No matter what is going on in my life, the good or the bad, a man must live his life. It was really that simple.”
                    –Chris Mullen  (Rowdy: Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen)

       “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
                    –1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
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“This is a Hallelujah chorus, and is something to be listened to and felt.  This is a blaze of glory that should be contemplated as a sublime sunrise or sunset, not subjected scientifically to prismatic analysis,” so wrote W. Graham Scroggie.  As we read the first portion of Psalm 148 what can we do but agree?

          1 — Praise the LORD!  Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!
          2 — Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts!
          3 — Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light!
          4 — Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
          5 — Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created.
          6 — He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.  (NKJV)

“The highest purpose of all creation is to glorify God.  Whether they be in the heights of heaven or in the depths of the earth, this is the crowning reason for all that God has made.  All creatures find their ultimate purpose in rendering praise to the Lord.” (Lawson)  All creation is summoned to praise the Lord.  Now, I don’t know all there is to this.  I know that it is not pantheism, but there is something about nature that recognizes the Creator.  It is more of this nature, the heavenly bodies do not literally speak words of praise to God, but rather, they reflect the glory of God.  “They are silent, visible testifiers of the greatness of God.” (Lawson)
     When we see the laws of physics in operation they are reflecting the mind of God in His creation.  When we see them in operation (which is every moment of every day) we should praise the Lord for His magnificent creation.  Imagine the universal chaos without the laws of physics.  When we sit outside and watch the starry sky, their reflection is a sign of praise to the Creator.  When we gaze upon them, how can we not be in awe over the wonder of His vast creation of the universe?
          “Praise Him!  Praise Him!  tell of His excellent greatness;
          Praise Him!  Praise Him!   ever in joyful song!
                  –Fanny J. Crosby
     One thing regarding man’s free will is that we have the choice to praise God or not.  In fact, praise is actually an act of the will.  We must choose to praise Him.  No matter the times or seasons in which we find ourselves there is always something to praise the Lord for.  Praise Him for another day of life.  Praise Him for the breath you breathe and the respiratory system that He so wonderfully devised.  Praise Him for His goodness.  Praise Him for His providence, not only of the world and creation, but for your life.  Charles H. Spurgeon said, “When God is praised, we have come to the ultimatum.  This is the thing for which all other things are designed.”  In other words, praise Him for who He is.  Choose to praise Him in the good times and the bad; praise Him when the sun shines or when the storm howls.  Know Him for who He is and praise will come forth.
     One other way to praise the Lord is by reflecting Him in our lives.  This is so entangled with true worship.  Our lives should be one of worship, therefore, our lives should continually reflect Jesus and that will show forth in praise.  Living a righteous life is praise.  Reflecting the love of God is praise.  Showing acts of kindness and doing good to others is praise.  As the heavens reflect the Creator so should our life reflect Him.  William J. Petersen wrote, “It would seem that if the rest of creation is praising God, maybe we should join creation’s choir today and make it unanimous.”

          “All creatures of our God and King,
          Lift up your voice and with us sing,
               Alleluia, Alleluia!
          Thou burning sun with golden beam,
          Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
          O praise Him, O praise Him!
               Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!”
                     –Francis of Assisi (translated by William H. Draper)

 

A man gets to thinking and fearing about tomorrow and most of the time that’s all it amounted to—fear.”
                    –D.C. Adkisson  (Mal de Ojo)

       “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
                    –Hebrews 6:11-12(NIV)
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“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”  –Psalm 56:3 (NKJV)

