But what’s done is done, and there ain’t no going back and undoing it. A body just has to move on and figure something else out.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Driftin’)
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”
–Hebrews 2:1 (NKJV)
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Here’s some thoughts to be pondering throughout the day.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
–Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)
Some versions read to have your attitude the same as that of Jesus. It means to value what Jesus values.
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“So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions…”
–Philippians 3:15(AMPC)
The King James renders the word “mature” as “perfect.” This sometimes causes confusion because as humans we recognize that we cannot be perfect. “‘Mature’ means thinking and living rightly because of commitment to Christ.”
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From the writings of Horatius Bonar:
“It is not by doubting but by believing that we are saved; it is not by doubting but by believing that we overcome. Faith leads us first of all to Abel’s ‘more excellent sacrifice’ (Hebrews 11:4). By faith we quit Ur and Egypt and Babylon, setting our face to the eternal city (Hebrews 11:6). By faith we offer up our Isaacs, and worship ‘leaning on the top of our staffs,’ and ‘give commandment concerning our bones.’ By faith we choose affliction with the people of God, and despise Egypt’s treasures. By faith we keep our passover; pass through the Red Sea; overthrow Jerichos; subdue kingdoms; work righteousness; stop the mouths of lions; quench the violence of fire; turn to flight the armies of the aliens, and refuse deliverance in the day of trial, that we may obtain a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35).
“It is ‘believing’ from first to last. We begin, we go on, we end in faith. The faith that justifies is the faith that overcomes (1 John 5:4). By faith we obtain the ‘good report’ both with God and man. By faith we receive forgiveness; by faith we live; by faith we work, and endure, and suffer; by faith we win the crown, a crown of righteousness, which shall be ours in the day of the appearing of Him who is OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
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I heard something yesterday from and old friend and I believe it fits in today.
“We have sermon-ett’s for Christian-etts by Preacher-etts.”
People don’t want to delve into the Truth, to take time to study. They prefer a touchy-feely kind of theology. That is not something you can build your life on; not something you can have as your foundation.
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Question: what is “worship” music?
Question: If people go into a panic over the coronavirus, what will happen when the Rapture occurs?
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to my little girl! Kimberly Ann is now _____ years old.
Month: March 2020
Echoes From the Campfire
A man has so much to put up with in his life…it won’t do sitting about crying because I got scratched.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Man From Skibereen)
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
–James 1:2 (NKJV)
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Philippians, known as the book of rejoicing. Rejoice, rejoice, Paul says it several times in his letter to the church at Philippi, but there is a portion of Scripture that should jump out to us. However, many things do not jump out for those of today’s society have been taught the skill of ignoring knowledge, pretending it is not there. Take a moment to read this verse, it is the last part of 2:12.
“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (NKJV)
“work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).” (AMPC)
Wait a minute, isn’t that legalism? Isn’t this the concept of doing penance, of adding works to grace? No, it’s the idea of growing in grace that Peter speaks of in 2 Peter.
The Amplified version does a very good job of explaining this verse fully. The words “work out” have the idea of bringing to completion. We are to continue to develop our Christ-likeness. We continue pursuing the goal in Christ Jesus. And when will salvation be complete? When we reach our heavenly home. I used to teach my students the following:
“In the past we were saved from the penalty of sin.
In the presence we are being saved from the power of sin.
In the future we will be saved from the presence of sin.”
Does this depend upon you? To an extent. Think of Jesus on the cross, a thief on either side. They both mocked, but then one utter words to Jesus. I can see him stretch forth his fingers toward Jesus. He reached out; he had to receive. “There can be no salvation without God, but what God offers man must take. It is never God who withholds salvation; it is always man who deprives himself of it.” (William Barclay)
Notice the rest of the verse, “with fear and trembling.” This is how we “work out” our salvation. You have received Christ, but that is just the beginning–now the journey begins. Salvation must become operational. Call it sanctification if you will, but the life now has obligations. There must be evidence in the daily life that you are saved; “day by day it must be more fully accomplished.” (Barclay) “Regeneration initiates the believer into a life with obligations. Acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord obligates the believer to obey him.” (Homer A. Kent)
We do it with “fear and trembling.” We understand how frail and weak we are. We understand that we serve a holy God. We can only be victorious by seeking Him daily, and doing it through His power.
The Saga of Miles Forrest
It was all I could do to keep Jens in bed. To get up and walk would tear open the stitches. He finally compromised and agreed to stay in bed for a day. After that little discussion I went to the cantina for breakfast.
After greeting Ramon, I took a seat at the table. A young senorita came with a coffeepot in hand. “Coffee, Senor?”
“Si, and something to eat,” I responded, holding up my cup for her to fill.
When she turned to leave, Ramon came over to the table. “You no want to eat at the café next to the hotel?” he asked.
“Not partial to their company,” I replied, “plus I enjoy the food here.”
That brought a smile to his face. I nodded to a chair. “Have a seat.”
“You have something on your mind?” he smiled, then added, “Of course, U.S. Marshals always have questions.”
“Since you asked, I do have a few things I’d like to ask. How does Abrams get chosen for marshal? I assume he is appointed by the mayor and city council.”
“Si, that is correct.”
I rubbed my hand down the side of my face and over my chin noticing that I needed to shave. “Aren’t there enough Mexican votes to defeat the mayor?” I asked.
That brought a laugh from him. “Senor, there are few of us who will venture to vote,” he paused before continuing. “Let’s just say retribution occurs.”
