I was always told to look hard at what you can see, but harder at what you can’t see.”
–David W. Bailey (Jericho James)
“And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?'”
–Luke 24:38 (NKJV)
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Don’t let one event overwhelm you, or let one day dictate your life. When you do that you are saying that circumstances control your life. A failure or victory does not say who you are in the long haul of life. Let me draw your attention to the last verse of that great hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” written by T.O. Chisholm.
“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!”
God is with you, therefore, there is peace for this day. Jesus even tells us not to worry about tomorrow, that there is trouble enough for today (Matthew 6:34). However, in regard to tomorrow, have hope for He will be with you as you enter a new day. When we believe in God we are not becoming people of renown faith, but rather we are grasping hold of His faithfulness to us. We are certain of Him!
We are not to let life overwhelm us. It seems that is the lot of many, “Woe is me.” This is not proper in the life of a Christian. Instead we are to face life holding on to His hand. Part of our problem is that we look at the events of this life rather than looking at things with eternity in view. This world is transitory. Everyone is only passing through this life on the way to eternity. Everyone!
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are but strangers here. Pilgrims moving on to a heavenly city where we will spend eternity. Lloyd-Jones writes, “Life in this world can only be viewed truly in the light of the next world… Whether we like it or not, life itself has a way of forcing us all to consider what lies beyond it.” This is not escapism, but a real way to look at our lives. Things that come our way can make us either bitter or better.
Lloyd-Jones says, “The most important thing for us to concentrate on is the life of the soul.” Since life is uncertain, since there are calamities, accidents, disease and pestilence, terror and war, we have to realize that it is the soul that is important. The soul goes on and on and on… Concentrate, therefore on the inner life, the life of the soul. Maybe we spend too much time looking at the evil side of the world. Look at how the media is focused on the negativity, the wickedness, and the sordid. Perhaps we should be looking forward to our new home.
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” –Psalm 23:6
Heaven, the place where God dwells, the place where Jesus went to prepare a place for us. Heaven, the home of the soul that is born-again. In the midst of the political whims of the bureaucrats get a view of your new home–heaven. Look at the news and we can become alarmed. Disappointment is sure to come if we look to the world for answers. Happiness and joy is only but fleeting if we depend upon material things. But our home is in heaven. Because of that we can live this life with joy unspeakable. Hmmm, I wonder if the Lord, being a carpenter and is building my home, uses golden nails?
Author: Ira Paine
Echoes From the Campfire
He liked people, but he felt there was nothing like being alone in the forest or among the mountains, for it is then you begin to know them. The wilderness does not share its secrets with the noisy or the talkative; its secrets come to you with silence.”
–Louis L’Amour (Callaghen)
“In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.”
–Psalm 95:4 (NKJV)
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I’ve had a song going through my mind since the middle of last week. Since it won’t go away, I’ll share it with you and maybe you’ll have it ringing in your thoughts as well. It’s a hymn that we would often sing in church when I was growing up, written by Johnson Oatman, Jr.
“I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound, ‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’
My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho’ some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world, Tho’ Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has taught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height, And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found, ‘Lord, lead me on to higher ground.'”
No matter what people want, no matter how much they dream, the world is not going to get better. No, that is not pessimism or fatalism, but reality. “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19, NKJV) First of all, get this–we are of God! Those saved, those purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ are of God. However, the rest of the world is under the sway of the devil. Other versions use the term, “power” of the evil one.
Why then be surprised at the turmoil in the world? Why be shocked over the tremendous use of lies and hatred for we should know where they are coming from. In 1 John, chapter 4, there is a powerful verse for believers, but immediately following is a description of those that are against Christ and His followers, “They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.” (4:5, NKJV) The world hears the words, the lies, of those in the world and believes them. Why be shocked? “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13, NKJV)
We live in the world, but we are not of the world. Perhaps the Lord is releasing His hand upon the earth and allowing the devil to exercise more of his evil and wickedness. Attacks may come, Satan may seem to bring war against those in the body of Christ, throwing his darts. But as for me, I’m going to live in the joy of faith. Others may have fears and live in dismay, but that’s not for me.
“Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground!” (exclamation is mine)
Echoes From the Campfire
All the snakes in the West don’t crawl around in the brush. Lots of them wear fancy suits and talk real pretty. And they’re as deadly as an eight-foot rattler.”
–Paul Bagdon (Stallions at Burnt Rock)
“‘For behold, I will send serpents among you, Vipers which cannot be charmed, And they shall bite you,’ says the Lord.”
–Jeremiah 8:17 (NKJV)
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“Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, ‘Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them…'”
–Exodus 1:8-10 (NKJV)
A new “king” sits on the “throne in the White House. He is not a king in the sense that we normally think of the term, but he is recognized as the leader of our nation. When the inauguration took place I thought of the above verses. I don’t think that Biden is the first president who “did not know Joseph.” That began with Obama, when he declared that the United States was no longer a Christian nation. By saying that he began to attack the very foundation upon which this nation was founded.
