The Heaton File

Sunday Morning Starters – Our Father In Heaven

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (Ephesians 3:14-15)

No Family Like It

The family of God is the most wonderful family on earth. It has a remarkable makeup that is beyond explanation yet it is a blessing that is open to everyone on earth. There are requirements to be part of this family. The relationship is exclusive because of one individual. This is a family of love, a union of joy and a bond that goes beyond time. Found in the family of God is everything man needs, all he seeks and anything worth living for. Nothing can equal it. It creates a world of harmony breaking down nationalities, crossing language barriers and changing enemies into brothers. There is no family like it.

The Father. At the head of the family is the Creator of the world. God Almighty, maker of the world in whose hand the span of the universe lay within His grasp, is a loving Father caring for His children. He is the mightiest of the mighty and nothing is greater than He. In the vast expanse of a universe that puts man on a scale of atomic insignificance our Father knows everything about us. No matter there are six billion people on earth He knows my name, He knows my problems and He cares about every part of my life. His knowledge is perfect of me. There is never a time He does not hear me. He is never too busy, too far or preoccupied that He will listen to all my fears or share in my joys. While our Father is a loving and kind Father He also disciplines. His hand of punishment will come upon me when I disobey because He loves me. That is how He shows His love. Obedience is what the Father desires because He knows what is best in every way. There is no family like this family.

The Son. John the gospel writer mentioned in the closing of his book that if the sky were a parchment it could not contain everything to be written about Jesus Christ. As the song says that even if the oceans were filled with ink to inscribe the story of the Son of God they would run dry before the story is told. The Father loved His family so much He willingly gave His Son to die for the sins of all the world. Jesus left the ivory palaces of glory to come to earth and die a miserable death so that the family of His Father could leave earth and live a marvelous life. The Christ is a powerful story of the Father’s love. His teachings are profound, His life perfection and His sacrifice a moving testimony to the love in the family of the Father. In the family of God Jesus is the older brother who left His footprints of love for His brethren to follow. His inheritance is the inheritance of the family of God. The family of God wear the name of God’s Son. There is no family like this family.

The Children. Long before time began on earth the Father had a plan. The nucleus of God’s scheme was to redeem man to be His special people for His glory. As the history of man unfolded there were great disappointments as God’s creation refused to share in the family of redemption. The day came when God sent His only begotten Son to die for the darkness that invaded man’s soul. When the Light of the world came from the grave on that resurrection morning a new family was given to man where redemption would be found. Saved in Christ the children of God would begin a long procession of saints that have marched the corridors of time sharing in the blessing of being part of the family of God. The whole family in heaven and earth is named for the Son of God. We share in a bond that is like nothing the world can understand. The first day of the week is a time when hearts are brought together in a union of love as the family of God. We share in that sacrifice, we join our hearts in love for one another and we honor our common Father who loves each one of us in a very special way. There is no family on earth like this one.

The Father. The Son. The children. Family.

We can never call one another “brother” until we have learned to call God “Father.” (Fulton J. Sheen, Religion Without God, 1928)

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him. Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died. (Numbers 15:32-36)

The Charge Is Stick Picking Up

When the people of Israel were in the wilderness a remarkable story took place. A man was brought before Moses charged with a serious crime. It was not murder, adultery or stealing. As a matter of fact it was not anything on its surface that was immoral act. Moses saw the group coming towards him with a man in tow. He must have wondered what the man had done to deserve this treatment. As the crowd brought forth the man Moses and Aaron learned he was guilty of picking up sticks. But the remarkable charge against him was that he picked up sticks on the Sabbath day. For the people of Israel this was new territory. They did not know what to do. It seems Moses was unsure. The Lord comes to Moses and tells him he must keep the law as ordained earlier and explained to the people. God had previously told the people through Moses that work was be done on six days but no work would be done on the seventh day. This included building a fire on the Sabbath day. Anyone who built a fire or worked on the seventh day would be put to death.

It seems the people along with Moses and Aaron were not ignorant of the law; it seems they were unsure whether to put a man to death for picking up sticks. The crime of sticking-picking-up did not measure up the obvious penalty for murder or adultery. They found a man doing what everyone did every day. There was sympathy for the man. But the word came clear from the Lord that ALL the congregation would have to stone the man with stones outside the camp. The crowd came to the man and explained the sentence. He no doubt pleaded for mercy screaming for someone to save his life. As the congregation dragged the man outside the camp he fell down in their midst begging for them to spare him. Someone threw the first stone. Then another. And another. Finally after a barrage of stones the man lay dead. The crowd stood silent. Many wept. Eyes were filled with horror. They walked away. Someone buried the man in the wilderness. The mood of the people was very somber. They had just executed a man for picking up sticks. But there was something more. It was because he did so on the Sabbath day.

