Maranatha!!!

Rejoice with me this morning! I was searching for a particular verse to share with someone that contained the words “thou art my.” To my delight, the Lord blessed me with these verses that describe my God!! I pray they bless you as much as they blessed me!!

~Psalms 16:2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

~Psalms 22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.

~Psalms 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

~Psalms 31:4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

~Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

~Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

~Psalms 44:4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

~Psalms 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

~Psalms 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

~Psalms 71:7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

~Psalms 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

~Psalms 119:57 CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

~Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Now receive a blessing and put your name in place of the word “my.” Enjoy

~Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Why is it so hard to find a “seasoned” Christian anymore? They are truly far and few apart. Many Christians start out well and are on fire for the Lord. But when the trials and tribulations of the Christian life set in, they are easily discouraged and give up. Some don’t give up until many years later. Why is that?

It is tribulation that seasons a Christian. As we experience each trial, we lean on the everlasting arms of Christ and we are able to see His hand in all of the details. We rest in His care and rely on Him to carry us through each one. We know that one day our trials will be over and our faith will be made sight when we see Jesus face-to-face!

~Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

When someone gives up and stops following Christ altogether (without ever coming back), one must question whether or not his profession of salvation was true. God does not treat His children differently – He gives them all the same care and helps them all through their trials. What makes this person who has given up different from the believer? Paul states in Galatians 5:7 that they were side tracked by false teachers and, therefore, did not obey the truth. Just what is the truth? Jesus said,

~John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

God’s Word is truth and the believer needs to feed himself daily with it! When one finds himself struggling spiritually, it is because he has not delved into the Word of God and fed himself. The average Christian would not miss a meal for fear of starvation. Why then would the average Christian consider going a day without God’s Word? Is not spiritual starvation worse?

It is God’s Word that fills the believer. It is God’s Word that guides us in all truth and reveals those deceivers to us! When wrong doctrine comes along, the Christian who is daily in the Word of God will spot it immediately. He will recognize wrong teaching as counterfeit and will steer clear from it.

~Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Don’t dismay, Christian! Keep running the race and don’t give up! Don’t let daily life get the best of you. These distractions are a ploy of Satan to discourage you! There are a lot of false teachers out there. Learn to recognize counterfeit religion by comparing it to the Truth!

~James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Today’s picture doesn’t seem like much – a small blue piece just stands out amongst the rest. Much like the trial that I am experiencing right now, this puzzle piece is only part of the picture. The Christian’s life is filled with various difficult times, drama, temptations, trials, and tribulations. Each represents one puzzle piece in the picture of our lives.

James encourages us to count it all joy when we go through various situations in life – why? Because the Lord is molding us and teaching us using all of these. Our spiritual lives are being formed with each one and in the end a beautiful work will be wrought by the Master!

So if each jigsaw piece represents an event in our lives where the Lord is teaching us and molding us, once they are all put together and the believer has yielded himself to the work of the Holy Spirit during each trial, a glorious result is produced to be the “image” of Christ. As James says, each trial of faith produces patience. We come to the realization that the Lord has not failed us and He is busy at work helping us through each one.

Now take today’s picture and see where it fits in when it is made complete! Absolutely beautiful! It is difficult to see the end result when one is in the midst of a trial. When one is suffering from pain or is experiencing family problems, the last thing on their mind is how beautiful it will all be in the end. But this is where James is encouraging us to concentrate our efforts. When we change our view of that trial and accept that the Lord is always there and is allowing the trial for His good purpose, we become patient knowing that it is all for His glory.

Be encouraged, dear Christian! You will be able to see the big picture one day and your patience will be rewarded!

~1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Today’s text says it all! Just what is sound doctrine, anyway? Let’s look to God’s Word to see! Today’s text categorizes what is contrary to sound doctrine:

(1) whoremongers: one who indulges in lust; fornication, or adultery.
(2) them who defile themselves with mankind: homosexuality
(3) menstealers: enslaving another – could be slavery, kidnapping, entrapping
(4) liars: self explanatory – anything spoken that is not the truth
(5) perjured persons: making false oaths to a court of justice

If sound doctrine is compromised in a church, it can only be replaced with its opposite. The doctrines being practiced in today’s churches fall exactly in line with what Paul was warning against:

~1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

We see a great falling away from the faith in today’s modern church. Paul did not mince words – he did not sugar coat them either. Paul says that today’s doctrine is the doctrine of devils. Any doctrine that cannot be supported by God’s Word must come straight from the devil! Although a church may seem religious, one should test its doctrine and compare it with the plumb line of God’s Word.

