by David Scott Robertson
When you're back's against the wall --
You can call on the name of cable TV and nothing will happen.
When you're in double trouble --
You can call on the name of your favorite pro sports team and nothing will happen.
When you're hurting for certain --
You can call on your friends you smoke pot with and nothing will happen.
When you've messed up or someone messed on you -
You can call on the manufacturer of your bass boat, your motorcycle, your car, your SUV, and nothing will happen.
When you're child's burning up with a fever -
You can call on the name of your alma mater, your political party, your gun club, your favorite movie star, your best friend who lives next door, and nothing will happen.
When life happens --
You can call on the name of any idol that can be named and nothing will happen.
But when you call on the name of Jesus -
Demons tremble,
Sickness flees,
Darkness dissipates,
Pain evaporates,
Situations are altered,
Circumstances change,
People experience a turnaround, a breakthrough, a healing, a deliverance, a miracle.
All because of THE name, not "a" name, but THE name --
The name of the Son of God, the One and Only Jesus Christ.
At that name,
Knees bow and tongues confess that
He, in fact, is Lord.
The name of Jesus goes beyond lip service,
The host of heaven, the Word of God, the power of the omnipotent Almighty God backs it up.
(Psa 20:7 NIV) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
(Acts 4:12 NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
(Acts 3:16 NIV) By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
(Mat 18:20 NIV) For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
(Mark 16:17 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
(Mark 16:18 NIV) they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
(John 14:13 NIV) And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
(John 14:14 NIV) You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
(John 14:26 NIV) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I've lived enough of life to realize that nearly everybody who is reading these words right now is probably going through a hard thing in one way or another to one degree or another.
If you're not, you've either just passed through a season of difficulty or you're headed there.
May I encourage you to call on the name of Jesus?
(John 16:24 NIV) Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
DSR
12/29/02
Sunday, December 29, 2002
Thursday, December 19, 2002
Five Loaves and Two Fish
by David Scott Robertson
Matthew 14:15-18 (NKJV)
When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." [16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." [17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
I love the story of Jesus feeding the five thousands (plus women and children)
With only five loaves and two fish.
This beloved Bible story chronicles an outright miracle.
Miracles were not uncommon when Jesus was in the mix.
Terminal situations unexpectedly turned around when Jesus showed up.
The ordinary bowed to the extraordinary
And the impossible became possible when the power of God flowed through Christ.
Let me tell you about what impressed me most about this particular Bible passage.
It's not really the great faith of Jesus we find recorded in verse 16:
[16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
Rather, it's the great unbelief of the disciples found in verse 17:
[17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
Their response to Jesus' command is so typical.
"Lord, we can't possibly do what you've asked because we lack the resources."
Haven't we heard a hundred excuses of why men cannot do what God has plainly commanded?
My attention is captivated on a single word the disciples used in their objection to the Lord's command: and that is the word "only."
By including the word "only" in their statement
They were basically saying that five loaves and two fishes were not enough to get the job done.
They presumptuously informed the Son of God the facts of the situation,
But never forget that truth always overrides facts.
The reason I'm so drawn to the "five loaves and two fish" statement is that
I've heard that mentality many times before (sometimes out of my own mouth, I'm afraid!)
"We have here ONLY six stone pots of water and no wine at all, the wedding is ruined!"
(John 2:1-10).
"We have here ONLY a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die."
(1 Kings 17:12).
"I have here ONLY two very small copper coins, worth ONLY a fraction of a penny, what difference could my tiny offering possibly make?" (Mark 12:42)
"We have here ONLY three hundred men with which to overthrown the Midianites, can it be done?" (Judges 7:7-8)
"We have here ONLY one hundred bucks left in our checking account, how are we going to make it?"
"We have here ONLY a marriage vow but all our feelings of love have left, is our marriage salvageable?"
"We have here ONLY David Robertson, what good is he?"
Five loaves and two fish may be the fact of the matter
But the truth is - glory to God - it's not the end of the matter!
The key is found in verse 18 of the story of the five loaves and two fish:
." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
There it is!
Forget the facts, enter the truth!
Do you see it?
Jesus Christ is the Way (God WILL make a way for you!) -
Jesus Christ is the Truth (facts must bow down to the truth!) -
Jesus Christ is the Life (power to raise dead things in your life!) (John 14:6).
Jesus has the unique ability to take the inadequate and supernaturally convert it into MORE THAN ENOUGH!
"They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." (Mat 14:20 NIV)
Is your back up against the wall today?
Are you stuck in a dead-end predicament?
Has something died in your world?
Are you suffering from a situation of lack?
Do you feel trapped like Moses and the Israelites stuck between Pharaoh's army and the Red Sea?
If so, bring your insufficiency to the Lord!
Carry your inadequacy to Christ!
Consecrate your finances, marriage, ministry, health, and so on to the Lord!
If you have ONLY a mustard seed size faith (Matthew 17:20) to combat your enormous, giant-sized need,
Then by all means obey the Lord's command in verse 18 of our text:
[18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
Then stand still and see the miracle provision of the Lord Jesus Christ!
DSR
12/19/02
Matthew 14:15-18 (NKJV)
When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." [16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." [17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
I love the story of Jesus feeding the five thousands (plus women and children)
With only five loaves and two fish.
This beloved Bible story chronicles an outright miracle.
Miracles were not uncommon when Jesus was in the mix.
Terminal situations unexpectedly turned around when Jesus showed up.
The ordinary bowed to the extraordinary
And the impossible became possible when the power of God flowed through Christ.
Let me tell you about what impressed me most about this particular Bible passage.
It's not really the great faith of Jesus we find recorded in verse 16:
[16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
Rather, it's the great unbelief of the disciples found in verse 17:
[17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
Their response to Jesus' command is so typical.
"Lord, we can't possibly do what you've asked because we lack the resources."
Haven't we heard a hundred excuses of why men cannot do what God has plainly commanded?
My attention is captivated on a single word the disciples used in their objection to the Lord's command: and that is the word "only."
By including the word "only" in their statement
They were basically saying that five loaves and two fishes were not enough to get the job done.
They presumptuously informed the Son of God the facts of the situation,
But never forget that truth always overrides facts.
The reason I'm so drawn to the "five loaves and two fish" statement is that
I've heard that mentality many times before (sometimes out of my own mouth, I'm afraid!)
"We have here ONLY six stone pots of water and no wine at all, the wedding is ruined!"
(John 2:1-10).
"We have here ONLY a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die."
(1 Kings 17:12).
"I have here ONLY two very small copper coins, worth ONLY a fraction of a penny, what difference could my tiny offering possibly make?" (Mark 12:42)
"We have here ONLY three hundred men with which to overthrown the Midianites, can it be done?" (Judges 7:7-8)
"We have here ONLY one hundred bucks left in our checking account, how are we going to make it?"
"We have here ONLY a marriage vow but all our feelings of love have left, is our marriage salvageable?"
"We have here ONLY David Robertson, what good is he?"
Five loaves and two fish may be the fact of the matter
But the truth is - glory to God - it's not the end of the matter!
The key is found in verse 18 of the story of the five loaves and two fish:
." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
There it is!
Forget the facts, enter the truth!
Do you see it?
Jesus Christ is the Way (God WILL make a way for you!) -
Jesus Christ is the Truth (facts must bow down to the truth!) -
Jesus Christ is the Life (power to raise dead things in your life!) (John 14:6).
Jesus has the unique ability to take the inadequate and supernaturally convert it into MORE THAN ENOUGH!
"They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." (Mat 14:20 NIV)
Is your back up against the wall today?
Are you stuck in a dead-end predicament?
Has something died in your world?
Are you suffering from a situation of lack?
Do you feel trapped like Moses and the Israelites stuck between Pharaoh's army and the Red Sea?
If so, bring your insufficiency to the Lord!
Carry your inadequacy to Christ!
Consecrate your finances, marriage, ministry, health, and so on to the Lord!
If you have ONLY a mustard seed size faith (Matthew 17:20) to combat your enormous, giant-sized need,
Then by all means obey the Lord's command in verse 18 of our text:
[18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
Then stand still and see the miracle provision of the Lord Jesus Christ!
DSR
12/19/02
Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Mountain Top Experiences
by David Scott Robertson
"When He [Jesus] had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him." - Matthew 8:1
Why do you suppose that great multitudes did not follow Jesus UP the mountain?
I think I know why.
Could it be because the path that leads up the mountain is a difficult one?
It's a hard trail that takes energy and effort and strength and sacrifice to make the ascent.
Frankly, many (not all) followers of Christ seek a pathway of least resistance.
But that path builds no spiritual muscle.
It's not always the paved path that God calls us to walk.
Often, very often in fact, it's the rugged trek
(You know the one that builds character)
That leads us through (not around) many dangers, toils, and snares.
Thankfully God has sent the Holy Spirit to help us traverse over, up, and around
The dangerous passes, crevices, and obstacles en route to the high places.
Many biblically significant events were mountain-top experiences:
Moses received the Ten Commandments of the Law on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:11 - 20:18).
The Israelites entered the Promised Land proclaiming blessings on Mount Gerizim and curses
from Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 11:29).
Moses viewed the panorama of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 32:49).
Joshua exterminated pagan kings on Mount Halak (Joshua 11:17).
Gideon assembled his army of three hundred on Mount Gilead to overthrow the oppressive Midianites (Judges 7:3).
Elijah triumphed over eight hundred and fifty false prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-40).
Mount Zion is the city of the Great King (Psalm 48:2).
Solomon built the temple of the Lord on Mount Moriah where God had appeared to his father David (2 Chronicles 3:1).
The Lord's zeal was aroused on Mount Perazim to do exploits (Isaiah 28:21) -
The glory of the Lord shown on Mount Paran (Habakkuk 3:3).
Jesus Christ continued the tradition of mountain-top experiences as history transitioned
from the Old Testament to the New Testament; from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; from the Law to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ -
Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John up a high mountain (Matthew 17:1-2).
Jesus often spent the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37-38).
The Lord prayed all night on a mountainside and got the revelation from Father God who the Twelve apostles should be (Luke 6:12-13).
One of Jesus' most famous discourses was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 - 7:27).
Jesus withdrew on more than one occasion to the mountain for some quiet time (John 6:15).
One day, Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives and split the real estate with the brightness of His coming (Zechariah 14:4).
So you like those "mountain-top" experiences, huh?
We often think of the valley as the low points of our lives and mountains as the high points.
Not necessarily.
Abraham was directed by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on a mountain in the region of Moriah (Genesis 21:21).
Israel was chastened by God at Mount Horeb (Exodus 33:6).
Aaron died on Mount Hor (Numbers 20:23-28).
King Saul and his three sons were killed on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-6).
And most especially of all, Jesus died on a hill called Mount Calvary (Matthew 27:33).
Everyone wants a "mountain-top experience"
But be careful what you ask for!
The best thing we can do is to consecrate our lives totally to Almighty God,
Who can literally make mountains out of molehills.
DSR
12/17/02
"When He [Jesus] had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him." - Matthew 8:1
Why do you suppose that great multitudes did not follow Jesus UP the mountain?
I think I know why.
Could it be because the path that leads up the mountain is a difficult one?
It's a hard trail that takes energy and effort and strength and sacrifice to make the ascent.
Frankly, many (not all) followers of Christ seek a pathway of least resistance.
But that path builds no spiritual muscle.
It's not always the paved path that God calls us to walk.
Often, very often in fact, it's the rugged trek
(You know the one that builds character)
That leads us through (not around) many dangers, toils, and snares.
Thankfully God has sent the Holy Spirit to help us traverse over, up, and around
The dangerous passes, crevices, and obstacles en route to the high places.
Many biblically significant events were mountain-top experiences:
Moses received the Ten Commandments of the Law on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:11 - 20:18).
The Israelites entered the Promised Land proclaiming blessings on Mount Gerizim and curses
from Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 11:29).
Moses viewed the panorama of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 32:49).
Joshua exterminated pagan kings on Mount Halak (Joshua 11:17).
Gideon assembled his army of three hundred on Mount Gilead to overthrow the oppressive Midianites (Judges 7:3).
Elijah triumphed over eight hundred and fifty false prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-40).
Mount Zion is the city of the Great King (Psalm 48:2).
Solomon built the temple of the Lord on Mount Moriah where God had appeared to his father David (2 Chronicles 3:1).
The Lord's zeal was aroused on Mount Perazim to do exploits (Isaiah 28:21) -
The glory of the Lord shown on Mount Paran (Habakkuk 3:3).
Jesus Christ continued the tradition of mountain-top experiences as history transitioned
from the Old Testament to the New Testament; from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; from the Law to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ -
Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John up a high mountain (Matthew 17:1-2).
Jesus often spent the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37-38).
The Lord prayed all night on a mountainside and got the revelation from Father God who the Twelve apostles should be (Luke 6:12-13).
One of Jesus' most famous discourses was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 - 7:27).
Jesus withdrew on more than one occasion to the mountain for some quiet time (John 6:15).
One day, Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives and split the real estate with the brightness of His coming (Zechariah 14:4).
So you like those "mountain-top" experiences, huh?
We often think of the valley as the low points of our lives and mountains as the high points.
Not necessarily.
Abraham was directed by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on a mountain in the region of Moriah (Genesis 21:21).
Israel was chastened by God at Mount Horeb (Exodus 33:6).
Aaron died on Mount Hor (Numbers 20:23-28).
King Saul and his three sons were killed on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-6).
And most especially of all, Jesus died on a hill called Mount Calvary (Matthew 27:33).
Everyone wants a "mountain-top experience"
But be careful what you ask for!
The best thing we can do is to consecrate our lives totally to Almighty God,
Who can literally make mountains out of molehills.
DSR
12/17/02
Monday, December 9, 2002
God Can Handle It
by David Scott Robertson
This morning I sat down in my favorite chair to read my Bible.
As is my custom, I let my pet cockatiel, Moses, out of his cage to fly around the room.
Before he launches off into the "wild blue yonder" he likes to stretch his wings.
I sat there in the rocking chair admiring the design of his perfectly formed tiny body
Which enabled him to do something I could not - fly.
One thought led to another,
And I found myself giving glory to God for His ingenious creation.
You see, I disagree with scientists who suppose that time + chance = everything.
No, you don't throw a grenade into a print shop and out of the explosion comes an unabridged dictionary.
You cannot toss a bomb into an airplane hanger and the blast produces the space shuttle.
Absurd.
No, things don't naturally develop from simple to more complex;
From disorder to order as a result of an evolutionary process.
True science has revealed "the law of entropy" which correctly states that
Things left alone for long periods of time tend to break down.
Maintenance men believe in the law of entropy.
Doctors believe in the law of entropy.
People that mow lawns believe in the law of entropy.
Fitness instructors believe in the law of entropy.
The junkyard is full of evidence
As are a hundred cornfields with old, leaning, decimated barns that look like they are ready to fall down at the next strong wind.
But that's not the point I want to make today.
What I'm driving at is
Before you have a creation, you must have a Creator.
Before you have a design, you must have a Designer.
Before you have a plan, you must have a Planner.
And I know this Planner.
His name is God.
He's the Inventor of heaven and earth.
He said "let there be…" and there was.
He thought up a hummingbird that can fly backwards.
He thought up a bumblebee whose wing structure confounds mathematicians as to how it can fly at all.
He thought up geese that fly in a "V" formation at 70% greater efficiency for thousands of miles to a precise roosting spot.
He thought up my pet cockatiel, Moses, that brings my wife joy.
And birds are just one tiny slice of His creation
That doesn't even scratch the surface of creation.
The complex world of physical science.
The complex world of astronomy, solar systems, and universes.
The complex world of anatomy and physiology of the human body.
The complex world of Kingdoms, Phylums, Classes, Orders, Families, Genus, and Species of the plants, animals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
We haven't even considered medical technologies,
Architectural wonders,
Literary libraries,
And other modern marvels that God has permitted man to join Him in His expressions of creative genius.
We haven't even touched on the mystery of love that is too wonderful to understand.
There remain enigmas, puzzles and quandaries of life that are inexplicable,
Yet in Christ Jesus we find that we have all that we need pertaining to life and godliness.
I could go on and on but I trust you get the point.
God has thought of everything,
And even provided a plan of salvation [in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ, SEE John 3:16] to get you from cradle to grave and beyond successfully.
Given that,
Do you, O man, really believe that God cannot handle the problem you are facing today?
DSR
12/9/02
This morning I sat down in my favorite chair to read my Bible.
As is my custom, I let my pet cockatiel, Moses, out of his cage to fly around the room.
