If trouble rubs the polish off a man he ought to stay home.”
–Frank Bonham (“The Seventh Desert”)
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
–1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)
———————-
Do you want the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s will and purpose in your life?
If so, then look at the road you are on. If you are on the right road it is called sanctification. That’s a term not heard much in churches today. It is a doctrine that is largely ignored for it has no hoopla and people much prefer to do “right in their own eyes.” Most will cry “legalism” when sanctification is preached. The truth of the matter is that sanctification is actually obedience, growing in grace, doing the will of the Lord.
There is an urgency and a necessity for a life in the fulness of the Spirit. It is not the waving of hands, the hopping up and down in front of the church along with a feel-good sermon. It is not listening to “worship” music, and feeling good all over. No, it is an onward and upward trek guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
Today, there is an “awful blindness to spiritual matters and to spiritual needs amongst the people of God.” (T. Austin-Sparks) This was written over half a century ago and it is even more true today. The tragedy is that people are ignorant of the fact or they disregard it; for them their “feel-good” Christianity is enough.
In the message to the lukewarm Laodicean church (Rev. 3:14-22) there is a very important phrase found in verse 21, “He who overcomes.” The person who overcomes the lukewarmness. Sparks does better explaining it.
“Overcometh what? This awful state of things, this tragic spiritual weakness; this decline; this blindness; this indifference! The Spirit says in effect: ‘In the midst of this, I want some to rise up and throw this thing off, and get to God in desperation to save the situation.’ Will that have our response? The Spirit said, ‘To him that overcometh.’ Do we respond? Have we an ear to hear what the Spirit saith?”
The devil has deceived many with the idea that sanctification is legalism. Ponder the two verses I leave with you in closing today’s Echo.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
–John 14:15 (NASB)
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lust which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.'”
–1 Peter 1:14-16(NASB)
Author: Ira Paine
Echoes From the Campfire
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)
——————–
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.
——————-
“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.”
——————-
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.”
——————–
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.
——————–
Question: what is “worship” music?
Question: If people go into a panic over the coronavirus, what will happen when the Rapture occurs?
——————–
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to my little girl! Kimberly Ann is now _____ years old.
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)
———————
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…