Echoes from the Campfire

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

When something is unavoidable, foolishness lies in trying to avoid it.”
                    –Ralph Vaughn  (Hell Comes to Paradise)

       “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!  For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
                    –Joel 3:14 (NKJV)
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Judgment is coming! The Prophet declares.  Come, gather and look at what is happening.  Amos is telling others, particularly the Philistines and Egyptians to watch the judgment that is coming. “They are to become witnesses of unrighteousness that prevailed among God’s people, who claimed to be righteous.”   In looking at this coming judgment we must remember that sin often causes physical calamity.  Israel will face it in the clutches of Assyria.  We are warned, “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1, NKJV)
     In these verses, 3:9-15, Amos is able to look beyond the grandeur and security of Samaria.  He sees the “great tumults in her midst, and the oppressed within her” (3:9, NKJV).  Outwardly there is the appearance of strength and stability but in reality there is chaos, panic, and disorder.  Lloyd Ogilvie says, “‘great tumult’ can mean the confusion caused by unrestrained and wanton revelry.”  He continues to say, “Samaria was Vanity Fair, Sin City, obsessed with sexual lust and sensualism.”
     Confusion, chaos, do we not see this today.  Gender confusion?  Chaos in the streets.  Here is the crux of the matter, “‘They do not know how to do right,’ declares the LORD.” (3:10, NIV)  Albert Garners states that they have “seared and obstinate conscience.”  The people have lost moral perspective and have robbed the poor.  Amos states that instead of storehouses filled with grain their storehouse is filled with “robbery and violence.”  What are the streets of America like?  Hmm….  Instead of living as God’s people, they have corrupted the message and religion of God.  This is apostasy!
     People get to the point where God is no longer valid in their sight.  The only thing they know is what is right in their own eyes.  Jesus told John regarding the church in Laodicea, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—”  This is the same thing that Amos was seeing and proclaiming.  Peter C. Craigie says, “Great walls offer no protection if the lives of those within are weakened with corruption.”  Do people care about their neighbor or do they live their own agenda?  Remember when Israel wanted a king?  “Israel had wanted to be like other nations; soon they would be no nation at all.” (Ogilvie)  Do we see this today in globalism, the WHO mandate, and climate control?  When God decides to judge there will be no refuge.  The Assyrians took Israel captive, dispersing it throughout the lands.  This people would partially return and were the hated Samaritans in the time of Jesus–“mongrel Jews.”
     Amos is not only warning Israel and the city of Samaria.  His words should ring out today in regard to God’s moral law and His righteousness.  We read in Proverbs, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (14:34, NKJV)  Ah, they cry is, “whose righteousness?  who determines?”  The people of Israel had turned from Yahweh, turned from His laws and covenant.  They now worshiped Baal.  Instead of honoring the covenant and the sacrifices under the law, they sacrificed to Baal.  “The Baal rites not only involved the usual lascivious practices of fertility cults, but even such abominations as child sacrifice.” (New Bible Dictionary)  Jeremiah describes this, “They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as offering to Baal–something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind.” (19:5, NIV)
     Watch out, or as Isaiah and other prophets might say, “Woe”  Be careful what you do with God’s righteous and moral law.  Know of a certainty that God is not mocked.  Paul writes, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.  Therefore do not be partners with them….  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”  (Ephesians 5:6-7, 11, NIV)  Gary G. Cohen brings us to reality, in our day, and in the time of Amos, when he writes, “Amos cries that the whole-world ought to understand what sins had occurred in Samaria, which sins had now caught up with her and had resulted in God’s proclamation that her time of judgment had arrived.”

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Everybody needs family. Without family, a man is like a leaf loose on the wind.”
                    –Elmer Kelton  (Badger Boy)

       “Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.'”
                    –Genesis 31:3 (NKJV)
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Psalm 128, the ninth psalm of ascent.  This psalm addresses God’s blessings in the home and family; it shares principles for personal wellness.

