Monday, December 31, 2018

"Upward and Outward"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Upward and Outward"       

     

    Our challenges, of whatever nature and degree, provide opportunity to glorify our Lord and minister to people as we respond in faith and devotion.

    "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation" (II Corinthians 1:3-6).

   Pain and difficulty tend to direct our focus unto ourselves.  Conversely, the Apostle Paul declared that trouble first grants opportunity for believers to know the comfort of God, and then to administer to others the same balm of grace we have received.  Rather than dwelling on our usual initial response - "Why is this happening to me?" - we do well to affirm within our hearts,  "How can I honor the Lord Jesus Christ and be a blessing to others through this challenge?"   We divert attention to where it belongs, namely, to our high calling of loving God and loving others.  We realize purpose in our pain, and see it as a means of better knowing the Lord, and better serving others.  

    Again, such response is completely counterintuitive to our flesh.  Only the Spirit of God and the Word of God can splash grace into our face, as it were, thus clarifying our vision to look outward rather than inward when experiencing difficulty.  Even in those times when our Heavenly Father administers pain as a corrective measure, the ultimate end involves redirecting our focus upward to Him, and outward to others.  Thereby He sets our hearts at peace, and prepares us to give forth the comfort in Christ we have received.  Our Lord lived, died, and rose again to make possible our capacity to overcome our natural tendency of self-centeredness with His supernatural tenacity to love God and love people.  His presence within our hearts enables such focus whereby we look upward and outward…

"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us."
(Romans 5:5)
"The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life a ransom for many."
(Matthew 28:20)
"Walk even as He walked."
(I John 2:6)

Weekly Memory Verse
   I will extol Thee, o God, my King, and I will bless Thy name forever and ever.
(Psalm 145:1)



Sunday, December 30, 2018

Dear Orange Moon Friends


Dear Friends,

    I can count on one hand the number of messages I've sent out on Sundays (I try to not pester you the first day of the week!).  However, today is really special for Frances and me.  Forty years ago, on December 30, 1978, we became husband and wife.  Having just had a time of prayer together to offer thanks, I feel moved to share a few thoughts (as few as possible, for the reason that follows).

    "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21, and the verses we adopted for our marriage and family all those years ago).

    Sometimes we communicate the most by saying or writing the least (a lesson I am still learning, obviously!).  So, I'll just say this:  Frances is the clearest confirmation of our Lord'"exceeding, abundantly above" I have or ever will experience in this lifetime.   It would be foolish and impossible to attempt tell you all the reasons why, but those of you who know her will surely agree.  I was given a gift long ago, a gift that can indeed only be described by the Lord's infinite measure: exceeding abundantly above all I could have ever asked or thought.  So, allow me to simply say that no man ever more understood, realized, and experienced the truth of Solomon's expression of gratitude

"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord."
(Proverbs 18:22)


Saturday, December 29, 2018

“Whither Shall I Flee?”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Whither Shall I Flee?"       
     

     The professing atheist or agnostic disbelieves not because of intellectual reasons - "the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and godhead" - but rather because of behavioral allowances made possible by unbelief - "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" (Romans 1:20; John 3:19).

   God bears plain witness to all of His existence and being, and our responsibility to Him.  "The true Light… lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9).  Regardless of bluster to the contrary, every unbeliever lives in a creation that teems with the Lord's reality and His communication thereof.  The Light shines, the Voice resounds, the Hand works, and the Heart moves upon and within the spirits of all to reveal the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 36:9; 19:1-3; Job 12:10; John 15:26).  One cannot help but see, hear, feel, and experience.  However, one can reject the Obvious: "the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1).  Note the internal venue where the rejection takes place: "in his heart."  Again, the issue is not fundamentally intellectual, but rather spiritual and moral.  "I do not believe" or "I cannot believe" are non sequiturs in those who "live and move and have their being" in God (Acts 17:28).  "I will not believe" - this constitutes the truth of those who rage against Reality.

