tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194329452024-03-18T12:04:43.380-07:00Roots by the RiverJeremiah 17:7-8: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her ROOTS BY THE RIVER, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.comBlogger2039125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-72868392784983254552024-03-18T05:30:00.000-07:002024-03-18T12:04:10.417-07:00Let There Be Light<p><span style="text-align: center;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscMqDfF9DBQluoitTbwoiauxU58RzdIBeRolSSq8db7DsEbnpDnx3RCaCmxVbt97uKTgoyd8_NTzrKpMGkZOg1Ki0dkVBtScjqmt2cX8GOtcsIAiAVzN89vaZXRhLT1tsBjarqvCcmgUm6EHOKbC_KsH9nRWnmrmkFgI6576Y2TWhoUSI2edT/s1280/clouds-1282314_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscMqDfF9DBQluoitTbwoiauxU58RzdIBeRolSSq8db7DsEbnpDnx3RCaCmxVbt97uKTgoyd8_NTzrKpMGkZOg1Ki0dkVBtScjqmt2cX8GOtcsIAiAVzN89vaZXRhLT1tsBjarqvCcmgUm6EHOKbC_KsH9nRWnmrmkFgI6576Y2TWhoUSI2edT/s16000/clouds-1282314_1280.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">No parameters, no
speed of light nor time nor space.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Nothing to measure in
light years or miles<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and then God created
the Heavens and the Earth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">In and around and
above that wet, dark and formless empty earth <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The Spirit Hovered.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">From beyond the
night, beyond the heavens and apart from the Earth <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">God said, "Let
there be light."<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">And there was light.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Six measured days
later God created man in His own likeness.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">But man believed a
lie to be more like God and indeed became less like Him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Man's thinking became
futile, and his foolish heart was darkened.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Now we are measured
in time, square miles, and by the Bureau of Standards. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Into that measured
land, in a farmhouse on a quarter section in central Nebraska <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">God created a man,
partly in His likeness.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Twenty measured years
went by,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and over and around
that man with a dark and formless void,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The Spirit hovered.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Into that void,
formless and dark, pierced, and then flooded, a light. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">For the same God who
in the beginning said, “Let there be light,”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Has now shined in my
heart,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">To give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">In the face of Jesus
Christ.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">- Jim Wilson</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-64428368584566690562024-03-11T05:30:00.001-07:002024-03-11T05:30:00.143-07:00Proclaiming Peace and Salvation<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://biblereading.christkirk.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NS162xMKP5OFAAbLDPNAKtvY4Cb9TAbaXRlHXnvMQJkJNqIjixhsNLqVDuoKex5SJxSAMnaKhCkey5jyyzzqfku989f-4lRpLdkhTraVOhI532ExcjSJkqexjRA-bitbZZ2fGbSjFsYE0JgrbN4cris6sn4o3NMZWvHqkgdAaow58K52cUTs/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(11).png" /></a></div><br />“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who
bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim
salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We do not normally think of feet as beautiful. Why are these
feet different? They are carrying a voice that proclaims good news, peace, good
tidings, salvation, and the reign of God. The apostle Paul quotes this text in
Romans 10:15 right after a series of questions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how
can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear
without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are
sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good
news!’” (Romans 10:13-15).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-4835488202226335772024-03-05T05:30:00.000-08:002024-03-05T11:10:18.180-08:00The Best Church in Town<p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://biblereading.christkirk.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE8lwydoWctczTxGIO5Iqt3e0eY0efmWXgGdwkUeRDkQ-7WXNduDnb-42YRddVm_72ejSZl_F92kjLewqH3VKHhxFzQbhvWrNr-dNWkpFv3Fb7I_2joOdSD_A4TNJZtsKfAAuzUMYNoHrtPGl-13jbl-LtxM4YjXwlZDsd5jsFVPLevhSCZPw/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(12).png" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless
is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself
from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).</p><p class="MsoNormal">If you are normal, you want to be in the best church in
town, and you may be in it. However, does this church or any church fit the
definition of pure and faultless religion?</p><p class="MsoNormal">This is in the sight of God the Father. He is paying
attention to see if your religion is pure and undefiled. There are two
requirements: 1) to visit orphans and widows who are in distress and 2) to keep
yourself unspotted from the world.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Concerning the first requirement, you may not know any
widows or orphans in distress. However, they are there in your town. Ask God
who they are.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The second requirement is not letting the filth of the world
touch you at all. Jesus prays in John 17:15-17, “My prayer is not that you take
them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not
of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is
truth.” “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if
you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16). In
evangelistic churches today, Christians seem to watch their doctrine much more
closely than they watch their lives. Timothy was told to watch <i>both</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Written January 9, 2018.</i></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.<o:p></o:p></i></p><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></i><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-84218993721773872592024-03-04T05:30:00.008-08:002024-03-04T05:30:00.129-08:00Three Problems from Proverbs 18<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://biblereading.christkirk.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PV_5zRAFqBmXkvY5JX8_Yw_F5ygCH7SGcGYFmYhs5HiwPrcBsGaCYxgeHMl3WCewYtOLD66wphvLkhJex2WxKVB_PY6WRY_K0xil5wtkSJbBCBYjmCEGwyRXKOBw-ZaOHwzMMxRAHyLy3RIueZLT-I2j-JQpaUSRMipFLzFjNUjWnjK2sqxT/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(13).png" /></a></div><br />In my reading through the Proverbs, the eighteenth chapter
got my attention. Here are three from that chapter:<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body" (v. 8).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly
and shame” (v. 13).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"He who states his case first seems right, until the
other comes and examines him” (v. 17).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They all have to do with conversation, and they hit three
great problems in the church today: gossip, not listening, and listening to
only one side. All of these can be corrected by a simple desire and act of the
will. However, to act properly means that there will be no more “choice
morsels,” no “ego talking,” and no choosing up sides.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are two New Testament sentences which will help us in
our decision:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for <i>building others up</i> according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be <i>quick
to listen</i>, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:9).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our speech should be for others, and our listening should be
for others.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Written October 1986.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.<o:p></o:p></i></p><i></i><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-26696061637769774872024-02-28T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-28T05:30:00.246-08:00Able to Do<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkjGeAsmL5cliMiysJDZPY2uQipy0oiDsYkHp_Q3-pYDE_SuMPOuQ7JHbJ7xHsDJEoz5L98HprSArY-x7TaLwCqvLSuEZ8V_SYfpkA2qBczEyrethnf1GMDIb80ZYEEj1IS4LJu3mIbXOicl2U7NSxi7jUoGQac57O5ABAsUVRRvdvpGp7gUh/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(46).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkjGeAsmL5cliMiysJDZPY2uQipy0oiDsYkHp_Q3-pYDE_SuMPOuQ7JHbJ7xHsDJEoz5L98HprSArY-x7TaLwCqvLSuEZ8V_SYfpkA2qBczEyrethnf1GMDIb80ZYEEj1IS4LJu3mIbXOicl2U7NSxi7jUoGQac57O5ABAsUVRRvdvpGp7gUh/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(46).png" /></a></div><br />It is relatively easy to believe great things of God as in
Psalm 33:6, 9:<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry
host by the breath of his mouth. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood
firm.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It seems to be more difficult to believe great things of God
when it has to do with us:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“And <i>God is able</i> to make all grace abound to you, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in
every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Now to him who is <i>able to do</i> immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph.
