by David Scott Robertson
(Mat 20:30 NIV) Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
(Mat 20:31 NIV) The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
(Mat 20:32 NIV) Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
(Mat 20:33 NIV) "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."
(Mat 20:34 NIV) Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."
Can you imagine what it must be like to be born blind?
How about being born blind thousands of years ago in a culture that offered no welfare, no social services, no handicapped helps, rules or protection?
How would you handle these assignments?
Describe to a blind person what a rose looks like…
Describe the color red…
Describe what a dog looks like…
Describe a camel…
Describe your mother's hair…
I wonder, which is worse: To have been born blind and never seen at all or to have seen and then lose the privilege?
At any rate, life was very, very hard for these two men the Bible describes.
Now, imagine this:
Jesus shows up in their world.
A light touch later of the Master's hand and behold!
The first sight, the very first sight the blind pair saw was the face of God!
It was love at first sight!
Their eyes, brain, and senses immediately began to function in an unprecedented way!
Talk about sensory overload!
Their eyes probably drank in the rivers of sights - everything, absolutely everything and everyone they looked at for the first time they looked at for the first time!
Oh, how I would have loved to have been there!
But the best part was that the two ex-blind men experienced love at first sight.
The love of God expressed through the compassion of His Son.
They had seen the face of Jesus…
…the face the prophets longed to see but never did.
…the face that modern-day Christians long to see but rarely do.
…the face that one steady gaze satisfies the deep places in your soul.
What a rare and unusual privilege these two obscure and extremely blessed former blind men had! How many people in the history of the planet can testify with them "I was blind but now I see?"
Out of dark tragedy these two blind men emerged into a bright world filled with hope.
Now only dark memories remained…
How disappointed their parents must have been on the day that they made the discovery that their sons could not see.
The hardships this must have created in trying to raise these handicapped children…
The inability to function properly in society,
The absence of a normal childhood,
The teasing of unkind teenagers,
The inability to work and make a living rather consigned to beg to sustain themselves,
The impossible thought of marrying and having a family…
Who among us that has the gift of sight to read these words can even begin to understand?
(John 9:2 NIV) His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
(John 9:3 NIV) "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
God had a plan from the foundation of the world for these two blind boys.
God knew them and loved them right from the start right up until the fateful day.
One day, God's watch read "due season."
One day was "the fullness of time."
One fine day two blind fellows were at the right place at the right time.
It was at this intersection that desperate need and God's power collided.
(Mat 20:34 NIV) "Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight AND FOLLOWED H IM." [emphasis mine]
Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands saw the face of Jesus of Nazareth as He walked the dusty roads and spoke words with authority like no other. Most saw Him but never knew Him, fewer still followed Him.
But the Bible specifically says that these two men followed Him.
Two nameless, happy men walked with God.
I like to think that they went on to live fruitful, productive lives in society.
Maybe they picked up a trade.
Every day was a wonder, every chore a delight, every mundane task tolerable, palatable, no, enjoyable, because of the gift of sight!
At last, at long last, they were able to "earn" a living and make a contribution to the family's income!
Maybe these men even went on to meet a special woman, fall in love, get married and raise a family. What bedtime stories these men could tell their own sons and daughters about the time that Messiah came to town and touched their lives!
For all we do not know about the lives of these two former blind men
This one thing we do know…
…they followed him (Matthew 20:34).
The conclusion of the matter to my view:
To be born blind is not the worst thing that could ever happen to a person.
To see Jesus Christ, and not become His follower, I should think, is a far greater tragedy than blindness.
DSR
3/16/03
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Saturday, March 8, 2003
Ten Considerations of the Power of the Cross
by David Scott Robertson
1. Consider that the cross -- Actually divided the Trinity
The King James version of the Bible says in 1 John 5:7: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
One God eternally existent in three Persons - that's the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. If you think too hard about the concept of the Trinity you can lose your mind, if you don't think hard enough about it you can lose your place in eternity with God! It's a large thought.
But when He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ - God necessarily turned His back on sin. That's why Jesus cried out while on the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Matthew 27:46 NIV) Answer: Because a holy God cannot tolerate sin. Isaiah 59:2 says: "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
So, at the cross, something that had never been before nor will ever be again - actually happened - the Trinity experienced separation. As God withdrew His presence from the sin of the world, embodied in His beloved Son, light went with Him and for three hours the light of the world was gone - and there was a great darkness. That day, the SUN/SON died. But during the darkness, the Bible says in Luke 23:45, "the curtain in the temple was torn in two."
You may be going through a dark period in your life. But I want to encourage you that something powerful might be going on behind the scenes and you wonder if God is even there? The I AM is there and He is very much at work through the power of the cross!
2. Consider that the cross -- Made God "our" Father
The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become the sons of God.
John 1:12 proves this when it says: "Yet to all who received him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." That's what being "born again" is all about. Being adopted into God's family as a permanent relative.
This next verse I'm going to quote, when Jesus said it out loud for the first time, I believe it shook the devil to his core! Why? Consider the implications of Jesus declaration to one of His followers just after His resurrection:
(John 20:17 NIV) Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and YOUR Father, to my God and YOUR God."
And I can almost hear Satan gasping, in complete and utter horror and disbelief: "What do you mean THEIR FATHER? I know You are the Son of God, even my demons know that, but THE MOST HIGH IS NOW THEIR FATHER?"
You see, the New Testament scriptures had not yet been written - so Satan couldn't read ahead and find out what was going to happen next to Jesus - Satan had no idea that the cross wasn't going to end in defeat but was going to accomplish the purposes of God.
Had the devil realized the power of the cross and what Jesus' death on it would accomplish for mankind I believe he would have modified his strategy and forsaken his plan to kill the Christ. How do I know that?
Because the New Testament scripture written at a later time reveals God's manifold wisdom:
(1 Cor 2:7 NIV) No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
(1 Cor 2:8 NIV) None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
God is now OUR Father by the power of the cross!
3. Consider that the cross -- Scarred the body of Jesus Christ forever
(John 20:25 NIV) So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he ["Doubting Thomas"] said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
(John 20:26 NIV) A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
(John 20:27 NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Here we have the scarred resurrected Christ! But really, that's interesting but that's not even the point that blows me away! The point I want you to meditate on is what's called "the incarnation." That is, God becoming a man. There are lots of world religions that would have man to become God, but the Christian faith is the only one in which God becomes man.
I am convinced that this side of heaven you and I will never fully comprehend nor appreciate what it meant that God, the infinite God who created quadrillions of stars and has every single one of them named, condescended to become a man and live in a human body. The Son of God / the Son of man. Jesus Christ - fully God, fully man.
See here's the twist: the Bible teaches us in John 4:24 that:
(John 4:24 NIV) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Notice in the Old Testament that whenever Jesus appears in His pre-incarnate state, He is often referred to as "the Angel of the Lord." He didn't get a body until He was born of a young Jewish girl named Mary.
But notice this: Jesus, AFTER His resurrection, REMAINED in a body. God-in-a-body AFTER he had finished the work His Father had prepared for him to do! Think about it!
And to this day, to this hour, He remains in a glorified body, the first fruits of what you and I are going to inherit because of the power of the cross.
4. Consider that the cross -- Was very likely the scene of an unseen showdown
Don't you think that Lucifer and his fallen angels were there at Golgotha that day to boast, brag, and arrogantly belch out their apparent victory to their angelic counterparts?
We can't prove it, but I don't have any problem believing that the entire heavenly host turned out for the event of the ages - I think every last one of them was there to witness the most amazing scene that had ever been since the creation.
The very One whom the angels had worshipped was now terminally tacked up on a cross, bruised, beaten, naked, dripping with sweat and blood and foul smelling spit from the His enemies. How could this possibly be? Can you just imagine the party hell was throwing on a hill called Mt. Calvary?
Can't you just feel the tension and stress of Michael the archangel and thousands of his warring angels just hovering…totally powerless to intervene because they had not received a whisper of an order from Jesus or the Father concerning this matter?
I know they were they because the Lord told His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53 NIV)
Can you imagine the jeers and taunts of one-third of the fallen angles now established as principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places casting insults on the remaining two-thirds of the faithful angels who stayed behind with God as heaven's Champion lay nailed to a cross?
Did the demons taunt and tease the heavenly host with jabs like: "Who made the right choice? Did we not say join in the rebellion with us? Did not our master Lucifer rightly say he could be like the Most High?"
I don't know if this happened but I find it hard to believe that the devil and the hounds of hell weren't there to witness their finest hour and gloat in their alleged victory. But to the dismay and agony of the angels Jesus gave no command nor called on His Father to do so, but followed through with what He had said earlier: "But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" (Matthew 26:54 NIV)
The power of the cross.
5. Consider that the cross -- Forever established the "priesthood of believers"
When we come to the cross and repent of our sins, we are transformed by the power of God into what 1 Peter 2:9 says "…a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
In the Old Testament, to be a priest, you had to be a Levite. A male Levite. A male Levite between the ages of twenty and fifty unblemished without defect. And even if you made the cut, the farthest you go in your priestly role was into the holy place in the tabernacle or temple.