          1  — Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways.
          2 — When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
          3 — Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table.
          4 — Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
          5 — The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
          6 — Yes, may you see your children’s children.  Peace be upon Israel!  (NKJV)

Verse one is one of the keynotes in Scripture; one of the foundation blocks for life–fearing the Lord and obedience.  “The fear of the Lord is an attitude of respect, a response of reverence and wonder.” (NKJV Study Bible)  It galls me when I hear people scoff and mock God; when His name is taken in vain and that includes “OMG”.  Believers say they love the Lord and want a relationship, yet they do not have an attitude of fearing the Lord.  Not one who is running scared, but one who realizes that our very breath is in His hand.  W. Graham Scroggie says, “The fear is an inward principle; the walk is an outward expression.  No one really fears the Lord who does not walk in His ways.  The Christian life is ethical as well as emotional.”
     A happy life, most people want this.  We have a little direction in verse 2, work and eat of the labor that you produce.  The NLT translates it this way, “You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.  How happy you will be!  How rich your life!”  There is reward in work and satisfaction in labor.  This is a blessing from God.  Solomon wrote, “…every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor–it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13, NKJV)  Even under stress, even in the midst of this sinful and evil world we can be happy and have joy but…we must keep our attitude right and priorities in order.
     Since this psalm deals with the family and home, I want to point out a few things that William J. Petersen says.
               This psalm is not saying:
                    –Every good Christian will enjoy marital bliss.
                    –The primary purpose of a woman is to bear lots of children.
                    –Every good Christian couple will have scores of children and grandchildren…
               What this psalm does teach:
                    –Family blessings are from the Lord.  If you have a wonderful family, praise God for them.
                    –Joy and peace should characterize the family.
                    –God cares about your home just as He cares about the church and nation.
Martin Luther declared, “Let the Lord build the home and keep it…  The concern for these matters is His, not yours.”  We should do our best in this life, raise our children in the admonition of the Lord, love each other dearly.  “In other words, live verse 1 day by day, and let God concern himself with the rest.” (Petersen)

          “O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
          Lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne,
          That theirs may be the love that has no ending,
          Whom thou forevermore dost join in one.”
                –Dorothy Gurney

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
The gayest crowds cannot quite disturb the brooding peace which is like the promise of sleep and rest at sunset.”
                      –Max Brand  (Harrigan)

       “LORD, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us.”
                      –Isaiah 26:12 (NKJV)
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     Do you have peace regarding the elections next week?  If you are a Christian you should have.  Let me ask another question.  Does the man and the message have to always be the same?  Of course they should, but we must remember that man is sinful; he has a sin nature and is fallen, while God’s truth is absolute, infallible and pure.  Just one quick example:  a bloody man, an adulterer, and a man who set up another for death was also a man after God’s own heart–David.  
     One thing for sure, there will be a new President come Wednesday.  For good or bad, for better or worse, things will change.  The times, the issues, the situation, however, will not change, but how they will be met will be.  Peace?  There will be no peace on earth, but in the heart of the believer it should be paramount.  Peace?  There will be many, no matter who wins the election that will not have peace, but will be in turmoil.  But I reiterate, a Christian should be at peace no matter the outcome.  
     Isaiah, that wonderful prophet of warning and woe, of prophecy and promise proclaims, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (26:3, NKJV).  Perfect peace, or literally “peace, peace.”  Vine states, “The peace possessed is not the outcome of mere self-determination, it is ministered by the keeping power of the Lord Himself.”  Look again, and we quickly see the problem if a person does not have peace.  If there is no peace in the soul, it is most likely because, one, they are not Christians, and two, if Christian, their mind is not “stayed” or focused on the Lord and he lacks trust.  The mind is all a’tither with the election, with the “what now” that they may be facing rather than focusing on the One who has the answers to the “what nows.”  Someone has described peace as being free from disturbance within the soul in times of trouble.  If that is a sufficient definition, then why is the soul troubled?
     I recall the words of Jesus, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1, NKJV)  He continues with this concept when He says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NKJV).  So I ask again, Do you have peace, and if not, why not?  
     Perhaps it is because you do not trust Him completely.  That is the second issue; those without peace do not have the proper focus, and they do not trust in God.  Isaiah continues in verse 4, “Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” (NKJV)  You want strength to face this world, then trust in God.  You want strength to see you through the day, then trust in the Lord.  He is there!   I cannot emphasize that enough in my writings–He is there!  Trust is a simple, yet powerful term.  Part of trusting, according to Vine, is “staying your mind upon Him.”  My peace, I leave with you, if you trust in Me, if your mind is focused on Me.  In these turbulent times who/what do you trust?  If death is looming do you turn to the government or to the Prince of peace?  When the doctor says there is no hope, in what then do you trust?  When the market crashes, when the money is gone, when the the wolf comes knocking at your door–where are the bureaucrats?  No, there is something better, more secure, trust in the Lord.
     Since we are entering the holiday (holy day) season, the words given to the shepherds on that first Christmas Eve should be part of our makeup etched in our hearts as we walk with the Lord.  We often render it wrongly, but the ESV translates it this way, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke
2:14).  The HCSB, “peace to people He favors”; the NIV is very similar.  The NASB puts it this way, “peace among people with whom He is pleased!”  If you want to have peace, then get in God’s favor, please Him, focus on Him and do not worry about the outcome of the election or any other event in your life.  God’s peace, His strength that comes from trusting Him is sufficient for any and every situation.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
The best judgment only comes with experience. So, keep your eyes and ears open, your head down, and your mind sharp.”
                    –B.N. Rundell  (Black Hawk)

