The Holiness of God

Isaiah 6 records a vision of God in the temple.  Isaiah tells what he saw.  ‘I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 

Revelation 4 records a vision of heaven.  This is what John saw.  ‘Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.  Around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”  The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

One of the best songs we sing in worship is the song entitled ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’.  It contains these words of adoration to God.  ‘Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.  The consistent response from humanity in Scripture to God’s holiness is a response of fear and trembling, with a recognition of one’s weakness and neediness.

A word that has become vogue or stylish in our society today is the word ‘awesome’.  We use the word to describe almost anything.  A pair of shoes, a hamburger, a movie, a football game, a car.  You name it—we think it is awesome!!!  A milkshake, a haircut, a speech.  We need to rethink the word ‘awesome’.  The God who created heaven and earth and everything in it—the God who willingly sacrificed His own Son for humanity is AWESOME!!!!  He is our holy God.  He deserves the recognition that He deserves.

Prayer:  Father, please let me worship You as the AWESOME GOD that you are.

Terry Brown, Abilene, Texas

Plowing New Ground

Jesus said, “Anyone who begins to plow a field but keeps looking back is of no use in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Looking back at what we left behind for Christ limits our ability to enter His kingdom.  Holding on to pieces of our old life clouds our spiritual vision resulting in an earthbound destination rather than a spiritual journey.  To have a true longing for and realization of heaven and to have an intimate relationship with Christ will not happen unless we give up everything for Him.     

It is impossible to live Jesus' teachings of turning the other cheek, going another mile, not storing up earthly possessions, and loving our enemies, just to name a few, (Matthew 5-7) unless our lives are lived seeking and knowing the Spirit filled life is real. Earthly thinking justifies retaliation, causes us to pass by on the other side of those in need, empowers us to rely on our own wealth, and results in loving only ourselves.  True life is discovered only when looking beyond this world while still living in it.  We each must take this step to unlock this wonder.  Only then do the things Jesus says make any sense.  

The freedom, peace, and joy of the gospel are experienced when we stop playing it safe.  We must give in, buy in, step off, step out, and dive head first into the wonder and reality of God's miraculous gift that has nothing to do with here.  His kingdom is not of this world.  Following Jesus is a choice of all or none. It is plowing the new ground of trusting only in Christ’s Way to a blessed, abundant life regardless of our circumstances.  If I look back attempting to keep a foot in both worlds I will never experience this richness.   To the extent I seek is the extent I will find. 

 “No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.” 

Matthew 6:24

“Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.” Matthew 6:33

 “Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

“But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”  Matthew 7:14

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.” 

 Luke 10:41-42

Father, increase our faith.  Give us a longing for You not held back by any attachment to this physical life.  Lead us to the open door of Your incredible storehouse of spiritual blessings.  In Jesus name.

Scotty Elston

Shallowater, Texas

A Fallen World: Blinded by Darkness

But whosoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

I John 2:11

This scripture grabbed my attention recently.  Being blinded by darkness is an unusual phenomenon, worthy of pondering.  I usually think of being blinded by bright lights, stumbling around in the darkness until my eyes adjust and I can see again.  But John says that whoever has animosity, maliciousness, and hatefulness towards his brother is blinded by darkness so dense he’s lost in it. 

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.  John 1:5.

Hate, anger, violence; sarcasm, greed, dishonesty; fear, dread, angst – you can add to the list – thrive in darkness.  Our sensibilities are assaulted by these dark forces every day from every direction.    

How many times have you heard, “We live in a fallen world,”?   It’s our shorthand for “Satan is alive and well; that explains it.”  And it’s true that the devil’s influence is active, but he can only wreak as much havoc as humans allow, and he only works in the dark.  

When I feel anxious about the injustices and inhumanities of this world, the death and destruction peddled by fear-mongers, I find peace in the truth that God is more powerful than the power of darkness

…now the prince of this world will be driven out  (John 12:31).  …the prince of the world now stands condemned (16:11).  For he [Christ] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness…  (Colossians 1:13).  …he [Christ] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds power over death – that is, the devil… (Hebrews 2:14b).  

Praise God, there is a bright side.  The Light is on.  The Light rules.  The Light is available for those who choose it.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12.  …I will fear no evil for you are with me…Psalm 23:4.          

Dear God, it’s with humility that we thank you for the ability to recognize darkness for what it is – an absence of your Light.  We choose to walk in your Light.  Give us courage and wisdom to reflect your light into dark places, not for our glory but for yours.  Amen

Sandra Milholland, Abilene, Texas

THE LORD’S SUPPER – WHEN? (No. 3.)

SUNDAY WORSHIP IN TROAS

            “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.  Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.”   (Acts 20:7.)

           

Jesus’ church met every Sunday to remember Him at his table.  The night of his betrayal, when He instituted the memorial supper, He ordained, “…that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom…” (Luke 22:30.)  Christ’s church, upon its beginning in Jerusalem, is reported to have “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42.) The apostles taught the church to meet together on the first day of every week (Sunday) to eat the Lord’s Supper.( Hebrews 10:25;  1 Corinthians 16:1, 2;  11:20-33.)

The Apostle Paul’s week in Troas (Acts 20:1ff) reflects this weekly observance of Jesus’ memorial feast.  Paul was enroute to Jerusalem at the close of his third missionary journey.  Luke, the inspired historian, joined Paul in Philippi (Macedonia, northern Greece).  He writes, “Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible by the day of Pentecost.” Acts 20:16.)  Paul had not arrived in Troas from Philippi until “…after the Feast of Unleavened Bread…” (v. 6)  There were fifty days between the feasts of Passover (or, ‘Unleaven Bread’, Cf. Luke 22:1.), and the feast of Pentecost, fifty days later.    The apostle had miles to go on his hurried journey, and five days had already been required just to sail from Philippi (Macedonia, northern Greece) to Troas (northwestern Turkey).

