How Do You Picture God?

       

        Have you ever written a letter to a manufacturer to commend or complain about a product? Here’s one from a consumer to a pharmaceutical company: “Dear Sir, You do well manufacturing over-the-counter pain relievers, cold and flu medications, and allergy relief medicines. The mixtures used in your wonderful medications make it possible for people to get out of bed and fight off headaches, muscle pain, allergy symptoms and the like. I have noticed those meds work wonders Monday thru Friday and especially well on Saturdays. But people who take these same meds on Sunday don’t seem to get any relief. Their sniffling and aches and pains linger, and are unable to attend Sunday school or worship. Is it possible for you to examine your products and add an ingredient that will enhance their effectiveness to include Sunday as well?”

[Revelation 21:3-4] When you think of God, what comes to mind? A little girl was busy with her crayons marking a large piece of paper with lots of color when her mother asked her what she was drawing. She said, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” During the discussion that followed her mother insisted that no-one knows what God looks like. Not deterred in the least the little girl said, “They will when I’m finished!” My understanding of God has changed through the years. When I was a boy I saw Him through the eyes of an innocent little boy. When I was in my teens I saw Him through the eyes of one who had been conditioned to behave in a way that was acceptable to God. I realized at times that I was not always behaving according to those standards and felt guilty. When I thought of Him, judgment and punishment came to mind. When I was twenty, believing I would eventually meet Him, I began to think seriously about Christianity and was baptized in the spring of 1973. Our understanding of God is important because it determines how we respond to Him. Do you remember the parable the Lord told about the talents? The one talent man hid his talent because, according to Scripture, “…I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid…” (Matthew 25:24-25). The one talent man’s response was based on fear and a wrong understanding of his Master. He saw Him as impossible to please. What about you? How do you see the Lord? Do you see him hard, demanding, and impossible to please? If so, you will never have confidence before Him. Although the Lord is not to be trifled with, He is merciful and His grace is sufficient. He, in spite of our sin, loves us. The proof of His love was the death of Jesus on the cross. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us…” (1 John 3:16). Our sin would condemn us, but through Jesus the penalty for sin has been paid (Hebrews 9:28). Therefore, how should we see the Lord, especially Christians? We are to see Him as our heavenly Father. We are to realize, because He loves us, He does not treat us as a parent would respond to a spoiled child. He expects us to live disciplined lives and to obey Him because it is in our best interest to do so. It is His desire that we know Him, and we know Him through the Bible, His written Word. We should spend our lives preparing ourselves to meet Him on the other side. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2). Remember, how you picture the Lord is how you will respond to Him. Let your understanding of Him be based on the Word of God. “God is Love” (1 John 4:7-21). No God; No Love - Know God; Know Love. Amen!

 

Persistence

 

Bjorn Borg was one of the greatest tennis players that ever laced up a pair of sneakers. The former World Number One player from Sweden won 11 grand slam singles titles, five consecutive Wimbledon single titles and four consecutive French Open titles. He won 41% of the Grand Slam singles tournaments he entered. He had the highest career winning percentage of any male player (82.72%) in the history of the sport. When asked the secret of his success Borg responded, “My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up on a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories.” Calvin Coolidge said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.” He was right! James Whitcomb Riley said, “The most essential factor is persistence – the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” He was right! Thomas Carlyle said, “Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities. It is this that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” He was right! What is persistence? Forget all the fancy definitions! To persist is to keep on keeping on! A persistent person is one who refuses to give up; one who continues tenaciously; one who is steadfast, determined and insistent. Bertrand Russell said, “No great achievement is possible without persistent work.” He was right!

[Hebrews 6:10] You will not find the word “persistence” in the Bible! You will find the idea of “persistence” on nearly every page – especially in the epistles as they stress practical Christian living. Consider these points: * We must “stand fast in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We must “stand fast in one spirit” (Philippians 1:27). We must “stand fast in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). * We are to “hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We must “hold fast the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13). We must “hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14). * James wrote, “Indeed, we count them blessed who endure” (James 5:11). We must “endure persecutions and tribulations” (2 Thessalonians 1:4); “hardship” (2 Timothy 2:3); “affliction” (2 Timothy 4:5); “chastening” (Hebrews 12:7); and “grief” (1 Peter 2:19). The Master said, “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22). We must stand fast! We must hold fast! We must endure! That sounds like persistence to me! Woody Hayes, the legendary coach at Ohio State University, taught his players that the key to success on the football field was to “paralyze resistance with persistence.” The same is true on the field of life – the Christian life! “Paralyze resistance with persistence.” Keep on Keeping on!

