The Preacher And His Pain

THE PREACHER AND HIS PAIN

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” - Acts 9:15-16

Ministry can be difficult and challenging. In addition to the responsibilities of preaching (sermon preparation, prayer and administration duties), ministers often face unrealistic expectations and congregational demands. Nearly every pastor has been the recipient of criticism, gossip and misunderstandings. Extra duties, such as funerals, weddings and counseling can drain a pastor of personal and family time. If he is a bi-vocational pastor like myself, he also must earn a living outside of the church so he can provide for his family. Yes, ministry can be tough!

In Acts 9, Paul had an encounter with God on the road to Damascus. God then sent Ananias to minister to Paul. Speaking to Ananias, the Lord said, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” Notice that God revealed that Paul would suffer as a Christian. He would face great pain as he preached the Gospel.

Paul lost everything to follow Christ. In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul wrote, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

Paul's ministry was filled with pain and challenges. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul testified that he endured, “in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” Not very glamorous, is it?

Why did Paul suffer so much?

First of all, following Christ brings persecution. Paul wrote, “...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Notice he did not say that the godly in Christ Jesus MIGHT suffer persecution. No, they SHALL suffer persecution. If you are not being persecuted, perhaps you are not following Jesus as close as you should.

Secondly, dealing with people usually brings painful results. It has been said, “hurting people often hurt people and are easily hurt themselves.” If you wish to minister to people, you must understand that the very people you seek to help are often in great pain themselves. They can be offensive, angry and even violent at times. The people who need help the most are often hostile towards any help that is offered. Paul took the light of Christ into a dark world. Those who dwell in darkness resist the light, sometimes angrily.

Third, the Lord promised that Paul's ministry would be filled with pain. When Ananias was sent to minister to Paul, God gave this prophetic word, “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” Paul was chosen to suffer. This seems to go against the grain of our thinking. We think that God's will should lead us only in easy paths, comfortable circumstances and happy days. Yet that is simply not always the case. Paul would suffer greatly as he spread the Gospel.

As we seek to accomplish God's will, we shouldn't be surprised when pain comes our way. While reading the Scriptures, you'll find that prophets and preachers suffered. John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. Jeremiah was cast into the pit. Elijah was threatened by Jezebel. For Jesus, doing His Father's will led Him to a cross. As His followers, we are called to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

If you are not a preacher, let me challenge you to pray for your pastor. His life may be lonely and difficult. Intercede for him and his family. Encourage him every chance you get.

If you are a minister, let me encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus. Focus on the finish. Seek the applause of heaven, not the praise of men. Stay faithful to the Word, do the work of an evangelist and be fervent in prayer. As you minister to the sheep, keep close to the Good Shepherd yourself.

As we near the finish line, let's finish well. It will be worth it all when we see the Lord!

Why Did Jesus Suffer?

 WHY DID JESUS SUFFER?

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” - Isaiah 53:4-5

Why did Jesus suffer and die on the cross? I think most of us would think this is an easy question to answer. Jesus suffered and died to pay for our sins. Yet I want to go deeper than this. Why, specifically, was such a death necessary to pay for our sins? Why did He have to die on a cross? Why did He have to endure such an excruciating death?

Unless Jesus returns in our lifetime, you and I will die someday. Have you ever thought about how you wish to die? The simplest way is to die in your sleep. It seems rather painless (or so we suppose). However, there are people who will die in horrific ways. Some will die in automobile accidents. Others will die in natural disasters, like a tornado. There are people who will die in a house fire. There are workplace accidents that are lethal. The fact is that we have little or no control over when we will die or how we will die.

Yet Jesus knew when He would die. He also knew how He would die. For this purpose He came to this earth.

Again I return to the original question. Why did Jesus have to suffer? Why did he have to die on a cross ... why not by some other means?

Here are some things for us to ponder.

First of all, Jesus had to suffer because prophecy predicted it. Isaiah wrote, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” The suffering of Jesus was prophesied. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” The suffering and death of Jesus were clearly described in the writings of the prophets many years before Jesus came to earth.

Secondly, Jesus suffered because redemption requires it. The Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Redemption of sinful men required a blood sacrifice. Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” The life of the flesh is in the blood. Jesus gave His life (and shed His blood), so that we may have life. Our spiritual life is received through His blood. It is the blood of Christ that paid for sins. It is His blood that redeemed us. 1 Peter 1:18-19 states, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” So many think that they are redeemed by a sinner's prayer or walking the isle of a church. The Bible makes it clear that we are redeemed (paid for) by the blood of the Lord Jesus. Thus, Jesus could not redeem us if He died of natural causes. His blood had to be shed.

