What a Righteous Man Really Thinks

“Godly womanhood ... the very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other type of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly woman - or of a godly man either, for that matter.We believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife, than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thing in the realms of morals to be old-fashioned, than to be ultra-modern. The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct.”

― Peter Marshall

Life Without Luck

 

Holidays are really beginning to bother me.  As each decade passes, people know less and less about the truth of what is being celebrated. Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Independance Day have become famous events of spending and eating. Honorable people and values are all but forgotten as we Americans please ourselves in the festivities of being off work.  What is the point?

Presently we are in the midst of the 4-leaf clover, go-green, lucky-charm month. What is Saint Patrick's Day? Or rather WHO was Saint Patrick? An Irish mascot or legend? The luckiest man who ever lived? Over the years people have contorted truth and made idolatrous lies about individuals of noble character. Today most people know nothing of this person, Patrick --and the commercialism and superstition of this holiday continues to grow.

St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain. Calpornius, his father, was a deacon, his grandfather Potitus a priest, from Banna Venta Berniae. Patrick, however, was not an active believer. According to The Confession of St. Patrick, at the age of just sixteen Patrick was captured by a group of Irish pirates. The raiders brought Patrick to Ireland where he was enslaved and held captive for six years. Patrick writes in The Confession that the time he spent in captivity was critical to his spiritual development. He explains that the Lord had mercy on his youth and ignorance, and afforded him the opportunity to be forgiven of his sins and converted to Christianity. While in captivity, Saint Patrick worked as a shepherd and strengthened his relationship with God through prayer eventually leading him to convert to Christianity.

After six years of captivity he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away, where he found a ship and with difficulty persuaded the captain to take him. After three days sailing they landed, presumably in Britain, and apparently all left the ship, walking for 28 days in a "wilderness", becoming faint from hunger before encountering a herd of wild boar; since this was shortly after Patrick had urged them to put their faith in God, his prestige in the group was greatly increased. After various adventures, he returned home to his family, now in his early twenties.After returning home to Britain, Saint Patrick continued to study Christianity, and eventually returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. (Wikipedia)

This man was not a red-bearded man with a pot o'gold and luck, but a man of character. The beloved words of the hymn, Be Thou My Vision, were actually written as a tribute to St. Patrick's loyalty in worship despite an Irish king's edict that restricted candle-lighting on Easter.  Although lengthy, the link below is truth worth reading and applying to our own perspective of holidays. This is what Patrick wrote of himself: The Confession of Saint Patrick

If interested in the history of Valentine's Day, Click Here

If interested in the history of Halloween, Click Here

*Percent Daily Values are Based on a 24.7 Diet

             Oil                               Air                           Pure Water

Which of these bottles is empty? In reality none of them are, for the one without liquid is full of air. Our lives are like bottles that cannot be empty. Either our living is fulfilled in evil or in righteousness. What does your life contain? Does it affect others?

Let us say my life contains evil that I want to be rid of. “Pouring” air into my bottle will not easily remove the oil. That would take a lot of pressure! Rather I should replace the slimy substance with something heavier, like water. For example, let us further say I have a rapidly-evident addiction to food. Sitting at the table, staring at the refrigerator will not change my detestable lifestyle. No, I must replace my time and love with something else. I must renew my mind with the truth and consequence of my actions and respond differently to my desires. Not until I love something more will I be capable of sacrificing my actions.

Earlier I stated that our lives can only be filled with evil or righteousness. Isn't there an in-between? While there are many percentages of pollution, only pure water is 100% pure. Even a few molecules of ink will taint pure water.

How many of us can claim to have drunk pure water? Even if factories could produce it, once the seal is broken the percentage falls. Once we are born our lives are exposed to evil. Is it possible then to live an uncontaminated life? Not by our own doing. We must be cleaned and placed in a clean atmosphere. That is not something we have in this world. Thankfully God is beyond this sin-cursed earth and offers purity to any who would accept and trust it to be what He promises. Once in His hands we are broken and given new vessels to fill. He seals us so that nothing can contaminate us. Our vessels may become dirty on the outside, but our hearts are protected by the unfailing grace of God.

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. There is none righteous, no, not one...” Proverbs 16:2; Romans 3:10

“...our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. You... He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in Whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 1:13;14; 4:30

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” Matthew 10:14

Conquering the Earth: Not Your Job

Have you ever come to the point when you feel like you are not doing enough? Life is busy, you are surrendered to God, but you wonder, "Am I really fulfilling God's will for me?". While the Bible commands us to be faithful stewards and endure hardness, we must see that life is about magnifying what God did/does, not get as much work done as we can.

John chapter 9 accounts the history of a man who was blind from birth. He become an object of judgment: was it his parents' sin that resulted in his blindness or his own? Jesus not only opened this man's eyes, but our own also to understand that guilt was not the cause. God allowed him to be unable to see from birth that God's works might be recognized. "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him, (John 9:3)." During the years of sitting on the roadside, perhaps that man wondered, "Am I worth living? Do I accomplish enough?". Although the man could do little in his years of blindness, he was accomplishing God's will for him. God's power is demonstrated through weakness. While this is never an excuse for sin or halfheartedness, know that as God's children we are required to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly --not conquer the world. God's will for your life will probably be monotonous at times, or seem unimportant. That's OK. This is why we should walk humbly.

James is a toddler. He does not a have a job, manage a bank account, or drive Daddy's truck. That is Dad's business. Although little James does not control those things, he does benefit from them. He is fed, has health insurance, and is sheltered and cared for. In the same way, we as children of God should not try to manage God's care of us, but trust it. Others should see that we benefit from our relationship with God, not take over God's role. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, (John 16:33)."  God does not expect us to overcome the world-- Jesus already did.