     Look around you, take a drive.  Whew, that is enough to put fear into you.  It is dangerous to drive out on the streets and highways.  People believe that the asphalt belongs to them and they take all of it they can get.  People pass when they shouldn’t, people pull out from side streets without stopping, people drive down the middle of the road.  Why?  Don’t they understand common courtesy and the principle of the law?  “Big deal,” I hear you say, but it is because it reflects a deeper problem–the problem of the soul.  The problem that we see in the Book of Judges where the people did right in their own eyes.  Self becomes the issue; I can do what I want when I want.  Know this that the concept of relative truth is not new; relativism, the belief that my truth is as good as your truth is the foundation of anarchy.
     Now that you’ve made it safely back home.  The nuts on the road didn’t get to you, oh, and have you ever stopped to think that half the people on the road are under the influence of something while others are on their phone, despite what the law says about that?  But you made it–safe.  Now look at your phone, or watch the news on television.  Does it make you feel comfortable?  Someone wrote, “The simplicity of life has been lost in the jumble of the frantic and the unfamiliar.”  Wanting order in our lives, Satan desires disorder.  Wanting to live by the principles of God’s Word, Satan wants your life in chaos.  
     Oh, what is a person to do?  One thing for sure:  do not let fear grip you!  You are called to this day.  You live in this particular time in history, and know that God did not make a mistake by placing you in the here and now.  He has a purpose for you now.  Do not give in to your fears, or your moods, or your feelings.  God is with you, every step of the way, every minute of the day, and get this, even while you sleep.  Add to this the fact that God, “The protector of Israel doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy” (Psalm 121:4, CEV)  As He protects Israel, He is always taking care of each one of His children.  Do not be afraid!
     “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NKJV) or as the CEV puts it, “This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today.”  I don’t think we realize that this is the day that God has given to you.  How will you deal with the day?  In fear, cringing, or in courage knowing that God is with you through every situation that may occur?  No matter the turmoil of the age, the wars and terror, the pestilence, the economy, the political issues–know this that God is in control and you can trust Him.  When hardships come, no matter the type, trust in Him.  When dark clouds loom overhead, trust in Him.  When there seems to be no hope, understand this, you can trust Him, therefore gather up your hope and smile at what is in front of you.
     As it was written, “In this moody, unpredictable, and confused world, we can be a part of that same truth.  We too can affirm with confident trust that we are given this day to live.”  Let the words of that old hymn be your anthem:
               “When darkness seems to hide His face,
               I rest on His unchanging grace;
               In ev’ry high and stormy gale,
               My anchor holds within the veil.
                     On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand…”
                            –Edward Mote
Live this day in the power of His love; hold firm to His hand and know, know that you can trust Him!

 

Loyalty makes a good cowboy and a better friend.”
                    –David Fitz-Gerald  (First Drive)

       “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
                    –Romans 14:17(NKJV)
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Several weeks ago I wrote about the anointing of Jesus that took place at the dinner at Simon’s house.  This morning I want to again look at that feast and look at those who sat at the table with Jesus.  We see, of course, Simon who was most likely healed by Jesus.  There was Mary, the thoughtful, contemplative sister and the cheerful, active, and busy Martha.  Whatever their faults they had a deep devotion to Jesus.  They rested their faith and hopes in Him.  Lazarus sat with Jesus, the man who had tasted death and was imprisoned by the tomb until the words of Jesus put life back into him.  For some reason, this miracle enraged the Pharisees and especially the Saduccees.  Also there were a number of unnamed guests who were there to see the risen Lazarus and the miracle-worker, Jesus.
     Sitting at the table were the disciples; those closest to Him as others had left Him.  This dinner took place six days before the Passover–six days before the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus.  Jesus was at Bethany–a rest before the coming mighty battle.  There came a woman to anoint Him.  John says it was Mary, whether Martha’s sister or someone else is not the point of this discussion, but that Jesus was anointed.  He recognized the significance of it.
     That brings us to another person at the table, the son of perdition, Judas Iscariot.  He was one of the twelve disciples still following Jesus.  Several disciples were indignant when the expensive spikenard was broken open and Jesus was anointed.  But it seems that Judas became the spokesman for the others who may have been upset.  Judas–never truly devout to the mission of Jesus.  Judas–who wanted a kingdom on earth, and perhaps may have been trying to manipulate Jesus, who would not waver in His commitment to His Father and to mankind.  Judas–who never set his affections on things above.
     With this anointing we get a true glimpse of Judas.  It was a sweet, loving, and devoted gesture by Mary; it hushed the guests, that is, all but Judas who spoke out against it.  He rejected the expense of the waste, and with that he rejected the coming crucifixion.  F.M. Krummacher states, “Never, probably has frigid self-love stood in such horrible contrast with warm and sacred affection.”  Why this waste? proclaimed Judas.  Then showing his hypocritical life and materialistic nature, he said that it could have been sold to feed the poor.  John records the depth of Judas’ soul however, “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (12:6, NKJV)  Judas knew the value of the spikenard, but not the value of the love that provided it.  
     Did Judas not remember the words of Jesus, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”? (Matthew 6:21, NKJV)  I’m sure Jesus cast a dour look at Judas’ outburst.  It was right after this dinner and anointing that the heart of Judas began to be exposed.  Judas–the manipulator; Judas–the thief; Judas–the soon betrayer will break away from the other disciples and meet with the chief priests.  “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’  And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.  So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” (Matthew 26:14-16, NKJV)
     What a sad, deplorable choice.  A seemingly devout follower of Jesus has willingly sold his soul to the devil.  We should ask, “why this waste?”  A wasted life.  Instead of having his name recorded in the annals of history as a great disciple, he is known as the “great deceiver.”  Dante, in his “Inferno” has Judas and Brutus as the very lowest level in the pit of hell–the betrayers.  But how many others have not taken the opportunity to follow Jesus?  How many others could the same be said–“why this waste?”

