Category: General

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1-18.

Aim: To comfort us by the Lord’s intimate knowledge of us and our needs.

Introduction: Often we may be tempted to think that the Lord doesn’t know or care about us or about our problems. The following Scriptures show that he does know and care about us.

The Lord knows:

1. Our Way “He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness.” Deuteronomy 2:7.

“He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

“The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:6.

2. Our Secret Thoughts “He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21.

3. Our Frame “The proud he knoweth afar off.” Psalm 138:6.

“For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13,14.

4. Them That Trust In Him “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7.

5. Our Needs “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:8,32

6. Our Hearts “God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:14,15.

7. Them That Are His “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” II Timothy 2:19.

8. When I Sit Down And Stand Up “Thou knoweth my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” Psalm 139:2.

9. How To Deliver The Godly “The Lord knoweth how to deliver to godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” II Peter 2:9.

Answers – Keith Piper

Over a century has passed since the founder of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor, has gone to Heaven. He was a man with great vision, and in the early days when China was still murdering people who came in as foreigners especially foreigners who wanted to inject any new ideas about God or religion Hudson Taylor went to China and spent his life there. He did not go by plane, as many of us have done, because there were no planes. In fact, there weren’t even many roads. It is said that Hudson Taylor walked so much that his feet were calloused. There were huge, thick callouses on his feet that made it painful for him to walk in the latter years of his life. Bones gave way a bit, still he kept walking until the day of his death because there was so much to be done.

So Hudson Taylor, through all the years of his life, walked to get to these people – to reach new areas with the news that Jesus loves sinners.

As he grew older, his wife became too feeble to go with him on his long journeys. Far back in the interior China, where Hudson Taylor died, she’d wait in the village, eager for the twilight when her husband would come home. He would come finally, his frail body absolutely at the breaking point and worn out beaten down with the sun, thirsty, tired; and those feet would be aching, aching, aching from the walk.

He would come in and put aside his garments, and his wife would come with a wash basin. Looking up to that noble face, and seeing there all the love of Jesus for the lost and for these Chinese, she would weep a little at the price she saw it cost her husband to keep on going. Then she would put that wash basin, just an ordinary old tin wash basin, on the floor, and she would fill it with warm water.

Then, old as she was and unable to walk out through the villages as he did, she would get on her knees with a little towel and a little bit of soap and wash those gnarled and calloused and knobby old feet, and with her aching hands would massage them.

Time and time again, he would tell her where he had been for Jesus that day. He would talk about the demon possessed he had prayed for; or the woman with a great cancer as an open sore on her leg that he pointed to Jesus; or the little village where he had gone where there were fifty to sixty percent of the people blind or going blind with trachoma, and where he had talked about Jesus who came to restore sight to the blind.

He would tell his story, and she would just massage his feet and wash them. Finally, when she had done the best she could to ease the burning pain in those joints worn out for Jesus, time and time again she would just look up and say, “Hudson, its been a busy day, and you are tired; and I just want you to know that like your face that shines for Jesus, these feet too, are beautiful. They are not only beautiful to me, but to your Lord; for He said, “How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of them that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation … ” (Isaiah 52:7). Maybe you are saying that you have been ignored, and your gifts and talents are despised. Maybe you are just doing what seems the most ordinary, commonplace things among men. All you have to use or work with or give to God is your feet. God makes the humblest and most despised beautiful.

God wants you to give Him the despised, the humdrum things in your life- like feet- and let Him make them beautiful.

The Gospel Standard

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith … ” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Many Christians are conscious of failure in their lives of hindrances in the work they are called to do, in their testimony, of times of depression and unusual temptations.

We are often conscious that we have been completely fooled in some decision we have made, and at such times we wonder why we have failed; why the way seemed blocked when we were sure God was in the thing we felt led to do. We wonder often why we arc depressed in heart, when there is no usual explanation for our feelings. We have not been able to explain how, usually wise in some decisions, we have apparently missed the mark. We have asked at times why prayer has been so difficult when we have “our access” to God in Christ.

We are prone to blame ourselves. Sometimes we should. But again, sometimes we must accept what the Word of God tells us about one-God’s malignant enemy and ours-who is ever alert, looking for the weak places in our armour, eager to take advantage of any opening we give him through sin, unbelief, lack of perseverance. We are apt to underrate the battle which is ours against this powerful enemy.

