Echoes from the Campfire

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He was following a duty, and this duty impelled him to make his greatest effort.”
                   –James Oliver Curwood  (River’s End)

       “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
                    –1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)
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Murmuring, whining, complaining, bad attitude, negative, these traits have no place in the life of a Christian.  Oh, there may be bad times, but we need to take inventory of ourselves when we are in that condition.  A couple of questions to ask:  Why am I in the place I am?  What is the duty of the circumstances God has put me into?   A child of God is never in a place just by happenstance.  He is either paying the consequences of poor decisions and is facing chastisement, or God is allowing the circumstance to come into the life.
       It seems that whenever we find ourselves in poor circumstances we tend to become bitter or angry.  We blame others, we blame God.  Job had no idea what was happening in the spiritual realm, but he would not blame God.  He would continue to worship Him despite the circumstances.  In the midst of trials, storms or the like do not think thoughts that further disturb you.  If you do you will become even more discontent.
       What would you have done if you were placed in the lower part of the dungeon for being a Christian?  Would there be despondency?  Maybe anger at the way you were being treated at the hands of men, and where was God anyway?  Or would you praise Him like Paul and Silas and to the duty that was required of the circumstance?  In the midst of turmoil what is your response?  The great preacher of days gone by, Jeremiah Burroughs said, “You should labor to bring your heart to quiet and contentment by setting your soul to work in the duties of your present condition.”  
       I read last week of David.  We remember him as the giant-slayer, or the man who committed adultery.  Which was the real David?  He was called a “bloody man” and yet he was a man “after God’s own heart.”  Acts 13:36 points out a very important fact regarding David, “For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, and was buried among his fathers and underwent decay.” (NASB)  The HCSB translates it thus, “For David, after serving his own generation in God’s plan…”  The KJV and NKJV, translate it this way, “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God…”.  And I will give you one more version, then get to my point.  From the RSV, “For David, after he had served the counsel of God in his own generation…”.
       Did you pick up on the life of David?  In spite of his failures and sin, he served God throughout his life.  He served God’s purpose–His will.  He listened to God’s counsel and fulfilled his duties of life in the will of God.  It should serve as a reminder to serve God in whatever circumstances we find ourselves–the good, the bad, and even the ugly.  God knows where you are; He will not forget about you.  However, He is waiting for you to serve Him in that situation in life.  Do not be like the children of Israel upon escaping slavery and begin to complain and lose your way–a lost generation.  Learn the lesson of Paul, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”. (Philippians 4:11, NKJV)

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Justice can be a harsh taskmaster.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (We Shaped the Land With Our Guns)

       “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

                    –John 16:8 (NKJV)
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          8 — Understand, you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise?
          9 — He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
        10 — He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge?
        11 — The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
        12 — Blessed in the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law,
        13 — That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.
        14 — For the LORD will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.
        15 — But judgment will return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.  (NKJV)

       Justice is coming!  Repent, forsake your wickedness, or face the consequences.  That seems to be the theme of Psalm 94.  We may wonder when the Lord will act, but rest assured He is acting right at this moment.  The wicked may scoff and point out that God has not punished or judged them.  In fact, they might think who does He think He is with the right to judge me.  “Think again fools!  When will you finally catch on?” (94:8, NLT)  God knows your thoughts for good or bad, for righteous or for evil.
       In this evil time that we are facing don’t be fooled into thinking that God is not there.  Don’t be like those who just don’t get it–God hears and sees and will judge.  We live in a time when some of the first words anyone might say to you could be, “Who are you to judge?”  “Stop judging others.”  Don’t you realize that this is the New Testament, God does not judge, He loves.  People better realize that in this life of sin and wickedness there is a pardon to receive, but only if we throw ourselves at the mercy of the Judge.  People of God should welcome His judgment because it is true and right.
       We should learn from the suffering we endure and see around us.  We should be aware of the Lord’s instruction, and never forget that He is aware of us and our affliction.  He is always in the process of training His people and will use adversity and suffering for their eternal good.  Don’t be alarmed, but recognize that justice is coming!  Judgment comes for the righteous.  Think of “Tombstone” with the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday walking down the street–Justice is coming!  God will take care of His people, He will not forsake them for they are His inheritance.  “Those who live right get rewarded.  Those evil crime bosses who think they can get away with murder have another thing coming.  God sees their deed and will see that justice is done.  The sheriff has arrived, and law-abiding citizens can rejoice.” (William J. Petersen)
                   
               “Arm of the Lord, awake, awake!
               Thine own immortal strength put on;
               With terror clothed, hell’s kingdom shake
               And cast thy foes with fury down.”
                        –Charles Wesley

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Kindness is a gift.”

                   –A.W. Hart  (Killer’s Chance)

       “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
                   –Romans 13:10(NKJV)
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Today I want to borrow from my trusty little devotional by Lois A. Cheney, God Is No Fool.  I have used this book over and over, meditating on the gems that are in it.  I want to keep with the theme of yesterday’s devotion.

          Is there a hell?
               Once upon a time a person was touched by God, and God gave him a priceless gift.  This gift was the capacity for love.  He was grateful and humble, and he knew what an extraordinary thing had happened to him.  He carried it like a jewel and he walked tall and with purpose.
               From time to time he would show this gift to others, and they would smile and stroke his jewel.  But it seemed that they’d also dirty it up a little.  Now, this was no way to treat such a precious thing, so the person built a box to protect his jewel.  And he decided to show it only to those who would treat it with respect and meet it with reverent love of their own.
               Even that didn’t work, for some tried to break into the box.  So he built a bigger, stronger box–one that no one could get into–and the man felt good.  At last he was protecting the jewel as it should be.  Upon occasion, when he decided that someone had earned the right to see it, he’d show it proudly.  But they sometimes refused, or kind of smudged it, or just glanced at it disinterestedly.
               Much time went by, and then only once in awhile would one pass by the man, the aging man; he would pat his box and say, “I have the loveliest of jewels in here.”  Once or twice he opened the box and offered it saying, “Look and see.  I want you to.”  And the passerby would look, and look, and look.  And then he would back away from the old man, shaking his head.
               The man died, and he went to God, and he said, “You gave me a precious gift many years ago, and I’ve kept it safe, and it is as lovely as the day you gave it to me.”  And he opened the box and held it out to God.  He glanced in it, and in it was a lizard–an ugly, laughing lizard.
          Yes, there is a hell.

       Paul told Timothy, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you….” (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV)  Now, Paul was speaking of spiritual gifts, most likely the “gifts of calling” because he mentioned it was given by the “laying on of my hands.”  But we should heed this advice whether we are speaking of spiritual gifts or natural gifts.  We all have at least one spiritual gift as seen in Romans 12.  It is important to recognize that these gifts are different than those mentioned in Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12.  Everyone has one of the gifts in Romans 12, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (12:6, NKJV)
       The gifts/talents that the Lord gives us are not to be despised whether spiritual or natural.  To do so would be to despise the Giver of the gifts.  For a few seconds, take a look at your natural gifts.  They may be small and few in number, or they may be great–no matter, stir them up and use them.  I knew a man who had tremendous talent and used them for the Lord, but he also had a small gift, the gift of a smile.  Every time he stopped at the same convenience store he would smile and tell the attendant, “Have a good day.”  Finally, after several weeks of this, the person asked him, “why do you smile?”  That presented an open-door opportunity to witness, but it was the simple gift given of a smile.  Immediately comes to my mind is a student who I told, “God gave you a gift of a smile which is infectious–use it.”
       So again, I ask–are you using your gift(s)?  If not, stir them up.  Maybe you have the gift of organization (administration/leadership depending upon the translation) then put it to use.  Maybe your gift is ministry (and we all can do this).  Ministry is not necessarily preaching of the Word, but it might be making coffee at the men’s meeting.  It may be giving a drink of water to a thirsty soul.  Whatever the gift is–stir it up.  Do not be like the unfaithful servant and hide your gift, but stir up the gift into a flame.  Use the gift of prayer, especially that of intercession.  Think about the things that the Lord has given you–use them for His kingdom!

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

If I go two days in a row without working, then I get all squirmy inside.”

                      –C.J. Petit  (Gus)

       “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.”

                      –Luke 12:47 (NLT)

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I have probably heard dozens of sermons on the Parable of the Talents.  I hope I am not overly redundant, but there are a few things I would like to point out.  In Matthew 25:14, the parable starts out, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.”  I first want to point out that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are not the same.  Once a person becomes a Christian, one who is born-again, purchased by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, they are part of the kingdom of God.  This man was involved with the kingdom of heaven, but before he left he called his servants.

       “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” (Matthew 25:15)  There is so much to say regarding this verse.  Why wasn’t I given the “talent” to make a million dollars?  Perhaps the Lord knew that I wouldn’t handle it very well.  He did not leave that gift to me because it was beyond my ability.  It is important to realize what it is that you have, and then to use it.  You cannot use the talents given to someone else.  I will never have the voice of some of the great singers, but some of them could not stand up in front of thirty high school seniors and teach.  Get the picture–use what you have.

       That first servant must have had great ability.  He would be the man on Wall Street who knew when to make the right trade and when to sell.  He most likely had charisma that the other two didn’t have.  He knew how to work and wasn’t afraid of working and putting his gifts to work as well.  He would be the Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Greg Maddux of baseball–great gifts and put to their best use.  (Yeah, I know I’m showing my age with those people, but I don’t watch much in the world of sports anymore).  

       Much has been said about the third servant.  He was only given one talent, and what did he do?  He buried it!  What a waste!  When asked why he hid the talent (money) he replied, “And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.  Look, there you have what is yours.” (Matthew 25:25)  Pity the man who misuses what the Lord has given.  As I wrote the words of Walter C. Kaiser yesterday, “Believers are to be rebuked for rejecting God’s worldly gifts and refusing to use them in a proper way.”  We have all been given gifts; are we using them, or hiding them?

       Concentrate now on the second servant.  He is common, has some ability, and uses it.  “Nobody in this thing called Christianity is qualified–but we all have a part to play.”  (Bill Wilson)  You may not be qualified to be a government official, but you can be involved in helping choose the school board.  This servant wasn’t given as much as the first because the master understood his abilities.  The devil could have used this to discourage the servant.  “Look at you, you’re as good as him.  Why didn’t the Master give you more–you deserve it,” comes the voice of the devil.  If the servant would have followed these words he would have become bitter, angry, and frustrated.  Instead, he used what he had been given and doubled it.

       Maybe we all should take time to look in the mirror and see if we are satisfied in doing what the Lord has given us.  Jesus simply said, “Go”.  Go where?  God into the world in which you live.  Give a smile, hum a tune, live the life of Christ to those around you, remember you are a “living letter” to them.  I believe that this second servant, upon hearing of the master’s return, began to search his soul.  Can you read his thoughts?  Did I do enough?  I could have done better?  What if I got up a half-hour earlier and prayed?  What if I didn’t go to those concerts, ballgames, fishing trips–would I have been more successful?  Get the picture–could he have done more.  He doubled his gift, and there may have been a little trembling when he stood before the master who looked at him.  He gave the two plus two more to the master.  Then he heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your Lord.”  (Matthew 25:23).

       One more word about the unfaithful servant.  The one who despised small things.  The one who hid what was given to him.  The one who refused what the Lord had given him and dug a hole in the ground and hid it.  Maybe he said, “I can’t” or “I won’t” or “I deserved more” or “I don’t want that talent” or, or, or….  The words he heard from the Lord should make us all tremble, “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  (Matthew 25:30)