Monthly Archives: October 2015

UNCOMFORTABLE HONESTY!… Psalm 89: 38-52

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It makes me uncomfortable reading the verses at the end of Psalm 89.  Don’t like it.  God’s people griping at the Lord, blaming Him for the mess they’re in.  See what I mean?–‘But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed.  You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust…You have exalted the right hand of his foes…you have covered him with shame'(from verses 38-45).

I cringe when I hear someone letting-it-all-out with the Lord.  Would be afraid that lightning might strike!  Really, would you feel comfortable saying these words to the Lord like Ethan the Ezrahite did in this psalm?  But it’s right there in the Bible.  And no criticism is leveled at Ethan.  That’s real hard for me.  Why?  Can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t fear that the rug wouldn’t be pulled out from under me.  Scared that anything I did wrong would cause the anger of God to be unleashed on me.

Be careful what you do and say.  Walk gently and gingerly on those eggshells.  Not sure that those who know me would guess that all this goes on inside.  I can’t possibly know all that goes on inside of you, either.  What struggles you hide from the world.  What embarrassments and shame you hope no one would ever see on your face.

Ethan obviously had no such hesitations.  He says whatever he feels.  There’s a part of me that envies him.  What’s really neat is that very last verse of Psalm 89.  After all his complaining, he says ‘Blessed be the Lord forever!  Amen and amen.’  Even though he complains,yet he praises the Lord he loves and worships.  He really believes that God is on his side.  That God is loving and faithful…’I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations'(verse 1).  He believes that God is who He says He is.

There’s the rub.  To really believe… who He says He is.  Take Him at His Word!

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for calling us to be open and honest with you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

GIVE IT YOUR VERY BEST!… Colossians 3: 12-17

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Being a television star is not all it’s cracked up to be!  I should know!  I had a weekly television show on our Christian public access station for a period of 5 years.  It was 28 1/2 minutes in length, to be precise!  Tuesday evenings with a repeat Wednesday afternoon.

Did hundreds of shows with Christians of all denominations, ages, and jobs.  Pastors were my first group to have as guests, but they proved too boring and predictable.  Sorry, my friends and colleagues!  Soon realized that the local garbage man, store clerk, psychologist, teacher, bank executive, lawyer, and policeman were much more interesting.  They would tell their stories of how they came to know Christ.  Each one was different.  In the middle of the show, I had a local vocalist sing a Gospel song.  The second half of the  show focused on the differences the Lord had made in their lives.  Most had fascinating stories to tell.

I also met some amazing singers and sinners(especially the host)!  All knew Jesus… and had been changed by Him.  The show was called ‘Person-to-Person’.  Doing the show, I learned a few things myself.  The main lesson was to do my best for the Lord.  Every year I tried to make the show as professional as possible.  Yet station glitches seemed to pop up at the worst times.  Like their showing our Christmas special two days before Thanksgiving.  Or episodes not starting on time.  Funny, I know.  But it wasn’t to me.  Wanted this to be the best that I could do, appreciating those who gave of their time, and principally for the Lord Himself.  As the Apostle Paul wrote, ‘And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…'(Colossians 3:17).  I was learning to work very hard for Him.

Lessons for life?  Do it for Him.  And do it with all your might.  I remember reading about a pastor who studied and prepared one hour for each minute of his sermon.  A 20-minute message required 20 hours of preparation.  Commitment. Giving our best.  Think of all that Jesus packed into 3 brief years.  John the Apostle said that all the books in the world couldn’t contain all that Jesus had said and done in those 3 years that He had on this earth(John 21:25).   Does this hit home for you in any way?  What you’re doing for the Lord, and giving Him your very best?  Are you?

Whatever we do, do it all for Him.  For His glory.  To reach others with the best news of all.  Do your very best.  Should we make that a commitment?  How about it?  I’m in!  Are you?

Prayer:  Lord, help us not be lazy and comfortable doing a fair to middling job for you.  In Jesus’ name, the One who gave His all for us.  Amen.

DON’T TRY TO INHERIT THEIR FAITH…2 Chronicles 24

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I’m a treasure hunter, finding hidden gems in Bible passages.  Let’s dig a little deeper.  After the deaths of kings David and Solomon, we have a procession of 8 kings of Judah, the Southern Kingdom.  Now we come to a young boy crowned king named Joash.  He wouldn’t have made it passed his fifth birthday if it wasn’t for the wife of the High Priest Jehoiada.  Her name was Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram.

