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Bad Pie & Proverbs 14: MT episode 32

Around the age of 11 there was a moment when I was looking through our deep freezer.  A frozen pie was found, and I was in the mood for pie.

My mother assured me that I would not like the pie, but I could not imagine any pie that I would not enjoy. A respectful argument ensued and oddly, she said, “Ok, I will make the pie.”

This pie was not microwaveable.  It had to be heated in the oven so in about an hour the pie was ready.

Mom was correct.  This pie was absolutely awful! 

How could something with the word PIE in it taste bad?  It was minced meat pie.  To this day, I still do not know the ingredients for minced meat pie but based upon that experience I don’t really care to know.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

This is a strong warning. The writer of Proverbs is making the point that there are times when we may perceive something as right, good, great, fun but in reality, it is not any of those things.

Just like I saw the pie box in the freezer.  It said pie.  I love pie.  I desired something sweet. The picture on the box showed a pie.  It was a circle like a pie.  I desired that pie.

My heart desired the pie but in the end it was horrible.  I had no idea of its ingredients.

In the same way, the world is so appealing.  Just like the picture of the pie on the box was appealing the world appeals to our flesh but in the end, what is delivered is not what we expect. 

My hope today is that any who are younger, please listen to those who are older who may have a helpful word. Any who are struggling with a matter which is at odds with what Scripture teaches, please do not ignore the Spirit’s leading.

Be cautious.  Be aware of the things this fallen flesh desires.  Keep the in mind.  Pray for wisdom and discernment and God will aid and assist you in avoiding disheartening disappointments in your Christian growth.

S.D.G.

The Cleansing of Christ: MT episode 31

This is the week of Christ’s Passion and Monday we were looking at John 13:1-20.  This event happens at Passover while they were eating, and no one has had their feet washed. 

When I came to this text I was reminded of something that happened when I was a child.

As with most little boys, I was not a fan of taking a bath.  I deemed it a waste of time that would be better spent doing things that were much more fun.

One day, a moist towelette had come into my possession – much like this one.  While in my bedroom, I opened the towelette and began to wipe myself down with it.  From head to toe.

Then later my mother called me to go take a bath. I quickly chimed in with, “It’s already done!” 

She responded, “What do you mean?”

I then explained that I had taken the towelette and given myself a proper cleaning, which I learned, was not so proper because I still had to take a bath.   

We find that same thought here in this section but the way it is worded can be confusing. 

V. 8 Peter refused to have Jesus wash his feet, to which Jesus responded by saying,
“If I do not wash you, you will have no share with me.” 

Obviously, Jesus is referring to more than just washing feet.  And this becomes clearer when Peter says, “Ok, then do not just wash my feet.  Give me a bath!  Wash my head and hands too.”

Jesus says, “the one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.  And you are clean, but not every one of you.”

I am uncertain if Jesus would have approved of my towelette bath.  It is possible, because he says, to Peter, I am only cleaning the part that needs cleansing.

How are we to understand this?  Those who are believers, that is those who are IN CHRIST are washed.  You are washed clean but because we are in the flesh, we do need daily cleaning. 

Just as their feet get dirty and need cleaned, we need daily cleansing (forgiveness) of our sin. 

But there was one in that group that was not clean.  One of the 12 was not washed.  This was Judas, who was to betray him. 

Understand this: if you are outside of Christ, you have no hope.  You are in the same position as Judas.  You need Jesus to clean you.  He can.  Not only can He clean you now, but those in Christ,  are cleaned every day.

This is all for His glory so I say to that S.D.G.

Suffering Servant: MT episode 30

John 13:1-20 is a passage upon which I encourage you to read and meditate this week.  This will be a passage we will observe today and this coming Thursday. 

We find Jesus on the night that he was betrayed and abandoned sharing a meal with the disciples who were the very people that would betray and abandon him.  Ordinarily there was a designated servant who would wash the feet.

They did not sit at tables in chairs as we do in our culture, they reclined at table.  In this position, someone’s feet would inevitably be in the face of someone else.