Jesus had to suffer because justice demanded it. The redemption of lost men would require such suffering. As humans, we tend to underestimate the nature of sin. We want to classify most sins as being minor blemishes or flaws. We categorize sins by our own standards. Our own sins tend to seem small to us. There is a standard for us to use, but it isn't the standard we want to implement. God has a standard. In fact, it is the standard He will use in judging individuals. The real standard is perfection. Our sins are acts of high treason against God and His reign. Sin is so serious that the penalty of sin is death.  In order for His justice to be satisfied, someone has to die for my sins and yours. On Golgotha, the mercy of God and the justice of God met. There on the cross, justice was carried out as Jesus died for our sins. Salvation was purchased there and now is provided freely to every one who believes. Justice could only be satisfied as the sinless Son of God died in our place.

Finally, Jesus suffered because love inspired it. No one has ever suffered like Jesus did upon the cross. His suffering was a divine act of love. John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Furthermore, Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus suffered because of God's incredible love for you and me. God loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His Son to save us. That is love.

Jesus suffered the fate that we should have received. Through His suffering, we have everlasting life.

Such an awesome Savior deserves our love and devotion today!

Why Did Job Suffer?

WHY DID JOB SUFFER?

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” - Job 1:8

Suffering. The very word is unsettling. We are deeply troubled when we hear of a child suffering from cancer. We are bothered when a dear friend faces a terminal disease. When suffering becomes personal, it brings great anguish and raw emotions. As humans, we yearn to live free from pain.

The Bible never sugar-coats the subject of suffering. From the Garden of Eden until the final pages of the book of Revelation, the Bible clearly shows us that pain is part of the human condition. Theologically, we know that pain and suffering are the results of Adam's sin in the garden. Adam's selfish act has brought sin, suffering and death upon all of humanity.

The book of Job deals with the subject of suffering unlike any other book in the Bible. Job's encounter with pain is graphically described in the book bearing his name. His suffering was acute and noteworthy.

This raises the question, why did Job suffer?

In Job's case, we catch a glimpse of something that Job was never allowed to know. In the opening chapter of the book of Job, we find God and the devil having a discussion. The devil admitted that he had been “... going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Then God said, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” This began a series of trials that Job endured.

I hate to admit it. I feel like the late Ron Dunn who once said that if the Lord and the devil had such a conversation today, he hoped the Lord would leave his name out of it. Who wants to go through what Job went through? He received news that he lost his children. He lost his health. His friends turned on him. His wife was did not support him. His possessions were rather useless. Job was left to suffer all alone. I am not sure what was worse, the physical suffering he endured or the loss of the very relationships he needed most.

Behind the scenes, there was a spiritual battle going on. The devil felt like he could conquer one of God's great men. As Lester Roloff once said, the devil thought he could put more on Job than God's grace could sustain. It was a high stakes contest. Yet Job did not know this was going on. All that he knew was that his life had come apart.

So again, I pose the question, why did Job suffer?

First of all, Job suffered because the devil caused it. The devil caused Job's suffering. The evil, wicked foe attacked Job with fervor. As humans, we tend to underestimate the power of the devil. Even Christians can be guilty of this. The devil is the god of this world. Although he is on a leash, he still causes incredible pain and trouble in our world. That was the case for Job. Job's life instantly turned to misery. The devil was responsible for it.

Secondly, Job suffered because the Lord permitted it. No, the Lord did not cause Job's grief, but He allowed it. We can be tempted to think that our times of suffering occur outside of God's sovereignty. We can wrongly think that because our suffering came as a surprise to us, it must have caught God off guard, too. Nothing is further from the truth. God is sovereign. He knows all things. He is in control. It may seem unthinkable that God would permit pain and suffering, but He does. Since we are living in a sin-cursed world, we should expect suffering. God temporarily permits suffering in this world. One day, He will put a stop to it.

Third, Job's suffering brought personal and spiritual growth to him. Like Job, most of our growth comes through painful experiences. The final chapters of Job record a long message that God personally delivers to Job. As a result, Job humbly worshiped God. I am sure that Job learned much from his experience. Job 42:12-13 says, “... the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters.” Job's story had a happy ending.

It seems like the most saintly Christians endure the most affliction. When we see a devoted Christian suffer and die, we are tempted to think that their story didn't have a happy ending like Job's. But that is not true. You see, when a born-again believer dies, the worst is behind them and the best has just begun. In heaven, the devil won't be troubling us. Suffering will never come. We won't endure pain. Death will be a thing of the past. We will enjoy the best that God has to offer. We'll enjoy His presence forever. Our story has a happy future ahead. We will be happy forever.

That's what I'm looking forward to. What about you?

What Happened to Zebedee?

 WHAT HAPPENED TO ZEBEDEE?

“And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” - Matthew 4:21-22

Most of humanity lives and dies in obscurity. Yes, we have a circle of friends and acquaintances, but over 99% of the world has never heard of us. They never will.

Some find this disturbing. We'd like to think that we are having a positive impact upon our sphere of influence, but that impact may not be as great as we'd like. Beyond such a limited boundary, we are unknown.

Even in Biblical times, many lived and died without being named. Even now, as we see the genealogy passages of Scripture, we are tempted to skip the long list of names. At best, we just skim through these verses. Yet each name represented a real person.

