Don't Be Caught off Guard

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh."  (Matthew 25:13)

Seventy-seven years ago today, on December 7, 1941, America was attacked by the Japanese navy in a surprise air operation. We were not warned nor were we ready. Several of our ships were destroyed and sunk. The USS Arizona was sunk killing more than 1,100 soldiers. As a result the United States entered World War II and vowed never to be caught unprepared again. A popular song in that long ago time was, “Let’s All Remember Pearl Harbor.”

Sometime out in the future, at a time not revealed to man, the Lord Jesus Christ will come back and claim His own. Many people will be as unprepared as the nation was on December 7, 1941. You can be prepared if you will accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.  Jesus tells us to watch because we do not know the day nor hour when our Lord shall return.

Be Ready

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

As we make preparations for Christmas we have a deadline marked on our calendars when we celebrate the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem. However, no one knows the time of the second coming of Jesus. It is not marked on your calendar.

Damage is done to the Christian testimony when someone claims to have a new revelation from God concerning the end. We were told in 1988 when three comets aligned just right that Jesus would come at that time. It never happened.  Other false prophets have made similar announcements predicting the exact date that Jesus would return. The date came and went.

Jesus never told us when His return would take place. He simply said for us to always be ready. We are to live as though He could return today.  Don’t look for signs; look for the Son.

Worshipping, Doubting and Making Disciples

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:16-17)

Judas Iscariot, one of the original twelve, had betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. After a short while he was so filled with guilt and remorse that he committed suicide. Now there were eleven.

These eleven were imperfect believers. They worshipped, but some doubted. It was to this mixed group that our Lord gave the original “Great Commission” to go into all the world and make and baptize disciples.

When your church meets the next time, not everyone in the assembly will be perfect. In fact, you and I are imperfect. It seems that our Lord can “draw a straight line with a crooked stick.” That’s what He has been doing from that day to this.

Did you notice that even though there were doubters among them, they worshipped the Lord Jesus Christ? If you wait for your church to be perfect to worship or make disciples, your church will do neither.

The Truth of the Resurrection

“And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, ‘say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept.’” (Matthew28:12-13)

There is a religious cult whose members will come to your door and attempt to teach you strange things from their bible. Their founder said concerning the empty tomb, “As for this man Jesus, we do not know what happened to him. His body may have been dissolved in the gasses of the tomb. Or, perhaps after lying in the coolness of the tomb, after a while he revived and just got up and walked out.” That is more absurd than what the elders told the soldiers to say.

All the truth of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation is verified in these three words found in the Gospels, “He is risen.”(Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6) What a wonderful, glorious, powerful, sufficient and praise-worthy Savior is Jesus.

He Is Risen

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, ‘Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead…’” (Matthew 28:5-7a)

Jesus is not in the tomb. Go to the graves and tombs of the founders of the world’s great religions and be assured that their bodies are there. Go to the tomb where Jesus was placed and forever hear it repeated: “He is not here: for He is risen.”

Look at the verbs in our text: COME, SEE, GO, TELL. That’s it in a nutshell. There is so much to tell. Luke tells us in the Acts of the Apostles that Jesus showed Himself to be alive by many infallible proofs being seen of the apostles forty days following His resurrection. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15 who some of the eyewitnesses were: Peter, then the twelve, then more than five-hundred brethren (Christians), James, the apostles and then Paul himself. The Gospel writers are careful to include the women as eyewitnesses.

There is one established fact that cannot be denied and that is, Jesus is alive!!

The Tragedy of a Dead Bible

“Pilate said unto them, ‘ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as you can.’ So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” (Matthew 27:65-66)

In what is known as Thomas Jefferson’s “dead bible” all the miracles and things supernatural have been removed. The final words in his bible are, “and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.”

What a disappointment. Aren’t you glad your Bible doesn’t end there? The Gospel story is not complete without the story of the resurrection. It was Jesus who said, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” (John 14:19) Our text for today in Matthew’s Gospel is not the end of the story.

Many false religions are like Jefferson’s dead bible; they are true as far as they go but they do not include all the truth. A poor lost soul would remain lost if his only hope were the crucifixion and death of Jesus without His resurrection.

Forsaken of God the Father

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Our Savior quoted the Old Testament scriptures when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. On many occasions He let us know the Bible was dependable and without error. Here, on the cross He quotes Psalm 22:1 in Aramaic as His fourth saying from the cross.

The agony of the Father’s departure from Him was the worst agony of all. He suffered as every unsaved person dying without Christ will suffer for eternity – separated from God. Jesus, who knew no sin of His own, became sin for us. (II Corinthians 5:21) Habakkuk tells us that God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity. (Habakkuk 1:13)

He did not just die for my sin; He became my sin and your sin and the sin of all mankind. He was forsaken of God His Father, and died a horrible death that you and I not have to spend one agonizing minute suffering alone and without God in hell. As you read these lines thank Him for loving you so and if you have never received Him as your Savior I encourage you to do so now.

Watching the Side-Show

“And sitting down they watched Him there.” (Matthew 27:36)

Wicked men had just nailed the hands and feet of the Son of God to a cross just outside the city of Jerusalem. They had come to this spot and sat down so they would not miss the main attraction. That sounds noble enough, except when you realize the main attraction, or the main event, was designed to forever rid the world of this miracle-working prophet from Galilee.

Many people are attracted to this man of Galilee, this one who called Himself the Son of God, for the “side-show effect.” If He ceases to be the biggest show in town they will drop off and fall away. Others are truly repentant of their sins and they trust  Him for salvation. I hope you are in this latter group of people and that you are committed to doing His will and letting Him control your life, whether or not it is the popular thing to do.

Be Ready for the Lord's Return

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

Just as certainly as the Lord Jesus came into this world the first time, just that certainly He is coming back to raise the dead in resurrection power and snatch away the church in the rapture. Three hundred and eighteen times in the New Testament we are told He is returning.

