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.

January 12, 2015

Host: Kent Heaton

Guest panelist: Saif Alsafeer and Steve Peeler

Bible Talk 92.1FM Hear it each Monday night 6:00pm-7:00pm EST

Visit our websitehttp://www.northvaldostacoc.com to LINK to the radio program or to listen to past programs.

Monday Morning Coffee Break – Life With Jesus

But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. (Matthew 9:22)

He called her Daughter

It had been twelve long years of suffering. First it was the disease itself described only as “a flow of blood.” Then it was the money she had spent on physicians and could not be healed by any (Luke 8:43). To make matters worse she lived a life of impurity as the Law of Moses prescribed (Leviticus 15). Her life was tragic. There was little peace in her mind as she endured these horrible problems. Then she heard Jesus was coming her way. Mustering an incredible sense of courage and faith she believed that if only she touched the border of His garment she would be healed. Weaving through the multitude she comes behind Jesus and prays her touch will bring relief. It does. She is healed immediately. But there is more.

She slinks back away from the Lord hoping not to be discovered but too late. He calls her out to confess what she has done. Fear. Trembling. Embarrassment. Confessing her act she does not know what will happen next. Then a voice from the Son of God calling her, “daughter.” A moment of compassion. Jesus could have called her anything else but hearing those words she knew all was well. “Daughter.” A term of devoted endearment for a faith rarely witnessed in the days of Jesus. He did not call her “woman” or “person” or “hey you” – He called her by a name of relationship.

In this simple act Jesus connected with this woman. He acknowledged her suffering and the need to hear words of sympathy. He responded in such a way she would never forget what the Lord called her – “daughter.” Her disease was gone and He called her “daughter.” Praise God!

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)

Sunday Morning Starters – Worship

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet” (Revelation 1:10)

The Lord’s Day

The day of Pentecost was the day after Sabbath. It would be a Pentecost that would change thousands of lives and set on course a change that would permeate centuries of worship for people of God. The first day of the week would be a day the apostle Paul would linger for as he gathered with the saints at Troas to partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:6-7). Writing to the church in Corinth the man from Tarsus exhorted the brethren “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The first day of the week. The Lord’s day.

Today is the day of the Lord. It is the day when our Father has asked of us to come as His people and lift our hearts and hands in praise to Him. Leaving behind the scurrying pace of life we pause to reflect upon the glory of God, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the moving message of the Holy Spirit. Sunday is a day of worship. It is a time we can relieve ourselves from our wants and pursuits so that we can spend time with those of like precious faith worshiping a merciful Father.

Worship should be an all-day event. Often we put the obligations to the Lord in a capsule of time leaving behind the church services to restart our busy lives of carnal needs to fill our time with us. As in the principles established through the Sabbath, the first day of the week should be a DAY of praise and refreshing with the Lord. We have so much to give honor to God for this day.

John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day. We should do no less.

Our Lord approved neither idol worship or idle worship but ideal worship in Spirit and truth. (Vance Havner)

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1-3)

It was a bright day of sunshine in a little village in Israel. Smoke rose from the fires where food was being prepared. Animals were being herded into stalls and carpenters were busy mending the farming implements. Old men sat around talking of days gone by. Children played in the middle of the street. A dust cloud rose to the north. Terror was coming.

The invading Syrians took everything in their path. Those who resisted were killed. Livestock was driven away, grain gathered up, articles of value stolen and in the midst of the chaos of that horrible day a little girl was scooped up and taken away. Cries for her family fell on deaf ears. Her family would search for days until realizing she was taken captive. A slave girl. Taken to a foreign land with people who did not worship Jehovah. To deepen the wound she was enslaved in the house of the man who changed her life – Naaman. And he was a leper.

As the Lord peered into the heart of this little maiden He did not see hatred nor bitterness. He saw a remarkable heart. This young girl – thrown into a world unlike her own – let the radiance of God’s love shine through the dark veil of hatred and reach out to her enemy. She did not wish him dead of leprosy. Remarkably still she believed in the overwhelming power of God when she suggested to her mistress there was a man in Israel who could heal her husband. Leprosy? How is it possible to be healed of leprosy? She knew God could do it.

