Meal Time Prayers

“And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and break the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided He among them all.” (Mark 6:41)

For as long as I can remember when I was growing up at home Daddy always said the blessing before meals. Of course, the prayer of blessing always included thanksgiving. If you must look beyond yourself to find a precedent for a meal-time blessing, look at the offering of blessing and thanks where Jesus fed five thousand on one occasion and four thousand on another.

Now that I am grown and my wife and I have children, grand children and great grand children it is one of those expected things we continue to do before meals. The little ones respectfully bow their heads during the blessing.

Did you notice how short Jesus’ prayer of blessing is? When I was much younger than now, a six year old cousin of mine had endured about all the blessing he could stand and in the middle of his dad’s lengthy blessing he spoke up and said, “amen, amen, amen.”

Cleansing

“Come now and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool..” (Isaiah 1:18)

Isaiah the prophet of God is writing the very words of the LORD who is giving a description of the worst sins possible. God is appealing for a conference of reasoning together with these sinners. These sinners are Israelites of the nation of Judah, God’s chosen people.

The Bible says, “… the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanseth us from all sins.” 
(I John 1:7) The repentant sinners go from “scarlet” sins to a life as white as snow. They may be as “crimson” but through His cleansing they shall they shall be as wool, pure white.

“Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? 
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”

Bringing People to Jesus

“He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, ‘We have found the Messiah,’ which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus…”   (John 1:41-42)

I have discovered after many years of ministry that there is nothing to be compared to bringing people to Jesus. We can use our car to bring people to church where they will hear the gospel. Or we can give money to help our church buy a van or bus to provide transportation for the un-churched.

But, to sit beside a lost person in their house, seated on their couch and open the scriptures and to “bring them to Jesus,” is the greatest single thing we can do in ministry. That’s one-on-one evangelism.

Always remember what Andrew did for his brother: “He brought him to Jesus.”

Rejoicing in Heaven

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 25:7)

A man had a flock of one-hundred sheep. When one of them strayed away and was lost, he went seeking his lost sheep. When he found it he laid it on his shoulders and called the neighbors in to help him rejoice.

You and I can help bring rejoicing in heaven by going after our lost friends, neighbors and family members. Who in heaven rejoices over a repentant sinner? First, I think God rejoices that His Son’s blood was not shed in vain. Second, I think Jesus rejoices because the Bible says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Third, I believe the Holy Spirit rejoices over a repentant sinner because His convicting power has directed someone to Jesus. Fourth, the saints of all the ages must rejoice in heaven because they remember the joy that was theirs when they received Christ for salvation.

Tell the Folks at Home

“Jesus said unto him, ‘Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.’” (Mark 5:19)

This is a true story of a man possessed with a demon. He lived in a cemetery, cutting himself on the sharp edges of the tomb stones. People had tried to tame him and hold him with chains but they could not. Then Jesus came and cast the demons out of him. Immediately he was tame, sitting, clothed and in his right mind.

He wanted to follow Jesus because Jesus had done something for him that no one else could do. However, Jesus told him to go home to his friends and tell them what Jesus had done for him.

Our friends and family can be the most difficult people with whom we share the Gospel. All we can do is what Jesus told the cured demoniac to do, go home and tell our friends what Jesus has done for us.

Finally, notice that he obeyed the Lord’s instruction and, “all men did marvel.” They saw a marvelous change in this man. His new life became evidence that his old life was gone and that he was a new man.

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

“His Lord said unto him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21)

In an interview with Robin Roberts of ABC News a few years ago, Billy Graham said that he would rather be found worthy and hear the Lord say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant,” than to have glowing things said about him at his funeral.   

In the Parable of the Talents the man traveling into the far country is the Son of God. It is teaching us to be faithful to the stewardship the Lord has given us until He returns.

Most of us preachers cannot claim the successes in ministry that Billy Graham has experienced. But we can be faithful to the Lord with what He has given us. Somewhere over in an obscure place in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee or North Carolina there is a pastor who has faithfully gone about his stewardship as pastor of a little country church. He loves his people, has ministered to them in times of sickness, death and sorrow. He has given them food from his pantry.

He has not seen much church growth and no one outside his county has ever heard of him. But if he has been faithful to the Lord in the assignment given him he is likely to hear the Lord say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

One of God’s Servants has gone Home

“Moses my servant is dead…” (Joshua 1:2)

Yesterday many hearts were saddened at the news that Billy Graham had died. We were not saddened for him but for ourselves.

The time had come and God spoke to Joshua, who was to take the role of leader of the Israelites upon the death of Moses. That time will come for all the servants of the Lord to leave this earth just as it will for everyone.