To “be ready” as the text implores, one must first “get ready.” To be ready to go on a trip one must get ready. Getting ready for His return requires two things: repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He has not told us when He is returning, just that He is returning. We must be ready or be left behind to face the terrible “great tribulation” that will come on earth following His return. He is giving mankind the opportunity to get ready, but no one knows when that door of opportunity will close. Are you ready?

Counterfeits

“For many shall come in my name, saying, ‘I am Christ: and shall deceive many.’” (Matthew 24:15)

The tellers at the bank do not need to attend classes studying every possible counterfeit one-hundred dollar bill to be able to identify a counterfeit one-hundred dollar bill. They only need to learn to identify a legitimate one-hundred dollar bill. If a bill comes through that does not meet the standard of the genuine bill then they know it is counterfeit.

If you want to identify false Christ’s and false doctrines you do not need to study the many false religions and false Christs of the world. Simply read and study the Bible and spend time with the real Christ and learn about Him. False doctrine and false Christs will stand out and be more obvious than a three dollar bill.

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 today? 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.

Pray Believing

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

Jesus had come into Jerusalem in what has come to be known as His “Triumphal Entry.” Before going to the cross, and during His last few days known as Holy Week, He called attention to prayer and the importance of having faith when we pray.

When we pray we must do so in the will of God. “…if we ask any thing according to His will He hears us…” (I John 5:14) It is impossible to pray in faith for anything which God condemns in His Word. God’s will never contradicts His Word.

We must have faith when we pray. An old gospel quartet song says, “Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door; words are so easily spoken, but prayer without faith is like a boat without and oar.” 

The Barren Fig Tree

“And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” Matthew 21:19

Jesus, as God in the flesh, had the same physical appetites and senses that you and I have. Verse 18 says that He was hungry. As God, He had created all vegetation including all fruit trees (Genesis 1:11), as well as this fig tree.

Just as He was disappointed with the fruitless fig tree which bore leaves only, so also He was disappointed with Israel, represented by the barren fig tree. The fig tree was His to do with as He chose and Israel also was His to bless or to judge.

A little later He would weep over Jerusalem and announce that they would be desolate, forever barren as that fig tree.

Beloved, our Lord is in control of all things. The whole world is His by virtue of creation. He allows us to strut around, bear foliage, remain fruitless and reject Him. One day He is coming back in power and glory. Are you ready for His return?

The House of Prayer

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, ‘it is written, my house shall be called the house of prayer;’ but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21: 12-13)

Jesus twice cleansing the temple in Jerusalem should be adequate proof that He is not pleased when His house becomes a place of merchandise instead of a house of prayer. The first cleansing is recorded in John 2:13-17.

The building where your church gathers for worship is not the church. However, it has been dedicated to God as a place where God’s word is preached and taught. It is a place of prayer, confession and fellowship with God and fellow believers. It has been paid for with the tithes and sacrificial offerings of God’s people. The place should be honored for what it is and for what its purpose is.

Let us not make God’s house a place for circuses, side shows and entertainment. We can meet God anywhere. People should especially expect to meet Him in the house of God.

Who is the Man Jesus?

“…whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

This was Jesus’ first question to his disciples upon arriving at Caesarea Philippi.  How one answers that question concerning the person of Jesus will determine his eternal destiny as well as how he lives his life on earth.

Who do they say He is today in this “sophisticated,” “educated” society? A major religion of our day says Jesus really existed but that He was a wonderful prophet on an equal par with their prophet and that He did not die on the cross because He was rescued from crucifixion. Since there was no crucifixion, there was no death and consequently no resurrection. Beloved, that also means no salvation.

Some folks recognize Him as a great miracle worker, a great preacher, a great teacher, or a wonderful example of perfection. Some will even say He is a savior or that He is the savior but not my Savior.

It doesn’t matter what others say about Him or think about Him. Who do you say He is? Can you confess as Peter did that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?

The Half Has Not Been Told

Jesus said, “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42)

We find the record of the visit of the queen of Sheba to Solomon in I Kings 10:1-13 and also in I Chronicles 9:1-12. She came to observe, to ask hard questions and discover the secret of the king’s success. She was so overwhelmed that she exclaimed, “…I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me…” (I Kings 10:7)

Jesus said that a greater than Solomon is here, referring to Himself. He is greater than Solomon in wisdom. He has wisdom to impart to us. He is greater than Solomon in wealth. Solomon had gold, silver, horses, chariots, stables and many sheep and cows. Jesus owns the whole universe including earth and all that is in it. He is greater in works. Jesus is the creator of all things. He is greater in wonders. No one can duplicate His wonders of a glorious sunrise or beautiful sunset, of life on earth or eternal life in the beautiful place He has gone to prepare for His children.

One day, if you are saved, we will stand in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and declare, “The half was not told me.”

Step Out On Faith

“Why are you fearful, Oh ye of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26)

Often God’s work goes undone because we fear that which we cannot see ahead. We fear that we might fail if we attempt to lead someone to faith in Christ. We fear sharing our testimony with someone. We fear that we might look foolish and embarrass ourselves.

Many men have been called of God to preach the Gospel when they were young. They feared that they might not be able to provide for their families on a pastor’s small pay. An elderly gentleman I knew wept when he told a group of young people how he feared as a young man to step out on faith and answer the call of God on his life to preach the Gospel.

People fear to teach a Sunday school class because they fear criticism and also fear that they might make a mistake in the Biblical presentation.

The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So, surrender your life to Him, do what He tells you to do, trusting Him to see you through all the storms, the wind and the waves.

When People Expect Bread

“Or what man is there of you, when if his son asks bread, will he give him a stone?” (Matthew 7:9)

Jesus is declaring how our prayers are answered according to our request and God’s generous love. God doesn’t mock our earnest prayers. Jesus declared Himself to be the Bread of Life. He is the only Bread that satisfies when we hunger and thirst after righteousness.

