THE LORD SPOKE (May 31)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 11-12

The Bible has a lot to say about money. Our attitude towards it is the acid test of our love for God.

Jesus tells us that it is impossible to love both God and money at the same time (Mat. 6:24) and Paul tells us that it is the root of all kinds of evil in our lives (I Tim. 6:10). In fact, Paul goes on and says that it is eagerness for money that makes many people "wander from the faith". Eventually, it will "pierce you with many griefs". There is no sin in possessing riches - sin comes in being possessed by them. But this temptation is greater than most people can deal with. So, how can we face it biblically?

II Kings 12:4 speaks of an occasion when people were giving generously to the work of the Lord, specifically to the needs of the Temple in Jerusalem. They were contributing (1) through the census, (2) through personal vows, a Faith Promise plan of sorts, and (3) through voluntary offerings above and beyond what was "required". In fact, their good example became a challenge to some lazy priests. Even the king was challenged by their example to get busy and provide some leadership. In the end, the money was enough to "meet all the other expenses" (II Ki. 12:12). Have you ever been in a situation where you had enough money in the budget to meet all the expenses? That happens when God's people are unleashed to give. "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply."

But, the chapter ends sadly with the looting of the Temple treasures and the death of the king. We're not told why, but would it be safe to assume that the people and leaders fell away from following God in their giving? That story is repeated so often in Scripture and in our own lives. It is not, however, inevitable! It is possible to remain faithful to God all our lives. Hebrews 11 is full of such stories of faith.

With some sins, we're told to flee. Others to resist. Sometimes restitution is called for. All sins are to be confessed. The way to deal with the sins that result from a love of money is to give it away. God is the one who gives it to us in the first place (Deut. 8:17-18) but He demands a right use of it or He will take it away. Giving it away is God's way for us to avoid entrapment in this sin.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Prov. 11:24-25)

So, how are you doing on this test? Will your exam scores receive a reward in heaven?


New Testament: II Corinthians 2

What does death smell like? It’s not pretty! Who would ever choose to be around it if they had any possibility of getting out? If you’ve visited the former concentration camps in Germany or Poland, you’ve experienced the clinging scent of death on the piles of shoes, hair, and other objects - and that’s after 60+ years of sanitizing time has passed over them.

But “the fragrance of life” in Paul’s analogy is the extreme opposite. We, to the extent that we are followers of Christ, produce a fragrant aroma that attracts others to Him. To those who reject Him, it’s like the stink of death. Their olfactory nerves are twisted - their smellers don’t work. What should be an attractive fragrance that draws them becomes a horrid stench that repels. We are “the aroma of Christ”. No wonder Paul asks, “Who is equal to such a task?”

That imagery comes fast on the heals of an illuminating situation in the church at Corinth. Back in the first epistle, Paul castigated the church for not dealing with a member who had fallen into gross sin (I Cor. 5). He rebuked them strongly and instructed the church to “deliver such an one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved...” (I Cor. 5:5, KJV).

Now (II Cor. 3), this man has repented and genuinely turned from his evil ways so Paul urges the church to “forgive and comfort him”. The punishment had its desired effect and the brothers are instructed to “reaffirm your love” and restore him to fellowship. What a glorious picture of God’s forgiveness of us as sinners! This too is the aroma of Christ.

Did you notice what’s tucked in between these two thoughts here in I Corinthians 2? We are directed in this course of action “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (II Cor. 2: 10-11). An unforgiving spirit in the presence of genuine repentance is from the pit! It is one of the Devil’s tools in his filthy bag of tricks. He uses it to put a lid on the fragrance of Christ in our lives.

But we are not bound by Satan’s tricks. We can give “thanks to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (II Cor. 2:14). If He so leads, is it not our part to follow?

THE LORD SPOKE (May 30)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 9-10

Who was Jehonadab ben-Recab?

His name appears briefly in II Kings 10:15 & 23 but his reputation was still strong 250 years later in the days of Jeremiah (Jer. 35:6-19). The Rechabites were a clan related to the Kenites and friendly towards Israel. They were known as a conservative movement and very opposed to the worship of Baal. When Jehu was used of God to destroy the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal in Israel, he found a ready assistant in Jehonadab (II Kings 10:15-28).

The patriarch of the household was Hammath (I Chronicles 2:55) whose descendents were scribes. One understanding of the terms used in relation to his family is that they were involved in the reading (Tirathites), copying (Shimeathites), and checking/correcting (Sucathites) of manuscripts. In other words, they were very knowledgeable in the Scriptures.

This had led the family to take a special vow to (1) never drink wine, (2) never live in houses, and (3) never sow seed or plant vineyards. They are held up as an example in the days of Jeremiah:

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says: "Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the Lord. Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoke to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, 'Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your fathers.' But you have not paid attention or listened to me. The descendants of Jonadab son of Recab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me." (Jer. 35:13-16)

His name sounds like a Dr. Seuss character but his convictions were anything but wishy-washy, namby-pamby, or loosey-goosey. They held a people together for over ten generations and led God to promise, "Jonadab son of Recab will never fail to have a man to serve me" (Jer. 35:19). Now, wouldn't you want that for your family?


New Testament: II Corinthians 1

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (II Cor. 1:3-4)

Some knave has said, “The minister’s job is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.” In fact, that’s exactly what God does to/for us. When we become complacent or too comfortable in our spiritual life, He allows some affliction to grab our attention and to bring us back to Himself. If you were to put it in a list, here’s what affliction can accomplish:

1. It gets our attention. As it increases it can’t be ignored and thinking about it sooner or later brings us to ask “why?”.
2. It sensitizes us. The pain makes us conscious of our feelings. Sensitivity brings us quickly out of dullness or lack of attention.
3. It makes us more sympathetic to others who suffer. Because we’ve been through it ourselves, we’re better able to understand and to offer the right kind of help in the time of need.
4. It draws us closer to God. When we come to the end of our own rope we realize that He is a better or even the only solution to our need and we cast ourselves upon Him.
5. It results in a thicker skin. This can be a bad thing if it becomes a simple defensive mechanism to ignore problems. But it can be a good thing if it means handling problems with a better equilibrium.
6. It gives us a fellowship with others who suffer. We recognize that no man is an island, no man stands alone, and we bond together with others who are equally frail.
7. It strengthens us for the road ahead. How often do we find that previous hardships were a good preparation for even tougher times that come later. Without them we might not have been able to face the big test.
8. It makes us a better person. One who has never faced affliction has never learned how to overcome. He doesn’t know the Source of ultimate victory.

