Time Marches On!

It is hard to believe that today is June 30!  That means one-half of 2017 is already behind us!  During these six months many have experienced times of sunshine and shadow; healing and heartaches; sweetness and sorrow; beauty and brokenness; triumph and tragedy, but through it all we have learned to trust in Jesus and found His wonderful grace sufficient for our every need.

As we begin month number seven, let us say with the Apostle Paul:

     "Brethren, ... this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Let's keep pressing toward the Glory Land !!   

"I WILL"!

In my last blog, I spoke about the Lord giving Moses a charge and a tremendous responsibility at 80 years of age.  It seemed an impossible task to Moses and he had some objections.  Listen to his response:
     "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.  And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth?  or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
      Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."

Even after the Lord gave Moses the sweet assurance of His presence and guidance, he hesitated and made excuses until God's Word says "the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses."  How sad!  May God help you and me to be quick to "Trust and Obey"!

When Moses started out to obey God, he didn't get very far in the contest with Pharaoh until the going got rough!  Moses returned to the Lord and said:  "Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people?  why is it that Thou hast sent me?  For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he hath done evil to this people: neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all."

Well, the Lord knew His servant needed encouragement, so He had a wonderful little talk with Moses in the beginning verses of the 6th chapter of Exodus.
      "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: Say unto the children of Israel of Israel, I am the Lord, and I WILL bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I WILL rid you out of their bondage, and I WILL redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
      And I WILL take you to Me for a people, and I WILL be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
      And I WILL bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob: and I WILL give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord."

Seven times the Lord assured His servant, Moses -- "I WILL"!!  Perhaps the Lord wanted to reaffirm to Moses:   "Whatever it is that you need, that's what I Am"!  Praise the Lord!  God is just the same today!!            

How Old Are You?

Perhaps age is more about goals, dreams, visions, challenges, etc. than the fact that you are 30 or 70!
In the 14th chapter of Joshua, we read about Caleb speaking to Joshua and saying:
     "I am this day fourscore and five years old.  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me:  as my strength was then, even so is my strength now.
Now therefore give me this mountain. . .
And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb Hebron for an inheritance."

And do you remember when the Lord talked to Moses about paying a little visit to Pharaoh?  In the 7th chapter of Exodus we read:  "And the Lord said unto Moses, thou shalt speak all that I command thee.  And Moses was fourscore years old." 80 years old!!  You may be thinking -- 'Surely that is impossible'!!  Whoever heard of an 80 year old man undertaking such a gigantic task for God as lay before Moses when he went in unto Pharaoh!

But, why not?  We find these wonderful words in Isaiah 46:4:  "And even to your old age, I am He:  and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear: even I will carry, and will deliver you."  Praise the Lord!  How sad that we have a tendency to think when we reach the age of "retirement" we can no longer do much for God.

I was amazed to read some time ago that many people did their greatest work late in life---several past 80 years of age!  God never wants us to "retire" from His service.
God has a work for you, regardless of your age.

Let us come out of retirement to be used of God and do exploits for Him!!

   

Last Promise -- Last Prayer

In the last Book -- the last chapter -- and the last two verses of God's Holy Word, we find the last promise and the last prayer recorded by the Apostle John when he was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos.  It reads like this:
     "He which testifieth  these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
      The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen."  
                                                                                                 --Revelation 22:20-21

These last words are only a sweet promise if we know that every sin is forgiven and covered by the precious blood of Jesus, and our heart cleansed and made holy!
Perhaps it would be well for us to think soberly upon the words of this poem by an unknown author.

     "The time is short!  If thou would'st work for God, it must be now;
If thou would'st win the garland for thy brow, Redeem the time!
      Shake off earth's sloth!  Go forth with staff in hand while yet 'tis day;
Set out with girded loins upon the way, Up!  Linger not!

     "Fold not thy hands!  What has the pilgrim of the cross and crowd
To do with luxury, or couch of down?  On, pilgrim, on!
      With His reward He comes; He tarries not; His day is near;
When men least look for Him, He will be here -- PREPARE FOR HIM!"