Jesus prayed before choosing His disciples. He called twelve men. Most of these men were just common people. They weren't highly educated. They didn't come from an elite family background. They weren't wealthy or influential. They were just regular guys.

Among the twelve that Jesus chose were James and John. The Bible says, “And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” The Bible tells us that these two young men left their father, Zebedee, and followed Jesus.

I raise this question: What happened to Zebedee? After Jesus calls Zebedee's sons, we hear nothing about him. Why didn't he follow Jesus? What became of him?

Obviously, the Bible gives us little insight about the future of Zebedee. He owned and operated a fishing boat. In addition to his sons, Mark 1:20 shows us that Zebedee actually had hired servants working for him. Luke 5:1-3 indicates that his business actually included two ships. Yet to have your sons leave your business would be a personal loss.

We have no Biblical record of Zebedee's faith. We know that his wife, Salome, was a believer. She is the one who came to Jesus and asked that her sons be seated on each side of the Lord in His kingdom --- a request that Jesus denied. She is mentioned among the other women who came to the tomb of Jesus the morning He was risen.

As we ponder Zebedee's situation we may easily wonder why he didn't leave his ship and follow Jesus like his sons did. To this, I have an answer. First of all, Zebedee wasn't chosen to be an apostle, but his sons were. Only twelve men would be chosen to take that role. Many men were not chosen. Secondly, because he wasn't chosen, he wasn't called. Jesus called the sons, not Zebedee. Even today, while there are some who are called to preach the Gospel, many are not. A son may be called while his godly father is not. The choice and calling of the apostles was a decision the Lord made.

Some believe that Zebedee was a believer, but there is no Biblical basis to accept or reject that assumption.

I do believe there are some lessons to learn from Zebedee. First of all, not everyone is called into public ministry. Most never achieve great status or serve in the limelight.

Secondly, some believe that possibly Zebedee's fishing business may have helped finance some of the Lord's ministry. Again, there is no record of this. But if it is true, it is a reminder that serving in the secular world is nothing to be ashamed of. There is a need for believers to work in the public sector. It is an honorable thing to have a job and support a family. Supporting Christian ministries is a blessing that many lay church members participate in.

Next, Zebedee remained focused on his business. Many believers dream of serving in a great ministry some day. Yet you may have a great ministry right where you are at. Your home, your job and your community may be the ministry you need to focus on. Don't get distracted. Remain focused. Serve where you are planted.

Finally, we must realize that Zebedee fades into oblivion in the Gospels, because the hero of the story is not Zebedee. It is Jesus. In this age of technology, it is easy for believers to use social media to attract followers to their page. We need a sobering reminder that life is not about ourselves … it all about Jesus.

Are you following Jesus today?

What Were They Thinking?

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” - Proverbs 12:15

Have you ever thought about writing your own autobiography? Many celebrities will undertake the task of sharing their lives with the public, but I have no intention of doing so myself. First of all, I am not a celebrity and have no desire to be. Secondly, I wouldn't want to write my life-story. Third, no one would want to read it. Most of all, I wouldn't want the entire world to know about some of the stupid things I've done in my life.

God has chosen to reveal Himself to us in a book we call the Bible. Furthermore, He has shared with us the stories of those who are part of the human historical record He has shared.

Here's the truth about the Bible. When the Scriptures provide us a biographical glimpse of a man, God does not hold anything back. He shows us the good and the bad. He reveals the strengths and the weakness.

While reading the Bible, there are times we read about the mistakes of men and we ask ourselves, “what were they thinking?” Think about the following.

The serpent tempted Eve, promising that if she ate of the forbidden fruit, she would be a god herself. Adam and Eve finally ate of the forbidden fruit. They had trusted God up to that point. God had provided everything they would ever need. Yet they fell for the enemy's lies. What were they thinking? (By the way, men are still falling for the same lies today). When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they sowed fig leaves together to cover their nakedness. Then when God came to the garden and called for them, they hid. What were they thinking? Did they think they could hide from God?

In another story, people began building a tower to reach into heaven. They seriously thought they could get to heaven by their own achievement. I don't know how high the tower reached before work ended on the project, but they really believed they would get into heaven from this flimsy tower. What were they thinking?

When God called Jonah to preach at Nineveh, Jonah ran in the wrong direction. Jonah seriously thought he could run and hide from God. What was he thinking? He wound up being fish food. There in that gross situation, Jonah finally realized that he couldn't hide from God. Jonah repented. The fish vomited him up. Jonah went to Nineveh and preached. He could have saved himself some pain if he would have obeyed God to begin with. There is a lesson here for all of us. Obedience may be costly at times, but disobedience will always be more costly and painful.

Then there are other stories, like Pharoah's stubbornness in chasing the Israelites into the wilderness, despite all the miracles he saw God perform. Then there was Balaam, who was lured by money and disobeyed God. He ended up beating his donkey. The donkey had more sense than Balaam. Then there were the excuses King Saul gave after disobeying God's command to kill the Amalekites. The story of David and Bathsheba was like a bad soap opera episode. Yet it was a true story. Then there was Simon Peter's denial of the Lord. On and on we could go. What were they all thinking?

