Blessed of the Greater

Gen 47:7-10  And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

Whenever I read this passage, I always remember an accompanying passage from the New Testament, Hebrews 7:7 “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.” In Hebrews, the reference is to the incident following the defeat of the five kings in Genesis 14. Abraham, returning from the battle, had been blessed by Melchizedek, Priest of Salem.

The argument from Hebrews is long and complex, but the statement in verse 7 is clear and simple. “Without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.” The one giving the blessing is superior to the one receiving the blessing. That this is a heavenly perspective is immediately evident in the case of Jacob and Pharaoh. In this passage, a Bedouin Arab of obscure origin has taken upon himself to pronounce a blessing on the Pharaoh of Egypt. He walks into the presence of the most powerful ruler of his time, places his hand on his head, and calls God’s blessing upon him. It is the same as it some backwoods country preacher walked up to the president of the United States and pronounced, “May the Lord richly bless you. May He give you wisdom and understanding, good health and riches. May He meet every need in your life, and bless those who follow after you.”

I imagine that the Pharaoh’s reaction was much the same as the president’s might be, tolerant amusement. I’m sure he smiled at Jacob, and his question, “How old are you?”, indicates that he might have attributed Abraham’s boldness to advanced age. But the Scriptures are accurate in their portrayal of the two men. Although arguably the most powerful man of his time, Pharaoh carried within himself a fatal flaw. This flaw made it certain that Jacob, the old Bedouin, was the better man. You see, Pharaoh did not know Jacob’s God. And that difference alone was enough to set Jacob in the higher position. So, like Melchizedek had blessed Abraham so many years ago, now Jacob, meeting Pharaoh for the first time, blessed the one who had shown favor to his son.

The Christian finds himself in both positions here. As a Christian, we know Jacob’s God, and from that relationship we draw a worth that allows us to bless others, just as Jacob did. And like Pharaoh, we find ourselves blessed; blessed by a Father because we have shown favor to His Son.

The Marks of the Lord Jesus Christ

Galatians 6:17

I recently had the privilege of attending the Our Generation Summit in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The theme for this year's conference was "Equip for Battle". As part of the decor, the Our Generation team had included a piece of a U.S. Army dress uniform, a jacket. Although the jacket really didn't figure in the program, as a former G.I. it caught my attention. After looking it over for a while, I turned to my wife and told her, "The guy that owns that coat is a man!"

You see, that coat belonged to a soldier. You knew it was a soldier because of the way it was arranged. A civilian would never have gotten the all that stuff right. It took a soldier to put everything in its proper place, and believe me, everything was in its proper place.

Not only was everything in place, the things that were on that coat told you a great deal about the man. First, he was a staff sergeant. That alone is significant. Soldiers don't make staff sergeant on their first enlistment. This guy had been around a little while. Given the opportunity to opt out, having served his time, he chose to go around again, at least one more time and maybe more. The hash marks on his sleeve indicated he had been a soldier for at least twelve years. A man that would re-up in wartime is a man that can be counted on when it gets hard, the kind of guy I want beside me, a man.

Next, the blue cord wrapped around his shoulder and the crossed rifles on the collar belonged to an infantryman. Combat arms, ground pounder, line doggie. The most inglorious position in the whole army, and the most indispensable. No matter how many planes, artillery pieces or tanks you've got, eventually an infantryman is going to have to take the ground. Theirs is the dirty work, house to house and room to room, face to face with an enemy that knows it's kill or be killed, live or die. They call them grunts in derision, but you can't fight a war without them. By the way, our staff sergeant was not only a grunt, he was a good one. On his left pocket he wore an expert marksman badge along with one showing he had finished air assault school.

Our staff sergeant was also a decorated soldier. I've been out too long to recognize all the ribbons, and some of them were unit citations. But not all. On one sleeve, the hash marks witnessed to at least three combat tours. Our boy had certainly seen enough combat to earn a Combat Infantry Badge along with the other ribbons. They give those to soldiers who have served in wartime. This man knows what it means to dodge bullets.

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. I could see enough on the uniform to know I would have been proud to meet this man and shake his hand. His qualifications were written all over him. He was a soldier. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, the Bible talks of the Christian as chosen to be a soldier. The Holy Spirit wrote those words through the Apostle Paul, one who knew what it meant to be a soldier of Jesus Christ. And it was Paul, the combat weary infantryman, who wrote the words at the beginning of this text, "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 6:17)." Anyone who met Paul could tell he had served his time. The marks on his body, like the uniform on that soldier, told the tale.