3:20).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Therefore he is <i>able to save</i> completely those who
come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb.
7:25).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own
master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is <i>able to make
him stand</i>” (Rom. 14:4).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed,
because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is <i>able to
guard</i> what I have entrusted to him for that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve
is <i>able to save us</i> from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O
king” (Dan. 3:17).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“To him who is <i>able to keep you from falling</i> and to
present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy”
(Jude 24).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-73032725092741620742024-02-21T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-21T11:32:01.619-08:00Get Forgiven Like Abraham. Obey Like Joseph.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweX6ZhRRi8qqBkjShAIQlxwrJErsga6_htBRwQwL2TC7Yoh7ucHIfmTIbSMgCrzP3qAjqf2aYnJxkwhHPsEIVe67t4p8ViLESTBMRnH4_SNeK33TeqYyu0n6oM9xU9ppRt5O7jEpAVOFzUx4zWX4V_Zc5UUSVDvVG5TIdZvllKzvUR9BUFypz/s1920/jacob-7651229_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweX6ZhRRi8qqBkjShAIQlxwrJErsga6_htBRwQwL2TC7Yoh7ucHIfmTIbSMgCrzP3qAjqf2aYnJxkwhHPsEIVe67t4p8ViLESTBMRnH4_SNeK33TeqYyu0n6oM9xU9ppRt5O7jEpAVOFzUx4zWX4V_Zc5UUSVDvVG5TIdZvllKzvUR9BUFypz/s16000/jacob-7651229_1920.jpg" /></a></div><br />God, in inspiring the Bible, went through the Creation, the
Fall, and the Flood all in eleven chapters. It is as if God was in a hurry to
get to Abraham. Then with the next 38 chapters God goes into detail on Abraham
and the next three generations. Abraham was the “friend of God” and the father
of the Jews and the Faithful. David is a “man after God’s own heart.” The
Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the son of David.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather
according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was
justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What
does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift
but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who
justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the
same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits
righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are
forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin
the Lord will never count against them’” (Rom. 4:1-8).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a portion of one of the great chapters on salvation
by faith in the finished work of Christ. There is another emphasis besides the
one on <i>faith</i>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“God who <i>justifies the wicked</i>” (verse 5).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not count
against him” (Psalm 32:2).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Abraham was <i>wicked</i>. So was David. Abraham gave his
wife away twice because of fear for his own life (although in both cases God
prevented anyone from touching her). David took another man’s wife.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Abraham was justified. David’s sin was not counted against
him. This is the message of Romans. Wicked men can be saved, made righteous,
and greatly used of God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, Abraham and David were not men of <i>integrity</i>
after their salvation. They were not <i>holy men</i>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joseph was. So was Daniel. Joseph was sold as a slave by his
bothers to slave traders from a foreign country to another foreign, pagan
country. He had no Bible; Genesis was not yet written. He had a father at home
who thought he was dead. His mother had died in childbirth when Joseph was a
child. As a slave, his owner’s wife tried to seduce him. Here is his answer.
“No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from
me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked
thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joseph would not take another man’s wife. She tried this
daily. He refused and avoided her. Finally, she grabbed his coat. He got out of
the coat and ran. She lied. He was put in prison. He was godly in prison and
godly when he got out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Daniel was taken captive by the Babylonians. He and a few
others were given special treatment. They ate from the king’s table. It was
great food for Babylonians. It was unclean food for the Jews. “But Daniel
resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the
chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Daniel still had his integrity in his old age. “No when
Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs
room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down
on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before”
(Daniel 6:10). For this he was thrown to the lions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These life and death decisions were simple for Joseph and
Daniel because the decisions were made long before the temptation occurred.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We should make decisions on principle on absolutes and make
them in advance. We should not wait and consider the pros and cons at the time.
We should obey by grace and faith.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We get forgiven like Abraham and David. This is
righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We obey like Joseph and Daniel. This is holiness.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-32074387826345793092024-02-19T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-19T05:30:00.130-08:00Viewpoint & Repentance<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouCsfzRG61Pf1mkQQA6WA0Pbz_SsfzJHx4oHhgX-ehlKE_gsB-dKNKKFuqBsw__ttsH6VR7OfQnVzQ7YIf4KxlRcJ78KkswKiXhVfDDW0-wxvaH5JFP15SttqCpYDQDBt2UMwLeJ0SlvAI1aerVcXI3m2-f7dFZLMeBLvY4UMUTlUwQvLEZSH/s1920/blonde-1867768_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouCsfzRG61Pf1mkQQA6WA0Pbz_SsfzJHx4oHhgX-ehlKE_gsB-dKNKKFuqBsw__ttsH6VR7OfQnVzQ7YIf4KxlRcJ78KkswKiXhVfDDW0-wxvaH5JFP15SttqCpYDQDBt2UMwLeJ0SlvAI1aerVcXI3m2-f7dFZLMeBLvY4UMUTlUwQvLEZSH/s16000/blonde-1867768_1920.jpg" /></a></div><p class="Style1">Our view of God, our view of our own sinfulness (or our own
righteousness), and our view of the sinfulness of others all have an effect on
how and when we repent.</p><p></p><p class="Style1"><b>David</b> had a great
view of God’s mercy and unfailing love and a great view of his own sin.</p><p class="Style1">“Have mercy on me, O
God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot
out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me, against you, you
only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved
right when you speak and justified when you judge” (Psalm 51:1-4).</p><p class="Style1">A simple parable presented by Nathan, the prophet, broke David
into repentance.</p><p class="Style1"><b>Job</b> had a great view
of his own righteousness and a great view of God’s injustice to him.</p><p class="Style1">“As surely as God
lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste
bitterness of soul, as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my
nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no
deceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my
integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my
conscience will not reproach me as long as I live” (Job 27:2-6).</p><p class="Style1"><b>Elihu</b> spoke to Job
for five chapters and God for four chapters before Job broke down in
repentance.</p><p class="Style1">“My ears had heard of
you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in
dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6).</p><p class="Style1"><b>Jonah</b> had a great
view of God’s graciousness and love and his own hatred for the Assyrians, the
Ninevites.</p><p class="Style1">“But Jonah was greatly
displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord, is this not what I
said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish.