As a ordinary priest you couldn't get into the Holy of Holies, the place where the glory of God dwelt - ("the glory" was a miraculous, supernatural, physical, visible glory cloud called "the shekinah" that hovered over the ark of the covenant) - and only the high priest was permitted to go in to the Holy of Holies, and even then only one time per year.
But because of the cross, everything's changed.
Now YOU AND I, by God's personal invitation no less, extended to us in Hebrews 4:16: can "…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
When the twelve tribes of Israel were receiving their royal inheritance from God, eleven tribes received land, one tribe received the priesthood - the Levites. God Himself was their inheritance. The priests were privileged to minister unto the Lord. In the same fashion, God has chosen us to be in HIS ministry and join Him in HIS work. And what ministry might that be?
(2 Cor 5:18 NIV) "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
(2 Cor 5:19 NIV) that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
(2 Cor 5:20 NIV) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Our job is to go and make disciples. It's called the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It's God's dream and will and desire that none should perish but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The cross has transformed us from sinners to saints, from servants to sons, and from pagans to priests of God Most High to win the lost and make disciples.
The power of the cross!
6. Consider that the cross -- Proved that God loves us
(John 13:1 NIV) "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love."
What was the full extent of His love?
(Rom 5:8 NIV) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
(John 15:13 NIV) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Since we were children many of us were brought up singing:: "Jesus loves me this I know / for the Bible tells me so…"
God loves me. God is love. We've heard it so much it's old news. If we're not careful we can become jaded, desensitized to its impact. How many of you reading this are parents? How many of you have only one child in your family? Would you be willing to give up your child to die for a terrorist? How about a child molester? What about sacrificing your beloved offspring for a serial killer? A backslidden housewife? Even if you had twelve children, would you be willing to let even one of them die for somebody else's mistakes?
But that's exactly what God did for us through the power of the cross. There's an old chorus of a hymn that says it so well: "Amazing love how can it be that thou my God should die for me?"
7. Consider that the cross -- Purchased forgiveness for mankind's sin: Past, Present & Future
God's not up in heaven with a cosmic baseball bat ready to thump us on the head every time you and I mess up. The Bible says that "…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20).
Another wonderful promise of God that we can count on concerning obtaining forgiveness for our sin, even those we consider most despicable, is found in Isaiah 1:18:
"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
We don't have a "revolving door" salvation experience. That is to say, that every time you and I make a mistake that God blots our name out of the Lamb's book of life.
1 John 2:1 teaches "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
No matter how bad you think your mistake is, it cannot overcome the power of the cross:
(1 Cor 1:18 NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
8. Consider that the cross -- Provided for all our needs in this life
Everything we need pertaining to life and godliness God provides. God knows you've got to eat, send the kids to school, pay your taxes, and put gas in the car.
Our Heavenly father knows that you need to pay your cable bill, buy that new bass boat, get a new set of clubs…(Sometimes what we perceive as a need God knows is really a desire.)
Goes DOES NOT have a problem with you having things as long as things don't have you. As a matter of fact, He LONGS TO BLESS YOU and give you the desires of your heart and put you on display to this entire world that there is a difference between those who serve God and those who do not. He's not trying to keep something FROM YOU but He's trying to get blessing TO YOU through your obedience!
The cross provides for all our needs and they come in a thousand varieties. (Phil 4:19 NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Every need supplied through the power of the cross and the resurrected Christ!
9. Consider that the cross -- Gives us power over the devil
Jesus said in Luke 10:19:
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Because of the power of the cross, it's not a fair fight. You see, "No weapon formed against us shall prosper!" (Isaiah 54:17).
On the other hand, the weapons that God has equipped us with work very well:
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV) "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…"
Because of the cross, we have been clothed in the righteousness of God in Christ - we are dead and our lives are hidden with Christ in God - hidden - Jesus is our "cloaking device" that hides us in the secret place of the Most High under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91)!
Under our robes of humility we are encased in the full armor of God - we're covered with His blood. If the devil could get through the blood of Jesus he'd be a saved devil.
And if that's not enough, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." (Psalm 34:7 NIV)
The cross gives us power over the devil!
10. Consider that the cross -- Breaks the chains that bind us
There's not a hook, a habit, a bondage, a chain, a scheme or a plot hatched in hell that is so strong and powerful that it can withstand and overcome the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36 NIV).
The apostle Paul wrote in:
(Phil 1:19 NIV) "for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance."
Did you ever stop to think that you may be going through what you're going through so that later you can help somebody else get through what you got through?
What the devil means for harm in your life, God is going to turn around for your good! God absolutely delights in taking the arrows that the enemy shoots at you and has the splendid ability to catch them in mid-air and transform them into blessings to lay at your feet.
How is that possible? Through the power of the cross! Because Jesus reconciled us with our Creator and dealt a fatal blow to the sin issue that separated us from God, we have been set free from fear and lust and pornography and dope and any and every weight that we have tolerated or invited to be part of our lives.
The power of the cross of Jesus Christ and His mighty resurrection effectively deals with legal and illegal intrusion into our life by our adversary, the devil!
The writer of the old hymn was absolutely right when they wrote:
At the cross / at the cross / where I first saw the light / and the burden of my heart rolled away / it was there by faith / I received my sight / and now I am happy all the day.
DSR
3/8/03
1. Consider that the cross -- Actually divided the Trinity
The King James version of the Bible says in 1 John 5:7: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
One God eternally existent in three Persons - that's the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. If you think too hard about the concept of the Trinity you can lose your mind, if you don't think hard enough about it you can lose your place in eternity with God! It's a large thought.
But when He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ - God necessarily turned His back on sin. That's why Jesus cried out while on the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Matthew 27:46 NIV) Answer: Because a holy God cannot tolerate sin. Isaiah 59:2 says: "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
So, at the cross, something that had never been before nor will ever be again - actually happened - the Trinity experienced separation. As God withdrew His presence from the sin of the world, embodied in His beloved Son, light went with Him and for three hours the light of the world was gone - and there was a great darkness. That day, the SUN/SON died. But during the darkness, the Bible says in Luke 23:45, "the curtain in the temple was torn in two."
You may be going through a dark period in your life. But I want to encourage you that something powerful might be going on behind the scenes and you wonder if God is even there? The I AM is there and He is very much at work through the power of the cross!
2. Consider that the cross -- Made God "our" Father
The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become the sons of God.
John 1:12 proves this when it says: "Yet to all who received him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." That's what being "born again" is all about. Being adopted into God's family as a permanent relative.
This next verse I'm going to quote, when Jesus said it out loud for the first time, I believe it shook the devil to his core! Why? Consider the implications of Jesus declaration to one of His followers just after His resurrection:
(John 20:17 NIV) Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and YOUR Father, to my God and YOUR God."
And I can almost hear Satan gasping, in complete and utter horror and disbelief: "What do you mean THEIR FATHER? I know You are the Son of God, even my demons know that, but THE MOST HIGH IS NOW THEIR FATHER?"
You see, the New Testament scriptures had not yet been written - so Satan couldn't read ahead and find out what was going to happen next to Jesus - Satan had no idea that the cross wasn't going to end in defeat but was going to accomplish the purposes of God.
Had the devil realized the power of the cross and what Jesus' death on it would accomplish for mankind I believe he would have modified his strategy and forsaken his plan to kill the Christ. How do I know that?
Because the New Testament scripture written at a later time reveals God's manifold wisdom:
(1 Cor 2:7 NIV) No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
(1 Cor 2:8 NIV) None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
God is now OUR Father by the power of the cross!
3. Consider that the cross -- Scarred the body of Jesus Christ forever
(John 20:25 NIV) So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he ["Doubting Thomas"] said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
(John 20:26 NIV) A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
(John 20:27 NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Here we have the scarred resurrected Christ! But really, that's interesting but that's not even the point that blows me away! The point I want you to meditate on is what's called "the incarnation." That is, God becoming a man. There are lots of world religions that would have man to become God, but the Christian faith is the only one in which God becomes man.
I am convinced that this side of heaven you and I will never fully comprehend nor appreciate what it meant that God, the infinite God who created quadrillions of stars and has every single one of them named, condescended to become a man and live in a human body. The Son of God / the Son of man. Jesus Christ - fully God, fully man.
See here's the twist: the Bible teaches us in John 4:24 that:
(John 4:24 NIV) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Notice in the Old Testament that whenever Jesus appears in His pre-incarnate state, He is often referred to as "the Angel of the Lord." He didn't get a body until He was born of a young Jewish girl named Mary.
But notice this: Jesus, AFTER His resurrection, REMAINED in a body. God-in-a-body AFTER he had finished the work His Father had prepared for him to do! Think about it!
And to this day, to this hour, He remains in a glorified body, the first fruits of what you and I are going to inherit because of the power of the cross.
4. Consider that the cross -- Was very likely the scene of an unseen showdown
Don't you think that Lucifer and his fallen angels were there at Golgotha that day to boast, brag, and arrogantly belch out their apparent victory to their angelic counterparts?
We can't prove it, but I don't have any problem believing that the entire heavenly host turned out for the event of the ages - I think every last one of them was there to witness the most amazing scene that had ever been since the creation.
