Echoes from the Campfire

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Ominous black buzzards soared overhead, reminding the riders of their mortality.”
                    –Ron Schwab  (Grit)

        “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
                    –Revelation 3:16(NKJV)
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       One of the saddest verses in the Bible is found in Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (NKJV)  Now, I understand that we do not have a monarchy so let me take the liberty of translating the first phrase, “In those days there was no leadership [physical or spiritual].”  It was a time of spiritual darkness; it was a time of chaos.  Fear gripped the people, terror was throughout the land.  Truth, the truth of God’s Word was absent and all practiced what we now call “relative truth” or “woke.”  
       The second part of the verse is the saddest.  The people were no longer following the commandments of the Lord, or if they did it was only perfunctory.  They practiced Baal worship of many sorts.  One of the hideous practices was child sacrifice.  Give your child to the heathen god and he will bless the fertility of the family, the animals, and the crops.  How could a people be so duped?
       Yet, are we not seeing the same thing in our country today?  It is on its way to apostasy.  Gone is the grand concept of John Winthrop of “being a city on a hill,” to shine forth to the world the gospel and blessings of Jesus Christ.  I came across some startling statistics from Barna.  Note:  61% of Christian youth believe that Jesus was crucified.  What a minute!  Isn’t that part of the whole premise of Christianity?  That means 39% do not believe in the crucifixion; then I would ask how they can call themselves “Christian.”  
       Another appalling figure is that only 50% believe that Jesus rose from the grave.  !!!  What?  How?  Fifty percent think that Jesus stayed in the tomb, there was not the glorious, powerful resurrection.  That means that redemption is not true; it means that the atonement for our sins was not complete.  What kind of Christianity is this?  Let’s go back to Judges, and look at the scene after the death of Joshua and his generation.  The Bible says, “…another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work He had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10, NKJV)  How could this be?  The Chosen People not even recognizing their Creator.  Back to the Barna report–32% of the youth in the church believe that Jesus is active in the world today.  That means 68% do not!  Where is the abiding Christ?  Have we lost our way?  
       Some call it the “second generation syndrome.”  It follows the concept that the generation following Joshua “followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger.”  (Judges 2:12, NKJV)  This generation failed to keep the memory of God alive.  They did not experience first-hand the power of God, His saving deeds, and the working of miracles.  “They failed to keep alive the reality of God’s grace…  Spiritual amnesia inevitably produces spiritual apostasy.”  (Gary Inrig)
       These people are lukewarm.  The first love is gone, thus they turn to other gods to provide excitement, fulfillment, and happiness–all of which are fleeting.  Inrig states that this second generation yawns at the story of God.  They have become apathetic.  “There is nothing worse than nostalgia except amnesia.” (Ravi Zacharias)   Are we provoking God to anger?  Is the wrath of His righteous anger ready to be poured out?  Remember, there is an “if clause”.  Repentance.  True, honest repentance will bring God’s mercy and hold back His wrath.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

You’re a false alarm, you drive me plumb weary.”

                    –Charles A. Seltzer  (The Boss of the Lazy Y)

       “Yet these men are defiling their bodies by their filthy fantasies in just the same way; they show utter contempt for authority and make a jest of heavenly glories.”
                    –Jude 8 (Phillips)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse:  “We know that we are children of God and that the whole world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.”  –1 John 5:19 (NLT)

I trust that the verse above is being etched in your heart and mind.  First, that you are a child of God, and second that this world is under the control of the devil.  He will try any method to thwart God’s will, and yet, God uses his vain efforts and turns them into good.  Remember, the devil has only so long a lease.  He cannot do anything that God does not allow him to do.  Yet…it seems that he, at times, is winning.
       Jude warns us about “filthy dreamers.  Those who defile the flesh, reject proper authority, and speak evil of the glorious beings of God’s creation.  There are many in the world who possess to know the “real” truth.  Some say they are bringing a new truth.  I remember a church I attended who was “enjoying” a phenomenon.  They called it the “new wine.”  I responded by saying that I thought the “new wine” had already been poured out at Pentecost.  What is this then, a new, new wine?  Beware of those who claim to receive revelations; remember they must align with the Bible.  These people “defile the flesh,” or as the NIV states, they “pollute.”  Their new ideas belong in the garbage.  They are out of touch with reality, therefore, they make up their own reality.  Polluting the flesh they have developed “new” genders, they accept the abomination of homosexuality, and they pollute the very creation of God.  Paul Cedar writes, “Those who walk in the flesh rather than the Spirit are actually involved in defiling or polluting their own bodies.”
       These individuals despise angels, they reject proper authority, especially that of God’s Word.  The authority of Scripture actually hinders their teachings.  They have a different view of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.  Jude reminds them of the argument of Michael and Satan over the body of Moses.  Satan is always scheming, always ready and wanting to deceive and he tried his best with Michael.  Notice that Michael did not fall into his trap.  Michael did not rebuke Satan; instead he said, “The Lord rebuke you!”  If Michael had done it under his power, the devil would have smiled, and Michael would have fallen into the trap laid by him.  Michael understood his place, his role, and what Satan was trying to do.
       Michael was not about to take the place of God.  Only the Lord Almighty has the rightful power to control the schemes of the devil.  Those who can think they can defeat the devil under their own power have come under the delusion of the devil.  They can only defeat him by the Word of God and by abiding in Christ.  Do not listen to all the voices out there.  Even the secular ones can be deceiving and enticing (look at the power of Disney).  Be careful to what you listen to from so-called prophets, apostles, and bishops that come from within the church.  Guard the truth!  And before you can guard it properly you must know the truth and study it.  Walk this life with wariness, but trusting in the Lord.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

The world isn’t built around people who do what they want to do, what they want regardless of who gets hurt. It is built by people who do what they should do.”

