The Heaton File

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘but you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)

The Wise Men From The East

The story of the wise men coming to see Jesus is always a fascinating story. Very little is told so very little is known. Men have created fanciful stories about these men that have no basis in fact. When they came to see a young child, they were unimportant to the history of man as much as the world took no thought of a child born in Bethlehem. The Holy Spirit has preserved this wonderful tale of a group of men who traveled a far distance to bring gifts to a very important child. There seems to be a providential hand in these affairs. From which country they came we know not. Wherever they came it was a far distance away from the East. These were wise men or Magi that were counselors, advisors and highly educated men of their day. To make such a long journey was perilous and fraught with danger. They had courage to trust in the Lord as they sought out the child. At some point the hand of the Lord directed them to seek out the child. Their only guide was a star in the East they had seen.

Approaching Palestine, they were unsure where to find the child. Jerusalem would be a logical choice. The importance of the child might indicate a place of birth to be of royal significance. Inquiring throughout Jerusalem the wise men caused quite a stir. Herod, hearing of these strangers coming to his town, gathered the Jewish leaders to find out more of this Christ. When men come seeking a man they call a king, the Roman ears of distrust perk up to quell any rebellions among the people. Remarkably the chief priests and scribes knew where the promised Christ was to be born directing Herod to the city of Bethlehem five miles away. He secretly called the wise men and asked them how long they had traveled since first hearing of the birth of this child. This was vital for Herod as he did not plan to visit the child but to kill him. No one was allowed to call themselves a king no matter how small they were.

Believing he created a ruse, the king sent the wise men to the city of Bethlehem to find the child and report to him. Herod was not looking for a baby in a manger but a child. The wise men were not looking for a manger with a baby; they were looking for a child of about two years of age. Arriving in Bethlehem (guided by the star), they found the family of Joseph and Mary in a house. Jesus was a young child. Entering the house with great delight, they presented the family with wonderful gifts and treasures. One can only imagine the surprise of Joseph and Mary to these strange guests from the East. The short time of their visit must have stayed in the minds of the family for as long as they lived. Joseph was not a man of means and these extravagant gifts must have amazed him beyond imagination. Finally, the wise men were to leave. Embracing the child Jesus and bidding goodbyes to Joseph and Mary they returned home. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod they escaped back into the pages of obscurity.

As these men traveled back home their hearts must have burned within them. They had traveled a great distance to see a child. What a joy their memories would hold for them. The talks around the campfire as they traveled home must have been rich. It may have been they learned later what happened to that quiet little town of Bethlehem as Herod sent his soldiers to slaughter every male child under two years of age. Did they know that Jesus had escaped? Could they have known their providential gifts would help the family flee to Egypt and live in exile until the death of Herod? The hand of God had brought them a great distance. They returned home to tell a great story. Their journey was not in vain as some forty years later some strange men came to their homes telling the story of a risen Christ. Could it be the same child? Of course it was. The star that guided them to the baby Jesus had changed the world for these men. Now that is a great story.

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. (1 Timothy 5:17-20)

Elders Who Serve Well And Those Who Don’t

The leadership of the local congregation is under the care of those men shepherding the flock of God prescribed by the Holy Spirit. It is a grave task of oversight to be in care of the souls within a local community. Each man will give an account of their work before God receiving a heavier judgment for their actions. No task is greater than serving as an elder of the church. Like a shepherd watching over the flock each man has a regard for the sheep in a personal manner. Jesus describes the shepherd as knowing his flock, calling them out by name and going before them as they follow his lead. The tender care of the elder towards the members is manifested in the love he has for them. There will be times of difficulty when the elders must make hard choices. All of their actions are in accordance with the will of the Father and the welfare of the sheep.

No work is more rewarding than serving as a bishop of a congregation. Those men who embark upon the oversight of the church of Christ are men of character exhibiting leadership in guiding the flock by the word of God. Paul exhorts Timothy to acknowledge the men who rule well suggesting that the leaders of the church should be compensated for their efforts. The Holy Spirit clearly establishes that elders can be supported in their exhaustive work of watching over the flock of God. Considering the amount of work in a local congregation for an elder to be engaged in the financial support would be needed for him to carry out effectively his work. They should be recognized with such recompense.

