Preach The Word!

 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;"
2 Timothy 4:3

The Lord uses His Word to guide, encourage and strengthen us. He also uses His Word to rebuke, correct and discipline us.  There are times when the Word uplifts and rejoices, there are also times when His Word breaks and convicts.  The Bible can be as a cozy blanket or it can be as a sharp pointed goad.  Our most natural inclination is to focus on the nice cozy passages, and stay away from the prickly convicting ones.  Therefore it is important not to avoid any portions of the Word, but be disciplined to study and grow from the entirety of Scripture.

Paul's warning in 2 Timothy 4:3 concerns the day when people will not tolerate the preaching of any portion of the Word that makes them feel convicted or uncomfortable.  They will instead seek out those who will preach cozy sermons, teaching things they like to hear.  We are in such days now, and there are too many churches concerned about preaching what people want to hear rather than what they need to hear.

Knowing the time was coming when people would "not endure sound doctrine", Paul gave Timothy a powerful yet simple exhortation: "Preach the Word!" He wasn't concerned that it might offend or make someone uneasy, he just said preach it!  I pray especially in these days, that we may be a people who will study the whole counsel of God's Word, and preach it in boldness and love.

  

Jesus Won't Change

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

I was walking through a store the other day and wandered by some tables filled with Father's Day gifts that hadn't been sold.  It was fun seeing all the gifts that the retailers figured dads would like. I noticed that the gifts all had an "old school" theme and then I saw a cassette recorder just like the one I had when I was a kid.  I called Sheila over and when she saw it, she of course told me how much it was like the one she used to have.  As we looked at this new "old" cassette recorder we were both struck with the same thought:  My how things have so quickly changed!

We have all become very accustomed to things changing, in fact, we expect things to change.  New phones and computers are practically outdated the day you buy them.  What is popular in  hair styles, cars, and home furnishings all change.  Today's fashions will be made fun of in a couple of years.  My kids love snickering at pictures of me featuring wide ties or bell bottoms, or my personal favorite really small OP cord shorts!  Of course I just smile because things change, and today's skinny jeans are yesterday's OP shorts.

Though things change you can have joy and stability in resting your life upon Jesus who never changes.  The love and grace that we have in Jesus Christ will never change.  He loves you today the same as He did the day He died for you on the cross.  He loves you on your best days when you are walking strong and feeling holy.  He loves you on your worst days when you are weak and feeling sinful.  You can have a firm foundation in this ever changing world, His name is Jesus!

  

Smoldering Wick Season

"A bruised reed He will not break,
and a smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth" (Isaiah 42:3).

I have known a number of saints who have gone through what could be called smoking flax seasons of life.  There is a weariness from carrying burdens, a spiritual cramping as they run this life's marathon.  The flame of the candle had been blown out and all that remained was smoke and a tiny spark at the end of the wick.  The Lord had not departed but it seemed His fire was gone and His light was faint.

The other night when I blew out a candle after dinner, I dipped my finger in a glass of water and held a little drop over the smoking flax until the drop fell and with a fizzle quenched the small glowing spark at the end of the wick.  I immediately remembered Isaiah 42:3 and thanked the Lord that He will never do that.  His promise is that He will not quench even the most feeble of sparks.

If you are in a smoking flax season, please know that it is the Lord's heart to cup His hand around your heart and by His Spirit to gently breathe upon you until that spark puffs into a flame.  Such is His grace and His tender care for the weak and the weary.  Trust your loving Shepherd who will never forsake you.
 

No No No

"For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life."
Proverbs 6:23

A dad came to me worried that he might be disciplining his two year old son too much.  What brought on the worry was what had happened a few days earlier.  The dad was sitting in his living room when his little guy came in and started walking around  pointing at things and saying
no, no, no, over and over.

 I have to admit I got a good chuckle out of the story, and after talking to dad, we came to the conclusion that he and his wife aren't going overboard.  At two their little bundle of energy is learning and exploring and pushing limits and greatly in need of "reproofs of instruction", so he is going to hear no, no, no, often.

 Proverbs 6:23 is so very true, "reproofs of instruction are the way of life".  We are in constant need of correction redirection and discipline.  As sheep we have a tendency to wander and get into things that can be harmful.  How blessed we are that our loving Shepherd by His Spirit and through His word patiently protects us by saying no, no, no.

We shouldn't be discouraged by God's correction for it always leads to life. As I've said before,  I look back on my life I realize God has said no to me far more often than he has said yes, and I am so glad that He did. How wonderful it is that God loves us so much that He tells us no!