Short, but Powerful!

The last chapter of I Thessalonians (chapter 5) is an amazing chapter!  It is short -- one of the verses has only two words -- but it is powerful.  I find it interesting that verses 14-22 are all very explicit commands!  In fact, verse 14 has four -- warn, comfort, support and be patient.  Let us notice carefully these nine verses:

     v. 14 -- Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
     v. 15 - See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
     v. 16 -- Rejoice evermore.
     v. 17 -- Pray without ceasing.
     v. 18 -- In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
     v. 19 -- Quench not the Spirit.
     v. 20 -- Despise not prophesyings.
     v. 21 -- Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
     v. 22 -- Abstain from all appearance of evil.  (How careful we must be!)
Verses 12 and 13 are wonderful verses also:
     v. 12 -- And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you:
     v. 13 -- And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.  And be at peace among yourselves.

As we look into our own heart, and meditate on these commands, we need to remember that all of God's commands are for our good and His glory!

As Philip Bliss tells us, God's words are 'Wonderful Words of Life'.

     "Sing them over again to me, Wonderful Words of Life!
      Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful Words of Life!
      Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
      Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful Words of Life!"

The Lord Hath Need . . . .

Yesterday was such a blessed and glorious day as we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord!  My heart still thrills today as I recall all the beautiful music and the inspiring message from our pastor, Bro. Thornton.

But today I want to think for a few moments on six little words which captured my attention last week.  In the 19th chapter of Luke, we read these words:  "And it came to pass, when He was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying, 'Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, Whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.  And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.'
And they that were sent went their way, and found even as He had said unto them.  And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, 'Why loose ye the colt'?  And they said, 'The Lord hath need of him.'"  (v. 29-34)  In verses 31 and 34, it reads -- "the Lord hath need of him."

I think there are several lessons for us here.  First, Jesus did not give any reason or explanation for His command, "Go ye"!  It is so easy for us to question "Why"?  Why, Jesus, would you want a colt that has never been ridden or even sat upon??  It will be wild!!  We want to try and figure out everything ourselves, forgetting that we are to trust our Lord and not lean to our own understanding!   But even though the two disciples probably didn't understand, they did not question -- they went immediately to carry out the command of the Master.

Secondly, when God asks us to do something, He works on the other end, as well.  Notice verse 33 --- when the disciples were loosing the colt, the owners might have said -- "Hey, what do you think you are doing?  That's my colt -- why are you loosing him?"  When they answered simply, "The Lord hath need of him," they brought him to Jesus!

Thirdly, it is very important to remember that "Obedience to God is life's supreme and most important matter."  The two disciples did not know "Why"? -- that didn't matter -- because they loved the Master, they wanted to obey Him so they responded with these simple words -- "The Lord hath need of Him"!!

Does the Lord have need of You today?

Hallelujah! Christ Arose!

"Rise, O Church, and lift your voices; Christ has conquered death and hell.
Sing as all the earth rejoices; Resurrection anthems swell.
He has conquered -- He has conquered!
Worship Christ, the Risen King!"

And if you ask me, personally, how I know Christ lives --He lives within my heart!!

Holy Week Meditations . . . .

"When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died,
 My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God.
 All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

 See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.
 Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

 Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small.
 Love so amazing, so Divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!!"

Holy Week Meditations . . . .

It is very hard to walk with Jesus to the Garden and see Him agonizing there.  God's Holy Word says in the 22nd chapter of Luke:  "And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him.  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.  And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

This scene grips my heart as I see Jesus, in His humanity, agonizing in prayer and pleading with His Father to remove the cup---if it be possible---but then He adds the blessed words of surrender -- "Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done."  Our Lord was in such travail of soul that an angel from heaven came and strengthened Him.

He rose up from prayer, went to the disciples and found them sleeping.  There must have been sadness in Jesus' heart and voice when He said, "Could you not watch with Me one hour"?
Jesus went back to the place of prayer and again was in great agony, praying even more earnestly, until he sweat great drops of blood.  But when He rose from prayer this time, it was settled.  He was ready for the multitude, the betrayal kiss of Judas, the denial of Peter, the sentencing of Pilate, the deriding of the rulers, the mockery of the soldiers--saying from the Cross, :Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

I have often meditated on this scene in the garden.  It moves me deeply and shows me a beautiful picture of complete and humble surrender to the Father's will.

Have you had a Gethsemane? 

Holy Week Meditations . . .

As I walk with Jesus today, He seems very quiet.  I wonder -- what is the Master thinking?
Is He looking ahead to the agony in the Garden -- the mob coming to arrest Him with swords and staves -- mocking Him -- smiting Him -- striking Him on His loving face?
Is He thinking of Peter (one of the inner circle), who is going to deny Him, saying, "I know Him not."?

Or,  . . . . . is He looking beyond Calvary, perhaps way down to you and me, and thinking:

     "I gave My life for thee; my precious blood I shed.
      That thou might'st ransomed be, and quickened from the dead.
      I gave, I gave My life for thee; What hast thou given for Me?

      My Father's house of light, My glory circled throne,
      I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone.
      I left, I left it all for thee; Hast thou left ought for Me?

      I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell,
      Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell.
      I've borne, I've borne it all for thee; What hast thou borne for Me?

      And I have brought to thee, down from My home above,
      Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love.
      I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee.  What hast thou brought to Me?"

Holy Week Meditations ...

As I meditate on the events of this Holy Week, my heart is very humbled as I try to contemplate even a fraction of what it cost Jesus to purchase my salvation on Calvary! 

The words of a beautiful old song entitled, "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked" have seemed to fix themselves in my mind this week, and have thrilled me, blessed me and inspired me as I continue to walk with this Stranger of Galilee.  I trust they will stir your heart also as we continue our journey to the Cross and beyond!

     "I walked today where Jesus walked, in days of long ago;
      I wandered down each path He knew, with reverent step and slow.
      Those little lanes, they have not changed -- a sweet peace fills the air.
      I walked today where Jesus walked, and felt His presence there.

      My pathway led through Bethlehem,
      Ah!  memories ever sweet;
      The little hills of Galilee, that knew those childish feet;
      The Mount of Olives, hallowed scenes that Jesus knew before;
      I saw the mighty Jordan roll as in the days of yore.

      I knelt today where Jesus knelt -- where all alone He prayed;
      The Garden of Gethsemane -- my heart felt unafraid!
      I picked my heavy burden up -- and with Him by my side,
      I climbed the Hill of Calvary -- I climbed the Hill of Calvary --
      I climbed the Hill of Calvary -- where on the Cross He died!

      I walked today where Jesus walked, and felt Him close to me!"