Wise Discerners Of Time

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                ".... a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment."  Ecclesiastes  8:5

     It is said that the great cathedral of Milan has a beautiful triple-doored entrance.  All three doorways are crowned by splendid arches, artistically carved with thought-provoking inscriptions.  Over one is a wreath of roses etched in stone with the legend:  "All that which pleases is but for a moment."  Over another is sculptured a cross accompanied by the words:  "All that which troubles is but for a moment."  On the largest doorway of all, however - the great central entrance to the main circle - there is this most telling of all the inscriptions:  "That only is important which is eternal!"  Indeed, as life moves inexorably onward there will come both passing pleasures and bruising sorrows.  Only the spiritually wise recognize that all these experiences must be trustfully woven together so that the texture of life which results is well pleasing to God and worthy of being exhibited in His eternal "Gallery of Rewards."

     Harleigh M. Rosenberger has written most poetically,  "Life is like a fine piece of Oriental tapestry, put together with many exquisite strands.  It has the gold of success, the crimson of suffering, and the somber hues of sorrow.  Through the grace of God, all of these are made into a pattern of beauty.  Through every experience, God can help the person weave a fabric of loveliness and wisdom."

     The year ahead is untried - it is a beckoning tomorrow fraught with new experiences and possibilities.  The wise in heart will enter it with faith, hope, and Scriptural optimism, determine to take advantage of every God-given opportunity.

But once I pass this way, and then - and then,
    The silent door swings on its hinges - opens - closes -
And no more I pass this way.
    So while I may, with all my might,
I will assay sweet comfort and delight
    To all I meet upon the Pilgrim Way,
For no man travels twice the Great Highway
    That climbs through darkness up to light,
Through night - to day!
                                           - John Oxenham

"Bread For Each Day"

AS THIS YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

AS THIS YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE, receive My Peace.  This is still your deepest need, and I, your Prince of Peace, long to pour Myself into your neediness.  My abundance and your emptiness are a perfect match.  I designed you to have no sufficiency of your own.  I created you as a jar of clay, set apart for sacred use.  I want you to be filled with My very Being, permeated through and through with Peace.

Thank Me for My peaceful Presence, regardless of your feelings.  Whisper My name in loving tenderness. My Peace, which lives continually in your spirit, will gradually work its way through your entire being.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

The Seeing Eye

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord.  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                          "... he will guide you into all truth."    John  16:13

     I am sitting before an open window in the fourth floor of the Yorktowne Hotel in York, Pennsylvania.  It is the busy hour of the day and the traffic is roaring on the street below, with horns blowing and policemen whistling.  I am impressed with the dangers of the city life.  Every one of those people on the street is in danger every moment.  One thoughtless moment, one second lapse in vigilance and - crash!  A child dashing from behind a car, a blowout, failing brakes, and a hundred other hazards put the lives of men and women in jeopardy.

     My attention is drawn to one man in particular - a pedestrian.  His eyes are shielded by dark glasses and his left hand firmly grasps the harness on the shoulders of a beautiful dog.  The man is blind but he has two eyes and ears better than his own to aid him.  The dog is of the "seeing eye" variety - carefully trained to take his master safely through the busiest traffic.  I am amazed at the calmness of the guide.  With his tongue hanging, he is the very picture of composure.  He is not excited.  He does not wait for a chance to dash across between the cars.  Without a sign of nervousness he leads his master to the curb and  STOPS.  He waits with eyes and ears attent.  When all is clear he quietly and safely guides the man across.  They pass out of sight as I take my pen to write it up for you in the devotional, and I murmur to myself,  "That man is safer than anyone else in the street, for he walks by faith in his guide."  He trusts the "seeing eye."  Solomon says, "The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made both of them."  Oh God, help me to calmly trust the Holy Spirit, the Faithful Guide and my  "Seeing Eye,"  as calmly, yea more calmly, than that blind man on the street.  For his dog may fail, but the Holy Spirit never!  O teach me to trust and to walk by faith amid the traffic of this life.  Thank You for the promise:  "I will guide thee with mine eye."