And don't forget -- "Nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender to the perfect will of God eternally!  Like a bird that's found its nest, so my soul (your soul can find it too) has found its rest in the Center of the Will of God!" 

ROCK or SAND?

In the 7th chapter of Matthew, Jesus talks to us a little while about the importance of a firm and solid foundation for our building.  Listen to His words:

     "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.  (Notice it's not enough to just hear -- we've got to do something about what we've heard!)
      And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.
      And everyone that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
      And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

We know and understand that a wise builder will have a strong and firm foundation that will not give way when the storms descend, the winds blow, and the rains pour down like a flood.
Then, the Master contrasts the wise man's solid foundation with the carelessness and foolishness of the man who built his house on the sand and lost everything when the storm came!

Jesus was surely thinking about our lives when He gave us this lesson.  He wanted us to have a firm foundation, and made it very clear that He is the Rock upon which we must build if we are to withstand the storms of life!  His Holy Word is the anchor for our souls!  Anything less that you may try to build your life upon will be like sand, and will not provide a sufficient foundation. 

Perhaps we all need to take a little time to examine our foundation today!  Let us make sure we are not building on the shifting sand, but are anchored firmly in the blessed Rock of Ages! 

TAKE ----- LEARN

In Matthew 11:29 we read:  "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

You may have a very special gift for me, but in order for me to enjoy it or receive any benefit from it, I must take it!  It doesn't matter how wonderful the gift may be -- it is worthless, empty, meaningless, until I take it!
Then, if the gift is to be put to its intended use, I must not only take it, but gain knowledge of it, understand its workings, purpose, etc.  I must study the instructions and acquire the skill needed to make the best use of my gift.

I believe Jesus has many wonderful gifts that He would like to give us, but in order to receive them and benefit from them, we must be coupled together, linked together, joined together, and intimately associated with Him.
Will you join me in making these words of this beautiful hymn your humble prayer and earnest desire!

      "More about Jesus would I know, more of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for me.

      More about Jesus let me learn, more of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.

      More about Jesus in His Word, holding communion with my Lord,
Hearing His voice in every line, making each faithful saying mine." 

The words of this song are so beautiful and meaningful.  I trust that you will meditate on them today and let them speak to your heart.  May God bless you as you walk with Him!

Father's Day!

Throughout this week, I have walked down memory's lane and knelt at the throne of grace to pour out my heart in Thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father.  He knew me before I was born -- He covered me in my Mother's womb -- and in tender mercy has led me to where I am today!

As I think of Father's Day, I thank the Lord for a wonderful Daddy who taught me, and showed me by example, how wonderful it is to love God, His Holy Word and His Holy Day!

I thank my Heavenly Father for going before me as a Freshman in college, and preparing the way for me to meet "my Texan"!  I am grateful for the blessed hope of meeting again "Just inside the Eastern Gate" on heaven's shore!

I am very thankful, also, that my three boys, my son-in-law and my grandson have all heard Dad pray many times and preach God's Word faithfully!  They know their Dad and Grandpa was a man of character and principle -- willing to stand alone, if necessary, and counting on them to "Buy the truth and sell it not."

So, on this Father's Day -- Randy, Jonathan, Joel, Tommie and Adrian -- I love you all very much,  You are often in my thoughts and prayers, and I am counting on you to "earnestly contend for the faith" and to keep this song in your hearts:
     
       "Faith of our fathers!  Holy faith!  We will be true to thee till death!"

 

FATHER'S DAY!

As we look forward to honoring our Fathers this coming Sunday, if Jesus tarries, my heart weeps when I think of precious little children living in broken homes -- no Daddy to love them, play with them, pray for them, take them to Sunday School and church---no Daddy in the home to teach them to reverence God, His Holy Word and His Holy Day!

I trust that this poem, "God Give Us Men" by Shirley Craghead, will challenge every father to be a mighty man of character -- always truthful, always honest, always courageous, always living by the principles in God's Holy Book --- a "God-owned man" for these perilous times!

