I really like this little quote from the writings of Oswald Chambers:
"If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God's purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us."
It is nice to see a big cluster of beautiful, plump grapes, but we don't enjoy any of their sweetness until they are squeezed and crushed so the delicious juice can flow out. -- Are we willing to be squeezed and crushed until the juices of God's sweetness and grace can flow out from us to bless others?
May we pray, and desire, along with the songwriter -- "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me."
Friday, September 29, 2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Faithful Unto Death
In the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, we find the Apostle John writing to the seven churches in Asia. The second message was to the church in Smyrna in a time of great persecutions.
God's Word says:
"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of those which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
This struggling and persecuted church is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament, but it was one of only two churches mentioned in the book of Revelation that did not receive any warning or condemnation.
Smyrna was poor, and troubled by those who hated God's message. They suffered tribulation, and some were even thrown into prison for their willingness to be identified with the truth. We want to pity this poor, struggling, persecuted church, but Jesus saw Smyrna as rich and worthy of a crown of life! He praised this little church, and encouraged them to remain "faithful unto death"!
As we walk with Jesus, we know not what lies ahead, but our tomorrows are all known to Him, and what a blessed privilege it is just to follow where He leads and pasture where He feeds!
I love the sweet verse in Psalm 39:14:
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death"!
God's Word says:
"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of those which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
This struggling and persecuted church is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament, but it was one of only two churches mentioned in the book of Revelation that did not receive any warning or condemnation.
Smyrna was poor, and troubled by those who hated God's message. They suffered tribulation, and some were even thrown into prison for their willingness to be identified with the truth. We want to pity this poor, struggling, persecuted church, but Jesus saw Smyrna as rich and worthy of a crown of life! He praised this little church, and encouraged them to remain "faithful unto death"!
As we walk with Jesus, we know not what lies ahead, but our tomorrows are all known to Him, and what a blessed privilege it is just to follow where He leads and pasture where He feeds!
I love the sweet verse in Psalm 39:14:
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death"!
Monday, September 25, 2017
REJOICE!
Philippians 4:4 says: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice!" Philippians is one of my most favorite little books (4 chapters), and do you remember where the Apostle Paul is writing it from? That's right! -- his prison cell. He was Nero's prisoner, but he would show us in this little Epistle that Christian experience is not something that is going on around the believer, but something which is going on Within him! Praise the Lord!
He shows us that a right Christian experience is the outworking (whatever our circumstances may be) of the life and mind of Christ living in us. In this verse Paul commands us to rejoice, Then he tells us the way to Rejoice is in the Lord alway---in every circumstance and condition!
Let us look at a few other scriptures from the book of Psalms to help us see how the righteous rejoice!
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." (32:11)
"Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. (33:1)
""Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified." (40:16)
"My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto Thee; and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed." (71:23)
"Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." (97:12)
Today is Monday. Let us plan to have a special week of rejoicing as we walk with Jesus --- every day---all the way!
He shows us that a right Christian experience is the outworking (whatever our circumstances may be) of the life and mind of Christ living in us. In this verse Paul commands us to rejoice, Then he tells us the way to Rejoice is in the Lord alway---in every circumstance and condition!
Let us look at a few other scriptures from the book of Psalms to help us see how the righteous rejoice!
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." (32:11)
"Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. (33:1)
""Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified." (40:16)
"My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto Thee; and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed." (71:23)
"Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." (97:12)
Today is Monday. Let us plan to have a special week of rejoicing as we walk with Jesus --- every day---all the way!
Friday, September 22, 2017
"Not Again This Way.."
As I think today about the thousands of people across the world who are suffering greatly from the storms of life -- hurricanes, earthquakes, threats of war and many fears within and without, it is heartbreaking to think of their pain and anguish. I probably cannot do much in a tangible way for these hurting souls except to pray for those who are trying to minister to them.
But at this time in my life, where God has planted me, there is a work for me to do. I want to be faithful, and remember that "I Shall Not Pass Again This Way."
"I shall not pass again this way; I know not of tomorrow -- this is my day.