I had the privilege of attending some of Billy Graham’s crusades. My heart was touched with his fervor and passion. He was unpretentious. His words could be understood by a ten year old child, yet he prayed with, and counseled heads of state from around the world. I always enjoyed “The Hour of Decision” on the radio on Sunday afternoon.

His morals were impeccable. If he were in the company of a lady there was always a male staff member present.

Many young pastors have been helped and encouraged by Billy Graham sticking with the Bible. His messages were saturated with the words, “The Bible says.” Until we are called home let all the servants of the Lord stay true to the Bible.

Jesus Preached the Word

“…and He preached the word unto them.” (Mark 2:2)

I would love to have heard the Master of all preachers preach the word. He must have known the preaching of the word was beneficial to mankind and very important.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his first letter to them that, “…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (I Corinthians 1:21)  When he wrote to his young preacher friend, Timothy, he instructed him to, “…preach the word.” (II Timothy 4:2) 

However, the Bible tells us of some that “The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” (Hebrews 4:2)  One may go to church and hear sound Biblical preaching from the preacher behind the sacred desk, but if he does not accept it by faith it is of no profit to him. We must be “…doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

How Did We get Here?

“But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (II Timothy 3:13, NASB ) 

How did we get to where we are today? Our society has gone from sinful to more sinful.

I saw television for the first time in 1949. Everything was mild compared to the scenes today. If the first scenes and shows on television had been what we see today the television industry would have ended in 1949. We have gotten used to the dark, so to speak. Shows on T.V. and in the movies treat murder and killing as though they are normal. We expose our children to scary monsters, ghosts and unreal, vile things from outer space or from the darkness of the abyss. Our society glamorizes homo-sexually, rape and violence.

We are like a frog in a pot of cold water with the heat being turned up gradually. The frog does not realize what is happening until it is too late to jump out.

We must get back to Godly homes where children are disciplined and taught to respect authority. We must put a new and fresh emphasis on the Bible and teach the children the basics of God’s Word. Parents must take their children to church and sit with them when they get there. We did not get where we are overnight and we won’t get back to where we need to be without prayer, repentance and willing hearts. 

Too Busy to Pray?

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”(Mark 1:35)

I feel as though Mark has brought us into the Holy of Holies and that we are standing on holy ground.

The day before this scene had been a very busy time for Jesus, healing diseased people, casting out devils and seeing the crowd gathered just outside the door, waiting to see Him. But instead of “sleeping in,” He arose early before day the next morning and went out and departed into a solitary place.

A solitary place for us could be a closet, as He taught His disciples. A solitary place is somewhere that people are not watching and listening. It is a place where there is not an audience.

In His solitary place He prayed. If the very Son of God needed to be alone with God and pray who are we to neglect our prayer time?  Prayer is one of the most Christ-like things we can do. If you have gotten too busy to pray, you have gotten too busy.

The Devil Made Me Do It

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

Children have a way of looking like and acting like their parents. I heard a woman say to her son, “You act just like your daddy.” In a large gathering it is not difficult to match parents to their children.

The self-righteous Jews prided themselves on keeping the Law of Moses, thus believing they were children of God. But Jesus burst their self-righteous bubble by telling them that the devil was their father. They were unredeemed sinners.

Why is there so much evil? Why do people do bad things? It is the nature of unredeemed sinners to be like their father, the devil. Satan is a murderer, a liar and the father of wickedness. He calls the shots in the lives of his children. He will even direct his children to make a false, pretentious profession of faith just to get folks to leave his children alone about spiritual matters.

There is one way you can get out of the devil’s family and into the family of God thus changing your life forever. The Way is by repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.

Our God:Up Close and Personal

“…For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Our God is not just a “God who doesn’t care, who lives away out there.” He is our God up close and personal. When we come to Jesus in repentance and faith He comes to live within us. From within He gives us the desire to do His will. He gives us the “want to” to do His will. With the “want to” we may question how we can ever do His will. Then we discover that He has given us the “how to” along with the “want to.”

Our Savior said, “…for without me you can do nothing.” (John 5:5)  Then we find that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Without Christ inside we are like an empty glove, unable to do anything. With Christ inside we are like a glove with a hand inside calling the shots.

The secret is found in the little chorus: “Into my heart; into my heart: come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today; come in to stay: Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” 

The Fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is …peace…” (Galatians 5:22)

Yesterday a young man went on a killing spree in a school in Florida killing at least 17 people and injuring many others. He is not the first to commit such an awful crime. He will probably not be the last.

In the nine elements that make up the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 peace is the third one. Its absence in many people tells us that the Holy Spirit does not abide in them.