It may take awhile, but eventually we can say with James:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (Jas. 1:2-4)

THE LORD SPOKE (May 29)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 7-6

Why do we ever doubt the word of the Lord (II Ki. 7:1)? Why do we question what God says? Here are some possible reasons:

● we're not listening in the first place - it takes a war to get our attention (II Ki. 7:1 starts with "Listen up!")

● right away we imagine all the reasons why it can't be
○ "That’s impossible."
○ "We don’t do things that way around here."
○ "We tried that before."
○ "I wish it were that easy."
○ "When you’ve been around a little longer, you’ll understand."
○ "Let’s get real, OK?"

● we're so dull spiritually that we've forgotten all the times God has provided in the past

● like the spies for Israel (Num. 13:28), we compare ourselves to the giants rather than comparing the giants to God

And, did you notice the two opposing reactions when God does shower his blessing upon us?

● hoarding it for ourselves (II Ki. 7:8) - "we may not have this forever so let's grab all we can right now"

● sharing the good news and reporting it far and wide (II Ki. 7:9)

God is prepared to open the floodgates of heaven to us (II Ki. 7:2). God wants to bless us! Why do we ever doubt that? When we do, our unbelief withholds good things from us (II Ki. 7:2,19) and we miss seeing what God is able to do.


New Testament: I Corinthians 16

It’s the clearest statement on giving in the whole New Testament. Paul’s instruction to the believers at Corinth provides the pattern we should follow:

On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (I Cor. 16:2)

1. It is to be periodic (“on the first day of the week”). It should not be sporadic or occasional. You should have a systematic plan. In Paul’s case, he was probably referring to a weekly payday. That is probably the best possible system for us too - immediately after each payday.
2. It is to be plenary (“each of you”). No one is excluded. Everyone who has an income of any size or from any source should contribute to the Lord’s work. It should be voluntary (see II Cor. 8:3).
3. It is to be purposeful (“you should set aside”). If it’s only done when you feel like it, chances are you won’t “feel like it” often enough. It takes a decision of the heart (II Cor. 9:7) and should spring from a joyful desire to give.
4. It is to be personal. The NIV translation misses an important detail here. The Greek construction has the preposition para (by, beside) plus a reflexive pronoun (himself). The determination and practice of giving should be “to set aside by yourself” or “at your side”. That does not exclude contributing through your local church but it certainly doesn’t indicate so-called “storehouse tithing”. Every individual should have a private fund available from which he can give generously and spontaneously as needs arise.
5. It is to be proportional (“in keeping with his income”). Ten percent is a good place to start and should be a minimum standard but N.T. giving is certainly not bound by any such limitation! II Corinthians 8 has several amplifications on this: “according to your means” (vs. 11), “not according to what he does not have” (vs. 12), “that there might be equality” (vs. 13-14), “not have too much...not have too little” (vs. 15).
6. It is to be providential (“saving it up”). It involves some planning - some looking ahead to future needs. This is also a good argument for giving through a local church since together we can do so much more than we can do individually. By joining our resources and having a budgeted plan we can accomplish far more together.
7. It is to be preventative (“so that...no collections will have to be made”). The immediate occasion for Paul’s words here is a special financial aid that he was collecting for the suffering church in Jerusalem. The purpose of his instructions was that they might be well prepared in advance so they wouldn’t have to scramble at the last minute and come up short in supplying the need.

Putting I Corinthians 16:2 into practice will revolutionize your personal giving. Imagine the potential of a church full of such dedicated donors!

THE LORD SPOKE (May 28)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 5-6

"Seven Ducks in a Muddy Stream" was the sermon title one preacher used for Naaman's story in II Kings 5. The chapter begins by telling us what an impressive person he was:

• "commander of the army" - high visibility and higher responsibility among the Arameans
• "a great man in the sight of his master" - trusted because he knew how to get the job done
• "highly regarded" - victory over the dreaded Assyrians (the author attributed his victory to the God of Israel!)
• "valiant soldier" - one to whom others looked for courage, leadership, and safety

The unsung hero of this passage is a little servant girl whose name we don't even know. Her undaunted faith led others at the highest levels to trust in God - the king of Aram, Naaman, and all those who eventually saw the results. Does your life and lip turn people in the right direction? Do you help others to believe in God?

Elisha quickly becomes the central figure of the story. From a little girl's recognition of his spiritual power to the very halls of political power in two national palaces (Aram and Israel), Elisha's reputation as "the man of God" is rung. Everyone knew that "there is a prophet in Israel" (II Ki. 5:8).

But, it is God who gets the glory by the end of the story. Naaman is cleansed in body (II Ki. 5:14) and soul (II Ki. 5:15, 17). All his household is led to faith (II Ki. 5:13). The skeptical Israelite king (II Ki. 5:7) must have been impressed as were all his subjects who were hoping for Aramean support against the Assyrians.

Only one person is mentioned who missed the memo and tried to use the occasion for personal gain. The result: Gehazi, Elisha's servant, ends up a leper. Just as the chapter opened with leprosy (II Ki. 5:1) so it closes (II Ki. 5:27), and Naaman's leprosy clings to the household of Gehazi thereafter. Sin has a way of doing that. We never get off ourselves and we usually take many others down with us. Let's follow the little girl whose name we don't even know.


New Testament: I Corinthians 15

“His grace to me was not without effect.” (I Cor. 15:10)

Can you say that? Certainly, if you are already a child of God, His grace has been efficacious. His grace is sufficient for all mankind to come to faith but it is efficient only for those who believe.