I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and
abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take
away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live’” (Jonah 4:1-4).</p><p class="Style1">Job did not want God to forgive Nineveh. There is no clue in
the text that Jonah ever repented, though God continued to reach out to Jonah.
(We can assume that Jonah repented, however, because presumably he wrote the
book of Jonah.)</p><p class="Style1">We know of people who think they are too bad to be forgiven;
others who think they are too good and do not need forgiveness; and others who
think others are going to hell and should not be forgiven.</p><p class="Style1">“But where sin
increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20).</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-37162988672228096282024-02-15T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-15T05:30:00.131-08:00The Lord's Discipline<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp8HhtKgRC3xGcNjAuLN0VQBOBg6bUOez_nJz3jzS7Fpe4wNRRc5buCPcnlhp1N6ImQDhk7tWt2jsKJU8l7PGiiqFC5GhfcArNBGA1IFvoRG7OpqABPXKiCrIFhxE6vF73cdmCIPliksGfDboDxC1OZxCnOXgZnix6qcDCtUflp-ct2-tLzSB/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(45).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp8HhtKgRC3xGcNjAuLN0VQBOBg6bUOez_nJz3jzS7Fpe4wNRRc5buCPcnlhp1N6ImQDhk7tWt2jsKJU8l7PGiiqFC5GhfcArNBGA1IFvoRG7OpqABPXKiCrIFhxE6vF73cdmCIPliksGfDboDxC1OZxCnOXgZnix6qcDCtUflp-ct2-tLzSB/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(45).png" /></a></div><br />“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not
resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the
son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:11-12).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement
that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, ‘My son, do not make
light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he
accepts as his son.’ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his
children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not
disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not
true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who
disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to
the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they
thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share
in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later
on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who
have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:5-11).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest
and repent” (Revelation 3:19).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a truth that is emphasized in a breadth of
Scriptures. The LORD disciplines those He loves. This discipline is not
pleasant. He does it for our good. It results in sharing in God’s holiness,
righteousness, and peace.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 32:1-5. Picture this:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Salvation:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose
sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute
iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (vv. 1-2).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Discipline:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon
me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer” (vv. 3-4).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Response to the discipline is confession of transgression
and forgiveness as a result:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not
hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’; and You forgave
the guilt of my sin” (v. 5).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many Christians are under the discipline described in verses
3 and 4, yet they will not repent and confess! They are missing the joy they
once had. So they are not receiving the forgiveness, joy, or sharing in God’s
holiness, righteousness, and peace.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-71136794442434198132024-02-12T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-12T05:30:00.139-08:00Constant Victory<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdAGB3i-_cILuBmzWGZ3VmjUcOXr3U1spSCIr_RHhoJ8rw9owePOsXqr_fe7-0GejCP8MEoIwT6eLz1Cx4osy4TShr05hUHfRZODvvqCNIwhNhm_wb3ujqCHEjMLXYApi0oN7ofCC5yLFNt31R28e5cAlsNNJzwojsESDTQYoUCZGzO8ojwST/s1200/BP-Picture-85.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdAGB3i-_cILuBmzWGZ3VmjUcOXr3U1spSCIr_RHhoJ8rw9owePOsXqr_fe7-0GejCP8MEoIwT6eLz1Cx4osy4TShr05hUHfRZODvvqCNIwhNhm_wb3ujqCHEjMLXYApi0oN7ofCC5yLFNt31R28e5cAlsNNJzwojsESDTQYoUCZGzO8ojwST/s16000/BP-Picture-85.png" /></a></div><br />I came across the following
poem (prayer) and devotional in Amy Carmichael's book <i>Edges of His Ways</i>:<p></p><p class="Style1"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Before the winds that blow do
cease, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Teach me to dwell within thy
calm; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Before the pain has passed in
peace, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Give me, my God, to sing a
psalm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Let me not lose the chance to
prove <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">The fulness of enabling love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">O Love of God, do this for
me; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Maintain a constant victory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Before I leave the desert
land <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">For meadows of immortal flowers,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Lead me where streams at thy
command <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Flow by the borders of the
hours, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">That when the thirsty come I
may<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Show them the fountains in
the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">O love of God, do this for
me; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Maintain a constant victory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">"This prayer was written
for the ill, and for the tired. It is so easy to fail when not feeling fit. As
I thought of them, I also remembered those who, thank God, are not ill and yet
can be hard-pressed. Sometimes in the midst of the rush of things, it seems
impossible to be victorious, always to be peaceful, always to be inwardly
sweet. Is that not so! Yet that and nothing less is our high calling. So the
prayer is really for us all." – Amy Carmichael</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">"But thanks be to God,
who leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads
everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him" (2 Corinthians 2:14).</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="mso-font-width: 105%;">Because we are Jesus Christ’s,
we have victory in Him, regardless of circumstance.<span style="letter-spacing: 2.6pt;"> </span>Let us choose to live in Christ's victory today. God bless you.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-13498984669525404602024-02-07T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-07T05:30:00.131-08:00Fellowship & Division<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVRkJ6SxlyAWR8I9bYJFUEQhu1czftRqRloqcZWQpUl4LyZldSzY2-IBMrCZ2F8H01DJNjAATCodWOte_PtEYzqulzjoXjY7KkUMJuat8VjRLT-50myANRu_KYvCj4CHLswSNdOSEF3otnfF0A95yf2OCJK7CYOcNL0mwiU7PqCYZTUmhIccS/s1920/supper-3239337_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVRkJ6SxlyAWR8I9bYJFUEQhu1czftRqRloqcZWQpUl4LyZldSzY2-IBMrCZ2F8H01DJNjAATCodWOte_PtEYzqulzjoXjY7KkUMJuat8VjRLT-50myANRu_KYvCj4CHLswSNdOSEF3otnfF0A95yf2OCJK7CYOcNL0mwiU7PqCYZTUmhIccS/s16000/supper-3239337_1920.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="Style1"><span class="woj">During my 69 years of being a Christian,* I
have been blessed in knowing thousands of believers in Christ. This blessing,
however great, has had a little darkness in it.</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="woj">The darkness was not in the unity of the
body—that was the blessing. The darkness was the differences the Christians had
with each other. The differences were on many things, including baptism
(different forms or meanings) and theology (Reformed, Dispensational, Wesleyan,
Pentecostal, German Lutheran, Swedish Lutheran, Missouri Synod Lutheran, etc.