My yesterdays are gone -- forever passed away.
Their joys and sorrows that have been will never cross my life again,
For I shall not pass again this way.
I shall not pass again this way; my opportunity is for today,
To help another while I may.
Oh, may I lend a helping hand, and speak a kind word while I can,
For I shall not pass again this way.
I shall not pass again this way; May something I shall do or say
Help others on the heavenward way.
O Master, may I do Thy work, and never from my duty shirk,
For I shall not pass again this way."
--Mrs. O. M. Vermillion
"Only one life--it will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last."
But at this time in my life, where God has planted me, there is a work for me to do. I want to be faithful, and remember that "I Shall Not Pass Again This Way."
"I shall not pass again this way; I know not of tomorrow -- this is my day.
My yesterdays are gone -- forever passed away.
Their joys and sorrows that have been will never cross my life again,
For I shall not pass again this way.
I shall not pass again this way; my opportunity is for today,
To help another while I may.
Oh, may I lend a helping hand, and speak a kind word while I can,
For I shall not pass again this way.
I shall not pass again this way; May something I shall do or say
Help others on the heavenward way.
O Master, may I do Thy work, and never from my duty shirk,
For I shall not pass again this way."
--Mrs. O. M. Vermillion
"Only one life--it will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last."
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
COMPLAINERS!
Ouch!! Complaining is actually quite a loathsome and strange disease! It is strange because we don't seem to realize that we have it, and it is loathsome to those whom we converse with often! And---saddest of all, it displeases the Lord when we complain.
We read in the 11th chapter of Numbers: "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it:"
The Lord is not pleased when we complain about our circumstances. Perhaps we need to look back at the children of Israel. They seemed to easily forget all of God's marvelous blessings -- the many miracles He wrought in freeing them from slavery and providing all their needs through the wilderness journey! They seemed to be repeatedly complaining about one thing after another. In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us in the book of I Corinthians:
"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted, . . . Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer."
In Philippians 2:14, we are admonished to "Do all things without murmurings and disputings." I think that means without Complaining! We can be confident that our Heavenly Father is allowing every difficulty for some good purpose.
Let's determine to be "Praisers" instead of "Complainers"!!
"I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
--Psalm 34:1
We read in the 11th chapter of Numbers: "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it:"
The Lord is not pleased when we complain about our circumstances. Perhaps we need to look back at the children of Israel. They seemed to easily forget all of God's marvelous blessings -- the many miracles He wrought in freeing them from slavery and providing all their needs through the wilderness journey! They seemed to be repeatedly complaining about one thing after another. In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us in the book of I Corinthians:
"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted, . . . Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer."
In Philippians 2:14, we are admonished to "Do all things without murmurings and disputings." I think that means without Complaining! We can be confident that our Heavenly Father is allowing every difficulty for some good purpose.
Let's determine to be "Praisers" instead of "Complainers"!!
"I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
--Psalm 34:1
Monday, September 18, 2017
Using Our Faith!
In Romans 1:17, we read: ". . .The just shall live by faith." I read an interesting little acronym for the word "Use." Let us examine it a little bit.
U -- USE what you have. Moses had only a rod when God called him to deliver the children of Israel (Exodus 4). The Lord wants us to use what we already have in our possession. The widow of Zarephath gave her small amount of grain (I Kings 17). Daniel used his secular position (Daniel 6), and Esther used her beauty and bravery (Esther 4). God used each of these to help accomplish His purpose and will.
S -- START doing it! Nothing happens unless we get involved. The priests of Israel participated in the miracle at the Jordan river when they obeyed and stepped in the water (Joshua 3). The widow did not reap the bounty until she followed the prophet Elisha's instructions and borrowed vessels from her neighbors. (II Kings 4) The man who was born blind had to wash as instructed before he could see. (John 9) And those at Lazarus tomb had to roll away the stone before they could witness the miracle and hear Jesus say, "Lazarus, come forth!" (John 11) God instructs -- we obey -- and He performs!
