Some men have to set aside their own lives to protect the lives of others. It’s just how it’s done if the country is going to survive the wilderness.”–Mel Odom (The Hold Up)
“He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.”–John 14:24(NASB)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (HCSB)
Today is V-J Day (Victory over Japan) marking the end of World War II; V-E Day had taken place a few months earlier. The war was slaughter, many died or were mangled either in mind or body, because of the fight to end the world of the menace of Fascism. Sacrifice upon sacrifice was given. I didn’t want the day to pass without mentioning the sacrifice of those who lived during that terrible time, and it leads into the verses in 1 John, to study today. I’m using the Holman Bible today rather than the New American Standard.
3:16 — This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.
3:17 — If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need–how can God’s love reside in Him?
3:18 — Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.
One thing I trust you have noticed in our study of how to live in this confused and chaotic world is that doctrine always precedes action. Doctrine first! Then following doctrine is always practice! There must be grounded doctrinal theology before there can be practical theology. If not there can become a problem of practice with no sound doctrine to back it up.
These verses go beyond “liking.” Liking is something natural, something elemental; not the result of effort. Love takes effort and true love if seldom practiced properly because of that. We commonly hear the misuse of the term “love.” People say, “I love those shoes,” “I love ice cream,” “I just love that song.” No, these are love for objects. When we love we must always think in terms of God. Therefore, love is highly intelligent; it is never elemental or instinctive; love goes beyond the superficial and visible. Love overcomes obstacles and excuses. Far too often people are in love with love. They are content with elevated feelings and thoughts. They may become giddy in their emotions.
We are familiar with the writings of Paul in 1 Corinthians the 13th chapter that describe “love,” but we do not take to heart one of the verses, “When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” (verse 11, NASB). A child’s love is sincere, but immature. As we grow in Christ we should never lose the sincerity of love, but we should become mature in our love.
Love is always practical. Love is always active; there is always an expression of some sort. We get into the controversy of legalism–Jesus said if you love Me, keep My commandments. Look at it this way. Doing the commandments without love–that is legalism. Doing the commandments because of love is showing that we love Christ. True love does not look at itself; it is absorbed in the object of its love.
God saw our predicament and He had compassion upon us. He did not think of Himself; He did not think of His rights. He sent His only begotten Son to this sinful world to redeem it and to show God’s love. If we think of our rights we are not loving; if we think of our responsibility we show our love.
“That is the essence of love. It acts, it gives, it expresses itself; it cannot help itself–it must… True love is always active, and there we see it to perfection: God giving Himself for the evil, the perfect for the vile and the condemned.”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Echoes from the Campfire
Echoes From the Campfire
It is important to listen with all the senses, and to feel. Awareness is a way of learning, too. In these days to come you must be alive and aware to everything. Let the days leave tracks upon your memory.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Californios)
“And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything.”
–1 Corinthians 12:6 (HCSB)
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“When I think about them good old days my eyes with tears do fill,
I think of the tin can by the fire and the coyote on the hill,
I think of riding night guard while the stars were shining bright,
But now instead the wire fence guards the herd tonight
Bid ’em all adieu, we can’t turn the world about,
The cowboy left the country, the campfire has gone out.”
No one knows for sure who wrote the song, Jack Thorp said it was written by Eugene Manlove Rhodes while Ben Arnold Connor says the song was written by him. Who knows, it’s the thought of the words that count.
I’ve been around many campfires, some I’ve stayed up watching the embers finally die out. Others had already been reduced to ashes. I’ve stayed up a night keeping the fire burning, and I’ve also wakened to a campfire that was just ashes left to blow in the wind.
Life can be something like that. A person, once aflame, shining brightly, heat emanating from them, now gone–cold, lifeless, just ashes waiting to be scattered. A sad thought. Well, it could be it all depends upon who the fire touched when the person was alive. How bright was his light? Did he leave a trail worth following?
Memories can be like that campfire as well. Some dwindle away turning into just a wisp o’ smoke. Others are bright, still burning deep in our souls. Maybe you can remember some of those flames that reached up to lick the sky. Ahh, a smile is on your face; you do remember. The flame may no longer be flickering, but there are still a few hot coals of remembrance.