Stories like this should have stayed in the minds of the people forever. How could they continue to be so rebellious towards God? What they learned in the execution of this man was that God’s word is sacred, it is Holy and it must be obeyed. The history of the children of Israel is how often they forgot the man who picked up sticks. There is penalty for disobeying the Lord. He could have had a thousand reasons for picking up sticks but he refused to humble himself and trust God. He suffered the penalty.

The majority of people today are like the man who picked up sticks. They are good people who have been lulled into the belief that it does not matter what one believes. It is okay to live in a manner that seems right before the eyes of the world. God has a different view. The man who picked up sticks on the Sabbath day did not change the law of God. Attitudes of people today will not change the law of God. What the Lord has inscribed upon the tablets of His will remain unchanged. Keep some sticks handy to remind you of the law of God. This is a great story.

If God lived on earth, people would break His windows. (Proverb)

Friday Morning Reflections – The Prophets

 The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 3:6-10)

What Judah Saw She Did Not Learn

These were dark days for the children of Abraham. Jeremiah the prophet is declaring how the Lord has brought judgment upon His people. Following the death of Solomon the nation of Israel divided between the northern tribes called Israel and the southern tribes called Judah. No king that ruled in the northern tribes followed the Lord. A few of the kings of Judah walked in the ways of David the king but most were wicked. God’s judgment upon Israel was destruction by the hand of the Assyrian empire. This nation was a severe and cruel army as they slaughtered the people destroying their cities one by one. For the most part the Lord protected Judah from the Assyrians. Jeremiah is appealing to the final remnants of God’s people to turn away from their idolatrous rebellion and turn back to Jehovah God. One part of that appeal was for Judah to see what happened to Israel and learn from her mistakes. Judah did not take heed.

It seems incredulous that Judah would stand by and not take notice of what was happening to her sister tribes. The tragedy of civil war is how each side dismisses the other in regard to the devastation endured by war. Judah was very fearful of the Assyrians as reports of the cities being destroyed came to their ears. Families were impacted by the news of relatives slaughtered in battle. They did not know God would withhold the Assyrians from the southern tribes. The prophets pleaded with the people to see what happened to Israel and learn from her mistakes. Judah did not. Eventually Judah would fall by the hand of the Babylonians for similar reasons Israel was destroyed. In God’s providence a remnant would return from the southern tribes seventy years later.

The message of Jeremiah was imploring the people to look how God dealt with the northern tribes and to learn that God will do the same thing to them if they rebel. How often has the Lord left an example of His severity and yet man pretends it will not happen to him. The Bible is filled with stories of what God thinks about disobedience. A statement is made in the Garden of Eden that God means what He says. The flood is a testimony that sin will not be endured. Rebellion by the people of God was met with severe punishment. The wilderness was filled with the carcasses of those who disbelieved in the word of the Lord. He brought the nations of Assyria and Babylon upon His own special people because they refused to repent.

When we read the Bible we must impressed with the examples of God’s judgment. He is clear, demonstrative and unchanging. Satan lulls man into believing that what happened to that person will not happen to me. “God would not do such a thing to me” is what we believe. Like Judah of old who watched her sister Israel suffer total annihilation the belief is God will not punish us. They were wrong. We are wrong. The Lord is same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is unchanging. The scriptures are written for our learning. What we find in this grand book is the message of salvation which is unchanging. But the message is just as clear that how God views sin has not changed. Modern theology will not change the mind of God. Social acceptance does not change the leopard’s spots.

Judah saw what happened to Israel; she did not fear and did not turn to the Lord with her whole heart. The day came when God brought judgment upon His own people. Reading the Bible we can see what happens to rebellion against the Lord. Will we learn?

It was not for punishment that He formed us, but to share His goodness, inasmuch as He is a good God. But inasmuch as He is a just God, His will is that sinners should suffer punishment. (John Damascene; 700?-754? Exposition of the Orthodox Faith)

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – New Testament Epistles

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. (James 3:1-12)

Small But Ferocious

The human body is a marvel of God’s creation. Every part of the fleshly temple is an integral concert of beauty and function. James uses the body to show the danger that lurks within the smallest of bodily design. The tongue (compared to the rest of the body) is so small but from this lesser sized part comes so many problems. Like the rudder in a large ship or the bit in a horse’s mouth the tongue rules the character of a man. While so many organs of the body are essential for life the tongue is the one thing that defines the kind of person we are. Without the heart or brain man cannot live but the tongue is what gets us into more trouble than anything. With it we will bless God and then curse men. Jesus reminds us we will be judged by our words.