But what about after that? God showers His grace upon us in so very many different ways. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mat. 5:45). There is not a day that goes by - not even one minute - that we don’t experience God’s common grace. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23).

But there’s more than that too. Paul’s statement has to do with what God wants to do for and through us. He wants to bless us and to make us a blessing to others. His grace has higher goals for us. Are you receiving that grace? Are you, so to speak, taking full advantage of the grace of God intended for you? Is God’s grace effective in your life - is it working?

God has done His part. It is up to us to cooperate with His plan and to experience the full measure of His grace. At the end of this chapter, Paul gives us an important clue as to how this works. “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (I Cor. 15:58). That’s how you will be able to say, “His grace to me was not without effect”.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!
Annie Johnson Flint

THE LORD SPOKE (May 27)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 3-4

"The Prophet's Chamber" (II Kings 4:10)

The Shunamite woman appears in the Elisha narratives only here in II Kings 4 but it is clear that the prophet had repeated contact with this family (vs. 8 - "whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat"). So much so, that the couple prepared a special room for him to stay whenever he passed through (vs. 10). This practice has led to what is frequently called a "prophet's chamber" which people set apart in their homes for traveling men of God (missionaries, evangelists, others in full-time Christian service). What are the essential elements?

Bed - a place to crash, a comfortable rest stop, a quiet spot to be refreshed and restore your energy for the road ahead

Table - a breakfast nook, a simple provision for a bite to eat and not another restaurant meal - OR - a workspace to catch up on desk work that has been neglected while traveling

Chair - for vertical comfort after horizontal rest on the bed, a place to read and pray (pay attention to what kind of chair you place in the prophet's chamber!)

Lamp - an opportunity to keep working in the evening or in the early morning hours, illumination to read God's Word during quiet times in the schedule

Notice what's not there. There's no mention of a TV, though that and a bowl of popcorn might be fun on occasion. There's no mention of an all-hours interview room, though I'm sure they talked often. Instead, the picture you get is of simple comforts, seclusion, and some time for solitude. That's what the traveling prophet needs. Okay, maybe you don't have a separate room to dedicate to this, but can you do something to provide a get-away for a man (or woman) of God you know?


New Testament: I Corinthians 14

If this chapter were obeyed, there would be no modern charismatic movement. Paul gives eight rules for the exercise of tongues in the Corinthian church.

1. The purpose must be for “the strengthening of the church” (I Cor. 14:26b). In the beginning of the chapter he talks about his private use of tongues (I Cor. 14:13-19).
2. Not more than two or three should speak in a service (I Cor. 14:27a).
3. Only one should speak at a time (I Cor. 14:27b,30). That’s a far cry from the universal babel heard in charismatic services.
4. There must always be an interpreter (I Cor. 14:27b-28).
5. “Others should weigh carefully what is said” (I Cor. 14:29). If they really believed it was a word from God, no effort should be spared to record it in writing, publish it widely, and compile it along with all other such messages, so that nothing will be lost.
6. Each should “prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed” (I Cor. 14:31). There ought to be some order and clear organization to the presentation for God is not the author of confusion (c.f. I Cor. 14:40).
7. The speaker (and other leaders must be in control of themselves and what is being said at all times (I Cor. 14:32).
8. Women are not to speak publicly in the church - in tongues or otherwise (I Cor. 14:34-35).

But someone may say, “Keep reading to the end of the chapter. It clearly says, ‘Do not forbid speaking in tongues’ (I Cor. 14:39).” True, it said that in the first century when tongues were still a biblical sign gift. But the last chapter (I Cor. 13:8) has already told us that “tongues will cease” and it told us when; “when that which is perfect has come”.

This is not a reference to Christ though He is, of course, absolute perfection. The context of I Corinthians 12-14 is spiritual gifts and the immediate context here are the sign gifts which are imperfect or incomplete in what they can tell us (see I Cor. 13:10-12). “That which is perfect” in I Corinthians 13:10 is the completed Scriptures. Once the canon of God’s Word was complete by the end of the first century, there was no longer any purpose for tongues, so they ceased. The same is said about the gift of prophecy and the gift of knowledge. All three had the purpose of giving new revelation from God but once He’d completed His written revelation to us, all three revelatory gifts ceased.

No, tongues are not for today. If you want a word from the Lord or what to know what He has to say on any given subject, get your Bible out and start reading!

THE LORD SPOKE (May 26)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 1-2

Elisha comes quietly onto the biblical page but what an impression he leaves. More times than any other individual in the Scriptures, he is known as "the man of God". Sometimes his real name isn't even given but when "the man of God" is mentioned, everyone knows exactly to whom it refers. What an epitaph! In today's passage he models for us the role of one who is being mentored by a great leader. What can we learn from Elisha's closing days with his mentor, Elijah?

1. Be prepared to let him go but stick by his side as long as you can to observe and learn from him (II Ki. 1:1-4).
2. Remember that others are watching closely and will learn by your example. What you do is as important as what you teach them (II Ki. 1:5-6).
3. Ask the Lord to give you a similar ministry and similar success in it. The "double portion" terminology comes from inheritance law. Elisha is not asking for a ministry twice as great (II Ki. 1:7-14).
4. When it's your time to "pick up the cloak", step out in faith and don't look back. Don't live in the past (II Ki. 1:15-18).

Do you have a mentor? Find one and latch on.

Are you mentoring? Find a handful and pour yourself into them. Look at Jesus' own example: of the seventy disciples, He had twelve who were always around Him, of which three formed an inner-circle. Of those, one was "the disciple whom He loved". Together, they turned the world upside down.


New Testament: I Corinthians 13

Insert your own name in the blanks, and try this application of I Corinthians 13.

I CORINTHIANS 13 FOR ____________

If ____________ speaks in the tongues of men and of angels, but does not have love, he is only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If ____________ has the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if he has a faith that can move mountains, but doesn’t have love, he is nothing. If he gives all he possesses to the poor and surrenders his body to the flames, but still doesn’t have love, he gains nothing.