Following His resurrection Jesus told Simon to, “Feed my sheep.” He, nor any other pastor of a flock of the Lord’s sheep, is to give, “stones” rather than the “Bread of Life,” to the spiritually hungry.

When people gather before the preacher in the house of God they expect the Bread of Life to be presented. Jesus is the only one who can forgive the lost sinner and save his doomed soul. Jesus is the only one who can nourish and comfort the saint traveling the road of life with all its difficulties.

Preacher, pastor, evangelist, don’t be guilty of substituting stones for bread when you go to the sacred desk or when you are visiting the unsaved, the sick, the shut-ins, the hurting and the elderly. A stone that looks like bread is still a stone.

Seek Ye First…

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:33-34)

The people of our day work feverishly, laying up money for retirement, investing in this and that fund, anxiously wondering if there will be enough funds to see us through to the end. Such thinking stops us from doing the work God has bidden us to do.

A little poem says, “Said the sparrow to the robin, ‘friend, I would really like to know, what makes these anxious human beings rush about and worry so?’”

Replied the robin to the sparrow, "Well, I think that it must be, that they have no heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me."

As the dear old song says, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

Amen - A Study of the Lord's Prayer

Today is the seventh in a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13) 

The Lord Jesus closes the Model Prayer with a wonderful recognition. We started with, “Our Father which art in heaven.” We close with our text recognizing the superiority of God over the entire universe. As the Psalmist said, “From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” (Psalm 90:2) When we pray we are to remember to whom it is we are talking.

The Model Prayer closes as we might expect, just a simple “Amen.” The word “amen” means, “that’s the way it is,” or, “so be it.”

So, there you have it, a short, concise simple model prayer of just sixty-six words. And since we are encouraged to pray to God in a secret place, such as our closet (Matthew 6:6), we are not trying to impress others with our ability to string together a list of high sounding words. The main thing is to pray humbly, honestly and in faith.

Deliver Us From the Evil One - A Study of the Lord's Prayer

Today is the sixth in a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.

“...But deliver us from evil…” (Matthew 6:13)

Satan is like a roaring lion, walking about seeking people whom he can destroy. You and I are not exempt from the eyes of the evil one. Job is an example of someone caught in the sights or “cross-hairs” of the devil’s aim.  We are told to put on the whole armor of God for we are in combat with the devil and his forces of evil, his demonic angels. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

In the Model Prayer the last request is that we be delivered from evil, or as most translations have it, “the evil one.” It is a worthy request. We cannot stand against Satan in our own strength. Michael the archangel and the devil were in a dispute over the body of Moses. Satan wanted the body of Moses because he knew that if he could present the body of Israel’s revered leader to them, they would turn from the living God to the dead corpse of Moses. His body would thus become an idol and God would destroy them for their sin of idolatry. The Bible says that Michael turned the fight over to God and said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke thee.” (Jude 1:9)

If Michael the Archangel of God knew that he was no match against the devil, who are we to think we can be successful against him without the strength of almighty God?

Facing Temptation? - A Study of the Lord's Prayer

Today is the fifth in a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.

“And lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13)

The word, “tempt,” or “temptation,” is used in two ways in the Bible. It is used for solicitation to do evil. It is used also to test, as in proving us. Jesus was tempted by Satan to do evil in the beginning of His ministry. Satan also tempted Eve to do evil.

When you and I are tempted to commit sin it is not the Lord tempting us. James 1:13 says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."

The word, “tempt,” or “temptation,” is also used as in testing or proving us. The old song says, “Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder, why it should be thus all the day long…” The Pharisees came to Jesus on different occasions, tempting Him with trick questions, testing Him.

The child of God, being led by the Master’s hand, makes a request that the Father guard him from either of the two kinds of temptation. The Psalmist, David, said, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) James says , “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (testing ); knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3) God will not tempt us to do evil, and if He tests or tries us or allows us to be tested, it is for our good.

As We Forgive Our Debtors - A Study of the Lord's Prayer

Today is the fourth in a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

When the Lord saved us we had a debt we could not pay and he paid a debt He did not owe. He took my huge debt of sin and placed it on His account and took His righteousness and placed that on my account.

As we live life we encounter temptations and unfortunately, because we are human, yield to those temptations and they become sins. The Bible makes a promise that, “if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive out sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) 

Sometimes people sin against us. Christ, in this model prayer, makes it plain in verses 14 and 15 that if God has forgiven us we must forgive others. To forgive means, “to wipe the slate clean.” That’s what Jesus did for us. Jesus is teaching us that when we pray we are to seek His forgiveness and if someone has sinned against us, we must forgive them.

Our Daily Bread - A Study of the Lord's Prayer

Today is the third in a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Apparently, our Lord is suggesting that this portion of the model prayer is to be prayed in the morning, seeing it is a request for the supply of our daily needs - this day’s needs. We would not wait for nightfall or bed time to ask God to supply daily needs of bread for hungry children. Who says we cannot pray more than once a day? David prayed morning, noon and night.  (Psalm 55:17)

This verse reminds me of the manna which God supplied to the Israelites while they were in the wilderness. Every morning there was a supply of manna on the ground or on the grass and the people gathered enough for each day. If they tried to store some it would stink and breed worms. Every morning God supplied it except on the Sabbath. They could gather enough on the day before to take them through the Sabbath. On that day there was no stink nor were there worms. Amazing.

There is at least one more truth in this verse that must be pointed out. God does indeed want us to pray for our daily needs. I have heard people say, “I don’t bother God with my needs. He’s much too busy to fool with me and my needs.” They are missing tremendous blessings. He wants to hear from each of us.