The Holy Spirit also knows that elders are men who have failings that may need to be addressed. Serving as shepherds does not suggest they are above rebuke or exhortation concerning their lives. If the life of a man who serves as an overseer has a matter of reproach, he is to be rebuked but only at the testimony of two or three witnesses. This must be a public charge so that others may see the seriousness of the sin. It is easy for elders to assume they cannot be rebuked. This is not what the Holy Spirit says. All men are challenged by the temptations of life and shepherds of the church are not exempt. The character of humility will guide their lives to repent and acknowledge their failings. This does not always suggest a man must resign from his work. Depending on the character of the charge and their influence, repentance may resolve the issue by God’s grace. Whatever the case the elders are to be acknowledged for their diligent work of looking out after the flock and if the case arises to be rebuked for a lacking in their life.

No church is as strong as it can be when the pattern of the New Testament is followed in leadership. God expects every church to strive for the proper kind of leadership under the work of elders. Churches that go for many years with no effort to establish an eldership are failing the clear commands of the Lord and should repent. Men who serve should be acknowledged for their diligent work. Those who need rebuking should receive the judgment in humility. The mission of the church to so great. Leadership is needed to guide the church in the paths of truth.

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding; for I give you good doctrine: do not forsake my law. When I was my father’s son, tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, he also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” (Proverbs 4:1-9)

Wisdom Is The Principal Thing

Man was created an eternal being. Created in the image of the Creator, man is a being that has a rational and moral conscience that separates him from other animals. Only man was given law and only man can obey law through a system of belief embedded in his heart. In creation, God allowed man to exercise the free will of choice. Because of his rebellion to the will of the Lord man lost his paradise home and through all generations struggles to find happiness and peace. The mercy of God did not leave man without the knowledge to find salvation. Cain and Abel illustrate that from the beginning the Lord requires obedience. Truth is paramount to serving the Lord and truth has always been revealed to man. Accepting or rejecting this truth is where man has found happiness or misery.

The wisdom literature reminds man that happiness in life cannot be found without wisdom. This knowledge is not a fabricated wisdom but rather a truth that comes from the mouth of the Creator. The instruction of a father to a child must be the words of God to help guide, mold and form a character that will find the purpose of life. No knowledge will satisfy unless that knowledge is the mind of God. Retaining His words, keeping His commandments and living by the word of God is where true wisdom is found. The key is doing the will of the Father. After a myriad of generations of man trying to find wisdom within himself – failing completely – we must recognize that truth resides only in the Bible. It remains unchanged and unaltered because it is preserved in Heaven.

Wisdom is the principal thing because the foremost need of man is wisdom from the One who made him. When man turns away from the word of God, he will only find failure. Rejecting the Bible brings heartache to life. The wisdom of the Lord exalts the character of man. He learns to love and care for his neighbor, show kindness, honesty and integrity. God’s word tells us where we came from, why we are here and what hope life has to offer. Death is explained with the clarity of God’s love where man no longer fears it. Peace dwells in a heart that is filled with the wisdom of the Lord. All of this comes from the knowledge of wisdom. Wisdom is the principal thing.

The Holy Scriptures should be our dearest companion. Those who spend time in the Book will find their time filled with the peace that passes all knowledge. No words will be greater, no truths more fulfilling and no hope more lasting than what is found within the pages of Genesis to the Revelation. God is revealed, Jesus Christ glorified, the Holy Spirit magnified and man returns to the paradise of Eden as his spirit walks in the cool of the day with the Lord God Almighty and Creator. Get wisdom and in all your getting – get understanding.