The very One whom the angels had worshipped was now terminally tacked up on a cross, bruised, beaten, naked, dripping with sweat and blood and foul smelling spit from the His enemies. How could this possibly be? Can you just imagine the party hell was throwing on a hill called Mt. Calvary?
Can't you just feel the tension and stress of Michael the archangel and thousands of his warring angels just hovering…totally powerless to intervene because they had not received a whisper of an order from Jesus or the Father concerning this matter?
I know they were they because the Lord told His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53 NIV)
Can you imagine the jeers and taunts of one-third of the fallen angles now established as principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places casting insults on the remaining two-thirds of the faithful angels who stayed behind with God as heaven's Champion lay nailed to a cross?
Did the demons taunt and tease the heavenly host with jabs like: "Who made the right choice? Did we not say join in the rebellion with us? Did not our master Lucifer rightly say he could be like the Most High?"
I don't know if this happened but I find it hard to believe that the devil and the hounds of hell weren't there to witness their finest hour and gloat in their alleged victory. But to the dismay and agony of the angels Jesus gave no command nor called on His Father to do so, but followed through with what He had said earlier: "But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" (Matthew 26:54 NIV)
The power of the cross.
5. Consider that the cross -- Forever established the "priesthood of believers"
When we come to the cross and repent of our sins, we are transformed by the power of God into what 1 Peter 2:9 says "…a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
In the Old Testament, to be a priest, you had to be a Levite. A male Levite. A male Levite between the ages of twenty and fifty unblemished without defect. And even if you made the cut, the farthest you go in your priestly role was into the holy place in the tabernacle or temple.
As a ordinary priest you couldn't get into the Holy of Holies, the place where the glory of God dwelt - ("the glory" was a miraculous, supernatural, physical, visible glory cloud called "the shekinah" that hovered over the ark of the covenant) - and only the high priest was permitted to go in to the Holy of Holies, and even then only one time per year.
But because of the cross, everything's changed.
Now YOU AND I, by God's personal invitation no less, extended to us in Hebrews 4:16: can "…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
When the twelve tribes of Israel were receiving their royal inheritance from God, eleven tribes received land, one tribe received the priesthood - the Levites. God Himself was their inheritance. The priests were privileged to minister unto the Lord. In the same fashion, God has chosen us to be in HIS ministry and join Him in HIS work. And what ministry might that be?
(2 Cor 5:18 NIV) "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
(2 Cor 5:19 NIV) that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
(2 Cor 5:20 NIV) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Our job is to go and make disciples. It's called the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It's God's dream and will and desire that none should perish but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The cross has transformed us from sinners to saints, from servants to sons, and from pagans to priests of God Most High to win the lost and make disciples.
The power of the cross!
6. Consider that the cross -- Proved that God loves us
(John 13:1 NIV) "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love."
What was the full extent of His love?
(Rom 5:8 NIV) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
(John 15:13 NIV) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Since we were children many of us were brought up singing:: "Jesus loves me this I know / for the Bible tells me so…"
God loves me. God is love. We've heard it so much it's old news. If we're not careful we can become jaded, desensitized to its impact. How many of you reading this are parents? How many of you have only one child in your family? Would you be willing to give up your child to die for a terrorist? How about a child molester? What about sacrificing your beloved offspring for a serial killer? A backslidden housewife? Even if you had twelve children, would you be willing to let even one of them die for somebody else's mistakes?
But that's exactly what God did for us through the power of the cross. There's an old chorus of a hymn that says it so well: "Amazing love how can it be that thou my God should die for me?"
7. Consider that the cross -- Purchased forgiveness for mankind's sin: Past, Present & Future
God's not up in heaven with a cosmic baseball bat ready to thump us on the head every time you and I mess up. The Bible says that "…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20).
Another wonderful promise of God that we can count on concerning obtaining forgiveness for our sin, even those we consider most despicable, is found in Isaiah 1:18:
"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
We don't have a "revolving door" salvation experience. That is to say, that every time you and I make a mistake that God blots our name out of the Lamb's book of life.
1 John 2:1 teaches "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
No matter how bad you think your mistake is, it cannot overcome the power of the cross:
(1 Cor 1:18 NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
8. Consider that the cross -- Provided for all our needs in this life
Everything we need pertaining to life and godliness God provides. God knows you've got to eat, send the kids to school, pay your taxes, and put gas in the car.
Our Heavenly father knows that you need to pay your cable bill, buy that new bass boat, get a new set of clubs…(Sometimes what we perceive as a need God knows is really a desire.)
Goes DOES NOT have a problem with you having things as long as things don't have you. As a matter of fact, He LONGS TO BLESS YOU and give you the desires of your heart and put you on display to this entire world that there is a difference between those who serve God and those who do not. He's not trying to keep something FROM YOU but He's trying to get blessing TO YOU through your obedience!
The cross provides for all our needs and they come in a thousand varieties. (Phil 4:19 NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Every need supplied through the power of the cross and the resurrected Christ!
9. Consider that the cross -- Gives us power over the devil
Jesus said in Luke 10:19:
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Because of the power of the cross, it's not a fair fight. You see, "No weapon formed against us shall prosper!" (Isaiah 54:17).
On the other hand, the weapons that God has equipped us with work very well:
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV) "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…"
Because of the cross, we have been clothed in the righteousness of God in Christ - we are dead and our lives are hidden with Christ in God - hidden - Jesus is our "cloaking device" that hides us in the secret place of the Most High under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91)!
Under our robes of humility we are encased in the full armor of God - we're covered with His blood. If the devil could get through the blood of Jesus he'd be a saved devil.
And if that's not enough, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." (Psalm 34:7 NIV)
The cross gives us power over the devil!
10. Consider that the cross -- Breaks the chains that bind us
There's not a hook, a habit, a bondage, a chain, a scheme or a plot hatched in hell that is so strong and powerful that it can withstand and overcome the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36 NIV).
The apostle Paul wrote in:
(Phil 1:19 NIV) "for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance."
Did you ever stop to think that you may be going through what you're going through so that later you can help somebody else get through what you got through?
What the devil means for harm in your life, God is going to turn around for your good! God absolutely delights in taking the arrows that the enemy shoots at you and has the splendid ability to catch them in mid-air and transform them into blessings to lay at your feet.
How is that possible? Through the power of the cross! Because Jesus reconciled us with our Creator and dealt a fatal blow to the sin issue that separated us from God, we have been set free from fear and lust and pornography and dope and any and every weight that we have tolerated or invited to be part of our lives.
The power of the cross of Jesus Christ and His mighty resurrection effectively deals with legal and illegal intrusion into our life by our adversary, the devil!
The writer of the old hymn was absolutely right when they wrote:
At the cross / at the cross / where I first saw the light / and the burden of my heart rolled away / it was there by faith / I received my sight / and now I am happy all the day.
DSR
3/8/03
Monday, March 3, 2003
A Prayer for the Nations
by David Scott Robertson
(Psa 2:8 NIV) "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." - Jehovah God
(Mat 7:7 NIV) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Mat 7:8 NIV) For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -- Jesus
Today is 03-03-03.
A day like no other in the history of the world.
It is a day of world prayer.
It is time to pray.
Heavenly Father, You are the great God, Jehovah.
Jesus, you are King and Lord of all.
Holy Spirit, You are the agent of salvation, sanctification, and service in our lives.
Lord, we join tens of millions of other Christian believers around the world in prayer on this unprecedented day in the history of mankind.
Even as I write this, even as these words are read and the reader comes into agreement with this prayer,
We merge our faith with the multitudes of the disciples of Jesus,
And we add our voices with the throngs bombarding heaven with
Blessing and honor and intercession and petition on behalf of our world.
Lord Jesus, let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Grant that the church of Jesus Christ rise up as one body, under the headship and Lordship of Christ, in pleasant unity, to cease not day and night crying out for the souls of the lost.
Open the eyes of the pre-saved that the light of the gospel might pierce the darkness today.
Heal those that are spiritually deaf, spiritually blind, and spiritually dead.
Translate souls out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Your dear Son, Father God.
We cry out with all the earnestness we possess that you would pour out your Spirit upon all flesh that all might come to a knowledge of that truth --
The non-negotiable fact that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no man comes to the Father except through Him.
We bless those who curse us and pray for those who have spitefully used us.
We break every word curse spoken against the church of Jesus Christ and nullify by the authority of our Lord King Jesus every assignment against the advancement of the kingdom of God.
We pray for our leaders, both governmental and spiritual leaders, that they might receive the wisdom of God that comes from an endowment of grace rather than a reliance on knowledge and earthly information.
Father, we give thanks to the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.
We trust in the protection of Psalm 91,
We ask for the blessing of Deuteronomy 28,
We pray the Prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10,
And we commit with Joshua in Joshua 24:15-16 that as for us and our households, we will serve the Lord.
No matter what.
Lord God, we pray that the anointing of the Holy Spirit to fall down upon the saved and unsaved from Los Angeles to New York City,
From Quebec to Mexico City,
From Rio de Janero to Surabaya, Indonesia.
We pray the Lord's grace to envelope entire people groups in Iraq, Iran, North and South Korea, and Afganistan. We pray that entire continents like Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, and those in the former Soviet Union will be swept into the kingdom of God by the millions.
