The older I get the more I realize that I've wasted a good part of my life on trivial matters--matters of little concern or importance. I believe the Apostle Paul hits the nail on the head when he says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6, NIV).
This goes right along with what the Great Apostle said in 1 Corinthians 13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV). Paul introduced this chapter with these words: "And now I will show you the most excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31, NIV).
Yes, love is the only thing that counts, the most excellent way, and the greatest of the Christian attributes. In fact, it is the mark of a true Christian. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35, NIV).
The relationships in our lives should be very precious to us. We need to love one another. Without love, we are like "a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV). Who wants to be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal?
Let us remember these words today: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:7-8, NIV).
For a fuller treatment of this vitally important topic, please read our Pure Gold Classic--The Greatest Thing in the World by Henry Drummond.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
In the World, but Not of It
As I become aware of all that is taking place in our world today, I realize more and more how fortunate we are to be in the world, but not of it. Indeed, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God, not this kingdom of darkness.
As members of the Kingdom of God, we should be following the words of Jesus, who said, "Ye are the salt of the earth. . . .Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:13-14).
The saltier we become, the thirstier other will be, and we will be able to help them quench their thirst with the rivers of living water that flow from us. To quench the darkness in our world today we need to shine as lights.
"This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine.'
When Art Katz, a former Logos author, was a young hippie hitchiking through Germany in the sixties, a man who picked him up simply said, "You know, all the problems in our world would be solved if we simply followed one command of Jesus." Art asked, "What was that?" The German said, "Follow me." Art said it was as if those words penetrated his heart and set off an explosion.
It's true--if we followed Jesus in all things, particularly with regard to His supreme commandment to love God and others, everything would change. Instead of this, however, we get caught up in the ways of this world.
There are a lot of angry Christians today who are not reflecting the love of Jesus when it comes to politics, the economy, etc. Instead of shining as lights and walking in love, they contribute to the darkness and hate around them.
Let's follow Jesus, remembering that though we're in the world, we're not of it. What we really need is an heaven-born spiritual revival that will sweep our world clean. It's time to return to our first love and let our light shine wherever we are.
As members of the Kingdom of God, we should be following the words of Jesus, who said, "Ye are the salt of the earth. . . .Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:13-14).
The saltier we become, the thirstier other will be, and we will be able to help them quench their thirst with the rivers of living water that flow from us. To quench the darkness in our world today we need to shine as lights.
"This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine.'
When Art Katz, a former Logos author, was a young hippie hitchiking through Germany in the sixties, a man who picked him up simply said, "You know, all the problems in our world would be solved if we simply followed one command of Jesus." Art asked, "What was that?" The German said, "Follow me." Art said it was as if those words penetrated his heart and set off an explosion.
It's true--if we followed Jesus in all things, particularly with regard to His supreme commandment to love God and others, everything would change. Instead of this, however, we get caught up in the ways of this world.
There are a lot of angry Christians today who are not reflecting the love of Jesus when it comes to politics, the economy, etc. Instead of shining as lights and walking in love, they contribute to the darkness and hate around them.
Let's follow Jesus, remembering that though we're in the world, we're not of it. What we really need is an heaven-born spiritual revival that will sweep our world clean. It's time to return to our first love and let our light shine wherever we are.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Creation
The late professor and botanist Edwin Conklin very perceptively stated, "The probability of life originating from accident is comparable to the probability of an unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a printing shop." I like this very apt comparison.
When noted atheist Richard Dawkins was asked by Ben Stein how he thought mankind came to be, the atheist speculated that we might have come from some species of alien life. (See the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.") I think Dawkins' response requires more faith than believing the account of creation we find in the Bible. (See Genesis 1-3.)
Here at Bridge-Logos Foundation we have several books that deal with this important topic, including a new one entitled The Extinction of Evolution by Darek Isaacs. I highly recommend this cleverly written treatment of the subject.
We also have several books on this subject by Ray Comfort, including God Doesn't Believe in Atheists, How to Know God Exists, and Intelligent Design Versus Evolution. I personally recommend and heartily endorse these excellent works by one of the leading Christian apologists of our time.
In the near future we will be releasing another book by Darek Isaacs. It is entitled Dragons or Dinosaurs? This informative book shows how dinosaurs and dragons may be one in the same and answers the question, "Did men live in the time of dinosaurs?"
Anything as well-ordered as our universe and our planet must have had a Creator--the Master Designer of All Things. I don't think there can be much doubt about this.
When noted atheist Richard Dawkins was asked by Ben Stein how he thought mankind came to be, the atheist speculated that we might have come from some species of alien life. (See the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.") I think Dawkins' response requires more faith than believing the account of creation we find in the Bible. (See Genesis 1-3.)
Here at Bridge-Logos Foundation we have several books that deal with this important topic, including a new one entitled The Extinction of Evolution by Darek Isaacs. I highly recommend this cleverly written treatment of the subject.
We also have several books on this subject by Ray Comfort, including God Doesn't Believe in Atheists, How to Know God Exists, and Intelligent Design Versus Evolution. I personally recommend and heartily endorse these excellent works by one of the leading Christian apologists of our time.
In the near future we will be releasing another book by Darek Isaacs. It is entitled Dragons or Dinosaurs? This informative book shows how dinosaurs and dragons may be one in the same and answers the question, "Did men live in the time of dinosaurs?"
Anything as well-ordered as our universe and our planet must have had a Creator--the Master Designer of All Things. I don't think there can be much doubt about this.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
There Is Power in the Blood
Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote, "There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Christ. And 'precious,' unspeakably precious, is this blood, because it has an overcoming power. 'They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.' How could they do otherwise? Those who fight with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, fight with a weapon that cannot know defeat. By trusting the power of Jesus' blood, we will always conquer!" (From Morning by Morning by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a Pure Gold Classic from Bridge-Logos Foundation.)
The blood of Christ redeems us from sin. ("But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin"--1 John 1:7.)
The blood of Christ atones for our sins. ("And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement"--Romans 4:11.)
The blood of Christ heals us. ("But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed"--Isaiah 53:5).
The blood of Christ preserves us and protects us. ("For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you"--Exodus 12:23).
The blood of Christ sanctifies us. ("Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate"--Hebrews 13:12).
The blood of Christ give us overcoming power. ("And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death"--Revelation 12:11).
Praise God for the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's power in the blood. There's wonderful power in the blood.
The blood of Christ redeems us from sin. ("But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin"--1 John 1:7.)
The blood of Christ atones for our sins. ("And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement"--Romans 4:11.)
The blood of Christ heals us. ("But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed"--Isaiah 53:5).
The blood of Christ preserves us and protects us. ("For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you"--Exodus 12:23).
The blood of Christ sanctifies us. ("Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate"--Hebrews 13:12).
The blood of Christ give us overcoming power. ("And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death"--Revelation 12:11).
Praise God for the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's power in the blood. There's wonderful power in the blood.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Harold Hill--How to Live Like a King's Kid
I got to know Harold Hill fairly well in the early seventies, and I loved his sense of humor. He was an engineer and recovering alcoholic who found new life, hope, and blessing in the Lord Jesus Christ. God blessed Harold with many miracles.
He wrote several Christian books, including How to Live Like a King's Kid and From Goo to You by the Way of the Zoo. Like him, his books are unique and inspiring, and they often reflect the sense of humor that was Harold's hallmark.
I would like to encourage you to read How to Live Like a King's Kid. It is still published by Bridge-Logos Foundation. Take a look at some of the chapter titles in this how-to book: How to Succeed in Everything; How to Stop Drinking; How to Get Out of Quick-mud; How to Start Over; How to Stop Gambling; How to Get More for Your Money; How to Get Rid of an Aching Back; How to Fail at Witnessing; etc. Wow! It's actually 28 how-to books in one.
Here is a quote from the book that is worthy of our attention: "I've learned that one of the most important things to learn if we want to live like King's kids is to trust the King with every problem, every fault, every sin, every impossible thing in our lives. He--and He alone--can make us fit for His Kingdom. As long as we keep trying to do anything by our own willpower, keeping the glory for ourselves, we are doomed to stay in our own puny kingdom of wretchedness and defeat. But King's kids loose everything to the King, and He sets them free to enter the gates of His Kingdom of Heaven."
Remember, a King's kid is either a prince or a princess in God's royal family--a joint-heir with Jesus--a knight in the Lord's army.
I thank God that I knew Harold Hill. He showed us how to live the life of a King's kid.
He wrote several Christian books, including How to Live Like a King's Kid and From Goo to You by the Way of the Zoo. Like him, his books are unique and inspiring, and they often reflect the sense of humor that was Harold's hallmark.
I would like to encourage you to read How to Live Like a King's Kid. It is still published by Bridge-Logos Foundation. Take a look at some of the chapter titles in this how-to book: How to Succeed in Everything; How to Stop Drinking; How to Get Out of Quick-mud; How to Start Over; How to Stop Gambling; How to Get More for Your Money; How to Get Rid of an Aching Back; How to Fail at Witnessing; etc. Wow! It's actually 28 how-to books in one.
Here is a quote from the book that is worthy of our attention: "I've learned that one of the most important things to learn if we want to live like King's kids is to trust the King with every problem, every fault, every sin, every impossible thing in our lives. He--and He alone--can make us fit for His Kingdom. As long as we keep trying to do anything by our own willpower, keeping the glory for ourselves, we are doomed to stay in our own puny kingdom of wretchedness and defeat. But King's kids loose everything to the King, and He sets them free to enter the gates of His Kingdom of Heaven."
Remember, a King's kid is either a prince or a princess in God's royal family--a joint-heir with Jesus--a knight in the Lord's army.
I thank God that I knew Harold Hill. He showed us how to live the life of a King's kid.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The first line of Psalm 23 contains at least three metaphors. Two are stated and one is implied. The first is found in the word "lord." A lord, as you know, is a nobleman--one who has great power and authority, a ruler, and a master. This is an appropriate figure of speech in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, to be sure.
The second metaphor is seen in the word "shepherd." A shepherd, as you know, takes care of his sheep by protecting them, providing for them, leading them, giving the food, water, and shelter. What an apt metaphor this is for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of the sheep.
The implied metaphor would be found in the truth that if God is our Shepherd, then we must be sheep. What are the behaviors and mannerisms of sheep? They need a leader. They need protection. They need to be taken care of. Some would even say they're not very bright! We are sheep, indeed, and thank God we have a Shepherd who takes care of us.
Because He does, we never suffer want. Paul writes, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). His grace is sufficient for us.
Take time today to meditate on these words that were written by David: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23).
Are you a helpless sheep? Is the Lord your Shepherd? What does this Psalm mean to you?
The second metaphor is seen in the word "shepherd." A shepherd, as you know, takes care of his sheep by protecting them, providing for them, leading them, giving the food, water, and shelter. What an apt metaphor this is for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of the sheep.
The implied metaphor would be found in the truth that if God is our Shepherd, then we must be sheep. What are the behaviors and mannerisms of sheep? They need a leader. They need protection. They need to be taken care of. Some would even say they're not very bright! We are sheep, indeed, and thank God we have a Shepherd who takes care of us.
Because He does, we never suffer want. Paul writes, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). His grace is sufficient for us.
Take time today to meditate on these words that were written by David: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23).
Are you a helpless sheep? Is the Lord your Shepherd? What does this Psalm mean to you?
Friday, March 5, 2010
Ask, Seek, Knock--ASK
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray He provided them with a model prayer that is sometimes known as the Lord's Prayer. It's a model prayer in that it reveals the components of Christian prayer in a few words. Those components include the following:
There's another acronym that relates to prayer as well:
Have you been asking, seeking, and knocking? As you do so, you will learn that God will make a way for you even when it seems as if there is no way. He is the Way-maker in our lives.
Tennyson wrote, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." I wholeheartedly agree with him. This is especially true when we learn to pray according to the will of God, which is fully revealed in His Word. The Bible says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).
One of our Bridge-Logos authors, Pastor Jack Hayford, writes, "The only point of confusion lies in a misunderstanding of the verb 'ask.' Its tense in Greek conveys the idea of continual asking. But that is not a command to ask repeatedly for the same thing in order to force God into action. The continuality which Jesus wants is in ceaseless petitioning. In other words, you need never hesitate to ask for something just because you asked for something else earlier. Any hint that heaven "gets too busy" with earlier requests to have either time or supply for the next is pure folly.
"Here's the message of the parable: 1. You have a friend in the Heavenly Father. He's on your side, and available anytime, in every circumstance. 2. Boldness is your privilege. Your assignment is to ask; His commitment is to give--as much as you need.
"This is the beginning: 'Seeking' and 'knocking' are further steps as one walks the pathway of prayer. But we need to get started, and this is probably the greatest need facing us today: too many hesitate to pray. they hesitate through a sense of unworthiness, a feeling of distance from deity, a wondering about God's will in the matter, a concern over 'if it's okay,' and uncertainty of how much to ask for, a fear that God won't hear.
"Jesus strikes the death blow to such hesitancy: ask. Ask with unabashed forwardness; ask with shameless boldness! He commands. And when you do, He clearly teaches, "Your friend, My Father, will rise to the occasion and see that everything you need is provided." (Taken from Prayer Is Invading the Impossible by Jack Hayford. Published by Bridge-Logos Foundation in Alachua, Florida.)
- Adoration
- Confession.
- Thanksgiving
- Supplication
There's another acronym that relates to prayer as well:
- Ask
- Seek
- Knock
Have you been asking, seeking, and knocking? As you do so, you will learn that God will make a way for you even when it seems as if there is no way. He is the Way-maker in our lives.
Tennyson wrote, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." I wholeheartedly agree with him. This is especially true when we learn to pray according to the will of God, which is fully revealed in His Word. The Bible says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).
One of our Bridge-Logos authors, Pastor Jack Hayford, writes, "The only point of confusion lies in a misunderstanding of the verb 'ask.' Its tense in Greek conveys the idea of continual asking. But that is not a command to ask repeatedly for the same thing in order to force God into action. The continuality which Jesus wants is in ceaseless petitioning. In other words, you need never hesitate to ask for something just because you asked for something else earlier. Any hint that heaven "gets too busy" with earlier requests to have either time or supply for the next is pure folly.
"Here's the message of the parable: 1. You have a friend in the Heavenly Father. He's on your side, and available anytime, in every circumstance. 2. Boldness is your privilege. Your assignment is to ask; His commitment is to give--as much as you need.
"This is the beginning: 'Seeking' and 'knocking' are further steps as one walks the pathway of prayer. But we need to get started, and this is probably the greatest need facing us today: too many hesitate to pray. they hesitate through a sense of unworthiness, a feeling of distance from deity, a wondering about God's will in the matter, a concern over 'if it's okay,' and uncertainty of how much to ask for, a fear that God won't hear.
"Jesus strikes the death blow to such hesitancy: ask. Ask with unabashed forwardness; ask with shameless boldness! He commands. And when you do, He clearly teaches, "Your friend, My Father, will rise to the occasion and see that everything you need is provided." (Taken from Prayer Is Invading the Impossible by Jack Hayford. Published by Bridge-Logos Foundation in Alachua, Florida.)
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