Sadly, when I think about my past, I must confess that I have done some stupid things, even foolish things. It is easy to criticize the mistakes and sins of others, but it is my own sins that trouble me most. At times I want to shake my head and say, “What was I thinking?” At other times, I want to hang my head low in utter contrition.

As I remember the dumb things people did in the Bible … and think about my own stupid deeds, I am comforted when a great truth. God offers mercy and forgiveness to those who repent. I am sure He has looked at me at times and thought, “What was he thinking?” Yet I am glad that He thought of me long before I came along. He is not shocked by my sins and mistakes. He knows everything about me --- the good, the bad and the ugly. Through the cross of Calvary, He has made provision for me. The blood that Jesus shed upon that cross has cleansed me of my sins. Because Jesus lives, I have a new life. My past is in the past.

I wished I could say that I never do dumb things now. I still do on occasion. Yet Psalm 103:13-14, the Bible says, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

More than ever, I take my sanctification seriously. Yet I know that I am a work in progress. The potter is still working on some rough edges. There are areas of my life that are marred by my sins. Thankfully, He hasn't given up on me. One day, He will finish the project He begun some time ago. Along with the saints, I will be presented to the Father without spot or blemish.

Only God deserves credit for that kind of change!

The Strongest Man & HIs Weaknesses

THE STRONGEST MAN & HIS WEAKNESSES

“And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.” - Judges 16:4

Samson was a man among men. His strength was notorious. He led Israel during the time of the judges. His brute strength brought victory to Israel. He was, in a sense, a one-man army. He was the world's strongest man. Even though he seemed invisible, his weakness brought him down to defeat and death.

Before we can study the rise and fall of this great man, we need to understand his beginning. Samson was born to a couple from the tribe of Dan. Prior to his birth, his mother had been childless. An angel informed her that she was about to have a son. He was to be a Nazarite from his birth. The Nazarite vow is described in great detail in the Old Testament. Under the Nazarite vow, Samson was not be permitted to drink any fermented drink or eat anything unclean. Furthermore, no razor should ever touch his head.

The angelic notification of his birth alerted Samson's parents that their son would be no ordinary man. He would be a great leader in Israel.

Samson grew to become a mighty man. He did extraordinary exploits because of his robust strength. He tore a lion apart with his bare hands. By himself, he slew an entire army of Philistines with the donkey's jawbone. He was respected by his peers and feared by his enemies.

But Samson had his flaws. These flaws brought about his downfall. A man of great strength ended up weak and defeated. Samson would become a prisoner of his enemies. He lost his strength, his eyesight and ultimately, his life. What caused the downfall of such a strong man?

First of all, he had a problem with women. Samson had an eye for females. The first recorded example of his desire was a Philistine woman. This brought his parents great grief. They knew he should marry lady from Israel. Instead, he told his parents, “I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.” Notice, he said, “I have seen a woman.” She was appealing to his eyes. He said nothing about her character or personality. He was just obsessed what her appearance. The marriage turned sour after her betrayal of him.

Even worse, Judges 16:1 says that Samson spent the night with a prostitute. No respectable man should do such a thing. Samson did.

Then there was his relationship with Delilah. She would be his ultimate downfall. She was paid by the Philistines to learn the secret of Samson's strength.

Three women. As a leader of Israel, he had no business being in a relationship with any of these women. His uncontrolled passions led to Samson's defeat and death.

Also, Samson's spiritual life was rather weak. As we just saw, Samson's involvement in wrong relationships were an indication of his anemic spiritual condition. Furthermore, we don't find Samson to be a mighty man of prayer. Perhaps he relied on his physical strength more than divine strength. His parents were God-fearing people. Samson didn't seem fearful of anyone or anything. When we lean on the arm of flesh, we prone to fall.

Next, he became complacent about his blessings. Despite his strength and leadership qualities, Samson took his blessings for granted. His relationship with Delilah revealed his spiritual complacency. The Philistines used Delilah to discover Samson's strength, so they could find a way to prevail against him. Delilah used her female persuasion to get Samson to discuss his strength. At first, Samson gave he false information. Yet as she continued to use her tears and powers of persuasion, he began to get dangerously close to revealing the truth. Finally, he gave in and told her the truth. He was Nazarite and no razor was permitted to touch his hair. As he slept, she had his hair cut. When Samson awoke, the Bible says, “But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” How tragic!

After all this, you may wonder about Samson's faith. Hebrews 11 mentions Samson among the heroes of the faith. This very flawed man was a man of faith. He was an incredibly strong man, whose unguarded weaknesses brought him down to defeat.

There is much for us to learn from Samson. Your weaknesses may not be the same as Samson, but the enemy will target any vulnerable area he can. Although we believe in the same God that Samson did, we need to be fully devoted to Him and never take His blessings for granted. Rather than finishing this life in shame and embarrassment like Samson, let's finish well, living victoriously for Jesus' sake.

We don't need to rely on our physical strength if we lean on a mighty strong God!

 

Lessons From Lot

LESSONS FROM LOT

“Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.” - Genesis 13:10-13

If I were to ask you to name some of the great saints of the Old Testament, I doubt that you would mention Lot. I'm sure you'd mention his uncle, Abraham, but Lot would certainly not be among the mighty men of faith from the Old Testament.

We tend to overlook Lot for a number of reasons. Most focus on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but somehow minimize the fact that Lot lived in Sodom. Without Lot, would we know much about these cities? The Scriptures give us a great deal of insight into Sodom because Lot was living there with his family. Obviously, the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah are given as a warning to future generations, including ours today, that judgment will come upon such wickedness.

Lot ended up living in Sodom. Then he stayed there. It took a work of God to get him out. What caused Lot to get accustomed to Sodom? Why did he stay there? What lessons are we to learn from this man?

First of all, when Lot separated from his uncle, it revealed that Lot lacked the spiritual depth that Abraham had. When they chose which direction to go, Lot did not consult God. Abraham moved forward with faith and prayer. Up to the point of separation, Lot was benefiting from his uncle's faith. Many young people face a similar issue when they move away from home for the first time. Perhaps they grew up in a Christian home. Perhaps they attended church regularly. Now that they are on their own, they are no longer enjoying the benefits of mature Christian parents. When they marry or go to college, spiritual matters become less and less important. As a pastor, I've watched young people get excited about spiritual matters, only to see that excitement wane greatly when they begin dating or get old enough to be on their own. Each person needs a personal faith in the Lord Jesus. We do not go to heaven on the coattails of family members. The harsh realities of life will test our faith. We need to have a strong faith in God ourselves. While it is good to have strong, mature believers around us, we need to get stronger and grow deeper ourselves.

Lot's separation from Abraham revealed a second problem. Lot didn't seem to seek any divine guidance when it came time for him to choose his future. We don't find that he asked God for direction at all. How often do we make the same mistake?

A third problem we find is that Lot made his decision based on the potential for prosperity. You see, Lot chose based on what he saw. He saw the fertile land that led to Sodom and made his decision based on the prospects of prosperity in that direction. Let's be honest. Most Americans make decisions exactly like Lot did. When faced with a career choice, we make our decisions based upon the personal gain we may achieve. Often a man will pack up his entire family and move many states away because of the promise of a high wages at a company. Like Lot, he never considers the spiritual impact of the choice he is making. He uproots his family from a quiet neighborhood, good schools and a spiritually alive church and moves to a questionable area. He never does his homework about churches in the new community or the quality of education that is available there. He only researches the “dream job,” for his own advancement. He just assumes that there will be spiritual opportunities in this new area. Ultimately, he may sacrifice his family on the altar of his career.

Finally, it is obvious that Lot was a poor spiritual leader of his own family. He and his family moved into Sodom. He should have realized immediately that Sodom was not the place for him to live. Over time, he and his family established deep roots there. His daughters married. His wife considered it home. Moving did not seem to be an option. The Apostle Peter wrote that Lot's soul was vexed daily by the wickedness of Sodom. He should have never gone there to begin with. Once he arrived there and saw the sinfulness of the city, he should have left immediately. Instead, he stayed.

The entire experience was costly for Lot. God sent two angels who delivered Lot and his family from Sodom before judgment fell. Consider the cost. His sons-in-law refused to leave. After fleeing the city, in disobedience to the angelic command, Lot's wife turned back and became a pillar of salt. Later, Lot's daughters committed acts of immorality with their own father.

To be honest, we are living in a land that is resembling Sodom. More and more wickedness is prevailing in our land. Many believers are just like Lot. They are blending in with society. It is corrupting marriages, families and churches.

Let's learn from the lessons of Lot. Not only do we need to get ourselves out of Sodom, we need to get Sodom out of us.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” - Revelation 19:9

I have to admit that I don't enjoy weddings. I've attended a few in my lifetime. As a minister, I have conducted weddings. Weddings tend to be a big production, requiring a great deal of expense. The mother of the bride tends to be in charge of the arrangements. Chaos often arises during the final hours of preparation. When the wedding occurs, everyone comments about the beauty of the bride. The wedding tends to be all about the bride. The groom just stands there looking awkward. He is only there by legal requirement. Yes, he must stayed dressed for the pictures, too.

I remember a swanky wedding I attended at a Baptist church in a neighboring county. I was a teenager at the time. I didn't think the wedding would ever get over. People kept marching in … and there still no bride to be seen. This went on and on. Finally, in exasperation, I said aloud, “Is this event about over?” People around me giggled. I think a few of them felt the same way.

Yet there is a wedding I am looking forward to. I won't be a spectator either. I will be a participant. This wedding won't be held at a church or a country club. The location will be the most elaborate place of all --- heaven!

