Prayer for the Lost

THINK

On These

Things

Prayer For The Lost

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

(James 5:16)

Many are the righteous mothers and fathers who have prayed a lifetime for the salvation of their children. Their prayers have been fervent. Some have lived to see that wonderful result. Others have gone on to Heaven without ever seeing the desire of their hearts, but with an enduring hope for the future.

How can we best pray for the unsaved: our children, our relatives, neighbors, friends, or even nations? Our prayers must be “effectual.” An “effectual” prayer cannot be based on emotion, desire, hope or even love. To be “effectual” a prayer must be in keeping with the character, plan and provision of God. How then should one best pray for the salvation of a friend or relative? Let us examine some aspects of the Word that relate to this question.

If I tell God how much I love them, value them, delight in them, desire their well-being, I have done nothing. God loves them more than I ever could. He is their Creator, their Sustainer, their One True Source. My love for them is pleasant to God, but it is not a reason for Him to move.

If I tell God how wonderful a person my son is and that He really ought to save him so he can be in Heaven with me, I have done nothing. God knows my son. He knows how wonderful (or not) he really is, far better than I do. Further, my son’s salvation will never be based on my desire. It can only be based on my son’s desire.

If I ask God to give my son the desire to be saved, He will not do it. Verse after verse of the words of Jesus say plainly that the reward is for “whosoever WILL believe.” It is something the person must do themselves. It is a matter of their own WILL. It is a desire that must rise up in them in the face of the evidence of the Gospel. It is a response. It is a decision. God will not force it.

If I ask God to draw my son to Himself, He cannot do it, for it is already done. In John 12:32 we hear Jesus saying, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” God draws everyone. The drawing is already in operation. It is not lacking. It is the response that is lacking.

If I ask God to convict my son of his sins, He cannot do it, for again, it is already done. In John 16:7-8 Jesus said,

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

That Comforter, the Holy Spirit came among us on the day of Pentecost and has been reproving the world of sin ever since. He is a constant laborer. There is no man, woman or child who has not been advised by the Holy Spirit that they are sinners. They have simply, willfully, refused to hear the confrontation of the Holy Spirit. While conviction must precede repentance, repentance does not always follow conviction. Very often those who are convicted by the Holy Spirit respond not with repentance but with rebellion. They choose to deny the existence of God to justify their sinful life styles.

If I ask God to send laborers to reveal the Gospel to my son, He can and will do that. But it is not certain to be effective. Where can you live in America and claim that you have never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Missionaries carry the Word to far places where it has not yet penetrated. Evangelists circle the 50 states giving opportunity in person, in books, on radio and on TV. No. The Gospel has already been brought, but it has been rejected. Sometimes a special emissary, a special friend or relative might break through. We can hope for that.

To summarize, we cannot achieve our goal by asking God to do what He is already doing. Also, we cannot ask God to impose Himself on the individual. If He did, that person would simply become a slave instead of a willing worshipper. God won’t do that. It would violate His character.

How then might we pray?

What God does do is this: He wrestles with the devil and his angels. This is the battlefield that is before us. This is the place where God is willing and able to operate, in power and dominion. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 we read,

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

That’s right! We are dealing with blinded minds. The god of this world has done the blinding. Not only that, but he continues to maintain that blinding, lest any should escape his grasp and find the truth and the light. He is powerful and strong. Some among us believers may be able to come against him in the name of Jesus, in that day when our own faith is strong and powerful. But Jesus Himself is strong and powerful against this enemy every moment of every day.