Pure wisdom always directs itself towards God; the purest wisdom is knowledge of God. (Lew Wallace, Ben Hur, 1880)

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

Always Learning And Never Saved

The condition of sinful man is a tragic result of denying the truth of God. Turning from the doctrine of the Lord men become lovers of themselves concerned more for their own wisdom and knowledge. Pride has been at the root of every sin man commits against the law of God because he believes that truth resides in his power. The devil does not want man to deny God but to recreate the Creator into the image of the creation. Changing the form of the incorruptible to a philosophy of the corruptible serves the needs of Satan to destroy the soul of man. Disbelief does not always mirror itself by a denial of God but rather distorting enough truth to give man a feeling of superiority over the word of God. The Bible is filled with stories of those who mixed a little bit of God with the wisdom of man to create a religion of convenience, self-gratification and hypocrisy for what they called worship.

Religion is an abundant commodity in our society today coming in so many forms, fashions and designs that one can truly worship in any way he desires. The Bible has become the obstacle of the masses to recreate God in their own images to worship the Lord God has each individual thinks He should be presented. It is hard to imagine how many different views of the Bible men have today. At the core of this philosophy are those not unlike what Paul described two thousand years ago: “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Here are people who scour the Bible from cover to cover learning all they can about various views of what people believe about the Lord but never finding the truth of the will of God in their lives. Filled with the pride of their own knowledge they embrace every doctrine as holy. Truth is relative to the views of men. Always learning but in the end hold no position of one God, one faith and one doctrine.

The folly of this type of religion is their foolishness is evident to all. Building their faith on the sands of man’s wisdom they fail. God’s word is narrow. There are no truths to the will of God but only one truth. Jesus Christ and His word is the only way of salvation. Worshiping the Lord in any fashion man desires is the greatest folly and lie of Satan. Embracing any belief accepts the condemnation of the one God who gave His one Son to show man the one path of righteousness by the one will of His mercy. Man can worship God under any banner he wants but Jesus died for His church and salvation will be found in only the body of Jesus Christ.

Loving self is the greatest tragedy of man. He worships a straw man. There is no substance. There is no truth. More importantly – there is no hope. Having a form of godliness does not save. Denying the power of God does not save. Truth is measured by the acceptance of the only truth given to man. Always learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth is an epidemic disease of man’s folly. It is a perilous religion.

It is not wise to be wiser that it is given man to be wise. (Anonymous)

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:39-41)

The Other Thief On A Cross

One of the remarkable stories from the cross of Jesus is His conversation with a thief crucified with Him. Three men were crucified that day. Two robbers found guilty of their crimes and one innocent man who had never sinned in His life. In the beginning the two thieves railed against the Lord but then one had a turn of heart. He begged compassion from Jesus and was granted a place in Paradise. The other thief was not as gracious. He apparently suffered and died still desperate to find rescue. Remarkably, escaping crucifixion was nearly impossible as the Romans had perfected the instrument of death that if the nailing of the body to a tree did not kill them the thrust of the centurions sword would. Death was unavoidable.

The other thief began mocking Jesus. Then he turned to desperation. Luke tells us the manner of his plea was not a sincere belief that Jesus could save him but a frantic plea to save himself – even blaspheming the Lord. Defiant to death the thief was looking for a way of salvation for only himself. He did not care about the other thief, the man in the middle, those pitiful people watching him or the hatred Romans that convicted him of robbery. If he could affect an escape he would use any means to do so. One could assume (and not likely) that if it were possible the thief could somehow get away he would continue in his crimes. His heart as he faced death was just as defiant as it was before. There was no change in him. His predicament did not move him to have sympathy for anyone but himself. When he pleads for the Lord to save Himself he was hoping that he would be saved escaping to continue his wickedness. One thief died with the promise of Paradise and the other thief died cursing the Lord he would meet in judgment.

Imagine his regret when (like the rich man and Lazarus) he lifted up his eyes in torment and saw Jesus of Nazareth in the bosom of Abraham. There was no water to bring. There was no hope. He saw the other thief securely held in the place of Paradise and he was in torment. He lived and died cursing God. Now he was lost. Crucified next to him was the only hope he had and he could only blaspheme Him. With his dying breath, he was looking for the wrong kind of salvation. One thief was saved and one thief was damned.