The marriage supper of the Lamb is coming soon. Invitations have been sent. Preparations have been made. The event has been scheduled. There will be a wedding, followed by a great feast.

Jesus must have liked weddings. His first recorded miracle was at a wedding. He was in attendance. At the dinner, the host ran out of wine. Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine. It was a notable event.

Marriage is an institution that God created. He created it to be enjoyed by one man and woman. The marriage covenant was to be a lifelong commitment. Yet this union between a man and woman is symbolic of the relationship that Jesus has with His church. Ephesians 5:23-32 says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

The institution of marriage foreshadows a future marriage. The future wedding that I am writing of consists of a bride and groom. The Church is the bride and Christ is the groom. Right now, the bride is being prepared for a wedding.

A bride usually wears a white gown for her wedding. White was originally used as a color to symbolize the bride's purity. These days, white is more of a traditional color rather than the symbol of purity. The Father is making sure that the Bride of Christ will be spotless, made clean by the blood of the Lamb.

There will be a large crowd for heaven's wedding. John the Baptist referred to himself as a being a friend of the bridegroom. Old Testament saints and angels will be among those in attendance. An impressive crowd, wouldn't you say?

A supper will be held to celebrate the marriage. Can you imagine how great the food will be?

Revelation 19:6-9 says, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

The marriage supper of the Lamb is imminent. It will not be a boring event. It will be a happy occasion. The groom has a home prepared for His bride. We'll abide with Him forever.

We'll live happy ever after.

Our Daily Bread

OUR DAILY BREAD

“Give us this day our daily bread.” - Matthew 6:11

Do you ever worry? Do you ever fret about the future? Whether you worry or not, you have probably been tempted to a few times. Our concerns about the future are due, in part, to the uncertainty that lies before us. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. If we try to look even further into the future, everything seems disconcerting. We know that the future will probably consist of some trials, heartaches and disappointments. While it is true that the future may include great days of joy, we tend to focus solely on the dark days that lie ahead.

Simply put, we tend to worry because we allow our fears to swallow our faith. We tend to forget the promises of God and focus upon the uncertainty before us. In light of the future, our human frailties seem to grow before us. We realize that we need God for the path ahead. We can't go forward without Him.

We need the Lord daily. Unless He intervenes, our best efforts will be in vain. Knowing this, Jesus instructed His followers to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Yes, I may work and earn wages that help me purchase food, but God is the One who gives me the ability to work, the job to work at and the food I purchase at the grocery store.

Do you remember how scarce food and supplies were in the early days of Covid? Memories of those days should teach us that we aren't independent. Yes, there were some who may have manipulated prices during the time, but a worldwide famine could occur and produce similar, if not worse, results. Simply put, we are at the mercy of God for the food we receive.

Thus, when we eat, it is good to give thanks for the provisions set before us. Never take this for granted. Additionally, we should be thankful for the cook who prepared the meal, whether at home or at a restaurant.

Consider the many meals you've digested through the years. If you eat three meals a day, that's over a thousand meals each year. God has been good to you, hasn't He?

So many take their daily meals for granted. They act entitled to the best meals. They fail to appreciate what God has provided to them. Don't be among this crowd. Be grateful for each meal. Without them, you couldn't survive.

Whether you eat at McDonald's, a fancy restaurant or at home, treat each meal as a special event --- because it is. We need to be reminded often of the fact that some have nothing to eat. There are many overseas who do not have safe water to drink or ample food to eat. Even here in America, there are some who will go to bed hungry tonight.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Do you pray for this or do you take it for granted?

I want us to consider something else. While we feed our bodies daily, we need to be just as zealous to feed our souls. God provided daily bread for us when He sent His Son to this world. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Do you thank God for this bread? Have you feasted on this bread recently?

Too many Christians act as if they only need to feed their souls once a week. Sunday is their day to be fed spiritually. They will go to church and expect the preacher to feed them with a brief message. Then they will go throughout the rest of the week and never feed on the good things of God.

Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job desired the Word of God more than his meals. Wow! Job was serious about feeding his soul. Why aren't we? Job had a desire for the Lord and His Word.

We often pray for revival, but it could be that we'd be living in revival if we fed our souls more often, in fact, daily. In this message we are thinking about our daily bread. While our bodies need daily bread to function properly, we need daily bread for our soul to experience optimal life.

I have to admit that I have overeaten at the dinner table more than once. But I have never known anyone to overeat spiritually. Overeating natural food may produce physical problems and disease. Yet I am not aware of any harm that comes by feasting on the good things of God. In fact, the more, the better.

We should pray for God to continue providing us our daily bread. We should give thanks to Him for each meal. Yet the Bible says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” This is the daily bread we need most of all.

Join with me in praying, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Taste And See

 TASTE & SEE

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” - Psalm 34:8

I seem to stay hungry all the time. I consider any time to be a good time to eat. The problem is, of course, that this impacts my weight and health. Also, it interferes with the main meals I eat. If I snack too much between meals, I lose my appetite for the main meals.

