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AGAIN AND AGAIN Perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained
to save by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6 British
forces under General Edmund Allenby replicated Jonathan's Biblical climb up
the rocky cliffs of Michmash during World War I on February 18, 1918. The
Bible Story:
The
World War I Event:
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THE FRIEND OF GOD For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it
was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 Abraham’s
faith rested in God Himself. He knew the God he was trusting, and his
confidence was based on a personal relationship with a God he could
utterly rely on. The
real secret of Abraham’s life was that he was a friend
of God. He
knew God as his great, good, and faithful friend, and he trusted Him
completely. When
God called him to leave the sinful pagan city of Ur where he grew up, and go
to a new place; Abraham stepped out, leaving behind everything familiar,
venturing into the unknown with nothing but God’s word to guide him. Beloved,
are we trusting not only in God’s word but in God
Himself? Have
we learned to lean fully on the God of infinite love and power, our covenant
God, and our everlasting Friend? We are
told that Abraham glorified God through his obedient
life of faith. God
is not looking for extraordinary people to be His instruments. He is looking
for humble vessels who are simply willing to say, "Yes, Lord!"
That is
how any great saint began their journey with God; trusting Him with each
small step they took. By A.B. Simpson
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HOLY FEAR He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who
respects a command will be rewarded. Proverbs 13:13 Holy
reverence for God’s Word seems to be in short supply these days. People think
themselves wiser than Scripture and sit in judgment over it. But like
Nehemiah said, "I did not do so, because of the fear of God." We
accept the inspired Word as infallible and prove our respect for it by
obeying it. This current age is one of great rebellion everywhere we look, but those
who are spiritual know the value of obedience to God. A
healthy "Holy Fear" leads to the peace that comes
with humility, which is far sweeter than the carelessness of pride. Holy fear
can be our guide in life—holding us back when we’re heading downhill and
pushing us forward when we need to climb. We are
preserved from evil and guided into righteousness by our reverence for God’s
Word! We know a peace in our daily lives that those who live apart from God
will never know. The
ungodly may mock our deep respect for God’s Word, but what does that matter?
The reward for our obedience (both now and
in eternity) is more than enough to comfort us. But one thing I do: I press on toward the goal to win the prize
of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 By Charles H. Spurgeon
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CUSHION OF THE SEA And the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought,
will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 There
is what is called the “cushion of the sea.” Down beneath the surface that
is agitated by storms, and driven about with winds, there is a part of the
sea that is never stirred. When we dredge the bottom and bring up the remains
of animal and vegetable life, they give evidence of not having been disturbed
in the least, for hundreds and thousands of years. The
peace of God is that eternal calm which, like the cushion of the sea, lies
far too deep down to be reached by any external trouble and disturbance. Those
who enter the presence of God, can tell of that peace and calm and confidence
which are beyond our natural understanding. Such peace comes to us from the
very sweetness of heaven. Dr. A. T. Pierson, updated.
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COFFEE THOUGHTS Sip...
Coffee time. I
had an interesting morning yesterday. A conservative Mennonite from PA had a
flat tire and needed help. Well,
I’m a fixer man, and so I offered they could bring it to the shop and I’d see
what I could do. In the
process I noticed plain clothing and my mind went to my childhood. We were
what many would have called “plain” people. We shunned the world and lived a
very separated life. In my
walk with God clothes is about the last thing on my mind. It seems like it’s
a full time job for me to grow in faith, grow in Christ-likeness, grow in the
fruits of the Spirit. To be honest, I have done very poorly at that. Maybe I
don’t get it because I am not THAT spiritually mature. Yet even now as I
write I have a hard time imagining that God is THAT much into clothes. The
tire was fixed, I was thanked multiple times, and there was a wonderful
spirit of joy present. The conversation we had; I knew they also knew the God
I speak of. People
have a lot of different Ideas of how God must be served, or what one must do
to be saved. Later
my mind went to Corinthians where Paul talked of the burning of wood hay and
stubble in the lives of the believers. Notice this is written to people of
faith. The wood, hay and stubble will burn, but they will be saved. I
wonder, what is the wood hay and stubble in my life? What will burn? Only
what’s rooted in Christ Jesus will endure. God knows! If you
have an opportunity read 1 Cor 3. Good stuff it is. Gerald D Hochstetler Jr.
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