The answer was romance, adventure, the call of the unknown, the unconquerable spirit of man to roam, to seek, to find, and never to yield.”
                    –Zane Grey  (The Great Trek)

       “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
                    –Matthew 6:33(Amplified)
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Proverbs 8:17, such a wonderful verse.  Notice that it again comes from the first person.  We can easily see Jesus speaking here.  

          “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (KJV)

Paul certainly understood those words when he wrote in Galatians, “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (2:20, NIV)  Here we see the grace of God.  He loved me; He gave Himself for me; He died on the cross for my sins.  The fool does not seek wisdom, that is one reason the road he travels leads to perdition.  We read in Psalm 14 that the Lord looked down from heaven to see if there were any who sought Him.  The same is seen in Psalm 53.  He is the desire of our heart, and as Dan Dick states, “When something is the desire of our heart, it should possess us totally.”  When I first started dating Annie I wanted to be with her, in fact, the first semester we dated there were only three days that I was not in her presence.  There was no way she was going to get out of the loop I tossed over her, and you know what, she wanted to be with me as well.
     Notice the last phrase of the KJV, “those that seek me early shall find me.”  Woe is me, do I have to get up?  That’s what so many think of the new day.  But they fail to realize that it is a day that the Lord has given them; not only that, it is a day to come to be in His presence again.  We break our fast at breakfast time, but we also break away from the sleep that has kept us away from Him as well.  To get up early tells how much an individual, or a thing means to you.  One of the greatest memories I have, one that is etched deep in my heart and mind is the fact that when she was not working, Annie would always get up and prepare breakfast for me.  There was a desire to be with me; a desire to please me.  Charles Bridges writes, “Take care that God is the first person we speak to; that we see His face first before any other; else will our lamp be untrimmed, our soul estranged from His presence, our heart unready for His service.”
     Wait a minute!  I hear you say it.  The KJV translates it wrongly.  Let’s look at a few translations of that verse.

                “I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.”  (NKJV)
                “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” (NASB)
                “I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search.” (CEV)

This is not a contradiction or necessarily a poor translation.  To get up early is to be diligent about what you are going to do.  To get up early means that you are serious about what is going to take place that day.  But I like the term “diligent”.  It shows perseverance, audacity, industriousness, conscientiousness and working towards a goal or outcome.  To get up early shows discipline on your part and the hunger that you have to be with the Lord.  It could be translated “earnestly.”  We are to earnestly seek Him and that is determination.  Are we determined to know the Lord more?
     One more thought.  We see in this verse the idea of mutual love.  Parents love their children–the children love their parents.  There is mutual love between husband and wife.  Christ loves us–we love Him.  There is the mutual idea of love and to do that we must come to know the person toward whom our love is directed.  It is not just a whim, not just a fancy moment, but a dedicated, diligent time seeking the good of one another.  Know that!  The Lord seeks good for us, and we serve a loving heavenly Father.
     James tells us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (1:5, NKJV)  In other words, if you lack wisdom, ask for it.  If you lack wisdom, get up early and earnestly seek His face.

 

Death sometimes had a majesty.”
                    –Zane Grey  (The Border Legion)

       “Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
                    –Psalm 44:22  (NKJV)
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Here we see in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 another little hymn of the Church that some call the “Hymn of Christian Commitment.”  Paul gives us a little introduction to this hymn telling us to remember.

          8 — Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
          9 — for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
        10 — Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  (NKJV)

Going into this holiday season I would encourage you to look at these words of Paul.  Remember, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  Barclay reminds us that this is not just a one time event, a single day in history, “but a continued state which lasts for ever.”  It is more of do not just remember the day He rose from the dead, but be more mindful that He is our risen and ever-present Lord.  “We do not depend on a memory, however great.  We enjoy the power of a presence.” (Barclay)  
     We are to remember that Jesus was born of the seed of David.  He was a man, He lived the same life that we do.  He saw the problems of life and lived them.  He faces the struggles that this life brings, and He even died to end His life.  He was “the Christ who knew the desperate struggle of being a man and followed to the bitter end the will of God.” (Barclay)  Finally, we are to remember the gospel.  Hold firm to it, guard the truth presented.  Follow the direction that it gives.
     Now to the hymn–contemplate these verses for there is much in them:

        11 — This is a faithful saying:
                For if we died with Him, We shall live with Him.
        12 — If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
        13 — If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.  (NKJV)