Lord, we acknowlege that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it.
We ask, we seek, we knock on the doors of heaven,
Petitioning you for a spiritual breakthrough in the lives of people.
We love you, Lord.
We ask for every single thing on Your holy agenda to be accomplished in Your time, in Your way, through Your servants, through your ministering spirits the angels, and through your soveriegn divine intervention.
Be glorified in the end of the end times and last of the last days.
We look to you in joy and in hope and we pledge allegiance to you,
As one nation of believers,
Under God,
Indivisible,
Proclaiming liberty through Christ Jesus,
And ultimate justice for all by faith in His shed blood,
Amen.
DSR
3/3/03
(Psa 2:8 NIV) "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." - Jehovah God
(Mat 7:7 NIV) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Mat 7:8 NIV) For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -- Jesus
Today is 03-03-03.
A day like no other in the history of the world.
It is a day of world prayer.
It is time to pray.
Heavenly Father, You are the great God, Jehovah.
Jesus, you are King and Lord of all.
Holy Spirit, You are the agent of salvation, sanctification, and service in our lives.
Lord, we join tens of millions of other Christian believers around the world in prayer on this unprecedented day in the history of mankind.
Even as I write this, even as these words are read and the reader comes into agreement with this prayer,
We merge our faith with the multitudes of the disciples of Jesus,
And we add our voices with the throngs bombarding heaven with
Blessing and honor and intercession and petition on behalf of our world.
Lord Jesus, let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Grant that the church of Jesus Christ rise up as one body, under the headship and Lordship of Christ, in pleasant unity, to cease not day and night crying out for the souls of the lost.
Open the eyes of the pre-saved that the light of the gospel might pierce the darkness today.
Heal those that are spiritually deaf, spiritually blind, and spiritually dead.
Translate souls out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Your dear Son, Father God.
We cry out with all the earnestness we possess that you would pour out your Spirit upon all flesh that all might come to a knowledge of that truth --
The non-negotiable fact that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no man comes to the Father except through Him.
We bless those who curse us and pray for those who have spitefully used us.
We break every word curse spoken against the church of Jesus Christ and nullify by the authority of our Lord King Jesus every assignment against the advancement of the kingdom of God.
We pray for our leaders, both governmental and spiritual leaders, that they might receive the wisdom of God that comes from an endowment of grace rather than a reliance on knowledge and earthly information.
Father, we give thanks to the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.
We trust in the protection of Psalm 91,
We ask for the blessing of Deuteronomy 28,
We pray the Prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10,
And we commit with Joshua in Joshua 24:15-16 that as for us and our households, we will serve the Lord.
No matter what.
Lord God, we pray that the anointing of the Holy Spirit to fall down upon the saved and unsaved from Los Angeles to New York City,
From Quebec to Mexico City,
From Rio de Janero to Surabaya, Indonesia.
We pray the Lord's grace to envelope entire people groups in Iraq, Iran, North and South Korea, and Afganistan. We pray that entire continents like Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, and those in the former Soviet Union will be swept into the kingdom of God by the millions.
Lord, we acknowlege that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it.
We ask, we seek, we knock on the doors of heaven,
Petitioning you for a spiritual breakthrough in the lives of people.
We love you, Lord.
We ask for every single thing on Your holy agenda to be accomplished in Your time, in Your way, through Your servants, through your ministering spirits the angels, and through your soveriegn divine intervention.
Be glorified in the end of the end times and last of the last days.
We look to you in joy and in hope and we pledge allegiance to you,
As one nation of believers,
Under God,
Indivisible,
Proclaiming liberty through Christ Jesus,
And ultimate justice for all by faith in His shed blood,
Amen.
DSR
3/3/03
Monday, February 10, 2003
The Seven Building Blocks of Wisdom
by David Scott Robertson
So you want to be a wise guy, huh? So do I. Who in their right mind doesn’t want to think clearly, speak well, and act with wisdom?
OK, then, how do we become wise? As I see it, there are at least seven basic and elementary facets of wisdom that we would do well to consider…
BUILDING BLOCK #1. FEAR GOD
(Prov 2:5 NIV) “then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
Got it! Fear God. Then what? Next, add to fearing God…
BUILDING BLOCK #2. OBEY GOD
Solomon, whom the Bible plainly identifies as the wisest natural born man who ever lived,
Summed up his life experiences by concluding:
(Eccl 12:13 NIV) “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
OK, fear and obey God. What next? Thirdly, you’ll need to implement…
BUILDING BLOCK #3. GET INTO GOD’S WORD AND ALLOW GOD’S WORD TO GET INTO YOU
The great mentor and apostle Paul told his protégé Timothy:
(2 Tim 3:15 NIV) “and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Another important ingredient for you becoming a wise person is…
BUILDING BLOCK #4. LIVE BY RIGHT PRIORITIES
This is what I call “living life in the right order.” Jesus taught us…
(Mat 6:33 NIV) “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
To add to your wisdom, you must apply…
BUILDING BLOCK #5. DISCOVER HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE TRUE LOVE
(1 Cor 13:2 NIV) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
(Luke 10:27 NIV) He [Jesus] answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The truth here is so plain it is startling! Without love, we are nothing and anything we accomplish apart from love is worthless. And unless we are loving God and loving one another, we are living foolish, misguided lives.
Another elementary but foundational building block in your wisdom is…
BUILDING BLOCK #6. SIMPLY ASK GOD FOR WISDOM
Our Holy Spirit Owner’s Manual, the Bible, plainly teaches…
(James 1:5 NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Well, aspiring wise man or wise woman, there you have it - the six building blocks of wisdom. A prescription for being biblically wise instead of worldly smart.
1. Fear God.
2. Obey His commandments.
3. Study His Word, the Bible.
4. Seek His face, first.
5. Love Him, love His people.
6. Ask for wisdom.
What a minute. The title of this thought is “The Seven Building Blocks of Wisdom.” I guess I need to include one more. Oh yeah, no foundation of wisdom would be complete without…
BUILDING BLOCK #7. LEARN TO TAKE A REBUKE WITHOUT GETTING OFFENDED
(Psa 141:5 NIV) “Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it….”
That’s right - take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. Get corrected and not leave the church. Get chastised by a leader and not quit your ministry. Realize that wisdom won’t die with you. Understand that you don’t have a monopoly on doing things right. Considering that it is possible that your way might actually be the wrong way. Concentrate on remaining teachable, trainable, moldable, and shapeable.
To be a wise person, you must accept the fact that God can and will speak through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, friends, neighbors, ushers, greeters, and (you can fill-in-the-blank) to teach, rebuke, correct, and train you in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). This last step is of major importance because so many fail to obtain godly wisdom by omitting this important component.
Some mistakenly think that by filling their minds with Bible facts and knowledge that this somehow qualifies them for biblical wisdom. Not necessarily. For as Paul told the church at Corinth:
“…We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”
Remember the Bible text I submitted to you for this point?
(Psa 141:5 NIV) “Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it….”
It is very important that we learn to accept a rebuke with the greatest of ease; to gracefully allow correction to become our valued ally.
Did you know that all your opinions aren’t right? Were you aware that just because you think it is so doesn’t necessarily make it so?
Sometimes we really are on the wrong course and we need somebody to love us enough to confront us, and correct us and serve as a roadblock on our pathway to failure that they can see and we cannot – or will not.
(Prov 27:6 NIV) “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
True friends will tell you the truth, friend. And never forget that “…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov 18:24 NIV). And our friendly Savior chastises and disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:12).
(Prov 4:7 KJV) “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” But please understand this…
(Psa 84:11 KJV) “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
And sometimes the “good thing,” the best thing, is to be struck, disciplined, or punished by a righteous man.
I’ll quote it one more time for emphasis:
(Psa 141:5 NIV) “Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it…”
DSR
2/10/03
So you want to be a wise guy, huh? So do I. Who in their right mind doesn’t want to think clearly, speak well, and act with wisdom?
OK, then, how do we become wise? As I see it, there are at least seven basic and elementary facets of wisdom that we would do well to consider…
BUILDING BLOCK #1. FEAR GOD
(Prov 2:5 NIV) “then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
Got it! Fear God. Then what? Next, add to fearing God…
BUILDING BLOCK #2. OBEY GOD
Solomon, whom the Bible plainly identifies as the wisest natural born man who ever lived,
Summed up his life experiences by concluding:
(Eccl 12:13 NIV) “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
OK, fear and obey God. What next? Thirdly, you’ll need to implement…
BUILDING BLOCK #3. GET INTO GOD’S WORD AND ALLOW GOD’S WORD TO GET INTO YOU
The great mentor and apostle Paul told his protégé Timothy:
(2 Tim 3:15 NIV) “and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Another important ingredient for you becoming a wise person is…
BUILDING BLOCK #4. LIVE BY RIGHT PRIORITIES
This is what I call “living life in the right order.” Jesus taught us…
(Mat 6:33 NIV) “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
To add to your wisdom, you must apply…
BUILDING BLOCK #5. DISCOVER HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE TRUE LOVE
(1 Cor 13:2 NIV) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
(Luke 10:27 NIV) He [Jesus] answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The truth here is so plain it is startling! Without love, we are nothing and anything we accomplish apart from love is worthless. And unless we are loving God and loving one another, we are living foolish, misguided lives.