They would not allow communion to someone whose church was in a different synod
or denomination.)</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="woj">Is there a common basis for fellowship in the
Bible?</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="woj">There is a basis for <i>breaking</i>
fellowship. Unconfessed immorality is one reason. “But now I am writing to you
that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but
is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or
swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to
judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” (1 Cor.
5:11-12).</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="woj">Titus 3:10 is another: “</span><span class="text">Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After
that, have nothing to do with them.”</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="text">“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch
out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are
contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Rom. 16:17).</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="text">We are to stay away from those who cause
divisions.</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="text">There are many unbiblical reasons for
division. I am writing this to help you recognize if you are part of the
problem. Our basis for <i>fellowship</i> with each other is this basic truth:</span></p>
<p class="Style1"><span class="text">“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind
you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have
taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word
I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I
passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the
third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then
to the Twelve” (1 Cor. 15:1-5).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Style1"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="Style1"><i>*Written June 2017.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-66697103075693790562024-02-05T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-05T05:30:00.131-08:00Responsibility in Evangelism<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UG623fcxvrgJGEcHkDOeRTi9iz6z6MUTax9qnrtePXuEMepkzphuALazAmSi56WH8i6YshQEK4FTcdoRgY1KE-YEuZREW9OPuquqMEObbmYAo8dZ7dc65EUEyYHWQusAEkkwXPFT2rAYYR9vFbq32apS2as9GXUDUWEFoNg2vjYH5gmXtDZ1/s1920/train-2373323_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UG623fcxvrgJGEcHkDOeRTi9iz6z6MUTax9qnrtePXuEMepkzphuALazAmSi56WH8i6YshQEK4FTcdoRgY1KE-YEuZREW9OPuquqMEObbmYAo8dZ7dc65EUEyYHWQusAEkkwXPFT2rAYYR9vFbq32apS2as9GXUDUWEFoNg2vjYH5gmXtDZ1/s16000/train-2373323_1920.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here are a few thoughts on evangelism.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a key responsibility placed upon the unbeliever:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he
commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a command to <i>all people everywhere</i>. However,
all people everywhere have not heard this command.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let's look at the responsibility placed on the believer:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how
can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear
without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are
sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good
news!’ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says,
‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ Consequently, faith comes from hearing
the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans
10:13-17).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid
arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must
not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them
repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to
their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive
to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:23-26).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching
them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the
clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 22-23).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has
come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled
us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins
against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are
therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through
us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians
5:17-20).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These few sections are very heavy on the responsibility of
the believers. They are the ones who are sent to bring good news. They are the
ones who make disciples, who turn them from the power of Satan to God, who
snatch men from the fire, who are kind and gentle, who have the ministry and
the message, and who implore on Christ's behalf to be reconciled to God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please reconsider whether any of these responsibilities
describe you.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-87113969454354399942024-02-01T05:30:00.000-08:002024-02-01T05:30:00.133-08:00Nations in Sin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVht0MrSd0NbxZp0aexHn0I47cGfczMRHpt0zKDatg6GwXJwb2jyMWlTJS6Sa8RfgfGFub2fq27Uotu4D04karCnn9IB3h88AFO5haxvHd077bj-869hwyEWdo9AiwkfQ1dkh8yWGyDwjmRp6yq5dleSiS0gkBY0lN-qQnFsFM0s0QMjeIdYS/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(43).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVht0MrSd0NbxZp0aexHn0I47cGfczMRHpt0zKDatg6GwXJwb2jyMWlTJS6Sa8RfgfGFub2fq27Uotu4D04karCnn9IB3h88AFO5haxvHd077bj-869hwyEWdo9AiwkfQ1dkh8yWGyDwjmRp6yq5dleSiS0gkBY0lN-qQnFsFM0s0QMjeIdYS/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(43).png" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">The Bible speaks of the sins of whole
nations in many places. Here is one of them:</p><p class="MsoNormal">“This is what the Lord says: For
three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath…” (Amos 2:6).<o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Scripture also speaks of the sins of
cities (e.g., Amos 1:3, 6). Jesus spoke of judgment on Chorazin and <st1:city w:st="on">Bethsaida</st1:city> in Matthew 11:21 and of possible judgment on
five of the seven churches in <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place> in
Revelation 2 and 3. The collective sins of the people brought about these
judgments.</p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The people of the Church today are
not known for confessing their sins. We are even less known for confessing the
sins of the whole church or city or nation as Daniel did in Daniel 9:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">“Lord, the great and awesome God, who
keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have
turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants
the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our
ancestors, and to all the people of the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">“Lord, you are righteous, but this
day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you
have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our
princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned
against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have
rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he
gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law
and turned away, refusing to obey you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">“Therefore the curses and sworn
judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out
on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken
against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the
whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.
Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us,
yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins
and giving attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the
disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we
have not obeyed him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">“Now, Lord our God, who brought your
people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that
endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with
all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem,
your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have
made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">“Now, our God, hear the prayers and
petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your
desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the
desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you
because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord,
forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your
city and your people bear your Name” (Dan. 9:4-19).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As far as we know, Daniel was not
personally guilty of the sins he confessed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-33686299131885573972024-01-29T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-29T05:30:00.151-08:00Three Prayers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzT97imvxicYW8DpJP-dpRCbR2apA6dFgdvHlFSpZF0gsJI9MinbCIEnYHTMW4qzGDHz9I6N-EpC2EWtVfVg3slqqL7Bo79r2QoZ2MsedQCKCyOFg3PPHuYTBpAsdeKJddTfGeQNLTqr85Z7KW6X3GukZELrbW3TlSvSP7-EBgt8Jt4aN2Axx/s1920/pray-2558490_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzT97imvxicYW8DpJP-dpRCbR2apA6dFgdvHlFSpZF0gsJI9MinbCIEnYHTMW4qzGDHz9I6N-EpC2EWtVfVg3slqqL7Bo79r2QoZ2MsedQCKCyOFg3PPHuYTBpAsdeKJddTfGeQNLTqr85Z7KW6X3GukZELrbW3TlSvSP7-EBgt8Jt4aN2Axx/s16000/pray-2558490_1920.jpg" /></a></div><br />“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
effective” (James 5:16).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“This service that you perform is not only supplying the
needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to
God” (2 Cor. 9:12).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is
reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory
of God” (2 Cor. 4:15).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These three verses have something in common. It is <i>prayer</i>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">James 5:16 tells us of the quality of prayer or, rather, the
quality of the man who prays for healing. The next two verses tell of the
quantity of men who thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:12 speaks of God’s people who
are grateful, having had their physical needs met by those who had given. This
results in “overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 Corinthians 4:15 is speaking of the salvation of more and
more people. This causes “thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praying for the sick, giving to the poor, preaching the
gospel to the lost! The church on the whole is weak in all these areas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-69906369402296484972024-01-25T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-25T05:30:00.128-08:00Transferring Dirt or Getting Clean<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXPj6-HfCfmYtXRdUO9Pb7PRSxETJAifA95nFJCLLzABGVQOsh4ypHw9wcbqjnbHYZc2F59i7edUVdHbIEStVnIfiNn5T5I2cyDeGO5hwoDnwUBlxqskuOhKKIACj5rKs-rJwt8TzNhPIk3atdeaBB_q5nVfmLYSCUxckaoFKPhIVXyR7IhhP/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(42).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXPj6-HfCfmYtXRdUO9Pb7PRSxETJAifA95nFJCLLzABGVQOsh4ypHw9wcbqjnbHYZc2F59i7edUVdHbIEStVnIfiNn5T5I2cyDeGO5hwoDnwUBlxqskuOhKKIACj5rKs-rJwt8TzNhPIk3atdeaBB_q5nVfmLYSCUxckaoFKPhIVXyR7IhhP/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(42).png" /></a></div><br />The Scripture that has been in my mind a good part of the
day is Haggai 2:11-13:<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what
the law says: If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment,
and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food,
does it become consecrated?’ The priests answered, ‘No.’ Then Haggai said, ‘If
a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does
it become defiled?’ ‘Yes,’ the priests replied, ‘it becomes defiled.’”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice this! Defilement, uncleanness, and dirt can be
transferred. Cleanliness cannot be transferred. If I pour clean water into
dirty water, does that make the dirty water clean? No! If I pour dirty water
into clean water, does that make the clean water dirty? Yes! If I have dirty
hands and shake your clean hand, do I transfer dirt to you, or do you transfer
clean to me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dirt is transferred!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character'” (1
Cor 15:33).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Washing gets rid of dirt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you
were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by
the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Written December 2010.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.<o:p></o:p></i></p><i></i><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-60686891170899539562024-01-22T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-22T05:30:00.125-08:00Getting Free from Besetting Sin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Free-Essays-Christian/dp/1882840364/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ELCADRLQWOHT&keywords=how+to+be+free+jim+wilson&qid=1702081432&sprefix=how+to+be+free+jim+wilson%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg2vFjHa1bsmDB1mPyCmvbR3Krpz9e0YFzo2Nb-I5ALlZ1dckku4GyWMyeM5sX0MLiSoE7VJ8CsyYjx0WpgDSejHBvRatM1fUzJV4plAnGHJITf9oL_4xdR-bUNfRipFv1WUyOYsQv38hqcYrqVueftyNefgAe146fFzZZfq1BSH_UojubrKj/s16000/man-1835195_1920.jpg" /></a></div><br />There are only two things you can do at any given time: obey
God or disobey Him. Obeying God and confessing your sin when you disobey is
called walking in the light: as soon as you get in the darkness, you confess
your sin and get back in the light.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Free-Essays-Christian/dp/1882840364/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ELCADRLQWOHT&keywords=how+to+be+free+jim+wilson&qid=1702081432&sprefix=how+to+be+free+jim+wilson%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1" target="_blank">How to Be Free: More Essays on Christian Living</a></i>
is about how to be free from besetting sins and obey God. It covers different
topics like depression, worry, anger, low self-esteem, guilt, gossip, lying, a
critical spirit, complaining, etc. It also talks about how to walk in the
light. The book is available at ccmbooks.org/bookstore and Amazon.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sins do not travel in singles. If you have unconfessed sin,
it sets you up for more sin. If you get into the habit of confessing sin, you
will not have to go through the ins and outs of obedience and confession so
much. Take care of sin when it occurs. Do not wait.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is possible to walk in the light, which makes it easy to
obey God. When you are walking in the light, you can rejoice always, you can be
anxious for nothing, and you can give thanks in everything. You do not have to
be addicted to sin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The best preventative for sin is being in the Word daily and
choosing to do what it says. </i>If you are not reading your Bible daily, I
encourage you to join the To the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. You can find
all the details at <u><a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a></u>. Do not worry that the plan has already
started – just jump in with today’s reading, and catch what you've missed when the plan starts up again in September.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-15876991479384466392024-01-18T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-18T05:30:00.142-08:00Partial Obedience, Partial Repentance, Partial Belief<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jBN9t9KSCpkAqerf6pbQYobJhTMVRt21XQxp7Q1NLO_3pnmgEknIujUU16OxjmQZ-CGl8JNJQ3EQf8-l6FZqxx3GdGWMlpgRVODZQD3K8uGUodexK8TPzIHo85Kj2nFa6MwXYSPzDSpGaqqzycxMCwQneKt6r1xOCyPBs3EjIXCA3lcFLRL6/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(40).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jBN9t9KSCpkAqerf6pbQYobJhTMVRt21XQxp7Q1NLO_3pnmgEknIujUU16OxjmQZ-CGl8JNJQ3EQf8-l6FZqxx3GdGWMlpgRVODZQD3K8uGUodexK8TPzIHo85Kj2nFa6MwXYSPzDSpGaqqzycxMCwQneKt6r1xOCyPBs3EjIXCA3lcFLRL6/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(40).png" /></a></div><br />In recent days,* I have been struck again by the partial
repentance of the kings of Israel and the partial repentance of the kings of
Judah. Here are two examples from many.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Israel:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the LORD, the
God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of
Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit” (2 Kings 10:31). The last
sentence was said of <i>every</i> king of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Judah:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as
his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father
Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to
offer sacrifices and burn incense there” (2 Kings 14:3-4). This last sentence
was said of Amaziah and his son, his grandson, and his great-grandson. Amaziah
was one of the good kings of Judah.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hezekiah, his great-great-grandson, turned things around:
“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had
done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the
Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to
that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called
Nehushtan.)” (2 Kings 18:3-4).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Are we guilty of <i>partial</i> obedience, <i>partial </i>repentance,
belief in a partial Savior who gives partial forgiveness?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>*Written November 2006.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today and tomorrow's readings in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.<o:p></o:p></i></p><i></i><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-67478469075730635372024-01-15T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-15T05:30:00.129-08:00Four Passages to Live By<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hzyQGWHEhA_e1WZ74QNtdzBOCebYk6-mANTkhvkvrmi6cUAHB2bk7OJPgxPcS5FMVtwYsvUfxYdIaslept5PXCMrdaVq1cI4SJd-T6mil5MhcilqXMSNsxWTkA4kc93FbCWSwbHjtmiHFpIxYKB7z14lkU8oaiQrfTTh38BGU2UH3cS23iPy/s1920/snow-2221767_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hzyQGWHEhA_e1WZ74QNtdzBOCebYk6-mANTkhvkvrmi6cUAHB2bk7OJPgxPcS5FMVtwYsvUfxYdIaslept5PXCMrdaVq1cI4SJd-T6mil5MhcilqXMSNsxWTkA4kc93FbCWSwbHjtmiHFpIxYKB7z14lkU8oaiQrfTTh38BGU2UH3cS23iPy/s16000/snow-2221767_1920.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here are four passages of Scripture which have meant very
much to me. There are many others, but these stand out. Each has a promise
attached. The promises are in bold.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them
as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your
children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the
road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of
your houses and on your gates, <b>so that your days and the days of your
children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers,
as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth</b>” (Deuteronomy
11:18-21).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a
man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for
lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to
the LORD? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of
injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break
every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the
poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to
turn away from your own flesh and blood? <b>Then your light will break forth
like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness
will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you
will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say:
‘Here am I.</b> If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing
finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, <b>then your light will rise in the
darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you
always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen
your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters
never fail</b>’” (Isaiah 58:5-11).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what
you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the
birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of
you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about
clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I
tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of
these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you
of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall
we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. <b>But seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well.</b> Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:25-34).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord,
and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light
shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light
of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this
treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and
not from us. <b>We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed,
but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not
destroyed</b>” (2 Corinthians 4:5-9).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-26736725879714946732024-01-10T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-10T05:30:00.127-08:00Pressing on Toward the Goal<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQQ8hx_Kbt8n8aguLWKaYDWhWSyji4I3CqwBHMMGfUUewFfK5p_xyhDFr9hMrR8v6NFrYuaHB-hZ_Eh_KMBKjGFWKcn3jyx9nu8xt9FnV9r557Q2JCkjyP_5S7iLKgrXybVFZGrTLO5J5wtlHQ0i8ZhIZ9tgvrA2uHrzSa1RzSkbbBJa8DnP3/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(41).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQQ8hx_Kbt8n8aguLWKaYDWhWSyji4I3CqwBHMMGfUUewFfK5p_xyhDFr9hMrR8v6NFrYuaHB-hZ_Eh_KMBKjGFWKcn3jyx9nu8xt9FnV9r557Q2JCkjyP_5S7iLKgrXybVFZGrTLO5J5wtlHQ0i8ZhIZ9tgvrA2uHrzSa1RzSkbbBJa8DnP3/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(41).png" /></a></div><br />There are portions in Paul’s writings that talk about being
more like the Lord Jesus.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already
arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus
took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have
taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining
toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God
has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1
Thessalonians 4:3).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s
glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which
comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I am using an example from everyday life because of your
human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity
and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to
righteousness leading to holiness” (Romans 6:19).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let
us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit,
perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not enough to be satisfied with our justification. We
should want to increasingly be transformed into His image.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-45401307448570004212024-01-09T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-09T05:30:00.130-08:00All Christians Are Evangelists<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2avHswzJiIY57EI0HN22_5XPbE7p1MgpgXQAC5XaIOQZJs9TkeTbw4h2ZoLR5xjtsVVflvT57UIxbo1s3JIBEVU9Mfz1pLFefItOSR_pdnp_Kwer8bf1FpARbloNDCYNgsIkQZKW09cT-pocv0gAZ94796z-taH1zxC5fR7s64qTRBD-SaRxs/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(39).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2avHswzJiIY57EI0HN22_5XPbE7p1MgpgXQAC5XaIOQZJs9TkeTbw4h2ZoLR5xjtsVVflvT57UIxbo1s3JIBEVU9Mfz1pLFefItOSR_pdnp_Kwer8bf1FpARbloNDCYNgsIkQZKW09cT-pocv0gAZ94796z-taH1zxC5fR7s64qTRBD-SaRxs/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(39).png" /></a></div><br />The Scripture says there are certain gifts: apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. I am a teacher and an
evangelist—but I am an evangelist by obedience. I may have the gift also, but
it is certainly obedience. The Great Commission says, “<span class="woj">All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.</span> <span class="woj">Go,
therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,</span> <span class="woj">teaching
them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to
the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">Just by being a Christian, I am an
evangelist. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me,” and He said,
“Make disciples of all nations.” That means <i>all Christians who obey Jesus
Christ are evangelists</i>. They are to make disciples of all nations. They are
also to teach these disciples to obey everything that Jesus commanded. Just by
