You Will Find Jesus in the Bible

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus" (Acts8:35)

To say that the Bible is an amazing book would be an understatement. God had moved Philip the evangelist from a very successful ministry in Samaria to join himself to one man in a chariot in the desert of Gaza.  That one man was a Eunuch from Ethiopia where he was a servant for Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.  He had been to Jerusalem to worship.  On his way back home, he was reading in the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah concerning the crucifixion of Jesus. When Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading, he replied, "How can I except some man should guide me?"  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

The Eunuch was saved that day, was baptized and went on his way rejoicing.

What is so amazing about the Bible is that one can begin at any Scripture and find Jesus.  We find Him in Genesis as the creator.  In Exodus He is the Passover Lamb. In Ruth He is the Kinsman Redeemer. In the Kings, He is the King of Kings.  And one can go on from one book to another, from one chapter to another and from one verse to another. Jesus is the central theme of the Bible.  Look for Him there and you will find Him.  Trust Him as your Savior and allow Him to be the Lord of your life.

Springs and Cisterns

“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”
(Jeremiah 2:13)

When I was a child there was a huge spring flowing from a hillside about a mile from our house. There was always an abundance of clear, flowing water. It had wonderful water to drink. In our front yard was a cistern. It had been hewn from the ground and the walls plastered with cement. It contained mostly stagnant water. The only water in the cistern had flowed from the metal roof of the house through a down spout. We could take the lid from the cistern and see the eyes of frogs looking back at us. It was not good water. My mother used the cistern water for laundry only.

Jeremiah prophesied in the later days of Judah and into her Babylonian exile in 586 B.C. He had seen Judah’s good days as well as her bad days. Her fall came as a result of what happened in out text. They had forsaken God, the fountain of Living Water and had substituted broken cisterns that could hold no water.

America was founded on Godly principles, where the Bible was revered and God was worshiped. We have made some horrible choices, forsaking the Living Water and choosing to drink from the stagnant cistern water, pretending that it is just as good. But that stagnant water has made our nation very ill. Let us repent and turn back to God.

Whosoever

“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)

The door of salvation was opened to all who would enter the day Jesus died on the cross of Calvary. The word, “whosoever,” is an inclusive word that excludes only those who will refuse to receive Him as their Savior.

God’s Word makes salvation and the receiving of salvation plain and simple. An old church hymn says. “Whosoever Meaneth Me.” Whosoever means you and me and all who will receive the gift of God’s Son by faith.

One Way

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

Jesus told us that He is the one and only way to heaven. Some folks say that is too narrow, that surely that is a misprint in the Bible or maybe John, when he was writing these words, could not remember what Jesus said. No, it is not a misprint and he was aided by the Holy Spirit to remember what Jesus said and write it as He said it.

Way back in elementary school they taught us that two plus two equals four, not three and seven eighths or four and one fourth. Arithmetic has always been narrow.

Jesus is the Author and Finisher or our faith. When He says there is only one way to heaven, He does not mean there is one way for me, another way for you, another for someone else and other ways for others. Jesus said, “I am the way…no one comes to the Father but by me.”  He always said what He meant and meant what He said.

Unity Among Brethren

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm133:1)

The worst disunity of all is church disunity. In a church with disunity brothers in the Lord cannot get along with each other and everyone feels that his way is best.

But, our text gives us a better way. There is nothing more pleasant than church unity among brothers in the Lord. When there is unity among brothers one can sense the presence of God in the place. Christ is honored and there is peace.

Disunity in a church cannot be hidden from the surrounding community. I heard a man say of a church in his community, “I wouldn’t go to that church for anything. They’re worse than the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s. They don’t get along with each other at all.” When folks leave as fast they can after the last prayer I suspect there is disunity and hard feelings. On the other hand when no one is in a hurry to leave and they talk and visit among themselves that is evidence of unity. The atmosphere is rich with the presence of the Lord.

Strive for unity in your church. God desires unity. The devil desires disunity. Which one do you desire?

Sowing and Reaping

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)

The Bible frequently uses agricultural scenes to express a spiritual truth. More than once the picture of sowing and reaping is used. This is one of those scenes of sowing and reaping.

The seed, whether it is grass seed, wheat, rye or corn seed will not germinate and bring forth fruit unless it is sown in the ground. There will be no harvest from seed remaining in the barn.

The precious seed in these verses is the Bible, God’s holy word. He makes the promise that when the precious seed is sown there will be a harvest of sheaves, the souls of men.

That promise is to those who passionately sow the seed. As the familiar old song says, “We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.”

