Why??

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - Romans 5:3-4 ESV

There are many purposes for our suffering. One is to turn our eyes toward heaven. Each of us in our own lives will go through periods of suffering. The question Christians often wonder is "Why?" - "Why is this happening to me?" "Why now?" "What character lesson am I supposed to learn?"

The Scripture above gives us one general answer.  Like Paul, we can rejoice in our sufferings. Why? Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame. 

The importance here is that this hope born in us - implanted in us -grown in us does not put us to shame before God. Why? Because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us and as verse 11 continues, more than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Suffering makes us recall what is important. We are saved. Our sins have been erased. Someday we will spend eternity with Jesus in a place where there is no more crying, no more pain and every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4). With this perspective we can join Paul in saying: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

Truth Established

The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19)

Truth wears well. Time tests it, but it right well endures the trial. R; then, I have spoken the truth and have for the present to suffer for it, I must be content to wait. If also I believe the truth of God and endeavor to declare it, I may meet with much opposition, but I need not fear, for ultimately the truth must prevail.

What a poor thing is the temporary triumph of falsehood! "A lying lip is but for a moment!" It is a mere gourd which comes up in a night and perishes in a night; and the greater its development the more manifest its decay. On the other hand, how worthy of an immortal being is the avowal and defense of that truth which can never change; the everlasting gospel, which is established in the immutable truth of an unchanging God! An old proverb saith, "He that speaks truth shames the devil." Assuredly he that speaks the truth of God will put to shame all the devils in hell and confound all the seed of the serpent which now hiss out their falsehoods.

O my heart, take care that thou be in all things on the side of truth, both in small things and great; but specially, on the side of Him by whom grace and truth have come among men! - C H Spurgeon

An Undefiled Conscience

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The sacrifices of the Old Testament are an often misunderstood thing. Why did Jesus have to be sacrificed when God had already instituted animal sacrifices? Why weren’t those sacrifices enough?  Surely it was not simply for mankind's convenience because the priests were offering sacrifices almost continually. If you think there was another reason - you're right! There is a much greater, more significant reason. It is a reason that within it contains the very seeds of the gospel message. 

Hebrews tells us that one function of the sacrifices was a reminder of sins (Hebrews 10:1-3). Mankind needed a reminder of their nature.

In a nutshell, in the books of the law, we read many verses like this:

 And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take a handful of it as its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, on the Lord's food offerings; it is a sin offering.  Thus the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed in any one of these things, and he shall be forgiven. And the remainder shall be for the priest, as in the grain offering.” Leviticus 5:12-13 ESV


And in the New Testament we are given explanations like this:

 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
    after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
    and write them on their minds,”

 then he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. - Hebrews 10:11-18 ESV

In the Old Testament sins were covered (this is the meaning of the word "atone" - Leviticus 5:13) and forgiven, but the sin was not taken away (Hebrews 10:1-4, Romans 3:19-20). Moral defilement can in no way be removed by material means.

In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews tells us that in one offering, Christ has taken away our sins. He is the one sufficient sacrifice. God does not hold those sins against us. (Hebrews 10:17). Furthermore, those that have faith in Christ have a new nature growing in them - a nature that WANTS to please Christ. Christians are said to be "born again" or "born from above". (John 3:7, 1 Peter 1:3) 

Think of Old Testament sacrifices as being "IOU's" and Jesus being the ultimate payment for our sin. Through Christ we can have an undefiled conscience, a clean slate and a heart to serve. Hallelujah! 

God will answer

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Psalm 145:19)

His own Spirit has wrought this desire in us, and therefore He will answer it. It is His own life within which prompts the cry, and therefore He will hear it. Those who fear Him are men under the holiest influence, and, therefore, their desire is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Like Daniel, they are men of desires, and the Lord will cause them to realize their aspirations.