       “He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment.”
                    –Ecclesiastes 8:5 (NKJV)
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               “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.”   –Proverbs 1:5-6, NKJV
               “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance — for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.” NIV

Notice the emphasis, the wise WILL HEAR.  The great challenge then is to hear!  This is nothing new.  A wise man listens and knows what is going on around him.  They understand the situation and issues in which they find themselves.  Jesus admonished His disciples, “He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9).  Listen, hear, gain understanding and knowledge.  This is what the wise man does.  I remember when I was doing undergraduate work I was astounded with a few of my professors at their knowledge.  I wanted to be in their classes just to listen.
     In order to hear there are two requirements:  the first is–attendance.  One must be there in order to hear.  The second goes along with the first.  When one is in attendance they must also be attentive.  In other words, there must be focus!  Add to that a reason–there must be the willingness to be a disciple.  A disciple will quickly learn that knowledge and wisdom increase continually.  Matthew Henry said, “As long as we live, we should strive to increase in all useful knowledge.”  Many people think they have arrived with a degree, no matter what kind, but in reality they are just beginning.  The more I study, the more I realize that I know little.  The words of Fausset are true, “True wisdom is never stationary, but always progressive; because it secures the ground behind it as a basis for further advances.”  We must be going forward, gaining everyday.  I try to gain something from everything I read whether a fiction or nonfiction work.  The great Hebrew rabbi, Hillel, stated, “He who is not adding is wasting; he who is not increasing knowledge is losing from it.”  No one finishes the study of wisdom; there is always more to learn.
     With knowledge and wisdom comes the responsibility to guide.  We read in Luke, “…Much will be required of everyone who has been given much.  And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.” (12:48, HCSB)  J.B. Phillips translates it this way, “…Much will be expected from the one who has been given much, and the more a man is trusted, the more people will expect of him.”  Be ready to study and receive, then be ready to give away what you have learned.
     When I taught my apologetics class I would start the first unit:  Reading as Worship.  Too often we think of worship as singing when it reality it covers all of life.  We should worship when we work, we should worship when we sing, we should worship when we gain knowledge.  In all things, we should be doing it for the Lord (Colossians 3:17, 23).  A person can read, but often does not search.  Knowledge and understanding take effort and often it takes time and diligence to find it.  Someone said that to find gold it must be mined; to get oil it must be drilled.  “You cannot get the nugget out of the Word of God without study.” (J. Vernon McGee)  Paul says that we are to study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15).  The theologian John Trapp made this observation, “If the law be dark to any, the fault is not in the lawgiver, but in those that should better understand it.”
     In other words, hear, study, listen, search for wisdom.  It does not always come easy.  The Spanish novelist Cervantes said, “A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.”  Add experience to your hearing and searching and you will see wisdom grow.  But remember, it must be nourished; it must be used.