Is ____________ patient?

Is ____________ kind?

Does ____________ envy?

Does ____________ boast?

Is ____________ proud?

Is ____________ rude?

Is ____________ self-seeking?

Is ____________ easily angered?

Does ____________ keep a record of wrongs?

Does ____________ delight in evil or rejoice with the truth?

Does ____________ always protect?

always trust?

always hope?

always persevere?

Does ____________ ever fail?

THE LORD SPOKE (May 25)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 22

I Kings 22:5 - "First seek the counsel of the Lord."

Jehoshaphat's requirement and personal example of seeking counsel from the Lord has a lot to teach us. It worked in the 9th century BC and it still does today. What principles can we draw from this passage?

1. Be sure of the source of the counsel you are getting (I Ki. 22:6-7). Just because someone says, "I have a word from the Lord", does not make it true. There are many false prophets today too and we must continually evaluate the quality of a person's counsel according to what the Scriptures say.
2. Be careful to not hear just what you want to hear (I Ki. 22:8). Surrounding yourself with "yes-men" will get you in trouble quick. You need honest counselors who will help you discern truth.
3. Do not pay attention to the flashy presentations (I Ki. 22:11-12). It's often the one with the most panache that gets a hearing. We must listen for God's "still small voice" and not let the thunder and lightening distract us.
4. Just because it appears as a majority opinion doesn't make it correct (I Ki. 22:13). When it comes to truth, you don't count noses - you count texts. In our day, spiritual counselors help us to see the correct interpretation and application of Scripture to our problem. Frequently, the "conventional wisdom" is unbiblical and it's wrong to take a vote on what the Bible means. It must be studied out carefully and the biblical arguments marshaled to determine truth.
5. Look for a preacher/counselor who is not afraid to proclaim God's Word, even when it's unpopular (I Ki. 22:14). Being positive or "pc" in our speech is not wrong but there are definite limits to how far it should go. Speaking the truth is even more important than personal relationships (I Ki. 22:20-23).
6. Look at the results: does this counsel bring the right conclusion? did it happen like he said? (See I Ki. 22:25; c.f. I Kings 20:30.) By the way, do you remember what is to be done to the false prophet who's word does not come to pass 100% as stated? See Deuteronomy 13:5! Some modern day "prophets" and unwise counselors should be glad that we live under the New Covenant.
7. A man who has suffered for the truth in the past is worth listening to (I Ki. 22:27-28).

By inspiration, Solomon told us several times that there is "safety in the multitude of counselors" (Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). Let us always listen to them through the grid of Scripture, but let us listen to them! In fact, follow Jehoshaphat's example and actively seek them out.


New Testament: I Corinthians 12

Multichotomy. Nobody uses the term but it’s an accurate description of the human make-up. Traditionally there have been dichotomists and trichotomists. Those who say man has basically two parts - the spiritual and the physical - are known as “dichotomists” (from Greek for “two” + “cutting”).

Others stress the biblical references to “body, soul, and spirit” (e.g. I Thes. 5:23) and say those are the three basic “parts” of man’s composition. They’re called “trichotomists”. But the problem with this position are the many other biblical references to “parts”, such as the heart, conscience, mind, flesh, and will. Just as the physical body has many parts but functions as a unity, so also the spiritual side of man has many parts, none of which operates individually. They’re all part of the whole.

So, maybe it’s okay to say man is a dichotomy - physical and spiritual. But better yet (because it uses biblical terminology) is the definition of man as “a bipartite unity”. That’s what we find here in I Corinthians 12:12 - “the body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body.”

But Paul’s primary topic here is not the human body. Rather, he’s explaining the composition of the church under the figure of “the body of Christ”. Since he’s addressing a local church at Corinth, he’s applying this universal truth to a local situation (I Cor. 12:28). There is both a unity and a diversity of spiritual gifts exercised within the church. God has gifted each one to minister to the whole. None can function independently and the whole is impaired if an individual is missing, hurting, or not able to function as designed.

God didn’t make any mistakes. He has gifted His church with exactly the elements it needs. Diversity is healthy; unity is essential, interdependence is the key.

THE LORD SPOKE (May 24)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 20-21

I Kings 20:11 - "One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off." (English translation: “Don't count your chickens before the eggs are hatched.”)

Ben-Hadad had a big mouth. He also had a big army. God used wicked King Ahab of Samaria to finally destroy both. With 7,000 troops (I Ki. 20:16) he set out against a coalition of 32 kings assembled under Ben-Hadad the Syrian and sent them packing (I Ki. 20:21). But problems have a way of returning and the next spring (I Ki. 20:26) Ben-Hadad was back with even bigger numbers (I Ki. 20:27) and a new strategy (I Ki. 20:25,28). This time the Israelite victory was greater yet (I Ki. 20:29) and God himself was part of the mop-up campaign (I Ki. 20:30).

It left Ben-Hadad on the run, hiding out in dark places, humbling himself, and pleading for his very life (I Ki. 20:30b-32). When he does finally meet with Ahab he's as meek as a pussy-cat and offers all the concessions (I Ki. 20:34). Ahab's conciliatory handling of the affair was displeasing to the Lord who had determined to punish Ben-Hadad (I Ki. 20:41-42). In fact, nearly everything about Ahab was displeasing to the Lord (I Ki. 21:25-26) and a terrible judgment is pronounced upon him (I Ki. 20:20-24).

That would be the conclusion of the matter but for one detail. Ahab repented (I Ki. 21:27) and humbled himself before God and, again, amazing grace kicked in. We're left with a feeling of unsatisfied justice when God does not rain down fire and brimstone on Ahab. Instead, it seems like He lets Ahab off the hook.

But should we feel that way? Keep in mind, our details here are limited. We don't know all the various ways in which God was working on this occasion - in the life of Ahab himself, in the prophet who delivered God's message, in the soldiers in Ahab's army, in all the staff in the palace who watched developments with their boss, in the whole nation of Israelites who had suffered so much under Ahab's rule.... The tapestry was huge and Ahab's thread was just one element in what God was doing. And don't forget - if you were Ahab, wouldn't you want God to treat you this same way?