Thy Kingdom Come - A Study of the Lord's Prayer

Today is the second in a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

In this prayer Jesus is teaching His disciples to pray. This is a model. Nowhere are we told to repeat this prayer word for word as though it is some sort of magical phrase. It is a model. Thy kingdom come. With the coming again of the Lord is the coming of His kingdom on earth. As it is now, His kingdom is within us believers and we are in His kingdom by virtue of the New Birth. The Bible tells us there is a reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ for all those Christians who long for and look for His coming. On the Isle of Patmos John prayed, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20) 

Are you looking for and praying for His coming and the coming of His kingdom? The true believer desires God’s will to be done, not only for his own life, but that God’s will be done in the lives of the multitudes around the world. Someone said, “Prayer is not asking God for what we want, but rather asking God for what He wants.” God’s will is always done in heaven. May our prayers be that His will might be done on earth also.

When You Pray - A Study of the Lord's Prayer

Today begins a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9)

In this model pray, often called the Lord’s Prayer, our Lord is answering a request of one of His disciples to teach them to pray. (Luke 11:1) He opens the prayer by telling us that God is to be addressed as, “Our Father which art in heaven.” He is to be recognized as being above all - above His creation, above earthly fathers, above all royalty – He is the “Heavenly Father.”

In the beginning of our prayer we are to hold His name in reverence. His name is a hallowed name, a holy name. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, engraved in stone by the finger of God, it was written, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7) We must come into His presence with reverence, humility, honor and praise.

Grace

“And Jesse fathered David the king; and David the king fathered Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah.” (Matthew 1:6)

Someone asked, “How do you explain God allowing David to be the king of Israel after committing adultery with the wife of a soldier in David’s army, who was fighting a battle? And the king in an attempt to cover his sin had her husband murdered in battle? (II Samuel 11) One word explains it: GRACE.

There have been no sinless people serving in any position in the Bible. In the listings of the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke we see adulterers, prostitutes, murderers, fornicators and idolaters, but no perfect people. Only one sinless Man is listed in the Bible and we crucified Him.

The Bible is not about perfect people. It is about the grace of our perfect God. It is about God’s offer of forgiveness to sinners. If God waited for sinless, perfect people to get His work on earth done it would never get done. God uses people who acknowledge their imperfections and sinfulness to tell a lost world where to find forgiveness.

The Two Greatest Commandments

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:40)

A young  lawyer, attempting  to  entrap  Jesus,  asked Him, “Which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy might” Then Christ quoted from Leviticus 19:18, which says, “…thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself…”

When we look at the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, we can see that the first four commandments have to do with loving God, and the last six refer to loving others. Jesus Christ is the only one who has ever kept the Ten Commandments. All of us have, “sinned and come short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) The law shows us how dreadfully sinful we are and how desperately we need the Savior. That is why we must receive by faith God’s Son and what He did for us at Calvary.

This would be a good day to receive Christ if you have not done so.

What Shall We Do with Jesus?

“…What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22)

Following a local option election on whether or not our city would be “wet” or “dry,” my preacher father, who had taken a very active part with the anti-liquor group said, “I’m afraid the devil is laughing at us pastors. If we had spent as much time and effort presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ and trying to get folks saved as we did in trying to get them sober we would have accomplished both, salvation and sobriety.”

Pilate’s question to the multitude is valid for us today. Millions upon millions of dollars, much time and much labor have been spent to save the population from big, corrupt government. But, during that time what did we Christians do with Jesus and His purpose for coming into the world?

It is a question we should ask before we undertake any project, large or small, whether at the court house or the church house. “What shall we do with Jesus?” There are many worthy projects, such as the local option election mentioned above. But, if a project puts Jesus on a shelf or stands Him in a useless corner, we need to re-think the project.

Heart Change

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies…” (Matthew 15:19)

Why do people do bad things? What causes someone to go on a shooting spree and kill innocent people? Why do people steal? Why do people lie about other folks? These evil instigators need a change of heart, like everyone else in Adam’s race need a change of heart.

Changing one’s ways of living will not change one’s heart. Changing one’s heart will change one’s way of living. (II Corinthians 5:17) Changing religions is not the same as changing one’s heart. Changing where you attend church is not the same as heart change.

The deceived, unregenerate heart of man will make him think that being as good as his neighbor is what satisfies God. Such deceived thinking comes from an unchanged heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Jesus and only Jesus the Son of God can change the sinful heart of man.

An Invitation to You

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

As a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I have given many invitations for people to come to Jesus. I have heard many invitations from other preachers through the years. When we preach and give an invitation to Christ we are doing what Jesus did and what He authorized us to do.

The invitation to come to Jesus is “inclusive” and not “exclusive.” The word “all” includes everyone who is laboring and is heavy laden. Additionally, the word, “ye” is plural in number. It means everyone. People in Christless religions, bowing down to sticks, stones, the moon, stars and the sun are laboring in an attempt to please God and be accepted of Him. Many people are laden with sin and guilt. Many are laboring with health problems and financial burdens. Whatever your burden or whoever you are, Jesus invites you to come to Him and accept His promise that He will give you rest.

If you are struggling with some sin, perhaps a sinful habit, Jesus invites you to come to Him. Often people struggle with guilt. Take it to Jesus. People labor with expectations and demands of their religion. They find it difficult to keep all the rules and regulations laid down by some religious leader. “Come to me,” Jesus says.

No burden you have is too great for Him. Take your burdens and cares to Jesus. His invitation is inclusive and you are included in the invitation and His promise to give you rest. As the old hymn says, “Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.”

Bear Fruit, Not Foliage

“And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” (Matthew 21:19)

I have a picture of my son when he was a little boy about five or six years old. He is standing in our garden, between two rows of potatoes. The potato vines are up to his shoulders. With all that foliage I anticipated a bumper crop of potatoes. But, I was wrong. The potatoes were few, very small and hardly worth digging. It was the worst yield of potatoes I have ever seen. I was very disappointed.

The Bible says Jesus was hungry. He came to the fig tree and found no fruit, but leaves only. He was disappointed. The fig tree has long been a symbol of the nation of Israel. Jesus had observed the nation and its fruitlessness and used the cursing of the fig tree and its withering and dying as a lesson in what was soon to happen to that nation. Israel continues to be fruitless to this day but after the Lord comes back that will change.