At that time the young lady brought my breakfast. It was a plateful of sausage, eggs, and potatoes all covered with a red sauce. “You like?” she inquired.
“Looks delicious! I’ll need another plate of this when I go to take to the Marshal.”
“I’ll leave you to enjoy,” stated Ramon as he got up to leave.
I had some other questions, but it seemed as if he wanted to get clear of me. I finished my breakfast in quietness with Ramon watching me from a distance. When I was about half-way through I motioned to the senorita for a plate to take with me. When I completed my meal I took two silver dollars from my pouch I keep in my vest pocket and laid them on the table. That should bring a smile to her face.
Upon entering the hotel room Jens was out of bed and sitting in the chair by the window.
“What are you doin’ out of that bed?” I demanded from him.
“Tired of lying on my back,” came his tart reply. “I see you did a little rearranging of the furniture. Expecting trouble?”
“We haven’t exactly received the welcome mat; thought we might have some visitors last night. Here, I brought you some breakfast,” I paused, then asked, “Has the doc been here yet?”
“Ahhh,” his eyes lit up. “Go check to see if a telegram has come through while I eat.” With that command, he stuck his fork in the food and lifted a bite to his mouth. “When you get back I want you to tell me more about that cackling laugh and the Pale Rider,” he mumbled, his mouth full of eggs.
“What you really need to know about is Jesus,” I began to speak.
He waved at me, “When you get back.”
Turning I left to go see Fitzer at the telegraph office. When I stepped out of the hotel I saw the marshal standing three buildings down. Ignoring him, I continued on my way.
“Mornin’,” I hollered at Fitzer. He stood up from behind the little desk and came to the counter. “Any messages for us this mornin’?”
He had a telegram in his hand; it was from Fred Martin. “Be there on Tuesday.”
Tuesday, that was today. “Did you show this to anyone?” I asked. He hesitated, “Did you?” I asked a little more forcefully. He was beginning to irk me.
“Uh, just Marshal Abrams,” he muttered.
“Why you little pipsqueak. You know you just broke federal law…I should arrest you!” I didn’t finish as shots were fired from up the street. Up near the hotel…
Echoes From the Campfire
He learned there what labor meant. Also he learned how there was only one thing that common men understood and respected in a co-laborer, and it was the grit and muscle to stand the grind.”
–Zane Grey (Wanderer of the Wasteland)
“They meet with darkness in the daytime, And grope at noontime as in the night”
–Job 5:14 (NKJV)
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Do you ever feel as if the whole world is against you? The dog even snarls when you come home, the cat hisses, and the goldfish rolls over on its back. Everyone is at your back; it seems that wherever you go, whatever you do people are against you, they even dream up lies about you and pass them off as truth. Where can you turn? Do you just say, “phooey with it all” and escape to wherever?
David has been bemoaning his attackers. They come at him without excuse. They say things that are not true, they cause division. What does he do? He could go back out to the wilderness and tend the sheep, but no, he has the calling and anointing of God on his life. He must face them, but how? Let’s look at the last part of Psalm 35 (HCSB).
19 – Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; do not let those who hate me without cause look at me maliciously.
20 – For they do not speak in friendly ways, but contrive deceitful schemes against those who live peacefully in the land.
21 – They open their mouths wide against me and say, “Aha, aha! We saw it!”
22 – You saw it, Lord; do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me.
23 – Wake up and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!
24 – Vindicate me, Lord my God, in keeping with Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.
25 – Do not let them say in their hearts, “Aha! Just what we wanted.” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”
26 – Let those who rejoice at my misfortune be disgraced and humiliated; let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and reproach.
27 – Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, “The Lord be exalted. He takes pleasure in His servant’s well-being.”
28 – And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.
Paul tells us in Colossians (3:17,23) to work for the Lord, to do everything as unto Him. If we do that those around us cannot bring fault against us, for we will have proof to show them. In my dealings with Christian businesses (perhaps I should say pseudo-Christian) I have that many of them are more fraudulent than non-believers. One instance of this was when I went to buy a vehicle. Both the manager and head salesman were “Christian” and I knew them as they went to my church. I had dealings with them as parents. They told me that they would give me the best deal possible. I believed them. After two hours of waiting they came to me with a figure and I politely thanked them, but told them I could not afford it. The answer came in unison, “Give us time, we’ll go back and figure it out again.” I stopped them. They had told me that they were going to give me their best deal, and I couldn’t accept it, now they are telling me they can give me a better deal. Hmmm, something was wrong.
Now this wasn’t an attack on me, but the issue is–who can you trust? Those who come at you with promises, can you trust them? Those who attack you maliciously, you know they are not to be trusted. David understood that in the midst of everything he could trust in the Lord. We are to be faithful, do our best, and trust in the Lord. Augustine wrote, “Whatever you do, do well, and you praise God. Do you transact business? Do no wrong, and you have praised God. Do you till your field? Raise no strife, and you praise God. In the innocence of your works, prepare to praise God all the day long.”
Often we lean toward our emotions. Let me tell you that emotions are deceiving. They can quickly and easily fool us. Many live based on emotions. Listen to those coming out of church they might say, “I could really ‘feel’ God today.” Or they might say, “the place was dead today, I didn’t ‘feel’ anything. I remember dealing with one parent about her child. She made the statement, “I can’t give my child to the Lord; I’m afraid of what He might do.” There is something wrong when you cannot trust the Lord. Who reigns in your life? The lies of the devil, your emotions, your own opinion, or what God says in His holy Word?
“O for a faith that will not shrink
Though pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe.”
–William H. Bathurst