All posts by Frank Becker

Blogs, John Grant

The Dross

By John Grant

Week Nineteen, 2018

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel (Proverbs 25:4).

After changing into jump suits, my bride and I proceeded to a small cage. Once inside, the operator pressed a button and we descended down 10,000 feet or about two miles below the South African surface. We were then led through tunnels until we came to where miners were chiseling into the gold ore. The ore was loaded into the cars of the mine train and then transported to the surface, where it was processed.

Once we ascended, we walked through the process of refining the gold. It goes through several processes to separate the pure gold. Finally the gold is melted and then poured out into solid gold bricks. As I held one in my arms, I was amazed at how much ore was left over compared to the gold it produced.

I then thought about that process in Biblical terms, as what the refining the gold was a word picture of what God wants to do with me. Just as unwanted and excess material must be removed from gold or silver before it acquires its value, so we must sometimes go through the fires of purification in our own lives to bring out our true potential as servants of God.

In biblical times, a refiner began by breaking up rough ore—hardened rock encased with common minerals such as tin, copper, and zinc. But that rock also had the promise of valuable, rare metals hidden within—the precious metals of gold and silver. The breaking of the rock is necessary to begin the refining process to expose highly valuable metals to heat. The Lord communicates His perfect plan to us—we are rough rock in need of refining fire.

The refiner puts broken, crushed ore into a “crucible”—a fireproof melting pot able to withstand extreme heat. Then the refiner places the crucible into the furnace at the precise temperature necessary for removing other metals that would mar the quality of the gold or silver. Just as the furnace is used to purify silver in the crucible, our Refiner uses heat to purify our hearts and cleanse our character.

As the ore melts in the crucible under the watchful eye of the refiner, a layer of impurities called “dross” eventually forms on the surface. The Bible says, “Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel” For us individually, dross represents any misplaced dependency—any wrong motive, wrong attitude, wrong action—anything that keeps us from being all that God wants us to be.

After the refiner painstakingly skims off these impurities, he then turns up the heat and places the crucible back into the blistering furnace. Again and again (up to seven times, we are told in historical literature) impurities rise to the surface. He knows that only certain impurities are released at certain temperatures.

Each time, with utmost skill and patience, the refiner removes the dross, leaving behind gleaming gold and shimmering silver . . . more pure and precious than before. To gauge his progress, the refiner looks for his own reflection on the surface of the silver-filled crucible. The more dross removed, the less distorted his reflection.

Only when the refiner looks into the crucible and sees a clear reflection of himself is the process complete. Finally, the silver attains its highest degree of purity! And that, describes our Refiner’s loving intentions for allowing us to be in the “furnace of affliction.” As we trust Him to use our trials to cleanse our character and purify our hearts, we will begin to see the “silver lining.” As Isaiah 48:10 says, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

University of Iowa Sophomore Jordan Bohannon walked to the free-throw line and nervously looked into the stands to make eye contact with his older brother, Zach. Bohannon was on the verge of breaking a record of 34 consecutive free throws that had stood for 25 years by a legendary Hawkeye, Chris Street. Everyone knew it would happen. Jordan had once hit 200 consecutive free throws in practice.

So, with 2:15 to go in the game and Iowa leading Northwestern 73-65, Jordan eyed the rim. Took his customary 4 dribbles. Bent his knees. And let it fly.

And missed…. On purpose! Yes, he intentionally short-armed it and the ball bounced off the front of the rim. Why? Bohannon told the Big Ten Network after the game “that’s not my record to have.” He said that it “deserves to stay in Street’s name.”

You see Chris Street was tragically killed in an automobile accident, January 19, 1993. Three days earlier he had made two free throws to make it 34 in a row. But never got a chance at number 35.

“Chris wasn’t just a Hawkeye,” according to the Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen. “He was heart and he was hustle. He was Iowa, and he was a part of everyone sitting here today.”

So, Jordan, who had thought about doing this for quite a while, hoose to honor Street’s legacy by allowing his record to stand. “It was a touching tribute from one Iowa born Hawkeye to another,” wrote Chad Leistikow in the Des Moines Register.

Bohannon had become friends of Street’s parents, who are regular season ticket holders, and was present for the game. Patty Street said she was moved to tears by the gesture. “What a good kid. He’s so kind,” she said. “That was so special that he thought of Christopher and that record.”

Mike Street told people who asked leading up to this that he wanted Bohannon, a hard-working player like his son was, to break Chris’ mark. But he understood and treasured the tribute.

In an age of chest thumping, muscle flexing, finger pointing athletes constantly preening for the camera, this is a refreshing story. It reminds us that maybe not “all records are made to be broken.” As Jordan, who finished with 25 points, tweeted after the game “Life is much bigger than basketball.”

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

If your absence doesn’t affect them, your presence never mattered.

It isn’t necessary to do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results.

Warren Buffett

Dead noses can’t smell roses, so we should be giving while we’re living so we we’ll be knowing where it’s going. Ken Whitten

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

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 2018.

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

 

Almon Bartholomew, Blogs

“DIVINE INTERRUPTIONS”

JOHN 4:3-26 NKJV

By Almon Bartholomew

This is one of the most fascinating stories to be found in Jesus visit upon earth. It is the most unlikely dramas ever to be played out. The Son of God talks with a moral compromising woman. A Jew conversed with a Samaritan. She approached a well to quench her physical thirst. Although she never knew she needed one, she discovered a divine tonic that satisfied her spiritual thirst. Before her encounter with Jesus she avoided any interaction with a hostile public. Upon meeting Him, and drinking water from the well of salvation she ran to the city and told everyone what had happened to her. She was transformed from a self imposed exile to a publically exposed evangelist!

Before we get down that road to far, let us look back upon a divine interruption. He took no shortcut going to Galilee from Jerusalem. He felt compelled to go through Samaria, a longer and more tiring journey. As Jesus and His disciples approached Samaria they came upon the well of Sychar. In weariness, Jesus sat down to rest by the well while his disciples went to hunt down some food. In the midst of that long, long trip, Jesus had a moment of silent solitude, just recouping from the arduous trek. His quiet time was suddenly interrupted by a woman with a checkered past and His tranquil moment ceased.

We have experienced those times interruption. When we moved from Albany to Mount Ephraim, NJ we finally got our bed set up at 2:00 O’clock in the morning. A drug addict was at our door at six A.M. We reached the home of our parents for vacation time some 300 miles away from our church in New Jersey. A call was waiting for us of a death in the church. The next day we made a special return trip for the funeral. The man who expired had given his heart to Jesus Christ just three weeks earlier. Many, many more interruptions in ministry and life occurred. Duty called and God met us in those divine interruptions.