Holy desires are grace in the blade, and the heavenly Husbandman will cultivate them till they come to the full corn in the ear. God-fearing men desire to be holy, to be useful, to be a blessing to others, and so to honor their Lord. They desire supplies for their need, help under burdens, guidance in perplexity, deliverance in distress; and sometimes this desire is so strong and their case so pressing that they cry out in agony like little children in pain, and then the Lord works most comprehensively and does all that is needful according to this Word—"and will save them."

Yes, if we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the Lord, our salvation is certain.

Let the reader lay this text on his tongue and keep it in his mouth all the day, and it will be to him as "a wafer made with honey."

-C.H. Spurgeon

What are you waiting on?

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I am the Lord;
    in its time I will hasten it - Isaiah 60:22b ESV

In its time. So many things in life we must wait for in their time.

Ecclesiastes speaks about a time for everything in chapter three. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (3:1 ESV) God appoints the time for all things. We see examples of this throughout Scripture. 

David said to God, "My times are in your hand." - (Psalm 31:15 ESV)

Are you waiting on something from the Lord? An answer? Physical healing? Emotional healing? Family healing? Direction? Does it seem like it should have happened already? 

David encourages us: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14 ESV)

Why? Because God is faithful, and everything happens in its time.
(1 Corinthians 10:13, Isaiah 60:22)

Praising God when WHAT??

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Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (James 5:13 -ESV)

Typically we Christians are pretty good at remembering to go to God in prayer when we are suffering. But how often do we sing praises when we are cheerful? Note the adjective: cheerful. Not thrilled, elated, joyful or victorious....just.... cheerful.

 As I read James 5:13, I was thinking about what the text did not say. It did not say "Has anyone had a major victory? Let him sing praise." No. It said, "Is anyone CHEERFUL? Let him sing praise." Just cheerful. No major events here - it challenged me. 

Do I regularly give Him praise when the only thing going on is that I am cheerful? Do you?

Certainly we need to give God glory and His rightful place in the big events in our lives, but James gives us an excellent reminder that we also need to remember to praise Him in the small events and the "non-events" as well.

To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. -Jude 1:25 ESV

Feeling Destitute & Spent?

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In Psalm 102:17, Scripture records that God "regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer." (ESV)

How often have we felt destitute in our own lives? Maybe we have experienced overwhelming events that leave us feeling spiritually destitute or physically destitute, and emotionally and mentally drained and wanting.

Webster's dictionary defines destitute this way:  lacking something needed or desirable <a lake destitute of fish>   lacking possessions and resources; especially :  suffering extreme poverty <a destitute old man>

How often do we find ourselves lacking the internal resources that we need or desire? Good news! Did you notice that some of the very first actions of God in BOTH the Old and New Testament was making something from nothing?? Jesus' first miracle was making more when there was no more! (John 2:1-11). First thing in Genesis chapter 1, Moses records for us the LORD making the heavens and the earth when there was nothing. Old Testament to New - God is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8) He can take us, and our lives - as destitute and barren as things might feel now and make something where there was nothing. 

Never give up. Seek God. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5 ESV).  Pray and be encouraged.

Blessing in the City

If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, blessed shalt thou be in the city. (Deuteronomy 28:2-3)

The city is full of care, and he who has to go there from day to day finds it to be a place of great wear and tear. It is full of noise, and stir, and bustle, and sore travail; many are its temptations, losses, and worries. But to go there with the divine blessing takes off the edge of its difficulty; to remain there with that blessing is to find pleasure in its duties and strength equal to its demands.

A blessing in the city may not make us great, but it will keep us good; it may not make us rich, but it will preserve us honest. Whether we are porters, or clerks, or managers, or merchants, or magistrates, the city will afford us opportunities for usefulness. It is good fishing where there are shoals of fish, and it is hopeful to work for our Lord amid the thronging crowds. We might prefer the quiet of a country life; but if called to town, we may certainly prefer it because there is room for our energies.

Today let us expect good things because of this promise, and let our care be to have an open ear to the voice of the Lord and a ready hand to execute His bidding. Obedience brings the blessing. "In keeping his commandments there is great reward." - C.H. Spurgeon