An Invitation to make People Glad

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

Someone must have loved the psalmist to give him an invitation to the house of God. Whoever it was must have loved the house of God also.

That person who extended the invitation was pleased with the things that happen in the house of God. He had something good to share. There was the presence of God, the singing of praises to Him, the sharing of God’s word and the sweet fellowship among the people.

The present day churches need to strive to make folks glad, first that they were invited to church, second that there would be something worthwhile for every one who comes and third that a spiritual hunger will have been initiated to make them want to come back.

Thank God for the people through the years who have invited me to go to the house of God and worship with them. Make someone glad: invite them to the house of God to worship with you.

Great Peace Promised to Bible Lovers

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”  
(Psalm 119:162)

There are tremendous blessings for those who love the Bible, God’s word. It shows us the way of salvation in Jesus Christ. It teaches us eternal doctrines, it reproves and corrects us and instructs us in the right path. (II Timothy 3:15-16)

The psalmist tells us that those who love God’s word have great peace. It is peace that passes understanding. Isaiah says it is “perfect peace.” (Isaiah 26:3)

In addition to great peace the psalmist assures us that nothing shall offend those who love God’s word. Some translations have, “…and nothing shall make them stumble.” The Bible opens the door into the presence of God, the God of all peace, joy and happiness. Don’t miss the peace: read a portion of the Bible every day.

Buried Treasure

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” (Psalm 119:162)

A few years ago a homeowner saw some rusty metal objects protruding from the ground where rain had washed away the dirt over a long period of time. He began digging around and found them to be old coffee cans, filled with old coins and old paper money, frayed around the edges. Apparently it had been buried there many years before he had bought the property. It was a treasure worth thousands of dollars. With no living heirs to claim it, his find brought him great rejoicing.

The psalmist said he rejoiced over the word of God as someone finding great spoil or treasure. I once saw a bumper sticker which read, “Find buried treasure: read the Bible.”

This treasure will never pass away with time, will not lose its value and it is a treasure large enough to be shared with the rest of the world. Bring joy into your life: read the Bible.

The Bible Lighting our Path

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

In this dark, sin-sick world it is easy to stumble and fall. We need a light to guide us along the pathway.

I am reminded of the old kerosene lantern we carried to the barn after darkness had settled or before the first rays of light in the morning. We did not know what lay in the darkness between the house and barn. But, that faithful old lantern always lighted the path.

We do no know what lies ahead on the dark path of life. But, the light of God’s word, like that faithful old lantern, guides our every step. We can trust the Bible to show us the way. Trust God and His word one step at a time.

In Love with God’s Word

“Oh how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day. (Psalm 119:97)

In the first Psalm we find the writer telling us that the blessed or happy man delights in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.

A friend of mine was in love with a beautiful young woman. She was all he could think about. In fact, she was all he wanted to think about. No one was surprised when he proposed marriage and she accepted. They were in love.

When we are in love with God’s word that is all we think about. The more time we spend in the Bible the more time we want to spend in it.

If reading and studying the Bible is a burden to you then you should spend more time, not less time, in it and more time with its author.

The Settled Word of God

“Forever, Oh Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)

The psalmist saw the Bible as the settled word of God. It is settled as to its antiquity. It’s been around a long time and will be here when this world has passed away. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

The Bible is settled as to its authority. It settles all the moral questions on earth and directs the young couple with a blue-print for a happy marriage and home. It settles the question of honesty in business dealings. One of the refreshing things about Billy Graham’s preaching was how often he used the phrase, “The Bible says…” It is the final authority in all the issues of life.

It is settled as to its authorship. “Forever, Oh LORD, thy word…” And Peter says, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (II Peter 1:21)

No other book can bring comfort to a dying saint like the word of God can. Nor, can any other book bring healing to a grieving family at the graveside of a loved one. No other book but God’s book can hold out hope concerning heaven. And there is no other book but the Bible to tell us about Jesus the Savior and show us the way of eternal life.

Good from Afflictions

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”  
(Psalm 119:71)

I have heard it said, “When I was hospitalized and flat of my back I learned how to pray.” The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him. He asked God three times for the affliction to be taken away. God responded by saying, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul concluded by saying, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10)

Someone picked up a garden hoe for chopping weeds. The cutting edge was rusty and pitted. He had to take it to the emery wheel and polish off the rust and make it shine and sharpen it so he could use it. Afflictions can be seen as an emery wheel in the hands of God as He grinds off the useless junk making us useful servants in His skillful hands.