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)


New Testament: I Corinthians 11

The “Lord’s supper” is a church ordinance. That means it’s commanded. And that means it’s commanded for the church to practice when it “comes together”. It’s not appropriate for a group of young people to do their own thing at a beach party. It’s not right for a chaplain to “administer the sacrament” in a hospital room. And it’s not right for a Christian school to serve communion in a school assembly.

Communion is a church ordinance. But it certainly is that and ought to be taken very seriously, whether once a week, once a month, or once a year (the Scriptures are silent on that). It should be a significant time when the church comes together (stated four times in I Cor. 11:17-22). It should be a time of self-examination and confession - both individually and corporately. And it should be a time of remembering Christ’s great sacrifice and the promise of His return. Together, it involves:

1) A Backward Look - To Remember the Death of Christ

The simple elements of unleavened bread and wine, taken from the Jewish Passover seder, were endowed with tremendous meaning by the Lord Jesus at His last supper with the disciples. As symbols in an act of obedience, they demonstrate our recognition of Christ’s sacrifice and our utter dependency upon Him.

2) An Inward Look - To Purify the Body of Christ

Being a periodic practice, communion provides us with a natural apparatus to (1) review our life and recent activities, (2) restore our spiritual energy and connection to the Savior, and (3) renew our commitment to the Master.

3) A Forward Look - To Anticipate the Coming of Christ

Lifting our heads, we look with joyful hope to that day when we will be united with Him forever. We long for that and find great strength for the present journey in it.

Even so, come Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20)

THE LORD SPOKE (May 23)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 18-19

It must have been a Monday. Elijah found himself in the valley after a mountain-top experience. It was definitely "the day after". Did you notice how God cared for Elijah in this situation? He gave him:

1. sleep (I Ki. 19:5)
2. food (I Ki. 19:5-6a = the first angle food cake)
3. more sleep (I Ki. 19:6b)
4. more food (I Ki. 19:7)
5. even more sleep (I Ki. 19:9)

Sometimes, being physical beings, our problems can be fixed by very physical solutions. It appears that Elijah was very close to physical burn-out. But there's more. He was in trouble because he was also:

1. afraid (I Ki. 19:3)
2. depressed to the point of death (I Ki. 19:4a)
3. comparing himself to others (I Ki. 19:4b)
4. feeling abandoned and all alone (I Ki. 19:10)
5. even after reflection, still feeling abandoned and all alone (I Ki. 19:14)

And now, look at what God does for Elijah. He:

1. speaks to him (I Ki. 19:9 = a rhetorical question much like Gen. 3:9)
2. listens to him blubber (I Ki. 19: 10)
3. demonstrates to him His very presence (I Ki. 19:11-12)
4. continues to ask questions to make him think more clearly (I Ki. 19:13b)
5. re-commissions him with a clear vision for future ministry (I Ki. 19:15-17)
6. assures him that he's not alone (I Ki. 19:18 = a gentle correction to Elijah's blubbering!)
7. gives him a project - a new disciple to pour himself into (I Ki. 19:19-21)

It reminds us of a grand old hymn... "It's just like Jesus to roll the clouds away...it's just like His great love."


New Testament: I Corinthians 10

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (I Cor. 10:31)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Col. 3:17)

If anyone serves, he should do it with all the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. (I Pet. 4:11)

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.... (Eccl. 9:10)

A case can be made for giving 100%. True enough, we need to live with margins. When it comes to emotional balance, financial balance, physical balance, or several other areas of our lives, we’ve proven again and again that you can’t run on empty. Keeping something in reserve helps absorb the extras and the unexpected things that come up and can so easily sap our resources. Like the proverbial camel, we find ourselves unable to bear the last straw. Many of us are running on fumes and the engine is sputtering. Power is lost and it doesn’t look like we’ll make it to the top of the next hill.

And yet the Bible is clear. We’re to give of our best to the Master. Give 100%. Don’t hold back in your service to Him.

How can we balance these two truths? The answer lies in our daily relationship with Him. If we maintain that daily connection - moment-by-moment even - He becomes our reserve. Who are we to determine how much is too much when it comes to serving the Lord? Is there such a thing? Yet, when we cast ourselves wholly upon Him, He sustains us and becomes our all-in-all. His strength is sufficient for our every need.

We mutter and sputter,
We fume and we spurt;
We mumble and grumble,
Our feelings get hurt.
We can’t understand things,
Our vision grows dim,
When all that we need
Is a moment with Him!

THE LORD SPOKE (May 22)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 16-17

When does God call upon us to give more of ourselves? Frequently He does so when we feel we have little left to give. He calls us to give when we've all but given up. He urges us to spend more when we feel spent out. He wants us to pay out some more line when we don't think there's anything left to strip off.

The widow of Zerephath probably thought she had little left to give but the Lord required more. She felt wrung out (I Ki. 17:12-13) but He put her through the wringer again. Was He mean? unfair? insensitive to her condition? After all, she was a widow (I Ki. 17:9), suffering the drought like everybody else, so poor she had to gather sticks outside the city wall to cook with (I Ki. 17:10), hungry, trying to care for an only son, and expecting to die soon (I Ki. 17:12).

It’s amazing that there's no record of hesitation on her part. She did exactly what the prophet told her to do. Everything we know about Elijah would seem to indicate that this was how he lived his life too. Maybe his example of sacrificial service and of experiencing the Lord's provision was all the encouragement the widow needed. In any case, she did as Elijah told her (I Ki. 17:15) and she saw God's miraculous provision too.

But then it got really bad. If often does. Just when we're feeling pretty proud of our self-sacrificing service, we get a wake-up call. The widow's words are probably the key to understanding God's action in this passage. She said, "Did you come...to remind me of my sin...?" (I Ki. 17:18). God has good ways of getting our attention when we take our eyes off Him. The widow was called back to spiritual reality and, once again, God gave her a miracle through the prophet Elijah. From this point on, he is frequently known simply as "the man of God".