Words are powerful. They can be used to help, admonish, teach and encourage. This same instrument can start wars, ruin friendships, spew forth hatred and bring misery. Someone suggested the reason God created two ears and one mouth was to teach us to listen more than we speak. There is truth in knowing the difference. God created the little tongue for a greater purpose. Untapped within the reservoir of our mind is the ability to use the tongue as an instrument of goodness. The challenge is realizing the opportunities to use the tongue as a means of blessing.

A trip to doctor usually involves an examination. One of the first things the doctor may say is to open the mouth so he can see the tongue. We should take the time to examine our speech each day to see what kind of people we are. Look into the heart and see what the tongue is saying. Jesus taught His disciples that what comes from the mouth is what is found in the heart. A good heart will bring forth good things but an evil heart will bring forth evil. James illustrates our lives by a spring that brings forth either fresh water or bitter. The heart that is filled with kindness will bring forth kind words. Putting God in the heart will bring Him forth in our speech.

The tongue is small but it is unruly.  We should work diligently to control what we say and how we say what we say. Our motive should always seek to say those things that glorify God. A thoughtful approach to our speech will often save us the misery of trying to repair the damage inflicted by an unguarded tongue. In those times of the uncharacteristic bursts of talking before thinking – repent. The power of the tongue is saying you are sorry and asking forgiveness. A sincere heart of pleading to forgive the untamed remark will show the righteous character of a godly tongue. There is so much good to be done with the small member. Let us use each day to glorify God with our speech.

The Bible has a lot to say about our mouths, our lips, our tongues, for our speech betrays us. What is down in the well will come up in the bucket. (Vance Havner, 1901-1986)

Wednesday Morning Meditation – Psalms & Wisdom Literature

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God? There they are in great fear where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; You have put them to shame, because God has despised them. Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. (To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath.” A Contemplation of David. Psalm 53)

Try God

Bumper stickers can say a lot in few words. The back of the van had a small sticker that simply read, “Try God.” There seems to be an appeal to draw a person to seek the Lord for the answers to life but the petition was faulty. It does suggest a need to turn to God for help but limits the response to something one should try without committing. Buying a new car involves trying different models to find one that suits the needs and desires of the owner. Trying out new foods is experimental rejecting tastes that are displeasing. Going to the store to try on clothes is shopping for a bargain. God cannot be bought like a car or tried as an experiment. When someone tries God like shopping for clothes they will never find anything that will fit because the Lord is so great and we are so small.

The truth of it is the way that most people approach God is to try Him first and then decide. God is not someone who asks man to try Him. There is only one choice. There is only one way. There is only one hope. Anything less than full commitment denies the existence of God. Jesus did not suggest for man to come to Him and take Him for a test drive. Salvation is not a choice man has based upon the whims of man’s carnal desires. When the Lord gave commands to Israel at Mt. Sinai He began with the no choice clause: there will be no other Gods – period. Throughout the Law of Moses God affirmed His presence by telling the people the reason for their obedience was because HE WAS THE LORD! He declares the same today. He is still Lord.

The little bumper sticker does define a generation. Trying God becomes a way in which man molds God into his own image. The Lord has been changed to appeal to the masses like a tooth-paste commercial. “Try God” is when modern religion dresses the Holy God in garbs of worldliness, entertainment, philosophy and fleshly appeal. There are many religious today but few are following the real God of scripture. Man has made God into his own totem where God looks like the tickled ears of man’s creation. The fool can deny God by recreating the image of the Father into the image of the creation.

Try God and you will fail. Obey God and you will be saved. There is no choice.

We have lost the sense of God in the nation, in the churches, in our lives. The biggest business of the hour is to draw nigh to God that He may draw nigh to us. His presence with us is too often an assumption in our heads instead of an awareness in our hearts. (Vance Havner, 1901-1986)

Tuesday Morning Early Start – Important Doctrines

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. (Mark 16:14-20)

The Plan To Be Saved Is Still The Plan

Jesus has risen from the dead. He has appeared to a few but the testimony of these few is received with skepticism. The unbelief and hardness of heart of the eleven apostles is surprising. They had been with Jesus and heard him speak often of His death and His resurrection. Witnessing the cruel death on a cross they had decided all had come to naught. The forty days Jesus spent with the disciples affirmed the belief He was the Son of God and they would start a revolution on the Day of Pentecost that is still being felt today in the hearts of men. However, the skepticism of the early disciples still plagues men in accepting the teaching of Jesus Christ.

