BIBLE READING: SUSPENDERS AND HOPE
I remember as a young child that if a cartoon on television showed a man’s pants falling down viewers witnessed polka dotted boxer shorts. It was embarrasing to the man and laughable to the audience.
Worse than the embarrassment of pants down, it could be downright dangerous for the man to attempt to walk with his pants around his ankles. He was sure to be unable to maneuver without falling, which only added to his funny situation and was certain to bring more laughs.
Perhaps the day could have been saved — as well as the man’s pride — if he had worn suspenders. Suspenders, while a useful invention, are not typically in one’s thoughts. In today’s blogpost they are the object of a spiritual illustration. Who would have thought?
Of course our faith has a foundation to keep us on our feet. If we fall spiritually it is not as funny as cartoon humor. Such falling is preventable, and prevention may be as simple as wearing suspenders!
What could possibly serve as spiritual suspenders? The Bible, God’s Word, keeps our Christian pants up so to speak. Today far too many are caught at times with their “pants down,” because they neglect God’s Word.
I think if we are careful to feast on God’s Word daily, then this serves as “suspenders” to hold up more than our pants. It holds us up to stand firm… to stand for that which is right and against that which is wrong. People who share our planet need to witness those who are able to stand spiritually. It is possible but not in our own strength.
How does the Bible support believers? It may be called God’s Word, the law, precepts, statutes, ordinances, or commandments, but it is not called suggestions or options. One reason to read… to study… to learn the Bible is because it is a command.
When we get serious about the Bible and fill our hearts, heads, and lives with it, then we’ll find that it has divine power to help us to stand. It is for us all to ponder, to meditate on, and to live by. If we have a daily feast on God’s Word, then we will be stronger spiritually. It is spiritual nourishment that can provide that which is needed for growth and strength of our spirits.
Where to begin? Proverbs offers a chapter for each day of our month. Psalms offers easy-to-relate-to chapters throughout this Old Testament book for our varied personal situations in life. Job is especially helpful in times of deep suffering. Read Genesis to understand the account of Creation.
The gospel of John is a good New Testament book to begin for those not used to reading it. On and on it goes; something for us all no matter where we find ourselves.
My point is we need to read it! We need to get to know the Word of God. It’s even more important to get to know the God of the Word. Let’s put on our spiritual “suspenders” daily. Doing so will help us to stand for Him and will increase our hope.
“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17)
“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)
“But know this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1: 20, 21)
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.
Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You.” (Psalm 119: 33 – 35, 38)
“I shall delight in Your commandments, which I love.
And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; and I will meditate on Your statutes.
Remember the Word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your Word has revived me.” (Psalm 119: 47 – 50)
“I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I have sworn, and I will confirm it that I will keep Your righteous ordinances.
I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word.
O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances.”
(Psalm 119: 102 – 108)
“Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.
I hope for Your salvation, O Lord, and do Your commandments.
My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies for all my ways are before You.
Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word.
Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your Word.
Let my lips utter praise for You teach me Your statutes.
Let my tongue sing of Your Word for all Your commandments are righteousness.
Let Your hand be ready to help me for I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight.
Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant for I do not forget Your commandments.” (Psalm 119: 165 – 176)
BIBLICAL WISDOM: HOPE & PEACE
You’ll probably agree that we earthlings live on a troubled planet and may be on the verge of even bigger trouble. Terrorists and tyrants share this planet with those of us who are peaceful law-abiding citizens. Unfortunately they don’t want to share with anyone who differs in political views, religion, or race. Therein lies the problem — with potential for worsening problems.
Are there lessons from history to prevent the most deadly and destructive effects of power-crazed tyrannical political leaders? Can we learn how to avoid repeats of history’s greatest atrocities? Shall we be hopeful regarding the state of the planet or just give in to utter hopelessness?
The attack of Pearl Harbor and WW2 was a very difficult time for America. Some have thought we can learn valuable lessons from that time and have urged us to remember its lessons.
Gordon Prang, author of Pearl Harbor: The Verdict of History, said, “Humanity cannot afford to forget the lessons of Pearl Harbor. The world is much too small, the risk is much too great, the time is much too late.”
