right Choice Today

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

The question was settled in Joshua’s mind long before he and the other eleven men went as spies to see the land. He and Caleb had faith that they could take the land. Now, he is in the role of leadership, Moses having died and God placing Joshua in that position.

We need leaders like Joshua. We need heads of homes like him, also. The gods of too many of our leaders and heads of homes are gods spelled with a little “g.” These “little ‘g’” gods are popular but they are helpless and of no value to a nation or a home in trouble. A “little ‘g’” god is not able to benefit one’s family, cannot save a marriage, cannot deliver one from pornography or homosexuality, and cannot break alcohol or drug addiction.

Joshua was forthright. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” That choice may not be popular, but it’s the only choice that will deliver from the grip of sin and Satan.

Snow, Snow, Snow

“…and He was transfigured before them, and His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. (Mark 9:2-3)

On the mount of transfiguration Jesus’ clothing became as white as snow. The “Fuller,” the best launderer known in that day, could make them no whiter. The Bible says that when Jesus appeared on the isle of Patmos as He walked in the midst of the candlesticks (the seven churches), that “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow… (Revelation 1:14)

The “white as snow clothing” in our text indicates holiness, righteousness and glory. There is nothing whiter or cleaner.  His “white as snow hair” in Revelation 1:14 identifies Him as the “Ancient of Days” found in Daniel 7:9.

A hymn writer wrote these words, “Oh worship the King all glorious above, and gratefully sing His wonderful love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.”

Let the Cool Breezes Blow

“As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” (Proverbs 25:13)

We can learn much from a snow storm. One thing we can learn is that it is not necessary to be driving our cars somewhere all the time. We can learn how we are blessed to have warm beds, warm houses and ample food in the pantry.

When the cold air from the snow found its way down my collar last Friday, I did not like it. But I have thought how nice that cool air would have been when I was working in the hay-fields as a teenager.  The writer of the Proverbs could have had a similar thought. In the summer at harvest time in that country, the snow capped mountains would catch a breeze which would carry the snow-cooled air down into the valleys where men were harvesting grain. They were not in the air-conditioned cab of a nice tractor or combine. They were out in the sun, swinging a scythe or cradle. It was very hot and equally dusty. They welcomed a cool breeze from the mountains.

A good word from a messenger is refreshing like that cool air coming down the mountainside and across the valley. When we hear a Gospel message from one of God’s messengers it should be like that refreshing wind from above.

Whiter Than Snow

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

David had committed adultery with the wife of one of his bravest soldiers while the man was off in battle. When David discovered that she was pregnant he sent word to the battle field to have her husband come home, hoping the man would spend the night at home. He never went home. When David realized the attempt to cover his sin had failed, he had the husband killed. We find David’s prayer of confession in the fifty-first psalm.

The hyssop plant was used in the first Passover in Egypt. When the lamb was killed, the blood was drained into a bowl and the hyssop was dipped in the bowl of blood and then using the hyssop, was sprinkled over the door and on both side posts. Hyssop was used in other sacrifices in the same way. David was pleading the blood to cleanse his terrible sin.

The recent snow on the ground is glistening white, bright white. David said if he could be washed in the blood he would be whiter than snow. Look at the words of this old song.

Whiter Than Snow

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat;

I wait, blessed Lord, at thy crucified feet;

        By faith, for my cleansing I see Thy blood flow:

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Chorus

Whiter than snow, yes whiter than snow;

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Don’t Fret

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” (Psalm 37:1)

We speak of infants being fretful because they are hungry, thirsty, lacking attention or they may be teething or sick. To be fretful is to be agitated. We sometimes call it, “Out of sorts.”

The psalmist, David, warned against being fretful because of the seeming well being of evildoers, the workers of iniquity. When it seems that sinful people with no interest in God, righteousness or the church are more prosperous than God-fearing people are, we are told not to fret about it. You take care of you. Continue to love the Lord, to walk with Him and serve Him. He will tend to the evildoers in His time and in His way.

Do not entertain the thought that they are better off than you and that you would enjoy some of their prosperity, some of their “stuff.” Child of God, there is a better day coming beyond this vale of tears, better than anyone knows about down here. Be patient. You’re not home yet.

The Steps of a Good Man

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way”

(Psalm 37:23).

Until one’s life is changed by the Holy Spirit working the miracle of the New Birth, the scripture says, “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:12)  What makes a good man a good man? Our text says that it is because the man’s steps are ordered by the Lord. His first steps to goodness are repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

His steps are not ordered by the world or by the sinful ways of the world. Neither are his steps ordered by alcohol, drugs and lust. He doesn’t give place or room for the devil. The Lord shows us in His precious word how to walk, where to step so as to avoid “pit falls,”  “land mines” and snares the devil sets for us.