Even in the midst of God’s wrath, i.e. more than a dozen, out of control, woodland wildfires in California, legislators, the governor, district judges, county attorney’s, city mayors and councils are doing everything they can to deny Christians the right to assemble and worship in spite of the fact congregations are, and have been without complaint, following the medical mandates prescribed by the state. I implore you to investigate this for yourself. Liberty Counsel is a not for profit legal defense with lawyers defending folks all across this nation being stripped of their rights and denied their religious freedoms. Don’t take my word for it – go to lc.org and read about the atrocities being suffered by AMERICAN citizen’s right here in the United States by elected government offices. The entire congregation of the Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, California has been threatened with fines and jail if they assembly for worship.

While Men Are Sleeping

 

The dog days or the dog days of summer are the hot, sultry days of summer. They are historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. These dog days are today taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Well, I don’t know how your luck has been running, but it sure has been hot – the longest consecutive run of one hundred degree days we’ve had in a long time. But, I noticed early this morning, while escorting my little Chihuahua, Bella, on her daily excursion of doggie duties, the days are beginning to wane with the lack of light on the horizon at six or six-thirty. I had to giggle to myself in the thought that in the midst of our one hundred degree days, in just a few short weeks I’ll be doing the same thing except the pre-sunrise temperature won’t be eighty but more like sixty – then we can start griping about the cold for five months.

[Isaiah 29:13-21] “…but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away” (Matthew 13:25). While men sleep - the enemy has come and sown weeds among the good wheat – abortion has become an acceptable means of population control; homosexuality has become an acceptable lifestyle; sex outside of marriage has become a common behavior; teenage pregnancy has reached epidemic proportions; our society has become addicted to drugs, pornography, gambling, and alcohol, all of which develop into huge health problems – not a peep; men are still asleep. Individualism, pluralism, secularism, and apathy supplant congregations rendering the church impotent, totally incapable of doing anything about our moral crisis – because men are sleeping on it. No one seems to know what is right or what is wrong any longer. Sadly, most people don’t think there is any right or wrong, and those who do, don’t seem to care one way or another. So, everyone is doing what feels good to them at the moment, and what will make them feel good about themselves later on. While men sleep - the weeds are growing rapidly and numerously.

 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. That is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’” (Ephesians 5:11-14). Look around! What used to be done in secret, in the dark, behind closed doors, is now in the open for even the blind to see. How scary will the nightmare become before men wake up? While men sleep - America is becoming a Godless nation, forbidding even the mention of God in public education and public affairs. Will our national motto, “In God We Trust” become obsolete? While New Testament Christians sleep - false religions are sprouting up all over this nation and around the world and like Israel of old mankind is abandoning their Creator to worship their Baal’s. Don’t you think it’s past time we awaken out of our sleep? New Testament Christians once turned the world upside down by preaching Jesus Christ. The days are getting shorter, light is lacking and love is growing cold. Christ’s return is going to surprise the majority of mankind as the blind continue to follow the blind. “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (Matthew 15:13). Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead! Christ will give you light, and love that will never grow cold.

Hang On To The Truth

 I sometimes feel we’re living in this make-believe world where nobody knows the truth any longer and those who do aren’t willing to share it – shades of “A Few Good Men” – “You can’t handle the truth!” I don’t need to know everything, but when it is obvious that outright blatant lies are stripping a free society of its rights - chaos ensues.

If you are my friend, if you are concerned about my soul, give me the truth. Do not flatter me. Do not praise my virtues while remaining silent about my vices. Do not fear the truth will offend me. Do not treasure our friendship and our friendly relations above telling me the truth. Do not think that ignoring my sins, you can help me. Do not think that being blind to my sins will prove yourself charitable. However I may react to it, whatever may be my attitude toward you after you have done it – Give Me the Truth! For the Truth and only the Truth can make me free from the shackles of sin, strengthen me in the pathway of righteousness, and lead me to heaven’s joy. If I am wavering, weak, lukewarm, indifferent, neglectful; if I have been overtaken in a trespass; if I have been drawn into the pleasures of the world; if I have left my first love; if I have been led astray by error; or if I have done none of these, but simply need to grow in knowledge and be edified, Give Me the Truth! Truth is the guide that doesn’t waver or need excuse.

[Proverbs 23:22-23] “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it – wisdom, instruction and insight as well.” * Three things in life that, once gone, never come back – Time, Words, and Opportunity. * Three things in life that may never be lost – Peace, Hope, and Honesty. * Three things in life that are most valuable – Love, Faith, and Prayer. * Three things in life that are never certain – Dreams, Success, and Fortune. * Three things in life that make life worthwhile – Hard work, Sincerity, and Commitment. * Three things in life that can destroy a soul – Lust, Pride, and Anger. * Three things in life that are truly constant – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. * When it comes to truth, we must always be buyers and never sellers. Truth is a long-term investment that is worth everything one has. It is an investment that will pay extraordinary dividends as long as one holds on to it. But the moment one sells it; the instant one decides to get rid of it, it will be the most costly mistake they could ever make. Unfortunately, truth is so little valued in this day and age. Today, people hold opinions rather than convictions; people follow personal feelings rather than Biblical precedence. They exalt cultural standards over what God has authorized. We live in a time where truth is being sold like it is nothing more than a cheap trinket at a weekend garage sale. Nowadays the prevailing attitude is MY truth versus YOUR truth. What might be true for you may not be true for me and vice versa. Everyone’s measure is different based on their set of circumstances. How many times have we seen the truth bent, twisted or sold to fit a person’s ideology? Scripture never refers to my truth or your truth, but rather refers to The Truth! ‘To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”’ (John 8:31-32). Jesus identified God’s Truth as The Truth, and himself as the teacher of God’s Truth. Therefore, the issue is not whether truth exists, or if it is simply relative based on certain circumstances; the issue is not whether there is such a thing as absolute truth. God settles all of those questions and, surprisingly, doesn’t ask for our opinion on the matter. The real issue still stands – how do we respond to truth? Are we buyers or sellers?

Darkness - The Absence Of Light

There is a time, we know not when, a point we know not where, that marks the destiny of men to glory or despair. There is a line by us unseen, that crosses every path; the hidden boundary between God’s patience and His wrath. To pass that limit is to die, to die as if by stealth; it does not quench the beaming eye, or pale the glow of health. The conscience may be still at ease, the spirit light and gay; that which is pleasing still may please and care be thrust away. But on that forehead God has set indelibly a mark, unseen by man, for man as yet is blind and in the dark. And yet the doomed man’s path below may bloom as Eden bloomed; he did not, does not, will not know, or feel that he is doomed. He knows, he feels that all is well, and every fear is calmed; he lives, he dies, he walks in hell, not only doomed but damned. Oh! Where is that mysterious bourne by which our path has crossed; beyond which God himself has sworn, that he who goes is lost. How far may we go on in sin? How long will God forbear? Where does hope end, and where begins the confines of despair? The answer from the skies is sent: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7-19).

[1 John 1:5-10] There are myriad examples of darkness and light in the Bible. Satan, evil, sin, ignorance, and apathy are all correctly depicted as darkness. God, Jesus, power, truth, and righteousness are depicted as light. “…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1: 5). Where does power lie in both light and darkness? There are many sources of light. The sun, a lightbulb, a candle, the stars, lightning, and all have some source of power. Darkness, on the other hand, just has one source, and it is not even of itself. The only way to attain it is to subtract or remove light. Thus, no one can go out and purchase a darkness machine; neither can one turn up the darkness to an intensity as to quench the light. Therefore, light has power and darkness does not. The only power darkness can ever hope to attain is that given to it by one who desires it; “…men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:16-21). All shades of man’s character conform and comply proportionately with the degree in which they love light or darkness. An acceptance of Jesus the Christ as God’s own son, and follower of his doctrine, inherently creates a light in one’s self, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…” (Ephesians 5:8). Now the evil one wants to quench that light in you and he is very good at what he does. We know the evil one cannot overcome the light of God any more than a dark room can overcome a flashlight or the night can overcome the day. We must let the sun go down or the batteries to weaken. And it usually doesn’t happen suddenly. Satan has been meddling in God’s relationship with man since the time of Job and is enjoying this pandemic immensely. Go to church – but not all the time. Give – But not too much. Do – But just a little. Now you’re not as bright as you once were. Your vision is impaired. Thing’s aren’t as clear; but your eyes adjust. You can still get by. You go to church, but only when you haven’t been for a while. You still give and do things, but only when you go to church. The light within you dims more. You can still see for your eyes have adjusted again, but now you can no longer tolerate bright light. The purity of God’s light and of his glory that once drew you toward Him now causes you to turn away. Darkness is the natural occurrence when light is not present. “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:25). Man’s self-centered “rights” are powered by his own dark depraved mind and not of the love and the light of God.