"Hit Share If You Love Jesus"

    We live in an age of miraculous opportunities.  In just a few minutes I was able to assure myself of a place in Heaven for eternity and know that God is going to send a blessing my way in the next twenty minutes.  All I had to do was hit the like and share buttons on facebook.  Oh, the wonders of social media.  We have an opportunity like never before to make our voice known to those around us.  In reading the many post that I see from day to day there is an occurrence that I have never understood.  A person will post something spiritual in nature talking about their relationship with God, his love and care that is found in him.  Then their next post, sometimes within just minutes of their previous post, will be filled with profanity talking about what activity they have been involved in or how they are going to get pay back to someone that has done them wrong.  These things do not go together. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh (James 3:10-12).  Even those of this world would never believe us if we were to say that we loved them and then turned around and talked about them in a lack of love manner.   Our relationship with the Heavenly Father must be more than just something that we post on a web site for others to see.  We must be consistent in the way that we conduct ourselves if we are going to be a true representation of the Father to other.  As a child, my mother would occasionally serve us liver for supper.  I would leave it for last then stuff it in my mouth, leave the table go outside and spit it in the flower bed by the back door.  No one would look at my actions and ever believe that I liked liver.  In the same manner, no one is going to believe I love God or have a relationship with him if what they see is me spewing his name out of my mouth with profanity and living a life that is in contradiction to the things that my Father holds as living righteously.  Let us take care to live what we profess.  If I cannot take a firm stand in my relationship with God then my entire life is unstable.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). 

Ledger of Life

     We all experience times when we just don't understand the circumstances that we find ourselves in. Despite all the hard work that we feel that we have done we find ourselves in a situation that we neither understand or feel we deserve. Your old car lets you down again just when you need it and to top it off your neighbor, who is a pain to everyone he meets, just got a brand new car. Your coworker, who never has anything good to say about the boss except when he's around, just got promoted over you. We think why me? It may even lead us to question God and wonder why he has let such happen to his faithful servant. In the book "Robinson Crusoe" you have a man alone seemingly without hope trying to make sense of what has happened to him. In his words he tries to make sense of it with a ledger as if he were an accountant.  Evil: I am cast upon a horrible, desolate island, void of all hope of recovery. Good: But I am alive; and not drowned, as all my ship’s company were. Evil: I am singled out and separated, as it were, from all the world, to be miserable. Good: But I am singled out, too, from all the ship’s crew, to be spared from death; and He that miraculously saved me from death can deliver me from this condition. Evil: I am divided from mankind—a solitaire; one banished from human society. Good: But I am not starved, and perishing on a barren place, affording no sustenance. Evil: I have no clothes to cover me. Good: But I am in a hot climate, where, if I had clothes, I could hardly wear them. Evil: I am without any defence, or means to resist any violence of man or beast. Good: But I am cast on an island where I see no wild beasts to hurt me, as I saw on the coast of Africa; and what if I had been shipwrecked there? Evil: I have no soul to speak to or relieve me. Good: But God wonderfully sent the ship in near enough to the shore, that I have got out as many necessary things as will either supply my wants or enable me to supply myself, even as long as I live. Of all the things that we confront in life one of the most difficult is trying to understand why things are like they are. How can I learn to be content and trust in God? Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11). Paul said he had learned to be content. It's not something that we just naturally know it must be learned. I learned to ride my first bike by coasting down a hill time after bruising time until I had it. I had seen others do it. My father told me it could be done, or why would he have bought it in the first place. With these reassurances I knew it could be done. It did not mean that after I learned to ride that I never fell again, I tried new things that often meet with cuts and scrapes. So what must I learn? The scriptures point out to us two important lessons in learning contentment. First: Where do the things or items that we desire fall in the ledger of life. We have a great many wants and very few needs. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content (1Tim.6:7,8). When we understand that life on this earth is but a vapor (James) and we will take nothing with us, then many things don't seem to be so important. Food and clothes that pretty basic. Second: Remember in your greatest confusion and care you are never alone. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me (Heb. 13:5,6). When we understand who is always at our side than our needs tend to be smaller. It seems that we are the lest content when we are at our most abundant. When we are doing well we look around and see the many things that we would like to have, like that new car, nicer house, better job. Let our health or the health of one that we love be in jeopardy than the things that are really important come to light and our list of things we desire is dramatically reduced. Let us strive to understand what the differance is between our wants and true needs. Let us be content with the blessings that have been so bountifully bestowed upon his children and if we strive to gain anything let it be contentment. But godliness with contentment is great gain (1Tim. 6:6).