Another elementary but foundational building block in your wisdom is…
BUILDING BLOCK #6. SIMPLY ASK GOD FOR WISDOM
Our Holy Spirit Owner’s Manual, the Bible, plainly teaches…
(James 1:5 NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Well, aspiring wise man or wise woman, there you have it - the six building blocks of wisdom. A prescription for being biblically wise instead of worldly smart.
1. Fear God.
2. Obey His commandments.
3. Study His Word, the Bible.
4. Seek His face, first.
5. Love Him, love His people.
6. Ask for wisdom.
What a minute. The title of this thought is “The Seven Building Blocks of Wisdom.” I guess I need to include one more. Oh yeah, no foundation of wisdom would be complete without…
BUILDING BLOCK #7. LEARN TO TAKE A REBUKE WITHOUT GETTING OFFENDED
(Psa 141:5 NIV) “Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it….”
That’s right - take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. Get corrected and not leave the church. Get chastised by a leader and not quit your ministry. Realize that wisdom won’t die with you. Understand that you don’t have a monopoly on doing things right. Considering that it is possible that your way might actually be the wrong way. Concentrate on remaining teachable, trainable, moldable, and shapeable.
To be a wise person, you must accept the fact that God can and will speak through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, friends, neighbors, ushers, greeters, and (you can fill-in-the-blank) to teach, rebuke, correct, and train you in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). This last step is of major importance because so many fail to obtain godly wisdom by omitting this important component.
Some mistakenly think that by filling their minds with Bible facts and knowledge that this somehow qualifies them for biblical wisdom. Not necessarily. For as Paul told the church at Corinth:
“…We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”
Remember the Bible text I submitted to you for this point?
(Psa 141:5 NIV) “Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it….”
It is very important that we learn to accept a rebuke with the greatest of ease; to gracefully allow correction to become our valued ally.
Did you know that all your opinions aren’t right? Were you aware that just because you think it is so doesn’t necessarily make it so?
Sometimes we really are on the wrong course and we need somebody to love us enough to confront us, and correct us and serve as a roadblock on our pathway to failure that they can see and we cannot – or will not.
(Prov 27:6 NIV) “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
True friends will tell you the truth, friend. And never forget that “…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov 18:24 NIV). And our friendly Savior chastises and disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:12).
(Prov 4:7 KJV) “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” But please understand this…
(Psa 84:11 KJV) “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
And sometimes the “good thing,” the best thing, is to be struck, disciplined, or punished by a righteous man.
I’ll quote it one more time for emphasis:
(Psa 141:5 NIV) “Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it…”
DSR
2/10/03
Saturday, February 8, 2003
I Admire My Wife
by David Scott Robertson
In my lifetime I have met and appreciated many influential women in my world.
My mother, my grandmother, Sunday school teachers, and other sisters and female friends in the Lord have all made an indelible mark on my life.
But none have influenced me more than one special woman.
I met Monica at church sixteen years ago.
As our Christian friendship took an unexpected romantic turn,
I suddenly discovered that I could live without this woman, but I didn’t want to.
So I asked the Lord if I could have her as my wife.
Both He and she said “yes.”
Now I’m learning what it means to be a husband who loves his wife as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her.
I’m beginning to understand why the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:7 that “…the woman is the glory of man.”
You see, I have come to a place in my marriage where I admire my wife.
She gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Abigail Grace.
She taught my child to read.
She prays over our family as a watchman on the wall.
She is a woman of integrity whose word is her bond.
She fears the Lord and obeys His commands and does those things that are pleasing in His sight.
She has a sense of humor – (after all she married me).
She loves God far more than me – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Her world revolves around her faith in Jesus and the Bible is her favorite book.
She has a gift of wisdom and many come to her for counsel – including myself.
For these and a thousand other reasons, I have come to a place in my marriage where I admire my wife.
I purpose in my heart to tell her more often those words every woman loves to hear from her husband: “Honey, I was wrong and you were right.”
Depending upon how she’s treating me at the time, I joke with her about being a “Proverbs 31 wife.” If she’s yelled at me for leaving my clothes on the floor, “I tell her today she’s a Proverbs 18 wife” or if she nags a little too much I quip that today she’s acting like a “Proverbs 27 wife.”
But the truth of the matter is, to me, my imperfect wife who is perfect for me, captures the essence of the ideal wife described in Proverbs 31 when God’s Word says:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:29-30 NIV).
DSR
2/8/03
In my lifetime I have met and appreciated many influential women in my world.
My mother, my grandmother, Sunday school teachers, and other sisters and female friends in the Lord have all made an indelible mark on my life.
But none have influenced me more than one special woman.
I met Monica at church sixteen years ago.
As our Christian friendship took an unexpected romantic turn,
I suddenly discovered that I could live without this woman, but I didn’t want to.
So I asked the Lord if I could have her as my wife.
Both He and she said “yes.”
Now I’m learning what it means to be a husband who loves his wife as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her.
I’m beginning to understand why the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:7 that “…the woman is the glory of man.”
You see, I have come to a place in my marriage where I admire my wife.
She gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Abigail Grace.
She taught my child to read.
She prays over our family as a watchman on the wall.
She is a woman of integrity whose word is her bond.
She fears the Lord and obeys His commands and does those things that are pleasing in His sight.
She has a sense of humor – (after all she married me).
She loves God far more than me – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Her world revolves around her faith in Jesus and the Bible is her favorite book.
She has a gift of wisdom and many come to her for counsel – including myself.
For these and a thousand other reasons, I have come to a place in my marriage where I admire my wife.
I purpose in my heart to tell her more often those words every woman loves to hear from her husband: “Honey, I was wrong and you were right.”
Depending upon how she’s treating me at the time, I joke with her about being a “Proverbs 31 wife.” If she’s yelled at me for leaving my clothes on the floor, “I tell her today she’s a Proverbs 18 wife” or if she nags a little too much I quip that today she’s acting like a “Proverbs 27 wife.”
But the truth of the matter is, to me, my imperfect wife who is perfect for me, captures the essence of the ideal wife described in Proverbs 31 when God’s Word says:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:29-30 NIV).
DSR
2/8/03
Monday, February 3, 2003
A Nation Mourns
by David Scott Robertson
February 1, 2003.
Like all Americans, I awoke to a national tragedy.
I watched CNN in horror, sadness, and pain as the space shuttle Columbia plummeted through earth’s atmosphere at about 12,500 miles per hour.
Like many of you, I was stunned.
Flashbacks of the space shuttle Challenger tragedy 17 years prior began to resurface.
Right away, I began praying for family members of the crew who had just unwillingly entered a passageway through grief.
I remember watching the coverage with my wife for a few hours, then feeling the need to take an emotional break we went to Wal-Mart to do our grocery shopping.
I numbly walked through the store and I distinctly remember thinking to myself – how can over a thousand people be here right now shopping?
How come my car started when I turned on the ignition?
How come the water still came out of the faucet in the restroom?
How is it that the birds were singing outside?
How come kids were playing at the public park when we drove by?
Why were the restaurants full?
How come life seemed to go on as if nothing happened?
After all, seven human beings had just died this morning, how come everything around me in effect was business as usual?
As I grappled with these thoughts, I realized that more than seven precious individuals died on February 1, 2003. I don’t exactly know what the death rate is the world but the fact of the matter is that hundreds of thousands of people died on Saturday along with our national heroes. We don’t know their names but certainly their loved ones do.
I wonder if they struggled with the fact that time seemed to march on even though their world seemed to stand still?
Later, I listened to President Bush compassionately address the nation about our loss and at that moment I was very proud to be an American.
I am thankful to the NASA family and the men and women astronauts who face the challenges, dangers, and risks of space exploration to advance important causes of humankind.
I appreciate other professionals who risk life and limb on a daily basis to keep our economy grinding forward.
I appreciate the armed forces of the United States of America who place themselves in harm’s way to protect the American people and allies throughout the globe.
I am thankful for so many millions of people who make up our society that dream their dreams and pay their taxes and buy their goods and provide their services and live their lives to the best of their ability.
Each one will be sorely missed as they pass away.
My take on death is to live life well and biblically.
That way, your survivors will not only receive comfort in knowing that your life was not lived in vain having meaning and great significance but they will also have peace in knowing your eternal destination is with God. For Christians, death is by no means final.
Our Heavenly Father has scheduled a wonderful reunion of departed loved ones one glorious day.
In the meantime, here are some ways to make your life count for God:
1. KNOW YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE
We must strive to know the purpose for which God created us.
Ask yourself: What is the contribution that we can make to humanity that God has uniquely qualified and equipped us to make?
2. FULFILL YOUR POTENTIAL
We must strive to realize our potential and finish the work God has called us to do.
Ask yourself: What steps do I need to take to pursue my life development process to become all that God intends me to become?
3. SOW SEEDS IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS
We must strive to impart godly values in our children, friends, and families that will outlive us.
