–Henry McLaughlin  (Journey to Riverbend)

 

       “The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my Savior, You save me from violence.”
                    –2 Samuel 22:3 (NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse:  “We know that we are of God and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”  –1 John 5:19 (NASB)

       There are many enemies out there who war against your soul.  However, ultimately it boils down to the world under the influence of the devil.  They are enemies of the cross and of Christ.  You know it as well as I do that there is a war, a conflict, between the flesh and the Spirit.  In fact, one of the weapons of the world is to tell you that you are foolish, that you need to wake up and put this Bible and Jesus foolishness away.  Hold firm to the gospel of Truth for it is your hope.
       Do you recognize this attack?  Do things you see in the world grieve you, upset you?  If it does, then you know that God is with you and working within you.  He wants to work out His purpose in you and for you.  You should desire and yearn more and more for His way.
       One way to do that is to view all things in light of the Scripture–a biblical worldview.  Know that the world is a place of sin.  Study the men/women of the Bible and you will see that they are those who set their gaze on another world.  Job said in the midst of his ordeal–surely my Redeemer lives.  Abraham was looking for a city whose maker was God.  In spite of living in this world they were not caught up in the final judgment of God; they lived in the world in spite of its evil influence a godly life.

               “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
                              –Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)

I like this translation:  “I am CONVINCED!” (emphasis is mine).  That needs to be etched deep into our souls.  It is not just a persuasion, or a gentle nudging, or even a suggestion, but I am fully persuaded, nothing can change my mind.  Perhaps that is possibly the most important question in life then–Am I dwelling in God, and is God dwelling in me?  Do I listen to the voices in the world or do I guide my every action and thought by the Word of God?
       Listening to wrong teaching or setting wrong priorities is something to be guarded against.  Watch out for wrong desires:  power, fame, money, lust  Watch out for wrong practice the first of which is lack of obedience to the Holy Spirit and His prompting.  Only as you read the Word of God can you be guarded against error.  Do not grieve the Spirit; do not quench the Spirit–in other words don’t sin and do not give in to the flesh, the world.
       The essence of the Christian life is to TRUST AND OBEY!

               “When we walk with the Lord
                In the light of His Word
                What a glory He sheds on our way!
                While we do His good will,
                He abides with us still,
               And with all who will trust and obey.

               Then in fellowship sweet
               We will sit at His feet
               Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
               What He says we will do,
               Where He sends we will go–
               Never fear, only trust and obey.”
                         –J.H. Sammis

                   –Psalm 45:17 (NKJV)
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            IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
        In Flanders fields.
                    –John McCrea

Have you reached out your hand to catch the torch?  Or have you purposely let it drop, the flame growing dim then going out?  Are the dead groaning and moaning in their sleep because the generation of today has forsaken the call?  For this great country too many people have sacrificed to let it go the way of depravation and mockery by those who don’t know, don’t care and have a goal of destruction via socialism, terror, or other hideous methods.
       The pundits don’t care–they serve only their own agenda or those above them who would like to see the fall of this nation, under God.  More important than sacrifice is the ability to spew forth lies, spit out stories that will purposely divide.  Therefore, on this Veterans Day, do your part to hold the torch high.  Hold it high!  Remember the dead, the fallen for they should not have died in vain.  Remember those who gave their all on the beaches, in the jungle, along the mountainsides, or in the sands of the desert.  Again, hold the torch high; let it shine over their graves.  Many died on the battlefield, many were scared in their mind or on their body, all gave of their time, their years, along with their dreams and hopes.  Why?  For this nation of ours.  They reached out and took the torch.  Don’t let it fall, don’t let the flame go out.
       Veterans Day, a day of remembrance.  Not only for the fallen (Memorial Day) or for those actively serving (Armed Forces Day), but for all those who have worn the uniform of this country.  I, for one, am proud to be a Veteran, proud to have served this country, the greatest on earth–the United States of America!

                    –Jude 17 (NASB)
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If you read the Saturday Coffee Perc, you know that I’m always reminding my companion to “check his cinch.”  Maybe you are a forgetful person, and have been told to tie a string around your finger to remind yourself of something.  Sometimes the things of life tend to lull us to sleep, make us dull.  WAKE UP!  That’s a reminder.
       I was reading last week 2 Timothy 1:6,

                    “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  (NASB)

The King James puts it this way, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance…”

Most of the time when reading this verse we tend to look at what we are to do.  “Kindle afresh the gift of God.”  Phillips says, “to stir up that inner fire.”  But what caught my attention in this reading is the first part–“remind.”
       The literal translation means “to regather” or “to recollect memories.”  Don’t forget your past–remember where God called you from.  No, don’t dwell there, don’t moan in regret, but remember when He called your name and said “follow Me.”  The idea is to replay our memories over and over; get them into your mind.  We are to never forget what God has done, not only for us but for others as well.  We are to remember what He did by reading the holy Scriptures and calling them into our remembrance; we are to “hide His Word in our hearts…”.
       We are to remember God’s faithfulness.  It is part of our heritage.  He has been with us from the day we were born again as a loving, faithful Father.  He watches us grow, guides us through life–we are to remember that because that gives us faith in the hour in which we live.  Because we remember what He has done for us we know that He will not abandon us today, nor tomorrow.
       It might be put this way, “I am putting you in memory of all these things, so that by your remembering them…” (Renner)  Remember God’s faithfulness so that you can now get busy fanning the flame.  Do not forget!  You cannot afford to push the past aside.  That is one thing this “woke” crowd of “progressive culture” would like for you to do.  Forget God, forget His faithfulness, forget your experience in Him.

                    “We have to be continually reminded of what we believe.  Neither this belief nor any other will automatically remain alive in the mind.  It must be fed.”
                                    –C.S. Lewis

A professional continues to practice the basics.  A soldier is always training, always improving.  A musician continues to practice the scale, over and over.  Only when we remember the foundation can we face the current day and put our faith to use.  Don’t let the fire go out, continue to pump the bellows to give it life.  Remember to do it!   That’s one reason it is to recall the doctrines of our faith.  Do not let the things of the world lull you to sleep, or let the fire go out.  Remember!
       I like the way that William Barclay puts the first part of this verse, “Remember to keep you at white heat.”  As God is faithful–be faithful.  As God is loyal–be loyal.  As God is good–be good.  As God is loving–be loving.  And on I could go.  Remember every morning to Whom you belong.  Remember as you go through the day that you are a child of God.  When troubles, trials, and toils begin to wear on you, remember His faithfulness.