Real Wisdom

          I recall taking a test in school every year that would tell you what level you were as compared to the rest of the kids in school.  I guess it also gave results that you had learned something during the past 9 months of school.  My math and reading scores were always very good but my grammar scores were around the average level.  I had no love for English Grammar.  It made a little more sense once I started learning Greek and later on, Spanish but while in grade school and high school it was hard for me even to the point of trying to get extra help from Flo Hollett, a very old school teacher/farmer.  My overall scores were good and above normal, but you know, it had nothing to do with my "wisdom."   I'm sure that if one could measure wisdom, my numbers would be below average.  First Corinthians 1:20-24 says, " Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."  
      There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who think they are experts and have the wisdom needed to be important enough for others to listen to them when they voice their opinions of virtually everything imaginable.  A person might be a good actor or actress but that doesn't mean that they know anything about life and its problems.  i wouldn't want Dr. Kildare doing any surgery on me nor would I ever want Tom Cruise piloting a plane in which I was a passenger.  God's Word tells us about wisdom and where it come from.  The people that lived during the time of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul certainly had the same problems that we have today especially in the area of wisdom.  Paul sums it up by stating that the answer was in the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and His crucifixion.   The world of unbelievers just doesn't understand and so the result is their leaning to their own wisdom and rejecting everything that God says.  James 1:5 reminds us, " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  If you want real wisdom then the only source is God.  Praise God today for the wisdom that He gives to those who come to Him.

Shelter during the Storm

         Our cat likes to feel secure so when it sits in the window and sees a stranger coming up the walk, she immediately goes into the bedroom and slides in it under the covers and will not come out until the stranger has left the house.  The cat doesn't know, of course, that there is a lump under the covers that looks like there is a five pound bag of potatoes in the middle of the bed.  There are some times when a person just likes to be "under the covers."  When you get sick and have a fever, there is nothing like a good quilt to crawl under and to find protection.  The same thing is true when it is cold outside and the winds are howling.  You can find peace and safety under a covering of some sort.  I used to go under the covers in any type of storm that had thunder and lightning.  Even when you are caught outside in a rain storm, you soon find it comforting to find a place of shelter where you can be covered from the storm.  The same thing is true in the spiritual life.  We know the truth that God's grace is sufficient for all of our problems and we know about the shield of faith behind which we can find safety from the darts of the enemy.  But, there are still times when it is good just to rest under the protection of the Lord.   Psalm 91:4 says, "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."  
      The illustration here is that of a mother hen who covers her chicks under her wings in the midst of a fierce storm.  Life is like that.  It is filled with storms and they come upon us when we are least expecting them.  It is during those times that the protection of God is most needed.  While God doesn't have feathers, the analogy here is that His protection is the same as that which is provided by the mother hen.  He indeed can and does cover us with a protection and comfort that passes all understanding.  It is a time when you don't need to keep asking for help because it is already there.  God has provided it.  When tragedy strikes your life you can always count on the covering of God to keep you from harm and to be able to get you through the difficulties of life.  He takes care of you during times of grief, sickness, want, perplexities, strife and suffering.  It is His "umbrella of protection" that He provides us for just such times as these.  We need not seek to provide our own protection by our own means.  God's covering is sufficient to meet the need.  What sometimes happens is that we seek to provide our own covering instead of relying upon Him.  Our own coverings are like a newspaper in a rain storm.  It may keep a few hairs dry but it doesn't do the job of keeping us from getting wet. So, rest in God's protection today when the storms of life come upon you.  You will find that it is just like a mother hen with her wings outstretched, gathering in her chicks.  Praise God today for His continual shelter through all of the storms of life.

From Unrighteous to Righteous

         When I was young, I usually thought of myself as a relatively good person.  I wanted to be liked by those with whom I went to school.  I didn't want to cause any trouble on the bus.  I never brought in a snake wrapped up in a cloth and throw it in the lap of some of the girls as one boy did on a sunny afternoon.  I wasn't one that would try to cheat on any kind of test.  I didn't turn my paper over until the teacher said so.  So, I thought I must be a good kid.  Isaiah 64:6 says, " But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
       I always knew that I was a sinner from the my very first acquaintance with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  That changed my view of my own character but this verse really nailed it down tight.  My feeling of being a good kid went down in flames as all of my goodness turned out to be despicable.  Isaiah goes on to give us several references to our lives in this verse.  We are compared to an unclean thing, then we go to being a filthy rag, and our iniquities have taken us away.  You can get a further definition of these categories in most commentaries as we find out just how bad we are.  What makes it worse is the fact that we think these things are good in our own thinking.  Isaiah is referring to our "righteousnesses."  These are the supposedly good things that we are trying to maintain in our lives but we only find out that they are those acts that we have done which we thought were so great, have turned out to be as filthy rags.  God deliberately shows us just what kind of a person we are in order that we know there is absolutely nothing that we can do to stand before God at judgment day.  If our righteous deeds are as filthy rags, then what must be the condition of the evil things that we have done?   It is at that point that we realize that we need  a Savior.  There has to be Someone Who is able to make the necessary payment or we will remain lost for all eternity.  We, of course, know now that that Savior did come, born of the virgin Mary, lived, was crucified, buried and rose again on the third day having made the final payment for our sin.  As the songwriter declared, "Jesus Paid it All."    Second Corinthians 5:21 is the flip side in that it shows how we become righteous.  It says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."  Yes, Jesus did pay it all on the cross and His perfect sacrifice for our sins wiped all of them out.  That means that every filthy rag is gone.  It means that every unclean thing is gone.  You and I are made righteous by the finished work of Christ on the cross.  We go from being unrighteous to being righteous when we accept the payment that the Lord Jesus Christ made for all of our sins.  So, Praise God today that Jesus Paid it All.!

Thou Shalt Not Steal

          I purchased a plaque a number of years ago which had the words of Isaiah 43:1 on it.  I had not thought about this verse of Scripture for a long time but the thought came back to me yesterday as we listened to a message from the Ten Commandments.  The simple message was from the commandment which says, "Thou shalt not steal."  I usually think about taking something most of the time by accident, from some someone else.  It could involve some of the ball point pens especially from banks that after you fill our the required paper work, you have put in your pocket and find it later and since it is just a ball point pen, you never intend on taking it back to the bank.   Isaiah 43:1 says, "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."  
      The message stated that there are two ways where an object is actually yours.  If you created it, it belongs to you and if you purchase it, it also belongs to you.  There can be no question as to ownership if you made the item in question or if you purchased the item.  In the final part of today's passage, we see the words, "...Thou art mine."   The only One Who can utter these words at all is God Himself.  He can look at everyone and say that He is the Creator of them and therefore belong to Him.  We have often been reminded of the passage from Ecclesiastes that says the spirit goes back to God that gave it.  He is the Creator of each and every one of us.  He owns even the unbeliever.   As you begin to think about ownership, it changes how you perceive stealing.  God does have a plan for your life and for my life.  It may take some people more or less time to fulfill that plan because we may be trying to use our agenda because we feel as if we have the right to do with our life whatever we might like to do.  We might feel it is OK to skip worship of God because we have earned the right to take a special journey on a time that might conflict with a set time of worship.  There are 168 hours in the week and some may worship 1 of those hours but due to lack of practice find that they are thinking about something else especially during that time that is supposed to be dedicated to God.  So, in effect, we are stealing from God.  There may come a time when you will say, "I wish I had spent more time focusing on God and worshiping Him, or I wish I had been a better example to my family that I was."  It's not too late to start.  Remember the words of Isaiah, where God said, "...Thou art mine."  Praise God that He holds the deed to everything that we have and everything that we are.

The "Soul Guard"

        I recall that in health class, we had instructions on swimming such as when you go swimming.  They didn't give you a lot of details, but reminded us that we should not go swimming immediately after eating, but that we should wait about two hours before entering the water to avoid unnecessary cramps.  Of course we were also to always obey the life guard.  Swimming was one recreational activity that sometimes had a "Lifeguard" present to save you should you get into trouble.  One of our grand daughters is now employed as a lifeguard at one of the local recreational facilities and has even had the opportunity to "save" several who were having trouble in the water even to the point of drowning if something wasn't done.  She saved them   Acts 26:19-20 says, " Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." 
         Our lives could end quickly if we don't observe the rules while swimming.  The Apostle Paul was also one who could be classed as a lifeguard in that his mission was to save souls from eternal separation from God.  While he was on the road to Damascus, he met the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way  and found himself from being an antagonist in regard to Christianity to being a preacher himself.  His two first cities were Damascus and Jerusalem.  He was on the road anyway so just kept on going with the help of Ananias and to preach to the lost souls of Damascus.  He went from capturing souls for punishment, to rescuing souls for the sake of the Gospel.  God chose to spread His message of salvation through the voice of His believers.  That means that you and me are part of this group of souls that need to go about the business of sharing the Gospel message.  A lifeguard at a pool or seaside would respond immediately to the cry for help of someone floundering in the water.  There are countless millions floundering in the sea of life with their cries remaining unheard by the "soul guards" who are sitting under the umbrellas of the church enjoying a potluck dinner or singing to themselves  songs of heaven and peace.  There seem to be so few "soul guards" who are looking to be like Paul who spoke to the small and the great.  He was ready to preach the gospel wherever he went and to whomever came across his path.  Are you ready also?  Praise God for the message of salvation.  May we share it with the lost around us.

Think on These Things

          I know of several people who have quit watching the evening news.  It seems to me that news has changed from reporting news to making commentary on the news.  We have more commentary than we do news plus most of it is depressing to listen to.  It is not like we are burying our heads in the sand and ignoring what is happening but more of a distrust with all types of media.  We  only hear what they want us to hear and the rest goes untold unless we learn about it by accident.  There are some things that are more important to think about than what we hear over the radio, television and the newspaper.  Certain people that are on the television have received the "mute" button in our house.  When they come on, I hit the mute button as I don't want to hear anything that they have to say.  Well, then, where do we focus our attention?    Philippians 4:8 says, " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  
     The Apostle Paul told the Philippians what they should think about.  In light of the events of the world, the things mentioned in this passage are not the normal things we think about.  The first category of Paul's list are the things that are true.  It would seem that we have to look far and wide to find things that are true especially when it comes from the different forms of media and specifically when it is found on the internet.  Once something is placed on the internet, it goes around and around and around again and many of the statements are false.  Once the falsehoods get on the internet, you can't seem to stop it no matter what you do.  There are even special groups who try to determine if statements made are true or not but we are not even guaranteed about the integrity of the special groups.  So, where do we find that which is true?  You guess it.  The Bible has long been considered to be the Book of truth.  I will place my confidence on the statements of the Bible and believe in the events it describes such as Adam and Eve, The flood, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Ten commandments, Sodom and Gomorrah, the virgin birth of Christ, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and ascension of Christ into heaven long before I will ever regard the world's media system's statements.  The same is true with the other items mentioned in this passage.  The characteristics of honesty, being just, being pure, being lovely and the things that be of good report are far and few between, except in God's Word.  So, if you want to be encouraged today, take a look at God's Word.  If you want to find hope in the midst of lies and deceit, then take a look in God's Word.  If you want to find out what's going to happen in the future, take a look into God's Word.  Then, take the advice of Paul and "...think on these things."  Praise God today for His giving us His Word.

The Settled Account

      Every now and then, you come across some action in your life whereby you say, "Oops."  We know what it means when we hear that little word.  Something is taking place that isn't supposed to take place.   There is a second expression that we use when we say, "Oh, oh." When it happens, you know you are in deep trouble and you know it without a doubt.  A good example is when you are driving along, going down hill, letting the car coast and all of a sudden you notice that State Trooper sitting along the edge of the road, his car pointed in your direction with that cylinder hanging on the side of the window.  You glance down at your speedometer and notice that you are well over the speed limit.  You might then say, "Oops."  As you go by, you look in your mirror to see if his cruiser comes onto the highway with his lights on.  You wish you could back to the top of the hill and start over, but you can't.  What's done is done.  There are some things in life whereby you do something and then wish you hadn't done it.  The only thing you can do is to ask for forgiveness and hope that the other accepts your offer.  Romans 4:5-7 says, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."  
     These verses are speaking of much more than going over the speed limit.  They are speaking about issues of life that if they go unchecked will have severe consequences.  You don't want to leave God out of this equation.  In the first place, you are asking God to forgive you for all of your sin, past, present and future.  That is salvation.  The burden of sin has caused you to hang your head low and a deep feeling of despair to come over you.  The need for forgiveness is great in your life.  At first, you may try other things to try to get rid of the guilt.  There is nothing that you can do other than to come to the One why has been wronged by your actions and to plead for forgiveness.  God has made forgiveness available to all those that call upon Him.  So, you come with true repentance in your heart and a desire to walk in a different way from that moment on.  The verse that says, "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered," sparks a promise that is great to each one who sees it.  Your sins can be forgiven and they can be covered.  The payment that Jesus Christ made on the cross was sufficient to cover the cost of your sins.  The feeling of guilt is gone and you can now lift your head high knowing what God has done for you and it was completely without your help.   Our sins are now paid for and as far from us as the East is from the West.   Secondly, forgiveness can come each and every day as true repentance is present for sins that are committed throughout our daily lives.  So, praise God today for the fact that true forgiveness is possible.  Praise Him for the cross and the empty tomb.