Month: August 2012

Without Finding Fault

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One of my favorite Bible verses comes from James, where the apostle tells us that if we lack wisdom, to go to God and ask Him because He gives it generously. The next part of that verse adds, “without finding fault.” This is so important. When we go to God admitting that we need His advice and direction, He doesn’t make fun of us, laugh at us or grudgingly grant our request. God delights in us having enough sense to ask Him – in being obedient in asking Him.

We don’t have to come afraid of being ridiculed. We don’t have to listen to a lecture of how we should have already known better. He gives without finding fault. Can we go to God today, seeking His counsel, without fear? I can, how about you?

Thoughts on Salvation

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Many times I have people ask me, “When were you saved?”. While they are well meaning, I fear that they do not know exactly what they are asking. You see, I am still being saved. In a very real sense, I was set apart before the foundation of the world in Christ Jesus. God knew whom He would call to be one of His. Yes, on March 26, 1973 I surrendered my life to His control, His Lordship, begging His forgiveness, seeking His mercy, grace and forgiveness. I am still being saved – from this world, our adversary, my own foolish desires and actions. Jesus is alive and active through His Spirit in my even now and He Himself makes intercession for me before the Father continually. I will be saved. He is coming for me (or sending angels to escort me to Him) where I will continue to be saved for all eternity.

When was I saved? A long time ago, today and tomorrow. I know in whom I have believed. And I am persuaded that He is able to keep my soul, which I committed to Him, against the day of judgment. I know He called me and made me His own and that He has the power to keep, sustain and guide me. Jesus isn’t just One who can save, He is the One who does save.

Podcast – Biblical Hospitality

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Biblical hospitality is sharing our homes, our lives with strangers as well as friends. When one is not sharing material possessions, it is difficult to share spiritual treasures. Hospitality was modeled by the Incarnation as Jesus shared His glorious self with us and we must share ourselves with a lonely, hurting world.

 

Preached 8.19.2012 in Havre, Montana

Podcast – Ta Ethne.

Biblical Hospitality

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In a nutshell, biblical hospitality is opening up your life and sharing it with those you meet, whether they are people you know well or complete strangers. It isn’t hosting a party, giving a donation to charity or buying a bum a meal. It is sharing what you have – your food, your home, your clothes, your resources – both material and spiritual with other people. The people of God are aliens and strangers whom God has welcomed into the household of faith. In turn, God’s people are to “make room” for the stranger, not only in the community of faith, but in their personal households.

In a very real sense, a person who has a difficult time sharing material possessions with the stranger will have an even more difficult time sharing their spiritual possession (faith in Jesus Christ) with them as well. The New Testament writers Paul, Peter and the author of Hebrews all command the followers of Jesus to show hospitality. A person could not serve as a church leader without having a life characterized by hospitality, widows in the church were not even eligible for benevolence unless they were hospitable to strangers, that is how serious God commands us to practice this.

Is your life characterized by hospitality?

 

Hymn Devotions Day 7 – Standing on the Promises

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DAY 7  – STANDING ON THE PROMISES

The second verse of this hymn strikes me profoundly. God’s promises cannot fail. The omnipotent, all-knowing Creator God is able to keep every promise He makes. He is trustworthy, He is true. Whenever the storms of doubt and fear howl at me, whenever I am assailed by the knowledge of my own inadequacy, I can stand on God’s promises because He never fails.

There are over 3,000 promises in the Bible. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says this about those precious promises:

“God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises so that through them you may become partakers of His divine nature”

Oh, what a great passage. God gave us these promises of His so that we can partake of His divine nature. He gave them to us so we can live a godly life through our relationship with His perfect Son!

Truly, I am bound to Him eternally and can overcome each day the doubts and fears Satan throws at me by using the Spirit’s Sword, the Holy Word of God. I will resolve to know these promises and to stand on Him. Will you?

 

Lord, help me to study Your Word and find your promises. Help me to hide Your Word in my heart so I will live a godly life and not sin against you. Help me to stand on Your Word.   Amen.

 

STANDING ON THE PROMISES by R. Kelso Carter

 

Standing on the promises of Christ my king

Through eternal ages let His praises ring

Glory in the highest I will shout and sing

Standing on the promises of God

 

Standing on the promises that cannot fail

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail

By the living Word of God I shall prevail

Standing on the promises of God

 

Standing on the promises I now can see

Perfect present cleansing in the blood for me

Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free

Standing on the promises of God

 

Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord

Overcoming daily by the Spirit’s sword

Standing on the promises of God

 

Standing on the promises I cannot fall

Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call

Resting in my Savior as my all in all

Standing on the promises of God

 

REFRAIN

 

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior

Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God

Hymn Devotions Day 6 – I Am Resolved

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DAY 6 – I AM RESOLVED

 

This upbeat, quick-tempo hymn inspires and challenges me to live for Christ daily. All too often I find myself being charmed by the delights of this world. Like Abram’s nephew Lot, looking at the lush valley towards Sodom, I find myself dazzled by the shiny façade of material things.