Christian friend of mine, do you bear the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is the impact of living for Him clearly recognizable in your life? The thought brings to mind a dear pastor friend who has labored long and hard in the battle for the Lord. He carries his testimony everywhere, a patient and gentle warrior, truly humble, quick to tears. It doesn't require much time in his presence to see that he is a soldier who has spent much in the service of His Lord Jesus. One day, I hope it will be just as evident in me and you.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Worthy is the Lamb

Revelation 4-5

In chapters four and five of the Book of Revelation, the Holy Spirit gives some insight into conditions in heaven. In 4:1, the Bible says “a door was opened in heaven”. What a fascinating and revealing glimpse we receive of heavenly places! First, there is a throne, around which are 24 seats with 24 elders, in white raiment with golden crowns. Then there are the four flying beasts which surround the throne, never resting. As they fly, they cry out “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” As they worship, the 24 elders fall down before the throne, cast their crowns before it and say, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Chapter five describes the search for one who was worthy to open the seven-sealed book. A search of heaven and earth finds no one who is able to open the book or to read what is written in it. John begins to despair, until “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David”, is able to loose the seals and open the book. At this point, the song of the 24 elders becomes, “Thou are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth.”

Then, as John watched, the voices of “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” of the angels were added to the elders, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

Imagine the scene as the angels of heaven praise the Lamb! Hear the thunder! And then, to this incredible, glorious spectacle, the Bible says, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

Take a moment to picture this scene, every created being everywhere simultaneously praising the Creator! The heavens and the earth will be shaking with voices praising God. For that moment, every eye will be on Him, every voice devoted to His glory.
It will happen because God says it will, and it will happen because He is worthy. The Lamb, our Saviour, our King, is worthy of all the praise and attention of every creature. Christian friend of mine, He will not only be worthy then, He is worthy now. He is worthy of everything we can give. Not just our praise, but our lives. We who know Him, who are washed in his blood, can bring Him glory today by our worship and our service on His behalf.

I am confident I will be among those gathered around the throne in heaven. His blood assures me of that. But then I’ll be one among billions. I want to give Him glory today, when there are fewer voices, and mine will be clear and recognizable. O precious Lamb, Brother Tom, bought by your blood and sealed by your Spirit. I am yours. Be glorified in every part of my life today, for you are worthy!

Just a servant,

Bro.Tom

Living in a Sinful Society

Isaiah 59

The first fourteen verses of Isaiah 59 describe a society saturated with sin. In verse 1, God begins by saying His hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear. Then in verse 2, the awful conjunction, “But....your iniquities have separated between you and God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear.”

Verses 3-14 give a graphic description of the sins of the nation. What a list! God describes this society as bloodthirsty liars who have perverted their ways. They are deceitful and venomous leaches who run to wickedness like a moth to a flame. They dream of their sin, shed innocent blood, and destroy all in their paths. They have no peace, there is no justice, and they walk in darkness. They are blind to the path they walk, they roar and suffer. They have sinned, rejecting God, living lives of rebellion and disobedience. Verse 14 gives the results of their awful condition, “And judgement is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”

Then, in verse 15, the subject changes from the wicked to “he that departeth from evil.” Even in such a pervasively wicked society, there were a few righteous. The Lord always has his remnant. But they, too, were paying a price for their decadence and sin. They became the prey of the wicked, and there was no one who would defend them or give them justice. The Lord saw there was no intercessor, and so He became their defender. Verses 16-17 say it this way, “therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.”

Christian, no matter how bad the world becomes, or how much it seems as though God has forgotten, He is aware of His people. He knows those who are His, and He will be their defense in time of trouble. Don’t let being in the minority cause you to falter in your walk with God. You can never be more secure that when you are in His care, though all hell rage around you.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Jesus, our Eternal Priest

Read: Hebrews 7

In Genesis chapter 14 we read of Abraham’s rescue of his nephew Lot from the heathen kings who defeated Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham armed the 318 souls in his household and pursued after Lot, ultimately recovering not only Lot, but all the spoil that had been taken from the kings. Upon his return, he was meant by “Melchizedek king of Salem (Peace)”. Melchizedek, the King of Peace and a “priest of the most High God”, brought bread and wine to the victors. He then blessed Abraham in the name of the Most High God, and Abraham gave Melchizidek tithes of all they recovered. Melchizedek appears on the scene suddenly, and disappears suddenly, never to be show up again. The entire story of Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek takes three verses, Genesis 14:8-11.

The only other record of Melchizedek in the Old Testament was recorded 600 years later in the messianic Psalm, Psalm 110. Here, the Messiah is described as a “priest forever after the order of Melchizedek,” forever linking the two. Then, over 1000 years later, the author of Hebrews spends almost an entire chapter explaining the cryptic prophecy of Psalm 110.

Essentially, the salient points are these. There existed a priesthood prior to the Levitical which was greater. We know it was greater because Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. We also recognize this priesthood existed apart from the tribe of Levi. And this priesthood is eternal. By virtue of his mysterious appearance and disappearance in Genesis 14, Melchizedek is described in Hebrews 7:3 as “without father, without mother, withouth descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually.”

Like Melchizedek, the priesthood of Jesus Christ is greater than the Levitical order, separate from it and eternal rather than temporal. This makes Him a “priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Additionally, rather than bringing sacrifices day after day, He offered one sacrifice of Himself. As a result of His sacrificial work and eternal nature, Jesus, according to Hebrews 7:25, “is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lieveth to make intercession for them.”

Jesus, our eternal High Priest.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Savior of All

March 12

Read: 1 Timothy 2

There seems to be a comeback recently of reformed or covenant theology. You may recall the patron saint of such theology, John Calvin, or the oft used acronym TULIP. The third point of the TULIP is the concept of a limited atonement. Limited atonement, briefly stated, declares that Christ died only for the elect. The sacrificial death and atoning blood were given only for those chosen of God and foreordained to salvation (unconditional election).

Funny how often we careen from one ditch to another. Denying that men have a choice in salvation really doesn’t abrogate the sovereignty of God. But if we stand convinced only the elect are saved, and they have no choice in the matter, then the idea of a limited atonement is almost a logical necessity.

But...the Scripture really doesn’t support either. At the risk of opening up a thousand year-old argument (which neither side can win), one must simply read 1 Timothy 2 to see the difference. In verse 4, speaking of God, it says that He “will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This is consistent with John 3:16, which says clearly that God loved the world”. That’s everybody, as near as I can tell. Then, in 1 Timothy 2:6 the Scriptures say that Jesus, “gave himself a ransom for all...” Again this is consistent with John 3:16, which says “whosoever believeth on him.” Whosoever does not sound limiting at all, granting to us the option of either believing or not believing.

Dearly beloved, Jesus died for every man (Hebrews 2:9). And He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), the exclusive path to God (John 14:6). And in order to come to God, one must hear of Jesus (Romans 10:13-15). And in order to hear, someone must tell. And that someone is us.

Give someone the gift of eternity today. Share Jesus.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

The Danger of Affluence

March 3

Read: Deuteronomy 31:14-30

A church we once attended had a special prayer group that prayed during the morning service. There were typically three persons assigned at a time. They went into a basement room during the service and prayed for God’s blessings and power on the preaching, the singing, the praying and the entire service. One morning when my wife and I had a turn in the closet, we were accompanied by a businessman who was a member of the church. The conversation wandered onto investments and savings, and the businessman was lamenting a significant loss in recent months. After he spoke of it, he looked at us and said, as if he were just thinking of it, “Oh, but you guys live by faith.”

I understood what he meant. He was simply saying that as supported missionaries, we probably didn’t or couldn’t rely on a monthly dividend check to get us through. And he was right. We were accustomed to going to God for our needs and seeing his blessings upon our lives. Certainly he had enough money in the bank that he never had such concerns.

But the Bible says a number of times, “The just shall live by faith.” That doesn’t mean we should all take a vow of poverty, but it does mean we should be looking to God as the supplier of our needs and not our bank accounts or our employer or especially the state. The danger in having too much is that we cease to see God as the source of everything and start to rely on ourselves or on someone else.

Moses, in Deuteronomy 31:20, predicted what would happen to the Israelites when they got into a land of plenty. “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.” He essentially says when they achieve affluence, they will forget me. What was true of the Israelites has been true of every civilization God has chosen to bless. Western Europe, blessed of God and affluent, has reached a point where they rely on themselves. Respect and love for God is nearly dead in those countries, and evangelizing in them, according to one well--known preacher, is like planting okra on concrete. Unfortunately we seem to have forgotten the penalty for apostasy is judgment (see Judges, entire book; and consider the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities).