Ask yourself: Am I spending adequate time influencing those most important to me to help prepare them for success in life?
Let me say it again for emphasis: For those who are Christians, death is by no means the end. For the believer in Jesus Christ, death is not a passageway through grief, but an on ramp from the side street of life to the superhighway of greater life.
It is this hope in afterlife and eternal life that has brought me great comfort and peace in times of intense loss and tragedy.
(2 Cor 1:3 NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
(2 Cor 1:4 NIV) who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
(2 Cor 1:5 NIV) For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
IN LOVING MEMORY OF…
Shuttle commander Rick Husband, pilot William McCool, mission specialists Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, David Brown, Michael Anderson, Laurel Clark, and Kalpana Chawla.
DSR
2/3/03
February 1, 2003.
Like all Americans, I awoke to a national tragedy.
I watched CNN in horror, sadness, and pain as the space shuttle Columbia plummeted through earth’s atmosphere at about 12,500 miles per hour.
Like many of you, I was stunned.
Flashbacks of the space shuttle Challenger tragedy 17 years prior began to resurface.
Right away, I began praying for family members of the crew who had just unwillingly entered a passageway through grief.
I remember watching the coverage with my wife for a few hours, then feeling the need to take an emotional break we went to Wal-Mart to do our grocery shopping.
I numbly walked through the store and I distinctly remember thinking to myself – how can over a thousand people be here right now shopping?
How come my car started when I turned on the ignition?
How come the water still came out of the faucet in the restroom?
How is it that the birds were singing outside?
How come kids were playing at the public park when we drove by?
Why were the restaurants full?
How come life seemed to go on as if nothing happened?
After all, seven human beings had just died this morning, how come everything around me in effect was business as usual?
As I grappled with these thoughts, I realized that more than seven precious individuals died on February 1, 2003. I don’t exactly know what the death rate is the world but the fact of the matter is that hundreds of thousands of people died on Saturday along with our national heroes. We don’t know their names but certainly their loved ones do.
I wonder if they struggled with the fact that time seemed to march on even though their world seemed to stand still?
Later, I listened to President Bush compassionately address the nation about our loss and at that moment I was very proud to be an American.
I am thankful to the NASA family and the men and women astronauts who face the challenges, dangers, and risks of space exploration to advance important causes of humankind.
I appreciate other professionals who risk life and limb on a daily basis to keep our economy grinding forward.
I appreciate the armed forces of the United States of America who place themselves in harm’s way to protect the American people and allies throughout the globe.
I am thankful for so many millions of people who make up our society that dream their dreams and pay their taxes and buy their goods and provide their services and live their lives to the best of their ability.
Each one will be sorely missed as they pass away.
My take on death is to live life well and biblically.
That way, your survivors will not only receive comfort in knowing that your life was not lived in vain having meaning and great significance but they will also have peace in knowing your eternal destination is with God. For Christians, death is by no means final.
Our Heavenly Father has scheduled a wonderful reunion of departed loved ones one glorious day.
In the meantime, here are some ways to make your life count for God:
1. KNOW YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE
We must strive to know the purpose for which God created us.
Ask yourself: What is the contribution that we can make to humanity that God has uniquely qualified and equipped us to make?
2. FULFILL YOUR POTENTIAL
We must strive to realize our potential and finish the work God has called us to do.
Ask yourself: What steps do I need to take to pursue my life development process to become all that God intends me to become?
3. SOW SEEDS IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS
We must strive to impart godly values in our children, friends, and families that will outlive us.
Ask yourself: Am I spending adequate time influencing those most important to me to help prepare them for success in life?
Let me say it again for emphasis: For those who are Christians, death is by no means the end. For the believer in Jesus Christ, death is not a passageway through grief, but an on ramp from the side street of life to the superhighway of greater life.
It is this hope in afterlife and eternal life that has brought me great comfort and peace in times of intense loss and tragedy.
(2 Cor 1:3 NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
(2 Cor 1:4 NIV) who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
(2 Cor 1:5 NIV) For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
IN LOVING MEMORY OF…
Shuttle commander Rick Husband, pilot William McCool, mission specialists Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, David Brown, Michael Anderson, Laurel Clark, and Kalpana Chawla.
DSR
2/3/03
Monday, January 27, 2003
A Mostly Good Man
by David Scott Robertson
(Acts 10:1 NIV) "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
(Acts 10:2 NIV) He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
(Acts 10:3 NIV) One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"
(Acts 10:4 NIV) Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."
In the passage above the Bible introduces us to a good man - Cornelius.
The scriptures reveal that Cornelius was devout, God-fearing, generous man who embraced the ethic of continual prayer.
Sounds like the qualifications for a Sunday School teacher, doesn't it?
The only problem with Cornelius was that he wasn't saved.
His goodness was not good enough.
Cornelius was destined for a devil's hell.
What? Why?
Because people don't go to heaven for being good or hell for being bad.
People go one place or the other based upon their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Have you ever known a mostly good man?
He doesn't drink, smoke, cheat on his taxes or his wife.
He's pro-life, votes in every election, and gives generously to charities.
He has a high moral code, strong personal convictions and ethics,
And enjoys a reputation of being fair and honest.
Yep, he's a mostly good man all right.
That may be good enough to get him elected to the city council,
But it's not good enough to get him into heaven.
(Eph 2:8 NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
(Eph 2:9 NIV) not by works, so that no one can boast"
As good as Cornelius was, nonetheless he needed a Savior.
And God saw that his heart was tender and open to receive the truth of the gospel.
So God graciously (and supernaturally) arranged for Cornelius to be introduced to Simon Peter, who was willing and able to introduce Cornelius to Christ, the only name under heaven given among men whereby Cornelius could be saved (Acts 4:12).
It's important to note that the angel was not permitted to share the gospel with Cornelius.
Witnessing and testifying of the gospel of saving grace is reserved for the redeemed.
It's a direct order handed down from high command:
(Mat 28:19 NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(Mat 28:20 NIV) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Do you know a mostly good man or woman?
If so, begin praying today for the Holy Spirit to tenderize their hearts to be as open to meeting with God as Cornelius was.
And, like Simon Peter, be prepared if necessary to be the faithful witness whom God uses to carry His message of reconciliation and love to that mostly good person.
You, even you, might be the chosen vessel that God selects to partner with the Holy Spirit to help a mostly good person become convinced and convicted of their profoundly sinful condition and learn the eternally important lesson that good is just not good enough.
DSR
1/27/03
(Acts 10:1 NIV) "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
(Acts 10:2 NIV) He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
(Acts 10:3 NIV) One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"
(Acts 10:4 NIV) Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."
In the passage above the Bible introduces us to a good man - Cornelius.
The scriptures reveal that Cornelius was devout, God-fearing, generous man who embraced the ethic of continual prayer.
Sounds like the qualifications for a Sunday School teacher, doesn't it?
The only problem with Cornelius was that he wasn't saved.
His goodness was not good enough.
Cornelius was destined for a devil's hell.
What? Why?
Because people don't go to heaven for being good or hell for being bad.
People go one place or the other based upon their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Have you ever known a mostly good man?
He doesn't drink, smoke, cheat on his taxes or his wife.
He's pro-life, votes in every election, and gives generously to charities.
He has a high moral code, strong personal convictions and ethics,
And enjoys a reputation of being fair and honest.
Yep, he's a mostly good man all right.
That may be good enough to get him elected to the city council,
But it's not good enough to get him into heaven.
(Eph 2:8 NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
(Eph 2:9 NIV) not by works, so that no one can boast"
As good as Cornelius was, nonetheless he needed a Savior.
And God saw that his heart was tender and open to receive the truth of the gospel.
So God graciously (and supernaturally) arranged for Cornelius to be introduced to Simon Peter, who was willing and able to introduce Cornelius to Christ, the only name under heaven given among men whereby Cornelius could be saved (Acts 4:12).
It's important to note that the angel was not permitted to share the gospel with Cornelius.
Witnessing and testifying of the gospel of saving grace is reserved for the redeemed.
It's a direct order handed down from high command:
(Mat 28:19 NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(Mat 28:20 NIV) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Do you know a mostly good man or woman?
If so, begin praying today for the Holy Spirit to tenderize their hearts to be as open to meeting with God as Cornelius was.
And, like Simon Peter, be prepared if necessary to be the faithful witness whom God uses to carry His message of reconciliation and love to that mostly good person.
You, even you, might be the chosen vessel that God selects to partner with the Holy Spirit to help a mostly good person become convinced and convicted of their profoundly sinful condition and learn the eternally important lesson that good is just not good enough.
DSR
1/27/03
Monday, January 20, 2003
And They Lived Happliy Ever After...?
by David Scott Robertson
The married couple celebrates their silver wedding anniversary.
Twenty-five years with the same partner!
Perhaps you know of someone in your family or friendship circle
Who has even achieved the golden milestone of fifty years of holy matrimony!
What a stark contrast these couples are to the epidemic of divorce in our culture
(at this writing hovering around fifty-two percent.)
Imagine being together for twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years and beyond!
This year my family and I will make our way to Southern Illinois to celebrate my grandparents' seventieth wedding anniversary!
Paul Harvey calls people like my granparents "world champion lovers."
