Blogs, Frank Becker

“WHO IS THE ROCK EXCEPT OUR GOD?”

“WHO IS THE ROCK EXCEPT OUR GOD?” (Psalm 18:31)
June 24, 2018
By Jeremy B. Stopford

TODAY’S FUNNY: “Get a Priest”
A man is struck by a bus on a busy street in New York City. He lies dying on the sidewalk as a crowd of spectators gathers around.
“A priest! Somebody get me a priest!” the man gasps.
A policeman checks the crowd but finds no priest, no minister, no man of God of any kind.
“A PRIEST, PLEASE!” the dying man says again.
Then out of the crowd steps a little old man of at least eighty years of age.
“Officer,” says the man, “I’m not a priest. I’m not even a Catholic. But for fifty years now I’ve been living behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Third Avenue, and every night I’m listening to the Catholic litany. Maybe I can be of some comfort to this man.”
The policeman agrees and brings the old guy over to the dying man. He kneels down, leans over the injured and says in a solemn voice:   “B – 4. I – 19. N – 38. G – 54. O – 72.”

INTRODUCTION I have recently come to the conclusion that I am a blessed man, thanks to y’all. I am able to get up at any hour and spend quality time with the Lord. I don’t have the pressure of getting ready to drive off to work at any great distance from home. I simply have to clean up, get dressed, and walk a few yards to next door. The blessing is that that gives me a wonderful, open window to spend time in several passages each day – in particular, reading through the psalms each month. The other day I was in Psalm 18 when this verse leaped off the page. Then the word “rock”. Then the question, “how many times in scripture?” (149). How many in the NT (20). OT (129). Psalms? (28). Psalm 18? (3). Wow. And that’s how the inspiration comes to spend a few moments here today. Let’s ask the Lord to use this time together this morning to minister in a special and unique way to each of us today. PRAYER

# 1 AN ANTHROPO WHAT?
There is a term in literature which often appears in Scripture, especially when referring to the Lord. We learned it in Bible School over 40 years ago – and I discovered it again this past week that it is often used in secular writings.
The term is “anthropomorphism”. “Anthropo” what? “Anthropomorphism”! The secular dictionary defines it this way: “when human motivation, characteristics, or behavior are given to inanimate objects, animals, or nature phenomena.” “Anthropos” is the Latin root for “man or human”. “Morphism” implies “shape”. Put together, in secular writings, the author is giving human characteristics to something that isn’t human.
But what happens when what one is reading isn’t secular writings but rather is the Bible itself? Then it is used as a term to take an inanimate object to show a characteristic or quality of someone.
OK. One more step. What happens when the “someone” being described is the Lord Himself? What happens then? Then the “anthropomorphism” takes on a shape which is otherworldly!
Let’s have fun with this without getting too technical. You and I have read places in the Bible where this happens, but perhaps did not come to the right conclusion as to what the Holy Spirit was intending when He inspired the Word of God. Ready? Let’s go!
Exodus 17:15 “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.”
ILLUSTRATION If I were an avid sports fan (Hello! Go Dolphins!) I might even have the flag representing my team hanging from a bedroom window at my home. That would show my allegiance to that team. That would show that there is no other team I support. That would show how exclusive my patriotism is for that particular team. Wait, I do have a team flag hanging from my bedroom window!
Moses’ description was showing what would soon happen in the history of Israel. Each team, well, tribe, was to have its own “banner” or flag. It would represent that tribe. It was an important banner. It would show to the other tribes the orderliness of the movement of the tribes as they went from place to place. But Moses said, “The Lord is my banner!”. I don’t know exactly how the Hebrew works, but that phrase is known as one of the names for God in the Hebrew language: “Jehovah-nissi – “the Lord my banner”.
Psalm 91:4 says in part, referring to God, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge…”. What has feathers and wings? Why KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKENS before they are prepared! I’m not being remotely irreverent here. This is a classic anthropomorphism! Believe it or not, the cults have problems with this. They don’t understand the difference between the phrases “The Lord is” and “The Lord is like”. The ERV (really, the “Easy-to-read Version” which is an excellent understanding of the Hebrew says, “You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you…”. The imagery is clear. The psalmist is using every day objects – in this case, a fowl – to describe eternal values.
With these thoughts in mind, let’s look at Psalm 18.

#2 A ROCK? MY GOD IS A ROCK?
Three times in Psalm 18 David used this image. Look at the context under the heading of the psalm. David is rejoicing that one more time the Lord in His grace delivered David from his jealous and very carnal enemy, King Saul. This song is originally sung in 2 Samuel 22, just a short time before King Saul and his sons are killed in battle.
Psalm 18:2 says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” OK, we’ve studied these anthropomorphisms a little bit now. We’re getting better at this. There are several in this verse, aren’t there? The Lord Himself is giving the depiction as being a rock, a fortress, a deliverer, a shield, a horn, a stronghold. There is almost a progression here, from something seemingly small like one of David’s stones which he threw at Goliath, to a stronghold – a place of security.
And yet the word “rock” actually has the understanding of “bedrock” or “pillar”. It is really NOT a pebble one might skip across the pond. Rather, it is a foundation stone upon which one might build a mansion or castle. Or a life.
There is something called “The Passion Translation” – really! – and this is how it wonderfully relates this verse, “You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet, like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress, my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape, my tower of rescue where none can reach me. My secret strength and shield around me, you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside, always the champion of my cause.”
So the theme of Psalm 18:2 is that in God being my Rock HE IS MY REFUGE AND STRONGHOLD.

We’ve read verse 31. Psalm 18:31 says, “ For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?”
Well, by now we should be getting pretty good at anthropomorphisms. The one here once again is “rock”. That’s a given. But now we notice a different theme than the usage in verse 2. Whereas verse 2 was one of SECURITY, verse 31 is one of EXCLUSIVENESS. There is only ONE Who can properly be called the Rock of my life. There is only One available to be the true Rock of my life. There is no other True Rock. There may be many false rocks. But there is only one True Rock! And that Rock is the Lord Himself!
ILLUSTRATION I’ve shared with you before this unbelievable illustration. When I was in my senior year in Bible School, I had a job flipping burgers at Carrol’s Restaurant – the owner of Burger King. During my meal break I often would sit out in the lobby, and invariably someone – more often than not a customer – would come and sit and join me for supper. Indeed, one night an elderly gentleman sat down to share his supper time with me. It wasn’t too long before he inquired about my life, and eventually the topic of my going to Bible School came up. He said that he believed that the only way to heaven was through the teachings of the church he attended. I then shared with him 1 Timothy 2:5. The beginning of the verse says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind…”. You could tell by his expression that he was sure the next thing I was going to say as the mediator between God and man was the woman he worshiped, the Blessed Virgin Mary. But when I finished the verse with the conclusion, “the man Christ Jesus…”, his jaw dropped. His face changed. His heart was pricked with the reality of the exclusiveness of faith in the One God, the Lord Jesus.
That’s what Psalm 18:31 is sharing. GOD IS THE EXCLUSIVE ROCK.

