Echoes from the Campfire

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Many men along the trail would discover that a man unafraid of death is the most dangerous man alive.”
                    –Bobby Underwood  (The Wild Country)


       “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
                    –Romans 6:11 (NKJV)
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     Over the past few years in my studies, I have come to notice the value of small words and phrases.  For instance, look at all the times “in Christ” is mentioned and what it means.  There is one term that comes immediately to my mind, that term is “all.”  Just meditate a bit on this phrase from Psalm 33:4, “…all His work is done in faithfulness” (NASB)  We normally would focus on the “faithfulness,” and rightly so, but notice the “all.”  God is always faithful, and “all” His work, His keeping His promises, His caring for His children, His blessings–all comes from His faithfulness.
     I want to point your attention to the Book of Philippians, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” (1:12, NKJV)  This term, “furtherance,” is actually a military term.  It indicates the pioneer or first advance, and refers to the army engineers who go before the troops to open the way into new territory.  They are to cut the path, to clear barriers that would hinder progress.  Paul’s imprisonment opened up the way into new territory for the Gospel; barriers are being cut away.
     Here, Paul is in prison and he declares the Gospel is being furthered.  See, he was practicing what he wrote in 2 Timothy 2:9, “for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains, but the word of God is not chained.” (NKJV)  What we see is that Paul actually found a new avenue of ministry.  He says that his “chains are in Christ.”  Ironically, it appeared Paul was the captive, but he, in Christ, turned it around for it was the guards who were chained to him who were his captives.  Imagine spending six hours a day chained to a fanatic of Jesus.  I wonder how many of the guards went away humming the tune that Paul would be singing throughout the day?  As David Guzik writes, “He didn’t need everything to be easy and set in order to be fruitful.”  Can you not hear Paul, sitting with his guard, tapping his foot, singing, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart…”?
     Nothing comes our way that God is not aware of and in which the hand of God is not involved.  It is the way of God to work by contraries, to turn the greatest evil into the greatest good (Burroughs).  There are many examples in the Bible of this concept.  Joseph and Samson come to mind, but also there are these:  He brings life out of death, He brings joy out of sorrow, and makes use of sin to work grace.  Jeremiah Burroughs said, “It is not to overcome the evil, but to make the evil work toward the good.”  
     As we move into the Easter season, think of the cross and the death of Jesus.  Satan thought he had won.  Evil looked to be the victor and I imagine the emissaries of evil were doing a victory dance.  Then the earth shook, the stone moved…and they began to tremble.  The Savior rose, holding the keys to hell, death, and the grave.  Jesus did not try to do away with evil, He used evil to bring forth victory over the grave; to bring salvation to anyone who would accept His sacrifice.  Because of the use of evil, we now can be “in Christ” and walk “in Him” throughout the journey of life.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Why does life have to be so hard? Because people make it hard. Most of them would rather be right, or rich, or who knows what, rather than happy.”

                    –Duane Boehm  (Hand of Fate)

       “You ask and don’t have because you ask with evil intentions, to waste it on your own cravings.”
                    –James 4:3  (CEB)
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          3.13 — Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;
            .14 — For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.
            .15 — She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.  (NKJV)
 