                        –Louis L’Amour  (Bendigo Shafter)

       “What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?”
                        –Ecclesiastes 1:3 (NKJV)
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       “We who worship our work and play at our worship have gotten things all fouled up,” so states Charles Swindoll.  Those who go to church on Sunday, maybe do the pogo-stick jig, raise their hands and begin to wave, and even shed a tear or two thinking they are in the throes of worship.  Then they will go to work and put all their energy for eight plus hours to bring home enough money to pay the bills, go out to eat, and enjoy a night of entertainment of some sort.  They make enough money that they think they can go into debt for items they want knowing/thinking that they will continue to make money to pay it off.
       Man, for the most part, worships himself or the things that have been built by man.  This could be a career, enjoying entertainment, building something out of concrete or other substance, but I want to ask–What works of man are priceless?  Man used to look for answers to life’s deeper problems, but now for the most part man has become lethargic and fearful.  They no longer look for answers because they believe that man has already answered the problems.  How does one get to God?  You choose for there are many ways to God.  There is something wrong inside of man.  Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (NKJV)
       “Nothing in this world has really changed”comes the apathetic voice of man.  Life, then death–the cycle continues.  Life is simply a monotony, therefore when something dreadful happens, such as the virus, man runs around like ants.  Fear looms, hope is gone.  Oh that we may be like the Psalmist, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NKJV).  What’s the use?  “All things are wearisome,” (Ecclesiastes 1:8, NASB)  The NLT translates it this way, “Everything is so weary and tiresome!  No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied.  No matter how much we hear, we are not content.”
       The Laws of Nature are permanent (see, Ecclesiastes 1:4-8).  Man pursues things under the sun.  His curiosity is aroused, but he is continually frustrated.  He is never satisfied, but always wanting more.  Today, thousands change from job to job as they cannot seem to make enough, get along with the boss, or something within them is not satisfied.  Perhaps they have a misguided idea of who they are.  Man tries to escape the monotony of life by trying more and more dangerous stunts and games.  He cannot handle life so he attempts to distort it or make it abstract.  When a person looks and lives life under the sun he is imprisoned by the laws of nature.  He does not understand that the world belongs to the Father.
        It is well that we remember that we are pilgrims in this world, not prisoners.  We need to find the deeper meaning for our soul, and that is Christ Jesus.  Take to heart the words of Paul, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  (1 Corinthians 15:58, NKJV)

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Most men doubt their own abilities. You don’t. It’s no wonder they want to keep you around. It keeps them from having to worry about failure all the time.”

                    –Larry McMurtry  (Lonesome Dove)

       “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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Over the last several decades there has been much talk of faith.  Super-faith, hyper-faith, great-faith, and so on.  If those with the so-called hyper-faith do not receive what they want, or prayed for, or lived to get, does that mean they don’t have the faith?  A friend of mine who started a large church in Brooklyn for kids was once told that he had very little faith.  He related to me that he thought he had great faith in that God met all his needs.  No, he wasn’t driving a BMW.  No, he didn’t live in a mansion, but only a small apartment.  No, he wasn’t eating lobster or filet mignon, but was eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
       My friend lived by faith, but people often doubt.  Even John the Baptist questioned if Jesus was really the Messiah.  When doubt enters the mind we need to go to the Word of God.  We need to look at the “heroes” of the faith.  We need to review the great acts of God in history and in our own lives.  F.B. Meyer said, “Melancholy and depression are apt at putting questions but faith has an answer ready.”  Today let’s look at another psalm by Asaph, Psalm 77, and see what the Spirit is saying to us.

       1 — I cried out to God with my voice–to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me.
       2 — In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted.
       3 — I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.     Selah
       4 — You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
       5 — I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
       6 — I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.
       7 — Will the Lord cast off forever?  And will He be favorable no more?
       8 — Has His mercy ceased forever?  Has His promise failed forevermore?
       9 — Has God forgotten to be gracious?  Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?    Selah
      10 — And I said, “This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
      11 — I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
      12 — I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.”  (NKJV)

     Sometimes life can cause a person to panic.  I know of those who have had “panic attacks,” sometimes for no seeming reason.  If that happens it most surely is the work of the devil.  He thrives on making the child of God panic; that’s when we need to remember the Words of this Psalm–“I will remember.”  Satan wants to destroy our hope, but we need to sing, “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…” (Edward Mote)  
     When we feel comfortless that is the time we need to call on the Comforter.  Notice the term, “Selah.”  When we become downtrodden too often we think and ponder upon the wrong things.  “Selah” means to think on this–not the problem, not our sorrow, not our weakness, not our doubts, but think upon the person of God, His miracles, His keeping power and the wonders He has wrought in the world and in our lives.  Remember the right times and the right things.  George O. Wood puts it this way, “You must turn from focusing on your own life to recalling what the Lord has done for you…  If you permit your memories to dwell exclusively on your own hurts you will never find your way out.”  So practice focusing on the Lord.  Focus on His character, how He has dealt with you.  Take your eyes off the situation–the doubts–and look to Jesus for He is the answer.

               “He who ‘mid the raging billows walked upon the sea
               Still can hush our wildest tempest, as on Galilee;
               He who wept and prayed in anguish in Gethsemane,
               Drinks with us each cup of trembling, in our agony.
               Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same.”
                               –A.B. Simpson