September 1 is the day I normally call my Paine or Echo anniversary. It was around this time, twenty years ago, that I started writing a daily morning devotional. It’s hard for me to imagine that I had that many thoughts in my mind. I started in 2001, sometime in September, and since you are reading you know that I’ve continued. Oh, there have been a few breaks, and I changed the name from the “Daily Paine” to “Echoes From the Campfire.” I reckon there are still some flames flickering in this ol’ noggin’ of mine.
I do have a record of the first time I wrote about Miles Forrest. It was February 19, 2010. Amazing that it has continued on for this long. In fact I have two books out with him as the “hero,” along with three others with him as one of the characters.
My prayer has always been to bring God’s truth to the reader in some fashion. I used to write in a more academic tone, but have soothed that down some. Of course, the Perc is rowdy, Miles is steady, and who knows what will come from the Echo. I want to exhort, make you question, inspire, and force you to be steadfast in the midst of storms and calamities for the glory of the Lord. Even in Miles, I seek to relay some truth about God.
Some of you have been with me from the beginning, and I thank you for your prayers, your support, and your comments. Others have joined along the trail. I don’t plan on retiring from writing any time soon. Perhaps it will be like the campfire and slowly burn itself out as my thoughts become less and less active. I trust it is no time soon. I pray that the Holy Spirit will keep the flame alive until the Lord decides it is time to quit. Then there will be just a little smoke, some embers that will eventually burn cold.
Echoes From the Campfire
I sat down on the rocker and for a while just gazed at the moon, pondering the blessings and workings of the Lord.”
–D. C. Adkisson (Redemption)
“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.”
–Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV)
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My Aunt Bern had a real problem with insomnia. She simply couldn’t sleep at night, but then during the sermon on Sunday mornings she would invariably start to nod off. This embarrassed her to no end, and finally she went to the Pastor to apologize. He was a gracious man, and taking her hand he said to her, “I’m so glad that my sermons are helping somebody.”
There have been few times in my life when I couldn’t sleep. It would be hard for me to remember them, therefore, it is hard for me to understand the reasons why sleep just doesn’t come to some people. William J. Petersen gives this advice, “As you hit the pillow, don’t waste time fretting about your enemies or the various struggles in your life. Meditate on the Lord through the night, and let him give your soul the rest it needs.”
Psalm 63, shows that David was having a problem sleeping, but he took the right action.
6 — When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 — Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 — My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
9 — But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 — They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 — But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him shall glory; by the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped. (NKJV)
I have mentioned before that I pray before going to bed that if I wake up I expect the Holy Spirit to bring to my mind a “Midnight Hymn.” Troubles can keep us awake. Why? Isn’t the Lord our answer? Worries about the virus, the vaccine, sickness, and death can keep a person awake. Why? Isn’t Jesus the Prince of Peace? Worries about tomorrow, jobs, security, safety, finances, and on…why? Jesus is our Rock and strong tower.
Notice, David remembers God and all that He has done for Him in the past. He remembers the times that God has helped him through situations in life. God is always there; He is always faithful. When sleep vanishes, begin to meditate on what the Lord has already accomplished for you. Begin to do what the chorus of the old song says,
“Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your blessings, See what God hath done;
Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.”
–Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your problems. Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your failures. Count your blessings, don’t focus on your regrets. Count your blessings, put worries, fears, and doubts aside. If we are awake at night the devil would like for us to lose sleep, become fatigued and dwell on failures, past sins, and regret our lives. “The meditation of anything hath more sweetness than bare remembrance. The memory is the chest in which to lay up a truth, but meditation is the palate to feed upon it.” (John Wells). Remember the greatness, goodness, and faithfulness of God. Meditate upon His Word, and how He brought you through trials of the past.
“Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tend’rest blessing
May mine eyelids close.”
–George Matheson
–Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV)
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My Aunt Bern had a real problem with insomnia. She simply couldn’t sleep at night, but then during the sermon on Sunday mornings she would invariably start to nod off. This embarrassed her to no end, and finally she went to the Pastor to apologize. He was a gracious man, and taking her hand he said to her, “I’m so glad that my sermons are helping somebody.”