This morning we consider the above verses of Proverbs.  Maybe first we should ask, “What is God’s treasure house?”  The words of Jesus found in Matthew tell us that it is like a treasure hidden in a field and the man sells all that he has to buy that field (13:44), He tells us further that it is like beautiful pearls (13:45-46).  
     Warren Wiersbe writes, “Some people know the price of everything but the value of nothing; consequently they make unwise choices and end up with shoddy merchandise.”  They are looking for the wrong things in the wrong places.  Wisdom does exist and it is to be found.  It is something that we must look for and the lazy man will not find it.  “The Spirit of God does not open the Word of God to lazy minds…” (J. Vernon McGee)  We must earnestly want and seek for the wisdom that comes from God.  Seeking and searching takes time, and effort, and diligence.  The term “find” implies taking pains to draw it from its source.  But once found, the man is happy.  The NKJV Study Bible, “The Hebrew term “happy” (blessed) is an explosive word…it implies that God is truly pleased.”  Wisdom therefore has its home in the heart and brings joy, so there must be “singleness of judgment and purpose” to find her. (Bridges)
     Notice that wisdom is characterized as feminine because she is in contrast to the stranger woman.  Finding her (wisdom) is great gain.  The ESV translates verse 14, “for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”  Gain, proceeds from wisdom are better than the wealth found here on earth.  Francis Taylor puts it this way, “Wisdom brings more profit than any worldly riches, because it brings better things than riches.”  Yes, money is important, it is something that we need and find useful in this life, but reflect on the words of Wiersbe, “It’s good to have the things money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things money can’t buy.”  Remember, that gold and silver and precious gems are nothing but merchandise, they are not eternal.
     The words of the early church leader, Ignatius, puts things in proper perspective, “Let me be put to any pain, any loss, so I get my Jesus.”  Silver, gold, are fine, but do not lose your focus on Christ because of them.  Then can lead to the pit, while godly wisdom will help guide you along the way to glory.  One of the things that Satan asked in his deception in the Garden was, “did God say?”  We cannot, should not, question the wisdom of God.  Oh, that we would pursue wisdom with the same effort that we pursue money, wealth, careers, and even entertainment.  “We must apprehend with all our might and put forth our utmost vigour in the pursuit of it,” says Matthew Henry.  
     When we find wisdom we will begin to develop the “holy character which is born of heavenly wisdom.” (Flores)  I like where J.L. Flores says wisdom may be found:
               1)  found in affliction,
               2)  found by study of the Divine Word,
               3)  found in the practice of Divine precepts,
               4)  found by communion with God,
               5)  found by the confession of our ignorance and the pleading of God’s promises.
“Wisdom is entire conformity to all the intentions of His truths, providences, and laws.” (Henry)  Therefore it is up to up to diligently search and seek for wisdom.  James tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (1:5, NKJV).  He further states that “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (3:17, NKJV)

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Standing alone in the desert at night one feels that all about one there is this listening, an alertness for movement, for life, for change.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Taggart)

       “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

                    –James 1:17  (ESV)
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There is a phrase from a Willie Nelson song that depicts this portion of Psalm 139:  “You were always on my mind.”  It is very far from the mind and thinking of God, however.  For we are always on His mind and He is very much involved with each and every facet of our lives.
       
          13 — For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
          14 — I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
          15 — My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
          16 — Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
          17 — How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!
          18 — If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.  (NKJV)

     I believe that there is a special place in hell for those who practice abortion.  They have destroyed the formation of God’s image in the mother’s womb.  Just to look at the human body, its intricacies has to point to a Creator.  He is the one who laid down your genetic code and DNA.  Not only the physical aspect came from God, but the wonderful brain, the mind that is better than any computer.  The brain that keeps the body running and the brain that is used in the thought process.  The intertwining of the tissue, the muscles, the blood vessels and the nerves are by His handiwork, not just the happenstance of evolution.
     “Nothing takes God by surprise.  He knows the future and can therefore guide us through its trackless ways,” so said W.T. Purkiser.  He knows each and every thought, as well as each and every step we take.  Think of His wonderful thoughts to each of us; yes, each person on earth.  He thought so much of His creation, the wonder of His creation, that He sent His Son to die for it.  Life came from God, sin brought death, but through Christ there is the gift and the hope of eternal life.
     David was amazed at these divine truths; truths that cannot be fully comprehended.  “If he tried to list these truths about God, they outnumber the grains of sand on the beaches of the world, far past his ability to understand.” (Steven Lawson)  If we could and would take the time to seriously sit down and reflect on our lives we would see the numerous “grains” of God’s blessing in our life.  In our frailty and with our sinful nature we really cannot understand the vast love that God has for us.  We are certainly “always on His mind.”  All of us, for God had every person on His mind when Jesus went to the cross.  Friend, God knows each of us, no matter of condition in life, through and through.