None of us like to get interrupted. We all ask the question, “Why, in the hospital when I am sound asleep, should the nurse wake me up to give me a sleeping pill”? That just doesn’t make any sense! Don’t interrupt me when I am sleeping! Doesn’t it annoy you when you are half way through doing something and someone stops you and asks you to do something else? How many of you have been awakened at 2:30 in the morning by a telephone ringing and the person on the other end says, “Sorry, wrong number”? I will tell you something worse; that’s when the telephone rings at that ungodly hour and it is the right number. Phone calls at that hour are generally not filled with good news.

Let us change the scene for just a moment. It happened at the house where Jesus dwelt. It was midnight. A persistent knock came at the door. Who could possibly be coming at that hour? It could be a friend, a total stranger, a believer in need, an antagonist bringing trouble, “Who could it be”? John wrote, in chapter three of his gospel that it was Nicodemus, a member of the high court, the Jewish San Hedron. He would be the equivalent of the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court. This group stoutly opposed Jesus. What could this man possibly want?

This was a divine interruption occurring in the middle of the night. Some leaders would have said, send my assistant to the door and tell the person to see me in my office at 9:30 tomorrow morning. But, not Jesus, he politely invited this leader in and heard his plea. Nicodemus spoke respectfully addressing Him as Teacher, Master, acknowledging that Jesus was sent from God and the miracles of His ministry confirmed this. Jesus cut right across the formalities and went to the heart of the matter and clearly told him that a person must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. This startled this highly esteemed religious leader and he asked how this new birth could happen. Jesus explained the way to true salvation. This is what Nicodemus needed to hear. The divine interruption turned out to be a divine appointment.

God is still turning the interruptions in our lives to give us opportunity to come to know Him by being born again, the beginning of a brand new life by accepting him as Lord and Savior.

In Luke 8:41-42 a desperate father, a ruler in the local Synagogue came to Jesus, falling at his feet and pleading for Him to come and heal his dying 12 year old daughter. Nothing could be more urgent. As Jesus and His entourage hastily made their way Jesus suddenly stopped and asked “Who Touched Me”? His disciples said “you have been pushed and shoved and crunched by the crowd all day. How can you ask who touched me?” It was a divine interruption. Jesus told them that virtue went out from him. A woman who suffered for twelve years with excessive bleeding was instantly healed. Jesus recognized her faith. They continued on and by the time they Jairus home the young girl had already died and the mourners were there bemoaning her loss of life. Jesus removed everyone from the room, where the girl was lying, except Peter, James and John, and raised her from the dead. A divine interruption made time for a miracle of healing and a resurrection from the dead.

There are many more such interruptions. I choose, for lack of time, but one more instance. The event was recorded in Luke 7:12-16. A woman, from the city of Nain, a widow and mother of one son was suddenly once again bereaved. This son died. With grief, and broken heart, joined by a large crowd of people, the lonely mother followed the casket bearing her son’s body. For some unknown reason the procession halted. There was an interruption. Jesus showed up and touched the side of the casket. Suddenly the son sat up and began to speak. A mother received her only son back to life. It was a divine interruption initiated by Jesus.

I don’t claim to know all of the needs in each of your lives today. But, there is one who knows all of your needs, and which need is the most pressing. The Lord wants to change the course of our lives, redirecting us from an earthly journey to a heavenly one. He interrupts us to tell us that He loves us that He died for us, that He wants to give us a new hope and a new life that be eternal. This life begins by inviting him to come into your heart and asking Him to forgive you of each and every sin. He will answer your sincere prayer and become the greatest friend you could ever have. A divine Interruption awaits each one of us. Seize the opportunity right now.

For over 70 years, Al Bartholomew has been bringing the Word of God to the people of New York State.

 

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

“Honey” (Psalm 19:7-11)

By Jeremy B. Stopford

April 29, 2018

TODAY’S FUNNY: “Big Buck”

Three friends decided to go hunting together. One was a lawyer, one a doctor, and the other a preacher.

As they were walking, along came a big buck. The three of them shot at the same time and the buck dropped immediately. The hunting party rushed to see how big it actually was.

Upon reaching the fallen deer, they found out that it was dead but had only one bullet hole. A debate followed concerning whose buck it was. When a game warden came by, he offered to help. A few moments later, he had the answer. He said with much confidence, “The pastor shot the buck!”

The friends were amazed that he could determine that so quickly and with so little examination.

The game warden just smiled. “It was easy to figure out. The bullet went in one ear and out the other.”

INTRODUCTION

All right, we have to do a survey. By show of hands, how many of you on a regular basis call your loved one “honey”? My wife and I decided that that was not a pet name for either one of us. But it is one of my favorite local products! When we first moved here, I learned that honey from local bees is good for allergies. And to discover that. at Jewett’s Cheese House was honey from Mr. S, Sr., on North Main – well, he had a new client. Now that he’s passed away, my honey is now from nearby Eaton. It’s working, so far.

“Honey” is used 62 times in our NIV. Must be important to God. Perhaps the word should be important to us!

And of those 62 times, he spoke of the Promised Land as a “land flowing with milk and honey” twenty-one times. Not just a land WITH milk and honey, but FLOWING with it! It is a word suggesting God’s blessing and bounty.

In Proverbs, it is used 7 times. “The lips of an adulterous woman drip honey” (5:3) – probably something to watch out for! Seriously, one of my favorite – and I really like the NIV – is 25:16: “If you find honey, eat just enough – too much of it, and you will vomit.” Enjoy your lunch today!

In the Song of Solomon – have you read this lately? You should read it to each other! – the groom (symbolic of the Heavenly Groom, the Lord Jesus) says that his bride has honey under her tongue. And he tells her that he is at his favorite spot – his garden, – and in his garden is…you got it, honey.

And do you remember how both Matthew and Mark describe John the Baptist’s diet? He ate locusts and wild honey. It must have been a sustaining food! I’m not so sure about the locusts, though!

There are many places in the Scriptures where honey is a direct reference to the benefits of the Word of God. For a few moments this morning, let’s look at one of the most popular songs in the Old Testament, Psalm 19. PRAYER

#1 DAVID’S ODE TO THE CREATOR (Ps. 19:1-6)

* Note the simplicity of the ode

* Note the unquestioning truth of God as Creator

* Note since creation points to God as Creator, man is without excuse – he can’t say he hasn’t seen God on display.

* Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

* But creation in itself cannot save anybody. It only points to the Creator. Where is there a tool to show to the lost that the truth he understands needs to point him, not just to the Creator, but to the Cross?

#2 DAVID’S TOOL OF THE CREATOR (Ps. 19:7-11)

* Note the descriptions of the Word of God: the law of the Lord, the statutes, the precepts, the commands, the fear, and the decrees

* Note the fruit of the Word: refreshes, makes wise, gives joy, gives light, endures forever, righteous.

