Wisdom Through Words (Oct 31)

I’d like to begin by sharing a devotional by Chris Tiegreen from October 29.

Experts in memory techniques tell us that if we use a new acquaintance’s name in our conversation, we’ll be more likely to remember it. Students who discuss the subject matter of a class with each other are going to integrate it into their thinking better. Those who have a hard time remembering good jokes are those who never tell them. There is something powerful about uttering new-found knowledge. Speech reinforces thinking.

The principle is written into God’s Word as well. After we’ve prayed for His wisdom, meditated on His truths, and memorized some Scriptures, we may find that the process is furthered by our willingness to speak what we’ve learned. In contemporary Western cultures, the spoken word is a casual thing, a simple, verbal expression of sometimes meaningless thoughts. Not so in the Bible. There is power in the spoken word. When God created, He spoke. When He and His people blessed, they spoke. When people cursed, they spoke. What was said out loud could not be unsaid. It was concrete; its utterance made it so.

That truth should be enough to cause us all to examine our speech. Are we reinforcing negative thoughts and false suppositions when we open our mouths? Or are we reinforcing truth? Do our tongues practice righteousness and praise or discouragement and doubt? We think the mind has complete influence over the mouth, but it is often the other way around. Our own words can train us well.

When you have learned one of God’s truths in your mind, try speaking it with your mouth. Repeat it out loud to yourself. Share it with someone else. Discuss its application with other believers. Let it become a sensory reality rather than an inaudible thought. The likelihood of its remaining a part of your thinking and a part of your character will increase dramatically. Your mouth and your ears will establish what’s in your heart.

Proverbs 21:23

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Psalm 119:13

With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

John 15:11

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

He Who Dwells (Oct 24)

Psalm 91

(1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; (10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

As we begin to look at this passage from scripture, I'd like to point out some of the things that dwell means, when translated from the original language. The word can mean to sit down, to remain, to abide, to continue, and to endure, among other things.

Read through the scripture again. There are so many promises in there for God's protection and His constant care and keeping. But, if you look, you'll see that this scripture is for those that dwell in the secret place of the most High. It is for those that sit down and remain there. They continue no matter what else calls them away. They endure through all things. They don't leave. These people will find God to be a refuge and fortress. These people will not fear because they have God's presence always. Look at verse 9: “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you...” You have made God your dwelling place. You've made Him your refuge. In His presence is where you stay continually. You know God. And it is of this person that God speaks in verses 14-16. I will deliver him. I will set him on high. I will answer him. I will be with him. I will honor him. I will satisfy him with long life. I will show him my salvation.

Wow. I want those promises. I want it to be said of me, “He has known God's name.” (v. 14) These are all great and wonderful promises. They are great things to think about and most certainly a comfort in times of trial and hardship or persecution or temptation. God is always there. But His presence is always near me because I have chosen to stay where He wants me to be. I've been thinking about this the past few days. How often does God tell us what His will is and instead of putting ourselves there where He wants us, we make our own plans and forget about His. Here are some thoughts from Matthew Henry regarding abiding in the secret place and the promised result:

1. It is the character of a true believer that he dwells in the secret place of the Most High; he is at home in God, returns to God, and reposes in him as his rest; he acquaints himself with inward religion, and makes heart-work of the service of God, worships within the veil, and loves to be alone with God, to converse with him in solitude. 2. It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he shelters them, and comes between them and every thing that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine. They shall not only have an admittance, but a residence, under God's protection; he will be their rest and refuge for ever.

Are you at home in God or are you always itching to run off and do something else? Do you always set out with your day to do the will of God, but find that the best laid intentions didn't turn out so hot? Do you dwell in the secret place or do you wander to and fro? God's got some great promises here, but they're spoken to the one that has set his/her love before God and has chosen to continue in God's place. Where are you? God loves you and wants you in His presence and in His will.

Rejoicing in Deliverance (Oct 17)

The other day, I heard on the news that they had begun bringing the Chilean miners to the surface after a very long time and amazing rescue efforts. That night before bed, I was checking a couple of things on the computer and I when I opened the web browser, there was just a huge thing about the rescue, including a link to watch live video. “Well, if they're in the process of pulling the guys up at this very second,” I thought, “why not check out the video?” When I started viewing the video, they had just begun pulling up another miner. They brought his wife and some other people to the area and everybody was so excited. But above their excitement, you could still see a look of unsurety and wondering. The camera kept switching between the people and showing the pulleys turning and the cable coming up out of the hole. It took a very long time. I was going to close the video, but decided that since it was live, I might as well see one guy come up. After awhile, the capsule was close enough to be in earshot, so the men began shouting down the hole to the miner. The miner shouted back up at them and everybody cheered. They exchanged jokes and cheers with the miner as he rode up that last distance. Finally, the capsule emerged from the hole. They unlatched everything and the miner stepped out. Everybody was so happy. His wife was completely overjoyed and so were all of the rescuers and the officials and politicians that were standing around. Everybody hugged him and cheered and it was overall a big picture of pure glee.

There is no doubt that the miners that were down in the mine knew that they needed deliverance. They definitely knew that they needed to be rescued. When they were delivered, they were very grateful and rejoiced. Other people that cared about them also rejoiced. Many people (possibly that didn't even know them personally) rejoiced.

