Standing on the Promises

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Which of us that has accepted Jesus' invitation to "Come to me," can say he left us empty or lifeless? Haven't we tasted of God's love, mercy and forgiveness, and found rest for our souls in realizing our eternal purpose is to be in relationship with him?  The truth is this; these things are promises from the scripture, and we can know his promises can be trusted. 

Let's look today, and through the week at some of God's promises, and as we dwell on them, pray about them, and carry them in our hearts and minds, growing to place more and more trust in him.

Look at his promise to Jeremiah,  which allows us to see that God  has plans for us and has us in his plans.  " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Next from the writings of Paul, we have God's promises that he is a sustaining God. His blessings which sustain us are from God himself.  "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

How about this promise of God, again from the pen of Paul. " For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 6:23.  Here is God's promise that our salvation is a gift of his love for us.  It isn't something we earn or inherit from our parents, it's God's gift to you and me personally. Remember again, "God so loved the world that he gave his Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

This is one of my favorite promises from God.  Through Isaiah the promise is given, " but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31  In our weakness, we find his strength. Running and walking are evidences of life. Fainting and weariness are evidences of spiritual depravity or even spiritual death. We can soar on wings like eagles...God promises that to those whose hope is in him. 

This is just a sampling of the multitude of promises God makes in his word.  We would all be wise to read and make note of them all.  May God bless your study and meditation.

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>

OLur Shepherd

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Most of us have known this Psalm as far back as we can remember.  The text from the NIV may read slightly different than the version we memorized as kids, but the thoughts are the same. 

The popularity of this psalm comes from various events and happenings in our journey as God's children.  Perhaps you remember it as a source of strength, a place to find words of encouragement during one of life's rough moments.  The verses have also been read or recited in countless funeral sermons.

For just a moment today, think with me of what is actually being said in this psalm.  Speaking of  the Lord being our shepherd, we have confidence we will be cared for like helpless sheep are tended by their shepherds.  Therefore, we will experience the provision of the Lord, and lack nothing. 

Read through the interior verses of the psalm and learn of God's guidance, his abiding presence, and even his comfort for all the rough times we experience.  All of these things point to the truth of God's mission for being in a loving relationship with his people. 

The ultimate blessing of the psalm is pronounced in the closing lines, as we have the assurance we will dwell in God's house eternally.  Praise be to God. 

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>

Proclaiming His Death

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

The event which we know as the Lord's Supper is important in the lives of Christians.  There are probably as more differing opinions on the Lord's Supper than any other biblical subject. The when, where, how, and how often questions will probably never be settled. So the seemingly main event which Jesus left for us to observe together until his return, in many cases becomes a point for our division. 

In the scripture written above, Paul is instructing the Corinthian church on the importance of participating in the observance.  The words are reflective of the earlier scene in the upper room when Jesus and his disciples gathered together to celebrate Passover. That celebration had continued for centuries as the Jews remembered their deliverance from Egyptian bondage and passing through the Red Sea when God's power had parted the waters. To the ancient Jews, the observance of the Passover Supper was THE event that helped them to remember what God had done for them. 

At the end of the Passover, Jesus had told his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me."  Paul was making sure the observance of remembering Jesus, and especially remembering Jesus' death, burial and resurrection which makes our salvation possible.

What do you usually think of while observing the Lord's Supper?  While we are commanded to observe the supper in remembrance of Jesus, there are several remembrances worthy of our consideration. For each individual Christian, perhaps it is a time for them to remember their life's journey since meeting Jesus.  It would be a time to remember the salvation experience, or to remember an answered prayer, or perhaps to remember when a new biblical truth was learned. It's actually a time for us to remember all of the interaction of Jesus in our hearts and lives. 

That leads me to expand on the thought of our remembrance  of what it means to have him living in us. His presence in us is a source of guidance in making decisions, comfort when we are sad, and strength when we need the spiritual power to work through a problem. In the observance of the supper, it is always uplifting to think of Jesus who lives in us. 

Of all the good things we can remember about Jesus, and especially when sharing the Lord's Supper with our spiritual family, it's a good time to remember Jesus has promised to come again. Christians are to live in expectation of the Lord's return. Just as real as the elements which are symbolic of his body and his blood, is the reality that he is coming back.  Remember who he is. And remember who we can become because of him. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

I Have Confidence

Real Confidence from Proverbs 3:21-28

²¹ My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
    do not let them out of your sight;
²² they will be life for you,
    an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
    and your foot will not stumble;
²⁴ when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord will be your confidence
    and will keep your foot from being snared.

Solomon was known as a man of great wisdom and the Proverbs are filled with his words which will lead us to making wise choices. He would have us to know that wisdom in the life of the believer is a learned set of principles based on following those ideals which are pure and right. The segment of Proverbs 3 above comes in the form of promises that belong to those whose lives are an example of such wisdom. 

The earlier verses of Proverbs 3 encourage us to make choices which will not only determine the direction we want our lives to go, but choices which will exemplify who we are.  Let's look at some examples:

Verses 1-2  - Keeping the commandments and teachings close to our hearts will bring long life and prosperity. 

Verses 3-4 - If love and faithfulness are always in our lives, they will bring about the favor of both God and man.  (There is a truth that is needed in every corner of our lives and our world!)

Verses 5-6 - Trusting completely in Lord, in every situation, acknowledging Him, brings His guidance into right paths. 

Verses 7-8 - Don't be wise in your own eyes, but have a reverent fear of the Lord, and He will bring  health to our bodies.

Verses 9-10 - Honor God with your income of wealth, placing Him first, and he will honor you with abundance. 

In the wisdom we learn from Solomon's writings, we find confidence. Verse 26 assures us, "  the Lord will be your confidence."

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>

A Work in Progress

I used to have a t-shirt which carried a phrase on it for all the world to see. "Be patient, God isn't finished with me yet."  I remember my brother-in-law seeing me wear that shirt one day and saying, "Oh, so there is still hope!"  That must have been about 30 years ago, but I confess to you, I still need to be wearing a shirt like that. 

For many, when they accept the fact man and woman were made by God in the garden, they came away with the concept of being created and sent on their way with no direction or provision. But the Bible description of life in the Garden of Eden shows us a God who provided for them  in their paradise home, and continued in relationship with them until sin entered the picture. 

Thus starts the story of mankind, breaking the commandments of God and being separated from him. That story is one which continues to this very day and will continue until Jesus returns.  We are human and subject to mistakes and blunders. Often those who go astray do so with the idea there is no avenue of return.  God wants us to make the trip back to him. He had already prepared for that before Adam and Eve sinned.  Jesus is described as the Savior from the foundation of the world. That means before there was ever a sin, there was already a Savior. 

The picture I wish to show you is that your creation by God was the beginning of a very special work of God on your life. As we are yielding to his direction, being led by his Spirit, then we know that every step we take can bring us toward new levels of God still working on us. 

We have already mentioned one important part, that is recognizing and allowing the Holy Spirit to give direction, instruction, power, and gifts, all of which brings growth and maturity in the Lord.  Remember in Hebrews where the notation is made of those who should be mature enough for the "meat," yet they are still infants?  That's God's way of nudging us to grow up. He is working on us to bring us to maturity. 

There is one thing we do need to remember. This maturity and change will be done in God's timing, not ours. We could be guilty of running ahead of God. The biblical idea here is for us to make ourselves available and willing to accept God's work in us, and allow him to make those changes according to his will.

Another step toward God working in us is not only seen in the Bible but also in the song we sometimes sing, "Have Thine own way Lord, Have Thine own way. Thou are the Potter, I am the clay."  There is a need for even mature Christians to place their lives in the hands of the Potter.  He can do a better job of making you, than you can. 

Spend some time in prayer this week, asking God's blessings as you open your heart and your life to his workings in you. His love for you brings his longing for you to become whole and complete, sharing your life as a testimony to others. 