The finally usage of “rock” in Psalm 18 is Psalm 18:46, which says, “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!”
OK let’s see what we’ve learned! Verse 2 shows God as a rock is my Refuge and Stronghold.
Verse 31 shows that God as a rock is the ONLY true Rock worthy of one’s eternal – and daily – trust.
So what does verse 46 teach us? Using the same – what was that word? – anthropomorphism, “rock”, David is here saying that since God is my Stronghold and Only One worthy of my trust, then HE IS WORTHY OF MY PRAISE! Isn’t that GREAT!

CONCLUSION
I hope we’ve had fun here. But in that fun-ness there is a big lesson to be learned. God does not inspire His servants to use words in a loose, trite, or meaningless way. He inspires His servants to say what He wants them to say, in their own personalities.
David understood battle. He understood trust. And he understood praise. And the best word to describe God in all 3 realms is a simple one: rock. The Lord was David’s rock. And He should be ours too – not just in name only. Not just on a Bible page. But in our hearts and in our daily lives.
Today, some of you here may need a place of refuge. Some of you may need to know that there is One Who claims to be and has been found worthy of being the ONLY true refuge. And He alone is worthy of our praise.
HIS NAME IS JESUS. Is He your rock? Have you allowed Him to be your Rock and Salvation for all eternity?
IF you love Him as your Savior, have you surrendered to Him as your Rock for every battle of your life?
Even David learned that the Lord is the Only Rock worthy of his trust and praise.
HAVE WE LEARNED THAT?

Close in prayer

Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, First Baptist Church, Earlville, New York

Blogs, Frank Becker

Laugh

Week Twenty-Six, 2018

LAUGH

By John Grant

“There is a time for everything….. a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

Observed annually around the world, is National Let’s Laugh Day. We have all heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” This is the day to take your medicine. Some studies have shown that laughter may boost your immune system, relieve tension and help you relax. Who does not need any of those things in our busy and hectic world? Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. We don’t laugh because we’re happy — we’re happy because we laugh. Laughter can be contagious.

The Gospel of John records that “Jesus wept” (11:35), giving us the shortest verse in the Bible. But did Jesus laugh? I think He did.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh.” But if there is such a thing as humor that is good, and if it is rooted in God’s nature, then some humor must be good, even godly.

We need to overcome the obstacle that depicts Christ and Christianity as completely serious. Jesus had 12 disciples. Get 12 guys together, have them hang out for a while, and they will definitely laugh at something — probably a lot of things.

Jesus was all God and also all man. He had a human nature and it is an inherent human thing to laugh. The very fact that we humans have a sense of humor indicates that God does, too, for we are made in His image. A number of years ago, a friend gave me a framed picture of a sketch that showed Jesus laughing. It gives me a reminder of that laughter.

There has long been a notion that Jesus never laughed. Traditionally, paintings of Jesus have tended toward melancholy portrayals of a somber, glum Savior. It is true that Jesus became our Sin-bearer and that He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Jesus was rejected in His hometown (Mark 6:1–6), He wept at a friend’s graveside (John 11:35), and of course, He experienced the cross. However, this does not mean Jesus never had a lighthearted moment or that He never had occasion to laugh.

Jesus encouraged joyful laughter, most famously in the Beatitudes, recorded in Matthew 5 and Luke 6. Jesus said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” I believe that He who sits on the throne heaven sits laughingly.

Jesus had a serious mission to accomplish in this world, but He was not one to be somber all the time. There is no verse in the Bible that says, “Jesus laughed,” but we know that He empathized with us completely and felt all of our emotions. Laughter is part of life and our emotions, and Jesus truly lived.

Jesus did indeed laugh. And when appropriate, so should we.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

ESTATE PLANNING:

My buddy, George, was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. He knew that he would inherit a fortune once his sickly father died.

Tom wanted two things:

• to learn how to invest his inheritance and,

• to find a wife to share his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting, he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. “I may look like just an ordinary man,” he said to her, “but in just a few years, my father will die, and I’ll inherit 20 million dollars.”

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card. Two weeks later, she became his stepmother.

Women are so much better at estate planning than men…

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

“Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:10-13‬ ‭MSG‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Wear the cloak of materialism loosely. Bill Bright

Going to church is not optional; it’s necessary. God says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Billy Graham

***

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

Blogs, Frank Becker

“THE FATHER IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN”

“The Father Is Looking for a Few Good Men” (Proverbs 20:5-7)
June 17, 2018 FATHER’S DAY
By Jeremy B. Stopford

TODAY’S FUNNY #1:  “Johnny’s Graduation Speech” (in honor of one of our upcoming graduates!)
When Little Johnny was about to graduate from high school, he was asked to give a speech to his fellow graduating classmates. To avoid getting off track or saying something inappropriate, as he was known for, he had index cards with his speech on them in his hand.
He got on the stage, took a look at the first index card, then at his classmates and began his speech. “Fellow graduates, I want to talk about my mother and the wonderful influence she has had on my life,” he told the audience. “She is a shining example of parenthood, and I love her more than words could ever do justice.”
At this point he seemed to struggle for words. After a pause, he looked up with a sly grin and said, “Sorry, but it’s really hard to read my mother’s handwriting.”

TODAY’S FUNNY #2:  “A Birthday Funny” (in honor of the pastor’s birthday today)
A man asked his wife what she’d like for her birthday.
“I’d love to be six again,” she replied.
On the morning of her birthday, he got her up bright and early and off they went to a local theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park: the Death Slide, the Screaming Loop, the Wall of Fear–everything there was! Wow!
Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park, her head reeling and her stomach upside down. Right to McDonald’s they went, where her husband ordered her a Big Mac along with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate shake. Then it was off to a movie – the latest Star Wars epic, and hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi Cola, and M&Ms. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed.
He leaned over and lovingly asked, “Well, dear, what was it like being six again?”
One eye opened. “You idiot, I meant my dress size!”

INTRODUCTION:

In March 1779, Captain William Jones, captain of the 28 gun frigate, The Providence, advertised in the Providence, R.I. Gazette seeking recruits for a “short Cruize” (sic). He said there was a need for “a few good Men”. Over two hundred years later, that slogan has stuck for the Marines.

Perhaps if the Lord needed a recruiting slogan, that, too, would be worthy: “The Father is Looking for a Few Good Men.”