Two significant and helpful things in this report give us strong indication as to the day God has appointed for Christians to meet Jesus at his table.  Luke writes of Paul’s company (seven brothers in addition to Luke) in Troas, “…where we stayed seven days.  On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:6, 7.)  Paul “…was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem, if possible by the day of Pentecost.” (v. 16.)  Notwithstanding, he spent an entire week in Troas.  He evidently knew that the Lord’s Table would be prepared on “the first day of the week”.  If this were not the disciples’ habit, Paul could not have known whether the saints at Troas would commune that Sunday – or on another  “first day of the week”, a month, or six months, or a year later.  He knew that the churches communed with Jesus at his table the first day of every week.  

The other significant observation is that the disciples did not meet any other time to break bread.  Paul and his friends were in the city “seven days” an entire week. But, though they were hurrying in their travel to Jerusalem, the table of Jesus was not prepared on a Tuesday, a Thursday PM, nor upon any other day that week.  If the day of meeting “to break bread” were incidental, love and courtesy towards Paul and his travel plans would likely have chosen an earlier day and time, and allowed him to hasten on his journey. (He did that very thing leaving the next day after they had been brought together to break bread. (v. 7.) (Note: The verb we “came together” is a passive verb in the original text.  The disciples at Troas respected God’s authority which brought them together on that day.)

It would seem evident from this inspired account that the church of God in every place, led by the apostles, ate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week (Sunday), and only on that day.

                                                            *******

                              (Final Study: “The Testimony of Early Historians”)

Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas

Preparing My Mind

Praise be to the God and Father of our mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things.  

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”     

1 Peter 1:3-16 NIV

I love this Bible text.  It is filled with hope and encouragement, yet challenges me to live up to His holy standard.  God asks me to prepare my mind to be holy.  The idea of preparation is an intentional process; making my mind ready for purposeful use.

I will prepare my mind because I know what God has done.  He has given me a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; he has promised me a heavenly inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade; he has provided a powerful shield of protection until his promises can be revealed; he provided knowledge for my faith, as he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow; and, he provided servants as a heritage of faith, until I could develop a faith of my own.

I will prepare my mind because I know what God will do.  He will help my faith to be proved genuine; he will allow me to express praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed; and, he allows me to be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, because I know with certainty I am receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul.

I will prepare my mind because I want what God wants.  Even though I have not seen him, I love him; even though I do not see him now, I believe in him; I will be moved to action and self-controlled; my hope will rest fully on the grace to be given me when Jesus Christ is revealed; and, I no longer want to conform to my evil desires.  I want to be holy in all I do.

Because of what God has done, what God will do, and what God wants me to do, I will prepare my mind for action.  What about you?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, please accept my praise to you for a living hope.  Thank you for what you have done and for what you will do.  Thank you for challenging me to be holy, as you are holy.   In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas

What are You Asking?

The Apostle Paul was a great man of prayer. In the letter to the Philippians, we get an insight into his prayers. Paul is suffering. Paul is in prison and is hurting. Paul has enemies who want to hurt him more. So he prays.

The surprise is not that he prays, but what he prays. Read Philippians 1:3-26. Paul’s prayer is:

 1.   A prayer of gratitude for the partnership        he has with the Philippians church.            Verse 5

 2.   That the church would succeed in their  Christian work. Verse 6

 3.   That their love would abound. Verse 9

 4.   That their knowledge and discernment would grow. Verse 9

 5.   That their lives would be pure and blameless before Christ. Verse 10

         Then, he prays about himself (about time).

 6.   He is grateful that his suffering has been useful in spreading the Gospel. Verse 12

 7.   He is grateful that his suffering has made the church more confident in the Lord. Verse 14

 8.   His suffering has made Christians bolder in their preaching. Verse 14

 9.   He is praying that Christ will be honored in His body whether by life or by death. Verse 20

He never gets around to complaining or seeking release. It is all about Christ using Paul’s situation for good. We have a lot to learn about prayer.

Dear Lord, when I compare Paul’s prayers to my prayers, I am ashamed. I complain too much. Beg for stuff too much. Basically, my prayers are too much about me. Please forgive me. Dare I ask you to use me for your glory. This terrifies and thrills me. Please, Lord, help me remove my fear; my selfishness. Help me to love what you love and be fruitful for you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas

Making Wise Choices

14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:14-15

 

Joshua led the new generation of Israelites into the promised land of Canaan after his predecessor,  Moses, had given his blessing to them. The parents of this group of people had not trusted the LORD to bring them safely into this promised land, so they were denied entrance. Forty years later, their children enjoyed the grace of the mighty LORD, the one true God.

My most recent ancestors have not worshiped idols described in the Bible verses from Joshua, so how does this apply to me today? There are other things that may pull us away from the LORD. We make choices every day. We choose to go to work or school. We choose to go to a movie, or to the store. We choose to take an opportunity to volunteer for a nonprofit organization. We choose to help someone in need. We might choose to lie or cheat.  (Satan is sneaky).  We have opportunities every day to "serve the LORD" rather than to serve our own purposes. We can multi-task and serve the LORD while at work or school, at the movie or the store, while volunteering or helping others. 

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Dear God, Thank you for leading me each day. You are willing even when I am weak. Please help me see the opportunities you present daily.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX