Wednesday Devotional, March 22, 2023

GETTING RID OF THE HANDLES

There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one

sinner that repents. — Luke 15:10

A. W. Tozer

In the things-which-God-cannot-do category is this: God cannot do our repenting for us. In our efforts to magnify grace we have so preached the truth as to convey the impression that repentance is a work of God. This is a grave mistake.… God has commanded all men to repent. It is a work which only they can do. It is morally impossible for one person to repent for another. Even Christ could not do this. He could die for us, but He cannot do our repenting for us.

God in His mercy may “incline” us to repent and by His inworking Spirit assist us to repent; but before we can be saved, we must of our own free will repent toward God and believe in Jesus Christ.…

Repentance involves moral reformation. The wrong practices are on man’s part, and only man can correct them. Lying, for instance, is an act of man, and one for which he must accept full responsibility. When he repents, he will quit lying. God will not quit for him; he will quit for himself. 

  Anyplace where a person sins, he puts handles on his soul for Satan to grasp. Repentance gets rid of the handles.

Wednesday Devotional, March 15, 2023

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS HERE

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all

with one accord in one place. —  Acts 2:1

A. W. Tozer

Pentecost did not come and go—Pentecost came and stayed. Chronologically the day may be found on the historic calendar; dynamically it remains with us in all its fullness of power.

Today is the day of Pentecost. With the blessed Holy Spirit there is no Yesterday or Tomorrow—there is only the everlasting Now. And since He is altogether God, enjoying all the attributes of the Godhead, there is with Him no Elsewhere; He inhabits an eternal Here. His center is Everywhere; His bound is Nowhere. It is impossible to leave His presence, though it is possible to have Him withdraw the manifestation of that presence.

Our insensibility to the presence of the Spirit is one of the greatest losses that our unbelief and preoccupation have cost us. We have made Him a tenet of our creed, we have enclosed Him in a religious word, but we have known Him little in personal experience. TWP091

When the Holy Spirit comes into our [lives] He does something. He accomplishes something. He is more than a sentiment, a feeling a fancy. He is an infinite force that … enables us to accomplish all for which we were called as the disciples of Christ.

Wednesday Devotional, March 8, 2023

CALLED TO BE A VOICE

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand … and he laid it upon my mouth. —Isaiah 6:6–7

A. W. Tozer

Most surely the Church has a service of compassion to render to the world, but her motives are not humanitarian. They are higher than this by as much as the new creation is higher than the old. It is inherent in the Christian spirit that the followers of Christ should wish to minister to the bodies as well as the souls of men. But the call to give God’s prophetic message to the world is something apart.

The call to witness and serve comes to every Christian; the call to be a Voice to mankind comes only to the man who has the Spirit’s gift and special enabling. We need not fewer men to show mercy, but we need more men who can hear the words of God and translate them into human speech. 

  It is not enough that we are willing and eager to work for God, but the work itself must be of God.… This is one of the deepest deaths that Christians are often called to die. Indeed, our work is unacceptable to God and useless to ourselves and others until it first has been bathed in the blood of Calvary and touched with the sign of crucifixion. It must cease to be our work and thus become His and His alone.

Wednesday Devotional, March 1, 2023

FORGETTING THE PAST

Forgetting those things which are behind… I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus --- Phil. 3:13, 14

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L.

It is not by regretting what is irreparable that true work is to be done, but by making the best of what we are. It is not by complaining that we have not the right tools, but by using well the tools we have. What we are and where we are, is God’s providential arrangement—God’s doing, though it may be man’s misdoing. Life is a series of mistakes, and he is not the best Christian who makes the fewest false steps. He is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes.

Wednesday Devotional, February 22, 2023

RESPONDING TO THE VOICE—A. W. Tozer

That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity,

 I will do no more. —Job 34:32

It can be fatal to silence the inner voice, the voice of human conscience. Some silence it, for instance, when that voice speaks in outraged protest at the human habit of lying. It may plead eloquently against the habit of dishonesty or take a person to task for jealousy or for some other sin.

It is always perilous to resist conscience, to ignore the inner voice. Let the Lord talk to your inner spirit, to your innermost being. Within you is a conscience that cannot lean on anybody, that cannot share the blame with anybody—a conscience that singles you out, isolates you and says, “You are the man!” “You are the woman!” It is the voice that makes you want to lower your head and tiptoe away while no one is watching.

I am grateful for the human conscience. If there was no conscience and no voice of God in the world, we would all become beasts in very short order.… If that voice is speaking to you—that inner preacher who does not preach to a crowd but only to the lone individual soul—respond! 

Wednesday Devotional, February 15, 2023

NO TWILIGHT ZONE --- A. W. Tozer

He that believeth not the Son shall not see life;

but the wrath of God abideth on him. — John 3:36

Some teachers have tried to enshroud Jesus in a pink fog of sentimentality. But there is really no excuse for misunderstanding Him. He drew the line as taut as a violin string. He said, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad” (Matthew 12:30).…

At that great day when He judges mankind, Jesus says He “shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd dividethhis sheep from the goats.” The one group “shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (25:32, 46). Those statements leave no twilight zone, no in-between.

Consider the benefits promised to the true disciples. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). No one can know truth except the one who obeys truth.… Truth is in the text, but it takes the text plus the Holy Spirit to bring truth to a human soul. 

God has solemnly told us in His Word that there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Only Jesus can save.

Wednesday Devotional, February 8, 2023

God’s Word Is Powerful

A. W. Tozer

For the word of God is quick, and powerful and

is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. --- Hebrews 4:12

God Almighty does not bellow to the wide universe and have it come back as an empty echo through His holy ears. He has told us that His word going forth from His mouth does not ever return void and without results. God’s word is always powerful,and it needs no one to run around apologizing for it and thinking up clever ways to defend it.

The gospel ship, the ark of God, is not a ghost ship floating idly on the sea. It is fully manned with a faithful crew, the winds of the Holy Spirit in her sail, passengers who are … free men and women, bound for a free port in a holy land!

Throughout this troubled old world, God has His saints, and He knows them. They are washed in His blood, born of His Spirit. They are begotten of the Word of Truth, saved by the miracle of redemption. He will call them all home when the time comes.

  What comforts me is the thought that we are being shaped here below into stones for the heavenly temple—that to be made like Him is the object of our earthly existence.

Wednesday Devotional, February 1, 2023

THAT EVERYBODY MAY KNOW THEM

In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with 

that holy Spirit of promise -- Eph. 1:13 --- Andrew Bonar

The Lord puts a seal upon His own, that everybody may know them. The sealing in your case is the Spirit producing in you likeness to the Lord. The holier you become, the seal is the more distinct and plain, the more evident to every passer-by, for then will men take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus.

Wednesday Devotional, January 25, 2023

NOT HERE TO FOOL AROUND --- A. W. Tozer

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of 

righteousness, and of judgement. —John 16:8

The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus also called the Spirit of Truth, has not come into this world to fool around. He will be found wherever the Lord’s people meet, and in confirming the Word and the Person of Jesus Christ, He will demand moral action!

It is for that reason that when a man goes to a gospel meeting he never knows when the last shred of excuse will be stripped from his naked, trembling conscience forever. Men may joke and play—even about sacred and spiritual matters—but the Spirit of God is in dead earnest!

God is still speaking in this lost world and one of His voices is the presence of the Holy Spirit, convicting a lost human race of such weighty matters as sin, righteousness, and judgment. While the Holy Spirit continues in His ministries, we know that this lost world is not yet a forsaken world.

  The very fact that the Holy Spirit has left the love and joy of heaven and made His residence for nearly 2,000 years in this uncongenial world, places His sacrifice alongside that of Jesus Christ in His incarnation and redemption.

Wednesday Devotional, January 18, 2023

GOD’S MIND IN HUMAN WORDS

A. W. Tozer

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. —2 Timothy 3:16

The Bible will never be a living Book to us until we are convinced that God is articulate in His universe. To jump from a dead, impersonal world to a dogmatic Bible is too much for most people. They may admit that they should accept the Bible as the Word of God, and they may try to think of it as such, but they find it impossible to believe that the words there on the page are actually for them.

The facts are that God is not silent, has never been silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The second Person of the Holy Trinity is called the Word. The Bible is the inevitable outcome of God’s continuous speech. It is the infallible declaration of His mind for us put into our familiar human words. POG074–075

  The Spirit guides us by the Scriptures, by their general principles and teachings and by bringing to us special passages from the Word, either impressing them on our hearts through the law of mental suggestion or by various ways fitted to emphasize a passage as a divine message to our hearts.

Wednesday Devotional, January 11, 2023

LORD OPEN OUR EYES THAT WE MAY SEE

Elisha said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see

2 Kings 6:17

This is the prayer we need to pray for ourselves and for one another, “Lord, open our eyes that we may see”; for the world all around us, as well as around the prophet, is full of God’s horses and chariots, waiting to carry us to places of glorious victory. And when our eyes are thus opened, we shall see in all the events of life, whether great or small, whether joyful or sad, a “chariot” for our souls. Everything that comes to us becomes a chariot the moment we treat it as such; and, on the other hand, even the smallest trial may be a Juggernaut car to crush us into misery or despair if we so consider them. It lies with each of us to choose which they shall be. It all depends, not upon what these events are, but upon how we take them. If we lie down under them, and let them roll over us and crush us, they become Juggernaut cars, but if we climb up into them, as into a car of victory, and make them carry us triumphantly onward and upward, they become the chariots of God.

Wednesday Devotional, January 4, 2023

WHERE ARE YOU?

W. Hay Aitken

Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:9 

Are you hiding yourself away from Him who would send youforth to do His own blessed work in His own way? Oh, let me say to you this morning, “The Lord hath need of you.” It may seem to be only a little thing He has for you to do, but it is an important one. He has “need of you.” Turn not your back upon Him; put not yourself out of the way of being employed by Him; do not begin by laying down laws for yourself as to what youwill do and what you will not do; but cry out from the very depth of your heart, “Here am I! Send me.”

Wednesday Devotional, December 28, 2022

DOUBLEMINDEDNESS --- Toni Evans

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:6–8 

AN APPLE A day keeps the doctor away. But I don’t like apples. They tell me apples are very nutritious. I just don’t like them—except when I go to the Texas State Fair. At the fair, I get candied apples. They take the apple, and they dip it in liquid sugar. Then, me and apples, we are all right. The problem is that the way the apples have been prepared, the nutritional value is destroyed. By mixing the apples with the sugar, things are now messed up. The apples will hurt me now, not help me. When you mix human wisdom with divine wisdom, you cancel divine wisdom. All you have is human wisdom. That’s what the Bible calls being double-minded—being secular and sacred at the same time.

Wednesday Devotional, December 21, 2022

GOD IN THE FLESH

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, 

and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16

A. W. Tozer

The mystery and miracle of the Incarnation—God coming to take our humanity and our flesh, yet without sin. Luke quotes the message of the angel Gabriel to Mary:

Thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest.… The Holy Ghost shall … overshadow thee: therefore,also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:30–32, 35)

The overshadowing of the Most High, the Father; the energy of the Holy Spirit; the enfleshment of the eternal Son—here were the Persons of the Godhead cooperating in a gracious act on behalf of lost men and women.

Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray,

And make us Thine alone,

Who with the Father ever art,

And Holy Spirit, one.

[The Holy Spirit] is indivisible from the Father and the Son, and He is all God and exercises all the rights of God and He merits all worship and all love and all obedience. 

Wednesday Devotional, December 14, 2022

YE KNOW NOT WHAT SHALL BE ON THE MORROW

JAMES 4:14 --- William Arnot

“Tomorrow” is the devil’s great ally—the very Goliath in whom he trusts for victory. “Now” is the stripling sent forth against him.… The world will freely agree to be Christians tomorrow if Christ will permit them to be worldly today.

Wednesday Devotional, December 7, 2022

SHE [HANNAH] … PRAYED UNTO THE LORD, AND WEPT SORE

… SHE, SPAKE IN HER HEART --- Spurgeon

1 Sam. 1:10, 13

For real business at the mercy-seat give me a home-made prayer, a prayer that comes out of the depths of my heart, not because I invented it, but because God the Holy Ghost put it there, and gave it such living force that I could not help letting it out. Though your words are broken, and your sentences disconnected, if your desires are earnest, if they are like coals of juniper, burning with a vehement flame, God will not mind how they find expression. If you have no words, perhaps you will pray better without them than with them. There are prayers that break the backs of words; they are too heavy for any human language to carry.

Wednesday Devotional, November 30, 2022

 THE DISCIPLES WERE CALLED CHRISTIANS FIRST IN ANTIOCH

Acts 11:26 --- Alexander Maclaren

This name (Christian) suggests that the clear impression made by our character, as well as by our words, should be that we belong to Jesus Christ. He should manifestly be the center and the guide, the impulse and the pattern, the strength and reward, of our lives. We are Christians. That should be plain for all folks to see, whether we speak or be silent.

Is it so with you?

Wednesday Devotional, November 23, 2022

I HAVE CHOSEN THEE IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION

Isa. 48:10--- C. H. Spurgeon

Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat hath no power? Let affliction come — God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in at my door—but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude, but I have a balsam ready—God has chosen me. Whatever befalls me in this vale of tears I know that He has “chosen” me. Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. “Fear not, for I am with thee,” is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in the “furnace of affliction.”

Wednesday Devotional, November 16, 2022

A HOME-MADE PRAYER

 She [Hannah] … prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore … she, spake in her heart 1 Sam. 1:10, 13 --- C. H. Spurgeon

For real business at the mercy-seat give me a home-made prayer, a prayer that comes out of the depths of my heart, not because I invented it, but because God the Holy Ghost put it there, and gave it such living force that I could not help letting it out. Though your words are broken, and your sentences disconnected, if your desires are earnest, if they are like coals of juniper, burning with a vehement flame, God will not mind how they find expression. If you have no words, perhaps you will pray better without them than with them. There are prayers that break the backs of words; they are too heavy for any human language.

Wednesday Devotional, November 9, 2022

A HEARER OF THE WORD … A DOER OF THE WORK

John Doughty

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, 

he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, 

and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, 

this man will be blessed in what he does.

Christianity may be learned on Sunday, but it is lived in the weekday’s work. The torch of Christian may be lit in the church, but it does its burning in the shop and on the street. Christianity seeks its life in prayer, but it lives its life in deeds. It is planted in the closet, but it does its growing out in the world. It plumes itself for flight in songs of praise, but its actual flights are in works of love. It resolves and meditates on faithfulness as it reads its Christian lesson in the Book of Truth, but “faithful is that faithful does.” It puts its armor on in all the aids and helps of the sanctuary as its dressing room, but it combats for the right, the noble, and the good in all the activities of practical existence, and its battle ground is the whole broad field of life.

Wednesday Devotional, November 2, 2022

THE BOOK OF GOD

C. H. Spurgeon

Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost

2 Peter 1:21

The Bible is the writing of the living God. Each letter was penned with an almighty finger. Each word in it dropped from the everlasting lips. Each sentence was dictated by the Holy Spirit. Albeit that Moses was employed to write his histories with his fiery pen, God guided that pen. It may be that David touched his harp, and let sweet psalms of melody drop from his fingers; but God moved his hands over the living strings of his golden harp. Solomon sang canticles of love and gave forth words of consummate wisdom; but God directed his lips, and made the preacher eloquent. If I follow the thundering Nahum, when his horses plough the waters; or Habakkuk, when he sees the tents of Cushan in affliction; if I read Malachi, when the earth is burning like an oven; if I turn to the smooth page of John, who tells of love; or the rugged chapters of Peter, who speaks of fire devouring God’s enemies; if I turn aside to Jude, who launches forth anathemas upon the foes of God everywhere I find God speaking; it is God’s voice, not man’s; the words are God’s words; the words of the Eternal, the Invisible, the Almighty, the Jehovah of ages. This Bible is God’s Bible; and when I see it, I seem to hear a voice springing up from it, saying, “I am the Book of God. Man, read me. I am God’s writing. Study my page, for I was penned by God. Love me, for He is my Author, and you will see Him visible and manifest everywhere.”

Wednesday Devotional, October 26, 2022

CHRIST COMES BEHIND US

J. R. Miller

The pillar of the cloud went from before their face,

and stood behind them Exod. 14:19

It is not always guidance that we most need. Many of our dangers come upon us from behind. They are stealthy, insidious, assaulting us when we are unaware of their nearness. The tempter is cunning and shrewd. He does not meet us full front. It is a comfort to know that Christ comes behind us when it is there we need the protection.

Wednesday Devotional, October 12, 2022

HE HATH SAID --- C. H. Spurgeon

Hebrews 13:5

​

If we can only grasp these words of faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt is there that will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God’s covenant? “He hath said!” Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, “He hath said!” must be our daily resort.

Since “He hath said” is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as “a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy, in the divine life.

Wednesday Devotional, October 5, 2022

CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Richard Fuller

 Who is among you that feareth the Lord … that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God   Isa. 50:10

“In fierce storms,” said an old seaman, “we can do but one thing, there is only one way; we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”

This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you; and then you can do but one thing; there is only one way. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Even prayer fetches no consolation. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may—winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers—no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm, and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness, His covenant engagement, His everlasting love in Christ Jesus.

Wednesday Devotional, September 28, 2022

BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE --- Macduff

 Mark 5:3

Be not downcast if difficulties and trials surround you in your heavenly life. They may be purposely placed there by God to train and discipline you for higher developments of faith. If He calls you to “toiling in rowing,” it may be to make you the hardier seaman, to lead you to lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and, above all, to drive you to a holier trust in Him who has the vessel and its destinies in His hand, and who, amid gathering clouds and darkened horizon and crested billows is ever uttering the mild rebuke to our misgivings—”Said I not unto thee, if thou wouldestbelieve, thou shouldst see the glory of God?”

Wednesday Devotional, September 21, 2022

SURELY, HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER

    Ps. 91:3 --- Mark Guy Pearse

He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler. That is, from the little things, the hidden traps and nets that are set for us. Great sins frighten where little snares entangle. It is easier to escape the huntsman’s arrow than the crafty lure.

And where are they not set? Riches and poverty, sickness and strength, prosperity and adversity, friendship and loneliness, the workand the want of it—each has its snare, wherein not only are the unwary caught, but the wise and the watchful sometimes fall a prey. Little things, mere threads, hardly worth guarding against—yet they are strong enough to hold us and hinder us and may be the beginning of our destruction.

Wednesday Devotional, September 14, 2022

THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS

C. H. Spurgeon

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 ---- 13 

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we would be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of Him that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, “Well, it seems somewhat a likeness”: but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of Him; he is like Him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and everyday actions.”

Wednesday Devotional, September 7, 2022

STRENGTH IN HOPE

Guthrie

The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost --- Rom. 15:13

In spiritual as in earthly things there is great strength in hope, and, therefore, God’s people are carefully to cultivate that grace. A well-grounded hope that, having been made new creatures in Jesus Christ, we are His; that with our names, though unknown to fame, written in the Book of Life, we have grace in possession and Heaven in prospect; that after a few more brief years, pure as the angels that sing before the throne, we shall be brought with gladness into the palace of the King, to be like Christ and with Christ, seeing Him eye to eye and face to face—such hopes are powerful springs of action.

Wednesday Devotional, August 31, 2022

IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION

C. H. Spurgeon

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 

Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat hath no power? Let affliction come—God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in at my door—but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude, but I have a balsam ready—God has chosen me. Whatever befalls me in this vale of tears I know that He has “chosen” me. Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. “Fear not, for I am with thee,” is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in the “furnace of affliction

Wednesday Devotional, August 17, 2022

THEY TOOK KNOWLEDGE OF THEM 

THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS

ACTS 4:13 ---- C. H. Spurgeon

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we would be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of Him that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, “Well, it seems somewhat a likeness”: but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of Him; he is like Him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and everyday actions.”

Wednesday Devotional, August 10, 2022

THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION --- C. H. Spurgeon

I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction

Isa. 48:10

Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat hath no power? Let affliction come—God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in at my door—but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude, but I have a balsam ready—God has chosen me. Whatever befalls me in this vale of tears I know that He has “chosen” me. Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. “Fear not, for I am with thee,” is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in the “furnace of affliction.”

Wednesday Devotional, August 3, 2022

MY PRESENCE SHALL GO WITH THEE

EXOD. 33:14 --- F. B. Meyer

We should never leave our prayer closets in the morning without having concentrated our thoughts deeply and intensely on the fact of the actual presence of God there with us, encompassing us, and filling the room as literally as it fills Heaven itself. It may not lead to any distinct results at first, but, as we make repeated efforts to realize the presence of God, it will become increasingly real to us. And, as the habit grows upon us, when alone in a room, or when treading the sward of some natural woodland temple, or when pacing the stony street—in the silence of night, or amid the teeming crowds of daylight—we shall often find ourselves whispering the words, “Thou art near; thou art here, O Lord.”

Wednesday Devotional, July 27, 2022

GOD’S WAY OF ANSWERING PRAYER

F. Whitfield

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness

2 Cor. 12:9

God’s way of answering His people’s prayers is not by removing the pressure, but by increasing their strength to bear it. The pressure is often the fence between the narrow way of life and the broad road to ruin; and if our Heavenly Father were to remove it, it might be at the sacrifice of Heaven. Oh, if God had removed that thorny fence in answer, often to earnest prayers, how many of us would now be castaways! How the song of many a saint now in glory would be hushed! How many a harp would be unstrung! How many a place in the mansions of the redeemed would be unfilled! If God answered all the prayers we put up to Heaven, we should need no other scourge. Blessed it is that we have One who is too loving to grant what we too often so rashly ask.

Wednesday Devotional, July 20, 2022

THINKING LIGHTLY OF SIN

for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. (Romans 7:11) --- Charles H. Spurgeon

Christian beware how thou thinkest lightly of sin. Take heed lest thou fall by little and little. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin, a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doth not the tiny coral insect build a rock which wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual droppings wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer’s head with thorns and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Savior, and you will see it to be “exceeding sinful.”

Wednesday Devotional, July 13, 2022

CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS

Mark Guy Pearse

​Psalm 19:12 ---- 12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

The world wants men who are saved from secret faults. The world can put on an outside goodness and go far in uprightness and morality, and it expects that a Christian shall go beyond it and be free from secret faults. A little crack will spoil the ring of the coin.… The world expects, and rightly, that the Christian should be more gentle, and patient, and generous, than he who does not profess to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus. For the sake of those who take their notion of religion from our lives, we need to put up this prayer earnestly, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults.”

Wednesday Devotional, July 6, 2022

SOW BESIDE ALL WATERS

Alexander Maclaren

How blessed will you be, you who sow beside all waters, 

Who let out freely the ox and the donkey-- Isaiah 32:20   

Never mind whereabouts your work is. Never mind whether it be visible or not. Never mind whether your name is associated with it. You may never see the issues of your toils. You are working for eternity. If you cannot see results here in the hot working day, the cool evening hours are drawing near, when you may rest from your labors and then they will follow you. So do your duty, and trust God to give the seed you sow “a body as it hath pleased Him.”

Wednesday Devotional, June 29, 2022

A MANNEQUIN FOR HIM

1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 5:17

Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away,

behold, new things have come.

MANY STORES have mannequins. The job of the mannequin is to magnify the fashion of the store. They put clothing on the mannequin and the mannequin is supposed to function as an attraction to lure the customer into the store. They are to look at the clothes on the mannequin and be drawn into the store. The clothes on the mannequin didn’t come from the mannequin. The clothes on the mannequin came from the owner of the store and the owner of the store put clothes on the mannequin so that folks outside would be attracted to come inside based on how the mannequin looks. Need I say more?

What God wants to do is dress us up. He’s given you a new nature. He’s given you a new life. He wants to dress you up and He’s saying, “Listen, mannequin, I want you to attract people to Me not only when times are going well but when times are going bad. Your job is to make Me look good.” God is after making sure that He looks good. If you can make this switch, a small switch because it only involves one thing, and yet a whopping switch because it involves everything, God will be glorified in your life.

What kind of a mannequin will you be for Him today?

Wednesday Devotional, June 22, 2022

BE PERFECT, BE OF GOOD COMFORT -- Mark Guy Pearse

2 Corinthians 13:11 ---- Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

A glance at the words is enough to make us feel how contradictory they are. Be perfect—that is a word that strikes us with despair; at once we feel how far away we are from our own poor ideal, and alas! how much further from God’s ideal concerning us. Be of good comfort—ah, that is quite different! That seems to say, “Do not fret; do not fear. If you are not what you would be, you must be thankful for what you are.”

Now the question is this—How can these two be reconciled?

It is only the religion of Jesus Christ that reconciles them. He stands in our midst, and with the right hand of His righteousness He points us upward, and saith, “Be perfect.” There is no resting-place short of that. Yet with the left hand of His love He doth encompass us, as He saith, “Soul, be of good comfort; for that is what I came to do for thee.”

Wednesday Devotional, June 15, 2022

WITNESSES UNTO THE END OF THE EARTH

Phillips Brooks

I have set thee … that thou shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.… Ye shall be witnesses unto me … unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Acts 13:47; 1:8

Men are questioning now, as they never have questioned before, whether Christianity is indeed the true religion which is to be the salvation of the world. Christian men, it is for us to give our bit of answer to that question. It is for us, in whom the Christian church is at the moment partially embodied, to declare that Christianity, that the Christian faith, the Christian manhood can do that for the world which the world needs. You ask, “What can I do?”

You can furnish one Christian life. You can furnish a life so faithful to every duty, so ready for every service, so determined not to commit sin, that the great Christian church shall be the stronger for your living in it, and the problem of the world be answered, and a certain great peace come into this poor, perplexed phase of our humanity as it sees that new revelation of what Christianity is.

Wednesday Devotional, June 8, 2022

CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS

PS. 19:12--- Mark Guy Pearse

The world wants men who are saved from secret faults. The world can put on an outside goodness and go extremely far in uprightness and morality, and it expects that a Christian shall go beyond it and be free from secret faults. A little crack will spoil the ring of the coin.… The world expects, and rightly, that the Christian should be gentler, and patient, and generous, than he who does not profess to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus. For the sake of those who take their notion of religion from our lives, we need to put up this prayer earnestly, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults.”

Wednesday Devotional, June 1, 2022

SOW BESIDE ALL WATERS --- Alexander Maclaren

Isa 32:20

Never mind whereabouts your work is. Never mind whether it be visible or not. Never mind whether your name is associated with it. You may never see the issues of your toils. You are working for eternity. If you cannot see results here in the hot working day, the cool evening hours are drawing near, when you may rest from your labors and then they will follow you. So do your duty, and trust God to give the seed you sow “a body as it hath pleased Him.”

Wednesday Devotional, May 25, 2022

WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING

Without me ye can do nothing….

.… I can do all things, through Christ which strengthenethme

John 15:5; Phil. 4:13 --- F. B. Meyer

Apart from Him we can do nothing. Whilst we are abiding in Him nothing is impossible. The one purpose of our life should therefore be to remain in living and intense union with Christ, guarding against everything that would break it, employing every means of cementing and enlarging it. And just in proportion as we do so, we shall find His strength flowing into us for every possible emergency. We may not feel its presence; but we shall find it present whenever we begin to draw on it. There is no temptation which we cannot master; no privation which we cannot patiently bear; no difficulty with which we cannot cope; no work which we cannot perform; no confession or testimony which we cannot make, if only our souls are living in healthy union with Jesus Christ; for as our day or hour, so shall our strength be.

Wednesday Devotional, May 18, 2022

FAITHFULNESS TO GOD

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33) --- J. R. Miller

We need have only one care, that we put the first thing first—faithfulness to God. Then all else we need for both worlds will be supplied. God will never fail us; but we forget, sometimes, in our rejoicing over such an assurance, that we must fulfill our part if we would claim the divine promise.

It will not always be easy. Tomorrow it may mean a distasteful task, a disagreeable duty, a costly sacrifice for one who does not seem worthy. Life is full of sore testings of our willingness to follow the Good Shepherd. We have not the slightest right to claim this assurance unless we have taken Christ as the guide of our life.

Wednesday Devotional, May 11, 2022

WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING

I can do all things, through Christ which strengthenethme  

John 15:5; Phil. 4:13 --- F. B. Meyer

Apart from Him we can do nothing. Whilst we are abiding in Him nothing is impossible. The one purpose of our life should therefore be to remain in living and intense union with Christ, guarding against everything that would break it, employing every means of cementing and enlarging it. And just in proportion as we do so, we shall find His strength flowing into us for every possible emergency. We may not feel its presence; but we shall find it present whenever we begin to draw on it. There is no temptation which we cannot master; no privation which we cannot patiently bear; no difficulty with which we cannot cope; no work which we cannot perform; no confession or testimony which we cannot make, if only our souls are living in healthy union with Jesus Christ; for as our day or hour, so shall our strength be.

Wednesday Devotional, May 4, 2022

ABOVE ALL ELSE GUARD YOUR HEART

Guthrie

Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life

Prov. 4:23

He who would keep his heart pure and holy must plant a sentinel at every avenue by which sin may find access there, guarding against none more than the “little” sins, as they are called

The man of God has his eyes to keep, and so Job said, “I have made a covenant with mine eyes”—his tongue, and hence the exhortation, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile”—his ears, and hence the warning, “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err”—his feet, and hence David says, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” And since there is no gate of the five senses by which the enemy may not come in like a flood, unless the Spirit lift up a standard against him, we have need to guard every port, and write over every portal, “Here there entereth nothing to hurt or to defile.”

Wednesday Devotional, April 27, 2022

DAVID ENQUIRED OF THE LORD

2 Sam. 5:19

C. H. Spurgeon

Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid if we would leave it to His sovereign will to choose and to command. The Puritan said, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he’ll cut his own fingers.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go” is God’s promise to His people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to Him and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Leave not thy chamber this morning without inquiring of the Lord.

Wednesday Devotional, April 20, 2022

STAND STILL

A. E. Funk

In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God --- Phil. 4:6

The natural temptation with every difficulty is to plan for it, to put it out of the way yourself; but stop short with all your planning, your thinking, your worry, and talk to Him! “Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee.” You may not always be able to do this in a moment or two. Then keep on with supplication until you know He has it, and prayer becomes praise. Rest, trust, and wait, and see how He does that which you wanted to do and had so much care about. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”

Wednesday Devotional, April 13, 2022

I SANCTIFY MYSELF--- Philip Brooks

"For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be

sanctified through the truth" --- John 17:19

Do you remember, when Jesus was sitting with His disciples at the Last Supper, how He lifted up His voice and prayed, and in the midst of His prayer there came these wondrous words: “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified?” Is there anything in all the teachings that man has had from the lips of God that is nobler, that is more far-reaching than that—to be my best not simply for my own sake, but for the sake of the world? You can help your fellowmen—you must help your fellowmen; but the only way you can help them is by being the noblest and the best man that it is possible for you to be.

Wednesday Devotional, April 6, 2022

THOUGHTS FOR THE QUIET HOUR

 MY SOUL, WAIT THOU ONLY UPON GOD

       Ps. 62:5

Did it ever occur to you that if you do not hear God’s answer to prayer, it may be not because He is dumb, but because you are deaf; not because He has no answer to give, but because you have not been listening for it? We are so busy with our service, so busy with our work, and sometimes so busy with our praying, that it does not occur to us to stop our own talking and listen if God has some answer to give us with “the still small voice”; to be passive, to be quiet, to do nothing, say nothing, in some true sense think nothing; simply to be receptive and waiting for the voice. “Wait thou only upon God,” says the Psalmist; and again, “Wait on the Lord.”

Wednesday Devotional, March 30, 2022

FIRE IN THE BUSH

A. W. Tozer

But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare … to Israel his sin.--- Micah 3:8

The greatest proof of our weakness these days is that there is no longer anything terrible or mysterious about us.… We now have little that cannot be accounted for by psychology and statistics.

In that early Church they met together on Solomon’s porch, and so great was the sense of God’s presence that “durst no man join himself to them” (Acts 5:13). The world saw fire in that bush and stood back in fear; but no one is afraid of ashes.

Today they … even slap the professed bride of Christ on the back and get coarsely familiar. If we ever again impress unsaved men with a wholesome fear of the supernatural, we must have once more the dignity of the Holy Spirit; we must know again that awe-inspiring mystery which comes upon men and churches when they are full of the power of God.

The Holy Spirit is pure, for He is the Holy Spirit. He is wise, for He is the Spirit of wisdom. He is true, for He is the Spirit of truth. He is like Jesus, for He is the Spirit of Christ. He is like the Father, for He is the Spirit of the Father. He wants to be Lord of your life.

Wednesday Devotional, March 23, 2022

   THE CARE AND LOVE OF GOD---Joseph Parker*

She took for him an ark of bulrushes … and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink   Exod. 2:3

The mother of Moses laid the ark in the flags by the river’s brink. Aye, but before doing so, she laid it on the heart of God! She could not have laid it so courageously upon the Nile if she had not first devoutly laid it upon the care and love of God.

We are often surprised at the outward calmness of men who are called upon to do unpleasant and most trying deeds; but could we have seen them in secret, we should have known the moral preparation which they underwent before coming out to be seen by men. Be right in the sanctuary if you would be right in the marketplace. Be steadfast in prayer if you would be calm in affliction. Start your race from the throne of God itself, if you would run well, and win the prize.

*Who was Joseph Parker? --- Joseph Parker (9 April 1830 - 28 November 1902) was an English Congregational minister.

Parker's chief legacy is not his theology but his gift for oratory. Alexander Whyte commented on Parker: "He is by far the ablest man now standing in the English-speaking pulpit. He stands in the pulpit of Thomas Goodwin, the Atlas of Independency. And Dr. Parker is a true and worthy successor to this great Apostolic Puritan." Among his biographers, Margaret Bywater called him "the most outstanding preacher of his time," and Angus Watson wrote that "no one had ever spoken like him."

Wednesday Devotional, March 16, 2022

WHERE DID YOU LOSE HIM?

I sought him, but I found him not  -------​Song of Sol. 3:1

Charles H. Spurgeon

Tell me where you lost the company of Christ, and I will tell you the most likely place to find Him. Have you lost Christ in the closet by restraining prayer? Then it is there you must seek and find Him. Did you lose Christ by sin? You will find Him in no other way than by the giving up of the sin and seeking by the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in which the lust doth dwell. Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? You must find Him in the Scriptures. It is a true proverb, “Look for a thing where you dropped it; it is there.” So look for Christ where you lost Him, for He has not gone away.

Wednesday Devotional, March 9, 2022

EXCHANGING ONE SIN FOR ANOTHER

A. W. Tozer

Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service. —Romans 12:1

The offering and the sacrifice and the sanctifying energies of the Holy Spirit are indeed sufficient to prepare the soul for communion with God. This the Bible declares and this ten thousand times ten thousand witnesses confirm.

The big danger is that we assume that we have been delivered from our sins when we have in reality only exchanged one kind of sin for another. This is the peril that lies in wait for everyone. It need not discourage us nor turn us back, but it should make us watchful.

We must, for instance, be careful that our repentance is not simply a change of location. Whereas we once sinned in the far country among the swineherds, we are now chumming with religious persons, considerably cleaner and much more respectable in appearance, to be sure, but no nearer to true heart purity than we were before.

  In the deeper experience of a sanctified heart, there must be another conviction, not of sin, but of sinfulness, before the soul is ready to receive the Holy Spirit and the abiding presence of the Lord.

Wednesday Devotional, March 2, 2022

 CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS

    Ps. 19:12  ---- Mark Guy Pearse

The world wants men who are saved from secret faults. The world can put on an outside goodness and go far in uprightness and morality, and it expects that a Christian shall go beyond it and be free from secret faults. A little crack will spoil the ring of the coin.… The world expects, and rightly, that the Christian should be gentler and more patient, and generous, than he who does not profess to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus. For the sake of those who take their notion of religion from our lives, we need to put up this prayer earnestly, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults.”

Wednesday Devotional, February 23, 2022

MY PRESENCE SHALL GO WITH THEE

EXOD. 33:14 --- F. B. Meyer

We should never leave our prayer closets in the morning without having concentrated our thoughts deeply and intensely on the fact of the actual presence of God there with us, encompassing us, and filling the room as literally as it fills Heaven itself. It may not lead to any distinct results at first, but, as we make repeated efforts to realize the presence of God, it will become increasingly real to us. And, as the habit grows upon us, when alone in a room, or when treading the sward of some natural woodland temple, or when pacing the stony street—in the silence of night, or amid the teeming crowds of daylight—we shall often find ourselves whispering the words, “Thou art near; thou art here, O Lord.”

Wednesday Devotional, February 16, 2022

SIN --- EXCEEDING SINFUL

Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived, and by it slew me

Rom. 7:11---- C. H. Spurgeon

Christian beware how thou thinks lightly of sin. Take heed lest thou fall by little and little. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin, a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doth not the tiny coral insect build a rock which wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual droppings wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer’s head with thorns and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Savior, and you will see it to be “exceeding sinful.”

