Just remember, son, God don’t never leave you.”
–B.N. Rundell (The Trail to Redemption)
“Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed.”–Psalm 126:3 (CEB)
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“Many of our problems arise when we forget to remember,” states Alistair Begg. We tell our children not to play with the stove, the burners are hot. It does us good to see that they follow instructions, but once in a while they forget. I remember my middle granddaughter, Kylee, putting her hand on the top of the stove without thinking or remembering; she will not forget again. We might tell them, “don’t play with matches, you’ll get burned.” If they don’t listen soon there will be burned fingers (or worse) to take care of.
Jesus often used the phrase, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.” In other words, pay attention–listen! then remember what you have heard. Yes, experience is a great teacher, but as I used to tell my students–remember that experience gives the test first, then teaches the lesson. That is why it is important to learn the Scriptures, to hear what the Spirit is saying through them, to remember what is being said, then put it into practice. All of us, from young to old, have some kind of experience that we can draw upon. Hopefully, we have learned from them. So much of the time, however, we are like the Israelites.
“Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did to you and your fathers: When Jacob had gone into Egypt, and your fathers cried out to the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. And when they forgot the LORD their God…” –1 Samuel 12:7-9 (NKJV)
Did you note that last phrase? Look at it, underline it–“they forgot the LORD their God.” Forgetting often brings dire consequences. It could just be a blister on the fingers or it could spell disaster upon a person, family, or even a nation. Never are we to forget our God. Deuteronomy 8:11 gives us a warning, “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today.” (NKJV) Do not be like what became so typical of the Israelites after the death of Joshua. Note the words of Judges 3:7, “So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God…” (NKJV) Instead of remembering God they turned to false gods, idols. What is it that takes our mind away from God? What so easily makes us forget who He is and all that He has done?
Remembering God is not to be a mere function, but a lifestyle. Something that we know is sure, that we depend upon. Alistair Begg writes, in regard to remembering our Creator that, “It means to dwell upon the very ‘Godness’ of God. The Israelites failed to remember Him; in fact, they chose to forget, for it was inconvenient for them to consider God in all His holiness and all His might.” Convenience, that is a problem. It is not “convenient” to get up to attend church. It is not “convenient” to pay tithes and be a good steward. It is not “convenient” to not go along with the crowd.
One of the great tragedies of the church is that most do not know who God is or do not want to remember. People shun the term “theology” which simply means the study of God. Doctrine is forsaken, for doctrine makes us responsible and that would not be “convenient” in many cases. Oh, they might like the love and grace part of His attributes, but throw in wrath and holiness…oh my. Add His sovereignty into the mix, and, well, that’s as much as they can stand.
Part of our problem is that we forget that we are children of God. We forget the road we are traveling on. We forget to pick up our cross. Often we blatantly push thoughts of God aside and choose to forget Him. “Whenever we deviate from the narrow path, whenever we seek to slip out from underneath our almighty King’s jurisdiction, we are failing to remember who God is and what He has done for us.” (Begg) We forget the words that the writer of Hebrews penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that “God is a consuming fire” (12:29) or the words that God gave to Moses for “God is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14)
It would do us good to remember the lyrics from a song once popular. “Hasn’t He always come through for you? He’s the same now as then…and He’ll do it again…” (Dawn Thomas) It would do us good to remember the works of God in the past in our lives. It would do us good to remember that He is the God who is always there.
Author: Ira Paine
Echoes From the Campfire
A man’s safety depended entirely upon his own vigilance and wisdom.”
–Charles A. Seltzer (Square Deal Sanderson)
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.”
–Proverbs 4:7 (NLT)
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2.10 — When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
2.11 — Discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you. (NKJV)
Notice the word “when”. When wisdom enters…then discretion will preserve you and understanding will keep you. The Amplified takes a slightly different light, “For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.” As does the CEB, “Wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will fill you with delight.” This seems to indicate that it will happen instead of “when.”
Bob Beasley says, “For the unregenerate person, the fearsome issue of life is protection. That is one reason he seeks earthly wealth, desires job security, eats health foods, and the like, because he fears poverty, death, sickness, loss of love, loneliness, punishment, etc. He seeks protection in fleeting things that never really protect him.” Such a shame it is to live life in that manner. Thanks be to God, we have Him as our Protector; we have a new heart, one that has been regenerated and is under the guidance and care of the Holy Spirit.