Words from Deuteronomy 28 came to me. That is a chapter of blessings and curses. The nation that serves God will be blessed and the nation that does not will be cursed. Then those haunting words from Isaiah came to mind:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (5:20, NKJV)
We now have leaders who have done this. Moral standards, God’s standards upon which this nation was founded, have been flipped aside or upside down. To proclaim a truth other than God’s truth is to place the nation in a precarious position. When man, particularly the leaders, begin to proclaim that they are more enlightened and know the truth better than the Almighty is dangerous indeed.
I have mixed thoughts about someone who calls themselves a prophet, however, there are some words from Jonathan Cahn that speak the truth since they are based on the Word of God. “If a nation…should uphold the ways of the Almighty, then it shall be upheld. But if it should pass judgment upon the ways of the Almighty, then upon that nation shall the judgment of the Almighty be passed.”
Is there a point of no return? I don’t know. I know that the Lord is merciful, but when a country has gone too far, and has declared themselves to be God in the sense that they know better than He does, is there hope? Mercy will extend to the individuals, but to the nation…is there a point of no return? The way I see it, America does have a choice. Throughout its history there have been “Awakenings.” This is more than a revival for it is a changing of the current trend, a return to biblical truths. I know that there is a group of revisionist historians that are saying the First and Second Great Awakening did not happen, but they belong to the group above–making a truth a lie, and a lie the truth.
We need to be in prayer for our leadership that they will come to a knowledge of God. We need to especially pray for those who are still in the vanguard trying to protect the Godly values of this nation. Perhaps it would also be good that we finish our prayers with the last one in the Bible, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
The Saga of Miles Forrest
Well, Mr. Newsome, what brings you out in this weather?” inquired Molly. “I hope that Jewelene is not ailing.”
“No, no, I just need to talk with Marshal Forrest,” came a nervous reply.
“John, sit down, I get you some coffee,” I said as I stood to get a cup from the shelf.
“Uh, Marshal…”
“Sit down, John,” I said invitingly, while Rev. Chapman pulled up a chair for him. “After all these years, don’t you think it’s time to call me Miles.”
Putting the cup in front of him, I looked at the door again, expecting Wilson Foster to walk through. I gave my head a slight shake then sat myself down. “What can I do for you?”
He had both hands on the cup tapping his fingers on it. I don’t know if he was warming them, or it was being nervous. “Well, uh, Marshal, uh, Miles, I really should speak in private, after all it is city business.”
“John, all of these folks are citizens of Durango. Go ahead, I’d probably tell them anyway,” I responded. He glanced at Rev. Chapman. “Do you know the new preacher?”
“Uh, Mrs. Newsome and I go to the other church in town, but, uh, yes, he came by the store to introduce himself,” he said before taking a sip of coffee. He grimaced.
Marta jumped to her feet. “I’ll get some honey. And, Mr. Newsome would you like cream?”
He gave a nervous smile, “Yes, please.”
“Uh, Marshal…”
“Spit it out, John. What do you want?
“I know that next Tuesday is to be your last day as marshal in Durango. I,” he paused while Marta handed him the honey and cream. “I for want have appreciated your services. As you know, Paul Parker, the undertaker was elected to the council, and in a meeting with Judge Klaser and Mr. Parker, we selected Stan Offut, he ran against Parker, you might remember, to replace Wilson in his illness.”
He had everyone’s attention. Perhaps that was making him more nervous. “Well, we only had one name, one person who was interested in the position of town marshal.”
“And who might that be?” asked Doc in his normal, gruff manner.
Newsome took a long swallow. “Mike Queens.”
“Queens!” Doc exclaimed.
Molly spoke up, “Mister Newsome, are you sure you want Mike Queens to be town marshal?” She looked at me, “Miles, what do you know about him?”
“I know he’s a hardcase. Spends most of his time in Silverton. I’ve heard reports of him traveling to Taos and stirrin’ up trouble there. Are you sure you want Queens?”
Newsome was fiddling with his cup again. “You want another cup, Mr. Newsome?” asked Marta politely.
“No, no, thank you. That’s why I’m here, Marshal. I, we, the council would like for you to remain as marshal.”
I took a sip of my coffee then wiped the droplets off my moustache with the back of my hand for which I received a slight frown from Molly. I pulled on each end of my moustache before answering. “You are sayin’ that you want me to remain as marshal? Am I right?”
He nodded, “Yes, you see Queens won’t work with a Mexican, and our arrangement with you and Judge Klaser over Ramirez because of his injury was that he would remain deputy.”
“So, are you tellin’ me that the only reason you want me is to fulfill your obligation to Mateo and the orders of the court?”
“Bah,” came a grunt from Doc.
I looked at the others at the table, and found them all looking at me. I twisted the left side of my moustache again as I pondered what was before me. “Tell you what, John. I’ll take the job providing that I receive full pay and that Mateo Ramirez does as well.”
He swallowed hard, and now was wiping his face with his hand. “Well, well, I, uh….”