The Heaton File

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” The battle increased that day; and the king was propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians, and died at evening. The blood ran out from the wound onto the floor of the chariot. Then, as the sun was going down, a shout went throughout the army, saying, “Every man to his city, and every man to his own country!” So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken. (1 Kings 22:34-38)

The Unknown Soldier

He is not recorded in history with the prestige of one who slew the enemy king. The Lord knew his name but did not declare it. Yet someone in that vast array of the Syrian army at a place called Ramoth Gilead shot a single arrow at random and the missile found its mark in King Ahab, mortally wounding him. The king of Israel died that evening. So ended the reign of one of the most wicked dynasties among the history of man. Ahab, along with his evil wife Jezebel, “did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). He tried to hide from God but he could not.

The Lord’s will was accomplished by an unknown soldier. He would never know where his arrow landed. He might have died in battle that day himself. The arrow came from his bow but the Lord directed the will of that arrow to punish the king of Israel. Ahab’s death was foretold by the prophet Micaiah and no matter how Ahab tried to hide himself the arrow of the Lord found him.

Jonah tried to run from God – he was found. David thought he got away with adultery – Nathan found him. Ananias and Sapphira thought they pulled a fast one over Peter – their dead bodies were carried away. The Lord’s will cannot be changed no matter how we try. There is a message of fear in this story to know that we cannot escape the unknown soldier of the Lord. But there is another story.

The comfort for God’s people is to know that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God works in my life and what a blessing that is. He lifts nations up and tears them down. Vengeance will be the Lord’s no matter what man does. The peace of God guards our hearts by His wonderful mercy and grace. Thank you God for your love.

His promises are checks to be cashed, not mere mottoes to hang on the wall. (Vance Havner)

Running The Race

The apostle Paul uses many allusions to describe the life of a Christian. We go to war with the armor of God (Ephesians 6). The Corinthians were called an “epistle of Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:3). Writing of the relationship of Christ and the church Paul illustrates the headship of Christ to the bride – the church (Ephesians 5). Paul’s final benediction describes his life as a disciple as a “fight”, a “race” and keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). It is to the race he speaks that we find lessons on our journey as people of God.

Corinth was one of the four areas of Greece where athletic games were held.  There were in Greece four species of games, the Pythian, or Delphic; the Isthmian, or Corinthian; the Nemean, and the Olympic. When Paul wrote his first letter to Corinth he illustrated the need for them to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of others much as the athletes did to compete in the Isthmian.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). This is a vivid image of the life of a Christian.

We run for a crown. Jesus had a crown of thorns placed on His head so that we can receive a crown of life. Our crown is imperishable and is called the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). James and Peter also describe the crown received by those who run with patience the race of righteousness (James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4). Jesus assured the saints of Smyrna that if they endured He would give them a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” He tells the church at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:11).

People often ask the meaning of life. For the child of God it is to obtain the crown promised by the Father. Running the race is not to get something that is perishable but life is about embracing eternal life that does not fade away – ever. Awards and trophies obtained here rust and become distant memories. What we receive from God does not. This should make our challenges in life seem but a vapor. If we know that all we seek in this life is but a brief span of time vanishing away then it will help us face the dread of disease, darkness of death and trouble of life.

The unique character of this race is the certainty of it. Alluding again to the athletes who compete in the boxing sports, Paul says we are not beating the air. We are fighting a real battle. We win. The promises are sure. He disciplines his body as an example to others. But run he does and he ran until death took him to see his Lord. What a powerful image of the Christian life.

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Five Points

In our packaged world of wrapped plastic we like our chicken cut up for us, salads premixed, drinks bound together and rice in a box. The idea is that we like easy things. There are some easy things in the Bible that give a few bullets to consider and help us become better disciples for Christ. Paul concludes his first letter to Corinth with a short exhortation for a group of disciples that were filled with a lot of confusion. The Corinthian church was a mess. Regardless of their failings they were still the church of God and the church of God at Corinth needed some things to help build them up. Check out the five points of our text.

1. Be watchful – We must be aware of the challenges we face and how to overcome them. Be people of awareness for sin but also be aware of those who need us. Being watchful is to be careful of the wiles of devil. Stay awake. Be on alert. Look for opportunities to help a brother or sister today. Don’t neglect a moment today when you can share your love for Christ.
2. Stand firm in the faith – Be assured of your salvation. When you go to work today resolve to be a person of faith. Do not let your schoolmates see a wavering in your moral character today. As you are about in the community let others see the resolve of truthfulness in your actions. Today is a day of faith.
3. Act like men – It takes courage to face some days. On this fifth day of the week remember the commitment you made on the Lord’s day to serve the crucified Christ. The purpose of fellowship on the first day of the week is to know that others will have the same courage as you to stand firm in the faith – today. Be brave. God is with you and what else do you need.
4. Be strong – Here is where the action comes in. Strength of character is found when character is strengthened by showing faith in our lives today. Do not be afraid to use God’s name for glory today. Shine as husbands and wives who share the love of God in their family life. Be people of purpose today to show our strength lies in the merciful God we love.
5. Let all that you do be done in love – Notice Paul says that everything we do is to be motivated by love. The fellow who cuts you off today on the highway; the rude clerk; the impossible boss; the derelict service man; the agonies of today should be dealt with in love. Bite the tongue – that’s love. Counting to one hundred before blowing up – that’s love. Helping an elderly lady with her shopping cart – love. Telling someone how much you appreciate them – love again. The list could go on – you fill in the blanks. Think love today. Live love today. Be love today.

Five points. Five resolutions. Five ways to make today a great day for God.

Your character is what God knows you to be. Your reputation is what men think you are.

Wednesday Morning Meditation – Psalms

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 148)

The unknown psalmist has a simple message: Praise the Lord. The truth of the matter is that nothing can be added to this psalm to heighten its message nor can anymore be said that would bring a worshipper closer to the Lord than the angelic herald of this powerful psalm. Praise the Lord. Nuff said. Amen.

Worship is a way of living, a way of seeing the world in the light of God. To worship is to rise to a higher level of existence, to see the world from the point of view of God. (Abraham J. Heschel, ‘Man’s Quest for God,’ 1954)

Tuesday Morning Early Start – Important Doctrines

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

Family Matters

Whenever we hear of someone preaching sermons on doctrine we often consider baptism, authority, marriage and divorce, instrumental music, etc., as subjects that are fitting. However ‘doctrine’ is described by Paul as being matters of the family. His admonition to Titus was to preach those things proper for “sound doctrine” and then begins to show the example of older men and women teaching young men and women. This included the behavior of servants showing good fidelity toward their masters.

Sound doctrine is teaching the word of God and older men must be proper examples of the doctrine of God in their lives. This also goes for older women who profess the character of the doctrine of God in their lives. Included in this need for sound doctrine is the work of older folk teaching younger folk the doctrine of God. The doctrine Paul was trying to get Titus to follow for young and old is to be proper examples to others and teaching others the principles of the Lord.

If you are an older man follow the sound doctrine of being sober, reverent, faithful, loving and patient. Older women show sound doctrine when they are become as Paul describes in Titus 2:3-5. Young men and women learn from the older folk – that is sound doctrine. Employees (servants) exemplify sound doctrine toward their employers (masters) when they are “well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not [stealing], but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:9-10).

Adorn the doctrine of God by living as a family of those who follow sound doctrine in their lives – each day.

The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home.