Touchdown!
Today’s Passages – Zechariah 10 – 14; Proverbs 3
(Second Milers also read – Psalm 11 – 15; Memorize – Mark 16:15)
Audio and Notes are available here from yesterday’s messages.
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Matthew 6:33
“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”(Zechariah 14:4)
This is football season, and every fan knows the excitement of seeing his team score a touchdown. Here in Zechariah 14 God tells us about another kind of touchdown that all of God’s people can be excited about. This is when Jesus returns from Heaven and touches down on the Mount of Olives. This is when all of the enemies of God including Antichrist and Satan will finally meet their doom. Christians have put up with a lot of garbage through the years from the lost world: from martyrdom to simply being made fun of, the world has had its day. But that day will soon be over, and all of the world will know that Jesus is Lord!
I know that all Christians will have the same level of enthusiasm in that day when the Lord returns; but it is sad to think that yesterday there was more excitement about football than the Lord. Let’s get excited about the things of God; about the reality of the rapture, and the return of the Lord. Then let’s pour that passion into serving Him in these last days. I don’t want to be just a spectator, I want to participate.
One more thought from Zechariah 14:16 – 19:
The passage says that all nations will have to go to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles; and if they fail to do so, they will receive no rain. The Scripture here specifically mentions Egypt, which was the nation that held Israel in bondage for a few hundred years. They will not only receive a drought if they do not participate, but they will also experience a plague. It is interesting to note that the Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration and remembrance of the Lord’s deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt; and His provision for them as they wandered through the wilderness. This feast and remembrance may take on a deeper during the Millenium as Christ will literally be dwelling (tabernacling) with His people.
Posted in Thoughts from Zechariah by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Guest Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Zechariah 6 – 9; Proverbs 2
Second Milers also read – Psalm 6 – 10; Memorize – Mark 16:15
This Morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1
Read “Habits of a Fruitful Soulwinner” by Dr. Paul Chappell
Are You A Curse Among The Heathen? – Zechariah 8:13-17
“And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.” – Zechariah 8:13-15
As I mull over this passage that the Lord has given me I have to ask myself am I a curse among the heathen, the unsaved? I sometimes could care less about what other Christians think about me. They need to take a good look at themselves in the mirror. But what kind of impression do I make on the unsaved? Do they see any Jesus, or just me? Verses 16 and 17 instruct us in what to do.
Speak the Truth. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” If I love my neighbor as myself then I will want to be truthful to him. The Gospel cannot be watered down. Have you broken any of God’s commandments? Welcome to the club: we are all sinners, and as sinners we need a Saviour: Jesus Christ, who shed His precious blood to pay for our sins. As a preacher, I will preach that it was a bad idea that as a Christian nation we tried to keep God out of the government by removing the Bible from schools, the 10 Commandments from offices, and whatever else this anti-Christ ruling class has come up with. I will preach that homosexuality is not an alternate lifestyle, it is an abomination (Lev. 18:22 & 20:13). Don’t look down your nose at the sodomite, what about your little white lies? The abominable and all liars have their place in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). We all need the Saviour, and that’s the truth. Number 2…
Do the Truth. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. We all need help in this area: doing the truth. After a long week of work, I look forward to our Saturday morning prayer time at the church. 1Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. I haven’t mastered that yet, have you? But I going to keep trying and praying. God says that 10% of my income belongs to Him (Malachi 3:8-12). I’m still going to tithe, because I know that I can do more with God and 90% of my income then without God and 100% of my income. God set the tithe up to supply the pastor with his needs and to get the gospel out. When a church is tithing, the pastor can spend more time with God and feed the flock better: he shouldn’t have to work a secular job. Also tracts can be purchased, ‘Done’ books, and the like: things that edify the body of Christ. I’m going to support missions with an offering, because Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” I can’t go into ALL the world, so I’m still going to give to missions. Not to get side-tracked, but doesn’t the Bible say, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19). That should lead you to a question to ask yourself: “Am I putting my trust in the all mighty dollar, or the Almighty God?” To quote George Beverly Shea, “I’d rather have Jesus…” Number 3…
So we should Speak the Truth, and Do the Truth, but we should also…
Focus and Meditate on the Truth. Zec 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” You will have a love for people: friends, enemies, neighbors. If you love them with the mind of Christ then you will not imagine evil in your hearts against them. Read God’s Word. The more Bible you have, the quicker the Holy Spirit can bring Scripture to mind when you need it. If you have the mind of Christ then speaking and doing the truth should be no problem.