E -- EXPECT it to happen! The centurion understood the Lord's authority when he asked Him to heal His servant. (Matthew 8) The Syrophonecian woman exercised great faith for her healing (Matthew 15), and the nobleman went home confident that his son had been saved (John 4).
Circumstances will vary, but God's "formula" does not! And remember --
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
--Hebrews 11:6
U -- USE what you have. Moses had only a rod when God called him to deliver the children of Israel (Exodus 4). The Lord wants us to use what we already have in our possession. The widow of Zarephath gave her small amount of grain (I Kings 17). Daniel used his secular position (Daniel 6), and Esther used her beauty and bravery (Esther 4). God used each of these to help accomplish His purpose and will.
S -- START doing it! Nothing happens unless we get involved. The priests of Israel participated in the miracle at the Jordan river when they obeyed and stepped in the water (Joshua 3). The widow did not reap the bounty until she followed the prophet Elisha's instructions and borrowed vessels from her neighbors. (II Kings 4) The man who was born blind had to wash as instructed before he could see. (John 9) And those at Lazarus tomb had to roll away the stone before they could witness the miracle and hear Jesus say, "Lazarus, come forth!" (John 11) God instructs -- we obey -- and He performs!
E -- EXPECT it to happen! The centurion understood the Lord's authority when he asked Him to heal His servant. (Matthew 8) The Syrophonecian woman exercised great faith for her healing (Matthew 15), and the nobleman went home confident that his son had been saved (John 4).
Circumstances will vary, but God's "formula" does not! And remember --
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
--Hebrews 11:6
Friday, September 15, 2017
God's Handiwork!!
It was so very beautiful and lovely driving through the countryside this morning! The fragrance of fall was inviting me to slow down and revel in the glory of God's majesty! Many of the trees seemed to be wanting me to notice them beginning to get all dressed up in their gorgeous fall colors! (Thank you, Heavenly Father for giving me eyes to see and enjoy all the beauty of the Fall season).
Then I looked up into the blue heavens and saw the fluffy, white clouds floating along as if they were big marshmallows tempting me to reach up, grab one, and pop it into my mouth!
I thought of the song, "What a Beautiful Day for the Lord to Come Again"! Yes, one day, perhaps sooner than we think, Jesus is coming! What a day that will be! The beauties of this Fall season will pale into insignificance when we think of the beauty of Heaven!! Let us keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
The Psalmist David said:
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. . ."!
Then I looked up into the blue heavens and saw the fluffy, white clouds floating along as if they were big marshmallows tempting me to reach up, grab one, and pop it into my mouth!
I thought of the song, "What a Beautiful Day for the Lord to Come Again"! Yes, one day, perhaps sooner than we think, Jesus is coming! What a day that will be! The beauties of this Fall season will pale into insignificance when we think of the beauty of Heaven!! Let us keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
The Psalmist David said:
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. . ."!
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
The Crucified Life!
The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
The story is told of a young Christian who asked an older Christian, "What does it mean to be crucified?" The mature believer replied that it means three things:
First, the man on the cross is facing only one direction.
Second, he is not going back.
Third, he has no further plans of his own.
The older Christian went on to explain --
First -- A crucified man is facing only one direction. Too many are divided in heart. They want heaven, but they are in love with the world. They are like Lot's wife; they are running one way, but they are facing another.
Second -- A crucified man is not going back. The man who is crucified with Christ is not going back to his old life. That is over with forever.
Third -- A crucified man has no plans of his own. He is not dreaming of a bigger house or a better car. He is finished with this life. Its chains are all broken, and its charms are all gone.
The songwriter said:
"O we never can know what the Lord will bestow of the blessings for which we have prayed
Till our body and soul He doth fully control, and our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above, and how happy our hearts will be made;
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet, when our all on the altar is laid."
Praise the Lord!! In the words of the songwriter---(I have found, personally, that) "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 has found its rest in the center of the will of God!"
May God bless you, challenge you, deepen you, and encourage you as you walk humbly with Him!