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>

Inwardly Renewed

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul's words here in 2 Corinthians give us motivation and courage to maintain our steadfastness in living the Christian life. Earlier in the chapter, Paul had already given us the picture of a "treasure in jars of clay" in order to show that the power to keep going is from God, not us. Even our life experiences let us know we may become hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, but never crushed, never in total despair, never abandoned, never destroyed.

The reason we can have confidence even when we are experiencing troubles, in the words of Paul, we carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus can also be revealed in our body. When we have that assurance that Jesus' death is applied to us, then we also know that his life is revealed through us. 

All these things constitute the way the Christian should face difficult times and troubling circumstances, bringing Paul to start with the word "therefore," and followed by the verses printed above.  It brings me to ask myself if I am ever tempted to lose heart. Make no mistake about it, Christians sometimes experience less than favorable occurrences in their lives. They are all subject to temptation, they could possibly face ridicule and persecution, they are as likely to get cancer as anyone else, they get laid off from jobs, and their kids aren't always perfect.

Paul says there is no reason to lose heart.  Outwardly we are wasting away, but inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Those who are younger may not related to that as much as those of us who are older. We have more experience with heartache, disappointment, and even the wasting away of our bodies.  While we thank God that wrinkles aren't painful, we cry out to God because arthritis is! Even though we have these problems outwardly, the promise is "inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

God's word wants you to know and understand that the things you suffer in living for God are building for you an eternal glory that is greater than any troubles or failures you may experience. Yes, we may get knocked down, but that is only an opportunity for us to get back up. And because we have God's promise that our endurance and steadfastness keep us from losing heart, we stand a little taller each time we get back up. Look at verse 18 again, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>

The Inventor

Richard was an exceptional thinker, always trying to come up with new ideas and follow in the footsteps of his inventor father. His father was a plantation owner and worked in designing tools and equipment that would aid in farming techniques and ultimate crop success.  Richard wanted to be just like his dad. 

His first invention was a screw mechanism for propelling watercraft. He did follow his father's desire to help farmers when he invented a new kind of seeder for wheat and rice. His inventions to make existing products better was always on his mind, and he contributed greatly to new designs of bicycles, steam engines, toilets and more. 

There was a time when Richard became interested in medicine and decided to go to medical school.  He became a doctor but never practiced medicine because of his yearning to keep on inventing. His specialty was anything that involved, planting or harvesting crops. Tools had to be built by hand and used to construct the prototype of whatever he was inventing at the time.

You could say Richard was extremely wealthy with all the new inventions and innovations he had created.  The truth is, he did make lots of money, however investing his profits on the next invention, and the next, some of which amounted to nothing, kept him penniless at times. 

You know Richard by the invention he came up with in the mid-1800s. He devised a weapon with rotating barrels around a common firing chamber, which would fire about 350 rounds per minute. Later improvements he made to the weapon made it capable of firing 1,200 rounds per minute. You know Richard by the gun that bears his name, Gatling...Richard Jordan Gatling and his Gatling gun. The United States government and governments of numerous foreign countries purchased the guns and used them primarily in some smaller wars, and ultimately for their own national security. In 1911, our government declared the weapon obsolete and ceased using it. 

I did some further research on Richard but was unable to find any mention of his religious affiliation, and no mention of any personal relationship with God. While it would have been good to have learned all of that, it isn't the point of my story about Richard. 

There is no way to calculate the number of lives he touched with the things he invented which helped everything from farming to construction, and bicycling to steam powered ships and tractors.  I readily admit there is no way to calculate the number of lives terminated through the use of the weapons he designed, nor is there a way to calculate the number of lives saved with the military strength his weapons stood for. 

I wanted you to see a life that took a God-given talent and utilized it for the benefit of others. In seeing a life like that, I hope we can all come to appreciate the great or small abilities we are given by God, and use the encouragement of Richard's example to do something for the benefit of others. God blesses us in numerous ways. He loves us and desires that we can use the things we are given, to be a blessing to others. 

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>