Oh, how I long to discipline myself to pursue those things which are higher and nobler, godly things that deserve my single-minded devotion. The author of the song, Palmer Hartsough, makes a great observation that “friends may oppose me, foes may beset me.” Not only will Satan try to distract me from my resolve to follow Jesus but even Christian friends, who have succumbed to worldly temptations, will also oppose me. Radical, fanatic and other appellations will be hurled at the one who pursues hard after God.

Still, even though friends may not understand my desire, I want them to join with me. This hymn urges me to invite them on the journey into complete discipleship. By leaning on and learning from God’s Word, by seeking guidance from His Spirit in prayer, we can journey together in spiritual growth.

How resolved are you to let go of the things of this world and follow after Jesus?

 

Lord, give me the discipline to instill Christ-like habits in my life. Help me to look beyond the things of this world and pursue hard after those things which will make me be an asset to Your kingdom. Fill my eyes with glimpses of You.

 

I AM RESOLVED by Palmer Hartsough

 

I am resolved no longer to linger

Charmed by the world’s delights

Things that are higher, things that are nobler

These have allured my sight

 

I am resolved to go to the Savior

Leaving my sin and strife

He is the True One, He is the Just One

He hath the words of life

 

I am resolved to follow the Savior

Faithful and true each day

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth

He is the living way

 

I am resolved to enter the Kingdom

Leaving the paths of sin

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me

Still will I enter in

 

I am resolved and who will go with me?

Come, friends, without delay

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit

We’ll walk the heavenly way

 

REFRAIN

 

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free

Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to thee

Hymn Devotions Day 5 – Dare To Be A Daniel

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DAY 5  – DARE TO BE A DANIEL 

Written by Phillip Bliss for his Sunday School class, this hymn has been a favorite of mine since I was a boy. Both inspiring and challenging, Bliss throws down a gauntlet in urging believers to stand firm for the truth and to be active in conquering evil. In a day when a false definition of tolerance is making its way though society, the words of this song encourage us to act like one of the heroes of the faith.

Like Daniel, we are encouraged to live faithful lives by standing firm in obedience to God’s commands, even when the rest of society is compromising. We are urged to be brave and not to shirk from our duty. Though others may fall away, though we alone may seem to be remaining faithful, we must stand firm for our beliefs as Daniel did.

I often wonder, as I read the book of Daniel, how many other captive Jews just blended into Babylonian society. Apparently he was the only one who took praying to God seriously. The rest, well, it wasn’t politically correct to be seen worshipping God. How many of us fall into the trap of being politically correct instead of obedient?

We can accomplish great things for God when we walk in the might of His power and share the gospel message. May we go before the Lord today and pray that we will have the courage to stand for our convictions as Daniel did.

Lord, grant me conviction of heart like Daniel. Help me to stay the course, to be true and faithful. May it start today, let me not shirk from sharing the gospel with one who needs to hear Your message.

 

DARE TO BE A DANIEL by Phillip Bliss

 

Standing by a purpose true

Heeding God’s command

Honor them the faithful few

All hail to Daniel’s band

 

Mighty men are lost

Daring not to stand

Who for God had been a host

By joining Daniel’s band

 

Many giants great and tall

Stalking through the land

Heedlong to the earth would fall

If met by Daniel’s band

 

Held the Gospel banner high

On to victory grand

Satan and his hosts defy

And shout for Daniel’s band

 

REFRAIN

 

Dare to be a Daniel

Dare to stand alone

Dare to have a purpose firm

Dare to make it known.

Hymn Devotions Day 4 – Lord. Like A Publican I Stand

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DAY 4 – LORD, LIKE A PUBLICAN I STAND

 

This hymn is not as widely known as the majority of others in this devotional, but it is very powerful and moving. The words of this hymn are taken straight out of the gospel of Luke, chapter 18. The author, Thomas Raffles, shows us what is necessary to obtain God’s pardoning grace and mercy – confession and repentance.

Throwing himself at the foot of God’s throne, confessing the agony of his sinful soul, the penitent tax-collector pleads for mercy based on Jesus’ atonement. He stands in contrast to the Pharisee who assumed that because he was religious, he was in good standing with God. The tax-collector knew that righteous works were not enough to find pardon before a God who demands perfection. All he can hope for is to confess all of his sins, all of his unrighteousness and throw himself on the mercy of the Heavenly Court. As he does, he finds Jesus’ mercy and saving power.

What a wonderful picture this song gives us of the hope that is found in Jesus. As you go before God’s throne today, like the publican call upon His mercy and confess your sins. You, too, will find the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood washing away your sins and making you justified in the sight of God.

 

Lord, here I stand, naked before you. You know me, my ways, my thoughts, my deceitful heart. I can offer no excuse. I can offer no works that are pure to atone for my sins. I repent and cast myself on your mercy. Be merciful to me Lord, a sinner.

 

LORD, LIKE A PUBLICAN I STAND by Thomas Raffles

 

Lord, like the publican I stand

And lift my heart to Thee

Thy pardoning grace, O God, command

Be merciful to me

 

I smite upon my anxious breast

O’er whelmed with agony

O save my soul by sin oppressed

Be merciful to me

 

My guilt, my shame, I all confess

I have no hope nor plea

But Jesus’ blood and righteousness

Be merciful to me

 

Here at the cross I still would wait

Nor from its shelter flee

But Thou, O God, in mercy great

Art merciful to me