There is a great body of truth in Scripture that concerns ” … your adversary the devil … ” He is presumptuous (Matthew 4:5-6), proud (1 Timothy 3:6), powerful (Ephesians 2:2), wicked (1 John 2:13), malignant (Job 1:9; Job 2:4), subtle (Genesis 3:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:3), deceitful (2 Corinthians 11:14), fierce and cruel (Luke 4:29). The scope and power of his work are beyond comprehension, for he ” … deceiveth the whole world … ” (Revelation 12:9), and he has endless energy(Job 1:7; 1 Peter 5:8).

A vast host of demons, who may be fallen angels, are under Satan’s authority. Many are the instances in the Word of God and in the lives of men when demons have possessed men and women to their utter ruin – a condition from which they are delivered only by prevailing prayer and the power of God.

THE INVASION OF HUMAN HEARTS

And there have evidently been times when the devil himself would concentrate on one person, rather than entrust this to a demon.

Witness the fact that the devil filled Judas Iscariot-a fact which shows his estimate of the importance of that awful mission. He also filled Ananias in Acts 5:3, ” … why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost … “

We do not find any sure scriptural witness to the devil or a demon ever entering the life of a believer. He may harass, afflict, buffet, sift, oppose the work of the Lord, discourage in prayer-but not enter the body of one truly the Lord’s. Many of God’s dear saints have been driven to distraction by unscriptural teaching in this direction.  ” … he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 John 5:18).

Some reject the sure evidence of demon possession brought to us by many missionaries who have laboured in the lands where Satan has had no opposition for years.

We who live in America may be in nice homes, in Christian homes, with a Gospel church to attend and kind friends about us and living in fairly good circumstances. If so, we can get easily satisfied with conditions in the world immediately about us and fail to realize that this world is not our home. Especially if we are not living in close fellowship with the Lord, we immerse ourselves in our immediate circle, have little touch with the vast multitude round about us and fail to realize their awful darkness, which will shortly end in Hell and the lake of fire.

This is all part of the devil’s vast program, blinding not only the eyes of those that believe not, but bringing a measure of that darkness in our lives. For, if we were in real touch with God, we would be increasingly dissatisfied and longing for the red emption of our bodies and our deliverance from this present world system, all of which is under the direct domination of Satan.

He, Satan, has all kinds of methods to satisfy and blind the dupes in the world, with one end- their eternal ruin in the lake of fire: and likewise, in every way possible, he seeks to render inoperative the born-again Christian. He may use anything from some apparently innocent pleasures to demon possession to enslave the lost forever. He may use anything from satisfaction in business, the home, or church life, to some secret sin, or to hatred or envy, to render useless every Christian who will listen to his devices.

Lance B. Latham

Every believer is called to be a witness.

 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1 :8). Not all are called to be pastors or teachers, but we are all called to be witnesses if we are born again. It is not necessary to change your honourable, honest occupation in order to be a witness. “Abide in you calling but take the Lord into partnership.”

God desires to save every lost soul that you have an opportunity to deal with.

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Remember that contact is opportunity. The first may be the only opportunity you will ever have. Therefore aim to lead to immediate decision. Never allow any fatalistic theory of election to cool your zeal for the salvation of lost souls. Facility of approach is the result of daily activity. Skill is not acquired by spasmodic effort.

You are responsible to God for the salvation of these lost ones.

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand” (Ezekiel 3:18). Acts 20:26 implies that Paul believed their blood would have been upon him if he had been unfaithful in witnessing. He no doubt alludes to Ezekiel where this principle is stated. Never forget your ambassadorship (2 Corinthians 5:20). Can you say with Paul, ” … I am pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26).

The Word of God is the appointed means by which souls are saved.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). The sower must bear seed when he goes forth. Therefore acquire power in handling the Word. Answer human reason with Divine revelation. “God has not promised to bless our word, but He has promised to bless His.”

Every testimony should be preceded by, accompanied with, and followed by prayer.

 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:3) “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). The book of Acts is a book of witnessing, and it is filled with references to prayer. No wonder the early church got results.

The personal worker should completely rely on the Holy Spirit.

“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29). Keep in mind the fact that the Holy Spirit convicts every unsaved person to whom you proclaim the Gospel. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Therefore strike for conviction. Arouse the conscience, and then press the will for a choice.

The witness should be a child of God walking in the light.

