Forgiven Much

The church I am attending uses contemporary Christian songs for the music portion of the worship services on Sunday.  The pastor has explained that the church wants to attract young people, and that winning the next generation to Christ is important if the church is to survive in the future.  This is becoming common practice in many churches.

I agree with using contemporary Christian music for praise and worship, first to attract younger people to church, but also because contemporary Christian music can be a blessing to persons of all ages … if you let it, and are careful to select songs that are doctrinally correct.  Nevertheless, some of the older people complain.  So, our church includes an older hymn on many Sundays.

I think it is a bit selfish to fuss over whether the music ministry of the church is contemporary or traditional.  To the older folks who are being closed-minded about contemporary music, I will say along with Don Francisco, “Just because you don’t like it, don’t mean it’s a sin.” (see Ephesians 6:4)   However, the older hymns are a blessing, and it is good to include them in the music service, too.  So, to the younger folks I would urge that due respect be shown to their elders. (see Ephesians 6:1-3)

Last Sunday, we sang the hymn “It is Well With My Soul,” by Horatio Spafford (lyrics) and Philip Bliss (music). (1876)  It was written at a time of overwhelming tragedy for Spafford, and it is a witness to the strength we find in Christ, no matter what our circumstances.

The second stanza spoke to me very personally, and I would like to share it with you:

            My sin – O the joy of this glorious thought – my sin not in
            part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more:
            Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

I have been forgiven much, and the heavy burden I was carrying from the way I was living has been lifted from my shoulders by Christ Jesus, our Savior.  I am very grateful to my Master:

Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”  (Luke 7:36-50 NASB) *

*  biblehub.com/nasb/luke/7.htm

That Time of Year

Every year at about this time I get a yen to go fishing.  I know it is too early, and the water is still too cold.  The fish are sluggish.  They won’t bite … but I still want to go.

Why not go ice fishing?  The ice is still good on some of the higher the lakes in the mountains.  I really can’t tell you why, but ice fishing never really appealed to me.  That comes under the heading of “different strokes for different folks.”  When I fish, I like to be able to move around.  I guess that’s it.

To be forthright, I once fell through the ice while crossing the North Platte river on a deer hunting trip.  It was in December, about twelve degrees above zero (F), and the wind was blowing.  It was in a place where the water was deeper, and the current was pulling me under the ice.  If I hadn’t caught myself on the ice in front of me with my rifle, I might have drowned.  I was soaked to my chest, and by the time we got back to the pickup, I was becoming hypothermic.  Now, I am more cautious about ice.  I still go out on it, but I don’t push the envelope.

My dad taught me to fish on the mountain streams near Aspen, Colorado.  I liked it because it was on those fishing trips that I got to spend some time with him.  He worked two, or sometimes three jobs so that Mom could stay home and take care of us kids.  When he was home, he rested, watched TV, or slept.  Anyway, I learned to enjoy fishing from him, and fly fishing on streams was the kind of fishing he did.  When you fish on mountain streams, you move around a lot.

After dad died, I developed my own style of fishing.  When I was younger, I backpacked into wilderness areas in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, and I fished a lot on high alpine lakes.  I was still exclusively a trout fisherman.

Now that I have reached my “golden years,” and I no longer am able to backpack,  my style of fishing is more diversified.  I no longer fish exclusively for trout.  I still like to fly fish on streams, but I also fish from a small ten foot Jon boat for bass, trout, walleye, pike, and whatever else bites.

I fish from shore when my wife, grandkids, and/or sister come with me.  That way I can help them rig up their rods, bait hooks, and untangle their lines.  My wife and sister are afraid to ride in my little boat, and the grandkids are too young and wiggly.  They might tip the thing over for real.  They can ride in the boat when they are older.

The kind of fishing, or type of fish, no longer matter.  I just want to get outside and enjoy it.  You get cabin fever by the end of winter.  I work on the house and yard as it gets warmer.  There is a sense of satisfaction when a project turns out well and the place looks better, but for me it’s work … not fun.  For sure, it can’t compare with having a good fish on the line.  Now that is fun!  See you on the water in a few more weeks.

Love, Truth, and Judgement

In “Lamp in a Corner,” it has been my desire to talk about God’s blessings and the joy we find in the salvation that He has provided for us.  I hope that most of my posts show that.  I would be missing the mark, however, if I didn’t also talk about the consequences that result when we turn our backs on God and go our own sinful way.

There is nothing - good or bad that we do, say, think, or feel - that God doesn’t know about.  We can’t hide anything from Him.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 3:12-13 NKJV) *

I want to tell you about God’s love, and to let you know that there is absolute truth.  It would not be loving, however, to shrink from warning about the judgement to come.  It would be like watching someone step out in front of an oncoming bus without trying to warn them to step back.  That is the truth, and when we speak the truth, we speak the nature of Christ.

