Provision

He Will Provide

Genesis 22:14

"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen."

One could only imagine the confusion in Abraham's mind. For many years he went without a child, though God promised that He would make a great nation out of his seed. Finally, God gave him a son to be that seed out of which the great nation would be born. Then, God told Abraham to take his only son and give him as a sacrifice. We are not talking about giving his son to serve God for the rest of his life, but what we are talking about is God told Abraham that He wanted Him to offer his son as a burnt sacrifice. This certainly may have seemed strange and difficult at best. Yet, Abraham obeyed and went to the top of Mount Moriah to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. When Abraham laid Isaac on the wood and was about ready to kill him, he must have been confused and wondered what God was doing. Yet, God stopped Abraham and provided the ram that was needed for the sacrifice.

After Abraham offered the sacrifice, he called the place Jehovahjireh. This name comes from two separate names. The first name "Jehovah" means, the Supreme Being. It is the name that God used to show Israel that there was not a greater than He. The other name is "Jireh" which means, will provide. Abraham was simply saying that the LORD will provide. In other words, through Jehovahjireh your needs will be met.

What is your need today? Like Abraham, do you look at what God is sending you through and wonder what He is doing? There are many times in the lives of Christians that God's commands will not always make sense, but we must always understand that if He commands us to do something that Jehovahjireh will come through and provide for that need. Let me give you a couple of thoughts that will help you in this area.

First, Jehovahjireh came through for others, and He will come through for you. Look through the Scriptures and you will see that Jehovahjireh provided. He provided food and water for the children of Israel in the wilderness. He provided protection for David when surrounded by the giants. He provided for Gideon when all seemed to be impossible. Likewise, the same God that provided for them will provide for you. Maybe God told you to do something and you're not sure where He is. I promise you that God will provide. God never commands you to do something that He doesn't provide the wherewithal to do it.

Second, Jehovahjireh will provide in His time. I can imagine Abraham wondering when God was going to provide the sacrificial ram. God provided it in His timing. God doesn't have to work in your schedule. In fact, God's schedule is most often different from yours; however, He always provides on time.

Third, you must step out by faith for Jehovahjireh to come through. There is no need for Jehovahjireh to provide if you have not stepped out by faith. We want God to provide first and then step out; whereas, He wants you to first step out and then He will provide. If God has told you to do something, then do it and trust that Jehovahjireh will provide.

Fourth, keep a good attitude until Jehovahjireh provides. Stop complaining about what God is not doing and trust that His provision will come through on time. Why should Jehovahjireh provide for you when all you do is gripe? I know if I was Him I would not provide for the one who gripes about Him not doing things in your timing. Keep the attitude that would show Jehovahjireh that you believe He will provide.

Whenever you have a need, pray to Jehovahjireh and ask for His provision. When you pray, literally use the name Jehovahjireh as you pray. Be patient and realize that Jehovahjireh will provide in His timing.

Don't

Don't Kill Your Brother

Genesis 4:8

"And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."

The story of Cain and Abel is sad not only because of the death of Abel, but because of the potential that these two men could have accomplished together had Cain obeyed God. The Scriptures are not clear on how often Cain and Abel were to sacrifice to God, but we do know that they were to give a blood sacrifice. Abel took the firstling of his flock and sacrificed the lamb. The Scriptures teach that God respected, or accepted, Abel's sacrifice. On the other hand, Cain took of the fruit of the ground to give as a sacrifice to the LORD. This sacrifice was rejected by God because it was not a blood sacrifice.

Because Abel's sacrifice was accepted, Cain became bitter and allowed his bitterness to fester in his heart. Instead of learning from his brother, he let the bitterness turn to evil desires and finally killed him. This all happened because his brother did what was right and was accepted by God.

I fear that many times the one who does right is the one who becomes the hated by those who are implicated in the wrong. Paul said to the Galatian Christians in Galatians 4:16, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Apparently, because Paul told the Galatians the truth, they treated Paul as the enemy instead of getting right with God. Because he told the truth, he became their adversary. Because he told the truth, they tried to kill the messenger instead of facing their sin and getting right with God.

All too often in Christianity we treat the messenger as the bad guy instead of listening to the message and correcting our sin. I have watched those who expose error become the enemy because they told the truth instead of allowing someone whom people loved to continue to attack truth. This is absurd! Those who expose error should not be killed because they tell the truth. When men become the defenders of the authenticity of the Scriptures, they should not become the enemy. Instead, those who attack the Scriptures should be the ones who change their ways. Just like Cain got upset at Abel and killed him for doing right, many Christians are killing the messengers of truth instead of changing their errant ways.

Christian, let me warn and challenge you not to kill the messenger when they tell you the truth. I know that hearing the truth may not always be easy to accept, but the messengers of truth are not your enemies. Teenager, your parents are not your enemy because they correct you and try to get you to do right. Christian, your pastor is not your enemy because he preaches the truth without apology and it exposes your sin. If you have a friend who exposes sin in your life, don't attack your friend who is simply trying to help you have God's blessings on your life.

The action you should take when you hear that you are wrong is to confess your sin to God and do right. Abel had the opportunity at the door to do right; instead, he killed the one who exposed his error. Anytime the Holy Spirit uses people to show you your sin, don't let the messenger be your enemy, but change your actions so that God's blessings can be upon your life. Don't kill your brother because he tells you the truth, but thank him and take the appropriate actions to change what you need to change.

Heaven

What Makes Heaven, Heaven

Revelation 21:27

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."

One place every Christian looks forward to going is the place called Heaven. In the minds of most people, Heaven is a paradise. It is the place that is the perfect place to live. Throughout the years I have been to many wonderful places that are considered a paradise. My wife and I had the privilege of going to Hawaii, and it is certainly a wonderful place. There are many things about Hawaii that we both liked. One of the slogans about West Virginia is that it is "almost heaven." I have lived in West Virginia for several years, and it is certainly a wonderful place.

Though there are many places on this Earth that could be considered heaven, there is no place like Heaven. Most people get saved because they want to go to Heaven when they die. It is the paradise to which we all look forward to living in someday. But, what makes Heaven heaven? Let me show you a few things that make Heaven a wonderful place.

First, we see in the verse above that there will be nothing that can defile allowed there. God will not allow anything into Heaven that would spoil it. In other words, there will be no sin in Heaven. There will be no lying in Heaven. There will not be anything that is abominable allowed in Heaven. Yes, you may struggle with overcoming sin on this Earth, but when you get to Heaven, you can be assured that God will not allow sin there. Sin is what spoiled this Earth. This Earth was perfect until Adam and Eve sinned, but in Heaven God will not allow sin to be brought into it by anything or anyone. Thank God, when you get to Heaven you will never again struggle with sin.

Second, we see in verse 4 that there will be no tears in Heaven. Aren't you glad that when you get to Heaven you will never again have to carry a broken heart? Death will not be present in Heaven. Pain will not be present in Heaven. No parent will ever carry a broken heart for their child in Heaven. No spouse will ever again have to carry the heartache of an unfaithful spouse in Heaven. Christians will never be persecuted by the heathen in Heaven. We could go on and on describing the things that bring tears, but one of the things that makes Heaven heaven is that tears will be wiped away.

Third, verse 25 shows us that there will be no danger in Heaven. You will never have to lock your doors when you get to Heaven because there will be no thieves in Heaven. You will never have to watch for wicked people who would try to hurt you because there is no danger in Heaven. Peace and safety rule in Heaven.

Most of all, what makes Heaven heaven is that the LORD God Almighty will be there. If the LORD's presence is the only thing to which we have to look forward to about Heaven, then Heaven would still be heaven. Yes, it is the LORD Who makes Heaven what it is. All these other things about Heaven are wonderful, but the presence of God Himself is what makes Heaven heaven.

Christian, this life may seem to bring you heartache, but you can look forward to that day when God brings you to Heaven. Though you can't be in Heaven right now, what you ought to do is try to bring Heaven to Earth. Each of these things that makes Heaven heaven can make Earth a little bit of Heaven if you will do them down here. Don't wait until you get to Heaven to experience Heaven, but experience a taste of Heaven right now by bringing these things into your daily life.

Anticipation

The Motivation of Anticipation

2 Peter 3:14

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

The anticipation of a young couple getting married is great. The young lady anticipates her wedding by preparing the activities and decorations for their wedding day. She chooses a bridal gown and dresses for the attendants, all in anticipation for her wedding day. The young man plans the honeymoon and the tuxedos that he and his attendants will wear. He chooses a place where he and his new bride will live. All of this is done in anticipation. The anticipation of their wedding day motivates them to make major changes in their daily schedule and life.