If I ask God to remove the devil’s blinding scales from the mind of my son, opening his eyes to see the light and the truth, then I have asked in keeping with the possible. This is the work in which we must enlist Him. Here is a prayer He can answer without violating His nature or His works of the past. Here is a prayer He desires to hear. 1 John 3:8 says,

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Some of those works were already destroyed by His death and resurrection. Other works of the enemy are still among us today, such as blinded minds. These works remain to be destroyed. These minds wait to be set free. When they are set free, then it can be said of them also,

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light is sprung up.” (Matthew 4:16)

As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

Drawing, convicting, preaching, are all important. Freedom to respond is crucial. Defeat the one who keeps the bonds of blindness on his victims, and the drawing, convicting, and preaching of the gospel can bring forth their precious fruit.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

06/17

Presented by Brother Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733

www.BlessedMan.net [email protected]

LIFE IS A MARATHON

Week Twenty-Six, 2017

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

A friend who is a marathon runner recently told me of a recent competition. He said there was a pacer who told all the runners behind to follow her pace and all would finish. Soon a runner who was a star athlete decided to out run ahead. As he passed the pacer she said, “We will see you again.”

Sure enough a few miles down the course the group passed the winded athlete who crossed the finish line forty-five minutes after the original group reached the end of the run. My friend commented that the race was a marathon, not a sprint.

The Christian life is not a sprint. It is a marathon. It is easy to get distracted, but we need to remain disciplined. Like the author of Hebrews says, so that we do not grow weary in the race, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He is our pacer and we need to stick with him and not run ahead.

The Christian life is a lifelong race that entails some long hills to climb and some swampy marshes to plod through. To make it to the end we need to get in shape and run the race at the pace our Savior sets.

In a marathon, it’s not the first mile that counts. Finishing the course well is everything. It takes a sustained effort. Our spiritual life required no less. We are competing against the enemy of our souls, who opposes God’s kingdom and wants us to drop out.

In the race of our spiritual life, we must lay aside every encumbrance that holds us and lay aside every sin that so easily entangles us. We must run with endurance the course God sets for us.

This is what Jesus meant when He talked about counting the cost of following Him (Luke 14:28-33). Before you make a glib commitment to be a Christian, think it through. Are you willing to put out the effort, the sweat, the endurance, and the pain of going the distance? Jesus himself is the motivation to keep us running.

The main way to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” is, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

***
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

“Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20:16 CSB)

Say that out loud, using your name. I don’t know about you, but my stomach did a little flip when I said it because it makes Jesus’ love so personal. Jesus is familiar with me, and with you. Way back in the Old Testament Isaiah wrote God calls us by our name. It is a personal, individual relationship. “Now this is what the Lord says — the one who created you, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 CSB

Jesus is calling you right now, by your name. You are loved and he delights in you.

***
QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Unrepentant Disobedience Isolates Me from God – 1 Samuel 28:3
Unresolved Disappointment Isolates Me from Others – 1 Samuel 28:10, 12, 13-16
Unaltered Isolation Leads to Despair – 1 Samuel 28:20
Ken Whitten

***
Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

“I GOT FAITH! I BELIEVE IN JESUS! I’M GOOD TO GO!” (James 2:14-26)

First Baptist Church, 9 West Main St, Earlville, New York
Series: JAMES June 18, 2017 10:30 AM, J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A New Minister Funny”
A new minister comes to down. Seeking to get to know the town better, he takes a walk downtown and asks a little boy, “where can I find the Post Office?” And is told. Then he asks, “where can I find the grocery store?”, and he is told. Finally, he offers to the boy to come to church Sunday so that the boy can find Jesus. The boy wisely replies, “mister, you couldn’t find the post office or the grocery store. How do you expect to find Jesus?”

INTRODUCTION Around 500 years ago one of the most famous Biblical scholars refuted the book of James as been “canonical” – worthy of being in the Scriptures. His name? Martin Luther! He said that both Romans and Galatians refer to the just must live by faith, alone! No works could earn our salvation. So he openly questioning whether or not this book should be a part of our complete book.
You state: “I got faith. I believe in Jesus. I’m good to go. I need nothing more – Luther must have been right.”
In the section in our outline entitled “Faith Expressed”, what does 2:26 mean “faith without deeds is dead.”? Am I set simply with faith in Jesus alone, or do I need more? PRAYER