What do we see in today’s churches? We see people who claim they are Christians are yet are adulterers, fornicators, homosexuals, liars, perjurers, etc. There is no new nature spoken of in John 3:3 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. They continue in their same old life style thinking that God will bless them in some way. No repentance is evident and yet they crowd the churches and fill it with sin and compromise. Now that these sins have been allowed to fill our pews, like a rotten apple in a barrel full of healthy apples, it’s not long before the rest of the church (barrel) is filled with rotten fruit!

I don’t believe that anyone even knows the definition anymore! Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines the word “sound” as:

SOUND, a. [L. sanus.]

1. Founded in truth; firm; strong; valid; solid; that cannot be overthrown or refuted; as sound reasoning; a sound argument; a sound objection; sound doctrine; sound principles.

2. Right; correct; well founded; free form error; orthodox. II Tim 1. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes. Psa 119.

Wow!! What a poignant adjective! Now when used with the noun “doctrine,” it begins to take on an eye opening definition! Mr. Webster defines “doctrine” as:

DOCTRINE, n. [L., to teach.]

1. In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles. The doctrines of Plato are the principles which he taught. Hence a doctrine may be true or false; it may be a mere tenet or opinion.

2. The act of teaching.

He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in his doctrine. Mark 4.

3. Learning; knowledge.

Whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Isa 28.

4. The truths of the gospel in general.

That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. Titus 2.

5. Instruction and confirmation in the truths of the gospel. 2 Tim 3.

When combined, these two words should explode to the Christian! Amen??  Is it any wonder that sound doctrine has been compromised in our churches?  What are we exposing ourselves to when we listen to Christian radio? How many Christians are side tracked when watching Oprah? Does Dr. Phil really have all the answers? Why is it that the Christian finds himself seeking counsel from people who do not seek counsel from God’s Word? This cannot and will not feed the believer with sound doctrine. Of this I am certain!  Can one truly say, “Oh, I can continue living with my girlfriend just as long as I am ‘born again’!  Or, “I can continue to be ‘gay’ because Christ did not speak directly about homosexuality.” “God won’t judge me because it’s all under the blood of Jesus!”  Oh foolish one! You have succumbed to the doctrines of devils just so you can continue in your sin and feed yourself with the devil’s lies. What a price you are paying just so you can pretend to be a Christian. Is it so worth it for now? It won’t be when you enter eternity and see truth!

One cannot be at peace with these thoughts if one is truly born again.  Our new born again nature causes us to grieve when we sin and to have deep remorse!  Anyone who thinks they can continue in their old sin does not display remorse – in fact, quite the opposite.  This has an air of audacity and indignation! Cain did the same thing when his offering was of his “own making” and not what God required. This attitude is equivalent to thumbing your nose at God!

Men’s hearts have grown so cold toward God’s Word that they will seek out doctrine and preaching that will agree with their sin and compromise.

~2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

We must warn those that God places in our path – we must exhort them to righteous living – we must guide them in the Word and show them that sound doctrine cannot be compromised! We won’t be popular for doing so, that’s for sure! But then neither were the Apostles. They were stoned, boiled in oil, beheaded, etc. for the sake of preserving sound doctrine.

~Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

~Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

~Exodus 20:1-6 And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

I came across this quote by J.C. Ryle in his sermon Fire, Fire! and was totally amazed as to how it fit into today’s “church”! Take a moment and read his words and meditate on them.

Beware of manufacturing a god of your own: a god who is all mercy but not just, a god who is all love but not holy, a god who has a heaven for everybody but a hell for none, a god who can allow good and bad to be side by side in time, but will make no distinction between good and broad in eternity. Such a god is an idol of your own, as truly an idol as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple. The hands of your own fancy and sentimentality have made him. He is not the God of the Bible, and beside the God of the Bible, there is no God at all.

Beware of making selections from your Bible to suit your taste. Dare not to say, ‘I believe this verse, for I like it. I refuse that, for I cannot reconcile it with my views’. Nay! But O man, who art thou that repliest against God? By what right do you talk in this way? Surely it were better to say over EVERY chapter in the word, “Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth”. Ah! If men would do this, they would never deny the unquenchable fire.

-J.C. Ryle {from ‘Fire, Fire!’}
1816-1900

Today’s Laodicean church is everything described in Mr. Ryle’s excerpt! Today’s manufactured god is all merciful, all love, only provides Heaven, and does not require eternal judgment for sin. This god has been designed by men whose hearts have strayed from God’s Holy Word and they have designed their god around their own religion. Paul warned us about these latter days.

~2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The truth of the matter is that when we stray from God’s Word, we begin to seek those who are in agreement with us. We find a church that preaches what we want to hear. We hang around people who do not challenge us to dig deeper into the Word to be convicted by its power. The God of the Bible is a merciful God because He gave His Son to take our punishment. However, John 3:16 also says that the soul who does not accept Christ will perish. This same merciful God also passes judgment. You cannot have one without the other. This same loving God is all love but is also Holy. His righteousness cannot allow sin into Heaven. As Christ hung on the cross dying, the Father had to turn (Matt. 27:46) His back on His own Son because of His Holiness. This same God resides in Heaven where sin is not allowed. He, therefore, had to create a place to hold the devil, his angels and those who would not accept His Son (Matt. 25:41). And lastly, because of man’s fall in the Garden of Eden, we are all born with a sin nature. It is this sin nature that allows the bad to reside with any good that comes into our lives. The path to Heaven is narrow and there are few that want to walk it (Matt. 7:13-14). However, the road to destruction and Hell is broad and it is a much easier road to follow.

Mr. Ryle said it right, “But O man, who art thou that repliest against God? By what right do you talk in this way?” Man will be judged on what he has done with God’s Word. We of all generations are blessed. Many of us have at least one King James Bible on our shelves. It is available for free on-line along with countless wonderful Bible software programs to help one study.

Today’s church may be the lukewarm church but it will be held accountable for having the living Word of God freely at its fingertips but yet neglecting to open its pages and freely drink! What god have you made for yourself? Be careful what doctrine you hold dear to your heart, Christian.

~2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Be sure that your God is the God of the Bible!

~Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

I see several things from today’s text that should cause a born-again Christian to shout for joy and encouragement! Our God gave us encouragement in just one simple verse! Picking it apart allows us to see the meat of it and it no longer is just a verse that we have read as part of our daily reading.

First off, the Lord tells us not to fear. Why? Because He is with us. The born-again believer has been given the Holy Spirit at salvation and He resides within us until we faith is made sight, either at death or the Rapture (Eph. 1:13 and Eph. 4:30). God goes on to tell us not to be discouraged or disheartened. Why? Because He is our God! Our God, our Creator, and our Deliverer is overseeing every aspect of our lives!

This brings up the next point of encouragement. His Word says that He will strengthen us and help us through our trials and tribulations. Let’s face it, Christian, no matter what trial we are experiencing today, we are not going through anything as severe as what the early Christians went through – facing torturous death! There are Christians around the world that are being martyred for the name of Christ today – we don’t even come close to that type of persecution! But yet, the Lord has promised that He is help us and strengthen us during our time of need. Yes, each trial that we experience may feel as though it is unique to us but we are not alone! Hallelujah!!!

And lastly, the Lord tells us that He will uphold us with the right hand of His righteousness. Praise the Lord! Isaiah 64:6 tells us that our own righteousness is as filthy rags! Thank God that it is by HIS righteousness that we are saved and not our own as we would be doomed! I love the word “uphold” in today’s verse. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it as:

UPHOLD, v.t. pret. and pp. upheld. [Upholden is obsolete.]

1. To lift on high; to elevate.

2. To support; to sustain; to keep from falling or slipping.

Honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. Prov 29.

3. To keep from declension.

4. To support in any state.

5. To continue; to maintain.

6. To keep from being lost.

Faulconbridge, in spite of spite, along upholds the day.

7. To continue without failing.

8. To continue in being.

God’s righteousness is complete and nothing can separate us from Him once we have accepted that Christ’s blood IS sufficient for our salvation. Nothing else can secure our place in eternity. Not our own religious behavior, not our own good works, nothing!

So be encouraged, dear Christian. Our God is there – every step of the way – during our trials and tribulations. Do not be discouraged! Look up for our redemption draweth nigh!

~Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

When we begin to see our life, our sin and its repercussions, and pleasing God, we are at the beginning of wisdom. Holy understanding cannot possibly include compromise, “little sins,” childish behavior, etc., can it? There is nothing holy about those things. The Apostle Paul addressed these things with the most carnal church, the Corinthian church:

~1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Are you easily offended? Are you childish? You may have been saved for many years but that does not make you spiritually mature. Spiritual maturity takes submitting one’s self to the Word of God.

~Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

If the preaching of God’s Word offends you and you find yourself complaining about the preacher, it is time for a spiritual check. Paul told the Corinthian church that he put away childish things. That takes daily feeding in God’s Word – loving God’s Word in such a way that when you hear/read something that rubs you the wrong way, be mature and try to look at your offense/sin in the same way God sees it.

Become a spiritual adult – not a spiritual baby in diapers always needing attention and changing!

~Deuteronomy 33:27a The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:

There are times when weariness sets into the believer’s life. Our strength seems so small. At times I feel as though I have been totally depleted of any strength. I search deep down to find even a small amount but find none!

I thank the Lord for His Word for in it are the fountains of refreshing waters! It is there this morning that I find that it is not by my strength that I can carry on but by His strength.

~Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

The Lord’s strength is everlasting. It never runs out – it never becomes weak – it is everlasting, never ending. That means that when I am at my weakest, His strength is constant! What a blessing that is to me!

God doesn’t take a break. We, in our finite minds, fathom what it means to never stop – to never cease from work – to never sleep. But our Lord knows all about this. He does not sit back and close His eyes at the end of the day.

~Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

These verses encouraged my spirit this weary morning. I am lifted up knowing that my Lord and Saviour is well aware of the day’s trials and tribulations because He has seen it from its beginning. He has followed every step and seen every segment. Therefore, He is the best witness to my difficulties and is the only one qualified to help me! Not only does He bring that comfort and peace, but He gives me strength to move forward.

Oh dear God, what do the lost do in times such as these? I cannot begin to imagine how I could go through life without my tower of strength, my Lord Jesus Christ!

~Psalms 30:5b… weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

So many are going through difficult times at the moment. I think of friends who are grieving the loss of a parent. I have family and friends who are sick – some in need of surgery. Others are weary Christians who long for Christ’s return because life has become overwhelming. As well, there are missionaries who feel abandoned by their supporting churches – either from lack of communication or their churches have stopped their support due to financially difficult times.

I dare say that we have all been, and may even be currently,  in one of these situations at one point or another and each of us have cried through the night pleading that the Lord would bring peace and comfort … and He does. Today’s text promises us that joy comes in the morning for the Christian who has cried and prayed through the night at the Lord’s feet.

~Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Along with that joy, our Father brings His precious comfort. Our problem may still exist, however, there is encouragement in our hearts because we know that the Lord has it all under control!  His compassions do not fail His children!

~Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Our Creator knows our weaknesses and His mercy extends to the ends of the universe for His child!  The Perfect Parent is watching over us.  Just as we would not fail our children in their time of need, more so is our Heavenly Father right there along side us during our time of need.

~Lamentations 3:22It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Be encouraged today, dear Christian. Although it appears that the world is falling apart before our very eyes, the Word is clear that our faith will be made sight very soon! Look up because our redemption draweth nigh!

~Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

~Exodus 17:12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

~Mark 2:3-4 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Everyone should have a friend like those in today’s text! There is no greater way to display one’s love than by being there for someone in need – really being there.

Aaron and Hur literally held up Moses’ arms when he couldn’t keep them up, even for one more minute! They didn’t do an “O.K.” job – Moses’ arms were steady until the sun went down! How amazing is that friendship!

The account of the sick person with the palsy was also an inspiration to me. Four people decided to work together for the sake of their friend! They tied his bed to ropes and crawled up to the roof of the house where Jesus was preaching. They eased their friend down on his bed so that he would have an opportunity to be healed by Jesus.  They didn’t know whether or not Jesus would even have time to heal their friend but they made sure that their friend would have every opportunity possible to be healed!

How far would you go to help a loved one? How far would you go to help a friend? Wouldn’t you want a friend like this during your time of need? One doesn’t necessarily need a helping hand only when they are sick. In Moses’ case, he was totally exhausted and needed someone to keep his arms raised. In both accounts, these friends gave up their time and energy for the sake of helping their friend.

I’m sure if we sat here long enough, we can all think of at least one person who is sick, weary, in need of a ride, or simply needs an encouraging word. If you are a caregiver, you probably get quite discouraged at constantly being pulled from side to side.  You will never know, this side of Heaven, how much you have helped in this sick person’s life.  Don’t give up!