Luke 15:4-10

(4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (9) And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. (10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The Bible says that everybody has sinned, yet not everybody seems to know that they need to be rescued. I heard that while those miners were down there, after they got an initial hole drilled, they were able to send them some games and things to keep them occupied during the many weeks that they had to wait. Can you imagine some of them having so much fun with the games and being so content with how they were getting by, that they forgot that they needed to be rescued? And can you imagine them not being grateful for the rescue? But it's true. Some people don't see that they need to be delivered from sin. Some people also tend to have an attitude that they deserve deliverance and when it comes, instead of being grateful, they'd rather complain about how long it took. I don't know if that happened with any of the miners. I'm just talking generically about people in general. And it also happens when it comes to people and their relationship with God. Imagine how great deliverance from sin must be that the angels rejoice over one sinner repenting. Let us rejoice when we find God's deliverance! If you need deliverance, whether from initial sin or just some difficult thing or dark moment, keep waiting on God. Don't be discouraged if it takes awhile. Keep waiting. Keep praying. Keep rejoicing in even the small blessings along the way. And when you experience a miracle...when God sends deliverance...rejoice! Praise God for His wonderful work!

Luke 17:11-19

(11) And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: (13) And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. (14) And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. (15) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (16) And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (17) And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (18) There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. (19) And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Big and Small (Oct 10)

The other day I was walking in the park and the sky was so blue. As I looked at the sky, it was so clear and the atmospheric conditions were such that the jet contrails were visible for a long time, stretching across the sky. There were so many of them. They criss-crossed every which way. And while I was looking up in the sky, I spotted about three jets. They were crossing paths and adding to the mesh of contrails. I've seen the flight maps that show how many thousands of paths there are criss-crossing all over the country, but here I am in Northpointe and above my head were probably a hundred different flights within a short period of time. Multiply that by all day and every other point in the country. Wow, that's a lot of flights. And as I stood there, I thought about those planes. Each one probably had a hundred or two hundred passengers that were traveling between two cities. Some of them would layover and grab another flight. Some of them would drive or take a bus or train to their final destination. Each one had their own plan, their own agenda, part of their own life. We cross paths with other people on a regular basis and at that moment, we interact and our lives are joined. But at other times we each have our own life and our own situations and our own things to deal with. That quick glimpse in the sky reminded me that there are millions and millions of other people, all with their own unique lives, dealing with their own unique problems and rejoicing in their own unique surprises. I mean, in that moment of time, there had been thousands of them right over my own head. And there always are, we just don't usually see all of those planes.

With billions of people, God still hears your voice and knows your every dealing.

With all of those other people out there, you must be hardly a blip on the radar. Oh, not so. God knows you. He hears your voice. He knows all of your dealings, your hardships, your blessings, even the day to day stuff. And with all of those people that He has to deal with, He even has a specific plan for your life.

With billions of people, we must get beyond our “me” complex and pray for others!

Yet, it's not all about you. I was listening to a message on Saturday that was a call to prayer. I knew that I had to add that aspect to this lesson, so here it is: We need to pray! There is so much going on out there and so many people going about without God that we need to pray and reach out. Do you pray for people that you don't know that you run into in the store or where ever? Do you pray for our leaders? Do you pray for people on the other side of the world? Do you pray for your lost friends and coworkers? Do you pray for your family? Do you pray for your close friends? Your Christian friends? Do you pray for the church? So many people and situations need God's touch! We need to pray! God is big enough to handle everyone and everything? Don't neglect prayer!

Matthew 10:29-31

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Isaiah 49:1-3

1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; 3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Psalm 139:13-15

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Esther 4:14

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Casual Christianity (Oct 3)

Today I would like to share with you a devotional entitled, “Casual Christianity,” by Chris Tiegreen.

Casual Christianity is an oxymoron. There is no such thing as a low-commitment version of our faith. It is impossible to say, “I'm a follower of Jesus, but I'm not prepared to lay down my life for the gospel.” Both of those assertions cannot be true. “When Jesus calls a man,” to quote Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “He bids him come and die.” Ours is a faith that demands our entire allegiance; it can be no halfhearted thing.

Church history is filled with martyrs. Missionary kids have seen their parents executed. Many Christians have lost a spouse or child to persecution. Whole communities have been tortured or imprisoned. And many have given their own lives. Whether this is a tragedy or the glory of the church—and it is, in fact, both—is not the point. It is a given. It is assumed of Jesus' followers that they will follow Him wherever He goes. And He goes to places like the Cross.

Martyrdom is not something that confronts most of us. Few of us are persecuted. Yet all of us can say with assurance that sometimes following our Savior is difficult. He asks us to make sacrifices. He asks us to be obedient, even when obedience is painful. And though He doesn't ask all of us to die for Him, He does ask all of us to live for Him. When we were bought by His blood, we became His possession. Gloriously, joyfully His possession, but His nonetheless.

One of the great weaknesses of today's American church is our unwillingness to humble ourselves as our Savior did. We are often consumer Christians, shopping around for a faith that suits us well. But when we really encounter Christ, we face a choice: Stand firm in our faith, despite our many tests and troubles, or settle for a lukewarmness that can barely, if at all, be called “Christian.” We must be prepared for the trials. They will come. And how we respond will tell us—and others—whether we are His disciples.

Jesus has many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His cross. - Thomas a Kempis

When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. - Matthew 13:21

Matthew 26:33-35

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Matthew 26:73-75

73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.