Surely to goodness couple who post numbers like these that have endured life's hardships and marital challenges must be considered as outstanding role models for the rest of us married folks, right?
Shouldn't you and I be eager to draw from the wellspring of marriages that have lasted for decades? Young couples like my wife and I (married a mere 15 years) should be standing in line to reap the accrued wisdom, experience, and sage advice of all older couples who have stood the test of time.
Is that right?
Isn't that right?
Surely that's right, right?
Not necessarily.
That would be true if the number of years a couple is married was equivalent to marital success. It's when you start to pin down and define what "success" in marriage is that things get a little fuzzy.
The clear cultural implication is that the longer you have been married the better the marriage. May I ask how much work does it require a husband and wife to do to make time pass? Absolutely none. No effort required.
How much work does it take to maintain a healthy, growing, satisfying, marriage characterized by good communication? Plenty of effort required.
As a matter of fact couples must work themselves to death (until their own selfish flesh dies and they begin to esteem the needs of their spouse as greater than their own (Philippians 2:3).
You see, I don't buy the lie that all couples who have been married for twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years and beyond have successful marriages. That's called a "misnomer."
I've lived enough of life to know and have observed enough married couples up close and personal to realize that there is a phenomena that I call "married singles" entrenched in numerous long-term marriages.
What in the world am I talking about?
Maybe you've seen it without realizing it.
He has his life and she has hers.
He has his money and she has hers.
He has his friends, hobbies and secrets and she has hers.
She's a doormat and he's a tyrant.
She can't do anything right and he thinks he doesn't do anything wrong.
He's a selfish pig and she's a lousy housekeeper who has let her body go.
He's the strong silent type who once told her
"I love you and if anything changes I'll let you know"
And she's dying inside from communication deficit.
And yet the family gathers every year to give them Hallmark cards and gifts they don't need to celebrate another year of marital bliss.
Now that's one side of the coin.
The flip side, and rest assured there is one,
Is that there are indeed sterling examples of truly wonderful marriages from which we can and should draw from as young couples in need of role models.
There are marriage partnerships consisting of two imperfect individuals becoming "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) and committing to each other to working out and walking out life as a team no matter what.
I have come to two conclusions in this thought today regarding long-term relationships within the God-ordained institution of marriage:
Conclusion #1: Not all that glitters is gold and not all that's gold glitters.
Just because a married couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary does not mean that they are shining example of an extremely satisfying relationship.
They may in fact have been repeating the same relational mistakes for the last 49 years.
Conclusion #2: Jesus Christ is the cement that holds a marriage together as He leads couples on a success journey together.
Men and women are so vastly different that it's a wonder any marriage anywhere at anytime succeeds at all. It takes the power of God at work in a marriage to keep it alive and healthy and growing and maturing in the way God intends. When a marriage is good, it is a sign and a wonder. There's nothing better this side of heaven. It's an earthly portrait of a heavenly picture of Christ and the Church.
(Prov 18:22 NIV) "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD."
(Gen 2:18 NIV) "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
But when a marriage is bad, every other victory in life is hollow and shallow:
(Prov 30:21 NIV) "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
(Prov 30:22 NIV) a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food,
(Prov 30:23 NIV) AN UNLOVED WOMAN WHO IS MARRIED, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."
(Prov 21:9 NIV) "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
I would encourage all married couples to take the occasion of their wedding anniversary as an annual opportunity to renew their covenant faithfulness to each other and to the Lord AND to evaluate how they can selflessly carry out that covenant in a life that is ABUNDANT!
Only then can they truly live happily ever after.
DSR
1/20/03
The married couple celebrates their silver wedding anniversary.
Twenty-five years with the same partner!
Perhaps you know of someone in your family or friendship circle
Who has even achieved the golden milestone of fifty years of holy matrimony!
What a stark contrast these couples are to the epidemic of divorce in our culture
(at this writing hovering around fifty-two percent.)
Imagine being together for twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years and beyond!
This year my family and I will make our way to Southern Illinois to celebrate my grandparents' seventieth wedding anniversary!
Paul Harvey calls people like my granparents "world champion lovers."
Surely to goodness couple who post numbers like these that have endured life's hardships and marital challenges must be considered as outstanding role models for the rest of us married folks, right?
Shouldn't you and I be eager to draw from the wellspring of marriages that have lasted for decades? Young couples like my wife and I (married a mere 15 years) should be standing in line to reap the accrued wisdom, experience, and sage advice of all older couples who have stood the test of time.
Is that right?
Isn't that right?
Surely that's right, right?
Not necessarily.
That would be true if the number of years a couple is married was equivalent to marital success. It's when you start to pin down and define what "success" in marriage is that things get a little fuzzy.
The clear cultural implication is that the longer you have been married the better the marriage. May I ask how much work does it require a husband and wife to do to make time pass? Absolutely none. No effort required.
How much work does it take to maintain a healthy, growing, satisfying, marriage characterized by good communication? Plenty of effort required.
As a matter of fact couples must work themselves to death (until their own selfish flesh dies and they begin to esteem the needs of their spouse as greater than their own (Philippians 2:3).
You see, I don't buy the lie that all couples who have been married for twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years and beyond have successful marriages. That's called a "misnomer."
I've lived enough of life to know and have observed enough married couples up close and personal to realize that there is a phenomena that I call "married singles" entrenched in numerous long-term marriages.
What in the world am I talking about?
Maybe you've seen it without realizing it.
He has his life and she has hers.
He has his money and she has hers.
He has his friends, hobbies and secrets and she has hers.
She's a doormat and he's a tyrant.
She can't do anything right and he thinks he doesn't do anything wrong.
He's a selfish pig and she's a lousy housekeeper who has let her body go.
He's the strong silent type who once told her
"I love you and if anything changes I'll let you know"
And she's dying inside from communication deficit.
And yet the family gathers every year to give them Hallmark cards and gifts they don't need to celebrate another year of marital bliss.
Now that's one side of the coin.
The flip side, and rest assured there is one,
Is that there are indeed sterling examples of truly wonderful marriages from which we can and should draw from as young couples in need of role models.
There are marriage partnerships consisting of two imperfect individuals becoming "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) and committing to each other to working out and walking out life as a team no matter what.
I have come to two conclusions in this thought today regarding long-term relationships within the God-ordained institution of marriage:
Conclusion #1: Not all that glitters is gold and not all that's gold glitters.
Just because a married couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary does not mean that they are shining example of an extremely satisfying relationship.
They may in fact have been repeating the same relational mistakes for the last 49 years.
Conclusion #2: Jesus Christ is the cement that holds a marriage together as He leads couples on a success journey together.
Men and women are so vastly different that it's a wonder any marriage anywhere at anytime succeeds at all. It takes the power of God at work in a marriage to keep it alive and healthy and growing and maturing in the way God intends. When a marriage is good, it is a sign and a wonder. There's nothing better this side of heaven. It's an earthly portrait of a heavenly picture of Christ and the Church.
(Prov 18:22 NIV) "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD."
(Gen 2:18 NIV) "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
But when a marriage is bad, every other victory in life is hollow and shallow:
(Prov 30:21 NIV) "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
(Prov 30:22 NIV) a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food,
(Prov 30:23 NIV) AN UNLOVED WOMAN WHO IS MARRIED, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."
(Prov 21:9 NIV) "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
I would encourage all married couples to take the occasion of their wedding anniversary as an annual opportunity to renew their covenant faithfulness to each other and to the Lord AND to evaluate how they can selflessly carry out that covenant in a life that is ABUNDANT!
Only then can they truly live happily ever after.
DSR
1/20/03
Sunday, January 12, 2003
What Bible Character Would You Be?
by David Scott Robertson
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is filled with actual accounts of amazing people whose personality qualities and faith garnered the attention of Almighty God. Many of their exploits prove that truth really is stranger than fiction. In both ancient and modern times, parents have named their children after outstanding Bible figures.
Just today I was pondering which Bible character I would be if I were able to enjoy the characteristics of any one of these figures that made them great in God’s eyes. What about you? Have you ever thought about which Bible character you would be if somehow that were possible?
The obvious choice would be Jesus Christ Himself, who was sinless perfection. Frankly, it doesn’t get any better than that! But let’s say apart from Him, who impresses you in God’s Word so much so that if it were possible you’d like to bring that Bible character’s personality traits into your life and current culture?
* Would you like to be like Noah - who at one time was the only man on planet earth who found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8 KJV)?
* How about Moses – God’s choice to deliver an entire nation from slavery? Moses walked in more miracles that you could shake a stick, I mean a rod, at.
* Consider Joshua – the servant of Moses who grew up to be the fearless general that led the tribes of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua had supernatural encounters with angels and experienced more military success than perhaps any general who ever lived. Joshua is a fine choice for those who enjoy conquest.
* Abraham, now there’s a man who delighted God! Would you like to have the faith of Abraham than so captured God’s attention that the Lord made an eternal covenant with him that whoever blessed him would be blessed and whoever cursed him would be cursed?
* Daniel represents another outstanding choice. The word in the English language that might best describe Daniel’s life could very well be the word “favor.” Daniel enjoyed the favor of God and high ranking officials that spanned four governmental administrations! According to Bible history, Daniel’s political career out-lasted four dynasties! His fame and favor even extended to the lion’s den where ravenous beasts refused to harm him!
* Would you like to be like King David? Here’s the only man in the entire Bible of whom it was said that he was a “man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David was a worshipper whose praise to God was so pure that it drove demons away (1 Samuel 16:16-19). God loved David so much that He made eternal promises to Him personally and most importantly, the Messiah Himself would come from the house and line of David. Setting aside David’s flaws and tragic failures, wouldn’t you just jump at the chance to be like this Bible character?
* What about David’s son, Solomon? That would be a wise choice…literally! God gave Solomon unprecedented and unmatched wisdom! The Bible points him out as the wisest man who ever lived apart from Jesus in whom are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). Imagine what you could accomplish in today’s confused world with that caliber and quantity of wisdom!
* We haven’t even touched on prophets like Isaiah and Elijah and Elisha and Samuel whose lives exemplified a level of consecration to God that is stunning! Any prophet culled out and called out by God would be a fantastic selection!
Fast forwarding to the New Testament era, we find some awesome examples of Bible characters that if we were to somehow be cloaked with their personality traits, qualities, and world changing behavior, we would do well.
* Can you imagine being Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ? How about living day after day, year after year, watching the Son of God grow and mature in your very own home? Think of the countless hours of conversation with this holy Child who grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).
* Or how about the great apostle Paul? Would you like to have been used by the Holy Spirit to write most of the New Testament scriptures?
* Wouldn’t you just loved to have been like Peter, James, and John, the “inner core” of Jesus who were privileged to see things that few, not even the rest of the 12 disciples of Jesus, were permitted to see? One of the three, John, was even referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23)!
We haven’t even touched on the women of faith that God prized so highly in the scriptures but suffice it to say that there are many splendid examples of believers in both the Old and New Testaments that we could choose from who would be wonderful role models for us to be like.
Having said all that, I want to report to you my choice. If I could somehow be like any Bible character in the entire Bible, I would choose to be like a man named Enoch.
Enoch had a few claims to fame that has drawn my attention. He was the father of the oldest man to ever live on the earth (Methuselah, 969 years – see Genesis 5:27). He was a righteous prophet that God spoke to and through very early in the history of the human race:
“Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him" (Jude 1:14-15).
Moreover, Enoch lived over three centuries on the earth (365 years, see Genesis 5:23)! Impressive but that’s not why I would like to be like Enoch.
The reason that I would choose to have my life patterned after Enoch more than any other Bible character that you will encounter in God’s Word is found in Hebrews 11:5:
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”
Enoch was a man of faith in God even when there weren’t any Bibles around to explain the concept. There were no churches, no apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to tell Enoch how to believe in God.
Enoch simply had the testimony that he pleased God. And for that reason, and that reason alone, God decreed that this man would be “plucked up” from the earth and taken to heaven to be with God personally (Genesis 5:24). Enoch has yet to taste death even though “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27). The only other man that shares this unique experience is the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2:11).
Some theologians speculate that the “two witnesses” that the book of Revelation describes whom God will send back to the earth to preach and prophesy and perform signs and wonders as often as they wish for 1,260 days during the Great Tribulation are these two men, Enoch and Elijah (Revelation 11:3).
Little is said about the lifestyle of Enoch. Apparently this man’s walk with the Lord was so pure, so righteous in God’s sight that one day God’s heart was moved to transfer Enoch from living on the earth to be taken alive to heaven.
I want to be like Enoch because I want to have a testimony that pleases God. I want to live my brief life on the earth in such a way that God is able to commend me. I want to one day hear my Master say to me:
'…Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21).
And who knows, perhaps God will count me worthy, like Enoch, to avoid death altogether by being “plucked up” in the Rapture of the church!
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
– DSR
1/12/03
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is filled with actual accounts of amazing people whose personality qualities and faith garnered the attention of Almighty God. Many of their exploits prove that truth really is stranger than fiction. In both ancient and modern times, parents have named their children after outstanding Bible figures.
Just today I was pondering which Bible character I would be if I were able to enjoy the characteristics of any one of these figures that made them great in God’s eyes. What about you? Have you ever thought about which Bible character you would be if somehow that were possible?
The obvious choice would be Jesus Christ Himself, who was sinless perfection. Frankly, it doesn’t get any better than that! But let’s say apart from Him, who impresses you in God’s Word so much so that if it were possible you’d like to bring that Bible character’s personality traits into your life and current culture?
* Would you like to be like Noah - who at one time was the only man on planet earth who found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8 KJV)?
* How about Moses – God’s choice to deliver an entire nation from slavery? Moses walked in more miracles that you could shake a stick, I mean a rod, at.
* Consider Joshua – the servant of Moses who grew up to be the fearless general that led the tribes of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua had supernatural encounters with angels and experienced more military success than perhaps any general who ever lived. Joshua is a fine choice for those who enjoy conquest.
* Abraham, now there’s a man who delighted God! Would you like to have the faith of Abraham than so captured God’s attention that the Lord made an eternal covenant with him that whoever blessed him would be blessed and whoever cursed him would be cursed?
* Daniel represents another outstanding choice. The word in the English language that might best describe Daniel’s life could very well be the word “favor.” Daniel enjoyed the favor of God and high ranking officials that spanned four governmental administrations! According to Bible history, Daniel’s political career out-lasted four dynasties! His fame and favor even extended to the lion’s den where ravenous beasts refused to harm him!
* Would you like to be like King David? Here’s the only man in the entire Bible of whom it was said that he was a “man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David was a worshipper whose praise to God was so pure that it drove demons away (1 Samuel 16:16-19). God loved David so much that He made eternal promises to Him personally and most importantly, the Messiah Himself would come from the house and line of David. Setting aside David’s flaws and tragic failures, wouldn’t you just jump at the chance to be like this Bible character?
* What about David’s son, Solomon? That would be a wise choice…literally! God gave Solomon unprecedented and unmatched wisdom! The Bible points him out as the wisest man who ever lived apart from Jesus in whom are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). Imagine what you could accomplish in today’s confused world with that caliber and quantity of wisdom!
* We haven’t even touched on prophets like Isaiah and Elijah and Elisha and Samuel whose lives exemplified a level of consecration to God that is stunning! Any prophet culled out and called out by God would be a fantastic selection!
Fast forwarding to the New Testament era, we find some awesome examples of Bible characters that if we were to somehow be cloaked with their personality traits, qualities, and world changing behavior, we would do well.
* Can you imagine being Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ? How about living day after day, year after year, watching the Son of God grow and mature in your very own home? Think of the countless hours of conversation with this holy Child who grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).
* Or how about the great apostle Paul? Would you like to have been used by the Holy Spirit to write most of the New Testament scriptures?
* Wouldn’t you just loved to have been like Peter, James, and John, the “inner core” of Jesus who were privileged to see things that few, not even the rest of the 12 disciples of Jesus, were permitted to see? One of the three, John, was even referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23)!
We haven’t even touched on the women of faith that God prized so highly in the scriptures but suffice it to say that there are many splendid examples of believers in both the Old and New Testaments that we could choose from who would be wonderful role models for us to be like.
Having said all that, I want to report to you my choice. If I could somehow be like any Bible character in the entire Bible, I would choose to be like a man named Enoch.
Enoch had a few claims to fame that has drawn my attention. He was the father of the oldest man to ever live on the earth (Methuselah, 969 years – see Genesis 5:27). He was a righteous prophet that God spoke to and through very early in the history of the human race:
“Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him" (Jude 1:14-15).
Moreover, Enoch lived over three centuries on the earth (365 years, see Genesis 5:23)! Impressive but that’s not why I would like to be like Enoch.
The reason that I would choose to have my life patterned after Enoch more than any other Bible character that you will encounter in God’s Word is found in Hebrews 11:5:
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”
Enoch was a man of faith in God even when there weren’t any Bibles around to explain the concept. There were no churches, no apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to tell Enoch how to believe in God.
Enoch simply had the testimony that he pleased God. And for that reason, and that reason alone, God decreed that this man would be “plucked up” from the earth and taken to heaven to be with God personally (Genesis 5:24). Enoch has yet to taste death even though “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27). The only other man that shares this unique experience is the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2:11).
Some theologians speculate that the “two witnesses” that the book of Revelation describes whom God will send back to the earth to preach and prophesy and perform signs and wonders as often as they wish for 1,260 days during the Great Tribulation are these two men, Enoch and Elijah (Revelation 11:3).
Little is said about the lifestyle of Enoch. Apparently this man’s walk with the Lord was so pure, so righteous in God’s sight that one day God’s heart was moved to transfer Enoch from living on the earth to be taken alive to heaven.
I want to be like Enoch because I want to have a testimony that pleases God. I want to live my brief life on the earth in such a way that God is able to commend me. I want to one day hear my Master say to me:
'…Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21).
And who knows, perhaps God will count me worthy, like Enoch, to avoid death altogether by being “plucked up” in the Rapture of the church!
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
– DSR
1/12/03
Sunday, December 29, 2002
No Other Name
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
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
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
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