Illustration: the mentally handicapped has a most limited intake. But there are two things the mentally handicapped loves to do: sing, and learn the truths of the Word of God! They already have a foundation in the Creator! They trust Him. That is why David so eloquently says that the Word of God makes wise the simple (v. 7)

* Ask yourself: when is the last time the Word of God refreshed you? Made you wise? Gave you joy? Gave you light during a dark time? Changed your heart? When you were a kid, or recently? How recently has God worked on your heart with the Word of God?

* Note the value of the Word: more precious than gold, sweeter than honey (v. 10). Aren’t these the world’s wealth standards? But God is saying they are of lasting value to Him – and should be to us.

* Note the benefit of the Word: warns, and rewards the one who keeps (obeys) the Word. Have you been warned lately? Have you obeyed recently?

#3 DAVID’S REALITY CHECK BY THE CREATOR (Ps. 19:12-13)

* Errors, faults (hidden), willful (open) sins – all can have dominion of the child of God!

* The creation and the Word are USELESS unless one applies both to one’s sin.

CONCLUSION

Verse 14 ties this psalm altogether! The sinner looks at the creation and says, “here is something which has design. There must be a Designer. Where can I find Him?” God points him to His Word. In His Word, the sinner sees his sin, but he also sees the benefits of God’s provision.

And then? In verse 14, the psalmist points the sinner to the Redeemer – in the Hebrew the word is “Kinsman Redeemer”. Jesus became one of us so that He could become our sin on Calvary’s tree! Get this: the Creator (John 1) took our sin (John 3:16) so that we might receive Him (John 1:12-13) and then have a worship and a life acceptable to Him (Psalm 19:14)!

May verse 14 become our prayer, the applying prayer of truth, directed to the Rock, the Kinsman Redeemer, the Lord Jesus!

Prayer

First Baptist Church

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Pastor

9 West Main St. Earlville, NY 13332

Inviting and Accepting

Blogs, John Grant

EXPECT ADVERSITY

Week Eighteen, 2018

“Expect Adversity”

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

One of the certainties in this race of life is that we will face adversity. At any given time we are either going through adversity, recovering from adversity or about to go into adversity. It is a fact. As Job said , Yet, man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward (5:7).

Expect to encounter adversity in your life, remembering that we live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easy life is that it masks our need for Jesus.

Overcoming adversity is one of the biggest hurdles we face. As Havelock Ellis wrote, “Pain and death are part of life. To reject them is to reject life itself.” Problems, large and small, present themselves to us throughout our whole existence.

Problems, large and small, present themselves to us throughout our whole existence. Regardless of how sharp, clever, or happy-go-lucky we are, we will encounter struggle, challenges, difficulties and at times, heart wrenching moments. Is this meant to be a negative, cynical assessment of what we have to look forward to? Not at all!

In fact, thank goodness for adversity! Learning to deal with and overcoming adversity is what builds character and resilience. Every challenge and every difficulty we successfully confront in life serves to strengthen our will, confidence and ability to conquer future obstacles.

When we became a Christian, He infused His very life into us, empowering us to live on a supernatural plane by depending on Him.

Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where He wants you—the best place to encounter Him in His glory and power.

When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Him! Allow Him to fight for you. Watch Him working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of His almighty presence.

Jesus came to bring identity to our struggles and understands more than we think He does about whatever we encounter in life. He came to bring glory to our weakness and cares for us far more than we can comprehend. He came to bring glory to our weakness and He can do far more than we realize.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

THE ATTENDANT

Thomas B. Wheeler, who served as CEO of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and his wife were driving along an interstate highway when he noticed that their car was low on gas. He got off the highway at the next exit and soon found a rundown gas station with just one gas pump. He asked the lone attendant to fill the tank and check the oil, then he went for a little walk around the station to stretch his legs.

As he was returning to the car, he noticed that the attendant and his wife were engaged in an animated conversation. The conversation stopped as he paid the attendant. But as he was getting back into the car, he saw the attendant wave and heard him say, “It was great talking to you.”

As they drove out of the station, Wheeler asked his wife if she knew the man. She readily admitted she did. They had gone to high school together and had dated steadily for about a year.

“Boy, were you lucky that I came along,” bragged Wheeler.

“If you had married him, you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a chief executive officer.”

“My dear,” replied his wife, “if I had married him, he’d be the chief executive officer and you’d be the gas station attendant.”

–o–

PORNOGRAPHY

• Every thirty minutes a porn film is made in the United States.

• The United States produces 89 percent of all pornographic websites.

• Every second 30,000 people are watching porn.

• 42.7 percent of all Internet users view porn.

• The average age of initial pornography exposure is just eleven.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

I have reached an age where often my train of thought leaves the station without me.

An encounter with the truth regarding what God is like as a Father brings incredible healing.

Ask God for forgiveness from your sins; Believe that Jesus Christ died for you and for your sins; Confess that you cannot do this alone and accept Jesus as the gift of forgiveness for your sins. Amen, and Amen!

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, NLT)

The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over popularity. These are the choices that measure your life. Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

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 2018.

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

A.W. Salay, Blogs

Creations of Men

By Brother Al Salay

“In the beginning . . .

God created the Heaven and the Earth.” (Gen 1:1) He created them, then rested from His work.(Gen 2:2) He created them to be very good.(Gen 1:31)

Then God gave Adam and Eve authority to subdue the Earth and have dominion over it. Man has used that power to do all manner of things aside from simply providing food for himself. Unfortunately, man is able to misuse some of what God created, converting good to evil. This is a power he has been allowed. He can be a user or an ab-user, a wrecker. Further, Satan, the enemy of man and the enemy of God is able to corrupt and even misrepresent the good things God did make.

Satan cannot create

As sly and as cruel as he is, Satan cannot create anything. He is a fallen angel and angels are not given the role or power to create. Through lies, distortions and manifestations he sometimes appears to create, but he does not have that power. He is the liar.

What if man could create?

If man was able to create, anything, he would be more powerful than Satan and his demons. But, what can man create? What can man add to the universe that did not exist already? All his inventions and great works make use of the materials God gave him.

In farming man uses the characteristics that God built into the plants He created. In chemistry man uses the atoms and molecules God ordained. In medicine man uses the healing capacity God designed into the living organism. With dams and great buildings man rearranges the resources of the Earth. Man moves and refines and reassembles, but he does not create these things. After a season, they return to the dust of which they were made and the fruit of man’s labors is lost.

Is there nothing man can create? Is there nothing that man can add to the universe? It seems there is nothing.

But wait!

There is one thing. No, there are several things. Yes. There ARE things that do not exist and cannot exist unless man creates them. And only man can create them. A tree or a cow or a fish or Satan himself cannot create them. They do not have the capacity.