There have been few times in my life when I couldn’t sleep. It would be hard for me to remember them, therefore, it is hard for me to understand the reasons why sleep just doesn’t come to some people. William J. Petersen gives this advice, “As you hit the pillow, don’t waste time fretting about your enemies or the various struggles in your life. Meditate on the Lord through the night, and let him give your soul the rest it needs.”
Psalm 63, shows that David was having a problem sleeping, but he took the right action.
6 — When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 — Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 — My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
9 — But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 — They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 — But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him shall glory; by the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped. (NKJV)
I have mentioned before that I pray before going to bed that if I wake up I expect the Holy Spirit to bring to my mind a “Midnight Hymn.” Troubles can keep us awake. Why? Isn’t the Lord our answer? Worries about the virus, the vaccine, sickness, and death can keep a person awake. Why? Isn’t Jesus the Prince of Peace? Worries about tomorrow, jobs, security, safety, finances, and on…why? Jesus is our Rock and strong tower.
Notice, David remembers God and all that He has done for Him in the past. He remembers the times that God has helped him through situations in life. God is always there; He is always faithful. When sleep vanishes, begin to meditate on what the Lord has already accomplished for you. Begin to do what the chorus of the old song says,
“Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your blessings, See what God hath done;
Count your blessings, Name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.”
–Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your problems. Count your blessings, don’t dwell on your failures. Count your blessings, don’t focus on your regrets. Count your blessings, put worries, fears, and doubts aside. If we are awake at night the devil would like for us to lose sleep, become fatigued and dwell on failures, past sins, and regret our lives. “The meditation of anything hath more sweetness than bare remembrance. The memory is the chest in which to lay up a truth, but meditation is the palate to feed upon it.” (John Wells). Remember the greatness, goodness, and faithfulness of God. Meditate upon His Word, and how He brought you through trials of the past.
“Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tend’rest blessing
May mine eyelids close.”
–George Matheson
Echoes From the Campfire
The recent rain had scented the air with the heavy aroma of grass which cleared the head and made a soul fee good about life.”
–Mike Stotter (McKinney’s Law)
“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.”
–Ecclesiastes 10:1 (NKJV)
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I was sitting the other day in my rocker doing some reading, when an aroma from the kitchen floated in my direction. Annie was making broth from the left over bones from the prime rib we had for Emmalee’s birthday. Then, the day before yesterday, I was sitting on the sofa, just laying there, pondering and praying, when the smell of her baking cake wafted out from the kitchen. Ahhh, sweet smells.
When I was a kid seldom was there a time, especially when I was in elementary school, that I didn’t enter the backdoor of the house and get hit immediately with the smell of Grandma’s baking. It might be cookies, or cinnamon rolls, or bread. I recall the wonderful smell of entering a bakery or a coffee shop. I remember one in Pennsylvania where they roast the beans in the shop. Plus, I can’t forget the numerous times I have smelled the frying of bacon in the morning, at home or around a campfire.
Now there is even a pseudo-science dealing with aroma therapy. Essential oils are used to bring a mood to a home, or a person. They are used to create an effect upon one’s physic and emotions. Certain oils mean certain things. They are to be therapeutic, comforting, and satisfying. Certain aromas are used for certain ailments. I do like to put a drop of two of eucalyptus or lavender on my pillow if my nose is clogged up.
Those are sweet smells, but I’ve also had some not so savory aromas come to my nostrils. I remember when we first moved to Panama City, Florida. There was an atrocious smell that was sickening. I found out later it was a place where paper was made. And who can forget a time when you stepped in dog-poo and carried it around on your shoe? Death has an aroma, a putrid smell. I have smelled animals that have been dead for days. I remember when rats would die in the air conditioning vents and the putridity of their remains floated through the auditorium. I’ve gone into candle stores and passed through perfume sections of stores where the aromas, which are supposed to be fragrant, are so strong that they clog up the sinuses.
God speaks of aromas.
“And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.'”
–Genesis 8:21(NKJV)
This aroma was given by Noah’s sacrifice after the flood waters had subsided and he and his family walked out of the ark. It was in thanksgiving, praise, and worship to the Lord for His safe-keeping and deliverance. In Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers we read of several different sacrifices that will give to the Lord a sweet, soothing aroma. However, the prophets speak of a stench that goes to the Lord from people who no longer observe the sacrifices and the law of the Lord (I am speaking of the law written upon the heart). It is a stench that is sickening. It is vital to understand that the soothing aroma comes from a proper sacrifice.