#1. PROOF #1: Faith must be active! (vs. 14-17)
James says that it is one thing to SAY you have faith; it is another thing to PROVE you have faith.
He uses the illustration of a brother or sister – i.e., another human being – who is without their daily need: clothes and daily food. What if you began you day praying, “God send someone my way so I can share the love of Jesus.” Then a poor person crosses your pathway, seeking help – with even his daily need. Even as a Christian, it would be easy to send them on their way and say “I’ll pray for you!”. It would be easy to say mentally, “you are an interruption to me – I’m doing the work of the ministry here.” In reality, that interruption IS your ministry for that moment! That interruption IS God’s answer to your prayer. And, in turn, your genuine care for that poor person is vivid proof that your faith is more than just nice words on a paper stating your beliefs. Your faith is active!

#2. PROOF #2: Faith is more than just a doctrinal statement (vs. 18-19)
James now uses an interesting example. Perhaps you go back to your statement of faith. “I have faith! I believe! I’m good to go!”. James then says, “you have just quoted the doctrinal statement of the demons. Illustration: In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus confronted 2 men who were demon-possessed. When rebuffed by the Savior, the demons said – and note their words – ““What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”. Whoa. What did they say? “I have faith. I believe in Jesus. I’m good to go – for now, but I know what is coming.” True faith is more than just a doctrinal statement!

#3. PROOF #3: The Bible has 2 good evidences that true faith will be demonstrated by acts of faith
(a) Abraham (vs. 20-24) Note James’ illustration of Abe’s offering his son Isaac. And note in particular James’ insight, in v. 22. Abe had faith – but his faith was empty and not complete until he demonstrated it. And as a result, Abe was credited by God for being righteous. And he was called God’s friend. Why? Because his trust led to action! [Note James application to his readers in v. 24]
(b) Rahab (v. 25) James minces no words when referring to Rehab, the lady that the 2 spies of Joshua met in Jericho. Her occupation – her character – was that of a harlot! But there was gossip in Rahab’s day – they didn’t have TV or the internet, but word spread fast that on the other side of the Jordan, the Israelites had destroyed nations that were bigger, fiercer, tougher, meaner than the land where Rahab lived. Her conclusion? “…for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath”. (Joshua 2:11) That was her statement of faith! THEN she verified that faith by hiding the slaves from their pursuers. Faith in action. Deeds proving her statement of faith. And she was honored to become part of the lineage of…the Lord Jesus. Check it out in Matt. 1:5 – she’s in Jesus’ genealogy!

CONCLUSION “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (v. 26)
The cart and the horse must be in the right order. Romans does say, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” (4:2). And Galatians does say, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” (2:16). And Paul does say in Titus, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (3:5).
That is true faith. True faith is in a Person. True faith is a trust, an eternal trust that the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus was accomplished for you to cover your sin. It can’t be worked for or earned. It is a gift from God.
And James agrees. In essence, he says, “you say you have true faith – prove it! Demonstrate it!”
Let’s covenant today together to show to those God purposely crosses your path today that you love the Lord Jesus as Savior! Love them as God does. Put your faith to action!
One last thought: IF you have been convinced that you have been living trusting your good deeds for your salvation, why not cast them aside at the foot of the cross! Trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of the One Who gave Himself for you. Trust Jesus today! John says, “but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” Have you received Jesus as your Savior?

KINGDOM BUILDING

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. – Acts 9:31

Weaver birds, found primarily in Africa build exquisite nest structures that are a rival to any human feat of engineering. Some of the nests are the largest structures to be built by birds. The tightly woven nests are truly an engineering marvel.

Ever try to weave a basket out of grass or palm fronds? It’s a bit difficult, right? Takes a while to get the hang of it! Well what if you tried to weave a basket using just your mouth and starting out with one piece of grass? It’d be really tough, right? But it’s nothing for the weaverbird!

Nest building begins with a firm foundation. A good nest needs to be attached to a strong branch. The birds have to learn the art of nest building, so the younger birds fly with the older ones to learn how. The birds have to learn how to be adaptable. Construction differs with different types of available material.