Jehoram had killed all his brothers to secure the throne.  Jehoshabeath’s  brother was King Ahaziah, who was killed by Jehu one of Jehoram’s commanders.  With Ahaziah’s death, their mother, Athaliah, ruled as Queen of Judah by annihilating all the royal family.  This was her very own flesh and blood.  Nice lady!   Athaliah was a daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of the Northern Kingdom.  She brought the false worship of despicable Baal to Judah.  Athaliah broached no threat to her merciless reign.  Only one male child survived due to the intervention of Athaliah’s own daughter, Jehoshabeath.

This wife of the High Priest Jehoiada was tough-as-nails.  She knew her actions could result in her death and that of her family.  Nevertheless, she hid her one year old nephew in the Temple precincts for a number of years.  He was but seven when crowned  King of Judah.  This was Joash.  And this 24th chapter from 2 Chronicles makes it crystal clear that Joash had some marvelous, godly people in his life almost from birth.  They stayed with him throughout his reign until the High Priest Jehoiada died.

Listen to what it says in verse 15:  ‘but Jehoiada grew old and full of days, and died.  He was 130 years old at his death.  And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and His house’.  What a tribute!  A High Priest buried with the most famous kings.  Listing his age emphasizes the Lord’s blessing.  He lived longer than many other heroes of the faith–like Sarah(127), Joseph(110), Moses(120), Aaron(110) and Joshua(110).  He was long-time faithful to Yahweh God.

But, unfortunately, when he leaves the scene, so does his godly influence.  His faith, and that of his wife, could not be inherited.  Not theirs, not ours.  Faith must be found in each person.  Faith can be influenced and shared but never inherited.  Money and possessions can be.  But not our trust in Jesus.  His claims are always individual.

I pray every day and night for all our children and grandchildren.  For friends and church members, for government leaders…that all will come to know the Lord for themselves.  There is no other way.  None.  Keep praying.  Live for Jesus yourself.  Be humble.   Be His.  And leave the rest in His loving hands!

Prayer:  Lord, we ask you to move the will of our loved ones so that they make that personal decision for Jesus Christ.  In His name.  Amen.

BY THE SEA, BY THE SEA… John 7:37-39

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It was back in 1959 that my parents first rented an apartment right on the beach, at the ocean, in Ocean City, New Jersey.  For two glorious weeks!  They rented the same place for a few years, always the last week in July and the first week of August.  My father said that those were the best weather weeks of the summer.  I didn’t care when we went, as along as we did!  I loved it.  Still do.  My wife can tell when I get morose and change my name to ‘gloomy Gus’, that it’s time for a trip back home, to Ocean City, the one in New Jersey!

Have to keep going back.  ‘By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea…’  That’s my song but only for a few weeks or a month.   Jesus talked about water, living water.  If you had it, you would never thirst again.  Really?  What did He mean?

It was on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles.  He’s in Jerusalem at the Temple.  He proclaims: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'”(John 7: 37-38).  The Gospel writer, John, tells us that Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit, who will be given to all believers.  Plain and simple.  When you believe in Him, more flows your way.  More of what counts in life.  More from within where it’s private, genuine, protected from being cast before any swine you encounter.  More love, more forgiveness, more purpose…more and more of whatever God has for us.

Rarely it’s things.  Often it’s something you can’t put your finger on.  Something indescribable.  Something money can’t buy.   That’s why the world, such as it is, doesn’t have a clue.  How can it?  Without Jesus, they have no Holy Spirit, no living water bubbling up into all kinds of thirst-quenching wonders.  Without Jesus, it’s just dryness and thirst.  Emptiness and unfulfilled pawing and craving.

But with Jesus, when we know Him and love Him and really want to serve Him, we find that the ‘water’ He pours into us is energizing, satisfying and fulfilling.  Within us.  Open your mouth to Him.  Ask Jesus for more of His living water.   All from Him.  Not one drop earned.  His gift.  Thank you, Lord…

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus, for giving us the living water of your Holy Spirit.   For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.