Love

God is love. It is His very nature. God has given man the pattern, and He has invited him to copy it. It is so special that once it is created it can never be destroyed. An act of love may disappear into the past. It may be forgotten by men. But God will never forget it. It is as eternal as God Himself. God will never forget our acts of love.

“ For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Heb 6:10

Once launched onto the sea of life, love can never be called back. It is LOVE. It is a manifestation of the character of God.

This love is not some generalized feeling of appreciation or respect. This love is about actions, specific deeds by a human being that convey love to another. Love is what you do, not what you feel. Acts of love occur at a point in time. They may be as simple as a smile. They may be as extensive as a sacrificed life. They are a gift at a moment of time and cannot ever be reversed. They are the creations of men, as they operate in the image of God. Man can create love. He can demonstrate love. Any act of love is eternal. It lives forever. It cannot be destroyed.

How can man love?

We are told in 1 John 4:19 that “We love Him because He first loved us.” BECAUSE. That is how man learned about love – by being loved. Our instant response should be to love Him in return. In 1 John 4:9-10 we read,

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Oh, it’s not that love was a new idea. It appears early in the scriptures: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deu. 6:5) But Jesus demonstrated it with such overwhelming power that a believer has no choice but to respond.

Respond – and . . .

But there is more than just responding. There is emulating. In 1 John 4:11 we are counseled, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” We are to love not only Jesus but one another.

Further, our love is not a private matter. John 13:35 tells us, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Yes, we can join with God and become creators too.

Praise too is a creative act. All of creation, the oceans and mountains and clouds in the sky honor God by obeying. Only humans can honor God by acts of praise, worship or thanksgiving. These are creations of men. They come from no other source and once sent forth they are never reversed.

Sometimes the Word refers to men as wheat. A wheat plant contributes nothing until it is mature. Only then does it bear it’s fruit, that head that becomes the bread of men, the staff of life. Likewise, a man contributes nothing to the economy of God until he bears fruit: love, praise, thanksgiving, worship. These are the savory bread of God on which He feasts with great delight. As we find reflected throughout that great 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians, the greatest act, the greatest experience, is love. And we create it fresh each time.

CREATE !

Love, Praise, Worship, Give Thanks – Bless God

(04/18)

Presented by Bro. Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

Website: www.BlessedMan.net—

Email: [email protected]

 

Almon Bartholomew, Blogs

“INVITATION, RSVP”

By Almon Bartholomew

I took the time to look up the meaning of the phrase “RSVP.” It is a French phrase (and I don’t know any French) “Respondez S’ll Vous Plait.” The simple English meaning is “Please respond”. Invitations to a gathering, a celebration, held for invited guests only, which carry these letters are sent with the expectation that those who receive the invitation will respond. To not do so, whether indicating, “yes, I will attend” or “no, I will not attend,” is considered to be an affront. The higher level of the occasion for the purpose of the gathering, the greater affront it is to not respond. We will speak to this later in the message.

Text: “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Thought they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

God’s Word is replete with divine invitations to a lost and sinning humanity. The door not only stands ajar for returning prodigals, but is also open to His faithful children. We need often to heed his call.

The text is an overarching call to any and all who need Divine acceptance and provision. I can visualize, in human terms, our Heavenly Father sitting in one of our living room chairs with arms extended to us. He is saying, “Please share your problems with me. Let’s sit down together and talk about it. You don’t have to draw away from me. I have everything you need at my disposal and I want to share it with you. Let’s reason this matter out. Where else can you find forgiveness for sin? Through whom else can wrongs be made right? Have you erred and failed at some, or even many, points in your life. I have the answer to you need.”

In the invitation of the text, the words ring out to all of us, “Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” God’s grace reaches across the span of time to all sinners and all failing humanity, declaring cleansing and peace, “Come now, and let us reason together says the Lord Your sins have been taken away, as far away as the east from the west, and cast into the sea of God’s forgetfulness!” Invitation RSVP; you are invited, please respond!

This same seeking, inviting Lord, sought out Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden following their sinful disobedience to God’s demands. Earth’s parents had all of creation at their disposal. They had access to an unbelievable variety of foods. It included every plant of the field, every herb, and the fruit of every tree except for one; “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” A malignant intruder, the serpent, a servant and representative of Satan, appeared. This reprehensible character maligned God’s integrity and caused Eve, then Adam to doubt God’s word that death would follow should they eat this forbidden fruit. They disobeyed big time and their glory changed to shame. Fig leaves could not hide their sin.

God came calling, “Adam, Adam, where art thou Adam?” God kept his word and earth’s first human parents died; spiritually at first, and then later, physically. In that call from a seeking, inviting Lord, came the first promise of redemption. Substitutionary sacrifice was made in their behalf and their sin was covered. The first word of a Coming Redeemer was revealed. This promise of a redeemer was designed to save all of mankind, and that redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ. The call in Eden’s Garden was the first of many calls to follow through the ages. They are registered in the biblical record. Jesus underscored this in Luke 19:10. There He declares “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost”. It is our personal responsibility, each and every on\e of us, to respond to his invitation. This invitation is still being heralded. It is incumbent upon each of us to prepare to meet our God. We each have to answer for ourselves.

The call is not limited to the struggling sinner. It is for the needy who place their trust in God. What a precious invitation is sent to you and to me in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Annie Johnson Flint wrote it so beautifully, “His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men. For, out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”

While pastoring in South Jersey some years ago, I was driving on the North/South freeway going into Philadelphia. I saw a most touching sign. It was a 4X8 piece of plywood wired to a backyard fence bordering the highway. Crudely painted on the sign was the poignant message, “Doris, Please come home. The children and I love you”, Signed, Bill. Apparently some broken-hearted father and husband went public, hoping his loved one would travel that busy freeway and would read his pathetic appeal. He longed for reconciliation. Perhaps Doris would read it. Perhaps some mutual friend of hers would see it and carry the message to her: “Doris, please come home, the children and I love you, signed Bill.” Although not often done, Bill went public with his heart. I don’t know whatever became of that heroic effort.

Printed in more than 1,000 dialects, the Bible delivers a similar message. In this blessed book God tells straying humanity that He loves them, and wants them, that He is reaching out to them. There is another sign. It is not a crudely painted message on a piece of plywood fastened to a backyard fence. It is on an old rugged, wooden cross. God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is nailed to it. It carries the message, “Children, please come home. I love you, Signed Your Heavenly Father.” This invitation to turn to God, from sin, from straying, from unbelief, from pain, from sorrow, from need of every description etched in the words of the text, “Come now and let us reason together says the Lord.”

Jesus illustrates his concern by telling us that he is the seeking, searching shepherd calling you and me. Luke 15:4-32 records a three part parable taught by Jesus. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. This one tells us how the Lord deals with lost things. The three parts deal with a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. They are all sought and found. Their discovery and rescue ends with scenes of rejoicing. Time permits us only to examine one; the lost sheep.

The shepherd had 100 sheep. Ninety nine were safe in the fold. One had strayed and went far from the shepherd and faced a dire end. At the jeopardy of his own life, the shepherd seeks and finds the lost sheep and returns it safely to be numbered with the 99. Unconfined joy reigned in the sheep corral. It is a picture of Jesus seeking the lost, finding the straying, bringing them home, restoring them and bringing joy to all who were in the shepherd’s watch care. This story is amplified in John chapter ten where Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Ira Sankey, who sang in Dwight L. Moody’s Evangelistic campaigns in the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds, wrote a vibrant hymn, “The Ninety And Nine”. Many thousands turned to Christ in those days.

“There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold.

But one was out on the hills away, far off from the gates of gold.

Away on the mountains, wild and bare, away from the tender Shepherd’s care; Away from the tender shepherd’s care.

“Lord, thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; are they not enough for thee?

But the Shepherd made answer: “This of mine has wandered away from me.”

“And altho’ the road is rough and steep, I go to the desert to find my sheep; I go to the desert to find my sheep.

Sing next two verses.

“But none of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the waters crossed’

Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through ‘ere He found his sheep that was lost.

Out in the desert He heard its cry, sick and helpless and ready to die; sick and helpless and ready to die.

“But all through the mountains, thunder driv’n, and up from the rocky steep;

There arose a glad cry to the gates of Heaven, Rejoice I have found my sheep.

And the Angels echoed around the throne;

Rejoice, for the Lord brings back his own, Rejoice for the Lord brings back his own!”

Yes, friends, Jesus Christ endured the agony of crucifixion; He died an atoning death to bring us back to God.

On the cross Jesus invited, and welcomed a repentant thief in to paradise. Upon his resurrection Jesus sent for Peter who had failed Him miserably. This disciple received Jesus personal invitation and was restored. He became the chief spokesman for the early church. That call, that invitation still comes in the words of Jesus, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and him with me”. Revelation 3:20. “And the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!”, and let him who hears, “Come!”. And let him who thirsts “Come!” And whoever desires let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17.

Let us take another look at “Invitation RSVP.” Going up the scale, with a simple family picnic to a wedding reception, to a Golden Wedding Anniversary, to a presidential state dinner to a Royal’s dinner in Buckingham Palace, the demand for a response rises higher. Now, think about it; when the gates of heaven are flung wide open, and each one, and all of us are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb, all the invited guests who have responded will be there. You and I have been invited. The bridegroom is the Lord Jesus Christ. The bride is his church, that body of people who have received the Invitation RSVP and who have accepted the invitation. What are you, are we, going to do about it? Will you be there? You can be! This entreaty is found in uncounted Bible passages. Believe it! Act on it! You and I have everything to gain and nothing to lose by doing so!

“”I owed a debt I could not pay. He paid a debt he did not owe; I needed someone to take my sin away.

And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace.

He paid a debt for me that I could never pay” (author unknown to me).

In this thanksgiving season it is only right for us to respond to God’s overtures of love and His offer of eternal salvation. He opened the door for us and beckons us to enter. Thank Him for making possible our acceptance of his offer which allows us entrance to heaven and dwelling with the Lord and his saints forever, and forever.

Reverend Al & Joyce Bartholomew, South Glens Falls, New York

 

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford, Uncategorized

“GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME” REALLY?

Psalm 73

April 22, 2018 10:30 AM
Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S FUNNY: “Rich Man In Heaven”

A wealthy man died and went to heaven. He was met at the Pearly Gates by Saint Peter who led him down the streets of gold.
They passed mansion after mansion until they came to the very end of the street. Saint Peter stopped the rich man in front of a little shack.
“This belongs to you,” said Saint Peter.
“Why do I get this ugly thing when there are so many mansions I could live in?” the man demanded.
“Well,“ Peter replied, “We did the best we could with the money you sent us!”.

INTRODUCTION: “God is good!”

We often exclaim in a most proud and thankful way when referring to when things are going overwhelmingly great! In fact, the only time the phrase “God is good” appears in our NIV Bibles is right here in Psalm 73:1! It is as if God has an exclusive “in” when it comes to goodness. And we are often on PRAISE ALERT when things are going our way. But what about when everyone else who has no use for God are getting in on the good life? What is the point, then, in following the Lord at all? Ps. 73 tells us! In fact, there are at least 3 words which are the heart of this psalm. Perhaps they are the heart of your following of the Lord, too. PRAYER

#1 “BUT” (184 times in Psalms alone)

Verse 2, Asaph (v.1) says that God is good to Israel, to those who are “pure in heart”. That phrase should sound familiar! In the Sermon on the Mount in what has become known as the “Beatitudes” (or, as Dr. Warren Wiersbe wrote, the “BE-Attitudes”), the Lord Jesus uses this phrase to make an eternal point. Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” They are “blessed” = HAPPY! And the “pure in heart” will see God. How? All the available translations I have access to simply say the pure in heart will see God, except for one translation. Eugene Peterson’s “The Message” is very helpful, “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” (the world in which we all live). So Asaph starts this psalm out on a wonderful, lofty, and exuberant high note!

Then comes v. 2, the dreaded “but”: “BUT as for me…”. What happened? The “BUT” forms a contrast from the blessing of seeing God in display in his life, to seeing those who are high-minded and successful, BUT have no use for God in their lives. It’s as if Asaph will soon say, “why bother loving, trusting, worshiping the true God?” Today he would say, “you say you love Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. You say He died for your sins on the cross. BUT there are many who don’t say they love Jesus – except perhaps to swear – and they are seemingly HAPPY, too! What’s the use?
Is Asaph where you are today? If so, you will find this to be a good psalm!

v. 25-26 Beginning with v. 23, the psalmist has an exclamation of praise! Look at his foundational verses (vs. 23-24). Here is an OT passage where the writer has a confidence that God will one day take him to glory. There is no mention here of “works”; there is no mention of “if I do more good deeds than bad deeds, God’s scale of justice will HAVE to go my way.” Rather, Asaph’s entire eternal trust is in the Lord, alone! And note vs. 26: Asaph’s flesh and heart may fail. He may have absolutely no physical, emotional, and mental ground to stand on. BUT God is his strength: literally, that means God is his ROCK – his foundation. Outward circumstances did not matter – Asaph had an internal trust which gave him – what was that in v. 1? – a happy face!

v. 28 But wait, there’s more! Asaph shows that God is a personal God. “As for me” – Asaph has learned that God is not a far off. He is personal. God is near. And because of that, Asaph will tell the whole world!

