Sunday, 8/23/15 Pro 17:10, A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a
fool. How hard is it for your parents/spouse/coach/teacher/boss/peer to get
your undivided attention concerning correcting something? How do you generally
respond to their comments about your errors? Mark
10:24b, Children, how hard is it for them
that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! Why did the Lord say
that it was "hard," and not “impossible”? Trusting in riches (even for middle/lower
economic class people) becomes habitual and becomes our “default” setting. It’s
hard to overcome that, but it’s not impossible.
Monday, 8/24/15 Ps 119:171, My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy precepts.
If you’ve been in church for 3-5-10-20 years, is your praise life much more
active than in the past? If not, who’s been teaching you, since it hasn’t been
God. ‘Just sayin’... What to do when you see
inconsistency in a saved person: 1First of all, we should
always expect it. After all, we’re all made of flesh, and I know how much
trouble my body gives me...others’ bodies do the same to them. 2Do
not get disillusioned and lose your faith in people. Bro. Hyles said, “I never
get disillusioned with people because I was never illusioned.” 3Assume
sincerity on their part. Don’t condemn them totally because of what may have
been a one time slip-up, or is a besetting sin or whatever. Always assumed the
best about others. 4Pray for them. This is to be the first, second, third,
fourth, and fiftieth thing we should do for them. Maybe they’re struggling to
obey, or drifting in their beliefs or are ignorant...Everyone needs more prayer
support. 5Other than prayer, almost always, do nothing else. It’s
generally none of your business. 6If it somehow IS your
business, go to them privately and humbly and ask them about the situation. Be
sure your words and tone could not be construed as judgmental or condemning as
they may be touchy on the issue. Absolutely do not ask another friend to
explain the offender’s actions...that’s called gossip. 7Chalk
it up to human frailty. 8Work on eliminating your
host of inconsistencies. (Would you like someone to follow your around with a
video camera and reveal all of them???) 9IF the person is leading
others astray, and IF you are a legitimate authority in the situation, then I
can think of the example of Paul rebuking Peter before what seemed to be a
Preachers’ fellowship dinner/conference in Galatians 2:11-14. 10These
thoughts apply to others’ inconsistencies: when you see it in yourself, be hard
on yourself; don’t give yourself a break; hold yourself to a higher standard
than you hold anyone else. You be holy for He is holy. Confess, forsake, and
start anew.
Tuesday, 8/25/15 Ps 92:4, For
thou Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of
thy hands. Too many of God’s people are trying to get glad through a
variety of other means. God will give gladness by doing His works. Pro 21:5a, The thoughts of the diligent tend only to
plenteousness. Diligence leads to an awareness of how much you have, so
griping and thinking of how hard you’ve got it shows a lack of a vital
character trait.
Wednesday,
8/26/15 Ps 91:1, He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under
the shadow of the Almighty. Basic physics: If you want the security of “Big
Brother’s” protection, then stay close to “Big Brother.” Duh!! Ps 127:2, ...for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Ask God for this gift of sleep. In other words, spend some time with God before
lights out. Ye have not because ye ask
not...
Thursday,
8/27/15 Ps 126:2, Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing:
then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
The heathen may acknowledge God working in your life, but you’ve gotta talk
about Him first. Will you? Today? Ps
103:13-14, Like as a father pitieth his
children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he
remembereth that we are dust. Dad, remember that your kids are flesh:
sinful, inconsistent flesh. Remember that they need your love along with your
discipline; your example along with your rules; your reassurance along with
your correction; your teaching along with (and before) your scolding, and a
blanket of mercy and grace over everything. Also remember that the problems in
their 6-8-10 year old lives are just as overwhelming to them as your problems
are to your 35-40-45 year old life: their “problem solver” is not as developed and as mature as yours. God tests and pushes
you to your capacity and a little beyond, doesn’t He? Well, He works in His
younger kids too. “A little compassion
(pity) here, please...”
Friday, 8/28/15 Ps
103:1-2, Bless the Lord, O my soul: and
all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
forget not all his benefits. David talked to and exhorted himself...I’m
guessing there must be some merit in doing so. Just an observation... Pro 25:9-10,
Debate thy cause with thy neighbor
himself; and discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee
to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. Where does the shame come from?
Embarrassment because YOU told a secret that someone trusted you with. And the
infamy? Your reputation is shot because you have a big mouth.
Saturday,
8/29/15 Ps 129:3-4a, The plowers plowed upon my back: they made
long their furrows. The Lord is righteous... Can you count God as righteous
when calamity hits? (Me either. I guess we need to keep striving, walk humbly,
walk more closely with Him, learn more of Him, and increase our faith. See ya
in church tomorrow...) Luke 3:19-20, But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother
Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above
all, that he shut up John in prison. His crowning sin above all was
effectively silencing the preacher. But we tend to do that too!! How? By
criticizing the pastor and the church on social media; by snide, hurtful
comments re: standards and convictions and righteousness; by showing
disagreement via facial expressions in church; by not helping to bear the
burdens (financial, spiritual, work) of the church, by failing to participate
in the church programs (soul winning, prayer meetings, regular services,) etc.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Two essays that have been on my heart and which I
posted on FB this week:
I am glad to be called an independent fundamental Baptist.