Trying to keep your balance when everyone else is losing his can be quite a challenge. I suggest we consider carefully the words of the wise man in Proverbs, who wrote in chapter 30:8-9, “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

All Things

February 21

Read:1 Corinthians 6

A wise pastor once told me the two most difficult things about living the Christian life are keeping your balance and waiting on God (I would add to that list maintaining a consistent, disciplined prayer life). The longer I live as a child of God, the more convinced I am of the truth of his statement.

It’s so easy to get out of balance. It’s much like driving a car down the road; there’s a ditch on either side. For example, we must always keep God’s love balanced by His holiness and justice. To go too far on the love side takes us to a place where all will be saved, regardless of what they believe. To go too far on the holiness side results in pharisaical legalism. Both are heresy. Both are ditches waiting to trap the unwary Christian.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul, inspired of the Holy Spirit, writes an incredible thing. To the Corinthian believers he says, “All things are lawful unto me.” In one sentence Paul has effectively destroyed the law of commandments and ordinances by which the Jews literally ordered their lives. With one sentence, shrimp came back on the menu, Gentile was no longer synonymous with leper and it was okay to make your bed on the Sabbath. Can’t you hear the Judaizers screaming? You can’t say that! They will never live holy lives! You are making a mockery of God!

If Paul had stopped writing there they probably would have been right. But he didn’t, and they weren’t. The balance is placed in the remainder of the verse. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Sure, Paul says, all things are lawful. But friends and neighbors, all things are not helpful. All things are not edifying. All things will not strengthen my walk with Christ. And yes, all things are lawful, but none of those things should be allowed to control our lives. It would be tempting to limit this to things that are addictive, but the meaning is much broader. All things are lawful, but I will allow nothing to control me other than the sweet Spirit of God.

Talk about balance. Paul gives us the recipe for life apart from the law with the Holy Spirit in residence. Let Him guide. Limit yourself to those things that are edifying. You will find yourself in a life more abundant and more powerful than the law could ever give. Enjoy the things God has given you, and let the Holy Spirit, and your own Christian walk, be your guides.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

No Other Foundation

February 20

Read: 1 Corinthians 3

Paul, expressing his irritation with the carnality of the Corinthian believers, uses a number of analogies to push his point home. He begins by describing them as babes, dependent on milk and unprepared for solid food (vs. 1-2). He progresses to the idea of husbandmen or farmers, telling them that we are all just God’s helpers. He is the one responsible for any increase (vs. 6-8). Finally, he uses a construction analogy, telling them in vs. 9-11:

“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Paul stresses first that the only foundation is Christ. Jesus is not the best foundation, He is the only foundation. When Paul preached the gospel at Corinth, he was giving them the only possible basis for a relationship with God. Jesus taught the same thing, saying in John 14:6 that He was “the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the father except by me (Jesus).”

The exclusivity of Christ is affirmed again and again in the New Testament by such passages as Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” And in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

For those of us who are Christians, who have the proper foundation, Paul goes on to warn us concerning how we build on that foundation. Every work will be tested. Those of the right sort will stand and all others will be burned away. If the foundation is solid, though, even though the works are lost, the soul is secure. The foundation is the key. The only foundation is Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 7, at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses those whose religion was on the wrong foundation. He said there would come a day when they would cry out to Him, “Lord, Lord!”. His response? I never knew you.

You can have a lot of religion. But if the foundation is wrong, nothing else will matter.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

No Provision

February 19

Read: Romans 13:1-14

The first seven verses of Romans 13 summarize the believer’s relationship to civil authority. Established after the flood, the civil authorities are the direct representatives of God on earth and we are to obey them. Verses 8-10 remind us of our responsibility to love our neighbors. Verses 11 and 12 are a call to diligence and in verses 13 and 14 we are reminded to keep our walk in Christ at a high standard. The very last half of the last verse of the chapter states, “and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”

If you’re not paying close attention in your reading, you might pass by this verse without gaining the full import of its teaching. The Word of God here is giving us one of the keys to victorious Christian living, apart from which our lives can become extremely frustrating. We are warned not to make provision for the flesh.

The flesh is that part of us that places its own needs and desires ahead of everything else. It is the combination of all the physical appetites that when kept in proper balance are necessary for life and happiness. When they get out of balance, when we begin to live for the fulfillment of those fleshly desires, our spirit is subdued and we live carnal lives.

I have noticed in my own life that as quickly as I get one element of the flesh properly disciplined, there is another part ready to raise its ugly head in a demand for satisfaction. I concentrate on the second, and the first seems to wiggle loose. This is the same conflict that Paul described in Romans 7 when he wrote, “for I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” It’s a conflict we all deal with, and victory over the flesh tends to come in spurts, especially for the new or less mature believer.