Elijah was a man who was faithful in his private life, fruitful in his public life, and fervent in his prayer life. It showed! His was a ministry that was "powerful and effective" (Jas. 5:16b-18). Lord, help me to follow in the footsteps of Elijah and give me that same power to please You!


New Testament: I Corinthians 9

“Unmuzzle the Ox”. It used to be a special book sale offered by one of the large Christian book distributing companies. Once a year, they had a special discount for ordained ministers. Prices were slashed so pastors could acquire new books for their libraries.

Paul reaches back to an unexpected OT passage to establish his point (I Cor. 9:9; citing Deut. 25:4). But he also illustrates it by the example of a soldier, a viticulturist, a dairyman, and a plowman. It’s a biblical principle. What’s surprising (but shouldn’t be) is how he correlates the spiritual and material aspects:

If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? ...The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (I Cor. 9:11,14)

So, while it may not be wrong for a minister of the Gospel to take on outside work to pay the bills (exactly what Paul was doing here - see I Cor. 9:4,12,15), it is wrong for a church to allow him to do so when it is within their power to pay him properly. The idea of an unpaid ministry is certainly contrary to Scripture.

It is not a matter of paying them for their services - who could ever buy or sell that? It’s a matter of paying them adequately so they’re free to serve. The definition of “adequate” is open to some interpretation but elsewhere Paul gives some indication of his answer to that question (see I Tim. 5:17-18).

Addendum: On another matter entirely, Paul gives a very close parallel to this in Romans 15:27. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. It’s past time for us to support the people of Israel in tangible ways!

THE LORD SPOKE (May 21)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 14-15

I Kings 14:15-16

Because of her sin and rebellion, God said He would "strike Israel" and He used four verbs involving strong metaphors:

1. Strike so it will be "like a reed swaying in the water" = stuck in one spot and not moving forward, wishy-washy from side to side
2. Uproot = no anchor point, no more connection with sustenance, exposed to elements which will destroy
3. Scatter = spread thin, not planted, exposed and prey to birds
4. Give up = abandoned, no more loving care

Sadly, this characterized Israel's subsequent experience - except for the last item. God did judge Israel severely but He never abandoned Israel. He said many times over that even if a mother could forget her baby, He would never forget Israel (Is. 49:14-15; c.f. 44:21). So, even though Jeroboam and the kings who followed him caused Israel to sin, God did not abandon His covenant with David (see I Ki. 15:4-5) and with Israel.

Similar words are used in the New Testament for certain heinous sins (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28) but there too it is followed by the grace of God. We are reminded that even when we "show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience" it is nevertheless His "kindness that leads [us] to repentance" (Rom. 2:4). That's why they call it "Amazing Grace"!


New Testament: I Corinthians 8

There is much confusion in the definition of a “weaker brother”. Much of what passes today under this discussion is wrong-headed.

The weaker brother is not the one who is offended because you don’t use the KJV. The weaker brother is not the one who will stop attending your church because they used such-and-such a book for the adult Sunday-school class. The weaker brother is not the one who withholds his tithe because he doesn’t like having all the songs on PowerPoint instead of using hymnals.

Such foolish things we fight over! But it’s not a case of offending weaker brothers. A weaker brother is one who is weak. One who is easily led astray or influenced to do something against his own conscience. Rarely will it be a case of taking offense. It’s usually not a matter of hardening in a previously held conviction.

A weaker brother is one who is unsure or unsteady in his convictions. He feels something is sinful but when he sees Deacon So-and-So doing it he figures it must be okay. “After all. Deacon So-and-So has been a Christian for so long, he must know what’s right! If it’s okay for him to do it, it must be okay for me.”

So Paul says, “Be careful...that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (I Cor. 8:9). If your example in doing something will cause another believer to sin by going against his conscience, then it becomes sin for you to do so in his presence or with his knowledge.

Maybe a good example would be in drinking wine. Many godly believers do not feel that it is a sin to do so. But many others do. Your drinking some wine probably won’t cause those who have such convictions to stumble. But suppose a new believer who’s had a drinking problem prior to his conversion and is now trying hard to avoid that temptation, sees you partaking freely. Or suppose a 14-year-old boy watches you and decides, it must not be so wrong and looks for an opportunity to try some too.

In such cases, the exercise of your freedom would result in a weaker brother making a wrong choice. And that is sin - both for him and for you. At this point, the question is not whether or not his convictions are correct. That change could and should come with further time and teaching. When he passes from being the weaker brother this whole discussion also changes.

You’ll need to find your own applications, but remember this: “when you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” (I Cor. 8:12).

THE LORD SPOKE (May 20)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 12-13

Are you open to the Lord's leading you? True enough, we pray and ask Him to do so, but how do you recognize His leading? If He does give direction, do you hear it and follow through? Notice, from this chapter, how that might happen and what it might include. By the way, notice also that the main subject of this chapter is simply called "the man of God". We're not given his name. In fact, he's called "the man of God" a total of 19x in this one chapter!

The other thing to notice here is the emphasis on "the word of the Lord". That phrase appears 11x in this small portion. Here we can see that one has two choices regarding God's word. You can follow it (e.g. I Ki. 13:9,17) or you can defy it (I Ki. 13:21,26). There is no middle ground. You can't pick and choose, nor can you just "sorta follow it". It's either/or. And, independent of what you do, it WILL come to pass (I Ki. 13:26)! Take a look at what it can tell you in terms of God's leading in your life:

1. It can give you direction (I Ki. 13:1). In this case, it was geographical (from Judah to Bethel, I Ki. 13:1), ethnic/cultural (from one tribal area to another), political (from the southern kingdom and Rehoboam to the northern kingdom and Jeroboam), and ministerial ("he cried out against the altar").
2. It can give you strength for today and hope for the future (I Ki. 13:2 = a specific promise, but Josiah came nearly 300 years later!).
3. It can grant you permission to do something or it can constitute a prohibition (I Ki. 13:8,17).
4. It can give you discernment (I Ki. 13:26 - "warned him").