There is a lesson for Christians in this event. God wants us to bear fruit, not foliage. The church of Sardis, in Revelation 3:1-7, had a name that it was alive, but was dead. It was all foliage. The fruit of the Spirit living in us is, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.” (Galatians 5:22-23) Foliage is no substitute for fruitfulness.

Be Ready - Maybe Today

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

Before you set your feet on the floor beside your bed this morning did you think, “This could be the day Christ returns?” Before you had your breakfast, before you left your house for school or work did you anticipate the coming of Christ?

Our Lord tells us in Matthew 24 that as it was in the days of Noah before the flood, life before the return of Christ would be going on as usual. Many years ago a Scottish preacher would ask when he stood to preach, “How many of you believe Jesus will return before I finish my sermon?” Sometimes a few hands would go up, sometimes three or four and sometimes no one would lift a hand. Then he would read our text in Matthew 24:44 and preach on being ready for the Lord’s return.

The New Testament mentions the return of Christ 318 times. Just because He didn't return yesterday doesn’t mean He might not return today. Are you ready for the Lord's return?

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 great.”

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 fun.”

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

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)

This Biblical question finds 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 may like the bars, the drinking, the sexual “freedom,” the living together without marriage with no thought of church or the hereafter. But those things 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)

"Where is Jesus" is a Biblical question that was asked 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?

The Hairs of Your Head

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30)

Our text is in context with our Savior’s words about an almost worthless sparrow not falling to the ground without your Father. Then he assures us that we are of more value than many sparrows.

God not only knows about us, the Scriptures teach us that He cares about us. He is concerned about you and the things that concern you, that might cause you to lose sleep, or cause you to fret and worry.

As I get older and my hair gets thinner with less for Him to have numbered, God still knows all about me and cares as much as ever. Praise His name.

Speak to the Lord in Prayer

"Our Father, which art in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) 

When Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States they were having an early morning prayer breakfast in the White House for the staff members. Bill Moyers was the press secretary for Mr. Johnson. He was also a seminary trained and ordained Baptist preacher.

President Johnson called on Bill Moyers to lead in prayer before the meal. As he was praying President Johnson broke in and said, "Bill, You'll have to speak up. I can't hear you." Without ever looking up and with only a short pause Bill Moyers said, "I wasn't talking to you, Mr. President."

To whom are we speaking when we pray? The Model prayer in Matthew 6 instructs us to pray, "Our Father, which art in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) When we pray at church are we more mindful of the people around us or of the Lord to whom we are speaking? Sometimes I feel that it is easy to get caught up in attempting to impress the people around us with our prayers. When we pray even the President of the United States is small potatoes compared to the One whom we are addressing.

Ready or Not

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) 

Do you remember as a child playing, “Hide-and-Seek” or as it was sometimes called, “Hide-and-go-seek?” Someone was “It” designated as the “seeker” to go find the other kids who were hiding. The seeker would count to one hundred while the other kids hid and then call out, “Ready or not, here I come.” The object was to hide and make it back to the base calling out, “Home Free,” without the seeker getting back to base first and calling out, “one, two, three on so and so.” It was a fun child’s game.

It reminds me of a very serious event that is going to happen. The “count down” for the second coming of Jesus Christ started a long time ago and God alone knows when the counting will end. The Bible says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) One can almost hear Him say, “Ready or not, here I Come.”

Now is the time to turn your life over to Christ and be ready for His return.

Devotional Guide

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:8-10

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness our Savior fought him with the Word of God, saying on three occasions recorded in Matthew and Luke "It is Written." (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13) The devil left Jesus and He was ministered to by angels. 

One of the outstanding truths in that confrontation is that Jesus did not have to roll out a scroll of Scripture, search for a good verse and then read it to the devil. The key lies in what the Psalmist said years and years before, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11) Jesus had hidden God's Word in His heart in preparation for His battle against Satan.

There is no substitute for hiding God's Word in your heart through Scripture memorization. It will help you to always be prepared to give an answer to those who want to know the secret behind your lifestyle. And when the devil comes calling, and he will, having God's Word in your heart will give you victory over discouragement, temptation and sin.

God has blessed me with the privilege of writing and sharing these short daily devotions. I am glad to know people are being blessed and encouraged through the reading of them. I enjoy reading the daily devotions of other writers as they share their insights. However, one’s daily devotional time must consist of more than another person’s thoughts from a devotional guide. God must be personal to you and me. We must experience Him for ourselves and not just read about what He means to someone else. We must read His Word daily and allow the Holy Spirit to make applications in the areas of our lives that need God’s attention.

I fully believe the other devotional guide writers would agree with me on that point. Read God’s Word. There is no substitute for it. Let it be your primary “devotional” guide.

The Potter and the Clay

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” (Jeremiah 18:4)

Jeremiah, the prophet, had been instructed to go to the potter’s house and watch as the potter shaped a vessel of clay on the potter’s wheel. Then God gave him the message that God is the potter and Judah was the clay and that God had the right to do with Judah as He chose.

The message for us today is that mankind is the clay and God, as the potter, can shape us as He chooses. “God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) If we are not pliable as clay in His hand, as clay was pliable in the hand of the potter, He has the right and ability to alter our lives with circumstances, brokenness and difficulties and to rework us until we fit His plan.  The old hymn, “Have Thine Own Way Lord” says:

“Have thine own way, Lord. Have thine own way. 

Thou art the potter, I am the clay

Mold me and make me, after thy will, 

while I am waiting and still.”                                                                                                                        Copyright, 1935 by George C. Stebbins

Let us yield our lives to His masterful hand and allow Him to shape us into vessels He can use.