God delights in the man’s way because he is stepping where God directs him to step. The good man is led by the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

Where will your steps take you today?

Practical Atheism

“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” (Psalm 53:1)

Notice that the fool did not declare it from the house top or the mountain top. It is in his heart the fool said there is no God. It seems he does not want everyone to know what’s in his heart. It is not popular to say aloud among his friends what he is thinking. If he can cast his vote in secret he will pull the lever that says there is no God. He is an atheist.

But there is more. There is the believer who would not for the world, in his heart or publicly say there is no God. He is not an atheist. Sadly, he is a “Practical Atheist.” He believes in God but never prays. He believes in God, but never reads the Bible. The “Practical Atheist,” believes in God but never goes to church. He never tells anyone else about Jesus the Savior. He never gives God a portion of what God has blessed him with. The “Practical Atheist” believes in God but practices atheism.

The “Practical Atheist” ignores the Ten Commandments and any other commandment in the Bible that he finds not to be to his liking. He lives as though there is no God, no Savior, no heaven and no hell.

Enemies of Old Age

“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.” (Psalm 71:9-11)

Caleb, companion and fellow warrior with Joshua, was now eighty-five years old and declared that his strength to serve God was as it was when he and Joshua and 10 other men went in to spy out the land of Canaan.  Like Caleb, the psalmist appealed to God that he not become cast off as useless in old age. 

There are enemies of old age.  Failing health, falling, fear of heights, lack of muscle tone, poor eyesight, dullness of hearing, disease and even death are just some of the enemies of old age.  The Bible says, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)  One of our enemies is in our mind when we tell ourselves, “I’m too old. God can’t use me. Let the young folks serve the Lord. I’m just too old.”

When we are one of His, He will not forsake us when we are young nor will He forsake us when we are old.  It is not a sin to be old.  The sin is in saying that God cannot use you just because you have gotten old.  Make yourself available to God and see where He can use you.

God Has a Purpose for Every Life

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah  !:4-5)

Before you were born God already knew you and had a purpose for your life. Your life was precious to Him. You are important to Him, your maker and creator.

As we think on these thoughts I wonder if among these fifty-five million plus babies aborted since the early 1970’s if some abortion mill has killed a baby whom the Lord had chosen to find and develop a cure for cancer. Perhaps a baby who was going to find the cause of and cure for Alzheimer’s has been aborted. What losses.

A person to lead our nation as a courageous and wise president may have been the victim of an abortionist’s knife or chemicals. Some precious little life that was being viewed as an inconvenience to someone if allowed to live could have been on the debate stage with the current group of candidates if they had not been aborted.

God used Jeremiah. I wonder how it might have been if he had been murdered in his mother’s womb?

Struggling with a Problem? Call on God

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Jeremiah was in prison. The nation of Judah was about to go into captivity to the Babylonians, and the prophet’s preaching, giving warning to the people, not only was unheeded, he was accused of being a traitor because he was preaching against the sins and lifestyle of the people.

God invites the prophet to call on Him and He would show Jeremiah things he did not know. God would raise up the descendant of David to sit on the throne and this new ruler would reign in righteousness. We know this ruler as Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

God invites us to call on Him when we are in the lowest of times and the most difficult of circumstances. What mountain are you facing? What obstacle stands in the way of your serving the Lord? Is there a health problem? Perhaps there is a family problem. Is there a sin that has you in its grip? Read the text again and lay the problem before the Lord.

Is the Heat Turned up in Your Life?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”(Romans 8:28)

When a lady serves a cake to her family she does not lay each ingredient out separately and issue teaspoons to the family members and have them eat each ingredient separately, one at a time. She first stirs the ingredients together, pours the mixture into cake pans and places them in a pre-heated oven where they bake until they are finished cooking. Then she will stack one layer on top of another and put icing on the outside. Alone, each ingredient is not good. But mixed together with other ingredients and baked properly it turns out pretty good.

When God takes all the ingredients of our lives and stirs them together, and allows the “heat” to be turned up, we can be assured that “all things work together for good.” An illustration of this is when Joseph’s brothers allowed him to be sold into Egypt.  Many years later, when they fearfully came to Joseph after their father Jacob died, Joseph said to them, “Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye 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)

Lost in the House of God

“…Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses…And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.”