As believers we are to carry a soothing aroma with us. We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore the sacrifices of our heart should be pleasant unto the Lord.
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?”
–2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NKJV)
We are to be as the “essentials oils” because we carry the oil of the Holy Spirit with us. When we serve in love there is a sweet aroma that goes to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:2). Paul said that he received a gift from the church and it was a sweet-smelling aroma because of the sacrifice. ((Philippians 4:18) When we serve the Lord, when we offer the sacrifice of praise and do all things as unto Him, we send up a sweet aroma. When we serve others in love there is a wonderful smell that arises.
So, I ask, what kind of smell are you giving off? Do you have BO (body odor) or the did you put on your Old Spice or whatever deodorant you use? What comes out of your mouth? Does it make people want to shy away from you? Because of your lifestyle, your actions, your words and deeds, do people smell the essential oil of the Holy Spirit?
—————————————————–
I was sitting the other day in my rocker doing some reading, when an aroma from the kitchen floated in my direction. Annie was making broth from the left over bones from the prime rib we had for Emmalee’s birthday. Then, the day before yesterday, I was sitting on the sofa, just laying there, pondering and praying, when the smell of her baking cake wafted out from the kitchen. Ahhh, sweet smells.
When I was a kid seldom was there a time, especially when I was in elementary school, that I didn’t enter the backdoor of the house and get hit immediately with the smell of Grandma’s baking. It might be cookies, or cinnamon rolls, or bread. I recall the wonderful smell of entering a bakery or a coffee shop. I remember one in Pennsylvania where they roast the beans in the shop. Plus, I can’t forget the numerous times I have smelled the frying of bacon in the morning, at home or around a campfire.
Now there is even a pseudo-science dealing with aroma therapy. Essential oils are used to bring a mood to a home, or a person. They are used to create an effect upon one’s physic and emotions. Certain oils mean certain things. They are to be therapeutic, comforting, and satisfying. Certain aromas are used for certain ailments. I do like to put a drop of two of eucalyptus or lavender on my pillow if my nose is clogged up.
Those are sweet smells, but I’ve also had some not so savory aromas come to my nostrils. I remember when we first moved to Panama City, Florida. There was an atrocious smell that was sickening. I found out later it was a place where paper was made. And who can forget a time when you stepped in dog-poo and carried it around on your shoe? Death has an aroma, a putrid smell. I have smelled animals that have been dead for days. I remember when rats would die in the air conditioning vents and the putridity of their remains floated through the auditorium. I’ve gone into candle stores and passed through perfume sections of stores where the aromas, which are supposed to be fragrant, are so strong that they clog up the sinuses.
God speaks of aromas.
“And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.'”
–Genesis 8:21(NKJV)
This aroma was given by Noah’s sacrifice after the flood waters had subsided and he and his family walked out of the ark. It was in thanksgiving, praise, and worship to the Lord for His safe-keeping and deliverance. In Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers we read of several different sacrifices that will give to the Lord a sweet, soothing aroma. However, the prophets speak of a stench that goes to the Lord from people who no longer observe the sacrifices and the law of the Lord (I am speaking of the law written upon the heart). It is a stench that is sickening. It is vital to understand that the soothing aroma comes from a proper sacrifice.
As believers we are to carry a soothing aroma with us. We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore the sacrifices of our heart should be pleasant unto the Lord.
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?”
–2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NKJV)
We are to be as the “essentials oils” because we carry the oil of the Holy Spirit with us. When we serve in love there is a sweet aroma that goes to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:2). Paul said that he received a gift from the church and it was a sweet-smelling aroma because of the sacrifice. ((Philippians 4:18) When we serve the Lord, when we offer the sacrifice of praise and do all things as unto Him, we send up a sweet aroma. When we serve others in love there is a wonderful smell that arises.
So, I ask, what kind of smell are you giving off? Do you have BO (body odor) or the did you put on your Old Spice or whatever deodorant you use? What comes out of your mouth? Does it make people want to shy away from you? Because of your lifestyle, your actions, your words and deeds, do people smell the essential oil of the Holy Spirit?