Category Archives: Frank Becker

“FREEDOM IS NOT FREE”

Freedom Is Not Free”

TEXT: 1 Chronicles 11:15-19 (NKJV)

By Almon Bartholomew

Theme: “Freedom Is Not Free”

“The story of Jonathan and his armor bearer is a must read. It is narrated in 1 Samuel chapter14, verses1-15, in the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.

Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who [a]bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. 3 Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah.  THhenJonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” So his armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.” 8 Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 10 But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.” 11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden.” 12 Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will [b]show you something.” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” 13 And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armor bearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armor bearer killed them. 14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land. 15 And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling.

Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” So the three broken through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it but poured it out to the Lord. And he said, “Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it”. Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.”

In every age, in every crisis, in every bonded community, there are those who have stepped up to the forefront, at the risk of their own lives, to gain and pay the price for freedom. This was true way back in the days when David was king of Israel. In this chapter the names of more than fifty men are defined as David’s “mighty men”. They formed a protective cadre for the king. Their fetes of daring, risk taking and defying the odds are recorded here. In defending their king they were defending a nation. If, indeed their leader fell, Israel would be in chaos and defeat. They were the special “Ops” and “Delta forces” of their time. Their deeds of valor and heroism are well documented in Scripture.

In the passage we read, three of these special “ops” were charged with the safe keeping of King David who was in a fortress outside the city of Bethlehem which at the time was occupied by their enemy, a garrison of Philistines. These three men were close enough to the king to overhear his desire for a cool drink of water taken from a well within the perimeter of the enemy’s encampment. At the risk of their own lives these three broke through the front lines, drew water from Bethlehem’s well, and returned to refresh David with that cool drink. The king was so moved by the devotion and risk taking of these three that he would not drink from the canister. He rather poured it out on the ground as a drink offering to the Lord. He felt unworthy to consume this himself because of the price paid to bring that well water to him.

We would do well today to remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice purchasing the wellspring of freedom from which we may now all drink. The price paid reaches back to Valley Forge where one third of the continental army under George Washington died in the bitter cold of winter. Three thousand brave soldiers died. Fifteen hundred horses perished. George Washington earnestly prayed.

From Concord, to Lexington, to Bunker Hill, to Saratoga, to Ticonderoga, to Trenton, to Monmouth and to Yorktown, VA; the battle raged and the price for our freedom was being paid. At the close of hostilities the liberty bell rang in Philadelphia until the bell cracked. That bell has now found its resting place in Philadelphia convention center and the crack remains in it ‘til this day to remind us that freedom is fragile and must be guarded carefully. Freedom is not free!

Heavy installments have since been paid in the years which followed. We met the challenge of an attack by a vast armada of British navy ships and legions of red coat soldiers in the war of 1812. The Red Coats were on the verge of torching Washington when a fierce tornado storm drove them back. They fled to their ships anchored in the Potomac. When they headed down river to go out to sea, a French armada met them there. The British invasion collapsed in defeat. By the intervention of Almighty God and stalwart men we obtained victory and freedom was preserved.

The very existence of the union and the freedom of all peoples of all colors hung in the balance in the great Civil War. More than 750,000 lives were laid down in that conflict. Freedom emerged bloodied and bruised but went on to live in these United States for 152 more years.

In 1914 the First World War broke out and the freedom of untold millions was at stake. In 1917, what great price to us all, the USA sent armed forces, for the first time, onto European soil, bent on regaining freedom for millions seeking deliverance from the oppression of a brutal enemy. That victory was won by the tens of thousands of American doughboys spilling their blood in the trenches of France. Three of my uncles were there. I knew many of those veterans in my boyhood years. Some were terribly victimized by the enemy who unleashed poison mustard gas on the combined forces fighting to regain freedom for the victims of war. Among them was Leonard Yarter; a man who was neighbor to my wife’s family. His scarred lungs weakened him for the rest of his life.