This verse in Romans 13, though, can provide immeasurable help in the battle. It says simply, “make no provision for the flesh.” That is, intentionally and consistently separate yourself from those things that encourage you to lose control. As a simple example, take someone who struggles with overeating. Knowing his own weakness, it is foolish for him to stash chocolate in his desk drawer. He may think he can control his desires, but he has prepared himself to fail. How much wiser would he be to clean out the cupboard, preserving only those things that are healthy, low-calorie and useful to his campaign to subdue the flesh?

There are so many things that fall into this category. We know we struggle with the flesh in a certain area, then we set ourselves up for failure. Take a person who tends to waste time with computer games. How many does he keep a keystroke away? How about a person who has a pornography problem who refuses to put a monitor or filter on his computer? It’s a little hard to believe someone is really serious about living the victorious Christian life when they continuously coddle the enemy.

Today, let’s consider our own weaknesses, and determine where we have made “provision for the flesh”. Let’s clean out our spiritual closets and let God give us the victorious and abundant life He desires for each of us.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

“I will set no wicked thing before my eyes” - Psalm 101:3

Training Faithful Men

February 18

Read: Numbers 27:15-23

The more you learn of Moses, the more you realize just what an extraordinary man of God he was. On this occasion, God told Moses to make his way to the mountain top and look out over the land of Canaan. Because of his disobedience at the waters of Meribah, Moses was not to be allowed to enter into the land. After he had seen the land, Moses was to die, as Aaron had died before him.

It’s not terribly difficult to put yourself in Moses’ thoughts at this point. After 120 years, he was going home. Yet there had to be a bittersweet element as well. Forty years he had led the people of Israel, out of Egypt and through the wilderness, with the promised land held out before them. Now, at the very end, with the land in sight, he was not to be allowed to enter. The nation must go on without him.

It is a testimony to the character of this amazing man of God that no hint of these things enters into the biblical narrative. Instead of lamenting his sentence and pleading with God for a second chance, Moses went in a completely different direction. In verse 16, Moses asks, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation. Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out; and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.”

Moses’ primary concern was for the people he had led all these years. He was burdened for the very people who provoked his anger at Meribah, who were indirectly the very reason he could not enter into the promised land. Moses wanted assurance from God that He would not leave them without a shepherd. “Oh, Lord, they need a man to lead them,” was Moses’ only request.

Every man or woman of God should share Moses’ burden. There is not one of us who does not have responsibilities within the kingdom, who is not a leader in one form or another. It may be at church, or at home, or where you work. You are God’s representative somewhere to somebody. Is it your heart that they should see God in your shepherding? Do you grieve at the thought of their being without a godly influence? Are you pleading with God to raise up faithful men and women who, when your time ends, will continue to represent the Lord? Are you doing your part to prepare those men and women?

Writing to apprentice Timothy, the apostle Paul instructed him in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Moses’ primary concern was that the work of God go forward and the people of God be guided. He committed much of his time to training his replacement.

Let us ensure that our ministry includes a thought for the future. Who will take our place? And how can we be used of God to prepare them?

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Final Answer

February 17

Read: Numbers 22

Numbers 22 tells the well-known story of Balaam and the talking donkey. In it, Balaam is called by the Moabite king Balak to come and curse Israel. A group of noblemen was sent to the prophet offering reward and honor if he would come and do as the king asked.

Balaam had enough discernment to seek God’s counsel in the matter, and in verse 12 we see God’s answer, “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”

That should have been the end of the matter. But Balak, desperately wanting some advantage over Israel, elected to try again. He sent more honorable noblemen and offered very great honor if Balaam would curse Israel. And here Balaam makes his mistake. In verse 19, in effect, he comes and asks God, “Is that your final answer?”

God allowed Balaam to go and bless Israel, but He showed his displeasure with Balaam (v. 22) and sent the angel of the Lord to withstand him in the way. After the donkey spoke and Balaam understood the situation, he knew better than to disobey God again. The nation of Israel was blessed; Balak expressed his displeasure with Balaam and sent him home.

Balaam’s name comes up again in Scripture later. Numbers 31:8, describing Israel’s conquest of the Midianites, concludes with this passage: “Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.” Balaam the prophet of Jehovah ultimately fell because of his failure to heed the clear direction of God. He wouldn’t take God’s word as final.