President Franklin Roosevelt, to whom Americans looked for hope, said, “It is our obligation to the dead — it is our sacred obligation to their children and to our children — that we must never forget what we learned. And what we have learned is this.
There is no such thing as security for any nation — or any individual in a world ruled by the principles of gangsterism.
There is no such thing as impregnable defense against powerful aggressors who sneak up in the dark and strike without warning.
We have learned that our ocean-girt hemisphere is not immune from severe attack — that we cannot measure our safety in terms of miles on any map anymore.”
I think history should be studied during times of peace and of uncertainty. Wise students are less likely to repeat the negative and more likely to follow the positive. Wisdom is a needed component while journeying through life. Believing this and knowing the Source of wisdom and accessing it are different matters.
If we all followed wisdom from above, then it would be easier to live with hearts full of hope. Even when all do not, we can still experience hope when we trust God as the Source of wisdom. Wise choices lead to righteous living, and sowing peace yields blessings to the peacemakers. The Bible teaches wisdom to make wise choices and offers hope.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
(James 3: 13 – 18)
LGBT: HOPE FOR TRANSFORMATION
Although the percentage of people identifying themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is relatively low (according to Gallup Poll), they receive frequent press in both positive and negative ways. It is a sensitive topic to consider since many of us are impacted by at least one LGBT individual that we know, love, or identify with.
I think most Christian believers agree with a biblical view of sexuality. Brian Hobbs, Editor of “The Baptist Messenger,” wrote that it’s important that Christians are prepared “to uphold biblical sexuality but also minister with the Gospel.” *
Hobbs recently interviewed Laura Perry of Oklahoma, who lived almost 10 years as a transgender male before becoming a born-again Christian. You may go to www.baptistmessenger.com to hear that interview.
Laura also shares her story of redemption in her new book, TRANSGENDER to TRANSFORMED. She shares her past struggles and confusion, and she admits she did not find peace in the transgender life. What Laura did find was that only Christ brought her peace.
Laura shares that while her parents did not compromise biblical teaching, they maintained a loving attitude toward her. By sharing God’s grace and truth, Laura’s family was an example of Jesus Christ, Who is “full of grace and truth.” **
Her parents’ attitude helped make it easier for Laura to choose new life in Christ and freedom from the transgender lifestyle. When Laura came to Christ she came spiritually and physically and found the Peace she had been looking for all along.
If you are tempted to think that I’m a hater, notice I’m only sharing what the Bible says and sharing a real person’s transformation experience. Laura’s conversion brought her real peace and a healthier lifestyle (according to statistics). Where’s the hate in that?
God offers redemption in Christ for all, because He loves and not because He hates. I write this blog post not condemning but confessing I am “a sinner saved by grace.” ***
I find great hope in God’s power to transform any of us when we come to Him just as we are.
* The Gospel is the good news in the Bible that tells of our Hope in Jesus Christ that saves souls and transforms lives.
** “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
*** “Sinner Saved by Grace” (lyrics by Gloria Gaither; music by William Gaither and Mitch Humphries).
“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
MAX LUCADO: UNSHAKABLE HOPE
Do you ever feel like your world is shaky even to the point of toppling? Do you face problems that seem beyond your ability to cope? Is your pain more than you can bear? Are “difficult circumstances” an understatement when describing your life?
You may know you need hope but don’t know where to find it. Are you willing to truly seek unshakable hope? If so, continue reading….
“In his new book, UNSHAKABLE HOPE, Max Lucado unpacks 12 of the Bible’s most significant promises, equipping readers to overcome difficult circumstances by staying focused on the hope found in the promises of Scripture rather than dwelling on the problems in front of you. For every problem in life, God has given you a promise.” (Amazon.com)
After 40 years of ministry and more than 130 million books in print, America’s bestselling inspirational author, Max Lucado, has authored UNSHAKABLE HOPE. This New York Best Seller by one of my favorite authors is about living a life built on the promises of God that are found in Scriptures.
I guarantee that having this book on your shelf won’t change your life, but something awesome may happen if you apply God’s promises to your life. This book can help you learn and focus on hope of promises on which to build your life.
Will seriously reading it be worth your time and effort? What have you got to lose when you may turn from hopeless to hopeful? Seems like a no-brainer to me!