"Bread For Each Day"

God's Candid Camera

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

Read Romans  3:10-18

               "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits."
                                                                                                                   Proverbs  16:2

     Salvation consists of accepting God's estimate concerning your wicked heart.  It does not depend on how satisfied you are with your own goodness, but is God, who knows you far better than you do yourself, satisfied with you?  It makes no difference how highly your neighbors and friends think of you; the vital question is,  "What does God think of you?"  Your only hope lies in acceptance of what God says about your depraved, hopeless, lost condition.  God says about the heart of the unregenerate, no matter how moral or religious, that it is "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked"  (Jeremiah  17:9).  The very first requirement for salvation is to accept this verdict of God.  Have you read Romans  3:10-18 yet?  That passage together with Psalm 14 is God's photograph of the natural human heart.  And God's  "photographs" are not "touched up" to please the subject.  The blemishes and wrinkles are all there.  Once we see ourselves in God's mirror, all pride and conceit must disappear.  Don't make the mistake of thinking you are as nice as you look to yourself.  A young girl came to her pastor and said,  "I am afraid I am guilty of the sin of vanity; for every time I look in the mirror I cannot help but admire my great beauty."  The old pastor replied,  "That's more than a sin - it is also a mistake."

     A young photographer, who specialized in "close-ups" was sent to China.  He was an unbeliever, and in the course of his business called on a leading Chinese photographer.  After talking business for awhile the Chinese photographer said,  "You specialize in close-ups of people, but have you ever taken a close-up of your own heart?"  Surprised, he asked,  "What do you mean?"  whereupon the native pulled out a copy of the New Testament and read to him Romans  3:10-18.  For the first time he was brought face to face with God's own close-up" of his unregenerate heart and was ultimately turned to the Lord.

Romans 3:10-18 kjv:

10.  As it is written,  THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE.
11.  THERE IS NONE THAT UNDERSTANDETH, THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD.
12.  THEY ARE ALL GONE OUT OF THE WAY, THEY ARE TOGETHER BECOME              UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE.
13.  THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN SEPULCHRE; WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY HAVE USED    DECEIT; THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS:
14.  WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS:
15.  THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD:
16.  DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR WAYS:
17.  AND THE WAY OF PEACE HAVE THEY NOT KNOWN:
18.  THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.

TRUST ME...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


TRUST ME with every fiber of your being!  What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me.  One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust me in a crisis or major decision.  Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times.  Another aspect is even more telling:  the constancy of your trust in me.  People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly.  Difficult times can jolt you into awareness of your need for Me, whereas smooth sailing can lull you into the stupor of self-sufficiency.

I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith.  You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything - and rejoices.  Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Life's Challenge

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                    "Thou wilt show me the path of life..."  Psalm 16:11

     The sheep of God's pasture need guidance as they travel the road of life, for often it is rough and circumstances along the way are trying.  But the Good Shepherd will show us the paths of peace and blessing if we do not willfully choose our own way.

     It is said in some trackless lands, as a traveler passes through a forest, he breaks a twig here and there as he goes, that those who come after him may see the traces of his having been there and may know that they are not off the road.  So too as we journey through the dark woods of affliction and sorrow, it is something to find here and there a broken spray ,or a leaf-stem bent down with the tread of our Shepherd's foot and the brush of His hand as He passed by.  For we may be sure that the path which He has trod before is a hallowed one that leads to the bright "pleasures" of the"forevermore."

     How comforting are the words of the unknown poet who sings:

                                             I must go forth upon a pilgrim's journey
                                               Along a strange and dimly lighted road;
                                             I cannot see what joy or care is waiting
                                               Nor can I tell its length or test my load.
                                             But this I know, that faith will light my journey,
                                               And mercy share the burden I must bring;
                                             That love divine will tread the road before me,
                                                And lead the pilgrim to the palace of the King.

     Make your life tell for Jesus today.  Let Him direct your steps along the upward way of faith and service, and all your paths will be peace.

                                             My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done,
                                                 Leave countless marks for good or ill
                                             ere sets the evening sun,
                                                 This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray:
                                             "Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way."

"Bread For Each Day"

The Best Advertisement

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                 "....for the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."  Luke  6:45

     A man always advertises his own product and depreciates that of his competitors.  I had a friend who sold Ford cars, and had a long list of the things in which the Ford was superior to the Chevrolet.  Then he changed jobs and became a salesman for the "opposition."  The transition was easy.  All the objections he had previously made to the "Chevy" now applied to the Ford.  Whatever a man sells is the best. Everybody's own baby is the prettiest.  "Sniffle cold tablets" are three ways better than Snuffle cold tablets."  "Bluff it in" works three times faster than "Blast it in."  Fraudulent advertising is the order of the day.  The most fantastic claims are made for the worthless trash.

