Orange Moon Thursday, October 31, 2024 "Devotion and Integrity "

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

"Devotion and Integrity"

 

   

      "We are perplexed, but not in despair" declared the godly Apostle Paul regarding the many difficulties he faced in life and ministry (II Corinthians 4:6).

      In other words words, "We do not understand, but we nevertheless choose to hope and be confident in the heart and hand of God."  Walking with God in our present life does not offer the answer to all of the "Whys" of His administrations and allowances in our lives.  Perplexity often accompanies our experience, as Paul acknowledged.  This presents great challenge as life often brings unexpected troubles that make no sense to us regarding our Heavenly Father's  promise that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28).   In such times, we will sometimes have no notion or concept of how some matters can "work together for good."  We therefore fall back on that which we do know for certain…

    "The Lord is good" (Psalm 100:5).

    As the saying goes, when we cannot understand the ways of God's hand, we trust the character of His heart.  Born again believers in the Lord Jesus have committed our life and eternity to One whose "faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds," who "cannot lie," and whose devotion to us is so committed that He gave His beloved Son to suffer and die for us on the cross of Calvary (Psalm 36:5; Titus 1:2; Romans 5:6).  Such a One can be trusted "with all thy heart," even when our minds cannot fathom how and why He works (Proverbs 3:5).

    As a teenager, I was exposed to a virus that could have severely jeopardized my health and well being.  Doctors advised my mother to quarantine and keep me very still for ten days.  This meant I could not go on a trip I had long anticipated with much excitement.  I did not understand, or rather, I allowed my disappointment to result in initial anger toward my mother, which I expressed in no uncertain terms to her.  Of course, she did not waver in her determination, and I soon realized she acted in love for me and devotion to my well being.  I look back on those days with gratitude, but also with sadness that I did not sooner recognize my mother's wise way.

    "As for God, His way is perfect" declared David of the Lord's doings that proceed from His devotion…  "This I know, God is for me" (II Samuel 22:31; Psalm 56:9).  His hand may perplex us.  How could it not be so as He works with infinite knowledge, but as we interpret His doings with finite understanding?  This, however, does not perplex us: the Lord is good.  The devotion of His love for us "passeth knowledge," guiding His hand with perfect motivation and skill (Ephesians 3:19).  Understand His ways?  Sometimes, but not always.  Be sure of His heart?  Ever and forever, including this moment, as we recall and affirm His perfect trustworthiness  and loving commitment.

"So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands."

(Psalm 78:72)

Weekly Memory Verse

     I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

(I Timothy 2:1)

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Orange Moon Wednesday, October 30, 2024 “The Freest Gift. The Highest Cost.”

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

"The Freest Gift.  The Highest Cost."

 

   

      Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ provides the freest gift ever given, purchased by the highest cost ever remitted.  The Apostle Paul thrice mentions "free gift" in his Romans 5 discourse on justification by grace through faith (Romans 5:15: 16; 18).  The Apostle Peter bears witness to the price paid to secure such grace.  "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:18-19).

    No other means can suffice in the establishment and continuance of relationship between a perfect God and imperfect human beings.  Our Lord's spiritual and moral integrity precludes acceptance of those who have sinned, based on our own resolutions, reformations, and refinements.  "His way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31).  Indeed, we futilely seek acceptance with God by our own doings, all which are destined to fail.  Or we come by way of the person and work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf, destined to birth and secure us in living relationship with God.  "Not according to works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5).

    Such grace not only justifies us in the sight of God.  It also works in us to motivate, guide, and empower a life pleasing to Him.  "By the grace of God I am what I am" affirmed faithful Paul, who also declared, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (I Corinthians 15:10; II Corinthians 9:8).  Just as God redeemed Israel from Egypt and ushered His earthly people into the promised land by the same means - the parting of waters - so the born again believer finds his new birth and subsequent walk with God the same product of grace received by faith in the Savior (Exodus 14; Joshua 4).

   "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6).

    The power to trust and obey God in this day graces us as a free gift.  Our spiritual enemies incessantly seek to distract us from the only hope we have to trust and obey God.  "Jesus Christ… is our hope" (I Timothy 1:1).  We therefore do well to kneel before our Lord in heart, acknowledging His provision and our need.  We then arise in expectation to stand and walk by a means far beyond ourselves, but nearer than our next breath.  We seek to avail ourselves of the grace so freely given to us, but purchased by our Lord at so high a cost to Him.  Maintaining both the gift and its cost close in heart and mind will go far in leading us to "access by faith this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).  The freest gift.  The highest cost.  Both wonders of grace line the path of righteousness whereby we rejoice in grace and reverence the sacrifice that made it possible.

"He that spared not His own Son, but freely delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely given us all things?"