Watch out! It can be counterfeited. Not all who say they have a word from the Lord really do. Some are liars (I Ki. 13:18-19). In this chapter the man of God had a clear word from the Lord personally and he knew it ("I cannot turn back...nor can I eat...in this place" - I Ki. 13:16) but he chose to go against it ("he returned...and ate" - I Ki. 13:19). How sad, and how terrible the results.

So, once again, how can I determine the Lord's direction for me? First and foremost, it is through Scripture (but be careful to practice proper interpretation). There are also two secondary indicators: through the Spirit's leading (but be careful that it is the Spirit's and not some other spirit) and through spiritual counselors (but be careful that it is true counsel from God). In both cases, you must go back to Scripture to evaluate if these are God's direction for you. Don't forget: the Lord spoke! So go search the Scriptures for what He says.


New Testament: I Corinthians 7

There’s a right way to live and there’s a wrong way to live (I Cor. 7:35). Most of this chapter is dedicated to married life and several principles of right living stand out:

1. Divorce is wrong. From the beginning it was not God’s desire and, in fact He hates it (Mal. 2:16). Whether or not there are any just causes is debated among biblical scholars but this principle rings clear in all of scripture - divorce is not the right solution to anything!
2. It’s not good to remain single. There may be some unique situations in which God calls an individual to celibacy but that’s just what they are - unique situations. God’s pattern and desire since the beginning was for one man and one woman to life together permanently. Anything else is either not normal or is sin.
3. Virginity is expected. It is the norm not a surprising exception. Again, it has always been God’s pattern. Failing to maintain His standard has brought untold grief and brokenness. Something is permanently shattered when it is violated.
4. Husbands and wives have distinctive roles and responsibilities within the marriage contract. Neither is free to live selfishly. Submission is a two-way street. While the Bible has much to say about the wife’s submissive role, the husband also has a demanding “marital duty” to fulfill (I Cor. 7:3) and that involves the care and nurture of his wife.
5. For a marriage to work, God must be in it. Because of something called “common grace” it’s possible for non-believers to experience some of the joys of marriage but they will never experience the complete joy that God intended if He is left out. On the other hand, being a Christian is no guarantee that your marriage will be perfect. There are rules that must be followed for that to happen.

You must “live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord” (I Cor. 7:35). Whatever distance there might be between two individuals is shortened as they draw nearer to God. If they are both walking with the Lord, there can’t be any large distance between them!

THE LORD SPOKE (May 19)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 10-11

A foreigner, the Queen of Sheba, recognized that Solomon's glory did not come from any human source. She gave praise to God and attributed everything she saw to the Lord "who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel" (I Ki. 10:9).

Just as Samuel had predicted (I Sam. 8:11-18) and Moses had cautioned against (Deut. 17:14-20), King Solomon was enticed to excess in his personal life. He greatly multiplied his gold (I Ki. 10:14-22), his giddy-ups (I Ki. I0:26-29), and his gals (I Ki. 11:1-8) and this quickly multiplied his headaches (I Ki. 11:9-14). Worse, it drew God's anger and destroyed Solomon's legacy (I Ki. 11:9-11).

Possessions easily become idols to us and this was Solomon's great downfall. Rather than turning "to God from idols" as the Thessalonians (I Thess. 1:9), he went the opposite direction and had to cry out in old age, "don't forget God" (Eccl. 12:1), cautioning us to:

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Eccl. 12:13-14)

How refreshing that "One greater than Solomon" (Mat. 12:42) has shown us a better way. He gave up everything and "made himself nothing" (Phil. 2:5-8). Of Him the Father could say,

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Mat. 17:5)

From whom or from where do you draw your cues? From some human icon? from Hollywood? The Lord Jesus "humbled himself and became obedient". We can do no better than to follow Him.


New Testament: I Corinthians 6

Do you remember the olden days when we still used film in our cameras? Remember how sometimes it didn’t seem to advance properly and you wondered if you had gotten it engaged properly on the sprocket? After taking several pictures you finally decided to open the back of the camera, hoping to discover that the film tail was still disengaged and you could fix it. Remember your disappointment when you found that, in fact, it was properly fed and something else was causing the problem? But by opening the back of the camera you had let light in and ruined all those first pictures on the roll of film inside. Once exposed like that it was finished and could never produce the pictures you intended.

Pre-marital and extra-marital sex is like that. Once the film is exposed improperly, it can never be fully recovered. Something is lost forever.

Though any sin is evil and every sin will bring condemnation, all sins are not equal. Even one “little” sin makes you a sinner and God’s wrath abides upon you unless you are justified through the blood of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, all sins are not the same. Paul clearly tells us that sexual sins fall into a category of their own (I Cor. 6:18).

Yes, like any other sin, they can be forgiven. Also, like any other sin, sexual sins have consequences. But that’s what’s different. Sexual sins are “against the body”. Sometimes that is in a very real and physical sense. Sexually transmitted diseases are an immediate form of God’s judgment on sexual sin (see Rom. 1:24-27; esp. vs. 27).

But there’s more. God does forgive sexual sin when confessed and abandoned, but the exposing of that film brings permanent scars that cannot be removed. It you’re reading this and are being tempted in this are but have not yet yielded, consider it very carefully. Do not burn your film and enter a lifetime of regret and painful memories. It’s not worth it! Remain a virgin and enjoy proper marital sex at the right time as God intended it.

If you’ve already sinned in this area, confess your sin to God and ask for His for forgiveness and cleansing. Then, long for the day when your glorified body will no longer have those scars. Do everything you can now to warn your children and others of the permanent pain that this sin brings.

THE LORD SPOKE (May 18)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 8-9

When should we pray? Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the new Temple is neatly outlined by "when...they pray...then..." and provides a clue for when we should seek God's face.