In Proverbs 20:25, the Bible tells us: “It is a snare unto a man….after vows to make inquiry.” It is a warning not to second guess God’s decisions and directions. The New Testament version is found in Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Once God has spoken, He doesn’t change His mind. Let us be careful not to dig up in doubt that which we buried in faith.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Spiritual Schizophrenia

February 16

Read: James 3:1-18

In context, the discussion in James chapter three concerns our tongues. After lamenting the power of an uncontrollable tongue, in verse 8 James starts to give some examples of things that simply should not be. In verse 10, he writes, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” He follows with examples of a fig tree bearing olives and a fountain yielding both fresh water and salt water. He gets to the point beginning in verses 14-18, when he compares the fruit of a righteous (saved) man to what comes out of a natural (lost) man.

What James is describing here is spiritual schizophrenia. There really should be no such thing as a carnal or worldly Christian. It makes no sense that one who is bought by the blood, indwelt by the Spirit and fed on the Word of God should manifest the same manner of living as one who is lost without God. It is schizophrenic for a man to exhibit the character of both the saved and the lost. It is indicative of a split personality, or, as James writes in chapter one, a man who is double-minded.

But didn’t Paul in Romans chapter seven describe a war between the flesh and spirit, such that sometimes the flesh is in control? Indeed he did, and that conflict is something that Christians deal with until the day we are called home. We all have such a conflict within. The problem is when we begin to see walking in the flesh as normal.

We are incredibly good at rationalizing almost any behavior. The one who has an anger problem will simply decide, “That’s just the way I am” and accept it as something he cannot change. The pornography addict will conclude that “God made the opposite gender attractive, and besides, I’m not hurting anybody.” And he makes no effort to alter his practices. We have become a spiritual schizophrenic when we can claim to be Christian, know there is sin in our lives, and accept it as normal. Such a Christian is destined to live a powerless and frustrating life, dangerous not only to himself but to all around him.

Brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Casual Interest

February 15

Read: Acts 24:1-27

After the attack on Paul and his subsequent arrest in Jerusalem, a number of the Jews entered into a conspiracy to murder him. News of the plot came to a nephew, who warned Paul and then the chief captain of the Romans, Claudius Lysias. Not wanting such to happen to a prisoner under his care, the captain prepared a military escort and sent Paul to Felix, the Roman Governor at Caesarea.

After the transfer, the Jews from Jerusalem went before Felix to accuse Paul of rebellion and sedition for his work among the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Felix listened to both parties, then elected to withhold judgement until Lysias could come down from Jerusalem and give his side of the tale.

Having Paul in prison, Felix decided to entertain himself and his wife by asking Paul to come and preach to them concerning his faith in Christ. Paul’s preaching had an effect, for, in verse 25 we read, “And as he (Paul) reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgement to come, Felix trembled...”. Felix was clearly convicted, but just as clearly there was no conversion. In verse 26 we read that he kept Paul in prison, hoping someone would pay a bribe for his release. After two years, Felix was replaced by another governor, Festus. And the Bible says that Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul imprisoned.

People come to church for a variety of reasons. Some are faithful servants of God, who are there to worship and serve Him. Some are dealing with a personal crisis of some kind and looking for possible answers. A third group is simply curious, somehow having gotten the idea that going to church was just good for them and looking for a way to fill up a Sunday morning. And there is final group there strictly for personal motives. Their attendance has nothing to do with God, but with their own personal agenda.

Felix was clearly in that last group. His work had brought him into contact with a Christian, and he was curious. As Paul was at his disposal, he chose to spend a little time researching this strange sect of the Nazarene. He was not, however, prepared for the power of the Gospel. Trembling, he was forced to decide, and he decided against. From that point Paul was simply a hostage to be held or a pawn to be used in his political dealings with the Jews.

There are regular church members who think no more of the gospel and the Savior than Felix. They come for reasons of networking, for political expediency, for social gain. They are occasionally ambushed by the Word of God, but by and large they are immune, having determined to keep their personal autonomy, even at the price of their eternity. They are wrong, but they are unpersuaded. Their destiny is that of the rich man who disdained Lazarus, or the wealthy one who, having accumulated more than he could use, set out to build himself bigger barns. To that one, and all like him, God posed this question: “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Rumbling and Grumbling

February 14

Read: Numbers 11:1-20

As Israel traveled through the desert, God provided them with manna on a daily basis. For this manna they had to do no work other than gather it up. Each morning, as they arose, the gift of God lay fresh on the ground, easily available and capable of meeting every nutritional need for the whole nation. Manna was a miracle and a blessing direct from the hand of God.