   I am currently reading a book by a believer who in his younger days embraced the naturalistic notion that a universe which exists by continual causality somehow originated without cause.  The man was intellectually convinced, but he admits that the power of such darkness actually involved its allowing him to follow his natural disposition and carnal lusts.  This is the issue.  Unbelief allows that which faith will not.  The Light, the Voice, the Hand, and the Heart work in perfect coordination to reveal God and His truth to all.  We cannot avoid the Obvious.  We can deny it, however, as do all until we realize our foolishness, and even more, our moral culpability before our Creator and Sustainer.  As we seek to share the Gospel, we do well to remember that the most strident atheist has lived the entirety of his life seeing, hearing, feeling, and experiencing God's reality.  He may reject the Obvious on the intellectual surface of his brain, thus leading to the rage caused by the internal conflict of embracing darkness while being bathed in Light.  But deeply within, he knows.  He knows.

"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit?  Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?"
(Psalm 139:5-7)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
(Ephesians 6:11-12)


Friday, December 28, 2018

"Not Alone"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Not Alone"       

     

     Under the radar.  Behind the scenes.  Far from the crowd.  Most of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ was lived in private rather than public terms.  Scripture records only one "public" episode during the first 30 years of His earthly lifetime, on the occasion of being left behind at the temple in Jerusalem where He astonished the religious teachers by His wisdom and knowledge (Luke 2:42-52).  Even during the three years of His ministry, the Lord Jesus often retreated to solitary places in mountains, the wilderness, and gardens to seek the privacy that characterized so much of His earthly lifetime.  He often sought aloneness - because He realized He was not alone.

    "I am not alone, because the Father is with Me" (John 16:32).

    Because we "walk by faith, not by sight," the presence of God with and within born again believers presents great challenge to our remembrance and affirmation.  We know He is with us.  We believe the truth as a matter of doctrine and conviction.  However, life often tempts us to feel, think, and act as if we are alone.  No less than David the Psalmist, a man sure of his Lord's "very present help in trouble," also cried out, "Why standest Thou afar off, o Lord?  Why hidest Thyself in times of trouble?" (Psalm 46:1; 10:1).  What we know to be real is not always what we feel, nor do appearances always indicate the loving and vibrant presence of our Lord at all times, and in all things.  "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone on the housetop" (Psalm 102:7).

    A great portion of our life finds us alone - but not alone.  The challenge of solitude calls us to remember the One who sought solitude because He knew so well the Father who is best found under the radar, behind the scenes, and far from the crowd.  This is written as a simple reminder that in Christ, God bestows upon us the gift of Himself as the Life of our lives, the abiding Presence, and the fulfillment of our hearts.  "I am not alone, because the Father is with Me" said our Lord.  Because of His redeeming work on our behalf, we can say the same.  We must, first, because the Truth is true.  And then, because our Heavenly Father would have us realize the reality known so well by the Lord Jesus - "I am not alone."

"I am with you always."
(Matthew 28:20)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
(Ephesians 6:11-12)



Thursday, December 27, 2018

“The Most Important Relationship”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"The Most Important Relationship"       

     

     When our children were young, my wife Frances and I determined it was more important that our children know we loved each other than that we loved them.  We realized the security children find in the parent's bond with each other.  Of course, we loved and love them as we love each other, and we let them know it.  Still, however, we sought to ensure our daughters and son that Mom and Dad would always be lovingly together and devoted to one another through the love of Christ.  Our children, now adults, have all expressed appreciation and thanks for this God-given and enabled commitment that provided a vital sense of security during their formative years.  Most importantly, Frances and I sought by God's grace to mirror an even more vital truth, namely, that the most important relationship in our lives exists apart from us.

    "The Father loveth the Son… I love the Father… Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (John 3:35; 14:31; 17:24).

    Salvation does not primarily result from our discovery that God loves us, but rather that God loves His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.  "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God" (I John 4:15).  Indeed, we can believe that God loves us without ever entering into saving relationship with Him.  If, however, we believe with our hearts that the Lord Jesus is the beloved Son, the Holy Spirit imparts saving grace and newness of life to our innermost being.  "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  Hear ye Him" (Matthew 17:5).