Before he launches off into the "wild blue yonder" he likes to stretch his wings.
I sat there in the rocking chair admiring the design of his perfectly formed tiny body
Which enabled him to do something I could not - fly.
One thought led to another,
And I found myself giving glory to God for His ingenious creation.
You see, I disagree with scientists who suppose that time + chance = everything.
No, you don't throw a grenade into a print shop and out of the explosion comes an unabridged dictionary.
You cannot toss a bomb into an airplane hanger and the blast produces the space shuttle.
Absurd.
No, things don't naturally develop from simple to more complex;
From disorder to order as a result of an evolutionary process.
True science has revealed "the law of entropy" which correctly states that
Things left alone for long periods of time tend to break down.
Maintenance men believe in the law of entropy.
Doctors believe in the law of entropy.
People that mow lawns believe in the law of entropy.
Fitness instructors believe in the law of entropy.
The junkyard is full of evidence
As are a hundred cornfields with old, leaning, decimated barns that look like they are ready to fall down at the next strong wind.
But that's not the point I want to make today.
What I'm driving at is
Before you have a creation, you must have a Creator.
Before you have a design, you must have a Designer.
Before you have a plan, you must have a Planner.
And I know this Planner.
His name is God.
He's the Inventor of heaven and earth.
He said "let there be…" and there was.
He thought up a hummingbird that can fly backwards.
He thought up a bumblebee whose wing structure confounds mathematicians as to how it can fly at all.
He thought up geese that fly in a "V" formation at 70% greater efficiency for thousands of miles to a precise roosting spot.
He thought up my pet cockatiel, Moses, that brings my wife joy.
And birds are just one tiny slice of His creation
That doesn't even scratch the surface of creation.
The complex world of physical science.
The complex world of astronomy, solar systems, and universes.
The complex world of anatomy and physiology of the human body.
The complex world of Kingdoms, Phylums, Classes, Orders, Families, Genus, and Species of the plants, animals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
We haven't even considered medical technologies,
Architectural wonders,
Literary libraries,
And other modern marvels that God has permitted man to join Him in His expressions of creative genius.
We haven't even touched on the mystery of love that is too wonderful to understand.
There remain enigmas, puzzles and quandaries of life that are inexplicable,
Yet in Christ Jesus we find that we have all that we need pertaining to life and godliness.
I could go on and on but I trust you get the point.
God has thought of everything,
And even provided a plan of salvation [in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ, SEE John 3:16] to get you from cradle to grave and beyond successfully.
Given that,
Do you, O man, really believe that God cannot handle the problem you are facing today?
DSR
12/9/02
Monday, December 2, 2002
Who Will Deliver Me?
by David Scott Robertson
(James 4:17 NIV) Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
Even though I love the Word of God,
Sometimes I struggle over some of the scriptures I encounter.
The aforementioned verse is one of them.
Not that I question its theological soundness or validity.
Rather the opposite.
Concern arises within when I am confronted with a scripture that I'm not fully obeying.
Let me take five areas of my life and explain what I mean.
1. My spiritual life
Case in point: Instead of reaching for my Bible, I reach for the TV Guide.
2. My Money
Case in point: Instead of reaching for the checkbook to write an offering (above my tithes) to the missionary, I write the check instead to the restaurant or movie rental store.
3. My Marriage
Case in point: Instead of reaching for the hand of my wife to take a walk, I reach for my briefcase to do more work for the church.
4. My Family
Case in point: Instead of reaching for a game to play with my daughter or a devotional to read to her, I reach for the remote.
5. My Health
Case in point: Instead of reaching for my racquetball racket or jump rope I reach for a piece of pie or ice cream.
The results?
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
So now I find myself in a dilemma.
I read the Bible and of course it's true.
Then I compare my life to it and it doesn't line up as consistently as I desire.
Please understand that I've not set the bar of the standard of my life to complete and utter perfection and anything less is failure.
Not at all.
Still, and I think this is a balanced view, I am striving for excellence in all things.
It's when I begin to feel the twinge of guilt or heaviness in my heart
In any or all of these five areas that I've mentioned,
That I begin to think on these things.
That's not an obsessive, compulsive behavioral response -
That just might be one of the greatest gifts God ever gave mankind -
The conviction of the Holy Spirit.
You see, I want to do what it takes now to avoid contracting a terminal disease called regret.
Given these facts, what shall I do then?
Thankfully, I'm not the first or last to grapple with these issues.
Another fellow had a similar problem in the area of self-discipline like me.
His name was the apostle Paul and he wrote out of his frustration centuries ago like I write out of my frustration today:
Romans 7:15-25 (NKJV)
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. [16] If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. [17] But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. [19] For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. [20] Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [21] I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. [22] For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!..."
Aha! The solution to my dilemma, my problem, my difficulty, my trouble, my crisis, my predicament, my quandary, my flaw, my compromise, my setbacks, my misaligned priorities is none other than Jesus Christ my Lord!
Time spent with Jesus
Will translate into clear thinking and appropriate responses to the obstacles that I face as a Christian, a steward, a husband, a father, and a human being.
Then, it's not hopeless.
God is committed to helping me make good choices and grow in the grace and likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ in my spiritual life.
He is also quite adept in the roles of
Financial Advisor to guide me in good stewardship and eternal investments;
Marriage Counselor to guide me in proper skills development in my love relationship with my wife;
Family Mentor to guide me to focus on my family;
And Personal Fitness Trainer to guide me to maintain my body temple so that it may prosper and be in good health (1 John 3:2).
Subsequently, my focus must be on "living in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16)
And walking in a "moment-by-moment" relationship with the Lord.
If we mess up, repent, and go and sin no more.
In the meantime, think on these things:
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
DSR
12/2/02
(James 4:17 NIV) Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
Even though I love the Word of God,
Sometimes I struggle over some of the scriptures I encounter.
The aforementioned verse is one of them.
Not that I question its theological soundness or validity.
Rather the opposite.
Concern arises within when I am confronted with a scripture that I'm not fully obeying.
Let me take five areas of my life and explain what I mean.
1. My spiritual life
Case in point: Instead of reaching for my Bible, I reach for the TV Guide.
2. My Money
Case in point: Instead of reaching for the checkbook to write an offering (above my tithes) to the missionary, I write the check instead to the restaurant or movie rental store.
3. My Marriage
Case in point: Instead of reaching for the hand of my wife to take a walk, I reach for my briefcase to do more work for the church.
4. My Family
Case in point: Instead of reaching for a game to play with my daughter or a devotional to read to her, I reach for the remote.
5. My Health
Case in point: Instead of reaching for my racquetball racket or jump rope I reach for a piece of pie or ice cream.
The results?
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
So now I find myself in a dilemma.
I read the Bible and of course it's true.
Then I compare my life to it and it doesn't line up as consistently as I desire.
Please understand that I've not set the bar of the standard of my life to complete and utter perfection and anything less is failure.
Not at all.
Still, and I think this is a balanced view, I am striving for excellence in all things.
It's when I begin to feel the twinge of guilt or heaviness in my heart
In any or all of these five areas that I've mentioned,
That I begin to think on these things.
That's not an obsessive, compulsive behavioral response -
That just might be one of the greatest gifts God ever gave mankind -
The conviction of the Holy Spirit.
You see, I want to do what it takes now to avoid contracting a terminal disease called regret.
Given these facts, what shall I do then?
Thankfully, I'm not the first or last to grapple with these issues.
Another fellow had a similar problem in the area of self-discipline like me.
His name was the apostle Paul and he wrote out of his frustration centuries ago like I write out of my frustration today:
Romans 7:15-25 (NKJV)
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. [16] If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. [17] But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. [19] For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. [20] Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [21] I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. [22] For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!..."
Aha! The solution to my dilemma, my problem, my difficulty, my trouble, my crisis, my predicament, my quandary, my flaw, my compromise, my setbacks, my misaligned priorities is none other than Jesus Christ my Lord!
Time spent with Jesus
Will translate into clear thinking and appropriate responses to the obstacles that I face as a Christian, a steward, a husband, a father, and a human being.
Then, it's not hopeless.
God is committed to helping me make good choices and grow in the grace and likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ in my spiritual life.
He is also quite adept in the roles of
Financial Advisor to guide me in good stewardship and eternal investments;
Marriage Counselor to guide me in proper skills development in my love relationship with my wife;
Family Mentor to guide me to focus on my family;
And Personal Fitness Trainer to guide me to maintain my body temple so that it may prosper and be in good health (1 John 3:2).
Subsequently, my focus must be on "living in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16)
And walking in a "moment-by-moment" relationship with the Lord.
If we mess up, repent, and go and sin no more.
In the meantime, think on these things:
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
DSR
12/2/02
Monday, November 25, 2002
The High Cost of Healing
by David Scott Robertson
(Mark 1:40 NIV) A man with leprosy came to him [Jesus] and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
(Mark 1:41 NIV) Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
(Mark 1:42 NIV) Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
In our present day society quality healthcare is expensive.
In the United States healthcare is a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
Physicians, surgeons, nurses, hospitals, pharmacists, wellness and disease prevention organizations, health clubs, weight loss clinics, home health care, emergency services, insurance companies, research and development industries, and a host of other players all contribute to the economic infrastructure of modern day medicine.
Many people these days sacrifice their health in pursuit of wealth.
Later in life, priorities change, and they spend their wealth trying to regain their health.
What do you suppose it would cost - at current healthcare pricing - to restore a man from a terminal condition back to radiant health?
The price tag could escalate into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
That's presupposing that the medical technology even existed to save his life let alone provide for a high quality of life.
What would a man pay to save his life?
The life of his wife or child?
Probably all that he had.
But what about the physician?
What would it cost him to administer the life saving procedure?
Does a doctor normally and personally bear the cost of the healing process?
Does the cost of the Band-Aid, the medication, the surgery suite, come out of his pocket instead of being passed along to each of his patients along with his profit margin?
Of course not!
Although we tend to gripe about the high cost of healing
We don't stop going to the doctor just because he's making a living.
But turn your attention to a different kind of physician,
A very great Physician,
Who operated His practice quite differently that any healthcare system that ever existed.
The Healer's name was Jesus.
And He personally bore the high cost of healing for all His patients.
In our opening scripture,
The healthcare solution that was provided to the leper cost him absolutely nothing,
However it was not without cost.
It cost Jesus the ability to even enter a town.
(Mark 1:43 NIV) Jesus sent him [the ex-leper] away at once with a strong warning:
(Mark 1:44 NIV) "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
(Mark 1:45 NIV) Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
By reaching out to this leper,
Jesus was, in effect, waving goodbye to a more comfortable life on this earth.
It was as if He were exchanging places with the leper, who was a social outcast.
In those days, lepers could not openly enter the city
But were forced to dwell outside the city in deserted places because of their contagious disease.
The healed leper could not leave the deserted places and re-enter society.
However, this one act of compassion on the part of Christ
Meant that, at least in that region, Jesus was forced to relocate to places less comfortable.
The high cost of healing.
In the lonely places,
What did Jesus do with it rained without a roof over His head?
What about when it was cold?
How was food preparation different in the lonely places?
Granted, dwellings in the time of Christ were far from what they are today
But they did grant some conveniences and at least offered protection from the elements.
Think about all the comforts of staying in a friend's home
Versus camping out in the woods.
The high cost of healing.
Even though Jesus was explicit and emphatic and sternly warned (Mark 1:43) many He healed not to tell anyone, their first act of newfound health was to disobey Christ - for they were not as strong as He and simply could not contain the joy of their healing.
Because of this, we read scenes like this:
Standing room only
(Mark 2:1 NIV) A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.
(Mark 2:2 NIV) So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
The multitudes throng Christ
(Mark 5:22 KJV) And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
(Mark 5:23 KJV) And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
(Mark 5:24 KJV) And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Jesus on the move constantly
(Mark 1:36 NIV) Simon and his companions went to look for him,
(Mark 1:37 NIV) and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
(Mark 1:38 NIV) Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."
Jesus knew very well the high cost of healing…and did it anyway.
And that brings it back to us, the followers of Jesus Christ who to this day are continuing His ministry on the earth.
(Mark 16:17 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
(Mark 16:18 NIV) they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
What will you and I do when presented with the high cost of serving Christ?
Will we do it anyway?
DSR
11/25/02
(Mark 1:40 NIV) A man with leprosy came to him [Jesus] and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
(Mark 1:41 NIV) Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
(Mark 1:42 NIV) Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
In our present day society quality healthcare is expensive.
In the United States healthcare is a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
Physicians, surgeons, nurses, hospitals, pharmacists, wellness and disease prevention organizations, health clubs, weight loss clinics, home health care, emergency services, insurance companies, research and development industries, and a host of other players all contribute to the economic infrastructure of modern day medicine.
Many people these days sacrifice their health in pursuit of wealth.
Later in life, priorities change, and they spend their wealth trying to regain their health.
What do you suppose it would cost - at current healthcare pricing - to restore a man from a terminal condition back to radiant health?
The price tag could escalate into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
That's presupposing that the medical technology even existed to save his life let alone provide for a high quality of life.
What would a man pay to save his life?
The life of his wife or child?
Probably all that he had.
But what about the physician?
What would it cost him to administer the life saving procedure?
Does a doctor normally and personally bear the cost of the healing process?
Does the cost of the Band-Aid, the medication, the surgery suite, come out of his pocket instead of being passed along to each of his patients along with his profit margin?
Of course not!
Although we tend to gripe about the high cost of healing
We don't stop going to the doctor just because he's making a living.
But turn your attention to a different kind of physician,
A very great Physician,
Who operated His practice quite differently that any healthcare system that ever existed.
The Healer's name was Jesus.
And He personally bore the high cost of healing for all His patients.
In our opening scripture,
The healthcare solution that was provided to the leper cost him absolutely nothing,
However it was not without cost.
It cost Jesus the ability to even enter a town.
(Mark 1:43 NIV) Jesus sent him [the ex-leper] away at once with a strong warning:
(Mark 1:44 NIV) "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
(Mark 1:45 NIV) Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
By reaching out to this leper,
Jesus was, in effect, waving goodbye to a more comfortable life on this earth.
It was as if He were exchanging places with the leper, who was a social outcast.
In those days, lepers could not openly enter the city
But were forced to dwell outside the city in deserted places because of their contagious disease.
The healed leper could not leave the deserted places and re-enter society.
However, this one act of compassion on the part of Christ
Meant that, at least in that region, Jesus was forced to relocate to places less comfortable.
The high cost of healing.
In the lonely places,
What did Jesus do with it rained without a roof over His head?
What about when it was cold?
How was food preparation different in the lonely places?
Granted, dwellings in the time of Christ were far from what they are today
But they did grant some conveniences and at least offered protection from the elements.
Think about all the comforts of staying in a friend's home
Versus camping out in the woods.
The high cost of healing.
Even though Jesus was explicit and emphatic and sternly warned (Mark 1:43) many He healed not to tell anyone, their first act of newfound health was to disobey Christ - for they were not as strong as He and simply could not contain the joy of their healing.
Because of this, we read scenes like this:
Standing room only
(Mark 2:1 NIV) A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.
(Mark 2:2 NIV) So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
The multitudes throng Christ
(Mark 5:22 KJV) And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
(Mark 5:23 KJV) And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
(Mark 5:24 KJV) And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Jesus on the move constantly
(Mark 1:36 NIV) Simon and his companions went to look for him,
(Mark 1:37 NIV) and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
(Mark 1:38 NIV) Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."
Jesus knew very well the high cost of healing…and did it anyway.
And that brings it back to us, the followers of Jesus Christ who to this day are continuing His ministry on the earth.
(Mark 16:17 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
(Mark 16:18 NIV) they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
What will you and I do when presented with the high cost of serving Christ?
Will we do it anyway?
DSR
11/25/02
Monday, November 18, 2002
Immediately
by David Scott Robertson
I was reading the first chapter of the gospel of Mark
And a recurring word kept popping up – “immediately” - eight times in forty-five verses.
I thought to myself,
There’s something there, what is it?
Why does there seem to be an accelerated shift in spiritual momentum?
Let’s take a quick look at these eight verses and see if we can discover some principles…
1. Mark 1:9-11 (NKJV)
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] And IMMEDIATELY, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. [11] Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." [emphasis mine]
To fulfill all righteousness, Jesus was baptized in water.
John the Baptist had protested to Christ that it was the Lord who should be baptizing him,
But Jesus insisted that it be so.
So it was and the results were nothing short of spectacular!
