26. Colossians 3

Oh may I die to self today
That Christ may in me live,
And may my joy be found in Him
Who did to others give.

I would not seek the praise of men
for that is little worth,
My cares are to the Father’s will
and not the things of earth.

Oh give me Lord Thy humble mind
that meekly would forgive
The faults and failures of Thine own,
Gave life so I might live.

And oh! Thy love, no tongue can tell
What sufferings were borne;
For peace to reign within my heart
Thou didst bear cross and thorn.

May all I do and all I say
be only for Thee, Lord,
And then one day when Thee I see
I’ll have Thy great reward.

24. “He must increase”

I’ve been enjoying a little meditation on John the Baptist tonight in the gospel of John chapter 1.

John the Baptist
- spoke of the Lord (v23)
- saw and pointed out the Lord (v29)

John’s humility is a great challenge to my pride.
- When others asked him if he was the Christ, he confessed that he was simply “a voice”.
- John humbled himself before the greatness of Him who came after him, who was before him in eternity past. John did not say he was unworthy to walk with the Lord, though that indeed was true. He did not say he was unworthy to speak for the Lord, though this was also true. Instead he said he was unworthy to perform the very menial and humiliating service of unclasping the Lord’s shoe (sandal). He did not even say “I am ONLY worthy to untie His shoes”. He said “I am NOT WORTHY” even to stoop down and untie His shoe.

John’s attitude was, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). He was content to be a friend of the Bridegroom, and hear His voice. This was the fulfillment of his joy.  His purpose was to point others to the Saviour, and he did so willingly (1:36-37). His joy was to see others pointed away from himself to Christ, to be unnoticed so Christ could be preeminent. He did not seek the praise of men.

Yet at the close of his ministry, when he was imprisoned and out of public view, and Christ was now manifested, he received the commendation that was truly worth while: from Christ Himself. “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…” (Matthew 11:11). Though John was out of the limelight, his task was complete. He had given Christ first place, and the Lord was pleased to place great honor upon this true and humble servant.

So in my life may I seek to give my Teacher and Lord the preeminence, and may those things that I say and do point others to the One who girded Himself with a towel to wash His disciples’ feet, yea, delighting in His Father’s will, and for the joy that was set before Him, took the lowest place on account of my sin, enduring the cross with piercéd feet, that I might walk in fellowship and harmony with Him and His Father.

This meditation was inspired through comments made by Dr. A.J. Higgins and Mr. Larry Beotte.

23. A Peace that Cometh after Sorrow

This poem is deep. I heard it first, quoted, from Darlene Deibler Rose in a recording of her speaking about her experiences in Japanese labor camps. Powerful. I think I am afraid to enter into such depths, nor do I understand the meaning of such words, as she did…

A Peace that Cometh after Sorrow
Jessie Rose Gates
There is a peace that cometh after sorrow,
Of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled;
A peace that looketh not upon tomorrow,
But calmly on a tempest that it stilled.
A peace that lives not now in joy’s excesses,
Nor in the happy life of love secure;
But in the unerring strength the heart possesses,
Of conflicts won while learning to endure.
A peace there is, in sacrifice secluded,
A life subdued, from will and passion free;
Tis not the peace that over Eden brooded,
But that which triumphed in Gethsemane.

22. He comes!

The Lord is near!

Oh let this burn

within my heart

and let me learn

to warn more souls

that they may yearn

for peace with God

and to Him turn!

.

He comes! He comes!

Oh let the thought

cause me to see

His will is sought

with caring word

a kind deed wrought;

.

The Master comes!

I’m by Him bought.

Behold! Day breaks!

My Beloved stands

to come for me

and all His bands;

caught up with Him

to Heaven’s lands.

Then gaze, transfixed:

His nail-pierced hands!

.

Look in His face…

and Him embrace.

21. Do You Care?

“But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” Luke 10:40

“But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

Martha questioned the Lord’s care about her service, while the disciples questioned His care about their safety.

Martha did not understand the priority of the Lord’s word or its importance. The disciples did not understand the power of the Lord’s word and His authority.

When Martha questioned the Lord’s care, she was occupied with her self: feeling unnoticed and unappreciated. When the disciples questioned the Lord’s care, they were occupied with their state: feeling afraid and powerless.

Does the Lord Jesus care? We read in John 11:5, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” Here Martha is mentioned first. He did not love Mary more than Martha. Nor did he rebuke Martha for her self-centeredness or discount her service.  In Mark 4:39-40, He showed His care by rebuking the wind, creating peace, and then questioned them saying, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”.

How interesting that the only time I think of when the Lord slept, He not only received rest for His body but also even in sleep was able to teach his disciples a lesson about anxiety. There was never a time when He was out of the Father’s will. He was not lazy; even in sleep He had purpose.

Does our Lord care for us? 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” This does not mean we will not suffer- but in our sufferings He is there to give us the strength and comfort we need to bear the affliction that is but “for a moment” in comparison with the vast eternity with Him. No matter what happens to us down here, we know that He knows, and He cares. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” Romans 8:37. Calvary is the wonderful demonstration of the love and care He has toward His own, His bride.

Isa 40:27  Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Isa 40:28  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
Isa 40:29  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

May our thoughts be occupied with Him today, our all-powerful, ever caring Friend.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

20. Bread and Wine: Sweet Significance

As I was reading in the book of Ruth in my ESV Bible, I was surprised to find that Ruth 2:14 reads like this: …“Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” Here God allows us to peer in on an ordinary meal with Boaz and the reapers. Yet this was no ordinary meal for Ruth: it was a meeting with her redeemer; and when he “reached her parched corn”, that hand that so graciously offered was a delight to one who was self-named a “stranger”. This was a delightful time of fellowship for Ruth, and she would enjoy such for many a day thereafter as she grew to appreciate this kind and mighty man of wealth, her future bridegroom.

The Lord Jesus chose simple, ordinary tokens in an upper room one night– yet this was no ordinary supper either. This was a supper of tremendous significance.

[Passover Supper] “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.  And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:  For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:  For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.”

[Lord's Supper] “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
Luke 22:14-20

In this scene we are witnessing a transformation: the shadows of law are fading in the light of the presence of Christ. The Passover lamb (Exodus 12) is now being replaced with God’s Lamb (John 1). The many sacrifices are now swallowed up in God’s one perfect Sacrifice for sin. “Remembrance of sins” (Heb 10:3) is now “Remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

As we commence this meditation, it is interesting to note other references to bread and wine in the Scriptures (not a complete listing):

• First mention (bread): Gen. 3:19 ”In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” – connected with the sin of Adam
  First mention (wine): Gen. 9:21-24 – connected with the sin of Lot’s daughters
• Second mention of bread & wine (first mention together): Gen. 14:18 – “the King of Salem brought out bread and wine” – connected with priesthood
• Gen. 27:28 – blessing for Jacob
• Deut. 29:6, Judges 19:19, 1Sam. 16:20, 2Sam. 16:1 - provision
• 1Chron 12:40, 16:3 - feasting
• Psalm 104:15 – Joy & Strength
• Prov. 4:17, Hosea 9:4 – symbols marred by sin
• The Greek word for “Bread” is found 99 times in our NT as far as I can tell. “Cup” and “Wine” are both found 33 times.
• I have also considered a stark contrast in Psalm 69:21-22 (Matt 27:34): The Lord served the bread and wine of joy and communion to those at His table. The Lord’s persecutors served Him poison, bitterness, sourness and pain at their table.

This is food for thought. I value your meditations on these references. I appreciate the fact that what was first marred by sin the Lord has restored. He has chosen to use simple, common elements to teach us high, spiritual truths.

What are we to learn about the significance bread and wine in relation to the Lord’s supper?

1Corinthians 10: 16-17 tells us that the Singleness of the loaf is significant of the unity of the body of Christ and of our united participation in the enjoyment of what Christ is to us, which flows from the gift of His body and blood for us. We unitedly express that we benefit from His body given and His blood shed, and that we are one in Him, our risen Head.  “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

1 Corinthians 11:23-27 further helps us: 
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (v23-24)

Here the Lord gives us the symbology of the bread and wine. The bread represents His body. The cup of wine represents His blood and a new covenant that is based upon His once-for-all sacrifice, a sacrifice that has finally and perfectly satisfied God in regard to our sins. The Lord uses a metaphor to strengthen the symbol in our minds. I personally believe that we should treat these emblems just as we would treat His body and blood. We are to treat this feast with reverance and awe. We know that they are not His literal body and blood because He was bodily in their presence when He instituted the supper. It was very common for the Lord to make a statement like this. For instance, He used metaphors for Himself such as “I am the door” (John 10) to give us vivid illustrations of who He is. He is not literally a door, and yet He is the only way to heaven. In symbol, He is a door. Likewise, in symbol, the bread and wine vividly bring to our minds His body and blood, and we express our connection with His literal body and blood by partaking of these emblems.

The bread is linked with Christ’s sufferings. We each break the bread, acknowledging that He was broken for me personally; that His sufferings were necessary because of my personal sin.

As well, we see the significance of these emblems: they are to be “in remembrance of Me”. Though simple bread and wine, the Lord Jesus has given them great significance and meaning, and thus we must not treat them lightly. We must remember their significance as we partake of them.

“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (v25-26)

We shew the Lord’s death while partaking of the Lord’s supper. We proclaim it to the Father. We proclaim it to angels, and we proclaim it to those looking on. Christ has died. He has won the victory. He has ascended on high. And God is satisfied. Hallelujah!

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (v 26-27)

Here we see the solemnity connected with the partaking of the emblems. We have a high, yet holy priviledge to do so. “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1Cor. 5:8)

So just as Ruth enjoyed sitting at the table of her redeemer, may we also enjoy united fellowship one with another as we unite to bless the Father for our Redeemer, His matchless, beloved Son, who has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice, a sweet savour to God. As we view the simplicity of the emblems, may we not forget the sweetness of the Person in our midst of whom they speak.

~NB

19. God is real!

God is real! Do you have true instances to share that show clearly that God is real, and has a real interest in each one of us? If this is not a personal story, please include the exact reference where your submission is found so that it may be verified to be accurate.

*********
What led me to post this were words at gospelhall.org in the testimony of an esteemed brother in Christ, Thomas Bently. Enjoy.

Divine Guidance
“I knew it would be wise and not really a sign of doubt, to seek God’s Face for confirmation of both Call and Course. That came in Ebenezer one evening when the late Mr David Walker spoke on the Wednesday of the week he had for ministry in May 1945. Before I went to that meeting, I did something, which was my habit, I bowed at my bedside and asked God to bless the ministry to my soul and if He had a word of confirmation, to grant it that night. As he began, Mr. Walker voluntarily indicated he had been strangely led to change his earlier exercise for the meeting. He proceeded to minister on the occurrences of “GO” in Matthew’s Gospel. Pausing in the midst of his address Mr. Walker said, “I feel there is a young man in the audience and before he came to this meeting, he asked God for confirmation on his call.” I almost fainted. Certainly my face flushed. He added, “Young man, allow me to be the Lord’s Messenger in the Lord’s message, I say unto you, GO!” I bowed at that moment in utter gratitude to God.”
- Thomas Bentley, http://www.gospelhall.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=686

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Divine Guidance

Elton Fairfield directed to Japan
http://gospelriver.com/playmp3.html?audio_file=Japan.mp3

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I have more, but I do not have the time to add them now. I look forward to hearing from you!

18. Unity in the body

Recently I have had the delight of going to El Salvador to help with the building of a new Local Evangelico there. While I was there I was enjoying the unity of the Saints as we all worked together, though we spoke different languages.

I see an interesting contrast between Gen. 11 (Babel) and God’s assembly.

In Gen. 11, they sought to build a city for themselves. In contrast, God has prepared for us an eternal city not made with hands (Heb. 11: 10,16).

Their desire was to make a tower and a name for themselves. Our desire is to gather to His name and person (Matt. 18:20). His name is our strong tower (Prov. 18:10).

Their purpose was not to be scattered, but God scattered them by creating multiple languages so they could not understand one another. In Acts 2, we see many languages acting in unity as the church was formed. In El Salvador, though from different parts of the world and of different languages, we were united as members of the body of Christ, united in purpose to build for Christ, and united in deed as we built together for Him. Though we may not have met one another, we were at home in each other’s company.

The result of selfish desire was scattered vanity. The result of Christ-centered desire is building for eternity. God cursed the first, and God blesses the second. Sin brings confusion; love brings unity and blessing.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Ps. 133:1

What are some reasons that we gather together? Why do we have assembly meetings? I’m interested in your thoughts. Here are a few that I have come up with.

A. To give the Lord the worship & praise due to Him.
B. To remember Him
C. To obey His command: “Do this” and “Forsaking not” (Matthew 18:20, Heb. 10:25)
D. The Lord is there!
E. To build up and encourage one another
F. to learn of Him
G. to have fellowship one with another

One of the tasks in El Salvador was to carry cement/clay block from the truck to the construction site nearby. To do this we made two lines of people and passed the block from person to person until it finally got to the end where they were piled ready to be placed into the building. This seems to me to be a good example of the necessity of the unity of God’s people for the proper functioning of a local body of Christians. What happens if one member is slower than the rest? The line can only go as fast as that member. What happens if one member of the body suffers? All the members suffer with it (1Cor. 12:26). For our physical bodies to function properly, we need to be healthy and all of our members need to work together. If one part is sick or lacking, it affects the whole body. Therefore, in keeping with the unity of the body, we must all work together to help that part which lacks, that the whole may be helped. What happened when one person left the line? It left a large gap to fill, and everyone else had to try to fill that gap. The work did not progress as quickly, and it made things more difficult. God declares that each member is not only good to have– each is necessary!! (1 Cor. 12:22) God has given us each our own role to play, and the assembly would not be the same without us. Perhaps it would be good for each of us to look to the Lord to better understand what place in that line, that body, He would have me to fill.

Sometimes we get away from the Lord and neglect to fill that place He has given us. Like an arm that has healed but is still lazily laying in the sling, we may not realize that we are needed, but the rest of the body will feel our absence. We may need some exercise in order to regain our usefulness, and truly our bodies do need to be exercised in order to stay fit for service. So, too we need to be exercised in prayer and active in service in order to reach the potential the Lord would have for us. We may not have a public role. Whether our role is to continue “in supplications and prayers night and day”, “distributing to the necessity of the saints”, showing hospitality, or preaching the Word, all are needed in the body of God’s people.

See 1Cor. 12:12-13:13

Eph 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Eph 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Eph 4:3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

17. Lost and Found

Of late I have been enjoying similarities and differences found in the three accounts of lost things in Luke 15. These thoughts are not all original with me, but I’ve been enjoying them again.

To refresh our memory, the chapter begins in this way:

Luk 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Luk 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

The Lord then proceeds to tell of a lost sheep, a lost piece of silver, and a lost son.

Similarities:

In each case there were others who felt no need of being found, and there was rejoicing over that which may have been looked down upon by others, the one of low estate. In fact, I believe this is one of the key points the Lord was trying to make (hand in hand with the need of all for repentence)… Truly, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” How grand!

Each had value. Could we link the finding of the sheep with worship (sacrifice), the finding of the coin with redemption, and the finding of the son with relationship and position?

Could we say that in each case there was diligence in the search, and it was until the lost was found? For the sheep, the shepherd had to brave the world’s wilderness of peril and loneliness (think of the Savior’s stoop). For the coin, the woman had to light a candle and diligently sweep the house (Think of the Spirit’s light and work bringing conviction). For the son, the father was diligently looking and praying for the son to come home (Think of the Father’s earnest desire; and He surrendered His only son to follow after and take the place of the lost one who went his own way).

Some differences:
The first was 99:1 (100). The second was 9:1 (10). The third was 1:1 (2). Anyone have an idea what this might speak to us about? I believe the last may have to do with Jews & Gentiles or at least applies…

In the first, the 99 are left in the wilderness. In the last, the elder son is seen outside the father’s house.

In the first, there is joy in heaven. In the second, there is joy in the presence of the angels. In the third, there is joy in the father’s house.

In the first, the sheep wandered out of the way, perhaps without intending to do so. In the second, the coin was lost without any effort of its own (due to falling to the ground with Adam). In the third, the son willingly rejects the love of his father and goes out on his own in rebellion for a taste of the world. Sinners by practice, birth, and choice. Praise God, all were recovered!

The sheep was helpless against the foe, the coin was helpless against the fall, the son was helpless amidst the famine.

A found sheep needs a guide; a found coin needs a guardian; a found son needs growth in a caring family.

You find the sheep on the shoulders of a caring shepherd-strength, you find the coin in the hand of a faithful witness-security, and you find the son in the arms of a forgiving father-serenity.

The only account that gives the reaction of the ones not “lost” is the account of the lost son.

The son is said to not only be lost, but dead and risen again.

I value all your comments and additions on the above. I hope this invokes your thoughts and meditation to explore the lessons and applications that can be learned from this wonderful chapter of God’s word.

16. The Hands of Christ

As we consider the hands of our Savior, we remember that His hands mirror His heart; His works mirror the glory of His person.

A. Humble Hands

“Is not this the carpenter?” Mark 6:3

The God of eternity Whose hand spans the heavens humbled Himself, took on flesh, and worked with His hands to support His earthly family. What humility!

B. Holy Hands

“Who did no sin” 1 Peter 2:22

His hands went about doing good. Never did they stray from righteousness. His hands were holy and without blemish. What purity!

C. Healing Hands

Jesus touched a leper. He touched the sick. He touched blind eyes. He touched a tongue. He touched an ear. He touched the casket of one dead. Wherever he went, He touched hearts, and healed them. Yes, and those who touched Him in faith were blessed as well. What sympathy!

D. Helping (Saving) Hands

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him” Matt. 14:31

It was the Lord’s hand that was stretched forth to save a faltering Peter on a stormy sea. When we are helpless, our Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save (Isa. 59:1). What ability!

E. Holes in His Hands

“They pierced my hands and my feet.” Ps. 22:16

Those hands that faithfully served His father were willingly surrendered to brutal nails and nailed to a cruel tree. They gave their all to the Father whom they never failed to please. What devotion! What sacrifice!

F. Holding Hands

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28

Within His hand there is nothing to fear. What security!

G. Heavenly Hands

“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.” Luke 24:50

The hands once lifted in anguish and suffering now, having provided the means, were lifted in grace upon undeserving ones for whom He came. What bounty!

***

In light of the hands of our Master, may our hands be humble (Eph 4:28), holy (1 Tim 2:8), healing (Gal. 6:1-2), helping, sacrificing, supporting, and blessing!