Though not every post here on Facebook by IFB people is right, loving, or
scriptural, I am glad to be counted among them.
At times, I wish I could shake some of them really hard and ask, “What
are you saying? Do you realis how hurtful you’re being?” It’s like being a
parent: I’m not always on board with and proud of every action of my kids, but
they’re still my kids and I wouldn’t trade them.
Likewise, I’m a
proud member of FBC Hammond, and am solidly a fundamental Baptist (because I
believe that this group most closely believes and obeys the Word of God.) Have
abuses, sins, mistakes, hurts been done in the name of God in IBC churches,
including FBC Hammond? Yes, and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. But poor
representation on the part of humans is no reason to discard our Lord and His
book. Keep in mind that what people say
that God says really doesn’t matter: that’s why the IFB movement is so
wonderful: there’s a Book that tells each of us what He thinks and said. And
it’s that Book that really matters.
If sinful leaders
have hurt you, that is something that you’ll have to deal with: you will have
to forgive them, or your life will become a cesspool of bitterness and
blame. Don’t screw your life up because
a leader screwed up theirs and attempted to devastate yours (remember Ps 119
says that only we can destroy ourselves...no one can do it to us); don’t throw
out your faith because someone else went astray. You still have to answer to
God, and if you’re +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
make yours
clean today?)
For those of you
who are away from God, for whatever reason, and many of you whom I love dearly
are away...you were emotionally, physically, and/or spiritually abused by
people in positions of Christian leadership. Again, I’m sorry...but what can
you or I do? Well, first of all, we’re commanded to forgive them. Then, we’re
commanded to take heed to ourselves lest we be tempted to become like they
were. And lastly, we’re commanded to love them...yes, love your offenders, and
do good to them. By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
You cannot control
if those who offended you ever apologize to you; you cannot control any aspect
of their lives; all you can control is your reaction to the circumstances that
God allowed into your life. Yes, God allowed the hurt in there for His own
reasons, and, it wasn’t for the reason of knocking you out of church and away
from soul winning and rearing your family in Sunday School and church. And, as
gently as I may say this, many of my dear friends and former students are
absolutely failing to properly deal with life’s circumstances in this regard.
If I can help you,
or if you’d simply like me to pray for you, message me.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Hebrews 12:15 refers to a root of bitterness which springs up and
troubles us and defiles many others. I recently interacted with a man, a former
student of mine who seems to be very bitter toward our church in particular,
and possibly toward all the things of God in general.
1) First a definition of
bitterness: I view it as “infected anger.”
Germs are all over us and all inside of us, but our body’s defenses
generally deal with them. When the germ sets up camp, we call that an
infection. Similarly, all of us get angry frequently. God even commands us to
be angry and yet not to sin. God gets angry. So, it’s foolishness to say
either, “Never get angry” or, “If you’re really right with God, you won’t get
mad.” Both of those are ludicrous,
unscriptural statements. But, the
problem comes, when we let the anger set up camp...thus causing an “infection”
in our spirit.
2) We must deal with the anger,
by releasing it. Get rid of it. Think the situation through; see it from your
adversary’s viewpoint; chalk it up to human frailty; or, at the least, just forgive
the offender. But to let it stay and fester and to brood about it is to allow
that root of bitterness in your
heart.
3) Now, a root, by itself, is
often not a big deal. However, roots grow...and become trees...and are much
harder to eradicate after they’re allowed to really sink in.
4) Dear offended former church
member...whatever wrongs were done to you; for whatever reason they were
done...they’re DONE!! Now, the ball is in your court: you MUST deal with the
current issue, not of the offense from months or years past, but of your
unforgiving spirit right now.
5) Your offenders will answer to
God for their transgressions, and He’ll deal with them in a just manner but
He’ll do it without consulting you. After all, their offense was primarily
against Him and His word, not against you.
6) However, your unforgiveness is
now an issue for you and
Christ to deal with. Forgive, as Christ has forgiven you 10,000 times over.
7) And as far as being mad at FBC
Hammond or some other church or independent Baptists in general, don’t condemn
an entire grocery store chain because the produce manager in one store put out
a moldy tomato...come on...use your head.
Your kids need to hear from the Bible and God’s man. They and your
spouse need to have a church in which you can grow in the Lord. Quit defiling “many” because of the sin that
is now in the forefront and the one that has become paramount: your unforgiveness.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Miscellaneous thoughts from some others:
- Much ability plus little character equals
failure. Much character with little ability equals success.