Don’t be a curse among the heathen. If we are going to be called Christians, let’s live like Christians. Speak the Truth. Do the Truth. Focus and Meditate on the Truth.
Peace (John 14:27).
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You Can’t Touch Him
Today’s Passages – Zechariah 1 – 5; Proverbs 1
(Second Milers also read – Psalm 1 – 5; Memorize – Hosea 10:12)
You can listen to this morning’s passages by clicking on the references.
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 48:1 & 2
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (Zechariah 3:1 & 2)
The verses referenced above tell of Satan attempting to “resist” a man named Joshua who was the High Priest during the time of the return of the captivity to Jerusalem. Here was a man trying to do the work of God, and Satan desired to stop him from his work. God intervenes and does not allow Satan to hinder the work. God says that Joshua was “a brand plucked out of the fire”. That phrase reminds me of what Jude said in the New Testament:
“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 23)
I take comfort from these verses for two reasons. First, I am just a brand plucked out of the fire myself. I am a hell deserving sinner that was saved by the marvelous grace of God. I have nothing to offer God except my service to Him. He has saved me from the fire, so the least that I can do is give myself to His commission of winning people to Christ and training those that trust Him. What a glorious privilege it is to serve the God of Heaven. Why God chooses to use us is a mystery, but I am sure glad that He has called me into His service.
Secondly, I got to thinking about how Satan wants to resist us and destroy us. Jesus told Peter that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat. That does not sound like a pleasant experience. Satan hates me especially because he lost me. I was part of his world, but now I am a child of the King an a citizen of Heaven. Satan would love to get his filthy hands on me; and he loves to try to hinder the work that God has given me to do. But Satan has a leash on him, just like I would put on one of my dogs. He can’t do whatever he wants to do. He can only do what he is allowed to do. And if God lets him through to me it is only because he knows that it will strengthen me, and glorify Him. I know that what ever God allows Satan to do to me I can handle through the power of God. Interestingly, the very next chapter gives that famous verse regarding another man, Zerubbabel:
“…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”(Zechariah 4:6b)
It is wonderful to know that God is with me as I yield myself to His will fulfilling His service. Satan hates me. He wants to destroy and devour; but he can’t get past God, unless God allows it. And if God allows it, I can get through it through the power of His Spirit.
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Is Your Money Going Right Down The Drain?
Today’s Reading – Haggai 1 – 2; Proverbs 30
(Second Milers also memorize – Hosea 10:12)
This Morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 19
“Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. …Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that iswaste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” (Haggai 1:6 & 9)
Haggai is writing to the children of Israel that have returned to the land after their time spent in captivity in the land of Babylon, and later Persia. Upon returning, they had done well in the beginning: they immediately began to re-build the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem. However, after some opposition came along (and it always does), they put aside the building of God’s house and began working on their own houses and farms, etc. The problem was that God was not blessing them in their work. In many respects they were spinning their wheels. They were working hard, but God wasn’t helping them, simply because they were no longer putting the Lord first in their lives.
I see a lot of parallels of this passage with Christians today. There has never been a time in the history of America when we are as busy as we are now. Many families have both husband and wife working with some folks working two and three jobs. It is very common to hear people say that they would like to attend all of the church services, but they always have to work. After all, they have to take care of their families, don’t they? Now, I understand that people need to work. Work is good. The Bible says that men need to work in order to eat; but when our work replaces God, or seriously interferes with our worship of Him, something is wrong. And I wonder if God isn’t doing to us what he did to those Israelites of old who had misplaced priorities. Do you miss church regularly due to work? I’m not saying it always wrong, but you have to ask yourself and the Lord if your missing services is OK with Him.
The same could be said about our giving. We would like to give, but money is tight. We justify our lack of giving due to the fact that we need to care for our families. But did you ever think that by taking matters into your own hands, you are forsaking God and removing His blessing upon your life. God said that were wages were going through a bag filled with holes. I have often felt that my money was going into a bag like that as well. Have you stopped giving your tithes and offerings because money is tight? You can expect it to get even tighter.
The problem is that we are often blind to this condition. We don’t see where we have put something above God in our lives. Ask yourself honestly. Have you put something in front of God: your job; your children; your pleasure? What is causing you to miss the full blessing of God in your life. We need to put God back where He belongs in our lives. He deserves and demands first place. After the Israelites repented and starting working again on the temple, God said, “I am with you”. I want God to be with me in my life, and He will be as long as put Him in His rightful place. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that God is with you, that His hand of approval and blessing is on every aspect of your life?