The only way wisdom can enter your heart is when you follow His ways. There must first be a changed heart, otherwise we know that the heart is deceitful. In the verses that follow we see “the evil man” and “the strange woman,” therefore, wisdom located in the heart/mind is a prerequisite. Matthew Henry says that, “If we are truly wise, it will appear by our care to avoid all evil company and evil practices.” Wisdom, then must be internalized. It is there to provide insight, to be learned intimately, and practiced in our daily living.
Strong gives us some insight to this term we call “wisdom.” The word, “chokmah” also means “skill” and can refer to ability in craftsmanship. “True wisdom involves not only intelligence but also moral integrity. Because a sinful lifestyle is ultimately self-destructive.” We see then that to have wisdom is to live a skillful life. A life that follows the Word of God and that is morally upright. We need to be righteous and follow the good path. Trapp says that true “spiritual joy mortifies sin.” If we live in the fullness of the Spirit, follow His lead and take godly wisdom into our hearts and minds, then it will be very hard to deceive us. We will find that sin to the heart after God is “tasteless fooleries.” (Trapp)
Our heart/mind must be guided by the wisdom that God provides. Charles Bridges tells us that, “Clear knowledge floating in the head is deep ignorance. While it only glitters in the understanding, it is dry, speculative, and barren.” There must be a new heart; one that has the light of God to filter wisdom and knowledge properly so that discretion will come and then it will be truly pleasant to the soul.
God’s Word gives direction and understanding to the whole of life. “It becomes not only an external rule, but a preserving, keeping principle.” (Bridges) Paul warns us of the devices and snares of the devil; it is only when we travel this journey with godly discretion can we uncover those traps and find rest and peace along the way. Our walk is secure if we walk warily and not just tip-toe through the tulips of life. Francis Taylor says that men are subject to many dangers until they get Wisdom. He includes: danger to reputation, danger to one’s good and estates through foolishness, danger to body and life by not heeding God’s principles, and there is danger to the soul of eternal misery. Godly wisdom and understanding will therefore, keep us from the foolishness that comes our way and the intentions of evil that is along the way.
Echoes From the Campfire
It’s never a pleasant thing to watch a man step off into eternity unprepared for the afterlife. To stand before his Just, and Holy Creator, defiant and unrepented.”
–Russell M. Chase (Blessed Are the Peacemakers)
“But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
“But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
–John 5:40 (NKJV)
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Amos now begins to give his prophecies through a series of visions. The first is that of locusts.
7.1 — Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings.
.2 — And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: “O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!”
.3 — So the LORD relented concerning this. “It shall not be,” said the LORD. (NKJV)
After the king’s mowing, the first harvest was a tax, locusts would swarm devouring the rest of the harvest. Amos realizes that “the locusts are not a fluke of nature, but are an act of divine judgment, the consequences of Israel’s sin.” (Peter C. Craigie) God has a plan as He showed Jeremiah, “…Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good.” (18:11, NKJV) We sometimes get out of sorts when we see that God “fashions disaster.” It would do us good to remember that when it does strike somewhere. Perhaps a warning from God?
Amos shows his humility and compassion as a prophet interceding on Israel’s behalf. Gary G. Cohen says, “Amos’s reason for wanting a softer judgment upon Israel is his compassion for the weakness and frailty of his fellow Israelites. He made no argument based upon their goodness or merits. The answer to prayer was based wholly on God’s grace.” In response to Amos’ interceding God stayed His decree. “God loves to be entreated. He delights to answer when He hears the cry of such as bear His needy people on their heart.” (H.A. Ironside) We must keep God’s character–His attributes–in mind. Albert Garner tells us, “This change was not in the mind of God, but in the outward effects. God is unchangeable. He does what is just, and responds to intercessory prayers.”
This should be a grand lesson for us, showing the importance and power of intercessory prayer. One never knows how it might touch God. Amos was grieved over the plight and judgment that God pronounced upon Israel. Seeing this vision, and Amos being a farmer, he was greatly concerned. How much can we learn that when we are prompted to pray, either by the Holy Spirit or by what we see, we should do so for it very well could touch the heart of God.
The second vision is that of fire.
7.4 — Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory.
.5 — Then I said: “O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!”
.6 — So the LORD relented concerning this. “This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD. (NKJV)
This is a deadly, intense fire that water cannot extinguish. I am reminded of the fire that came down from heaven when Elijah confronted the priests of Baal. The fire of God consumed the sacrifice, the altar, and the water. The fields were dry and nothing would be able to stop the destruction brought about by the flames. Again, Amos intercedes and the Lord hears and relents.
The third vision is of the plumb-line.
7.7 — Thus He showed me: Behold the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.
.8 — And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.
. 9 — The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.” (NKJV)
Here God is seen making careful and precise preparations for the coming punishments of Israel.
Ironside states that “God’s unerring word is such a plumb-line. Unmistakably it tests every soul, manifesting every departure on the violator of it.” God measures to see “how true the people are to the pattern of His Word, and if they are of upright character and conduct.” (Warren Wiersbe) We should well understand that all of us will be judged by the Word of God.
“I will not pass by them anymore,” declares the Lord. Nothing has changed, even with Amos’ intervention the people continue in their wicked ways. Amos no longer prays for God to relent–enough is enough. The evil and apathy and apostasy is too great. Craigie states, “There comes a point of no return, Israel, in its dedicated pursuit of evil pushes Amos beyond the capacity to intercede and precipitates God into final commitment to judgment… Judgment is the final result of mercy refused; it is invited by the persons judged.”
Is the Lord devising a plan? Yes, of course He is. The day of the Lord’s judgment is close at hand and it is planned and will be precise in its carrying out. But what about America, what about each individual? If there is not repentance there is a plumb line being lowered, a precise plan of action being readied. Today, now, is the day of salvation. Maybe the Lord will relent.
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Amos now begins to give his prophecies through a series of visions. The first is that of locusts.
7.1 — Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings.
.2 — And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: “O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!”
.3 — So the LORD relented concerning this. “It shall not be,” said the LORD. (NKJV)
After the king’s mowing, the first harvest was a tax, locusts would swarm devouring the rest of the harvest. Amos realizes that “the locusts are not a fluke of nature, but are an act of divine judgment, the consequences of Israel’s sin.” (Peter C. Craigie) God has a plan as He showed Jeremiah, “…Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good.” (18:11, NKJV) We sometimes get out of sorts when we see that God “fashions disaster.” It would do us good to remember that when it does strike somewhere. Perhaps a warning from God?
Amos shows his humility and compassion as a prophet interceding on Israel’s behalf. Gary G. Cohen says, “Amos’s reason for wanting a softer judgment upon Israel is his compassion for the weakness and frailty of his fellow Israelites. He made no argument based upon their goodness or merits. The answer to prayer was based wholly on God’s grace.” In response to Amos’ interceding God stayed His decree. “God loves to be entreated. He delights to answer when He hears the cry of such as bear His needy people on their heart.” (H.A. Ironside) We must keep God’s character–His attributes–in mind. Albert Garner tells us, “This change was not in the mind of God, but in the outward effects. God is unchangeable. He does what is just, and responds to intercessory prayers.”
This should be a grand lesson for us, showing the importance and power of intercessory prayer. One never knows how it might touch God. Amos was grieved over the plight and judgment that God pronounced upon Israel. Seeing this vision, and Amos being a farmer, he was greatly concerned. How much can we learn that when we are prompted to pray, either by the Holy Spirit or by what we see, we should do so for it very well could touch the heart of God.
The second vision is that of fire.
7.4 — Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory.
.5 — Then I said: “O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!”
.6 — So the LORD relented concerning this. “This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD. (NKJV)
This is a deadly, intense fire that water cannot extinguish. I am reminded of the fire that came down from heaven when Elijah confronted the priests of Baal. The fire of God consumed the sacrifice, the altar, and the water. The fields were dry and nothing would be able to stop the destruction brought about by the flames. Again, Amos intercedes and the Lord hears and relents.
The third vision is of the plumb-line.
7.7 — Thus He showed me: Behold the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.
.8 — And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.
. 9 — The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.” (NKJV)
Here God is seen making careful and precise preparations for the coming punishments of Israel.
Ironside states that “God’s unerring word is such a plumb-line. Unmistakably it tests every soul, manifesting every departure on the violator of it.” God measures to see “how true the people are to the pattern of His Word, and if they are of upright character and conduct.” (Warren Wiersbe) We should well understand that all of us will be judged by the Word of God.
“I will not pass by them anymore,” declares the Lord. Nothing has changed, even with Amos’ intervention the people continue in their wicked ways. Amos no longer prays for God to relent–enough is enough. The evil and apathy and apostasy is too great. Craigie states, “There comes a point of no return, Israel, in its dedicated pursuit of evil pushes Amos beyond the capacity to intercede and precipitates God into final commitment to judgment… Judgment is the final result of mercy refused; it is invited by the persons judged.”
Is the Lord devising a plan? Yes, of course He is. The day of the Lord’s judgment is close at hand and it is planned and will be precise in its carrying out. But what about America, what about each individual? If there is not repentance there is a plumb line being lowered, a precise plan of action being readied. Today, now, is the day of salvation. Maybe the Lord will relent.
The Saga of Miles Forrest
There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The windows of the entrance were blasted out with the shot flinging glass and buckshot everywhere. Barnes caught a good bit before we had time to react. A few pieces found their way to me, but nothing serious. Watching where the glass was I half-crawled to the doorway. There was no one there but a few onlookers across the street. I stood up then went outside to see if I could spot anyone. In the far distance, up at the end of the street I saw a horseman pounding away.
I pointed to the couple across the street to come over to me. As they began to approach I went back inside to check on Barnes. He was bleeding from several spots, but from a casual observance I didn’t think any of them posed a severe threat to life. I helped him up to a chair, then went to the bar to grab a couple of towels. “Use these to stop the blood, until Doc gets here,” I ordered, then turned my attention to the couple.
“Everyone all right?” questioned the man quite concerned.
Nodding, I replied, “Nothin’ serious. You’re the Hansens right?” He seemed proud that I remembered. “Linda and Cory.”
He was gloating a little, then answered, “Proud you remembered us. Yes, we own the leather and cobbler’s shop down the street.”
“I saw you were across the street when the blast occurred. Did you see the man who fired the shot?”
He began to shake his head. “We were hurrying to get to the shop as we’re some late in opening up this morning. I wasn’t paying attention until after the shot, then I grabbed Linda and we got down close to boardwalk,” he said then smiled. “Sorta to make ourselves as small as possible.”
“I understand that. But you can tell me nothing about the man?”
Continuing to shake his head, “I’m sorry Marshal. All I know is that he was wearing a brown coat and riding a bay horse.”
“His spurs,” blurted Linda. “He was wearing those Mexican rowels. I saw them when he spurred his horse to ride off.”
My hand went to the side of my face where I felt the same type of spur a month ago. I wondered if it was the same person. Someone with a vendetta. “If either of you think of something else, come see me.”
They both nodded, but before they turned to leave Cory asked, “How are the boots holding up?” I remembered that I took a pair of boots to him for new soles.”
“Fine, fine. You do good work.”
That made both of them beam and as they left Linda patted me on the arm. “I pray that your day goes much better.”
“So do I, “Ma’am, so do I.”
As they walked off I saw Doc scurrying up the street as fast as he could in the slush and mud. He glanced at me upon approaching and I pointed for him to go inside. I followed.
Barnes was gone.
I followed the drops of blood out the back. Doc was coming behind me. The trail was hard to spot, but every now and then there was a drop of blood. Wish the snow had stayed on the ground longer. We walked down the alley cautiously. I had already been startled once today and didn’t want a similar occurrence to happen.
The trail moved from the alley to the back of a warehouse where I saw that it went between two buildings. “You stay here until I say it’s clear,” I ordered Doc.
“You say he was hurt badly?” came his question.
“Not that I could see.”
He muttered something I didn’t quite hear, then spoke up. “That blood is getting brighter. I’m wondering if an artery wasn’t nicked.”
I looked at him, then started moving up between the buildings. A nice set up for an ambush if ever there was one. No place to go if a shooter appeared.
It was like I was prophesying. A voice sounded in front of me, but in the dark of the shadows I couldn’t see anyone. “You’re as good as dead, Forrest.”
Stopping in my tracks I flung the Greener up…