As Americans, we tend to overeat. As a nation, we tend to have unhealthy eating habits. This contributes to the multiple health issues that plague our citizens.

On the reverse side, there seems to be a lack of spiritual hunger among God's people. In Amos 8:11, the Bible promises, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Notice the Bible doesn't say that there would be a famine of the preaching of the Word. No, there would be a famine for the hearing of the Word. There will be a day when people will have no desire to hear what God has to say. That is a great description of our day.

People do not have a desire to hear the Word. They lack the spiritual hunger that compels them to seek the Lord and His Word. Where are the hungry souls today? More to the point, do you have a hunger for God?

The Bible says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” Taste and see implies more than just a mental knowledge of God. This is more than accumulating Bible facts or reading a book about theology. What the psalmist is referring to is an experiential event, a real encounter with the living God.

Although we need a divine encounter with the Lord, we must be careful not to “manufacture” some event. This leads to counterfeit experiences that may stoke the emotions but never do a deep work within the heart. Such an event would leave a person hollow and disappointed.

So how can a person cultivate a spiritual hunger? How can we taste and see that the Lord is good? How can we really have a personal encounter with God?

First of all, there must be faith. Genuine faith is a requirement for a true experience with the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 puts it this way, “...he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” We should not be seeking an emotional thrill. We should seek God Himself.

Secondly, there must be fervency. In Jeremiah 29:13, God said, “... ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Heartless worship and lethargic effort are a reflection of a cold heart. A hungry soul will be passionate about finding food. A hungry man does not have to be told to eat. He just needs to be given the food. A hungry person will devour food that is placed before him.

Finally, there must be focus. We need to open our Bibles and learn about God. God's Word reveals much about Him. We need to learn more of Him. This knowledge is not just obtaining information. We aren't being tested for Bible knowledge. Instead, we learn more about Him so we may know how to please Him. We learn about Him so we can love Him more deeply. From the Bible, we learn what is important to Him. We need to seek the heart of the Father. As we focus on Him, our desires soon begin to match His. Our will slowly erodes so His will may be fully known and desired by us. From His Word, we learn about His attributes. As we meditate on God's Word, we slowly feast on food for our souls. When we pray, we commune with our Lord. Through the events of life, our faith deepens.

Let me point out something. It is one thing to desire something from the hand of God, but it is quite another thing to yearn for the heart of God. Much of our prayers are consumed with asking for the hand of God to move in some area of our lives. While there is nothing wrong with praying about needs and concerns, where are the people who yearn solely for God Himself? Where are the people with a hunger for the Lord? Why can't you be such a person?

Don't be content with only the aroma of food when there is a place set for you at the table. The food is hot and fresh. Come and feast on the Living Bread.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Come And Dine

COME AND DINE

“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.” - John 21:12

It is difficult for a serious fisherman to admit that he has failed to catch fish, especially after fishing all night. That was the case for the disciples in John chapter 21. Many of them were professional fishermen. Yet they fished all night without catching a single fish.

When the disciples went out fishing that evening, Jesus was not with them for the excursion. The Bible says that they caught nothing that night. Yet they continued to fish. Jesus stood on the shore but wasn't recognized by His disciples. He asked them if they had caught anything. I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of them grumbled at the question. There's nothing worse for a fisherman than to be asked what he's caught … when he's caught nothing!

When the disciples told Jesus that they caught nothing, He told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. When they did, they had a huge catch of fish. At this point, John realized that Jesus was the One who had been speaking to them from the shore and shared this realization with the others on board.

The disciples brought their full nets to the shore. There, they found Jesus already had fish cooking for them. At this point, Jesus gave us our text, “Come and dine.”

What kind of cook was Jesus?  I'm not sure, but it must have been a great meal.

There are several things we don't know. The disciples had failed to catch any fish before Jesus spoke to them from the shore. Yet Jesus had prepared fish for their meal. Where did the fish come from? The Bible doesn't say.

Also, we don't know how long Jesus had been on the shore. The meal was ready when the disciples came to land. The fish had been prepared, the fire was already burning and the food was nearly ready to eat.

Of course, Jesus did not need ordinary means to prepare a meal, but it seems that He used ordinary means on this occasion. We typically think little about such ordinary means. Cooking is a joy for some and a burdensome task for others. Yet Jesus did the cooking Himself on this occasion.

Personally, I like to eat. I enjoy a good meal. My physique testifies of my ongoing experience of feasting on good food. I have to admit that eating is one of the few things I am actually good at. While I enjoy eating at restaurants, there is no substitute for great home cooking. Yes, I love feasting on a good, juicy steak. But I also enjoy beans, fried potatoes and homemade cornbread. I admit that fish is not high on my list of favorite foods, but I do enjoy fried flounder on occasion.