It was at the end of this conflict that an armistice was signed causing fighting to cease. It occurred at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. For years after we celebrated Armistice Day in America on November 11th. At 11:00 AM everything stopped for a moment of reverent silence giving pause to remember that freedom was not free. Many men and women and sorrowing families paid the price.

Then in the memory of most of us here, the unthinkable happened. A sneak attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor took the lives of nearly 3,000 men and our naval fleet was decimated. Peace was shattered. Freedom was threatened by the evil of the Axis powers. In the words of President Roosevelt it was “a day that would live in infamy”. It must never be forgotten!

High schools were emptied as their 17 and 18 year olds ran to sign up. Millions flooded the enlistment centers. Among them was my oldest brother Raymond, who turned 17 less than a month before, when he joined the Marine Corps. As a freshman in the Glens Falls, NY high school I went with the whole student body to the railroad station to see Company K national Guard board the train leaving for war. Homes were darkened in blackouts. Rationing began for food, appliances, tires and gasoline. Coach Tom Allen, a tough navy veteran of World War One, put our high school boys through very rigorous physical training knowing they would be going into the military.

From factories and farms, from cities and hamlets, the ranks of the military grew. We went from building cars to building machines of war, from passenger ocean liners to troop ships and battleships. Airplanes were made in record numbers. Members of what we now call the “Greatest Generation” swelled and the battle was pressed. American GI’S laid down their lives in the Pacific theatre, the Atlantic crossings, in North Africa and across the battlefield of Western Europe. Freedom must be won! Ten thousand American soldiers died on the Normandy beaches on D-Day June 6,1944, Count 90,000 more during the Battle of The Bulge. They paid the price. Freedom was not free!

I remember seeing more than 100 names from our small town appearing on an honor roll posted on the village green. Then the gold stars began to appear beside the names of many. Those gold stars began also to show on the windows of those homes whose families bore the loss of those who gave their last full measure of devotion.

Now, past World War II, we celebrate Armed forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and now Veteran’s Day in place of Armistice Day. Joining these ranks of heroes are those men and women who in the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, the First Gulf War and more recently the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars have given their lives to win freedom for oppressed peoples. We must continue to pray for those yet in harm’s way and to support those wounded and scarred veterans returning home.

Not long ago an elderly, frail American gentleman arrived in Paris, France having flown in from America. An impatient French custom official asked for his passport. The gentleman searched his pockets and could not find it. With some apology he said to the customs officer “I must have placed it in my luggage”. The angry officer said “you must always carry your passport with you at all times. Have you ever come to France before”? The gentleman replied, “Yes”. Upon hearing this the irate official said” Then you should have known better and carried your passport on your person”. The gentleman said, “Yes, I came to France once. When I landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day but no French Customs officer could be found anywhere around to show him my passport”. …. You could have heard a pin drop. “Story source unknown to writer)

It should be noted that no marching armies with the most heroic soldiers can purchase our freedom from the greatest enslavement of all, the slavery of sin. Sin is a human condition. It made its appearance in Eden’s garden. It is a present universal malady to this day. What, or who, could deliver and set free all who are affected?

The answer is the Lord Jesus Christ. At great price to Himself He opened freedom’s door for all of us find this spiritual freedom. He said “I am the good shepherd. I lay down my life for the sheep”. He bore the burden of our sin when he died in our stead on an old rugged cross. God our Father gave us Heaven’s greatest treasure when He sent His Only Begotten Son to become our Lord and Savior. Jesus promised to give us life, and life more abundantly. This gift is given freely to us. While the gift is free to us, it came at great price.

Jesus said “No man has greater love than this that he lay down his life for his friends”. Jesus did this, and more. He not only laid down his life for his friends, He laid down His life for His enemies. From the cross Jesus prayed for those who nailed him there, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. Did the world ever witness such a display of eternal love? The innocent died for the guilty; the just for the unjust!

This freedom was not free. Someone paid the price. As the good gospel chorus says, “He paid a price he did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay. I needed someone to wash my sin away. Now I sing a brand new song, amazing grace. He paid a debt that I could never pay”.