I Went Astray, but Now

“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now I have kept thy word.” (Psalm 119:67)

There were two things I could count on from my father: First, if I were disobedient or misbehaving I could count on his chastisement. He loved me and chastened me. The second thing I could count on was total forgiveness. As soon as I had been corrected he never held my misbehavior over me as a threat. He was following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible says, “Whom the Lord loves He chastens…” (Hebrews 12:6) Not all afflictions are divine chastisement. That was a mistaken thought that Job’s friends had. They accused Job of all sorts of sin or else he would not be going through his affliction. But God can and often does send affliction as a chastisement when we go astray. He can use chastisement to get our attention.

The psalmist acknowledged that before he was afflicted he had gone astray, like a little boy sneaking off to the creek with his buddies and getting caught and chastised. “But now,” the psalmist said, “I have kept thy word.”

Hide God’s Word in Your Heart

“Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

 When I was a sixteen year old applying for my first driver’s license, the clerk gave me a booklet and said, “Study this and be able to answer questions from it.” If I got on the road and committed some infraction of the laws of the road I could not plead ignorance.

There are two chapters in the book of Leviticus that address the subject of the sins that are committed through ignorance. In these two chapters innocent animals had to be killed as a sacrifice to pay for a person’s sin he committed through ignorance. Everyone was responsible for his sins, even if he did not know he was sinning. (Read Leviticus 4 and 5)

The psalmist set the standard to avoid sinning through ignorance. He would hide God’s Word in his heart and be informed of what God expected and act accordingly.

Hiding God’s word in one’s heart requires time, study, memorization and meditation. We do, however, commit sins, whether through ignorance or with full knowledge. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the innocent Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. He died on the cross, the Just for the unjust and paid for all our sins.

Take Heed to the Bible

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

I have heard it said that sin will keep you from the word, or the word will keep you from sin. In this day of temptation to follow the devil to do evil and to live as the world lives, it is easy for young people to desire to be like their peers.

Have you noticed how it is “cool” to wear new jeans that look worn out with holes in the knees? They want to be “in.” We adults do not want to stand out as different either. We want to be accepted. But, being like the crowd can lead us down a dusty path of sin. We must come to the realization that we need to be cleansed from the ways of the world. 

The source of cleansing for old and young alike is the precious word of God, guiding us in the way of salvation to the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told, “…the holy scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (II Timothy 3:16)

How to be Happy

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” (Psalm 119:1)

The very first psalm declares to us, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…but his delight is in the law of the LORD.” (Psalm 1:1, 2) Both the man in the first Psalm as well as the man in our text are said to be “blessed.” The word means they were happy. Some translate the word “blessed,” to mean, “To be congratulated.”

Those who walk in God’s word, who delight in His Word are happy. Lost sinners and back-slidden Christians think the Word of God is designed to make one miserable, with no fun in life and to keep mankind from enjoying themselves. But, quite the opposite is true. Following the instructions in God’s word will make one happy. It will keep us from ruining our lives with alcohol and drug addiction. It will keep us from unwanted pregnancies and social diseases. It will keep us honest and keep us from stealing another man’s good’s and wind up spending time in a penitentiary.

God’s word is designed by its very nature to make us holy and happy.

Give Me Understanding in God’s Word

“I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.”
(Psalm 119:125)

The one-hundred and nineteenth psalm has one-hundred and seventy six verses. There is a reference to the Word of God in all but two or three verses. Eleven different words or phrases are used for the Word of God. For instance, our text has the word, “testimonies” in reference to the Word of God.

In our text the psalmist asked God for understanding that he might know God’s word. That is a valid request to make of God.

Our church bulletin every Sunday has a suggested Bible reading for every day of the following week. Those who follow that guide will read through the Bible in a year. The purpose is not just to read the Bible through. The purpose is to hear God speak to us. There is no “short cut” to Bible knowledge or understanding. Bible knowledge comes in a “slow cooker,” not a “microwave.” Someone said, “One must read the Bible on his knees to hear the message and understand it.” Even when we do not understand what we are reading, we should read on and trust God to open our understanding.

Following Those Who Follow Christ

“Be ye therefore followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1)

When I was a child the other kids and I enjoyed playing, “Follow the Leader.” We had a leader and the rest of us would fall in line behind him and do everything he did. We stepped where he stepped, walking through mud holes, swinging off low branches of trees or attempting to jump across a small branch of water as he had done. I got my shoes soaked more than once.

Paul said, “Follow me as long as I follow Christ,” implying that his readers should not follow him if he were not following Christ. A good rule of thumb is, “Follow the preacher as long as the preacher follows Christ.” We have all known preachers that we should not follow. Their actions said they were not followers of Christ.