Very common was open toe sandal type shoes combined with dirt streets the feet would get filthy.  With that explanation, maybe you can understand better why the washing of feet at mealtimes was so important.

Yet, there was no one to wash feet.  There was no servant. . . until Jesus became one.

He rose from the table, removed his outer garment, wrapped a towel around his waist and began washing the disciples’ feet. 

No outer garment and a towel wrapped around the waist was identifying act of a servant.  If you were to walk into a room the servant would be easily identified for, he would not have an outer garment and have a towel wrapped around his waist.

Jesus knows what is coming in the next few hours.  He knows He will be abandoned by all, even, ultimately, by the Father. 

He knows the scourging that will take place. He knows the betrayal and the denials.  Of all the people in that room, he should have been at the top of the list of being served, not doing the serving.

But Jesus came into this world and Isaiah described him as the suffering servant.  He came to serve.  Dressed in human likeness he became obedient, to death, even death on a cross.  Serving those who believe.

We will return to this passage Thursday and see yet one other significant thing that happened in this setting. 

Until then, S.D.G.

New Light, New Life: MT episode 28

When I was 14 years old, my mother, father and I went to Mammoth Caves in Cave City, KY. 

These caves were old underground rivers, and they were so large that in many places it would fit a semi-truck. It was an amazing experience. 

As we walked, we had descended about a half mile below the surface of the earth and there were plenty of lights so we could see.  But, in a very wide-open area, the tour leader wanted the group to see how dark it is in a cave.  With much warning, he assured us of what he was about to do. Then he turned off the lights for thirty seconds.

When the lights went out, it was a darkness I had never experienced before.  It was a dark you could feel.  It was a complete, 100%, absence of light. There was much more amazement than fright. 

When God created the world.  The very first thing God does in Genesis is says, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 

What was the very first thing God did in the New Creation? What is the new creation? “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

And the first thing done by God in this creation is creating light.

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

For believers, there is a darkness from which our Lord delivered us.  It is a darkness that cannot see any good in Christ.  The darkness will cause a few even to deny his existence.  It is a darkness that will cause others to recognize that Jesus was a good teacher or a good man. 

But this darkness is blinding just like the cave. 

However, just as God spoke light into the world, the passage states that for those who believe, God has created light in our hearts to love Christ.  To find beauty in Him.  Because of the word of God, we are a new creation. 

The first act in the creation of the world was light shining out of darkness.  The first act in the new creation is light shining out of darkness.

S.D.G.

Small & Weak: MT episode 28

When you think of Samson, what comes to mind?  To be clear, I am referring to Samson, from the book of Judges, who had incredible strength. 

After he was born, no razor was to touch his head.  His strength would be tied to that vow.  If he did not cut his hair, he would remain strong and be used by God to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

And Samson did mighty things (he also did some very unwise unmighty things as well.).  But the promise of God remained true.  Samson was beyond strong.

He killed a lion with his bare hands.  By himself, he defeated 1,000 Philistines in battle.  He even lifted and removed the city gate of Gaza. 

He carried these gates on his shoulders. In Scripture, the weight of these gates is not provided but experts who know archaeology have a range of what they would weigh.  That range is between 1,000 and 8,000 pounds. 

So, when I ask you to close your eyes and think of Samson, what kind of image comes to mind?  Arnold Schwarzenegger? Incredible Hulk?  Adre “anybody want a peanut” the Giant?

The Bible does not tell us, but I have an idea.  I don’t think he was big at all.  I think he looked like a regular man.  If pressed, I might even go the other way and think he looked more like a squirrely and skinny little man like Barny Fife.

His enemies could not figure out from where he got his strength.  If he looked like Hulk Hogan, it is possible they would not wander.  They could look and say, “Well, he is a big strong man.”

His strength came from God.  Which is the strength of us all.  It is all I have.

God has used weak, frail and small men and women all throughout time.  It is how little boy David could defeat the 9-foot-tall Goliath.

He does the same today.  “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

The treasure to which Paul refers is Jesus. 

You and I are weak without our Lord. When it comes to Spiritual matters, we are unable even to carry a five-gallon bucket of fertilizer. The surpassing power belongs to God and this God will do great things in small, weak, squirrely men and women.  This is glorious!

S.D.G.

More Than You Can Handle: MT episode 27

There is an old saying that I hear frequently that goes, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” I have heard it said by many believers and at some point in life, I most likely have repeated this.

Scripture does say God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, but that is different.

The phrase, “God will not give you more than you can handle,” cannot be found in Scripture. What can be found in Scripture is “God will give more than you can handle.”

2 Corinthians 1 as Paul was writing a church about some trials and suffering he had to endure he said this: “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely on God and not ourselves.”

There was so much for Paul to endure, that it was beyond his strength. Our sovereign God had permitted them to endure more than they could handle. Why? So Paul would know only God can get him through this. He could not do it.

There have been moments in my life where I had to tap out. I did not have the strength to make it and God absolutely provided the delivery.

In a world where do-it-yourself is heartily praised, we must, as believer, remember that it is “God who works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Regardless of how much we grow in faith or how long we have been a believer, we rely on Him always.

S.D.G.

Lessons from Moving Ms. Beth: MT episode 26

Have you ever been to Thurman’s Café? Oh my word, the biggest hamburgers in Ohio and they are delicious. I could give you many very delicious places to eat all over the state of Ohio.

Buckeye Donuts on south and north High Street? Dear soul, their glazed donut is perfectly baked with a firm outside and a soft fluffy inside.

Isn’t it odd how we are so quick to offer hints and advice on all sorts of things. It is not just food. Places to get the best craft supplies. The best scenic route to take from place A to place B if you have the time. The best thrift store, antique shop or place to buy flowers.

So, last week there were a number of people who helped Ms. Beth move into her new house. After loading the box truck, each of us paired up and drove separately from the old house to the new house.

Ricky and I were paired and on the way, we shared things that interested us. He pulled up a few songs on the YouTube and we listened together. Likewise, I pulled up a song or two. Ricky talked about what type of house he would like to have some day. He shared his likes and dislikes. We covered a lot of ground in 25 minutes from the old house to the new house.

This was just a regular conversation between friends. We share what resonates with us, things that are dear to us.

I was reflecting on this a day or so later thinking, why am I so quick to share music, burgers, movies and other similar things with my friends but miss talking about Christ. The friends of which I speak are those who are outside of Christ for I am certain Ricky and I can talk Jesus anytime.

Philemon 1:6 “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Some of you may already do this, some may be hesitant. We are cautious because we do not want to offend anyone. There is the old saying, talk about anything but religion and politics.

However, it might not be good of me that I will quickly share with non-believing loved ones where to get the best hamburger but then be hesitant with matters of faith.

These are just some thoughts to consider. Maybe you and I can be more bold in sharing our faith. Afterall, if we really see it as a matter of life and death, and it is, there would be no hesitation.

To God Alone Be the Glory

Nothing to Fear: MT episode 25

“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you.” We have been hovering over that phrase for a few visits.  Let us consider that phrase right after this which says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  (2 Timothy 1:9)

So this verse begins with God’s Spirit given to us.  The moment you became a believer, God placed His Spirit in you (John 3:1-15).  It is a supernatural act of mercy.  This Spirit is the causing agent in our ability to love God, love His law and helps us control our rebellious flesh.  (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 31:31)

But what about this statement “God gave us a spirit not to fear?”  There are several times where we are instructed/commanded to fear the Lord.  That it is the right thing to do. Yet here, the opposite.  Consider these passages:

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Proverbs 28:14 “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,”

Philippians 2:12 “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

These are just a small sampling of many passages which seem to promote that a fear in relation to God is a good thing.  How do we justify Those passages with earlier words that we should not fear?

In Scripture interpretation it is important to consider the location.  On the one hand we must fear the Lord in relation to honor and respect His authority as Lord and Creator.  We honor Him and His word. Yet on the other hand, as believers who are in Christ, we do not fear our eternal state. 

There is a same thought in Romans 8:15 that we have received the Holy Spirit adopted into God’s family, “by whom we cry Abba! Father!” (That is Father 2x)  “God gave us not a Spirit of fear” because Christ is our Lord.  Our eternal state is safe in Him.  There is nothing to fear in Christ. 

S.D.G.

Grace: MT episode 24

There is one word that appears in the book of Ruth. It is a word that one would not expect in this story. The word is grace, or favor, depending on the translation being read.

As we continued our study of Ruth yesterday, we found that word grace used not one time but three times. For just a few moments today I would like to focus on that word.

Grace defined is unmerited favor. That is a way of saying, unearned gift. You are given something, in this case, by God, and it is not pay back for something you did.

When you work at a job, your wages are not grace. Wages are paid for work rendered. If you do not go to work, you would not receive pay.

As believers, when we read through the Bible, it is very easy to place some of the Bible characters on a pedestal. In a way, they are like superheroes because many of them perform supernatural type activities.

By doing this a hierarchy is created, most often unknowingly. God, Moses, us. God, Noah, us. God, Abraham, us.

Yet Scripture teaches differently. Take Noah.

In the days of Noah, was Noah chosen because, on his own because he had a righteousness that pleased God? Did all the world descend into crazed evil but Noah (and family) were the only ones who did not?

Genesis 6:8 says that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah did nothing to merit this. Noah did nothing to earn God’s grace. It was not payment for something Noah did. Rather, it was God’s gift to Noah.

Noah was just like you and me. Even more, Joshua tells us that Abraham was an idol worshiper when God called him. Abraham definitely received God’s grace.

I take great comfort in this and so should you. Why? God has and does use small, weak and flawed men and women, all through Scripture and did mighty things through them. Those small, weak and flawed men and women did nothing to earn God’s grace or favor.

When we better understand these things, it not only takes the attention off us, but also it brings more attention and praise to our God. And rightfully so.

S.D.G.

Fanning the Flame part 2: MT episode 22

Two weeks ago, we had looked at Paul’s words of encouragement to Timothy, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you.” (2 Timothy 1:6) I want to share a way in which we can do this and that is to put yourself in a position to be successful. Let me explain it this way.

When I was young man my two friends Chris, Kenny and I came up with an idea to begin camping.  It was not May or August when the urge hit us to set up a tent, but rather February.  We set the date for our first campout on a night when the temperature was to be in the teens. 

We had the site cleared and a fire ring in place with a small collection of “wood” for the fire.  With all the ambition and excitement in the world we took our snacks and sleeping bags and began our first night of roughing it.

A book could be written about the numerous adventures we had that night.  For today, one stands out and it was the fire.

In our inexperience, we had not gathered the proper amount of wood.  We had a nice large stack of what would be defined as twigs.  They produced enough heat to keep us warm, but only for a few minutes at a time. 

By 1030PM our wood supply was gone.  Which prompted a constant search for more wood and in the dark of night.  More twigs for temporary heat. What was needed was something big to supply a lasting fire.

We had to restart and fan the flame of that fire many times.  We were not prepared! 

With that in mind, if you want to grow in this faith, you must be thoughtful and be deliberate and prepared.  Put yourself in a position to succeed.  How is this accomplished?  Humble submission.

Often, we can get started in a daily time with God but then lose focus.  The flame dies out.  Our fire is weak with twigs. In my experience, humbly acknowledging that I need help to be consistent is key.  This comes by just admitting this in prayer.  God will supply.

Growing in your faith can only come by daily feeding.  Fanning this faith into a flame (as our text states) is by God’s Spirit, within us.   Seek help to consistently spend time in prayer and reading.  Otherwise, you will be constantly in search of twigs and reviving a smoldering, smokey faith.

S.D.G.