    Faith in the Lord Jesus places the sun, as it were, in the center of our personal solar system.  Or rather, the Son.  Receiving God's grace in Christ begins the holy process of redeeming us from the self centeredness of sin.  We exist to behold the glory of the Father and Son in relationship to one another, as revealed by the Holy Spirit.  Thereby we receive and progressively experience our own relationship with God, as affirmed by the Apostle John: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (I John 1:3).  The better we know that the Lord Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, the better we know and experience the love of God for ourselves.  Again, John confirms such Truth to our hearts and minds, and to a life increasingly lived in the Father's will, as revealed through the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit…

"Who is he that overcometh, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
(I John 5:5)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
(Ephesians 6:11-12)




Wednesday, December 26, 2018

"Truth Or Lies?"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Truth Or Lies?"       
     

     Our memory verse this week references "the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).  This coincides with the first mention of Satan in the Bible, wherein his subtlety is referenced (Genesis 3:1).  Our spiritual enemies tempt us with great skill and cunning, making necessary our response with much faith and determination to overcome the lies of the liar.

    "Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle?   Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart" (Psalm 15:1-2).

    Are we thinking rightly - Biblically and spiritually - about the matters of life?  First about God, and then about ourselves, other people, circumstances, the world, and all things?  Such mental engagement presents a great challenge to us as we seek to walk in Truth.  Overcoming devilish lies requires the Holy Spirit's enabling, along with our response to His working in our minds.  "Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established" (Proverbs 16:3).  Our calling involves the commitment of faith whereby we trust in our Lord's working in our minds to replace darkness with Light.  We then make many choices to respond by remembering and affirming Truth as the replacement for the liar's lies.  Indeed, we don't simply say of falsehood, "I won't think that!"  We rather determine to affirm the truth that applies to the matter at hand.  "I will think this!"  

    Perhaps our enemies tempt us to be worried or fearful about physical matters.  Myriads of thoughts may course through our minds that motivate uncertainty and unsettled emotions.  What Truth might counter the temptation?  First, we remember to Whom we belong.  Our bodies are not in the strictest sense our bodies.  We are stewards of them, but the true Owner and Possessor is our Heavenly Father.  Remembering and affirming such reality goes far in overcoming temptations regarding His possession.  We then recall His promise of working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  This includes the conditions that concern physical matters.  God has purposes for allowing and determining both blessings and difficulties of the body.  We can trust Him accordingly in order to walk in peace regarding that which belongs to Him.  "Ye are bought with a price.  Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Corinthians 6:20).

   The process of replacing devilish, worldly, and fleshly temptations with God's truth applies to everything in our lives.  Again, are we thinking in terms of Truth, or of subtle lies offered to our minds by the most subtle of liars?  The wisdom of God overcomes the wiles of the devil in all who wield "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).  By the Spirit we apply the Word of God to whatever challenge of deception provides opportunity to heed the Apostle Paul's calling to engage heart and mind in overcoming lies of the liar...

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." 
(Philippians 4:8)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
(Ephesians 6:11-12)

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas, Orange Moon Friends!

Dear Orange Moon Friends,

    A very Merry Christmas to all of you.  Below you will find a recording and the lyrics of one of our songs, "Here Is Christmas," that heralds the season and the day, and seeks to commemorate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world.  God bless all of you on this special day, and we are grateful for your fellowship, friendship, and example.  Glen.


Christmas Day 2018 "The Manger's Promise"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"The Manger's Promise"       

Christmas Day 2018

     

     The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ shines as a beacon through the ages, heralding a promise fulfilled.

     "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy Scriptures,  concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh" (Romans 1:1-3).

    God keeps His promises.  Every pledge of His Word has either been fulfilled, or it will.  He cannot lie.  His faithfulness "reacheth unto the clouds."  All His promises in Christ are assured.  No one has ever trusted in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and been disappointed for doing so.  And no one ever will (Matthew 5:18; Titus 1:2; Psalm 36:5; I Peter 2:6).

     Someone exists who can be trusted "with all thine heart" (Proverbs 3:5).  Only perfect faithfulness elicits such confidence.  The Baby conceived in the womb of Mary and born in the manger of Bethlehem revealed the trustworthiness of God.  At the greatest cost to Himself, He kept His promise by delivering His beloved Son to a race of sinful human beings who would nail Him to a cross of sorrow, pain, forsakenness, and death.  Indeed, no fulfilled promise more confirms that our Heavenly Father can be trusted than the birth of the Lord Jesus.  Thus, when pondering Christmas, we do well to take spiritual inventory by seeking God's searching of our hearts:

    "Heavenly Father, is there anything about which I am not trusting You?  Any promise of Your Word I am failing to believe?  Any matter about which I do not know Your peace because I am not prayerfully and thankfully approaching the Throne of grace?  If so, I trust You to lead me to the altar of truth, repentance, faith, and the affirmation that You are true and Your Word is truth."

   A promise fulfilled.  This Day declares it, as does every day.  May its holy Light shine brightly within our hearts, and then through us as a beacon leading others to rejoice in the manger's promise that no one has ever trusted in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and been disappointed for doing so.  And no one ever will.

"All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen unto the glory of God by us."
(II Corinthians 1:20)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
(Ephesians 6:11-12)




Monday, December 24, 2018

"Behold"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Behold"       

     

     "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

    The Lord Jesus Christ dwelled with the people of His day physically during His earthly lifetime.  He dwells with the people of His indwelling presence in every day spiritually.  Our Savior came into the world in order to make a way to come into our hearts by His death, resurrection, ascension, and bestowing of the Holy Spirit on all who believe.

    "I will dwell in them and walk in them" (II Corinthians 6:16).

    Note the "Behold" in the prophecy mentioned in Matthew's Gospel.  Few did so at the time of the Lord's entrance into the world.  Shepherds came to the manger.  Wise men from the east arrived, likely several years later.  However, few beheld the Lord Jesus, either at the beginning or throughout most of His lifetime as "God with us."  His ministry drew multitudes, of course.  However, by the end, He died forsaken and alone on Calvary's cross.  Moreover, while more than 500 witnesses saw Him after His resurrection, the risen Savior revived in a world historical demographers estimate to have been populated by three hundred million people during the lifetime of Christ.  Yes, few beheld the physical advent of the Baby, the Boy, the Man, the Lamb, and the risen Lord.

   We can also miss His spiritual presence today.  Walking with God as a born again believer involves realizing and affirming His indwelling nearness with eyes of faith that see the Unseen presence of "God with us."  "We walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).  Left to our natural perspectives and inclinations, we live as if alone.  Thus, we must behold.  We must choose to believe that our Lord is with us to the degree He dwells within us.  He rejoices with us in our blessings.  He compassionately shares our sorrows.  He leads and guides us from within in the everyday moments of existence that seem mundane, but which actually bear eternal significance.  As we frequently suggest in these messages, we live life as a "We" rather than a "me" or a "He."  The Lord Jesus prayed us accordingly: "That they all may be one, as Thou Father art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us" (John 17:21).  He then died, rose again, and ascended to make the answer to His prayer possible and actual in all who believe.

   We "behold" by beginning our days with the affirmation of God's loving and involved presence.  We also expect many opportunities throughout our days to believe the Truth in the face of great challenge and conflict.  We then look back on our days in the faith that sees our Lord in hindsight.  God with us.  The greatest gift He could give, to the degree our Lord dwells within us by His Spirit.  May He grace much grace to remind, encourage, and challenge us to "Behold… God with us."

"Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father."
(Galatians 4:6)
"Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
(II Corinthians 3:18)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
(Ephesians 6:11-12)






Friday, December 21, 2018

"Journey To Judgment"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Journey To Judgment"       

     

     Perhaps you've heard about the death row inmate who refused the customary last meal before his execution.  "I don't like traveling on a full stomach" he explained.

    "Thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4).

    The story does not indicate whether the man knew the Lord or not.  Hopefully he did, because he was absolutely correct about the journey upon which all embark upon our departure from this present world.  "Prepare to meet thy God" warned the prophet regarding the most important venture any human heart or mind can anticipate (Amos 4:12).  The preparation concerns unbelievers who must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in order to "flee from the wrath to come" (Luke 3:7).  Born again believers must also ready ourselves for our journey to judgment.  