     William Petersen relates the story of newlyweds James Calvert and his wife that were sailing from England to the Fiji Islands.  The inhabitants of those islands are not like they are today; back in 1838 they were fierce cannibals.  What a honeymoon!  Calvert, his wife, along with others were going to the natives with the gospel of Christ.  The captain of the ship tried to warn them when he learned of their proposed endeavor.  “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages!”  Calvert responded boldly, “We died before we came here!”
     Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).  To live is Christ.  We need to understand that this world holds nothing for us.  Upon accepting Christ and picking up His cross we affirm our death to this world.  As Barclay puts it, “The Christian inherits Christ’s Cross, but he also inherits Christ’s Resurrection.”  If we endure, we shall reign.  In other words we are to remain loyal no matter the cost.  “Endure” according to Gordon Fee means, “holding one’s ground patiently in trouble or affliction.”  We read in Mark 13:13, “…But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (NKJV)
     There is a negative thrown in here.  “If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”  What did Jesus say in Matthew?  “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (12:33, NKJV)  Barclay puts it this way, “Jesus Christ cannot vouch in eternity for a man who has refused to have anything to do with him in time; but He is forever true to the man who, however much he has failed, has tried to be true to Him.”  Now, is the day of salvation.  Live for Christ, now, today and He will be with you through eternity.  “God will never fail the man who has tried to be true to Him, but not even He cannot help the man who has refused to have anything to do with Him.” (Barclay)
     God’s character is firm, there is not a shadow of turning with Him.  He is Who He is!  He is the I AM!  We have hope and assurance because “He cannot deny Himself.”  It is impossible for Him to do so; we have that wonderful, calm assurance that He is with us.  Jonathan Edwards said one time, “I go out to preach with two propositions in mind.  First, every person ought to give his life to Christ.  Second, whether or not anyone else gives Him his life, I will give Him mine.”
     So go out this week singing the song of the early Church.  What a doctrinal statement!  What a testimony!  What a promise!

               “‘Take up thy cross,’ the Savior said,
               ‘If thou wouldst my disciple be;
               Take up thy cross with willing heart,
               And humbly follow after Me.'”
                    –Charles W. Everest

 

It’s when you get in the middle of something that you really know what you’re in for.”
                    –Mel Odom  (Shooter’s Crossing)

       “Bless His glorious name forever!  Let the whole earth be filled with His glory.  Amen and amen!”
                    –Psalm 72:19 (NLT)
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               “Tell me the story of Jesus,
              Write on my heart every word…”
                       –Fanny Crosby

These few verses that Paul writes in 1 Timothy chapter 3 are powerful.  They are words to Timothy regarding the church, and if you review what Paul has previously written, Timothy was to guard against and fight false teachers.  Now Paul refers to the Church and verse 16 is a “Hymn on Christ’s Adoration.”  First we look at his brief message to the Church.

          14 — These things I write to you, though I hope to come to your shortly;
          15 — but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  (NKJV)

First we see the term “conduct.”  This is more than just a ritualistic behavior in church.  No, it is a man’s walk and conversation.  It describes his whole life and character.  It is who he is, and thus surrounds his conduct everywhere and with everyone.  Then we see his attention is directed to the Church.  It is the house of God.  No, not just a building, nor just a house, but the meaning goes deeper.  It is a home, a place where a family dwells.  It is a place where love exists–the love of a family.  The term for Church is “ekklesia” of the assembly of God’s people.  Those who have been called out, separated from the world.  It is those who have accepted the invitation of the Spirit.  Have you gotten this?  A place of love, a place where family dwells, a place where the people are separated from the world, not like the world.
     Two more things regarding the Church.  It is the pillar and ground (buttress or support) that can be seen by those in the world.  A city on a hill, if you please.  William Barclay says that the “idea here is that the Church’s duty is to hold up the truth in such a way that all men may see it.”  Many are building church buildings that look more like auditoriums or convention centers, or office buildings.  I read of a study done regarding this aspect.  People in the community said they wanted a church to look like a church.  They may not attend but they took comfort that it was in the neighborhood.  Now, I am not saying that the Church is a building, but buildings do represent it.  The duty, the responsibility then is to be a sign to those in the world that herein is truth.  Lastly, it not only shows the truth, it is the truth that holds it up.  “In a world which does not wish to face the truth, the Church holds it up for all to see.” (Barclay)

          16 — And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
                     God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.  (NKJV)

Now, we move on to the little hymn of the early Church.  Paul introduces it as the “mystery of godliness.”  William Petersen puts it this way, “This early Christian hymn depicts Jesus as a surprise package, the ‘mystery of our faith.’  He came as a humble babe in a poor manger–not a very impressive package on the outside.  He lived 90 percent of his life in Nazareth in the home of a carpenter.  His ministry was among humble folk; his first disciples were fishermen.”  After that Petersen exclaims that the “package explodes with surprises!”
     Look at this!  Manifested in the flesh–the Incarnation of the pre-existing One.  He was justified (vindicated) by the Spirit or as the NLT translates it, “shown to be righteous by the Spirit.”  He was kept sinless by the Spirit, He was guided by the Spirit, and through the power of the Spirit He rose from the grave.  “The Spirit is the power who proved Jesus to be what He claimed to be.” (Barclay)  Seen by angels–whatever this means it does show that “the work of Jesus is so tremendous that it includes both heaven and earth.” (Barclay)  The world heard the message of the Christ, and He went back to His throne in glory.  The story of Jesus begins in heaven and ends in heaven.  “He lived as a servant; He was branded as a criminal; He was crucified on a cross; He rose with the nailprints still upon Him; but the end is glory.” (Barclay)
     Now don’t lose the reason for this little hymn.  Paul had been instructing Timothy about false teachers, he will return to this subject.  This is an exhortation to Timothy to stand in sharp contrast to them.  “This hymn prepares for that censure by boldly expressing what the truth is all about, as a contrast to their demonic errors.” (Gordon Fee)  Now bring it home.  Do you look like the world or are you in stark contrast to it?  Do people see you living like the world and compromising with the world’s standards, or are you standing firm in the truth of God’s Word?

          “Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherd’s fall?
          Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness?
          Who is He on yonder tree dies in grief and agony?
          Who is He that from His throne rules through all the world alone?
          ‘Tis the Lord!  O wondrous story!  ‘Tis the Lord!  the King of glory!
          At His feet we humbly fall, crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!”
                   –Benjamin Hanby

 

Courage wasn’t the lack of fear; it was standing up to your fears and doing what you had to do despite them.”
                    –John Deacon (The Provider 4)

       “And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers.  He will love you, bless you, and multiply you…”
                    –Deuteronomy 7:12-13 (ESV)
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Woes, terror all around, threats of war, devastation in many ways, anxieties, fears, mayhem, oh, what are we to do?  Do we fold our hands and say, “What’s the use”?  Do we hide ourselves in the closet or under the bed in fear waiting for something bad to happen to us?  What can we do in this evil and wicked world?  Woe, oh, woe is me!
     Well, shape up!  Paul gives us a quick synopsis of what we should be doing and how we should shape our lives in a few verses from 2 Thessalonians.  Before reading these verses remember, that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Because He redeemed us, He will not let go of us.  Thomas Traherne wrote, “His love therefore being infinite, may do infinite things for an object infinitely valued.”  Think on that, ponder it–we are infinitely valued.  Now take a glimpse at what Paul instructs us to do from 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17.

          15 — Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
          16 — Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
          17 — comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.   (NKJV)

     First of all, we are to stand.  This is a command that relates to a continuous action.  “The human response to God’s faithfulness must be in the form of steadfastness in spite of the opposition that comes against us.” (Bernard Rossier)  Then, immediately following, “hold” (again this means, continuously) or perhaps better, grip tenaciously.  We are to stand, and as Paul writes in Ephesians, after done all to continue standing, and now we add to that grip, hold firm.   Stand and hold on to what?  The traditions which you have been taught.  Now, don’t get hung up on the word “traditions.”  It means the teaching that has been passed on to us from God Himself.  We know that some traditions are from men and do not originate from God; do not confuse them with what Paul is saying here. (Rossier)   Hold firm to the truth, stand solid in the truth–guard the truth and never let it go from your mind and heart.
     Know this, that in the midst of the trials, terror and battles that we do not do it in our own strength.  “We are never left to fight and toil alone.  He who gives us the task also gives us the strength to do it; more, He actually does it with us.” (William Barclay)  We are not just thrown into the battle or thrown to the lions so to speak.  Behind us, beside us and in front of us there is God.  Get this in your heart, “Do not be afraid…for I am with you…” (Acts 18:9,10, NKV)  With God, we can stand, we can grasp firmly.
     Throughout the difficulties of life we have the promise that God is with us, we can have confidence that His presence is there.  Then He gives “good hope.”  Not just hope to get by, but an extraordinary, supernatural hope.  Hope that is sure because it rests in His Word and character.  We rest in this hope; it “is what spurs us on while we await the coming of our blessed Lord.” (Rossier)  There seems to be some teaching that the Lord will not return until the end of the Tribulation.  Let me ask then, who do we look for?  Our eyes are turned to the lawless one, the Antichrist.  We would look for his coming.  But no!  We are to look for the coming of the Lord Himself to take His saints home.  We wait, our hope is in His appearing.
     Because of this our hearts are comforted.  Because of our hope in the return of the Lord we are comforted and therefore can go forth through this world in victory.  Since we are established, we see “the necessity of work for the Lord while we wait the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rossier)  I would implore that each of us take heed to these few words by Paul.  Be steadfast while we wait.  Don’t worry, the Holy Spirit is with us.