Every species has a predator. So the Weaver birds build good defense to keep the enemy at bay, by grouping in colonies. Often multiple pares live in the same nest, each having their own room and entrance.

As I contemplated the nest building of the Weaver bird, I couldn’t help but think of the parallels of kingdom building in the Christian life. Like the Weaver bird, we have to begin with a strong foundation which is rooted in the Word of God, a foundation firmly attached to Jesus.

We must learn from others who have traveled the same path before. We must be adaptable as opportunities can change with the availability of different challenges in kingdom building. Like the Weaver bird, Christians need a good defense to protect us from the enemy and flocking in a community of fellow believers is a good way to do it.

Have a strong foundation in Jesus, be willing to learn from others, be adaptable and build a good defense. Not only sage advice from the Weaver bird, these principles are essential for kingdom building in the body of Christ.

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

“Feed my lambs” “Tend my sheep” “Feed my sheep” “Follow me” John 21:15-20

Peter and the disciples were able to understand both the depth and the simplicity of these words. Teaching, leading, and caring for those in need are simple tasks that we both discount and also forget about while trying to talk on two phones at once or do many jobs rather than the one God has called us to. Don’t make it any more complicated. “Follow me”

THE QUARTER

A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church. “Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself,” she told the girl.

When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given. “Well,” said the little girl, “I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I’d be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did.”

Quotes You Can Use

Forgiveness is a choice, not to remember or bring up the offense any longer.

Reconciliation takes two people; Forgiveness only takes one person. Ken Whitten

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

“MERCY WINS!” (James 2:1-13)

Series: JAMES June 11, 2017 10:30 AM
Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: FELINE PHYSICS OR CAT LAWS
LAW OF CAT INERTIA: A cat at rest will tend to remain at rest, unless acted upon by some outside force, such as the opening of cat food, or a nearby scurrying mouse.
LAW OF BAG/BOX OCCUPANCY: All bags and boxes in a given room must contain a cat within the earliest possible nanosecond.
LAW OF FURNITURE REPLACEMENT: A cat’s desire to scratch furniture is directly proportional to the cost of the furniture.
LAW OF PILL REJECTION: Any pill given to a cat has potential energy to reach escape velocity.
LAW OF SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM: Given enough time, a cat will land in just about any space.

INTRODUCTION
The year was 1948, the presidential election pitted incumbent Harry Truman against NY State governor, Thomas Dewey. Remember, these were the years before nationwide tv. These were the years that reporters were dependent upon polls. And all early indications showed that Dewey had won by a landslide. The Chicago Tribune was so sure of that, that its early editions printed “Dewey Defeats Truman”. By the time the polls closed in the eastern states, the election was closer than the predicted landslide. And the ultimate end result is that President Truman won re-election, himself by a landslide.
We like to see the winner. And in our text, v. 13, it boldly predicts “mercy triumphs.” Mercy wins! How does mercy win in the Christian life? Why is this important for James to take up in his new section, chapter 2, entitled in our outline, “Faith Expressed”? PRAYER

#1. WHAT DOES MERCY MEAN?
Someone once illustrated the distinction between the terms “grace” and “mercy” this way: “Grace is our getting what Jesus deserves. Mercy is Jesus getting what we deserve.”
What does that mean? “Grace” refers to all the goodness and victory that should belong only to Jesus – yet He freely bestows that upon His children. “Mercy” is the vehicle by which the child of God becomes that child – he trusts the finished work of Jesus on Calvary as the price God the Father is satisfied with for the punishment of our sins. Jesus took our punishment! Jesus got what we deserved – the cross! That is mercy on our behalf.
Let’s look at a dynamic Old Testament prayer found in the perhaps infrequently read book of Nehemiah, chapter 9. Look up the use of “mercy” and “mercies” in Nehemiah 9:19, 27-28, and 31-32. Each time it is God-initiated toward those who do not deserve it. As was true with Israel, so it is true with us and His church.
Now let’s apply what we’ve learned to James 2.