Wednesday Devotional, February 9, 2022

BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS

George Merriam

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Gal. 6:2

However perplexed you may at any hour become about some question of truth, one refuge and resource is always at hand: you can do something for someone besides yourself. At the times when you cannot see God, there is still open to you this sacred possibility, to show God: for it is the love and kindness of human hearts through which the divine reality comes home to men, whether they name it or not. Let this thought, then, stay with you: there may be times when you cannot find help, but there is no time when you cannot give help.

Wednesday Devotional, February 2, 2022

I KNOW HOW TO ABOUND

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Philippians 4:12

It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining-pot of prosperity. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of mortal joy with a steady hand; yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, “In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry.” When we have much of God’s providential mercies it often happens that we have but little of God’s grace; satisfied with earth, we are content to do without Heaven. Rest assured, it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry, so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you “how to be full.”

Wednesday Devotional, January 26, 2022

THE LIVING GOD

George Mueller*

 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” (Dan. 6:20)

How many times we find this expression in the Scriptures, and yet it is just this very thing that we are so prone to lose sight of! We know it is written the living God; but in our daily life there is scarcely anything we practically so much lose sight of as the fact that God is the LIVING GOD; that He is now whatever He was three or four thousand years since; that He has the same sovereign power, the same saving love toward those who love and serve Him as ever He had, and that He will do for them now what He did for others two, three, four thousand years ago, simply because He is the living God, the unchanging One. Oh, how therefore we should confide in Him, and in our darkest moments never lose sight of the fact that He is still and ever will be the LIVING GOD.

George Müller -- a Christian evangelist who established 117 schools and offered Christian education to more than 120,000 students. He cared for 10,000 orphaned children in Bristol during the Victorian era. He was a man of great faith, never making appeals for money, but simply praying to God for all that was needed.

Wednesday Devotional, January 19, 2022

GOD’S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE*

“When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, ‘Because,’ she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.’ ” Ex. 2:10

Question and answer eleven of the Westminster Shorter Catechism states that “God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.” This statement makes it clear that God is sovereign over whatsoever happens, directing all things to accomplish His goals, though not in such a way that eliminates true creaturely agency. To put it another way, God’s rule operates in and through the choices and actions of human beings. Consequently, the Lord often remains hidden in each individual moment of history, and we can discern His providential guidance only by looking back over the course of months, years, even centuries. Miracles wherein God acts immediately and visibly are rare; more commonly, the Lord works invisibly through secondary causes such as our choices.

Various biblical stories make this plain. Perhaps the best example is the story of Esther, in which an amazing combination of seemingly chance events leads to the preservation of the Jews and the downfall of their enemies. The same kind of thing is going on in the rescue of Moses. Not only does an Egyptian “happen” upon the baby boy, but “coincidentally,” she is the princess, and by adopting him (Ex. 2:10), she will be able to provide him with invaluable training that will equip him well for the incredible call that God will put on his life (see ch. 3). Matthew Henry comments: “Those whom God designs for great services he finds out ways to qualify and prepare beforehand. Moses, by having his education in a court, is the fitter to be a prince and king in Jeshurun; by having his education in a learned court (for such the Egyptian then was) is the fitter to be an historian; and by having his education in the court of Egypt is the fitter to be employed, in the name of God, as an ambassador to that court.” By faith we see that none of what happened to Moses was a coincidence; all of it was the Lord’s working quietly behind the scenes to prepare His servant to lead His people out of Egypt. None of us will play the same kind of role as Moses, but if we trust in Christ alone, we are likewise the Lord’s servants. Thus, we can be sure that God allows our lives to unfold in ways that prepare us for our vocations.

The daughter of Pharaoh gave him the common Egyptian name Moses, which sounds like the Hebrew word for “drawing out” (2:10). His name reminded him—and us—forever of God’s marvelous, unseen hand of providence that saved him in order to prepare him.

We do not always know what God is doing, but we can be sure that He is always working for His glory and for the good of His people (Rom. 8:28). If you trust in Christ and are worried this day about where your life is going, know that God will work everything together for your ultimate good. We do not have to know how He is doing this or what the end will be; all we need to do is trust the Lord and obey His revealed will—the Word of God.

*The title of this article is mine (pastor).

*The article itself is an excerpt from Table Talk Magazine published by Ligonier Ministries

*FBC --- I wonder what the Lord is doing at First Baptist and other places around the world including your life in light of the present-day pandemic?

Wednesday Devotional, January 12, 2022

FEAR YE NOT, STAND STILL, AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD

EXOD. 14:13 – F. B. Meyer*

Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty—leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape; contriving a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been previously consulted. The very cloud conducts them thither. You may be thus involved at this very hour. It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree; but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him who has brought you hither. It is a platform for the display of His almighty grace and power. He will not only deliver you, but in doing so He will give you a lesson that you will never forget; and to which, in many a psalm and song in after days, you will revert. You will never be able to thank God enough for having done just as He has.

*F. B. Meyer (1847 – 1929) was a famous pastor and evangelist in England. He was a frequent speaker at Keswick and a friend of Hudson Taylor, D. L. Moody and Spurgeon. He was loved for his many writings, devotionals and Scriptural biographies which helped countless thousands grow in their love for the Lord and his Word.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Wednesday Devotional, January 5, 2022

MY WORD SHALL NOT PASS AWAY

D. L. Moody

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away.—Matthew 24:35.

NOTICE how that statement has been fulfilled. There was no short-hand reporter following Jesus around taking down His words; there were no papers to print His sermons, and they wouldn’t have printed them if there had been any daily papers. The leaders of the people were against Him.

I can see one of your modern freethinkers standing near Christ, and he hears Him say: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.” I see the scornful look on his face as he says: “Hear that Jewish peasant talk! Did you ever hear such conceit, such madness? He says heaven and earth shall pass away, but His Word shall not pass away.”

My friend, I want to ask you this question—has it passed away? Do you know that the sun has shone on more Bibles to-day than ever before in the history of the world? There have been more Bibles printed in the last ten years than in the first eighteen hundred years. They tried in the dark ages to burn it, to chain it, and keep it from the nations, but God has preserved it, and sent it to the ends of the earth.

First Baptist, the word of God is still being printed, distributed, believed, read, and obeyed. Are you among those who are doing so? A new year’s resolution for each of us should be to read the Bible through from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21. Here is a thought, perhaps if we committed to reading the Bible through this year those who do not read the Bible would be able to read the Bible through us by observing our behavior.

Incidentally, there are still those who scorn the word of God and mock Christ and Christianity regularly. Such behavior reminds me of what the apostle Paul said years ago as he wrote to Timothy. He said, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Wednesday Devotional, December 22, 2021

CHRIST INCARNATE, THE PLEDGE OF DELIVERANCE

C. H. Spurgeon

WHEN God takes manhood into union with Himself in this matchless way, it must mean blessing to man. God cannot intend to destroy that race which He thus weds unto Himself. Such a marriage as this, between mankind and God, must foretell peace; war and destruction are never thus predicted. God incarnate in Bethlehem, to be adored by shepherds, augurs nothing but—

“Peace on earth, and mercy mild;

God and sinners reconciled.”

O ye sinners, who tremble at the thought of the Divine wrath, as well you may, lift up your heads with joyful hope of pardon and favor, for God must be full of grace and mercy to that race which He so distinguishes above all others by taking it into union with Himself! Be of good cheer, O men of women born, and expect untold blessings, for “unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.”

If you look at rivers, you can often tell, by their color, whence they have come, and the soil over which they have flowed; those which flow from melting glaciers can be recognized at once. There is a text, concerning a heavenly river, which you will understand if you look at it in this light. John, in the Revelation, says concerning the angel, “He shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Where the throne is jointly occupied by God and the appointed Mediator, the incarnate God, the once-bleeding Lamb, then the river that flows from it must be a river, not of the molten lava of devouring wrath, but of the water of life.

The consequences of Christ’s Incarnation must be pleasant, profitable, saving, and ennobling to the sons of men. They include, among many other blessings, a pledge of our deliverance. We are a fallen race, we are sunken in the mire, we are sold under sin, in bondage and in slavery to Satan; but if God comes to our race, and espouses our nature, why, then, it must be because He has resolved to retrieve our fall. It cannot be possible for the gates of hell to enclose those who have God with them. Slaves under sin, and bondsmen beneath the law, hearken to the trump of jubilee, for One has come among you, born of a woman, made under the law, who is also “the mighty God,” pledged to set you free.

He is a Savior, and a great one; He is able to save, for He is almighty; and He is pledged to do it, for He has entered the lists on our behalf, and put on the harness for the battle. The Champion of His people is One who will not fail, nor be discouraged; the victory over all their foes shall be fully won. Jesus coming down from Heaven is the pledge that He will take His people up to Heaven; His taking our nature is the seal of our being lifted up to stand before His throne.

Were it an angel who had interposed on our behalf, we might have some fears as to the result of the conflict. Were it a mere man who had espoused our cause, we might go beyond fear, and sit down in despair; but as God has actually taken manhood into union with Himself, let us “ring the bells of Heaven,” and be full of glad thanksgiving. There must be brighter and happier days in store for us, there must be salvation for man, there must be glory to God, now that we have “God with us.” Let us bask in the beams of the Sun of righteousness, who now has risen upon us, a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of His people Israel.

Wednesday Devotional, December 15, 2021

CHRIST INCARNATE, THE SINNER’S ONLY HOPE

C. H. Spurgeon

THERE was no hope for any sinner unless the Son of God Himself should save him. But the apostle Paul, writing to his son Timothy, says, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptations, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” You may measure the depth of our danger by the glory of the person of Him who undertook to deliver us from it. It is the Son of God, whom angels worship, who has come “to save sinners.” It must be a deep destruction from which only God Himself could rescue man.

When Christ “came into the world,” observe how He had to be equipped for His service, and from His equipment learn the sternness of His task. He must be Jesus,—a Savior; and then He must also be Christ,—anointed for the work; He must come with authority Divine, and the Spirit of God must rest upon Him to qualify Him for the great undertaking. For Paul saith not simply that Jesus came into the world, but Christ Jesus, the anointed Savior, came that He might save. If this Divine equipment was needed, then surely the state of man was a grievous one.

Note also that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. The Fall of man was so terrible that, if he was to be delivered from its effects, Christ Jesus must come right down into the place of our ruin; He must come to the dunghill that He might lift us out of it. God in Heaven said, “Let there be light,” and the darkness fled before Him; but Christ Jesus must needs come into the world to save sinners; down into this polluted creation the eternal Creator must Himself descend. He cannot save us sinners, so great is our ruin, unless He becomes incarnate, and takes upon Himself our nature.

And being here, think how dreadful our ruin must be when we see that Christ cannot return to Heaven, saying, “It is finished,” until first of all He dies. That sacred head must be crowned with thorns, those eyes must be closed in the darkness of death, that body must be pierced even to its heart, and then must lie in the grave, a chill, cold corpse, ere man can be redeemed; and all that shame, and suffering, and death were but the outer shell of what the Savior suffered, for He endured the fierceness of His Father’s wrath against sin, and bare such a load as would have crushed the whole race of men eternally had they been left to bear it.

O sinner, you are awfully lost, you are infinitely lost, since it needs an infinite Savior to present the atonement of His own body in order to save sinners from the penalty, and power, and consequences of their sin! This is the truth, which is conveyed to us by this faithful saying, which is “worthy of all acceptation.” May the Holy Ghost write it on our hearts!

There is one thing which should be sure to hold, as though spellbound, the attention of every trembling sinner; it is this,—the Christ of God, who in the end of the world has appeared, did not come to deny the fact of human sin, or to propagate a philosophy which might make sin seem harmless, or to define it as a mere mistake, or perhaps as a calamity, but by no means as a hell-deserving crime. I am sure that every sensitive conscience would loathe such teaching; it could yield no comfort whatever to a soul which had felt sin to be exceeding sinful.

Jesus Christ did not come into the world to help you to forget your sin. He has not come to furnish you with a cloak with which to cover it. He has not appeared that He may so strengthen your minds (as some men would have you believe,) that you may learn to laugh at your iniquities and defy the consequences thereof. For no such reason has the Son of God descended from Heaven to earth. He has come, not to lull you into a false peace, not to whisper consolation which would turn out to be delusive in the end, but to give you a real deliverance from sin by putting it away, and so to bring you a true peace in which you may safely rejoice.

For, if sin be put away, then peace is lawful; then rest of spirit becomes not only a blessing which we may enjoy, but which we must enjoy, and which, the more we shall enjoy it, the better shall we please our God. O sinner, the good tidings that we bring to you, in the Gospel, are not the mere glitter of a hope that will delude you at the last, not a present palliative for the woe you feel, but a real cure for all your ills, a sure and certain deliverance from all the danger that now hangs over you!

Wednesday Devotional, December 8, 2021

Look Up, Your Redemption Is Drawing Near

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.  Luke 21:28

Let’s not deceive ourselves. “Your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28), whether we know it or not, and the only question is: Are we going to let it come to us too, or are we going to resist it? Are we going to join in this movement that comes down from heaven to earth, or are we going to close ourselves off? Christmas is coming—whether it is with us or without us depends on each and every one of us.

Such a true Advent happening now creates something different from the anxious, petty, depressed, feeble Christian spirit that we see again and again, and that again and again wants to make Christianity contemptible. This becomes clear from the two powerful commands that introduce our text: “Look up and raise your heads” (Luke 21:28 RSV). Advent creates people, new people. We too are supposed to become new people in Advent. Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you who have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and who are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. Something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come.

You know what a mine disaster is. In recent weeks we have had to read about one in the newspapers.

The moment even the most courageous miner has dreaded his whole life long is here. It is no use running into the walls; the silence all around him remains.… The way out for him is blocked. He knows the people up there are working feverishly to reach the miners who are buried alive. Perhaps someone will be rescued, but here in the last shaft? An agonizing period of waiting and dying is all that remains.

But suddenly a noise that sounds like tapping and breaking in the rock can be heard. Unexpectedly, voices cry out, “Where are you, help is on the way!” Then the disheartened miner picks himself up, his heart leaps, he shouts, “Here I am, come on through and help me! I’ll hold out until you come! Just come soon!” A final, desperate hammer blow to his ear, now the rescue is near, just one more step and he is free.

We have spoken of Advent itself. That is how it is with the coming of Christ: “Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Bonhoeffer’s Advent sermon in a London church, December 3, 1933

Wednesday Devotional, December 1, 2021

WAITING – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Advent Season Is a Season of Waiting*

Revelation 3:20

Jesus stands at the door knocking (Rev. 3:20). In total reality, he comes in the form of the beggar, of the dissolute human child in ragged clothes, asking for help. He confronts you in every person that you meet. As long as there are people, Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor, as the one through whom God calls you, speaks to you, makes demands on you. That is the great seriousness and great blessedness of the Advent message. Christ is standing at the door; he lives in the form of a human being among us. Do you want to close the door or open it?

It may strike us as strange to see Christ in such a near face, but he said it, and those who withdraw from the serious reality of the Advent message cannot talk of the coming of Christ in their heart, either.…

Christ is knocking. It’s still not Christmas, but it’s also still not the great last Advent, the last coming of Christ. Through all the Advents of our life that we celebrate runs the longing for the last Advent, when the word will be: “See, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

The Advent season is a season of waiting, but our whole life is an Advent season, that is, a season of waiting for the last Advent, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

We can, and should also, celebrate Christmas despite the ruins around us.… I think of you as you now sit together with the children and with all the Advent decorations—as in earlier years you did with us. We must do all this, even more intensively because we do not know how much longer we have.

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into you and eat with you, and you with me.

*Letter to Bonhoeffer’s parents, November 29, 1943, written from Tegel prison camp

Wednesday Devotional, November 24, 2021



MANNA AND THE UNKNOWN BENEFITS

…in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I suppose we should not be surprised because it happens every year. In fact, it has happened every year for the last several years. To be honest with you I cannot remember a year when it did not happen. What is it that happens every year so much so that we should not be surprised when it does? I’m glad you asked that question. The answer is Thanksgiving Day gets overshadowed by other holidays in stores, porch decorations and people’s priorities. With this thought in mind let me share a thought or two with you regarding thanksgiving in an effort to encourage you to give Thanksgiving Day proper recognition Thursday November 25, 2021.

Is it possible that we have become so accustomed to the many routine blessings of our Lord throughout the years that we have developed the “Nothing but manna!” attitude of the early Israelites. As one writer put it, the Israelites in the wilderness got accustomed to their blessings, and God had to chasten the people (see Num 11). God had fed the nation with heavenly manna each morning, and yet the people were getting tired of it. “But now our whole being is dried up,” they said, “there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (v. 6). They experienced a miracle of God’s provision every morning; yet they were no longer excited about it. They complained, “Nothing but manna!” 

I wonder how long the sun has been coming up in the east every morning and setting in the west and we no longer consider it a blessing from the Lord. Could it be a contemporary “Nothing but manna!” attitude on our part?

Could it be that we have developed an “unthankful heart” over the years because we have allowed ourselves to become blind to the many routine blessings of the Lord?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon speaks of God’s unknown benefits. He writes, “You have heard, perhaps, of a Puritan who met his son, each one of them traveling some 10 or 12 miles to meet the other. The son said to his father, “Father, I am thankful to God for a very remarkable providence that I have had on my journey here. My horse has stumbled three times with me, and yet I am unhurt.”

The Puritan replied, “My dear son, I have to thank God for an equally remarkable providence on my way to you, for my horse did not once stumble all the way.”

If we happen to be in an accident by railway, we feel so grateful that our limbs are not broken. But should we not be thankful when there is no accident? Is not that the better thing of the two? If you were to fall into poverty, and someone were to restore you to your former position in trade. You would be incredibly grateful. Should you not be grateful that you have not fallen into poverty? Bless God for his unknown benefits. Extol him for favors that you do not see, always giving thanks to God for all things.”

This thanksgiving let us be about the business of thanking the Lord for the “MANNA” AND THE UNKNOWN BLESSINGS HE ALONE KNOWS ABOUT.

Wednesday Devotional, November 17, 2021

DID YOU KNOW

Matthew 28:19–20 ---- 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Billy Graham spoke to more than 215 million people in 185 countries. He preached for almost 60 years and was listed on Gallup’s most admired people poll sixty-one times (the second most listed was Ronald Reagan at thirty-one). He received knighthood on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II and received a star in Hollywood. He spoke to twelve US presidents, which is more than one quarter of them. However, through all of this fame he was able to stay focused on his most important calling: sharing the word of God with the masses and imploring them to come to faith in Christ. 

No doubt Billy Graham was, during his lifetime, one of the most well known and admired examples of someone who took obedience to the great commission seriously. Admittedly, he did it on the scale of mass evangelism and was blessed by the Lord in doing so. The Lord only knows how many persons are in heaven or headed in that direction because of his obedience to the great commission.

The great commission, which is every Christian’s responsibility, is not a matter of obeying a command as much as it is a matter of adopting a lifestyle. “Go therefore” sounds as if it is a command when in reality it is an aorist participle and can just as easily and accurately be interpreted “As you go…” make disciples. The actual command is “make disciples.” The evangelistic responsibility of all Christians is to “make disciples.” As you go about the daily routines of life i.e., in the workplace, in the marketplace, in your neighborhood, etc. be sensitive to the opportunities the Lord may send your way to engage someone with the good news of the gospel. 

Do you think it is possible that the world is in the shape it is in today because we Christians have lost our focus on the gospel allowing other concerns to relegate our responsibility of sharing the gospel with others to a lesser place on the totem pole of Christian responsibilities? Do you think it is possible that if each Christian throughout the world would take sharing the gospel with the lost more seriously, they could exceed the 215 million persons spoken to by Billy Graham in 185 countries? I do! What about you? Christian, when was the last time you spoke to someone about their relationship with Christ?

Wednesday Devotional, November 10, 2021

Beware the ‘Slovik Syndrome’: Now is not the time to run away

By Wallace B. Henley*

We seem to live in a scary moment for Christian witness. Literal martyrdom is taking place in some nations at a horrifying level, while disdain for the Church and especially biblically conservative Christians in Europe and the United States seems to be fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy that “you will be hated by all people for My name’s sake.” (Matthew 10:22)

On top of all this, the pandemic shut down many churches. Now that they are open again, pews and chairs are slow in being occupied.

Even though a “majority of Protestant churches are now open for in-person services ... foot traffic has been slow to return to the pews,” wrote reporter Leonardo Blair in a Christian Post article on Nov. 9.

Some Bible students see our age as manifesting many of the conditions Jesus described in the Olivet discourse recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. His followers were curious about the characteristics of the End Times. Jesus surprised them with His answer. It would, He said, be an age of apostasy, peril, false prophets, outright hatred for Christ’s followers, and other ominous phenomena, like “the abomination of desolation.”

All of this intensifies like “birth pangs” in the womb of time and culminates in the grand telos (purpose) of history — the coming of Christ and the establishment in the world of His Kingdom of righteousness — justice, peace, and Spirit-given joy. (Romans 14:17)

Yes, many have thought their periods of existence constituted the End Times and were proven wrong, and yes, there are those who see the signs of the times now as similar to what Jesus and Bible prophets foresaw.

But whether now or at some future point there will be a time and season (a chronos and a kairos) when it really is the moment of His sudden coming.

Some of Christ’s followers in these turbulent and trying times will turn away under the stresses and trials of persecution, exclusion, and antipathy at just the moment everything they have hoped for is being birthed.

And that brings us to the sad story of U.S. Army Private Eddie Slovik, the only American soldier of some 16 million who fought in the Second World War who would be executed for desertion.

I learned first-hand about Slovik through a long conversation years ago with his biographer, William Bradford Huie.

Slovik, in Huie’s description, had been a “petty thief” who lived a troubled youth, spending time in reform schools. However, his life had taken a turn for the better just before his being drafted into military service.

On Oct. 9, 1944, Slovik refused orders and deserted his platoon. He was caught, arrested, and court-martialed. Slovik was executed on Jan. 31, 1945. In a mere five months, the Nazis would surrender, and in eight months Japan would raise the white flag.

Thus, what I call the “Slovik Syndrome” describes the situation in which people abandon the race at the very time they are nearing victory.

In his Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis has the devil instructing his demons about how to defeat the follower of Christ: “in attacks on patience, chastity, and fortitude, the fun is to make the man yield just when (had he but known it) relief was almost in sight.”

Thus, the tragedy now is that of people deserting Christ, the Bible, and the Church after the Christ-movement has come so far, bled and borne so much. They would be giving up at what could be the very time in the “birth pangs” process when the new birth of all things in and through Christ bursts from the womb of time.

Don’t panic, don’t be afraid. Everything is happening right on time. Now is not the time to run away.

*Wallace B. Henley, a former White House and Congressional aide, is the author or co-author of more than 20 books. His latest is Who Will Rule the Coming ‘Gods’: The Looming Spiritual Crisis of Artificial Intelligence, just released by Vide Press

Wednesday Devotional, November 3, 2021

Prayer as a Means--- R. C. Sproul

We pray not only because it is our duty and our privilege, but also because prayer is a powerful means by which God brings His will to pass.

Does prayer change things? We must answer with a resounding “Yes.” Prayer changes us and prayer changes things. James 5:13–18 teaches us:

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

This passage teaches that “the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” To “avail much” means to make a significant impact. This prayer is effective. It has real power.

Thus, prayer is a means that God uses to bring about His intended ends. Just as God uses the preaching of the gospel as the power unto salvation, so He uses the power of prayer to bring about redemption. Our prayers cannot force God to do anything, but He uses them as His own instruments to bring about His will.

Monica, the mother of Augustine, was a devout Christian woman. When Augustine was a young man, he was unconverted and wayward, and Monica grieved deeply over his unbridled sin. Monica prayed with tears every day for his conversion. On one occasion, she visited her pastor, the famous Archbishop Ambrose of Milan, looking for comfort and some assurance that her prayers were not in vain. Ambrose sought to comfort her with a rhetorical question: “Monica, could a child of so many tears possibly be lost?”

The answer Ambrose intended to his question was “No.” He assumed that any child whose mother prayed for him so faithfully would come into a state of grace eventually. I disagree. The tearful prayers of a grieving mother do not guarantee her child’s conversion. However, the probability of it is high, at least high enough to provide great comfort. I might preach with passion and tears, only to see no one converted, but I know that in the final analysis God’s Word will not return to Him void. In like manner, the prayers of His people are never wasted. Prayer works, and that is a tremendous incentive to pray.

Wednesday Devotional, October 27, 2021

HINDRANCES TO PRAYER

R. A. TORREY

Isaiah 59:1–2 ---- 1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Sin hinders prayer. Many a man prays and prays and prays and gets absolutely no answer to his prayer. Perhaps he is tempted to think that it is not the will of God to answer, or he may think that the days when God answered prayer, if He ever did, are over. So the Israelites seem to have thought. They thought that the Lord’s hand was shortened, that it could not save, and that His ear had become heavy that it could no longer hear.

“Not so,” said Isaiah, “God’s ear is just as open to hear as ever, His hand just as mighty to save; but there is a hindrance. That hindrance is your own sins. Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear.”

It is so to-day. Many and many a man is crying to God in vain, simply because of sin in his life. It may be some sin in the past that has been unconfessed and unjudged, it may be some sin in the present that is cherished, very likely is not even looked upon as sin, but there the sin is, hidden away somewhere in the heart or in the life, and God “will not hear.”

Anyone who finds his prayers ineffective should not conclude that the thing which he asks of God is not according to His will, but should go alone with God with the Psalmist’s prayer, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me” (Ps. 139:23, 24), and wait before Him until He puts His finger upon the thing that is displeasing in His sight. Then this sin should be confessed and put away.

I well remember a time in my life when I was praying for two definite things that it seemed that I must have, or God would be dishonored; but the answer did not come. I awoke in the middle of the night in great physical suffering and great distress of soul. I cried to God for these things, reasoned with Him as to how necessary it was that I get them, and get them at once; but no answer came. I asked God to show me if there was anything wrong in my own life. Something came to my mind that had often come to it before, something definite but which I was unwilling to confess as sin. I said to God, “If this is wrong, I will give it up;” but still no answer came. In my innermost heart, though I had never admitted it, I knew it was wrong.

At last, I said:

“This is wrong. I have sinned. I will give it up.”

I found peace. In a few moments I was sleeping like a child. In the morning I woke well in body, and the money that was so much needed for the honor of God’s name came.

Sin is an awful thing, and one of the most awful things about it is the way it hinders prayer, the way it severs the connection between us and the source of all grace, power, and blessing. Anyone who would have power in prayer must be merciless in dealing with his own sins. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Ps. 66:18.) So long as we hold on to sin or have any controversy with God, we cannot expect Him to heed our prayers. If there is anything that is constantly coming up in your moments of close communion with God, that is the thing that hinders prayer: put it away.

Wednesday Devotional, October 20, 2021

PRAYER ESSENTIAL TO GOD*

“Isaiah 58:9 ---- 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 14 then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

It must never be forgotten that Almighty God rules this world. He is not an absentee God. His hand is ever on the throttle of human affairs. He is everywhere present in the concerns of time. “His eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.” He rules the world just as He rules the Church by prayer. This lesson needs to be emphasized, iterated, and reiterated in the ears of men of modern times and brought to bear with cumulative force on the consciences of this generation whose eyes have no vision for the eternal things, whose ears are deaf toward God.

Nothing is more important to God than prayer in dealing with mankind. But it is likewise all-important to man to pray. Failure to pray is failure along the whole line of life. It is failure of duty, service, and spiritual progress. God must help man by prayer. He who does not pray, therefore, robs himself of God’s help and places God where He cannot help man. Man must pray to God if love for God is to exist. Faith and hope, and patience and all the strong, beautiful, vital forces of piety are withered and dead in a prayerless life. The life of the individual believer, his personal salvation, and personal Christian graces have their being, bloom,and fruitage in prayer.

All this and much more can be said as to the necessity of prayerto the being, and culture of piety in the individual. But prayerhas a larger sphere, a more obligated duty, a loftier inspiration. Prayer concerns God, whose purposes and plans are conditioned on prayer. His will and His glory are bound up in praying. The days of God’s splendor and renown have always been the great days of prayer. God’s great movements in this world have been conditioned on, continued, and fashioned by prayer. God has put Himself in these great movements just as men have prayed. Present, prevailing, conspicuous, and mastering prayer has always brought God to be present. The real and obvious test of a genuine work of God is the prevalence of the spirit of prayer. God’s mightiest forces surcharge and impregnate a movement when prayer’s mightiest forces are there.

Prayer cannot be retired as a secondary force in this world. To do so is to retire God from the movement. It is to make God secondary. The prayer ministry is an all-engaging force. It must be so, to be a force at all. Prayer is the sense of God’s need and the call for God’s help to supply that need. The estimate and place of prayer is the estimate and place of God. To give prayerthe secondary place is to make God secondary in life’s affairs. To substitute other forces for prayer, retires God and materializes the whole movement.

Prayer is an absolute necessity to the proper carrying on of God’s work. God has made it so. This must have been the principal reason why in the early Church, when the complaint that the widows of certain believers had been neglected in the daily administration of the Church’s benefactions, that the twelve called the disciples together, and told them to look out for seven men, “full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom,” who they would appoint over that benevolent work, adding this important statement, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” They surely realized that the success of the Word and the progress of the Church were dependent in a preeminent sense upon their “giving themselves to prayer.” God could effectively work through them in proportion as they gave themselves fully to prayer.

The Apostles were as dependent upon prayer as other folks. Sacred work,—Church activities—may so engage and absorb us as to hinder praying, and when this is the case, evil results always follow. It is better to let the work go by default than to let the praying go by neglect. Whatever affects the intensity of our praying affects the value of our work. “Too busy to pray” is not only the keynote to backsliding, but it mars even the work done. Nothing is well done without prayer for the simple reason that it leaves God out of the account. It is so easy to be seduced by the good to the neglect of the best, until both the good and the best perish. How easily may men, even leaders in Zion, be led by the insidious wiles of Satan to cut short our praying in the interests of the work! How easy to neglect prayer or abbreviate our praying simply by the plea that we have Church work on our hands. Satan has effectively disarmed us when he can keep us too busy doing things to stop and pray.

“Give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.” The Revised Version has it, “We will continue steadfastly in prayer.” The implication of the word used here means to be strong, steadfast, to be devoted to, to keep at it with constant care, to make a business out of it. We find the same word in Col. 4:12, and in Romans 12:12, which is translated, “Continuing instant in prayer.”

The Apostles were under the law of prayer, which law recognizes God as God, and depends upon Him to do for them what He would not do without prayer. They were under the necessity of prayer, just as all believers are, in every age and in every clime. They had to be devoted to prayer in order to make their ministry of the Word efficient. 

First Baptist, let us devote ourselves to prayer especially as we consider the work of the church in a post-pandemic era.

*The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds

Wednesday Devotional, October 13, 2021

The Warfare of Prayer

(Excerpt from Becoming a Prayer Warrior)

Ephesians tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (6:12).

You are called to do spiritual warfare through prayer over Satan’s strongholds until you win! Satan will usually attack us most in our greatest area of strength. I used to think the reverse was true—that he would attack most in our area of greatest weakness. But I have found that in our areas of weakness, we are more apt to call upon the Lord and rely upon Him. In our areas of strength, however, we tend to rely on self and often find ourselves burning out from fighting our battles alone. Every area of your life is subject to enemy attack, so you must fight on your knees before you can stand on your mission field.

Jesus Himself had to battle Satan through prayer for His ministry and in other situations. We find this clearly illustrated in His wilderness temptation. He experienced spiritual warfare and won before He ever went out into public ministry. You, too, must win before you can fully function in what God has called you to do. The success of your Christian life is dependent on winning . . . winning in prayer (see Joshua 1:3, 11, 15; Matthew 4:11; Mark 3:27).

Daniel’s spiritual battle clearly illustrates the war that occurs in the heavenlies:

Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.”

Daniel 10:12–13

Daniel’s story gives hope for those who are in the midst of battle. Do not give up. You are in a win-win situation. God is for you, and the battle is the Lord’s.

Wednesday Devotional, October 6, 2021

DOES PRAYER CHANGE ANYTHING?

Have you ever wondered if prayer actually changes anything? I can testify to the fact in my own life that there have been, and still are, issues and/or situations about which I have prayed for several months, even years that have not changed. In fact, in some instances I have wondered, even after becoming a Christian and pastoring for several years if prayer actually changes anything. Yes, no need to be surprised pastors are just as human and challenged in living the Christian life as everyone else. And one of those challenges, at least at times in this pastor’s Christian walk is the effectiveness of a disciplined prayer life.

Does prayer really work? Let me answer this question from a different perspective perhaps than what you may have heard or learned in the past. I mentioned in a sermon two or three weeks ago that the “cornerstone reason” for praying is not about answers but about obedience. Why should we pray? Because God commanded us to do so. So, I pray and do so regularly.

Another version of the question “Does prayer change anything?’ is “Does prayer change 

God’s mind?” Let’s let R. C. Sproul answer this question in an extended fashion.

Begin Article: Someone once asked me “Does prayer change God’s mind?” My answer brought storms of protest. I said simply, “No.” Now, if the person had asked me, “Does prayer change things?” I would have answered, “Of course!”

The Bible says there are certain things God has decreed from all eternity. Those things will inevitably come to pass. If you were to pray individually or if you and I were to join forces in prayer or if all the Christians of the world were to pray collectively, it would not change what God, in His hidden counsel, has determined to do. If we decided to pray for Jesus not to return, He still would return. You might ask, though, “Doesn’t the Bible say that if two or three agree on anything, they’ll get it?” Yes, it does, but that passage is talking about church discipline, not prayer requests. So we must take all the biblical teaching on prayer into account and not isolate one passage from the rest. We must approach the matter in light of the whole of Scripture, resisting an atomistic reading.

Again, you might ask, “Doesn’t the Bible say from time to time that God repents?” Yes, the Old Testament certainly says so. The book of Jonah tells us that God “repented of” the judgment He had planned for the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:10, KJV). In using the concept of repentance here, the Bible is describing God, who is Spirit, in what theologians call “anthropomorphic” language. Obviously, the Bible does not mean that God repented in the way we would repent; otherwise, we could rightly assume that God had sinned and therefore would need a savior Himself. What it clearly means is that God removed the threat of judgment from the people. The Hebrew word nacham, translated “repent” in the King James Version, means “comforted” or “eased” in this case. God was comforted and felt at ease that the people had turned from their sin, and therefore He revoked the sentence of judgment He had imposed. When God hangs His sword of judgment over people’s heads, and they repent and He then withholds His judgment, has He really changed His mind?

The mind of God does not change for God does not change. Things change, and they change according to His sovereign will, which He exercises through secondary means and secondary activities. The prayer of His people is one of the means He uses to bring things to pass in this world. So if you ask me whether prayer changes things, I answer with an unhesitating “Yes!”

It is impossible to know how much of human history reflects God’s immediate intervention and how much reveals God working through human agents. Calvin’s favorite example of this was the book of Job. The Sabeans and the Chaldeans had taken Job’s donkeys and camels. Why? Because Satan had stirred their hearts to do so. But why? Because Satan had received permission from God to test Job’s faithfulness in any way he so desired, short of taking Job’s life. Why had God agreed to such a thing? For three reasons: (1) to silence the slander of Satan; (2) to vindicate Himself; and (3) to vindicate Job from the slander of Satan. All of these reasons are perfectly righteous justifications for God’s actions.

By contrast, Satan’s purpose in stirring up these two groups was to cause Job to blaspheme God—an altogether wicked motive. But we notice that Satan did not do something supernatural to accomplish his ends. He chose human agents—the Sabeans and Chaldeans, who were evil by nature—to steal Job’s animals. The Sabeans and Chaldeans were known for their thievery and murderous way of life. Their will was involved, but there was no coercion; God’s purpose was accomplished through their wicked actions.

The Sabeans and Chaldeans were free to choose, but for them, as for us, freedom always means freedom within limits. We must not, however, confuse human freedom and human autonomy. There will always be a conflict between divine sovereignty and human autonomy. There is never a conflict between divine sovereignty and human freedom. The Bible says that man is free, but he is not an autonomous law unto himself.

Suppose the Sabeans and Chaldeans had prayed, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” I’m absolutely certain that Job’s animals still would have been stolen, but not necessarily by the Sabeans and Chaldeans. God might have chosen to answer their prayer, but He would have used some other agent to steal Job’s animals. 

There is freedom within limits, and within those limits, our prayers can change things. The Scriptures tell us that Elijah, through prayer, kept the rain from falling. He was not dissuaded from praying by his understanding of divine sovereignty. (End Article)

Christian, the next time you find yourself questioning the necessity or the effectiveness of prayer or a discipline prayer life remember this: The primary reason we should pray is not about answers, although God does answer prayer and prayer does change things, but about obedience to the Lord’s command for each of us to pray. So, PRAY AND DO SO REGULARLY.

Wednesday Devotional, September 29, 2021

A GOD BOTH FAITHFUL AND JUST

R. C. Sproul

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

This is God’s promise. There are two parts to it. First, if we confess our sins, He is “faithful and just” to forgive us our sins. Herein is the real danger. When we fail to believe His promises, we fail to believe that He is faithful. We think that His promises are much like ours, idle words designed to get what we want. But our Father is not like us. He has promised. And He alone cannot break His promise. It is His fidelity, not our worthiness, that guarantees the forgiveness. We are sinners, but He is faithful, and it is by His faithfulness that He forgives.