     In spiritual matters this thing becomes serious, for we are not dealing here with the bodies of men, but with their souls - not with time but with eternity.

     Every false religion makes its own claim of superiority, and thousands are deceived thereby.  How then can we tell the true from the false?  There are two tests:  (1)  Is it Scriptural?  (2)  Does it work?  Test it first by the Word of God; and second, see how it works in those who advertise it.  Does your faith show evidence of being genuine?  Does it show itself in love, kindness, godliness, tolerance, and spirituality - or does it promote bigotry, criticism, intolerance, and self-righteousness?

     A boy applied for a job, and asked the well-rounded, corpulent boss how much the wages were.  The reply was,  "Fifty dollars and board."  The boy asked,  "What kind of board?"  The fat man answered, "Well, I eat it."  The boy took one look at the man and said,  "I'll take the job."  Does your life speak well of the One you recommend to others?  Remember, you are an epistle known and read of all men  (2 Corinthians  3:2).

"Bread For Each Day"

Of Pearls And Human Hearts

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"....man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  1 Samuel  16:7

     For thousands of years genuine pearls commanded high prices.  Great quantities of oysters were annually examined for their hidden treasure, but only a few contained pears of real value.  Within recent times, however, the market suddenly became flooded with these sparkling orbs, and merchants began to wonder if they were being deceived by skillful imitations.  Examination revealed, however, that all the pearls were actually made by oysters.  Finally the mystery was explained.  It seemed that the Japanese merchants had found a way to cause almost every oyster to produce a bauble of loveliness.  Knowing that a sharp foreign substance lodging in the tender flesh of the lowly oyster causes it to secrete a protective fluid which hardens around the source of the irritation to form a glistening pearl, the Japanese decided to personally insert artificial irritants, such as beads and tiny bits of buckshot.  Then, carefully replacing the oysters in the ocean by means of nets, they waited until they knew the pears had been formed, at which time they simply lifted the shells to the surface again and extracted their treasures.  Wealthy patrons, becoming suspicious, insisted that the pears be subjected to special tests to see whether they were natural or "cultured."  Outwardly all were equally beautiful, but when X-rayed, some were shown to have large, false hearts of lead or glass, and as such were not "genuine."

     So it is, too, with men.  Many seem to be normally and ethically sound and even attend church faithfully; yet they have within their bosoms "false hearts."  They may fool men, but they will never deceive the X-ray keen eyes of the Great Judge when He comes to "make up His jewels."  God does not judge by outward appearances, as do men, but rather "looketh on the heart"!

     Are you a "cultured" hypocrite, or a genuine pearl?  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"  (Matthew  5:8)!

"Bread For Each Day"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lunaZQltWGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lunaZQltWGY

MY PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


MY PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE is unfolding before you.  Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slowly that you must hold yourself back.  Then, when time is right, the way before you suddenly clears - through no effort of your own.  What you have longed for and worked for I present to you freely, as pure gift.  You feel awed by the ease with which I operate in the world, and you glimpse My Power and My Glory.

Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly.  As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles - and you will.  Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly.  Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My Glory.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Biblepaedia: Back To The Future

From the website:  Biblepaedia

If you take this to it’s logical conclusion, we end up back in the Book of Leviticus

In previous posts (Deuteronomy Chapter 4: Warnings of the future, Destruction of Hazor), I tried to show WHY the Lord God had commanded Israel to cleanse the land of Canaan due to the evil that was there.  The failure of them to do this resulted in their eventual falling away to the point where they were dispersed to Babylon.

God had given them explicit warning of what the peoples of Canaan had done that defiled the land, and thus no excuse was available to the Israelites when they did go whoring after the (g)ods of Canaan.

Here is a list of the profane things that ring out centuries later, which the Canaanites were doing that caused God to keep the people of Israel in Egypt for 400 years, until it became so bad that God was ready to bring His people into the land and cleanse it: (Genesis 15:13 – 16)

• They (Canaanites) would “uncover the nakedness” of both their near and far kinsmen (Leviticus 18:7 – 17)
• They would have relations with their women while they were on their “time of the month” (Lev 18:19)
• The would have carnal relations with their neighbors wife (Lev 18:20)
• They would sacrifice their children to their false god Molech, by burning them alive (Lev 18:21)
• They would profane the name of the one true God (Lev 18:21)
• They committed homosexual acts, which God said was abomination (Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13)
• They committed bestiality (Lev 18:23)
• They defiled the land (Lev 18:24)

God then tells the Israelites “Defile not yourselves in any of these things:  for in all these the nations are DEFILED which I cast out before you, and the land is defiled:  therefore I do visit [bring judgement for] the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants” (Lev 18:24-25)

He then goes on to tell them 3 times in a row, not to commit any of these abominations, and that those who do shall  be put to death (Lev 18:26 – 30).