FROM COWS TO CHRIST: HOPE IN COLORFUL EQUATION
I grew up in rural America where the sight and sounds of white-faced hereford cattle in our pasture were part of my daily environment. Although our cows weren’t typically for milking, I remember we had one milk cow when I was a child.
My older brother’s chore was to milk that cow, and my self-appointed chore was to supervise. Anyone with a younger sibling may relate to how annoyed he was with me at times.
I remember that the milk did not always find its way into the bucket. If I stood too close I was sure to get “showered” by big brother’s accurate though wasteful aim. But I digress… back to the point I want to reach.
As a child I considered it a miracle that a reddish-brown cow could consume green grass and produce white milk. I won’t attempt to explain that process in this blog, but I will mention another “mystery.”
There’s a colorful equation that seems somewhat miraculous as well. It can be simply expressed as black + red = white. No artist can solve this color equation except One. Only the Master Artist of the Universe can accomplish the steps of applying red to black and ending with white.
According to the Holy Bible, each human heart (past an age of “accountability” or spiritual awareness and understanding of right and wrong) is sinful and dark — let’s say black with sin.
When a person chooses Jesus as Savior and accepts His payment for sin, then His red blood that was shed as the payment covers the sin.
Then God the Father chooses not to see the sin but sees (through the red blood of Jesus) the person’s heart clean and forgiven. The new (reborn) heart has been washed white as snow.
It is a miracle, because only God is able to do it. No human can accomplish changing one’s own dark and sinful heart to one clean and white as snow. Only Jesus’ lived a purely perfect and righteous life, so His shed blood was needed for each of us. Thankfully He loved us enough to be our sacrifice and to pay our debt in full.
I think this can then be considered a miraculous equation: black + red = white. Of course, it may not be a literal equation, but I think it is a simple (and colorful) way to express a profound truth.
If this blog leads you to ponder this truth, then you may want to answer these questions:
Is my heart black with sin?
Do I trust Jesus to apply His blood payment and pay my sin debt?
Do I accept God’s forgiveness and receive rebirth and new life?
If you have already come to Him, then follow Him, live in hope, and share the good news! If you have not come to Him, then WHY NOT???
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:20, 21)
“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9, 10)
“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
Want to give your life to God but not sure how to pray? Prayer is simply talking to Him. Your heart’s attitude is more important than your words, but here’s an example of what to say….
“Dear God, I admit I am a sinner, I want to turn away from sin, and I ask you to forgive me.
I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, paid for my sins when He willingly became a sacrifice for me on the cross where He died. He was resurrected and now is in heaven praying for me.
I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Thank you for new life with your Holy Spirit to help me obey You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Amen!
MEANING OF CHRISTMAS: GOD WITH US BRINGS HOPE
- As the Christian holy day nears, will you spend time pondering the true meaning of CHRISTmas?
In the book of Matthew in the New Testament we are told that the name of God’s gift to the world in the form of a baby was to be called Immanuel.
Immanuel means “God with us.” This name brings hope to our lost world. Surely there is no more hopeful reality than God Who loves the world enough to come be with us. He came to redeem us despite our falling short of His glory. He came to provide God’s salvation so we can be with Him throughout Eternity!
What could bring more hope than God with us? Yet too many people choose to ignore the awesome reality of the first CHRISTmas. Does it make sense to celebrate a birthday without inviting the Guest of Honor?
A “Scrooge” closes his (or her) eyes to the meaning of CHRISTmas. This results in being stressed and depressed and having too little peace in one’s own heart and no good will toward the rest of humanity.
In the busyness of life you may not give a thought to the One Who is CHRISTmas personified… God with us. Jesus Christ should be included in CHRISTmas of course. Even more than a passing thought, He should be our primary focus!
If you don’t know Jesus and want to… He is found in God’s Holy Bible, in God’s natural creation, in loving hearts of true believers. He can be found in your own personal life when you seek Him with your whole heart.
He came… He brings hope that makes our lives worth living… He is God with us!
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:23 nasb)
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 nasb)
“Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed in us,
His name is called Emmanuel.
We love Him so, we love Him so,
His name is called Emmanuel.” (Bob McGee)