"The Love of the Truth"

"And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved." (Acts 4:12--ASV)
"Precious Name, hope of earth and joy of Heaven!"

Some people like devotionals which have stories, related news applications, etc.  From time to time I try to do that.  But it must all lead to strengthening us in what the Word of God refers to as, "sound doctrine."  The word for, "sound," simply means to be "whole, healthy;" and, "doctrine," is simply "instruction."  For most today, however, "doctrine" is a bad word, just too divisive, too politically incorrect, too, "Oh, I guess if we don't believe as you, we are all going to Hell."  Well, as a matter of fact.................... 

To an everything-is-gray culture, doctrine tells us there are right and wrong beliefs.  Our text is "right" belief, "healthy doctrine."  It tells us that soundness, health, and wholeness of a nation, congregation, and an individual's life is found in the reality that "in none other is there salvation," that, "neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved."  And the Book of Doctrine tells us of Jesus Christ that, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins...."-- all sound, all healthy, all very, very wholesome!

Historically the Church has taught that if we are to continue as the "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world," bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ, we must have a common discipline, "systematic instruction given to a disciple."  When I was 12, I went through a catechism class in the United Brethren Church, but this is fast becoming an anachronism.  Yet as a pastor, I always believed that serving "sound doctrine" was the best service I could offer people.  I still feel the same today.

Have a "sound," "healthy," "whole," day!

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for the soundness of Your Word in my life, to "keep yourselves in the love of God," and, "in sincere love of the brethren," and, "the love of the truth."  Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

It's All In There

"Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life-- men without regard for God.  Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." (Psalm 54:3, 4)

Reading through the Psalms one can get the impression of utter chaos in the life of the psalmists.  "Strangers" and "ruthless" people attacking me, yet in the midst of it, "God is my help--the one who sustains me." The Psalms are full of emotional swings, of faith and questions, some would even say, doubt, despair and absolute joy, defeat and victory, condemnation and forgiveness, the greatest declaration of the glory of God (145), and, the feeling of total abandonment (22), it's all there.  But through all of the battles of life all of the psalmists could say with David of our Lord Jesus Christ, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want." 

One of the "proofs" of the Bible's inspiration is the refusal of the Word of God to cover up all of this.  When you read the Bible the thought could occur, "I don't know if I would have put that in there."  But our Lord reveals man and his Maker in the walk of life.   He gives us "great and precious promises," as He also reveals the deepest struggles of man. 

Give yourself to the Breath of Life today, the Word of God, and you will never be without revelation, inspiration, and strength to face all of life.

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for all I need to "have" in life.  Amen.
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What is the Make Up of Your Mind?

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2-NIV)

The responsibility to renew my mind is no one's but mine.  The pastor can't do it.  Your spouse can't do it.  And CNN, FOX, Oprah, et. al., just contribute to further "mind pollution."  If my mind is not renewed by the Word of God, my thinking, yea, my life will not be "transformed."  The Greek word is, "metamorfousthe," from which we get the word, "metamorphose," or, "to change completely," and this, my dear Fellow Believer, is the essence of conversion-- "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."  His mind is undergoing a complete renovation. 

Our biggest problem when we come to Jesus Christ is our thinking process.  It needs "to change completely."  And, make no mistake, it is a life long process!  Many people grew up with one hour of Sunday School and 6 hours a day, five days a week with humanist education.  Then they wonder why they battle with their whole thinking process.  We think and reason with the resources which were given to us and those we have chosen to accept.  How could we ever "approve ...God's will" with the mindset of secular educational systems, the media, and vast majority of the world's politicians?  And religious folk are not exempt.  The arguing, bickering, fighting we see in the church today, reveal minds which just have not been "transformed." 

I will only "approve," or count as acceptable, God's will and purpose for life, His will "in earth as it is in Heaven," to the degree my mind is constantly shaped, formed, and dare I say it?-- controlled by the Word of God.  And, I will only be able to consider the will of our Lord Jesus as "good, pleasing and perfect," even though it opposes my "flesh," to the degree I am familiar with, love, and surrendered to The Logos, The Word, His Mind, incarnate in Jesus Christ and revealed in the Bible.

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me every time I just assume my mind is in conformity with Yours.  "I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."  Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"Give Us This Day"-- The Prayer of Faith

"Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11)

 

When I was in grammar school, we prayed this every school day.  I am proud to say it was the United States of America saying to the Lord Jesus Christ, "We really appreciate you and the prayer you gave us."  No?  Well, I think somewhere along the line this was once in American thinking.  Then came O'Hara.  She hated Jesus Christ and His Church, and a new generations of Americans agreed with her.  Remember, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."  I question the, "good men," in that quote.  Do "good men" really do nothing?

 

But I digress.  This is not the thought which I woke up with this morning.  As I pray for my family, one of the things I pray is the prayer of Jesus.  I have noticed for years that our Lord did not teach us to pray, "Give us enough guaranteed food for the rest of our lives," nor, "Give us this month," nor even, "Give us this week."  Remember what happened to the manna when they kept if for more than a day.  Now we used to can and still do a little freezing of the summer corn we get.  That is not the point.  The point is any hoarding mentality which is motivated by fear and unbelief.  It drives the "guaranteed jobs" and "guaranteed income" demands of Americans.  Fear and unbelief, the two always go together.  Where unbelief is, there fear is sure to follow.  Later in the chapter, Jesus tells us, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'"  Here is the equation-- Unbelief=Worry+Fear.   

 

In April of 1986, we stepped out "in faith" to serve the Church in Eastern Europe.  We had no "guaranteed income," no regular pay check.  We had just bought a new house and had our three children in a Christian School, which meant tuition.  Some would call it irresponsible living.  This is in no way a boast.  I know my great frailty.  But Oswald Chambers once said that the way to live in Jesus Christ is to "obey with reckless abandon."  If it were I who were telling you today not to worry, you would still have plenty reason to worry.  It is our Lord Jesus Who tells us-------------- "Therefore do not be anxious (worry) for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care for itself."  Remember, the prayer is, "daily bread." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for "daily" everything.  Amen.

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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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