Additionally, He calls out the following as being forbidden:

• Not eating anything with the blood, as the blood is “for it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof:” (Lev 17:14, Lev 19:26)
• Do not dabble in sorcery or astrology (Lev 19:26)
• Do not make any cuttings in the flesh for the dead (Lev 19:27)
• Do not make tattoo’s on the skin (Lev 19:28)
• Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy (Lev 19:30
• Do not have any thing to do with “spiritualism” or “spiritual advisers” (Lev 19:31)

After repeating his admonitions against these practices, He again tells them “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you:  for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them” (Lev 20:23)

So, as you can see above, nothing much has changed.  A nation that may, just may have been destined for greatness in God’s name (the U.S.) has, in fact, absorbed every abomination God warned against…and we know how the Canaanites ended up, right?

---

QUACK REMEDIES

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31

Read Isaiah  1:4-20

 "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me?  saith the Lord..."  Isaiah  1:11

     The Prophet Isaiah compares the spiritual condition of Israel to that of a sick man, a leper, full of wounds and putrifying sores.  (Have you read the Scripture at the head of this article?)  The reason they were not cleansed was because they had tried to heal themselves by quackery, patent medicines, and nostrums.  They had observed all the outward remedies of religion - vain oblations, incense, and the observance of rituals and ceremonies - but had refused God's remedy  (see Isaiah  1:12-15).  Man will turn to God only as a last resort; he will try everything else first before he calls a competent physician.  Man is a most gullible creature.

     When I began practicing medicine over 45 years ago, I was amazed at the credulity of the average intelligent person.  They would try everything before they would call me - often when it was too late.  I could write a book on all the strange concoctions people used as home remedies - just because someone recommended it.  Today, with all our scientific advance, men are still just as gullible.  They believe every remedy friends recommend (and every friend has his infallible favorite).  They believe every advertisement on radio or television (many of them lies).  Billions of dollars are spent annually on worthless nostrums, cure-alls, diets (thousands of them), vitamins, minerals, and salves.  The average medicine cabinet looks like a miniature drug store.  Just look at those pills (four different kinds) right there beside your plate - right now.  If people would eat normal, balanced diets, quit worrying about their health, go to bed on time, and be more concerned with their spiritual health than the physical - and throw away 95 per cent of those pills and gadgets, they would live longer and happier!  An application to the sinner - abandon all your homemade remedies to make you fit for Heaven - and call upon the Great Physician - and be saved, happy, and free!

"Bread For Each Day"

DO NOT BE WEIGHED DOWN...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

DO NOT BE WEIGHED DOWN by the clutter in your life:  lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order.  If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of the way, you will discover that they are endless.  They can eat up as much time as you devote to them.

Instead of trying to do all your chores at once, choose the ones that need to be done today.  Let the rest slip into the background of your mind, so I can be in the forefront of your awareness.  Remember that your ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives.  I can communicate with you most readily when your mind is uncluttered and turned toward Me.  Seek My Face continually throughout this day.  Let My Presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

The Fool On The Hill

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

Fool, foolish, fooled

I recently had a second nephew, only 16 years of age, post on facebook a derogatory comment about God, stating that a foolish person believe’s in a “deity” who punishes and demands total surrender.  As I will follow Proverbs 23:9 [“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”], I will simply let God answer him (and the world), with all the wisdom that God has to show us about fools:

God’s view of a fool:

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” — 1 Corinithians 11:13

“Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth [reviles or taunts] thee daily” — Psalm 75:2

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” — Psalms 14:1

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” — Proverbs 26:11

“[God] Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.” — Acts 14:16

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” — Acts 17:30

“Of the Rock [that] begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.” — Deuteronomy 32:18

“And He [God] said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end [shall be:] for they [are] a very froward generation, children in whom [is] no faith.” — Deuteronomy 32:20

“For they [are] a nation void of counsel, neither [is there any] understanding in them…O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!” — Deuteronomy 32:28-29

“For I [God] lift up my hand to heaven, and
say, I live for ever.” — Deuteronomy 32:40

“And [Job] said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD
gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD…In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly”. — Job 1:21-22

“For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” — Psalm 73:27

“O LORD, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep…A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.” — Psalm 92:5-6

“Understand, ye brutish among the people: and [ye] fools, when will ye be wise?…He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?…He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, [shall not he know?]” — Psalm 94:8-10

“The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.” — Proverbs 1:7

“A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.” — Proverbs 10:1

“The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” — Proverbs 10:21

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

“A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” — Proverbs 14:16

“Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in  the midst of fools is made known.” — Proverbs 14:33

“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” — Proverts 15:2

“The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.” — Proverbs 15:7

“A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” — Proverbs 17:10

“Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” — Proverbs 19:1

“The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.” — Proverbs 19:3

“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”

“A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.” — Proverbs 26:3

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.” — Proverbs 26:11

“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” — Proverbs 28:26

“[If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest.” — Proverbs 29:9

“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.” — Jeremiah 5:21-24

“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.” — Matthew 7:26-29

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” — Romans 1:20-22

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” — 1st Corinthians 1:18

“For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” — 1st Corinthians 1:19-20

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” — 1st Corinthians 1:21

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” — 1st Corinthians 1:25

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called: ]  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea,] and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  That no flesh should glory in his presence.” — 1st Corinthians 1:26-29

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them,] because they are spiritually discerned. ” — 1st Corinthians 2:14

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is  foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” — 1st Corinthians 3:18-19

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15-16

“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” — 2nd Timothy 2:23

“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” — Titus 3:9

Coasting Christians

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord.  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

Read Ephesians  4:17-29                          

                               "....take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry."  Luke  12:19

     Take it easy now, take it easy!  This is the desire and dream of the natural man - to reach a place where he can retire from work and "take it easy."  Instead of thanking God for the blessing of labor, man does everything in his power to avoid work.  Although God has said, six days shalt thou labor, we have already cut it down to only five days and now the goal is four days a week.  Man wants to "take it easy."  The rich man in Luke 12, after he had filled his barns, said to himself,  "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up...take thine ease."  But God said until him,  "Thou fool."

     There is no retirement for the Christian, such as the world desires.  We must labor while it is today.  The shorter days and shorter work-week should be an opportunity for the believer to do more spiritual work for the Lord.  The world uses the extra leisure for idle pleasure and sinful indulgences.  The Christian, however, should welcome the freedom from secular work as an opportunity of work for the Lord.  Too many of us just waste our valuable leisure time and do nothing of an enduring nature.

     A man went to a recruiting station to enlist.  The officer in charge said,  "What branch of the service do you prefer - the Infantry or the Cavalry?  In the Infantry you walk, in the Calvary you ride."  The man thought a moment and said,  "Please sir, if I may, I'd prefer the Coast Guard where I can just coast!"

     Are you a coaster?  Or are you a rider, hitch-hiking your way?  Or do you walk at His command?

"Bread For Each Day"

The Great Creator Our Helper

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"...I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:  Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number."  Job  5:8,9

     It is comforting to know that the all-powerful Creator, whose hand of wonder is marvelously displayed in all of nature, is the same loving Heavenly Father who is equally mighty to help His children in their times of need.  With confidence, therefore, we can rest our cause in His great all-knowing care, assured that the same wonders we see in nature will be matched by the gracious blessings of His kindly providences.  An unknown author underlines this thought as follows:

     "Consider the little bees that organizes a city that builds 10,000 cells for honey, 12,000 cells for larvae, and finally, a very special cell for the mother queen; a little bee that observes the increasing heat and, when the wax may melt and the honey be lost, organizes the swarm into squads, puts sentinels at the entrances, glues the feet down, and then with flying wings, creates a system of ventilation to cool the honey that makes an electric fan seem tawdry - a little honey bee that will include 20 square miles in the field over whose flowers it has oversight.  If a tiny brain in a bee performs such wonders, who are you that you should question the guidance of God?  Lift up your eyes and behold the hand that supports the stars without pillars the God who guides the planet without collision - He it is who cares for you!"

     Yes, this all-knowing, gracious God will "guide you with His eye" and uphold you with His everlasting arms.  Rest confidently today in the center of His will.

"Bread For Each Day"

The Wednesday Worry Box

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                            "Be careful for nothing...."  Philippians  4:6

     One version of the Scriptures more accurately and understandably translates this phrase in Philippians  as:  "In nothing be anxious."  For the Christian, all worry is forbidden.  As someone has said,  "Anxiety is a spiritual fever which works havoc with the character and service of the child of God; for as we brood over our worries in the secret hours of the night, the mind gets exhausted, the spirit discouraged and depressed, and the body unutterably weary, and yet the cares remain exactly what they were!

     When we are anxious we are trespassers on forbidden ground, for worry and fretting are not compatible with the yielded life. The peace of God - the strong, deep calmness of faith which is born of the conviction that a loving Lord who knows the best has given the pressing burden and the sore pain - this tranquility of soul, is the only proper antidote for worry!

     The story is told of J. Arthur Rank who had a practical way of handling his anxieties.  Being unable to put his troubles aside completely, he thought the next best thing to do would be to set apart a single day, Wednesday, to do all his worrying.  When something came up that disturbed him during the week, he wrote it down and put it in what he called his "Wednesday Worry Box." When the time came to review the problems that were of so much concern, he found to his great surprise that most of the them had already been settled and no longer induced anxiety. He discovered that most worry is unnecessary and a waste of precious energy.

     Cares indeed may come; but when they do, we must cast them upon the Lord  (1 Peter  5:7).  Then we may rightly relax, knowing that He will care for us and provide all things needful  (Matthew  6:32, 33).

"Bread For Each Day"

A Convenient Ship

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


"But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof."  Jonah  1:3

     God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach a sermon of judgment, but the prophet preferred to do exactly the opposite.  Therefore, instead of going east to the city of God's choosing, he determines to travel west to Tarshish.  Fleeing from the presence of the Lord (or so he thought), he goes down to Joppa. Here he finds a convenient ship waiting to take him in just the direction he desires.  Probably rejoicing in such apparent "good fortune," Jonah pays the fare, gets on board and - sails away into a sea of trouble!

     How prone we are to seize upon that which is convenient as being that which is correct!  When we get out of the will of God, it is surprising how many excuses we can find for going our own way.  Deeply impressed with our carnal desires, we quickly interpret that which may be only coincidental as a significant indication of God's will for us.  Actually it may be nothing of the kind.  The trend of circumstances must always be in line with the Word of God if it is to be meaningful.  Jonah's "convenient ship" was soon storm-tossed, and he had some very grueling experiences before the Lord got him back to the path of His will.

     Beware of misinterpreting convenient ships!  Remember that the so-called "opportunity" may actually be the devil's snare, the world's allurement, or the pathway of self-will that will result in God's chastening. Surrender yourself completely to His Holy Spirit, saturate your mind with the directives in the Word, or you too may rationalize yourself into boarding a boat of human convenience that will at most land you in the port of God's "second best."  This day make the prayer of the psalmist yours:  "Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths"  (Psalm  25:4)!

"Bread For Each Day"

I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU.  Feel the warmth and security of being enveloped in My loving Presence. Every detail of your life is under My control.  Moreover, everything fits into a pattern for good, to those who love Me and are called according to My design and purpose.

Because the world is in an abnormal, fallen condition, people tend to think that chance governs the universe. Events may seem to occur randomly, with little or no meaning.  People who view the world this way have overlooked one basic fact:  the limitations of human understanding.  What you know of the world you inhabit is only the tip of the iceberg.  Submerged beneath the surface of the visible world are mysteries too vast for you to comprehend.  If you could only see how close I am to you and how constantly I work on your behalf, you would never again doubt that I am wonderfully caring for you.   This is why you must live by faith, not by sight; trusting in My mysterious, majestic Presence.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

LOOK AT YOUR HAND

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

          "...the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee."   1 Corinthians  12:21

     "Give me a hand with this, will you please?"  This common expression is used to request help in some situation or job.  But why do we say,  "give me a hand," or "lend me a hand," and not give me an ear, or an eye, or a foot?  Just because the a hand is the most useful member of the body.  It helps every other member.  The hand is truly the "helping hand."  Which member protects you when you fall?  When some object threatens your eye, what member rushes to the rescue immediately?  When your back itches, on which member do you call?  When you want to put food in your mouth, which member is called upon?  To button your coat, tie your shoes, comb your hair, brush your teeth, carry the groceries, etc., etc., etc., it is that helping hand!  It is the most useful, indispensable member of the body.  No wonder Paul says,  "...the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee."

