A WHIRLWIND

Billy Graham talks about sowing and reaping:

You will reap more than you sow. Hosea 8:7 says, “They have sown to the wind, and they’re going to reap a whirlwind.” Have you ever been in a whirlwind, what a whirlwind can do? Have you ever seen a whirlwind? Have you ever been in a hurricane? Have you ever seen a tornado? Have you ever seen a tornado rip apart a city? It’s a devastating experience if you have. Charles Reade wrote many years ago, “Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.” Come to Christ now.”

How will you respond to Mr. Graham’s invitation? To begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ today, call at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 877-2GRAHAM. Or click billygraham.org.

AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

 

As we watch the downward spiral of our society today, we realize that a powder keg is ready to explode. Something has got to change.  

We look at the deteriorating moral values in our nation—the divorce rate, abortion, pornography, drug addiction and child abuse. We witness what has transpired in the homosexual community. We are shocked at the violent crimes, the drive-by shootings and the terrorism that plagues our world. What is the world coming to? Is the end near?

What will be the signs of Jesus’ coming and the end of the world? This was the very same question Jesus’ disciples asked. Jesus’ answer to them and to us is found in Matthew 24:37-39:

As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that [Noah] entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.

Genesis 6:5 tells us what was going on in the days of Noah. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” As we look at our world today, we see the parallel—the movie industry corrupting our values, television defiling our homes, children’s video games teaching violence—all these are polluting people’s minds until the thoughts and the imagination of man’s heart is continually evil.

We read in Genesis 6:11 that “the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Pick up the newspaper and you will see the hostility that fills the earth. Our nation’s morality has sunk to the place where Ruth Graham once said, “If God doesn’t judge America, He will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!”

I would say that the world right now is very much like it was in the days of Noah. Jesus pointed out that in Noah’s day, the people were totally oblivious to the coming judgment of God. They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. It was pretty much business as usual. There was no awareness that the judgment of God was about to fall upon them. They did not realize anything was wrong until Noah went into the ark and the rain began to fall.

People today do not realize how ripe the world is for judgment. God is trying to shake us from our lethargy and wake us up. We see a worldwide financial crisis, disasters, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, floods, famines and the AIDS epidemic. But try to suggest to a worldly person that these indicate the beginning of sorrows and God’s judgment, and they will laugh at you. The world may acknowledge their belief in the existence of God, but they live as though God does not exist. There is a total lack of fear of a holy and righteous God.

The Prophet Isaiah said, “Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). Speaking of the future woes that are coming upon the earth, the angel proclaims in Revelation 8:13, “Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” A day of reckoning is coming.

We see prophecies rapidly fulfilled before our very eyes. I believe the current economic crisis—and it’s not just a crisis here in America but a worldwide crisis—is going to force a joining together of the nations, a one-world union as prophesied in the Book of Revelation. It’s going to be moving in that direction. And as we look at the situation in Israel, we see their concern about the need to defend themselves against the possibility of a nuclear attack from other nations. Who and what can save us? Increased knowledge can’t save us. The government can’t save us. Neither can science nor Greenpeace save our planet.

So what does America need today? Rather than the homosexual community coming out of the closet, we need godly parents who will go into the closet and pray for their children, for their families, for the school system and the community. We need a spiritual revival to sweep our land. I believe more could be accomplished for good if we gathered together for times of prayer. Without a spiritual awakening, let’s face it, our nation is through. We need to realize that the only hope is to pray and to teach morality from a biblical base; that the Bible is the only true basis for morality.

We need men and women in our Congress and Senate who love God and fear Him. We need God’s people to humble themselves and pray, and seek God’s face and turn from their wicked ways. You see—we’re either part of the problem or we’re a solution to the problem!

The only hope for the future is the coming again of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can save us. This is what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 24, the day of the Lord’s coming, the day of the establishing of the Kingdom of God. He said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days … they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-30).

This will be the day when, according to the Book of Revelation, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). The day when “He [that is, Jesus] shall judge among the nations. … nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4).

As we face the conditions of the world today, we see the same conditions that existed in the days of Noah. We realize that judgment is not far off. So let us pray that God will draw our hearts unto the things of the Spirit and free us from the bondage of corruption that holds the world in its grip. And let us pray—as God’s people—to have a real heart and concern for our families and for our nation—for a spiritual revival in our land. As we see the deteriorating condition of the world around us, it should be a wake-up call for us to live godly, righteous, holy lives, placing our minds, hearts and priorities on eternal values.

We don’t know what 2009 may hold for us—joys, sorrows, victories or defeats. But we do know that the Lord has promised to be with us, and He’s promised to help us. He has promised to guide us. So with this reminder, let us commit our ways to Him, knowing that He will bring to pass His perfect will in our lives.

May the Lord be with you and bless you. May the Lord’s hand be upon you to guide you. May His Spirit inspire you to a greater commitment to Jesus than you’ve ever had before, as we look forward to that glorious day of the Lord and the establishment of His Kingdom on the earth.

 

Chuck Smith

bgea.org

THE FORGETFUL SERVANT

“All of you, serve each other in humility, for God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5, NLT

Serving others requires forgetfulness on your part: You need to forget your own needs.

You cannot be self-centered and serve the real needs of another person. “Don’t be selfish …,” Paul says in Philippians 2:3, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.” (NLT)

Jesus gave his disciples an example of this humility when he stooped to wash their feet: “So during the meal Jesus stood up and took off his outer clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4-5 NCV)

Foot-washing was customary back then (not just for pedicures!) because people wore sandals or walked barefoot on dusty roads. Usually a host had his servants do the dirty chore, but Jesus saved this service for himself, “taking the very nature of a servant ….” (Philippians 2:7)

It is interesting to note that the disciples hadn’t already taken care of the dirty feet, not even slipping into a self-service scrub. Could it be they considered this task beneath their dignity?

But it wasn’t beneath Jesus.

He placed his disciples’ needs above his own — even as he approached his darkest hour.

What does this mean?

The forgetful servant — The life of a servant requires a kind of forgetfulness, the ability to forget our own needs in the process of tending to someone else’s. “We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t please himself.” (Romans 15:2-3, NLT) Look to the needs of others, and trust God to supply your own needs. (Philippians 4:19)

Live well for others — “We want to live well,” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:24, “but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.” (MSG) Everyone we serve is someone important to serve.

Do what Jesus does – “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) How would this change your marriage (or some other family), if you began to serve another person before you considered your own needs?

How can we demonstrate humility in leadership?

WHEN WE COMMIT

Proverbs 3:5-10

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him to help you do it and He will” Psalm 37:5

Janet remained after the student meeting for counsel.

“How can I commit everything I do to the Lord?” she inquired. “What is involved in a total commitment?”

I explained that mere words can be superficial and shallow, and even insulting to God. It is the commitment of our intellects, our emotions and our wills to do the will of God in every situation with the faith that we can, as promised, trust Him to help us do whatever He calls us to do.

Sometimes I wonder if we really know the meaning of the word commitment. Paraphrasing an anonymous source:

We sing “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and are content with five or ten minutes a day. We sing “Onward Christian Soldiers” and wait to be drafted into His service. We sing “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and don’t use the one we have.

We sing “I Love to Tell the Story” but never witness to the love of Christ personally. We sing “We’re Marching to Zion” but fail to march to worship or Sunday school. We sing “Cast Thy Burden on the Lord” and worry ourselves into a nervous breakdown.

We sing “The Whole Wide World for Jesus” and never invite our next-door neighbor to consider the claims of Christ. We sing “O Day of Rest and Gladness” and wear ourselves out traveling or cutting grass or playing golf on Sunday. We sing “Throw Out the Lifeline” and content ourselves with throwing out a fishing line.

Consistency is a wonderful word for the believer in Christ. Add to that the word commitmentand you have a rare combination of supernatural enablements that result in a triumphant, fruitful life.

Today I will commit everything I do to the Lord and trust Him to help me do what He calls me to do. Since He has called me to be His witness, I will trust Him to enable me to share His love and forgiveness through Christ with someone else today.

KEEP THESE THINGS AND PONDER THEM IN YOUR HEART

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19, KJV

Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus, is noted in Scripture as loving God in at least three ways: Her memory (she “kept all these things”), her affections (she kept them “in her heart”), and her intellect (she “pondered them”). Her memory, affection, and understanding were all intently fascinated with the things which she heard.

Friend, remember what you know about Jesus, and what He has done for you. Make your heart the golden pot of manna, so that you can gather the memories of the heavenly bread God has sustained you with in the past. Let your memory treasure everything about Christ which you have felt, or known, or believed, and then hold Him in your joyful heart forever.

Love your Lord! Bring forth your heart, even if it’s been broken, and let your affection come forth to God.

Let your intellect be excited concerning the Lord Jesus. Meditate upon what you read. Don’t stop at the surface; dive into the deep waters! Be like a fish that swims and explores the farthest depths!

The word “ponder” means to weigh. But where are the scales that can weigh the Lord Christ? Jesus, who “weighs the islands as though they were fine dust” (Isaiah 40:15) … who dares to take Him on? He who “weighed the mountains on the scales” (Isaiah 40:12) … in what scales will we weigh Him? Even if your mind cannot fully comprehend all of this, let your affections be apprehend fully. And even if your spirit cannot grasp the Lord Jesus in understanding, let it embrace Him in the arms of affection. Be with your Lord. He shouldn’t seem far away, because He is always with you. Hold Him, and do not let Him out of your thoughts. Remember Mary, who “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”

Which of God’s promises, or verses from God’s Word, do you keep and ponder in your heart?

CURVES IN THE ROAD

Life sends curves into our lives, which we are often so unprepared for.

The word ‘cancer’, the words “I don’t love you anymore”, “your child has been killed fighting for our country”, “because of downsizing we are giving you your two weeks notice”, “the storm has destroyed your home.” and on it goes.

I can’t explain it, it is life and whether we like it or not, it is often our reality.

Psalm 17:6-8 gives three promises to cling to.

1. Help!

“I pray to you, God, because you will HELP me!”

If there is anyone who can help in a situation it is the God who moved mountains, separated the sea, and makes seasons change.  He is our Fortress, our Rock, and our Listener.  He asks us to call upon Him for help.  The Psalmist David knew he could come to God. He had troubles of his own and he knew the Source to reach for.

2. Hide!

“Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies.  Protect me as you would your very own eyes.  Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

What a wonderful picture of hiding in His wings for protection. We can come to God, pour out our hearts and let Him put His arms around us and hold us tight in moments of pain and despair.  What an amazing thought of a God, who created the universe and continually holds it in place and has open arms that we can run into. When life seems overwhelming and so draining, we can hide in His arms for strength and healing.

3. Hope!

“Listen and answer my prayer!  Show your wonderful love.”

Curves in the road do come in our lives.  We can ask God for Help, Hide in his arms, and HOPE.  He has walked ahead of us, but He is walking beside us too.  He desperately wants to hear us talk to Him, and then reach out with His love to heal us and hold us.  Life was never to be easy, but as humans we want that.  Reality is that it is often tough slugging with life’s issues.  That is why God is there to help us, to mold our character, and let us know that He has not left us but is developing us to be the best we can be.

In this Psalm, David ends with a passion to know God better.

“I am innocent, Lord, and I will see your face!  When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.”

As you face life’s situations, run to Him.  In the dark night of our lives, He has never left.  He wants the best for you.  Let Him show you your next steps and trust Him.

Claim these promises.  Trust that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and You! Let Him hold you tight and listen to His heartbeat.

Which of the three promises noted above resonated most with you and your life today?

THE ‘HOW TO’ GUIDE FOR LOVE

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

Rather than faddish methods for friendship, the Bible gives basic, ageless instruction on how to live in community in a way that honors God.

There is no impatience, envy, rudeness or selfishness in love, but rather it is characterized by humility, forgiveness and trust.

Friendship usually starts off so well — you have common interests, you have fun together, you just click. Often we don’t stop to think about the elements that make up a godly friendship. Yet most of us have experienced the breakdown of a friendship. Thus we need the truth from God’s Word to teach us how to love.

Romans 12:9–21 provides basic principles that can be applied to every relationship in our lives:
As we put these principles into action, we will become friends who know how to love.

Be sincere

Reject what is evil

Cling to what is good

Be faithful

Share

Be hospitable

Never return an unkind deed with an unkind deed

Be happy with those who are happy

Be sad with those who are sad

Get along

Don’t be arrogant

Be a friend to someone regardless of his or her position or status

Don’t take revenge, but trust God to look after you

God, I want to be that kind of person. Teach me how to love like You love.

Which principle stands out to you today? What is one thing you could change in the way you interact with your friends?

HE HAS NOT DESERTED ME

John 8:25-28

“And He who sent Me is with Me – He has not deserted Me – for I always do those things that are pleasing to Him” John 8:29

If we have a conscience free of offense, and if we have evidence that we please God, it matters little if men oppose us or what others may think of us. “Enoch, before his translation, had this testimony – that he pleased God.”

It would not be fair for you or me to profess ignorance in this matter of pleasing God. If we had never known before, we know now that it comes from doing always those things He commands – which of course are the things that please Him.

Jesus is saying here, among other things, that God is with Him in the working of miracles. Though men had forsaken and rejected Him, yet God stayed by Him and worked in and through Him.

In the same way, God has made it possible for us to please Him by giving us His Holy Spirit to indwell, enable and empower us for service. With the available enablement, we are without excuse in the matter of doing the “greater things” He has promised for those who love and serve Him.

What better goal for today, tomorrow and all our coming days than to seek to please Him?

So that Christ might be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death, I will seek to do only those things today which please Him.

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

John 17:1 – 3

Believers do a lot of wonderful things in the name of God. Sometimes, though, service becomes more important than the Master. Hosea 6:6 makes the Lord’s priorities clear: “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” He wants our attention more than any gifts or works.

Unfortunately, too many Christians never press beyond an occasional good work or Bible reading. They ignore the Holy Spirit’s nudges to spend time in prayer and Scripture meditation. It’s either too much work or doesn’t fit their lifestyle. Also, they tend to worship out of a sense of duty. Does this sound like your life? If so, you should know that becoming intimately acquainted with God does require time and commitment. But it is immensely rewarding.

Human beings are created to know God. He instilled in us a thirst that will not be satisfied until we reach out to Him for companionship and love. Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8 (NAS), “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”

We were created to have an intimate, loving relationship with the Lord and to bring Him glory. Paying respect with our gifts and good works is a natural extension of that design. But our primary responsibility is to spend time with Him.

Have you been spending quiet time alone with God lately? Is that something you should make time for this week?

SPIRITUALLY MINDED

Romans 8:5-11

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” Romans 8:6, KJV

I believe the truth of this verse may speak to a common cause of depression among Christians who allow their minds to dwell on ungodly thoughts and/or over-introspection.

Paul writes: “I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do, and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires” (Galatians 5:16,17).

Our minds are susceptible to the influence of our old sin- nature and, as such, can pose real dangers to us. As soon as we get out of step with the Holy Spirit and get our focus off the Lord, our minds begin to give us trouble.

“The Christian life is really simple,” I heard a pastor say recently. “It’s simply doing what we’re told to do.” And he is right. We will be spiritually minded, not carnally minded, if we obey the simple commands of God’s Word.

Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, I will give the spiritual mind priority over the carnal mind in my life.