WHEN

• someone has wronged us (I Ki. 8:31)
• we have suffered defeat at the hands of the Enemy (I Ki. 8:33)
• we sense that our relationship with God has been broken (I Ki. 8:35)
• we suffer hard times (I Ki. 8:37)
• we are estranged from God's people (I Ki. 8:41)
• we are facing a big challenge (I Ki. 8:44)
• we sin (I Ki. 8:46)

THEN, He restores...

• our innocence (I Ki. 8:32) Note: innocence does not mean sinlessness; it means pure relationship.
• our spiritual footing (I Ki. 8:34)
• our proper habits - a godly lifestyle (I Ki. 8:36)
• our heart relationship (I Ki. 8:39)
• our testimony before a watching world (I Ki. 8:43)
• our strength for battle (I Ki. 8:45)
• our daily walk with the Lord (I Ki. 8:49)

In each case, God's response is to restore us! He "turn[s] our hearts to Him" (I Ki. 8:58) and "teach[es us] the right way to live" (I Ki. 8:36). The result is that we are "joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord [has] done" (I Ki. 8:66). Isn't that a better way to live?!


New Testament: I Corinthians 5

Was Paul writing this around Passover time? It seems that all the matzah he was eating could be what gave occasion to his comment about yeast (I Cor. 5:6) and that led naturally to the reference to keeping the festival. Then it was no great leap to speak of “Christ, our Passover lamb” who has been sacrificed for us.

But don’t miss the context and basic matter of this chapter. Though Paul has plenty to say about it, it’s not even sexual immorality. The main topic is what to do about a sinning brother.

Church discipline! The very mention stirs a dissonant cord. There’s an immediate hesitation that borders on resistance. It’s not a fun thing to consider. Perhaps it’s easier if the sin is so blatantly gross (I Cor. 5:1) but that wasn’t the case here at Corinth. They actually prided themselves that they could keep such a one in their fellowship.

Paul is very clear in his judgment: such a one should be “put out of your fellowship” (I Cor. 5:1). In fact, he goes much further: he should be handed over to Satan for the destruction of his body, and the ultimate saving of his soul (I Cor. 5:5). Such language would be rare indeed in church business meetings nowadays.

“Put him out of your fellowship” implies first that there is such a fellowship, that there is such a union of like-minded believers who are jealous for truth and righteousness, and that there is some standard for being “in” and that just causes for being put “out” have been established. That’s a lot of implications!

We’ve nearly lost the meaning, purpose, and value of church membership today. Church hopping is so common and easy that few still feel any sense of community or responsibility to the body of believers in a local church. For sure, there’s precious little authority left. “Members” may come and go and pretty much do as they please with no fear. Excommunication? That’s something from the Catholics in the Middle Ages.

Not so in Scripture. The Bible teaches the importance of committed members of a body that functions together. When one member hurts, all feel it. When a member falls into sin, there are consequences. There’s no place to hide or skip off to when a whim leads you to move on. Responsibility, service, faithfulness, dependability, and accountability are key words. More than words! They are God-honoring principles that define church membership.

THE LORD SPOKE (May 17)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 7

What does it mean to "worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness" (Ps. 29:2)?

We have (rightly) reacted to the ostentatious decor of cathedrals and the baroque decorations of some churches. Much church architecture detracts from the proper concentration on worship and the presence of God in our meeting places. But, does the fluorescent-lit, low ceiling of a modern "worship center" really express the ascendancy of God? Does the "common-as-an-old-shoe" feeling of our sanctuaries tell of His wonder and might? Does our architecture speak of His glory?

Even a swift glance at this chapter (which is all most people give it) would indicate that Solomon put some real thought and effort into the building of the Temple of Jerusalem. True, God Himself had said He was not one to "dwell in a house" (I Chron. 17:5). But then He did allow the building of a Temple and blessed it by filling it with His glory (I Ki. 8:10-11). It was one of the most magnificent structures of antiquity and stood as a visual testimony to the splendor of God's holiness.

Solomon took time to build this building (I Ki. 6:37). He brought in skilled craftsmen (I Ki. 7:13-14) and used high-quality building materials (c.f. I Ki. 7:9-12). He furnished it with the finest objects inside and out, and it appears that he spared no expense (I Ki. 7:51).

Let us give more attention to the physical surroundings of our places of worship. Never should they detract from God-ward attention, either because of their ostentatious decor, nor their drab appearance, or their lack of thought in proper worship arrangements. But far more important, let us remember that "we are the temple of the living God" (II Cor. 6:16). Taking physical care of our bodies is one application of this. But this truth is even more emphatic in terms of worshiping the Lord and expressing our love for Him in the way we use our bodies.


New Testament: I Corinthians 4

He had only an elementary education but by the time he was a teenager he could read the Bible in six languages. He taught himself Latin, Hebrew, Greek, French, and Dutch while he mended shoes. William Carey went on to become the Professor of Oriental Languages in Calcutta and establish a printing press in Serampore which provided the Scriptures to over 300 million people in over 400 languages.

Writing to his nephew in later years, William Carey said, “If after my removal anyone should think it worth while to write my life, I will give you a criterion by which you may judge of its correctness. If he gives me credit for being a plodder, he will describe me justly. Anything beyond this will be too much. I can plod. That is my only genius. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.”

Paul encourages us in this direction when he says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (I Cor. 4:2). God is not looking so much for great strengths and abilities as for great faithfulness. Dedication to Him and discipline in our daily life is what pleases Him most.

How we long for tangible examples. We need a pattern to follow, a person to imitate. And Paul gives us that when he says, “I urge you to imitate me.” (I Cor. 4:16). His life and godly example was such that it could/should be imitated! How many can say that? Of course, our eyes should be on Jesus but sometimes we’re tempted to think, “But He was the son of God. How could I be like Him?” (Which is wrong thinking, of course, since He was “tempted in all points like as we are” and gives us a perfect example to follow.”

But here is Paul, a mere man, and not a perfect one at that, saying “you can follow my example.

We sing “great is Thy faithfulness” to God. How great it will be if we can hear Him say to us in the end, “Great is thy faithfulness, my servant. Enter into the joy I’ve prepared for you.”