Our text would be appropriate – because what the Father is looking for is not men who have “already arrived”. No, No! He’s looking for a few good men who are willing to be disciplined by Him. And when these men get done in the Father’s Training School (of life!), they will come out as changed men – men that are being cultivated not only for today but also for eternity. Would you think about being one of those men -or women -for the Father?

PRAYER

#1 A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING (v. 5)
The first kind of man that the Father hopes to develop is “a man of understanding”.

Our text tells us several notable facts:
There are purposes of a person’s heart which can be deep. “Purposes” have the idea of deep thoughts, or, better: motives, plans, his real intentions [from this comes the question, “what is his ulterior motive? What is his real purpose?]. The best definition I found is “knowing what is right”. The comparative [“is like”] is the reference to a “deep waters” – the idea here being a well which seems to have no bottom.

ILLUSTRATION: some of you know what this is referring to, especially when your submersible pump decided it no longer wanted to work. Do you remember that horrible feeling of having no running water in the house? Do you remember thinking, “oh no, the pump” – knowing full well that you would have to take the cap off the well, pull the plastic pipe up out of the well, and then monkey with what is attached on the bottom of the pipe. And it seemed like forever to get that pipe up out of the well. Why? Because it was deep – it seemed to have no bottom. That may be true if the driller had to go over 100 or more feet to find water!

Only a “man of understanding” – a person who has insight can draw those purposes out.

What does this mean? Ex. 35:30-32 says, “Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze…”

Let’s couple that with Judges 13:18. Manoah and his aged wife were told that they were going to have a baby, to be named Samson – yes, THAT Samson. They wisely asked of the character of the baby. But then they asked of the Name of the One Who was sharing this vital insight into this unusual child. The One said, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding” (or, in the Hebrew, “wonderful”). Many believe this “Angel of the Lord” was the reincarnate Christ since He has the same name – “wonderful” – as our Savior does (Isaiah 9:6-7).

So what have we learned? In order to accomplish anything of eternal value, one must have understanding that comes from the Spirit of God. And that is important because the Lord Himself is the Author of understanding.

Thus the Father is looking for a man who is willing to learn of Him. He is looking for someone who sees the tough times – the deep waters of life – yet sees the Author of life and trusts Him. Are you a man – or woman – of understanding?

#2 A FAITHFUL MAN (v. 6)

Our text tells us:
A man may say he is a merciful man;
What is really desired is a faithful man, a rare commodity
I like how the CEV (“Contemporary English Version”) expresses this verse: “There are many who say, “You can trust me!” But can they be trusted?”

Do you remember the Savior’s teachings about the Pharisees’ teachings? He told the people, in essence, “do what the Pharisees say, but don’t do what they do.” Their lives did not back up their teachings. Their lives lacked trustworthiness.

A faithful man. What does it mean to be faithful? Because the Father is looking for those who are willing to have a lifestyle that is faithful! To be faithful by definition means: trustworthy; loyal (now we’re starting to sound like a Boy Scout!) truth worthy – their lives are living examples of the truth they represent; steadfastness toward the faith he holds to.

A faithful man. Listen to Revelation 19:11: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” Like “understanding” (or “wonderful”) in verse 5, “Faithful” is a name associated with the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. So it shouldn’t surprise us that, in order to be a servant of the One Who is Faithful, he must be faithful as well. Trustworthy. Loyal. Steadfast.
A faithful man. “Faithful” is an important word, used over 200 times in our Scriptures! Timothy says that deacons are to be “faithful”. In order to be a servant of the church, one must have proved oneself qualified for the office or position. There must be a long-term consistency of character.

ILLUSTRATION: In a few months once again, our beloved nominating committee will select names for the various offices of our church. Hopefully the committee will not select certain ones with the hope that if they’re elected they might start coming to church more often. The committee won’t select ones because they know they are big financial givers to the church. Hopefully the committee will select men or women to certain offices based upon the fact that that man or that woman has already proved himself or herself faithful.
And there we go! The Father is looking for a few men – and women – who are faithful – who are willing to show a truth to character over a long period of time.

#3 THE RIGHTEOUS MAN (v. 7)

To be righteous means to have a life which is one of integrity

To be righteous means to have a view for eternity, and for the years to come.

The CJB (“Complete Jewish Bible”) translates the first part of this verse in a marvelous way: “The righteous live a life of integrity.” Eugene Peterson once called that having “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”!

This verse is amazing, isn’t it? To have a blameless life, a life of an integrity, over the course of a lifetime.

But note the second part of the verse: “blessed are his children after him.” Why are they blessed, or “happy”? Because Dad lived a long obedience in the same direction! He lived a life of integrity over the course of his entire lifetime – and their home is the beneficiary of such a life.

When we make any decisions, do we make them thinking how will the results of that decision affect my own generation to come?

The Father is looking for a few men – and women – who are willing to be a man or woman of integrity over a long period of time!

CONCLUSION
Let’s wrap this up! What is the Father looking for?
1. The Father is looking for someone who is a man of understanding, a man who over a long period of time has found the Father worthy of his trust, and has learned of him accordingly.
2. The Father is looking for someone who is a faithful man, just like the Father is faithful.
3. The Father is looking for a righteous man, someone who recognizes those costs, who sees the eternal fruit through his heritage – some of whom may not even be born yet.

The Father is looking for a few.
Are you willing to be one of the few?

Close in prayer

Jeremy B. Stopford is pastor of the First Baptist Church in Earlville, New York.
Blogs, Frank Becker

Satisfaction

Week Twenty-Five, 2018

SATISFACTION

By John Grant

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).

Author John Eldredge tells a great story of a rich industrialist, who was visiting Mexico and found one of the local fishermen just sitting by his boat, playing his guitar and enjoying a cold drink.

Disturbed to find the fisherman so idle he asked, “Why aren’t you out there fishing?” The fisherman replied, “Because I’ve already gone out today and I have caught all that I need for me and my family.” The rich man responded, “Why don’t you raise your sights and catch more fish than just what you and your family need?” The little fisherman replied, “What would I do with all those fish?”

His new friend’s response was quick, “You could earn more money and buy a bigger and better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish.” “Then what?” the fisherman asked “Then you could purchase nylon nets instead of those rope nets of yours, and then you would be able to catch even more fish, and make more money” the industrialist responded. “Then what?” he asked again. “Soon you’d be able to have a fleet of boats and then you would be rich like me.”

“Then what would I do?” the fisherman asked. “Well,” replied the industrialist, “then you would finally be able to sit down, relax, and enjoy life.” “You mean like I am doing right now?” the fisherman replied.Many items are advertised “Satisfaction Guaranteed,” but what is real satisfaction? Unfortunately, it is believed to be conquering, accumulating and self-emulating. Alexander conquered all of the then known world before he was in his mid-thirties. He cried out, “Are there no more worlds to conquer?”