(II Chronicles 34:14, 19”)

Josiah was one of the good kings of Judah, coming to the throne at the age of eight years and reigning for thirty-one years. In the eighteenth year of his reign he was responsible for cleansing the country of idolatry and restoring the temple. While men were restoring the temple they found God’s Word which had been neglected and lost there. That neglect had brought judgment on the nation and would bring more judgment after good King Josiah was gone.

When any nation, people or church turns its back on God and forsakes His word they can expect the judgment hand of God upon them. Through the neglect of the Bible America’s morals have eroded to a terrible low. Sadly, the Bible has been lost in many churches and Christian institutions of higher learning. Abortion on demand, same sex marriage (so called), unmarried couples living together out of wedlock, drug abuse, alcoholism, child sexual abuse, theft, rape, incest, murder, pornography and faith fading into formalism.

We had better dig out and dust off the Old Book and get back on the right track with God before it’s too late.

The Worth of Your Soul

“For what shall it profit and man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)

How does one estimate the worth of his soul?

Thursday morning it was announced that there were three winning tickets in the lottery on Wednesday night. Each ticket would be worth five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000) before taxes. That’s a whole lot of money.

If a lost man knew that just on the other side of his last breath there was the lake of fire we call hell and he had less than a minute to live, what would he give in exchange for just a few more breaths? That pile of lottery money, or any other pile of money, cannot buy another breath, cannot buy back one’s youth when he is old, cannot buy a true friend, cannot buy another sunrise or sunset.

God saw the value of our souls when he willingly sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross of Calvary to pay for man’s sins. All the wealth in the world could not pay salvation’s price. He paid the price and freely gives eternal life to us.

Exhibit “A”

“And immediately he arose, took up his bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, we never saw it on this fashion.” (Mark 2:12)

The palsied man is now exhibit “A” of the change the Son of God can make in a ruined life. He had perhaps been the object of scorn, of pity, the brunt of cruel jokes by cruel people, of people turning the other way to avoid him.

Look at him now carrying his pallet or stretcher. He is healed! His sins are forgiven!  He is not avoiding them any more nor are they avoiding him. Look at this former cripple going forth before the crowd. Look at the crowd how amazed they are. Hear them glorifying God. I think I can see some “high-fives.” Listen to the people as they say, “We never saw anything like this.” (NASB)  The best evidence of salvation and the power of God is a changed life.

One day all the crippled, diseased, blind and deaf people whose sins have been forgiven and washed away in the blood of the Lamb will be healed of all infirmities. All aches, pains, sorrows and tears will be gone. What a day of rejoicing that will be!!!! By the way; there is no recorded word from the scribes.

That You May Know

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (He saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” (Mark 2:10-11)

Our Lord’s favorite title for Himself was, “Son of Man,” so He is referring to Himself when He uses that title here. He had already spoken to the palsied man, telling him his sins were forgiven. Our Savior spoke to him a second time telling him to arise and take up his bed and go to his house.

Jesus’ command to, “arise and go,” was for the benefit of the crippled man, but also for the scribes so that they would know that Jesus had power to forgive sins as well as to heal the body. A similar evidence of Jesus power and personhood is given in John 20:30-31 where John states that he recorded the miracles of Jesus found in the Gospel that bears his name so that the readers of his gospel would, “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing they would have life through His name.”

The evidence given in Jesus’ miracles which are recorded in the Bible leaves no room for doubt. We need no signs from heaven, new miracles, or latter day evidence for everyone to know who Jesus is. The Bible bears sufficient evidence. You must accept Him by faith in who He is and what He has done.

Are You Facing a Dilemma?

“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (Mark 2:9)

The scribes were faced with a dilemma. In the middle of a crowd of people lay a paralyzed man who had just been lowered through the roof of a house where Jesus was preaching. In the crowd were some scribes who had been hearing Jesus preach and were watching the scene unfold before their eyes. They heard Jesus tell the crippled man that his sins were forgiven. In their hearts the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy because no one except God could forgive sins.

Here’s the dilemma. If Jesus had said, “Take up your bed and walk,” and had not spoken the words of forgiveness, the scribes would have still been unbelieving. So Jesus presented His question to them which comprises our text. Proof of Jesus’ power and person would be evidenced in the crippled man. If he got up and walked it would be evidence that Jesus had both, power to heal and authority to forgive sins, thus proving that He was God. They never answered our Lord’s question.

Those who reject Jesus and His word are always in a dilemma trying to convince themselves and everyone around them that Jesus has nothing which they need and that they are justified in not accepting Him or His teachings. Eternity will be too late to decide in favor of Jesus the Savior.