(1) Immediately the heavens opened
(2) The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus
(3) God the Father spoke, audibly, to His Son Jesus
(4) God affirmed Jesus of His beloved relationship and His exceeding pleasure in Him
The point: Immediate obedience brings the miraculous!
2. Mark 1:12-13 (NKJV)
IMMEDIATELY the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. [13] And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. [emphasis mine]
Consider the scene:
John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, is there,
Jesus is there,
God the Father is there,
God the Holy Spirit is there.
One would think this to be a premier opportunity to inaugurate the public ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Negative.
Rather than seize the moment to address the crowds the Holy Spirit elects to IMMEDIATELY usher Jesus away into a desolate place.
The point: God knows what He is doing and the correct order to sequence events in our lives to accomplish His purposes.
3. Mark 1:16-18 (NKJV)
And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. [17] Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." [18] They IMMEDIATELY left their nets and followed Him. [emphasis mine]
Here we see Peter and Andrew responding to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him.
At once they left the “for profit” fishing industry and became “non-profit” students in the school of Christ.
Can you imagine them trying to explain this to their wives?
Can’t you just hear Peter’s wife asking him over the supper table “how are we going to pay our taxes?”
The point: The most rewarding sacrifices one will ever make are time, talent, and treasure given with pure motives to the kingdom of God.
4. Mark 1:19-20 (NKJV)
When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. [20] And IMMEDIATELY He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. [emphasis mine]
Jesus didn’t hesitate to call James and John to follow Him and they did not hesitate to follow.
They immediately abandoned the family business on the spot and followed Christ.
The man with whom they had the closest earthly relationship, their father Zebedee, they left standing with other employees to continue the family business.
I wonder, did the boys look to daddy for a nod of approval?
Did Zebedee urge them to go and fulfill their destiny or verbally object?
Had Zebedee and his sons listened to Jesus speak many times before and daydreamed out loud about what it would be like to be one of His close friends?
The point: No earthly relationship can transcend in importance our relationship with God.
5. Mark 1:21-22 (NKJV)
Then they went into Capernaum, and IMMEDIATELY on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. [22] And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. [emphasis mine]
Jesus didn’t waste any time getting about His Father’s business.
He was in touch and in tune with the voice of His Father.
We have already seen that when Jesus was in front of receptive, teachable crowds of people – he was restrained from teaching (at His baptism).
Later in the gospels we will see when Jesus is in front of unreceptive, unteachable crowds of people – he is constrained to teach.
And they will reward His wisdom and authority with thoughts of unbelief, rejection, and murder.
The point: Jesus didn’t allow people to manipulate Him, His obedience to the Father in all things is our example.
6. Mark 1:27-28 (NKJV)
Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." [28] And IMMEDIATELY His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. [emphasis mine]
The point: When we are in the right place (our destiny) at the right time (God’s will), the results will bring glory (fame) to the name of our righteous God.
7. Mark 1:30-31 (NKJV)
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. [31] So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and IMMEDIATELY the fever left her. And she served them. [emphasis mine]
Simon Peter’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They didn’t hesitate to tell the Master about her at once
And He didn’t hesitate to heal her at once.
And then she didn’t hesitate to get up and serve them at once!
The point: When God impacts our lives the only rational, reasonable response is to get up at once and serve Him!
8. Mark 1:40-42 (NKJV)
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." [41] Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." [42] As soon as He had spoken, IMMEDIATELY the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. [emphasis mine]
The size of any problem that encounters Jesus Christ is irrelevant.
Whether the issue is relatively minor like a fever or terminal like the scourge of leprosy,
Both and all must bow its knee to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The point: This passage proves to me that God cares about everything in our lives, big or small.
In conclusion:
(1.) Jesus didn’t procrastinate in doing God’s will, neither should we.
(2.) The disciples didn’t hesitate to forsake all and follow Him, neither should we.
(3.) The sick didn’t have their hope deferred when Jesus ministered healing to them, neither will we.
(4.) Christ followed the Spirit’s leading into a wilderness or synagogue, we must learn to walk in the Spirit also.
(5.) Immediate obedience brings the miraculous. Remember, partial and delayed obedience is disobedience.
(6.) Obedience is the way to go even if we don’t live to see the manifestation and fruit of that obedience. Faith in God’s is sufficient in those circumstances.
DSR
11/18/02
I was reading the first chapter of the gospel of Mark
And a recurring word kept popping up – “immediately” - eight times in forty-five verses.
I thought to myself,
There’s something there, what is it?
Why does there seem to be an accelerated shift in spiritual momentum?
Let’s take a quick look at these eight verses and see if we can discover some principles…
1. Mark 1:9-11 (NKJV)
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] And IMMEDIATELY, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. [11] Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." [emphasis mine]
To fulfill all righteousness, Jesus was baptized in water.
John the Baptist had protested to Christ that it was the Lord who should be baptizing him,
But Jesus insisted that it be so.
So it was and the results were nothing short of spectacular!
(1) Immediately the heavens opened
(2) The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus
(3) God the Father spoke, audibly, to His Son Jesus
(4) God affirmed Jesus of His beloved relationship and His exceeding pleasure in Him
The point: Immediate obedience brings the miraculous!
2. Mark 1:12-13 (NKJV)
IMMEDIATELY the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. [13] And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. [emphasis mine]
Consider the scene:
John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, is there,
Jesus is there,
God the Father is there,
God the Holy Spirit is there.
One would think this to be a premier opportunity to inaugurate the public ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Negative.
Rather than seize the moment to address the crowds the Holy Spirit elects to IMMEDIATELY usher Jesus away into a desolate place.
The point: God knows what He is doing and the correct order to sequence events in our lives to accomplish His purposes.
3. Mark 1:16-18 (NKJV)
And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. [17] Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." [18] They IMMEDIATELY left their nets and followed Him. [emphasis mine]
Here we see Peter and Andrew responding to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him.
At once they left the “for profit” fishing industry and became “non-profit” students in the school of Christ.
Can you imagine them trying to explain this to their wives?
Can’t you just hear Peter’s wife asking him over the supper table “how are we going to pay our taxes?”
The point: The most rewarding sacrifices one will ever make are time, talent, and treasure given with pure motives to the kingdom of God.
4. Mark 1:19-20 (NKJV)
When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. [20] And IMMEDIATELY He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. [emphasis mine]
Jesus didn’t hesitate to call James and John to follow Him and they did not hesitate to follow.
They immediately abandoned the family business on the spot and followed Christ.
The man with whom they had the closest earthly relationship, their father Zebedee, they left standing with other employees to continue the family business.
I wonder, did the boys look to daddy for a nod of approval?
Did Zebedee urge them to go and fulfill their destiny or verbally object?
Had Zebedee and his sons listened to Jesus speak many times before and daydreamed out loud about what it would be like to be one of His close friends?
The point: No earthly relationship can transcend in importance our relationship with God.
5. Mark 1:21-22 (NKJV)
Then they went into Capernaum, and IMMEDIATELY on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. [22] And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. [emphasis mine]
Jesus didn’t waste any time getting about His Father’s business.
He was in touch and in tune with the voice of His Father.
We have already seen that when Jesus was in front of receptive, teachable crowds of people – he was restrained from teaching (at His baptism).
Later in the gospels we will see when Jesus is in front of unreceptive, unteachable crowds of people – he is constrained to teach.
And they will reward His wisdom and authority with thoughts of unbelief, rejection, and murder.
The point: Jesus didn’t allow people to manipulate Him, His obedience to the Father in all things is our example.
6. Mark 1:27-28 (NKJV)
Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." [28] And IMMEDIATELY His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. [emphasis mine]
The point: When we are in the right place (our destiny) at the right time (God’s will), the results will bring glory (fame) to the name of our righteous God.
7. Mark 1:30-31 (NKJV)
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. [31] So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and IMMEDIATELY the fever left her. And she served them. [emphasis mine]
Simon Peter’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They didn’t hesitate to tell the Master about her at once
And He didn’t hesitate to heal her at once.
And then she didn’t hesitate to get up and serve them at once!
The point: When God impacts our lives the only rational, reasonable response is to get up at once and serve Him!
8. Mark 1:40-42 (NKJV)
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." [41] Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." [42] As soon as He had spoken, IMMEDIATELY the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. [emphasis mine]
The size of any problem that encounters Jesus Christ is irrelevant.
Whether the issue is relatively minor like a fever or terminal like the scourge of leprosy,
Both and all must bow its knee to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The point: This passage proves to me that God cares about everything in our lives, big or small.
In conclusion:
(1.) Jesus didn’t procrastinate in doing God’s will, neither should we.
(2.) The disciples didn’t hesitate to forsake all and follow Him, neither should we.
(3.) The sick didn’t have their hope deferred when Jesus ministered healing to them, neither will we.
(4.) Christ followed the Spirit’s leading into a wilderness or synagogue, we must learn to walk in the Spirit also.
(5.) Immediate obedience brings the miraculous. Remember, partial and delayed obedience is disobedience.
(6.) Obedience is the way to go even if we don’t live to see the manifestation and fruit of that obedience. Faith in God’s is sufficient in those circumstances.
DSR
11/18/02
Monday, November 11, 2002
The Forty Liars
by David Scott Robertson
"The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot" (Acts 23:12-13).
The Apostle Paul - what a guy.
Depending upon who you asked in the Book of Acts,
He was either a mighty man of faith in Jesus
Or he was not fit to live.
Paul started revivals and riots wherever he went.
He was a man of great compassion and even greater controversy.
Today, the politically correct crowd
Struggles with the "J"- word (J-esus).
In Acts chapters 21-23, the politically correct (Jewish) crowd
Struggled with the "G" - word (G-entiles, Acts 22:21-22).
In this thought about God, I'd like to focus briefly not on the Apostle Paul,
But on the forty to fifty men who "bound themselves" [what an apt description] with an oath neither to eat or drink until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:12).
I will henceforth refer to this group collectively as "the forty liars."
Why?
Because their extreme zeal,
Fueled by extreme emotion,
Led them to extreme stupidity.
What they really wanted to be were "the forty heroes."
If their conspiracy to kill Paul had succeeded,
I may be writing about "the forty murderers."
Of course, in their righteous indignation,
They thought they were doing God a service by ridding the earth of heretics like Paul.
"Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here." (Acts 23:15 NIV)
These vigilantes boastfully and foolishly
Bound themselves with an oath that swelled into a "great oath."
"They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, 'We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.'" (Acts 23:14 NKJV)
But there was one factor the forty liars didn't count on - the Jesus Factor.
"The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (Acts 23:11 NIV).
The forty liars were about to discover that if Jesus Christ wants to cheer you up no man can take you down!
The Lord had arranged for Paul's nephew to eavesdrop on the wicked plan:
"But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul." (Acts 23:16 NIV)
Subsequently the Roman commander, Claudia Lysias,
Unknowingly cooperating with the purposes of God,
Ordered a daring rescue to safely remove Paul out of harm's way.
Now here is where we see "forty or more" men,
One by one,
Become liars.
I don't read anywhere in the scriptures
Where these men continued their hunger strike.
I don't read in the text about men so desperate to drink and eat food
That they form a special operations commando force to pursue Paul,
Engage in combat with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen (Acts 23:23) to kill Paul and fulfill their vow.
How it rather happened, I suppose, was that at some point
Each man realized the impossibility and futility
Of fulfilling the rash vow he had foolishly made.
And the moment, the very moment, that they took a swallow of water,
Or put one morsel of food to their mouth,
They automatically became a liar - and added this to their sins.
They had broken their vow.
They had went back on their word.
They had permanently soiled their reputation.
They were now, from this point forward,
Completely, utterly untrustworthy.
I don't know, but it is possible that the forty liars may have assembled together,
As a whole or in smaller groups,
And somehow rationalized and justified
Why they should not, in fact, die of starvation.
They may have even discussed it over a meal.
Perhaps they even prayed the traditional Jewish prayer over the food:
"Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread to the earth."
But no matter what they said,
Or what they did,
It did not alter the fact that they were liars all the same.
They had broken the Law of Moses.
They had violated the 9th commandment (Exodus 20:9).
Ironically, the only escape for the forty liars from condemnation
Was to embrace the very truth of Jesus' forgiveness of sin
Whom Paul the prisoner preached.
And that is the one thing that we have in common with the forty liars.
We all have need of Jesus.
"…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Rom 3:23 NIV)
Murder.
Lying.
Sexual immorality.
Willful disobedience.
Passive indifference.
All are sin.
Under the law, all sin required the death penalty.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23 NIV)
Let us not fall into the same condemnation as the devil, who is the father of all lies (John 8:44).
If you have found yourself foolishly and rashly compromising your integrity through ignorant words that have come out of your own mouth,
I counsel you to heed what God advises in the wisdom literature found in Proverbs:
"…if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
"then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!
"Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
"Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler." (Proverbs 6:2-5 NIV)
Moreover,
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
"for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (James 1:19-20 NIV).
DSR
11/11/02
"The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot" (Acts 23:12-13).
The Apostle Paul - what a guy.
Depending upon who you asked in the Book of Acts,
He was either a mighty man of faith in Jesus
Or he was not fit to live.
Paul started revivals and riots wherever he went.
He was a man of great compassion and even greater controversy.
Today, the politically correct crowd
Struggles with the "J"- word (J-esus).
In Acts chapters 21-23, the politically correct (Jewish) crowd
Struggled with the "G" - word (G-entiles, Acts 22:21-22).
In this thought about God, I'd like to focus briefly not on the Apostle Paul,
But on the forty to fifty men who "bound themselves" [what an apt description] with an oath neither to eat or drink until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:12).
I will henceforth refer to this group collectively as "the forty liars."
Why?
Because their extreme zeal,
Fueled by extreme emotion,
Led them to extreme stupidity.
What they really wanted to be were "the forty heroes."
If their conspiracy to kill Paul had succeeded,
I may be writing about "the forty murderers."
Of course, in their righteous indignation,
They thought they were doing God a service by ridding the earth of heretics like Paul.
"Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here." (Acts 23:15 NIV)
These vigilantes boastfully and foolishly
Bound themselves with an oath that swelled into a "great oath."
"They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, 'We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.'" (Acts 23:14 NKJV)
But there was one factor the forty liars didn't count on - the Jesus Factor.
"The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (Acts 23:11 NIV).
The forty liars were about to discover that if Jesus Christ wants to cheer you up no man can take you down!
The Lord had arranged for Paul's nephew to eavesdrop on the wicked plan:
"But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul." (Acts 23:16 NIV)
Subsequently the Roman commander, Claudia Lysias,
Unknowingly cooperating with the purposes of God,
Ordered a daring rescue to safely remove Paul out of harm's way.
Now here is where we see "forty or more" men,
One by one,
Become liars.
I don't read anywhere in the scriptures
Where these men continued their hunger strike.
I don't read in the text about men so desperate to drink and eat food
That they form a special operations commando force to pursue Paul,
Engage in combat with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen (Acts 23:23) to kill Paul and fulfill their vow.
How it rather happened, I suppose, was that at some point
Each man realized the impossibility and futility
Of fulfilling the rash vow he had foolishly made.
And the moment, the very moment, that they took a swallow of water,
Or put one morsel of food to their mouth,
They automatically became a liar - and added this to their sins.
They had broken their vow.
They had went back on their word.
They had permanently soiled their reputation.
They were now, from this point forward,
Completely, utterly untrustworthy.
I don't know, but it is possible that the forty liars may have assembled together,
As a whole or in smaller groups,
And somehow rationalized and justified
Why they should not, in fact, die of starvation.
They may have even discussed it over a meal.
Perhaps they even prayed the traditional Jewish prayer over the food:
"Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread to the earth."
But no matter what they said,
Or what they did,
It did not alter the fact that they were liars all the same.
They had broken the Law of Moses.
They had violated the 9th commandment (Exodus 20:9).
Ironically, the only escape for the forty liars from condemnation
Was to embrace the very truth of Jesus' forgiveness of sin
Whom Paul the prisoner preached.
And that is the one thing that we have in common with the forty liars.
We all have need of Jesus.
"…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Rom 3:23 NIV)
Murder.
Lying.
Sexual immorality.
Willful disobedience.
Passive indifference.
All are sin.
Under the law, all sin required the death penalty.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23 NIV)
Let us not fall into the same condemnation as the devil, who is the father of all lies (John 8:44).
If you have found yourself foolishly and rashly compromising your integrity through ignorant words that have come out of your own mouth,
I counsel you to heed what God advises in the wisdom literature found in Proverbs:
"…if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
"then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!
"Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
"Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler." (Proverbs 6:2-5 NIV)
Moreover,
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
"for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (James 1:19-20 NIV).