- If I have forgiven you I will not rejoice
when bad comes your way even if it is circumstances brought on by what you did
to me.
- How to Love People We Don't Like. Admit
it, you know someone who really "rubs you the wrong way." You know
they are the type who always say the wrong thing, show up at the wrong time and
know exactly how to irritate you. We all have people like that. Perhaps it is
someone who really is a bit of "a jerk." So, what do we do? Well, we
love them. But, how? Here are a few ideas that may help. 1) Realize that there is probably someone who
doesn't like you. Yes, you may be somebody else’s jerk. If you want others to
love you in spite of yourself, you better love others. 2) Make certain that you are not misjudging
them. Perhaps you don't like them because they are are more like you than you
care to admit. 3) Do not judge their
motives or their intentions. They may be sincere. My dad was someone who
believed that people for the most part meant well and he would get pretty upset
when we passed judgment on anyone's motives.
4) Give them the benefit of the doubt in areas where you think they are
off. 5) Don't react to them even when
they irritate you. In other words refuse to let them get your goat. 6) Be kindly cool. Speak to them and don't
ignore them. You don't have to pretend that you are their best friend, but you
can still be friendly. 7) Pray for them.
Now that should go without saying but often we still go without praying.
Perhaps God will help you like them, but praying for them will certainly help
you to love them. 8) Tell no one how you
feel. Don't make fun of them or joke about them to others. Speak only kindly about
them or not at all. 9) Do some kind
things for them anonymously. Why anonymous? So, they don't take it as a sign
that you are trying to be close friends. Doing things for them will help you
care for them more. 10) Make certain it
is not a prejudice that causes your dislike. Many times we dislike people
because they fit a certain mold they we do not like. So, who comes to your mind? Decide to do
what Christ would do and love them anyway.
- Groanings which cannot be uttered are
often prayers which cannot be refused.
- Our greatest need when we are going
through trials is not encouragement, assistance or sympathy. It is faith.
- If I hate the people who hate me then I
am no better than them. I may think I have a good reason to hate them, but
obviously so do they.
- I have learned to kiss the wave that
throws me against the Rock of Ages.
- “But I
know also that any Christian who does not love and seek sinners is without
excuse. He is untrue to his Savior, ungrateful for his own salvation, and
disobedient to the Great Commission that God has given him.” John R Rice
- It's not really about what you're doing;
it's who you're getting to spend time with!
- Pastor, when you preach against Planned
Parenthood and abortion remember to always include mercy and grace because
there is a very good chance there is a lady sitting in your pews who is beating
herself up for having an abortion years ago. Don't leave her without hope.
- Eve sinned because she considered the
consequences (ye shall not surely die) rather than the command (thou shalt not
eat of it). Satan tries to get us to question the seriousness of the
consequences rather than to focus on the clarity of the command. If God
commands it that is all we should need.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bible thoughts from some others:
- There's a vast number of character building
resources available. However I encourage you to not overlook the best
curriculum of all, God's Word! Ps 37:5, Commit
thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Pro 16:3, Commit
thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
- Bible thoughts! Col 3:2, Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. We
are all guilty of idol worship. It's a hard thing to overcome on our own, but
with God, we can conquer ANYTHING!! What are your idols in life? Write them
down, confess them, and forsake them asap!
- Ps 125:1, They
that trust in the Lord shall be as Mt. Zion, which cannot be removed, but
abideth forever. God give us a group of Christians with an unmovable faith
with convictions!
- Pro 25:27, It
is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not
glory. Just as too much sweets and honey is sickening to the body, so self
glory and personal pride is sickening to the soul.
- Pro 26:22, The
words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts
of the belly. Gossip goes much deeper than idle talk.
- Pro 27:14, He
that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, shall
be counted a curse to him. Insincere blessings and loud praise are a curse,
doing more harm than good!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 27:14, Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Waiting sure is hard, huh? It's totally
worth putting our trust in the Lord while we wait with patience for Him to come
through for us.
- Love is making someone else’s problems my problem
and doing something about it. Gal 6:2, Bear
ye one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Gals 5:14, For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. I John 4:10, Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. My
sins were my problem, but He made them His problem and did something about it.
- When I was little I had a crush on a girl named
Susie, who lived on the next block. One day I took ink and wrote her name on
the palm of my hand. Every time I looked at my palm I saw her name and thought
of her. By the next morning it had washed off and eventually my interests
turned elsewhere. But, did you know that God has done something similar. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of
my hands, Isa 49. There is something very sweet about that. Our God has us
tattooed on the palm of His hands. I am not sure if it is our names or maybe
our faces, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that He loves us so much that
He has us engraved on His palms just like I did with ink for Susie back in
elementary school. Look at the palms of your hands and imagine having your name
engraved on the palms of His hands. Now, isn't that a glorious thought?
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