Echoes from the Campfire

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

One learns its way and its life, and moves with care, and never ceases to be wary, for the desert has traps and tricks for the careless.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Hondo)

       “For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men.”

                    –Jeremiah 5:26  (NKJV)
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     I believe the words of F.B. Meyer gives us a hint of how to walk this journey of life.  He writes, “It is marvelous how the feet are kept from snares and pitfalls, when the eyes, instead of being fixed upon the ground, are lifted upwards to the throne.”  When we’re constantly gazing down and lose focus on the Lord is when the enemy can more easily set his traps for us.  This morning we finish Psalm 141.

          6 — Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, and they hear my words, for they are sweet.
          7 — Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, as when one plows and breaks up the earth.
          8 — But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute.
          9 — Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
        10 — Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely.  (NKJV)

     With all the racket stirred up by today’s media it is easy to become fretful and perplexed.  We begin to fix our eyes on all that is going on around us instead of focusing on the truth of God’s Word and looking to Him.  We tend to become absorbed in our difficulties or begin to moan the “woe-is-me’s”, when our eyes should be fixed on the Lord.  In the midst of crooked judges and leaders we can walk determinedly to our goal.  God will not abandon us to the wicked or to the evil one.
     Difficulty will come, that is certain.  It may hit you in various ways and means, but we must not take our eyes off the Lord.  In fact, the Lord seldom removes a difficulty, an obstacle, or a mountain, rather He takes us through them, over them; and if He does remove them, well, that is called a miracle.  Yes, there are snares waiting out there, we must be on the alert–constantly.  We must never waver, but walk each step with forethought and steadfastness.  As we travel we must not forget that the Holy Spirit is our guide.
     In closing this morning, I pass along the words of George O. Wood, “You must avoid the mistake of glancing only occasionally at God during the time you are wounded.  You can’t afford to go a single day without integrating His Word into your life, or conversing with Him in prayer.”

          “Take the world, but give me Jesus,
          All its joys are but a name.
          But His love abides forever
          Through eternal years the same.”
                –Fanny J. Crosby

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Skip the hot sauce? Now where would be the fun in that?”
                    –John Deacon  (Final Justice)

        “So I decided that there was nothing better for a man to do than to enjoy his food and drink and his job. Then I realized that even this pleasure is from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy apart from him?”

                    –Ecclesiastes 2:24-25  (TLB)
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          “Well a man can’t spend his life in reflection,
          Just thinkin’ about the way things used to be…”
                    –Chris LeDoux

     I read recently that there are three methods by which we can learn wisdom:  first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.  Now, I am speaking of reflection, not regrets.  Many people sit in their rocker and look back at only the hard times, and the things that they regretted doing or not doing.  That is not reflection!
     True reflection builds.  One learns by reflecting on past experiences, which as stated may be bitter.  We come to terms with those events in our life by reflecting on them, learning from them, and then going forward.  If reflection makes us bitter or stagnant then it is not true reflection.  See, reflection also brings us to those events and experiences upon which we should be grateful.  By purposely reflecting we can also see the hand of God working out all things for His glory, and turning the bad into good.
     I recall the words of Paul, “But let a man examine himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28, NKJV)  I like the way one version translates this verse, “This is why a man should look into his own heart and life…” (NLV)  This is in regard to the Lord’s Supper.  We are to reflect on our lives, especially the recent events and make sure that we are right with the Lord.
     There are times in our lives when we have to make “life decisions.”  Decisions that we know will affect our life for the near and/or far-reaching future.  For example, should I stay in the military or get out?  I prayed, and thought about that long and hard.  Or how about a move across the country?  How does one come to a decision?  They must reflect upon their experiences, what they believe that God wants them to do, think on why the move…all of these are part of what a person must reflect upon.
     In the morning I like to sit in my chair, look out the window, and drink my coffee while I do my devotion and reading.  Sometimes I just do it, but there are many times when I actually meditate and contemplate what I’m reading and writing–call it reflection.  Often, in fact, quite often, as I am contemplating in the morning I reflect on how good God is.  Why He has done so much for me, kept me from harm, guided my footsteps.  In reflection I come up with the answer–God is simply good.  Then I think, have I done enough for God, because He has done good to me?  No, never could do enough, but then, He doesn’t expect me to.  A smile might appear on my face–my what a good heavenly Father I have.  Sometimes I just reflect on the character of God, how it is shown in my morning reading.  Other times my reflection involves thoughts I want to write here in the “Echo.”
     Once in a while, during my reading, I come upon a verse(s) that all of a sudden it seems that they jump out and really speak to me.  There is a supernatural reflection, like a mirror, from the Son upon the Word and into my soul.  And speaking of a mirror, the Bible is a mirror that reflects our heart condition.  
     So as I sit here today, and tomorrow, and Sunday reflecting on the past seventy-five years–WOW, what a ride, what a time it has been.  And now in my life I’m taking a new direction.  This season of life is new to me, so I reflect on the past, looking into my experiences and knowledge to try to live these last years the best I can.  Yes, a different time, but maybe not a new direction as far as my final destination.  I find myself reflecting more and more on Scripture and songs about my heavenly abode.  I don’t find myself wishing for the past, and I don’t live in regret twiddling my thumbs on the mistakes that I’ve made.  I “can’t ride the bronco anymore” (LeDoux) but I’m still on my way to heaven, knowing that God is good and is with me on the journey.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He was his own man, tending to his responsibilities, but standing firm for his beliefs, no matter the outcome.”
                    –Chris Mullen  (Rowdy:  Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen)

       “But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household.  And we are that household if we hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope.”
                    –Hebrews 3:6  (HCSB)
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          “Prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…”
                    –Philippians 2:15-16 (NASB)
          “Holding tightly to the word of life…”
                    –Philippians 2:16 (NLT)

     God’s call is very clear to us.  In a society of confusion, of hate and bitterness, and living in a nation where people sneer and spurn the name of Jesus Christ, God’s call is very clear.  We are to stay blameless, we are not to be involved in the works of the world, and we are still to be lights to an ever darkening world.  We are to prove ourselves and hold tightly to the word of God.
     Little needs to be said if one has followed the news the past few years.  We call it “liberalism” but in reality, it is nothing more than part of Satan’s evil agenda.  And the Church, what about the Church?  The true Church, the one that holds fast to the doctrine does not need to worry,  However, many churches and ministers are complacent, compromising, and even attaching themselves to these demonic ideologies.  Gary Inrig writes, “Much more than I want to admit, many Christians live, act, and choose as if God’s Word has never been written.  Hmmm, take time to read the indictments given by the prophets to Israel.
     In this time and world in which we live we must, as true believers, understand that God is righteous–He is a holy God.  Misery overtakes people who forsake the holy God.  Listen, sin is not an insignificant thing to be passed over lightly; it is an affront to God’s righteous character.  The words of Christ in Revelation should be taken to heart:

          “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lamp stand out of its place–unless you repent.”  (2:4-5, NASB)

     Know this–God is sovereign.  He orders all the forces of nature and history in accordance with His righteous will, thus working out His judgment upon nations.  Notice, when you study the prophets, of the corruption in the courts, then take a look at our court system and what is happening.  Many judges and other leaders follow the agenda of devils.  Do not turn a deaf ear, listen, God is still on the throne.
     My friend, in confused and troublesome times, we are not to neglect the importance of faith.  Stand firm, hold tightly to the Word of God, the word of life.  Gary Inrig states, “We are to be agents of our King, pressing His kingdom and its values into our culture and forming communities that are outposts of His kingdom, demonstrating to the world another, and a better, way to live life.”  If people do not accept the values of a holy God, you hold tightly to them.
     Read the Book of Judges; it is a book about hard and immoral times.  Leaders were called to make a stand–to lead and guide a wayward people.  As believers we are called to make that same stand, perhaps not on a national level, but to stand wherever you are.  Stand up, hold tightly to the truth, prove yourself and let God raise you up in such a time.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Helping people was good. But if you weren’t careful, you could destroy yourself in the process. And then what good would you be to people in need?”
                    –John Deacon  (The Provider 4)

       “‘Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well’ –but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing.  What good does that do?”
                    –James 2:16 (NLT)
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     Good stewards, not only in finances and goods, but also with our time.  This is part of the essence of Proverbs 3:27-28.
(NKJV)
          .27 — Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.
          .28 — Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.
(ESV)
          .27 — Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
          .28 — Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it” –when you have it with you.

“Not withhold,” literally means, “hold not back from its master.”  In other words, pay what is expected  to whom it is due and pay it on time.  We need to concentrate on the verse part of verse 27.  To whom do we owe is the question.  Here are a few thoughts:
          1)  We owe honest wages to workers under our employ.
          2)  We owe it to our family who depend on us.
          3)  We owe it to those with whom we have debts.  (Oh my, and that includes those with whom we have credit).
          4)  We owe our due to the government in the form of taxes.
          5)  We owe it to others by doing acts of friendship.
The world says, “look out for number one.”  Bob Beasley tells us that “Selfishness is the root of pride, which is the root of sin, which is the root of all of the problems the world faces.”  Part of this is the idea that whenever we possibly can, we are to do good to those who need it.  With that being said, we are also to be good stewards; that means knowing to whom and what we are giving.  Yes, to those whom we owe, we must pay.  But, as F.B. Meyer states, “Life presents us with many duties, as well as many opportunities.  We need to be generous, but we also must be prudent.”
     We must do good with our time.  Far too often we procrastinate with our time and then it is too late.  We must be good stewards of knowledge as well.  Don’t just throw your money away and if you give it, understand who and why you are giving.  We must also give the spiritual knowledge that we have.  We are to render the benefits we enjoy because of the Gospel.  Matthew Henry tells us, “True wisdom consists in the due discharge of our duty toward man, as well as toward God, in honesty as well as piety.”
     “Come back tomorrow,” what an excuse.  What was it Wimpy used to say, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”?  Pay up, if you have the means at the time.  “‘Come back tomorrow’ is being devious in hoping that the needs of our neighbors will somehow disappear, be forgotten, or that his neighbor will find help elsewhere.” (Beasley)  Listen, “Good intentions…are like ghosts haunting a dwelling.” (William Arnot)  Jesus gives a stern warning, “I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. (Matthew 25:42-43, NKJV)
     These verses are not telling you to give to this person or to that cause, but to be prudent.  To pay what it owed, then to help when and wherever possible.  J.L. Flores presents some reasons why we should not withhold our time, money, knowledge, etc.:
          1)  The person in need today may be beyond your reach tomorrow.
          2)  You may not live to help him tomorrow.
          3)  The person’s need may be increased by the delay.  The delay may make the demand greater.
          4)  To do the good tomorrow instead of today is not to be an imitator of God.
          5)  The postponement may allow evil to rise in our heart–hindrances, thoughts, bitterness, excuses.