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). The average person will not read the Gospel according to John, but they will watch your life to see the nature of the Gospel according to you. We should be careful not to do anything that would bring reproach on the Gospel. Let us do everything in our power to wins souls for Christ. Let us refrain from anything that would be a hindrance. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

–The Gospel Standard –

Note: To bring up scripture references hold down ctrl key and click

1. To worship God in Spirit (Php. 3:3; Jn. 4:24).

2. To rejoice in Christ (Php. 3:1,3; 4:4).

3. To have no confidence in flesh (Php. 3:3-8).

4. To count all things loss (Php. 3:7-8).

5. To count all things but dung (Php. 3:8).

6. To have no self-righteousness (Php. 3:9).

7. I follow after knowledge (Php. 3:8,12).

8. I forget the past (Php. 3:13).

9. I reach out for future things (Php. 3:13).

10. I press toward the prize (Php. 3:14).

11. I strive to be an example (Php. 3:15-19).

12. I look for the Savior (Php. 3:20).

Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;” (Proverbs 1:24”

1. Refusal of wisdom’s call

2. Disregard of her invitation

“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;” (Proverbs 1:24)

3. Setting at naught her counsel

4. Rejection of her reproof

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” (Proverbs 1:29)

5. Hatred of her knowledge

6. Refusal of fear of the Lord

“They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.” (Proverbs 1:30)

7. Rejection of wisdom’s counsel

8. Despising her reproof

^“Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” (Proverbs 1:31)

9. Reaping fruit of own way

10. Being filled with own schemes

^“For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:32)

11. Turning away or backsliding

12. Being satisfied with prosperity

Wisdom is personified here indicating that every man is endowed with natural faculties to know right from wrong and to make godly decisions.

“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9)

^“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” (Romans 2:12-16)

It is man’s own God-given wisdom which will laugh and mock at the calamity he brings upon himself through folly and rejection of her pleading.  See Psalm 1

Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible

Eight If’s of Blessing

1. If you receive My words (Prov. 2:1)

2. If you hide (as a treasure) My commandments

3. If you incline your ear to wisdom (Prov. 2:2)

4. If you apply your heart to understanding

5. If you cry after knowledge (Prov. 2:3)

6. If you lift your voice for understanding

7. If you seek for knowledge as for silver (Prov. 2:4)

8. If you search for knowledge as for hidden treasure

Eight Blessings of Obedience — First Conclusion:

1. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord (Prov. 2:5).

2. Then you will find the knowledge of God.

3. Then you will receive wisdom from God (Prov. 2:6).

4. Then you will receive knowledge from God.

5. Then you will receive understanding from God.

6. Then you will receive protection from God (Prov. 2:7).

7. Then you will have security in God (Prov. 2:8).

8. Then you will have preservation in life.

Eight Blessings of Obedience — Second Conclusion:

1. Then you will understand righteousness (Prov. 2:9).

2. Then you will understand judgment.

3. Then you will understand equity.

4. Then you will understand every good path.

5. Then wisdom will enter your heart (Prov. 2:10).

6. Then knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

7. Then discretion will preserve you (Prov. 2:11).

8. Then understanding will keep you.

^“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

• Intro:
  • Paul was a minister of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.  
  • There are 7 mysteries of God in the New Testament.  
  • These mysteries are easy to find by simply cross-referencing the word “mystery.”
  • Today, we will identify each mystery and briefly describe it.  
  • The mystery of godliness – 1 Tim 3:16 –
    • The mystery of godliness is God was manifest in the flesh.  It is a mystery that God, who inhabits the entire universe, manifested himself as a baby who was born of a virgin.  It is a mystery that Jesus Christ was all man and yet all God at the same time.  He performed miracles, on the one hand, and hungered and thirsted, on the other.  Jn 1:1, 14 establishes the truth of 1 Tim 3:16.  
  • John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.”
• The mystery of the body of Christ – Eph 5:30-32 –
  • The mystery of the body of Christ is that, when we are saved, we are baptized by the Spirit of God into the body of Christ [1 Cor 12:13] and become literal members of his flesh and of his bones [Eph 5:30].  
  • Therefore, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places [Eph 2:6].  
  • The reason Paul refers back to Gen 2:24 in Eph 5:31 is that “the first man Adam” and “the last Adam,” [1 Cor 15:45] are very similar when it comes to their wives.  
  • As Adam’s wife came forth from his flesh and bones [Gen 2:23], we come forth from the flesh and bones of Jesus Christ to be married to him [Rom 7:4; Rev 19:7-9].
• The mystery of the indwelling Christ – Col 1:27 –
  • The mystery of the indwelling of Jesus Christ is that, when we are saved, Jesus Christ literally dwells in us.
  • It is a mystery how the second person of the Trinity [1 Jn 5:7], who is currently seated at the right hand of God [Heb 10:12], can indwell every Christian who is alive today [Jn 14:20].  
  • When the Lord said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” [Heb 13:5] he meant it literally.
• The mystery of the rapture – 1 Cor 15:51 –
  • The mystery of the rapture is that Jesus Christ, as part of his Second Coming, will first return for all those who have been born again.  
  • The bodies of those who are dead in Christ will rise first and then the bodies of all those who are alive at his coming will be changed [1 Cor 15:50-55; 1 Thes 4:16-18; Phil 3:21].  
  • It’s a mystery because no one knows when this will happen, or how this will happen.  
  • How does God instantly change our vile bodies and fashion them like unto his glorious body?  
  • After the rapture will be the Tribulation, followed by the return of Jesus Christ to rule and reign on the earth.
• The mystery of iniquity – 2 Thess 2:7 –
  • The mystery of iniquity is the spirit of Antichrist.  
  • The reason this is a mystery is that the spirit of antichrist is already working in the earth but people can’t detect it [1 Jn 4:1-4].  
  • Another reason that the spirit of antichrist is a mystery is that when the antichrist shows up, the world will regard him as God [2 Thess 2:4] and not the devil.  
  • The revelation of his true identity will be withheld [2 Thess 2:6-8].
• Mystery Babylon the Great – Rev 17:5 –
  • Mystery Babylon the Great is the city [Rev 17:3-5, 18] of the Antichrist during the Tribulation.  
  • The reason this city is a mystery is that Babylon was destroyed.  
  • Currently, the ruins of the ancient city are in Hillah, about approximate 53 south of Baghdad.  
  • Restoration is being done to Ishtar Gate and Ishtar Temple.  
  • Nevertheless, it is not this city to which John was referring.  
  • The city to which John refers in Rev 17 is like Babylon in its idolatry, political influence and global economy, yet it is a mystery.  
  • Many believe that mystery Babylon is Rome because of its historical influence over kings, its lavish wealth and its idolatrous connections with Ishtar.
• The mystery of the blindness of Israel – Rom 11:25 –
  • The mystery of the blindness of Israel is that Israel, as a nation, is currently blind to the fact that Jesus is their Messiah.  
  • When he was crucified at the demand of the chief priests and elders, they did not realize they were killing their Messiah [Matt 13:15], the Lord of glory [1 Cor 2:7-8], the Prince of life [Acts 3:14-15].  
  • Many individual Jews have trusted Jesus Christ. But the nation is still blind to the truth and will be until a remnant finally accepts him as their Lord and Christ at the Second Advent.  
  • And then all Israel will be saved [Rom 11:25-29; Jer 31:31-34].
• Conclusion:  
  • 1 Cor 4:2 says that it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.  
  • We must be faithful to these mysteries.  
  • Religions, false teachers and worldly Christians have departed from these mysteries.  
  • Translators of modern bibles have not been faithful to the mystery of godliness and have attacked the deity of Christ.  
  • Many have confused the mystery of the body of Christ, by their interpretation of the church.  
  • More and more believers are changing their beliefs about the pre-tribulation rapture of the church.  
  • And for centuries, some believers have taught that the church replaced Israel in the covenant and Old Testament promises, not realizing that Israel’s blindness will be healed when Jesus returns.

We have all heard the expressions, “trust in your heart”, follow your heart”, “do what your heart tells you”, and “everyone is basically good at heart.”

These common expressions used by man is based on what the world system has taught him. The world system includes our public school system and so-called institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities). The world system includes what our parents and religions teach us. Let us not forget to include the news media and social media in the world system.

However, what does the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God, and the Saviour of mankind, the Lord Jesus Christ has to say about the heart. Buckle up ladies and gentlemen, hear is what thus saith the Lord.

^“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23

^“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

So, let me ask you do you still want to “trust in your heart”, follow your heart”, “do what your heart tells you”, and believe “everyone is basically good at heart.”?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Mat. 22:37-38)

Everyone seems to be quite familiar with the facts  that “God is love” (I John 4:8) and “God so loved the world” (John 3:16).  We enjoy pondering the thought that God loves us, but what about our love for him?  How can a love relationship be proper when only one party is expressing love?  Can a marriage be right when the wife doesn’t love the husband?  No it cannot, and our fellowship with God isn’t right when we only say that we love him, yet there is no evidence of it in our Christian walk. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3:18)

The sad fact is that most people, Christians included, do not really love God.  This can be easily proven by comparing our Christian testimony to a good healthy marriage.  If a married couple truly loves one another, then there will be clear evidence of it.  The same is true when a person loves God.  “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” (I Cor. 8:3)

Do You Enjoy God’s Word?