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – (Matthew 6:33)
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” – (Colossians 1:18)
“I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.” – (2 Corinthians 8:8)
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.” – (Malachi 3:10-11)
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He Is In The Midst Of Thee
Today’s Passages – Zephaniah 1 – 3; Proverbs 29
(Second Milers also memorize – Hosea 10:12)
The audio from the Wednesday Night Bible Study is available here.
Read a great article from Dr. Paul Chappell – “How to Finish Well” here.
Listen to last night’s Scripture song – Deuteronomy 32:4 here.
“The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.” (Zephaniah 3:15)
I love that phrase in verse 15, “…the Lord, is in the midst of thee”. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God dwells in and with His children. It is wonderful when we are gathered together in the house of the Lord for worship to feel the presence of God among us. But, I am getting ahead of myself.
If I understand this verse correctly, it appears that Zephaniah is looking forward to the Millennial Kingdom of Christ on earth. It would seem that this will be the only time that all of the things mentioned in the context could take place. In the first two chapters Zephaniah wrote of judgment which has already come and is still coming, but the future holds a time for Israel when they will be reconciled completely with God; and God will once again be pouring out His blessings upon them; and will remove all of the enemies of God’s people from the land.
My thought this morning, however, is how this verse, though directly dealing with Israel, applies perfectly to the Christian today. The Christian already has today what He is going to give Israel in the future. First, it says “The LORD hath taken away thy judgments”. How wonderful it is to know that the penalty for sin is gone. I will not be judged for my sin. I used to hear preachers say that when I stand before God, He is going to show a video of every bad thing that I have ever done. Not true. Jesus paid for all of my sins at Calvary and they are all under the blood. My record is clean because of what Jesus did for me at Calvary. My sins are gone! Praise God!!!
Secondly, Zephaniah says “he hath cast out thine enemy”. Now this isn’t true yet; but it soon will be. My enemy is Satan, and though he and his devils are reeking havoc today, he is already defeated. Some day soon, we will see Satan cast into the lake of fire. I am on the winning side and Satan is a loser. Just a thought: why do so many people, including Christians, follow him. My flesh is also a formidable foe; but God has given me His Spirit, and if I will yield myself to Him, I can crucify this old wicked flesh on a daily basis.
Finally, Zephaniah says “the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee”. I know that this verse is talking about God dwelling in the midst of His people, Israel, but I have God dwelling in me right now.
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” (Colossians 1:27)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15:4)
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Ephesians 1:13)
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
God is not only with me, He is in me. And if I will allow Him to have His way with my life, I will reveal Him to others around me.
P.S. I have one additional encouragement from Zephaniah 2:
“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.” – (Zephaniah 2:3)
This verse is a great encouragement to me because it teaches that though there may be judgment by God on the world around us, we may escape it if we are in a right relationship with Him. God has not appointed His children to wrath, and though He may pour out His judgent on this land, He will still protect and provide for His own.
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Revive Thy Work
Today’s Passages – Habakkuk 1 – 3; Proverbs 28
Second Milers also read – Revelation 21 – 22; Memorize Hosea 10:12
We had a wonderful time at the Fall Revival Meeting at Faith Baptist Church in Sparta, N.J. Monday and Tuesday Nights. I will be posting the audio messages on the church website before noon. Click here to go to Sermon Audio page.
Click here to read last year’s post on this passage.
“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” – (Habakkuk 3:2)
We have been talking a lot about revival these days. Last week, we had our Fall Revival meetings, where we challenged our people to deepen their relationship with God. The theme for our memory verses this month is on the subject of revival. I long to see revival in our land. I have prayed for many years to see the hand of God move mightily today as He has done in the past. I want to see God revive our community to the extent that multitudes would be saved, the church houses would be overflowing, and the bars and casinos would be shut down. We desperately need God. Our society has gotten so far away from Him, it seems like an absolute impossibility for it to find its way back to the narrow path. But nothing is impossible with God.
In our passage, Habakkuk is writing to a nation that had also forsaken the Lord. They had turned their back on God’s law, and had become an pleasure seeking, idolatrous, and gluttonous culture filled with drunkenness and all kinds of immorality. Sounds like America doesn’t it? We know from the vantage point of history that God did bring revival to this nation, but only after the nation experienced God’s judgment. It was the judgment of God that caused Judah (Israel) to turn back to Him.
