The Invitation: An Examination of Revelation 3:20
Today’s Passage – Jude – Revelation 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32
Read the “1226 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Compassion Makes a Difference”
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – (Revelation 3:20)
The context of Revelation 3:20 regards the Church of the Laodiceans, which was a literal and local church that existed in Asia Minor at the end of the first century when God gave His Revelation to John during his imprisonment on the Isle of Patmos.
The Problem in Laodicea
Jesus did not have any positive things to say about this church. The name “Laodicea” means “the peoples rights.” This was a church that belonged to the people, not the Lord, which is perhaps why Jesus was positioned outside the door of the church. This church was an historical church, but it also seems to picture the condition of so many of the Christian churches of our day. Many churches today are no longer concerned whether or not the Lord is pleased with them, as they have directed their attention on pleasing the people. Modern churches are predominantly “seeker sensitive,” meaning they tend to prioritize being culturally appealing over being biblical faithful.
We are certainly living in that “perilous” time that Paul spoke of in 2 Timothy:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Christ’s Personal Invitation
Nevertheless, even though the churches by and large have turned their backs on the Lord, He is still inviting the individuals within those churches to repent and turn to Him. Revelation 3:20 may have been written to a church, but the invitation to “open the door” is written to the individual – “if any man.” I thank the Lord that He invited me to receive His free gift of salvation. If you haven’t yet trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, please turn to Him today. Click here for more information from the Bible regarding salvation.
Is Jesus standing outside the door of your heart today? Can you hear Him knocking? After celebrating His birth yesterday, today He extends the invitation for you to know Him personally.
PS – I do not think that all churches today are “Laodicean churches.” We work hard at Jersey Shore Baptist Church to please the Lord, and though we love people and desire to see them saved, our desire is not to compromise the Truth in order to reach them. We are certainly not a perfect church, and I would be less than honest if I said that this carnal world had no effect on us, but we are trying to hold the line. I believe that a church can stand firmly today on biblical principle and still reach people. I believe that we can still be a separated (not isolated) and holy people while making an impact on the world around us.
Additional Information regarding the seven churches of Asia Minor, which are the subjects of Revelation 2 & 3:
The seven churches in Asia (western Asia Minor – present day Turkey) are named in Revelation 1:11. They are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These churches will be the subjects of the second section of Revelation in chapters 2 & 3. (See Map below courtesy of Logos Bible Software)
These churches were literal geographical churches that existed at the end of the first century. John was particularly familiar with the Church of Ephesus because he spent a lot of time there, but he was also well acquainted with all these churches as they were relatively close to Ephesus. These churches, though literal churches, were representative of all churches that have existed since that time in that we find the same strengths and problems in churches throughout the Church Age and continue in our churches today. For example, today there are solid churches that closely resemble the Church at Philadelphia. Unfortunately, however, there are also “churches” that are as apostate as The Church of the Laodiceans.
It may also be true that, in a general way, these churches are representative of the overall condition of Christianity during different periods of time since the time of Christ. The problem with this theory, however, is that it lumps all churches within a given period into one group, which is not historically accurate. In every century since the first century, there have been doctrinally sound, faithful churches; but unfortunately, there have also been unfaithful and apostate churches. Along with these, there have also been churches that had other similar characteristics and struggles as these churches in Asia Minor.
However, many sound Bible expositors have expressed their support of the theory of each church representing periods of time within the Church Age. Harry Ironside, the pastor of the great Moody Church put forth a fascinating parable, which illustrates this theory:
Before we begin our study of “The Things which are,” let me give you this parable. Sometime ago, rummaging through an old castle, some people came across a very strange-looking old lock which secured a stout door. They shook the door and tried to open it, but to no avail. They tried one way and another to move the lock, but could not turn it. By and by somebody picked up a bunch of old keys from some rubbish on the floor and he said, “Maybe I can unlock it.” He tried one key and it made no impression. He tried another and it gave a little; another and it gave a little more; and so on, but none would open the lock. At last, he came to a peculiar old key. He slipped it into the lock, gave a turn, and the lock was open. They said, “Undoubtedly this key was meant for this lock.”