     The hand is mentioned 1433 times in the Bible.  The wrist has eight bones in two rows so it can move backward and forward and over half-way around.  No other joint like it!  The palm has five bones to act as supports for the hand proper.  Four fingers and with a nail on each end.  And look at that thumb, so set that it meets the fingers from the opposite direction.  Look at your fingers.  They are all of different lengths.  Is it a mistake by the Maker?  It would look so much nicer if they were even.  But wait!  Close your hand - and now they are all even!  Now close your hand over an orange and even the thumb is even with the fingers. Wonderful hand!  Look at it!  No wonder Solomon calls them  "the keepers of the house"  (Ecclesiastes 12:3).

     God, too, has hands in which He holds us securely, for no man can pluck us out of His hand (John  10:29).  Look at your hand, and praise God for His hands!

BE WILLING...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


BE WILLING to go out on a limb with Me.  If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief.  Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk.  You are approaching a crossroads in your journey.  In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe.

Let Me lead you step by step through this day.  If your primary focus is on Me, you can walk along perilous paths without being afraid.  Eventually, you will learn to relax and enjoy the adventure of our journey together.  As long as you stay close to me, My sovereign Presence protects you wherever you go.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Little Things

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


               "There be....things which are little upon the earth, but..."   Proverbs  30:24

     Little things are much more important than we often imagine; they have been known to turn the course of events for hundreds of years.  For instance, a great king once noticed that his soldiers were using their sleeves instead of handkerchiefs, and - that's how we all got buttons on our cuffs!  Another monarch was bald and had his servants make him a fancy toupee; immediately judges and courtiers took up the style and for hundreds of years men of importance shaved off their own locks, and wore flowing wigs of artificial curls! So too, for good or evil, each of us has his own widening circle of influence.

     Someone once complained,  "What I say or do doesn't matter.  My influence is like a drop in the bucket!"  "Ah, but a drop can be very important,"  said another.  "It all depends on what it is made of, and what's already in the bucket.  One little drop of water falling into a container of acid may cause an explosion. One drop of germ culture introduced into a container of milk can make the liquid dangerous to drink; while one drop of cleansing disinfectant can neutralize a whole pailful of contaminated water."  Yes, even a "drop in a bucket" can make a tremendous difference.  Our influence is greater than we suspect.  In fact, those whom the world considers "insignificant" are probably the ones whose lives are making the greatest impact for eternity!

     Have you ever thought of it, that after all, it's only the small birds that sing?  You never heard a note from the eagle in your life, nor from the turkey, nor from the ostrich.  But you have heard thrilling melody from the throat of a canary, and bright, happy trills of praise from the robin, and the lark.  My how they can sing!  So too, the sweetest music often comes from those Christians who are small in their own estimation but great in the eyes of the Lord.  Indeed, "there be....things which are little upon the earth, BUT!!!"

MAKE ME THE FOCAL POINT.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31


MAKE ME THE FOCAL POINT of your search for security.  In your private thoughts, you are still trying to order your world so that it is predictable and feels safe.  Not only is this an impossible goal, but it is also counterproductive to spiritual growth.  When your private world feels unsteady and you grip My hand for support, you are living in conscious dependence on Me.

Instead of yearning for a problem-free life, rejoice that trouble can highlight your awareness of my Presence. In the darkness of adversity, you are able to see more clearly the radiance of My Face.  Accept the value of problems in this life, considering them pure joy.  Remember that you have an eternity of trouble-free living awaiting you in heaven.

YOUR NEEDS AND MY RICHES....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

YOUR NEEDS AND MY RICHES are a perfect fit.  I never meant for you to be self-sufficient.  Instead, I designed you to need Me not only for daily bread but also for fulfillment of deep yearnings.  I carefully crafted your longings and feelings of incompleteness, to point you to Me.  Therefore, do not try to bury or deny these feelings.  Beware also of trying to pacify these longings with lesser gods:  people, possessions, power.

Come to Me in all your neediness, with defenses down and with desire to be blessed.  As you spend time in My Presence, your deepest longings are fulfilled.  Rejoice in your neediness, which enables you to find intimate completion in Me.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Go To The Devil

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


  "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil full of deadly poison."   James  3:8,9

     If you can watch only one thing today, to keep you from sinning - watch your tongue!  More people have been slain by the tongue than by the sword.  If you can control your tongue, you can manage the rest of your body (James  3:2).  How many a godly person's testimony has been completely ruined by one burst of temper, one bitter blast in an unguarded moment.  How many Christians endowed with wonderful gifts and ability have lost their usefulness because of a sharp tongue and cutting remarks which wound and smart and burn.  A whole day's blessing can be ruined by one unkind word!