DSR
11/11/02
Monday, October 28, 2002
What's Your Excuse?
by David Scott Robertson
Mark 1:4,6,7,8 (NKJV)
(4)John came baptizing in the wilderness [INCONVENIENT LOCATION] and preaching a baptism of repentance [UNPOPULAR MESSAGE] for the remission of sins [IN YOUR FACE PREACHING].
(6)Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist [ECCENTRIC DRESSER], and he ate locusts and wild honey [CAN YOU SAY “WEIRD?”].
(7)And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I [“I’M NOT EVEN THE MAIN EVENT”], whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose [LOW SELF ESTEEM PROBLEM?].
(8)I indeed baptized you with water [A WATERLOGGED WALK HOME], but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [AN ENTIRELY NEW CONCEPT]."
John the Baptist.
An unusual character,
With an unprecedented message about the coming Messiah
Delivered with convicting boldness,
Preached in an unlikely location,
To a diverse people group –
All without the benefits of modern church communication and conveniences.
No sound system.
No multimedia.
No musicians.
No praise team.
No banners and flags.
No bulletins.
No email.
No phones.
No product table.
No marketing or advertising.
No ushers.
No warm baptismal tank.
No padded pews or metal chairs.
No air conditioning or heat.
No bathrooms.
No new convert literature.
No Bibles.
The results?
Mark 1:5 - "Then all [HOW MANY?] the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all [HOW MANY?] baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
Now tell me why is it that you feel you can’t win souls and make disciples like Jesus told you to (Matthew 28:18-20)?
"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11 (NKJV)
DSR
10/28/02
Mark 1:4,6,7,8 (NKJV)
(4)John came baptizing in the wilderness [INCONVENIENT LOCATION] and preaching a baptism of repentance [UNPOPULAR MESSAGE] for the remission of sins [IN YOUR FACE PREACHING].
(6)Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist [ECCENTRIC DRESSER], and he ate locusts and wild honey [CAN YOU SAY “WEIRD?”].
(7)And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I [“I’M NOT EVEN THE MAIN EVENT”], whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose [LOW SELF ESTEEM PROBLEM?].
(8)I indeed baptized you with water [A WATERLOGGED WALK HOME], but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [AN ENTIRELY NEW CONCEPT]."
John the Baptist.
An unusual character,
With an unprecedented message about the coming Messiah
Delivered with convicting boldness,
Preached in an unlikely location,
To a diverse people group –
All without the benefits of modern church communication and conveniences.
No sound system.
No multimedia.
No musicians.
No praise team.
No banners and flags.
No bulletins.
No email.
No phones.
No product table.
No marketing or advertising.
No ushers.
No warm baptismal tank.
No padded pews or metal chairs.
No air conditioning or heat.
No bathrooms.
No new convert literature.
No Bibles.
The results?
Mark 1:5 - "Then all [HOW MANY?] the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all [HOW MANY?] baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
Now tell me why is it that you feel you can’t win souls and make disciples like Jesus told you to (Matthew 28:18-20)?
"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11 (NKJV)
DSR
10/28/02
Monday, October 21, 2002
The Flagman
by David Scott Robertson
I don't know why I noticed him but I did.
An African-American man standing on the side of the road in work clothes
Complete with a hard-hat, a fluorescent vest, and a flag in his hand.
I see this man about four times each day on weekdays.
First, early in the mornings as I drive and return from taking my daughter Abbey to school,
And then later in the day when I drive and return from exercising at the local university.
Each time I pass, there he is,
Faithfully holding that flag out,
Hour after hour after hour standing in the hot sun (or in the rain).
The crew has been contracted to install a pipeline next to the roadway.
It's a small crew of about four persons running heavy equipment plus a flagman.
But it's the flagman that has riveted my attention.
The flagman stands there all day with a flag in his hand.
Apparently, his job is to warn people of impending construction and to encourage them to slow down in their cars.
I don't exactly know why,
But I find myself wondering what would it be like to be a flagman for a living?
How does he endure standing there, virtually in one spot, hour after hour, day after day, as the crew slowly makes its way down the roadway?
Does he have a family? Children? Grandkids?
Is lunchtime the high point of his day for the mental and physical break of the monotony?
How much does a flagman make per hour?
Does he consider it "easy money" or "the hardest job I've ever had" having to stand in one spot all day long?
How does he pass the time?
What is he thinking?
Is he praying?
Does he daydream?
Does he consider what might have been or fantasize of might be?
How does he cope with standing there like a soldier at attention for great lengths of time?
Is he this patient at home?
Please understand that on every occasion that I have seen the flagman -
Four times a day, mind you, week after week -
He has been in one spot doing the same thing each time - just standing there.
This particular construction situation does not require him to get out in the road and direct traffic.
As the crew continues working their way down the long stretch of road installing pipe,
The flagman literally is just standing there for 8 hours (or more) per day
Holding a rolled up flag in his hand.
Why does that boggle my mind so?
Why do I find myself thinking of what I would do if I were in his shoes?
Why have I recently found myself praying for this man as I drive by?
Do I stop one day and give him a copy of this thought to let him know he's inspired me?
Do I stop one day and give him $10 to buy his lunch just to give him something to talk about at home at suppertime?
Do I stop one day and ask him a few questions about himself so I can pray more effectively?
One day I waved at him as I drove by and he returned my wave only with a bewildered look on his face.
I wonder if he notices my unusual red sports car go by four times a day and is curious about the driver?
Once again, I have to ask myself, why does this guy cause me to think?
Not sure, but I have established a few facts:
Is the flagman gainfully employed?
Yes. He is earning a living.
Is he an important part of the crew?
Yes. Perhaps the law requires a flagman on all such roadside projects.
Is he an important individual?
Yes. To his family, there is no replacement.
Can he be used of God on the job?
Yes. His prayers from the side of the road have the potential to change the world. Also, he may be on assignment from God to witness to the other four people on his crew who might otherwise never have a chance to know the Lord. Or perhaps it's the other way around. Perhaps he is a "pre-saved" individual and a fellow crew member is working on him to come to know the Lord.
I don't know but one thing I do know is that all people,
From flagmen to surgeons
Play an important role in our economy and society.
No man or woman is greater than or less than anyone else in the eternal scheme of things.
God does not judge a man by what he does for a living,
But He judges them based on their relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ,
And the stewardship of the gifts and talents He has given them.
Therefore, I conclude that to be a saved flagman
Is a superior example of success in life
Than to be an unsaved surgeon.
DSR
10/21/02
I don't know why I noticed him but I did.
An African-American man standing on the side of the road in work clothes
Complete with a hard-hat, a fluorescent vest, and a flag in his hand.
I see this man about four times each day on weekdays.
First, early in the mornings as I drive and return from taking my daughter Abbey to school,
And then later in the day when I drive and return from exercising at the local university.
Each time I pass, there he is,
Faithfully holding that flag out,
Hour after hour after hour standing in the hot sun (or in the rain).
The crew has been contracted to install a pipeline next to the roadway.
It's a small crew of about four persons running heavy equipment plus a flagman.
But it's the flagman that has riveted my attention.
The flagman stands there all day with a flag in his hand.
Apparently, his job is to warn people of impending construction and to encourage them to slow down in their cars.
I don't exactly know why,
But I find myself wondering what would it be like to be a flagman for a living?
How does he endure standing there, virtually in one spot, hour after hour, day after day, as the crew slowly makes its way down the roadway?
Does he have a family? Children? Grandkids?
Is lunchtime the high point of his day for the mental and physical break of the monotony?
How much does a flagman make per hour?
Does he consider it "easy money" or "the hardest job I've ever had" having to stand in one spot all day long?
How does he pass the time?
What is he thinking?
Is he praying?
Does he daydream?
Does he consider what might have been or fantasize of might be?
How does he cope with standing there like a soldier at attention for great lengths of time?
Is he this patient at home?
Please understand that on every occasion that I have seen the flagman -
Four times a day, mind you, week after week -
He has been in one spot doing the same thing each time - just standing there.
This particular construction situation does not require him to get out in the road and direct traffic.
As the crew continues working their way down the long stretch of road installing pipe,
The flagman literally is just standing there for 8 hours (or more) per day
Holding a rolled up flag in his hand.
Why does that boggle my mind so?
Why do I find myself thinking of what I would do if I were in his shoes?
Why have I recently found myself praying for this man as I drive by?
Do I stop one day and give him a copy of this thought to let him know he's inspired me?
Do I stop one day and give him $10 to buy his lunch just to give him something to talk about at home at suppertime?
Do I stop one day and ask him a few questions about himself so I can pray more effectively?
One day I waved at him as I drove by and he returned my wave only with a bewildered look on his face.
I wonder if he notices my unusual red sports car go by four times a day and is curious about the driver?
Once again, I have to ask myself, why does this guy cause me to think?
Not sure, but I have established a few facts:
Is the flagman gainfully employed?
Yes. He is earning a living.
Is he an important part of the crew?
Yes. Perhaps the law requires a flagman on all such roadside projects.
Is he an important individual?
Yes. To his family, there is no replacement.
Can he be used of God on the job?
Yes. His prayers from the side of the road have the potential to change the world. Also, he may be on assignment from God to witness to the other four people on his crew who might otherwise never have a chance to know the Lord. Or perhaps it's the other way around. Perhaps he is a "pre-saved" individual and a fellow crew member is working on him to come to know the Lord.
I don't know but one thing I do know is that all people,
From flagmen to surgeons
Play an important role in our economy and society.
No man or woman is greater than or less than anyone else in the eternal scheme of things.
God does not judge a man by what he does for a living,
But He judges them based on their relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ,
And the stewardship of the gifts and talents He has given them.
Therefore, I conclude that to be a saved flagman
Is a superior example of success in life
Than to be an unsaved surgeon.
DSR
10/21/02
Monday, October 7, 2002
Cozy As Can Be
by David Scott Robertson
As I write these words,
Hurricane Lily (October, 2002) has made landfall.
Even deep into America’s southern heartland, Tennessee, the effects of this tropical storm are apparent.
Unpredictable gusts of wind combined with sheets of rain surround me.
Thankfully, I’m not in a coastal city having to face the full thrust of the hazardous hurricane.
For us in Tennessee, the hurricane is more of a messy nuisance
Than a threat to our lives and property.
But still, here I am sitting in my car writing this and the sense I get about the storm is
I’m as cozy as can be.
I’m in my car with the windows cracked,
Listening to the wind dance with the trees,
Watching the walls of water fall from angry clouds over my head
And I can’t help but feel safe, secure, content, and, in fact, cozy.
I am dry, safe,
I have a banana, a cup of yogurt,
My Bible and a cell phone,
Plus the ability to turn the key in my ignition and drive to safety if things get out of control.
The lessons of the storm are subtle but discernable:
1. A car is a castle in the mist of a downpour.
2. The birds, squirrels, and critters around me don’t seem to care what The Weather Channel said today about staying indoors.
3. What a profound blessing to know that I can press 911 on my cell phone 24 hours a day and the cavalry will come to my rescue.
4. Though winds howl and dangers lurk all around, the safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will.
5. Wherever you are, whatever storm rages around you today, please be confident that the Lord can work it out so that you can be cozy as can be in the midst of it all.
DSR
10/7/02
As I write these words,
Hurricane Lily (October, 2002) has made landfall.
Even deep into America’s southern heartland, Tennessee, the effects of this tropical storm are apparent.
Unpredictable gusts of wind combined with sheets of rain surround me.
Thankfully, I’m not in a coastal city having to face the full thrust of the hazardous hurricane.
For us in Tennessee, the hurricane is more of a messy nuisance
Than a threat to our lives and property.
But still, here I am sitting in my car writing this and the sense I get about the storm is
I’m as cozy as can be.
I’m in my car with the windows cracked,
Listening to the wind dance with the trees,
Watching the walls of water fall from angry clouds over my head
And I can’t help but feel safe, secure, content, and, in fact, cozy.
I am dry, safe,
I have a banana, a cup of yogurt,
My Bible and a cell phone,
Plus the ability to turn the key in my ignition and drive to safety if things get out of control.
The lessons of the storm are subtle but discernable:
1. A car is a castle in the mist of a downpour.
2. The birds, squirrels, and critters around me don’t seem to care what The Weather Channel said today about staying indoors.
3. What a profound blessing to know that I can press 911 on my cell phone 24 hours a day and the cavalry will come to my rescue.
4. Though winds howl and dangers lurk all around, the safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will.
5. Wherever you are, whatever storm rages around you today, please be confident that the Lord can work it out so that you can be cozy as can be in the midst of it all.
DSR
10/7/02
Saturday, October 5, 2002
Wordplay
by David Scott Robertson
Thank You, Lord, that I have access to…
Respiration,
Transportation,
Communication,
Medication,
Automation,
Innovation,
Sanitation,
Compensation,
Jubilation,
Vacation,
Transformation,
And a free nation.
Thank You, Lord, that I’m not held hostage by…
Allegation,
Discrimination,
Degradation,
Humiliation,
Starvation,
Decimation,
Desolation,
Incantation,
Procrastination,
Frustration,
Tribulation,
And deportation.
Homework assignment:
Get out a Bible concordance and look up the word “blessed” and see how many times the verses of blessings apply to your life.
DSR
10/5/02
Thank You, Lord, that I have access to…
Respiration,
Transportation,
Communication,
Medication,
Automation,
Innovation,
Sanitation,
Compensation,
Jubilation,
Vacation,
Transformation,
And a free nation.
Thank You, Lord, that I’m not held hostage by…
Allegation,
Discrimination,
Degradation,
Humiliation,
Starvation,
Decimation,
Desolation,
Incantation,
Procrastination,
Frustration,
Tribulation,
And deportation.
Homework assignment:
Get out a Bible concordance and look up the word “blessed” and see how many times the verses of blessings apply to your life.
DSR
10/5/02
Monday, September 30, 2002
N o Cross, No Crown
by David Scott Robertson
The young Christian couple discovers that they are going to have a baby.
It's a boy and it's their first child.
You can just imagine their excitement!
Shortly after the announcement,
Their friends and family begin to ask them “what are you going to name him?”
They've been thinking a lot about that question lately.
Dad sits at the computer at work and can hardly think of anything else.
Mom is busily preparing for her maternity leave at her job
And has trouble concentrating on training her replacement because of thinking of baby names.
The happy couple want to give their son a noble name --
One that will speak to his destiny.
After much discussion, they finally come to a mutual agreement on a name.
They select a name of a man whom they both greatly admire,
A man that personifies bold change and aggressive Christianity,
Values that this young Christian couple prize and hold dear.
The name of their son shall be Paul, named after the great apostle.
Good choice, good man.
After all,
Without question, Paul was indeed a chosen man of God commissioned for a great work.
What Christian parent does not want their child to be a vessel of honor for God?
And as these new parents have correctly concluded, the apostle Paul was certainly that.
Paul was consecrated and dedicated to the Lord by his parents,
And in like fashion the couple pledges to dedicate their newborn son
To the Lord in a ceremony at church.
Paul did exploits for God
And blazed evangelistic trails to Jews and Gentiles who had embraced Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul was gloriously saved in a magnificent encounter with Jesus on a road one day (Acts 9),
And it wasn't to be the last time the Lord stood by Him in person.
At various times, angels from heaven visited Paul
And on at least one occasion Paul was translated to the angelic headquarters in the Third Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2).
Paul was used tremendously as an instrument of healing, preaching, and mentoring
A whole crop of young pastors.
Paul was mightily filled with the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts flowed through him constantly.
The young Christian parents are mindful that it was the vessel Paul
Whom the Holy Spirit chose to breathe on to write much of the New Testament:
The book of Romans,
The book of 1 Corinthians,
The book of 2 Corinthians,
The book of Galatians,
The book of Ephesians,
The book of Philippians,
The book of Colossians,
The book of 1 Thessalonians,
The book of 2 Thessalonians,
The book of 1 Timothy,
The book of 2 Timothy,
The book of Titus,
And the book of Philemon.
No wonder the new parents want their son to have this remarkable namesake!
They want their boy to be a world changer too…
To courageously burst religious wineskins…
To boldly blast through archaic paradigms in his generation that prevent people from embracing
The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth -
The Truth being a Person and that Person being Christ Jesus.
Ah yes, Paul.
What a great name for their son.
There is laid up in heaven a great crown of righteousness for the apostle Paul
And that is the aspiration the young couple have for their little Paul --
To grow up to become a great man of God
Who receives the crown of righteousness from God at the end of his life.
It's at this point that the cross enters the picture.