You will understand my parable if I draw your attention to the fact that, in the 20th verse of the 1st chapter, we are told that there was a mystery connected with the seven lampstands. The seven lampstands are said to symbolize the seven churches of Asia, but there was a mystery connected with them. While some have tried one key and some have tried another (and there have been all kinds of efforts made to interpret this mystery), no solution was found until some devout students of Scripture weighing this portion said, “Might it not be that inasmuch as this section of the book presents ‘the things which are,’ God has been pleased to give us here a prophetic history of the church for the entire dispensation?” But would the key fit the lock? They compared the first part of the church’s history with the letter to Ephesus. Here it fitted perfectly. They went on and compared the letter to Smyrna with the second part of the church’s history, and the agreement was most marked. They went on right down to the end, and when they came to Laodicea, they found that what is written to the church of Laodicea answers exactly to the condition of the professing church in the days in which we live, and they said: “There, the mystery is all clear. The lock has been opened; therefore, we have the right key.”[1]
If Mr. Ironside is right, then this first Church of Ephesus would be representative of the Church in the First Century, and the Church of the Laodiceans represents the generally apostate state of Christianity in the present day.
J. Vernon McGee calls these Letters to the seven churches “contemporary, composite, and chronological” in that they represent seven literal contemporary churches from John’s day, but they also corporately deal with all churches from all ages; and, they give a chronological history of the Church from the first century to the present:
The panoramic history of the church is given in these seven letters, from Pentecost to the Parousia, from the Upper Room to the upper air. There are seven distinct periods of church history. Ephesus represents the apostolic church; Laodicea represents the apostate church. This prophetic picture is largely fulfilled and is now church history, which makes these chapters extremely remarkable. [2]
[1] Ironside, H. A. (1920). Lectures on the Book of Revelation (pp. 35–36). Neptune, N. J.: Loizeaux Brothers.
[2] McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed., Vol. 5, p. 898). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Posted in Thoughts from Revelation by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
The Saviour of the World
Today’s Passage – 1 John 3 – 3 John 1 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 121 – 125; Proverbs 25)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32
Read the “1225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14)
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
I submit two thoughts for your consideration this morning from 1 John 4:14:
1 The Exclusiveness of Candidates for Saviour – Notice the definite article “the,” indicating that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, is the only Saviour for the world. There are not many ways to be saved, only one.
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)
The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus once and asked Him if He was the one that they were waiting for, or “look we for another” (Luke 7:20). Jesus replied emphatically that He was the One who fulfilled all of the Biblical requirements for being the Messiah, and He also added that we should not be “offended” in Him. Jesus is “the” Saviour, and He is also “the” Lord.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
2 The Inclusiveness of Candidates for Salvation – Notice the word “world” – it is the same word that is used in John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
The word, “world” (κόσμος [kosmos]), does not mean just a select few; it means everybody. God wants everybody to receive the gift of the Saviour. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pe 3:9). Unfortunately, not everybody will come to the Saviour for salvation because they reject “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), choosing instead to be the god of their own lives. What a shame.
What a gift God gave us when Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago to redeem us!
“13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Tit 2:13-14)
Thank You, Father for sending us Your Son, the Saviour; and thank You, Jesus, for being willing to come.
Cindy and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!
Posted in Thoughts from 1 John and tagged 1 John, Christmas, Daily Devotions, Devotional, Salvation, Savior by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
The Wonder of Bethlehem: He Already Came!
Today’s Passage – 2 Peter 3 – 1 John 3; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:1 – 4
Read the “1224 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
I was a little anxious as I approached the daily Bible reading and the task of expressing a thought from it for today’s post. Frankly, I wanted to write some thoughts regarding Christmas, but I also want to keep to the format that we typically use, which is sharing thoughts that come directly from the daily reading. I prayed that God would give me something from this passage that I could connect with the celebration of Christmas, and I believe He has answered that prayer.
1 Peter 3 deals with the second coming of Christ which is a two-part event beginning with Christ first returning to the earth to remove His Bride (the Church) from the earth through the Rapture (1 Thes 4:13 – 18; 1 Cor 15:51 – 58). After seven years of Tribulation on the earth, Christ will then return with His saints to set up His earthly kingdom and put down all those who rejected His offer of forgiveness and rebelled against His lordship.
Scoffers and the Promise of His Coming
- “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3 & 4)
In Peter’s day, scoffers mocked the idea of Christ’s return—and the same doubt echoes today. Some even within the church struggle to believe His coming is imminent. I strongly believe it could happen at any moment and frankly, it concerns me greatly. Don’t misunderstand, I am certainly looking forward to spending eternity with my Lord and with my loved ones who are saved, but my problem is that I have many friends and loved ones who do not yet know Christ.
God’s Longsuffering: A Gift of Salvation
God’s delay isn’t indifference—it’s mercy. He patiently waits, giving more time for people to repent and be saved. God wants my loved ones to be saved more than I do:
- “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
- “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;” (2 Peter 3:15)
It is my prayer and hope that the longer He delays His coming, the more people will be saved. I have some folks in my life that I love dearly that I am not sure about. I want to see them trust Christ.