When

When

When was the last time you wept

Upon the sacred page

About the life of Jesus Christ

And all he came and gave

It sets upon a dusty shelf

Waiting for your touch

He sent his son to die for you

Because he loves so much

Yet you pass it by

Each and every day

Thinking you have no need of him

As you go upon your way

Then when dark skies come

You turn to him in tears

He wonders where you’ve been

All those many years

He’s waiting to welcome you

Back into the fold

The one you wandered from

So many years ago

You said you gave your life to him

When you went down into that grave

Arose to walk anew

But soon you turned away

Take it deep within your heart

Don’t wait another day

He has promised much for you

If you walk within his way

It is a story tried and true

It speaks of the Father’s love

He set a plan in motion

So you could live with him above

When was the last time you wept

Upon the sacred page

About the life of Jesus Christ

And all he came and gave

                                                                                                                Tom Brandon

Remembrance

     Recently my eleven month old granddaughter was visiting.   She was looking for something to play with and Nana decided to take her upstairs and look for some toys.  They came back down the stairs with a basket full of toys and my granddaughter was now wearing a cape with little bats on it that had once been a part of a Halloween costume that had belonged to my son when he was quite young.  When she placed my granddaughter down in front of me there was a brief moment that my son was again standing before me as a young child.  Memories and the strong emotions that they trigger are something that we are all familiar with.  It may be a smell that reminds us of family at holidays.  The picture that is still on your refrigerator after all these years and you’re still not sure what it was.  I personally cannot sing the song “Oh Why Not Tonight” without thinking of a brush arbor meeting that I attended as a child with my Grandmother.  God quite often had his children do things to help them remember how he had been with them in their journeys.  The Passover feast is the most easily recognizable of these remembrances.  It was to bring to their remembrance how God had brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand.   And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it (Numbers 9:1-3).  After the children of Israel had crossed over the river Jordan into the promised land they were told to set up a memorial made from stones taken from the midst of the river.   That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever (Joshua 4:6-7).  There was a time where Israel had repented and returned to God and pleaded for God’s help against the Philistines in battle.  With the help of God they were victorious and a memorial was erected.  Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us (1Samuel 7:12).  We too as children of God, living under a new and better covenant, also have a memorial that has been established for us.  The circumstances behind the establishment of this memorial is recorded for us in Mark 14, Luke 22, and 1Cor. 11.  The Lord and the apostles were meeting to observe the Passover when Christ instituted this new memorial.  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come (1Cor. 11:23-26).  We know that this remembrance was continued, as commanded, by those of the first century church.   And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight (Acts 20:7).  To many in the religious world today this has become a ritual and not a memorial.  It has lost its meaning to many and has been ignored and forgotten by others.  As the children of Israel were delivered out of Egyptian bondage by a mighty hand you and I have also been delivered out of bondage, the bondage of sin and death, Rom. 8:2.  Let us through the Lord’s Supper commemorate his death until he comes.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Rom. 5:8-9).

Cut Right to It

     As the ancient story goes:  One day a simple farmer, Gordius, and his wife road an ox cart into the town of Phrygia.  Little did he know that it had been prophesied by an oracle that the next man to enter the city in an ox cart would be King of Phrygia.  He was crowned King.  As an offering for his good fortune Gordius offered his ox cart to the gods tying it to a pillar with a highly intricate knot.  From that grew another prophecy, that whoever would undo the Gordian Knot would be the ruler of all of Asia.  In the year 333 B.C. Alexander the Great came to the kingdom of Phrygia, having heard of the prophecy and on a quest to conquer the world, Alexander went to examine the famous knot.  After looking at the knot for a short period, Alexander removed his sword and cut cleanly through the knot.