#2. JAMES’ ILLUSTRATION: RICH MAN, POOR MAN! (vs. 1-7)
a. The rich man was distinguished by 2 things only: his nice clothes, and at least one gold ring or more. His riches were his only treasure; his public display of recognition was his only earthly reward. Apart from that, he had nothing more. But notice: it is not a sin to have riches; but it is a sin for riches to have you!
b. The poor man owned only the clothes on his back – whether shabby or tattered, those were his only physical possessions. But he possessed something the rich man didn’t have: faith. Trust in the Lord Jesus. In essence, by eternal values, he was much richer than the earthly rich man.
c. James applies the illustration to the church wrongly favoring the rich man over the poor. The Amplified Version calls it “spiritual snobbery”. Why, it is these faithless rich people who take the anyone they need to to court in order to suck out all that you have.
d. James applies two thoughts:
#1. We need to see people as Jesus does, and not view according to outward appearance.
Illustration: A young man, highly unkempt, comes to church late. The pastor had been sharing with him throughout the week of his need for Jesus. He walks in the back door – unshaven, unshowered, not “appropriately dressed.” The pastor takes a deep breath and silently prays, “if Jimmy is to come to Christ, his being accepted or rejected by the people will be the turning point. Lord, let him be loved by Your church.” Jimmy was loved, much to the pastor’s and Jimmy’s surprise. He trusted Jesus as Savior, went on to Bible School. He went on to pastor Baptist churches. And for many years he was president of one of the largest Bible colleges in the Northeast U.S.! True story of what God can do through a church like ours loving on people!
#2. We need to apply Jesus’ lesson in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3): “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.” God may bless us with finances, but our greatest riches are found in our love for the Lord Jesus and our walk with Him. Have you found that to be true in your life?

#3. HOW DOES MERCY WIN? (vs. 8-13)
Mercy wins when I see my neighbor as Jesus sees my neighbor! (vs. 8-11) You may say, “I’m no murderer. I’m no adulterer.” But James is saying, if you don’t love on people like Jesus does, then you are guilty of the whole law. Mercy wins when I treat people like I would want to be treated myself. Love as Jesus does – with mercy!
Mercy wins when I display my freedom to love and to treat people kindly. Eugene Peterson, in “The Message” translates the end of v. 13 this way: “Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.”

CONCLUSION
The application today is 2-fold:
#1. Do I treat people the way that Jesus would? Do I love them as they are – OR do I demand changes in the exterior/the outward, before I am able to minister to the interior/the inward? As God to bring at least one person across your path this week who needs to see God’s love tangibly on display through you!
#2. Have I grasped the great mercy which Jesus displayed when He took my sin upon the cross of Calvary? Mercy wins when I receive Jesus as my Savior and live for His glory every day. Have you come to the cross? Are you living as vessels who have been recipients of the greatest act of mercy ever known, when Jesus loved you?
And when we treat people as Jesus does, and when we grasp the depth of the mercy Jesus displayed on the cross and displays daily through us, then…MERCY WINS!

Email: Jeremy Stopford <[email protected]>

THE VESSEL

Week Twenty-Four, 2017

So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. – Jeremiah 18:3-7

Jeremiah went to the potter’s house and saw him working at his wheel, but what he was making was flawed, so the potter crushed it and used the clay to start again. This time the potter make a beautiful work of art.

Life is like being on the potter’s wheel. God gives us the clay, but often we trip up and our life is marred. He has a beautiful plan and purpose for every life. The plan can become flawed when we trip up by making the wrong choices.

But, the good news is that He will renew any life when we put our lives on the potter’s wheel. With God, failure is not final. We all need to repent and allow God to put us back on the potter’s wheel. He will make you a vessel of beauty regardless of how marred our past may be.