 

It’s bred into him to want to work. He ain’t like a lot of people, lookin’ for a cool shade and a soft chair.”
                    –Elmer Kelton  (The Man Who Rode Midnight)

       “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:  ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'”
                    –2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV)
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“You sluggard,” is the emphasis of Proverbs 6:6-11.  Laziness in mind and body are warned against in these few verses.  We must also note that in reality a person can be a spiritual bum as well.

          6 — Go to the ant, you sluggard!  Consider her ways and be wise,
          7 — Which, having no captain, overseer or ruler,
          8 — Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
          9 — How long will you slumber, O sluggard?  When will you rise from your sleep?
        10 — A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep–
        11 — So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.  (NKJV)

The sluggard or lazy person is held captive to leisure, which at times takes away from dutiful work.  The first verse, look at the ant.  Bob Beasley writes, “It’s a shame that people made in the image of God need to observe tiny creatures for instruction in righteousness.  These little ants have no commander to direct their work, no overseer to inspect their work, and no ruler to call them into account.  Yet they do their work diligently and in proper order.”
     We must be busy, we must work while it is light, while there is time.  We should consider our ways, how we use our time.  What is it you do with your spare time?  How much of your time is actually wasted in foolishness, idleness, and sleep?  One day, there will be a time when there is no longer time for preparation.  We have been given talents, gifts, blessings, intellect along with time, and we are to be good stewards of those things.  We must do our own work for that is what we are responsible for.  “Each man must do his own work in the world, each one has responsibilities of his own which will not admit of being discharged by proxy.” (J.L. Fores)  Do what you can, when you can, while you can!
     The sin of the sluggard is to abuse the blessing of sleep.  Sleep is to rejuvenate, to refreshen.  “Rest is the reward of labor and not to be substituted for it.” (Flores)  So many loathe, gather welfare that is unwarranted, and their bodies, minds, and spirit begin to atrophy and waste away.  Charles Bridges warns against “Sleeping away the opportunities of grace.”  Without work and with too much sleep the soul goes into poverty and destitution.
     Andrew Fausset said, “Our whole present life is the time for action; the future for retribution.”  What happens if you don’t work?  Paul says you should not eat.  Another way of saying this is that you deserve the wages you earn.  If you don’t earn any, you do not deserve any.  Idleness will bring destruction; spiritual idleness will do the same.  Lord Chesterfield said that “indolence is a sort of suicide, for the man is effectually destroyed.”  
     Stay awake, stay alert, work hard at work worth doing, be excellent in your work, not a sloth.  Ponder this a moment, how long does it take to end up in a ditch when driving?  A blink of an eye, a little folding of the hands, a lapse in alertness.  When I read these verses I think of the parable of Jesus in which the talents were given to the servants.  We are to be good stewards of our time and that includes our sleep, and other leisure enjoyments.  “Moral alertness is as important to our spiritual lives as physical alertness is to make sure we are safe.” (Dick)
     Before we leave, read verse 9 one more time.  How long will you…?  Sleep is needed.  We spend more than a third of our life in sleep.  Think of that!  One-third!  I have written many times that I promised myself that I would not miss the splendor of the sunrise again.  Even if I do not see the sun, I will be up ready for the day that the Lord has given me.  Dan Dick brings up this point, “So many people walk through their entire lives as if they were asleep.  They miss the wonder and glory of the world around them, and they are not even aware that they are missing anything at all.”  Walk through this life responsibly.  Consider the opportunities that are around you, both in the natural world and in the spiritual.  Do not be a sluggard!  There is too much in life.