On apple trees one expects to find apples. On a pear tree one should see pears. The same is true of peach trees and other fruit trees. When one sees thorns, thistles and pine cones on a tree we can assume it is not a fruit tree.

When one sees these desperadoes bearing vengeance, murder, hatred and the like, it reminds us Christians that we have a responsibility to pray for all people and lead them to saving faith in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Only the Prince of Peace can bring peace to a troubled mind and heart.

Loving to the End

“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.”(John 13:1)

As I was walking through a grocery store yesterday I could not help seeing the decorations of flowers, balloons and cute little stuffed animals all waiting for someone to buy them and give them to a sweetheart, wife or husband on this Valentine’s Day. 

Jesus set the standard for true love. He loved his disciples around the Passover table, “to the end,” as our text says.

I have a good friend whose wife was ill for the last several years of her life, depending on him for everything. He loved her and ministered to her to the end. A ninety-one year old man in the church where I am pastor has loved his wife of seventy-one years.  She had a stroke a few years ago, and he lovingly waits on her and looks after her, providing whatever she needs. No amount of flowers or balloons can replace that kind of love.

Proof of Salvation

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

Years ago I saw a small airplane writing in the sky an advertisement for a certain soft drink, claiming their soft drink was the best.

Jesus did not tell us to write in the sky or anywhere else that we are His disciples. However, we do some strange deeds to prove we are followers of Christ such as wearing a white robe while dragging a cross down the road. One pastor stood on top of his church house while preaching his Sunday sermon.

The best proof is the one Jesus chose and that is to love one another. On the other hand, if we have hatred for fellow believers and have no love we are giving evidence that we are not one of His disciples. Jesus tells us to, “Love one another; as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

The Value in Reading the Ancient Scriptures

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Long before Paul was saved and long before he had written any of his epistles there were scriptures written by holy men of God.

I think of the writings of Moses the law giver who wrote from the mouth of God, whose words tell us what the law of God is and what it demands, thus telling us how desperately sinful we are and why we need a Savior.

Joshua reminds all his readers of the victory that is our in Jesus Christ. Job tells us that when we are going through trials and difficulties we will come through as gold tried in the fire. (Job 23:10)

Space will not permit us to write more scriptures containing hope and comfort. As you read and study the Old and New Testaments pay attention to what God is telling you.

Sinners by Nature

“…and (we) were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3)

It is a bird’s nature to fly. It is a pig’s nature to enjoying wallowing in a mud hole. A bird does not become a bird because he flies. He is a bird before he leaves the nest. A pig does not become a pig as a result of wallowing in a mud hole. He was born with a pig’s nature which includes enjoying mud.

When we came into the world we were sinners by nature, even before we left the nest and before we wallowed in a mud-hole of sin. We are sinners by nature meaning that we do not need a Savior because we have committed a sinful deed. We need a Savior because of our sinful, Adamic nature. We need a Savior to give us a new nature.

Sin came into the world through Adam and we inherited his sinful nature. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

God, in His great love for us sent Jesus His Son to die on the cross for us paying our sin debt. He arose from the dead to impart His life and nature to us. We must receive Him by faith.

Why do Good things Happen to Bad People?

“…Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

Someone gave me a small tract entitled, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” I have been asked that question many times through the years. I think a better question could be asked: “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

Our text tells us that sometimes God gives good things to the unsaved to bring them to repentance and saving faith. Saved, active church members are not the only ones that reap the benefit of a good growing season and an abundant crop. Peter tells us that, “…the Lord is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9)

In His great love and goodness to men and women without Christ, God lavishly pours out His abundance of good things to bring them to repentance, Christ and salvation.

Bear Fruit, Not Foilage

“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 six or seven 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.

A Life Changed

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do the miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’” (John 3:1-2)

This Pharisee, this ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night. Was his schedule so busy that at night was the only time their schedules would mesh? Or, was it that Nicodemus did not want to be seen with Jesus?

Nicodemus knew who Jesus was but knew nothing of the New Birth. Following their nighttime visit Nicodemus is seen defending Jesus in front of the Pharisees, the first indication that his heart had been changed. (John 7:45-51)

Again we see the boldness of a man whose heart and life had been changed by Jesus. See Nicodemus as he and Joseph of Arimathaea ask Pilate to allow them to put Jesus in Joseph’s new tomb. Nicodemus brings with him about a hundred pounds of a mixture of myrrh and aloes with which they would prepare Jesus’ body for burial. Nicodemus was no longer a secret disciple of Jesus. He no longer cared who saw him with Jesus.

A good song from the past has these words: “I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian.” How much are you willing to give up in making your confession that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord?

