Orange Moon Thursday, May 27, 2021 "Truth and Fear"

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

"Truth and Fear" 

   When we know the truth, we do not have to be afraid.

   "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7).

   Our present life in a fallen world challenges us on a daily basis.  Difficulty always approaches in some mode or measure, and we all bear scars from conflicts already experienced.  Thus, our spiritual enemies tempt us to fear what's coming.  However, as the father of a good friend once said, "The main issue of our lives is not what's coming.  It is Who came."

    "Christ came" (Romans 9:5).

   So long as it remains true that the Lord Jesus Christ came to the world, and so long as His Spirit came to our trusting hearts, nothing will ever approach us beyond our (His) capacity to cope.  "I will be with you" assures the ancient promise, accompanied by further pledges of our God's perfectly trustworthy heart: "I will go before thee… I will strengthen thee… I will help thee… I will uphold thee… I will dwell in thee" (Isaiah 43:2; 45:2; 41:10; II Corinthians 6:16).  Yes, trouble comes.  But far more to the point, Christ came.  And He is still here in those who believe.  This is truth.  This is reality.  This is "Thus saith the Lord."  Therefore, we do not have to be afraid.

I don't know what tomorrow holds,

but I know Who holds tomorrow

in the palm of His hand, His nail-pierced hand.

Yes, I know Who holds tomorrow,

and this is peace, this is peace.

I don't know how the road will bend,

but I know I will not go without my Friend.

For deep in my spirit, His Spirit lives,

and grace for each journey I've learned that He gives.

And this is peace, this is peace.

I know this, that wherever I go,

I'll find Him there for yes it's true, tomorrow He holds.

And though I can't tell the path that lies ahead of me,

I gaze into the darkness and the Way I plainly see.

And this is peace, this is peace.

   

    When we know the truth, we do not have to be afraid.  "It is I; be not afraid" said the Lord Jesus to frightened disciples long ago on a raging sea (John 6:20).  Indeed, fear crashes on the rock of truth, and of the faith that remembers and affirms promises that cannot fail to be fulfilled.  Thus, we keep our hearts near to God, and to His Word so filled with the assurance of grace for every moment of both time and eternity.  We also stand ready to join King David for facing temptations to fear, and the opportunity for faith they provide…

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."

(Psalm 56:3)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

(I John 3:2).

   

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Orange Moon Wednesday May 26, 2021 "The Happening of Here"

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

(A repeat from 2015)

"The Happening of Here" 

   In modern times, most people in Western culture have access to 24/7 media saturation.  We may not know much about our neighbor next door, but that fellow 6,000 miles away?  We are quite aware of his goings and doings if we watch the news or some (un)reality show.

    Certainly, there is nothing inherently wrong with being informed about faraway events and people, unless... unless it distracts us from more immediate and pressing matters.

    "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds" (Proverbs 27:23).

    In most cases, we can do little about the far away fellow and his challenges, or about large matters of world affairs.  Our own flocks and herds, however, beckon incessantly for personal attention, application, and diligence.  Our Heavenly Father would have us most concerned about these matters of a life that honors Him in the present moment, and in our personal venue and sphere of influence.  I cannot change the world at large.  I can, however, grab hold of the realities of my small plot of God-ordained responsibility, trusting in His leading and enabling to effect necessary changes regarding the flocks He entrusts to my care.

    Let us listen for the bleating of the sheep in our own field.  We will be judged for our faithfulness there, even as our Lord presently assures us of His attention to matters beyond our reach and capacity.    

O Father, did You see what happened over there?

I did, My child, but I would have your

gaze upon 

the happening of here.

Yes, my Father, but over there...

I know that quite well, My child, you need not fear.

Attend yourself rather to

the happening of here.

But Father, what if that over there?…

Be sure, My child, for that I am quite prepared.

Concern yourself to what is near,

to the happening of here. 

I see, My Father.  Too much gazing over there

  distracts my view from matters near.

And so Your voice I hear, as my gaze it steers  

to the happening of here,

  the happening of here.

"Peter, seeing John, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?  Follow Thou me."

(John 21:21-22)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

(I John 3:2).

   

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Weekly Memory Verse

   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

(I John 3:2).

   

Orange Moon Tuesday, May 25, 2021 "Sublime"

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

"Sublime" 

   The Bible clearly proclaims the truth of one God, while also identifying three distinct Persons as God, revealing the Divine nature in terms of a unity in plurality, and a plurality in unity.

   "There is one God" (I Timothy 2:5).

   "To us there is but one God, the Father" (I Corinthians 8:6).    

   "Unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, o God, is forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8).

    "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?... Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (I Acts 5:3;4).

    The New Testament, inspired by the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, speaks much of the Father and the Son.  Certainly, the Holy Spirit also occupies a place in the narrative.  However, the emphasis clearly directs our attention to the Father and Son.  We are to pray to the Father, acknowledge His superiority in the authority structure in God, and believe that all things work according to the Father's purpose and will (Matthew 6:9; John 14:28; Ephesians 3:11).  Regarding the Son, the Holy Spirit works to honor and reveal Him, as well as to declare Christ's singular role as Savior and Lord of all who believe (John 16:14; 15:26; Acts 14:12; Philippians 2:11).  Moreover, the New Testament speaks often to the relationship of the loving relationship of the Father and Son, while not overtly referencing the Holy Spirit in those same terms (John 17 perhaps most vividly speaks to this truth).

    Why is this the case?  The Holy Spirit is no less God than are the Father and the Son.  He is no less relational in the love of God. He plays a vital role in fulfilling the Divine purpose.  He dwells so closely to the believer that He literally indwells us.  No more serious consequence can be found in the Bible than that which follows the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Job 26:13; I Corinthians 3:16; Mark 3:28-29).  Thus, we never minimize His place and His role in the godhead, or in our lives.  However, it remains that the Bible He inspired, particularly the New Testament, shines the primary spotlight on the Father and the Son.  "Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:11).

   Rightly considered, such self-deference casts the Holy Spirit in the most beautiful light imaginable.  Sublime humility glimmers in His character, nature, and way.  He speaks to glorify the Father and the Son.  He works to fulfill the Father's will, direct attention to the Lord Jesus, and redeem human hearts.  He inspired a Bible focused on others rather than Himself, and His presence in believers often goes unnoticed even as He accomplishes His mightiest works.  Sublime indeed, and reflective of a Heart more beautiful than our own hearts will ever fathom.  "Thy Spirit is good" declared the Psalmist, in what may be the greatest understatement in the Bible (Psalm 143:10).

   I close now, lest I violate the Holy Spirit's emphasis and devotion.  Another expression of the Psalmist concludes our consideration: "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us" (Psalm 90:17).  Such beauty graces believers because the Spirit dwells within us, and because as we trust and submit to His leading, His glory rests upon us, a glory that directs attention and focus not to Himself, but to others.  Oh yes, sublime.

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.  He shall glorify Me" (John 16:13-14).

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me."

(John 15:26)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

(I John 3:2).

   

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