Christian, this Christmas season is a wonderful time to be a witness to our friends and family members.
Tying It to Christmas: He Already Came!
It just may be that this year at Christmas they will see the importance of Christ’s first coming, which was to die for the sins of the world. We talk a lot about the second coming, and we should, but we also need to remember that it is Christ’s first coming to Bethlehem’s manger that brought about the blood atonement and our forgiveness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if somebody you love was to see a manger scene or hear a Christmas song, and somehow get ahold of the true meaning of Christ’s first coming and thereby be prepared for His second.
A Call to Witness This Season
Jesus came first to Bethlehem’s manger, to die for the world’s sins and offer forgiveness through His blood atonement. A manger scene, a carol, or a simple conversation could help someone grasp His first coming—and prepare them for the second. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to speak to our loved ones about the Lord. Why not invite your family and friends to come out to church with you this evening for a Christmas Eve candlelight service.
Questions to Ponder
Who in your life needs to hear about Christ’s first coming this Christmas?
How does God’s patience in delaying encourage you to share the Gospel?
What unsaved friend or family member will you pray for—and reach out to—today?
Leave a comment below: Share your witnessing stories, prayer requests, or thoughts—I’d love to hear them!
Posted in Thoughts from 2 Peter and tagged Bethlehem, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Incarnation, Rapture, Second Coming, Witnessing by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Why Christians Suffer: Lessons from 1st Peter
Today’s Passage – 1 Peter 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Matthew 6:33
Read the “1223 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6 & 7)
Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering in the life of believers? And, did you notice all of the references to suffering in this first letter from Peter?
Suffering in the Early Church
Christians in the first-century Roman Empire were indeed put to the test often due to their allegiance to Jesus Christ. Look back in the text and notice the following verses:
- “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;” (1 Pe 3:14)
- “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (1 Pe 4:12)
- “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Pe 5:10)
In fact, the word “suffer” appears 11 times in 1 Peter. These first century Christians certainly knew what it was like to bear the cross of the Lord Jesus. Today, there are people in other parts of our world who also are well acquainted with suffering for the Lord. They know what it is like to be persecuted, and in some cases prosecuted or even executed, simply for living out their Christian faith.
Suffering (or lack thereof) in America Today
In America, however, there is very little suffering being experienced by believers. We live in a land of freedom. We can still worship the Lord without fear of reprisal. We know little of “counting the cost” for our relationship with God. Yes, there can be cultural and family pressure here in our part of the world, and sometimes believers experience workplace discrimination, but generally the price we pay here for our faith in Christ is mild compared to what Christians are facing in some other parts of the world. Here, we are well fed, we are warm in the winter and cool in the summer, we sit on cushioned seats; we have it made. Yet, if you were to carefully examine the hearts and attitudes of many believers today, you would find that we really do not fully appreciate the freedom and luxury that we have. We don’t recognize the wonderful place of liberty that God has given us here in the good ole U.S. of A. This is not to say that we haven’t experienced other forms of suffering, such as illnesses, etc.; but I am merely trying to point out that we are not suffering at the hands of our neighbors or the government for worshipping Christ. Maybe it’s because we are very carnal here in America. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all that live godly lives shall suffer persecution. Maybe we are not as godly as those first century Christians. This isn’t to condemn us, but to challenge us—perhaps our comfort has made us complacent.
The Real Battle: Fleshly Lusts
There is something that Peter wrote in this epistle that I think we can all identify with, however:
- “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” (1 Pe 2:11)
Though I do not know any Christians here in our land that are being tortured for their faith, I do know of many that are tormented because of the battle going on in their own flesh. I know that for me, the flesh is my number one enemy. I can certainly identify with the Apostle Paul when he said that the things that he does not want to do, he does, and vice versa. Maybe that is why Satan isn’t attacking us with the frontal assault of persecution. He doesn’t need to because we are already losing the spiritual battle in our flesh and our lusts are keeping us from having the effectiveness and impact in the world that we could and should be having. See the list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19 – 21 if you don’t know what I am referring to.
A Call to Spirit-filled Living
- “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. … 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:16, 25)
Maybe if we really started walking in the Spirit, and putting to death the lusts that are wreaking havoc in our lives, then we just might get the wicked one’s attention. Don’t misunderstand, I am not inviting, nor looking forward to suffering at the hands of the devil or the world, but I do wish I was living more of a “Spirit-filled life” that is worthy of their attention.