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
The story is told of a young Christian who asked an older Christian, "What does it mean to be crucified?" The mature believer replied that it means three things:
First, the man on the cross is facing only one direction.
Second, he is not going back.
Third, he has no further plans of his own.
The older Christian went on to explain --
First -- A crucified man is facing only one direction. Too many are divided in heart. They want heaven, but they are in love with the world. They are like Lot's wife; they are running one way, but they are facing another.
Second -- A crucified man is not going back. The man who is crucified with Christ is not going back to his old life. That is over with forever.
Third -- A crucified man has no plans of his own. He is not dreaming of a bigger house or a better car. He is finished with this life. Its chains are all broken, and its charms are all gone.
The songwriter said:
"O we never can know what the Lord will bestow of the blessings for which we have prayed
Till our body and soul He doth fully control, and our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above, and how happy our hearts will be made;
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet, when our all on the altar is laid."
Praise the Lord!! In the words of the songwriter---(I have found, personally, that) "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 has found its rest in the center of the will of God!"
May God bless you, challenge you, deepen you, and encourage you as you walk humbly with Him!
Monday, September 11, 2017
FEAR NOT!
As I write this morning, thousands of people are experiencing fear. In recent days, many have lost everything of their material possessions through horrible hurricanes, fearful floods, forest fires, powerful earthquakes, etc.--and yet, the Psalmist said in Psalm 34:4:
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
What a sweet verse, and what a blessed comfort it is to know that Jesus can set us free from every fear! At least 19 times in the New Testament, we hear Jesus say "Fear not" or "Be not afraid"!
Get out your hymnal and read again the beautiful words of "How Firm A Foundation"!
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow!
For I will be with thee, thy trials to bless--
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress!"
Remember to --- "Bless the Lord at all times: keep His praise continually in thy mouth!"
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
What a sweet verse, and what a blessed comfort it is to know that Jesus can set us free from every fear! At least 19 times in the New Testament, we hear Jesus say "Fear not" or "Be not afraid"!
Get out your hymnal and read again the beautiful words of "How Firm A Foundation"!
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow!
For I will be with thee, thy trials to bless--
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress!"
Remember to --- "Bless the Lord at all times: keep His praise continually in thy mouth!"
Friday, September 8, 2017
LOVE - PRAISE - GIVE
These three blessed words begin three wonderful Psalms -- 116, 117, and 118. Let's look at them!
"I LOVE the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications." 116:1
"O PRAISE the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people." 117:1
"O GIVE thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever." 118:1
What a wonderful privilege it is to Love and Praise and Give! I trust that you will take some time to meditate in these three little Psalms this week-end so that the Lord can use you to help and comfort some hurting soul. God bless you!
"I LOVE the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications." 116:1
"O PRAISE the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people." 117:1
"O GIVE thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever." 118:1
What a wonderful privilege it is to Love and Praise and Give! I trust that you will take some time to meditate in these three little Psalms this week-end so that the Lord can use you to help and comfort some hurting soul. God bless you!
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
PRAYER!
A few weeks ago I found a sheet of typing paper, yellowed with age, on which I had evidently copied from an article on Prayer. At the top of the page where there should have been a title, there was only a date -- "1978".
"Prayer is the dynamic of all real progress in the work of kingdom building. Basically, prayer is communion with God and requires regular seasons of privacy. There is a time and place for public prayer, united prayer, and family prayer, but these can never be a substitute for private prayer! It is the neglect of the quiet time with God that marks the beginning of backsliding. The shut door, the open heart, the bended knee is the way to satisfying joy and effective service.
Beyond the seasons of daily devotion when you get alone to pray and read God's Holy Word, which the child of God must maintain at all costs, there is the necessity of further unhurried seasons of protracted prayer. Effective prayer demands time. It is costly, but richly rewarding. All the genuine movements of the Holy Spirit in mighty revival have been brought about by the persevering, protracted, prevailing prayer of a faithful and burdened few. Let Jesus show you the way to spend unhurried time in the presence of the Father.