    "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).  

     The Apostle Paul addresses Christians in this passage.  He doe not reference our salvation secured through Christ, but rather our life lived after receiving the Lord Jesus.  In this present lifetime, we live in preparation for our inevitable arrival at the judgment seat where our Lord will administer rewards and losses according to "things done."  

    While it makes sense that the inmate did not care for traveling on a full stomach, it is incumbent upon us that we travel with a full heart.  First, Christ must dwell therein to ensure our journey to eternal blessedness rather than wrath.  Subsequently, He must be known in a consistent and growing measure of grace in order to ensure our pleasing the Heavenly Father so worthy of being glad in His Christ-inhabited children.  "I do always those things that please Him" declared the Lord Jesus (John 8:29).  The Spirit of this same Christ dwells in all who believe.  Through His leading and enabling, we can travel with a full heart that leads to faithful hands and feet.  "I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me" (Philippians 4:13). 

     A portion of our journey lies before us in this day.  We must set forth with determination to please our Father by partaking of the Bread of life that fills and fulfills our hearts.  Indeed, let us trust and submit to the Lord Jesus who not only provides our preparatory meal, but who also travels with and within us to enable a life that will bring pleasure to our Heavenly Father in the day, and in the day of judgment to come.

"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
 (I Corinthians 3:13-15)
"By faith Enoch… had this testimony, that he pleased God."
(Hebrews 11:5)

Weekly Memory Verse
    The Lord is good to all, and His tendermercies are over all His works.
(Psalm 145:9)




Thursday, December 20, 2018

"The Gift That Keeps On Giving"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…



"The Gift That Keeps On Giving"       

     

     "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...  For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given" (Luke 2:1; Isaiah 9:6).

    At the same time Caesar Augustus taxed the citizens of the Roman Empire, God gave to humanity the freest gift ever given. The taxation ultimately ended - "it came to pass" - as the power of ancient Rome perished.  The gift of God continues to be freely bestowed unto all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ and walk in the ongoing presence and power of His dynamic working on our behalf. 

   "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

   We must understand continuing reception as the basis of continuing faithfulness.  Born again believers no less depend on the Lord Jesus for the living of the Christian life than we did for the initial experience of salvation. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6).  The Apostle Paul's command reveals God's perpetual giving of Christ to the Christian regarding our moment by moment need of life, supply, enabling, and His working in us "both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).    Our calling involves the recognition and affirmation of our Lord's continuing provision of such grace, and also our continuing need for it. "Without Me, ye can do nothing... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13).  From "nothing" without Him to "all things" through Him," we proceed as we began by availing ourselves of freely given gifts that enable our faith and faithfulness to God.  Unlike doomed Caesar Augustus and his tax, God's grace in Christ abides forevermore as the Gift that keeps on giving.

"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
 (Romans 8:32).
"But my God shall supply all your need according to riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 
 (Philippians 4:19)

Weekly Memory Verse
    The Lord is good to all, and His tendermercies are over all His works.
(Psalm 145:9)



Wednesday, December 19, 2018

"As For Me"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

(Thanks to Frances for inspiration on this one.  Actually, for all of them, come to think of it! :)  ).


"As For Me"       

     

     "When Jesus came into 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, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He saith 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" (Matthew 16:13-16).

    It gets personal, doesn't it?  Namely, the life of faith and faithfulness to which our Heavenly Father calls us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  

    "Who do you say that I am?"  The question begins our Christian life when the Christ of history becomes, as it were, the Christ of our story.  We must personally respond to the Holy Spirit's application of the Biblical Gospel to our hearts and minds.  "Ye must be born again" declared the Lord Jesus to devout Nicodemus (John 3:7).  Indeed, Nicodemus came to the Lord speaking in corporate terms: "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God" (John 3:2).  The Lord Jesus, however, made it personal to Nicodemus: "Ye must be born again."  This is the case in all who truly come to know the Lord's saving grace.  Many believe, but have not been born again because "with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness" (Romans 10:10).  The Christ who "died for all" must become the Christ who died for me (II Corinthians 5:15).

   The same holds true for the living of our Christian lives subsequent to the new birth.  

    "Am I trusting God and submitted to His glory, will, and eternal purpose in Christ regarding the matter at hand?  Do I merely know Him in general, historical terms regarding the particular challenge I face in this day or this moment?  Or do I know Him in the personal, living terms that result from relating to God by His Spirit and His Word?  Is the Christ of history the Christ of this particular story to me?"  

    We will answer this question throughout our Christian life, over and over and over again.  This presents the wonderful opportunity of consistently relating to God and knowing His promise and provision in Christ.  Great responsibility also challenges us as our personal appropriation of God's grace regarding the matter at hand prepares us to honor Him and encourage others to personally seek Him.  "We" must become "me."  This is the promise of a Christ who can and must be known in the only terms that satisfy the heart of God, and that fill our own hearts with His realized presence, peace, and power.  Or, as the Psalmist affirmed…

"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness."
(Psalm 17:15)

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
 (Joshua 24:15)

Weekly Memory Verse
    The Lord is good to all, and His tendermercies are over all His works.
(Psalm 145:9)



Tuesday, December 18, 2018

“Toothless Beasts”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Toothless Beasts"       

     

     Our spiritual enemies seek always to discourage us.  "There are many adversaries" declared the Apostle Paul of those influences who cannot destroy or even damage the relationship of born again believers to God through the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 16:).  "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).  They can, however, tempt us to neglect the ever present, surpassingly great salvation whereby in Christ "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness" (II Peter 1:3).

    Let us be sure to apply the "all things" of God's provision to whatever challenges we presently face.  Be it matters of spirit, soul, or body, the presence and involvement of the Lord Jesus constitutes far more than we need to meet and overcome every obstacle or difficulty.  "In the world ye shall have tribulation.  But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  The tomb is empty.  The Throne above is occupied.  Jesus Christ is Lord.  How do these glorious truths of God's grace in His Son relate to whatever the challenges of this day, this hour, or this moment  may be?  We may not specifically know the answers.  Our Heavenly Father does, however.  Therefore, since we have entrusted time and eternity to Him, we can safely rest our hearts in the still harbor of His provision regardless of how roiled the seas around us may appear.  "Thou art my hiding place and my shield.  I hope in Thy Word" (Psalm 119:114).

   From the smallest irritation to the apparent uprooting of mountains, let us again hear the anthem of grace that sounds and resounds from the empty tomb, the occupied throne, and the Lordship of our Savior:  "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness."  Anything that tempts us to discouragement confronts us as lies from liars, or rather from Satan the "roaring lion" whose teeth were crushed into powder when the Lord Jesus trampled him underfoot as He exited the grave in glory and victory (I Peter 5:8).  Let us not be devoured by toothless beasts who scream and whisper their falsehoods, but who cannot take from us the salvation that applies to everything in our lives.  Everything.  The tomb remains empty.  It always will.  The Throne above is occupied.  It always will be.  Jesus Christ is Lord, both now and forevermore.  

If we will open our eyes, 
we will arise in the triumph 
of Christ.

Because He arose
triumphant o'er every foe,
o let us ever know

the empty tomb,
the Throne above,
the power of His love.

For Jesus Christ is Lord,
both now and evermore,
however foes may roar.

Yes, Jesus Christ is Lord,
both now and evermore.


"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ."
(II Corinthians 2:14)

Weekly Memory Verse
    The Lord is good to all, and His tendermercies are over all His works.
(Psalm 145:9)




Monday, December 17, 2018

Psalm 145

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Psalm 145"       

     

     A recent reading of Psalm 145 led me to think about sending it out as is, untarnished by any comment on my part.  Here it is, in all its glory, splendor, and truth.


   
    "I will extol Thee, my God, O king; and I will bless Thy name forever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. 

    One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of Thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of Thy terrible acts: and I will declare Thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness, and shall sing of Thy righteousness. 

    The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. 

    Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 

    The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He destroy. 

    My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever."


Weekly Memory Verse
    The Lord is good to all, and His tendermercies are over all His works.
(Psalm 145:9)