We preachers have a major responsibility to follow Christ. Without our realizing it there are people following us. We must be followers of Christ in all things or else we will lead someone astray.

Fools for Christ

“We are fools for Christ’s sake…” (I Corinthians 4:10)

Because Paul the Apostle went without food in his self-denial for Jesus and was thirsty, he was seen as a fool. He did not have proper clothing, was mistreated and had no certain place to live and worked with his own hands, not accepting aid from the Corinthian church. He was considered a fool. As a servant of Christ he was reviled, persecuted and defamed.

The world today thinks of dedicated, self-denying servants of the Lord as fools. Often, they have no major investments, no fine cars, no fine houses or no yacht. Tithing their income Sunday after Sunday, forgiving those who have done them wrong, giving their last dollar to buy a meal for a homeless person looks foolish to the world.

It seems foolish to the skeptical world for folks to believe in the hereafter, that there is a real heaven and hell. Those who accept Jesus Christ by faith to be their Savior will spend eternity in heaven with Him. Those who reject Him will have their part in hell for eternity. One is a fool for the devil; the other is a fool for Christ. Be a fool for Christ.

On Stage

“…For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”
(I Corinthians 4:9)

Paul the Apostle saw himself and other apostles as men appointed to death. Their behavior, service and love for the Lord made them stand out. They were “spectacles.”

I have seen people make spectacles of themselves, acting in some outlandish way, drunk with too much to drink. They were acting abnormally. The hundred and twenty believers in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost were accused of being drunk. They were not drunk: They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Those who saw them thought they were being spectacles.

We Christians are a spectacle. It is as though we are on stage and all the world is watching. If we believe, behave and sacrifice for Jesus the watching world will think of us as fools. While we are on stage it is easy for the audience to hurl insults in our direction making us suffer verbal attacks. Jesus promised to stay with us, not as a prompter in the wings, but as one living within us and around us and guiding all our actions and protecting us from the world.

Christian, you are on stage and all the world is watching.  If you are dedicated to the Lord you are a spectacle.

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 3:2)

My eight month old great granddaughter sits in her high chair at the table with the rest of us. While we adults are busy eating adult food, such as roast beef or country ham she is content to be eating mashed potatoes, mashed peas, soft carrots and other baby food.

Paul said that he must speak to the Corinthians as babes in Christ, not able to digest the meat of the word. They were acting like immature babies. He said they were carnal, or fleshly.

Just as my precious great granddaughter might get chocked on a plate of roast beef, so these Corinthian Christians must be fed with the milk of the word. Many church members today have been saved many years but they belong in the nursery where the babies have a diet of the milk of the word and not the meat of the word. Let’s grow up and go to the adult table.

Showing Evidence

“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; behold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore unto him fourfold.” (Luke 19:8)

The best evidence of a man being a Christian is a changed life. In verse six Zacchaeus hurried down the tree and received Jesus joyfully.

Too many people make their boast of having received the Lord Jesus but their lives give no evidence of it. The Bible says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17)

If a creature enjoys living near water, wabbles like a duck, has flat feet like a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, is much smaller than a goose and can fly for hours then from the evidence we may conclude it is a duck. For him to change, his nature would need to change.

Have you received Christ as your Savior? Let your life show it.

Beyond the Point of no Return

“…But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.” (II Chronicles 36:16)

In the 1960’s we took the Bibles out of the schools. We said the Ten Commandments could not be posted in the class rooms or public property, such as court houses. We said the Gideons International could no longer distribute New Testaments in the class room. We were not allowed to erect nativity scenes on public property. We can still do none of these things. However, we can take the Bible into prisons. That’s strange thinking. Look where this has taken us as a nation.

Judah mocked the messengers of God and despised God’s word. The wrath of God came upon them until there was no remedy. They went into Babylonian captivity and remained there for seventy years.

I wonder if while in captivity they ever thought of God’s word and their attitude about it before they were taken to Babylon.  What is your attitude toward God’s word?

Forgiveness of Sins

“…In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins…”
(Colossians 1:14)

Several years ago I was approached by some cult members in my driveway. A spokesman for the group was telling me all the good things about his religion. I asked him how long he had been a member of that organization. Then I asked him if he were doing all the things required by his organization to go to heaven when he died. “I think so. I hope so,” he said.

I asked, “What about your sins you committed before you joined your organization. Has anything been done about those?” He had no answer. When I started sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ the others all said to him, “Get in the car. Let’s go.”

Organizations cannot save or forgive sins. No church can save or forgive sins. Religion cannot take us to heaven or wash away our sins. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from our past, present and future sins.