Jesus would use this story in His teaching many centuries later. He would remark, “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). The reason this one man (a Gentile) was cured of his leprosy was because of a little maiden girl taken in a raid. Young people have such power in their hearts. They don’t have the hatred and prejudice we adults have. They just see the power of God.

The story for this last day of the week is to think of how much she changed the life of Naaman. Consider her plight because she did not. Being a captive did not mean she stopped loving God. Through her words she saved a man from certain death in leprosy. A simple little girl teaches a simple little lesson about what a simple little effort on our part can bring in the life of someone. “Would you like a Bible study?” “Would you like to visit with us this Sunday?” “Could I help you in any way?” Little maiden. Little words. Huge results. Thank you young lady.

The love we give away is the only love we keep. (Elbert Hubbard, ‘Notebook’ 1859-1915)

The relationship of man to God can never be contained within a nutshell. There are so many things that man must look at to understand the will of the Almighty. But sometimes in scripture those little nutshell’s appear that seem to sum up a totality of what God desires. Micah the prophet was a contemporary of Isaiah and like the prophets of his day Micah struggled to bring the people back to the Lord. The sixth chapter of Micah finds God pleading with Israel to consider how awesome His works are and the warning for not returning to Him. In the midst of this great proclamation the prophet speaks as a third person in the conversation when he writes, “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:6-8)?

It was the Lord who commanded all the sacrifices of calves, rams, oil and dedication of the firstborn. The trouble with Israel is they kept the letter of the law without understand the meaning of the law. Keeping the law in obedience to the law of God without the heart of devotion is an empty sacrifice. The people seem to grasp for answers to appease Jehovah. Micah reminds them God has always shown them the answer of worship. The answer in a nutshell is to “do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (v8). This does not suggest there were no other regulations to keep but this summarizes what is lacking in their worship.

D. Horwood said of Micah 6:8: “To ‘do justly.’ Not only to think and speak justly, but to act so – to act with honesty, integrity, and fidelity, without injuring, defrauding, oppressing or tempting to evil any one. To ‘do justly’ is in every way to befriend your neighbor. To ‘love mercy.’ To take pleasure in acts of compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. The love of mercy is a very different thing from any act of professed mercy. Real mercy lies in the motive of kindness, and the love of it lies in the gratification felt in another’s benefit. The love of mercy is a mighty impulse to its exercise. The love of mercy gives an intensity to it. To ‘walk humbly with God.’ This indicates a teachable, submissive, thankful, patient, and dependent spirit; a close communion with God; and a progressive knowledge of the character and majesty of the Deity. As this knowledge dawns upon the soul, so does the soul sink into self-abasement. The great characteristic of walking with God on earth is trust in Christ.”

Here are three lessons we can take in life. As people of God we should be known for our honesty and fairness. Our speech is known for truth (Ephesians 4:25). The character of a Christian is based on the honest example of good works. “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Our word is our bond because our bond is Christ Jesus. When our name is mentioned in a conversation the character of fidelity is always thought of.

Secondly, as the saints in Christ we love mercy and show that in our lives. This is found in Paul’s admonition of Colossians 3:12-14. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” This comes from a heart of love. It goes beyond just doing the Christian act but it lives the Christian ideal. People of God should be known as those who are full of mercy.

Finally, Micah says the character of the true worshiper is to “walk humbly with your God.” There are four parts to this admonition. First our relationship with God is a walk. We spend time with Him without the rush of life pushing us so fast we don’t have time to walk with God. Solomon declared of the Lord that there is “no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts” (2 Chronicles 6:14). It takes all he hear to walk with God. Two men in scripture are noted to have “walked with God” – Enoch and Noah (Genesis 5:24; 6:9). This shows a patient and loving heart to spend time with the Lord.

This walk is a humble walk. We are subservient to the pace of God in this walk. Our desires are only measured by the desires of the Lord. Wherever He leads, we will follow. Whatever hill or valley He will travel shall be our path. His word will guide my every step. Jesus left us an example that we should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Walking humbly with my God expresses a companionship with God. I am not leading Him nor do I seek my own way. Where He leads I will follow is the only way to walk with my God. Finally there is the wonderful knowledge that the one I walk with is “my” God. That is personal. That is me and God. Just us two walking and talking together. The disciples who walked with Jesus will say later, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).

Micah’s nutshell: do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. It says a lot with just a few words. Words to live by.