Real joy and satisfaction comes from within, not from without. Only the God of hope can fill us with joy and peace so that we may abound in hope. True contentment must come from a source other than wealth and fame. How about you? Are you frustrated or satisfied? Paul wrote that we are “not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). Only when we trust in the Lord will we find true and lasting satisfaction.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Why the liquor industry wants to get self-driving cars on the road

The word’s first commercial shipment by self-driving truck was a load of Budweiser, delivered by Anheuser-Busch. Automakers and tech firms have long been the ones hustling to get self-driving cars on the street. But they’ve lately been joined by a surprise ally: America’s alcohol industry.

In recent weeks, two industry groups — one representing wine and liquor wholesalers, and another representing large producers — have thrown their weight behind coalitions lobbying to get autonomous vehicles on the road faster.

Inherent in their support, analysts say, is an understanding that self-driving cars could revolutionize the way Americans drink. Brewers and distillers say autonomous vehicles could reduce drunk driving.

–o–

NEW TERM:

When I was in school if a kid was bad, they were expelled, but not so anymore; the new term is “change of placement.”

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Never Forget the Love God Has for Us. Never Forget the Life Christ Gave for You. Ken Whitten

When was the last time you had a genuine encounter with the living God?

How sweet that we serve a living, forgiving, and loving God! Don’t get in His way this Sunday! Dwight Short

Authentic” is a meaningful adjective when speaking of leadership. To be authentic, we as leaders need to know ourselves and acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses. Are you and I transparent authentic influencers?

***

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
Blogs, Frank Becker

“In Step With God”

“IN STEP WITH GOD”

By Almon Bartholomew

We are taking the text for this devotional from both the Old and the New Testaments.

GENESIS 5:21-24: “And Enoch lived sixty and five years and begat Methuselah.

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty and five years.

And Enoch walked with God and was not for the Lord took him.” KJV

HEBREWS 11:5-6: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

“But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” KJV

If ever a man walked with God, we would have to say it happened in the life of Enoch. The Scriptures testify that he walked with God, that pleased God, was inwardly dominated by an unshakable faith, and God suddenly translated him to Heaven! The only one close to that in the Old Testament was Elijah who was caught up in a whirlwind and escorted to Heaven riding in a chariot of fire.

The Old Testament story is characterized by direct simplistic statements each revealing Enoch’s victory achieved through faith. The Old Testament account simply states Enoch walked with God. The New Testament account goes underscores that statement and tells of a secret propellant which gave Enoch the strength to go forward. Faith in God is this propellant that makes walking with God possible. This pleases God!

The O.T. chapter in which this occurs covers a span of 1500 years of man’s sojourn on earth. It is the story of a failed humanity—birth and burial, passion and pain, living and dying. It is a solemn reminder of the devil’s lie told in Eden’s Garden. In the hour of temptation the malignant villain of the universe subtly asked Eve,”Has God said, you shall not eat of every tree in the garden”? This introduces the first questioning of God to humanity.

Eve took the bait. You can’t afford to do business with the devil. She was correct when she answered God permitted them to eat from the fruit of the trees in the garden. Then she incorrectly said they could not eat the fruit of the tree of life, or not even touch it or God would punish them with death. God never forbade them to touch the tree. God did say that that in the day that you eat the fruit from that tree you will surely die. Then the Satanic voice countermanded the commandment of God and said “You shall not die!”

Well you know the rest of the story. Eve and Adam both ate the fruit and were evicted from Paradise. They did die! And repeatedly, over and over and over for generations after we read and he died, and he died and he died. God tells the truth and the devil is a liar. As history moved on the death knell rank until, until, something happened in human history that had never been seen before.

Instead of the record keeper reporting the death notice he found himself telling another story. A man lived his life through but did not die. He was subservient to God. He was a remarkable man. He marched to a different beat of the drum. He walked with God, when suddenly: “WHISH” he was gone; taken up into heaven by the God whom he served. And he left a testimony! He walked by Faith. He walked with God. He pleased God and suddenly went into eternity to be with God! It was described as a TRANSLATION!!!

That brief story of Enoch is both incredible and wonderful. A change came into his life. At age 65 he begat Methuselah. After the birth of his son, something happened in the life of Enoch. The details of that life changing experience are not recorded in scripture. The testimony is, however, etched in the annals of eternity. After he begat Methuselah Enoch walked with God for 300 years.

It is evident that some powerful revelation came to him. It may be that he then saw beyond the darkness of the surrounding ages and the light of God dawned on him. Whatever it was it forever changed him and he walked with God.

Think about this with me for a moment. He lived before Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses. Joshua, Caleb, Samuel, David, Elijah, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. He had no Bible. He had no book of hymns. He had no New Testament. He knew nothing of a Messiah or an Apostle. Yet, Yet, he walked with God. His was a rare brand of faith and it merited reference in our New Testament! He lived a different and a victorious life without one of these provisions now made fully and easily available to us.

The biographical sketch of David simply reads “David, after he, in his own generation, served the counsel of God, and fell on sleep”. Saul’s brief biography sadly reads “I have played the fool”! Other brief bio sketches fill the pages of sacred writ. But one bio, one short biographical sketch is reserved for one man, Enoch; it reads “He walked with God”.

What does it mean, He walked with God”? It means four things. First it means he is moving in a divinely planned direction. Secondly, it means he is in agreement with God. The scripture declares, “How can two walk together except they be in agreement”? Thirdly it means that a mutual trust exists. Here is a man that trusted God and here is God trusting a man. Ponder that one for a while. Finally, if a man walks with God, he must keep in step with God. As the old hymn says, “How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior, stepping in the light, stepping in the light. How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior, Led in paths of light.”

Again, as we consider all of the things Enoch did not have and he made it; with all of the spiritual provisions and privileges God has afforded us, we should make it. If we do not make it, it will largely be because we ignored these gracious provisions God has made for us. Look in Psalm 119 and read “God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path”. This should help us walk with God. According to Galatians 5:16 teaches us how to walk, “if we walk in the Spirit we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”. Ephesians 5:15 admonishes us to “walk circumspectly” which means to walk within the boundaries.

Try Colossians 1:10 for size; “Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of the Lord”. First John 1:7 has great promise “If we walk in the light as He, (Jesus Christ) is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s So, cleanses us from all sin” There are dozens more verses underscoring this precious walk with God. None is more glorious than Jesus word to the church members in Sardis who persevered in the things of God; To those over comers he said in Revelation 3:4 “They shall walk with me in white for they are worthy.”