Through the visit to the potter’s house God spoke to Jeremiah and to all of Israel, reminding them of His sovereign right to do what He pleased with a marred or seemingly uncooperative vessel. The illustration at the potter’s house did not only demonstrate God’s right to display judgment, but also His right to display mercy. He was free to work with a previously marred vessel if He chose to do so. Yet He was also free to take back good He had done to a nation if they did evil in His sight.

Aren’t you glad that we serve the God of a second chance?

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Equality doesn’t require sameness.

God’s goal in marriage is not to make you happy, but to make you holy.
— Ken Whitten

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017

The Fonzie Principle (James 1:19-27)

First Baptist Church, Main Street, Earlville, NY

“THE FONZIE PRINCIPLE” (James 1:19-27)
Series: JAMES; June 4, 2017, 10:30 AM.
Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Moses Funny”
Nine year old Dewey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.
“Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.”
“Now, Dewey, is that really what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked.
“Well, no, Mom. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”

INTRODUCTION As we close out Chapter 1, we finish the section in our outline entitled, “The Test of Faith”. Today, that test revolves around the one book that should be the center of every one here who claims to be a Christian, to love the Lord Jesus as Savior. That book, of course, is the Bible. On the inside of my mother-in-law’s old Bible were these words: “this Book will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from this Book.” An old saying, but a good one. We are going to look at how God designed this Book to be most practical. And in the process, we will be examining what I have profoundly entitled, “The Fonzie Principle.” Curious? PRAYER

#1. THE PLANTED WORD (vs. 19-21)
a. OK, we made it past Memorial Day. Of course, lots of rain. But it is also the season for gardens! You all are experts – what have you learned that plants very well in your yard? Do you rotate parts of your yard so that the soil has rest? Even if you’re not an expert, you know that growing stuff results in one thing: Food and Wonderful Looking Plants. (not us – we learned that when we planted, the time of pruning was when we were on vacation – and when we returned, the weeds were 2 feet high!). The point is, we all understand what it is to plant an expect a product in return for your effort.
b. Look at v. 21 and the phrase, “the word planted in you”. God, the Chief Farmer, has done some planting as well. Only in this case, He has planted His Word in the lives of those who have trusted Jesus as Savior.
c. And what is the fruit: in brief, (1) a curbed tongue (v. 19) – we should be familiar with Proverbs 15, Solomon’s discourse on “how to talk in a way pleasing to God”, (2) a submitted life which becomes a righteous life – a life lived right (v. 20), and (3) a practical life where the decay of our society has been slowly but surely curbed in our lives by our submitted to His Word. Look at Colossians 3:1-10. This is daily – not just once for all time. And the life of right living begins with being people of the Book – the Word that is planted in each of God’s children.

#2. THE OBEYED WORD (vs. 22-25)
a. V. 22 adds to what we learned under the first section. The word is not just to be listened to – it is to be obeyed by daily application. As the late Dr. John Hash, founder of “Bible Pathway” would constantly say, “we must be readers of the whole word – from Genesis to Revelation – on a regular basis. And then live what we’ve read.”
b. Vs. 23-24 then introduces us to what I call “The Fonzie Principle”. I’ve read this no where else! So you are getting first hand scholarly input! What then is “The Fonzie Principle”. Remember “The Fonz” on the tv show, “Happy Days”. At the start of every episode, do you remember what Fonzie would do – every episode! He would look in a mirror, take his comb to his hair, and then determine that “why mess with perfection.”. So “The Fonzie Principle” is the looking into the mirror of God’s Word and making a choice: do I obey it, or do I live as if I shouldn’t have bothered to read it in the first place. “The Fonzie Principle”.
c. God has a special favor, His own blessing, upon the one who reads His Word and then obeys what he reads. That’s what v. 25 says! What is your #1 source of information? Face book? Fox News? CNN? The Bible? Here is how you know: what you spend the most time with is identified as what you consider your most valuable source of truth. He who spends much time in God’s Word, and applies what he reads, God has promised will be a blessed, a happy person.