In what ways is God faithful in forgiveness? First, He is faithful to His promises, that if we call on the name of His Son we will be saved. This is His offer to us, free and certain. He is faithful to His Word. Second, He is faithful to the promises He made to our parents. He told them, if they were His, that He would in turn be God to their children. Third, and most important of all, He is faithful to His Son. He keeps His promise to Him. It was for the promised bride that Christ went through His humiliation. The Father keeps His promise to His Son, and through Him, to all those who are adopted into His family.

God not only is faithful to forgive us, however, but just to do so. Sometimes I’m afraid we are so eager to praise God for His mercy to us that we misunderstand it, and in a backward sort of way, denigrate it. That is, too often we make the mistake of thinking that we are forgiven for our sins just because God decided to be nice and to look the other way, that He winked at our sins. God is indeed merciful. And He does not remember our sins. They are as far from us as the east is from the west. But it is just that such should be so. Our debt is no more not because He whom we owe forgave it, but because it was paid. He is just to forgive us because He poured out the just punishment for our sins on His Son. And He is just to vindicate us. He raised His Son from the dead to demonstrate that He did not die for His sins, but for ours. In union with Him, raised with Him, we too are vindicated. The Judge of all the earth does judge rightly when He says that sinners like us are not guilty. Jesus paid our debt, and we owe no more. In fact, it would be unjust for God to demand retribution for sins covered on Calvary. In short, it is just that He should forgive us our sins, not because we are worthy, but because worthy is the Lamb.

When we stop with the promise of forgiveness, as grand and as shocking as it is, we still miss out on the fullness of the promise. For we long not merely to have God’s judgment pass over us, but to be made white as snow. The promise of the gospel isn’t just that we won’t be judged, but that, in the end, we will be good. Thus, John tells us that not only does He forgive us for our sins, but He also cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Now that’s a grand promise.

Indeed, one of the greatest mysteries for me about the afterlife is found right here. How, I wonder, can I continue to be me, to have a consciousness that is connected to and continues from what I have now, that will have no sin? I wouldn’t recognize me, and I doubt anyone else would either. I’m afraid I’m so puzzled by this because I don’t spend enough time thinking about this promise and the promise of my sanctification. I’m afraid that in my tradition, we think of sanctification as a process at best and as a doctrine at worst. But we almost never see it as John shows it to us here, as a promise.

This is His promise. As we despair in our sin, not only are we promised forgiveness, but we are also promised cleansing. The sorrow that follows in the wake of our sins is crushed now by gospel forgiveness. It is also crushed then, that is, in the future, by gospel cleansing. We need to believe His promises and crush the despair.

In short, we need to look at our sanctification the way God told Joshua to look at the Promised Land. Joshua, after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, is about to take his ragtag army of nomads into Palestine, a land flowing with milk and honey, but one inhabited by great and mighty men. He is called to fight a war that, from a human perspective, he has no chance of winning. His army consists of the children of the cowards who feared to cross the Jordan forty years earlier. Moses, the great prophet, has gone on to his reward. Would you not, were you in Joshua’s sandals, fear? Would you not ask God to give you a glimpse into the future, a sign of promise?

God gives instructions. He gives orders. But He gives no sign. As the Israelites approach the great walled city of Jericho, the text tells us, “Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in” (Josh. 6:1). The battle has not yet taken place. God’s enemies are hiding in their seemingly impregnable fortress. But hear what God says to Joshua: “And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor’ ” (v. 2). God creates here a new tense in any language, a grammatical structure I call “God’s prophetic present.” That king and those soldiers, if they aren’t comfortable in their homes, are armed to the teeth and waiting. God doesn’t say, “Don’t worry, I promise I will give you this city.” He says instead that He has already given Joshua the city. This is God’s power. His promise is so certain that it is past before it is fulfilled.

This is true, however, of all of God’s promises. His Word is to reality what Midas’ touch was to gold. He speaks and it is so. If God promises that the sun will not come up tomorrow, it is as certain as the fact that it came up today. And if God promises to forgive us our sins, they are forgiven. It is finished. If He promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, then it is done, certain. Our proper response to the despair of present sin is to believe the future promises of God. This we know with as much certainty as, if not more than, Joshua experienced after the battle of Jericho—that we are forgiven, and nothing will keep us from utter perfection. See, He has so promised.

Wednesday Devotional, September 22, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

PRAYER: A TIME OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

 …what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you

too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, 

and with His Son Jesus Christ.  (1 John 1:3)

It is impossible to know fully what it will be like when each believer meets the Lord for the first time, face to face. There is no doubt in my mind that that day will be the most memorable day of each believer’s life. The experience of literally seeing and meeting the Lord for the first time will transcend any experience we have ever had in terms of “fellowship with the Lord” in this life such as John speaks of in 1 John 1:3

However, it is my understanding that our fellowship with the Lord is not meant to be something we must wait for until we are in heaven although fellowship with the Lord in this life could never match what literal fellowship with Him in heaven will be like. 

John MacArthur says that “God’s greatest desire, and our greatest need, is to be in constant fellowship with Him now, and there is no greater expression or experience of fellowship than prayer.”

E. M. Bounds* encourages Christians to cultivate their fellowship with the Lord through prayer. In fact, he says we “must” cultivate our fellowship with the Lord through prayer.

He writes: “Prayer is not a meaningless function or duty to be crowded into the busy or the weary ends of the day, and we are not obeying our Lord’s command when we content ourselves with a few minutes upon our knees in the morning rush or late at night when the faculties, tired with the tasks of the day, call out for rest. God is always within call, it is true; His ear is ever attentive to the cry of His child, but we can never get to know Him if we use the vehicle of prayer as we use the telephone, for a few words of hurried conversation. Intimacy requires development. We can never know God as it is our privilege to know Him, by brief and fragmentary and unconsidered repetitions of intercessions that are requests for personal favors and nothing more. That is not the way in which we can come into communication with heaven’s King. ‘The goal of prayer is the ear of God,’ a goal that can only be reached by patient and continued and continuous waiting upon Him, pouring out our heart to Him and permitting Him to speak to us. Only by so doing can we expect to know Him, and as we come to know Him better, we shall spend more time in His presence and find that presence a constant and ever-increasing delight.”

Christians, I wonder if the reason why we, at times, feel so distant from the Lord is because we do not spend the time needed in prayer to get to know Him better. Perhaps our time in prayer is more like a greeting card addressed to the Lord than it is a full-length letter expressing our gratitude, petitions, and praises with the outcome of knowing Him better as a result of His response to our prayers. 

*Edward McKendree Bounds (August 15, 1835 – August 24, 1913) prominently known as E.M. Bounds, was an American author, attorney, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South clergy. He is known for writing 11 books, nine of which focused on the subject of prayer.

Wednesday Devotional, September 15, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

Just Do It

On more than one occasion during my ministry I have had individual Christians say to me, “Pastor, I don’t know how to pray.” Or, someone may say to me, “Pastor, teach me how to pray.” My response to these individuals is usually pretty general. Usually, I will say to them, after addressing them by their first name, “….you can talk to the Lord the same way you are speaking to me this moment. Simply find a place where you will not be interrupted by anything or anyone and begin to speak to the Lord in a conversational tone.” I’m not sure how much this advice helps but it is nevertheless the best way I know to learn how to pray. When our Lord’s disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, I’m not sure what they meant. Were they asking Him to teach them how to pray or were they asking Him to teach them how to be disciplined in their prayer life, that is, praying consistently rather than an on again off again prayer life? I tend to think they were motivated to pray by observing the disciplined prayer life of the Lord as I am sure He prayed often and repeatedly on a daily basis. At any rate it is my contention that the first step to take in learning how to pray is to JUST DO IT.

In his book The Christian Doctrine of Prayer James Hastings*offers to us the same advice regarding prayer that I have been dispensing for several years. Incidentally, it does my heart good to read the writings of the saints of the past who espouse the same advice I have been giving for years regarding prayer. It helps confirm my advice as being on the right track when it comes to prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Please take the time to wade (It’s a little heady.) through what Reverend Hastings says about The Practice of Prayer. He writes:

(Begin Article) The proof of prayer is the practice of it. The practice is everything. However little we may be able to prove to others the efficacy of prayer, we know that all is well if we pray.

But here is the difficulty. We know but we do not. We know that nothing too glorious can be claimed for prayer and yet we are slow to pray. That contrast between the ideal and the actual, which often impresses us so painfully, is, perhaps, never more apparent than when we come to make a comparison between the theory and the practice of prayer. In theory, prayer is a thing sacred and glorious beyond the power of words to describe. No privilege possible to men is worthy to be put by the side of the privilege of communion with God. No joy can thrill the heart like the joy of the man who knows that he is in the presence of the Creator and Ruler of all and is conscious that his appeal is heard. No peace can be so profound or so holy as the peace which possesses the minds of those who have entered into the meaning of this mystery, and, by an act of faith or in a moment of vision, have claimed for themselves the unspeakable blessing which it brings. It is surely impossible to say too much of the glory and honour with which that man is crowned, of the grace, the power, the tranquility, and the gladness, which have become his portion who has learned how to pray. That must be acknowledged by all who have ever had any religious instinct or aspiration.

And yet, when we consider the practice of men, and begin to inquire into their actual experience, we are apt to find that prayer does not by any means appear to be in reality what it is in theory. We find that it is approached as a duty rather than valued as a privilege, and often as a duty not of the most attractive kind. Men ought to pray; and they pray, or try to pray, sometimes with poor success, because they ought. But the time and the strength which are given to the work are given, if the truth must be confessed, but grudgingly. The complaint has become common in our churches that the meeting for prayer is scantily attended, and that, on the whole, small interest is taken in it. The charm of music may give to the service an attractiveness in the eyes of some, and sermons and addresses may serve to commend it, or to make it endurable to others. But the mere praying would seem to have little fascination for many minds. There is little beauty in it that men should desire it, little sacredness in it that it should be held in honour. It is counted almost a strange thing that a gentleman, and a man of education and resources, should frequent prayer-meetings. “How odd,” it is said, “that a man like that should go to such places, when there must be so many things to interest and occupy his thoughts and claim his attention.” That a feeling like this, of distaste and almost of quiet scorn for the prayer-meeting, prevails in many quarters will scarcely be disputed.

And though we must speak with greater reserve of private prayer, seeing that we know little of the habits of men in this respect, yet there are not wanting signs and testimonies that the prayers which are made in the closet to the Father, which seeth in secret, are very far indeed from being what they might be expected to be, or from bringing to those who offer them what they might be expected to bring.

The only remedy is to pray, and by praying to encourage others to pray. If we pray sincerely once, we will pray again. If we pray as we can today, tomorrow we shall pray better. If we wait to pray till prayer shall be less difficult, we shall never pray. The voice of God is calling to us, “Seek ye my face”. That voice calls to us in many ways, in Scripture, in conscience, in providence, in every event, common or special, glad, or grave, welcome, or sorrowful. Let us see that, when God says, “Seek ye my face,” we are ready, everyone to answer with the Psalmist, “Thy face, Lord, will I seek”. There is a piece of shrewd philosophy in the Book of Proverbs (4:7, R.V. margin), which applies to our learning to pray successfully, as well as to many other works and devices under the sun. It reads: “The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom”. That is to say, in colloquial English: The way to learn to do a thing is to “go at it”. We can learn to swim only by getting into the water and striking out. We can learn to play the piano or violin only by playing it. Practice is the chief item in all the arts, and in none more than in the art of prayer. (End Article) 

Christians, my advice regarding learning how to pray remains the same. The first step to take in learning how to pray is to JUST DO IT.

*James Hastings (26 March 1852 – 15 October 1922) was a Scottish United Free Church minister and biblical scholar.

Wednesday Devotional, September 8, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

I Feel No Need to Pray

Dr. D. A Carson

Few of us are so crass that we self-consciously reason, “I am too important to pray. I am too self-confident to pray. I am too independent to pray.” Instead, what happens is this: Although abstractly I may affirm the importance of prayer, in reality I may treat prayer as important only in the lives of other people, especially those whom I judge to be weaker in character, more needy, less competent, less productive. Thus, while affirming the importance of prayer, I may not feel deep need for prayer in my own life. I may be getting along so well without much praying that my self-confidence is constantly being reinforced. That breeds yet another round of prayerlessness.

What is God’s response? If Christians who shelter beneath such self-assurance do not learn better ways by listening to the Scriptures, God may address them in the terrible language of tragedy. We serve a God who delights to disclose himself to the contrite, to the lowly of heart, to the meek. When God finds us so puffed up that we do not feel our need for him, it is an act of kindness on his part to take us down a peg or two; it would be an act of judgment to leave us in our vaulting self-esteem.

This lesson is taught in countless passages of Scripture. One thinks, for instance, of the Gibeonite deception, reported in Joshua 9. At this point the people of God have witnessed God’s power in the crossing of the Jordan and in the destruction of Jericho. After a setback occasioned by Achan’s sin, they have by God’s power and wisdom overpowered Ai (Josh. 7–8). At that point in Israel’s history, the people of Gibeon approach, wearing old clothes and dilapidated sandals, and carrying moldy bread to generate the illusion they have come from a great distance. They pretend they are not part of the corrupt tribes of the land whom the Israelites have been ordered to drive out, but foreigners who simply want to secure a peace treaty with Israel because Israel is perceived to be a rising power (Josh. 9:9–13).

What was Israel’s response? “The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath” (9:14–15).

What a damning indictment! Yet could not the text be paraphrased somewhat and applied to many of us? “John Smith weighed the alternative employment opportunities before him but did not inquire of the Lord.” “Jane Brown sought a lot of advice before she made her decision but did not inquire of the Lord.” “The Evangelical Community Church formed a committee to explore possible approaches to evangelizing their community but did not inquire of the Lord.”

It is painfully easy for us to come to all kinds of critical points in ministry, service, family development, changes in vocation, and precisely because we have enjoyed spiritual victories in the past, approach these matters with sophisticated criteria but without prayer. We love our independence. As a result we may repeatedly stumble and fall, because although we have exercised all our intellectual ingenuity, we have not sought God’s face, we have not begged him for his wisdom.

Consider Hezekiah. He begged God for fifteen more years of life, and they were granted to him. Most of these years were filled with productive service. In one matter, however, Hezekiah failed miserably. When envoys from the mighty Babylonian Empire showed up, Hezekiah, flattered by their attention, gave them a guided tour of the wealth of his kingdom. Doubtless the written reports of the envoys remained on file. This small incident became a crucial factor in the decision of Babylon to pillage the kingdom decades later (2 Kings 20:12–21). But perhaps the most startling assessment comes from the Chronicler. He acknowledges that Hezekiah did many good things, and then adds, “But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart” (2 Chron. 32:31). Because it was not in Hezekiah’s heart to seek the Lord’s face, because his heart was self-confident and self-assured, he badly stumbled at this critical point.

We need not think that the only sins that will keep us from prayer are large and gross. We so often fall at the subtle points.

Wednesday Devotional, September 1, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

BORN AFTER MIDNIGHT

A. W. Tozer

Among revival-minded Christians I have heard the saying, “Revivals are born after midnight.”

This is one of those proverbs which, while not quite literally true, yet points to something very true.

If we understand the saying to mean that God does not hear our prayer for revival made in the daytime, it is of course not true. If we take it to mean that prayer offered when we are tired and worn-out has greater power than prayer made when we are rested and fresh, again it is not true. God would need to be very austere indeed to require us to turn our prayer into penance, or to enjoy seeing us punish ourselves by intercession. Traces of such ascetical notions are still found among some gospel Christians, and while these brethren are to be commended for their zeal, they are not to be excused for unconsciously attributing to God a streak of sadism unworthy of fallen men.

Yet there is considerable truth in the idea that revivals are born after midnight, for revivals (or any other spiritual gifts and graces) come only to those who want them badly enough. It may be said without qualification that every man is as holy and as full of the Spirit as he wants to be. He may not be as full as he wishes he were, but he is most certainly as full as he wants to be.

Our Lord placed this beyond dispute when He said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Hunger and thirst are physical sensations which, in their acute stages, may become real pain. It has been the experience of countless seekers after God that when their desires became a pain they were suddenly and wonderfully filled. The problem is not to persuade God to fill us, but to want God sufficiently to permit Him to do so. The average Christian is so cold and so contented with His wretched condition that there is no vacuum of desire into which the blessed Spirit can rush in satisfying fullness.

Occasionally there will appear on the religious scene a man whose unsatisfied spiritual longings become so big and important in his life that they crowd out every other interest. Such a man refuses to be content with the safe and conventional prayers of the frost-bound brethren who “lead in prayer” week after week and year after year in the local assemblies. His yearnings carry him away and often make something of a nuisance out of him. His puzzled fellow Christians shake their heads and look knowingly at each other, but like the blind man who cried after his sight and was rebuked by the disciples, he “cries the more a great deal.” And if he has not yet met the conditions or there is something hindering the answer to his prayer, he may pray on into the late hours. Not the hour of night but the state of his heart decides the time of his visitation. For him it may well be that revival comes after midnight.

It is very important, however, that we understand that long prayer vigils, or even strong crying and tears, are not in themselves meritorious acts. Every blessing flows out of the goodness of God as from a fountain. Even those rewards for good works about which certain teachers talk so fulsomely, and which they always set in sharp contrast to the benefits received by grace alone, are at bottom as certainly of grace as is the forgiveness of sin itself. The holiest apostle can claim no more than that he is an unprofitable servant. The very angels exist out of the pure goodness of God. No creature can “earn” anything in the usual meaning of the word. All things are by and of the sovereign goodness of God.

Lady Julian summed it up quaintly when she wrote, “It is more honor to God, and more very delight, that we faithfully pray to Himself of His goodness and cleave thereunto by His grace, and with true understanding, and steadfast by love, than if we took all the means that heart can think. For if we took all those means it is too little, and not full honor to God. But in His goodness is all the whole, and there faileth right nought… For the goodness of God is the highest prayer, and it cometh down to the lowest part of our need.”

Yet for all God’s good will toward us He is unable to grant us our heart’s desires till all our desires have been reduced to one. When we have dealt with our carnal ambitions; when we have trodden upon the lion and adder of the flesh, have trampled the dragon of self-love under our feet and have truly reckoned ourselves to have died unto sin, then and only then can God raise us to newness of life and fill us with His blessed Holy Spirit.

It is easy to learn the doctrine of personal revival and victorious living; it is quite another thing to take our cross and plod on to the dark and bitter hill of self-renunciation. Here many are called and few are chosen. For every one that actually crosses over into the Promised Land there are many who stand for a while and look longingly across the river and then turn sadly back to the comparative safety of the sandy wastes of the old life.

No, there is no merit in late hour prayers, but it requires a serious mind and a determined heart to pray past the ordinary into the unusual. Most Christians never do. And it is more than possible that the rare soul who presses on into the unusual experience reaches there after midnight.

Wednesday Devotional, August 25, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

BRING EVERYTHING TO GOD IN FAITH AND PRAYER

Charles Spurgeon, perhaps you have heard of him. He was a well-known preacher and pastor of his day. He pastored the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London for thirty-eight years in the latter part of the 1800’s. He was what many people of his day described as “The Prince of Preachers.”He was the preacher the preachers of his era listened to and attempted to emulate as much as possible in their own preaching. 

He was also a prolific writer producing several volumes of sermons as well as several volumes of commentaries on various books of the Bible. In fact, I have his set of commentaries on the book of Psalms entitled The Treasury of David. I also have a set of his books filled with his sermons not to mention a sizable digital library of his commentaries as well. Indeed, when one considers the amount of written material he produced during his years as a pastor one wonders when he ever found the time to sleep.

According to Wikipedia Spurgeon was born June 19, 1834,and stepped into eternity with the Lord on January 31, 1892, at the age of fifty-eight.  In 1867, he started a charity organization which is now called Spurgeon's and works globally. He also founded Spurgeon's College, which was named after him posthumously. Spurgeon authored sermons, an autobiography, commentaries, books on prayer, devotionals, magazines, poetry, and hymns. Many sermons were transcribed as he spoke and were translated into many languages during his lifetime. He is said to have produced powerful sermons of penetrating thought and precise exposition. His oratory skills are said to have held his listeners spellbound in the Metropolitan Tabernacle and many Christians hold his writings in exceptionally high regard among devotional literature.

He was also passionate about evangelism and prayer. In fact the success of his preaching ministry was often attributed to the prayers of many of his parishioners who met in the basement of the Tabernacle where he preached each Sunday and prayed while he was about the task of proclaiming the scriptures.

Why am I sharing this information with you about Rev. Spurgeon? Because I promised to share with you some principles of prayer from some of the genuine saints of God from the past who proclaimed the importance of prayer and practiced what they preached about prayer themselves. Such is the case with Rev. Charles Spurgeon.

On one occasion Spurgeon preached a sermon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle entitled “All Comers to Christ Welcomed.” During the sermon he mentioned prayer in this manner. (Begin Quote) -- Do not draw a line between the temporal and the spiritual, and say, God will go just so far, but I must not take such and such a thing to him in prayer. I remember hearing of a certain good man, of whom one said, Why, he is a very curious man; he prayed about a key the other day!”

Why not pray about a key? Why not pray about a pin? Sometimes, it may be as important to pray about a pin as to pray about a kingdom. Little things are often the linchpins of great events. Take care that you bring everything to God in faith and prayer. (End Quote)

Congregation, as Spurgeon said, “Take care that you bring everything to God in faith and prayer.”

Wednesday Devotional, August 18, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

HONESTY IN PRAYER

On several occasions during the last year or two I have encouraged Christians to develop a prayer life. What I mean by that is that Christians need to develop a prayer life that extends beyond a few moments of prayer tacked on to the end of their daily devotional. While it is fine and pertinent to pray in conjunction with our daily devotional it is just as important if not more so to develop and maintain a separate time of prayer that focuses primarily on communing with the Lord through prayer. That is, a time when we simply get alone with the Lord away from our phones and televisions and computers and focus on having a conversation with the Lord. It should be a time when our prayers consist of a time of praise, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession. It does not require a tremendous amount of time to pray with these features in mind, but it does require a little more time than what we Christians usually practice at the end of our devotionals. We need a prayer life that can be distinguished from our devotional life in terms of our focus and our responsibility as men and women of prayer. 

Thus in an effort to get us to praying a little more effectively and fervently I will be offering some of the prayers and principles of prayer from the saints of old. Perhaps they will be an inspiration to us to develop and maintain a life of prayer that can be distinguished as a definitive “life of prayer.”  

The first offering relative to a prayer life comes from the life of David M’Intyre.  David M'Intyre (1859-1938) was a Scottish, Presbyterian minister whose many books have the rare balance of scholastic care and worshipful writing. He succeeded the famous Andrew Bonar as minister in Finnieston and later became Principal of the Bible Training Institute in Glascow.

(Begin Article)* --- The saintly David M’Intyre, in his radiant little book, The Hidden Life of Prayer, deals frankly, if briefly, with a vital element of true prayer which in our artificial age is likely to be overlooked. We mean just plain honesty. “Honest dealing becomes us,” says M’Intyre, “when we kneel in His pure presence.” “In our address to God,” he continues, we like to speak of Him as we think we ought to speak, and there are times when our words far outrun our feelings. But it is best that we should be perfectly frank before Him. He will allow us to say anything we will, so long as it is to Himself. “I will say unto God my rock,” exclaims the psalmist, “why hast thou forgotten me?” If he had said, “Lord, thou canst not forget. Thou hast graven my name on the palms of thy hands,” he would have spoken more worthily, but less truly.

On one occasion Jeremiah failed to interpret God aright. He cried as if in anger, “O Lord, you deceived me, and I was deceived.” These are terrible words to utter before Him who is changeless truth. But the prophet spoke as he felt, and the Lord not only pardoned him, but met him and blessed him there.

So far M’Intyre. Another spiritual writer of unusual penetration has advised frankness in prayer even to a degree that might appear to be downright rudeness. When you come to prayer, he says, and find that you have no taste for it, tell God so without mincing words. If God and spiritual things bore you, admit it frankly. This advice will shock some squeamish saints, but it is altogether sound, nevertheless. God loves the guileless soul even when in his ignorance he is actually guilty of rashness in prayer. The Lord can soon cure his ignorance, but for insincerity no cure is known.

The basic artificiality of civilized human beings is hard to shake off. It gets into our very blood and conditions our thoughts, attitudes, and relationships much more seriously than we imagine. A book on human relations has appeared within recent years whose underlying philosophy is deception and whose recommended technique is a skillful use of flattery to gain desired ends. It has had an unbelievably wide sale, actually running into the millions. Of course its popularity may be explained by the fact that it said what people wanted to hear.

The desire to make a good impression has become one of the most powerful of all the factors determining human conduct. That gracious (and scriptural) social lubricant called courtesy has in our times degenerated into a completely false and phony etiquette that hides the true man under a shimmery surface as thin as the oil slick on a quiet pond. The only time some persons expose their real self is when they get mad.

With this perverted courtesy determining almost everything men say and do in human society, it is not surprising that it should be hard to be completely honest in our relations with God. It carries over as a kind of mental reflex and is present without our being aware of it. Nevertheless, it is extremely hateful to God. Christ detested it and condemned it without mercy when He found it among the Pharisees. The artless little child is still the divine model for all of us. Prayer will increase in power and reality as we repudiate all pretense and learn to be utterly honest before God as well as before men.

A great Christian of the past broke out all at once into a place of such radiance and victory as to excite wonder among his friends. Someone asked him what had happened to him. He replied simply that his new life of power began one day when he entered the presence of God and took a solemn vow never again to say anything to God in prayer that he did not mean. His transformation began with that vow and continued as he kept it.

We can learn something there if we will.  (End Article)

*Article from -- God Tells The Man Who Cares – A. W. Tozer

Wednesday Devotional, August 11, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE WAY OF CHRIST IS STILL NARROW

 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Recently I read an article written by A. W. Tozer. The article is entitled The Way of Christ is Still Narrow. The article was written sometime before 1963. If my math serves me correctly then the article was written more than fifty-eight years ago since Dr. Tozer died sometime in 1963 and could not have written it later than that year. What is my point? The point is that some things never seem to change. Apparently, there were those in Tozer’s day who had difficulty accepting the narrowness or exclusivity of the gospel of Christ. What Dr. Tozer was addressing in his day is an issue that needs to be addressed in our day as well. The gospel of Christ is just as narrow today as it was when it was first established and preached in the early church. And many persons today as in Tozer’s day have a difficult time accepting the narrowness of the gospel. Some things never seem to change. The only thing different today regarding this issue is the language used to refute the gospel’s narrowness. The phrase often used in today’s culture to reject the gospel of Christ because of its narrowness is the phrase “There is more than one way to heaven.”

Personally, I choose to believe the words of Christ when it comes to the exclusivity or narrowness of the gospel. Jesus said, “….I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through me.” You can’t get any narrower than that regarding the gospel. The writer of Acts put it like this: “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” If you believe the Bible to be the divinely inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God then you must believe in the exclusivity of the gospel. Just as it was in the early days of Christianity and in the days of A. W. Tozer as well as it is in our day and as it will be in the years to come the Way of Christ is still narrow. If you plan on going to heaven when you die, then the only way to get there is through Christ.

I trust you will confess your sins and invite Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior asking Him to forgive you and He will and will bless you with the gift of eternal life.

It was written of A. W. Tozer that he was a man who heralded biblical truth. A man who loved the Bible and unflinchingly preached what he believed people needed to hear, regardless of what they wanted to hear.

What people need to hear today is the truth that Christ is “exclusively” the only way to heaven. The way of Christ is still narrow.

Wednesday Devotional, August 4, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE HUMAN NATURE

Only God can change human nature. I believe this to be a truth rooted deeply in the scriptures. The doctrine of original sin supports this truth without question. Unfortunately, there is a multitude of persons who do not believe in this particular doctrine. The doctrine of original sin says basically that man is a sinner by nature and by practice. That is, no one has to teach anyone else how to sin in any form or fashion. Sinful behavior comes naturally for all men because all men are fallen. That is, all men have a sin problem because of their fallen nature. It is an inherited nature from Adam originating in the garden of Eden when he rebelled against the Lord and His precepts. When he rebelled his rebellion affected all of mankind from that point on. Theologian Wayne Grudem refers to the sin problem as “Inherited Corruption.’ Thus, all of mankind inherited from Adam a sinful nature that expresses itself in a multitude of ways beginning at a very early age. Parents do not have to teach their children how to lie, steal, deceive, rebel or any such thing that would be considered sinful. Why? Because mankind is a sinner by nature from birth and eventually will become a sinner by practice. It truly is a problem! A problem that cannot be resolved by anyone other than the Lord Himself. Yes, some counselor or psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, etcetera, may help you cope with the problems of your heart but only God can cure your sinful heart problem. Why? Because only God can change human nature and that is what needs to happen for the fallen nature of man to be changed.

I read an article this past week that contained a phrase expressing the same thought, i.e. only God can change human nature. However, the thought was expressed in a more picturesque fashion. The phrase is: “God altars the mainspring.” This is what happens when a person is born again. His or her mainspring, is altered resulting in a lasting change in one’s behavior, values, thinking, etc. (i.e. fallen nature). Only God can do what we cannot and that is bring about a lasting change of heart, a heart that has been regenerated, visited by the grace of God. A heart that has been delivered out of the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son. The apostle Paul said it like this: “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son…”(Colossians 1:13).

Oswald Chambers said it this way: “Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations; his teachings are truths that can only be interpreted by the disposition he puts in. The great marvel of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that he alters heredity. He does not alter human nature; he alters its mainspring.”

Another source commented, Chambers noted that the Sermon on the Mount, for example, “is not a set of rules and regulations, it is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting his way with us.”

An additional writer put it like this. “We can regulate external behavior but only God can change human nature. We can act in godly ways to impress others and seek God’s blessing. But only God can change your heart—do you secretly still want to do what you know you should not do? Imagine being so free of addiction to sin that we no longer suffer from its cravings.”

When the great marvel of Jesus Christ’s salvation alters our heredity our “mainspring” will be different.” Our lives will begin to reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Christians, in light of the problems and sinfulness reflected in the behavior and thinking of the culture of our day it should be obvious to all of us that there is a basic sin problem that only He can resolve. Our mainspring is broken and is in dire need of His redemption. 

For the genuine child of God his greatest need is not redemption, that has already taken place in response to His faith in Christ alone for salvation. The believer’s greatest need is sanctification.

Perhaps the prayer of the Scottish minister John Baillie should become our prayer as well. He prayed: “Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today to nurture the fruits of the Spirit rather than the fruits of sin.

Let me use disappointment as material for patience.

Let me use success as material for thankfulness.

Let me use anxiety as material for perseverance.

Let me use danger as material for courage.

Let me use criticism as material for learning.

Let me use praise as material for humility.

Let me use pleasures as material for self-control.

Let me use pain as material for endurance.

Will you make his prayer yours today?

Believe me! Only God can change our sinful natures, believer, and unbeliever alike, to reflect the sinless nature of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Wednesday Devotional, July 28, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE WARFARE OF THE SPIRIT

Recently, two verses came to mind as I read a short article written by A. W. Tozer. The article is entitled The Warfare of the Spirit. The verses are 2 Timothy 3:12 and 1 Peter 5:8 and . They read: “ Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). And “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

These verses remind us that we Christians are in a war, that is a war with the world, the flesh, and the devil. I say war because the word war implies a multitude of battles, that is never ending skirmishes one after the other designed to thwart the will, work and word of the Lord in our lives as He fulfills His promise conform us to the image of His Son. Ultimately, the culprit calling the shots designed to defeat us is the evil one; Satan the arche enemy of the Lord and us as well. A. W. Tozer explains it in this manner.

(Begin Article) There is a kind of dualism in our fallen world which has accounted for most of the persecutions endured by believers since the days of Cain and Abel.

There are two spirits in the earth, the Spirit of God and the spirit of Satan, and these are at eternal enmity. The ostensible cause of religious hatred may be almost anything; the true cause is nearly always the same: the ancient animosity which Satan, since the time of his inglorious fall, has ever felt toward God and His kingdom. Satan is aflame with desire for unlimited dominion over the human family; and whenever that evil ambition is challenged by the Spirit of God, he invariably retaliates with savage fury.

The world hated Jesus without a cause. In spite of their fantastic charges against Him, Christ’s contemporaries found nothing in either His doctrines or His deeds to rouse in them such unreasonable anger as they constantly displayed toward Him. They hated Him, not for anything He said or did, but for what He was.

It is possible within the provisions of redemptive grace to enter into a state of union with Christ so perfect that the world will instinctively react toward us exactly as it did toward Him in the days of His flesh.

It is a great reproach to us as Christians that we excite in the hearts of the unbelieving masses little more than plain boredom. They meet us with smiling toleration or ignore us altogether, and their silence is a portent and a sign. Well might it cause us nights of tears and hours of prayerful self-examination.

It is the Spirit of Christ in us that will draw Satan’s fire. The people of the world will not much care what we believe and they will stare vacantly at our religious forms, but there is one thing they will never forgive us—the presence of God’s Spirit in our hearts. They may not know the cause of that strange feeling of antagonism which rises within them, but it will be nonetheless real and dangerous. Satan will never cease to make war on the Man-child, and the soul in which dwells the Spirit of Christ will continue to be the target for his attacks. (End Article)

Christians, with the thoughts of A. W. Tozer in mind let us be mindful of the words of the apostle Peter found in 1 Peter 5:8. Why? Because they are just as relevant today as they were when Peter, under the inspiration and tutelage of the Holy Spirit, wrote them.

1 Peter 5:8 ----Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Indeed, my brothers and sisters in Christ BE SOBER, BE WATCHFUL. YOU HAVE AN ADVERSARY BUT KEEP IN MIND YOU ALSO HAVE AN ADVOCATE IN GOD THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.

Wednesday Devotional, July 21, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

HUMILITY:TRUE AND FALSE

The Bible has a lot to say about humility. It also has a lot to say about pride. Both humility and pride appear to travel the same road biblically although one is encouraged and the other one is condemned. That is, it is not uncommon to find pride mentioned in the same context as that of humility. In fact, James the half-brother of Christ mentions pride in the same context as humility when he says “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6b). I cannot say exactly what it is about humility and pride that makes it almost impossible to think of one without thinking of the other. Nevertheless, it’s true. It’s almost impossible to think of pride without also thinking of humility. Even I have said to my wife in a joking fashion and on more than one occasion “I’m humble, and I’m proud of it.”

One of the most prideful persons mentioned in the Old Testament is that of King Nebuchadnezzar. You can read about him in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. In fact, and more specifically, you can read about Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:28-37. While you are reading, I suggest you take to heart verse thirty-seven in chapter 4. It reads: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”Nebuchadnezzar knew first-hand what pride can do to a man and what God can do to a man who is prideful. He understood, from personal experience (lycanthropy), that the Lord knows how to humble those who walk in pride. In light of Nebuchadnezzar’s prideful disposition and his subsequent humility brought about by the hand of the Lord I offer to you the words of Dr. A. W. Tozer entitled Humility: True and False.

(Begin Article) -- For the Christian, humility is absolutely indispensable. Without it there can be no self-knowledge, no repentance, no faith, and no salvation.

The promises of God are made to the humble: the proud man by his pride forfeits every blessing promised to the lowly in heart, and from the hand of God he need expect only justice.

We should not forget, however, that there is a pseudo-humility which can scarcely be distinguished from the real thing, and which passes commonly among Christians without their being aware that it is false.

True humility is a healthy thing. The humble man accepts the truth about himself. He believes that in his fallen nature dwells no good thing. He acknowledges that apart from God he is nothing, has nothing, knows nothing, and can do nothing.

But this knowledge does not discourage him, for he knows also that in Christ he is somebody. He knows that he is dearer to God than the apple of His eye and that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him; that is, he can do all that lies within the will of God for him to do.

Pseudo-humility is in truth only pride with a different face. It is evident in the prayer of the man who condemns himself roundly before God as weak, sinful, and foolish but who would angrily resent the same thing being said about him by his wife.

Nor is such a man necessarily hypocritical. The prayer of self-condemnation may be completely sincere, and the defense of self as well, though the two appear to contradict each other. Where they are alike is in their being born of the same parents, self-love being the father and self-trust the mother.

The man filled with high self-regard naturally expects great things of himself and is bitterly disappointed when he fails. The self-regarding Christian has the loftiest moral ideals: he will be the holiest man in his church, if not the saintliest one in his generation. He may talk of total depravity, grace,and faith, while all the time he is unconsciously trusting self, promoting self, and living for self.

Because he has such noble aspirations, any failure to reach his ideals fills him with disappointment and disgust. Then comes the attack of conscience which he mistakenly believes to be evidence of humility, but which is in fact no more than a sour refusal to forgive himself for falling below his own high opinion of himself. A parallel is sometimes found in the person of the proud, ambitious father who hopes to see in his son the kind of man he himself had hoped to be and is not, and who when the son fails to live up to his expectation will not forgive him. The father’s grief springs not from his love for his son but from his love of self.

The truly humble man does not expect to find virtue in himself, and when he finds none, he is not disappointed. He knows that any good deed he may do is the result of God’s working in him, and if it is his own work, he knows that it is not good, however good it may appear to be.

When this belief becomes so much a part of a man that it operates as a kind of unconscious reflex, he is released from the burden of trying to live up to his own opinion of himself. He can relax and count upon the Spirit to fulfill the moral law within him. The emphasis of his life shifts from self to Christ, where it should have been in the first place, and he is thus set free to serve his generation by the will of God without the thousand hindrances he knew before.

Should such a man fail God in any way he will be sorry and repent, but he will not spend his days castigating himself for his failure. He will say with Brother Lawrence: “I shall never do otherwise if You leave me to myself; it is You who must hinder my falling and mend what is amiss,” and after that “give himself no further uneasiness about it.”

It is when we read the lives and writings of the saints that false humility becomes particularly active. We read Augustine and know that we have not his intellect; we read Bernard of Clairvaux and feel a heat in his spirit which is not in our own in anything like equal degree; we read the journal of George Whitefield and are forced to confess that compared with him we are mere beginners, spiritual tyros, and that for all our supposed “busy lives” we get little, or nothing accomplished. We read the letters of Samuel Rutherford and feel that his love for Christ so far outstrips our own that it would be folly to mention the two in the same breath.

It is then that pseudo-humility goes to work in the name of true humility and brings us to the dust in a welter of self-pity and self-condemnation. Our self-love turns on us angrily and reproaches us in great bitterness for our lack of godliness. Let us be careful here. What we believe to be penitence may easily be a perverted form of envy and nothing more. We may simply envy these mighty men and despair of ever equaling them and imagine we are very saintly for feeling cast down and discouraged.

I have met two classes of Christians: the proud who imagine they are humble and the humble who are afraid they are proud. There should be another class: the self-forgetful who leave the whole thing in the hands of Christ and refuse to waste any time trying to make themselves good. They will reach the goal far ahead of the rest.  (EndArticle)

Christian, in which class are you? 

2

Wednesday Devotional, July 14, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

FAITH AND EXPECTATION

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him” so say the scriptures. In fact the writer of Hebrews puts it this way:” And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) A. W. Tozer says basically that faith and expectation are two sides of the same coin. I’m wondering just how much expectation we attach to our faith if any at all when we petition the Lord in our prayers. Do we give any further thought throughout the day relative to our petitions to the Lord in terms of expecting Him to answer? Dr. Tozer says that expectation and faith are indispensable. I take that to mean that they are two sides of the same coin. Praying without expecting the Lord to respond to our prayers in some form or fashion is less than genuine or legitimate faith.

A. W. Tozer writes: Faith without expectation is dead. Expectation and faith, though alike, are not identical. An instructed Christian will not confuse the two.

True faith is never found alone; it is always accompanied by expectation. The man who believes the promises of God expects to see them fulfilled. Where there is no expectation, there is no faith.

It is, however, quite possible for expectation to be present where no faith is. The mind is quite capable of mistaking strong desire for faith. Indeed faith, as commonly understood, is little more than desire compounded with cheerful optimism. Certain writers make a comfortable living promoting that kind of so-called faith which is supposed to create the “positive” as opposed to the negative mind. Their effusions are dear to the hearts of those in the population who are afflicted with a psychological compulsion to believe, and who manage to live with facts only by the simple expedient of ignoring them.

Real faith is not the stuff dreams are made of; rather it is tough, practical, and altogether realistic. Faith sees the invisible, but it does not see the nonexistent. Faith engages God, the one great Reality, who gave and gives existence to all things. God’s promises conform to reality, and whoever trusts them enters a world not of fiction but of fact.

In common experience we arrive at truth by observation. Whatever can be verified by experiment is accepted as true. Men believe the report of their senses. If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is probably a duck. And if its eggs hatch into little ducks, the test is about complete. Probability gives way to certainty; it is a duck. This is a valid way to deal with our environment. No one dare complain about it for

everyone does it. It is the way we manage to get on in this world.

But faith introduces another and radically different element into our lives. “By faith we know” is the word that lifts our knowing onto a higher level. Faith engages facts that have been revealed from heaven and by their nature they do not respond to scientific tests. The Christian knows a thing to be true, not because he has verified it in experience but because God has said it. His expectations spring from his confidence in the character of God.

Expectation has always been present in the church in the times of her greatest power. When she believed, she expected, and her Lord never disappointed her. “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45).

Every great movement of God in history, every unusual advance in the church, every revival, has been preceded by a sense of keen anticipation. Expectation accompanied the operations of the Spirit always. His bestowals hardly surprised His people because they were gazing expectantly toward the risen Lord and looking confidently for His Word to be fulfilled. His blessings accorded with their expectations.

One characteristic that marks the average church today is lack of anticipation. Christians when they meet do not expect anything unusual to happen; consequently only the usual happens, and that usual is as predictable as the setting of the sun. A psychology of nonexpectation pervades the assembly, a mood of quiet ennui which the minister by various means tries to dispel, the means depending upon the cultural level of the congregation and particularly of the minister.

One will resort to humor, another will latch on to some topic currently dividing the public, such as fluoridation, capital punishment or Sunday sports. Another who may have a modest opinion of his gifts as a humorist and who is not sure which side of a controversy he may safely support will seek to arouse expectation by outlining enthusiastically the shape of things to come: the Men’s Banquet to be held at the Chicken-in-a-Basket Tea Room next Thursday evening; or the picnic with its thrilling game to be played between the Married Men and the Single Men, the outcome of which the jocular minister coyly refuses to predict; or the coming premier of the new religious film, full of sex, violence and false philosophy but candied over with vapid moralizing and gentle suggestions that the enraptured viewers should be born again.

The activities of the saints are thus laid out for them by those who are supposed to know what they need better than they do. And this planned play is made acceptable to the more pious minded by tagging on a few words of devotion at the close. This is called “fellowship,” though it bears scant resemblance to the activities of those Christians to which the word was first applied.

Christian expectation in the average church follows the program, not the promises. Prevailing spiritual conditions, however low, are accepted as inevitable. What will be is what has been. The weary slaves of the dull routine find it impossible to hope for anything better.

Today we need a fresh spirit of anticipation that springs out of the promises of God. We must declare war on the mood of nonexpectation and come together with childlike faith. Only then can we know again the beauty and wonder of the Lord’s presence among us. (end article)

Christian, can you say you have true faith based on Dr. Tozer’s definition? That is, true faith is never found alone; it is always accompanied by expectation. The man who believes the promises of God expects to see them fulfilled. Where there is no expectation, there is no faith.

What are you expecting tomorrow because of your prayers today?

Wednesday Devotional, July 7, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE WASP AND THE CHURCH MEMBER

The other day I visited for just a few minutes with a young lady whom I have no doubt is a child of God. She mentioned the significance of the fact that Christians need one another and need once again to assemble themselves together in worship as they did prior to the pandemic. She also mentioned that it is a different world now in which we live and that we are experiencing a new normal. Nevertheless, she concluded as did I, that Christians need to get back to community worship. 

I mentioned to her that the Christian life is not to be a “lone ranger experience” but is to be a life lived in community i.e. one with the other, in terms of worshipping the Lord together.

She agreed and then went on with her busy day as she is a local businessperson providing a service to her community.

In light of my conversation with her I offer to you a story I read written by A.W. Tozer entitled The Wasp and the Church Member. It reads as follows:

Once while walking among the hills of a southeastern state I noticed a piece of white paper lying by the roadside.

Its presence there was, under the circumstances, so unexpected that it aroused my curiosity. I picked it up and found written on it in a clear, legible hand these words: “In all the world there are only two creatures that are larger when they are born than when they get their growth; one is a wasp, and the other is a church member.”

Whether this was a lost gem taken from a sermon delivered in a church somewhere among the hills or in the nearby town, or whether it had been placed there by some friendly philosopher who had observed my approach and dropped it there for my edification I will probably never know, but I found it more than a little interesting.

Not being an apiarist I am unable to judge the truth of the statement that a baby wasp is larger than an adult one; but that part about the church member I find too true to be amusing or even comfortable.

Knowing the good people of the hills as I do, and being familiar with their religious terminology, I am sure that the writer of the epigram meant the term “church member” to be understood as synonymous with Christian and intended to say that his experience had taught him that the average Christian lost “size” and became less a Christian later on than when he was first converted.

Why do so many enthusiastic new converts later run out of steam and settle down to a life of dull religious routine? Why do they lose their first zeal and accept the dead average of subnormal spirituality they see about them as the best they can hope to maintain in this present world? Why are they often “smaller” after they have been on the way for several years than they were when they first started on their journey toward the Celestial City?

Now I do not insist that my description applies to all Christians. In fact I think our epigrammatist was covering too much territory when he gave the impression that all church members get smaller as they get older. I do not think they all do, but the fact that some do is enough to disturb one who loves the church and carries the welfare of the saints on his heart; and the fact that any do calls for prayer and careful investigation.

Could it be that after a joyful conversion many have without knowing it become enamored of their experience instead of fixing their eyes upon the Lord? Then when the novelty wears off their experience the joy and enthusiasm go out of their lives. What they should be taught is that a true Christian is converted to Christ, not to peace or rest or joy. These things will come in their time, but they will go again unless the gaze is fixed upon Christ who is the source and fountain of all spiritual delights.

Every emotion has its reaction, and every pleasurable experience will dim after a while. The human organism is built that way and there is nothing we can do about it. It is well-known that the second year of marriage is often the most critical, for then the first excitement has worn off the relationship and the young couple has not had time to acquire a new set of common interests and to learn to accept a more stable if less emotional kind of life.

Only engrossment with God can maintain perpetual spiritual enthusiasm because only God can supply everlasting novelty. In God, every moment is new, and nothing ever gets old. Of things religious we may become tired; even prayer may weary us; but God never. He can show a new aspect of His glory to us each day for all the days of eternity and still we shall have but begun to explore the depths of the riches of His infinite being.

If we offer our converts something besides Christ or something in addition to Christ, we should not be disappointed if they do not run well or long. Novelty soon wears off everything, no matter how precious. When the interest begins to flag, we try to recapture it by fiery exhortations. I for one admit that I am weary of the familiar religious pep talk. I am tired of being whipped into line, of being urged to work harder, to pray more, to give more generously, when the speaker does not show me Christ. This is sure to lead to a point of diminishing return and leave us exhausted and a little bored with it all. And from there we may easily grow backward and become smaller and less fervent than when we were first converted.

I have spent many uncomfortable hours in prayer meetings listening to my brethren begging for blessings, but all prayer is comfortable when the heart is having fellowship with God and the inner eyes are looking upon His blessed face. I have suffered through many a dull and tedious sermon, but no sermon is poor or long when the preacher is showing me the beauty of Jesus. A sight of His face will inspire love and zeal and a longing to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God.

The sum of all this is that nothing can preserve the sweet savor of our first experience except to be preoccupied with God Himself. Our little rill is sure to run dry unless we keep it replenished from the fountain. Let the new convert know that if he would grow instead of shrink, he must spend his nights and his days in communion with the Triune God.”

Christian, permit me to add to this story a few words appropriate to the present-day pandemic and its possible effect on the contemporary church, including First Baptist.

First let me add a few words to one of Dr. Tozer’s comments. He writes, and I quote, “Our little rill (small brook) is sure to run dry unless we keep it replenished from the fountain. Let the new convert know that if he would grow instead of shrink, he must spend his nights and his days in communion with the Triune God.” --- practicing particularly the disciplines of the Christian life one of which is the assembling of ourselves together regularly.

I wonder if there will be some church members universally who will become ultimately smaller (spiritually speaking) than they were when they were first born again because of a prolonged fear of the pandemic that led them to neglect the Lord’s admonition “forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is.”

Will there be any “wasps like Christians” among the body of Christ as a result of the pandemic? I hope there will be none at First Baptist. 

Wednesday Devotional, June 30, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS INDISPENSABLE

As an introduction to the book God Tells the Man Who Cares written by A. W. Tozer, Anita M. Bailey, former managing editor of The Alliance Witness writes the following:

God speaks only to those who take time to listen. It is the man who cares who communes with the Most High and learns the secrets of the Lord. Such a man also sees the sorrow and feels the woe of the world. He shares the burdens of his brothers.

Because A.W. Tozer lived in the presence of God, he saw clearly, and he spoke as a prophet to the church. He sought for God’s honor with a zeal of Elijah and mourned with Jeremiah at the apostasy of God’s people. But he was not a prophet of despair.

The chapters in this book are messages of concern. They expose the weaknesses of the church and denounce compromise. They warn and exhort. But they are messages of hope as well, for God is always there, ever faithful to restore and to fulfill His Word to those who hear and obey.

The next few weeks the devotionals for First Baptist will consist of some of the writings of A. W. Tozer in an effort to encourage us to take time to listen that we as a church may be able to discern the voice of God as we begin to plan, purpose and/or initiate our recovery from the pandemic. 

The first devotional is entitled The Holy Spirit is Indispensable. ENJOY, THINK, PRAY AND DISCERN!

“The continued neglect of the Holy Spirit by evangelical Christians is too evident to deny and impossible to justify.

Evangelical Christianity is Trinitarian: “Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost” is sung in almost every church every Sunday of the year; and whether the singer realizes it or not he is acknowledging that the Holy Spirit is God indeed with equal claim to be worshiped along with the Father and the Son. Yet after this claim is sung at or near the beginning of the service little or nothing is heard of the Spirit again until the benediction. Why?

There is no single answer to this question. The historic church has not as a rule done much better than we. The Apostles’ Creed dismisses the Holy Spirit with the words, “I believe in the Holy Ghost.” Various other ancient creeds follow this one-sentence acknowledgment. The Nicene Creed goes a bit further, saying, “And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Life-giver, that proceedeth from the Father, who with Father and Son is worshipped together and glorified together, who spake through the prophets.”

The Athanasian Creed, the fullest and most explicit of them all, attributes full deity to the Spirit, but while the right truth about the Father and the Son is set forth at considerable length in the document, the most that is said of the Spirit is this: “The Holy Ghost is of the Father and the Son: not made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.” The Te Deum Laudamus, that most famous and most beautiful of ancient Christian hymns, praises at great length the Father and the Son, but of the Spirit it says only, “Also, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.”

Is it not strange that so much is made of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament and so little in Christian writings supposed to be based upon the New Testament? One of the church fathers, in a treatise on the Trinity written in the third century, devotes to the Holy Spirit but six pages of a book 140 pages in length. While defending the deity of the Spirit, he yet says twenty times as much about the Father and the Son as about the Spirit.

I think it would be only fair to admit that there is more in the New Testament about the Son than about the Spirit, but the disproportion is surely not so great as in the writings referred to above, and certainly the all but total neglect of the Spirit in contemporary Christianity cannot be justified by the Scriptures. The Spirit appears in the second verse of the first book of the Bible and in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, as well as hundreds of times between the first and the last.

It is not, however, the frequency of the Spirit’s mention in the Bible or in other writings that matters most, but the importance attached to Him when He is mentioned. And there can be no doubt that there is a huge disparity between the place given to the Spirit in the Holy Scriptures and the place He occupies in popular evangelical Christianity. In the Scriptures the Holy Spirit is necessary. There He works powerfully, creatively; here He is little more than a poetic yearning or at most a benign influence. There He moves in majesty, with all the attributes of the Godhead; here He is a mood, a tender feeling of good will.

According to the Scriptures everything God did in creation and redemption He did by His Spirit. The Spirit was found brooding over the world at the moment God called it into being. His presence there was necessary. The life-giving work of the Spirit is seen throughout the entire Bible; and it is precisely because He is the Lord and giver of life that the mystery of the Incarnation could occur. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

It is highly significant that our Lord, though He was very God of very God, did not work until “God anointed [him] with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 10:38). The Son did His work of love as a Spirit-anointed Man; His power derived from the Spirit of power.

It has been wisely suggested that a more revealing title for The Acts of the Apostles would be The Acts of the Holy Spirit. The men whose mighty deeds are recorded there could have done not one lone act of power if they had not been filled with the Spirit. Indeed the Lord specifically forbade them to try to do anything in their own strength. “But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,” He told them, “until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

The only power God recognizes in His church is the power of His Spirit whereas the only power actually recognized today by the majority of evangelicals is the power of man. God does His work by the operation of the Spirit, while Christian leaders attempt to do theirs by the power of trained and devoted intellect. Bright personality has taken the place of the divine afflatus.

Everything that men do in their own strength and by means of their own abilities is done for time alone; the quality of eternity is not in it. Only what is done through the Eternal Spirit will abide eternally; all else is wood, hay, stubble.

It is a solemn thought that some of us who fancy ourselves to be important evangelical leaders may find at last we have been but busy harvesters of stubble.”

First Baptist, what we do in terms of whatever we do, hopefully we will do it through the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit as we pray, plan and initiate our ministry steps to recover from the pandemic.

Wednesday Devotional, June23, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

FRIENDSHIP

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27:9)

Recently I met a friend of mine for dinner. We sat in a local restaurant enjoying a delicious meal and talking seemingly about everything for a lengthy period. It was an enjoyable evening talking about our teen age years in high school and beyond. I met Roger when my family moved from the school district of New Holland, Ohio to the school district of Clarksburg, Ohio. My sister and I were making the transition from the sixth grade at New Holland to the seventh grade at Clarksburg. It was at Clarksburg middle school, better known in those days as junior high, that I met Roger. Since that time, we have kept in touch with each other for more than fifty years although we have lived several hundreds of miles apart for most of the time. Roger and his wife have lived in Memphis, Tennessee and Corinth, Mississippi throughout his life after graduating from high school. Ann and I have lived in Ohio, Texas, Indiana, and Oklahoma throughout those years. Nevertheless, our friendship with Roger and his family throughout the years has remained intact and central to our concentric circles of concern or should I say concentric circles of friendships. Roger and his wife and family are our friends.

One of the most interesting features about our friendship is that neither one of us, while growing up in and around Clarksburg, Ohio were children of God. That is, we had never been born again. Very seldom, if ever, did we ever attend church or have any knowledge at all of Christ and Christianity. That all changed several years ago when, through the pursuing ministry of the Holy Spirit of God working in Corinth, Mississippi and Muskogee, Oklahoma we were introduced to Christ through the message of the gospel and thus we both were born again. It is true, the Lord works in mysterious ways. 

Technically, I cannot speak for Roger, but I can speak for myself; while a teenager becoming a Christian and especially being called to the ministry of the gospel as a pastor was the farthest thing from my mind. Nevertheless, it happened. Once again, may I say God works in mysterious ways. 

What does all this have to do with a devotional entitled Friendship? The writer of Proverbs has something to say about friendships. Proverbs 27:9 reads, “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” I cannot say there was a lot of mutually earnest counsel that took place during my dinner with my friend, but I can say this without hesitation there was a lot of “sweetness of a friend” in terms of nostalgia that took place that evening.  

Ann and I left the restaurant that evening with both of us concluding that it was a great visit and a wonderful time of reminiscing with our friend Roger and his wife Ruth and their son Ronald. 

Friendships are indispensable to the Christian life and are especially needed in the family of God called the church. You need the fellowship and friendship of the church. See you Sunday.

Wednesday Devotional, June 16, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

GRAZING TOWARD APOSTASY

I grew up on a farm. Thus, it was not uncommon to see a herd of sheep or cattle grazing in the fields, especially during the spring and summer months. During the wintertime they were usually sheltered in a barn with a small outdoor lot attached and a feed trough running down one side of the barn either inside or outside. So when spring came, and they were released to a pasture field it was not anything unusual to see them running and kicking and enjoying their newfound freedom. After a while they would settle down and begin doing what comes naturally for cattle and sheep. They began to graze. That is, they began to eat small portions of grass throughout the day while moving from one tuft of grass to another. As a herd they would graze together usually starting near the barn in which they were sheltered and by the end of the day they were several yards away from the barn, perhaps hundreds of yards depending on the size of the field. Now I do not know the intellectual capabilities of a cow or a sheep but if they were able to engage in cognitive thinking they probably would say at the end of a day of grazing, “Wow! I didn’t realize we had wondered so far away from the barn.”

Grazing toward apostasy takes place much like a herd of cattle wondering away from the barn, subtle, incrementally, in some cases innocently but nevertheless actually and surprisingly.

It can happen to a convention of churches, one church and/or individuals as well.

By now you may be asking ”What is apostasy, and can Christians apostatize?” Basically, apostasy is a falling away from one’s faith in some form or fashion. Vance Havner says that our day is one of anarchy in the world, of apostasy in the church and of apathy in the individual believer (Eph. 5:16). While it may be true that a genuine believer will never become apostate it is also true that he or she can become apathetic toward Christ and Christianity.

How does it happen? I’m glad you asked. It usually begins with one small seemingly inconsequential compromise. After a while, that compromise becomes normal, acceptable and tends to de-sensitize us to the fact that we have compromised a tenet of Christianity we have practiced and believed for years. Then, before you know it, we open the door to another seemingly inconsequential compromise. Again, after a while it to becomes normal, acceptable, and once again it desensitizes us to the fact that we have compromised another tenet of our faith. Then it happens again and again and again and before you know it; we have wondered so far away from our Christianity that what we believe and practice is so far afield from what we used to believe and practice that our behavior and what we believe looks more like the world than it does Christianity.

Could it be that one of the effects the pandemic is having or will have on the church (universal and local) in terms of faithful worship attendance is the idea that it was and is necessary to quarantine and practice social distancing for an indefinite period of time? Could it be that such a pandemic and its advisories, although necessary for a while, becomes one of those small seemingly inconsequential compromises that lead us away from the Lord indefinitely which could and if not addressed personally and corporately lead us Christians to feelings of apathy if not deliberate and outright apostasy.

The excuse I suspect will be used if it is not already being used is “I have simply fallen out of the habit of regular worship attendance.” My friend if this is the case with you then you need to consider a “pastoral advisory” rooted in the word of God. Worshiping the Lord on a regular basis in community is not a matter of a once established habit that has changed but a matter of disciplined obedience.

The Lord Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Worshipping the Lord in community is not a habit to be established as much as it is a command to be obeyed. The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “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 10:24-25).

Could it be that the problem is not that you have fallen out of the habit of worshiping the Lord in community but that you have fallen out of love for HIM and the fellowship of the saints? Could it be that you have lost your first love as the church at Ephesus did (Revelation 2:1-4)?

When the pandemic dust finally settles, I wonder if there will be a herd of Christians who have been munching on a few “tufts of compromise” who will need to wake up and realize and perhaps even be surprised at how far they have fallen away from the Lord.

I guess the question is, “Will you be one of them?” First Baptist, I hope not!

Wednesday Devotional, June 9, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION

Recently I was listening to a Christian radio program on my way home from church. It is a popular program featured each day on an FM station. Usually each day introduces a new topic for discussion with the host or hosts encouraging persons to call in and either ask a question or make a comment about the topic being discussed. The subject being discussed on the day I was listening was broad and varied in terms of non-Christian behavior. As I listened to the comments being made, both by the hosts and the persons calling in, I concluded that the hosts in particular were pretty dogmatic about their understanding of sinful behavior and whether or not someone could actually be a Christian and yet struggle with certain behaviors that were sinful from a biblical perspective. By the time I reached my driveway and backed into my parking spot I was wondering if there was any room for the doctrine of sanctification in the theology being espoused by the hosts regarding salvation (justification). That is, is it possible for someone to be genuinely saved and yet struggle with some besetting sin such as alcoholism or some other addiction or behavior that is labeled sinful by the word of God? The impression I had as a result of what was being taught during the program was that there was little, if any room at all, in the theology of the hosts for the doctrine of sanctification in the life of a genuine believer. It has been my understanding that justification (salvation) and sanctification are two sides of the same coin and cannot be separated one from the other if our understanding of the gospel is correct. Let me explain.

When we are justified (saved) we are declared righteous by the Lord. That is, we are not made righteous but are simply “declared righteous” in response to our faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The perfect righteousness of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is imputed to our account in response to our faith in Him. Just as our sin was laid upon Him on the cross paying the penalty for our sinfulness His perfect righteousness in turn was placed in our account declaring us righteous in the eyes of the Lord. It is important to understand that justification does not mean we were made righteous but that we were declared righteous. Justification is a righteous standing before the Lord due to the fact that His perfect righteousness was imputed to our account in response to our faith in Him. Praise the Lord for the simplicity of salvation. By grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone we are saved (declared righteous).

Then what happens? Then the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the word of God begins to conform us to the image of Christ i.e. our behavior begins to change due to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit coupled with the word of God. The fact that we are new creatures in Christ* begins to manifest itself in many ways as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (sanctification). While it is true that the sanctifying work of the Lord in some cases and in a limited fashion can and does take place immediately at conversion, it is also true, for the most part, that the Christian life is a life of change continuously as believers are conformed to the image of His Son (sanctification). According to the writings of the apostle Paul the Lord is working in the lives of believers from the moment they are saved to the moment they step into eternity or the moment the Lord comes again. ** Thus salvation takes place the moment we genuinely place our faith in Christ, i.e. we are declared righteous not made righteous and subsequent to that we are gradually conformed to the image of His Son (sanctification).

What does all this have to do with the program I was listening to as they discussed certain sinful behaviors. In my opinion they gave the impression that genuine Christians do not struggle with sinful behavior. Thus, there appeared to be in their theology relative to salvation no room at all for the work of the Holy Spirit and the word of God to work the work of sanctification in the life of a genuine believer. It appeared, at least wise from my perspective that there was no room at all for a genuine believer to struggle with a besetting sin. While it is true that a life of consistent sinful behavior calls one’s conversion to Christ into question it does not necessarily mean that the person has never been born again.

Let me explain further. Suppose someone has a drug addiction or is addicted to alcohol but is gloriously saved after having heard and accepted the gospel of Christ. Will he or she struggle with the same sin after conversion? There is that possibility. However, the individual recognizes the sinfulness of such behavior and seeks the Lord’s forgiveness and works in cooperation the word of God and the Holy Spirit to be delivered wholly from his or her besetting sin.***

Perhaps it would be helpful to introduce the word “attitude” into the conversation and scenario. If a person approaches their besetting sin as something that is acceptable to the Lord and is compatible with the word of God, then they more than likely have never been born again.

However, if they recognize that their behavior is sinful and contrary to the word of God and repent seeking the Lord’s forgiveness desiring to be free from the power of sin then they more than likely have been born again and are in need of the sanctifying work of the Lord. Thus salvation and sanctification are two biblical realities that cannot be separated.

Let me assure you if your faith in Christ is genuine you have been declared righteous in the sight of the Lord and need only to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God allowing the Lord to conform you to the image of His Son. Perhaps the first step to take in cooperating with the sanctifying work of God and the Holy Spirit is to memorize and practice 1 John 1:9 which reads “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

*2 Corinthians 5:17 ---- Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  

**Philippians 1:6 --- For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  

***Philippians 2:12–13 ---- 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Wednesday Devotional, June 2, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

TOMORROW WILL CARE FOR ITSELF

Matthew 6:25-34

It was Tuesday evening June 1, 2021. I was sitting in my office at my house gazing out the window thinking about writing the devotional for Wednesday evening. No, I wasn’t daydreaming although it probably would have appeared that way if anyone were able to see me. I was struggling with the devotional I was obligated to write in preparation for Wednesday’s devotional. I find it difficult at times to write devotionals or even sermons primarily because I struggle with what the subject matter should be to be discussed and what to say. That is, what topic or verse or biblical message would be helpful, meaningful, encouraging and/or beneficial for the body of Christ on Wednesday June 2.

As I sat there a sparrow landed on the driveway near my car. I watched him hop around a little while and then he hopped into the edge of the grass and picked up a wrapper and flew off with it in his beak. (Notice wrapper is spelled with a “w” not an “r.”) The sparrow was truly small. He could not possibly have picked up a musically inclined “RAPPER” of the human species. Forgive me for being absurdly silly or even ridiculously ludicrous. However, what I want you to understand is that a little sparrow that weighs ounces not pounds and is very weak and appears to be of truly little significance, if any at all, in terms of what makes the world go round never escapes the attention or awareness of the Lord nor His provision. Neither do you.

What are you worried about today? Do you feel as if the Lord has forgotten you and the circumstances you may be facing? He hasn’t. If He maintains a 24/7 watch care and awareness of a little sparrow, then He certainly does the same for you. Perhaps we would all do well to remember what He says about the problem of worrying and the havoc it causes to our faith and the emotional stress it generates in our mind. He says:

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:25-35).

This is the Lord’s encouragement to each of us that when it comes to worrying, we need to approach our worries from the perspective of the lesser to the greater. If the Lord is aware (He is) of the needs of a little sparrow (the lesser) and provides for them (He does) He will certainly do so for us (the greater).

Wednesday Devotional, May 26, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

A BASIC QUESTION IN NEED OF AN ANSWER

“Why are you a Christian?”

Norman Geisler and Patti Tunnicliffe

Does anyone ever ask you this? It is a fair question, and a simple one. The inquirer wants to know why you believe in Jesus rather than in someone or something else.

It is like being asked why you are a fan of a certain team. Maybe you like the quarterback or one of the other players. Maybe you are loyal to your area or hometown or school. Maybe you are related to the coach. Whatever your reasons, you do have them for why you support and root for that team, and you would gladly, probably even proudly, list them if someone wanted to know.

In the same way, if someone wants to know why you are a Christian, they want to know why you have chosen to follow Jesus instead of Muhammed or Buddha or someone else.

Why are you a believer instead of an atheist or an agnostic? What are your reasons for being a Christian?

Whether or not you have yet been asked, sooner or later this question will come up. People are curious about religion, and many talk openly about their own ideas. Many celebrities promote some form of Buddhism. Tom Cruise and John Travolta are well known to be Scientologist. But Donna has advocated her Kabbalist beliefs; Demi Moore, Paris Hilton, Ashton Kutcher, and others have dabbled with or delved into Kabbalah. Various organizations promote seminars designed to develop the different aspects of “spirituality”. There are lots of other examples in almost as many different directions.

If you have been asked why you are a Christian, what was your answer? Do you think your response made sense to the person who ask it? Did it seem to satisfy their curiosity? Were you comfortable with what you said?

Many struggle with this, often feeling they cannot come up with a straightforward, concise response. “Because Christianity is true” or “Because I believe the Bible” or “Because I love Jesus” (for example) might not be helpful or even make sense to the person asking.

Suppose you had only a moment to answer how would you reply? Every believer should be, and can be, prepared with a response.

OUR CULTURE ITSELF IS A CHALLENGE

Not too long ago, most Americans accepted the basic claims of Christianity, even if they weren’t Christians. Most believe there is a God. Most respect the Bible. Most were convinced Jesus was an actual historical person. And most generally accepted the biblical moral code: do not use God’s name as a curse word; respect your parents; do not commit murder, lie, steal, or covet your neighbor’s house or possessions.

This is no longer true. Many reject Christianity’s core principles. Virtually everything Christians have always believed is being challenged. These challenges come from school teachers, college professors, commentators, writers---seemingly from every walk of life.

These are some of the allegations: There Is no God. The New Testament is unreliable. Though it may have some good moral teaching, it contains fables and errors. If Jesus existed at all, he was not God; he certainly did not rise from the dead. The Bible is no different from any other religious book. All religions have their own truth. Many paths lead to God; Jesus is not the only way. Being good and being sincere about what you believe is what matters.

Many Christians do not know how to respond to these claims. They may believe they found the truth but cannot explain why it is true or why contrasting or contradictory beliefs are false. So, they keep quiet. They love God, yet they hope no one asks, “Why are you a Christian?” (End of Article)

Christian, may I suggest to you that it is imperative, especially considering today’s culture and its approach to the Scriptures and rejection of Christianity’s core principles that we commit ourselves to becoming better prepared to give an answer to those who ask, “Why are you a Christian?”

If you have an interest in doing so, then may I suggest to you a book written by Norman Geisler and Patti Tunnicliffe. It is easy to read and is entitled Reasons for Belief. It is subtitled Easy to Understand Answers to Ten Essential Questions. It was copyrighted in 2013. Let us hope it is still available especially if you have a legitimate desire to become a better apologist for the Lord.

1 Chronicles 12:32 ---- Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.

1 Peter 3:15 ---- but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.  

Wednesday Devotional, May 19, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

IS TRUTH RELATIVE OR ABSOLUTE?

In today’s culture, perhaps more so than at any other time in the history of our nation, it is imperative for Christians to do their best to understand the times.* One such area of understanding is that of “TRUTH” that is, is it absolute or relative according to the culture of our day? Perhaps a word from the writings of Norman Geisler, a Christian apologist regarding truth is in order. Hopefully, what he writes will help us get a better handle on what the culture of our day thinks about truth and whether it is absolute or relative. He writes:

         “The claim that truth is relative might be understood as relative in two

         ways. Either truth is relative to time and space (it was true then, but not  

    now), or it is relative to persons (true for me, but not for you). On the

         other hand, absolute truth implies at least two things: (1) that whatever

         is true at one time and in one place is true at all times and in all places,  

      and (2) that  whatever is true for one person is true for all persons.

          Absolute truth does not change, relative truth changes from time to time

          and person to person.”

Today’s culture, for the most part, believes that truth is relative at the expense of absolute truth. In fact, in some circles we are taught that there is no such thing as absolute truth. Let me illustrate why I believe truth to be absolute. It involves an experience I had with a seminary student several years ago. At the time I was working on my doctorate’s degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and pastoring at Rosemont Park Baptist Church near the seminary. One day as I was sitting in my office there was a knock on my office door. I invited the person in. It was a member of the church I was pastoring. He was also a seminary student and was being trained as a chaplain in a hospital in Dallas, Texas. During our conversation, he made a statement about his training as a chaplain at a Dallas hospital. He said, “There is no such thing as absolute truth.” I am sure it was a conclusion coming out of his training at the hospital designed to make sure that no chaplain would offend a patient’s religious affiliation since there would no doubt be a smorgasbord of religions represented in the many patients occupying the rooms in the hospital. At any rate, I did not challenge him regarding his approach to the truth although I knew the statement he made could not be true. Why could it not be true? Because it was self-contradictory. He was making an absolute truth claim while denying the idea that there was such a thing as absolute truth.

What does the idea that truth is relative rather than absolute have to do with the scriptures and especially the truth of the gospel? Well, Jesus made some truth claims regarding His identity and the means of salvation that were true then and are just as true today that is, they never change. One such claim is found in John 14:6 which reads: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Friends, I for one believe the Lord’s statement in John 14:6 to be true absolutely. It was true when He said it and it is true today. That my friends is an absolute truth. 

The book of Acts makes a similar claim when it records these words: “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The scriptures proclaim there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. This is not only absolute truth but can also be proclaimed as an exclusive truth. There is no one else but Jesus Christ through whom you can go for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

What do you think about truth? Are you a relativist or someone who believes that truth is absolute?

1 Chronicles 12:32 ---- Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.

Wednesday Devotional, May 12, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

WHY WOULD A GOOD GOD SEND PEOPLE TO HELL?

The short answer to this question is “He will not, and He does not.” However, should you answer this question in this manner it is absolutely necessary that you know how to defend your answer from a biblical perspective. You must do so or at least be able to do so logically and biblically because in today’s culture there is a greater need for pre-evangelism than what was needed years ago. Why? Because in today’s culture many persons tend to want their objections to Christianity answered before they make a commitment to Christ. Thus, pre-evangelism may be the order of the day when attempting to share the gospel with someone you suspect needs to hear it.

There are somethings you should know as you assume the role of an apologist intent on defending the faith. First, it is a Christian’s responsibility to defend the faith in a manner that is biblical, sensible, reasonable, gentle, and reverent. Your goal is to make sure you leave the door open to a gospel presentation immediately or in the future should the skeptic or critic refuse to listen then and there to your defense of the character of God and the fact that He is not responsible for anyone ending up in hell. (See 1 Peter 3:15)*

You should also know that Christ said more about hell than he did about heaven. Primarily because He does not desire anyone to end up there. He understood the tragedy and horrors of hell and thus emphasized repeatedly its reality. In fact, according to statisticians, thirteen percent of the 1,850 verses in the New Testament that record the words of Jesus deal with the subject of eternal judgment and hell.

You should also know that the language used in the scriptures to describe hell is designed to impress upon mankind its reality and the indescribable horrors it entails so much so that a literal interpretation of the phrases describing hell fall short of communicating fully the tragic consequences of what hell is really like. Let me explain by using a quote from J.I. Packer. J.I. Packer is a conservative Christian and theologian. He states, “Do not try to imagine what it is like to be in hell….the mistake is to take such pictures as physical descriptions, when in fact they are imagery, symbolizing realities…far worse than the symbols themselves.” Hell in the scriptures is described using language we can identify with, but mankind is incapable of understanding fully what the language is truly communicating regarding the horrors of hell.

You should also know that it is the free will of man that prevents the salvation of all of mankind. It is the free will of individuals who reject God’s gracious and merciful appeals repeatedly to them to come to Him for salvation but in the stubbornness of their own free will they remain in unbelief and end up ultimately in hell. Thus God sends no one to hell.

Michael Card put it like this in his song “Who Can Abide?” “This sad separation was their choice…” God “simply speaks the sentence that they have passed upon themselves.”

One last interesting comment about hell and those who end up there. Hell has been defined as having one’s way, apart from God’s presence. Biblical scholar D.A. Carson, states, “There is no hint in the Bible that there is any repentance in hell.” Paul Copan writes: “But someone might point to the parable of the rich and Lazarus in Luke 16. The rich man (who lived selfishly during his earthly life) cried out for relief in his anguish after death. Such an act, however, does not indicate that the rich man would have preferred a God-centered existence in heaven. He, like Judas after his betrayal of Jesus, felt remorseful, not repentant. He simply wanted relief from his anguish. People in hell will be quite conscious of their loss, even if they do not desire to change. It is they, not God, who are responsible for their loss. Even though they intellectually recognize how badly off they are in their condition they still choose to remain in it. They could be compared to a drug addict who knows he has a serious problem but refuses to relinquish his habit.”

D. A. Carson continues: “Perhaps we should think of hell as a place where people continue to rebel, continue to insist on their own way, continue societal structures of prejudice and hate, continue to defy the living God. And as they continue to defy God, so he continues to punish them. And the cycle goes on and on and on”

At any rate Christian, critic or skeptic God sends no one to hell. They end up there because of their own free will saying no to His offer of forgiveness and the gift of eternal life once too often.

*1 Peter 3:15 ----but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

Wednesday Devotional, May 5, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CAN GOD MAKE A MOUNTAIN SO BIG

THAT HE CAN’T MOVE IT?

This question has been around for a long time. In fact, there is a similar question that has probably been around just as long if not longer. It is, “Can God make a rock so big He cannot lift it? Another question that falls in the category of “ridiculous questions” is “Can God make a square circle?” To be honest with you I am not sure what these questions are designed to do other than to sound erudite, i.e. intelligent, educated, or learned. Personally, I think they reveal a person’s inability to think logically and/or sensibly regarding the omnipotence of God not to mention the fact that, according to the principles of apologetics, they are category mistakes falling under the heading of “logical impossibilities.” That is, circles can’t be square, etc. 

Such questions may also indicate that the person or persons asking such questions may not be as intelligent as he or she thinks himself or herself to be. I am guessing here but I suppose such questions are designed or intended to challenge the Lord at the point of His omnipotence. If this is their intention, then I am once again amazed at mankind’s arrogance when it comes to pitting his intelligence with that of the Lord regarding not only His power but also His intelligence. When is man going to learn that he is a fallen creature, intelligence wise and otherwise, and is incapable of thinking or doing on the same level as the Lord? It reminds me of the words of Isaiah found in chapter fifty-five verses eight through nine: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

There is however, one issue such questions reveal about the thinking of the person asking such questions. It is this. If the person is attempting to challenge the Lord at the point of His omnipotence, then what they are actually revealing is their ignorance regarding the meaning and/or application of God’s power. The omnipotence of God does not mean that God can do what is impossible. It means that God has the power to do anything that is actually possible even though it may be impossible for us to do. Once again, circles cannot be square.

Incidentally, “Can God make a mountain so big that He cannot move it? The answer is, according to Christian apologetics, any mountain that God makes, He can control, put where He wants, and disintegrate if He likes. You can’t ask for more power than that.

I am wondering! How well do we Christians actually know and understand what we believe about the Lord? I’ll bet, if I was a betting man, that as a result of this article many of us Christians have a better understanding of the omnipotence of the Lord than what we had before we read it. Praise the Lord! Your Christian thinking about the Lord and His omnipotence has been tweaked.

Wednesday Devotional, April 28, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

HOW IS CHRIST COMING BACK?

Recently I received a similar question as the one mentioned above regarding the second coming of Christ. Questions regarding His coming never become antiquated. They are always contemporary because the topic of “THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST” never loses its appeal to man’s interest in the future and what it may involve for the believer and unbeliever alike. In fact, questions relative to His second coming are always among the most popular questions people ask about Christ, Christianity, and the future of the world in which we live.

The question about how Christ will come again can be answered using the biblical context of His ascension. Luke writes, “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11) 

In answer to the question “How is Christ coming back?’ the answer is basically “in the same way He left.” In some way, manner or method Christ will come in the clouds but not necessarily in an invisible manner. 

Richard Bewes former rector of All Souls Church of London and long-time friend of Billy Graham offers this answer to the above-mentioned title of this devotional.

He writes, “The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will take place personally, powerfully, bodily, visibly, publicly – and instantly. Read Matthew 24:30, 31, or 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:3. It will be quicker than any e-mail. Here are words of Jesus: ‘For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day (Luke 17:24).’”

Reverend Bewes goes on to say, “This will be no local happening (‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ – Luke 17:23). That day, the world will not be seeing the Carpenter of Nazareth, wearing Galilean homespun. It will be Jesus in his incandescent brilliance as the Son of Man, as foreseen by Daniel, back in the Old Testament (Daniel 7:13, 14). Centuries later, Peter, James and John were to witness their familiar Master transfigured, as the same irradiated person— in a dramatic preview of Christ’s triumphant final rule (Luke 9:28-36).

He continues to write: “The return of Christ will mark the end of history, as we know it. It will inaugurate the final Judgment. It will re-unite the Lord with his church on earth. It will bring about the new heaven and the new earth. Pain, death, persecution, privation, and sorrow will all be banished. The entire edifice of evil that has raised itself against the rule of God will be dismantled in a moment. As a modern hymn expresses it:

One day great Babylon will tell its ashen story, drunk with her worldly power, her sins piled to the sky; Standing astride her grave, the martyred saints in glory sing their hallelujahs as the smoke goes up on high.”

In conclusion he continues: “We have been warned all along not to place a date or a time upon the Second Coming of Christ (Matthew 24:42-44). Many people ignore this warning and waste endless time in their calculations. The way in which we should be spending our days before the end, is to work, watch and witness – whether yours is a world of computers, e-mail and all the rest!” (Including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

What about you Christian? Are you, like the men of Galilee, standing looking into to sky for Christ or are you about the business of working, watching, and witnessing for the Lord?

Wednesday Devotional, April 21, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

WHERE DID GOD COME FROM?

1 Peter 3:15 ---- but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

This question comes up quite frequently in apologetic circles and sometimes even out of the mouth of babes. The child’s question is much less philosophical sounding than “IF EVERYTHING NEEDS A CAUSE, THEN WHAT CAUSED GOD?” which is often the way it is expressed in philosophical or apologetic discussions. The child’s question is much more to the point and much easier to understand but no less insightful and no less deserving of an answer than what is expressed in philosophical or apologetic conversations. Children usually express their question in this manner “Where did God come from?”

Be patient with me and let me answer the question in the following manner.

"We never stop working for you” was a slogan used a few years ago in television commercials promoting Verizon Wireless as the greatest cell phone service available.  “Can you hear me now?” was another catchy phrase used along with their slogan. Their slogan and the question associated with it were quite successful in terms of marketing their product. Why do I say that? Because the question “Can you hear me now?” was being used by practically every consumer around and not just by those dialoging with someone about cell phone services. It was not uncommon to hear someone use the question somewhere about something while engaging in a conversation with whomever. The marketing experts did a good job in promoting Verizon Wireless.

What does “Can you hear me now?” have to do with the question “If Everything needs a cause then what caused God?” Or as a child might ask “Where did God come from?” It is this. People asking questions about God, especially those who often question His existence or one of His attributes such as His omnipotence do not have a hearing problem i.e. can you hear me now, they have a listening problem. There is a difference!

Let me illustrate it in this manner. Occasionally, not as often as I used to (praise the Lord) I make my way through the drive through at a fast-food establishment to order something to eat and drink. (Don’t tell Annie. I will get in trouble.) I make it a point to be noticeably clear to the person taking my order that I do not want any ice in my drink. Unfortunately, I have to check my drink before I pull away from the service window. Why? Because it is not uncommon to be served a drink full of ice even though I requested clearly “No ice in the drink please.” What happened? One of two things happened. First, they may have forgotten what I ask for and out of habit simply served a drink with ice. Or it is possible that they actually heard my request for no ice in the drink, but they simply did not listen. It is my contention that what fast-food employees are often guilty of is hearing without listening. I suspect fast-food employees are not the only persons guilty of hearing but not listening including pastors and other species of humanity. 

Such may be the case with those who object to God’s existence or some other claim of Christianity with which they claim to be familiar. I’m positive that in some cases critics of Christianity are guilty of hearing but not listening to what the claims of Christianity are regarding God and His existence or attributes. Unfortunately, those critics who hear but do not listen to the claims of Christianity often judge the claims of Christianity erroneously.

In answer to the question of “If everything needs a cause then what caused God?” the answer is: Christians, at least those on their game apologetically do not claim that everything needs a cause. What Christians claim is that everything that has a beginning needs a cause. The Christian apologist Norman Geisler put it like this:

“Only finite, contingent things need a cause. God didn’t have a beginning; He is infinite, and He is necessary. God is the uncaused cause of all finite things. If God needed a cause, we would begin an infinite regress of causes that would never answer the question. As it is, we can’t ask, “Who caused God?” because God is the first cause. You can’t go back any farther than a first.”

I wonder if some critics of Christ and Christianity prefer to hear the claims of Christianity rather than listen to the claims of Christianity because they fear if they were to listen to the claims of Christianity, they would realize their criticisms would be faulty and unfounded.

In the words of Verizon Wireless “Can you hear me now?” God is infinite. He does not have a beginning and therefore does not need a cause. He is the uncaused cause. Are you listening or just hearing?

The child asking the question “Where did God come from?” is probably not interested in an extensive philosophical or apologetic answer but a simple, theologically sound, and biblically accurate answer such as God has no beginning and no end and thus will always be around.

Children are more likely to not only hear what Christians claim about God and His existence but also have a tendency to listen with child-like faith to what is being said and thus accept the claims of Christianity with better understanding than the critic who usually is more interested in talking than he or she is in listening.

Can you hear me now? Or are you hearing but not listening regarding the claims of Christianity.

Wednesday Devotional, April 14, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

SUFFERING AND EVIL AND THE NATURE OF GOD

The presence of evil and suffering in our world are used quite frequently to argue against the teaching of the Bible that God is good, loving and all powerful and has caused many persons to question the loving and all-powerful nature of God. That is, if He truly is infinitely loving, good, (all the time) and all powerful (omnipotent) as the Bible proclaims then why does He allow so much suffering and evil in the world? The classic argument goes something like this: If God is all-good, He would destroy evil. If God is all-powerful, He could destroy evil. But evil is not destroyed. Hence, there is no such God.

Incidentally, the question of suffering and evil and the nature of God has been around for hundreds of years and has been discussed in college and seminary classrooms as well as other venues seemingly since the beginning of time.

Let’s keep this in mind as we discuss the problem of evil and suffering because I doubt that all our questions relative to suffering and evil and the nature of God will be answered with absolute satisfaction for everyone. Perhaps our goal in this devotional should be to broaden our understanding and lighten our burden of concern regarding the concurrence of suffering and evil and the love, goodness, and power of God since they appear to be clashing realities. I say appear because that is simply what it is, an appearance. In reality the presence of evil and suffering in the world does not negate the goodness, love, and omnipotence of God. They can and do co-exist without evil and suffering besmirching the nature of God in terms of His goodness, love, and omnipotence.

The problem is not the nature of God but the faulty thinking and or logic of man. How could a created being (man) who is fallen in nature (sinful) think that he or she is capable of judging fairly, accurately and without prejudice perfect holiness? Such arrogance should be no surprise to anyone who believes in and/or ascribes to the biblical concept of man as a depraved individual. That is, man is a totally depraved individual according to the scriptures, meaning that although man may not be as bad as he can be he is as bad off as he can be in that “total depravity” has affected every aspect of his being, body, soul, mind, spirit, and emotions, etc. Thus, his intellectual ability to understand the nature of God in the context of evil and suffering will lead ultimately to less than accurate conclusions about the nature of God.

With these thoughts in mind let us consider some of the logic utilized by those who conclude that if God were genuinely loving, good and all powerful He would do something about all the evil and suffering in the world. Thus, since evil and suffering are still around there must not be an all loving, powerful, and good God. Their argument is not necessarily an argument denying the existence of God but an argument arguing against a God who is all powerful or genuinely loving or good all the time. If God is all powerful and does nothing about evil and suffering in the world than He must not be genuinely loving or good. If God is genuinely loving and good but does nothing about all the evil and suffering in the world then He must not be all powerful. Some people who use these types of arguments about God do so to suggest that God does not exist at all or at least wise a God who is good all the time, genuinely loving and all powerful does not exist.

What then is a more accurate and biblical approach to the problem of evil and suffering in the world? Norman Geisler a Christian apologist expresses it in the following manner:

(Begin Quote) If God is all-good, He will defeat evil. If God is all-powerful, He can defeat evil. Evil is not yet defeated. Therefore, God can and will one day defeat evil.

The very argument used against the existence of God turns out to be a vindication of God in the face of the problem of evil. There is no question here that if it has not yet happened and God is as we suppose Him to be, that we simply haven’t waited long enough. God isn’t finished yet. The final chapter has not been written. (End Quote)

Those who want a quicker resolution to the conflict between evil and suffering and the nature of God will have to wait. 

Christian, there is really no conflict at all between the loving and all-powerful nature of God and the presence of evil and suffering in the world. The problem is simply a lack of patience on the part of man, believer, and unbeliever alike. As Geisler has written, “God is not finished yet. God can and will one day defeat evil.” The same is true for suffering.

In terms of suffering C. S. Lewis has written “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

I wonder what He may be saying to us today.

Wednesday Devotional, April 7, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

DOES GOD HEAR THE PRAYERS OF AN UNBELIEVER?

Occasionally pastors will need to answer a question regarding Christ and Christianity from someone who is reluctant to ask because the question reveals a lack of basic biblical knowledge on the part of the questioner. Often times the reluctance is present because the questioner feels he or she will be embarrassed by their lack of basic biblical knowledge even though they have attended church, at least off and on, for several years. Such was the case a few days ago when I was asked if Christ ascended into heaven in bodily form or did His spirit simply ascend to heaven with His body remaining somewhere on earth. The person was reluctant to ask because of the fear of being embarrassed by their lack of biblical knowledge or should I say their lack of sound biblical theology. I responded very simply with the answer, “He ascended in bodily form.” I further explained that Christ is in heaven in bodily form seated at the right hand of the Father where He now exercises His heavenly ministry to us on earth. With this experience in mind perhaps it would be beneficial, to student and teacher alike, to spend a few weeks in our devotionals utilizing a question-and-answer format. So, this we will do.

First question: Does God hear the prayers of an unbeliever? This question demands that we consider it in an objective manner as do most if not all questions addressed to us about God. There is a sense in which the answer is “yes.” However, there is also a sense in which the answer is “no.” The answer is “yes” in the sense that He is aware of or cognizant of every prayer mankind may utter. God is omniscient so nothing uttered by mankind escapes His awareness. In fact the psalmist says this in Psalm 139:1-4

O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, you know it all. Psalm 139:23-24 reads as follows: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. God is aware of every word that proceeds from the mouth of man, including words constituting prayer or otherwise. Thus, the answer to this question is “yes.”

On the other hand the answer is “no.” “No” in the sense that although He is cognizant of an unbeliever’s prayers He may not “act on” those prayers for one reason or another according to His perfect will and holiness. In fact John, the Lord’s disciple has written, “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him (John 9:31) The apostle Peter writes, “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL” (1 Peter 3:12). Once again the words of the psalmist are applicable in regards to this question. He writes, “If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; (Psalm 66:18). Thus, the answer to this question is also “no.”

I suppose by this time someone may be asking “What about the unbeliever’s prayer for salvation?” Or they may be asking “What about Romans 10:13 which says, “…for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Personally, I believe God promises to respond favorably to any unbeliever’s prayer for salvation. Romans 10:13 is a promise in that regard and since God is infinitely faithful to His promises and indescribably gracious the unbeliever’s prayer for salvation will always be answered favorably with forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life.

However, any prayer from an unbeliever that may be considered as something that does not invoke the promises of God or challenge His integrity relative to His promises may be answered favorably simply because of the sheer graciousness of God. I have no reason to doubt there have been circumstances in the life of unbelievers where they have prayed a kind of “foxhole prayer” desperately wanting the Lord to come through with a positive response to their prayer and He has done so simply because He is infinitely gracious, kind, and merciful. 

So, in answer to the question “Does God hear the prayers of an unbeliever? The answer is “Yes” and “No” depending on the circumstances, the heart of man, his reverence for God and the fact that some prayers of an unbeliever may be answered favorably simply because of the “sheer” graciousness of God and His love for mankind.

Once again, the psalmist says “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:10-11)

Wednesday Devotional, March 31, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE REALITY OF ETERNITY: HE IS ALIVE

I have never been to Milan, Italy. Perhaps you have but I have not. Nevertheless, I believe it exists and that it is the location of the second largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The cathedral has a triple doorway entrance with different inscriptions written above each door. Although I have never been there and thus seen with my own eyes the inscriptions written above the triple doorway, I have no reason to doubt the existence of Milan, Italy, the Gothic cathedral, or the inscriptions above each door. In their regard I am walking by faith not by sight.

Imagine for a moment you are standing on the outside of the cathedral at the triple doorway ready to enter and you look above each doorway and notice an inscription written above each entrance. Above the doorway to your right is an inscription that reads, “All that pleases is but for a moment.” Above the doorway to your left is an inscription that reads, “All that troubles is but for a moment.” Then you notice above the center door are the words: “Nothing is important save that which is eternal.” 

Hmnn, “Nothing is important save that which is eternal.” What do you think this statement says about life on earth? What does it say to you? To me it says, life in this world is temporary but waiting for us all is eternity. Eternity is a reality and it obviously lasts forever. I suppose otherwise, it would not be eternal. How often do you think of eternity or do you rarely think of it at all? Whether we think of it or not all human beings will end up in it someday.

The Lord Jesus had something to say about eternity. He says it is a reality. In fact, come to think about it He came from eternity and is now once again present in eternity. That is, HE IS ALIVE! In fact, He is in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father. The apostle John put it this way in the book of Revelation: “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He (Jesus Christ) placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades (Revelation 1:17-18).

Let us hasten to say that although all human beings will some day face eternity not all human beings will automatically go to heaven. Eternity should not be mistaken as heaven for everybody. Eternity is for everybody in that every human being will live forever but not all human beings will live forever in heaven. Unfortunately, some will spend an eternity in hell. Only those who prepare for eternity in heaven by placing their faith in Christ alone for salvation will spend eternity with the Lord. 

The testimony of our Lord found in Revelation 1:17-18 is a testimony to the reality of eternity. He described himself as the first and the last, the living One who was dead and is now alive forevermore which is a testimony to the reality of eternity and the reality of life after death i.e., the resurrection. 

Friend, Jesus Christ is alive! Thus, eternity is real. The question is: “Will your eternity be spent in heaven or hell?”

What does all this have to do with a cathedral in Milan, Italy? Well, I am glad you ask that question. Let me remind you of what I said earlier. I said, I have never been to Milan, Italy and I have never stood outside the second largest Gothic Cathedral in the world and read the inscriptions above the triple doorways. However, I do believe Milan, Italy is an actual geographical location, I also believe the world’s second largest Gothic cathedral is located there and that its entrance involves a triple doorway with inscriptions above each door. I have never been there, mind you, but I do believe in Milan, Italy and the cathedral located there. There is no doubt a multitude of witnesses to the existence of Milan and the cathedral.

I also have never stood outside the tomb of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, nor have I witnessed the empty tomb. I have not spoken to anyone who had firsthand knowledge of His death, burial, and resurrection but nevertheless I believe that eternity and the resurrection of Christ are realities and that those who have accepted Christ as savior and Lord will someday spend eternity with the Lord in heaven. I am just as certain of this as I am of the reality of Milan, Italy and the cathedral located there as well as the inscriptions especially “Nothing is important save that which is eternal.” 

If your faith is in Christ alone for salvation, then “…Do not be afraid; … “an eternity in heaven awaits you.  

Wednesday Devotional, March 24, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE SEAL OF GOD AND THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION*

There are several aspects or approaches to the doctrine of salvation that deserve consideration before one concludes that the scriptures teach the eternal security of believers and assurance of salvation thereof. However, no approach to the teaching of eternal security and assurance of salvation is as important as the approach that considers the character of God as the most significant aspect of salvation that assures believers of their status as children of God. That is, the Lord does not vacillate on His promises. He is not a “yes” God today and a “no” God tomorrow relative to His promises regarding salvation to all who believe. 

To put it another way God is not a “wishy washy” being unstable in His ways regarding any of the promises He makes to mankind including the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Christ as Savior and Lord. He is a God of perfect character who says what He means and means what He says and will by no means fail to fulfill any of His promises.

Thus, with His character in mind especially as it relates to the eternal security of the believer and the subsequent assurance of salvation, we can be sure that those who have placed their faith in Christ alone for salvation will some day be walking the streets of gold regardless of how they may feel today. Why? Because He is of flawless character and will by no means go back on His promises or fail in getting all who believe in Him to their heavenly home. Eternal security and the assurance of salvation is not dependent upon believers holding on to Him but Him holding onto believers. He Himself said. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

The apostle Paul also had something to say about the character of God and the assurance of salvation. He put it like this in his second letter to the church at Corinth.

Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (vv. 15–20)

One source explains the above-mentioned verse in this manner (Begin Quote) What is Paul saying here? Simply that God does not vacillate on His promises. He does not say “Yes” and “No.” All of His promises, the apostle tells us, are firmly established by the divine character, which is marked by faithfulness.

Then Paul goes on to say, ‘And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Cor. 1:21–22). There it is again—the guarantee of the Spirit. But not only do we have the guarantee or the earnest of the Spirit, we also are sealed by the Holy Ghost. Paul tells us here in 2 Corinthians that the King of the universe places His indelible mark on the soul of every one of His people. He not only gives us an ironclad guarantee, but He also seals us for the day of redemption. (End Quote)

Friend, if your faith is in Christ alone for salvation you are eternally secure and will some day claim your citizenship in heaven. I can assure you of this because of who He is i.e. the one and only true God of flawless character who will by no means fail to keep His promise of eternal life to all who believe.

*This is the last devotional dealing with the assurance of salvation. A new topic will be introduced next Wednesday March 31.

Wednesday Devotional, March 17, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND A CHANGED LIFE

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

I have made the following statement on more than one occasion while standing in the pulpit preaching on a Sunday morning. I cannot recall making the statement recently, but I know without a doubt I have made it in the past. What is it? No one, and I do mean no one who has had a genuine conversion experience, i.e. truly been born again by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone can or will remain as they were prior to their conversion. It is biblically sound, accurate and absolutely correct to say that no one can meet Christ in regard to salvation and remain the same. If a person has had a genuine conversion experience he or she will undoubtedly change in some fashion. The change may come initially in a dramatic fashion or the change may simply be in small increments but nevertheless there will be changes that reflect a supernatural encounter with our living Lord. Again, let me say it is impossible to meet Christ in a “salvation fashion” and not be changed.

Well now pastor! What about the carnal Christian? Is there such a creature as a carnal Christian? If so, what does a carnal Christian look like? At the risk of sounding like someone speaking out of both sides of his mouth let me say that the answer to the question “Is there such a creature as a carnal Christian?” is “It depends on what you mean by CARNAL.” Let me explain. Is it possible for a Christian to be carnal? The answer is yes. However, there is no such creature as a carnal Christian. There is a difference between someone who is a Christian and on occasion acts or behaves or believes in a carnal fashion and someone who is invariably carnal but yet claims to be a child of God.

When someone is born again, they may initially be carnal. However, when genuine conversion takes place the Holy Spirit indwells the new believer and as a result the disposition of his or her heart changes. The indwelling Holy Spirit does not immediately annihilate the flesh. As I have said before, from the pulpit, when we are saved our sinful nature does not move out it simply moves over, and the resulting issue is a “civil war” that takes place in our lives continuously this side of heaven. Theologians would say the carnal dimension still wages war with us. The flesh battles with the Spirit throughout the entire Christian life, and there are times when we are more or less carnal (Gal. 5:17*). There is no dispute about this.

However, on occasion you may hear someone being described as a carnal Christian meaning that he or she is unchanged by the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When the term is used this way, it does not describe a Christian but an unregenerate person. Why? Because the person who is supposedly a Christian remains the same in his or her soul or disposition. Thus, they have never truly and genuinely been born again. If they had there would be a change of heart reflected in a change of behavior because of the supernatural presence if the indwelling Holy Spirit.

I have mentioned, once again from the pulpit, that sound theology goes a long way in confirming a believer of his or her salvation. Thus it is absolutely indispensable that we understand that regeneration (being born again) is something that the Holy Spirit does that really and truly changes a person; it changes the very disposition of his or her soul. If a person is truly regenerate and manifests faith, it is impossible for that person not to bring forth some measure of obedience.

Friend, are you struggling with the assurance of your salvation? Perhaps it is time to look introspectively in an effort to determine how you have changed or if you have changed as a result of your commitment to Christ. If there has been a genuine conversion, there will be without a doubt in your life some measure of obedience to HIM.

*Galatians 5:17 ----For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Wednesday Devotional, March 10, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE “EARNEST” OF THE SPIRIT AND THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Saturday, March 6, 2021 in a memorial service I spoke of the pledge of the Spirit mentioned in Second Corinthians 5:1-5. It reads as follows:

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

A couple of days later I came across an article written by Dr. R. C. Sproul, who is now in heaven, explaining the earnest of the Spirit or as Paul put it in the above-mentioned scripture “who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” Let’s allow him to explain to us the “Earnest of the Spirit” mentioned in the title of this article.

He writes: “Other translations of the Bible render the word guarantee as earnest. The language here comes from the commercial world of the ancient Greeks. Today, about the only time we hear the word earnest used as a noun is in the arena of real estate. If you are interested in buying a home and you want to sign the initial contract for the sellers to take the home off the market, they will ask you to give what some people call “earnest money.” They don’t want to deal with people who are just playing around with the idea of buying a house; they want people who are “earnest” about it—in other words, people who are serious about it. The idea in 2 Corinthians 5:5 is that the Spirit, when He regenerates us, not only changes the disposition of our hearts and the inclination of our souls, but He also becomes for us the earnest, or the guarantee, of full and final payment.

When I buy something over a period of time, I have to make a down payment. Now we know that there are many people who enter into contracts, make a few payments, then renege. Sometimes a person’s house is foreclosed, or his car is repossessed because he fails to keep the terms of a contract. With the down payment, he promises to pay the whole amount, but people don’t always come through. However, when God makes a down payment on something, that down payment is His word. It is His promise that He will, in fact, pay the whole amount. This is the language Paul is using when he says that when we’re born of the Spirit, not only does the Spirit change our hearts, our souls, and our wills, but He gives to us the pledge—the guarantee—that the fullness of our salvation will be realized.

People overlook this fact when they say, “Well, I may be saved today, but tomorrow I could lose it.” This ignores the biblical truth that God finishes what He starts. When He makes a down payment, the rest will be paid—guaranteed. This is a firm basis for our assurance.”

Christians, two verses come to mind when I think of Paul’s comments to the Christians at Corinth. The first one I mentioned in a previous article about the assurance of salvation. It is Romans 8:16 and reads as follows: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” 

The second verse is Philippians 1:6 and reads, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

These two verses coupled with Second Corinthians 5:5 should be enough to convince us of our salvation. Because of Him and the work of the Holy Spirit we can sing with assurance Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It --- Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb… Redeemed by His infinite mercy His child and forever I am.  

Wednesday Devotional, March 3, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

GOOD THEOLOGY AND ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Poor theology leads to a false assurance of salvation. Biblically sound theology leads to an authentic, genuine, and confident assurance of salvation not based on our feelings but on the trustworthiness of the word of God.

Perhaps one of the biggest issues Christians must deal with at times regarding the assurance of salvation is the issue of feelings versus faith or the trustworthiness of the word of God. Some Christians allow their feelings to trump their faith and trust in the integrity or veracity of the word of God. When this happens one of the questions the person doubting his or her salvation needs to ask themselves is “Am I trusting my feelings more so than I am trusting the word of God?”

Several verses come to mind as we consider the trustworthiness of the Scriptures regarding the assurance of salvation. One of the first is Romans 8:16 which reads, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” Assurance of salvation is a ministry of the Holy Spirit that is, He is involved in our assurance meaning that the assurance of salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit who works in our lives convincing us of our true relationship with Christ. We just know that we know that we know because of the work of the Holy Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are a child of God.  

There are several other passages of scripture that speak of the assurance of salvation in a direct or inferential manner. Two of those passages are as follows:

John 6:38–40 ---- 38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing but raise it up on the last day. 40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”  

John 10:27–30 ---- 27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.”

One of the biblical truths regarding the assurance of salvation is the truth that a believer’s salvation is not dependent upon the believer holding on to God but God holding on to the believer. Note the words of the Lord found in John 6:39 “…that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing but raise it up in the last day.” Note also verse forty.

If you fast forward to John 10:28-29 you find the same truth or promise from the Lord. Believers, that is genuine believers, are assured of salvation because He is holding on to them and the promise is “…no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

One of the steps you can take if you are struggling with the assurance of your salvation is to renew your faith in the trustworthiness of scripture and also the character and integrity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is God and He cannot lie. If He promises salvation to all who believe, and He does then rest assured if you are a genuine believer in Him you have a home in heaven with your name on the deed and He will get you there.

Perhaps the words of Martin Luther (1483-1546) would be helpful. Someone asked Luther:

"Do you feel that you have been forgiven?"

He answered: "No, but I'm as sure as there's a God in heaven.

For feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving;

My warrant is the Word of God, naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned for want of some sweet token,

There is One greater than my heart whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word till soul and body sever;

For though all things shall pass away, his Word shall stand forever!"

Here’s to the assurance of salvation and the trustworthiness of His word. Amen!

Next week we will deal with the doctrine of perseverance of the saints in an effort to further convince believers who may be struggling with their salvation that heaven is their home.

Wednesday Devotional, February 24, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

(Part 7)

1 John 5:13

There are at least three basic misunderstandings of salvation that can lead to a false sense of assurance of salvation. The first is sacerdotalism. Sacerdotalism is trusting in the sacraments for salvation i.e., participating in the observance of the Lord Supper for one’s salvation and/or trusting in one’s baptism as a means to salvation. Trusting in either one of these or both as a means to one’s salvation will result in tragic disappointment on judgment day. Tragic because it is not true, it is false teaching resulting from poor theology and tragic because once the Lord declares on judgment day that He does not know us and says “Depart from me you workers of iniquity” it will be too late to do anything about it.

The third basic misunderstanding of salvation leading to a false sense of assurance is universalism. The basic teaching of Universalism relative to salvation is that everyone is saved and thus goes to heaven when they die.

One of the major fallacies of Universalism, and I do mean MAJOR, is that it completely ignores the biblical teaching of judgment followed by eternal damnation for anyone who refuses to believe in Christ as Savior and Lord. Afterall, if everyone is saved then there is no need for judgment in terms of damnation. Why? Because everybody is automatically saved and goes to heaven when they die.

Anyone buying into this false teaching could easily conclude and usually does that they are going to heaven when they die simply because salvation is universal to mankind. Their thinking is along the lines of the following premise. First, every person goes to heaven. Second, I am a person. Third, therefore I will go to heaven. This kind of thinking leads to a false assurance of salvation and will result only in indescribable disappointment when one stands before the Lord on judgment day.

Consider the words R. C. Sproul as he writes regarding Universalism: “People like to think that the threat of a last judgment was invented by fire-and-brimstone evangelists such as Billy Sunday, Dwight L. Moody, Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield. But no one taught more clearly about the last judgment and a division between heaven and hell than Jesus Himself. In fact, Jesus talked more about hell than He did about heaven, and He warned His hearers that on that last day, every idle word would come into judgment. But if there’s anything unredeemed human beings want to repress psychologically, it’s that threat of final, comprehensive judgment, because none of them wants to be held accountable for his sins. Therefore, nothing is more appealing to human beings than universalism—the idea that all are saved.”

Universalism, sacerdotalism relative to salvation and legalism i.e. saved by our works are all false teachings due to poor theology and lead only to a false sense of assurance of one’s salvation. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that sound biblical theology be taught, preached, and understood if a believer in Christ expects to have a solid, true, and genuine assurance of his or her salvation. (See 1 John 5:13)

Next week we will begin discussing how believers can develop a biblically true and sound basis for the assurance of salvation. Since poor theology results in false assurance of salvation it is reasonable to conclude that sound biblical theology will lead believers to true and genuine assurance of salvation and so that is where we will begin next week. Afterall we would all rather hear on judgment day i.e. the judgment seat of Christ for believers “Well done thou good and faithful servant” than to hear from our Lord on that day “Depart from me I never knew you.”

Wednesday Devotional, February 17, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

(Part 6)

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

Last week I mentioned that one of the primary misunderstandings of salvation that can lead to a false sense of assurance of salvation is a salvation rooted in sacerdotalism. If you do not understand sacerdotalism read last week’s devotional Assurance of Salvation Part 5.

The second reason why some folks have a false assurance of salvation is an understanding that salvation is obtained through works. Today’s devotional explains this.

I mentioned last week that the words of our Lord found in Matthew 7:21-23 are some of the scariest words found in the New Testament. They represent persons who appear before the Lord on judgment day confident they are born again. However, they discover, unfortunately too late, that their assurance of salvation is false. It is false because their understanding of salvation was about doing, that is a works salvation, an understanding much along the same lines as that of the rich young ruler who came to Christ and said, “Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) Thus, an understanding of salvation as a system of works may lead a person to a false assurance of salvation which in the end can only result in the Lord saying, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

One of the problems of a “works salvation” is not only that it leads to a false sense of assurance regarding salvation, but it also often results in a legalistic approach to the Christian life or as it may also be described, a life of legalism or a sense of self-righteousness. Let me illustrate what I mean by a “works salvation” or “a life of legalism” or “a life of self-righteousness.”

One of the best questions I have ever heard or used in personal evangelism in an effort to determine what or who a person is trusting in for salvation is “Suppose you were to die tonight and stand before God and He said to you ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’ what would you say?” Now, let me explain further. I have taught Evangelism Explosion several times over the course of my ministry. Evangelism Explosion is a personal soul winning method designed to determine what or who a person is trusting in for salvation. In the early stages of using this method in my ministry I was surprised by the answers I received when I asked the previously mentioned question. However, presently I am no longer surprised at the answers I hear when I ask the question. More often than not the answers I received even from those who had been in the church for several years was a works answer. They would respond to the question proposed to them from the Lord “Why should I let you into my heaven?” with the following answers, all of which represent a works salvation. Many would say, “Well, I have been baptized.” Another would say, “I am a member of such and such a church.” A third one may say, “I’m a deacon in my local church.” In addition, some would say I serve in the nursery” or in some other capacity. Others would say “Well, I have lived a good life” or they may say, “I give a tithe.” Every single one of these answers are works answers and reveal the fact that those trusting in these things have an understanding of salvation as a system of works. Any individual trusting in these things to get them into the kingdom of heaven is trusting in himself or herself for salvation. Such a trust is a misguided trust and could easily lead someone to a false assurance of salvation and ultimately to rejection from the Lord on judgment day.

Friend, please know and understand that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Trusting in anything or anyone other than Christ will not get you into the kingdom of heaven.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome and said, “For by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight.” He wrote to the church in Ephesus and said, “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.” He wrote to Titus and said, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

Once again, let me say if you are trusting in anything or anyone other than Christ for salvation while feeling assured of your salvation then there is a good chance you have a false sense of security. The wisest move you can make to solidify your salvation is to transfer your trust to Christ alone and let the Holy Spirit assure you of your salvation.

Romans 8:16 ---- The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.

Wednesday Devotional, February 10, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

(Part 5)

Matthew 7:21-23

One of the scariest passages of scripture found in the New Testament is Matthew 7:21-23. It is the word of the Lord to His disciples that should throw a fright into anyone who has even the most minute level of spiritual discernment or interest.  The words are:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

The persons hearing these words from the Lord on the day of judgment fall into the category of persons in this life who are confident they are saved but in reality, are not. It is these persons who will be extremely surprised and shocked when they hear the Lord say, “I never knew you; depart from me,…...” Personally, I cannot think of anything more tragic than to live your life fully convinced you are going to heaven when you die only to discover, when it is too late to do anything about it, that in reality you are not born again and are therefore doomed to eternal damnation. The question that comes to mind is “Will there be persons in this spiritual condition standing before Lord on judgment day?” According to the Lord the answer is yes.

Dr. R. C. Sproul mentions this category of people in his writings. He writes, “Ligonier Ministries once conducted a tour of Reformation sites, following the footsteps of Martin Luther. We went through the various places in what had been Eastern Europe and East Germany, where Luther carried out his ministry. We went to Erfurt, Wittenberg, Worms, Nuremberg, and other such places. One day we visited a site, and then we were free for lunch on our own. Groups of people from the tour went different directions into the town, and we had instructions as to the place and time we were to regroup for the tour. Well, a group of us wandered around the town and had our lunch, but when we came out of the restaurant, we couldn’t remember which way we had come. We said to each other, “How do we get back to the bus?” At that point, one woman in our group said, “I know the way.” So she went to the front of the line and started walking through this town, and we all followed her. Soon it was apparent we weren’t going in the right direction, and I began to get a little worried. So I said, “Excuse me, Mary, are you sure we’re going the right way?” She said, “Yes, I’m positive.” I felt relieved, but after a couple more steps she turned around to say, “Of course, I’m always sure, but I’m rarely right.”

Dr. Sproul continues, “People who exude confidence that they’re on their way to heaven are a bit like that woman. They “know” they are Christians. They’re sure of their salvation; it’s not something they worry about. The only problem is their assurance is false assurance.”

The primary reason there will be people standing before the Lord on judgment day confident they are born again only to hear the Lord say “I never knew you; Depart from me…” is because of a faulty understanding of genuine salvation. That is, a faulty understanding of what it takes to be justified before God.

One of the primary misunderstandings of salvation is a salvation rooted in sacerdotalism. That is, anyone trusting in his or her participation in the sacraments, the Lord’s Supper or Baptism as a means to salvation will no doubt be disappointed on judgment day. Such a theology regarding salvation can only lead to a false sense of assurance that one will go to heaven when they die. If someone is trusting in the fact that they have participated in the observance of the Lord’s Supper or have been baptized or trusting in both to get them into the kingdom of heaven will no doubt hear those dreadful words from the Lord on judgment day. If participating in the sacraments is essential to salvation, then salvation is not by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

There are two more prominent reasons why some folks develop a false sense of assurance regarding their salvation. However, until next week when these two reasons will be discussed please consider seriously the truth that if you are trusting in anything (the sacraments or something else, church membership, etc.) or anyone other than Christ including yourself to get into the kingdom of heaven you are being misguided and may very well have a false sense of security regarding your salvation and thus subject to hearing those dreadful words of Matthew 7:21-23 from the Lord on judgment day.

Friend you do not have to be a Mary. That is, always sure but rarely right. The apostle John says we can be sure, and we can be right. (1 John 5:13)

Wednesday Devotional, February 3, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Part 4

Romans 1:18-32; 10:8-10

Several years ago during my first pastorate out of seminary I promised a member of the church I was pastoring that I would make a special effort to visit her husband who, according to her, was very unfriendly toward Christians and pastors in particular and definitely in need of being born again. So, one evening during the week I decided to visit him. When I arrived, he met me at the door. I am not sure if he saw me coming up the steps and decided immediately to meet me at the door or if he just happened to be near the front door and decided to answer it. At any rate he was the one who opened the door and once he realized who I was he let me know immediately that he was not interested in anything I might have to say about his relationship to Christ. In fact, my meeting with him only lasted about thirty seconds. I didn’t make it off the front stoop into his home. He said that he had no interest in talking to me and that when he died, he would probably end up in hell. His wife was right in her assessment of his attitude toward Christianity and pastors.

Incidentally, I have never had anyone since that encounter who has been as angry and rude regarding Christianity and the need for salvation as was this man. I suspect he has already stepped into eternity because when I visited him, he was already middle-aged and my encounter with him took place in the 70’s. That’s 19 not 18. (Ha! Ha!)

This person was a prime example of an individual who was unsaved and knew it. I’m sure R. C. Sproul would place him in the category of “People Who Are Unsaved and Know It.” It appears that Dr. Sproul encountered someone similar to the person I met several years ago. What does Dr. Sproul say about these persons? 

(Begin Article) --- The man I encountered in Cincinnati exemplified this category of people—those who are unsaved and know it. It may seem strange to us that there could be such people, especially since many today assume that everyone goes to heaven when they die. However, the apostle Paul speaks of this category of people at the end of Romans chapter one. After giving a list of all the various sins and vices that fallen humanity practices, he comes to the conclusion that fallen people not only do these things but encourage others to do them—despite knowing that those who do such things are deserving of death (v. 32).

Paul is telling us in Romans one that people do not have to be exposed to biblical preaching to be aware of their lost condition. Through God’s natural revelation, as God writes His law on the hearts of people and implants His Word in the human mind by way of conscience, people know that they are culpable for their behavior and that they are out of fellowship with their Creator.

On the surface, many people deny that they are in danger of the wrath of God; they may even deny the existence of God. But the Bible says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues” (Prov. 28:1), so beneath the surface and behind the facade of natural fallen humanity, there is an awareness of serious trouble before God. That’s why we have the phenomenon of “foxhole conversions,” when people, in the last days of their lives, suddenly sober up, call for the priest or the minister, and attempt to get their eternal life insurance.

You might have heard the story of W. C. Fields, who, when he was lying on his deathbed, astonished those who knew him by leafing through a Bible. One friend said to him, “W. C., what are you doing?” Fields replied, “Looking for loopholes.” Though his answer was couched in his typical humor, it is clear that Fields was aware that he was in a very precarious state as he was about to face his Maker.

As difficult as it may be to believe, there are people who are unsaved and know it. They know that they are not in a state of grace, that they are out of fellowship with God, and that they are estranged from Him. We might say they have a negative form of assurance. (End Article)

Church family, one of the most basic doctrines to understand is the doctrine of salvation. That is, salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. For someone to know they are not in a state of grace and yet have no concern about their eternal destiny is the epitome of foolishness. Unfortunately, I suspect the gentleman I spoke to as I stood on his front stoop several years ago ready to share with him the message of the gospel may have already found out just how foolish he had been.

Friend don’t be foolish! My advice to you is count the cost of coming to Christ but come to Christ at any cost. 

Wednesday Devotional, January 27, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Part 3

2 Peter 3:1-11; 2 Cor. 13:5

Let us review. Last week I mentioned the writings of R. C. Sproul regarding four different types of people in the world relative to the assurance of salvation. Basically, he says when it comes to the assurance of salvation there are four kinds of people in the world. He also states that every living person, without exception, can be assigned to one of these categories. The categories are: 1) those who are saved and know it, 2) those who are saved but do not know it, 3) those who are unsaved and know it, and 4) those who are unsaved but do not know it.

Last week I posted the first category of individuals he mentions in regard to the assurance of salvation i.e. those who are saved and know it. This week the second category is in order, i.e. those who are saved but do not know it. 

Church family let me offer to you the words of Dr. Sproul in an effort to help anyone in our church family or anyone in general as a Christian who may be struggling with the assurance of their salvation.

Dr. Sproul writes: “I have already mentioned that some (such as Roman Catholics) challenge the validity of the first group (those who are saved and know it) by claiming that assurance of salvation is generally unattainable. Likewise, others claim that it is impossible to really be in a state of grace and not know it. They argue that the very content of saving faith is a trust in a Savior whom you believe will save you. So if a person thinks he has faith but lacks confidence that Jesus Christ is saving him, does he really have faith at all?

Part of the problem has to do with a popular view of Christianity that insists on a dramatic conversion. Some people do come to Christ that way. Billy Graham, for example, can tell the day and the hour when he became a Christian. He points back to a particular day when he went to an evangelistic meeting after playing in a baseball game. An itinerate evangelist named Mordecai Ham was preaching, and Graham went forward and had a sudden conversion that turned his life upside down. I experienced the same kind of conversion. I know exactly the time when I met Christ. I can tell you the date, the hour, the place, and how it happened. Other people, however, cannot identify even the year when they became Christians. For example, Ruth Graham, Billy’s wife, did not know when she was converted.

In the church, we tend to make our own experiences normative for everyone. People who have had sudden, dramatic, Damascus road-type conversions that can be pinpointed to the day and hour sometimes become suspicious of people who have not had that kind of experience. They wonder whether a person who cannot point to a specific day and hour can really be a Christian. At the same time, those who do not know the day and the hour sometimes are suspicious of those who claim that they know exactly when they first believed. The bottom line is this: Nowhere does Scripture say we have to know the exact time of our conversion.

Here’s where the plot thickens and becomes a bit problematic. No one is half-regenerate or semi-regenerate; you are either born of the Spirit of God or you are not. Regeneration, which is that work of God by which we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, is a real work of conversion, and it happens instantly by the work of the Holy Spirit, so that a person is either in that state or not. There is no process of regeneration; it is instantaneous.

But if that’s the case, doesn’t that raise suspicions about people who cannot state the day and the hour of their conversion? No. We need to distinguish between a conversion and a conversion experience. Furthermore, we need to recognize that not everyone is instantly aware of the moment when the Spirit of God does His supernatural work within his or her soul. That’s why it’s extremely dangerous to create categories by which we evaluate people whose experiences do not match our own.

In fact, as much as I talk about my conversion experience—which, as I said, I can pinpoint to the day and hour—I realize that such an experience may not actually correspond to the work of God in a person’s soul. God the Holy Spirit may regenerate a person a week, a month, or even five years before he experiences the reality of what has already happened internally. So even my confidence with regard to a particular date and time of conversion applies only to my experience of conversion, not to the fact of it, because we can fool ourselves in terms of our experience.

Actually, one of the most dangerous things we can do as Christians is to determine our theology by our experience, because no one’s experience is normative for the Christian life. We have to determine our theology from the Word of God, not from what we feel. Not only that, but we are also open to misunderstanding and misinterpreting the meaning and significance of the experiences we go through. That’s why we are called to check our experiences against Scripture, so that we define our faith by what Scripture says, not by what we feel or what we experience. If we rest our assurance on an experience and not on the Word of God, we’re inviting all kinds of doubts to assail us in our pilgrimages. We need to seek authentic knowledge of our salvation, not just some warm and fuzzy experience.

It is this category of people that is in view when Peter urges believers to diligence in making their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:3–11). It would be foolish to give such an admonition to people who are already sure. Peter’s teaching, then, signifies that people can be in a state of salvation without actually having the assurance of it.”

Church family let me repeat what R. C. Sproul wrote “We need to seek authentic knowledge of our salvation, not just some warm and fuzzy experience.” Please know if you are struggling with the assurance of your salvation you can have “authentic knowledge” of your salvation. How do I know you can have authentic knowledge of your salvation? Well, because the Bible says so or should I say the Lord says so. First John chapter five verse thirteen puts it like this: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Wednesday Devotional, January 20, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Part 2

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you— unless indeed you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5

R. C. Sproul was an author, a preacher, pastor, seminary professor and most importantly a Christian. I have listened to a few of his sermons and read a few of his books and pamphlets, etc. and found them to be spiritually enlightening and extremely helpful in my own life as a Christian. 

Recently I was reading some of his writings regarding the assurance of salvation and discovered some helpful thoughts on the subject of salvation and the issue of a believer’s assurance. I wish to share them with you and hope they will be helpful to you as well.

Basically, he says when it comes to the assurance of salvation there are four kinds of people in the world. He also states that every living person, without exception, can be assigned to one of these categories. The categories are: 1) those who are saved and know it, 2) those who are saved but do not know it, 3) those who are unsaved and know it, and 4) those who are unsaved but do not know it.

Friend, which of these categories do you believe you fit into? However, before you rush to a decision regarding which category you fit into please take time to consider each category as explained by R. C. Sproul. We will consider each category one at a time for the next four weeks and then get back to the reasons why the assurance of salvation appears to be such an issue in the life of many Christians.

People Who Are Saved and Know It

BEGIN R. C. SPROUL’S EXPLANATION: The first category is people who are saved and know it. These people have full assurance that they are in a state of grace. It is a settled matter for them.

You probably have been in discussions where you asked someone a question, he gave some affirmation or assertion, and you replied, “Are you sure?” He said, “Yes, I’m sure.” Your next question was, “Are you sure you’re sure?” When we talk about certitude or certainty, we’re talking not simply about philosophical categories. Instead, we are describing, in a sense, our emotional state with respect to various questions or assertions.

Assurance of truth claims operates on a broad continuum. For example, someone could say to you, “Do you believe that God exists?” There is a range of answers you could give to that question. You could say, “No, I don’t,” “I don’t think so,” “I don’t know, but I hope so,” “Maybe,” “Yes, I believe in God,” or “Of course I believe in God.”

Each of those answers describes a different level of intensity of confidence that attends a proposition or an assertion.

So when we speak of assurance of salvation, we’re not talking about mathematical certitude, such as belief in the idea that two plus two equals four. We’re talking about assurance of a personal state, and the intensity of that assurance vacillates from day to day. There are days when someone might say to me, “R. C., are you sure you’re saved?” and I would say, “Absolutely.” The next day, if I’m under the burden of guilt, I might say, “You know, I think so.” There are ups and downs in the Christian life.

Yet, true assurance survives the doubts, for as we will see, it is based on more than feelings. The person in this category has a foundation from which he can say, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim. 1:12, NKJV). (END OF R. C.’s EXPLANATION)

Church family, are you among those who are saved and know it? If you aren’t you can be.

Wednesday Devotional, January 13, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

One of the questions many Christians appear to struggle with at least once in their Christian life and/or walk is the assurance of salvation. I have never read a survey regarding the percentage of Christians who may or have struggled with the assurance of salvation but based upon my experience as a minister for forty-five plus years I would say that the percentage is probably pretty significant. 

Please know that the purpose of this devotional as well as the ones to follow in the next few weeks is not to generate a lack of assurance of salvation in anyone’s life but simply to encourage them to make sure of their calling to salvation as Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to do when he said “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5).

With these thoughts in mind let us consider some of the reasons why we Christians may struggle with the assurance of our salvation.

First, there is the age-old issue of controversy in the church regarding the doctrine of assurance. If you are a member of the Catholic-Church, you have probably been taught that no one can be sure of his or her salvation with the exception of a few special persons whom the Lord has blessed with special revelation regarding the true status of their relationship with Him. That is, a few saints have received a special revelation of their status with Him, however, the average church member cannot know if he or she is born again. 

Then there are those who simply say and/or believe that no one can know for certain they are going to heaven when they die until they actually step into eternity through death. Thus, they live their entire lives wondering and often times feeling quite anxious about life after death and whether they will actually go to heaven when they die.

Then there are individuals and churches that teach that salvation is a “on again off again” experience. That is, one day you may have salvation but the next day, because of behavior or some other reason, you lose your salvation and thus are no longer at peace about going to heaven when you step through death’s door. 

In addition there is also the teaching that salvation is a sure thing for those who are born again. That is, salvation and the assurance of salvation are two sides of the same coin. Often times this teaching is expressed in the saying “Once saved always saved.” Or someone may speak of the eternal security of the believer. This is just another way of expressing the idea that assurance of salvation is possible and is actually the Christian norm for those who have had a genuine Christian conversion, (See 1 John 5:13).

So, it is not uncommon for Christians to struggle with the doctrine of assurance because of the differing teachings of the church. The Catholic teaching and the teachings even within Protestantism regarding the assurance of salvation are quite different. No wonder Christians are confused and struggle so much with the assurance of salvation.

Second, assurance of salvation may be escaping us because of our awareness of one of the scariest passages of scripture found in the New Testament. The scripture is found in the gospel of Matthew and reads as follows: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS” (Matthew 7:21-23)

This passage of scripture leads us to conclude that it is possible for professing Christians to be intimately involved in the work (ministry) of the church, to address Jesus in a familial manner, i.e. “Lord, Lord” and assume they have a saving relationship with Him only to hear Him say on judgment day “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” Showing up in the presence of Christ on judgment day assuming we are born again and hearing Him say “I never knew you” is scary indeed.

Christians, we do not have to live our Christian lives in a state of uncertainty when it comes to our eternal destiny. We can know we are going to heaven when we die. In fact, the scriptures are very explicit about the assurance of salvation for all believers. (See 1 John 5:13)

One of the first steps to take in assuring ourselves that we belong to Him is to do a thorough self-examination relative to our salvation in an effort to nail down once and for all our relationship with Him. After all scripture assures us, we can know for certain we are going to heaven when we die. (1 John 5:13)

Wednesday Devotional, January 6, 2021

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Are they really everywhere?

Signs of the times! Are they really everywhere? They are according to Gordon Jensen the writer of Redemption Draweth Nigh. The chorus of this particular song is as follows: Signs of the times are everywhere. There’s a brand-new feeling in the air. Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky, Lift up your heads, redemption draweth nigh!

What do you think? As you consider the world in which you live and the contemporary issues facing us today would you conclude, in light of what is going on in our world, that our redemption draweth nigh? You are aware aren’t you that in the last days there will be perilous times? At least that is what the apostle Paul predicted when he wrote his epistle to Timothy. He wrote, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come (2 Timothy 3:1). As a small child might say sitting in the back seat of the car while traveling “Are we there yet?” Let me suggest to you a few things to consider before we answer the question “Are we there yet?”

First, simply from the perspective of the passing of time we are much closer to His return today than we were when the promise of His coming was first uttered. This is true regardless of whether we believe our present day can be considered “difficult times.”

Incidentally, Christ made His promise to return when He prepared His disciples for His departure a short time before His crucifixion and resurrection. He said, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will return again to receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).

Second, the concept of “last days” can be interpreted as an “era of time” known as the church age. An “era of time” starting at His ascension into the heavens and extending to the actual event of His second coming. The phrase “church age” implies a certain amount of time which will eventually come to an end. Certainly, from this perspective of “last days” the answer to the question “Are we there yet?” is yes. We are experiencing the last days.

Third, we must consider the words of the Lord found in Matthew chapter 24 regarding the lack of spiritual discernment and the presence of spiritual indifference regarding His return during the days of Noah. Christ said, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” During Noah’s day everything seemed to be in order and routine with not much thought about the promise of His return. There was little if any interest at all in the promise of His return. Such appears to be the case in today’s culture especially in the secular and humanistic mind-sets of our day. Thus, the answer to the question “Are we there yet?” is yes.

Fourth, we must also consider a reprimand the Lord issued to those of His day especially the religious elite (Sadducees and Pharisees) who could read the signs of the weather of their day but could not or perhaps more accurately would not read the signs of the times He offered them relative to His identity as the Messiah. In fact He said to the people of His day “…when you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it turns out that way. You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? The point the Lord is making is “You can read the signs of the weather of your day pretty accurately, but you fail to read, let alone read accurately, the signs of my identity as your Messiah which is no more difficult than reading the signs of the weather.” You hypocrites! What a reprimand! 

The point I am attempting to make through this article, although perhaps a little fuzzy in doing so is that regardless of whether we say yes or no to the question “Are we there yet?” relative to the signs of the times and the last days we as Christians need to be about the business of discerning the signs of the times primarily because we are expected to do so from a scriptural perspective. In fact, the implication associated with the Lord’s question “…why do you not analyze this present time?” is a mandate for us Christians to be spiritually sensitive to the signs of the times of our day that we may be good stewards of the gospel of Christ because the time of His return is much closer than we realize.

So, signs of the times are they everywhere? Well, they may not be behind each bush or tree we are aware of, but the signs of His immanent return are much more prevalent than we realize. Are you ready?

Wednesday Devotional, December 30, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

A SIGN OF HIS IMMANENT RETURN?

Revelation 13

In a couple of days this year will be history. However, it will not be a year easily forgotten. In fact, what started sometime during the first quarter of 2020 will probably linger into 2021 for several months. The old maxim, “time will tell” is certainly in play as we approach the beginning of the new year. As we look in retrospect at 2020 it would not be unreasonable to ask if anything happened in 2020 that could be considered a sign of His coming. Or, to put it another way we could ask “Did anything happen in 2020 that could easily be construed as a sign of the nearness of Christ’s return?” The answer is yes. 

It has been suggested by those who study prophecy, especially those whose ministries focus primarily on prophecy that there have been many happenings during 2020 that point toward the nearness of Christ’s return. Although there have been many during 2020 let’s consider only one that may point to a sign of the immanency of His return. 

It is a project already in motion. The project is mentioned in an article published by Prophecy News Watch. The article mentions a vaccine that leaves a mark under the skin indicating that a person has been immunized with a Covid 19 vaccine. The title of the article is as follows: Precursor to The Mark? A 'Vaccination Mark' Under the Skin Now Being Developed. 

An excerpt from the article reads as follows. BEGIN ARTICLE -- Researchers have found a way to leave a "mark" under the skin that will enable medical authorities to know whether someone has been vaccinated or not. This "mark" is created using a specialized dye that is not visible to the naked eye, and the dye is delivered under the skin as part of the vaccination process. 

If that sounds quite creepy to you, that is because it is very creepy. Scientists at MIT wanted to create an easy method for keeping track of vaccinations in parts of the world where electronic databases are not commonly used, and what they came up with is extremely alarming...

MIT researchers have now developed a novel way to record a patient's vaccination history: storing the data in a pattern of dye, invisible to the naked eye, that is delivered under the skin at the same time as the vaccine.

"In areas where paper vaccination cards are often lost or do not exist at all, and electronic databases are unheard of, this technology could enable the rapid and anonymous detection of patient vaccination history to ensure that every child is vaccinated," says Kevin McHugh, a former MIT postdoc who is now an assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University.

Unsurprisingly, the MIT article announcing this discovery stated that this research had been funded "by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Koch Institute Support (core) Grant from the National Cancer Institute".

In order to see the "mark" that has been left behind by the specialized dye, authorities will need a "specially equipped smartphone", and we are being told that the "mark" can be read for at least five years after the initial injection...

The researchers showed that their dye, which consists of nanocrystals called quantum dots, can remain for at least five years under the skin, where it emits near-IR light that can be detected by a specially equipped smartphone. END ARTICLE

This is just a partial quote used to demonstrate the point that it is not necessarily unreasonable to associate this project with the nearness of His return. May I suggest that you read Revelation 13 to familiarize yourself with the last days and the nearness of His return.

Could it be that we are much closer to His return than what we realize? I suppose technically God only knows the time and the hour. Nevertheless, the above-mentioned article and project is a present-day reality and could easily be construed as a sign of the immanence of His return. 

The question each of us needs to ask ourselves is, “Am I ready?” or “Are we ready?” Well, are you? You can be by placing your faith in Christ alone for salvation.

Wednesday Devotional, December 23, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CHRISTMAS: A CELEBRATION OF MIRACLES

(Part 4)

In C. S. Lewis’s allegory, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe he remarked “always winter, but never Christmas.” It is a reference to a spell cast upon the beautiful city of Narnia by the evil character known as “The White Witch” who is a symbol of the Devil. It is she who is responsible for Narnia’s problem of always winter but never Christmas hopelessness.  Such would be the case in a world without Christ, a sense of never-ending hopelessness described as always winter but never Christmas. That is, without His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection the world would be a place of endless hopelessness. 

Incidentally, His incarnation is a miracle as is His resurrection and the two cannot be divorced. His incarnation was simply the beginning of His redemptive purpose leading eventually to the capstone of His redemption of mankind which was His resurrection. What He began to do at His birth He finished on a hill called Mount Calvary when He cried out while hanging on the cross “It is Finished.”

What does this have to do with C. S. Lewis’ remark “always winter but never Christmas?” It is rather simple to understand. Those who approach the Christmas holiday simply from a commercialized, gift exchanging perspective see it simply as a perennial winter holiday culminating on December 25 thus, always winter but never Christmas. Perhaps those who do so are being blinded by the evil one who would like nothing more than to keep them focused on Christmas as a holiday rather than a HOLY DAY. 

Those of us who approach Christmas as a HOLY DAY do so with a biblical, theological, and redemptive understanding in mind knowing that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself and His incarnation was just the beginning of His redemptive purposes for mankind. 

What’s the difference in the two approaches? The difference is “a living hope” as expressed by the apostle Peter in First Peter chapter one verse three which says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” in contrast to “hopeless living,” that characterizes all persons depending on their own efforts to get them into the kingdom of heaven. To the believer Christmas is never always winter because he understands that spring is coming and with it the resurrection of Christ. The difference is where one spends eternity. 

What about you? Is your Christmas always winter because your hope is in your own efforts rather than in Christ alone for salvation? 

The celebration of Christmas is a two-sided coin featuring the incarnation and the resurrection of Christ without such a coin the world would be a hopeless mess. This Christmas praise the Lord for His incarnation but not at the expense of Easter. 

Wednesday Devotional, December 16, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CHRISTMAS: A CELEBRATION OF MIRACLES

(Part 3)

AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH -- John 1:14

Are you ready for a “twenty-five cent” phrase relative to the incarnation of Christ? The phrase is found quite frequently in systematic theology. That is, if you were to read the writings of practically any systematic theologian you would more than likely encounter the phrase “hypostatic union” in reference to the incarnation of Christ. The phrase sounds a little high class or ostentatious but in reality, is quite simple to understand. The phrase is a reference to the uniting of the two natures of Christ. The “hypostatic union” in reference to Christ is simply referring to the union of the two natures of Christ, i.e., His human nature and His divine nature. 

Such a union can be explained only as a miracle and that is what it was, “A MIRACLE” that defies the intellect of any person in terms of understanding or explanation. We can understand the phrase “hypostatic union” as to what it refers but we cannot completely understand or explain how it was achieved other than the virgin birth through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Truly, it was a miraculous move on God’s part reaching out to man with the goal in mind of revealing God the Father through God the Son with the redemption of man as its goal. Christ said He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He also said to Philip when Philip requested of Him to show them the Father. Jesus replied, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’ (John 14:9). 

God the Father revealed what He was like through God the Son beginning with the incarnation of Christ. Who is God the Father? He was and is the great lover of our souls who desires all men to be saved. I for one am thankful for the “hypostatic union” of His two natures which I do not fully understand, and which basically was the beginning of mankind’s redemption, but I believe in it without reservation. I’m glad He became one of us that we may be like Him. I am also glad we do not have to fully understand or explain the hypostatic union in order to make it efficacious in our lives. Child-like faith in Christ alone is all we need to make heaven our home.

Let me leave you with the words of Lewis Sperry Chafer “No human mind can ever grasp the significance of the occurrence and consequence of the incarnation.1 I for one do not understand, in a comprehensive fashion the full significance of the incarnation nor am I aware of all of its consequences but then again I don’t have to. All I have to do is believe in it and Him and that I do. Thus, heaven is my home. It can be yours as well by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. 

1Chafer, L. S. (1993). Systematic theology (Vol. 5, p. 42). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

Wednesday Devotional, December 9, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CHRISTMAS: A CELEBRATION OF MIRACLES

(Part 2)

The fusing of the two natures of Christ (divine and human) has been the topic of much discussion over the years or perhaps I should say centuries. * It is still happening even in this century. Articles and even books are still being written in an attempt to deny or explain away the full deity of Christ united to His full humanity.

At any rate I’m not sure the word “fusing” is the proper word to use in describing the uniting of His two natures. Perhaps the word “uniting” is a better word. Regardless of what word we use to describe the reality of His two natures it is nonetheless a genuine, authentic, and biblically sound belief and reality, that is, it is one of the most if not the most significant miracle supported by scripture.

Incidentally, the doctrine of His incarnation may be difficult if not impossible for us to understand but it is by no means unintelligible. It is, according to most conservative theologians, a paradox which we may not fully understand until we see Him in heaven and even then, it may remain a paradox, but it should never be labeled unintelligible simply because it may, even for an eternity, defy our understanding. Afterall does not scripture say, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

What then is the significance of the uniting of His two natures? I’m sure there is more than one significant reason for the Father’s uniting of His son’s divine nature with His human nature but the one that is front and center in my mind is the one related to the salvation of man. Jonah wrote, “But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD.” The gospel of Matthew coupled with the gospel of Luke put it like this, “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” And “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Mat. 1:23 & Luke 19:10). The apostle Paul said, “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, (2 Cor. 5:19). My friend, salvation is absolutely God’s idea and doings.

You may be asking “What do you mean salvation is absolutely God’s idea and doing?” I mean this! It is absolute suicide for any person to think that he or she is capable of bearing the wrath of God and the penalty for sin in solely his or her humanity and thus satisfying the justice of God. No one is capable of such a feat regardless of how moral, ethical, or upright he or she might be. The fact that it took the “God Man” to bear the sins of the world to achieve the redemption of man should teach us of how futile it is to think that we could save ourselves by our own self-righteousness. Humanity alone could not satisfy the justice of God. Thus, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The uniting of His divine nature with human nature was a miracle. A miracle without which no one could be redeemed.

The divinely inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God flowing through the pen of the apostle Paul put it like this, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Tim. 2:5-6).

The one mediator between God and man without whom we could never be redeemed who was and is fully God and fully man gave Himself as a ransom for my soul. I am so grateful for what He did for me. By the way what He did for me He also did for you. Trust Him and Him only for your salvation.

*A precise understanding of how full deity and full humanity could be combined together in one person was formulated only gradually in the church and did not reach the final form until the Chalcedonian Definition in A.D. 451.

Wednesday Devotional, December 2, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CHRISTMAS: A CELEBRATION OF MIRACLES

I read a sentence the other day, relative to the incarnation of Christ, which I had not read before even though I have read a reasonable amount of material over the years in relationship to the incarnation of Christ. The sentence is, “Remaining what He was (that is fully divine) He also became what He previously had not been (that is, fully human as well).” What does it mean? It means that Christ did not give up one iota of His deity when He became man. However, He did take on “full humanity” which was not His before. Thus, “Remaining what He was He also became what He previously had not been.” Matthew, in his gospel put it like this, “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” (Matthew 1:23)

I cannot speak for anyone other than myself relative to the incarnation of Christ, but I find it difficult to wrap my mind around the truth that Christ as fully God walked upon this earth as fully man. How can anyone be one-hundred percent man and one-hundred percent God at the same time? He can’t, unless of course there was a miracle involved. I believe there was, in fact I believe it was one of the greatest miracles or the greatest miracle the world has ever been privy to witness and that includes the miracle of the resurrection as great as it was in of itself.

When theologians speak of His Divine and human nature, they often speak of what they refer to as “Communication” of Attributes between Christ’s two natures (Divine and Human). There appears to have been some communications, that is some abilities that passed from His human nature to His Divine nature which enabled Him to experience what it was like to be human which is something He would not have been able to experience simply as God alone. So, when Matthew speaks of His name being Immanuel translated as “God with us” He was saying the Lord fully knew without exception that although He was fully Divine He knew full well what it was like to be fully human. He truly was “God with us.”

In what way does it benefit mankind that Christ knew what it was like to be fully human? First, let’s begin with the thought that because He was fully human Christ was then and is now the great sympathizer. He knows what it is like to experience suffering and even death. Christians, no one can sympathize with us in our suffering as He can and does. He is our incomparable sympathizer. Go to Him in your time of need. He understands what it’s like to experience the human condition.

Second, and most important of all and as fully human He was able to become our substitute sacrifice which He as God alone could not have done. The fact that He became our substitute sacrifice on the cross raises the question “Why would the infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and eternal Son of God take on human nature as He did and subject Himself to the humiliation of being human? Why would He do such a thing? The answer because He loves you. John, the beloved disciple of Christ wrote “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 (John 3:16).

Christ, fully human and after living a life of perfection (without sin) subjected Himself to the wrath of the Father in payment for our sins. He satisfied the justice of God and bore the wrath of the Father in our behalf making it possible for all men to be saved by faith alone in Christ alone. This is something He would not have been able to do as God alone. So, God became fully man in the person of Christ making it possible for us the be born again. 

Truly, Christmas is about miracles, perhaps foremost of all is His incarnation.

Perhaps Immanuel meaning “God with us” is the Lord’s way of saying “Merry Christmas.”

Wednesday Devotional, November 25, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CHOOSING THANKSGIVING OVER THANKSFEELING

I must admit I really like the title of this Thanksgiving devotional. I wish I could say it was original with me, but it isn’t. I read it earlier today from an email I received this morning (Tuesday 11.24.20).

I hope the title catches your attention as much as it did mine because scripture encouraged the early Christians to choose thanksgiving over thanks-feeling long before a day of Thanksgiving was ever established in our nation. Incidentally, according to the internet, and I quote “The history of Thanksgiving began in 1621. The celebration was done to give thanks to God and the Native Americans (Yeah Annie!) who helped the English settlers cope with the winter season in Plymouth in Massachusetts. The Plymouth Thanksgiving, the date of what is typically recognized as the first Thanksgiving is not precisely known, though it is generally believed to have occurred between September 21 and November 9, 1621.”

So much for the history lesson about giving thanks. Let us look at thanksgiving from a biblical perspective. Most of us, at least wise those of us who have been associated with church and the scriptures over the years are probably aware of the Apostle Paul’s words to the church at Thessalonica. He wrote: “…in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes. 5:18). He wrote basically the same thing to the church at Ephesus when he said: “…always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (Ephesians 5:20).

Hmm! “always” and “everything.” Do you find it difficult to be thankful always and in everything? I must admit I do. In fact, around my home I have managed to earn the moniker “grumpy-cat” at least wise until I have had my coffee and enough time to get the sleepiness out my early morning disposition. I suppose I need to quit responding to my wife’s greeting every morning of “Good morning!” with “Oh yeah! What’s so good about it!” if I ever expect to rid myself of the nickname “grumpy-cat.”

At any rate, I’m just being honest with you when I say sometimes it may be difficult, even for the most typically upbeat person, to be genuinely grateful always and in everything, especially when circumstances are less than desirable.

However, scripture does not command us to feel thankful but to give thanks even when we don’t feel like it. I suppose someone might say, “That’s hypocritical!’ I disagree! Giving thanks, even when we do not feel like it is simply being obedient to the Lord’s command through the Apostle Paul to the early Christians. By the way, do you realize that obeying the Lord’s commands is, according to the Lord Himself, one of the ways we can express our love to Him. He said, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”  He also said: “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:21, 23).

Well, Thanksgiving Day is upon us again. Are you ready to give thanks to the Lord even though you may not feel thankful? Surely, we can give thanks even when we do not feel like it. It is not hypocritical. It is being obedient to the Lord and also an expression of our love for Him. Let us be thankful even when we do not feel like it. After all, He understands how we feel.

Happy Thanksgiving to our church family.

Sincerely,

Annie and Grumpy Cat

Wednesday Devotional, November 18, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

(Part 4)

My wife and I have a three-year old grandson. His name is Gabriel. I may be a little biased, but I think he is quite the little dude. He has a strong attachment to his dad who is our son Allan. 

The other day I was in my office at my house praying and thinking about what to write for Wednesday’s devotional (November 18). As I was praying, I heard the pitter-patter of little footsteps running down the hallway shouting “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy.” I knew something was up because Gabriel usually doesn’t “holler” for his dad unless he has hurt himself or else has run into a problem he can’t resolve or has all of a sudden realized that his dad appeared to be missing. I was right! He realized his dad was no where in sight and he was afraid that his dad had gone somewhere without him. He tags along with his dad as much as possible. It’s obvious that he loves his daddy and depends on his presence for peace of mind and a sense of security. 

As I witnessed Gabriel’s dilemma with my ears, I realized how instinctive and natural it was for a son to cry out for his daddy when troubled or distressed. Then I realized that it is no less instinctive or natural for Christians to cry out to their heavenly Father when they find themselves troubled or distressed as well

One of the roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to confirm his or her sonship. This is one of the many ways Christians can conclude that they are genuinely born again. That is, the Holy Spirit prompts us, encourages us to cry out to the Father when in need thus assuring us of our sonship.

The apostle Paul wrote, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:15–16). In a similar passage, the apostle said, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Gal. 4:6). In Romans Paul said believers cry out, and in Galatians he said the Spirit cries out. As the Spirit of the Son of God, He causes us to affirm that God is our Father, even as Jesus acknowledges the Father.

Sinclair Ferguson, theologian and preacher of the gospel put it like this as he expressed the truth of the Father-child relationship: “What Paul is saying, however, is that even in the darkest hour there is a co-operative and affirmative testimony given by the Spirit. It is found in the very fact that, although he may be broken and bruised, tossed about with fears and doubts, the child of God nevertheless in his need cries out, ‘Father!’ as instinctively as a child who has fallen and been hurt calls out in similar language, ‘Daddy, help me!’

Christians, it has been written that the assurance of our sonship is not reserved for the highly sanctified Christian; it is the birthright of even the weakest and most oppressed believer. Praise the Lord for the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives encouraging us to instinctively run to the Father.

Perhaps the first thing we should do when distressed and/or troubled is run to the Father who is always present and ready to listen.

Wednesday Devotional, November 11, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

(Part 3)

The above-mentioned title needs to be expanded for us to have an adequate understanding of this particular devotional. So, here is an expanded title: “The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of a Believer in Relationship to God.” Perhaps the topic of this devotional would be better understood if we stated it in the form of a question. So, here it is in the form of a question: “What is the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life in his or her relationship to God?”

He, that is the Holy Spirit, assists us in our prayers. Jude speaks of praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). Some Christians would say this involves praying in tongues. I disagree! I believe it means praying in His strength in language easily understood by all who may hear our prayers as well as praying according to the revealed will of God. For example, according to the words of the apostle Paul to Timothy it is the Lord’s will that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:3-4). Thus, when we are prompted to pray for someone we suspect may need Christ it is not unreasonable to think that we are being prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. We are then praying in His strength and according to the revealed will of God.

There may be times, no there will be times, due to our weakness when we simply do not know what to pray in a given situation. It is in these times the Holy Spirit steps in and intercedes to the Father in our behalf with groans which words cannot express. The apostle Paul put it this way in Romans 8:26-27: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Thus, the Holy Spirit assists us in our prayers. 

