YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!
As a child, I was fascinated by reading of “darkest Africa,” speaking of a spiritual darkness, of course. Then, early in my Bible college days, I spent a summer working as an intern, partially in Harlem, and in Newark, New Jersey. There, I learned that such darkness is not limited to Africa. We see it all about us everywhere.
After Phyllis and I became recruits to go to Africa, I recall a visual illustration I used at a camp where we were the camp missionaries. In a darkened room, a lighted candle was removed from a box so that it could be seen all over the room, but cast very little light in the far corners. Then by lighting more and more candles from that one, the level of the light gradually increased until the room was much lighter. You and I are like that single candle. Perhaps, alone, we don’t make much difference, but if we persist in spreading the light from person to person, in time a great difference results.
I will always remember standing under a tree not far from Kimberley. That tree was unique in that David Livingstone used to preach under it. It stood a few feet in front of a small church house. I often preached in a larger natural stone building a short distance down the road. I am sure that we differ in other specifics, but David Livingstone, Andrew Murray, and I shared one thing in that we were there to bring light to a people in spiritual darkness. Christians are to be the light of the world.
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:17-21.
When the people rejected the prophets, God sent his only begotten Son into this world to bring light so that we might see where the rocky path we are following is really leading us. That is what Livingstone did, and today we see the result all over southern Africa. The Anglican church is everywhere. Andrew Murray did the same, and today the Dutch Reformed church is in every city, town, and hamlet. History books, museums, Guest homes, orphanages and even universities recall the names of those early messengers, but we Christians only came hundreds of years later to add our light where they left ignorance and darkness. “He that believeth not is condemned already.” This scriptures said the reason was because their deeds were evil, but Mark adds another a little more light on the reason when he said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.“ Some versions say is damned already. Does that mean that we should not take the light. Not at all! We are here to be light bearers so that all may be able to see where they are heading. We are not here to condemn, but you and I have as one of our responsibilities, to carry the light aloft that others might see and not stumble in the way.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
NOT MANY WISE AFTER THE FLESH
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
“The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world ? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called
In our enlightened age, men and women bearing an impressive string of degrees after their names, often display their ignorance of Biblical content. Paul, the writer of this letter to the Christians at Corinth, did not flaunt his learning. He had been taught at the feet of Gamaliel, the most outstanding teacher of his time. He grew up in the city of Tarsus, which had a famous library of Greek origin. Paul valued a good education, but he recognized that nothing he had learned was able to save a single soul from eternal banishment in hell. Festus recognized him as a learned man when he cried out, ”with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” King Agrippa’s comment to him, ”Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,“ indicates that his message was powerful. But it was neither the power of his Jewish and Greek background nor his education that made it so. The power was of God, and is available to us today.
The very things that made men powerful, as the world sees power, are the very things that mark them as doomed. To them, the Bible is an enigma, and they discard it without even reading it. Perhaps one could liken their attitude to one not reading the many pages of tiny print in an insurance policy or a contract. Not reading them, does not nullify, them at all. They still apply. An impressive doctorate degree in law, or science, or philosophy, does not qualify for an entry into Heaven. The proud, the ambitious, the covetous, the famous, and the wealthy, are as needful of the Gospel as is the naked native of a remote tribal groupThe good news, (Gospel), is that Christ died for all, and all need Him. Why all the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament? Because God was preparing mankind for the final sacrifice of His own Son or the cross of Calvary to cover the sins of believers. He died for each of us. He was buried in a borrowed tomb, and arose three days later, alive again. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the Good news. There is life after what we call death. Just as Christ ascended back to be with his Father, Christians can look forward to the same. Festus and King Agrippa heard, but did not believe. This is as true of many of the “learned” doctorate of today as it was of them. We still preach “Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called;” “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16.
“The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world ? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called
In our enlightened age, men and women bearing an impressive string of degrees after their names, often display their ignorance of Biblical content. Paul, the writer of this letter to the Christians at Corinth, did not flaunt his learning. He had been taught at the feet of Gamaliel, the most outstanding teacher of his time. He grew up in the city of Tarsus, which had a famous library of Greek origin. Paul valued a good education, but he recognized that nothing he had learned was able to save a single soul from eternal banishment in hell. Festus recognized him as a learned man when he cried out, ”with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” King Agrippa’s comment to him, ”Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,“ indicates that his message was powerful. But it was neither the power of his Jewish and Greek background nor his education that made it so. The power was of God, and is available to us today.