(Romans 8:32)

Weekly Memory Verse

     I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

(I Timothy 2:1)

       

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Orange Moon Tuesday, October 29, 2024 "Axioms"

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

"Axioms"

 

   

      You likely share with me axioms of truth based on God and His Word, and hidden within our hearts to guide our walk with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.  Here are a few of mine:

    "Show up."  Much good can happen when we arrive at the scene of the callings of life God commissions.  Most of them involve everyday privileges and responsibilities, including the first and most important as each day begins: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).  Upon this basis, we find the motivation and power to show up at all other privileged responsibilities to which our Heavenly Father calls us.

   "I get to."  Life changes when we replace "I have to" with the truth that we live in realm of grace wherein every breath and doing is a gift.  The next step we take, regardless of pleasure, pain, or the mundane, will be taken by believers in the presence of God, and with His grace available for the moment.  All is privilege, including (and perhaps especially) the challenges we face in walking with our Lord: "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29; emphasis added).  I have to?  Oh no. I get to.  "They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41).

   "Better than I deserve."  The response of a dear brother and friend whenever someone asks, "How are you doing?"  As we frequently suggest in these messages, the Lord Jesus received what we deserve on the cross of Calvary.  We receive what He deserves in salvation.  Few more humbling and encouraging truths exist that keep us in our place, and raise us up in God's grace.  Addendum: this past summer, I had a corollary thought about blistering summer days.  "How hot is it?  Not as hot as we deserve!"

   "What's your hurry?"  I experience great challenge regarding this.  My native tendency is to always feel rushed, even if I have adequate time to do whatever I think needs to be done.  We function far better when we view life with patience, realizing we can never take more than one step at a time, and the next one will be much better if we well attend to the one at hand.  "In your patience possess ye your souls" (Luke 21:19).

   "Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations (trials)."  Straight out of Scripture, and straight out of my wife Frances when we first met.  "It doesn't mean that" I responded when she affirmed James' mandate.  She let me know it most surely does, and continues after nearly a half century to serve as the living example of what which is far more than an axiom.  Note that James does not suggest we "feel" it all joy, but that we "count" it as such.  That is, as a choice of faith, in response to God's presence and promise of grace, we confess and affirm, "I will rejoice in the Lord and His working."

   "A very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).  A corollary to James and Frances.  God is always with the believer.  He is very with us in pains, difficulties, and challenges.  Certainly, it may not feel or seem to be the case.  But it always is the case.  Our Father draws especially close to His hurting child, and if we cast even a glimpse of faith in His direction, we will find the "very."

   "With Somebody."  Because the Lord Jesus was forsaken on the cross of Calvary as He suffered and died for us, born again believers live in the abiding presence of the living and true God.  From the moment of our new birth until forevermore, our Father gave and gives to us the gift of Himself.  We live with Somebody, the only one with us always.  Our remembrance thereof changes everything when affirmed by faith.  "I am with you always… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).  We will never face a moment alone, either in this life or the coming Heavenly eternity in Christ.  We ever and forever live with Somebody.

   "Everybody matters to God."  I first heard this in a sermon by A.W. Tozer many years ago, based on his understanding of John 3:16.  It perfectly aligns with Scripture, of course, and while I remain a first day pupil in seeking to live by the truth of so wondrous a reality in our Lord, the glory of it abides and affects.  "When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind" (Luke 14:12-13).  We will never look into the eyes of a human being deemed insignificant by our Heavenly Father.  All matter to Him.  All must matter to us.

   "We live anticipated lives."  In reality, we have no idea what the next moment holds of circumstance, condition, and situation.  The One to whom we have committed our trust, however, has "from everlasting" seen every moment of our existence "to everlasting" (Psalm 90:2).   Completely, utterly, and forever beyond our understanding.  But not beyond our faith, and our peace that nothing will ever arrive at our doorstep unanticipated by our Heavenly Father (or beyond His ability to guide and enable us).  

   Other helpful axioms gathered into heart and mind exist that benefit my life, as do your own.  I'll not share all of mine to keep this from being too lengthy.  However, I will mention the most important in conclusion…

    "In both Heaven and earth, there is no one like the Lord Jesus Christ."  He is the beloved Son of the Father, the subject and theme that guides the Holy Spirit in every working, the fascination of angels, the dearest and best of believers, and the hope of all.  Forever will not be long enough to discover the wonders of His person and work on behalf of His Father, and of us.  God's blessing of our lives is directly commensurate to our trust and devotion in the Lord Jesus, and He alone determines the peace of our hearts.  The Prince of peace is so in this moment, whatever it may hold.  There is no one like Him, no one that compares, or as a final and corollary axiom of heart and mind proclaims…

     "Christ only.  Christ always.  Christ forever!"

"Lead me in Thy truth."

(Psalm 25:5)

Weekly Memory Verse

     I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

(I Timothy 2:1)

       

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