Sometimes a man needs to take some quiet and think things through what he’s about to commit himself to.”

                    –Stephen Bly  (Beneath a Dakota Cross)

       “Although no violence is in my hands, and my prayer is pure.”
                    –Job 16:17 (NKJV)
——————————–
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

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

       Two things that are vital in this crazy world in which we live.  First, to know the will of God, which we do through the Word of God.  Secondly, through prayer–conversing with God.  Besides the Word of God, prayer is the most important thing to us as we journey through life.  Jesus said that “men ought to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1, NKJV).  In this world with its trials, tribulations and woes it is vital that we know the will of God.

               “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked Him.”
                              –1 John 5:14-15(NKJV)

       It is vital that we pray, but also that we pray according to God’s will.  To know God’s will we must be in the Word of God, studying it, meditating on it, contemplating it.  Beware when you pray of fanaticism–that is, praying out of context; demanding of God and praying out of His will.  There are many things in which God has already said, “NO!”  Yet I know people who pray for those exact things.
       Observe carefully what the Scripture says about prayer.  Gather as much information as the Bible states–do not formulate prayer upon one set of Scripture.  Gain knowledge, and insight then pray.  The Scripture teaches that prayer is essential and vital to us; we are exhorted to do it.  Jesus spent much time in prayer, therefore, if we want to be close to Him we should do the same.  The nearer people are to God, the more they pray to Him–reasonably, rationally, and with faith.  The God who determines the end determines the means as well–there are spiritual laws.
       You shall hear of wars and rumors of war, there will be pestilence upon the land, famine shall come in one way or another.  Therefore, believer, child of God, pray in accordance with His Word.

He comes from a generation of men that believe complaining is a sign of weakness of character and lack of trust in the Lord.”
                    –Stephen Bly  (Shadow of Legends)

       “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

Life is the gift of God and each day is a journey.”
                    –Dan Arnold  (Bear Creek)

       “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

                    –2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)
———————————-
Over the years I have borrowed several thoughts from a little devotional I purchased in 1972, when I lived in Panama City, FL.   The title of the book is GOD IS NO FOOL, by Lois A. Cheney, and I thought I would borrow from it this morning.

     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.
               And God walked away from him.
       Yes, there is a hell.

       Paul reminds Timothy,  “That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you…” (2 Timothy 1:6, Amplified)  

Whatever talents, gifts, callings He has given us He expects them to be used for Him.  Don’t waste your time.  Don’t neglect the gift that God has given you.

A man does what he has to do…. What men call a hero is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.”
                     –Louis L’Amour  (Bendigo Shafter)

       “Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.”

                    –2 Samuel 23:20 (NKJV)
————————————-
                    “Just a line to say I’m living, that I’m not among the dead;
                     Though I’m getting more forgetful, and mixed up in my head,
                     I got used to my arthritis, to my dentures I’m resigned;
                     I can manage my bifocals, but I sure do miss my mid.”
                            (unknown, taken from “A Psalm in Your Heart,” George O. Wood)

There you go friends, I’m still loving; confused much of the time and my fingers do not want to coordinate with my thoughts so pardon any great mistakes as they just do not want to cooperate–mind and fingers.  Psalm 71 is a psalm written by a person not enjoying life as his biological clock is winding down.  Or a person like I’ve been the past few weeks with my mind staggering, wondering what is happening.  Let’s look this morning at verses 1-8:

          1 — In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.
          2 — Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me, and save me.
          3 — Be my strong refuse, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.
          4 — Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteousness and cruel man.
          5 — For You hare my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
          6 — By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.  My praise shall be continually of You.
          7 — I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge.
          8 — Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day.  (NKJV)

       Things just aren’t easy right now.  The pestilence is still about, my mind is confused.  However, the Psalmist proclaims that the Lord has been with him from birth.  From a lifetime experience this Psalmist testifies to the predictability of God’s care for him.  David has faced many things in his life:  wild animals, being hunted by Saul, sin and the death of his son.  He has victories and good times.  Many wrongs he suffered he did not deserve, but others he brought on himself.
       “This side of eternity, we do not know how many times David faced trouble.  Every time we hear him pray, he is either just entering, in the midst of, or emerging from a deep assault on his soul.  This psalm of old age is no different–life has not gotten easier.” (George O. Wood)

                    “My hope is built on nothing less
                     Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
                     I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
                    But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
                          On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;
                          All other ground is sinking sand.”
                                    –Edward Mote