Dec. 29, 2005
A Place to Belong

As people we have a natural desire to belong - family, tribe, nation, etc. This was given to us by our Creator. As Christians we have a supernatural desire to be part of a church and to belong to a group that bears the name of Christ.

In these perilous times, those who desire to live by the word of God, rather than man's traditions, too often find themselves being shouldered out of churches and fellowship with other believers. Our Lord Jesus said, Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Luke 6:22 If we know that our "offense" is following Christ above all others, then we can rest in this promise of the God's blessing. This is comforting, but there is still a painful side to being cast out of the church (John 9:22, 3 John 9-10).

There is a sweet promise given to the Philadelphians in Revelation 3. This was the church that kept Christ's word and did not deny His name (v. 8 & 10). While this was a real church in John's day, and also an era of church history, there is an application today also for those who strive to walk as Philadelphians. Their rewards are available to all saints who overcome according to the Lord's promise. Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

This verse really blessed me the first time I noticed the significance of it and the application for those of us who have been cast out of the synagogue, so to speak. There is a human desire to have a building associated with the church. Human nature also wants a name - a denomination, if you will - to describe itself and associate itself with. It usually wants a tribe or nation to claim as the best or "God blessed" ("God bless America," national flags in "church", tribalism and nationalism in the church, etc.). In short, we want a place to belong. Something that can be seen, felt and understood with the natural senses.

By faith, which ...is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11:1; we look ...for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb. 11:10 By choosing to associate ourselves with the unseen rather than the temporal, we have the promise of all this and more. But look at what God promises to the Philadelphians who overcome through the end of the Laodicean era: We will have a building - the temple of God Almighty. We will never be cast out again! We will have a "label" - the name of God Himself and His Son, Jesus Christ. We will bear the name of a city not to be ashamed of - the new Jerusalem.

What JOY. Here is a place where where man has no authority to decide if we "belong." Here is a place where one name is sufficient for all. Here is a place where we are saved ...out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Rev. 5:9 (emphasis added).

Christ Jesus does not ask us to suffer more than He did. Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. By the grace of God let us be willing to go forth unto Him without the camp in this life, bearing His reproach for His sake, so that we may rejoice greatly in time to come when we lay hold on a name and an eternal place where we belong!

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;
and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Dec. 19, 2005
The Mouth of A Priest

Malachai 2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. 9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

This is a very interesting passage of scripture. I'm sure some "men of God" would be quick to apply verse 7 to themselves; but then there are verses 8 and 9. :-) Peter tells us in his epistle, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1Peter 2:9 We are all of the royal priesthood now, and so this passage applies to every believer, though we know this passage specifically applies to the priests of Old Testament Israel.

Sad to say, many Christians do not know the word of God, so people cannot seek it at their mouth. Many think that "the preacher" or "the pastor" is "the messenger of the Lord." They run along "to church" on Sunday and get their little thimbleful of teaching, but they think they cannot understand the Bible for themselves and they certainly are not qualified to really feed others! Too often the pastors/preachers perpetuate this idea.

We see that as Christians have departed out of the way, they have caused people to stumble at the word of God. Men's traditions, standards, another gospel, and much more now hinder the word of God. At the same time, the Lord has allowed Christianity to lose the respect of the unsaved in many places where it enjoyed it before.

Though two young "preachers" in Austin, Texas beat a Mexican boy almost to death, many "great men of God" and other "Bible believing Christians" are demanding that those two young men be released soon because "they won't do it again." Don't you think the world sees the partiality in that? The same people will cry out when "justice" is not done to some murderer or criminal, yet when it's "one of our darlings" it really "isn't fair." Kent Hovind insists that he has a right to make lots of money and pay no taxes. The world doesn't appreciate that kind of double standard. To add insult to injury, these type of folks will complain because Christians and Christianity are not longer "respected" in America. Should that kind of Christianity be respected? According to the passage above it appears the Lord Himself is the One allowing it to become contemptible!

Speaking of Levi the son of Abraham, God said, Malachai 2:5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

Christian, do you fear the Lord? Or, do you fear the pastor, or the pastor's wife, or some other "leader of the church"? Are you afraid before God's name? Or do you honor the name of Jack Hyles, Lee Roberson, Phil Kidd, Bob Jones, Peter Ruckman, Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Michael and Debi Pearl or any other notable preacher, musician, college, expert, etc.? Whose name do you revere? Is it Jesus Christ?

Is the truth in your mouth? The truth as in God's word? John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. You can only turn people away from iniquity through the word of God. And, that is your job, not "the preacher's". Every priest should be turning people away from iniquity, and in the New Testament, every believer is a priest! If every saint in the New Testament is responsible to know God's word and pass it on to others, and we have seen this to be true, then every saint would do well to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15 Do you really study God's word? Or is "a chapter a day keeps the devil away" for you? Ok, so you only read a chapter. Do you think about what you read? Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

In order to do this, iniquity must not be found in your mouth. How do you talk? Are the words of you mouth acceptable in the sight of the Lord? Ps. 19:14. Or is you talk polluted by the love of the world, profanity, and coarseness. People are inclined to think that it's "the preacher's job" to speak God's word, so he should keep his mouth clean but us peons don't matter. Paul told the whole church at Colosse, Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6 That was to the whole church - every priest (saved person) among them.

Do you walk with God in peace and equity? Or is your life an exercise in agitation and confusion? Are you fair with the people around you?

This is not intended as an accusation. But, it is discouraging to see so many people who have been lulled into the delusion that these things belong to the "preachers", "men of God", and "Christian leaders." They do not. They are your responsibility. They are mine. And, God wants us to follow this pattern for good cause. Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Be wise. Know God's word - really know it. Then others may inquire of you and you can speak to them the words of the Lord, which will turn them to righteousness; instead of the words of men which have no eternally life changing power.