     A certain Christian man had written a famous tract:  "Come to Jesus,"  which had promise of being greatly used of God in winning men for Christ.  Sometime afterward he entered into a theological argument and became so exceedingly angry with his opponent that he sat down and wrote a scorching, blistering, devastating article against this man, intending to have this article, bristling with sarcasm and invectives, published as an open letter in the church paper.  Before sending it in, he asked a friend to suggest a title for the article.  The friend read it carefully, hesitated, and then said,  "I suggest you call it 'GO TO THE DEVIL,' by the same author who wrote 'COME TO JESUS.'"  The article was never published.

     God help us to bridle our tongues today and we'll be able to handle the rest of the horse.  No matter how right you are, if you cannot say it kindly - Don't say it!  You can say the right thing in two ways, the right way - and the wrong way.  There is nothing men pay less attention to than their words.  They imagine if they do what is right, what they say doesn't matter.  Yet once a word is uttered it can never be recalled.

"Bread For Each Day"

STAY EVER SO CLOSE TO ME...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


STAY EVER SO CLOSE TO ME, and you will not deviate from the path I have prepared for you.  This is the  most efficient way to stay on track; it is also the most enjoyable way.  Men tend to multiply duties in their observance of religion.  This practice enables them to give Me money, time, and work without yielding up to Me what I desire the most - their hearts.  Rules can be observed mechanically.  Once they become habitual, they can be followed with minimal effort and almost no thought.  These habit-forming rules provide a false sense of security, lulling the soul into a comatose condition.

What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that thrills to the Joy of My Presence!  I created mankind to glorify Me and enjoy Me forever.  I provide the Joy; your part is to glorify Me by living close to Me.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

The Kiss Of Death

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:  for thy love is better than wine."
                                                                                                             Song of Solomon  1:2

     Where the world's favorite indoor sport - "kissing" - originated, I do not know.  The earliest record of kissing is in Genesis 27:26.  There it was a kiss of deception and betrayal.  The last mention of kissing is in 1Peter  5:14  and here is a pure kiss of devotion.  Between these first - and last-mentioned kisses we have recorded many other kinds.  Some of them are:  The kiss of  (1)  Death  (2 Samuel  20:9);  (2)  Lust  (Proverbs  7:13);  and  (3)  Betrayal  (Mark  14:44).  These were all evil kisses - kisses of sin.  But there are also other kisses:  The kiss of:  (4)  Devotion  (Luke  7:45);  (5)  Greeting  (Romans  16:16,  1 Corinthians  16:20);  (6)  Farewell  (Ruth  1:9);  and  (7)  Reconciliation  (Luke  15:20).

     The father kissed his repentant son before he was cleaned up.  He kissed him with all the filth of the pigs' trough upon him.  What matchless love!  It is a picture of God's love.  He gave His Son to die for us "while were yet sinners"  (Romans  5:8).

     A little girl lay desperately ill with diphtheria.  The mother had been warned to avoid all possible contact with the child for fear of contagion.  The child sank into a stupor and the anxious mother with a prayer laid her tender hand on her brow.  This touch revived her, and seeing mother, she whispered,  "Kiss me, Mother."  Love overcame fear and she stooped down to kiss her.  Mother's love conquered, but it cost her life.  She kissed the one she loved with the kiss of death; but God kissed the ungodly, the unlovely.  Christ by His love-kiss took our contagion upon Him and bore it to the cross.  It was the kiss of death; but the kiss of death for Him became the kiss of salvation for us.  This kiss is offered to all.  "Kiss the Son"  (Psalm  2:12). Yes, kiss the Son and accept His reconciliation.  Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

"Bread For Each Day"

MY THOUGHTS.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

MY THOUGHTS are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways and thoughts higher than yours.  Remember who I AM when you spend time with me.  Marvel at the wonder of being able to commune with the King of the universe - any time, any place. Never take this amazing privilege for granted!

Though I am vastly higher and greater than you, I am training you to think My thoughts.  As you spend time in My Presence, My thoughts gradually form in your mind.  My Spirit is the Director of this process. Sometimes He brings Bible verses to mind.  Sometimes He enables you to hear Me "speak" directly to you. These communications strengthen you and prepare you for whatever is before you on your life-path.  Take time to listen to My voice.  Through your sacrifice of precious time, I bless you far more than you dare to ask.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"