Intercessory prayer demands the full powers of our bodies, minds and hearts. Cold, indifferent hearts cannot pray this kind of prayer. It can only be done by those whose hearts are aflame with love for God and weighted down with the burden of the tragedy of a perishing world. Passionate prayer engages in a battle with the powers of hell. Affection, emotion, desire, sorrow, and pain all combine in mighty intercession that overthrows demonic powers and confuses satanic plans, and wins great victories for God! It persists until the answer is assured. Only prayer with "groanings that cannot be uttered" can release the power of the Holy Spirit to change rebellious defiance to humble and willing obedience. Satan will try above all things to prevent us from passionate praying. He does not mind our plans, our work, our preaching, our teaching, our witnessing so long as there is no dynamic of the Holy Spirit in them (so very true)!! Prayer is the only way in which all our service can be electrified into life-giving, devil-defeating, world-conquering power!"
And now, 39 years later, our Lord is still looking for men and women who will follow Him into the Gethsemane of passionate, God-glorifying prayer. Can He count on you and me?
"Prayer is the dynamic of all real progress in the work of kingdom building. Basically, prayer is communion with God and requires regular seasons of privacy. There is a time and place for public prayer, united prayer, and family prayer, but these can never be a substitute for private prayer! It is the neglect of the quiet time with God that marks the beginning of backsliding. The shut door, the open heart, the bended knee is the way to satisfying joy and effective service.
Beyond the seasons of daily devotion when you get alone to pray and read God's Holy Word, which the child of God must maintain at all costs, there is the necessity of further unhurried seasons of protracted prayer. Effective prayer demands time. It is costly, but richly rewarding. All the genuine movements of the Holy Spirit in mighty revival have been brought about by the persevering, protracted, prevailing prayer of a faithful and burdened few. Let Jesus show you the way to spend unhurried time in the presence of the Father.
Intercessory prayer demands the full powers of our bodies, minds and hearts. Cold, indifferent hearts cannot pray this kind of prayer. It can only be done by those whose hearts are aflame with love for God and weighted down with the burden of the tragedy of a perishing world. Passionate prayer engages in a battle with the powers of hell. Affection, emotion, desire, sorrow, and pain all combine in mighty intercession that overthrows demonic powers and confuses satanic plans, and wins great victories for God! It persists until the answer is assured. Only prayer with "groanings that cannot be uttered" can release the power of the Holy Spirit to change rebellious defiance to humble and willing obedience. Satan will try above all things to prevent us from passionate praying. He does not mind our plans, our work, our preaching, our teaching, our witnessing so long as there is no dynamic of the Holy Spirit in them (so very true)!! Prayer is the only way in which all our service can be electrified into life-giving, devil-defeating, world-conquering power!"
And now, 39 years later, our Lord is still looking for men and women who will follow Him into the Gethsemane of passionate, God-glorifying prayer. Can He count on you and me?
Friday, September 1, 2017
The Garden!
What a sad day it was when Satan visited the Garden and started talking to Eve -- and sadder yet that she started conversing with him. Instead of fleeing from temptation, the Bible says in Genesis 3:6: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food; and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."
Soon they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the Garden, and they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God! So Sad! Sin separates us from God, and soon Adam heard God calling unto him -- "Where art thou"?
Is God seeking you today? "Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts!"
Leonard Ravenhill once said:
"If a million people smiled on me while I knew God was frowning on me, I wouldn't be happy. But if God smiled on me, while a million people frowned on me, I wouldn't be unhappy!"
"May Thy Spirit, Divine, own this being of mine! Not my will -- but Thy will -- be done, Lord, in me."
Soon they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the Garden, and they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God! So Sad! Sin separates us from God, and soon Adam heard God calling unto him -- "Where art thou"?
Is God seeking you today? "Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts!"
Leonard Ravenhill once said:
"If a million people smiled on me while I knew God was frowning on me, I wouldn't be happy. But if God smiled on me, while a million people frowned on me, I wouldn't be unhappy!"
"May Thy Spirit, Divine, own this being of mine! Not my will -- but Thy will -- be done, Lord, in me."
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