Enoch succeeded in his godly walk in his day. What was it like at that time? Enoch was of the seventh generation from Seth, the God fearing son of Adam and Eve. Lamech was the seventh son of Cain, the murderous son of Adam and Eve. It seemed as though Lamech and his sons were ambitious, abusive, and independent and rebels against God. Eventually it degenerated to the evil found in Noah’s day. Even though Godless conditions surrounded him, Enoch pursued God and walked with Him. By faith, and God’s grace this man lived under divine direction. Our day is also drenched in evil.

The same God that brought Enoch through is also able to bring us through. He has equipped us for the battle between good and evil. As we walk in concert with Jesus and keep in step with God, we are going to win. We too shall take that glorious elevator to heaven when we take wings from this world. The deep fact of life is that when we walk with God, at the very end, he receives us into heaven. Enoch “was not, for the Lord took him.”

I love the story of the little girl’s outlook, when she went home from Sunday School, after hearing the story of Enoch. She said: “Mother we heard about a wonderful man today in Sunday School. His name was Enoch. He used to go for long walks with God every day” Oh that’s wonderful but how did the story end”? “Oh mother, one day they walked on, and on and on, and got so far, God said to Enoch, You’re a long way from home. You had better come to my home and stay with me….”

“Jesus, will walk with me, He will talk with me He will walk with me.

In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow; I know He will walk with me”

Let us pledge ourselves to keep in step with God.

Almon Batholomew, shown with wife Joyce, pastored near Buffalo, New York, and for more than two decades served as the Superintendent of the NY District of the Assemblies of God.

Blogs, Frank Becker

“WHAT YOU DO THAT YOU DO ALWAYS”

“WHAT YOU DO THAT YOU DO ALWAYS”
By Jeremy B. Stopford

TODAY’S FUNNY: “Visit to A Zoo”
Little Johnny wanted to go to the zoo and pestered his parents for days. Finally his mother talked his reluctant father into taking him.
“So how was it?” his mother asked when they returned home.

“Great,” Little Johnny replied.

“Did you and your father have a good time?” asked his mother.

“Yeah, Daddy especially liked it,” exclaimed Little Johnny excitedly, “especially when one of the animals came home at 30 to 1!”

INTRODUCTION:
In our “Call to Worship”, perhaps you noticed verse 132 of the 119th psalm. In our NIV it reads, “Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.” Did you notice the phrase “as you always do”? In the NKJV it reads, “as Your custom is.”

What is this verse saying? It is saying that God has habits – things that He does on a regular basis due to…His character! One of His habits, according to verse 132, is to have mercy on individuals who love His name. Perhaps you’ve experienced that on a daily basis. We certainly did experience that at the cross. Now how much more do we need to experience His kindnesses on a daily basis. And He does that always! That’s one of HIS habits!

Experts tell us it takes at least 3 weeks to develop a good habit – while at the same time perhaps to break a bad one!
ILLUSTRATION How many of you have tried to read the Bible through, but after several days life got in your way? What was the problem? You didn’t strive for 3 weeks!

In your bulletin today are several verses that will show habits in Scripture. For us, a habit is…ready…here’s the title once again…”what you do that you do always.” Pretty clever, right? But also pretty challenging! PRAYER

#1. THE CUSTOM OF THE FAMILY ALTAR (Job 1:5)
We’re all familiar with the story of Job. Richest man on earth. 10 children. Many servants. And in the midst of all that, Satan pleads to test Job in many ways.

But there are 2 things you need to know before we go to the beginning of Chapter 1. Go to Job 1:6-9. Who was it that suggested the subject for Satan’s tests? Why, the Lord Himself! He knew Job’s character (verse 8).

And go forward to Job 2:1-3. What does the Lord add concerning His describing Job? “Integrity”. Job was a man of integrity.
Where did he get that from?

NOW let’s go to Job 1:1-5. Job “was the greatest man among all the people of the East” (v. 3) What caused that? Wise investing? Hard work? Perhaps that is true – and we should be wise and hard workers, too.

But Job had a custom, a habit which he had developed over the course of many years. Look at verse 5. The text says “this was Job’s regular custom.” – note, not just a custom, but his regular custom.
And what was his custom? He had a family altar. He regularly – probably daily – kept his family before the remembrance of the Lord! Wow! He would pray for each of his 7 sons by name. He would pray for each of his 3 daughters by name. He was concerned with their love for the Lord and for their walk with the Lord. And I imagine he also prayed for his wife, whom we meet in Chapter 2. When she advises her weakened husband, “curse God and die”, well, don’t you think that reminded Job to pray harder?

BY THE WAY: by the end of the book, how many children did Job –and his wife – have? This same wife who advised her husband to “curse God and die” would mother 10 more children! Job and his wife had 20 children – 10 on earth, and 10 in heaven. Don’t forget that!

So how do you develop a family altar? It takes…how long?…3 weeks! Or better, a lifetime! Have a piece of paper before you. On that paper put the name of each of your family members. And then make notes – either on paper or mentally – about the need of each one. And then? Sacrifice that need on the altar of God’s mercy! The same MERCY that is His habit (remember Psalm 119:132?)!

That’s the custom of a family altar. What you do that you do always should be a family altar.

#2, THE CUSTOM OF GOING TO GOD’S HOUSE (Luke 2:43/4:16)
The next text of importance is Luke 4:16. But let’s first make a pit stop at Luke 2:41-3. How old was Jesus? 12 years old. So how many times by now had He celebrated the Passover with His earthly parents? At least 11! So verse 41 tells us that “every year his parents”. Verse 42 tells us that this was the custom of the nation – and as a good Jewish family, it was the custom of Joseph & Mary – and young Jesus.

WHAT? You mean His earthly parents MADE Him – the Savior of the universe! – go to church? Look at vs. 51-52. He was obedient to them, the One Who laid aside the exercise of His divine attributes in order to be obedient, even unto death!

All that is free information. Let’s go to Chapter 4:16. “As was His custom” included going to the synagogue on a regular basis. Where did He get THAT custom from? Hello! His earthly parents!

And why is that so important? Read the verses following, vs. 17-21. Perhaps He wouldn’t have been where the Father wanted Him to be at that very moment. Perhaps He wouldn’t have fulfilled Scripture at that very moment. IF His earthly parents hadn’t developed in Him the custom of going to God’s House.

IF that is true of our Savior, what about us? You know where I’m going. Let me give you 2 thoughts:

#1 Hebrews 10:25 in our NIV says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the HABIT of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching”. Even the author of Hebrews understood that good habits can be broken.