I fear that it will also take the judgment of God to cause America to wake up. I know that in my own life it often takes the chastisement of God to get me to see that I am drifting from Him. I have been asking God to do whatever it takes in my life to get to where I need to be. I want to “know Him”; I want to serve Him; and I want my life to be fully yielded to Him. I want God to revive me. I am His workmanship. I want Him to break up the fallow ground in my life, and mold me into something that He can use for His glory. I want that for my family as well, and for the people in our church. I hope that we don’t have to experience too much chastisement and trial in order to get there; but if that’s what it takes, so be it.
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What Are You Thinking?
Todays Passages – Nahum 1 – 3 ; Proverbs 27
“What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.” – (Nahum 1:9)
The Book of Nahum is a unique portion of Scripture. It is written about the nation of Assyria whose capital was Ninevah. You will remember that Ninevah was the city that repented after the preaching of Jonah. Assyria was also the world empire that brought judgment to the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C., taking them into captivity. Frankly, I am not sure of the exact context of the writing of Nahum, but I think it was written as a judgment against them for their treatment of Israel.
The thought that struck me from this passage this morning comes from Nahum 1:9. God asked them what they “imagined” against Him. This is an interesting phrase. It appeared that the Assyrians had a false notion about God. They didn’t have their facts straight, and it resulted in an “imagination” about God that was totally untrue. I guess they thought that the God of Israel was powerless to judge them for their rebellion against His Law. I find that this world that we live in today has a lot of false imaginations about God as well. Most of the world (and unfortunately many in the the churches) are Bible ignorant. When a person does not possess the Truth they tend to conjure up things that are false. I hear people all the time make statements about God that are totally unfounded, and even contrary to the Scriptures. They are imagining things because they do not know the Truth. The big problem with all of this ignarance is, however, that there is really no excuse for it, especially in America. We have more Bibles and churches here than anywhere else in the world. Ignorance of the Truth is a conscious choice, and is therefore inexcusable.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – (John 8:32)
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” – (2 Corinthians 10:5)
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What Does He Want From Me?
You can access the audio of both of yesterdays messages here.
If you are using a mobile phone you can access them here.
Todays Passages – Micah 5 – 7; Proverbs 26
(Second Milers also read –Revelation 13 – 16; Memorize Hosea 10:12)
To listen to the Scripture passages today just click on the references above.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” – (Micah 6:8)
I remember as a child that I would sometimes get frustrated with the adults that were over me because I didn’t know precisely what they expected from me. I either didn’t get clear instructions, or sometimes their expectations would change or increase based on the mood of the authority. I remember saying to myself, “What does he want from me?” To be fair, I guess I would have to admit here that I am sure that there were many times that the authorities in my life were rightly frustrated with me also. The point that I am trying to make here is that sometimes we are placed in situations where we simply don’t know what is expected of us. However, God is very clear about what He requires from His children. Notice that I said “His children” for these requirements only apply to those that already belong to Him.
Notice in Micah 6:8 that God gives us a perfect three-point outline of His requirements for us. First, He says that we are to do justly. That simply means that we are to do right. When someone receives justice they are receiving right and fair treatment. That is how we are to live: we are to do right. Now how do we know what is right to do? We have a Book that declares what is right. We are to read and study the Word of God in order to understand what right is from the vantage point of God, and then we are to apply these right principles to the way we live, and the way we relate to the people around us. Bob Jones Sr. used to say, “Do right”; and that is exactly what God is saying here.
Next, God tells us to love mercy. Now mercy is kind of the opposite of justice. Justice is receiving what we deserve, but mercy is not receiving what we deserve. When I get pulled over by the policeman for speeding, I don’t demand justice, I plead for mercy. You get the picture. For instance, we deserve Hell, but because of God’s mercy we can receive the salvation that is offered through the blood of Jesus Christ, and escape the punishment that we deserve. What is God saying here? God wants us to do right, but He also wants us to be merciful to those around us that may have wronged us. Isn’t that exactly how God treats us. He always does right, yet He is also compassionate and merciful to we who are always doing wrong. We need to have God’s heart when it comes to being merciful and forgiving in our relationships with others.