An Added Thought Regarding Suffering
As unpleasant as suffering is for believers, God uses it at times to glorify Himself in this dark world when the sufferer remains faithful to Christ through it. Peter tells us that God purifies the believer’s faith through trials and persecution:
- “6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Pe 1:6-7)
Questions to Ponder
Have you experienced any real persecution because of your faith in Christ?
Do we truly appreciate our religious freedom?
What fleshly lusts are warring against your soul today?
Leave a comment below and let us know what battles you are facing today as you serve Christ.
[Post revised on 12/23/2025]
Posted in Thoughts from 1 Peter and tagged 1 Peter, Christian living, flesh vs. Spirit, persecution, suffering by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Don’t Budge
Today’s Passages – James 2 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 106 – 110; Proverbs 22)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Micah 6:8
Read the “1222 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8)
As I was reading this morning, my attention was drawn to the word “stablish” in verse 8. The context of this verse regards the believer enduring persecution and suffering seemingly at the hands of unbelievers. Verses 1 – 6 of chapter 5 are written to the rich oppressors of the world, but then, beginning in verse 6, the focus of the discussion is changed from the oppressor to the oppressed. James encourages these first century believers to be patient; to stay with it. I did a little study on the word “stablish”. The word means to establish, to strengthen, or to fix resolutely. It means not to budge, not even a little bit. James is admonishing these struggling believers to be resolute in their faith; to strengthen their resolve, so that they will not turn back.
Too many believers today are turning back. Too many are quitting. Recently, I have observed many that have thrown in the towel on their faith. In some cases, it was the allure of the world that pulled them away; but I have also seen many who became discouraged because of a trial that they were going through. It seems that they were not “stablished” in their faith. I like what Isaiah said regarding our Lord Jesus: “For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Jesus was resolute, unmovable and unwavering in his fulfillment of God’s will. As His followers, we need to be just as resolute, just as fixed in our faith. It is easy to have strength on the mountaintop but we often waver when we get into the valley.
James admonished the believers to stablish their hearts. God would not command us to do it unless it was something that we could actually do. But how? What can we do to strengthen our faith? I believe that there are three steps that we can take that will help us to remain fixed in our service and devotion to Him:
1 Stay in His Book – “Faith cometh by hearing” The Bible will strengthen our faith. Read it, study it, memorize it, hear it preached.
2 Stay in His House – Get around a group of people that are “stablished” themselves. Stay away from the negativity and naysayers. Run with people in your church that are fixed in the right direction.
3 Stay in His Service – What I mean by this is be actively involved in serving others. If you have people that are depending on you, you will not be as tempted to get off track. If you know that people need you, and are following you as you follow the Lord, you will not want to let them down.
We need a whole lot more solid Christians in these last days who are stablished, fixed, resolute in their faith and devotion to the Lord. Why not ask God to help you be one of them.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Posted in Thoughts from James by Phil Erickson with 6 comments.
The Parable of the Orange Tree
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 12 – James 1; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 19
Read a previous post from this passage – “We Talk Too Much, But Say Very Little”
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” – (James 1:22-25)
One of the frustrating things about the ministry is the lack of application we see in the lives of people from the truths that are being preached and taught from the Bible. For example, I can preach a message on soul winning and hear people say “Amen!”, with some of them complimenting the message on their way out; but then see few actually talk to people about the Lord. I can teach on the need to be separated, and again have the congregation appear to be in agreement, but then see little change in the area of separation. I see people go to the altar week after week under obvious conviction about a truth that was preached that morning, yet go out and do again the same things that they were convicted about.
We need to do more than just agree with God. We need to put into practical application the things that He is revealing to us from His Word. I am beginning to make it a habit now at the end of my messages to ask people what specific actions they are going to take as a result of what they have heard. Agreeing with God about the need for soulwinning or even feeling bad about people dying and going to Hell is useless, unless you actually decide to go soulwinning and then do it; but a specific, tangible decision that will lead to a change of action is necessary. Isn’t this what true repentance is? Isn’t it a change of mind and attitude that leads to a change in action?
Let’s not stop coming to the altar, but let’s not leave the altar until we have found out what God specifically wants us to do with what He has taught us. Unless actual change takes place, all of the conviction and contrition in the world is really just vanity.
Years ago, I heard a preacher tell us the following parable, which I believe perfectly illustrates this point:
The Parable of the Orange Tree by Dr. John White
I dreamed I drove on a Florida road, still and straight and empty. On either side were groves of orange trees, so that as I turned to look at them from time to time, line after line of trees stretched back endlessly from the road. Their boughs were heavy with round yellow fruit. This was harvest time. My wonder grew as the miles slipped by. How could the harvest be gathered?
Suddenly I realized that for all the hours I had driven (and this was how I knew I must be dreaming) I had seen no other person. The groves were empty of people. No other car had passed me. No houses were to be seen beside the highway. I was alone in a forest of orange trees.
But, at last, I saw some orange pickers. Far from the highway, almost on the horizon, lost in the vast wilderness of unpicked fruit, I could discern a tiny group of them working steadily. And many miles later I saw another group. I could not be sure, but I suspected that the earth beneath me was shaking with silent laughter at the hopelessness of their task. Yet the pickers went on picking.
The sun had long passed its zenith and the shadows were lengthening when, without any warning, I turned a corner of the road to see a notice “Leaving NEGLECTED COUNTY – Entering HOME COUNTY.” The contrast was so startling that I scarcely had time to take in the notice. I had to slow down for all at once the traffic was heavy. People by the thousands swarmed the road and crowded the sidewalks.
Even more startling was the transformation in the orange groves. Orange groves were still there and orange trees in abundance, but now, far from being silent and empty, they were filled with the laughter and singing of multitudes of people. Indeed it was the people we noticed rather than the trees. People and houses.
I parked the car at the roadside and mingled with the crowd. Smart gowns, neat shoes, showy hats, expensive suits, and starched shirts made me a little conscious of my work clothes. Everyone seemed so fresh and poised and gay.
“Is it a holiday?” I asked a well-dressed woman with whom I fell in step.
She looked a little startled for a moment, and then her face relaxed with a smile of gracious condescension.
“You’re a stranger, aren’t you?” she said before I could reply, “This is Orange Day.”
She must have seen a puzzled look on my face, for she went on, “It is so good to turn aside from one’s labors and pick oranges one day of the week.”
“But don’t you pick oranges every day?” I asked her.
“One may pick oranges at any time,” she said, “We should always be ready to pick oranges, but Orange Day is the day that we devote especially to orange picking.”
I left her and made my way further into the trees. Most of the people were carrying a book. Bound beautifully in leather, and edged and lettered in gold, I was able to discern on the edge of one of them the words: The Orange Picker’s Manual.
By and by I noticed around one of the orange trees, seats had been arranged, rising upward in tiers from the ground. The seats were almost full-but as I approached the group, a smiling well-dressed gentleman shook my hand and conducted me to a seat.
There, around the foot of the orange tree, I could see a number of people. One of them was addressing all the people on the seats and just as I got to my seat, everyone rose to his feet and began to sing. The man next to me shared with me his song book. It was called: Songs of the Orange Groves.
They sang for some time and the song leader waved his arms with a strange and frenzied abandon, exhorting the people in the intervals between the songs to sing more loudly.
I grew steadily more puzzled.
“When do we start to pick oranges?” I asked the man who had loaned me his book.
“It’s not long now,” he told me. “We like to get everyone warmed up first. Besides, we want to make the oranges feel at home.” I thought he was joking but his face was serious.
After a while a rather large man took over from the song leader and, after reading two sentences from his well-thumbed copy of the Orange Picker’s Manual, began to make a speech. I wasn’t clear whether he was addressing the people or the oranges.
I glanced behind me and saw a number of groups of people similar to our own group gathering around an occasional tree and being addressed by other large men. Some of the trees had no one around them.
“Which trees do we pick from?” I asked the man beside me. He did not seem to understand, so I pointed to the trees round about.
“This is our tree,” he said, pointing to the one we were gathered around.
“But there are too many of us to pick from just one tree,” I protested. “Why, there are more people than oranges!”
“But we don’t pick oranges,” the man explained. “We haven’t been called. That’s the Orange Picker’s job. We’re here to support him. Besides we haven’t been to college. You need to know how an orange thinks before you can pick it, successfully orange psychology, you know. Most of these folk here,” he went on, pointing to the congregation, “have never been to Manual School.”
“Manual School,” I whispered. “What’s that?”
“It’s where they go to study the Orange Picker’s Manual,” my informant went on. “It’s very hard to understand. You need years of study before it makes sense.”
“I see, I murmured. I had no idea that picking oranges was so difficult.”
The large man at the front was still making his speech. His face was red and he appeared to be indignant about something. So far as I could see there was rivalry with some of the other “orange-picking” groups. But a moment later a glow came on his face,
“But we are not forsaken,” he said. “We have much to be thankful for. Last week we saw THREE ORANGES BROUGHT INTO OUR BASKETS, and we are now completely debt free from the money we owed on the new cushion covers that grace the seats you now sit on.”
“Isn’t it wonderful?” the man next to me murmured. I made no reply. I felt that something must be profoundly wrong somewhere. All this seemed to be a very roundabout way of picking oranges.
The large man was reaching a climax in his speech. The atmosphere seemed tense. Then with a very dramatic gesture he reached two of the oranges, plucked them from the branch, and placed them in the basket at his feet. The applause was deafening.
“Do we start on the picking now?” I asked my informant.
“What in the world do you think we’re doing?” he hissed. “What do you suppose this tremendous effort has been made for? There’s more orange-picking talent in this group than in the rest of Home County. Thousands of dollars have been spent on the tree you’re looking at.”
I apologized quickly. “I wasn’t being critical,” I said. “And I’m sure the large man must be a very good orange picker – but surely the rest of us could try. After all, there are so many oranges that need picking. We’ve all got a pair of hands and we could read the Manual.”
“When you’ve been in the business as long as I have, you’ll realize that it’s not as simple as that,” he replied. “There isn’t time, for one thing. We have our work to do, our families to care for, and our homes to look after. We . . .”
But I wasn’t listening. Light was beginning to break on me. Whatever these people were, they were not orange pickers. Orange picking was just a form of entertainment for their weekends.
I tried one or two more of the groups around the trees. Not all of them had such high academic standards for orange pickers. Some held classes on orange picking. I tried to tell them of the trees I had seen in Neglected County but they seemed to have little interest.
“We haven’t picked the oranges here yet,” was their usual reply.
The sun was almost setting in my dream and, growing tired of the noise and activity all around me, I got in the car and began to drive back again along the road I had come. Soon all around me again were the vast and empty orange groves.
But there were changes. Something had happened in my absence. Everywhere the ground was littered with fallen fruit. And as I watched it seemed that before my eyes the trees began to rain oranges. Many of them lay rotting on the ground.
I felt there was something so strange about it all, and my bewilderment grew as I thought of all the people in Home County.
Then, booming through the trees there came a voice which said, “The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest”, that he will send forth laborers. . .”
And I awakened – for it was only a dream!
Posted in Thoughts from James by Phil Erickson with 6 comments.
The Saturday Morning Post – My Worst Enemy
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click hereto view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Good morning. This is about my worst enemy. Actually the devil is our worst enemy, but excluding that snake, I guess this is about my other worst enemy. My worst enemy has some things in common with our worst enemy. He does not want me to hold fast my profession of faith, he would rather see me wavering. He would rather me crawl into a shell than to provoke others unto love and good works. And as the day approaches, he seems to be working overtime. The apostle Paul even wrote about him…
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:15-25)
My worst enemy is me. While reading Proverbs 16, I got a solution for suppressing my worst enemy, even sending him into remission…
“When a man’s ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)
According to this verse, God’s Word, and God’s Word is truth, if my ways please the Lord, He can even make my enemies to be at peace with me. How can we please the Lord? Have Faith…
“But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”(Hebrews 11:6)
And where do we get faith from? From God’s Word…
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”(Romans 10:17)
And how do we know if we have heard God’s Word? Think about your kids…
“Go clean your room!!!!!!!!!!”, you scream.
Is it clean? If it is clean, your kids heard.
God gives us things to do in the Bible. Are you reading your Bible on a daily basis. That would be a good place to start. Do you pray daily? The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. How about soul winning? He who winneth souls is wise. Do think it would be wise to leave a tract with the gas station attendant. How about sending a tract back in the “junk mail” you get. The postage is already paid for too. It’s all part of the Great Commission . Do you think it would be pleasing to God? We are to provoke one another to good works. Are you?
“When a man’s ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”(Proverbs 16:7)
Peace.
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
Living by Faith
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 51:11
Read the “1220 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this morning’s reading passage – “Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy“.
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”(Hebrews 10:38)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, andthat he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Hebrews chapter 11 is the great “Hall of Faith” chapter of the Bible. In it, God gives example after example of men and women who lived by their faith. They may have stumbled at times, and some may even have fallen a time or two in their lives, but mostly their lives were characterized by their faith in God. What does it mean to live by faith? What exactly is faith? These are questions that few people in our world truly understand the answers to. Is faith just a mere acknowledgement of the fact that there is a God out there somewhere, or is our faith supposed to be more tangible than that, perhaps more substantive?