The image of Jesus crucified between two men represents the hearts of all men. On the one hand, there are those who are changed by the life of Jesus and find peace in the promise of salvation. The other side of the cross of Jesus hung the man who embodies the spirit of most people in the world. Jesus had warned in the sermon on the mountain that most people will be lost; only few will be saved. Jesus Christ stands between those who will see His glory and find peace when they follow the words of the Lord, and the people that will deny God on their deathbeds cursing him to damnation. The majority of folk who walk upon the face of the earth die with no hope of salvation. How tragic.

God is not willing that anyone should perish but like the thief on the cross, most men deny the only means of salvation. The thief had the answer right next to him and cursed Him. Today the word of God is revealed in the Bible and men will curse the Bible as a book of myths and fairy tales. How surprised they will be in torment when they learn too late the message of hope was contained in that book about Jesus Christ. There is only one way to the Father and that one way is the Lord Jesus Christ. The question is this: which thief are you? Will you believe that Jesus is Lord and serve Him? Will you live seeking your own salvation and be lost? The choice is up to you.

One of the confusions of the damned will be that they will be condemned by their own reason, which they now use to condemn Christianity. (Blaise Pascal, Pensees, 1670)

He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. (John 15:23-24)

Most People Hate God

Hate is a strong word. It offends some. Many would reject the use of the word as inflammatory. Jesus used the word often. He told the eleven as they made their way to Gethsemane that when men reject Him they reject God. If a man hates Jesus he hates God. This would become clear in a matter of hours as a mob arrested, shackled and drug Jesus to His death on a cross. God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son but man hated God so much they killed His Son. Rejecting the teaching of Jesus is rejecting the Father. To hate one is to hate the other.

The condemnation of man was rejecting the power of God seen through the life of Jesus. They had seen His glory by healing, casting out demons, miracles and raising the dead but still hated Him so much through envy the Savior of man was nailed to a cross. Everything they needed to believe was rejected. The heart was filled with hatred. When they killed Jesus they declared boldly their own hatred for the Father. It was not until Pentecost that three thousand devout believers realized their sin and begged forgiveness. God’s love was stronger than man’s hatred. Washed in water the first saints realized the love of the Father’s forgiveness.

The paradox of yesterday remains strong today. Many men profess to love God but in reality, they hate God. Jesus had said earlier that if a man loved the Lord he would keep the commandments of the Lord. The Jews rejected Jesus and because of their hatred for Him rejected His power and love. When modern men devise new plans for salvation, teach doctrines not found in the Holy word of God, build churches exalting the glory of man instead of God creating their own form of religion – they hate Jesus Christ. The teaching of the Lord was narrow-minded. He did not accept every form of teaching. His only truth was the truth of His Father. If Jesus were walking on the earth today the religious world would be reeling from the teachings of the Lord condemning their false doctrines. Man-made religion hates God because they create their own laws.

Keeping the commandments of the Lord exalts the one church built by the one Lord established on the one faith. The Bible is the sole foundation for authority and without it men hate Jesus and hate God. Loving God has always meant to keep His commandments. Being religious does not prove love. Following the word of God alone is love. If Jesus Christ is not Lord in word, deed and thought then we hate Him. When we hate the Lord – we hate the Father. Salvation comes from the love of the Father. Accepting the one truth of that salvation is how we show our love for Him. Do you hate the Lord? Examine your life and you will find the answer.

God’s word is not obsolete; it is absolute. (Vance Havner; 1901-1988)

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O Lord God. What more can David say to You for the honor of Your servant? For You know Your servant. O Lord, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people — to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, Lord, have become their God. And now, O Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said. So let it be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray before You. And now, Lord, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever.” (1 Chronicles 17:16-27)

David’s Answer To The Lord

It is not easy to be told your idea is not a good one; especially when your idea was to build a house for the Lord and the prophet agreed with you. David and Nathan had decided that it was the will of God for a house to be built for the glory of the Lord and began to make plans to carry out their noble mission. Before it could begin though the Lord came to Nathan and told him the plan would not be permitted. A house would be built for the Lord but it would be done by someone else besides David. Great plans for the glory of God are great plans. What David wanted to do was a very noble and inspiring idea. The king lived in a house of cedar yet the ark of the Lord was dwelling in a tent? This should not be. But neither was the plan of David.