Eph. 2:4 Read vs. 1-4, a wonderful comparative in contrast to what we were without the Lord Jesus, and what God did to draw us to Himself! He has done that for you! Do you trust Him?

#2 “SURELY” (28 times in Psalms)
v. 1 Truly. No doubt about it! (Message!) What should be of interest to us is that Asaph – under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – used the word “Elohim” as the name for “God” in verse 1. “Elohim” basically means “strength” or “power”. But also of interest is that “Elohim” is a plural noun. The essence is of a plurality in unity. So the Trinity is at action here when He is good to Israel!

v. 13 Asaph is using the same word as found in v. 1. Let’s read it that way: “Truly. No doubt about it!” I have kept my heart pure for empty reasons. Asaph is discouraged as he watches those without God finding happiness, but without God. He is making a declaration based upon his observance of OUTWARD EVIDENCE, but NOT upon the evidence of the heart – which evidence only God can see.

v. 18 And then comes what I call the “banana peel” effect. Asaph realizes that those who have no use for God really don’t have any foundation. Their lives aren’t governed by the eternal, but by the heart which “is deceitful and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). They are living on a slope and have no control over their future, nor of their downfall. And that is “truly. No doubt about it!”.
I like the familiar uses: “SURELY goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I WILL dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Ps. 23:6)

And, after the Lord Jesus tells His disciples of all time what He wants us to do with our lives – reproduce through the cross and teach all who come our way – He makes this “Truly! No doubt about it” promise: Matt. 28:20b, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus’ presence enables the disciple of Christ to do anything and in any place which Jesus wants the child of God to do! Truly! No doubt about it!

#3 “TILL” v. 17 (11 times in Psalms)
This last word forms the center of the heart of Asaph’s wonderful psalm. He remembers (v.1) his foundation: God is good all the time! But for a brief moment, he takes his eyes off of the foundation and looks at the reality of the world around Him. He looks at people. He looks at their seeming success. He looks at circumstances. He moans. He mourns. Perhaps he even gets angry when he thinks others who have no use for God seemingly are getting it all, and Asaph is getting nothing.

“Till” (v. 17). This, like “but”, is a word of introductory contrast. Read vs. 15-16 before it, and then add “Till”. Till what? Till he sees their final destiny. Their eternity is empty. And if their eternity is empty, what is their present day value as well? EMPTY!

Solomon would use this same imagery in Ecclesiastes when he wrote, “vanity of vanity, all is vanity”. “Vanity” means “emptiness”. So what he is really writing is “emptiness of emptiness, all is emptiness.” What is? The look at life without looking through the eyes of the presence of the living God.

I like what Gen. 32:24 shouts out about Jacob’s change in focus, “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” Jacob later realized he had wrestled with the Captain of the Lord’s armies, the King of kings Himself – even the Lord Jesus. And note that that wrestling had a time limit – daybreak. The wrestlings of our lives will not be forever. They have a purposeful time frame, one which is designed to make us like Christ in character and purpose.

CONCLUSION So, God is good all the time – Really!

BUT have you had a pity party lately, I mean a real deep down boo hoo pity whoa is me party? One that looks at others, sees their successes yet without any use for the living God, and wonder where the goodness of God is? Asaph said, “consider their final destiny”. Then you will shout Truly! No doubt about it! God is good all the time!

Really!

Now, Pray…

Inviting and Accepting
Blogs, John Grant

RUN TO WIN

Week Seventeen, 2018

RUN TO WIN

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24

Aric Almirola walked from the infield care center and back to the garage area at Daytona International Speedway. His day was done, and with it a dream, the biggest you can have. “My heart is broken,” Almirola said.

He was a handful of seconds from history. He had grabbed the lead before the white flag dropped and was going down the backstretch and he was going to win the Daytona 500. He was in the lead, heading for home. A nudge. A tap. That was all it took.

Austin Dillon’s front bumper touched Almirola’s rear bumper. And that was that. The race leader spun and wrecked. Dillon won the Daytona 500. “I did everything I could,” Almirola said. “I put myself in a position to win the Daytona 500. I did everything to try to win.”

He was less than a lap from living the dream he began having as a child, when his family traveled to Daytona’s high banks to watch the racing. Winning the 500 was a dream in his racing career.

Race!

Jesus calls us to be winners… winners for Him. In the race of life, we all participate, but not everyone wins. Usually the race is whatever is in our heart. It may be advancing to be the CEO of your company, winning an election or making a million dollars.

The Christian life is a race. In other words life is not a game with no lasting consequences. The way we live our lives has eternal consequences. Life is a proving ground where we prove who we are, whom we trust, and what we cherish. Eternal life, the upward call, the crown of righteousness — all these hang on what our life says about who we are, whom we trust, and what we love.

What are you running to win?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

THE WARNING:

Every hour on the hour in the ancient market square of Krakow, Poland, a trumpeter steps up to the drafty window of St Mary’s Basilica’s tallest tower and plays a tune called the “hejnal.”

The simple yet haunting piece is repeated four times, each time facing a different cardinal direction. This beautifully unique tradition is done 365 days a year to honor a brave watchman who gave his life in the 13th century in defense of his little town of Krakow.

Story has it the watchman spotted a growing cloud of dust in the distance and realized a Tartar invasion was on its way to bring horror and misery to his people. The watchman seized his trumpet and belted out a warning prodding the sleepy village to spring into action and protect its innocent inhabitants. The clever musical siren was a success and the enemy was fended off, but at a high price.

The brave watchman was shot through the throat by an arrow from the enemy’s leader. The last note of this commemorative tune is a long half note to represent the last sound played by the trumpeter as he was murdered.

How will you be remembered?

–o–

Obituary:

Joe’s wife passed away and he wanted to keep the obituary as short as possible, so he penned “Sally Smith died.” When the funeral home told him that the minimum wordage was six words, he added “Car for sale.”

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God. —Billy Graham.

I knew the end of the story, just like the Bible. —Winston Churchill

How will young people learn to love The Lord if they don’t see that love being modeled for them? Dwight Short

It’s just as hard to attain satisfaction and success from attaining goals we don’t have as it is to get pleasure from reminiscing about things we haven’t done. —Ernie J. Zelinski

Positive thinking is of zero value without positive doing. —Robert Sharma

None are so good they need not be saved – None are so bad they cannot be saved. —Ken Whitten

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

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 2018

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618
Almon Bartholomew, Blogs, Uncategorized

“Apples of Gold”

“Apples of Gold”

By Almon Bartholomew

 A word fitly spoken is like apples of Gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Words, words, words! Where do they all come from? There is an ocean of words in the English language. The Webster’s Third New International Dictionary has a vocabulary of more than 450,000 words. An average person uses 12,000-20,000 words in his vocabulary. A university graduate may use 20,000-25,000- Shakespeare used approximately 30,000 words in his writings and his vocabulary is estimated to have been 60,000 words. I wouldn’t want to have played scrabble with him!

One of our acquaintances was a very fast talker. She would speak 200 words per minute with gusts to 250! She was a little like the woman who wanted to get a divorce. In court the judge asked why she wanted to get a divorce. She said “Your honor, my husband hasn’t spoken to me in four years”. Judge to the man: “Is it true that you haven’t spoken to your wife in four years? He replied “Yes your honor”. Judge to the man: “Why did you not speak to her for four years”? He replied “I didn’t want to interrupt her”.

Words are powerful things. They can heal, they can hurt. They can bless, they can blight. They can lift, they can put down. They can motivate, they can devastate. They may clarify, they may confuse. It has been said, “Talk may be cheap, but you can’t buy it back”.

Out of all the torrent of words in our vocabulary, the writer of the Proverbs urges one to be very selective in his use of words. We are encouraged to use our tongues to speak words aptly chosen, and applicable to the particular circumstance thus giving them a gold like quality.

Most of us have, or had, valued treasures on display in our homes. To us, these were priceless. Silver frames hold golden gems that are not for sale at any price. Such are these special, fitting words. They are characterized by the message they convey, what is said, how it is said, and when it is said. Let us look at some of these treasured verbal messages.

High on that list are words of kindness we can speak. In Proverbs chapter 31:26, the honored woman is said to have spoken wisdom with her mouth and the law of kindness was on her tongue. In a desperately cruel world there is a need to speak, and show, kindness. We are admonished in Ephesians 4:32 to be kind, one to another. Kindness costs nothing, but it pays great dividends. Many people are caustic and sarcastic in their remarks, inflicting pain on others. Let us not be part of that crowd, but rather spread the healing quality of kindness shown to everyone. This a virtue you can practice every day right beginning in your dwelling place.

Guidance is essential in the midst of confusion. These words are also a treasure. Joseph gave wise counsel to the Pharaoh in Egypt when he faced a pending famine. This word, fitly spoken, has spared our nation and its surrounding neighbors. This world needs wise counsel. We certainly are not finding it in today’s government.

I have been thankful for wise counsel given to us in critical decision times in our life. There are a few very special people, blessed with divinely inspired wisdom that provide direction, sometimes advising us to go forward, sometimes to stand still, and, sometimes to take a different track. It is needful for us to pray, each one of us, even in our senior years, for God to impart to us wisdom so that we may be able to pursue the right path and influence others to do the same. Thank God for trusted counselors who still share gems of wisdom. Such people have helped us through the years.

Forgiveness is a great word. At times it is important for us to ask forgiveness and just as important to grant forgiveness. Many people carry a burden of guilt for wrongs they may, or may not have committed. When you grant unconditional forgiveness to a person who has harmed you in some way you free two people, the wrongdoer and yourself. God has forgiven us and we should forgive one another. In fact, this principle is embedded in the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us”. In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus said “If you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive your trespasses”. Grudges held, hard feelings harbored, and an unforgiving heart, if these are found in us they will bankrupt us spiritually. We can’t afford such loss. Forgiveness is a precious golden apple in this setting.

Comfort joins the parade of valued words. The broken hearted of this world, the persons pained by the passing of a loved one, those who are devastated by loss of home, or loss of friendships, all of these, and more, need a word of genuine comfort. ! Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks clearly in this exhortation: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we are comforted by God”. Many of us here have lost the nearest and dearest. God visited us in those dark hours. He also sends to us those special people who bring us comfort, sometimes with words, sometimes just by silently standing by.

It can be a timely phone call. It can be a time of listening. It can be a card of greeting with a verse that will bring comfort. It can be a brief, but helpful visit. For those who have the freedom to do so, it can be a pot of homemade chicken soup. Whatever the venue may be, let us give an apple of gold to someone this week by extending to them God given comfort.

Hope is another golden apple. The Apostle Paul was a prisoner on board a ship which had set sail for Rome, the capital of the empire. Just south of the island of Malta an ultra severe storm battered their ship. The tempest continued for fourteen days. By all appearance a desperate tragedy was imminent. The scripture in Acts 27:20 reads “All hope that we should be saved would was taken away”.

But, one man, Paul, was visited by the angel of the Lord. While standing on the convulsing deck of a sinking ship he received a message that, in spite of the circumstances, and the loss of the ship and its cargo, every person on board would be saved. When he told the crew, the soldiers and the prisoners this promise of help and urged them to good cheer. They thought Paul was hallucinating. However, they were saved, no loss of life occurred as they were cast up on the island. Although the candle of hope had blown out, it was ignited once again. Hope was the golden apple in that bushel!

While strolling through the orchard of trees that yield apples of gold we find the tree which bears words of faith. We are told in Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. When we read God’s word our faith is built up and we become stronger. As we assimilate these words into the fabric of our lives we can share this word with others and we will help them build up their faith. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews gives us an orchard full of golden apples; a litany of accomplishments achieved by faith. Why not share one of these golden apples a day and offer one of them to a friend?

Perhaps the golden apple that provides the most enduring health to the soul is love. The characteristics of this love are outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. Among the soul helping vitamins is patience, kindness, humility, good behavior, unselfishness, positive thinking, truthfulness, forbearance and endurance. This one a day vitamin will enhance our spiritual vitality and enable us to share it with others. The first Epistle of John tells us that God is love and that those who are possessed of that love know God. “Oh, Lord, please let me devour this precious fruit today and share some with my neighbors”.

Take a look at the golden apples harvested in this message; kindness, guidance, wisdom, forgiveness, comfort, hope, faith and love. What an orchard!!! These, words found in scripture, are worthy of meditation. As we utter them we discover them to be acceptable in God’s sight. In closing, Galatians 5:22-23 gives us an inventory of the Holy Spirit’s fruit made abundantly available to us. Here they are; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Take home a barrel full of these apples of gold, and have plenty to share with somebody else. As the old folks used to say when I was a kid;

“HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES?” !!!!


Al & Joyce Bartholomew

Al Bartholomew spent many years as a pastor, and later nurtured other pastors and workers.

 

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford, Uncategorized

“I’M THE TAXMAN”

April 15, 2018 10:30 AM

“I’M THE TAXMAN”

Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S FUNNY:

“The Witnesses”

Saturday morning the weather was too bad to play golf. The old man was bored with nothing to do. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find two young, well-dressed men standing there who said:

“Hello sir, We’re from the Kingdom Hall and we’d like to talk with you.”

So the man said, “Come in and have a seat!” He offered them a fresh cup of coffee and asked, “What do you young men want to talk about?”

They looked at each other & said, “Beats us. We never got this far before.”