The very things that made men powerful, as the world sees power, are the very things that mark them as doomed. To them, the Bible is an enigma, and they discard it without even reading it. Perhaps one could liken their attitude to one not reading the many pages of tiny print in an insurance policy or a contract. Not reading them, does not nullify, them at all. They still apply. An impressive doctorate degree in law, or science, or philosophy, does not qualify for an entry into Heaven. The proud, the ambitious, the covetous, the famous, and the wealthy, are as needful of the Gospel as is the naked native of a remote tribal groupThe good news, (Gospel), is that Christ died for all, and all need Him. Why all the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament? Because God was preparing mankind for the final sacrifice of His own Son or the cross of Calvary to cover the sins of believers. He died for each of us. He was buried in a borrowed tomb, and arose three days later, alive again. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the Good news. There is life after what we call death. Just as Christ ascended back to be with his Father, Christians can look forward to the same. Festus and King Agrippa heard, but did not believe. This is as true of many of the “learned” doctorate of today as it was of them. We still preach “Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called;” “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16.
Monday, September 10, 2007
I AM AMAZED AT THIS
I AM AMAZED! ONLY ONE REFERENCE!
The amazing gospel, in the right order, using only one reference, (3:16,17)
Our God is mighty! Let's see you take this many books and letters, arranged by a "committee," and each divided into verses by someone else still years later, and have this precise pattern intact! All this and more, and someone has the audacity to say, "You can not read the Bible in our schools." God had to do this.
Matthew 3:16,17
“And Jesus, when he as baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'”
Luke 3:16,17
“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner: but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
John 3:16,17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
1 Corinthians 3:16,17
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
2 Corinthians 3:16,17
“Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Ephesians 3:16,17
“be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye may be rooted and grounded in love.”
Philippians 3:16,17
“let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.”
Colossians 3:16,17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you rightly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in spiritual songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16,17
“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.”
1 Timothy 3:16
“great is the mystery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels. preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.“
2 Timothy 3:16,17
”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
James 3:16,17
“where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
1 John 3:16,17
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
Revelation 3:16,17
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing‘: and knoweth not that thou art wreched, and miserable and poor, and blind, and naked.”
The amazing gospel, in the right order, using only one reference, (3:16,17)
Our God is mighty! Let's see you take this many books and letters, arranged by a "committee," and each divided into verses by someone else still years later, and have this precise pattern intact! All this and more, and someone has the audacity to say, "You can not read the Bible in our schools." God had to do this.
Matthew 3:16,17
“And Jesus, when he as baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'”
Luke 3:16,17
“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner: but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
John 3:16,17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
1 Corinthians 3:16,17
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
2 Corinthians 3:16,17
“Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Ephesians 3:16,17
“be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye may be rooted and grounded in love.”
Philippians 3:16,17
“let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.”
Colossians 3:16,17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you rightly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in spiritual songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16,17
“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.”
1 Timothy 3:16
“great is the mystery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels. preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.“
2 Timothy 3:16,17
”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
James 3:16,17
“where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
1 John 3:16,17
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
Revelation 3:16,17
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing‘: and knoweth not that thou art wreched, and miserable and poor, and blind, and naked.”
ALL SHALL BE JUDGED
THE JUDGEMENT TIME
“When Jesus came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others Jeremiahs, or one of the prophets. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever though shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:13-19.
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:37-42.
“As it is appointed unto men to die, but after this the judgment. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27.
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? ? or naked, and clothes thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, unto everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:31-40.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” John 14:1-7.
Scriptures from the King James Version
“When Jesus came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others Jeremiahs, or one of the prophets. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever though shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:13-19.
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:37-42.
“As it is appointed unto men to die, but after this the judgment. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27.
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? ? or naked, and clothes thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, unto everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:31-40.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” John 14:1-7.
Scriptures from the King James Version
Friday, September 7, 2007
UNEXPECTED DEATH
1, 2, 3 - YOU ARE DEAD!
Hebrews 12:1
Actually, I just was afraid that I would not die. I was drenched, cold,and very seasick. And, I was standing bow lookout on the flag-ship of our amphibious, fleet in convoy. We were on our way to make an “invasion“ of a lonely beach somewhere near Halifax, Canada. It was all a practice maneuver of course, but the storm we were struggling to make headway against was very real. The bow of the ship was bucking the waves like a run away elevator. The bottom dropped away and we plummeted down and took water over the bow, then shot up and the bow was far above the water, only to drop again and again repeatedly. Being a larger ship, we struggled, but one of the small ships, built with a flat bottom so that it could land directly onto a beach, left the convoy and fled for Boston as fast as it could get there. It had split a seam and was in danger of sinking.
Eventually, we reached our destination, and I was able to do the task I had been trained to do. I was, at that time, one of the crew members of a landing craft. Only the coxswain at the wheel and I were its crew members. It was our job to be launched with the boat. I to release our hook-up to the boom, so the coxswain could take us directly to a rendezvous point where we then circled until all the boats were launched, reminiscent of the ducks in a carnival shooting gallery. Once we were all present in the circle and accounted for, we returned to the ship to receive a jeep from the boom, and as many marines as we had space for taken aboard from the rope nets that draped the side of the ship. When the boat was filled, we returned to circle until all our boats were filled, then on signal we made a running start for the beach. Exciting! we had disconnected the governors on our powerful grey marine engines and could really go this time! We ignored the fact that half the marines were still sea sick. There were explosions all around us as we neared shore, but, NO! We had hit a sand bar that the storm had formed and it was not on the charts. We were perhaps thirty feet from the beach itself. All the craft had dropped their ramps and the jeeps and marines were storming ashore. That is everyone but us, our ramp refused to drop! I had released the catches, but nothing would force that ramp down! Several seconds passed, then it opened with a splash, and our passengers stormed out, the jeep making full use of the snorkel that had been attached to it’s exhaust because it was entirely under water as soon as it left the sand bar.
The next morning we read in the fleet newspaper of the one craft where all were “killed!” That was us, One, Two, Three, you are dead!
But, this is more than a little story. It is really the story of life. All may seem secure. We, as Christians, are going about our tasks as usual. Then, we hit opposition, like the storm, and we struggle, some to lose their faith and flee for the nearest refuge like the sinking ship heading for the nearest dry dock.
Others reach their destination, but fail when some unexpected thing happens at the very last minute, like the sand bar. Let us keep in mind Paul’s advice to the Hebrews. “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1.
I leave you with these three thoughts from Paul to think about. 1. Lay aside those “weights” that might hinder our running. 2. Let us run with “patience” to the very end. 3. Let us keep our eyes on our Lord Jesus, the source of our faith, who will stay with us to the very end. We never know when that end may come, and “One, Two, Three, you are dead!”
I could not help thinking recently of that last fact when the transmission of my car failed me while I was in the fast lane during the morning rush hour. I had to push and steer my car into a turning lane. How many people have died suddenly and unexpectedly doing just that? I thank the Lord for the two people, sent by Him, who stopped and helped this old gentleman out of the way to safety. And also all those who helped in the days that followed. I could not have managed alone.
Hebrews 12:1
Actually, I just was afraid that I would not die. I was drenched, cold,and very seasick. And, I was standing bow lookout on the flag-ship of our amphibious, fleet in convoy. We were on our way to make an “invasion“ of a lonely beach somewhere near Halifax, Canada. It was all a practice maneuver of course, but the storm we were struggling to make headway against was very real. The bow of the ship was bucking the waves like a run away elevator. The bottom dropped away and we plummeted down and took water over the bow, then shot up and the bow was far above the water, only to drop again and again repeatedly. Being a larger ship, we struggled, but one of the small ships, built with a flat bottom so that it could land directly onto a beach, left the convoy and fled for Boston as fast as it could get there. It had split a seam and was in danger of sinking.
Eventually, we reached our destination, and I was able to do the task I had been trained to do. I was, at that time, one of the crew members of a landing craft. Only the coxswain at the wheel and I were its crew members. It was our job to be launched with the boat. I to release our hook-up to the boom, so the coxswain could take us directly to a rendezvous point where we then circled until all the boats were launched, reminiscent of the ducks in a carnival shooting gallery. Once we were all present in the circle and accounted for, we returned to the ship to receive a jeep from the boom, and as many marines as we had space for taken aboard from the rope nets that draped the side of the ship. When the boat was filled, we returned to circle until all our boats were filled, then on signal we made a running start for the beach. Exciting! we had disconnected the governors on our powerful grey marine engines and could really go this time! We ignored the fact that half the marines were still sea sick. There were explosions all around us as we neared shore, but, NO! We had hit a sand bar that the storm had formed and it was not on the charts. We were perhaps thirty feet from the beach itself. All the craft had dropped their ramps and the jeeps and marines were storming ashore. That is everyone but us, our ramp refused to drop! I had released the catches, but nothing would force that ramp down! Several seconds passed, then it opened with a splash, and our passengers stormed out, the jeep making full use of the snorkel that had been attached to it’s exhaust because it was entirely under water as soon as it left the sand bar.
The next morning we read in the fleet newspaper of the one craft where all were “killed!” That was us, One, Two, Three, you are dead!
But, this is more than a little story. It is really the story of life. All may seem secure. We, as Christians, are going about our tasks as usual. Then, we hit opposition, like the storm, and we struggle, some to lose their faith and flee for the nearest refuge like the sinking ship heading for the nearest dry dock.
Others reach their destination, but fail when some unexpected thing happens at the very last minute, like the sand bar. Let us keep in mind Paul’s advice to the Hebrews. “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1.
I leave you with these three thoughts from Paul to think about. 1. Lay aside those “weights” that might hinder our running. 2. Let us run with “patience” to the very end. 3. Let us keep our eyes on our Lord Jesus, the source of our faith, who will stay with us to the very end. We never know when that end may come, and “One, Two, Three, you are dead!”
I could not help thinking recently of that last fact when the transmission of my car failed me while I was in the fast lane during the morning rush hour. I had to push and steer my car into a turning lane. How many people have died suddenly and unexpectedly doing just that? I thank the Lord for the two people, sent by Him, who stopped and helped this old gentleman out of the way to safety. And also all those who helped in the days that followed. I could not have managed alone.
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