Read the Instructions

"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 (complete), thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Have you ever found yourself trying to put together a new appliance or tool, or attempted to operate a new gadget and discovered that you had left the instructions in the box it came in? That's happened to most of us.  In frustration you get out the instructions and start over.  Now, everything works. As someone said, "When all else fails, read the instructions."

God has given us a book of instructions on how to live here and prepare for eternity.  In the two verses above we are told that these instructions are "God Breathed," or given by inspiration of God.  This book gives us sound doctrine and what we should believe.  It expresses disapproval when our actions are in error.  It corrects us and sets us on a good path.  It states as its purpose that we might be complete and prepared to do good works.

If your life is out of control with no meaning and everything is falling apart, I strongly encourage you to read, believe and practice the instructions the Lord and Master has given us.  After all, God the Creator made us.  He knows what's best for us.

Perfect Peace

“And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)

In my lifetime of more than three score years and ten there has not been such a time on earth as Isaiah spoke of. Jesus made the statement in Matthew 24 in the Olivet discourse that there would be wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom.  But, the book of Revelation in chapter 20 speaks of a thousand years of peace on earth when the devil will have been cast into the bottomless pit. And Jesus will be ruling and reigning in what is called the millennial reign of Christ. Just think. A thousand years of perfect peace. Weapons of war will be turned into implements of agriculture. The Bible tells us in other places that the wolf and the lamb will lie down together. A little child can have a poisonous snake for a pet.  There will be unsurpassed agricultural production. 

This perfect peace will not come from peace summits among world powers. It will occur when Jesus comes again. Until then, even though the world is in turmoil you and I can have the peace that passes all understanding by placing our faith in Jesus and following Him.

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.

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.”

Christian Behavior

“Only let your conversation (conduct, behavior) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)

My wife has told me several times that when she was a child, when her mother took her and her siblings with her for a visit, before arriving she told them to “be on your best behavior.” My wife said she knew that her mother meant exactly what she said.

God is concerned about the behavior of His children. His inspired Book tells us how saved people are to behave in this world. We are not at home here. We are “strangers and pilgrims.” (I Peter 2:11)  In our text the word "conversation" in the KJV means "conduct" or "behavior."  We are to behave in a way that "becometh" or "depicts" the gospel.  

My parents would sometimes say, “Don’t act like the neighbor’s kids.” If I behaved otherwise, they would somehow hear about it. Paul says, “I want to hear that you are behaving as Christians…”

Christian, how is your behavior down here?

Time to get Serious with God

“Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” (James 4:9)

While there are those who think Christians are never to smile, laugh or enjoy life, there are others who behave as though Christianity is all fun and games. 

King David came before God with a broken and a contrite heart over his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. He knew his life was out of the will of God. It was time to get serious with God. (Psalm 51)

The Jews wept when they remembered that their sins and rebellion toward God had resulted in their captivity to the Babylonians. They hung their harps on the willows and could not sing the songs of Zion. Their music had been silenced. (Psalm 137:1-6)

We need to be serious about our commitment to the Lord, about our repentance, about the death of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins. And yes, we should rejoice over His resurrection and the fact that we are saved, our sins are forgiven and we are going to heaven. But, if you are living outside the will of God as recorded in the Bible, you need to heed James’ counsel found in our text.

Wherever He Leads

"But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better; yet to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”(Philippians 1:22-24 NASB)

Paul’s attitude is that “if I remain among the living on earth I shall have more opportunities for bearing fruit.” Remember that Paul is in jail and his imprisonment has given him opportunities to witness and lead others to faith in Christ. If Paul dies as a martyr or some other way, it will be better for him than staying here. He has longed to depart and to be with Christ. However, Paul concludes by saying, “I will be of more benefit to others by remaining here.”

It sounds very much like the attitude of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on the evening before His crucifixion: “Oh, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”( Matthew 26:39)   Where the Father uses us is in His hands.

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 2018? 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.

Have the Mind of Christ

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

How do people in a local church achieve the selfless traits mentioned in verses three and four from yesterday’s devotion? The answer is given in the statement, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Verse 5) We must have the mind or attitude of Christ. He was in the form of God and never stopped being God even when He took on another form, that of being one of us.

• In so doing He expressed the attitude of self denial.  Jesus said we should “deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him.” (Matthew 16:24)  
• His was a mind also of service, or servant-hood. See Him as He washes the disciples feet in John 13:1-16.  
• He also humbled Himself. (verse 8)  “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5)  
• He was obedient to the Father’s will. “Not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42)  
• And finally, His obedience led Him all the way to Calvary and death. If we have been saved “we have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live, yet not us, but Christ living in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.” (Galatians 2:20) When He died at Calvary we died with Him.

For us to become selfless instead of selfish, we must let Him take over our thinking, our attitude and our very lives. He must live in us.

Practical Christianity

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

If you were choosing a theme song that accurately describes your church, would it be, “Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way; Thou art the potter, I am the clay.” Or would it be better described (to the same tune), “I want my way, Lord, I want my way. Nothing else matters, just give me my way.”

Oh, that we church members would follow the teaching of God’s Word as written here by Paul the apostle to the Christians at the church of Philippi. Perhaps it was because they were exemplifying this teaching of putting others before self that he could say of them, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Phil 1:3)

Determine that you will be a church member that sets an example for others to follow in this matter of selflessness as opposed to selfishness.

Have a Strong Appetite for the Bible

“…I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)

Well people love to eat. They love to eat good food that is well prepared. Healthy people love food that is tasty and nourishing.

When my younger brother was very sick with cancer he was repulsed by the sight and smell of even his favorite foods. I have known many people who, when diseased or sick, could not eat.

Job was spiritually well and had a strong appetite for the Word of God. That’s the way it is with people toward the Bible. When sin-sick they are repulsed by Biblical truth. They don’t want to hear it. It is sickening to them and they treat God’s Word as though it were poison. The spiritually alive and well are like Job. They want to hear and read what God has to say in His Word.

How is your spiritual appetite? Does the Bible cause you to want more or do you turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to it?