#3. THE ACTIVE WORD (vs. 26-27)
Here is where the Bible becomes meddling. How many of you say you are “religious”? Look at v. 26. James says that the Bible is to be active in your world. And an active Bible is on display by our use of how we speak. Ouch. Angry much? Your Bible is not active! Swear a lot? Your Bible is not active! Try to manipulate situations for your advantage? You guessed it, your Bible is not active!
And v. 27 becomes even more pointed: pure religion is active! It shows up in how we treat the helpless (in this case, widows who have no support system) AND it shows up in how the world system has rubbed off on our life styles. Now let’s be careful here. It does NOT say “don’t get involved with the world”. Because if you lived like that, no one would ever come to know Jesus as Savior! But as Romans 12:1-2 says in the Phillips translation, “don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.” The Word of God is to be active in every part of our lives.

CONCLUSION So a couple of easy questions: has the word been planted in your life – that is, do you trust Jesus as your Savior and are regulating your day around the reading of God’s Word? Is the word obeyed in your life, or do you read and behave like The Fonz? And is the Word active – does it not sit on your shelf but shows up in the places God has wisely put you? The Test of Faith in James 1 is surrounded by how the Word of God is on display in our lives!

Press On

Week Twenty-Three, 2017

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14

Ernest Shakleton was an early twentieth century English explorer who set out an expedition to cross the continent of Antarctica from sea to sea. While the team was there, the ship, appropriately named “Endurance” became trapped in pack ice and was crushed, thus causing them to have to spend the brutal winter there.

Shakleton worked with his team encouraging them to press on and endure their difficulties. The result was that they survived the winter and every member of the crew returned home safely. Shakleton’s leadership skills have been the focus on many management studies on how to lead, encourage and focus on the end from the beginning.

Perhaps Shakleton had read the writings of Paul, who in Philippians encouraged those at Philippi to press on toward the goal which “God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul was an encourager for those to whom he spoke and wrote. If anyone had a reason to be discouraged, it was Paul. He lived and traveled under difficult circumstances. Having been taken from justice, even in his jail cell awaiting execution, he wrote to encourage others.

Paul knew the end from the beginning. He knew that no matter what happened to him, he would eventually see the face of Jesus. He encouraged those to whom he wrote to forget what is behind and strain towards the goal ahead.

How about you? Do you know when you cross the finish line of life, you will see the face of God? When you are discouraged, do you look behind or look forward? Like Paul, be an encourager to others and to yourself.

THOUGHT: As you travel through life, look on the positive side of things. Be an encourager for yourself and to others. Press on to that glorious day when you will personally see the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

PRAYER: Father, help me to look on the positive side of every situation in life no matter how tough it gets. Help me to press on to the upward calling of eternity with Jesus Christ. What a glorious day it will be! Help me to be an encourager to myself and to all I meet.

Sometimes True Stories

SENIORS — AND THE REST OF YOU — ALL ARE WELCOME

1. My goal for 2017 was to lose just 10 pounds. I only have 15 to go.

2. I don’t mean to brag, but I finished my 14-day diet food in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

3. I ate salad for dinner. Mostly croutons & tomatoes. Really just one big round crouton covered with tomato sauce. And cheese. FINE, it was a pizza. I ate a pizza.

4. How to prepare Tofu:
a. Throw it in the trash
b. Grill some meat

5. I just did a week’s worth of cardio after walking into a spider web.

6. A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.

7. Kids today don’t know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.

8. Senility has been a smooth transition for me.

9. Remember back when we were kids and every time it was below zero outside they closed school? Me neither.

10. I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented. I forgot where I was going with this.

11. I love being a senior. I learn something new every day and forget 5 others.

12. A thief broke into my house last night. He started searching for money, so I woke up and searched with him.

13. I think I’ll just put an “Out of Order” sticker on my forehead and call it a day.

14. Just remember, once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up speed.

Quotes You Can Use

Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss in life is what dies inside you while you are still alive.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

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