What makes this a great story is how the king reacted to being told he could not build a house for the Lord. He did not argue, he did not pout and he did not go ahead with his plan. The statement of David should be read often. Listen to the tone of this humble servant of the Lord when He says, “Who am I, O Lord God?” What greatness David exhibits. The power of a contrite heart to obey the will of the Father shines forth in the praise from David’s lips. He exalts the name of God by declaring there is none like his God. The people of God are the greatest people in all the earth. He is only a servant to obey the wishes of his heavenly Father. The Lord makes promises to David that will not be fulfilled in his lifetime. God’s house will be built by another and the king declares the word of God establishes truth.

The remaining part of David’s life is spent in preparing the materials, labor and divisions for the building of the Temple. Read again our text for the day and drink deeply from the spirit of a man of God expressing his simple delight in doing the will of the Father. We would do well to seek after the example of David with such a beautiful spirit and love for God. Too many times, we want to argue with God. We do not trust the Lord enough. Life is about what we want and desire instead of what the Father has patterned for our lives. Trusting in the Lord is allowing His word and His word alone to be our path. David had a wonderful idea but it was not the will of God. The reaction of the king is what makes this a great story. Thank you David for your witness of faith. Let all of us strive to model our life in the fashion of the sweet psalmist of Israel and trust in the will of the Lord.

Faith will not always get for us what we want, but it will get what God wants us to have. (Vance Havner; 1901-1988)

And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, “The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil.” Therefore their goods shall become booty, and their houses a desolation; they shall build houses, but not inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards, but not drink their wine. The great day of the Lord is near; it is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the Lord is bitter; there the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers. I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like refuse. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, or He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land. (Zephaniah 1:12-18)

Will The Lord Do Good And Evil?

There is no doubt that God is a wonderful and benevolent Father. His grace exceeds any thought of man and His mercy outlasts all that man can imagine. The goodness of the Lord is evident by the magnificence of His creation. Love permeates every part of His nature. Giving Jesus as a sacrifice for man is the greatest gift man has ever received. Too often men focus on the single character of God’s love without knowing the fierce jealousy of His wrath upon the disobedient.

A study of the prophets is a valuable tool to look deeply into the mind of God. Neglected by many as hard to understand, the books of the prophets yield a bountiful crop of the goodness and severity of the Lord God. Zephaniah is a prophet that fills the pages with the grace of God but only tempered by the reality of how the Lord will bring judgment against a rebellious people steeped in idolatry. He warns the people to be silent in the presence of the Lord for the day of judgment is at hand. Disobedience will be punished. Complacency will be rewarded with punishment.

There are many who do not believe the Lord will do anything severe. Satan has always convinced people that God is real but He is such a loving God He would never punish them. Zephaniah shows this to be false. Jesus came into the world to save man but most men reject the severity of God. Everyone believes in Heaven and very few believe in Hell. It seems contrary to man’s wisdom that a great and powerful God would punish anyone with eternal punishment. Jesus taught there was a place of eternal torment. The prophets establish God’s character as being one of severity. He will bring judgment to a rebellious people.

The day of the Lord’s wrath will come by the fire of His jealousy. Salvation will come to those who love the Lord and obey His commands. Heaven is a place prepared for a prepared people. Hell is a place prepared for those who deny the severity of the Lord and who fail to prepare themselves for the judgment. The faithful remnant will be saved. The goodness and severity of God is real. Which will you embrace?

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Put On The Whole Armor

It is a war out there. Life is filled with land mines, snipers, aerial attacks, armadas of enemy ships and a military host of evil that is uncountable. The greatest danger is this enemy is unseen, silent and more deadly than any force known to man. Leading this charge is the dragon himself and the accuser: Satan. There is a war going on and since the Garden of Eden, the war rages on over the face of the earth with lives numbering Legion falling prey to the subtle victories of the devil. Nations are destroyed as the evil of Satan permeates the moral fiber of society. Heroes of scripture also fell prey to his devices. Families are torn apart by the vicious putridity of immorality seeping into their hearts. Fiery darts of evil fill the skies as the hosts of wickedness engage in a losing battle of dominance and defiance. There is a war going on but the victory is already assured.