    "God give us men who love the blessed Saviour,
Who know Him as Redeemer, Lord, and Guide;
     Ambassadors who tell abroad His favor,
Men who will bring the children to Christ's side.

     God give us men filled with Thy Holy Spirit,
Who love the Lord with soul, mind, strength, and heart,
     Whose minds are tuned to grasp Thy still small whisper,
And from Thy counsel never to depart.

     God give us men who set the right example;
Patient and thankful, sober, apt to teach,
     Of good behavior, honest, kind, and faithful,
Men who for Christ will seek the lost to reach.

     God give us men committed to Thy will,
Who live their Christian duty to fulfill;
     Men who obey Thy Word in everything,
Who seek to honor Thee, our glorious King."

     --Amen!  

"HOLD THE FORT"!

As I have said before, I like to know the story that inspired the writing of a song.  The author of "Hold The Fort", Philip Bliss, was born in Pennsylvania in 1838, and was tragically killed at the early age of 38. Traveling with his wife from New York to Ohio on December 29th, 1876, their train crashed into a broken bridge and plunged into a ravine.  The train caught fire, and few escaped alive.  Bliss was among those who escaped, but he was killed while trying to rescue his wife.  When his traveling cases were taken from the wreck, a hymn he was working on was found inside ---

     "I know not what awaits me, God kindly veils mine eyes;
        And o'er each step of my onward way He makes new scenes to rise.
     And every joy He sends me, comes a sweet and glad surprise."

One of his best known hymns is probably "Hold the Fort", and here is the story that inspired the hymn.
     "During the American Civil War, General Sherman began his famous march to the sea, but the armies of General Hood had destroyed the railway communications and captured some of the garrisons.  Hood's army made one particular drive to capture Altoona Pass, where Sherman's army had a huge supply of rations.  The pass was held by 1500 men under the command of General Corse, and against these 1500, Hood flung his battalions numbering 6000 men.  A terrible battle ensued.  Time and time again, Hood's men stormed the pass, and each time they were driven back.  The defenders fought magnificently, but their ranks were being gradually thinned.  Fighting every inch of the way, they were steadily driven back into a small fort at the top of the pass. 
      General Corse had a great decision to make -- either continue the defense and certainly lose every man in the end, or surrender now and let the supplies fall to the enemy.  His men were tired and bespattered with blood and dust, and all the time, the attack grew in intensity.  It seemed madness to continue.  Suddenly, one of the officers caught sight of a tiny white flag, waving in the breeze on a faraway mountaintop.  It was a signal flag.  Quickly Corse ordered his signaler to acknowledge.  Away on the mountaiin, the unknown signaler saw the acknowledgement and began his message.  In feverish excitement, the brave men in the fort pieced together the signaled letters.  The message ran:
     "Hold the fort:  I am coming:  Sherman."
A cheer went up from the gallant defenders; help was on the way.  Hood's army, aware of approaching reinforcements, launched a final and desperate attack on the fort.  For three awful hours the fierce battle raged, and it seemed as if at any moment the defenders would be overrun.  Then Sherman arrived -- and the day was won!  The brave defenders had obeyed the message -- they held the fort!!"

     In these days of spiritual warfare, when the devil is launching vicious attacks on God's people across the world, I think I hear the Captain of our salvation sending us a signal flag from heaven and saying, "Hold the Fort" for I am coming!!  "The Fight Is On", but "Keep On The Firing Line"!!  Praise the Lord!! 
Remember -- "...if God be for us, His banner o'er us, we'll sing the victor's song at last"!

God bless you today, dear friend --make sure you are on the Victory side!!    

"O Heart of Faith"!

I love this beautiful poem that I saw in a Sunday School paper by an unknown author. 
God's Word says that without faith it is impossible to please Him!  What a blessed privilege it is to anchor our faith in the Rock of Ages!


"O heart of faith, SING on and on forever!
     Although the way be sometimes dark and drear;
For God is with thee, and forsaketh never,
     And to the eye of faith doth He appear!

"O heart of faith, TRUST on and on forever!
     The Christ who called thee never, never fails;
Fear not to follow as He leads thee ever;
      Thro' all life's strange and weary, winding trails.

"O heart of faith, HOPE on and on forever!
      A better day is sure for thee to dawn ---
 A day, beyond life's dark and turbid river,
      Where earth's bleak shadows cannot ever come.

"O heart of faith, PRESS on and on forever!
      Forget the things that now lie far behind;
 The prize awaits, and Christ himself the Giver --
      A great reward thy soul shall surely find.

"O heart of faith, FIGHT on and on forever!
      While in the fiery conflict here below!
 Nor sheathe thy sword for any fear or favor;
      As ebbs the tide of battle to and fro.

"O heart of faith, LOOK UP! nor be discouraged;
       Thy God enthroned on high is looking down;
 He giveth grace for all life's stormy voyage
       And holds for thee the victor's golden crown!"

Praise the Lord for His blessed Word and the privilege to know that Faith is the Victory that overcomes the world!
Is your faith anchored in Jesus today?    
     

A Friend . . .

God's Word tells us in Proverbs 17:17 that "A friend loveth at all times...", so I was rather startled when I read this quote some time ago.
     "One good friend in a lifetime is above the law of averages."  I was shocked!  How sad to think about going through your entire life without even one good friend! 

I wonder why there are so few true friends?  Perhaps one reason is because there are far too few people who possess the sterling qualities of loyalty and faithfulness.  Every true and lasting friendship demands loyalty. 

One of my favorite definitions of a genuine and faithful friend is -- "A true friend is one who comes in when the rest of the world has gone out."    Isn't that a beautiful thought!!  Do you want to be that kind of friend?
Let's ask Jesus to help us to be a real and true friend---one who loveth at all times and comes in when the rest of the world have gone out.

And, above all, let us make sure that we are walking with Jesus, for He is the best Friend we can ever have and He will never be a disappointment!!  What a blessed privilege it is to love and serve Him!
He wants to be your Friend today!!

Complaining!

Today is Monday -- the start of another week -- and do you know what??  I'm afraid there are some people who have already found things to complain about, and it isn't even noon yet!!  An ungrateful and complaining spirit is actually a complaint against God.
 Numbers 11:1 says:
     "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; . . ."

We don't like to hear other people complain, but it struck me rather forcibly when I read this verse that the Lord doesn't like it either!  In the margin of my Bible it says that the complaining of this people was evil in the ears of the Lord.

I'm afraid that even though we don't like to hear other people complain, we are sometimes guilty of complaining to ourselves--forgetting that God hears our complaining (spoken or unspoken) and it displeases Him.

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11 -- "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."  Perhaps the great apostle would tell us that this is probably one of life's most difficult lessons to learn, but it is a wonderful way to live, and if we will learn it, as St. Paul did, there is no need for us to ever be found guilty of complaining again.

The Lord has been so very good to each one of us---far better than we could ever deserve---so let us prayerfully resolve as we begin this new week that we will not allow ourselves to complain and thus displease the Lord!      

Step by Step!

I read this beautiful poem by an unknown author last night.  I sensed God's sweet presence as I read, and my heart was encouraged and blessed!  I trust as you take a few moments to read it, that it will minister to your heart also.  May you be encouraged, and thank the Lord again for the blessed privilege of loving and serving Him, our wonderful Saviour and coming King!

     "Child of my love, fear not the unknown morrow;
          Dread not the new demand life makes of thee:
      Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
          Since what thou knowest not is known to Me.

      Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning
          Of my command, but thou the light shalt gain;
      Walk on in faith, upon my promise leaning,
          And as thou goest all shall be made plain.

       One step thou seest -- then go forward boldly;
           One step is far enough for faith to see;
       Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
           For step by step thy Lord is leading thee.

        Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting;
           Dare every peril, save to disobey;
        Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
           For I, the Strong, will open up the way.

        Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
            Having my promise, needing nothing more
         Than just to know, where'er the future find thee,
            In all thy journeyings I go before."

"This my song through countless ages -- Jesus led me all the way"!