The story of the disciple's fishing expedition teaches us a few things. First, Jesus knows and cares about our work. Many of the disciples were professional fishermen. Yet Jesus knew more about fishing than they did. When you face challenges on the job, do you ever pray about them? You may be surprised to know that the Lord knows more about your work than you do. Call on Him when you need help. It could be that your empty nets could be filled in just a moment.

Next, Jesus cared about their tangible needs. On more than one occasion, Jesus fed thousands. He cared about their hunger. He cares about your daily needs. In fact, He taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Like Jesus, we should care about the hungry around us and work with others to see that their need is met.

Of course, there is a spiritual hunger that only Jesus can satisfy. To the hungry soul, He gives the invitation, “Come and dine.”

“Come” is a word often used to invite hungry souls to feast at the Master's table. Jesus is the One who extends this invitation. He invites people to come to Him for soul-satisfying food.

There are many good things in this world. I am a strong proponent of the local church. I believe that preachers should feed their flock at each service. Yet the food that is dispensed from the pulpit actually comes from God's Word. The Lord is the One who feeds hungry souls.

The invitation still goes forth right now. “Come and dine.” Come to Jesus right now. Come empty handed. Bring your longing hunger and unquenched thirst.

The disciples were fed by Jesus that day. Yes, they had their nets full of fish, but what they enjoyed was not produced by their effort. Jesus provided it by grace.

Whether your nets are full or empty, bring your hungry soul to Jesus today.

Come and dine!

A Place Where The Hungry Are Fed

 A PLACE WHERE THE HUNGRY ARE FED

“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” - Isaiah 55:2

Back in the 1970's, Peter Falk starred in a mystery series called, “Columbo.” In the series, Lt. Columbo wore a raggedy rain coat. He looked disheveled. His hair wasn't always combed correctly. To be honest, he always looked like a bum. He drove a very old beat-up French car that looked like it belonged in a metal heap.

In one particular episode, Columbo goes to a soup kitchen to interview a homeless man that may have been a witness to a murder. When Lt. Columbo entered the soup kitchen, a nun sees him and treats him like a homeless person. She gives him a meal (which he eats). She seeks to find a new coat for him. Even after he identifies himself as a policeman, she wrongly assumes he is working undercover. It is a humorous scene.

Sadly, there are many people in our world that do not have a meal to eat. They will go to bed hungry tonight. It is tragic that people are starving to death in some countries while we have food to spare here in America. As Christians, we should have a desire to see that this problem is solved.

The greatest need in our world is not physical hunger. It is spiritual hunger. Most people are starving spiritually. Even here in America, where churches are abundant, most of the people in our communities are in dire need of spiritual food. I think this is a need we should address today.

Spiritually, most people go to the garbage dump for their meal. They eat from the filthy, vile food of sin. It is garbage food. The poor and the rich alike are guilty of feasting daily at the garbage dumpster. That's all they know. They were brought up to eat rotten food. Their appetite has become accustomed to this kind of diet. Ultimately, this form of nourishment poisons the person and leaves them hungry and dying.

Isaiah 55:2 poses this question, “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?” The devil makes you pay for the food he offers. It looks good. It may even seem good at first, but the end result is deadly. Moses realized that the pleasures of sin were just for a season. Many destitute souls need to be awakened to the fact that the devil is robbing them blind. He is making them pay for food that is deceitful, dangerous and never satisfies.

Are you tired of living in the gutter? Are you tired of being a slave to alcohol, drugs or immorality? I think it is time for people to wake up to the fact that the devil has deceived them into eating the garbage food of sin. It is time for folks to realize that their lives are wasting away with nothing to show but sinful indulgences. Many need to awaken to the fact that they are hungry and dying, O, that people would respond like four lepers of 2 Kings chapter 7. They we dying of hunger. With dissatisfaction and desperation, the lepers cried out, “why sit we here until we die?” They left behind their destitution and found the food they yearned for. May you do the same!!

There is a place where the hungry are fed. The same One who fed thousands with just five loaves and two fishes is in charge of the menu. He invites everyone to come and feast at His table. The good news is that He never charges. In fact, your money is not welcome there. Leave your checkbook behind. No credit card is accepted. Your meal has already been paid for. Simply come and feast on the good meal He provides.

Isaiah 55:2 continues to say, “... hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” The Lord feeds hungry souls.

The Lord invites you to come and feast at His table. Many people refuse to come because they are embarrassed to come publicly to Jesus. They are ashamed to enter the Lord's house and feast at His table. Pride ruins many people. Why let your pride rob you of life-giving food? It is better to be an humble servant that is well fed & happy than to be a proud king that is starving to death.

Leave your pride behind. In fact, leave everything behind. Leave the garbage dump and come to the Lord's banquet table. Simply bring yourself and your appetite to Jesus. Feast on the Bread of Life. Drink from the Living Water.

There is a place where the hungry are fed. The Master's table is spread with heavenly manna. No one has ever been turned away. Neither has any soul come to His table and left hungry.

Come and feast at the place where the hungry are fed.