#2. ILLUSTRATION As most of you know, I really love to send out bulletins to those who either are shut-ins, to those that we’re trying to maintain a contact with, and especially to those who for whatever reason missed church that Sunday. How many “regulars” do you think our attendance has? “Regulars” are what I refer to when talking about those who will be in church 2-3 Sundays per month. Do you know how many we have? 28. What would happen if EVERY Sunday all 28 were here? Why a visitor would walk in and say, “hey – this is a living church!”. I’ve heard that at Easter time. I hear it at Christmas time. I would love to hear that on a regular basis!
Let’s not grow weary in doing good! Let’s develop the habit, the custom of going to God’s house!

#3. THE CUSTOM OF GOD’S INTERVENTION (John 18:39)
I was overwhelmed to be reminded of this custom. This habit of the Roman governor and the Jewish people was that every year, at the time of the Passover, a prisoner would be released – pardoned in today’s language. This was a custom. This happened regularly. Everyone knew about it, including the Roman governor.

So what happened because of this particular year’s observation of that custom? Barabbas “son of the father” got released and the Lord Jesus “Son of His Heavenly Father” was crucified – for the sin of the whole world.

Coincidence? You think? It was GOD’S INTERVENTION in human customs. It was God’s using the circumstances of every day life to return glory to Himself – even the greatest glory in the death of His Son.

What’s the point? Every day becomes an opportunity of God’s intervention in the customs, the habits of the world around you and me where the Lord has wisely placed us. Radio preacher David Mains called these “God sightings”. That isn’t an irreverent term. It is the Christian’s bringing attention and glory to God by being very conscious that the eternal God is involved in his life!

May I hear another “WOW”!

CONCLUSION
As we wrap this up, let’s review. It takes on the average 3 weeks to develop good habits – and perhaps a lifetime to maintain bad ones!
The Scriptures encourage us with at least 3 habits that should be “what we do that we do always”:

We should have the custom of a family altar, a regular – hopefully daily – time when the entire family is brought before the Lord. Make that as person as you can!

We should have the custom of going to God’s House. Do you know the #1 reason we should be in God’s House every week? Who is there? Not only people, but God Himself. It is His House! Looking forward to seeing you here next week!

And we should have the custom of God’s intervention, regularly bringing glory, praise and honor to Him when we see His handiwork on our lives.

I want to close with one more verse. Leviticus 20:23. Moses is warning the people of Israel what life is going to be like in the promised land. And then he says this, under the inspiration of God: “You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you.”

Are you living according to God’s customs – the ones found in His Word?

Close in prayer

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY,  Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor, June 10, 2018

Blogs, Frank Becker

Never Again

Week Twenty-Four, 2018

NEVER AGAIN

By John Grant

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).

As I stood there before the boxcar, I could only imagine its history. One of the actual cars which transported Jews to the gas chambers was right there in front of me. When it was brought there, a girls small ring was found, placed between the boards on her way to the death camp.

Throughout history, the Jews have endured hardships and have teetered on the edge of extinction, only to have a remnant so save them. Shamgar slew the Philistines against all odds. Ester saved them again.

In modern times there was the horror of the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, another time Satan tried to blot them out. The fact that, as of 1948, the Jews have a restored national identity helps to fulfill Biblical prophecies found in Ezekiel 37 and Matthew 24. Defeating Nazism and giving the land of Israel back to the Jews is a classic example of God’s thwarting Satan’s plan and bringing about good in spite of the evil.

Hundreds of these boxcars coupled to dozens of trains carried thousands upon thousands of Jews on their way to be gassed in the showers. Sadly, local people closed their eyes and failed to act.

There was one church along the tracks and when the trains would pass by during worship times, the organ music was turned up to blot out the sound of the Jews screaming for help.

And while Nazism took hold in Germany, where were the European churches? Some, it is true, stood fast against the evil in their midst, and some churchmen, such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, paid the ultimate price for dissenting. But they were the minority. Most churches of the era acquiesced to Nazi Party rules and remained silent while the Jews were slaughtered.

Satan is alive and well and evil continues to surround us. Will we as Christians sit idly by with our hands over our ears and ignore? Unless we rise up against evil, another holocaust could well happen and maybe, it will be the Christians who are persecuted.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

CRUSADE:

When we organized the Executive team for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for the 1994 Cleveland Crusade, we were reminded on Day One that the only theme we would all have to make sure we committed to was The Main Thing.

For the next year and all through the Crusade, our focus was on one unifying ideal, the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ. When people came forward to dedicate their lives to Christ, we did not ask for information about their background, beliefs, or traditions, but were they ready to give their life to Jesus?

How simple and how profound! When I have friends who are seeking God and having this yearning to know more about God, the last thing I want to do is distract them from the “main thing”.

There is always time after a decision is made to reflect on one’s heritage and faith journey, but to allow that to muddy the waters at a critical time in life more often than not brings procrastination, not clarity. Dwight Short

NEWS: Oregon Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Starving Mentally Ill Patients to Death.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Never take your liberty for granted, and be careful whom you vote for because it may be the last election you’ll ever have. Rep. Jamie Grant

The Bible is a list of authoritative books, not an authoritative list of books. Dr. Bruce Metzker

Christianity needs more oars in the water.

***

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
Blogs, Frank Becker

“THE GREAT RECONCILER”

By Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

“THE GREAT RECONCILER” (Matt. 5:23-24; 2 Cor. 5:16-21)

June 3, 2018 10:30 AM

TODAY’S FUNNY: “Hard Working Farmer” – in honor of this year’s “first cut” which was able to be done by the last week of May!

A farmer and his recently hired hand were eating an early breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon and coffee that the farmer’s wife had prepared for them. Thinking of all the work they had to get done that day, the farmer told the hired man he might as well go ahead and eat his lunch too.

The hired man didn’t say a word, but filled his plate a second time and proceeded to eat. After awhile the farmer said, “We’ve got so much work to do today, you might as well eat your supper now too.”

Again, the hired man didn’t respond but refilled his plate a third time and continued to eat. Finally, after eating his third plate of food, the hired man pushed back his chair and began to take off his shoes.

“What are you doing”? the farmer asked.

The hired man replied, “I don’t work after supper.”

INTRODUCTION: This past week I learned about a really sad incident. Two good friends – they had been friends for decades – suddenly separated their friendship. Perhaps the reasoning for the separation was good, perhaps it was petty. In either case, it may take awhile for these two friends to patch up. And that “patching up” is what the Bible calls “reconciliation” – where an offended party is able to make amends with the one who caused the offending. We often say, “it will take an act of God to do that”. And that’s just what God has done for you and me. On this communion Sunday, let’s observe how this plays out in Scripture. PRAYER

#1 THE PRINCIPLE (Matthew 5:23-24)

* Note the context: v. 21ff talks about a broken relationship equivalent to murder; and v. 25ff talks about a wise judge desiring offended parties to try to patch up before the extreme – appearing before the judge.