A Sure Ticket to Hell

“…Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”
 (Acts 24:25)

One sure ticket to hell is to put off making a decision until later. Putting it off is a decision. Another translation of this verse says, “Leave for now, but when I find time I’ll call for you.”

Paul, the Christian, was standing before Felix the governor. Paul reasoned with him of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come. These words caused Felix to tremble with conviction.

Someone hears the Bible preached and explained. The Holy Spirit uses it to bring conviction. The person is called to decision.  He may accept the message, believe on the Lord and be saved. Or, he can postpone it and do as Felix did. But, there is no guarantee that there will be a better time. There is no record that Felix ever found a better time.

Many possible things can happen. His decision was to postpone or put it off.  But, it was his decision. That decision is a sure ticket to hell for eternity. It is best to receive Christ now and get your guarantee to a better life here and heaven for eternity.

Ownership

“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10)

Almost everyone agrees with the first part of our text. We do not claim ownership over the creatures in the woods, such as the black bear, the raccoons, the coyotes, the squirrels and so forth.

The second part of the verse is where folks have trouble. The cattle on a thousand hills belong not to us, but to Almighty God. We want to claim ownership and say with some degree of pride, “That’s mine.” We put up fences and say all the cattle inside the enclosure are ours. We put brands on cattle to acknowledge to others our ownership. Not only does God own the cattle on a thousand hills, He owns the cars in a thousand garages. He owns all the buildings and business on a thousand streets in a thousand towns and cities.

He allows us to claim ownership only that we might be stewards over that which is His. We have nothing which He did not loan to us for a little while. The whole world is His and everything in it.

Home-sick for Heaven

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Billy Graham has written a book entitled, “Nearing Home.” In his nineties when he wrote it, he describes the journey before and the destination following the journey. It makes a Christian’s heart quicken just thinking of nearing home.

This world is not the home of the child of God. We’re just passing through. “Our citizenship is in heaven, from whence we also look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) I remember an uncle who worked as a young man away from home helping harvest corn in the days long before combines. When he was telling me those experiences he said, “There is no sickness worse that home-sickness.”

While we Christians are away from home living down here let us behave and live like we belong up there.

Has it come to That?

“…Then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26)

I heard of a lady in a hospital room with her very ill husband. He had been there many days. The doctors came in with all their charts and stethoscopes. The doctors had a consultation among themselves. Her family physician gently said, “If you know how to pray we strongly suggest you do so.” To which she replied, “Has it come to that?” It always comes to that eventually. When we get desperate enough we will pray.

In our text, man began to call on the Lord after Adam and Eve bore their first children. It was after sin entered the world through the temptations of the devil to disobey God. It was after one of the sons killed the other. Desperate times call for desperate prayers.

Has our country mired deeply enough in the quick-sand of sin to cause us to pray? When we go under, with one hand raised in desperation for someone to rescue us, will we pray to Almighty God or will we continue to think we do not need Him?

Yes, it has come to that.

That’s Good

“And God saw everything that He had made and, behold, it was very good…”
(Genesis 1:31)

Something that is “awesome” is awe inspiring. It is fantastic. It could be described as “Out of this world.” It makes you say “wow.” Sometimes worship services are described by such adjectives.

When God spoke the world into existence He used the word, “good.” When He made the first ray of light He said it was good. When He made the oceans, the sun and moon, vegetation, animals, fowl of the air and fish in the waters, “He said, “That’s good.” After He made the sun and moon He said, “That’s good.” When He made man with his thousands of miles of nerves, all the bones and his blood flow system which cannot be duplicated by man, God said, “That’s good.”

A church service need not be awesome, fantastic or wonderful. If God will say when we leave church or at the close of a service, “That’s good,” that should be enough.

Identifying with Others

“…And I sat where they sat…” (Ezekiel 3:15)

Ezekiel, the prophet and priest of God, had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar along with ten thousand other leaders of his nation. Ezekiel could identify with the captives in Babylon because he also was a captive. “…I sat where they sat…”

God declared that He had made Ezekiel a watchman unto the House of Israel. Who better to be a watchman looking out for the welfare of his brothers than one who sits where they sit. God became a man and sat where we sit. He is the “Word made flesh.” He is “Emmanuel, God with us.” The Bible declares that our High Priest, “Jesus, is touched with the feeling of our infirmities; and was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  (Hebrews 4:15)  He understands pain, sorrow, hunger, fatigue, thirst because He sat where we sat.

God chooses men, not angels, to be His missionaries, pastors, evangelists and other witnesses to the lost because we have sat where they sit.