For there can be no crown without a cross.
The apostle Paul was familiar with “the cross.”
Not just the barbaric instrument of death the Romans used to murder people,
But the cross that Jesus described when He said:
"...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mat 16:24 NIV).
Oh, that cross.
It was that cross that caused the great apostle
To list in a passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 11
A few things that his association with Jesus had caused him to have to bear:
1. In labors, more abundant (v. 23).
2. In stripes above measure (v. 23)
3. In prisons [plural] more frequently (v. 23)
4. In deaths often (v. 23)
5. From the Jews fives times he received floggings of thirty-nine stripes (v. 24).
6. Three times he was beaten with rods (v. 25).
7. One time, Paul was stoned and left for dead (v. 25).
8. On three occasions he was shipwrecked (v. 25).
9. He spent one whole day and one whole night he on the sea in extreme weather (v. 25).
10. His ministry caused him to travel extensively and he was rarely at home (v 26).
11. His life was frequently in jeopardy by using dangerous transportation (v. 26).
12. He was in danger of being mugged by strangers constantly (v. 26).
13. He was in danger of being mobbed by his own countrymen (v. 26).
14. The very people he was sent to preach to, the Gentiles, often threatened him (v. 26).
15. Whether he was in the city or the country or out on a boat in the sea, he was in peril (v. 26).
16. He found his way into nests of false teachers who endangered his life (v. 26).
17. He wore himself out by working hard for the gospel and often went without sleep (v. 27).
18. Many times he went without food and water (v. 27).
19. Often he suffered cold because he wasn't dressed for the weather (v. 27).
20. Besides all this, his heart daily was bombarded with concern for all the churches (v. 28).
21. On more than one occasion, a plot to assassinate him was discovered and he had to flee
(v. 32-33; Acts 9:29; Acts 23:21)
The point here is simple:
There is no crown without a cross.
It is well and good to name our children after a great man or a great woman
Who have lived an exceptional and exemplary life before us --
But we must remember (and be prepared) that a great life and testimony
Very often carries the price tag of great suffering and sacrifice.
Although this is true,
Nevertheless we can trust God completely with our sons and our daughters.
We love our children as much as humanly possible,
But God loves our very own kids far beyond our ability to do so.
Regardless of what parents name their beloved children,
The God who fashioned the child in its mother's womb has a new name reserved
For all His children to be revealed to them at the end of the age…
(Rev 2:17 NIV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
DSR
9/30/02
The young Christian couple discovers that they are going to have a baby.
It's a boy and it's their first child.
You can just imagine their excitement!
Shortly after the announcement,
Their friends and family begin to ask them “what are you going to name him?”
They've been thinking a lot about that question lately.
Dad sits at the computer at work and can hardly think of anything else.
Mom is busily preparing for her maternity leave at her job
And has trouble concentrating on training her replacement because of thinking of baby names.
The happy couple want to give their son a noble name --
One that will speak to his destiny.
After much discussion, they finally come to a mutual agreement on a name.
They select a name of a man whom they both greatly admire,
A man that personifies bold change and aggressive Christianity,
Values that this young Christian couple prize and hold dear.
The name of their son shall be Paul, named after the great apostle.
Good choice, good man.
After all,
Without question, Paul was indeed a chosen man of God commissioned for a great work.
What Christian parent does not want their child to be a vessel of honor for God?
And as these new parents have correctly concluded, the apostle Paul was certainly that.
Paul was consecrated and dedicated to the Lord by his parents,
And in like fashion the couple pledges to dedicate their newborn son
To the Lord in a ceremony at church.
Paul did exploits for God
And blazed evangelistic trails to Jews and Gentiles who had embraced Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul was gloriously saved in a magnificent encounter with Jesus on a road one day (Acts 9),
And it wasn't to be the last time the Lord stood by Him in person.
At various times, angels from heaven visited Paul
And on at least one occasion Paul was translated to the angelic headquarters in the Third Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2).
Paul was used tremendously as an instrument of healing, preaching, and mentoring
A whole crop of young pastors.
Paul was mightily filled with the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts flowed through him constantly.
The young Christian parents are mindful that it was the vessel Paul
Whom the Holy Spirit chose to breathe on to write much of the New Testament:
The book of Romans,
The book of 1 Corinthians,
The book of 2 Corinthians,
The book of Galatians,
The book of Ephesians,
The book of Philippians,
The book of Colossians,
The book of 1 Thessalonians,
The book of 2 Thessalonians,
The book of 1 Timothy,
The book of 2 Timothy,
The book of Titus,
And the book of Philemon.
No wonder the new parents want their son to have this remarkable namesake!
They want their boy to be a world changer too…
To courageously burst religious wineskins…
To boldly blast through archaic paradigms in his generation that prevent people from embracing
The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth -
The Truth being a Person and that Person being Christ Jesus.
Ah yes, Paul.
What a great name for their son.
There is laid up in heaven a great crown of righteousness for the apostle Paul
And that is the aspiration the young couple have for their little Paul --
To grow up to become a great man of God
Who receives the crown of righteousness from God at the end of his life.
It's at this point that the cross enters the picture.
For there can be no crown without a cross.
The apostle Paul was familiar with “the cross.”
Not just the barbaric instrument of death the Romans used to murder people,
But the cross that Jesus described when He said:
"...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mat 16:24 NIV).
Oh, that cross.
It was that cross that caused the great apostle
To list in a passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 11
A few things that his association with Jesus had caused him to have to bear:
1. In labors, more abundant (v. 23).
2. In stripes above measure (v. 23)
3. In prisons [plural] more frequently (v. 23)
4. In deaths often (v. 23)
5. From the Jews fives times he received floggings of thirty-nine stripes (v. 24).
6. Three times he was beaten with rods (v. 25).
7. One time, Paul was stoned and left for dead (v. 25).
8. On three occasions he was shipwrecked (v. 25).
9. He spent one whole day and one whole night he on the sea in extreme weather (v. 25).
10. His ministry caused him to travel extensively and he was rarely at home (v 26).
11. His life was frequently in jeopardy by using dangerous transportation (v. 26).
12. He was in danger of being mugged by strangers constantly (v. 26).
13. He was in danger of being mobbed by his own countrymen (v. 26).
14. The very people he was sent to preach to, the Gentiles, often threatened him (v. 26).
15. Whether he was in the city or the country or out on a boat in the sea, he was in peril (v. 26).
16. He found his way into nests of false teachers who endangered his life (v. 26).
17. He wore himself out by working hard for the gospel and often went without sleep (v. 27).
18. Many times he went without food and water (v. 27).
19. Often he suffered cold because he wasn't dressed for the weather (v. 27).
20. Besides all this, his heart daily was bombarded with concern for all the churches (v. 28).
21. On more than one occasion, a plot to assassinate him was discovered and he had to flee
(v. 32-33; Acts 9:29; Acts 23:21)
The point here is simple:
There is no crown without a cross.
It is well and good to name our children after a great man or a great woman
Who have lived an exceptional and exemplary life before us --
But we must remember (and be prepared) that a great life and testimony
Very often carries the price tag of great suffering and sacrifice.
Although this is true,
Nevertheless we can trust God completely with our sons and our daughters.
We love our children as much as humanly possible,
But God loves our very own kids far beyond our ability to do so.
Regardless of what parents name their beloved children,
The God who fashioned the child in its mother's womb has a new name reserved
For all His children to be revealed to them at the end of the age…
(Rev 2:17 NIV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
DSR
9/30/02
Monday, September 23, 2002
Learn to Encourage Yourself
by David Scott Robertson
I got up late this morning…again.
I hate it when that happens.
I hate what happens internally to me as a result of this kind of thing.
It may not happen to you, but for me it goes something like this…
When I have to hurry and scurry through my prayer time, Bible study, and so on
I don’t feel right charging into my day.
It’s kind of like going to work a job that requires hard labor without eating breakfast.
Then while you’re rushing to get showered and all the other necessary todos
To get on down the road
You start to think of all the other things that aren’t quite right in your world.
Things that are off just a hair -
Things that are not working in your life like they should.
Have you ever driven behind a car that is badly out of alignment?
It looks like it is driving down the road a little sideways.
The driver may not even be aware of it but over time it can devastate the tread on the tires.
Why? Because it is out of alignment and subtle friction wears the tires out.
My life feels like that sometimes.
I feel like today I need a front-end alignment.
I need a valve job.
I need an attitude adjustment.
Well, before I know it,
I’m having thoughts about how crummy my marriage is,
What a bad dad I am,
How things at work are stuck and all my pending projects seem to be hung up in mud,
My exercise program is flabby,
I’m not eating right,
And on and on and on the little fiery darts jab into my thought life.
Have you ever started down that pathway of self-pity?
Have you ever had something minor lead to something major?
Have you ever had a mountain erupt out of a molehill?
Now all of what I’m thinking may be facts, but I assure you they are not the truth!
If I allow myself to,
If I don’t confront these facts with the Word of God,
By personal experience I can tell you that this road can lead to
Discouragement, disappointment, doubt, and ultimately depression.
My advice:
Don’t go there.
Just don’t go there.
I counsel you (and me) to
Go to the Rock, Jesus Christ.
Go to the Word of God.
Go to the place of worship.
Go to a friend who will pray with you.
Go to a favorite praise and worship tape.
Go to an uplifting and inspirational video.
Go to a “secret place” with God even if it is the stall of a bathroom
And cry out to God.
He will come and save you.
He will rescue you for you!
He will step in, intervene and intercept the plot of the enemy to get you down.
The moral of this story is one that you and I must take to heart if were are to
Survive and succeed in the Christian life:
God’s love and acceptance of us is not based on our performance.
Who knows?
Perhaps God Himself is allowing some of the technical difficulties to stealthily creep in
In order to test us,
To train us,
To build us,
To prepare us to be combat ready at all times.
Keep in mind that the pathway of least resistance builds no spiritual muscle.
Sometimes we need to do what King David did in Ziglag during a similar season:
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV).
We need to learn how to encourage ourselves
And forget not all God’s benefits to us
And the unfathomable sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to
Forgive our past,
Occupy our present,
And penetrate our future.
DSR
9/23/02
I got up late this morning…again.
I hate it when that happens.
I hate what happens internally to me as a result of this kind of thing.
It may not happen to you, but for me it goes something like this…
When I have to hurry and scurry through my prayer time, Bible study, and so on
I don’t feel right charging into my day.
It’s kind of like going to work a job that requires hard labor without eating breakfast.
Then while you’re rushing to get showered and all the other necessary todos
To get on down the road
You start to think of all the other things that aren’t quite right in your world.
Things that are off just a hair -
Things that are not working in your life like they should.
Have you ever driven behind a car that is badly out of alignment?
It looks like it is driving down the road a little sideways.
The driver may not even be aware of it but over time it can devastate the tread on the tires.
Why? Because it is out of alignment and subtle friction wears the tires out.
My life feels like that sometimes.
I feel like today I need a front-end alignment.
I need a valve job.
I need an attitude adjustment.
Well, before I know it,
I’m having thoughts about how crummy my marriage is,
What a bad dad I am,
How things at work are stuck and all my pending projects seem to be hung up in mud,
My exercise program is flabby,
I’m not eating right,
And on and on and on the little fiery darts jab into my thought life.
Have you ever started down that pathway of self-pity?
Have you ever had something minor lead to something major?
Have you ever had a mountain erupt out of a molehill?
Now all of what I’m thinking may be facts, but I assure you they are not the truth!
If I allow myself to,
If I don’t confront these facts with the Word of God,
By personal experience I can tell you that this road can lead to
Discouragement, disappointment, doubt, and ultimately depression.
My advice:
Don’t go there.
Just don’t go there.
I counsel you (and me) to
Go to the Rock, Jesus Christ.
Go to the Word of God.
Go to the place of worship.
Go to a friend who will pray with you.
Go to a favorite praise and worship tape.
Go to an uplifting and inspirational video.
Go to a “secret place” with God even if it is the stall of a bathroom
And cry out to God.
He will come and save you.
He will rescue you for you!
He will step in, intervene and intercept the plot of the enemy to get you down.
The moral of this story is one that you and I must take to heart if were are to
Survive and succeed in the Christian life:
God’s love and acceptance of us is not based on our performance.
Who knows?
Perhaps God Himself is allowing some of the technical difficulties to stealthily creep in
In order to test us,
To train us,
To build us,
To prepare us to be combat ready at all times.
Keep in mind that the pathway of least resistance builds no spiritual muscle.
Sometimes we need to do what King David did in Ziglag during a similar season:
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV).
We need to learn how to encourage ourselves
And forget not all God’s benefits to us
And the unfathomable sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to
Forgive our past,
Occupy our present,
And penetrate our future.
DSR
9/23/02
Monday, September 16, 2002
The Nightmare
by David Scott Robertson
SPECIAL NOTE: I have never written anything quite like this before. This thought contains reference to sexual and adult situations that some may find offensive. I felt compelled to share this dream I had as candidly and accurately as possible to accomplish whatever purposes God intends for it to accomplish to purify His Bridegroom, the church.
One recent evening, I attended a wonderful church service.
At the service, the speaker preached on the twin sins of America of immorality and pornography.
I returned home after the service and went to bed.
While I slept, in the early morning hours, I had a dream.
No, it was a nightmare.
I’ll describe the dream to you, then I’ll tell you what I think it means.
A man was walking through an unfamiliar house eating an apple.
As he wandered through the home, he climbed a flight of stairs.
At the top of the stairs,
To his surprise,
There was a woman crouching on the floor.
The woman was extremely obese, very ugly, and her body was covered with all sorts of sores and acne. The woman was naked.
While the man was standing there with the apple in his hand,
Suddenly another man ran up the flight of stairs.
He was grossly overweight, naked, grotesque and malformed in appearance.
This man literally ran directly to the woman.
Immediately the woman began to fondle the naked man to the point of sexual arousal.
As this scene took place, the man who had stumbled upon this situation stood across the room eating an apple.
The scene in my dream suddenly expanded to include another man.
He was a well dressed man sitting on the floor.
Strangely, I knew this man.
He was a very hard worker in the church.
In fact, he was one of the most diligent workers in the church
And I had often admired him for his devotion to the ministry.
The seated man was watching the nude couple engage in sexual activity
And although fully dressed, it was apparent that this dressed man was sexually aroused.
And the first man in my dream still stood there eating an apple.
The scene expanded yet again to include a little girl in a nice dress.
Even though I was dreaming, I remember thinking in disgust and horror to myself how wrong, so very wrong it was for this child to be witnessing such illicit perversion.
Suddenly, as if on cue, all eyes in the bizarre scene seemed to look at the man eating the apple.
As he stood there with the apple in his hand,
They looked at him like he was some sort of moderator as if to say to him, “shall we continue?”
He said nothing and sat down in a chair continuing to eat the apple.
Then the “paused” scene restarted and took a tragic turn for the worse.
Here is where the most hellish part of the nightmare took place.
The woman, after the momentary pause,
Instead of returning her attention to the nude man,
Immediately turned her attention to the little child and began to perform a sexual act on the little girl.
At that moment, the man in the chair eating the apple stopped eating.
The dream ended.
I woke up and thought a long while about the meaning of this bizarre dream.
Here are some thoughts I had about the interpretation of the dream.
First, we have no business wandering through or exploring unfamiliar territories and be in places or situations where we know as believers we should not be.
The woman crouching on the floor was like a lioness waiting to pounce on her prey and devour it.
The woman’s body was neglected, wasted, and diseased. The harsh effects of sin and the toll of an immoral lifestyle.
Her nudity suggests that her brazen lust overrode even her natural shame.
The naked man who ran up the flight of stairs was running in a familiar place to him.
A house of pleasure to his flesh but a house of horrors to his soul.
His running indicates his urgency to rush into sin in an unrestricted fashion, devoid of boundaries.
The neglect of his body was profound and his outer ugliness seemed to be a manifestation of his inner moral depravity.
He ran to the woman and without words they began to engage in illicit activity.
That they traded no words indicated that there was no relationship whatsoever – driven on only by raw and unabated lust.
The well dressed man represented a religious man whose piety and good works at church
Had earned him a reputation of being “faithful”, “reliable”, and “a really nice guy”.
But this man secretly enjoyed watching other people commit sexual acts. This churchgoer was entrenched in pornography. He lived a double life.
The child is the hardest part to write about.
She represents the innocence of children being shamelessly stolen away by careless and unregenerate adults.
Children should never be exposed to such wanton corruption, but in our society of easy access porn, they are but a few mouse clicks or remote control buttons away.