Faith begins with God and is strengthened by the Word of God. God puts something inside all of us that draws us toward Him. He begins the process. He reveals Himself to us in a variety of ways: through creation, through the testimony of others, through a vacuum in our soul that somehow we know can only be filled by Him. If we are truly drawn to God, then we will also be drawn to His Word. His Word will strengthen our faith in Him. I have never seen God. Everything I know about God, I have received from His Word, and something inside of me tells me that His Word is true. I know that not everyone will receive this work of faith in their life. Most will resist and reject the clear evidences of Himself that God places in and around them.
Now, once I have received the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, I must also choose to walk by faith; live by faith. All this means is that I trust the principles, prophecies, and promises contained in His Word and I regulate my life around them. For instance, God’s Word tells me in Hebrews 10 that I am to assemble together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. If I am walking by faith, than I will yield my life to that principle because I believe God and want to obey His will. The degree to which we obey God seems to be directly related to the degree that we believe God. Now the alternative to a life of faith is a life that is lived according to our own human reasoning and desires. The problem with reasoning is that it is constantly changing and when it is in disagreement with the principles found in God’s Word (which it often is), it will lead to error and heartache.
Christian, as we approach this new year, let us resolve to strengthen our faith through time spent with God daily in His Word and then let us yield to the principles that He gives us to live by. I think you will find that by doing so, not only will you see more fruit in your life, but you will also find more fulfillment. Through the years, I have learned to trust God; to live by faith. I remember that there were times in Bible College and in the pastorate that my faith in God was tested, but God always came through. He always provided for my family and He always did everything that He promised that He would do, and each time I trusted Him, my faith was strengthened. Sometimes, people never get to the point of having great faith because they fail to trust God in the little things of life. All I can say to these folks is that you can trust God. He will deliver. He will bless you far more abundantly than you can even imagine, but you have to come to Him in faith, because faith is the only thing that pleases Him.
Posted in Thoughts from Hebrews by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
Moving On to Spiritual Maturity
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 5 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 91 – 95; Proverbs 19)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 40:31
Read the “1219 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” – (Hebrews 6:1-2)
The foundation of a house is very important. In fact, it is the most important part of the house because if it is not strong, the rest of the structure will not be able to stand for very long. However, if we are going to have a complete house we must build on top of the foundation. So, in order to have a house, we have to build beyond the foundation.
Kindergarten and grammar school are also foundational in the process of education, but if a student is going to learn all that he needs to know in life, he will have to enter into middle school, then high school, and possibly even higher education. Now this does not mean that we will never re-visit the things that we learn in grammar school, for those truths are the building blocks for everything else that we are going to learn in life. A knowledge of basic mathematics is necessary in order to do algebra, geometry, calculus, and accounting. Similarly, the basics of grammar and word building are necessary in order to effectively and intelligently communicate on an adult level.
A small child who is only about two-and-a-half years-old likes to play with pretty simple toys. He can even content himself with spoons and spatulas, and pots and pans. However, he won’t enjoy these things for very long as he will want to move on to bigger and better things. His world will enlarge. He will move beyond the confines of the house, and begin to explore the back yard, and eventually he will enter into the world, exploring and learning about all that is out there. He will not stay a toddler forever.
The passage above from Hebrews 6 teaches us this same principle, but the application regards our spiritual life. Too many Christians never grow up beyond the foundational truths of salvation. Now don’t misunderstand me, I love thinking about my salvation, and I re-visit those foundational truths often, but I also moved on beyond those foundational principles. At the end of chapter five, Paul rebukes some of his readers for their lack of growth:
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” – (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Don’t stay a baby Christian. Grow up. Take those foundational principles of Christianity and incorporate them into a deeper walk with God. The only way that you will be able to do this is to be daily in the Word of God, and weekly in the services at your church where the Bible is preached and taught. Resolve that in the new year you will read through your Bible and that you will be more faithful in your church attendance. Don’t miss any opportunity that comes your way that will help you grow up in the Lord.
You will also need to put to use (exercise – v. 14) what God shows you. Take advantage of chances to participate and serve in the ministry. By serving, you are exercising and putting into practice what you learned in the classroom.
There is no excuse for not growing, especially if you are part of a church that is flooding its members with opportunities to serve and grow. Get involved. Grow up in the Lord. Move on to bigger and better things spiritually.
“18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
PS – I need to warn you about one more thing. If you do decide to grow up and move on in your spiritual walk, you will be leaving behind some of your friends that will not choose to take that journey with you. That’s OK, though. You will find many more friends that will share your vision as you move further down the road. Don’t let anything or anybody hold you back from the journey of faith that God wants to bring you on.
PSS – Let me encourage you older folks – never stop growing and learning in every area of life, not just spiritually. Whatever you do, do well and do it with all your might. Keep learning and growing in your field; keep learning and growing in the things that you enjoy doing.