Jesus Knows Our Thoughts

“And immediately when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, why reason ye these things in your hearts?” (Mark 2:8)

It should come as no surprise to us that the Lord Jesus knows every thought of man. The psalmist said “…thou understandest my thought afar off.” (Psalm 139:2) So Jesus knew the thoughts of these scribes as they reasoned in their hearts that Jesus was blaspheming God when He declared the palsied man’s sins to be forgiven.

Knowing our thoughts as He does, He knows our motives for all that we do: our church attendance, our service ministry, our prayers and all that we do. He knows whether or not our all is surrendered to Him. He knows when we have shaved some numbers on our tax returns. He knows when we have changed our “story” to fit a new situation.

Who Can Forgive Sins?

“But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:6-7)

The scribes copied, studied and interpreted the Old Testament law and put in writing the old records which had been handed down orally.  It was their job to make sure that nothing was added nor deleted from the Old Testament writings and that everything was meticulously kept. They thus became the Jewish law.

When they questioned Jesus’ ability to forgive sins, they were right in saying that only God could forgive sins. Their error was that they did not know nor would they accept that Jesus was God.

Jesus had forgiven the palsied man’s sins in keeping with who He was. So for our Savior to declare the palsied man’s sins forgiven was not blasphemy at all. He was God, with all the powers of God and with all the authority of God. For the scribes to question Jesus was equal to questioning God.

Man’s Greatest Need

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” (Mark 2:5)

The story of the palsied man being brought to Jesus by his four friends seems to get turned upside down at this point. If we were telling the story we would have Jesus rushing out to heal the man or when the man’s friends finally got him to Jesus we would have told how Jesus laid His hands on the poor fellow, healing him. We might have had Jesus rebuking the disease.

It was when Jesus saw their faith that He spoke. He saw the faith of the four men.  A.T, Robertson in his “Word Pictures in the New Testament,” says there is no reason to exclude the sick man himself from “their” faith. Jesus addressed the paralyzed man’s greatest need when He said, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” One can go to heaven with a diseased body, no money in the bank, nowhere to sleep, no car to drive, no friends and no family. But no one, not even the richest man in the world, can go to heaven without his sins first being forgiven. Having our sins forgiven is mankind’s greatest need. Take care of first things first.

Unsophisticated Evangelism

“And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.” (Mark 2:4)

The four men checked the door and there was no way to get four men carrying a fifth man on a stretcher into the presence of Jesus. No one would clear a path. I wonder why some of the folks on the inside did not receive the sick man and pass him over their shoulders to Jesus. Could it be that they were not as desperate as the palsied man? Maybe they thought it would be a waste of Jesus’ time and energy to give this man any attention. Whatever it was, it was up to the four friends to get the man to Jesus.

It was unconventional and unsophisticated to do what they did. They carried the helpless man to the roof. Then they broke up the roof, making a hole big enough to pass the man and his bed through and down into the presence of Jesus. I suppose it could be said, “That’s one way to break up a preaching service.”

You and I cannot save a soul, but we can put forth every unselfish effort to put the lost into the presence of Jesus. We can start Bible classes, start a bus route, and go door to door inviting people to church while handing out Gospel tracts. For Jesus’ sake, let’s be one of the four.

Bringing People to Jesus

“And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.” (Mark 2:3)

By now you are familiar with the rest of this story in the life of Jesus. When we left off last time Jesus was in a crowded house where He was preaching the Word to the standing room only crowd. When we pick up the story today we find a paralyzed man being carried by four others.

From what I have read of this man’s disease, in those days there was no cure for him short of a miracle. He knew he needed a miracle, his four companions apparently knew it and certainly, Jesus knew it. He was desperately ill. Perhaps all he could think about was being healed, being well and able to make a living as he perhaps had done before.

There were four stretcher bearers. Likely there was a man at each corner of the stretcher. It took a lot of strength, effort and cooperation to get this far. Someone suggested the names of these four men were Vision, who first saw the man, Sympathy, who himself had been ill with the same disease, Perseverance, who would not give up and Faith who knew Jesus could heal him. It takes all those to bring people to Jesus.

He Preached the Word

“And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the Word unto them." (Mark 2:2)

Jesus was in a house in Capernaum. We do not know the size of the house, nor how many rooms, whether one, two or more, or the size of the rooms. We do know that there was a large crowd, so many they could not all get in where Jesus was. I remember going to church and folks who could not get inside standing on the outside around the open windows and doors to hear men of God preaching the Word of God.

Our text says that Jesus preached the Word to them. I would love to have heard the Master Preacher of all preachers as He preached the Word. He could preach to a crowd, as here, or out on the hillside as He preached the Sermon on the Mount to that multitude. Or He could preach to one man named Nicodemus one night, or a Samaritan woman by herself at Jacob’s well.