The disciples are told to go into the world and preach. Their message was of salvation. Without the blood of Jesus Christ there could be no hope. At Pentecost the focus of the message was the sacrifice of Jesus. Preaching the gospel of Christ is preaching the plan of salvation. While we do not have the complete revelation of all the Lord spoke to the disciples during that forty day period the gospel writer Mark declares in simple terms the message of what that salvation would be. It begins with preaching the gospel. This message must be taught to every person under heaven. Reading the book of Acts the student will find this is exactly what the early disciples did. They went everywhere. They taught everyone. The apostle Paul would later declare within forty years the message was preached to every creature under heaven.

In the first century the message of salvation was simple and direct. When a person believed the gospel and was baptized for the remission of sins they would be saved. If a person did not believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ they would be lost. Why? Preaching the gospel is telling the story about God’s love. Disbelief in the love of God will cause a person to turn away and do nothing. They are not interested in truth. Their hearts are filled with disbelief. Hardened by the deceitfulness of sin they walk away. Condemnation will be their reward. Belief has a different effect on people. When they hear the love of God they want to do something about their sin. On the day of Pentecost Peter told the crowd exactly what Jesus told him to say. “Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins.” They believed and were baptized (3,000 to be exact). These folk were saved because they obeyed.

Jesus told His disciples to preach the word and they would confirm the word by miraculous power through the signs. This is exactly what they did. Mark tells us they went everywhere preaching the word and the Lord confirmed the word with accompanying signs. Luke shows this to be true in the book of Acts. Today there are no miracles. The need for miracles ceased in the first century as the word of God was confirmed by the written word. God’s plan for saving man has not changed. The message remains the same.

There are many today (sadly the majority) who disbelieve that salvation is found in baptism. Mark writes the plan of salvation in simple terms. Hearing the word of God, believing the word of God and salvation in baptism is exactly what Jesus said. Suggesting the baptism is not salvation does not change the words of the Holy Spirit. Satan has done well to convince men in salvation by faith only. He believes and knows Jesus is the Son of God yet he is damned. Faith is a key ingredient to salvation but not alone. Without the waters of baptism the blood of Jesus Christ will not remove sin. He that believes in the word of God and obeys in the waters of baptism will find salvation. When a person hears the plan of salvation and refuses to be baptized for the remission of sins they will be lost. That is what the Lord said.

You who believe what you like of the gospels and believe not what you like, believe yourselves rather than the gospel. (Augustine, Contra Faustum Manichaeum, 400)

Monday Morning Coffee Break – Life With Jesus

Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, “These things which you see–the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” (Luke 21:5-6)

The End Of The Temples

The Temple in Jerusalem must have been a spectacular thing to see gleaming atop Mount Zion as you approached the city. Jesus had seen the beauty of Solomon’s temple and walking in the portico’s of Herod’s temple the disciples boasted of its splendor. Being a master teacher the Lord used the moment to teach a valuable lesson about what men see and what God sees.

Looking at the Temple from man’s viewpoint they admired the architecture that had taken forty-six years to build. Expert masons had carved the marble and stone into a work of art. Beautiful stones gleamed in the sun as the people revered the holy place of the Lord. The Temple was a great comfort for the Jews as the oppression of multiple empires enslaved them. It was a symbol of their hope the days of glory under David and Solomon would return. Sadly their trust was misplaced in the expectation the Temple would always be there.

Jesus saw a different picture. He could see the beauty of the Temple in its ornate tapestry of mortar and stone. The Lord was not suggesting the place of worship was not a thing of beauty but He saw beyond the glistening jewels to a day when the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed and the Temple demolished. His word came to pass in the year 70 A.D. when the Roman general Titus laid siege to the city and destroyed it. Today the Temple is not to be found. It will never be rebuilt. The word of the Lord came to pass.

There are two temples that man adores today that will go the way of the Jerusalem temple. The beauty of the world surpasses anything man can build. Nothing in the architecture of man can match the magnificence of God’s creation. The heavens above proclaim His name. The majesty of the mountains, plains and seas declare the glory of God. Earth is a living wonder of the powerful hand of a master Creator. We can look upon all its beauty and know that one day it will all come to an end. It is easy to become enraptured with the feeling that life is about this third rock from the sun. The one who created it has also told us He will destroy it. Not one stone will be left on top of one another.