When I began my spiritual journey many years ago, I “hungered and thirsted” after anything that I could that would bring me closer to spiritual maturity. I was reading voraciously and attending any services and studies that I could. I was growing very quickly. I would love to be able to say that my rate of growth remained the same throughout the decades that I have been a believer, but it has not. I often need revival and reminders such as this post that will encourage me to move on in my relationship with the Lord.
Questions to Reflect Upon
- Where in your spiritual life are you still relying on ‘milk’ instead of ‘strong meat’?
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What one step could you take this week to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ?
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Who in your life is further along in spiritual maturity that you could learn from?
Posted in Thoughts from Hebrews by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
Christ is Better: An Introduction to the Book of Hebrews
Today’s Passage – Philemon – Hebrews 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 27:15
Read the “1218 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Read a previous post from this passage – “Paul – A Peacemaker, Problem Solver, and Picture of Christ.”
“1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. … 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:” (Hebrews 1:1-4, 8-10)
The readers to The Epistle to the Hebrews are apparent in the name. Hebrews is written to Hebrews. People who had been brought up in Judaism and converted to Christianity needed to be reinforced in order to keep them encouraged and to prevent them from the temptation of turning their backs on Christ and going back to the traditions that they were raised in. Imagine the man that grew up in a Jewish home: everyone he knows has believed the same way for his or her entire life; his family in many cases has disowned him, his friends have now left him, and his business associates will no longer trade with him. This type of sacrifice is something that we cannot completely understand in the culture that we live in today. He begins to wonder, is this sacrifice really worth it? Is this Christian religion truly the religion that Abraham and Moses and David looked to? Is Jesus really the Messiah? The Letter to the Hebrews reassures the Jewish believer that he is exactly where he needs to be.
It also gives the Jew who is not yet a Christian something to think about. Christianity had caused quite a stir in the first century. There were many Jews who were giving closet consideration to the doctrines of Christ. This Letter would answer many of their questions and would give some the faith that they needed to yield to their true Messiah.
Many (including me) attribute this letter to Paul, but the letter was actually written anonymously. Though the human author is unknown, the divine Author makes His supremacy clear. The Letter to the Hebrews can be divided into three key sections:
1 The Person of Christ is Better (1:1 – 2:4)
2 The Principles of Christianity are Better (2:5 – 10:39)
3 The Practices of Christians are Better (11:1 – 13:25)
You might ask – better than what? – Better than the shadow that they had in Judaism. Christ was the substance – the Old Testament worship system was filled with shadows and types that were mere pictures of the reality. The Old Testament Temple was merely a type of the true temple in Heaven. The sacrificial system pictured and pointed to the true sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.
Key Words and Phrases in Hebrews
- Better – 13 times (Hebrews 1:4; 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24)
- Perfect, Perfection, Perfected – 12 times (Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; 6:1; 7:11; 7:19; 9:9; 9:11; 10:1; 10:14; 11:40; 12:23; 13:1)
- Let us – 12 times (Hebrews 4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22, 23, 24; 12:1; 12:28; 13:13; 13:15)
Note – The Law said, “Thou shalt”, or “Thou shalt not”; the New Covenant says, “Let us.”
- heavenly – 6 times (Hebrews 3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 9:23; 11:16; 12:22)
- eternal (5 times – Hebrews 5:9; 6:2; 9:12, 14, 15) and for ever (9 times – Hebrews 1:8; 5:6; 6:20; 7:17; 7:21; 10:12; 10:14; 13:8; 13:21)
The Deity of Christ
Beyond these repeated themes, Hebrews wastes no time establishing Christ’s full deity. We would be remiss in this brief introductory discussion of Hebrews if we did not point out that this book clearly teaches the deity of Christ. Right out of the gate, in the first chapter there are several references that point to the fact that Jesus is God. For instance, it clearly establishes Christ as both the Creator (“made the worlds – v. 2) and Sustainer (upholding all things by the word of his power” – v. 3) of the universe. The Son is even referred to as “God” by the Father in verse 9. The writer also declares that Christ is the “express image” of God (χαρακτήρ – charaktēr – v. 3), meaning that everything that God is was expressed in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Christ and Christianity are better than all that Judaism could offer, because the “Author and Finisher” (Hebrews 12:2) of the Christian Faith is God incarnate; God in human flesh. As we study Hebrews, let’s remember that following Christ isn’t just ‘different’—it’s eternally better. What area of your life needs the reminder that Jesus is superior today?
What does “better” mean to you in your walk with Christ?
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.