     Today most people believe that salvation has become so complicated that no one can truly untangle the knot that has been formed.  People seek comfort, salvation and reconciliation to God through a multiplicity of roads.  It may be in ancient times that all roads lead to Rome, but according to scripture not all roads lead to God.  During the ministry of Christ there was much confusion about Christ himself.  Jesus asked his apostle in Matt. 16:13, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” In verse 14 They said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” In his teachings Christ cuts through the knot of confusion and says clearly who he is and where salvation lies.  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).  Here Jesus makes four very restrictive statements: 1. He is the way.  There are not multiple paths open to men there is but one. 2. He is the truth.  For years men have been told that there is no such thing as absolute truth, yet Christ says that he is the truth.  3. He is life. Those that are seeking peace in this world, peace of mind, or a fulfilling life, it can only be found in Christ Jesus. 4. No man can come to the Father but through Jesus Christ.  Christ was not very politically correct, he did not say find your path, do what you feel is right in your heart, or seek God on your own terms. He clearly stated that the only path to the Father must go through him.  In an age of live and let live, you do your thing and I’ll do mine and let’s not be judgmental the scriptures are clear. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10 – 12). 
     Recently I heard a man asked if he was offended by the name, Jesus.  He responded, “Why would I be offended he was just a Jewish carpenter”. To see Christ as nothing more than a Jewish carpenter is to be entangled in the knot of religious confusion that has been constructed by the world.  Peter cut cleanly through the confusion when he answered Christ’s question with this statement.  Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16). Christ said of himself, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51).  Just a carpenter?  Just a wise teacher?  Just a prophet?  No he is much more, he is the savior of the world.

Your Legacy

     I must admit that I am somewhat of a bibliophile. Don’t worry it is neither fatal nor contagious.  It just means that I love books.  There is just something about holding a book, that may be several hundred years old and reading it knowing that you are entertaining the thoughts and ideas of someone that has been long gone from this earth.  To hold the scriptures in your hands and know the will and nature of God is another level altogether (blog for a future time).  Some of the books in my library that I cherish most are books that once belonged to my grandfather or books that my father has passed on to me.  All of us have something, not necessarily a book, that has been passed on to us from a family member or friend that has left this life behind.  We remember fondly those that are gone when we hold these mementoes.  When the time comes there will be things that we leave behind to those that we love and cherish.  If we would admit it we all have a desire to be remembered.  Over the years men have tried to do this through various avenues.  Some have erected great monuments others have written great literature or painted great works of art.  Most of us will never fall into one of these categories.  So what can I leave behind that will be remembered?  The greatest gift that we can leave to those in the generations to follow cannot be held in the hand or bequeathed to an individual in our will. 

     There are two men in the scriptures whose lives are in stark contrast to one another.  After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam divides the kingdom because of his indifference to the burdens of the people and poor advice he receives from his peers (1Kings 12).  Rehoboam remains king over part of the kingdom and Jeroboam becomes king over the other part.  For fear that the people would eventually return to Rehoboam one of the first official acts that Jeroboam does as king is to set up two golden calves and presents them to the people as,  “behold thy gods O Israel which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (1Kings 12:28).  This was a legacy of sin that Jeroboam would pass to all the generation that would come after him.  This legacy would be such bitterness to God that he would give them up.  And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin (1Kings 14:16).  Then we have David, though he was not a perfect man, he did live in such a way that he is referred to as a man after God’s own heart (1Sam.13:13-14, Acts 13:22).  David leaves a legacy of obedience to God.  And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel (1Kings 9:4-5).  Often Israel would have been destroyed if it had not been for the righteousness of David.  Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem (1Kings 15:4).

     There are many things we could leave as an inheritance to those that follow after us but there is not a more powerful legacy that we can leave than our example.  Good or bad it will have consequences that you cannot imagine.  With all that Leonardo da Vinci achieved in his life he wrote in one of his final note books, “I have wasted my hours.”  Will you have wasted your hours here and leave an example that will be a detriment to others or will you live in such a way that other will be able to partake in the protection, blessings, and joys that are only found in being a child of God?