God says that the anticipation of His return should be motivation to live a certain way. Just like the young couple make changes in their lives for their wedding day, you should make changes in your life for Jesus' return. As you see that day approaching, it should motivate you to be what God wants you to be when He comes. The verse above shows us how we should live our lives in anticipation of His return.

First, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to live a peaceful life. Living a peaceful life carries a few implications. It means that you should be at peace with God. In other words, your life should not cause turmoil between you and Christ. You want Christ to find you doing what He desires you to do. Moreover, you should strive to be at peace with others. You don't want Christ to find you with your heart filled with ought towards your brother. You are going to live with them in Heaven, so now is the time to be sure that there is nothing between the both of you. Furthermore, it means to be at peace with yourself. The only thing that will cause you to be at peace with yourself is to be sure that you are doing God's will for your life. The return of Christ should motivate you to be sure that you are fulfilling the will of God for your life.

Second, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to live a blameless life. Christian, don't do anything that can cause others to point their fingers at you. Christ's return should be the motivation to make sure that your testimony among men is what it should be. People should not be able to point their finger at you and say that you have wronged them. People should not be able to point their finger at you and say that you are living a wrong life. The anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to have a proper relationship with mankind.

Finally, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to live a life without spot. This is making sure that your relationship with Christ is right. Is there anything in your heart with which Christ would not be pleased? Christian, you want your relationship with Christ to be right. You don't want Him to find you with hidden sins. You don't want Him to find you with a life spotted by the world. Christ's return should be enough motivation to make sure you are right with God.

Simply put, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to be right with yourself, others and Christ. If you are right with Christ, then you will be right with others and yourself. If one of these areas is not right, then all of the areas won't be right. Let your anticipation of Christ's return motivate you to change the things in your life to be sure that you are right in all three areas.

A View

Living With a View of the LORD's Coming

James 5:7

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."

The LORD's coming is the one event that every Christian longs to see. This is the time when the LORD will come to take His own to Heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first, then those of us who are alive will be caught up together in the air to meet the LORD. What a day that will be! Every Christian should live their life with a view of the LORD's coming. God shows us in James 5 how we should live as we wait for His return.

First, we should be patient for the LORD's return. In other words, we should not lose hope that the LORD will return. With every trial and heartache that we endure, we must be patient for the LORD's return. We must not allow the heartaches and trials that we face cause us to quit. Just like the farmer must be patient for his crop to mature so that he can reap the benefits of his labors; likewise, every Christian must be patient and realize that Christ will reward them when He returns.

I can completely understand how those who face physical difficulties could become impatient with the LORD's return, but you must not lose hope and continue serving the LORD in spite of your difficulties. It is certainly understandable for a Christian to become discouraged with the dominance of sin in this world, but you must be patient and continue to avoid the temptations of the world realizing that the LORD will reward you for living right. Yes, there will be times when you may want to quit, but you must not allow your trials to cause you to become impatient. Realize that every promise the LORD makes He keeps. You must live patiently awaiting the LORD's return.

Second, you need to fix your heart on what you believe. Verse 8 says, "...stablish your hearts:..." God knew that in the last days his own children would be deceived by false doctrine if they didn't stablish their hearts. Christian, if there is ever a time when you need to settle what you believe, it is in these last days. People whom we would have never thought would compromise have compromised. They compromised because they didn't stablish their heart. Settle what you believe, and don't let anyone turn you from the truth of the Word of God.

Third, settle differences with the brethren. Verse 9 says, "Grudge not one against another, brethren,..." In these last days we can have relationships with those close to us destroyed if we don't remove the grudges in our heart. In other words, God is teaching us not to live self-centered lives in the last days. These are not days when we should be living for ourselves, but these are days when when we should live for others. Live to be a soul winner and lead others to Christ. Live to help the brethren and not worry about what you will get out of it. Don't hold grudges in your heart towards another, for that will hurt your testimony and witness.

Let me ask you, are you living with a view of the LORD's return? Is every action you perform the type of action you would want to be caught doing if the LORD returned? Let your patience help you to live your life with a view of Christ's return. Live every day as you would want the LORD to catch you if He returned. This could be that day, so live appropriately.