If you do not like to hear men of God preach the Word of God you would not have liked Jesus. The Bible says, “…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (I Corinthians 1:21)

Invite Jesus to Live at Your House

"And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house.” (Mark 2:1)

It must have been a special privilege for the Savior to come to Capernaum for a second visit. When He was there the first time He cast out demons, healed Simon’s mother-in-law and healed a centurion’s servant. Jesus’ visits were sometimes hurried and brief. There were places He never visited at all.

When one senses that Jesus is “coming by,” it is wise to take advantage of that opportunity. Word got out that Jesus was in Capernaum and that He was in a certain house. I wonder whose house it was. Was Jesus invited to that house or did He just happen to be passing by? And, I also wonder, has He been to your house lately? Did Jesus make any changes in your house and did you invite Him to stay? Has word gotten out, do people know that Jesus is in your house?

Invite Jesus to come to your house and give Him the keys. Put Him in charge of the language spoken there, the clothing worn, the beverages consumed and the entertainment enjoyed.  

Lord, Send a Revival

“A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:1-2)

Sometimes nations as well as individuals become so wicked that God must bring judgment on that nation or person. Such was the case of Judah in the days of Habakkuk the prophet.

It was about 626 BC that the Southern kingdom of Judah was headed for destruction by the hands of the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet was fearful and reminded God that He (God) was of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Surely, God would not deliver the Jews to that wicked nation, the Chaldeans. But the prophet sees the enemy of God, the enemy of Judah coming, God having sent them in judgment on the unrepentant people of God. They would go into captivity for their sins.

Many years ago I heard evangelist Billy Graham say that if God allows America to continue on in her present path of sin without being brought to judgment, that God will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomarrah for destroying them for their sins.

Will you join me in praying for a spiritual awakening, a turning back to God, a genuine revival in America?

Tomorrow?

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”(Proverbs 27:1)

I’m not sure if the revelers last Thursday evening were celebrating because the year 2015 was gone, or because 2016 had arrived, or a little bit of both. I suspect that many of them did not know why they were celebrating.

I am sure of one thing put to music by a writer many years ago, 

     “I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day, 

          I don’t borrow from its sunshine for its skies may turn to gray. 

     I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said, 

          and today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead. 

     Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand; 

          but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.” 

               (Copyright, 1950 by Ira Stamphill)

Live every day with Jesus. Let Him be your Savior and constant companion. Don’t say “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Tomorrow is too uncertain. Take care of that major decision today, right now.

Heed the Advice of Jesus

“Tell us, when shall these things be?” (Matthew 24:3)

Man has an insatiable appetite for wanting to know when Jesus is coming again. We have heard all sorts of speculative forecasts into future events related to His return and the end of the world. In the mid 1980’s three comets were supposed to line up in perfect order and then, watch out, the following October the second coming would take place. The date came and went and as you know, nothing happened. The forecasters said, “Oh, we miscalculated by a year. But, watch out next year.”  I can almost hear that woman’s voice on my GPS in my car: “Recalculate. Recalculate. Recalculate.”

Jesus gave His disciples two pieces of advice which would serve us well to heed. First, He said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) God alone knows the date of the return of Christ. Man’s speculation from ignorance only confuses folks and never helps. The second piece of advice is,“Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) Our concern is to be ready all the time. Be expecting Him any hour of any day or night.

Could Jesus return in 2016? He could, but I am not speculating. He could return today, tonight, this month, this year or next year. Someone reminded us that we are not on the time and place committee. We are on the welcome committee. We are to be ready.

The Crowning of the Year

"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” (Psalm 65:11)

David was not without his faults but he knew how to praise God and to be thankful. He acknowledged God as the source of all his blessings. God was seen as the giver of water to the parched earth. David saw the hillsides blessed with flocks of sheep. God softened the clods of dirt with water, softening the earth so that the seeds sowed there would more easily germinate, producing a good crop.

In their day a year was made up of 360 days. God crowned the year with His goodness. We just finished a year which had 365 days. God crowned 2015 with His goodness. Yes, there were some terrible events globally; mass shootings, wars and threats of wars, floods, tornadoes and earthquakes. Close to home loved ones became sick and many died. But the year was crowned with God’s goodness. He did not leave us nor forsake us in the hard times.

He is giving us one extra day in 2016. With February having 29 days this is a leap year. We will have 366 days to enjoy God’s blessings on us. He will crown this year, 2016, with His goodness. There will be problems, just like our Savior said. But, He also said,“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Look for and enjoy His blessings this year.