The Greatest among You

“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

A few years ago the Oak Ridge Boys had a song out that said, “Nobody wants to play rhythm guitar behind Jesus; everybody wants to be the lead singer in the band.” Sadly, that song represents the attitude of many people in today’s churches.

One night Jesus and the disciples gathered in a room to eat the Passover meal. No one had been given the task of securing a servant. None of the disciples wanted to do that menial task. Jesus got a basin and some water and began washing the disciples’ feet. In that room that night the Son of God demonstrated true greatness.

I am reminded of the young man from out on the farm in World War II. He said, “I would join the navy if they would let me drive the boat.” Similarly, others have said, “I will join the church if I can be the boss.”  Take another look at our text.

Confessing Christ before Men

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”(John 12:42-43)

With the amount of evidence we have concerning the person of Jesus, it seems unthinkable for someone to deny Him. Various reasons are given for not confessing Him. In our text, as well as other places in John’s Gospel, the reason given is that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus gives a warning for such a position. He said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

We should confess Him before men with our lips, our lives and expressions of love for Him. Let people know that you believe on Jesus and that you are not ashamed of Him.

Pray for those in Authority

“I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

Let’s face it; not all politicians keep all their promises they made before they were elected to public office. The Bible does not tell us to pray only for honest leaders and the leaders we like and admire. We must pray even for those in a political party different from ours.

I am reminded of the little girl who was saying her bed time prayers. She stopped, looked heavenward and said, “God, will you excuse me while I knock the daylights out of my ornery little brother?”

God desires that we include in our prayers the mayors, sheriffs, policemen, military personnel, members of congress, Supreme Court justices, president, vice president and all others in authority. I believe we need to pray for other leaders around the world in other countries whether or not we like them.

Called into a Storm

“And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, ‘Let us pass over unto the other side.’” (Mark 4:35)

It was Jesus who gave the instruction to His disciples to pass over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He who knows all things surely knew that a storm would come before they could reach the other side.

I think of missionaries who have followed the Lord’s command and became martyrs for Jesus. John the beloved had been exiled to the rugged island of Patmos as a result of his following the will of God. It was there he penned the book of Revelation. Where has He called you to go? He doesn’t always call His servants to a flowery bed of ease. The will of God sometimes sends us into a storm.

When Jesus initiated the trip across the Sea of Galilee He got into the boat with them. He will not send us into a storm of service or ministry alone. He promised that He will go with us as we carry out the Great Commission in His name.

What Kind of Man is Jesus?

“…What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:41)

If you and I had been there in a small boat with the Savior and eleven other men we would probably have asked the same question. Jesus was in the rear of the boat, asleep on a pillow.

The question posed in our text was not the only question they asked. Another was, “Master, carest thou not that we perish.”

In answer to these two questions, Yes He cares about us and every storm we face in this life.  Sometimes, when He doesn’t answer immediately, we think He doesn’t care. Can He handle a storm? He is the creator of the sun, moon, stars, the earth and all that inhabits the earth. He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, all loving and immutable. That’s His Divine side.

On earth, when He was sleepy He slept. When He was hungry, He ate. When He was sad, He wept. When He was tired, He rested. That is His man side. That’s the kind of man He is. He is the God/Man. He cares about your storms.

Raising God’s Children

“Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

Almost any male and female couple of whatever species can produce offspring. But the ability to produce offspring is not to be equated with being a good parent. God has chosen human kind to reproduce and replenish the earth. When a child is addicted to drugs even before he is born it is evidence of a mother and father producing offspring but not being good parents.

Our text says that children are a heritage of the Lord. Parents are to produce offspring and then to be good stewards over God’s heritage and to “…Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Proverbs 22:6) It is not good parenting to never teach a child in the ways of God, or to never have them in church, or never set a good example of Godliness or to have little or no interest in the things at his/her school. Good parenting includes helping the children choose the right kinds of friends.

For the sake of your children and for the sake of being a good steward over God’s heritage, be a good parent. We can find the instructions in the Bible.

Make the Time to Pray

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

Someone said, “With my busy work schedule and the time it takes to get to work, it’s just hard to find the time for Bible reading, prayer or devotions of any kind.”

When men go fishing it is not uncommon for them to get out of bed in time to be on the water before daylight.  Deer hunters are up a tree in their deer stands before daylight, having gotten out of bed and driving some distance to the woods.  When I was a child at home many times I was awakened long before daylight with the smell of bacon frying that my mother had put on the stove after getting everything else ready. Perhaps you recall those days.

We get out of bed for what is important.  Prayer was important to Jesus. He talked to the Heavenly Father before going into the next towns to preach, before healing a man sick with leprosy and before healing a palsied man.  When we see prayer as important as work, fishing, deer hunting, or eating we will make time for it.