Finally, God says that we are to walk humbly. Humility is a difficult thing for most of us. We are so full of ourselves. However, we must realize that we are absolutely less than nothing without God. The Psalmist said that we are to magnify the Lord. In order to do that we must make ourselves smaller. The smaller we get, the bigger God gets. One of the big problems with our sinful human nature is that so often we are blind to the pride that permeates every fiber of our being. We must constantly ask God for His help in purging this elevation of self from our lives. Christ is our example in this. Though He was God, when He walked the earth He walked humbly among His fellow man:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” – (Philippians 2:5-7)
God we know what you expect from us: help us to do right; help us to be willing to show some compassion to the people around us; and help us to realize that we are zero without you.
Posted in Thoughts from Micah by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
What A Day That Will Be
Today’s Passages – Micah 1 – 4; Proverbs 25
(Second Milers also read – Revelation 9 – 12; Memorize – Hosea 10:12)
Click here to listen to Micah Chapter 1; Micah 2; Micah 3; Micah 04; Proverbs 25
Click here to listen to Relevation 9; Relevation 10; Relevation 11; Relevation 12
“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.” – (Micah 4:1-5)
I am excited about the new feature on the website which allows you to listen to the daily Scripture passages while you read them. The Bible says that “faith cometh by hearing”. I think that you can receive more from your quiet time by listening to the Word as well as hearing it.
I just want to give you a couple of quick thoughts this morning from today’s passage in Micah. In Micah chapter 4, God is referring to the Millenial reign of Christ on the earth. This future time period will come only after the church is raptured and the world endures a seven year period of tribulation which will separate the sheep from the goats (the saved from the lost). This 1000 year reign of Christ on earth will be a wonderful time of peace on the earth. Christ will physically be here on the earth ruling the affairs of men. All nations will be in submission to Him, and it will truly be a time of tranquility and safety. Everyone will be living according to the principles found in the Word of God, and Christ Himself will be the instructer. What a time to live on the earth.
Obviously, the day that we are living in today is not like this Millenial reign of Christ; but I believe that Christians can do a lot more to make their homes and their churches more like this future time period. We can do this by yielding our lives to the will of God; surrendering our wills to the Spirit of God; and saturating our lives with the Word of God. We will never be able to control what goes on in the world around us, but we can do something about the homes that we live in, and the churches that we worship in. In the the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth…”. We can do the will of God while we are on this earth, and by doing so we will have a little taste of the Millenial Kingdom.
See you later in church!
PS – Dr. Paul Chappell posted an excellent article, “Six Ways To Lift Another’s Load” on his website, The Pastor’s Perspective.
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You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Jonah 1-4, Proverbs 24, and Revelation 5-8.
Today’s Passage: Jonah 1.
Good Morning! It’s amazing how much we can see of ourselves in Jonah. The Book of Jonah is one of my favorites. Right-off-the-bat Jonah is given his marching orders from the Lord. Right-off-the-bat Jonah runs off in the other direction. Sin will take you quickly from the presence of the Lord. Remember what Samuel told Saul? Samuel said, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” (1Samuel 15: 22-23).
Also notice, back in Jonah, verses 4-6, that God sent a tempest in the sea, and a great wind. The sailors thought they were going to die. Notice two observations here. When we sin, it affects those around us. And also notice where Jonah was: he was in the side of the ship, fast asleep. When we sin, it not only affects others, but how we affect others: his soul winning hit an all time low: while those on deck were facing the wrath of God, Jonah was asleep.
So, while Jonah is asleep, what are the people on deck doing? They are running around deck, throwing things overboard, trying to lighten the ship.
When they cast lots, and found that Jonah was to blame, they asked him what they should do. “And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.” (Jonah 1:12-13). Jonah knew that the wages of sin was death: he knew that someone had to die to save those on the ship. The crew did not believe Jonah, and worked hard to save the ship. Of course you know: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). And you should also know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6); and that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Wait, wasn’t that the task given to Jonah: to give people the Word of God?
God wasn’t done with Jonah yet. After the crew threw Jonah overboard, the Lord not only calmed the sea, but sent a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
Not only does our sin cause us to run from God. Not only does our sin affect others. Not only does our sin cause our soul-winning to come to a halt. Our sin causes us to be separated from God: we find ourselves in the belly of the fish: dark and lonely. In those places are the times we usually turn back to God. 1John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
A good example of this happened to David. Psalm 51 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (Psalm 51:1-15).
This is what Jonah did in chapter 2, and the Lord caused the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land. And, of course, Jonah went on to witness to all of Nineveh, and they turned from their evil ways. God spared that city of 120,000 souls.
Peace. (Psalm 51:12-13).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Jonah by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.