Jesus said,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John14: 17 NKJV) *  To know the truth is to know Jesus for he also said,  “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8: 31-32 NKJV) *

The truth is that God loves you, and He has provided a way for you to escape the coming judgement. Paul and Silas told their jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved …” (Acts 16:31 NKJV) *

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  If you die in your sins you will stand before Him in the judgement of the lost. Every wrong thing you have ever done will be made public and charged against you; and you will be condemned.

Repent, and turn away from the temptations of this world. Believe in Jesus Christ today.  Become part of Him, and invite Him to live in you.  Know all the fulness of God in you. Know for certain that all the wrong you have done has been forgiven, because He loves you.



*  https://biblehub.com/

Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1:3-9 NASB) *


* https://biblehub.com/nasb/1_peter/1.htm

Acquitted

On Wednesday, 5 February 2020, the United States Senate acquitted President Donald Trump on the articles of impeachment brought against him by the House of Representatives.  The two articles were Obstructing Congress and Abuse of Power.

Although the outcome was evident to many observers before it occurred, anything can happen in congress, and I am thankful for the verdict in the president’s favor.  God answers prayer.

The impeachment by President Trump’s enemies in the Democratic Party, and among the “establishment” Republicans, was nothing less than an attempted bloodless coup d’etat.  People who didn’t like the results of the 2016 presidential election tried their best to undo it.  Their impeachment efforts were an abuse of the powers given congress by the U.S. Constitution, and their failure was a vindication of the constitution and the wisdom of the founding fathers.

One would hope we have seen the end of this nonsense.  I believe, however, that the hidden agenda of President Trump’s opponents is to resist him at every turn, by any and all legal, (and some illegal), means.  If investigations and impeachments can delay or thwart the president’s accomplishment of his goals for the country, then they will never stop.  They cannot let him succeed, because his success is a repudiation of the Progressive, Socialist garbage they have been trying to force down our throats, since the beginning of the 20^th century.

I sincerely believe that these folks are too stupid to know when they have been beaten.  So, they are going to continue the madness as long as they can.  Our best hope is that the American voters will vote them out of office in November, and I pray that we will.

Problems

Everybody has problems.  It is sad and not much fun to talk about.  Nevertheless, it is true.  I never met a person who didn’t have problems at some time in their life.  The rich man in his penthouse may be told that he has cancer.  The poor woman in Nigeria watches as terrorists kill her husband and burn down their subsistence farm because they are Christians.  The talented and dedicated worker endures mistreatment by a supervisor who is afraid the worker will take his job.  A child is bullied at school.

Our problems do not go away when we get saved.  Sometimes we have more of them, or the problems we have get worse; or both.  When we accept the gift of salvation and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are changed.  By living to please the Spirit we may lose friends.  Family members may forsake us.  People at work may withdraw thinking that we have become a “fanatic.”  We may not be have the ethical “flexibility” we used to on the job, and it may diminish our employer’s estimation of our effectiveness.

Our Lord does not, however, leave us without comfort.  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NASB) *

And, again He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2Corinthians 12:7 NASB) *

Speaking by the Apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit instructs us about dealing with our problems in the grace Jesus gives us:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (emphasis added) (Romans 5:1-5 NASB) *

In the inspiration of the Spirit, other New Testament writers give us the same guidance:

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  (James 1:2-4 NASB) *

Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. (James 5: 7-11 NASB) *

… applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,  and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  (2Peter 1:5-7 NASB) *

Although there is disagreement about the human authorship of the Book of Hebrews, the Spirit’s message is the same:

… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1-3 NASB) *

If we persevere and patiently endure, resting in the power of His favor and the strength of the Holy spirit, then we can know that our trials in this earthly existence will help us grow and become stronger – better – in Him.  Therefore, we can count our troubles as a source of joy because we know:

… that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 NASB) *

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father, please forgive us our sins and hear our prayer.  Please help us in our time of trouble.  We know that without You we can accomplish nothing, but in You all things are possible.  Take away our sense of entitlement and resentful feelings that we deserve better; for You know the depth of our unworthiness, due to sin.  You suffered for us, Lord, and we are not above our Master.  In Your mercy, give us the strength to endure, persevere, and to do all things in You and for Your honor and glory.  Give us faith that You will make everything work out for the best in the end.  Your will be done.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

*  https://biblehub.com/

Praise God for All He has Done for Us!

Psalm 103

A Psalm of David

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! (Psalm 103 NKJV) *

I praise the Lord that He was patient with me.  He let me live long enough to come to the end of myself and come to Him. Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!


*  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+103&version=NKJV