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

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Orange Moon Wednesday, September 30, 2026 "The Savior and the Scriptures"

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

“The Savior and the Scriptures”

Do we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ according to the authority He declared as the sole basis of genuine understanding and response to Him?

"He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38; emphasis added).

After we trust the Lord Jesus, our spiritual enemies set forth on a quest to hinder our belief in the Lord Jesus as He actually is. Rather than the authoritative "as the Scripture hath said," our foes offer us countless substitutes of "another Jesus" who does not meet the test of truth and authenticity (II Corinthians 11:4). At the very least, this can lead to distraction from the real and the true. At worst, the diversions can result in the believer being deceived regarding the very heart of his or her faith. The New Testament epistles often address such declension, correcting numerous errors of doctrine and practice that appeared early in the history of the church. We must therefore progressively know the Lord Jesus as He is in order to respond rightly to God in faith and faithfulness. Indeed, we either relate to Christ "as the Scripture hath said," or we wander in darkness and delusion. "I am the light… I am the Truth… Thy Word is truth" (John 8:12; 14:6; 17:17).

No believer perfectly knows the living Word, Christ, in the light of the written Word, the Bible. The best and brightest among us have only begun their eternal journey into the personal and propositional reality of truth. Thus, every Christian must keep our hearts in close communion with our Lord, and our minds near to the Bible in regular reading, pondering, and application. We cannot know the Savior apart from the Scriptures, nor can we understand, trust, and obey the Scriptures apart from the Savior. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee….Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 119:11).

God made us to know Him through both the living Word, the Lord Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible. We worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Both bright rays of light must guide us in our walk with Him. As the old hymn proclaims, "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells us so. We could also sing lyrics no less true, ”The Bible leads us, this we know. For Jesus told us so.” Yes, ever and always, and in this day, we seek to know, love, trust, obey, and honor our Savior “as the Scripture hath said."

"And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures."

(Acts 24:44-45)

Weekly Memory Verse

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

(Hebrews 11:1)

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Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Orange Moon Tuesday, September 29, 2026 "Legacy"

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

“Legacy”

My 9th grade science teacher left a legacy of God's grace and truth in my heart, which leads me to echo the Apostle Paul in his expression of gratitude for the believers of Philippi:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3).

Mr Middleton was a good educator, and even more, a gracious person. Most importantly, he was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, although even in those days, public school teachers were encouraged not to address religious matters. He nevertheless exemplified Christ in his demeanor, attitude, words, and actions. I believe he had effect on my conversion that occurred several months after my high school graduation. Interestingly, our paths crossed again a number of years later when I worked for a bank of which Mr. Middleton was a customer. We reconnected, and this time, were free to share what had become our mutual faith in the Lord Jesus. I saw him somewhat regularly for several years, until I left the bank. Sadly, I haven't seen him in more than forty years.

He came to mind last night. I don't recall what triggered the memory, but Mr. Middleton again graced my thoughts with recollections of being his student first, and then later, his brother in Christ. In both, he exemplified the Lord Jesus and had an impact on my walk with the Lord. There is nothing better you can say about a person, which led to my offering of thanksgiving and also the question of whether Mr. Middleton is still a resident of this present world. I haven't been able to track him down on the Internet yet, so it makes me wonder. Regardless, I rejoice in the memory of a faithful brother, and will pray for he and his family "upon every remembrance" (of course, if he has departed the present world, he doesn't need my intercessions!).

We leave traces and tracks upon the hearts of all whom we encounter. As one voice of old declared, "Every human being we meet is an immortal. We either help or hinder them along the path to their eternal destiny." Mr. Middleton helped. Of that I have no doubt. He left a legacy of God’s grace and truth, serving as a voice of Christ to me even when he could not openly communicate the Gospel. Mr. Middleton exemplified what another voice of old expressed, "Preach the Gospel wherever you go. Use words when necessary." I am grateful for my dear brother, and hope to cross paths with him again in this life to let him know. But if not, I look forward to seeing him in the Heaven to which his life served as a blessed and influential signpost. Again, what better thing can you say about. person?...

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."

(Matthew 5:15-16)