Another temple that men worship is the fleshly body. It is a temple that declares the glory of its maker. The body is a wonderful creation that is marvelous in its function. Thousands of dollars are spent to care for the body, make the body beautiful and retain youth as long as possible. But like the temple of this world it too is fading into destruction. No matter how hard we try to extend life it will come to an end. Death is certain. Life is but a short vale of mist and then it goes away.

Jesus’ words should remind us the grandeur of the Temple was temporary. This world is doomed to destruction and the fleshly body is fading away. Hope is not in this life. Hope is in the life to come. God has given us the testimony of these temples to show the glory not of this life but the precious hope of a life eternal. The temple of God in the heavenly will never be destroyed. There will be no need of light. God will be that light. It will be a wonderful place of beauty because it is everlasting.

To rest in God eternally is the supreme joy of Heaven. Indeed, Heaven has no meaning but that. (Bede Jarrett, Meditations for Layfolk, 1915)

Sunday Morning Starters – Our Father In Heaven

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?” And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.” Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. (Exodus 1:15-21)

Two Women Of Courage

Shiphrah and Puah are two unknown heroes of scripture. As the story of the Hebrew exodus unfolds it begins with a horrible decree by the most powerful ruler on earth. The Egyptian Pharaoh orders Shiphrah and Puah, Hebrew midwives, to kill all the Hebrew boys that were to be born. The descendants of Abraham have multiplied to numbers so large there is concern if something is not done the country will be overwhelmed by these foreigners. A solution was put in place to keep in check the rise of the Hebrew slaves. Infanticide was made legal by order of Pharaoh and to deny his will would mean certain death to the women. What Pharaoh had not realized was the faith of these two women would set in motion events that would bring about the downfall of the nation of Egypt.

Leaving the place of Pharaoh Shiphrah and Puah had a decision to make. If they denied the kings command they would be killed. Their fears were not so much about what Pharaoh would do but rather how God would deal with them. Courage filled their hearts as they decided to deny the king’s command. When the midwives began to serve the birth of the Hebrews they did not kill any babies but rather preserved them. Hearing the news Pharaoh ordered the midwives to his court. Demanding a reason for his command not being followed the women suggest the Hebrew women are so lively they cannot stop the birth in time. Pharaoh then directs every Egyptian citizen if they hear of a Hebrew male child being born they are to throw the baby into the Nile river. The faith of Shiphrah and Puah preserve them.

There was great faith in standing against Pharaoh in the beginning. Greater faith was found in the action of the women when a baby born was born not to destroy them. And then a much larger faith came when called to the court of Pharaoh the women trusted in the Lord to deliver them. As a reward for their faithfulness God dealt kindly with the women providing households for them.

In all the generations of godly people heroes arise who are the common people of faith. The only mention of Shiphrah and Puah is found in our text yet because of their faith a great story of courage is preserved for thousands of years. They were simple women. No fanfare. Nothing to make them stand out except they were women serving the people in that age old profession of midwives. We need women like Shiphrah and Puah to stand for the Lord today. Simple women who show their faith by their courage. To deny the command of Pharaoh was no small matter. Today we need women who will take stands of courage to follow the will of God and deny the influence of a world filled with sin. Women who will dress themselves modestly in clothing showing Christ in their lives. Young ladies who will refuse to fall prey to the sexual perversion of worldly lusts. Christian wives who submit to the oversight of their husbands as the church to Christ. Mothers who instill the love of God in their children instead of the love of the world. Grandmothers who lead and teach younger women to love their husbands, guide the family and build a home of courageous living.

Shiphrah and Puah found their reward in trusting God the Father. Women of faith. Women of action. Two of God’s saints who denied the most powerful man on the earth because they feared the One who was greater.

To stand held only by the invisible chains of higher duty, and, so standing, to let the fire creep up to the heart – that is truer heroism. (Phillips Brooks; 1835-1893, Perennials from)

Friday Morning Reflections – The Prophets

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:2-4)

A New Day

A new year brings a new day. Hope springs from the desire to make the coming year a time of change. There is a yearning to have better things in the coming year with a sense of happiness and security. A new day brings so many new opportunities. The heart is filled with anticipation. Great expectations lay before the threshold. There was a day long ago when this same feeling of expectancy sounded forth from the hills of Judah. A great day was coming and what a great day that was going to be.