In Numbers 11, Israel decides that manna is no longer good enough. A percentage of the people, called the mixed multitude, began to wish for the food they had left behind in Egypt. They wanted the variety, the tastes, the delicacies of Egypt. In verse 4, the Bible says they “fell a lusting”. Will somebody please give us a little meat to go with this manna?

In verse 10, we see the responses of both God and Moses. The anger of the Lord was kindled greatly, and Moses also was displeased. The complaining of the people actually reduced Moses to whining, and the first thing the Lord did was take some of His Spirit away from Moses and place on the seventy elders. Then He gave the people their request. For a month, they got meat to eat. They stuffed themselves until they were sick of it.

In Psalm 106:5 the Bible tells of this time, “And he (God) gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” It is unfortunate but true we in the church have learned little from Israel’s bad example. Week after week God provides us with preachers, musicians, and teachers, using them to supply everything we need for our spiritual well-being. And almost every Sunday, the “mixed multitude” shows up. They will complain that the song service is boring, the preaching is unexciting, or the temperature in the building is uncomfortable. Fed on a diet of television and top forty Christian music, they have “fallen a lusting” after the things of Egypt. And, like Moses, many pastors and Christian leaders have surrendered, giving them what they want.

There are so many lessons here. But the bottom line is pretty clear. Don’t let a few complainers shift your focus to the world. Egypt is not where the blessings reside. Keep your eyes on God, be grateful for His blessings, and follow Him faithfully. And be careful what you lust after, God may give you what you think you want.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

One For All

February 13

Read: Numbers 9:1-14

During the second year of Israel’s journey from Egypt to Kadesh-Barnea, God instructed Moses and the children of Israel to keep the Passover. Moses, having passed on the instructions to the people, was questioned by some men who were ceremonially unclean from contact with a dead body (probably Levites, Leviticus 21:11). Could they take the Passover?

Moses took the question to God, and was told that even those who were unclean or traveling should partake of the Passover just as everyone else. He went on to add a rule concerning even those who were non-Israelites. If there were strangers among them, and they desired to keep the Passover, they were to be allowed to do so. The end of Numbers 9:14 says: “...ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.”

These instructions are consistent with the typology of the Passover. God passed over the first-born of Israel because of the lamb’s blood applied to the door posts. The blood of the lamb is typical of the blood of Christ, the designated Lamb of God. And Christ is promised to be the Savior of not only the Jews, but the world. He is the Savior of those who are lost in sin, of those who are not ceremonially unclean but utterly unclean. And the inclusion of the stranger is our assurance that the true Passover Lamb was slain for every man.

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Just a servant,

Bro.Tom

Every Joint

February 12

Read: Numbers 4:1-15

Numbers chapter 4 describes the division of labor among the Levites in relation to the tabernacle. Each of the families of the sons of Levi was given specific responsibilities for part of the work. In our text, we see the portions assigned to Aaron and to the sons of Kohath.

To Aaron and his sons belonged the task of caring for the items associated with worship within the tabernacle. Essentially, they were responsible for everything within the inner sanctuary. When it was time to move, they covered and prepared the table of showbread and the golden altar, cleaned up the ashes and gathered and wrapped all the utensils. When everything was ready, the Kohathites were to come and carry it to the next location.

Continuing in chapter 4, we find that God gave similar instructions to the Gershonites and the Merarites. In each case, God was very specific about what each was to do.

It took everyone doing their part to get the tabernacle pulled down and moved. If any family had neglected or left its work undone, the whole nation would have been delayed. They would have been unable to do what God was directing them to do at the time He intended for them to do it. As a result of a few unwilling to perform their roles, God’s work would be hindered and God’s people denied a blessing.

According to the New Testament, the same thing can be said of the local church. God has gifted every church member for a specific task, and it is one of the Holy Spirit’s functions to guide them to their appointed ministry. In Ephesians 4:16, the Bible says Jesus is the head, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.“ The body referenced is the church, and every joint is every member. Jesus has put us together and given every member a gift and a task. We must prayerfully seek out our place and then faithfully perform the assigned ministry. If we do not, then we, like the Levites, would be guilty of hindering the work of God and the progress of God’s people.

Are you busy about the Lord’s work? Are you doing the things you should be doing? Are you still wondering what your job might be? James writes, “If any of you lack wisdom, let Him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Let’s find our spot and get in it.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Working Faith

February 9

Read:Acts 9:10-19

A very interesting accompaniment to Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is the story of Ananias. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Ananias, simply that he was a disciple at Damascus. But we can surmise a great deal about him from the rest of the story.

Ananias must have been a man on speaking terms with God. He must have been a man of prayer, because when the Lord spoke to Him in a vision, there was no confusion on Ananias’ part about who was talking. The Lord said, “Ananias” and Ananias answered simply, “Behold, I am here, Lord.”

Second, Ananias must have been a man of considerable faith. Directed by God to go and lay hands on Saul of Tarsus, he immediately recognized the name. “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.” Ananias knew Saul of Tarsus was a dangerous man, especially to Christians. He voiced his concerns in verses 13 and 14. He certainly had a right to feel as he did. Yet, when the Lord said to him in verse 15, “Go thy way”, that ended the debate. Verse 17 says simply that “Ananias went his way, and did as the Lord had asked.

As nearly as I can tell, Bro. Ananias of Damascus is never mentioned again in Scripture. He rose out of anonymity to do a specific task for God, then withdrew himself backstage. Truly a disciple, he was quick to answer the Lord’s call and willing to do what He asked, even at the hazard of his own life.

Could we pray that God would give us today some of the qualities that Ananias possessed? We certainly could do with a closer relationship with the Father, one in which we have no trouble discerning his voice. Also, God grant us the faith to do His will, no matter what we may think about the pitfalls.

May we all grow a little as a result of our encounter with Ananias of Damascus.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Church Growth

February 7

Read: Acts 2:32-47

In Acts 2:32-47, the Lord has chosen to give us a glimpse of the very first church. On the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit descended upon them in mass. Peter preached, and about 3000 people got saved, were baptized and added to the church. Talk about church growth! From 120 disciples praying together in the upper room (Acts 1:15) to a local assembly of more than 3000 members in one day! Don’t you know that was an exciting time to be in Jerusalem?

Besides the phenomenal growth, the other thing that should interest us is the activity of the First Baptized Assembly at Jerusalem. In verse 42, the Bible says: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (teaching) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.” This church majored on doctrine, fellowship, and prayer. In verse 43 we see a spirit of reverence and of power. In verses 44 and 45, we see how they proved their love one to another. Verse 46 testifies to their unity and their thankfulness (notice they met together every day). Finally, verse 47 says they had an attitude of praise.

To borrow a phrase from the sports announcers, let’s do a quick recap of that. The First Baptized Assembly at Jerusalem was notable for their doctrine, fellowship, prayer, reverence, power, love, unity, thankfulness and worship. Is it any wonder that “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved?”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

He must increase...

February 6

Read: John 20:30-31; John 21:20-25

Most Bible scholars put the writing of John’s Gospel at about 90 AD. Placing Jesus’ death on the cross at about 33 AD, and John as the son of Zebedee and a member of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, that makes John a pretty old man by the time the book was written. Beginning life as the son of a fisherman, John was called by Jesus at a relatively young age and discipled three years by the Lord Himself. For approximately sixty years he served the Lord and His church in various capacities, and tradition places him in the city of Ephesus at the time the Gospel was penned. There, the Holy Spirit inspired John to record the life of his Lord, and the aged apostle was used by God to give us one of the most moving and personal accounts in the whole Bible.

It’s clear when we study John’s life that God used an amazing man to record an amazing story. Labled the “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus, John and his brother began their walk with the Lord as anything but the apostles of love. They thundered, they threatened, and they connived, even enlisting their mother in their attempts to gain the highest place. They, with Peter, were privileged to be Jesus’ inner circle. And like Peter, to the mortal eye it looks as though they were born to failure. But God can see where we can’t. And gradually, patiently, marvelously, the “Son of Thunder” became the “Apostle of Love.”

It is in the gospel of John that we see the distance the apostle had traversed. First, from seeking the top spot he had progressed to the point where he would not even include his own name in the book that he wrote. Whenever you see the name John in the Gospel of John, it is a reference to John the Baptist. If the Holy Spirit in divine inspiration forced him to speak of himself, he identified himself simply as the disciple whom Jesus loved. John was very quick to dispel any rumors of his own superiority, making sure that Jesus was accurately quoted, and that he, John, was not exalted. For a signature, he very simply described himself as a witness giving a testimony. And his last words in the gospel concern the things that Jesus did that were not recorded. The aged apostle had come to the point that every wise disciple will someday reach, that it is not about him, but about Jesus. To borrow a phrase, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom