MAY 19, 2024
IT HAS TO BE A MIRACLE!
You’re not going to tell this story are you? I sure am! Why? . . . Why, because I want people to know about a God that DELIGHTS in being a part of our lives. He did this and I praise Him for it. Far too long people have only related to a Distant God and most of the time they only relate to Him on SUNDAY or during a Special Time of need. He is so much MORE than that! God DELIGHTS to be ACTIVELY INVOLVED in our lives!
NOTE: THIS HAPPENED IN 2017 – THE WEEK OF OUR GRANDDAUGHTER’S WEDDING:
This was the Conversation my wife and I had on TUESDAY of this week. Notice:
Our precious Granddaughter was getting married on Saturday and my beautiful wife, Darlene, was having difficulty finding a Dress to suit the Occasion. That Tuesday had started with a Business Meeting followed by an appointment to have Brakes put on my truck. The meeting completed, and having to leave my truck for the day, a time-opening was then created and God wrote the following story:
We went to the computer (we had saved some dresses in our previous searches) and started making contacts.
We finally found the dress of choice and found that the store ‘DILLARDS’ was the store to carry it. The nearest one to us was two hours away in Richmond, IN. I called and talked to the store manager, Sarah, and she said, ‘We don’t have that one – but if that is the style you’re looking for – I truly believe we can help!’
My wife was stunned when I said, ‘Baby Girl, we’re going to Richmond! I feel good about this!’ We went to the Mall and I kid you not – The FIRST DRESS she walked up to WAS THE ONE!!! God had the Perfect Dress for my Perfect Wife!
While she was in the Dressing Room . . . I had a little ‘Church’ going on! There were Ladies in that Department and I said, ‘PRAISE THE LORD! Ladies, my wife has had so much trouble finding a DRESS (One that is Decent and Modest and of course that fits) and God led us to this store and He answered our prayers. She is not dejected and feeling bad like the other shopping experiences had left her. I’m so HAPPY for her! WE ARE BOTH HAPPY BECAUSE GOD GOT INVOLVED IN OUR NEED!’ I could not contain my PRAISE! It became contagious:
The Store Manager, The Ladies Department Employee, and some shoppers joined us and we hugged – we rejoiced – we celebrated – we GLORIFIED our GOD WHO DELIGHTS in being INVOLVED in our LIVES! WE MUST NEVER BE ASHAMED OF WHAT GOD DOES!
Psalm 147:11 The LORD taketh PLEASURE in them that fear him . . .
What a JOY that day was – we enjoyed a beautiful meal together – when we got back to INDY we picked up the Truck that was fixed. We called it a PERFECT DAY! My wife was so excited, but she kept pinching herself . . . GOD AND MY HUSBAND BOTH ENJOYED SHOPPING:
IT HAS TO BE A MIRACLE!
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MAY 18, 2024
THAT TICKLES ME PINK
Have you ever gotten so TICKLED and LAUGHED so hard that you literally cried? I sure have and I must say I love it and I feel it is Biblically Sound to do so. I’m not saying a CRUDE laughter or an Improper Laughter or a Laughter at someone or something unclean in the eyes of God. I’m talking about a LAUGHTER that is wholesome and actually healthy for your body:
Proverbs 15:13 A MERRY HEART maketh a CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE (a happy facial expression): but by SORROW of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 17:22 A MERRY HEART doeth good like a MEDICINE: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
‘MERRY’ is an adjective meaning GLAD, HAPPY, and JOYFUL.
God desires to BLESS and The BLESSINGS of the Lord lead to great JOY:
Deuteronomy 16:15 . . . BECAUSE the LORD thy God shall BLESS thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, THEREFORE thou shalt surely REJOICE.
Psalm 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof WE ARE GLAD.
The wicked are entirely opposite and perverted so that they are joyful at evil.
Proverbs 2:14 Who REJOICE to do evil . . .
Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is GLAD at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Psalm 5:4 For thou art NOT A GOD that hath PLEASURE in wickedness . . .
A Godly JOY is WORTHY of our PURSUIT – ALLOW God to be a part of you!
Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah LAUGHED within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have PLEASURE, my lord being old also?
Sarah’s LAUGHTER stemmed from UNBELIEF (too good to be true). It later became FULL JOY (because it was true). God is the SOURCE of that JOY and when God becomes an ACTIVE PART of our lives we will experience these moments quite often!
Many do not consider that God is the GIVER of TRUE JOY. –
Psalm 147:11 ‘The LORD taketh PLEASURE in them that fear him.’
The GOD that put the LAUGHTER in a BABY is the same God that puts JOY in me! He makes me HAPPY – He gives reason to REJOICE –
He causes me to say:
THAT TICKLES ME PINK
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MAY 17, 2024
FILL ME UP, LORD!
It was in the middle of the night when it happened. Many cannot understand that it happened in a dream . . . but that is the TRUTH . . . It certainly was a Life Changing Moment for me.
I was working on a Church Building Project and on a certain day we had come to an impassable point. HOW DO WE DO THIS (was the question)? At the time, there seemed to be no workable solution – even professional advice had determined the same thing. Everyone had reached the same conclusion . . . we knew there MUST be a way . . . the problem was . . . Who will take that time to think it all through? That’s when God MOVED!
It was the MOST REAL DREAM I had ever experienced. The dream had taken me to the Job-site and there was the impassable problem. Suddenly – Right before my eyes – the pieces of the puzzle constructed themselves – as I watched I can remember the AMAZEMENT and I remembered the ORDER of how the pieces went together. The very next morning, I told the crew about my DREAM and we tried it! You better believe it worked without a hitch! God had FILLED ME with HIS SPIRIT to do the WORK! The LORD taught me a very valuable lesson:
CONSIDER:
Exodus 31:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Exodus 31:3 And I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD, in WISDOM, and in UNDERSTANDING, and in KNOWLEDGE, and in ALL MANNER of WORKMANSHIP,
Exodus 31:4 To DEVISE (to make) cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exodus 31:5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of WORKMANSHIP.
Exodus 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and IN THE HEARTS of all that are wise hearted I HAVE PUT WISDOM, that they may MAKE all that I have commanded thee;
Exodus 31:7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
Those to Whom God CALLS – GOD EQUIPS!
If God gives the COMMISSION, He will, in some measure, give the QUALIFICATIONS, according as the service is. HE WILL ALWAYS do it in a way that HE ALONE (not us) GETS THE GLORY! The Holy Spirit is not LIMITED to an OUTPOURING in the CHURCH SERVICE. HE is AVAILABLE as an OUTPOURING in LIFE’S SERVICE . . . We need God in our WORK as much as we need God in our Worship.
He is not just a SUNDAY GOD . . . HE IS AN EVERYDAY GOD . . . I have learned – that when something can’t be done and God wants it done – it will get done!
He gives the Wisdom needed:
FILL ME UP, LORD!
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MAY 16, 2024
DO I NEED TO REPEAT THAT?
The Teacher told me to leave Susie alone. Did I mention that the Teacher told me to leave Susie alone? REPEATING of statements is a very necessary part of life (at least for me). Even then the message might not get through. Yes, my Grade School Teacher understood that all too well:
The Teacher finally had me to write sentences. Not one sentence . . . not two, not three . . . but 100 sentences.
100 times I had to write: ‘I will not throw spit balls into Susie’s hair!’ Repeating those sentences was the remedy. I never threw spit balls after that! (Spitball = tear off a piece of paper – stick in mouth – soak real good – roll into ball – and then launch). The writing took so long and my arm hurt so bad that I couldn’t even lift the paper wad after that! lol
When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai (after approaching God in the thick darkness) he gave a message to the people from God. The message that he gave actually REPEATED . . . I REPEAT . . . IT REPEATED the 2nd Commandment:
Exodus 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
Exodus 20:23 YE SHALL NOT MAKE WITH ME gods OF SILVER, NEITHER SHALL YE MAKE UNTO YOU gods OF GOLD. (Note: idol gods are never capitalized!)
God is ALL-KNOWING (Omniscient) and He knew that the Children of Israel would make a golden calf (an idol). He REPEATS the 2nd Commandment in particular because He would later say, ‘I told you once – I told you again and again!’ (paraphrase is mine). Over and Over – Again and Again! They were Without Excuse because of God’s REPEATED WARNINGS.
In John 3:3, Jesus says a man MUST BE BORN-AGAIN. He REPEATS that statement in John 3:7. The MESSAGE ‘BE BORN-AGAIN’ is SO IMPORTANT.
In Galatians 1:8 and 1:9, ‘If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Two times Paul REPEATS this WARNING because to MISHANDLE THE WORD OF GOD is a CRIME against humanity!
In the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22:7, 22:12, and 22:20 Jesus says, ‘BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY!’ He REPEATS the same statement: Not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES. HE IS COMING AGAIN . . . BE READY! SO IMPORTANT!
REPEATING SHOWS IMPORTANCE! I wonder how many times God has spoken His Word to our hearts? How many times His Word has been REPEATED in our ears? GOD’S REPEATED WARNINGS! MANY will stand before God (without EXCUSE) just like the Children of Israel:
DO I NEED TO REPEAT THAT?
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MAY 15, 2024
YOU’RE IN FOR A SHOCKING EXPERIENCE
There was a day, as a little boy, I found myself being very intrigued with a wall receptacle (a Plug-in). You see I was driving my Dad’s car (in my imagination) and those plug-in slots were perfect to use as the ignition switch. I had watched Dad put his key in the car switch and start the car. So that’s what I did . . . and BOOM . . . MISTAKE! Fire flew from that plug-in and blacked the wall and MY . . . MY . . . My . . . it LIT me up!!! It scared the BUH-WHOO- KEES out of me! (I don’t know what it means either- it is just something you say when you’re in a state of SHOCK – Literally!)
I can certainly understand people’s Fear of Electricity and why they will not get around it or even close to it – it is because of FEAR. FEAR, causes one to AVOID the OBJECT of their FEAR.
Such was the case of APPROACHING GOD on Mt. Sinai:
Exodus 20:18 And all the people saw the THUNDERINGS, and the LIGHTNINGS, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and STOOD AFAR OFF.
Exodus 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but LET NOT GOD SPEAK WITH US, lest we die.
Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, FEAR NOT: for God is come to prove you, and that his FEAR may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Exodus 20:21 And the people stood AFAR off, and Moses DREW NEAR unto the thick darkness WHERE GOD WAS.
The people had the kind of fear that caused them to want to AVOID GOD altogether.
Moses had FEAR as well. Moses’ FEAR was not the kind that AVOIDED GOD – Moses’ FEAR was the kind that RESPECTED GOD. A Fearful Reverence and Respect for God’s Power and Being!
The Bible says:
Hebrews 10:31 It is a FEARFUL THING to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly FEAR and QUAKE . . .
Electricity was CREATED by an ALL POWERFUL GOD – WHO – deserves even MUCH MORE RESPECT. Today, I do a lot of Electrical Wiring and I must say I no longer FEAR in a way that keeps me away or causes me to AVOID it. However, I still FEAR in the sense that I RESPECT IT. I RESPECT it because it can KILL!
If you do not have that RESPECT don’t approach Electricity!
Lose that RESPECT and the Little Boy in me says:
YOU’RE IN FOR A SHOCKING EXPERIENCE
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MAY 14, 2024
IT’S IN GOD’S HAND
The giving of the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai must have been some sight to behold. Never was anything delivered with such awful Pomp and Circumstance; every word was accented, and every sentence paused, with thunder and lightning and fire, much louder, much brighter, more fierce, no doubt, than ordinary. And why was the law given in this dreadful manner, and with all this tremendous Ceremony? It was designed (once for all) to give a Sensible Discovery of the Glorious Majesty of God, for the assistance of our faith concerning it, that, knowing the terror of the Lord, we may be persuaded to live in His fear. (Henry)
2Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the TERROR OF THE LORD, we persuade men . . .
After the Ten Commandments were given, the people were terrified by the manifestations of The Divine Presence of God. This is a typical reaction of those who came into the presence of God, such as Isaiah, who felt UNDONE before God:
Isaiah 6:4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! FOR I AM UNDONE; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
How about John the Revelator, who fell as a dead man before the Lord:
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Coming close to God made the people afraid of His holy power; they feared death if it continued. Surprisingly, they didn’t want God to speak to them anymore, not the way that He spoke the Commandments from Mt. Sinai. Instead, they wanted Moses to mediate between them and God.
Exodus 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and MOSES DREW NEAR unto the thick darkness where God was. (Moses was not afraid to approach God)
Here’s an interesting thought . . . Moses knew what it was like to be GUILTY (he had killed the Egyptian). He knew what it was like to be FORGIVEN by God. He knew GOD’S GRACE. Moses was not afraid to approach God because he knew that if God was interested in killing him, He would have done it a long time before this. Moses is confident that he may approach God!
Moses’ confidence reminds me of the story of an Emperor who drew his sword and laid the point of it on the chest of his wife and he asked, ‘Woman, are you afraid?’ To which she replied, ‘No, I am not afraid for the sword is in the hand of the one who loves me!’ –
No need for fear because:
IT’S IN GOD’S HAND
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MAY 13, 2024
FEAR DRIVES AWAY BUT LOVE DRAWS NEAR
I love the picture of the Armed Soldier kneeling on one knee while embracing a terrified child. There is Tenderness and Toughness in the Soldier (simultaneously). There is a Gentleness that he shows to the child and a Harshness that he shows toward the enemy (simultaneously).
The giving of the 10 Commandments upon Mt. Sinai had this same feel. Thunderings and Lightnings accompanied the scene. God had already displayed His Protection of the Children of Israel (The Exodus from Egypt) and He displayed His Terror to Pharoah’s Army (at the Red Sea). Both happened at the same time!
Gentleness to One – Harshness to the Other!
Exodus 20:18 And all the people saw the THUNDERINGS, and the LIGHTNINGS, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when THE PEOPLE SAW, they REMOVED, and stood AFAR OFF.
Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, FEAR NOT: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Moses encouraged the people with, ‘FEAR NOT.’
Don’t be afraid and don’t think that the thunder and fire are designed to consume you. This was the very thing they feared. They feared because Thunder and Lightning constituted one of the plagues of Egypt (see Exodus 9:22-26).
Like the analogy of the Soldier the ‘Thunder and Lightning’ served a different purpose upon each. God is ‘Loving’ and ‘Threatening’ at the same time. Loving the Child/Threatening the enemy!
He shows Grace and Mercy to His Children – He shows Fierce Judgment to the enemy.
Fear has been in humanity ever since Adam fled from God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Upon hearing God’s voice in the garden, SINFUL MAN, could not bear, either to SPEAK to God or HEAR from Him. So what does man do? Man HIDES and AVOIDS God with his life and FELLOWSHIP with God is BROKEN – which should not be.
I believe this happens today. People avoid the Bible like a PLAGUE because it CONVICTS and STIRS their heart to action. People act like – if I don’t read THE BIBLE – then I will not be held accountable. For them: ‘IGNORANCE IS BLISS.’ Please understand, ‘Out of sight – Out of mind’ may ease our conscience for some things but it will prove disastrous to do that with God!
Matthew 23:37 . . . how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Like a Momma Hen – Jesus wants to Gather, Protect, and Defend those He loves! For those that know Jesus –‘He is Gentle.’ For those that remain sinful- ‘He is Fierce!’
At the core – people fear God – such fear is reserved for those who stand against Him while His love is for those who love Him!
FEAR DRIVES AWAY BUT LOVE DRAWS NEAR
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MAY 12, 2024
A MOTHER EXPLAINS WHY GOD IS JEALOUS
It was on a cold winter’s morning and the Sunday School Lesson was well underway. God had been dealing with my heart about the verses to be taught. Before I share one of those verses let me say that I’m of the opinion that many Scripture Verses are easier to understand than we make them out to be.
I believe – that many Characteristics that God possesses – are also built into us by default. We simply need to look at our own reactions to certain things to understand why God REACTED the way He did.
The lesson – The 10 Commandments – this was the verse:
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I THE LORD THY God AM A JEALOUS GOD . . .
To illustrate my point – OUR REACTIONS lead us to understand GOD’S REACTIONS – I had Valerie (The Mother) and Vanessa (The Daughter) to come and join me in front of the stage. I began to develop a scenario to test and to see what this Mother would do.
‘You love your daughter with all your heart?’ . . . ‘Yes. I do!’
‘You would do any good thing for your daughter?’ . . . ‘Absolutely!’
There is a woman, who is a stranger, that is walking up to your daughter and saying these words, ‘Come with me . . . I want to be your Mother . . . It’s Okay . . . You can call me Mother . . . You will be my child.‘
I was interrupted by Valerie (Mom) . . . ‘NO!’ ‘That’s not happening!’
‘Why?’ . . . ‘Because she is NOT THE MOTHER . . . I AM!!!’ (Mom was sort of animated – if you know what I mean).
She continued, ‘It is not because I am a mean person, insecure, or selfish. It is simply because I AM THE MOTHER (PERIOD). I WILL NOT SHARE MY DAUGHTER WITH ANOTHER WOMAN WHO IS TRYING TO DO THIS!’ (Personal note: This may not be the exact quote of what she said but it does show how it was meant).
I said to Mom, ‘Thank you . . . you just taught us – what God meant – when He said that He was a Jealous God!
YOUR REACTIONS lead us to understand GOD’S REACTIONS.
God’s JEALOUSY is love in action. He refuses to share the human heart with any rival, not because He is insecure, but because He knows that our salvation is totally dependent upon Him . . . God is not jealous of us: He is jealous for us.’
Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, WHOSE NAME IS JEALOUS, is a jealous God:
This Mom was not hateful, but she sure was BOLD about her love for her daughter:
A MOTHER EXPLAINS WHY GOD IS JEALOUS
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MAY 11, 2024
I’M A HAPPY CAMPER
All of the first Nine Commandments focus more on things that we do. The Tenth Commandment deals direct with the HEART and its DESIRES. Covetousness can be expressed towards all sorts of things; it is the itch to have and to possess what someone else has or owns. It speaks of a DISSATISFACTION with what WE HAVE, and a JEALOUSY towards those who HAVE something that we presume is ‘Better.’
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT – Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not COVET thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not COVET thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Covet is a verb meaning to take pleasure in, to desire, to lust, to desire passionately. Literally, the word for ‘Covet’ here means ‘to CRAVE after.’ Covetousness works like this: the eyes look upon an object, the mind admires it, the will goes over to it, and the body moves in to possess it. Just because you have not taken the final step does not mean you are not in the process of coveting right now. (GUZIK)
‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.’ If I may take the liberty I would like to add – his Tools, his Boat, his Mower, his Lawn Decorations, his Fed-Ex and UPS packages, etc. – Just something I need to say – that’s all!
The tenth commandment passes from ACTS to THOUGHTS, and it shows that it is sinful to Lust after anything that God never intended one to have. Paul states that this commandment produced deep conviction of sin in his life:
Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, THOU SHALT NOT COVET.
THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS:
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation (life style/ emphasis mine) be WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS; and be CONTENT with such things as ye HAVE: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Jesus gave a special warning about covetousness, which explained the core philosophy of the covetous heart:
Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Happiness is not having all you WANT – It is WANTING ALL YOU HAVE!
With that I say:
I’M A HAPPY CAMPER
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MAY 10,2024
THE MUD SLINGERS
The 9th commandment forbids damaging the character of another person by making statements which are not true – It teaches respect for a person’s reputation. (Believer’s Bible Commentary)
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Some examples of how the ninth commandment can be broken is by slander, gossip, creating false impressions, by inappropriate silence, by questioning the motives behind someone’s actions, or even by flattery.
SLANDER – is a lie invented and spread with intent to do harm. The man guilty of slander ruins a reputation which may never be regained, and causes lifelong suffering. (Redpath) (SLANDER is verbal and LIBEL is printed)
GOSSIP (Talebearing) is repeating a report without careful investigation.
INAPPROPRIATE SILENCE – When someone utters a falsity about another and a third person is present who knows the statement to be untrue – but – for reasons of fear or of being disliked, that person remains quiet, that person then is as guilty of breaking this law as if he had told a lie.
Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Satan always encourages a LIE since he is the father of it (John 8:44); and
Jesus Himself was the victim of false witness (Mark 14:57);
we might say – this was the sin that sent Jesus to the cross.
Finally, The ninth commandment not only concerns our neighbor’s good name – it also concerns our own good name. If what we say – is in fact a lie about our neighbor – and that lie is found out – we then become known as a liar. Our own reputation will become damaged and trust will be broken in those who once trusted in us. Many do not consider this devastating effect.
The Neighbor then – must defend himself – to change Public Opinion (which may never happen) and the Liar – can’t defend himself – because of the changed Public Opinion that now concerns him. Many think that Christian maturity is revealed by the ability to speak our minds, whereas the opposite is true – it is really expressed by controlling our tongues.
‘If you’re gonna sling mud then prepare to get dirty!’ (Dailey)
You just joined the gang called:
THE MUD SLINGERS
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MAY 9, 2024
OFF LIMITS
The amazing thing to me is that it appears that the 10 Commandments have been programmed within our beings – by default – by Almighty God. Our morality, our Civil Law, our compass for right and wrong all certainly stem from the 10 Commandments.
Watch a child play and then watch another child take their toy – that child immediately knows – something is wrong. They immediately sense – that wrong – has been done! That knowledge, or knowing, has been placed deep within their being. Even the vilest of people refer to being wronged by someone and they don’t even realize that God has placed that instinct within them.
This in itself – is PROOF – that there is a GOD and that we are created by HIM!
The 8th Commandment is:
Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.
This command is another important Foundation for Human Society. It establishes the right to own personal property. The ownership of property is recognized and sanctioned by the Authority of God.
‘Thou shalt not steal’ refers to any act by which a person wrongfully deprives another person of his property.
This Commandment teaches RESPECT for Private Property.
The institution of property imposes upon all men the duty of industry (work) in their callings; the duty of maintaining independence; the duty of avoiding any, even the least, invasion of the rights of others; the duty of self-restraint in expenditure, as well as of honesty in acquisition. (Dale)
The idea of WORKING for what you have is an idea that works!
It’s crazy to see how many people, in our society, who think they are entitled to other people’s property. ‘Share the wealth’ is an idea that is destroying our nation. There are professional criminals and non-professional criminals alike that make their living by TAKING. Theft of property, possessions, and even IDENTITY THEFT is so prevalent today. GOD SEES AND GOD KNOWS AND GOD WILL JUDGE!
There are Institutions (to vile to name) that take every opportunity to SUE when the 10 Commandments are POSTED in a ‘PUBLIC PLACE.’ ‘People just might read them and just might believe them’ – That – to them – is the crime.
TELL ME, WHY DO WE THROW THE BIBLE AWAY IN OUR SOCIETY? Everyone with dignity wants this type of crime to cease – We MUST turn back to GOD! These people need to READ and OBEY The 10 Commandments!
Property is a Divine Institution, founded upon a Divine Idea, and protected by Divine Sanction.
The Obvious is: We should honor GOD with the USE of it and honor God by RESPECTING other People’s Property and Rights.
STEALING – what is not yours – IS – and should REMAIN:
OFF LIMITS
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May 8, 2024
LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL
Marriage is Sacred and the 7th commandment forbids acts which violate the idea upon which that Sacredness rests. The very idea of Marriage, instituted by God, rests on the possibility of an Absolute Mutual Surrender of a man and a woman to each other. A surrender in which nothing is reserved but Loyalty to God and Loyalty to The Commandments (made by God) which no human relationship should modify or disturb. (R. W. Dale/Rearranged by Pastor Dailey)
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
The sexual unfaithfulness of married people is ADULTERY. The sexual unfaithfulness between married and unmarried is ADULTERY in the married and FORNICATION in both (the single person and the married). Fornication is different than Adultery only in the fact that it covers a broader list of sexual sins (Adultery would be on that list). The New Testament clearly condemns Adultery as a ‘Work of the Flesh.’
Please note: A ‘Work of the Flesh’ ALWAYS opposes the ‘Work of the Holy Spirit.’ It is VITAL that we understand this point.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness . . . (These are Sexual sins and they are Fleshly substitutes for God’s Perfect Will)
The sin of Adultery – is not a sin committed only with the PHYSICAL BODY – it is a sin that involves the WHOLE MAKE-UP OF MAN (The Body, The Soul, and The Spirit).
Read the following Scripture and understand the word ‘BODY’ is not just the physical body, but is the WHOLE OF MAN (Body –Soul –Spirit). Read and allow the Holy Spirit to be the teacher:
1Corinthians 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is JOINED to an harlot is one BODY? for two, saith he, shall be ONE flesh. –
1Corinthians 6:17 But he that is JOINED unto the Lord is ONE spirit. –
1Corinthians 6:18 Flee FORNICATION. Every sin that a man doeth is without the BODY; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own BODY.
(simply put: this sin affects your BODY [TOTAL BEING] as no other sin does/ emphasis mine)
1Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your BODY is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your BODY, AND IN YOUR SPIRIT, which are God’s.
This sin has a level of Spiritual Attachment as no other sin does (implied from the above Scripture).
The Sacredness of Marriage must be Respected, Cherished, Protected, and most of all Preserved. As goes Marriage – so goes Society.
The Tempter snags ‘many a soul’ with the Lures of Sin!
Adultery – one of the most devastating of sins – affecting the whole being of man:
LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL
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May 7, 2024
THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE
The Bible emphatically teaches the great importance of the RESPECT and PRESERVATION of Human Life. If people and Nations do not grant ultimate RESPECT and PROTECTION to the Born and Unborn, all other professed Morals and Values are meaningless. The DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE is not just a Principle of the Bible – it is the FIRST PRINCIPLE of any Civilized Society. (Richard G. Lee)
The Sixth Commandment states:
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
The word ‘KILL’ is the Hebrew Word ‘RATSACH’ which means to dash in pieces, to MURDER, to slay, to kill. In applying to MURDER it means premeditated, by accident, or an act of revenge. It can even mean to be mauled by an animal.
The word ‘KILL’ in the Sixth Commandment is actually MURDER. Those who don’t understand the difference, wrestle with killing of any kind and to them, no killing is EVER JUSTIFIED. That is simply NOT TRUE and certainly is not based upon the Bible.
The Bible does not FORBID killing in JUSTIFIED WAR, or in our own SELF-DEFENSE, nor Civil Law putting offenders to death (CAPITAL PUNISHMENT). The Bible promotes JUSTICE for the Preservation of Civilization. Civil Law is to protect the innocent by enforcing ‘JUST’ Judgment on the wicked. A Society that avoids such Judgment is DOOMED!
Consider:
Genesis 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
Genesis 9:5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
Genesis 9:6 WHOSO SHEDDETH MAN’S BLOOD, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED: for in the image of God made he man.
‘THOU SHALT NOT KILL’- Thou shalt not do any thing Hurtful or Injurious to the health, ease, and life, of thy own body, or any other person’s UNJUSTLY. (Believers Bible Commentary)
The ROOT of the problem that causes MURDER stems from Malice, Hatred, and Personal Revenge – all of which corrupt the heart. Poisonous HATE destroys –
1John 3:15 ‘Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.’
STOP THIS POISON BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT!
Know this – You can’t get away with what God is against! No-one will ever get around God as the Righteous Judge! Believe the Bible!
Stop the Poison of HATE and by all means PRESERVE THE RIGHT OF JUSTICE and:
THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE
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MAY 6, 2024
I PLEAD THE FIFTH
HONOR for Fathers and Mothers is an essential Building Block for the stability and health of all Society. If the younger generations are constantly at war with the older generations, the Foundations of Society will be destroyed or in the least made UNSTABLE.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, OBEY your parents IN THE LORD: for this is right.
Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Ephesians 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The Apostle Paul, repeated the 5th Commandment in Ephesians, emphasizing the promise of the Original: (that your days may be long upon the land). Rebellion is costly! Many have paid a high price for rebellion (against their parents or parents in rebellion against the Lord)!
We see that Paul added another element to the thought and that is ‘IN THE LORD’ and for the Fathers to be an example ‘IN THE LORD.’ Paul alerts, and warns the Children that are asked to do EVIL, to be aware, because that is NOT what the 5th Commandment is about. There are EVIL people that do abuse such Commands! Oh, dear Parent, DO NOT be that person!
NOTICE THE ORIGINAL WORDING AGAIN:
Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
Exodus 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have BROUGHT THEE OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, out of the house of bondage.
SKIP DOWN TO THE 5TH COMMANDMENT
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE.
In Exodus 20:1,2 (the preface to the commandments), God BRINGING THEM OUT of Egypt was a reason for their Obedience. In the beginning of the second table (starting with the 5th Commandment) God mentions HIS BRINGING THEM INTO Canaan as another reason to OBEY. Here long life, in that good land, is promised to the OBEDIENT CHILDREN.
Those that do their duty to their parents (Show Honor) are most likely to have the comfort of that which their parents gather for them and leave to them (Inheritance); those that support their Parents shall find that God, the common Father, will support them and BLESS THEM.
Those who, in conscience towards God, keep this and the rest of God’s commandments, may be sure that it shall be well with them, and that they shall live as long on earth as Infinite Wisdom sees good for them, and that what they may seem to be cut short of on earth shall be abundantly made up in eternal life, the heavenly Canaan which God will give them. (Matthew Henry)
If those in Society ask WHY are you HONORING your parents?
Just say:
I PLEAD THE FIFTH (The 5th Commandment that is!)
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MAY 5, 2024
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
As a Pastor, speaking to a young lady, that’s looking to marry that special young man – I would certainly try to invoke her thinking processes with the following considerations:
The Fifth Commandment:
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
With that Commandment in mind, I would ask these questions, – How does he treat his own Mother? – Is he kind to her? – Is he Respectful to her? – Is he Considerate of her? – Does he Value her Opinions and Wishes? – Does he YELL at her? – Does he Disrespect her Demands? (Son you must do this to get the privilege to do that) – Is he Disobedient? – Is he a Gentleman or a Jerk?
How that young lady answers those questions is very important. If that young man does not treat his own Mother with dignity – Mark my word! – He will not treat the young lady any better!
The 10 Commandments in a sense is a VETTING TOOL of Character.
The answers to the above questions are not given by writing the correct answers down. The True Answers are given by LIVING them. The Observer (by being Truthful and Unbiased) will know simply by the Actions of the one being observed. It certainly would benefit the young lady to be honest with her answers concerning these questions. It sure could save her a lot of grief and heartache.
The Second Tablet (The Last SIX COMMANDMENTS) deals with our Relationship and Interaction with Humanity. They deal with such Topics as the Respect Toward One’s Immediate Family, The Dignity of Life, Faithfulness in Relationships, Honesty, The Value of Other’s Property, Telling the Truth, and The Motives Behind Our Own Personal Wants and Desires. They are certainly ‘Dash-board Warning Lights’ for ‘Engine (Heart) Problems.’
The 10 Commandments exercise what some call ‘Our Sixth Sense,’ which is ‘COMMON SENSE!’
A Common sense God – gives Common Sense PRINCIPLES – to people who value Common Sense – Period.
These PRINCIPLES will STABILIZE our Society, Make mankind a better people, and the Commandments work because God is the Author of them!
As religion towards God is an essential branch of universal righteousness, so righteousness towards men is an essential branch of true religion. Godliness and honesty must go together. (Matthew Henry)
When it comes to how People treat People . . . Or how that boy will treat the girl . . .
I suppose you could say:
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
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MAY 4, 2024
TAKE TWO TABLETS FOR THE REMEDY
We know that God gave to Moses the 10 Commandments and that those Commandments were to be shared with the people. The 10 Commandments were written by the finger of God. They were written on two separate tablets or two tables of stones. They were not SUGGESTIONS as some have SUGGESTED — They were COMMANDMENTS that God COMMANDED. (I know the obvious is obvious but I like the sound of how those sentences sound – just saying 🙂 )
Exodus 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, TWO TABLES OF TESTIMONY, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
You may or may not know that the FIRST TABLET or table had the First Four Commandments on them. The First Four Commandments all deal with our RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. The SECOND TABLET or table of stone had the last Six Commandments which all deal with our RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FELLOW MAN.
Jesus very wisely brought clarity to this point by reducing the 10 Commandments down to 2 MAIN COMMANDMENTS and by doing so He still referenced BOTH TABLETS:
TABLET #1 OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD
TABLET #2 OUR RELATIONSHIP TO OUR FELLOW MAN
Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF ALL?
Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The FIRST of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mark 12:31 And the SECOND is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
Mark 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mark 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Jesus told the scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God. People that are SINCERE and HONEST will never try to deceive God – their fellow man – or themselves with insincere external religion.
To cure your bad relationship with God and man just:
TAKE TWO TABLETS FOR THE REMEDY
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MAY 3, 2024
KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
The word ‘REMEMBER’ that is mentioned in the 4th Commandment is an interesting word. It is a verb meaning to recall, to think about, to think on, to be remembered, to acknowledge, to mention, to make known, and to rehearse. The basic meaning indicates a process of mentioning or recalling either silently, verbally, or by means of a MEMORIAL SIGN or SYMBOL.
Exodus 20:8 REMEMBER the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Matthew Henry, brilliantly describes The Sabbath in the following way:
‘It is designed for A MEMORIAL of the CREATION OF THE WORLD, and therefore to be observed to the GLORY of the CREATOR, as an engagement upon ourselves to serve him and an encouragement to us to TRUST IN HIM who made heaven and earth. By the sanctification of the Sabbath, the Jews declared that they WORSHIPPED the God that MADE THE WORLD, and so distinguished themselves from all other nations, who worshipped gods which they themselves made.’
AVOIDING LEGALISM AND DISCOVERING THE PURPOSE OF THE SABBATH:
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, OR OF THE SABBATH DAYS:
Colossians 2:17 Which are A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME; but the body is of Christ. (Old Testament Law meets New Testament Grace / emphasis mine)
The most important purpose of the Sabbath was to serve as a SHADOW (Symbolic) of the REST we have in Jesus. The Sabbath began in the Finishing of the Work of Creation, so will the Everlasting Sabbath (HEAVEN) in the Finishing of the Work of Redemption.
I realize that there are a lot of Legalities and Technicalities when discussing the Sabbath.
Yes, Saturday is the Sabbath Day . . .
Yes, Sunday is the First Day of the Week.
Jesus arose on Sunday and I Worship on that Day to Commemorate His Resurrection. Yet, I know some that Love Jesus and worship on Saturday.
The Main thing – is to – WORSHIP HIM!
Without being – DETOURED from GOD’S PURPOSE – can we just admit that we need to take time for the Worship of The LORD?
Can I (or YOU) give more TIME to HIM?
Can we Pray a little more?
Study a little more?
Think upon HIM a little more?
Give a little more?
GOD SAYS:
Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from THE SABBATH, from doing thy pleasure on my HOLY DAY; and call THE SABBATH a delight, the HOLY OF THE LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Isaiah 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Guaranteed Blessings)
My note: When it comes to the Sabbath please:
KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
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MAY 2, 2024
COME APART AND REST OR YOU WILL COME APART
My Granddaughter, Miss Madelyn (a Toddler when this was written), will point at her eye and say, ‘EYE!’ Her Father (Ben) is in the Medical Field and he has studied anatomy in such a way that he points at the ‘EYE’ and says things that are so detailed that all stare in amazement. Their knowledge levels are different – One is LEARNED while the other is LEARNING – both levels are equally important and wonderful . . .
I say that to say this – BIBLE STUDY IS LIKE THAT – Some are LEARNED while others are LEARNING – The 10 Commandments, for example, present such a diverse spectrum of Learning.
So, with the ‘Madelyns’ in mind, I will keep this study very basic:
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exodus 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Today, let’s establish some simple PRINCIPLES concerning the 4th Commandment:
1. IT IS TO BE REMEMBERED – it is said that God did not establish a new law here –
The Children of Israel had been in Egypt and they had failed or were not allowed to OBSERVE and KEEP the Sabbath Day (A Day of Rest). God is RE-ESTABLISHING something He began at the time of Creation:
Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and HE RESTED on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
2. Very Simply – IT IS A DAY OF REST – (a day to rejuvenate and enjoy fellowship with God).
A). GOD DIDN’T REST BECAUSE HE WAS TIRED – He contemplated and enjoyed what He had made. He was letting us know that we too need REST and that there is a PURPOSE for such a day.
B). IT IS A HOLY DAY (a day set apart to Honor and Worship God).
Sabbath is a word that means ‘Intermission.’ Take a break and be with God. The following Scripture is not about the Sabbath but it is about REST –
Jesus spoke: Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, COME YE YOURSELVES APART into a desert place, AND REST A WHILE . . .
It’s like the Preacher that once said:
COME APART AND REST OR YOU WILL COME APART
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MAY 1, 2024
A MOTHER EXPLAINS WHY GOD IS JEALOUS
It was on a cold winter’s morning and the Sunday School Lesson was well underway. God had been dealing with my heart about the verses to be taught. Before I share one of those verses let me say that I’m of the opinion that many Scripture Verses are easier to understand than we make them out to be.
I believe – that many Characteristics that God possesses – are also built into us by default. We simply need to look at our own reactions to certain things to understand why God REACTED the way He did.
The lesson – The 10 Commandments – this was the verse:
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I THE LORD THY God AM A JEALOUS GOD . . .
To illustrate my point – OUR REACTIONS lead us to understand GOD’S REACTIONS – I had Valerie (The Mother) and Vanessa (The Daughter) to come and join me in front of the stage. I began to develop a scenario to test and to see what this Mother would do.
‘You love your daughter with all your heart?’ . . . ‘Yes. I do!’
‘You would do any good thing for your daughter?’ . . . ‘Absolutely!’
There is a woman, who is a stranger, that is walking up to your daughter and saying these words, ‘Come with me . . . I want to be your Mother . . . It’s Okay . . . You can call me Mother . . . You will be my child.‘
I was interrupted by Valerie (Mom) . . . ‘NO!’ ‘That’s not happening!’
‘Why?’ . . . ‘Because she is NOT THE MOTHER . . . I AM!!!’ (Mom was sort of animated – if you know what I mean).
She continued, ‘It is not because I am a mean person, insecure, or selfish. It is simply because I AM THE MOTHER (PERIOD). I WILL NOT SHARE MY DAUGHTER WITH ANOTHER WOMAN WHO IS TRYING TO DO THIS!’ (Personal note: This may not be the exact quote of what she said but it does show how it was meant).
I said to Mom, ‘Thank you . . . you just taught us – what God meant – when He said that He was a Jealous God!
YOUR REACTIONS lead us to understand GOD’S REACTIONS.
God’s JEALOUSY is love in action. He refuses to share the human heart with any rival, not because He is insecure, but because He knows that our salvation is totally dependent upon Him . . . God is not jealous of us: He is jealous for us.’
Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, WHOSE NAME IS JEALOUS, is a jealous God:
This Mom was not hateful, but she sure was BOLD about her love for her daughter:
A MOTHER EXPLAINS WHY GOD IS JEALOUS
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APRIL 30, 2024
THE GOLD STANDARD OF IDOLATRY
Moses was gone for forty days to be with God on the mountain (Exodus 24:18). Because the people couldn’t see the reason for Moses’ delay – they grew IMPATIENT – they allowed it to become a stumbling block.
How we handle God’s ORDAINED DELAYS is a good measure of our Spiritual Maturity. Drifting off into sin or Lapsing into Resignation is to react poorly to God’s ordained delays. If we allow such times to deepen our perseverance in following God, then those delays prove to be GOOD for us.
Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that MOSES DELAYED to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, MAKE US gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot (know) not what is become of him. (Read Exodus 32 for more insight)
THE DESIRE OF THE MAJORITY MAY NOT BE THE DESIRE OF GOD
When it comes to ministry, a Great Amount of Caution should be used, especially when the people are saying, ‘THIS IS WHAT WE NEED!’ and ‘THIS IS WHAT WE WANT!’ With Moses, the people stopped trusting in God’s Plan and their IMPATIENCE became the FUEL that drove their fleshly desires to SUBSTITUTE God’s Plan with their Own Rebellious Plan.
WHEN WEAK LEADERSHIP CAVES TO STRONG REBELLION
‘Up, MAKE US gods!’ Aaron made ‘the golden calf’ and gave his excuse. At that moment, it seemed harder to stand for the LORD than to go against the people. Aaron, took the path of least resistance. He was lazy! Lazy people seem to always find fault with their tools. Those, who do not intend to work, always find some excuse or other; and then they make up for their laziness by having a delicious spiritual dream. MANY (my insert) Christian people about us are dreaming; and they consider that thus they are doing the work of the LORD. They are only doing it deceitfully by putting dreaming into the place of real service.’ (Spurgeon)
THE HEART OF REBELLION AND IDOLATRY
Excellence is DEMANDED from Coaches, Employers, Entertainers, and Physical Trainers, etc. We think nothing of those challenging demands! WITH GOD – the irony is- that people DEMAND a LESS DEMANDING GOD. In our modern culture many regard the ‘Absence of Restraint’ as ‘Heaven on Earth.’ But the Bible and common sense tell us that this kind of moral, spiritual, and social anarchy brings nothing but destruction.
Even a Mother knows that she cannot give a child its every wish!
I’m thankful that God cares and is DEMANDING.
Rejection of GOD produces substitutes – much like the ‘golden calf’:
THE GOLD STANDARD OF IDOLATRY
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APRIL 29, 2024
ART THAT REVEALS THE HEART
When I was just an elementary age child – my Aunt Bennie – gave me a little story book about the Birth of Baby Jesus. As I looked through its pages I was intrigued by the Baby Jesus lying in the little manger. As I gazed at the pages, my Aunt approached and said, ‘You seem to love Baby Jesus?’ ‘Yes I do!’ was my reply. As I look back to that moment, I fully realize that one of the first seeds of the Gospel was sown into my life. God used an ILLUSTRATED STORY BOOK.
My Grandmother had Religious Wall Art on every wall of her house. My favorite was the picture of the little boy and little girl crossing an unstable bridge. An Angel was in the background protecting them with safety. Yet, another seed planted causing me to realize, there was a God who loved young boys just like me!
Oh, I almost forgot the Picture of Jesus (the Good Shepherd), reaching over the ledge of the cliff and picking up that precious little lamb. Grandma would say with tears, ‘Son, when you get into trouble remember Jesus will be there to get you out!’ Oh, how I needed to know that. I KNOW that those PIECES OF ART revealed the GOSPEL unto me!
Let’s read the SECOND COMMANDMENT in full (not just the first 9 words):
Exodus 20:4 THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exodus 20:5 THOU SHALT NOT BOW DOWN THYSELF TO THEM (worship them/ emphasis mine), nor SERVE them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
The second commandment doesn’t forbid making an image of something for ARTISTIC PURPOSES.
Many do not realize that God Himself COMMANDED Israel to MAKE IMAGES of CHERUBIM (A Heavenly Figure) – (Exodus 25:18; Exodus 26:31).
Exodus 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exodus 26:31 And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Just take a look at all the things that were made for the Tabernacle.
Here’s the PRINCIPLE: The mere making was not the sin – it was the making of images with the intent to BOW DOWN and give the IDOL WORSHIP.
Sunday School Teachers have used such TOOLS of art as Flannel Graph Objects to Media Presentations in planting seeds of the GOSPEL in their student’s hearts. The ‘golden calf’ however was none of that – as it revealed the EVIL INTENT of the people’s heart. It fully disclosed their desire to depart from following God!
There’s certainly more detail and depth of Commandment #2 –
BUT TODAY our Devotion is about:
ART THAT REVEALS THE HEART
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APRIL 28, 2024
FOOLISH SUBSTITUTES
Moses was on the mountain top with God when God gave to him the 10 Commandments. While Moses was in Holy Communion with God on the mountain the children of Israel were at the base of the mountain with Aaron making a golden calf (holy cow! I suppose that’s where that saying came from). The people’s actions would be a direct violation of the 2nd Commandment:
Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any GRAVEN IMAGE . . .
Today I want to look at man-made substitutes. Things that man says are more important than God. There are things that man foolishly makes to take the place of God.
It is true that humanity is instinctively religious. By necessity – man will worship something whether he thinks so or not. If man refuses to worship the Living God of the Bible he will then resort to making his own gods or substitutes. It is hard to comprehend why mankind is attracted to idols, creates idols, and especially then worships idols!
Consider:
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but BECAME VAIN IN THEIR IMAGINATIONS, and their FOOLISH HEART was darkened.
Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Romans 1:23 And CHANGED the glory of the uncorruptible God into an IMAGE made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
Notice the downward progression recorded in the above passage — it changes from God – to man – to birds – to animals – and then to creeping things.
This is mankind DEPARTING from God,
DEGENERATION into sin,
DESTRUCTION of true Biblical Doctrine,
THIS IS DEVOLUTION!
DEVOLUTION is a real word meaning a descent to a lower state or level.
Remember this PRINCIPLE: man becomes like what he worships. As his concept of God degenerates, his morals degenerate also. If his god is a snake, then he feels free to live as he pleases. Remember too, that a worshiper generally considers himself inferior to the object of worship. ‘Created in the image and after the likeness of God’ is degraded to a place lower than that of serpents!
Someone said, ‘Light rejected is light denied. Those who don’t want to see lose the capacity to see.’ (Author Unknown)
Many will be inclined to discuss things like ‘Creations of Art’ – ‘Paintings’ – etc. We will discuss that in the future – BUT TODAY – let’s keep the MAIN THING the MAIN THING!
Man is tempted to replace true worship of God with:
FOOLISH SUBSTITUTES
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APRIL 25, 2024
TAKING THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN
What does it mean to take the Name of the Lord Thy God in Vain? If someone sneezes and the reply comes, ‘God, Bless You!’ – Has the third Commandment been broken? One just blurts out, ‘Dear Lord!’ – Is it, ‘OOOPS, I messed up?’ Let’s take a closer look at what it means to take the Name of The Lord Thy God in VAIN!
The word ‘VAIN’ in the 3rd Commandment is: The Hebrew word šāw’: A masculine noun meaning emptiness, vanity, evil, ruin, uselessness, deception, worthless, without result, fraud, deceit. The primary meaning of the word is DECEIT, LIE, OR FALSEHOOD!
Notice how the same word is used in the following verses:
Psalm 12:2 They speak VANITY . . . (Intentional Falsehood)
Psalm 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in VAIN. (Intentional Disrespect for God)
It is very obvious to me that the meaning pertains to more serious allegations about the use of God’s Name. The Bottom line – ‘Heart of the Meaning’ – is MOTIVE and INTENT. The examples of ‘God bless you’ and ‘Lord help me’ – were never intended to be EVIL in MOTIVE or to express FALSEHOOD. I PERSONALLY do not believe that God is offended in such a case.
We may transgress the commandment in many ways:
(1) by Perjury;
(2) by Swearing;
(3) by Scoffing and Cursing at God or His Son Jesus
(4) And certainly when the Holy Spirit says that we have used God’s Name much too loosely (this requires sensitivity to the Lord).
Matthew 6:9 . . . Our Father which art in heaven, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
His NAME, stands for Himself, and it is to Him that our reverence is due. Taking God’s name in vain is forbidden. We should never swear by God’s name that a False Statement is actually True – Making God a part of the lie! The MOTIVE and INTENT is HYPOCRITICAL (False).
Finally, there is the ‘Spirit of the Law’ and ‘The Letter of the Law.’ ‘The Letter of the Law’ makes everything so legalistic that no one is right – ever! A ‘God Bless You’ following a sneeze is wrong to them. ‘The Spirit of the Law’ is to know God’s Grace and Mercy and to know what He really meant by the Commandment. It is not about – trivial matters – it is more about being in a right relationship with Him.
Perhaps we should think about ‘TAKING HIS NAME’ just like a Bride who takes on the New Name of her husband! Never taking God’s Name in Vain!
When my MOTIVE and INTENT is PURE – I can have PEACE – I know that My Heart was not AGAINST the LORD.
To Lie and Swear by His Name that a Known Lie is True –
Would be:
TAKING THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN
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APRIL 24, 2024
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
For many people the 10 Commandments are nothing more than a Home Interior Decorative item. Most people have seen them listed somewhere on a plaque but many DO NOT KNOW where they are in the Bible. My desire today is to show you where they are, show their entirety, and high-light them into the list you are accustomed to seeing.
They are in the Book of EXODUS:
Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
Exodus 20:2 – I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
1. Exodus 20:3 THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME.
2. Exodus 20:4 THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
3. Exodus 20:7 THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4. Exodus 20:8 REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY.
Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exodus 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
5. Exodus 20:12 HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
6. Exodus 20:13 THOU SHALT NOT KILL.
7. Exodus 20:14 THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.
8. Exodus 20:15 THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.
9. Exodus 20:16 THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS against thy neighbour.
10. Exodus 20:17 THOU SHALT NOT COVET thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
These are not the 10 SUGGESTIONS . . .
They are:
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
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