INTRODUCTION

Today is traditionally the day when taxes are due in New York State. But does the Bible have anything to say about taxes? Don’t you wish it didn’t? Let’s check it out!

PRAYER

#1 THE BIBLE AND TAXES

There are about 15 verses in Scripture which deal with the subject of taxes. Allow me to refer to 3 subjects to give an idea of both the Old and New Testament understandings:

A. Illustration #1. We all remember the story of the shepherd boy David. He came alongside to bring food to his brothers who were in battle against the enemies of Israel, the Philistines. We remember the giant, Goliath, coming out and making a challenge. We remember David drawing 5 smooth stones out of the brook, placing one in his well-used sling, and with a very deft throw piercing the giant’s skull – soon killing the giant with the giant’s own sword. But do we remember what King Saul offered any slayers of the giant? 1 Sam. 17:25 says in part, “The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” I’m sure David’s dad, Jesse, was overwhelmed to be the recipient of such a kingly gesture! Wouldn’t you be?

B. Illustration # 2. In the book of Ezra, there are several astute references to taxes. First, the opponents of the building of the wall were concerned that the success of its completion would mean that Persia would no longer receive taxes from Israel (Ezra 4:13). Of course, this charge was false – but it was used as a means of encouraging the King of Persia to issue a stop order for the rebuilding of the security walls of Jerusalem. And when the wall was complete, and the service of the temple was once again in order, one of the standing orders – as per Jewish law – was the amazing reminder by the King of Persia that the people of Israel “have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of [their own] priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.” (Ezra 7:24). The subject of taxes was indeed most important in the Old Testament!

C. Illustration #3. In our “Call to Worship” , Romans 13 was cited to show the heart of God concerning taxes in New Testament times. Let’s re-read vs. 6-7. What is the amazing thing of this passage? At the time of that writing, Israel was under Roman law. The taxes referred to were not being given to build up the nation of Israel. They were given to build up Rome! And yet the NT principle is that Christians of all generations and under all governments are as best as possible to be model citizens. Taxes are to be a part of that privilege of being a citizen of the country in which one dwells. Ouch? Or “in everything give thanks”? So even the New Testament encourages especially Christian citizens to show their submission to the laws of their land.

#2 THE LORD JESUS AND TAXES

You are probably familiar with the passage in Luke 20. The teachers of the law and the chief priests saw the Savior as being at the least an opponent of the law, and at best, a threat to their rule over the spiritual guidance of Israel.

In the familiar passage of Luke 20, they sent what the text calls “spies” to trap Him so that His Words would justify their arresting Him for treason to both Israel and to Rome. They asked the classic question, “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” The question was a well-placed trap. If He said yes, the Jews would be upset that He was on the side of their enemy, the Romans. But if He said, “no”, then these spies could turn Him over to Rome as a traitor of the state.

You remember His classic answer to their classic question: “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

In just a few short words, our Savior showed the totality of a model countrymen even within times which were harsh to the country’s citizens.

Let’s not forget the verse which follows that line: “They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.” That should be a lesson to us modern day citizens: allow the Word of God to change the hearts of those who are most bitter to the Word.

#3 PETER GOES FISHING FOR TAXES (Matt. 17:24-27)

Perhaps this passage in Matthew is simply the gospel writer Matthew’s remembrance of the same incident recorded above in Luke 20. But in his wry way, Matthew shares the lesson through the eyes of an apostle, Peter, rather than through the eyes of the Savior.

Once again, there are several important lessons for us present day citizens:

1. Jesus’ disciples will be grilled (v. 24). In a very visual example of whether or not Peter knew what he really believed, or if he really knew what the heart of the Savior is on any given subject, his quick response to these tax collectors’ question shows one definitive answer: Peter really didn’t know what he believed. He perhaps was more interested to get these tax collectors out of his space than he was in sharing the Savior’s insights.

But more importantly, what Peter should have learned is the lesson we should learn: our faith, if it is genuine, should be able to stand any test, any trial, any inquisition – whether from the enemy or from friends.

Turn to Acts 4:7-12. Peter was a minister in the amazing healing of a crippled beggar (Acts 3). By Acts 4, the religious rulers of Peter’s day questioned how he and his co-workers did what they did. In essence, they were asking, “how is it that you, a common fisherman, are trying to have more authority in spiritual matters than we seasoned spiritual leaders do?”

Verse 12 is a life verse: “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus disciples will be grilled – be prepared to answer!

2. Jesus’ disciples need to learn of Him (vs. 25-26)

So how does a disciple get prepared to answer the questions of faith? By learning of Jesus!

And how do you and I get prepared to answer the questions of faith? By learning of Jesus – through His written word! So let me ask you – for only you know the answer. Are you in the Word of God more than just the few minutes of the Sunday morning service? Without a show of hands, how many of you have more than one Bible in your home? And how many of those stay closed during the week? That is not to be a judgmental observation. It is meant to be an encouraging prod to get you into the Word of God on a more regular basis. For starters, there are 31 chapters in Proverbs. Why not read each day the chapter which corresponds to that day of the month? There are 150 psalms. Why not read 5 psalms per day – and you’ll have the entire book of psalms read on a regular monthly basis. There are 4 gospels. Why not read ONE chapter in the gospels each day – and continue the cycle of reading through the gospels throughout the year. There are 66 books in the Bible. Why not read 3 chapters a day and maybe 5 on Sunday – and you will have read the entire Bible in less than one year!

Get prepared to answer the questions of faith by being a student of the book which encourages faith. Remember Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Learn of Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Jesus disciples had one more lesson to learn, and so do we. We need to be surprised by Him in our trust (v. 27).

So the seasoned fisherman succumbs to Jesus’ authority that, though he is a citizen of heaven, he shows that citizenship by being a model citizen of the country in which he lives.

And in order to show that model citizenry, he pays the required taxes of that country.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, what happens next?

At the prodding of the Son of God, the seasoned fisherman, Peter, goes fishing. The Savior of the world, the Creator of the world, gives Peter some fishy story about going fishing to catch the required funds needed to pay taxes. WHAT?

Peter catches one fish. And in the mouth of that fish – not in the fish’s belly or on a snagged line or anywhere else – will be the coin which represents the tax sum required by the local government.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Peter learned to be surprised by Jesus in his own trust in the Savior. The Savior would be true to Himself. The Savior would be true to His Word. And the Savior could be trusted. In essence, He was saying, “And I will supply all of your needs according to My riches in glory.”

It is tax week. And don’t be surprised when the King of the universe cares that you pay your taxes! In so doing, you just may show to someone that Jesus alone is worthy of their eternal trust.

Close in Prayer

First Baptist Church, 9 West Main St. Earlville, NY 13332

Inviting and Accepting

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