He, the Holy Spirit also strengthens us. That is, in times of difficulty, burdens, hardships, even the death of loved ones the Holy Spirit enables us to endure. Actually, He enables us to endure with a sense of “peace of mind” and “hope.” When the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he prayed that they would be strengthened in the inner man. He wrote: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). He said basically the same thing when he wrote to the Christians at Colossae. He said, “…being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.” Christians were it not for the indwelling presence and enabling ministry of the Holy Spirit we could not endure the many hardships and difficulties of life this side of heaven.

Christians, let us praise God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the assistance afforded us by the Holy Spirit this side of heaven.

Wednesday Devotional, November 4, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

(Part 2)

The Holy Spirit plays a much greater role in our lives than what we Christians realize. His presence in our lives is more about faith than feeling (2 Corinthians 5:7). That is, for the most part we are to walk by faith not by sight or feeling. Although “sight” and “feeling” relative to the ministry of the Holy Spirit are not to be discounted altogether they nevertheless are to take a back seat to the principle of walking by faith relative to the Holy Spirits presence and ministry in our lives. However, I suspect that for many Christians “feelings or emotions” play a more dominant role in determining the Holy Spirits presence or ministry in their lives in a given situation. With these thoughts in mind let us think for few moments on what it means to walk by faith in contrast to feelings or appearances.

It is by faith we (Christians) accept the FACT that in Christ we are new creatures. The apostle Paul reminds us of this in 2 Corinthians 5:17 when he says: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” In classical Greek, the “new” in this text and its cognate word forms come from the root “gen”, which means “new, fresh.” The words in this group principally denote “that which is new in nature and essence, that which is superior to the old.” In salvation the Holy Spirit imparts to us new life and thus we become new in nature. We are to accept by faith that because of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit we are new creatures in Christ regardless of how we may feel at times. That is of course if our salvation is genuine.

It is by faith that we are to accept the FACT of His indwelling. Once again Paul reminded the church at Corinth of the truth that they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He writes: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). We Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit although at times we may think or act like someone who knows nothing of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. If we are in tune with the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit, He will convict us of any behavior in our lives that He, along with the word of God, considers sinful. Then again, He will also convict us of righteous behavior which He will or has enabled us to display before others.

It is by faith that we depend on the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to obey the Lord’s commands or obey His will in our lives. The prophet Ezekiel put it like this: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances” (Ezekiel 36:27).

Thus, it should be obvious to us that the Holy Spirit plays a much greater role in our lives than what we may realize. He is responsible for our regeneration. He is present in our lives through His indwelling. And He empowers us to obedience relative to the commands of the scriptures and the doing of His will.

Perhaps the words of the apostle Paul to the church at Galatia are in order in light of His indwelling and empowering ministry: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

Wednesday Devotional, October 28, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63

There is no such person as a Christian who has not experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in his or her life. In fact, no one ever becomes a Christian independently of the work or influence of the Holy Spirit. 

It is the Holy Spirit who pursues us with the intention of convicting us that we are sinners in need of salvation. If it were not for the “pursuing and convicting ministry” of the Holy Spirit no one would ever become a child of God. To put it another way no one would ever be born again or as some of us may say be saved. John, the disciple of Christ puts it like this: “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;(John 16:7-8).

It is the Holy Spirit who is responsible for the act of regeneration in our lives that is, He converts us from sinners to saints. The apostle Paul put it like this in Titus chapter three verse five: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” Thus, the Holy Spirit is indispensable when it comes to the conversion of a sinner into a saint. Without Him no one would ever have an interest in spiritual matters let alone be born again. If it were not for the ministry of the Holy Spirit no one would ever understand the gospel or seek the Lord. The apostle Paul said it like this: “As it is written, there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:10-11).

In addition, the Holy Spirit cleanses us and baptizes us into the body of Christ. When the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he said to them “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1Corinthians 12:13).

Christians, the Holy Spirit has been much more involved in our lives than what many of us may think. More than likely it is because we want or expect our Christian lives to involve our feelings more so than our faith rooted in fact. What I have just written about the work and/or ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is a matter of fact and faith not necessarily a matter of our feelings. 

It is a fact that the Holy Spirit pursued you, convicted you and convinced you of your need for Christ and gifted you with faith to believe in Him and then in response to your faith initiated and completed the act of regeneration in your life resulting in the truth that you are now a child of God. For some, if not many, but not necessarily all, salvation was an emotional and moving experience.

However, the work of the Holy Spirit in everyone’s life who has had a genuine salvation experience is more of a matter of fact than it is feeling. The initial work of the Holy Spirit in one’s salvation, i.e. His pursuit, convicting and convincing of sin and righteousness and resulting regeneration is a matter of fact to be accepted by faith rather than feeling.

Christian, why not express your gratitude to Him today for pursuing you and convincing you through the ministry of the Holy Spirit of your need for HIM even when you had no interest in HIM at all.

You are fooling yourself if you think you have something to contribute to your salvation. It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

I believe it was Martin Luther who said, “Nothing to the cross I bring only to the cross I cling.”

Wednesday Devotional, October 21, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED MY SERVANT JOB?

A MAN OF INTEGRITY

“He who walks in integrity walks securely,

but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9

Approximately a year or so ago I listened, praise the Lord for just a few minutes, to a politician speaking of a political ploy to be used in a political battle when someone desires to demonize his or her opponent. From a biblical perspective the statement she made stuck out like a sore thumb. I have not forgotten it even though several months have passed. She said, and I quote: “It does not have to be true.” She went on to explain. When speaking of your opponent the story, scenario, criticism does not have to be true. You simply put it out there and if the media picks up on it you respond by saying something like “It must be true or else the media would not have reported it.” She went on to describe the political methodology as “politics.” 

Unfortunately, present day politics has been reduced to something that has nothing to do with truth, integrity and/or biblical morals and ethics and everything to do with winning a political battle by hook or by crook. This ought not to be so, especially by anyone claiming to be a Christian whether Catholic or protestant.

It appears that in today’s culture a “lack of integrity” is a problem only if it does not involve politics. That is, a lack of integrity in a political battle is not sinful. It’s just politics! I can’t speak for you. I can only speak for myself and I believe that such shenanigans in politics, or any other arena of life, is sinful.

I suspect the Lord finds it impossible to say of many persons today whether in politics or otherwise what He said to Satan long ago: “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”

Christian, do you, like Job, hold fast to your integrity? Do you walk in integrity in all areas of life?

PS – Nothing ruins the truth like bending it.

Wednesday Devotional, October 14, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

Part 2

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. (Jude 3)

Let us begin with a statement made in last weeks devotional. A statement regarding a present-day theology and/or belief system that changes with time. A faith that is malleable and/or customizable according to our likes or dislikes. A faith, belief system or theology that reflects a god of one’s own making rather than the God that is, i.e. the God of the Bible. The statement is as follows:

“The Christian faith was ‘once for all handed down to the saints’ (Jude 3) meaning that it never changes from generation to generation, i.e. it never becomes antiquated. It is just as relevant today as it was the day it was first delivered to the saints. However, and unfortunately, the gospel in particular and Christianity in general is being threatened by what may be called a “progressive theology” or a “living theology or a living faith” that changes with the times or the culture of the day.”

An article I came across last week, not through research but happenstance, was inspirational to me. Inspirational in the sense that it led me to believe that I was on the right track in my assessment of contemporary theology, at least wise the theology espoused by some Christians in some circles of Christianity. The reality of “a theology that changes with the times” was confirmed in my estimation by a survey conducted, fairly recently, by the George Barna Research Group. The findings are part of the American Worldview Inventory and were released by George Barna, director of research at the cultural research center at Arizona Christian University. The article reads as follows:

(BEGINNING OF ARTICLE) ALARMING': 52 PERCENT OF EVANGELICAL CHURCHGOERS REJECT ABSOLUTE MORAL TRUTH 

A slight majority of evangelical churchgoers believe there is no moral absolute truth, while three-quarters think people are “basically good,” according to a new report that its authors call “alarming.”

The poll by the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University examined the views of attendees of evangelical, Pentecostal/charismatic, mainline Protestant and Catholic churches on 51 beliefs and behaviors.

Among the findings, the survey discovered that a majority of evangelicals (52 percent), Pentecostals/charismatics (69 percent), mainline Protestants (58) and Catholics (69 percent) say there is no absolute moral truth that applies to everyone, all the time.

“American Christianity is rapidly conforming to the values of the post-Christian secular culture,” the report’s authors wrote.

Significantly, the survey only examined the beliefs of church attendees, not limiting it to those who have professed certain beliefs or who say they have embraced Christ’s teachings. Still, its findings likely will disturb many within the Christian community.

The survey also found that among evangelical churchgoers: 43 percent believe Jesus sinned. 43 percent do not believe that there is a common, God-given purpose to humanity. 42 percent seek moral guidance primarily from sources other than the Bible.

A news release from the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University called the results “alarming for evangelicalism.”

“What makes that trend so significant is that evangelical churches, by definition, teach that the Bible is the authoritative word of God that teaches not only salvation by grace alone but also an array of life principles that are meant to drive one’s thoughts and actions,” CRC said in the release.

George Barna, director of research at the Cultural Research Center, said the data “represents a post-Christian Reformation driven by people seeking to retain a Christian identity.”

“Unfortunately, the theology of this reformation is being driven by American culture rather than biblical truth,” Barna said. “The worldviews embraced by the adherents of these distinct religious communities reflect contemporary, worldly influence, rather than biblical influence.”

The findings are based on a January survey of 2,000 U.S. adults. (END OF ARTICLE)

Once again let me remind you of my contention or observation of the contemporary theology espoused by some Christians in some Christian circles. It is this. The gospel in particular and Christianity in general is being threatened by what may be called a “progressive theology” or a “living theology or a living faith” that changes with the times or the culture of the day. The above mentioned article supports my contention that when the theology of many Christians today is compared with the biblical theology of the past it should be obvious to us that the theology of today at least wise in some circles of Christianity is not the Christian faith or theology that was “once for all handed down to the saints” of the first century.

The question that comes to my mind is this. How far left or liberal or secular can someone lean and at the same time claim to be a Christian without tongue in cheek?

Wednesday Devotional, October 7, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

Jude 3

"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." (Jude 3)

If you are like most folks you do not like confrontation. I know I do not care for any kind of discussion or confrontation that involves dispute or argumentation. In fact, one of my favorite proverbs found in the book of Proverbs is “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.” Another one is, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” I wonder how many of us on occasion have been a little “quick to quarrel” or a little “hasty with our words” and ended up having to eat a little crow. 

However, regardless of how disinclined I am to confrontation, dispute or even correction I must without reluctance speak up in certain instances when falsehood or error, relative to Christ and/or Christianity, is being proclaimed. Why? Because I am commanded to do so as a Christian. In fact, the letter of Jude was written to encourage Christians to “contend” for the faith when error or falsehood is being proclaimed. In fact, Jude commands us Christians to “contend earnestly for the faith.”

What exactly, does it mean to “contend earnestly for the faith?” Greek grammarians inform us that this phrase “contend earnestly” is an intensive, compound verb meaning “to carry on a conflict, contest, debate, or legal suit” (Stauffer, “agōn,” Kittel, 1:135). It is used in classical Greek to refer to fighting a war or to a struggle in politics or law (cf. Ringwald, “Fight,” Colin Brown, 1:645).  Thus, contending for the faith involves more than just engaging in a discussion about the Christian faith. It involves defending the truth of the gospel in particular and a defense of Christianity in general without compromising the truth of the gospel and Christianity in any form or fashion. We Christians are expected to contend for the faith with the conviction and confidence of the Psalmist who wrote: “Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89).

The Christian faith was “once for all handed down to the saints” meaning that it never changes from generation to generation, i.e. it never becomes antiquated. It is just as relevant today as it was the day it was first delivered to the saints.

However, and unfortunately, the gospel in particular and Christianity in general is being threatened by what may be called a “progressive theology” or a “living theology or a living faith” that changes with the times or the culture of the day. Could it be that such an approach to theology, i.e. a theology or a faith that changes with the culture of its day reflects a “marketing or an accommodating approach” to church growth intending to attract large numbers rather than a “contending for the faith approach” aimed at defending the essential doctrines of the church with the intentions of growing the kingdom of God while remaining faithful to the truth of the gospel and Christianity? (I apologize for the lengthy sentences.)

A progressive or living faith that changes with the times independently of contending for the faith handed down to the saints once for all may result in large membership rolls and worship attendance but not necessarily a church. It is essential, biblical, and necessary that Christians do as Jude instructs and contend for the faith earnestly, especially contending earnestly for the essential doctrines of the church. After all, the essential doctrines of the church are just as unchanging and relevant today as they were when they were first delivered by the apostles to the church centuries ago.

Perhaps it would be helpful to mention at least one of the essential doctrines of the church in an effort to help us understand what it means to contend for the faith. Jude mentions a “common salvation” so let us use his phrase to emphasize an essential doctrine for which we must contend, i.e. the doctrine of salvation. The scriptures teach that salvation is exclusively of Christ. The doctrine can be stated in this fashion, salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Luke writes in the book of Acts that “there is salvation in no one else (speaking of Christ) for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This is the exclusivity of the gospel and for this truth we must contend especially when we hear someone say or teach that there is more than one way to heaven. THERE IS NOT! CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY!

We Christians must fight with all our strength to preserve "the faith" which has been handed down to us "once for all." As one commentator has said, “The content of the apostolic gospel is fixed, not to be revised for each new era.”

Christian, when was the last time you contended for the faith?

Wednesday Devotional, September 30, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS

(Part Two)

1 John 1:8-10

I took my own challenge this past week. I did what I encouraged others to do in my devotional for last Wednesday (9.23.20). I conducted my own survey regarding how many times I heard the word sin mentioned in a non-religious conversation. The result was zero as I expected. When I say “non-religious” I mean any “run of the mill,” daily conversation where failure or short coming is discussed but the possibility of sinful behavior, as defined by the Word of God, is not even considered let alone mentioned. Again, the result was as I expected---ZERO.

Perhaps it would be beneficial to us to consider a statement I made near the end of last weeks devotional. I said, “These verses(1 John 1:8-9) imply, in the context of sanctification, that because of our human depravity we should never conclude that we are free from sin simply because we are unaware of our sin.”

The above-mentioned truth opens the door for a needed discussion about a sin that is, without question, associated with confession of sin. It is the sin of pride.

Could it be that the reason why the word sin and the subsequent need for confession of sin is not mentioned or practiced, perhaps even among Christians as much as is needed, is because we have become prideful? Could it be that we have been stricken with the Arthur Fonzirelli syndrome? Do you remember Fonzie on Happy Days? He had an extremely difficult time admitting he was wrong and had a difficult time saying, “I’m sorry.” Perhaps it is pride that keeps us from admitting our sinfulness and recognizing the need to confess our sins.

A related issue associated with confession of sin, pride and forgiveness is the issue of owning our own sinfulness. If you know anything at all about the scriptures and sin, you know that scripture says that we “ALL” have sinned and have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). For the most part nearly all of society would agree with Paul’s statement in Romans 3:23. At least wise from a general perspective. However, where the rubber hits the road regarding sin and sinfulness personally is when we are confronted with our own sins specifically. I suspect there are occasions when we all have a difficult time owning our own sinfulness specifically such as pride and are therefore reluctant to admit our sin and to seek forgiveness, His and others.

May I suggest to you that when you engage in confession of sin that you own your sin by naming it. You have to swallow your pride to do so. That is, when confessing our sins let us not attempt to circumvent our sinfulness and ease our conscience by simply saying to the Lord and others “I’m sorry.” This type of confession is suspect and inadequate. It is the pastor’s belief that the proper way to confess our sins to the Lord and to others is to name it and then ask for forgiveness from Him always and others if necessary. That is, “Lord, forgive me for my pride.” Or “Lord, forgive me for my lack of integrity.” Or “Lord, forgive me for my anger.” This is “owning our sin” and “swallowing our pride” and is, I am sure, much more pleasing to the Lord not to mention a much better and biblical way to confess our sins.

Have you confessed and owned your sins lately?

Wednesday Devotional, September 16, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS

(Part One)

Confession of sin! Hmm, what is it? The word “sin” is hardly mentioned in today’s culture let alone the idea that someone has actually committed a sin and needs to confess. May I suggest to each of us that we conduct a private survey regarding the word sin by listening or reading attentively as we talk with others, read our newspapers or listen to the news or just go about our routine daily activities and take note of how many times we hear the word sin mentioned. I wonder how many hours or days will pass before we hear the word used by anybody independently of a religious discussion. Unfortunately, even in the church or a religious discussion it may be rare for anyone to suggest that someone has sinned and needs to confess, unless of course you are a Catholic priest who spends time in a confession booth each week listening to his parishioners confess their sins. Well, enough about the word sin. Let us get back to the phrase “confession of sin.”

What is it? The apostle John wrote the following statement in his epistle:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NASB). We understand from this statement that confession of sin is a biblical concept and therefore something that we all need to consider as a spiritual discipline in which we may need to engage as needed, especially if we intend to maintain fellowship with the Lord. After all, He does say, “IF” we confess our sins HE is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgive me for being wordy. I still have not answered the question “Confession of sin, what is it? Let me try again. The word “confess” found in 1 John 1:9 simply means “to say the same thing.” To say the same thing as who? To say the same thing the Lord says about certain behavior or attitudes, etc. of which we may be guilty. To put it another way, do not rationalize, explain away, deny certain behavior labeled as sinful or in any way refuse to call sin “sin” as determined by the Lord and His word. 

First John chapter one verse eight is pertinent to our conversation about confession of sin. It reads: “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” First John chapter one verses eight and nine are not dealing with one’s salvation but with one’s sanctification. John is speaking or writing to believers and encouraging them to practice the spiritual discipline of subjecting themselves daily to the scrutiny of God’s holiness. We are to do so not because we want to be saved but because we ARE saved and desire to live consistently in holy communion with the Lord.

Therefore, we are encouraged by 1 John 1:8-9 to subject ourselves to His holy scrutiny daily and confess our sins as needed without any kind of rationalization excusing our sinful behavior.

These verses imply in the context of sanctification that because of our human depravity we should never conclude that we are free from sin simply because we are unaware of our sin.

Thus, the Psalmist has a word of wisdom for us relative to confession of sin. He said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24).

Wednesday Devotional, September 16, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IN TWO STAGES

Recently I came across a graph displayed in two columns featuring the Christian life in two stages, stage one---The Present and stage two---The Future. I offer it to you for our Wednesday evening devotions for September 16, 2020.

Stage One: The Present Stage Two: The Future

In the world...................................................... In Christ’s presence

Temporary............................................................................ Eternal

Humility.......................................................................... Exaltation

Cross-bearing........................................................ Crown-wearing

Suffering............................................................................... Glory

Describable............................................................. Incomparable

Trials................................................................................. Triumph

A short commentary following the graph is as follows: Stage one reminds us that sanctification requires humility, cross-bearing, and suffering. Stage two gives hope for the future and encourages us to persevere in the present. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).

Perseverance in stage one brings hope and divine love to our hearts through the Spirit, “Tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

However difficult your service or intense your suffering for Christ, stage one is still a “momentary, light affliction,” and stage two is “an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Likewise, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). When you wonder if your Christian journey through stage one is worth it, consider the victories and glories of stage two and fix your eyes on the Lord Jesus. Then you will gain confidence to run your Christian race so that you finish well (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Church family, it is not how we start our lives in this world but how we finish, i.e. we all start as sinners in need of forgiveness. How we finish our life in this world makes all the difference and if our faith is in Christ alone for salvation, we have an indescribable future ahead of us to enjoy for an eternity (EXIT STAGE TWO).

Wednesday Devotional, September 9, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY GUILT?

(Part 3)

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

They say that repetition is an excellent teacher. So, let us review the last two weeks devotional relative to what we can and should do with our guilt. First, we are to tell it (confession of sin) to the Lord like it is. Be honest, open, candid and forthright with the Lord in confessing our sins as David did when confessing his sin to the Lord relative to his relationship with Bathsheba (See Psalm 32:5).

Second, we must purpose to deal with our guilt before our guilt deals with us. We must take seriously the truth that guilt, i.e. legitimate guilt* affects us psychologically and physically when we fail to deal with it in an expeditious and effective manner. Listen once again to the words of King David:

Psalm 32:3–4 ---- When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted

away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your

hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with

the fever heat of summer. Selah.

Third, we deal with guilt expeditiously and effectively when we turn to Christ as our advocate. An advocate is one who stands along side us as our representative who argues our case for us much like a lawyer argues on our behalf in a court of law. Such is Christ our advocate who presently is at the right hand of the Father in heaven ready to advocate for us. Thus, we do not have to concern ourselves with HIS availability as our advocate. He is this very moment at the right hand of the Father ready and willing to advocate for us. Incidentally, His plea before the Father on our behalf is not to argue for our innocence but to stand before the Father as our substitute. HE is the one who bore our sins upon the cross satisfying the justice of God, enduring the wrath of God on our behalf and paying the penalty for our sins declaring that we are covered by His precious blood. Therefore, although we have sinned, we are in need of HIS forgiveness and restoration to His fellowship which He is always willing to give to those who come to Him with a humble and contrite heart confessing their sins. Thus, your guilt can go now. Tell it to the Lord like it is now and experience HIS wonderful forgiveness and have the joy of your salvation restored. Again, your guilt can go NOW.

Perhaps David’s prayer would be helpful: “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 (Psalm 51:10-12).

One last suggestion. Adopt the attitude of the apostle Paul regarding his past:

“…. but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Wednesday Devotional, September 2, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY GUILT?

(Part 2)

Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

Last week I mentioned that the first thing for us to do in attempting to rid ourselves of feelings of guilt is to tell our story to the Lord just like it is. To put it another way purpose to be completely honest with the Lord about anything, such as sin, that could easily be the source of your guilt feelings. Psalm thirty-two verse five is evidence that that is exactly what David did after struggling for several months, if not a year or two with his guilt feelings related to his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent sin of pre-meditated murder. David went to the Lord with a contrite and humble heart and was very candid about his sinfulness and the Lord forgave the guilt of his sin. As I mentioned last week, I suspect David had a very restful night once he got things right with the Lord.

The second step in resolving our guilt feelings involves something we must understand about feelings of guilt, that is of course assuming our feelings of guilt are legitimate. When speaking of legitimate guilt, I am speaking of guilt as a product of the Holy Spirit who convicts and convinces of sin and of righteousness. When our guilt is rooted in sin then it is only natural and biblical for us to feel guilty. As a matter of biblical truth if we can live sinfully and not experience feelings of guilt because of our behavior then something is wrong with our relationship with Christ. Perhaps our conscience has become calloused and is no longer sensitive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit as well as the word of God. This of course, is a problem perhaps more serious than guilt feelings for guilt feelings are indicative of a conscience that has remained sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the word of God. A calloused conscience is something for us to consider but for the time being let us get back to what we must understand about guilt.

Legitimate guilt, i.e. guilt rooted in sinful behavior will deal with you if you do not deal with it. Perhaps a word from famed physician and pastoral counselor Paul Tournier is in order. Dr. Tournier, according to Wikipedia was “…. a Swiss physician and author who had acquired a worldwide audience for his work in pastoral counseling. His ideas had a significant impact on the spiritual and psychosocial aspects of routine patient care, and he has been called the twentieth century's most famous Christian physician.” Dr. Tournier expressed, after many years of practice, that many of the physical symptoms he saw in his patients resulted from suppressed guilt from years before. King David, the most well-known king of Israel expressed the same thing three thousand years ago only a little more eloquently. David confessed that guilt would have destroyed him had he not told it to Lord like it was. David had an understanding about guilt i.e. how devastating to the mind and body it can be when it is not dealt with properly and expeditiously. David understood that guilt affects us psychologically. He expressed that his conscience was “roaring all…. day long” “Roaring” is a word that refers to the ravenous roar of a leaping lion according to one commentator. If you know anything about David as a shepherd boy then you know that he knew what it was like to hear the blood-chilling roar of a lion. He said his guilty conscience was like that of a blood-chilling roar coming from a lion.  Thus, a guilty conscience affects us psychologically.

A guilty conscience also affects the body physically. David said, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away” (v 3). As one commentator said, “The framework of his body was racked, shaken, and the seat of his strength seemed to disintegrate. He was fatigued and listless with no sense of direction or purpose.” Thus, it is obvious from a biblical perspective that a guilty conscience not only affects us psychologically but also physically.

So then, what is step two in dealing with guilt? Deal with your guilt now before your guilt deals with you later. It will you know. First John chapter one verse nine is an excellent starting point for dealing with a guilty conscience. Tell it to the Lord like it is.

Wednesday Devotional, August 26, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY GUILT?

(Part One)

Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

I have a theory relative to guilt feelings. My theory is that many folks do not necessarily struggle with guilt feelings because they have a high threshold for sinful behavior or perhaps, I should say for judging sinful behavior. That is, what was considered as sinful behavior in the past is no longer defined as sinful behavior today thus no sense or presence of guilt for one’s behavior. 

Is it possible that today’s counseling profession may be a part of the problem, i.e. that is of course if my theory has any credibility? Could it be that sin is being explained away and/or redefined and/or explained as simply a problem that can be resolved through proper counseling or some form of therapeutic diagnosis accompanied with some form of recommended remedy to correct one’s thinking or behavior devoid of any need for confession of sin and repentance. I say this because of my awareness of the writings of Dr. Karl Menninger. Dr. Menninger, a well-known and popular psychiatrist, wrote a book several years ago entitled “Whatever Became of Sin?” Although the book was written several years ago, I tend to believe it is just as pertinent or applicable in the counseling room today as it was then. He submits in his book the premise that there is today, under various guises much and serious sin and that the consequences of the sins of all of us blur and diminish our lives. 

Could it be that the concept of sin is seldom, if ever mentioned in the counseling setting because the issue calling for counseling has been labeled as something other than sinful behavior? Thus, seldom is there ever a need for confession of sin and repentance. Thus, no sense of guilt.

Perhaps it would be helpful for us to ask ourselves if the Bible has anything to say about sin, sinners, guilt, confession of sin and repentance? It does! In fact, the Psalmist who was King David says, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalms 32:5 NIV). This verse alone speaks of acknowledging one’s sin, owning one’s sin, confessing one’s sin and the Lord’s forgiving of one’s sin.

So, in light of the fact that the Bible does have something to say about sin, sinners and guilt, etc., I will attempt to answer the question “What can I do with my feelings of guilt?” in three installments from a biblical perspective. First, you can cast your guilt feelings to the past if you will simply tell your story to the Lord just like it is. King David after about a year of silence regarding his sin with Bathsheba finally reached a point in his guilt-ridden conscience where he decided to be honest with the Lord. He acknowledged his sin before the Lord. He was completely honest with the Lord and did not attempt to cover up anything. He was genuinely sorry for his sinful behavior and finally confessed his sins before the Lord. The resulting blessing in David’s life was a sense of forgiveness and a guilt-free conscience. I suspect David had a wonderful night of sleep once his conscience was clear and his fellowship with God restored.

There was one other characteristic of David’s confession that led to the Lord’s forgiveness and the blessing of a clear conscience which is not easily discerned from Psalm 32:5. What was it? It was a contrite heart. The Lord promises in Isaiah 51:17 and 66:1-2 that HE will not despise a contrite heart nor will HE refuse to commune with anyone who comes to HIM with a humble and contrite heart and one who trembles at HIS word. David did not go to the Lord simply saying the right words, but he also went to the Lord with a contrite and humble heart.

I do not know if you are dealing with guilt feelings stemming from past or present sinful behavior. However, I do know this. If you will go to the Lord with a contrite and humble heart and tell your story to the Lord like it is, HE will forgive you and bless you with a clear conscience.

Tootles to a good night’s rest!

Wednesday Devotional, August 19, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

FORGIVENESS: WHAT IS IT?

Isaiah 43:25; Matthew 6:14-15;Romans 8:1; Ephesians 4:30-32

Let us begin by defining what forgiveness is not. It is not forgetting. If forgiveness were forgetting, then what we need to be praying for is a better forgetterer. I heard someone say the other day that as he gets older it is not that his memory is getting worse, it is just that his forgetterer is getting better. Sometimes we think that since we have not forgotten the offense, whatever it was, we have not genuinely forgiven the offender. This kind of thinking is simply not true. When it comes to our memory regarding offenses and what they were and who it was that offended us our memory never seems to wane, thus we conclude we must never have forgiven our offender. My friend if this is what you are thinking you are wrong. Forgiveness is not forgetting. Unfortunately, there are some offenses that we may never forget, at least wise on this side of heaven.

Forgiveness also does not necessarily mean reconciliation, i.e. forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we must reconcile with our offender other than seeking or giving forgiveness one to the other. There are instances when an offense has occurred, and forgiveness is in order, but reconciliation may never be the ultimate outcome nor the goal for that matter. The goal is forgiveness not reconciliation. Often times in an offense a trust has been violated and forgiveness is necessary but since a trust has been violated reconciliation may not be possible until trust has been re-established. A business partner who absconds with the company’s profits can be forgiven but his trustworthiness may never be what it was before thus, reconciliation is not possible, but forgiveness is.

If forgiveness is not forgetting and does not necessarily mean reconciliation, what then is forgiveness? Forgiveness is a gift and a promise not to mention the fact that it is also one of a multitude of ways we can express love to our offender. Incidentally, love is not necessarily a feeling although it may involve our feelings. Love is a commitment. In the context of forgiveness, it is a commitment to fulfill a promise to our offenders once we have given them the gift of forgiveness.

What then does the gift of forgiveness involve? It involves at least three foundational promises. When we gift our offender (s) with forgiveness we promise not to gossip to others about the manner or matter of their offense toward us. Second, we also practice the principle of what I call the “rehearsal meditation” on the offense. That is, we promise not to rehearse the offense, i.e. stew over the offense to the point that we work ourselves once again into an angry tizzy living the offense over and over in our minds. Thirdly, we promise not to use the offense against our offender in the future ever again.

The gift of forgiveness is not always easy and may require meaningful dialogue with our offender (s) before we offer the gift. Often it depends on the magnitude of the offense nevertheless dialogue with our offender may be necessary and the gift of forgiveness must be given if we expect to have meaningful and intimate fellowship with the Lord. Our Lord said in Matthew 6:14-15 that we need to forgive those who have offended us if we expect to have fellowship with HIM.

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

One last thought about forgiveness. The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus and said “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:30-32).

Forgive me! One more “one last thought about forgiveness.” How has God forgiven us? He has promised us (Christians) not to remember our sins against us. That is, HE does not gossip to others about our offenses. HE does not stew over our offenses against HIM or others once we have confessed our sins. Third, HE promises not to use our sins against us. 

Isaiah 43:25 ---- 25 “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.

Romans 8:1 ---- 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

I wonder if there is someone out there to whom you need to give the gift of forgiveness?

Wednesday Devotional, August 12, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

FORGIVENESS: A DIFFICULT NECESSITY

Matthew 6:14 - 15

One of the most difficult commands to obey, found in the New Testament, is the command to forgive one another. I know of no Christian who has not offended, in some form or fashion, a brother or sister in Christ. I also do not know of any Christian who has never been offended, in some form or fashion, by a brother or sister in Christ. In addition, I know of no one who has ever been offended as much as God in Christ has been offended by mankind, including you and me. I also know, from personal experience and from a multitude of sessions in the pastor’s office meeting with Christians, that one of the most difficult Christian disciplines to practice is that of forgiving those who have offended us. Nevertheless, as difficult as it can be at times depending on the magnitude of the offense (s) forgiving each other is a necessity.

Our Lord and Savior put it this way in Matthew six verses fourteen and fifteen. He said, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Do you see in this statement the necessity of forgiveness, one to the other in the body of Christ? 

The Lord is not speaking of a vertical forgiveness, i.e. God forgiving us in response to our prayer of confession of sin and a seeking of His forgiveness of us. God is always ready to forgive us according to the Psalmist. Psalm eighty-six verse five says, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” Scripture also says that He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). This promise of course is in response to our repentance and confession of sin and deals first and foremost with the promise of salvation and secondarily with our after-salvation sins against the Lord.  However, Matthew 6:14-15 is not dealing with our familial relationship with the Lord i.e. once saved always saved but with our fellowship with Him. He is telling us that if we do not forgive those who have offended us our fellowship with Him is strained although our relationship with Him will never change. Our relationship with Him will always be a father child relationship but our fellowship with Him will not be as warm and intimate as we would prefer until we deal with the unforgiving spirit that rules many of our horizontal relationships. 

There are three passages of scripture that come to mind as I think of the necessity of forgiveness in the family of God, i.e. the church. First, Peter ask the Lord how often he should forgive his brother when he offends him. The Lord replied, “…seventy times seven.” What the Lord taught Peter He also teaches us, i.e. nurturing an unforgiving spirit in our relationships with others is never an option. Thus, forgiving those who offend us is a necessity. (See Matthew 18:21-22)

Second, the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to “Pursue peace with all men and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord” Incidentally, the apostle Paul says something very similar in his writings to the Christians in the church in Rome. Paul said, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Once again, forgiving those who have offended us is a necessity.

Third, Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus and said this, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:30-32). Nurturing an unforgiving spirit grieves the Holy Spirit in our lives. Could it be that we feel so distant from the Lord because we are nurturing hard feelings against someone who offended us? Just wondering is there someone in your life you need to forgive? 

One last comment, the word of God tells us that we are to forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). This week as you meditate on the possibility of needing to forgive someone who has offended you please consider the need to forgive them as God has forgiven you.

In next week’s devotional I will suggest to you how to forgive others as God has forgiven you.

Wednesday Devotional, August 5, 2020

Dr. Paul Large, Pastor

FORGIVENESS: FACT OR FEELING

1 John 1:9

Forgiveness! Is it needed? Definitively, at least wise according to the scriptures. The scriptures tell us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Forgiveness! Is it available? Yes, once again the scriptures tell us it is. The apostle John informs us in First John chapter one verse nine that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thus, from a biblical perspective forgiveness is needed and available. Unfortunately, many folk including Christians, struggle with forgiveness not from the perspective of needing it nor from the perspective of its availability but from the perspective of its reality. “I do not feel forgiven,” is one of the prominent sentiments I have heard throughout the years as a pastor even from those who name Christ as their Savior.

Some people struggle with the reality of their forgiveness because of the egregious nature of their sinful past. They think their sin is of such a nature and so heinous in reality that God could not possibly forgive them of their sin. What is their problem? They do not understand or recognize the magnitude of God’s gracious nature. Perhaps it would be beneficial for such a person to read the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews, more popularly known as the Hall of Faith chapter of the Bible. In it, many saints of the past are listed, all of whom have one thing in common. They were sinners, many of whom were sinners among sinners, i.e. a sinner’s sinner, if you please. After all, King David was guilty of adultery and premeditated murder but nevertheless, his name is found among the heroes of the faith in Hebrews eleven. Yet, our gracious God listed him and many others like him in the hall of faith. If Hebrews eleven teaches us anything about forgiveness and the graciousness of our Lord, it is that although our Lord is aware of our sinful past, He is also aware of our faithfulness to Him and rewards it according to His gracious nature. We can be sure that His promise not to remember our sins against us is just as much of a reality as His promise to forgive us. In fact, I would conclude that since these sinful men and women of the past have their names written in the biblical hall of faith it is a reflection of the fact that their sins were forgiven, and He remembers them no more.

In addition, someone struggling with the reality of their forgiveness may also have a problem understanding or recognizing the magnitude of our Lord’s mercy. The Psalmist reminds us of the incomprehensible magnitude of our Lord’s mercy when he records the following words found in Psalm 103:10-11: He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. It is the nature of God to be merciful even when He doles out judgment and discipline, especially toward those who are His. Let me rush to another truth aimed at those who are not born again. Please understand, that although God is merciful in His judgments and discipline, His wrath is not something you want to experience even though it is tempered by His mercy.

One last thought! The scriptures not only tell us that forgiveness is needed and available they also tell us that God is ready to forgive, it is His nature to do so. Again, the Psalmist says:

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You (Psalm 86:5). Perhaps some of us need to call upon the Lord for the first time seeking His forgiveness, i.e. the forgiveness associated with being born again.

Others of us, i.e. those who have had a genuine born-again experience but yet are struggling with feelings of forgiveness need to start dealing in facts not feeling. After all, scripture says, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. That promise, my friends is a matter of fact not feeling.

DEVOTIONAL, SUNDAY JULY 19, 2020

HIS DOMINANT ATTRIBUTE

If you were asked what the dominant attribute of God is mentioned in His word you would probably say His love. Your argument for God’s love being His dominant attribute may go something like this:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“But God commended His love toward in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“Hereby perceive we the love of God because He laid down His life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for others.” (1 John 3:16)

If we were to listen to contemporary culture rather than the His word, we would also conclude that the most dominant attribute of God emphasized in the scriptures is His love. I recall on one occasion a few years ago as First Baptist discussed the sale of its downtown property to a hand full of investors that one of the investors, in the context of a discussion about a sinful contemporary issue, mentioned that God would not deal with this particular issue in a particularly unpleasant fashion because He was a God of love. Thus, the dominant theme in the Bible regarding His most dominant characteristic was and is His love. At least wise according to contemporary culture.