The man eating the apple throughout the dream represents a person who neither approves nor opposes the decadence before his eyes.
The fact that he can eat an apple while witnessing acts of moral depravity indicates the level to which our society, by and large, has been desensitized to the blatant boldness of sin.
I feel there were at least three occasions when the man eating the apple could have stopped the scene from advancing down the road to absurdity.
The first opportunity was when he first encountered the naked woman. He could have covered her nakedness and connected this person with another woman for help.
The second opportunity was when he first encountered the naked man. He could have confronted this man concerning his deviance and connected him with a qualified man to help him (or walked him through deliverance himself.)
The third opportunity was when the expanded scene “paused” and the group looked to the “moderator” as if to say “shall we continue?” The man eating the apple should have/could have objected at this point and put an end to the foolishness.
Since these opportunities were squandered and ignored, the end result was a violation of a child that was so distasteful and criminal that it caused the non-confrontational witness to lose his appetite and stop eating the apple. When good men do nothing the advance of evil is inevitable. People die, women are ravished, and children are exploited.
I don’t know the full implications of this nightmare.
I don’t presume this to be a dream that is prophetic in nature but the Holy Spirit can add His revelation to it.
I do know, however, that we cannot allow toleration of sin to go unchallenged.
We, as a society, as a culture, as a people group, and most specifically as Christian believers in Jesus Christ,
Cannot ignore opportunity after opportunity to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness.
Those that find it in their heart the tolerance to allow into their home and hearts
Television shows that promote immorality…
Videos that import compromise into their living rooms…
Internet web sites that open doors to the demonic…
Or any number of other opportunities to “lower the standard”…
May one day find an innocent person in their life being violated as a direct result of their refusal to allow boundaries to exist and a Christian moral code to reign.
DSR
9/16/02
SPECIAL NOTE: I have never written anything quite like this before. This thought contains reference to sexual and adult situations that some may find offensive. I felt compelled to share this dream I had as candidly and accurately as possible to accomplish whatever purposes God intends for it to accomplish to purify His Bridegroom, the church.
One recent evening, I attended a wonderful church service.
At the service, the speaker preached on the twin sins of America of immorality and pornography.
I returned home after the service and went to bed.
While I slept, in the early morning hours, I had a dream.
No, it was a nightmare.
I’ll describe the dream to you, then I’ll tell you what I think it means.
A man was walking through an unfamiliar house eating an apple.
As he wandered through the home, he climbed a flight of stairs.
At the top of the stairs,
To his surprise,
There was a woman crouching on the floor.
The woman was extremely obese, very ugly, and her body was covered with all sorts of sores and acne. The woman was naked.
While the man was standing there with the apple in his hand,
Suddenly another man ran up the flight of stairs.
He was grossly overweight, naked, grotesque and malformed in appearance.
This man literally ran directly to the woman.
Immediately the woman began to fondle the naked man to the point of sexual arousal.
As this scene took place, the man who had stumbled upon this situation stood across the room eating an apple.
The scene in my dream suddenly expanded to include another man.
He was a well dressed man sitting on the floor.
Strangely, I knew this man.
He was a very hard worker in the church.
In fact, he was one of the most diligent workers in the church
And I had often admired him for his devotion to the ministry.
The seated man was watching the nude couple engage in sexual activity
And although fully dressed, it was apparent that this dressed man was sexually aroused.
And the first man in my dream still stood there eating an apple.
The scene expanded yet again to include a little girl in a nice dress.
Even though I was dreaming, I remember thinking in disgust and horror to myself how wrong, so very wrong it was for this child to be witnessing such illicit perversion.
Suddenly, as if on cue, all eyes in the bizarre scene seemed to look at the man eating the apple.
As he stood there with the apple in his hand,
They looked at him like he was some sort of moderator as if to say to him, “shall we continue?”
He said nothing and sat down in a chair continuing to eat the apple.
Then the “paused” scene restarted and took a tragic turn for the worse.
Here is where the most hellish part of the nightmare took place.
The woman, after the momentary pause,
Instead of returning her attention to the nude man,
Immediately turned her attention to the little child and began to perform a sexual act on the little girl.
At that moment, the man in the chair eating the apple stopped eating.
The dream ended.
I woke up and thought a long while about the meaning of this bizarre dream.
Here are some thoughts I had about the interpretation of the dream.
First, we have no business wandering through or exploring unfamiliar territories and be in places or situations where we know as believers we should not be.
The woman crouching on the floor was like a lioness waiting to pounce on her prey and devour it.
The woman’s body was neglected, wasted, and diseased. The harsh effects of sin and the toll of an immoral lifestyle.
Her nudity suggests that her brazen lust overrode even her natural shame.
The naked man who ran up the flight of stairs was running in a familiar place to him.
A house of pleasure to his flesh but a house of horrors to his soul.
His running indicates his urgency to rush into sin in an unrestricted fashion, devoid of boundaries.
The neglect of his body was profound and his outer ugliness seemed to be a manifestation of his inner moral depravity.
He ran to the woman and without words they began to engage in illicit activity.
That they traded no words indicated that there was no relationship whatsoever – driven on only by raw and unabated lust.
The well dressed man represented a religious man whose piety and good works at church
Had earned him a reputation of being “faithful”, “reliable”, and “a really nice guy”.
But this man secretly enjoyed watching other people commit sexual acts. This churchgoer was entrenched in pornography. He lived a double life.
The child is the hardest part to write about.
She represents the innocence of children being shamelessly stolen away by careless and unregenerate adults.
Children should never be exposed to such wanton corruption, but in our society of easy access porn, they are but a few mouse clicks or remote control buttons away.
The man eating the apple throughout the dream represents a person who neither approves nor opposes the decadence before his eyes.
The fact that he can eat an apple while witnessing acts of moral depravity indicates the level to which our society, by and large, has been desensitized to the blatant boldness of sin.
I feel there were at least three occasions when the man eating the apple could have stopped the scene from advancing down the road to absurdity.
The first opportunity was when he first encountered the naked woman. He could have covered her nakedness and connected this person with another woman for help.
The second opportunity was when he first encountered the naked man. He could have confronted this man concerning his deviance and connected him with a qualified man to help him (or walked him through deliverance himself.)
The third opportunity was when the expanded scene “paused” and the group looked to the “moderator” as if to say “shall we continue?” The man eating the apple should have/could have objected at this point and put an end to the foolishness.
Since these opportunities were squandered and ignored, the end result was a violation of a child that was so distasteful and criminal that it caused the non-confrontational witness to lose his appetite and stop eating the apple. When good men do nothing the advance of evil is inevitable. People die, women are ravished, and children are exploited.
I don’t know the full implications of this nightmare.
I don’t presume this to be a dream that is prophetic in nature but the Holy Spirit can add His revelation to it.
I do know, however, that we cannot allow toleration of sin to go unchallenged.
We, as a society, as a culture, as a people group, and most specifically as Christian believers in Jesus Christ,
Cannot ignore opportunity after opportunity to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness.
Those that find it in their heart the tolerance to allow into their home and hearts
Television shows that promote immorality…
Videos that import compromise into their living rooms…
Internet web sites that open doors to the demonic…
Or any number of other opportunities to “lower the standard”…
May one day find an innocent person in their life being violated as a direct result of their refusal to allow boundaries to exist and a Christian moral code to reign.
DSR
9/16/02
Sunday, September 8, 2002
Only in the House of God
by David Scott Robertson
“He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
[8] That He may seat him with princes--
With the princes of His people.
[9] He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:7-9 (NKJV)
What a place!
What a deal!
What an opportunity awaits you and I in the house of God!
God has arranged it (think of it!) so that you and I have a place to go
Where we can experience genuine
Acceptance
Belonging
Meaning
Friendship
Purpose
Love
Without having to worry about
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
Education
Economic status
Physical appearance, condition, or handicap
Or past failures.
It’s like a talented young man living in the ghetto
Whose unusual gift in athletics lifts him out of his poverty.
It’s like a young girl living in the inner city projects
Who doesn’t view going to school as a punishment or necessary evil
But joyfully applies herself and excels and eventually earns a college scholarship.
What a place!
What a deal!
What an opportunity awaits you and I in the house of God!
God is presenting you an opportunity to be a “rags to riches” success story!
Right now, you may be earning minimum wage on your job,
But in the house of God you can be groomed to be a leader of leaders.
You may play second string on the ball team or play second fiddle in the band,
But in the house of God you can be groomed to play an important role front and center.
You can be a private first class in the military
But in the house of God you can be a mentor, a coach, a disciple-maker, a person of influence and be the key person to lead a hardened drill instructor to Christ.
God wants to take the foolish things of the world,
The lowly things,
The weak things,
The despised things,
The humble things and exalt them in due season.
Who is God talking about? You.
Why? For the praise of His glory.
Where: In the house of God, the community of believers, the local church.
“He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
[8] That He may seat him with princes--
With the princes of His people.
[9] He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:7-9 (NKJV)
DSR
9/8/02
“He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
[8] That He may seat him with princes--
With the princes of His people.
[9] He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:7-9 (NKJV)
What a place!
What a deal!
What an opportunity awaits you and I in the house of God!
God has arranged it (think of it!) so that you and I have a place to go
Where we can experience genuine
Acceptance
Belonging
Meaning
Friendship
Purpose
Love
Without having to worry about
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
Education
Economic status
Physical appearance, condition, or handicap
Or past failures.
It’s like a talented young man living in the ghetto
Whose unusual gift in athletics lifts him out of his poverty.
It’s like a young girl living in the inner city projects
Who doesn’t view going to school as a punishment or necessary evil
But joyfully applies herself and excels and eventually earns a college scholarship.
What a place!
What a deal!
What an opportunity awaits you and I in the house of God!
God is presenting you an opportunity to be a “rags to riches” success story!
Right now, you may be earning minimum wage on your job,
But in the house of God you can be groomed to be a leader of leaders.
You may play second string on the ball team or play second fiddle in the band,
But in the house of God you can be groomed to play an important role front and center.
You can be a private first class in the military
But in the house of God you can be a mentor, a coach, a disciple-maker, a person of influence and be the key person to lead a hardened drill instructor to Christ.
God wants to take the foolish things of the world,
The lowly things,
The weak things,
The despised things,
The humble things and exalt them in due season.
Who is God talking about? You.
Why? For the praise of His glory.
Where: In the house of God, the community of believers, the local church.
“He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
[8] That He may seat him with princes--
With the princes of His people.
[9] He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:7-9 (NKJV)
DSR
9/8/02
Monday, September 2, 2002
The Way Back
by David Scott Robertson
“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5:7)
Was there ever a time in you life when you felt closer to God?
Have you recently felt a tiny bit estranged from your Heavenly Father?
Do you feel like your spiritual life has taken two steps backward?
Are you in “dry season” where you feel God may be driving your roots down deep instead of enjoying the refreshing rains of His presence?
If that’s you,
Then consider the following…
Delete from your life any toleration for anything less than God’s best for you.
Don’t put up with crummy prayer times. Press through them and pray anyway. Make an appointment with God is a special place and show up. Faithfully.
Don’t accept mediocrity in your walk with Jesus. Refuse it. Be dogmatic about it. Exercise “stubborn love” and “divine tenacity” to grind forward in your love affair with Jesus Christ despite an “emotional high” or lack thereof. You supply the desire and God will supply the power by His Spirit.
Don’t stand for Bible reading that has become a “habitual ritual.” Read until something happens. Or meditate on a significant verse until the Spirit provides enlightenment and illumination and understanding of how it actually applies to your life and situation.
Use worship as a weapon to defeat the enemy who hates your worship of God.
Return to your First Love.
Retrace the ancient paths that once led you to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Go back to the basics of the faith and train yourself – through steadfast consistency - to do them well again.
Return to the spiritual disciplines that once were proven habits in your life to build spiritual muscle.
Don’t just talk about fasting – actually do it (start by replacing one meal with prayer).
Pull out music that once caused your spirit to soar when you heard it.
Renew friendships that once spurred you on toward love and good deeds.
Press on, press in, and press upward toward the high call of God on your life.
Recount your spiritual markers.
Revisit those monuments in your life that were special times and seasons of spiritual growth and consider what “worked”. The thing to do is the thing that worked well.
Pull out your spiritual journal or diary and read it. If you don’t have one, start one today.
Write your testimony out on paper.
If possible, contact the person who led you to Jesus in the first place and tell them how you feel about your relationship with Jesus right now.
Bear in mind that God always rewards “baby steps.” The anything you’re doing (to improve your relationship with Jesus) is better than the nothing that you have done.
Don’t let the devil fool you into thinking the way back to a strong sense of God’s presence is a LONG way back.
It is NOT a long way back.
The place of closeness, of intimacy, with your Best Friend, Jesus, is but a few…
Decisions, confessions, lifestyle modifications, adjustments, tweaks, and priority changes away.
The way back
To the very center of God’s will
Is a road paved with grace, tenderness, and the love of Father God.
Jesus is waiting for you to renew your journey with Him where you left off.
The Holy Spirit will be your Leader and your Guide to the way back.
Come now, it’s time.
It’s time to go home.
DSR
9/2/02
“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5:7)
Was there ever a time in you life when you felt closer to God?
Have you recently felt a tiny bit estranged from your Heavenly Father?
Do you feel like your spiritual life has taken two steps backward?
Are you in “dry season” where you feel God may be driving your roots down deep instead of enjoying the refreshing rains of His presence?
If that’s you,
Then consider the following…
Delete from your life any toleration for anything less than God’s best for you.
Don’t put up with crummy prayer times. Press through them and pray anyway. Make an appointment with God is a special place and show up. Faithfully.
Don’t accept mediocrity in your walk with Jesus. Refuse it. Be dogmatic about it. Exercise “stubborn love” and “divine tenacity” to grind forward in your love affair with Jesus Christ despite an “emotional high” or lack thereof. You supply the desire and God will supply the power by His Spirit.
Don’t stand for Bible reading that has become a “habitual ritual.” Read until something happens. Or meditate on a significant verse until the Spirit provides enlightenment and illumination and understanding of how it actually applies to your life and situation.
Use worship as a weapon to defeat the enemy who hates your worship of God.
Return to your First Love.
Retrace the ancient paths that once led you to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Go back to the basics of the faith and train yourself – through steadfast consistency - to do them well again.
Return to the spiritual disciplines that once were proven habits in your life to build spiritual muscle.
Don’t just talk about fasting – actually do it (start by replacing one meal with prayer).
Pull out music that once caused your spirit to soar when you heard it.
Renew friendships that once spurred you on toward love and good deeds.
Press on, press in, and press upward toward the high call of God on your life.
Recount your spiritual markers.
Revisit those monuments in your life that were special times and seasons of spiritual growth and consider what “worked”. The thing to do is the thing that worked well.
Pull out your spiritual journal or diary and read it. If you don’t have one, start one today.
Write your testimony out on paper.
If possible, contact the person who led you to Jesus in the first place and tell them how you feel about your relationship with Jesus right now.
Bear in mind that God always rewards “baby steps.” The anything you’re doing (to improve your relationship with Jesus) is better than the nothing that you have done.
Don’t let the devil fool you into thinking the way back to a strong sense of God’s presence is a LONG way back.
It is NOT a long way back.
The place of closeness, of intimacy, with your Best Friend, Jesus, is but a few…
Decisions, confessions, lifestyle modifications, adjustments, tweaks, and priority changes away.
The way back
To the very center of God’s will
Is a road paved with grace, tenderness, and the love of Father God.
Jesus is waiting for you to renew your journey with Him where you left off.
The Holy Spirit will be your Leader and your Guide to the way back.
Come now, it’s time.
It’s time to go home.
DSR
9/2/02
Sunday, August 25, 2002
The Power of the Anointing
by David Scott Robertson
"As for you, the ANOINTING you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his ANOINTING teaches you about all things and as that ANOINTING is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him" (1 John 2:27). [Emphasis mine]
As a man of God -
The most AWESOME thing I can think of
Is ministering under the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
As a man of God -
The most AWFUL thing I can think of
Is ministering apart from the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Ministry performed in the strength of the flesh
Is, at best, embarrassing to the minister and, at worst, harmful to the recipient.
Effectual ministry originates from God
And flows outward through a yielded vessel.
Valid ministry allows the Lord to use
Your vocal chords, your hands, you mind and muscles
To bring about God's will from heaven to earth.
True ministry carries spiritual weight and authority.
Why?
The power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
It's the difference between public speaking and holy declaration.
It's the difference between a pat on your shoulder and laying hands on the sick and they recover (James 5:15).
It's the difference between sharing information
Versus communicating the "word of the Lord" that will change lives.
Friends, we must seek the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit
To activate, energize, and empower our respective ministries.
If you are a man of God,
A woman of God,
A teenager of God,
A child of God…
I counsel you, implore you, encourage you with all the earnestness I possess
To by all means obtain the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit
Before you attempt anything in the name of "ministry."
Whether that involves SINGING in the choir,
PREACHING a sermon,
TEACHING a Sunday School lesson,
LEADING a cell group,
PRAYING for a troubled teen,
COUNSELING a co-worker whose marriage is disintegrating,
Or SERVING in any capacity in the name of the Lord.
How do you obtain the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit?
ASK for it (God will surely give it).
SEEK God's face (not His hand).
Be a PURE vessel (deal with any sin in your own life prior to ministering).
DECIDE on the front end to be OBEDIENT to the Spirit's directives (obedience brings the miraculous).
DON'T TOUCH God's glory (no flesh shall glory in His presence).
STAND in faith (the battle and results are the Lord's).
Is the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit available to all born-again believers?
Yes.
Is it really necessary to perform the works of Jesus?
Yes.
Are you ready to walk in the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit this very day?
[Speak out loud your response to God here…]
DSR
8/25/02
"As for you, the ANOINTING you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his ANOINTING teaches you about all things and as that ANOINTING is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him" (1 John 2:27). [Emphasis mine]
As a man of God -
The most AWESOME thing I can think of
Is ministering under the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
As a man of God -
The most AWFUL thing I can think of
Is ministering apart from the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Ministry performed in the strength of the flesh
Is, at best, embarrassing to the minister and, at worst, harmful to the recipient.
Effectual ministry originates from God
And flows outward through a yielded vessel.
Valid ministry allows the Lord to use
Your vocal chords, your hands, you mind and muscles
To bring about God's will from heaven to earth.
True ministry carries spiritual weight and authority.
Why?
The power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
It's the difference between public speaking and holy declaration.
It's the difference between a pat on your shoulder and laying hands on the sick and they recover (James 5:15).
It's the difference between sharing information
Versus communicating the "word of the Lord" that will change lives.
Friends, we must seek the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit
To activate, energize, and empower our respective ministries.
If you are a man of God,
A woman of God,
A teenager of God,
A child of God…
I counsel you, implore you, encourage you with all the earnestness I possess
To by all means obtain the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit
Before you attempt anything in the name of "ministry."
Whether that involves SINGING in the choir,
PREACHING a sermon,
TEACHING a Sunday School lesson,
LEADING a cell group,
PRAYING for a troubled teen,
COUNSELING a co-worker whose marriage is disintegrating,
Or SERVING in any capacity in the name of the Lord.
How do you obtain the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit?
ASK for it (God will surely give it).
SEEK God's face (not His hand).
Be a PURE vessel (deal with any sin in your own life prior to ministering).
DECIDE on the front end to be OBEDIENT to the Spirit's directives (obedience brings the miraculous).
DON'T TOUCH God's glory (no flesh shall glory in His presence).
STAND in faith (the battle and results are the Lord's).
Is the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit available to all born-again believers?
Yes.
Is it really necessary to perform the works of Jesus?
Yes.
Are you ready to walk in the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit this very day?
[Speak out loud your response to God here…]
DSR
8/25/02
Saturday, August 17, 2002
The Art of Delighting God
by David Scott Robertson
“The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight” (Proverbs 11:1).
The cashier at McDonald’s gives you back $1 too much in change.
You give it back.
The art of delighting God.
The man at the produce stand on the side of the road sells a dozen ears of corn for $2.
He always gives an extra ear of corn to the customer just in case one ear is bad.
The art of the delighting God.
The driver comes to a 4-way stop in the middle of Kansas.
You can see for 30 miles in any direction and no other cars are even visible.
The driver makes a complete stop at the stop sign.
The art of delighting God.
Your friend rides his brand new motorcycle to your house to show it off.
He invites you to take it around the block for a spin.
You tell him you can’t because your license in not endorsed to drive motorcycles.
The art of delighting God.
The business owner buys a widget for $10 each.
He resells it in his shop for $25 instead of his competitor selling it for $100.
The art of delighting God.
The mechanic repairs the lady’s car and receives payment.
A week later the symptoms return to the vehicle.
It takes the mechanic 2 hours to diagnose and repair the problem at no additional charge.
The art of delighting God.
The man says “I’ll be there at 9:00am.”
At 9:00am the man is there.
The art of delighting God.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
“The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless” (Proverbs 11:20).
“This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,
“but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Is it worth it to take the high road of integrity every time --
Even when it costs you time, money, energy, effort, and lost profits?
What is the payoff for doing things right and doing the right things?
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)
“When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).
DSR
8/17/02
“The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight” (Proverbs 11:1).
The cashier at McDonald’s gives you back $1 too much in change.
You give it back.
The art of delighting God.
The man at the produce stand on the side of the road sells a dozen ears of corn for $2.
He always gives an extra ear of corn to the customer just in case one ear is bad.
The art of the delighting God.
The driver comes to a 4-way stop in the middle of Kansas.
You can see for 30 miles in any direction and no other cars are even visible.
The driver makes a complete stop at the stop sign.
The art of delighting God.
Your friend rides his brand new motorcycle to your house to show it off.
He invites you to take it around the block for a spin.
You tell him you can’t because your license in not endorsed to drive motorcycles.
The art of delighting God.
The business owner buys a widget for $10 each.
He resells it in his shop for $25 instead of his competitor selling it for $100.
The art of delighting God.
The mechanic repairs the lady’s car and receives payment.
A week later the symptoms return to the vehicle.
It takes the mechanic 2 hours to diagnose and repair the problem at no additional charge.
The art of delighting God.
The man says “I’ll be there at 9:00am.”
At 9:00am the man is there.
The art of delighting God.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
“The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless” (Proverbs 11:20).
“This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,
“but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Is it worth it to take the high road of integrity every time --
Even when it costs you time, money, energy, effort, and lost profits?
What is the payoff for doing things right and doing the right things?
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)
“When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).
DSR
8/17/02
Monday, August 5, 2002
The One Needful Thing
by David Scott Robertson
(Luke 10:41 KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
(Luke 10:42 KJV) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
I got up on time.
I slid into my favorite chair.
I got out my Bible.
I read passages from the
Old Testament,
New Testament,
Psalms,
And Proverbs.
I read today's quota of the classic Oswald Chamber devotional
"My Utmost For His Highest."
I turned on some praise & worship music
And sang along with three or four songs.
I prayed for my wife and daughter,
My pastors and church,
My country and for the peace of Jerusalem.
Then I hit the showers and headed off to work.
In your estimation,
Do you think I had what you would judge a successful "morning devotion?"
Do you suppose my time with the Lord
Was really a time with the Lord?
Can you see anything I missed?
I'm certain the reader could quickly identify
Any number of missing elements
In my morning meeting with God -
Depending upon your spiritual or religious tradition.
For example, you might recommend
Partaking of the Lord's Table (holy communion),
Dancing before the Lord in worship,
Praying in the Spirit (in tongues),
Journaling my prayers,
Speaking scriptural declarations out loud
(You always pray God's will when you pray God's Word),
Or perhaps sitting quietly in silence and listen for the Spirit's still, small voice.
All of the above are excellent embellishments
To any devotional time spent with the Lord.
My point today
Is the same as Rabbi Jesus' point to Martha regarding Mary:
"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
The one needful thing…
Is to get the “Word of the Lord.”
God can speak to us while we are in our favorite chair
Reading passages from the
Old Testament,
New Testament,
Psalms and Proverbs.
God can speak, and often does, to us
Through incredibly moving praise & worship songs.
God can speak to us through
Oswald Chamber's classic devotional "My Utmost For His Highest,"
Guideposts,
The Navigator's Discipleship Journal,
Or a comic strip in the Sunday funny papers.
HOW He chooses to speak to us
Is not nearly as important as
THAT He speaks to us.
The one needful thing
In my and your devotional time
Is to actually communicate with God.
Communication is a two-way street.
We talk, God listens.
God talks, we listen.
Have you noticed that sometimes God's voice seems evasive?
Now I'm not one of those "hyper-spiritual people"
That has angels show up in my bedroom every night for 30 days
To tell me great and mighty things that I knowest not.
Please understand that I don't have a problem with that,
And would love to have the experience,
But my faith is not rocked if I don't.
To me,
The one needful thing
Is to take responsibility in my relationship with Father God
To do what Mary did and got commended for...
To sit quietly at the feet of Jesus and
Pay attention,
Listen,
Hear the words of the Lord…
Be they corrective, instructive, or encouraging in nature,
And then apply them to my life.
The one needful thing
Is to get in and stay in God's presence,
To drink it in,
To hang out with the Master.
Just being in the presence of Jehovah
Is a soothing, calming, settling, satisfying, and fulfilling experience.
In His presence there is fullness of joy
And at His right hand there are pleasures evermore (Psalm 16:11).
Doing the one needful thing --
Simply hanging out with Jesus and listening on a regular basis,
Has the potential for His will and ways to rub off on you
And generate a testimony like that of two of Jesus’ close buddies, Peter and John:
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say” (Acts 4:13-14).
The one needful thing
I need to learn about the presence of God
Is that it's not limited to any particular space or time or routine.
All day, everyday,
Anywhere and everywhere,
The Lord can (and I believe desires to) appear on the scene
And transform the ordinary into the extraordinary,
The natural into the supernatural.
Oh, the power of His presence!
So as we approach our time of "devotions,"
Let us strive for a "moment-by-moment relationship" with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Expect to hear from Him daily, hourly, and why not even “moment-to-moment”
(or shall I say from “glory to glory” as promised in 2 Corinthians 3:18?)
Expect to hear from Him
In a variety of means and methods
And don't get stuck in a rut,
A habitual ritual
Or some religious tradition
That demands God to do it a certain way every time.
Sure as you and I do that
He'll upset our applecart of religious expectation
And speak through a donkey or some other unorthodox method!
But whatever you have to do,
By all means do
The one needful thing.
"And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him" (Luke 9:35).
DSR
8/5/02
(Luke 10:41 KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
(Luke 10:42 KJV) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
I got up on time.
I slid into my favorite chair.
I got out my Bible.
I read passages from the
Old Testament,
New Testament,
Psalms,
And Proverbs.
I read today's quota of the classic Oswald Chamber devotional
"My Utmost For His Highest."
I turned on some praise & worship music
And sang along with three or four songs.
I prayed for my wife and daughter,
My pastors and church,
My country and for the peace of Jerusalem.
Then I hit the showers and headed off to work.
In your estimation,
Do you think I had what you would judge a successful "morning devotion?"
Do you suppose my time with the Lord
Was really a time with the Lord?
Can you see anything I missed?
I'm certain the reader could quickly identify
Any number of missing elements
In my morning meeting with God -
Depending upon your spiritual or religious tradition.
For example, you might recommend
Partaking of the Lord's Table (holy communion),
Dancing before the Lord in worship,
Praying in the Spirit (in tongues),
Journaling my prayers,
Speaking scriptural declarations out loud
(You always pray God's will when you pray God's Word),
Or perhaps sitting quietly in silence and listen for the Spirit's still, small voice.
All of the above are excellent embellishments
To any devotional time spent with the Lord.
My point today
Is the same as Rabbi Jesus' point to Martha regarding Mary:
"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
The one needful thing…
Is to get the “Word of the Lord.”
God can speak to us while we are in our favorite chair
Reading passages from the
Old Testament,
New Testament,
Psalms and Proverbs.
God can speak, and often does, to us
Through incredibly moving praise & worship songs.
God can speak to us through
Oswald Chamber's classic devotional "My Utmost For His Highest,"
Guideposts,
The Navigator's Discipleship Journal,
Or a comic strip in the Sunday funny papers.
HOW He chooses to speak to us
Is not nearly as important as
THAT He speaks to us.
The one needful thing
In my and your devotional time
Is to actually communicate with God.
Communication is a two-way street.
We talk, God listens.
God talks, we listen.
Have you noticed that sometimes God's voice seems evasive?
Now I'm not one of those "hyper-spiritual people"
That has angels show up in my bedroom every night for 30 days
To tell me great and mighty things that I knowest not.
Please understand that I don't have a problem with that,
And would love to have the experience,
But my faith is not rocked if I don't.
To me,
The one needful thing
Is to take responsibility in my relationship with Father God
To do what Mary did and got commended for...
To sit quietly at the feet of Jesus and
Pay attention,
Listen,
Hear the words of the Lord…
Be they corrective, instructive, or encouraging in nature,
And then apply them to my life.
The one needful thing
Is to get in and stay in God's presence,
To drink it in,
To hang out with the Master.
Just being in the presence of Jehovah
Is a soothing, calming, settling, satisfying, and fulfilling experience.
In His presence there is fullness of joy
And at His right hand there are pleasures evermore (Psalm 16:11).
Doing the one needful thing --
Simply hanging out with Jesus and listening on a regular basis,
Has the potential for His will and ways to rub off on you
And generate a testimony like that of two of Jesus’ close buddies, Peter and John:
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say” (Acts 4:13-14).
The one needful thing
I need to learn about the presence of God
Is that it's not limited to any particular space or time or routine.
All day, everyday,
Anywhere and everywhere,
The Lord can (and I believe desires to) appear on the scene
And transform the ordinary into the extraordinary,
The natural into the supernatural.
Oh, the power of His presence!
So as we approach our time of "devotions,"
Let us strive for a "moment-by-moment relationship" with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Expect to hear from Him daily, hourly, and why not even “moment-to-moment”
(or shall I say from “glory to glory” as promised in 2 Corinthians 3:18?)
Expect to hear from Him
In a variety of means and methods
And don't get stuck in a rut,
A habitual ritual
Or some religious tradition
That demands God to do it a certain way every time.
Sure as you and I do that
He'll upset our applecart of religious expectation
And speak through a donkey or some other unorthodox method!
But whatever you have to do,
By all means do
The one needful thing.
"And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him" (Luke 9:35).
DSR
8/5/02
Monday, July 29, 2002
The Cross on the Side of the Road
by David Scott Robertson
I had driven that route at least a hundred times before.
Why had I never seen it?
Yet, there it was, plain as day, fastened to the guardrail.
A cross on the side of the road.
Now that I think about it,
Throughout my years traveling the highways and by-ways,
I’ve seen many crosses on the side of the road.
Perhaps you have too.
Some crosses have artificial flowers wired to them.
Some have a small sign attached.
Some are fancy crosses
And some are crude, wooden crosses like the kind Jesus died on.
All of the crosses on the side of the road
Have one thing in common, though.
They all have a story behind them.
A tragic story.
The cross more than likely marks the spot
Where a dearly loved one (or ones) died in an accident.
The cross on the side of the road
Is a permanent memorial to the fateful and fatal day.
A small emblem that says, “I remember.”
You and I may drive down a stretch of road
And think nothing about it except getting from point A to point B.
Another person may drive down the same stretch of road
And for them,
When they pass the cross on the side of the road
A feeling, an emotion, a memory, a thought erupts.
Why? Because they are the one that put the cross there.
The next time I notice
A cross on the side of the road,
I purpose in my heart to breathe a prayer to God
On behalf of the family and friends of their departed loved on.
His or her memorial not only stands on perpetual duty at a graveyard,
But also on a cross on the side of the road.
DSR
7/29/02
I had driven that route at least a hundred times before.
Why had I never seen it?
Yet, there it was, plain as day, fastened to the guardrail.
A cross on the side of the road.
Now that I think about it,
Throughout my years traveling the highways and by-ways,
I’ve seen many crosses on the side of the road.
Perhaps you have too.
Some crosses have artificial flowers wired to them.
Some have a small sign attached.
Some are fancy crosses
And some are crude, wooden crosses like the kind Jesus died on.
All of the crosses on the side of the road
Have one thing in common, though.
They all have a story behind them.
A tragic story.
The cross more than likely marks the spot
Where a dearly loved one (or ones) died in an accident.
The cross on the side of the road
Is a permanent memorial to the fateful and fatal day.
A small emblem that says, “I remember.”
You and I may drive down a stretch of road
And think nothing about it except getting from point A to point B.
Another person may drive down the same stretch of road
And for them,
When they pass the cross on the side of the road
A feeling, an emotion, a memory, a thought erupts.
Why? Because they are the one that put the cross there.
The next time I notice
A cross on the side of the road,
I purpose in my heart to breathe a prayer to God
On behalf of the family and friends of their departed loved on.
His or her memorial not only stands on perpetual duty at a graveyard,
But also on a cross on the side of the road.
DSR
7/29/02
Sunday, July 21, 2002
R.P.
by David Scott Robertson
I love to play racquetball.
I love the sport.
I love the cardiovascular workout that it gives me.
I love the brotherhood and fellowship of my partners.
I love the thrill of competition –
And I love to win.
There’s only one minor technical difficulty I have to overcome in my game – R.P.
R.P. stands for Retinitus Pigmentosa.
That’s a fancy medical term for scar tissue on my retinas that block light from reaching the cones and rods in my eyeballs thereby rendering affected portions blind.
R.P. is an incurable, untreatable, inoperable, irreversible and progressive eye disorder that leads to blindness.
As an R.P. sufferer, I have zero night vision (better known as “night blindness”)
And “experts” tell me my peripheral vision will gradually disappear from sight over time.
(NOTE: To simulate what a person with R.P. sees, take two empty cardboard toilet paper tubes and hold them over your own eyes – that’s basically what I see.)
My ophthalmologist reports that I have only 20% vision left in one eye and 10% in the other thanks to R.P.
Now trying to function normally in life with R.P. is challenging,
But R.P. to a racquetball player is really a bummer.
Because of R.P. I lose lots of games.
Because of R.P. points are played that I never see.
Sometimes my opponent will hit a hard serve and I’ll just stand there without moving having never seen the ball at all as he wins the point uncontested.
Many times, my opponent will hit a high ball and it will zig-zag around the upper walls of the court and I’ll lose it and have to listen for a clue of its location in hopes of getting a glimpse and a split-second to react if I can catch it in my limited field of vision.
More times that I’d care to tell you, I’ve had the ball hit me in the face, the head, all over my body because, truly, I never saw it coming.
R.P. has brought to my racquetball game
Frustration,
Aggravation,
Anger,
Disappointment,
Humiliation,
And much discouragement.
So, if that’s the way things are,
Why subject myself to such an ordeal?
Because it’s better to play and lose than not play at all.
Because when I do win it’s against all odds.
I’m always the underdog.
And yet, God helps me to prevail in many matches,
And at those times I am in awe at God’s grace operating in my life.
(I dedicate ALL victories to Jesus Christ!)
I tell you why I continue to play racquetball –
Because I can’t let R.P. beat me.
If I do, then other “little foxes” will stealthily creep in and try to bully me as well.
I cannot let R.P. discourage me to the point of giving up something I love to do.
Jesus never gave up, why should I?
Every time I enter a racquetball court,
In a way,
It is a prophetic act that proclaims that “my God is able to deliver me.”
God can and will teach us the advantages of adversity.
We may not be thankful “for” all circumstances but we can be thankful “in” all circumstances.
I heard a preacher say one time:
“There’s not but two times to praise God:
When you feel like and when you don’t, and when you don’t is the best time of all.”
In the school of suffering much learning takes place.
I’m learning a lot about life by climbing into a racquetball court and playing with R.P…
1. I’m learning who my friends are.
Brave souls who continue to play with me in spite of my handicap.
2. I’m learning that losing with integrity is a superior victory.
3. I’m learning that you can be a good sport without being a Christian
But you cannot maintain a solid Christian witness without being a good sport.
4. I’m learning that humiliation builds character.
5. I’m learning that there are some opponents that I couldn’t beat even if I had two good eyes!
Now this next statement I want to put in writing and date it for posterity.
This is a faith declaration to the Lord Jesus Christ
And a declaration of war to the enemy of my soul:
“I am a miracle in the making!”
God will heal my eyes!
I believe by the authority of God’s Word and in the name of Jesus Christ
That Father God send His Word in the form of His Son to heal me.
One day,
Either instantaneously or progressively,
My sight will be fully restored!
(Fair warning to my racquetball opponents! – watch out!)
Until then…
I draw strength from what the Lord said to the apostle Paul
And what the Apostle Paul said to the Lord in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”
Until then…
I will walk [and play racquetball] by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.” (Mat 15:31 NIV)
DSR
7/21/02
I love to play racquetball.
I love the sport.
I love the cardiovascular workout that it gives me.
I love the brotherhood and fellowship of my partners.
I love the thrill of competition –
And I love to win.
There’s only one minor technical difficulty I have to overcome in my game – R.P.
R.P. stands for Retinitus Pigmentosa.
That’s a fancy medical term for scar tissue on my retinas that block light from reaching the cones and rods in my eyeballs thereby rendering affected portions blind.
R.P. is an incurable, untreatable, inoperable, irreversible and progressive eye disorder that leads to blindness.
As an R.P. sufferer, I have zero night vision (better known as “night blindness”)
And “experts” tell me my peripheral vision will gradually disappear from sight over time.
(NOTE: To simulate what a person with R.P. sees, take two empty cardboard toilet paper tubes and hold them over your own eyes – that’s basically what I see.)
My ophthalmologist reports that I have only 20% vision left in one eye and 10% in the other thanks to R.P.
Now trying to function normally in life with R.P. is challenging,
But R.P. to a racquetball player is really a bummer.
Because of R.P. I lose lots of games.
Because of R.P. points are played that I never see.
Sometimes my opponent will hit a hard serve and I’ll just stand there without moving having never seen the ball at all as he wins the point uncontested.
Many times, my opponent will hit a high ball and it will zig-zag around the upper walls of the court and I’ll lose it and have to listen for a clue of its location in hopes of getting a glimpse and a split-second to react if I can catch it in my limited field of vision.
More times that I’d care to tell you, I’ve had the ball hit me in the face, the head, all over my body because, truly, I never saw it coming.
R.P. has brought to my racquetball game
Frustration,
Aggravation,
Anger,
Disappointment,
Humiliation,
And much discouragement.
So, if that’s the way things are,
Why subject myself to such an ordeal?
Because it’s better to play and lose than not play at all.
Because when I do win it’s against all odds.
I’m always the underdog.
And yet, God helps me to prevail in many matches,
And at those times I am in awe at God’s grace operating in my life.
(I dedicate ALL victories to Jesus Christ!)
I tell you why I continue to play racquetball –
Because I can’t let R.P. beat me.
If I do, then other “little foxes” will stealthily creep in and try to bully me as well.
I cannot let R.P. discourage me to the point of giving up something I love to do.
Jesus never gave up, why should I?
Every time I enter a racquetball court,
In a way,
It is a prophetic act that proclaims that “my God is able to deliver me.”
God can and will teach us the advantages of adversity.
We may not be thankful “for” all circumstances but we can be thankful “in” all circumstances.
I heard a preacher say one time:
“There’s not but two times to praise God:
When you feel like and when you don’t, and when you don’t is the best time of all.”
In the school of suffering much learning takes place.
I’m learning a lot about life by climbing into a racquetball court and playing with R.P…
1. I’m learning who my friends are.
Brave souls who continue to play with me in spite of my handicap.
2. I’m learning that losing with integrity is a superior victory.
3. I’m learning that you can be a good sport without being a Christian
But you cannot maintain a solid Christian witness without being a good sport.
4. I’m learning that humiliation builds character.
5. I’m learning that there are some opponents that I couldn’t beat even if I had two good eyes!
Now this next statement I want to put in writing and date it for posterity.
This is a faith declaration to the Lord Jesus Christ
And a declaration of war to the enemy of my soul:
“I am a miracle in the making!”
God will heal my eyes!
I believe by the authority of God’s Word and in the name of Jesus Christ
That Father God send His Word in the form of His Son to heal me.
One day,
Either instantaneously or progressively,
My sight will be fully restored!
(Fair warning to my racquetball opponents! – watch out!)
Until then…
I draw strength from what the Lord said to the apostle Paul
And what the Apostle Paul said to the Lord in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”
Until then…
I will walk [and play racquetball] by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.” (Mat 15:31 NIV)
DSR
7/21/02
Monday, July 15, 2002
Hidden Pleasures and Treasures
by David Scott Robertson
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 NIV).
The next time you begin to thank God for all that He’s done for you --
For all the simple pleasures,
And all the complex pleasures,
Remember to thank Him for all the hidden pleasures and treasures too.
Hidden pleasures and treasures are invisible.
One example is behind-the-scenes angelic activity that --
More often than we realize --
Prevents unseen spiritual warfare against us from manifesting into tragic reality.
Take the case of a loved one who miraculously and narrowly escapes a potentially fatal accident.
They never saw it coming - they never saw it going.
In fact, they were completely oblivious to the whole thing.
Nonetheless it happened –
A combat situation between angels and demons transpired and both sides paid a price.
This is a hidden pleasure and treasure.
They exist as a thousand other manifestations of the grace of God operating in our lives.
Hidden pleasures and treasures are, quite simply,
Those unknown blessings that the Lord God orders, orchestrates and arranges on our behalf
For no other reason than to add value, safety, enjoyment, or meet needs in our lives.
And we are unaware of all of them because they are hidden.
But I assure you they are there.
It would be impossible to do the math,
But could it be
That for every one thing we see and notice and observe in our lives that are grace gifts from God,
That there are dozens, hundreds, perhaps even thousands
Of other hidden pleasures and treasures that we do not see and observe and notice?
My faith thinks so.
With this thought in mind I want to end with a prayer of thanksgiving
(And if you agree with it say “amen” out loud at the end):
“Thank You, Lord, for all the hidden pleasures and treasures that You have lavished on me.
I appreciate them and You with all my heart.
Give me an attitude of gratitude to discern more each day
The unfathomable riches of your grace to us who believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
DSR
7/15/02
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 NIV).
The next time you begin to thank God for all that He’s done for you --
For all the simple pleasures,
And all the complex pleasures,
Remember to thank Him for all the hidden pleasures and treasures too.
Hidden pleasures and treasures are invisible.
One example is behind-the-scenes angelic activity that --
More often than we realize --
Prevents unseen spiritual warfare against us from manifesting into tragic reality.
Take the case of a loved one who miraculously and narrowly escapes a potentially fatal accident.
They never saw it coming - they never saw it going.
In fact, they were completely oblivious to the whole thing.
Nonetheless it happened –
A combat situation between angels and demons transpired and both sides paid a price.
This is a hidden pleasure and treasure.
They exist as a thousand other manifestations of the grace of God operating in our lives.
Hidden pleasures and treasures are, quite simply,
Those unknown blessings that the Lord God orders, orchestrates and arranges on our behalf
For no other reason than to add value, safety, enjoyment, or meet needs in our lives.
And we are unaware of all of them because they are hidden.
But I assure you they are there.
It would be impossible to do the math,
But could it be
That for every one thing we see and notice and observe in our lives that are grace gifts from God,
That there are dozens, hundreds, perhaps even thousands
Of other hidden pleasures and treasures that we do not see and observe and notice?
My faith thinks so.
With this thought in mind I want to end with a prayer of thanksgiving
(And if you agree with it say “amen” out loud at the end):
“Thank You, Lord, for all the hidden pleasures and treasures that You have lavished on me.
I appreciate them and You with all my heart.
Give me an attitude of gratitude to discern more each day
The unfathomable riches of your grace to us who believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
DSR
7/15/02
Sunday, July 7, 2002
Kinks in the Hose
by David Scott Robertson
Well, it happened again.
Here I am minding my own business,
Performing a routine, mundane, even boring task (watering the flowers),
And WHAM!
The Holy Spirit begins to teach me about life.
He uses a garden hose to illustrate a powerful truth!
First the natural, then the spiritual.
Let me quickly set the scene for you,
Then I'll connect the dots on the nugget of truth I gleaned from watering the flowers.
It's been hot and dry around here lately.
All the outdoor green things are thirsty.
So early this morning I dragged out the garden hose
And began to water the flowers, shrubs, bushes, and tomato plants in our yard.
Funny thing, though.
As I pulled the garden hose across the lawn,
The water stopped flowing. Why?
"Kinks" in the hose.
This is when the hose gets twisted and knotted up and the water can't flow out.
Over and over and over again as I was dragging the hose and watering
I got kinks in the hose and the water stopped coming out the spigot.
I had to stop watering and go straighten out every kink before the water flow was restored.
Suddenly, and I feel this was the Holy Spirit using a teachable moment in my life,
These thoughts began to bubble up in my mind and settle in my heart:
We human beings are very similar to flowers in a garden.
We are organisms that require water from an outside source to survive.
If we don't get it, it's just a matter of time…
Father God, raised us up from seeds and transplanted us to a garden.
His desire is that none of His precious creations should perish.
To ensure their survival, God sent His Son, Jesus, to tend the garden.
The Holy Spirit is that life-giving, life-sustaining water that flows through the hose.
Through the light of the Son,
The water of the Holy Spirit,
Planted in a stable soil from which to absorb nutrients (God's Word)
We not only survive, but flourish, in a beautiful and unique ecosystem
Which God has carefully and purposefully planted us in,
With the intention of
Bearing fruit to feed others,
Produce seed to reproduce after our own kind,
And to add value and beauty to the garden for all to see and enjoy.
Without the Son, we would die.
Without the water of the Spirit, we would die.
Without the soil to feed on we would die.
Everything the water touches is green and full of life.
Everything that the water doesn't touch is brown, brittle, and dry - in a process of dying.
Enter the problem.
Sin.
Sin puts kinks in the hose
That stops the flow of God's living water.
Unless the kinks are removed,
The water is permanently cut off
And the plants eventually die.
My confession of sin allows Jesus to "undo" the kinks in the hose.
It restores the flow of water
And thus makes restoring my soul possible.
It was interesting to note
That as I watered one plant,
The plant next to it usually got soaked as well.
I suppose the parables and parallels, meanings and metaphors
Could continue on and on
Describing in fantastic detail
Just how a garden and a human soul are a lot alike.
One thing's for sure though…
If the kinks in the hose are not taken care of,
It ruins the entire project.
"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11 NIV).
DSR
7/7/02
Well, it happened again.
Here I am minding my own business,
Performing a routine, mundane, even boring task (watering the flowers),
And WHAM!
The Holy Spirit begins to teach me about life.
He uses a garden hose to illustrate a powerful truth!
First the natural, then the spiritual.
Let me quickly set the scene for you,
Then I'll connect the dots on the nugget of truth I gleaned from watering the flowers.
It's been hot and dry around here lately.
All the outdoor green things are thirsty.
So early this morning I dragged out the garden hose
And began to water the flowers, shrubs, bushes, and tomato plants in our yard.
Funny thing, though.
As I pulled the garden hose across the lawn,
The water stopped flowing. Why?
"Kinks" in the hose.
This is when the hose gets twisted and knotted up and the water can't flow out.
Over and over and over again as I was dragging the hose and watering
I got kinks in the hose and the water stopped coming out the spigot.
I had to stop watering and go straighten out every kink before the water flow was restored.
Suddenly, and I feel this was the Holy Spirit using a teachable moment in my life,
These thoughts began to bubble up in my mind and settle in my heart:
We human beings are very similar to flowers in a garden.
We are organisms that require water from an outside source to survive.
If we don't get it, it's just a matter of time…
Father God, raised us up from seeds and transplanted us to a garden.
His desire is that none of His precious creations should perish.
To ensure their survival, God sent His Son, Jesus, to tend the garden.
The Holy Spirit is that life-giving, life-sustaining water that flows through the hose.
Through the light of the Son,
The water of the Holy Spirit,
Planted in a stable soil from which to absorb nutrients (God's Word)
We not only survive, but flourish, in a beautiful and unique ecosystem
Which God has carefully and purposefully planted us in,
With the intention of
Bearing fruit to feed others,
Produce seed to reproduce after our own kind,
And to add value and beauty to the garden for all to see and enjoy.
Without the Son, we would die.
Without the water of the Spirit, we would die.
Without the soil to feed on we would die.
Everything the water touches is green and full of life.
Everything that the water doesn't touch is brown, brittle, and dry - in a process of dying.
Enter the problem.
Sin.
Sin puts kinks in the hose
That stops the flow of God's living water.
Unless the kinks are removed,
The water is permanently cut off
And the plants eventually die.
My confession of sin allows Jesus to "undo" the kinks in the hose.
It restores the flow of water
And thus makes restoring my soul possible.
It was interesting to note
That as I watered one plant,
The plant next to it usually got soaked as well.
I suppose the parables and parallels, meanings and metaphors
Could continue on and on
Describing in fantastic detail
Just how a garden and a human soul are a lot alike.
One thing's for sure though…
If the kinks in the hose are not taken care of,
It ruins the entire project.
"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11 NIV).
DSR
7/7/02
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