* In the midst of that is this story about the prodding of God at the altar. What is the Lord Jesus trying to have done? A “change in attitude” toward one another. And that, in a nutshell, is reconciliation!

* Here’s the principle: in order to have true reconciliation, a true “change in attitude”, the offended party and the one causing the offense must meet. Together. One on one. Alone.

This can happen between two people. As we soon shall see, this can happen between God (the offended “Party”) and man (the “one causing the offense”.

* ILLUSTRATION: When serving as the City of Norwich dog control officer, I often wrote tickets for violations of the dog ordinances – either local or state. And in almost every case, the wise judge would ask both the one receiving the ticket and I, “would you take a moment out in the hall and see if this can be settled out of court?”. I believe he took that principle right from the Scriptures.

* Let me share from personal experience: what happens when an offended party does NOT reconcile with the one causing the offense? Usually one word (can you guess it?): “bitterness”. Whenever they see each other, they remember the incident. Or perhaps the one causing the offense has forgotten, or even does not know the offense caused. Reconciliation is an huge thing. So is bitterness. Which would you rather have, reconciliation or bitterness?

#2 THE PATTERN (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

Let’s apply what we learned in Matthew to this passage in 2 Corinthians. And when we do, we will see a decided pattern – one which must be made in every heart in order for a person to come to know Jesus as Savior:

1. Identify the offended party (v. 16). The Lord Jesus is the eternal offended “Party”! He is often viewed from a “worldly point of view” and not from Scriptures. When we choose not the world’s pattern but the pattern of Scriptures, then we can identify the offended Party.

2. Identify the one “causing the offense” (v. 17-18a). Once again, in the eternal perspective, WE are the ones causing the offense! Ephesians 2:12 tells us that every man, woman, boy and girl who has ever been born is born without God and without hope.

Yet in the midst of that hopelessness, what happened? God initiated the reconciliation – the “change in attitude”; the eternal “patching up”! How did He do that? By sending His Son to take our punishment upon Himself at Calvary’s tree.

And every one who receives that Savior – the One Who did the reconciling – is called a “new creation” and “the old has gone, the new has come!”. That isn’t religion. That isn’t churchianity! That is an eternal relationship with the living God Who has loved us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3) shown in His sending His Son to die in our place.

3. Identify the new ministry (vs. 18b-20). What is the new ministry? The ministry of reconciliation! We are to be God’s ambassadors where He has wisely planted us. We are to make a difference before others. We are to show them Jesus, to show Him in that same world that is “without God, without hope”. And we are to point them to the One Who is the “offended Party” Who took the place of the one “causing the offense”.

ILLUSTRATION There is a ministry headquartered in Illinois which has been around for over 80 years called “Bible Tracts”. The title seems simple enough. But the ministry is based upon this one foundation: that God has promised to honor His Word (Psalm 138:2) and that His Word loves to change hearts (Romans 10:17). I encouraged you to look at the tracts we have – in the narthex both on the table and on the tract rack. Perhaps you will find one you can become familiar with and share with someone this week. Remember, you are not sharing yourself. You are sharing the Lord Jesus, the One Who wants to do the ministry of reconciliation through us as His instruments!

CONCLUSION:

As we wrap this up and prepare for this morning’s communion service, did you look ahead and read verse 21? “God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

In a nutshell, that is what the communion service is all about. God made Jesus Who had no sin – the “offended Party” – to be sin for us – the ones “causing the offense”. And as a result, we might become His righteousness!

The Apostle John said, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (1:10-12).

Do you know the Lord Jesus as Savior?

Don’t you wish everybody did?

Close in prayer

(Good job, Moxie! -FB)

Blogs, Frank Becker, Uncategorized

THE GLORY OF CREATION

By John Grant

Week Twenty-Three, 2018

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. – Psalm 19:1

It was a cold, dark night as we stood there in freezing cold, with a thirty knot wind in our face. We waited and suddenly they appeared showing the glory of God’s creation.

The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as ‘Aurora borealis’

The temperature above the surface of the sun is millions of degrees. At this temperature, collisions between gas molecules are frequent and explosive. Free electrons and protons are thrown from the sun’s atmosphere by the rotation of the sun and escape through holes in the magnetic field.

Traveling at tremendous speed the discharge from the sun still takes about eighteen hours to reach the earth’s atmosphere. We live in a time when our knowledge of the heavens is expanding quickly. Our knowledge should lead us to praise God for His amazing provision and protection.

As I got back on the bus and headed back to town, I thought of how creative God is and how magnificent his creation is. You can see it in the Northern Lights and also in the smile of a new born baby. His creation all around us. The Bible tells us that God has left clues of Himself everywhere and they’re not hidden. They are right out in the open where every human being can find them.

The God who made the world and everything in it, this master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes us; we don’t make Him. Praise Him and praise the glory of His magnificent creation.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

THE DIAMONDS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU:

In his book, Acres of Diamonds, Russell Cromwell tells the story of a man named Ali Hafed, a farmer who had lived on his farm for years with his wife and children. He had health and peace and was content with his life. Until one day a priest visited and talked of “diamonds” sparkling like a million suns, the most beautiful things in all the world.

And Ali Hafed became discontented with what he had and sold his farm, left his wife and children with a friend and set out to find diamonds. For then, he thought, he would be rich. Then he would be happy and content with his life.

He searched the world over, looking for white sands and tall mountains, but found no diamonds. Until one day, broken, destitute, unable to see his family again, in a fit of utter despair and discontent with his life, he threw himself into the sea and died.

Meanwhile, the man who had bought Ali Hafed’s farm when he left, spotted an odd-looking chunk of black rock, took it home, put it on the mantle, and thought no more of it. Until one day that same priest came along, looked at it and saw a brilliant flash of light emitting from a crack in that rock. Something shiny, something beautiful lay beneath that rough exterior.

A diamond. And more and more diamonds were found there in an area. This became the greatest diamond mine in all the world, and produced diamonds used in the Crown Jewels of England, Russia and Persia.

Right there on the very property that Ali Hafed had sold to begin his search for contentment and riches. Right beneath his very feet, the richest diamond mine in the world, and he didn’t even know it. He’d searched the world over to find contentment in life, to find meaning in life. Always looking somewhere else, and all he found was frustration, disappointment, heartache, despair, failure and ultimately death.

We may know people like that. Spending years of their lives in all kinds of pursuits of success, pleasure, fame and wealth-in an effort to find happiness and contentment. When it’s right beneath their very feet, in their own backyard. If only they would look. If only they would believe that we are each something beautiful created by God and can find our purpose in life right where we are in whom He created us to be.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

A thought to remember: we can never un-ring a bell or take back a word, spoken or written, or any action we make in our daily journey of life. Be diligent because someone is watching. General Dick Abel

None of us know how long we have. What we do know is we have the ability to unwrap any ugliness layer by layer until we find the collateral goodness underneath. Kathy Merlino

It’s not my commitment to Jesus that saves me. It’s Jesus commitment to me that saves me. 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

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

“A MEMORIAL SACRIFICE” (Isaiah 66:1-3)

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

May 27, 2018 10:30 AM
Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S FUNNY: “A Memories Funny”

An older couple was lying in bed one night. The husband was almost asleep when his wife started reflecting on all the love they had shared. The old gentleman is about asleep when she nudges him and says, “Honey, do you remember how we used to hug?”
The old gentleman says, “Yes, dear,” and rolls over and gives her a big hug.”
Then he was almost asleep again, when she nudges him and says “Honey do you remember how we used to kiss?”
“Yes, dear,” and he rolls over and gives her a big kiss.
He was almost asleep when she again nudges him again and says, “Honey, do you remember how you used to nibble on my ear?”
The old guy throws off the covers, somewhat frustrated, sits up in bed, and gets up. The wife says, “What are you doing?” In an exasperated tone he says, “I’m going to go get my teeth.”

INTRODUCTION:

As we celebrate this year’s Memorial Day, I was reminded recently of the definition of who a “veteran’ is: “A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount up to and including their life.” Pretty good!
But just a reminder, in case any of us needs reminding: We honor our veterans on Veterans’ Day in November; we honor our country on the 4th of July; but we honor those who have died for our freedoms on Memorial Day. This day is not for those who served. This day is for those whose blank check was cashed. That too, is even better.
And all that got me thinking. Is there any place in scripture where it tells that all of us can give a memorial to God? A sacrifice that might be honoring to Him? A “memorial sacrifice” if you will? Isaiah is the sharp-tongued major prophet of the Old Testament. He does talk about a “memorial sacrifice”, but not with the desire we would think. This Memorial Day Sunday may our hearts be surrendered to God’s true “memorial sacrifice.” PRAYER

#1 THE SPIRIT OF THE MAJOR PROPHET

You would think that, having written 65 chapters of Scripture, Isaiah would be ready to show heaven’s flying colors. (Please remember, this was probably all on one scroll, NOT in 66 chapters! That makes Jesus act in the synagogue that much more amazing. He opened the scroll right to the very passage that was being fulfilled at that very moment in the presence of those in His presence in Nazareth. Wow.)
Isaiah wrote of an invitation to “come” and reason sins can be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
While mourning for the passing of King Uzziah, he wrote about seeing the Lord enthroned in words of almost unimagined splendor (Isaiah 6)
He wrote about the birth of the Messiah in a passage where the king had refused the revelation of this grand part of history, in a moment revealing his heart’s hardness (Isaiah 7:12-14).
He wrote about the tempter being in the garden of Eden – yet eons before that being in God’s presence desiring to be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:12ff).
And he wrote about the coming Messiah Whose first appearance would not be that of a King on a throne but of a Servant at the cross for the sins of the whole world (Isaiah 53 and surrounding chapters).
So you would think that by the time he got to the 66th chapter in his scroll, Isaiah would be ready to wrap up this majestic tale of divine insight into the history of God’s intervention in humanity.
But Isaiah had one more insight to share.

#2 THE HUNGER OF THE ALMIGHTY (66:1-2)

* Isaiah introduces God’s hurt by first sharing God’s hunger. (v. 1). God’s throne is in heaven. He is aware of the majesty – by human standards – of the temple on earth in Jerusalem. BUT that is not the throne He really wants!
* God wants the throne of the human heart (v. 2)! He gives a 3-fold description of His heart’s hunger: one who is humble, who is contrite in spirit, and who trembles at God’s Word.
He is to be “humble”: this is a poverty of self-spirit and a fullness of God in one’s life. He has an afflicted spirit because he realizes his only hope is in the Lord.
He is also “contrite”: this is a broken or wounded spirit. He has no hope in himself but is completely dependent upon the Lord and His intercession in his life. He is one who is sorry for his sins and has no human recourse for getting right with God.
He is one who “trembles at God’s Word”. “Tremble” is more than just being “frightened”. It is to have an holy awe, fear, or reverence. And even more so, it is to be responsive to everything that God says. He respects what God has to say. He hangs on every word of God and responds to it with an holy life.
And did you catch the beginning of the verse? The one who is humble, contrite in spirit, and who trembles at God’s word is the one upon whom God looks with esteem, with His favor (which is often translated in the New Testament as God’s “grace”). Isaiah begins his closure to his major revelation by first sharing the simple offer of God’s favor. But in order to show His favor, God has to show His hurt.

#3 THE HURT OF THE ONE WHOSE FAVOR IS SPURNED (v. 3)

The hurt of God is represented by the sacrifice chosen by the people. A memorial sacrifice! Truly God would highly esteem a sacrifice which is given in remembrance of Him!
The first part of the verse shares the different ways the people of Isaiah’s day were showing what they thought was “true worship”: sacrificing a bull, offering a lamb, making a grain offering, burning memorial incense. Why is Isaiah voicing God’s condemnation of such worship? Aren’t those things which outwardly show an heart that is dedicated to God? Wouldn’t God be pleased – show favor and grace – toward such a “memorial sacrifice”?
But Isaiah concludes this section by showing God’s true hurt. He words it this way: “they have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations.”
But those memorial sacrifices? Those are good, right? Like going to church! Like reading the Bible! Like giving money in the offering! Like showing kindness to those who are hurting! Like having great programs which minister to the poor in the community! Aren’t these good things that we often do true memorial sacrifices?
Isn’t God pleased with them?

CONCLUSION:

Let’s wrap this up on this Memorial Day Sunday.
Through his extended revelation – thus making him a “major prophet” due to the length of his writing – Isaiah shares an huge body of truth which points to one sole sacrifice, one true memorial sacrifice.
Remember Isaiah 53? “But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (vs. 5-6).
The writer of Hebrews gives the New Testament heart: “He [The Lord Jesus] did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (9:12-14).
As we recognize our freedoms because of the memorial sacrifices of many for our nation, on this Memorial Day Sunday let us remember that it was not an outward show but an act of love of the Savior which is the true “memorial sacrifice”.
And trust in that sacrifice causes an humbling, a contrite spirit, and a trembling at God’s Word.
Today, is Jesus your trust, your eternal hope, your reason for living?
Is He your “memorial sacrifice”?

Close in prayer

After you've read "Saving Jesus," please give me your feedback. Thanks!