Dec. 10, 2005
Lonely but Loved

Psalm 63
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 ¶ Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7 ¶ Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

This Psalm was written by David when he was hiding in the wilderness from Saul. He was an outcast of society, so to speak, and he was unable to worship God in the sanctuary because of this. He longed to see the power and glory of God as he was accustomed to see it there.

Yet, we see that he was not in fear for his spiritual safety nor did he live in terror because he was unable to visit the sanctuary. He knew God still loved him. He still praised God and blessed Him. He was still satisfied with God and joyful in Him. He did not forget the Lord and continued to meditate upon him.

As many of us are finding ourselves "outside the camp" this Psalm is very refreshing and encouraging. David, who was under the old covenant that required sacrifice at a physical tabernacle (sanctuary), still felt God's love and care. Though circumstances had kept him from obeying the commands to worship God at the tabernacle, yet he rested in the knowledge that he was still loved, and rejoiced that he could still worship even where he was.

Notice that he was following God out there in the wilderness. He still loved the Lord and thought upon Him. He had not gone out there because he wanted to, or to escape the worship or knowledge of God. He was there of necessity, and saw the hand of the Lord upholding him in that.

Let us take hope and comfort in these words. Rather than feeling guilty or angry, let us remember to rejoice in the Lord, to praise Him and to rest in His care and love for us even though we are "stuck" in the wilderness as it were. Though others may try to destroy our faith and our souls, yet by the grace of God they will not succeed, and their lies shall be stopped. There will always be Sauls who lie about us, and Nabals who believe the lies, but God is bigger than their lies.

Like David we must follow hard after the Lord and take comfort in the knowledge that we are in His hand.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Dec. 3, 2005
A Family Resemblence

In family Bible reading this week we read 1John 2:29, If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. The thing that struck me is that doing righteousness is a "family trait" of those that are in God's family. We know that ...we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6 But, in Christ Jesus and through Him, we can do the righteousness of God. In this there should be a family resemblence.

We expect to see similarities between parents and their offspring in looks, actions, and attitudes. As spiritual children of God, joint-heirs with Christ, we should be showing a resemblence to Him. But, it is not possible unless we are born of Him for it is a family trait, a resemblence that is passed on only through blood relationship. Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

It is also our calling.

1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Nov. 26, 2005
We Would See Jesus

When I was playing the piano the other day I played the old hymn, "We Would See Jesus" written by Anna B. Warner. As I followed the words with the music, the third verse (in our book) struck me.

We would see Jesus; other lights are paling,
Which for long years we have rejoiced to see;
The blessings of our pilgrimage are failing;
We would not mourn them, for we go to Thee.

For my parents' generation, and for some of my own generation, we remember a time when real Christian friends, sweet Christian fellowship and better Bible teaching were much more common and available. We have memories of a time before and at the edge of the great coldness and dimming that has come over the Lord's church.

But, thinking over the lines of that song, I was reminded that we should be looking unto Jesus. We should be looking ahead to Him instead of looking back and mourning over the past. Our future is with Jesus Christ, and if the lights of this pilgrimage are failing, what of it? Our Light from heaven will never fail! Let us keep our eyes on ...the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 And, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Nov. 21, 2005
Looking for Good Things

In reading through Paul's epistles over the last months, several things stood out in particular in the way of themes. I would challenge you to notice these three things in particular the next time you read through these books.

1. Paul's love and care for the saints (regardless of whether they deserved it or not), and how much he expected and received joy from them.

2. The fact that Paul's authority was to edify and not destroy, even as an apostle. (2 Cor. 10:8)

3. The crucified life.

It is a great blessing.

Nov. 16, 2005
Whose armour are we wearing?

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We are supposed to take the armour of God. It crossed my mind in thinking of that how many different man-made armours Christians try to use instead of taking that of God's own making.

Instead of ...having your loins girt about with truth..., they are often girt about with the traditions of man - a useless support that feels good by adds no strength.

Instead of ...having on the breastplate of righteousness..., it is too often the breastplate of self-righteousness and selfish good works designed to "earn" salvation or indulgences from God (which are both impossible). (Hosea 10:1 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself...)

Instead of ...your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace..., it is the preparation of the gospel of church attendance and "getting more people out" ("nickels and nose and butt every 18 inches" as they reportedly describe it in pro-wrestling).

Instead of ...taking the shield of faith..., it is the shield of church membership. Where you "go to church" keeps you out of trouble and protects you from the pastors and the "church goers" who judge "rightness with God" upon church membership and attendance. (It doesn't protect from the fiery darts of the wicked, though.)

Instead of taking ...the helmet of salvation..., the helmet of philosophy and vain deceit is taken (Col. 2:8). Man's reasoning answers the questions of life instead of the sound mind (1 Tim. 1:7) of a sure salvation. God's salvation protects and secures the head which then governs the whole body so that the salvation is lived out in daily obedience. Man's philosophy leaves the mind unprotected and even vulnerable to injury.

Instead of ...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..., the butterknife of human scholarship is taken - a useless weapon that only causes doubt and defeat before the enemies of the Lord.

Can you think of more substitutes people use instead of God's armour?

Is it any wonder that so many Christians are losing the battle? Let us Put on the whole armour of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Post Script - Please notice that it is a command to take the whole armour of God. If we choose not to obey this command, we do not have the armour on. It is not automatically put on us. We must take it. For those struggling with especially hard things, may I suggest that you start each day by reading through this list in Ephesians 6 and "putting on" God's armour in prayer? I did this myself when I was suffering from accute anxiety, and I know others who have done this for other reasons, and it is a great help in the battle! God keeps His word!