"How Do You Read It?"

"LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.  I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me."

(Psalm 131:1, NLT)

 

One of the greatest pitfalls of people who see themselves as "mature Christians" is that there are no, "matters too great or awesome for me."  In Christendom there are many people, some in leadership, some not, who leave the unmistakable impression in their wake that our text does not apply to them.  Their life's "counsel" or advice all leave an unmistakable impression, "I've got a handle on this.  I'll work you through it."  Our text for them reads, "My heart is...proud; my eyes are...haughty.  What a Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. answer person fails to realize is that they deceive people into believing that you really don't have to think for yourself, or if you do, don't worry, they've got you covered.   

 

The longer I live, I have absolutely no illusion of my finite, limited understanding and ability to deal with, well, life in general.  Have you ever noticed that just about the time you have those, "matters too great or awesome for me," figured out, something inevitably happens which shouts, "No, you don't?"  There is only One Who can "operate" with absolute certainty in, "matters too great or awesome," Our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is no cliche, Our God knows, "the end from the beginning."  Yet did you ever notice in the Gospels how at times Jesus said to people something similar to what He said to a lawyer one day, "What is written in the law?  How do you read it" (NIV)? 

 

I have found over the years that the vast majority of people who seek "counsel" already know what they should do.  While it is true that some just look for an excuse for their behavior, most others just need a confirmation for the decision they have already chosen.  Psalm 48 says, "For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death."  Beware any in your life who claim such authority, "with matters too great or awesome for me." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, please help me to recognize "matters too great or awesome for me."  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"How Can?"-------- Anything

 "How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to (NLT says, 'by obeying') Your word."  (Psalm 119:9)

 

Really, "How can?"--- anything!  Many church people go to many seminars trying to find, "How can?"  Our text gives the answer, "By taking heed according to Your Word."  According to Strong, the phrase translated, "taking heed," means "to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc."  What an absolutely phenomenal description of the attitude and practice of a Follower of Jesus Christ, hedging about, guarding, protecting, attending to Jesus Christ and His Words.  2 Peter 1:8 declares, "For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

 

I cannot emphasize too much nor too often the eternal reality that everything you and I read in the Bible, "became flesh and dwelt among us," in Jesus Christ, and since the Cross, the words, yes, The Word Himself, can dwell in us.  The Bible is not a "how to" book.  It is a "Who to" Book. Furthermore, Christianity is not a religion as defined in the dictionary, "A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices-- a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith."  While most of these precepts are inherent in Biblical Faith, God does not call us to such.  He calls us to Himself through Jesus Christ, by Jesus Christ, and in Jesus Christ.  If one takes Jesus from Christianity, principles, seminars, worship, prayer and intercession, yea from human existence, there is nothing left but emptiness, a dark void in the universe, devoid of life, liberty, and an endless pursuit of a happiness which never appears.

 

I conducted Bible conferences and seminars as a part of my work in Eastern Europe during the communist era.  I did a marriage seminar in Poland once using 1 Peter.  Another year I did a youth camp using "The Sermon on the Mount."  I had some interesting reactions when I announced my texts, but when we were finished, the testimonies confirmed just how powerful is the Bible's, "How can?" 

 

Father, in Jesus, I cannot thank You enough for the revelation that Your Words are Your Word, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"Convenient Time"?

"Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, 'Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.'" (Acts 24:25)

In our text, Paul was preaching about the moral life in Jesus Christ, life in the Kingdom of Heaven, the life of a, "new creation," in Jesus.  Felix' response was simply what we have all done when faced with soul-searching conviction, "When I have a convenient time I will call for you."  How many times that, "time," never came, and we missed a moment of opportunity which is gone forever. 

What "word" of the Lord Jesus Christ are you responding to with, "when I have a convenient time I will call for you." (?)  Nothing, I repeat, nothing in my life, no project, no personal devotions, quiet time, missions trip, good deed, time at the office, factory, church program, nothing, warrants or justifies, "when I have a convenient time I will call for you."  Whenever the Word of Jesus comes to me, "I have a convenient time," for nothing else.

Father, in Jesus' Name, if, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you," has ever been in me, I ask forgiveness.  I sinned against my own soul.  May, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears," every be in my heart.  Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

Yes, It's "Double Money"

"Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine."
(1 Timothy 5:17, From Today's Epistle Reading)

I have never had a problem with receiving tithes and offerings from people, because I have always, "labor[ed] in the word and doctrine," and, I might add, prayer.  Allan Vincent once said, "Prayer is hard work."  Anyone who has ever been serious about praying knows what he was talking about.

First of all, one of the descriptions of the Greek word for, "rule," means "protector or guardian, to give aid, care for, give attention to."  What a great description of our "Head Elder," and, "Chief Shepherd," Jesus, and, what a sobering reminder to elders, "who rule....!"  Secondly, the word for, "labor," in our text means "intense desire, great trouble, grow weary, tired, exhausted with toil or burdens, bodily labor," yes, you read right, "bodily labor."

The cynics in the world (and in too many churches) think that a pastor, preacher/teacher does not engage in "work," especially, hard work.  So many people are practicing "communists"-- if a man's fingernails are not dirty, he doesn't do real work.  It is pathetically amusing to me that politicians' reference to "hard working families" is always the clock punching, coal digging, factory worker.  I guess the rest of us are just lazy good-for-nothings.  Well, sorry to those folks, but the Bible begs to differ.  We elders who, "especially... labor in the word and doctrine," are just as much "hard working" as those who dig the coal, work the auto assembly lines, and drive those big rigs, and, horror of horrors to most people, we are, "worthy of double honor."  And, yes, you guessed it; the word for, "honor," here means "a valuing by which the price is fixed."  Hmm-- I guess I should be getting double pay. 

People will pay very good money for what they want and what they value.  What and whom do you value today?

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for the privilege of a life of, "labor in the word and doctrine."  Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2