In the final part of Paul’s letter to that great bastion of truth known as the Ephesian church, he reminds the saints of the terrible battle that must be waged each day. The wiles of the devil are powerful with the principalities, powers, world-rulers of darkness, and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places attacking every day. This is a real battle that has been raging since the beginning of time and will continue until the final day of judgement before the throne of God. In the meantime we must fight. We are the victims and we can overcome. The victory has been guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and every man has been given the armor of God to protect them from the savage attacks of the devil. Every part of the armor is designed to deflect the power of Satan repelling his advances so that man can remain safely protected from harm. It is a powerful armor. Whatever Satan throws against it will be defeated. Everything! It protects the waist, the heart, the feet, the head and the whole body. Victory is granted because of this armor. Satan will run in defeat when he sends his army against this armor. The sword of truth will slice through evil like a hot knife through butter.

Forged by the blood of Jesus Christ the armor of God is complete, perfect and enduring. The design is perfect and its function complete. Nothing Satan has will defeat the armor of God – except one thing. The most powerful armor known to man in all of the history of man is useless … if it is never put on! The greatest tragedy of man’s history is to know God has provided protection from the devil and most refuse to put the armor on. Without this armor, death is certain. Among the army of God there are many who believe they are protected because they wear a name. No effort is put forth to wear the armor of God. Sadly, their lives are filled with heartache and sorrow because of sin. To be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might REQUIRES putting on the armor of God to be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.

Before you leave the house today, look in the mirror and see what you are wearing. If it is not the armor of God – you are naked. Go put some clothes on – PUT ON the armor of God!

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. (Psalm 119:9-16)

The Bible And Youth

There are many things our young people face today that work against the spirit of youth and God’s plan for them. This is no different from any other time in history as Satan has sought the hearts of young men and women with the trinkets of pleasure and frivolity. Long ago, the wisdom literature asked the question of how young people can find meaning in life. The answers are still relevant. God’s word still holds the key to helping our youth find direction in a world gone far away from believing in the one true God.

The word of God is the foundation of knowledge. No academic studies of man will give our youth the complete answers to life. Taking heed to the word of God will. Parents concern themselves with making certain their children succeed in school, graduate with top honors, find good jobs and make life as promising as possible; all the while failing to instill in the hearts of their children the teaching of the Bible. Education is important in life but sadly all that we attain in life will disappear in death. Of greater value is what is learned for the soul after death. The word of God is the only hope to answer questions of eternity.

Young people must learn early to seek God with their whole heart. The commandments of the Lord should be a daily part of their lives. Learning the stories of old and the truths of God’s grace and mercy must sink deep into the hearts of our children. There are many pitfalls in the time of youth. Knowing, believing and living from the word of God will guard the hearts of our children so they will not grow up with heartache and regret. Nothing will prepare them more for life than the knowledge of God. Young people who follow the word of God will live happier lives. Meditating on the precepts of the will of God and considering the ways of the Lord will keep them from harmful activities. Purity will bring greater happiness than pleasures.

Four things are needed for a young man to cleanse his way: (1) Meditate; (2) Contemplate; (3) Delight; and (4) Not forget. Spend time thinking about the things God has to say. In a world where book reading is a lost art young people should be students of the Bible. Read the book! Contemplating the message of the Bible is ordering life with the pattern of God’s word. Young men and women are blessed when they fill their lives with the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Delighting in the statutes of the Lord is understanding the need of commandment keeping. Obedience brings happiness. The law of God guides and protects. Living by the laws of God will give youth a joyful time. Finally, do not forget the word of God. Learning calculus in school may not help you in life but learning the word of God will always give the answers to life. When youth grows to old age the word of the Lord will still be fresh and exciting. Living by the word of the Lord will help a young man and young man cleanse their ways. Thank God for righteous young people.

A man has found himself when he has found his relation to the rest of the universe, and here is the Book in which those relations are set forth. (Woodrow Wilson, Speech, May 7, 1911)