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For, by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart,

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings,

Thine is love indeed.

Joy or Void?

All of mankind is born with a hole in himself. As we grow and experience the world, each of us choose what we will fill that chasm with. The Pharisees of Bible times filled this hole with ceremony, religious practices, knowledge of law, and good appearances. Regardless of their performances, they had no place for Jesus and were joyless, unsatisfied, and incomplete. Jesus told them,

"I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because My word hath no place in you." John 8:37

The Pharisees had a good heritage --with priceless covenants-- but no joy in life. No Jesus.

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What fills the void in your life? Full schedule? Cares of this world? Entertainment and food? Politics or sports? Spouse hunting? Working towards the dream house, career, or car? While these are all things we can enjoy or participate in, are they worth taking the place of Christ, our eternal glory? Read this familiar hymn closely. (Whenever you see the word world or earth, replace it with my life.)

Joy to the my life! the Lord is come;

Let my life receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to my life! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

He rules my life with truth and grace,

And makes my life prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love.

Does He really rule your life with truth and grace? And make your life prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love?

"If I do not remember Thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." Psalm 137:6

True joy in the human heart is only possible if there is a place for Christ in it. The more room we prepare for Christ, the more joyful we will be! God created this hole in mankind that we might see our need that only His Son can fill.

What Makes a Family

A family is made up of parents and children... but what makes those individual people live in a home together in harmony? Family is about others, not yourself. For example, being part of a family is 

Daddy hugging little sister who has the flu to comfort her,

Older brother eating a sandwich so the other kids could have the much-wanted leftovers,

Older sister babysitting the little kids so the other older siblings could go to a friend's house,

Little sister not arguing back when the other sibling was clearly in the wrong,

Little brother considerately taking time to listen to grandma,

Mommy daily sacrificing ________ (you fill the black!) to spend time with her children,

One spouse spending their vacation time with in-laws for the other spouse's sake... (etc!)

Being part of a family is sacrificing in regard to others' interests, not living for our own pleasures. 

Even in the little things. Especially in the little things.

Was the Cross Enough?

When I was younger I understood that dying on the cross of Golgotha caused excruciating pain. Pain that I have never experienced. But I still had questions in my mind. Was Jesus' crucifixion enough to pay for all the sins of the world?

It is true that no man has ever lived a perfect life as Jesus did on earth, but haven't other humans experienced the same amount of pain? What about the two thieves that were crucified with Jesus, the thousands of Christians that were torn apart in the Roman Colosseum, and the millions of Jews that suffered the devastation of  Nazis concentration camps? I knew that their blood could not atone for sin, because they were sinners themselves, not perfect sacrifices. But was Jesus' death enough?

Yes. Jesus' death was enough. In searching the Bible I have learned that Jesus did not only endure physical death, but spiritual death as well. During the Last Supper Jesus was “troubled in spirit (John 13:21)” because he knew that one of His disciples was going to betray Him. Later in the evening, Jesus took His closest disciples took a certain place and informed them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry here and watch with me. (Matthew 26:38)”. He walked a distance away and fell on His face, weakened from sadness and the weight of His burden. There were many times Jesus would travel to pray alone with God. In the garden of Gethsemane, God allowed us to hear in on their conversation. Jesus was so troubled emotionally that His life was susceptible to death. He prayed: “Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt”. Jesus was God, with God's power, but He was still 100% human, and was not sure that He could endure what He was required of His Father. God the Father loves His Son and He sent one of His angels to strengthen Jesus. Even then, Jesus prayed harder. “And being in agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground, (Luke 22:44).” The condition of sweating blood is identified as Hematidrosis, a "rare clinical phenomenon". A few cases in history have been recorded that men who were preparing for battle sweated blood and a few cases when men were unexpectedly told that they were going to face death. It is an uncontrollable condition in which there is “deposition of hemosiderin in the parenchymal cells, causing tissue damage and dysfunction of the liver, pancreas, heart, and pituitary" (Wikipedia). Jesus' human body was enduring the maximum stress level.

While on the cross Jesus' spiritual death occurred. He was separated from God Almighty. God the Father turned His face from His Son, allowing full wrath and punishment to fall on His shoulders for the past, present, and future sins of all the other humans that had lived and will live. Jesus was left in the blackness, pain, and filth of all evil. He was completely alone. No man, angel, or God Himself was there to bear it with Him. He was abandoned. “...He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the Ghost, (John 19:30).” When there was no more crime that could possibly be charged, Jesus gave up His spirit. “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost, (Luke 23:46).” Although God left His Son, Jesus called out to Him, commending His spirit to Him. Commend, the original Greek word parativqhmi, means to place beside, near, or before; to set forth in hopes that it would be received; to entrust. Jesus could not see God take His spirit, He could only commend it to Him with a prayer that it would be accepted of Him. He offered all He had.

Jesus' death was more than the physical hurt of the betrayal, mocking, stripes, and crucifixion. It was the separation from God. Pain was not the price of our redemption, but it was rather a by-product of the punishment and separation from God. Separation caused the most unbearable weight of human emotions and pain. It is something we will never be able to full appreciate or comprehend until we share perfect, sinless fellowship with God as Jesus did before He died. The words of Elizabeth Hewitt's hymn My Faith Has Found a Resting Place echoes in my heart: “Enough for me that Jesus saves, this ends my fear and doubt; a sinful soul I come to Him, He’ll never cast me out. I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me”. May our life attitude be as the apostle Paul's. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world, (Galatians 6:14).”

~

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all. 

(by Isaac Watts, 1707)