If I really love my wife, I am going to have an open ear for her.  I am not going to come in from work and ignore her concerns while pursuing my own interests.  If I did so, she would quickly come to realize that I didn’t love her.

The same is true with God.  How can one say they love God when they seldom read his words?  Jesus said that if you love him you will keep his words (John 14:23).  How can you keep them if you don’t read them?  In John 8:47, Jesus said, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”  Friend, you spend hours each week absorbing the words of men, but how much time do you spend with the words of God?  If you really love someone, you really want to hear what they have to say.

Do You Enjoy God’s Fellowship?

Suppose you came to me and said, “Brother Melton, I think you’re the greatest!  Your publications have been such a blessing to me.  I love you so much in the Lord, but I hate your wife!”  Do you think I’m going to be close friends with you?  I think not.

Well, many people claim to love God, but they visit their dentist more often than they attend church services!  That’s not much love!  The church is the bride of Christ, yet  most professing Christians are more comfortable with worldly unsaved people than with God’s people.  The only things  they love are themselves and the world.  Such people can sit patiently through a television program, a ball game, or even a dirty joke, but they can’t bring themselves to sit through a preaching service with God’s people. 

The fact is that you fellowship with those whom you love, be it God or the devil.  Who receives your fellowship? “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (I Cor. 1:9) “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Cor. 6:14)

Do You Enjoy Praising God?

If a woman really loves her husband, she will praise him and speak well of him.  The same is true when a man loves his wife.  Proverbs 31:28 says, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”   He praises her because he loves her.  It is human nature to praise those whom you love.  Even God praises men on occasion because he has a special love for his special servants (Job 1:8; I Cor. 4:5).  If you love someone, you will praise them.

Friend, how often do you praise God?  How can you say you love God when you seldom praise his holy name?  The word “praise” is found 248 times in the Bible, but how many times have you praised God this week?  Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Of all the words which have flowed from your lips this past week, how many of them were offered as a sacrifice of praise to God?

If you really love the Lord, you will praise him!  You will praise him in the church, in the home, in the work place, in the school, and in the general public.  God wants us to praise him “continually,” and if we love him we will.

Do You Enjoy Sacrificing for God?

I love my wife and children, so I do not mind sacrificing for them.  I often have to do without the things in life that I would like to have because my family has needs which are more important than my “wants.”  I love my family, so I sacrifice for them.

The Bible says that we are to offer up “spiritual sacrifices” to God (I Pet. 2:5).  The needs of the ministry are more important than our personal “wants.”  A Christian who really loves God will set aside his own will and seek God’s will.  Jesus said, “. . . not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42) Selfishness has no place in Christianity.  It is an enemy of the cross of Christ.  Paul said in Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  (Rom. 12:1)

So it is unreasonable for a Christian to not give himself to God for Christian service.  If you love God, you will sacrifice in order to serve him and please him.   You will gladly attend church services, and you will involve yourself in the various ministries of the church.  You will tithe and give to missions.  Rather than jump to negative conclusions, you will give your brethren in the Lord the benefit of a doubt.  You will forgive others who trespass against you, and you won’t hold grudges.  When others step forward in self exaltation, you will take the “lower seat” of humility and wait on the Lord.  Friend, if you love God, you will bear your cross and follow your Saviour.

Do You Enjoy Thinking of the Lord’s Return?

When you love someone you want to be with them.  I become homesick when I have to spend even one night away from my wife and children.  If I enjoyed being away from home more than being at home, I wouldn’t love my wife and children.  My love for them causes me to think of them when I’m away, and it causes me to look forward to being with them again.

My love for the Lord should be the same.  Every Christian should desire to be with the Lord.  Every Christian should be “homesick” for heaven and looking for Jesus to return.

Friend, do you know the last prayer of the Bible?  It isn’t a prayer for world peace, nor is it a prayer for anyone’s health, or even anyone’s salvation.  After being shown all of the breathtaking events of the book of Revelation, the apostle John sent up one final prayer to the Lord: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20)

Can you honestly pray like that?  Can you honestly say that you want Jesus Christ to return more than anything in this world?  If you could have any prayer answered in the next sixty seconds, what would be your petition?  Would you express your love for yourself by praying for something selfish, or would you express your love for God by asking Jesus to return?  If you love him, you should want to be with him.  “. . . Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?” (II Sam. 19:10)

Author: James L. Melton