               “Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me,
               Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me,
               Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
               Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
                       –Patrick, Irish missionary

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Even while laughing with them, there was a quality and a strength to him that made him, without trying to be, more than they were.”
                    –Clair Huffaker  (Cowboy)

       “Only God! The God who equips me with strength and makes my way perfect.”
                    –Psalm 18:32  (CEB)
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LENT:  a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter; a period of fasting and regret for one’s sins that is observed on the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter.  At least that is what I found on the internet.  I’ve not been one to get involved with “Lent”, the main reason being, shouldn’t we always be preparing ourselves, regretting our sins and repenting?  Why only at this time of year?  It wasn’t practiced by the early Church and from what I’ve read it wasn’t formalized until the Council of Nicaea.  
     However, on the other hand I have no problem with those who practice what is suggested during Lent.  It can bring one’s mind to focus on Jesus Christ and all that entails. This morningI want us to ponder the life of Jesus.  We know that He lived in a world where the local ruler, Herod, was paranoid and violent.  Read his reactions when the Magi did not return.  Also, during the boyhood of Jesus, the area of Palestine was under Roman rule.  This was the beginning of what is known as “Pax Romana” and in one aspect it was good, but the Jews hated the dominance of Rome.
     James Stalker writes, “It is enough to know that He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.  He was a real child and youth, and passed through all the stages of a natural development.  Body and mind grew together, the one expanding to manly vigor and the other acquiring more and more knowledge and power.  His opening character exhibited a grace that made everyone who saw it wonder and love its goodness and purity.”  Do not!  I repeat, do not get caught in the wild tales that some tell of His boyhood.  These are nothing more than “worthless and blasphemous fables.” (Stalker)  
     His earthly father, Joseph, was responsible for the training of Jesus, especially in giving Him a trade.  Since Joseph was a carpenter (or stonemason as some say) it would follow that Jesus would be one as well.  But before He was old enough to begin as a trade there was the responsibility of Joseph to properly train Jesus.  Remember, the dreams of Joseph.  He knew that Jesus was the Son of God; he also recognized the responsibilities of a father.  It was his job to protect the young boy.  Joseph knew and recognized the voice of God.  I bring your attention to Matthew’s Gospel:
          “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.” (2:16, NKJV)  But we must back up to see the faith of Joseph, “Now then they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.'” (2:13, NKJV)  Jesus most likely would not understand what was happening.  He could be at least two years old when this happened, so at an early age His life was disrupted and the family moved to Egypt until the death of Herod.  Certainly as He became older Joseph and Mary would tell Him of this dream, this event, and the escape to Egypt.  I wonder what He thought of that event knowing that many were killed to get at Him.  
     We know that Mary was chosen to be His mother, and she would perform all the motherly duties.  She must have been well-versed in Scripture and had a tremendous faith in God.  “She was no miraculous queen of heaven, as superstition has caricatured her, but a woman exquisitely pure, saintly, loving and high-souled…  Jesus grew up in her love and passionately returned it.” (Stalker)  There were His brothers:  James, Joses (Joseph), Jude, and Simon as well as an unknown number of sisters.  We know nothing of their boyhood relationship with Jesus.  Perhaps their attention was on His siblings and that was the reason they didn’t notice that Jesus was missing when they were returning from the Passover when Jesus was twelve.  It could be that He was somewhat older and therefore did not form a strong bond with His brothers and sisters.  Also this would be the last mention of Joseph, His father and it would be the time when He was accepted into manhood.  The words of Luke give us the following:  “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (2:40, NKJV)
     He grew, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  He must have spent much time in the Holy Writ devoting Himself to it.  Did He find Himself within the writings?  Most likely He did.  “It formed the food of His mind and the comfort of His soul.” (Stalker)   Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town that did not have a very good reputation.  It was notoriously wicked and the question was asked one time regarding Jesus, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
     In this season, whether or not you recognize “Lent,” take time to focus on the life of Jesus.  Concentrate and focus your efforts on some aspects of His life.  Read a “good” book on the Lord.  Take time to pray–to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Understand that He was definitely a man for His times, but also know and understand that He was a man for all time.