However, although the choice of God’s love is a good choice it is not the most dominant attribute of God mentioned in the Bible.  By now you are probably saying okay, okay, what is it? It is without a doubt His holiness. Although God’s love is amazing and beyond measure and certainly undeserved it does not and will not trump His holiness. The writer of Numbers 14:18 puts it like this, The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty,……

What does His holiness have to do with us Christians? Let me put it like this through personal testimony. There is not a week goes by that I do not ask the Lord to help me love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. After all, He encourages us to love Him in this manner: ..and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31. However, I often have to remind myself that the Lord is most glorified not necessarily by my love for Him, as important as that is, but by the holiness of life I display before others that reflects the holiness of God. How well does your life reflect the holiness of God and thereby glorify His name?

DEVOTIONAL, SUNDAY JULY 12, 2020

PASTOR OR PARROT

John Stonestreet -- President

Colson Center for Christian Worldview



Pastoring is always a difficult job. I cannot think of another job, in fact, in which someone is hired to do one thing (typically, lead and disciple God’s people) but evaluated on a completely different thing (namely, growing the audience and the budget).

Pastoring during coronavirus seems even more unenviable. Zoom stock might be way up as the new preferred platform for corporations and schools, but there is no digital substitute for the sort of face-to-face work pastoring requires. When to close down was a tough decision. When to reopen is even more difficult. If pastors choose to strictly adhere to state guidelines, they will upset people. If they ignore or relax those guidelines, they upset others. In almost every church I know of, pastors face a no-win proposition right now.

In addition to navigating a global pandemic, pastors must also deal with our already intense and only intensifying cultural firestorms. While we all must navigate the issues of race, sexuality and gender, criminal justice, political divisions, and other markers of our fallen human nature that dominate this cultural moment, pastors face expectations that many of us do not. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen this phrase on social media recently: “If your pastor doesn’t preach about X from the pulpit this Sunday, it’s time to find a new church.” Same phrase, but the X changes with the headlines.

Do not get me wrong. As the true account of the human condition, the Bible has this quality of universal relevance. Pastors should make the connection between the timeless truths of Scripture and our particular context, in their preaching and in their leading. There are times that to not address something from the pulpit is to be louder than addressing it, and churches that never address controversial issues risk giving their people the impression that the Bible is our own personal, private collection of encouragements rather than the personal, public and true account of the human condition.

At the same time, the loud demands placed today on pastors to not only hold but to articulate our approved opinions reveals more about us than about our pastors. After all, if we are confident our pastors are called by God and entrusted by Him to lead us into His Word and His will, that leaves little room for making demands on what he teaches.

Also, our loud demands that a pastor “talk about subject X,” almost always means “say specifically what I want him to say about subject X.” But that also means we are not really looking for a pastor or a teacher anymore. We are looking for a parrot.

The demands pastors face can range from mountains to molehills but, in too many cases, they are treated the same. To bring up the most common elephant in the sanctuary today, everyone has strong feelings about masks. I do too. But being asked to wear a mask in church by pastors seeking to comply with civic authorities or protect the health of parishioners is not a matter of orthodoxy. This is not a sufficient cause of outrage or of making demands for our pastor’s compliance. And it is certainly not worth leaving a church over.

Keep in mind that pastors are called to shepherd specific congregations. Though the big cultural issues are always relevant, each community and each congregation find themselves in a specific time and place (as Paul told the Athenians) with specific people and circumstances all orchestrated by God. For example, a church connected to an addiction recovery center, as is the home church of a colleague, will be made of people with specific needs and challenges that others may not have.

What is really at stake here is that we all need to foster a proper ecclesiology, (that is a $.50 word for the doctrine of the church). When we view church like we do so much of 21st-century western life, as consumers, we will see church as a place to be entertained or affirmed, in our feelings and in our views. That, rather than a fidelity to Christ and His Gospel, is what is driving so much of the entitlement we feel, and pastors face.

Every church and every Christian, of course, ought to expect and demand that pastors preach the true Word of God with passion and courage. We ought never allow a pastor to abuse his power or his position in exploiting the congregation.

Still, we ought never demand that our pastor never disagree with us. The holy willingness of a pastor to say what is true is only matched by the holy willingness of a Christ follower to hear what we may not like. And again, do not leave a church over a mask.

Devotional, Sunday, June 28, 2020

THE ALLNESS OF ALL THINGS

Romans 8:28

When the scriptures say that all things work together for good it means just that, “all things.” It does not mean that all things are good but that all things work together for good. It also does not mean that the “all things” such as the present-day pandemic, has some sort of an inherent nature about it that causes it to ultimately work out for the good of all persons involved. No, as I see it (pastor) the all things working together for good promise found in Romans 8:28 implies an outside agent who is aware of “all things” and “in control” of all things and will use “all things” to accomplish His purposes. He may not be the author or originator of all things, happenings and events, etc. but He is certainly in control of all things and allows the “all things” of our lives to occur. Nothing, absolutely nothing takes place in our world, or anybody else’s world for that matter, that does not first of all pass through the sovereign and permissive will of the Lord. Basically, the bottom line of life in this world is this; the “all things” of Romans 8:28 is orchestrated by the invisible hand of God.

The last phrase of the previous sentence, i.e. “the all things of Romans 8:28 is orchestrated by the invisible hand of God” merits a Ricky Ricardo, “Lucy, you’ve got some splainin' to do.” Are you sitting down? You may not like what some theologians say about the Lord. I know I do not but I do tend to believe they are correct. What is it they say about the Lord in light of His sovereign rule in the universe? They say ultimately, He is the primary cause of all the events and happenings that take place in the universe including the world in which we live which would include any evil that takes place in this world. Relax! Close your mouth because I know your jaw dropped when you read what I just wrote. Although theologians say that God is the primary cause of all things including evil they say He is not the originator of evil but only the originator of the potential for evil and that there are secondary causes behind all the turmoil in this life including evil; secondary causes such as Satan and his minions and the fact that we live in a fallen world. What is it that theologians deal with that the average Christian seldom thinks about? It is the Doctrine of Causality. Who or what is the cause behind all the events that take place in our world, including evil? The answer, according to many if not all theologians who have examined and thought long and hard about the issue of causality is the Lord who rules the universe and everything in it including tragedy, disaster, and evil etc. However, let me assure you, the Lord is not the author of evil or any other tragedy in the world but He does permit it for reasons beyond our ability to understand, thus, the primary cause but not the secondary cause. 

What does all this mean in the context of the present-day pandemic? Who is behind it? God allowed it, otherwise it would not have happened. However, He did not cause it. Thus, the question for us to be asking is not “Is God speaking to us?” The question is “What is He saying?”

 I wish I could say, in a definitive and dogmatic fashion, God is saying thus and so. However, I cannot but believe me I wish I could. What I can say is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Perhaps an old farmer who has been around the block a few times is the better theologian.

A LESSON ON TRUSTING GOD --- A while back I read a story of a visiting pastor who attended a men's breakfast in the middle of a rural farming area of the country. The group had asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast.

"Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going.

The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned.

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he was not the only one to feel uncomfortable.

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So, Lord, when things come up that we do not like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen."

First Baptist, all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Let’s relax and wait until HE is done mixing.

Devotional, Sunday, June 21, 2020

TELEPHONE OR FACEBOOK

Proverbs 21:23; 26:20; 29:20

When I was in middle-school I was introduced to a game I was not familiar with up to that point in my youthful years. I was at a class party and while there I was introduced to a game called telephone. There was around twelve to fourteen persons at the party and we were all sitting on chairs in a circle ready to play the game. One person was designated as the first one to start whispering something to the person to his or her right and they in turn would whisper the same story (supposedly) to the person on their right until the story completed the circle. It was fun and quite interesting when the original story was made known to all who participated. The story had grown in content not to mention error and falsehood and was somewhat humorous relative to how much it had changed. Thus, was the game called telephone.

The modern version of telephone could easily be called Facebook or Twitter or some other form of social media. I suspect the outcome, at least in some instances is the same as the old game called telephone. A lot of innuendo, opinions, errors in understanding and judgment as well as anger and hurt feelings.  The only difference is, and it is a big difference, what was said is in writing thus making it much more difficult to explain or defend without further explanation. Often-times further explanation does nothing but dig the hole deeper that a person has gotten himself or herself into because of his or her original post.

Unfortunately, those who may be innocent by-standers in the beginning, i.e. reading another’s post decide to enter the conversation either for or against and end up picking up someone else’s offense which from a biblical perspective is a “no-no” and the person picking up another’s offense is no longer an innocent by-stander. Then, before you know it you have several persons on one side or the other resulting in division and in the context of church family you have broken fellowship. This is sinful and indicative of an immature child of God.

I suspect, that more often than not, many posts to social media are posted without much forethought or consideration given to repercussions, unfortunately, even by Christians. I suggest that several biblical references be considered before anybody, especially Christians, decide to post anything to social media. 

Proverbs 21:23 ----He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 29:20 ---- Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 26:20 ---- 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

James 1:19–20 ---- 19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

James 3:5–6 ---- 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

Be careful little tongue what you say.

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER: When we point at someone else whom we think really needs to read this devotional there is always three fingers pointing back at us.

Devotional Sunday, June 7, 2020

DOES GOD SEEM DISTANT WITH YOU?

Matthew 6:14-15

I have a book in my library entitled Sibling Rivalry in the Family of God. It discusses the problem of Christians feuding one with the other because of something said or done by one or the other or both that was offensive to both. Throughout the book It was obvious that the feuding parties had had their feelings hurt and thus were at odds with one another. The Bible has something to say about these kinds of feuds in the household of God. 

First, they are revelatory. They are revelatory in the sense that one or both parties may claim to be a Christian but in reality, are not. That is, they reveal something about one’s relationship with the Lord. Let me put that another way, their game does not back up their claim. John, who was a disciple of our Lord, put it this way. He wrote: “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Such a person is fooling himself or herself with the idea that he or she is born again or in other words is a Christian. John is telling us that it is impossible to have a genuine love for the Lord while at the same time harboring strong negative feelings toward another brother in Christ. In fact, one of the distinguishing characteristics of the early church was the love they displayed one toward the other. Do not fool yourself! You cannot hate your brother and love God simultaneously. Sibling rivalry in the family of God, especially if it is an ongoing feud, should prompt us to exercise a little self-examination in an effort to determine if our salvation is genuine.

Second, they (Sibling Rivalries) are also revelatory in the sense that they reveal a relational dysfunction in the family of God. This dysfunction should not be so. If there are any family relationships that should be functioning on the principle of love for one another it should be the family of God. Unfortunately, in more churches than we may want to admit there is more strife, bitterness, resentment and hard feelings between members than there is strife in the church brought in from the outside world. Again, such dysfunction should not be in the body of Christ. One pastor, speaking of sibling rivalry in the church, put it like this: “This dysfunctional church-family dynamic is a far cry from the Apostle Paul’s admonishments to ‘Love one another with brotherly affection’ (Rom 12:10). Shouldn’t people who have the Holy Spirit living inside them get along better?” The answer, of course, is a resounding “YES.”

Third, they reveal a basic need for a vertical and horizontal repentance and confession of sin in the life of the Christians involved in the feuding. Early in one’s Christian life he or she should have learned that all sin is against the Lord, therefore, all sin regardless of its nature involves seeking His forgiveness which involves confession of sin on a vertical basis. 

What about horizontal confession of sin? This is where the feuding parties will need to swallow their pride, own their sinfulness and ask and give forgiveness one to the other. This does not mean that one person wins and the other one loses when it comes to seeking forgiveness from a brother or sister in Christ. What it does mean is that the participants in a church family feud seldom, if ever, get through the feud without offending in some form or fashion their brother or sister in Christ. Thus, the need for confession and reconciliation. In addition, it has been my experience (pastor) that the most mature Christian is the one who takes the first step in asking and giving forgiveness. I wonder, how mature are you?

I have also noticed that pride is a very subtle sin. That is, usually feuding Christians will agree to the need for confession of sin but nearly always will point a finger at their opposition as the one who needs to confess. This is pride. Believe me, confession of sin involving feuding parties is a two-way street.

What happens when feuding parties get right with the Lord and with one another? First, they will discover a more meaningful and fulfilling worship experience even though nothing has changed in terms of the worship program including the music. What has changed is their relationship with the Lord. As a result of the asking and giving of forgiveness the Lord can now bless them with an intimacy with Him that has not been there previously because of their feuding relationships.

Second, the family of God is blessed as a whole because the Holy Spirit is now free to work in, around and among the family of God so much so that the outside world will sit up and take notice, as did the heathen world in the early life of the church when they concluded “my how they love one another.”

Third, who knows! It may be the first step in bringing a revival in the family of God, including First Baptist. 

Pastoral Advice: Do not allow yourself to be an instrument in Satan’s hand spreading strife among brothers (or sisters) in the family of God. How does God feel about gossip, strife etc. in the family of God? He hates it! 

Remember this, there are some things the Lord hates. The writer of Proverbs puts it like this:

There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

I wonder if there is someone you need to get right with, including the Lord. Perhaps harboring a grudge, resentment, bitterness, anger, etc. against a brother or sister in Christ who may have a viewpoint or opinion contrary to yours is the reason God seems to be so distant from you. Perhaps Matthew 6:14-15 would be a great verse to memorize and meditate upon in an effort to get closer to the Lord.

Devotional Sunday, May 31, 2020



ARE YOU SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL?

Luke 19:10

I heard a phrase this week in reference to SOME Christians. The phrase is “Christian Light.” It was used to describe the theological aptitude and/or knowledge of the average Christian relative to Christ and Christianity. The phrase refers to a problem that exists among Christians, especially the younger generation of Christians who have recently graduated from high school and are now entering a Christian university or a secular university preparing for their careers. The problem is a “shallow,” not to mention unbiblical understanding and application of biblical truth to contemporary issues including their understanding of the gospel. The phrase was used by a vice president of a Christian university who was very surprised at the superficial depth of the biblical knowledge, understanding and liberal application of Christianity by freshmen students entering college, who said they were Christians, who were, more than likely, reared in a Christian home by Christian parents and grew up attending church on a regular basis. Their lack of an adequate understanding and application of biblical truth to contemporary issues were or are indicative of a Christianity, if it could be called Christianity at all, that could be described as “Christian Light” or “Christianity Light.”

In light of this problem I wish to challenge your knowledge and understanding of one of the most basic components of Christianity, i.e. the gospel; let me be more specific, the purity of the gospel. When I say the purity of the gospel I mean the gospel unadulterated, pure, without admixture of anything that discounts the truth that the gospel is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and is solely the work of God. Unfortunately, on occasion, when we Christians present the gospel to the lost, we sometimes mix a little sanctification into the presentation and thus adulterate the gospel, i.e. making it less than pure. We may say something like this; “If you will come to Christ He will deliver you from your drug addiction or your alcoholism, or the problem you have with your anger or depression or from some other issue. While this is always a possibility and I am sure in some cases becomes a reality it nevertheless is not the gospel. What then, is it? What you are talking about is sanctification, i.e. the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the word of God which is something that takes place after someone is saved. 

People need to come to Christ because they are sinners regardless of whether or not they are ever delivered from their besetting sins. The lost need to come to Christ because they are lost, alienated and /or separated from God and at enmity with God. They are born, as is everyone, with a fallen and sinful nature that can be remedied only through the regenerating work of Christ. The only basic difference among the lost is the manifestation of their sinful nature, i.e. some are liars, some are thieves, some are self-righteous, some are moralists, and some are pretty decent people but they are all the same in terms of their basic problem; they are sinners separated from God and this is the reason they need to come to Christ for salvation. This is the purity of the gospel. They need Christ because they are sinners separated from God. They are sinners not because they sin, but they sin because they are sinners. Again, this is the purity of the gospel. The lost need to come to Christ not because they need to be delivered from drug addiction or alcoholism, or some other problem or sinful issue but because they are separated from God. 

In some instances, the Lord does His sanctifying work immediately delivering someone from his or her besetting sin at the moment they are or were saved, but the basic reason He does so is because they first and foremost were delivered from their fallen and alienated nature from God. This, once again, is the gospel in its purity.

Thus, I ask you Christian, has your understanding of the gospel been more along the lines of “Christianity Light” or is your understanding of the gospel pure and unadulterated? 

Hebrews 5:12–14 ---- 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Devotional Sunday, May 24, 2020



DOES GOD MISS OUR WORSHIP?

The devotional this week is not mine. So, I take no credit for it. However, I have chosen to submit it as the devotional for our website for May 24. It is entitled Does God Miss Our Worship and is written by W. Robert Godfrey. Dr. Godfrey is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and president emeritus and professor emeritus of church history at Westminster Seminary California. I hope you find the article as interesting and thought provoking as I did. Dr. Godfrey may have hit the proverbial “nail on the head” in terms of how the church needs to respond to the present-day pandemic. 

(Dr. Godfrey) --- Many Christians have expressed disappointment and frustration in the last few weeks about not being able to gather for worship because of the COVID-19 crisis. I am one of them. I very much miss the preaching, the singing, the prayers, and the fellowship. I, too, wonder when we will be able to return to worship. But last Sunday, a new question came into my mind: Does God miss our worship?

God is sovereign over all things. “Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?” (Amos 3:6). So, He is the One who has stopped our worship as the gathered body of Christ on the Lord’s Day. Perhaps we should ask if He is teaching us something that we are not yet learning. Whenever calamity strikes, I think about Jesus’ teaching that is recorded for us in Luke 13. Calamity should direct us to consider the judgment of God and lead us to repentance. Should the calamity of closed churches lead us to ask if we need to evaluate our worship and perhaps repent?

Various prophets at different times criticized the worship of God’s Old Testament people. Paul criticized worship in the Corinthian church. Do we ever pause to ask if the worship that our churches offer to God is pleasing to Him? Do we hold worship up to be evaluated by the standard of God’s Word? Perhaps God is tired of those churches that have priests offering sacrifices that God has not approved. Perhaps God is tired of hearing preachers who present teaching that contradicts His Word. Perhaps God is tired of the noise of our false, invented praise. Perhaps the outward forms of our worship are proper, but our hearts and lives as worshipers are not right. Perhaps I am being too critical. But surely, we can agree that we need to listen again to the prophets, particularly Isaiah and Amos, as we think about worship.

Isaiah, in the first chapter of his book, complained about Judah’s worship as one of the key elements of God’s controversy with His people (Isa. 1:10–20). He begins by calling them to listen to the Word and teaching of God (Isa. 1:10). Then he rehearses the sins of their worship. He rejects their many sacrifices (Isa. 1:11) and their crowded gatherings for holy days (Isa. 1:12–14). He refuses to listen to their prayers (Isa. 1:15). “I am weary of bearing them” (Isa. 1:14). As they abandoned godly worship, so they abandoned God: “Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made” (Isa. 2:8).

Amos makes many of these same points, sometimes even more strongly, in his complaint against Israel. His warnings of judgment and appeals for repentance cover many areas of sins in the life of the people, but the refrain is “yet you did not return to me” (Amos 4:6–11). Because they would not meet with God in righteous worship, God declares that He will meet with them in judgment: “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (Amos 4:12). In the name of the Lord, Amos, like Isaiah, rejects their sacrifices and their assemblies. In famous and powerful words, the Lord declares:

“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.” (Amos 5:21–23)

The Lord rejects their false gods and idolatry (Amos 5:26), and He promises to destroy their false places of worship: “The high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword” (Amos 7:9). They have despised His Sabbath (Amos 8:5). The music they have invented for themselves God will turn to lamentation (Amos 8:3, 10). “Woe to those . . . who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music” (Amos 6:4–5).

The reference to David here is fascinating. David had indeed added various instruments to the worship of God in the temple (see 2 Chron. 29:25–29). Apparently, in the days of Amos, Israel had claimed the freedom to invent music for worship because of what David had done. Yet their self-indulgent music pleased only themselves. And their appeal to David was entirely fallacious. David did not act to exercise some imagined freedom. David acted only according to the revelation of God given through the prophets Nathan and Gad (2 Chron. 29:25). The sinners in Israel attacked by Amos had deserted David’s house (Amos addressed northern Israel, which had rejected the reign of David’s sons) and David’s temple. Yet, they had the temerity to claim David’s example to justify their disobedience.

Now is a time we should examine our hearts. Have we become cold or indifferent in our worship?

As we see God’s care for the forms of His worship, are we willing to pause and reflect on the content of the worship we have offered Him? Have we been asking only what pleases us instead of asking what pleases Him? Have we ever made the effort to look carefully at the teaching of the Bible on worship and compare that with the order of worship in our churches? Do we have acts of worship for which we ought to repent?

As the prophets clearly rejected the corruptions of the outward forms of worship, so they also spoke of the hearts of God’s worshiping people. Amos reminds the people that God expects them to return to Him (Amos 4:6) and God calls to them: “Seek me and live” (Amos 5:4), a call very much in the context of worship. God expects worship to be correct and sincere.

Even during the most serious warnings of judgment on Israel’s worship, the prophets offered hope for forgiveness and renewal. The promises of Isaiah about cleansing are powerful: “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes. . . . Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isa. 1:16, 18). Here is great encouragement for us all: where we have sinned, including in our worship, God will forgive us for the sake of Jesus.

When Isaiah tells God’s people to cleanse themselves, He is not teaching that we make ourselves clean or save ourselves. The prophet clearly teaches that it is the Lord who cleanses and forgives His people. We see that in the calling of Isaiah and his cleansing (Isa. 6:7) and also in this promise: “He who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst” (Amos 4:3–4). But in Isaiah 1:16–18, the prophet is stressing the responsibility of the sinners to turn to the Lord and promising that when they do, they will find mercy. Amos said the same: “Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you” (Amos 5:14).

Now is a time we should examine our hearts. Have we become cold or indifferent in our worship? Have we at times only gone through the motions? We do always need the mercy and grace of God to help us to be faithful worshipers.

Forms and hearts rightly engaged in worship fulfill the first commandment, that we love God. But those who worship acceptably must also live lives acceptable to God, remembering the second commandment as well. Jesus taught clearly that you cannot genuinely love God and hate your neighbor (Matt. 22:34–40). The prophets, too, clearly show that you cannot approach God if you despise the image of God in your neighbor. Immediately after his searing words on worship, Amos appealed: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). He specifies what this justice means: “You trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him. . . . You who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate” (Amos 5:11–12). God’s people must not be hard-hearted to the needy and oppressive and unjust to them. As Isaiah said, “Seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (Isa. 1:17).

We, too, must listen to the prophets and examine our lives. Have we loved our neighbors as we should? Do we seek to be a loving people? Where must we repent?

Today we are surrounded by great dangers. How many of us see the loss of worship as one of our greatest dangers? What if God does not open the way back to worship for us? Amos had spoken of the greatest danger a rebellious people faced: “I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD” (Amos 8:11). In such a famine, people will hate faithful preachers: “They abhor him who speaks the truth” (Amos 5:10). To avoid such a calamity, we need to cling to the Word of God with its directions, warnings, and promises. We need to pray for the Lord’s mercy so that we may rightly worship Him again. We need to pray for a great renewal in the churches and a great turning to Jesus in true faith throughout our world. We need to remember the call of Isaiah: “Hear the word of the Lord. . . . Give ear to the teaching of our God” (Isa. 1:10).

Devotional May 17, 2020



THE GOD WHO SEES EVERYTHING

There is a phrase relative to the Lord that used to be heard quite frequently in Christian circles but is seldom heard any more in Christian conversations, especially in reference to contemporary happenings. It is “the providence of God.” It is, mind you, a legitimate and important Christian doctrine but a doctrine that has fallen to the wayside in contemporary Christianity. 

Perhaps it would be helpful to our understanding to define the doctrine of “The Providence of God.” Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology writings defines the providence of God as follows, i.e. “The providence of God refers to His seeing something beforehand with respect to time.” He goes on to say: “Providence is not the same thing as God’s foreknowledge or prescience. Foreknowledge is His ability to look down the corridors of time and know the outcome of an activity before it even begins. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to use the word providence with reference to God’s active governance of the universe, because He is indeed a God who sees. He sees everything that takes place in the universe. It is in full view of His eyes.”

On at least one occasion in the New Testament the Lord employed His providence when He was confronted by scribes and pharisees with a woman caught in adultery. They wanted to know what His counsel would be since the law required that she be stoned. I have no doubt that their intentions were to entrap Him in some way as a sinner worthy of condemnation. However, as they spoke, He stooped down and began writing on the ground. We have no way of knowing just exactly what He wrote. But, since He is the God who sees everything, it is my opinion, although highly speculative, that He began to reveal His knowledge of the sins of the scribes and pharisees who had brought the adulterous woman to Him to be condemned. Perhaps He wrote “adultery” and immediately one of the men slinked away knowing that he was guilty of being unfaithful to his wife. A second time perhaps He wrote “tax evasion” and another man quietly walked away. Finally, there was no one left to cast the first stone. Thus, these men experienced what it was like to be subject to the providence of God. (John 8:1-11)

Christians, the providence of the Lord regarding these scribes and pharisees is no different from the knowledge He has of us perhaps only with the exception of the content of His knowledge of each one of us. This can be frightening! Frightening because a part of the concept of the divine providence of God means that He knows everything about us. No mask will hide us from His divine providence. Scary indeed! (Prov. 5:21; 15:3)

On the other hand, His knowledge of us and of everything going on in the universe, including the present-day pandemic, can be comforting and encouraging. Why? Because our Lord, who sees everything, including every one of our transgressions also sees every one of our heartaches, concerns, tears, needs, even pandemics, etc. and He who sees all is also infinitely benevolent and good. (Psalm 34:18)

The benevolence and/or goodness of God for the believer, including His providence, is a blessing because even though the Lord knows our past, i.e. every one of our transgressions He promises to deal with us and our sinful past with a knowledge that is bathed in His infinite graciousness. (Psalm 103:8-10)

Let us believers think for a moment about His infinite graciousness, especially in light of His full knowledge of our life including our sinfulness realizing that as a believer His response to our sins, past, present and future, can never result in our condemnation but only in His discipline in this life even though He is fully aware of every detail of our lives, good or bad. In this I do not find a license to sin, i.e. a desire to live as I want but a desire to live as I should as guided by His word and the fact that He has been infinitely gracious to me and us.

What does His infinite graciousness in the context of His providence mean for the unbeliever? What the unbeliever does not realize that even in his or her sinfulness the Lord has been and now is infinitely gracious. That is, even now He does not respond to their sinfulness according to what they deserve but according to the extent of His love for them. However, this does not mean that He will be gracious forever but only that He is immeasurably loving and patient and for a while will deal with their unbelief patiently giving them ample opportunity to repent and be born again. Ultimately, should unbelievers remain in their state of unbelief they will experience the wrath and condemnation of the Lord. By the way, the judgment of the Lord is not something in which He delights but is nevertheless a reality because of His holiness, i.e. He cannot in any way set free the guilty. (Numbers 14:18)

Such is the providence of the Lord, i.e. the God who sees everything and responds accordingly.

How do you stand in light of His providential governance of the world, including your life? Are you a believer or a non-believer?

Proverbs 15:3 ---- The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.  

Proverbs 5:21 ---- For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.

Psalm 34:18 ---- The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 103:8–10 ---- 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  

Numbers 14:18 ---- ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’

Devotional May 10, 2020



WHEN CORPORATE WORSHIP IS TAGGED NON-ESSENTIAL

Psalm 138:6

Psalm 138:6 ---- For though the Lord is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.

When the Lord is tagged non-essential, which is what we do when we list corporate worship beneath the umbrella of non-essentials, the extent of man’s fallen nature, as well as his intellectual self-assessment including his problem-solving capabilities, especially in dealing with societal problems including pandemics is unbelievably arrogant not to mention egregiously sinful. Do we or do we not need the Lord’s help, guidance, wisdom, etc. while navigating life this side of heaven? I believe we do.

You may be saying, “Pastor, when have we tagged the Lord a non-essential?” Well, we do so when we push Him to the periphery of our lives where He becomes just another spoke in the wheel rather than the hub from which all spokes have their anchor and find their purpose. We do so when we treat corporate worship as a take it or leave opportunity i.e. for some of us the fact that many churches presently are not worshiping corporately has not changed our lives much at all, if in any way at all. In many lives, including the life of many Christians, or at least those who claim to be born again, corporate worship has become a non-essential, i.e. I can take it or leave it, either way I will be fine. Such an attitude, although not often expressed verbally, is nothing less than practical atheism. The Psalmist has something to say about this.

When the Lord is tagged a non-essential the Psalmist says He begins to deal with man and his problems remotely. When the Lord does this it presents us with an additional problem, arrogant self-reliance. When the Lord deals with us remotely (Psalm 138:6c) it does not mean He is unaware of our problems or that He does not care. It simply means that He is a gentleman and will let us have our way if we insist on our prideful disposition, i.e. I can handle this myself. Presently, churches are expected to cooperate with government officials by canceling corporate worship, at least for a while, in an effort to put the corona virus behind us as quickly as possible. For the most part churches have done so and are to be commended for their willingness to work along side their community to rid our culture of this horrendous virus, especially in light of their right to assemble without government intervention. Most pastors have no problem with this, including me, at least wise temporarily. However, I do wonder at times if we have not put the cart before the horse by treating corporate worship as a non-essential especially since the scriptures proclaim explicitly that God is sovereign. It seems to me that our first line of defense against this pandemic should be the Lord. After all, the scriptures say, “The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD” (Prov. 16:1) and “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9). Jesus Himself said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Incidentally, the Lord uttered these words in the context of worry.

When we consider corporate worship a non-essential I wonder if we aren’t inviting the Lord to deal with us remotely allowing us to flounder around looking for the answers He is so willing to give if we would just be willing to admit that He is absolutely indispensable. Perhaps the wisest move we could make as a culture in our battle against this virus is to repent and humble ourselves (Psalm 138:6b) before Him subjecting ourselves to His mercy (Psalm 138:6a,b), especially in light of the fact that it appears we have become arrogantly self-reliant by labeling corporate worship as a non-essential. 

Devotional May 3, 2020

QUANDARY

Proverbs 20:24

I have been in a quandary all week. Have you ever been there? That is, have you ever been thoroughly perplexed? That is, confused, muddled in your thinking as to what is going on in the world or in your personal life, especially in light of this corona virus thingy. I have concluded, even with a muddled mind, that some things in this life will never be fully understood on this side of eternity. I have also concluded that there will be times in life when nothing seems to make sense or appears to have a purpose, at least wise from a human perspective. From strictly a human perspective life’s puzzle is missing a few pieces. However, from a biblical perspective it is not missing a puzzle solver.

Let me explain. The primary verse that comes to mind when I find myself in a quandary in the midst of life’s difficulties is Proverbs 20:24. It reads as follows: “Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?” Thus, in this life there will be situations, circumstances, difficulties that will generate the question WHY but will never be answered here and now but there and then. That is, no amount of worry, analysis, nail biting, or therapeutic speculation will suffice bringing about in us a certain amount of “peace of mind.” There is only One who can create in us a peace of mind in the midst of difficulty that surpasses all understanding and He of course is the Lord. Let me put this another way. In this life there will be circumstances, tribulations, etc. in which we will always be standing on the wrong side of the tapestry. This may sound as if it borders on the verge of fatalism, but it does not. Why? Because our journey through this world is ordained by the Lord and He is good and has overcome the world. He is in control. Incidentally, He said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world.”

There is a second aspect to which we may have to resign ourselves while struggling with the difficulties of life that cast us into a quandary, that is, the secret things belong to the Lord our God (Deut. 29:29). There are some things in this life which we may never understand or know the reason why they occurred. These, at least in part, make up the secret things of God. Then again, we sometimes conclude that if we just knew the reason why certain things happen (corona virus) it would suffice and we would cease our striving, settle down and be less fearful and ultimately acquiesce to the will of our Lord. As I said a week or so ago. Oscar Meyer has a word for that, it is B O L O G N A. Fallen humanity simply does not operate wholeheartedly with the will of God, especially in difficult times.

So, what do we do when we find ourselves in a quandary, i.e. those times when life’s difficulties cause us a lot of strife and heartache? What do we do during those times when we struggle with the puzzles of life including the puzzle solver. We learn to walk by faith, not fear. Easy? By no means is it easy but it is possible and necessary if we expect to be pleasing to Him in the midst of our quandary. This is what I have decided to do. I hope you decide to do the same.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ---- for we walk by faith, not by sight—

Devotional April 26, 2020

WHEN SECULARISM SUPPLANTS THE LORD AND HIS WORD

John 15:5, Psalm 139:16, John 3:16

Let us begin with a definition of secularism. Actually, let us begin with several definitions of secularism to make sure everyone who may read this article has at least a basic understanding of what secularism is or means.                                 

• Indifference to, or rejection or exclusion of, religion and religious considerations (Merriam-Webster)
• The belief that religion should not be involved with the ordinary social and political activities of a country (Cambridge Dictionary)
• The principle of separation of the state from religious institutions (Oxford Dictionaries)
• A system of social organization and education where religion is not allowed to play a part in civil affairs (Collins)
• A theory, belief, ideology, or political modality that demarcates the secular from other phenomena (usually religious) and prioritizes, the secular over the non-secular in some regard.

Hopefully, these definitions will help us to identify or recognize secularism when we hear it or read it when it appears in today’s culture. Believe me, it is much more prominent in our culture than what we may realize. In fact, I read a few articles this week that wreaked with secularism which is what prompted me to write this devotional. Thus, the question, “What happens when secularism supplants the Lord and His word?”

One of the first things that happens when secularism supplants the Lord and/or His word is that man’s concept of himself and his abilities is inflated, and his concept of God is diminished. We can express this truth another way, i.e. the secularist’s estimate of himself and his abilities is much too high, and his estimate of God is sinfully low. Such was the case with the governor of New York this past week when he was asked during a press briefing why the coronavirus infection rate was slowing in his state. Governor Cuomo said: “The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Faith did not do that. Destiny did not do that. A lot of pain and suffering did that.” First Baptist, from what I understand Cuomo was not asked about God or prayer he just said what he said. It is obvious from Cuomo’s statement that, at least in some instances, from his perspective man is big, and God is small. (Secularism) Governor Cuomo would do well to memorize John 15:5 where Jesus himself said, “...without me you can do nothing.” This phrase coming from the lips of our Lord is an emphatic declaration of human helplessness apart from Christ. Secularism fails to give God the credit and glory He deserves. This is one of the first things that happens when secularism supplants the Lord and His word.

Second, when secularism supplants the Lord and His word science can become man’s ultimate authority. This also can be expressed another way, i.e. secularism supplants the authority of God’s word. When this happens, in some instances, science becomes our God. Such is the case with the corona virus pandemic. When the pandemic struck our nation, we ran for the hills frightened, worried as if to say the corona virus can and will randomly take any life it chooses as if it had a mind of its own. It does not, as I said a week or two ago, God is in control. In fact, and technically, the corona virus can take no one’s life without first passing through the hands of our Lord who is and always will be the author of life and death. Once again, the scriptures speak to the life and death of each of us when it says, “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them (Psalm 139:16).

Please do not misinterpret what I am saying about science and God being in control. The above verse does not encourage us to throw caution to the wind relative to our health. Instead, it encourages us, along with other scriptures, to practice preventative measures when it comes to disease and the threat of death. However, science is not our God and although it is helpful to us on many fronts, we would do well to remember it is the Lord behind the science that determines the day and the means by which we step into eternity. When science becomes our God, secularism becomes our religion.

“Three points and a poem” was a phrase that floated through the halls of seminary when I was a student at Southwestern. It was a reference to sermon length and preparation. Well, here is my third point. However, you will have to provide your own poem.

When secularism supplants the Lord and His word man’s theology becomes deistic. Merriam Webster defines deism as: “a movement or system of thought advocating natural religion, emphasizing morality, and in the 18th century denying the interference of the Creator with the laws of the universe.” It can be illustrated as follows. When I was a child, I had a toy called a top. It was a round device shaped somewhat like a triangle standing on its pointed end. On top of the top (LOL) was a handle that could be plunged up and down causing the top to spin. The more and faster you plunged the handle the faster and longer the top would spin. Once you stopped plunging the handle you would just sit back and watch it move and spin around the room. You basically became an observer of its activity with no involvement in its spinning or movement. This is what deism teaches. God initiated His creation, i.e. created the universe and got it spinning on its axis, so to speak, and then just sits back and watches what happens. That is, He does not involve Himself in the life and activity of His creation.

Such theology is false but is exactly what secularism involves. It teaches a kind of naturalism that says give man enough time to engage his intellect and ingenuity and he will solve all the problems of the world independently of God’s involvement in His creation. Thus, when secularism supplants the Lord and His word man’s theology becomes deistic. God created the world but does not involve Himself in the working or functioning of His creation. Oscar Meyer has a word for that. It is B O L O G N A. I wonder where mankind would be today if God did not involve Himself in the salvation of man by sending Christ into the world to pay the penalty for our sins (John 3:16).

Believe me, if the corona virus pandemic is resolved, and I believe it will be, it will not be because of the intellect and ingenuity of man alone but because of the Lord behind the intellect of man and his ingenuity. Let us make no mistake here. Let us give Him the credit and glory which He deserves when He resolves the problem of this pandemic.

First Baptist, if you happen to see a turtle sitting on top of a fence post you can accurately conclude he did not get there on his own. Neither will we when it comes to solving the corona virus pandemic.