Isaiah was a noble prophet. Walking among the political halls of Judah and Jerusalem he sternly warned the nation of impending doom if they did not repent. His plea was for the house of Jacob to see the old paths of walking in the light of the Lord. Like his contemporary prophets Micah, Hosea and Amos his message was the expression of God’s goodness and severity. Early in his message Isaiah declares a new day coming that would describe the full mercy and grace of the Lord.

The Lord’s house would be established in Zion unlike anything the Hebrew people could have ever imagined. Looking far into the future the prophet speaks of a new day when all nations Jews and Gentiles alike would come to worship the great I AM. There would be a spirit of seeking as hearts were drawn to God’s house to worship Him. The will of the people would be longing for the teaching of God’s ways. A willingness to obey the Lord would be found in those who walked according to the path of righteousness. The Law of God would burst forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. People would change. This new day would create a world where the spirits of men would be joined together in peaceful harmony of holiness.

On Pentecost nearly two months after Jesus was crucified a new day began. Twelve men stood before a crowd of devout servants of God and delivered a new message. The time of refreshing had come to the world as the new year of salvation had begun in the city of Jerusalem declaring a risen Savior. This new message changed the lives of three thousands souls. A new day dawned. Isaiah had proclaimed generations before the house of the Lord would be established. As the church of Christ today we stand in the fulfillment of the promised new day. We are living in that age. Our hopes are built upon the promise of that new day begun so long ago. The promise is found in a better sacrifice, a better promise, a better priesthood and the blood of Jesus Christ.

A new day. Thank God for this new day. Isaiah promised through his writings how the hearts of men would change from hatred to love. We are living in that time and our task this new year is to show forth this message begun on the top of the mountains and declared to all the world. Let us spend this new year sharing the law that went forth from Zion and the word of the Lord that shone from Jerusalem. Show men how to turn their hearts from swords to plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Peace can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – New Testament Epistles

The Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 1:1-4)

How To Have A Prosperous Year

John had many things he wanted to write to Gaius and to the brethren. He chose rather to send a quick note and then plan to see them shortly face to face. Contained with the short prose less than three hundred words the apostle outlines a powerful message of encouragement. As the year begins to fade to history and the resolutions of a brighter year appear John offers three plans for success for the child of God.

EXERCISE THE SOUL. John expresses love for Gaius that he would be find prosperity in life. This is a common desire for all men and for the Christian it comes from the blessings of a benevolent Father. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for their daily bread. A prosperous year includes the bounty of physical blessings. Far more reaching than the gifts in this world John desires for Gaius to prosper in his soul. All the blessings of this world will fade and pass away. The exercise of the soul is eternal. Like the body which needs the nutrients to give good health, the inner man needs a daily dose of spiritual vitamins to maintain a good spiritual body. If breakfast is the most important meal of the day a fresh start of heavenly manna in the morning will make the day go better. Exercise the soul throughout the day with prayer, meditation of the word and glorify God. Let each day be a time of soul searching, soul feeding, and quality exercise of the inner man in Jesus Christ.

LIVE FOR TRUTH. This is the practical application of exercising the soul. The brethren had spoken of the truth that was in Gaius. His example was one of faith. What a wonderful thing to say about another person. One could only wish to know more about the life of Gaius causing others to speak so highly of him. The litmus test is what others say about our lives. When our name is included in a conversation, what do they say about us? Our life must be the image of God. Looking like the Father is bearing the image of His Son. Our attitudes reflect the kind of person we are. As this new year unfolds resolve to live each day with the light of God. Live for truth every day. Faith comes from hearing the word of God. Living for truth grows from the meditation of God’s word. Pray that when a testimony is given of our character they speak of our faith.

WALK IN TRUTH. Living for the truth is a manner of conduct others see in us. They know by the way we talk we live for Christ. Our speech seasoned with salt will show others that Christ lives in us. The kind of clothing we wear (or lack thereof) tells people where our heart is. Walking in truth is a daily activity of showing others the love of God. There is no greater joy than to hear of Christians who walk in truth. This is a habitual pattern of life. A new year is an opportunity to resolve that good habits of Bible study, prayer, encouragement of others be a pattern of life. Walk the walk of righteousness. Walk in truth.

A three point plan: exercise the soul, live for truth and walk in truth. When the new year draws to a close you will be amazed at the growth in your life. So will others!

A good example is the best sermon. (Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732)