John 8:36 spells it out clearly, “He whom the Son of God sets free is free indeed”. The good news is we can be free. On this fourth of July, Independence day, we celebrated the birth of beloved United States of America, let us honor our heroes who paid, and are still paying, the price for our freedoms; and let us also honor the Son of God who came to set us free from the worst of all human malignancies. Freedom is not free. But, to us, the gift of life from heaven is freely bestowed!

Allow God’s grace to embrace your heart and life! Let us open our hearts and let him come in. This is the best way we can honor the Lord today. King David asked and answered a vital question in Psalm 116:12-13; “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord”. Let us, each one of us, today drink from that cup. He will satisfy our soul with the living waters of eternal salvation.

Almon & Joyce Bartholomew

“On Your Mark”

“ON YOUR MARK!” (An Introduction)

July 1, 2018 10:30 AM, Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”: MARRIAGE LESSONS (in honor of all our “first week in July” married couples – including us!)
During the 50th wedding anniversary celebration, the husband was asked to give a brief account of the benefits achieved from being married for so long.
He stood up, thought for a long moment, then said, “Well, I’ve learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty, meekness, forbearance, self-restraint, forgiveness, and….” he paused.
“And?” someone cried out from the back of the room.
“… and a great many other qualities you wouldn’t have needed if you’d stayed single.”

INTRODUCTION: The gospel of Mark is considered the first book written in the NT.
Memory verse: 10:45 Jesus came to serve!
Who is Mark? Where did he come from? He is not mentioned by name in the gospels – how could he know so much about Jesus, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit Who inspired his writing? And how do we know it is Mark who wrote, well, “Mark”?
Two key verses:
Key verse #1: She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. (1 Peter 5:13). Peter led Mark to the Lord! Peter discipled Mark – wherever Peter went, like a beloved puppy dog, so did Mark follow. And learned. And what did he learn? He learned, not to love Peter, but to love the Lord Jesus.
Key verse #2: “A young man” (Mark 48-52) This is a most fascinating phrase. Do you remember in the Gospel of John, John is often referred to, and referred to himself, as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” – and that surely was evident in his books of love found in 1, 2, and 3 John. Here is a phrase in Mark which is NOT found in any of the other gospels. Although the arrest is found in them, this isolation of one man, “a young man”, is most interesting. Gospel scholars call this an allusion to authorship. This was a way that Mark the servant could reveal himself, yet more importantly, reveal his Savior as Servant right to the cross.
There are several other steps in the New Testament which tell us about the development of Mark’s character.
Let’s ask God’s blessing upon this rich study! PRAYER

# 1 FIRST STEPS (Acts 12)
We are told about his home life – where prayer was often heard. In the early days, the church often met in homes. There is at least one Bible theologue who believes that in the last days, the church will have to abandon buildings and go back to meeting in homes.
So in Acts 12 what did he learn? He learned how NOT to pray! Peter had an amazing God-ordered, angelic orchestrated delivery! He arrives where prayer for him is being raised. He knocks at the door. And although the people have been told that Peter is at the door, they keep on praying for his deliverance! So what does Peter do? HE KEEPS ON KNOCKING!
Mark learned much here – especially how NOT to pray, and how it is possible to pray well-meaning prayers, but in unbelief.
OK – before we’re hard on the church which met at Mark’s family home, how do we pray? “Lord, if it is possible, can you provide for us?” “Can you heal Johnny?” “Can you send money to the missionaries?” “Can you….” What is the problem here – OF COURSE HE CAN!
God wants a surrender to His will, not to our wishes! Do we pray wishy-washy prayers, or do we pray prayers of faith? Hmm. I’ll rest there for now!
But what was the fruit of this visit? Barnabas and Saul (verse 25) saw something in Mark. They saw a heart that had been raised at the Master’s feet and discipled by Peter. They invited him to get his own feet wet, as it were, in the work of the missions ministry.
And that’s how God does it! By taking servants, those willing to serve, just as they are, who have an heart for Jesus, a walk with Him, and already are being proven where God has wisely placed them!
Are you being proven for the Lord today?

# 2 TWO STEPS FORWARD, THREE STEPS BACK? (Acts 15:36-41)
Let’s move forward to Acts 15. My in-laws used to have a plaque hanging on their dining room wall – “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.”
There is a quick line in Acts 13:13, “John left them to return to Jerusalem.” That’s all that is said. Nothing further. At this point, no reason is given for the “why” that he left. He certainly didn’t get a text or an email from home!
He had been making such good progress with Paul and Barnabas. Why did he leave them? And WHY is this seeming insignificant line placed here in Scripture?
Our answer is found in Acts 15:36-41. What John had done was leave these two and apparently not on friendly terms. Better put, he deserted them. Paul took notice. This caused quite a dissension between Paul and Barnabas. Paul would have nothing to do with a deserter. But “Barnabas took Mark”. Barnabas extended grace, a lesson in…servanthood! Paul needed to learn those lessons of grace. I wonder if he ever learned them?

CONCLUSION
Have you ever felt that God has set you aside because of something you’ve done a long time ago? Have you ever felt that you cannot serve God because someone hasn’t forgiven you? Even though you have trusted the Lord Jesus as Savior, have you ever felt that you’ve been put on a shelf to waste away the remainder of your days?
Perhaps John Mark felt like that. But the story doesn’t end in Acts 15!
Turn to Paul’s last words ever written, 2 Timothy 4. He’s mentioning people who have been an important part of his ministry. He points out Demas (v.10) who left because “he loved this present world” more than the Lord Jesus. He mentions Crescens, Titus, and Luke. Dear fellow travelers. And then he mentions…Mark. “GET MARK…HE IS HELPFUL TO ME IN MY MINISTRY!”

Servanthood. Read Mark 10:45 again.

Close in prayer

Medal of Honor

Week Twenty-Seven, 2018

Medal of Honor

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:11).

As I was walking down a hotel hallway, I noticed four older men sitting around a table laughing and having a good time. Then I noticed that they all had blue ribbons around their necks and I recognized them as Medals of Honor.

I walked over to them to thank them for their service to our country, They all were joking and ribbing each other about which was the best branch of the armed forces. I stood in awe as I thought what these men had endured to protect our freedom.

The Medal of Honor honors those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Since 1863 it has been awarded 3,517 times, including 19 double recipients. Most awards are posthumous. As of this year there are only 71 living recipients. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. It is generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress.

medal of honor

The Bible talks about honor as well. Many who have gone above and beyond to protect and preserve our faith over the years are worthy of honor, but Jesus gave His life for all the world both then and forever. We are told to honor him in many ways.

Proverbs 3:9 – Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:20 – For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

As a noun, honor in the Bible means “esteem, value, or great respect.” To honor someone is to value him highly or bestow value upon him. The Bible exhorts us to express honor and esteem toward certain people: our parents, the aged, and those in authority. But we must understand that all authority and honor belong to God alone. Though He can delegate His authority to others, it still belongs to Him.

How will you show honor to the Lord your God this very day?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

THE BIBLE GIVES US:

Examples to follow
Sins to avoid
Promises to claim
Prayers to repeat
Commands to obey
Conditions to meet
Verses to memorize
Challenger to face
Hope for the future.
just love everyone
***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Most Christians are like a bad photograph, over exposed and under developed.

If you’re a leader, be even more vigilant about protecting your integrity. Jim Dennison

Salvation comes in an instant, but sanctification is a journey. Pastor Matt Blair

God has not changed; people have changed.

***

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

Fellowship With God

THINK

On These

Things

Fellowship With God

 

Philippians 4:8

By Brother Al

Beyond friendship, beyond family, there is fellowship –

and, the most desirable fellowship, the most valuable fellowship, is with God: The Father, His Son Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. (1 John 1:3, 1 Cor. 1:9)

Pursuing fellowship with God.

As Christians we may see salvation and the entry into the family of God as the highest goal for a human life. It is indeed a goal that has eternal fruits. It is to be pursued and coveted. But family is not the end of growth. It is only a step.

Fellowship is more than family.

Some families are totally devoid of fellowship. Again, one may have many friends and acquaintances and yet have fellowship with none of them.

Fellowship is based on communion.

Fellowship is a “common union,” a two way street. It involves not just the business of the day but the business of the person. Fellowship takes place when two individuals enjoy the same things at the same time, together. Fellowship speaks of a unity in joy. The Holy Spirit is the bridge that unites two persons in Christian fellowship.

The communion of fellowship involves communication at the spirit level. It practices intimate sharing and concern. It is focused and intense. By the process of communion, one person comes to know another to the depth that they can often anticipate that person’s response to a new situation. If we are in fellowship with God we will know how to act in a new situation that we have never read about in the Bible. We can only know the answer to, “What would Jesus do?” if we are in fellowship with Him.

Fellowship is more than congeniality. Fellowship is camaraderie. Fellowship is the kind of relationship that allows an armor bearer to say to his warrior, Jonathan,

Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.” [Samuel 14:6-7]

How could he say such a thing? How could he give such a

”blank check?” Only because he knew Jonathan’s heart and agreed with it. He knew he could trust the actions that would spring forth from that known and acceptable heart. This is fellowship. It is immersion in the heart of another.

God wants this fellowship. With us!

How do we achieve fellowship with God? First, we must be a friend of God. We must be part of the family of God. Then we must do exactly the same things we would do with a human friend to whom we were trying to grow closer.

We must spend time with our Friend.

Communion is the path to fellowship. Together, we must achieve understanding, an intimate knowing experience. The free sharing of our thoughts on the many issues of life is the only avenue. We must “talk it out” with Him. By His Holy Spirit, He will reveal His wisdom and insight. Just as the Holy Spirit joins two persons in Christian fellowship, He also joins an individual to God in fellowship. Joy will manifest as we agree in fellowship.

Joy plays a role in fellowship.

Whatever makes a person happy is a basis for fellowship with another person who has the same strong interest. (A person without joy will find fellowship sparse.)

One delightful example of this fellowship of joy is when we stand in the presence of God and rejoice over some aspect of His creation which we have just seen: a new flower, a glowing sunset, a soaring bird, a rainbow, a gracious loving act by one of His children. All are things in which He too rejoices. God loves His whole creation which He proclaimed to be “very good.” When we rejoice in that creation, along with Him, we indeed have fellowship with Him.

Fellowship with God takes place in the appreciation of His creation AND through His Word. Since both are limitless in the eyes and understanding of man, man’s opportunities for fellowship with God are also limitless.

Wisdom gained at the knee of God permeates our entire life.

Examine His Word.

Examine the bark of a tree.

Examine the markings on a sea bird.

Examine the majesty of the clouds.

Rejoice in fellowship with He who rejoices in us.

Well, how can a mortal man enter into this kind of fellowship with the eternal God? Simple. Do as instructed:

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” [Psalm 100:4]

When we thank Him for His loving grace and matchless provision we begin to draw close to Him. When we rejoice in praise we meld His joy with ours. Then, as surely as it is written in James 4:8,

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.”

Then we can be in fellowship in His presence: sharing, rejoicing, learning, accommodating our spirit to His Holy Spirit. We can become more and more like Him.

In Psalm 23, v 6, we find the writer rejoicing that

. . . I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

This is a prospect well worthy of rejoicing. Let us remember that “forever” starts today. Let us enter into His presence as quickly and as fully as we can.

He is willing, available, and responsive. It is such a loss that we often limit Him to a few assigned moments in our days. He would be with us constantly if we would allow it.

Think on this:

Often we merely interrupt the flow of the things of the world to make a few minutes to spend with Him. How much better it would be if we were continually in His presence and only looked away for a moment now and then to tend to the demands of the world.

That would be fellowship indeed!

(06/18

Presented by Brother Al Salay – Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

www.BlessedMan.net [email protected]

“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

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

“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.

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

“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.

“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