Old but not Useless

“Cast me not off in the time of old age: forsake me not when my strength faileth.”
 (Psalm 71:9)

Failing strength comes with old age. But old age does not mean that one is useless. I bought my first car in 1957 from an automobile salvage dealer who would later become my father-in-law. It was a 1941 Plymouth, business coop. The paint was dull. One of the tires had a “boot” in it between the inner tube and the casing covering a huge cut. All of the rubber seals around the doors and trunk lid were full of holes so you had better not drive it on dusty roads. It rattled. Neither the speedometer nor odometer worked. It dripped oil and smoked. But that old car could take me from point “A” to point “B” as well as a brand new Cadillac. It was my “dream” car. What do you expect for $65.00?

Many an old Christian has been abandoned to the salvage yard, considered useless by everyone except God. God sees some more miles in us. He does not cast us off just because we have gotten old. The Sunday School Director in our church is past eighty. One of our active deacons is eighty-three. Our organist is around eighty. Our Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School class does acts of benevolence for other folks. By the way, wasn’t Moses eighty years old when he started leading Israel? Caleb was past eighty when he assumed his task.

Our church is better off because of these folks that God has taken from the salvage yard and put to good use. Wave your hand from the back of the salvage yard and let God know you are volunteering your old age for His service.

Oh God, Forsake Me Not

Oh God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto I have declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalm 71:17-18)

Many Christians have the same testimony as the Psalmist in that they were taught of God in the days of their youth. Paul wrote to his young Christian friend, “…I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.( II Timothy 1:5)  It is the testimony of many who grew up in a Christian home. Such Godly training may be attributed to parents who, “knew the way, showed the way and walked in the way.” It may be attributed to Godly Sunday School teachers and pastors.

If we live long enough we will be old and grayheaded. The psalmist made the appeal to God not to forsake him when that time comes. What a joy in old age to know that even in bad health God has not forsaken us. Help us, May God help us not to be placed on a shelf of uselessness but that we may be teachers and examples to the generation coming on.

God’s Word will not return to Him Void

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and It  shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”(Isaiah 55:10-11)

Rain and snow come to us with the purpose of watering the ground so that man, the crown of God’s creation, will have food to eat and seed to grow crops in order that we may have crops next year. The rain and snow perform their intended purpose.

As one reads the Bible, studies it and meditates upon it, one becomes a Christian or an already saved person becomes a better Christian. As we share the Word of God with others, the Word will perform its intended purpose. You and I may not live to see the end result of our sowing, but if we keep on sowing, we can trust God to honor His Word.

Study the word diligently and share it with others just as diligently.

An Incomplete Biography

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)

God has chosen to give us all we need to know of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. If we speculate and add to it we are adding to the Bible, something that is prohibited. There are those who have “manufactured” things that Jesus may have done during the eighteen years between the ages of twelve and thirty. It would be sheer guesswork to add anything to the life of Jesus in the four gospels.

When Paul and Silas were in jail in Philippi they were asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The message was a simple answer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved.” He was to believe on the same Jesus for salvation that we must trust. He is the complete Savior, just as He is, with nothing else needed to be added.

Stewards of God’s Mysteries

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 
(I Corinthians 4:1-2)

Usually “stewardship messages” are delivered when the church is facing a financial crunch. But these two verses have very little to do with money. Paul saw himself as a minister of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.

Every generation of Christians is given the responsibility of stewardship over the mysteries of God. We are ministers of Christ. We are to be faithful in our stewardship over the Gospel. Who will deliver the Gospel message to this generation of lost people if this generation of Christians does not?

When the Lord gave the Great Commission the assignment was to every Christian living in every generation. Let us be faithful.

Nursery Department Christians

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (I Corinthians 3:1-2)

Paul was in Corinth eighteen months, teaching, preaching and witnessing. Some of those who were truly saved did not grow or become maturing Christians. Billy Graham said that he knew no spiritually mature Christians, including himself. He knew some who were more nearly mature than others. Some in Corinth were babes in Christ when Paul was there and when he wrote back to them they had not grown.

He fed them, but they were still on baby food. They could not eat at the “grown-ups” table. Their spiritual digestive system could not tolerate the meat of the word. They were carnal or fleshly not spiritual.

Corinth is not the last place carnal or fleshly Christians may be found. One of the proofs of their carnality is found in the next verse where we discover envy, strife and divisions. A church where there is ill will, gossip, envy, strife and un-forgiveness is a carnal church.

The Foolishness of Preaching

“…For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (I Corinthians 1:21)

My father preached my ordination sermon in 1962 and he chose as his text the verse we are using today. In his sermon he said, “It is not foolish preaching but the foolishness of preaching.” He was like Charles Spurgeon who said, “When I announce my text and read it I make a bee-line to the cross.” That is the kind of preaching Paul is talking about in this verse.

More people are converted by hearing a sermon about the cross than by hearing a sermon on the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments will make one conscious of his sin and the need of Christ the Savior.

Only the cross of Christ can explain God’s wrath toward sin and at the same time explain God’s love for the sinner. I heard a man say, “I was brought under conviction by hearing a sermon about the cross and was converted by the same message on the cross."

Praise God for the cross of Christ.

The Cross: The Power of God

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18)

Christians have been accused of having a “slaughter house” religion because of our emphasis on the Cross of Christ. To those who are perishing, our insistence on the cross and not good works on the part of the seeker is foolish. Pride tells folks that if one is good enough he will be accepted of God and have eternal life. I cringe when I hear parents say to their child, “Now if you’re not good God won’t love you.”

The cross was a place where despised, common criminals, thieves and murderers were executed by the Roman government. It was the equivalent of the electric chair today. Two thieves were executed beside Jesus. Those around His cross assumed He was just another crook or else He would not be suffering such a death. And, then for Christians to embrace the cross and someone dying there looked foolish then and continues to look foolish in today’s modern world.

But, we know from Bible study and Christian experience that the cross is the power of God. Trust Jesus today. Go to Him by the way of the cross.

Not the Messenger but the Message

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” ( I Corinthians 2:1-2)

The story goes of a preacher who could bring tears to his congregation by simply saying the word, “Mesopotamia.” He was an orator and master of the skills of public speaking. Not so with the apostle Paul. They said of him that his speech was contemptible.  (II Corinthians 10:10)

The message which Paul was delivering must be preached and taught with simple clarity. I have three  granddaughters. One is nine, another is three and the last is one. I want them to hear the gospel message with understanding. Paul’s message was the simple message of the Cross of Christ, His death and the price which was necessary to pay our sin debt.

When I preach I want the hearers to leave, not saying, “What a wonderful public speaker we heard today,” but, “What a wonderful Savior God in His love has given us.”

Words and Thoughts

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, Oh LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Our Savior said that we would give an account for even our idle words. (Matthew 12:36) This is not speaking of just having a casual conversation with a neighbor, but it is telling us that we must guard what we say even in idle talk. The Psalmist said he wanted his idle talk to be pleasing to God.

The Proverbs tell us to, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  I heard someone say, “We may not be what we think we are, but what we think, we are.” The Bible says He knows our thoughts afar off.

The reason the psalmist guarded what he said and what he thought is because of the reverence he had for the LORD: my strength and my redeemer. Do what you say and think meet the approval of God?

The Purpose of Jesus

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

The purpose of the law was to show men the error of their ways and bring condemnation. The purpose of the Son of God is to seek and to save those who are condemned already. Jesus told the woman taken in adultery in the eighth chapter of John, “Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” The law had said the woman should be stoned to death. But Jesus offered to her what He offers every sinner, forgiveness of sins and a new life of salvation. You may receive your gift of eternal life by faith in Jesus, the Son of God.

The Gospel in a Nutshell

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

All of the Bible can be summed up in these twenty-five words above.

The greatest Person in the universe, God above all gods, demonstrated the greatest love ever known by giving the greatest gift ever given, His only Son, to die on a cross that even the greatest of sinners would not perish in the greatest punishment ever known, but would have the greatest life for now and eternity by accepting by faith the greatest gift ever given, available to all who will believe.

Condemned Already

“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 
( John 3:18)

Why should a person be saved today?

• One should be saved today because he is condemned today. David in his confession said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”(Psalm 51:5)  He was not saying his mother was a bad person but that from the time of conception he was a sinner. So are we all. 

• Second, a person should be saved today because there is no guarantee of opportunities to be saved tomorrow.

• Third, a person should be saved today because of the certainty of hell for those who die without Christ.

• Fourth, a person should be saved because of the anticipation and guarantee of heaven.

• Fifth, a person should be saved today because of the availability of salvation by simple faith in Jesus. He that believes is not condemned.

• Sixth, a person should be saved today because Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

• Finally, eternal life is a gift of God through Jesus Christ. Don’t turn down this precious gift.

Church Bosses

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” (III John 9)

It would have been a dangerous thing to destroy one of the apostolic letters. It would be the equivalent of tearing out the pages of an apostolic letter in our Bible because we do not believe it or agree with it. The church boss, Diotrephes, did not receive John or his letter. Diotrephes wanted to be preeminent.

A church boss wants to be the final authority to make sure everything is done right in his eyes in the church. I have known men that in a business meeting who ruled with such a high hand the people looked at him to get his opinion on any issue before they would vote. He would rule on whether or not a church could receive someone for membership, even if they met Biblical qualifications. He enjoyed telling the pastor what he could and could not preach. He had “bluffed” his way into being the top leader in the church.

John was one of the first Apostles, along with his brother, James. He was at the cross when Jesus died. At the cross John was entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother. He was one of the first to the empty tomb. The very idea of Diotrephes slandering the beloved apostle with malicious words!

No Greater Joy

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 4)

It makes parents happy knowing their children are successful in business or that they are employed in a well paying job and that they have a good work ethic. It is good to know that they are not lazy and that they are industrious.

But there is a greater joy, and that is to know our children walk in the truths of God’s word. To know they are saved and walk with Jesus is a greater joy.

There is a joy as great as the others. Gaius must have been one of John’s children in the faith. Gaius must have been walking with Jesus in the truth. I look back across the years and see some people whom I have led to faith in Christ and discover they are walking in truth. I have no greater joy.

The Holy House of God

“And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves and the changers of money sitting: And when He had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, ‘take these things hence; make not my Father’s house and house on house of merchandise.’” (John 2:13-16)

As many as three million Jews came into Jerusalem for the annual celebration of Passover with some of them traveling many miles. Merchants had animals for sacrifice for sale for those who could not bring such animals with them. There were the money changers ready to make money on those who traded their currency for Roman currency.

The house of God had become a market place. There was no reverence for the purpose of the building. There was little or no thought of the sacrifices the people before them had made. Their rationale was that the end justified the means.

The church house is not the church. But the houses of God across the land must be treated as holy. We must remember why the building was dedicated in the first place. We should remember the gifts and sacrifices the generations before us made to make the building possible. It ought to be the best kept building in the community. The “welcome” mat should always be at the door inviting saved and unsaved alike to enter.

The World’s Reception of Christ

“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”
(John 1:10-12)

It is hard to imagine that there were those who rejected Jesus when He came into the world. He was the creator of all things, but they did not recognize Him primarily because their eyes were blinded. There are those today who tragically refuse to recognize Him, the creator of all things.

He came to the Jews and the Jews did not receive Him. They looked for a political leader who would lead them out from under the rule of the Roman government. One of the problems today is that men are looking for a Messiah of their own creation who will fit their imaginations of a deliverer.

But, praise the Lord, just as there were those who received Him as He walked the shores of Galilee, there are those today who receive Him by faith, believing on His name. As a result of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are children of God. Where are you in your belief system?