obeying that, I am an evangelist and a teacher. If you are an obedient
Christian, you are also called to be an evangelist and a teacher.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">“I’m not gifted as an evangelist.” No, I
suppose you aren’t—but you are commanded to be one. Not being gifted doesn’t
mean you get to slide out from under the command; you have orders to make
disciples of all nations.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">I have written three books on this subject: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1882840399" target="_blank">Principles of War</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Tactics-Handbook-Personal-Evangelism/dp/1591281156/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31Z8IGNUZ0F3Q&keywords=weapons+and+tactics+jim+wilson&qid=1702078754&sprefix=weapons+and+tactics+jim+wilson%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Weapons and Tactics</a></i>, and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Men-Alive-Evangelism-Front/dp/1591281326/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RIC8Y9LLXOUJ&keywords=taking+men+alive+jim+wilson&qid=1702078775&sprefix=taking+men+aliv+jim+wilson%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Taking Men Alive</a>. </i>They are
available at Amazon, Audible, and ccmbooks.org/bookstore. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-54267079102388454532024-01-04T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-04T05:30:00.148-08:00Conditions for Answered Prayer<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvovTonfaAzpg-Vg7LiqWzaZW_UwAnftGgBYZMV3vjV1R6HPFsffY01eMykxfNXfxHEPhHQJBvTxQp6ixV9EMo7dL4aD6gsgl7uRg_rYgwfmcnMV9cMYO4vB-IrphkbyqkCd22gYYApi2pNDPR1Y0zbdfnnsGPfijFk3CsY0F6MwqNIalMSlkI/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(38).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvovTonfaAzpg-Vg7LiqWzaZW_UwAnftGgBYZMV3vjV1R6HPFsffY01eMykxfNXfxHEPhHQJBvTxQp6ixV9EMo7dL4aD6gsgl7uRg_rYgwfmcnMV9cMYO4vB-IrphkbyqkCd22gYYApi2pNDPR1Y0zbdfnnsGPfijFk3CsY0F6MwqNIalMSlkI/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(38).png" /></a></div><br />One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Isaiah 58.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The first five verses are God
telling the religious people why their prayers are not answered.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">“Shout it aloud, do not hold
back. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raise your voice like a trumpet. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Declare to my people their rebellion <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and to the house of Jacob their sins. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For day after day they seek me out; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they seem eager to know my ways, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as if they were a nation that does what
is right <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and has not forsaken the commands of its
God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ask me for just decisions <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and seem eager for God to come near
them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'Why have we fasted,’ they say, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'and you have not seen it? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why have we humbled ourselves, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and you have not noticed?’ <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet on the day of your fasting, you do
as you please <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and exploit all your workers. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and in striking each other with wicked
fists. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot fast as you do today <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and expect your voice to be heard on
high. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>only a day for a man to humble himself? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it only for bowing one's head like a
reed <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that what you call a fast, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a day acceptable to the LORD?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The next ten verses give three
different conditions and the wonderful result of meeting those conditions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Verses 6 and 7 give the
conditions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">“‘Is not this the kind of fasting
I have chosen: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to loose the chains of injustice <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and untie the cords of the yoke, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to set the oppressed free <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and break every yoke? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it not to share your food with the hungry <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and to provide the poor wanderer with
shelter— <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when you see the naked, to clothe him, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and not to turn away from your own flesh
and blood?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Verses 8 and 9a give the result:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then your light will break forth like the
dawn, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and your healing will quickly appear; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then your righteousness will go before
you, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the glory of the LORD will be your
rear guard. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you will cry for help, and he will say:
Here am I.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">9b and 10a give the conditions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">"If you do away with the
yoke of oppression, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with the pointing finger and malicious
talk, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the
hungry <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and satisfy the needs of the oppressed…”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">10b-12 give the answer:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">“Then your light will rise in the
darkness, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and your night will become like the
noonday. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LORD will guide you always; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he will satisfy your needs in a
sun-scorched land <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and will strengthen your frame. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be like a well-watered garden, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like a spring whose waters never fail.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and will raise up the age-old
foundations; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you will be called Repairer of Broken
Walls, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Verse 13 gives the condition:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you keep your feet from breaking the
Sabbath <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and from doing as you please on my holy
day, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if you call the Sabbath a delight <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the LORD's holy day honorable, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and if you honor it by not going your
own way <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and not doing as you please or speaking
idle words…”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Verse 14 gives the answer:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then you will find your joy in the LORD, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I will cause you to ride on the
heights of the land <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and to feast on the inheritance of your
father Jacob.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mouth of the LORD has spoken.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="Style1">Over the years, we have occasionally met the conditions. The
answers are always wonderful. One of our great joys is seeing our children and
grandchildren meet the conditions.</p><p class="Style1">Here is a New Testament counterpart:</p><p class="Style1">“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or
dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich
neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at
the resurrection of the righteous’” (Luke 14:12-14).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</p><p class="Style1">How many of the saints obey this at least some of the time?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-39263619961656160562024-01-03T05:30:00.000-08:002024-01-03T05:30:00.129-08:00Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3X6PUNdVmhE8hJFfGMhXgFzhyplBKr8sT4_B1DWpoWKGCniVfik8EPPl3ua8j0_zCJUQRMbvmz31Y3NcLIV1Sjki5ezB3Ekwj6EZbqDUwO7gW6SimGxpv6iS72kSY2dlwiwskZzE3MaSjQcvdmf-yeRxTBMY1QCpn39s6PL8tdPKq75uS7xb/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(37).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3X6PUNdVmhE8hJFfGMhXgFzhyplBKr8sT4_B1DWpoWKGCniVfik8EPPl3ua8j0_zCJUQRMbvmz31Y3NcLIV1Sjki5ezB3Ekwj6EZbqDUwO7gW6SimGxpv6iS72kSY2dlwiwskZzE3MaSjQcvdmf-yeRxTBMY1QCpn39s6PL8tdPKq75uS7xb/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(37).png" /></a></div><br />“Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his
appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred
beyond human likeness” (Isaiah 52:14).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We believe that this is a picture of Jesus on the cross. If
so, “His face was disfigured beyond that of any man,” meaning that no one has
been disfigured that much ever; and “beyond human likeness,” meaning that His
crucified body did not look human.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we
considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was
pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and
the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This text tells us the why of the disfigurement. Every lie,
every murder, every rape, every idolatrous act was nailed to the cross in
Jesus. Those few hours He not only carried every evil action in the history of
the world, but He became sin itself:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in
him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we speak of the cross, it should not be glib or in a
commonplace way. Thank God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-20362977307203406472023-12-29T05:30:00.010-08:002023-12-29T05:30:00.150-08:00Overflow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://biblereading.christkirk.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9mR26rtgNt641Tp43QNx4-sAbpgNotdNwBg8qnt13ClUtZ1C2glC4igeDXGlJt81SKY9NgDdVNW7YpEk_rsosqqjv8KGtsuc6k1FXpiYDM9d0NX8eHokl35BJ56rsOKvQbiPwgautyNZbyL_SbPvZ0ND97Z1It-A_lcWMfLGGxHWn91sMD6I/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(9).png" /></a></div><br />“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man
brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men
will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they
have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you
will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34b-37).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned
with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At several points in my life, I have been conscious of
speaking words that were not gracious. Apparently, my heart had not been stored
with good things, or the overflow would have been gracious words. I want to
store my heart so full of good that the overflow will be always good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Written November 1988.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with tomorrow's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.<o:p></o:p></i></p><i></i><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-61685718911284965102023-12-27T05:30:00.002-08:002023-12-27T05:30:00.246-08:00The Laugh of Faith<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lordship-Jesus-Christ-William-Pape/dp/188284016X/ref=sr_1_5?crid=10L0BKQHRH48&keywords=the+lordship+of+jesus+christ&qid=1692829711&sprefix=the+lordship+of+jesus+christ%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rjmn5euvae_ebiAm86EcqOLiBz0NAghOPbIHYHUXenrXN4EWkXuEbv_R-BCZuDcfbwnogMnis3QBTp8ui_MnDjIMN2eqc5DOoufRvN27TZomSWOqhJkkTnARFv3BPUOBA6fk2h6jEd7QkAY896tpmddUAiP0Bc_HH-gLst9Uo_r1U1g-unIF/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(15).png" /></a></i></div><i><br />This post is an excerpt from <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lordship-Jesus-Christ-William-Pape/dp/188284016X/ref=sr_1_5?crid=10L0BKQHRH48&keywords=the+lordship+of+jesus+christ&qid=1692829711&sprefix=the+lordship+of+jesus+christ%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-5" target="_blank">The Lordship of Jesus Christ</a></b> by Bill Pape.</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Devil defies God to deliver His people. He attacks God
through the Christian, which is the only way he can attack God. Deliverance is
by referring the whole matter confidently to the Lord. [When the Assyrian army
surrounded Jerusalem and demanded surrender, saying that God could not deliver
the city] Hezekiah, in effect, prayed, “Hear what the enemy is saying about
You, O Lord.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The king frankly admitted that the enemy had had
considerable success, but he saw equally clearly that the glittering victories
over nations and their pantheon were not due to the greatness of the kings of
Assyria, but to the littleness of the gods of the conquered peoples. “They were
no gods, but the work of men’s hands” (Isa. 37:19). The prayer that began with
a declaration of the greatness of God and continued with an exposure of the
real nature of temptation now admits that human effort cannot devise a method
of countering such an enemy. The world is strewn with the wreckage of schemes
that were intended to make men what they ought to be by delivering them from
evil influences. Satan has indeed “laid waste all the countries” in spite of
profound philosophies, moral codes, new methods of education, and every
conceivable variety of religious system. The reason for defeat is evident: the
gods were human inventions. There are no gimmicks to give victory over evil. No
magic formula, and not even a verse of Scripture used as a kind of lucky charm,
will preserve us from the pollution of sin. Deliverance is from God, the living
God, alone.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hezekiah knew that, and realized with crystal clarity the
basic reason why God delivers those who call on Him. “Save us from his hand,
that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art Jehovah, even thou
only” (Isa. 37:20). The final answer to the defiance of the Devil is the
deliverance of the Lord who deals with the temptation for His own sake. God is
concerned that His people should be victorious over a mocking enemy, because
His own honor is involved, and every temptation is an opportunity for Him to
show that He can do what no other can.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The counterattack against the Assyrians was in two parts.
First was the answer of Israel (Isa. 37:22) given to her by the Lord; second
was the answer of the Lord (Isa. 37:23-38). Israel’s answer was the laughter of
confident faith. “The virgin daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed
thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.” What a
dramatic picture this is. Sennacherib, conqueror of nations, head of a mighty
empire, and commander of the most powerful army of the day, laughed at by a
girl. It is as if a dainty maiden, leaning over the ramparts of the city to
take a look at the massed military might of the greatest nation on earth,
should shake her head with uncontrollable mirth at the sight of the powerless hordes.
She laughs in scorn at the incredibly silly idea that armed forces should
attack the Holy One of Israel, and she despises any who think that God can be
defeated.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See it that way, and you also will laugh the laugh of faith.
Much of our uncertainty about the outcome of a particular temptation originates
in matching our strength against the Devil’s and predicting the result
according to whether we are optimistic or pessimistic about ourselves at the
time. The way to victory is to be wholly pessimistic about ourselves and
completely optimistic about the Lord. Defeat is born of doubt about God, or
confidence in ourselves; victory begins with a conviction that the Lord is
capable of dealing with the enemy. That is to say, we take our stand on the
basic truth that the Devil is not too strong for the Lord, and that we are not
too weak for Him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with tomorrow's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-79403293818680312922023-12-20T05:30:00.000-08:002023-12-20T05:30:00.132-08:00Joy to the World<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDgFcQSaqegzwjrwALuwB1Pq3yH9v4-sJAKid8Q_UWVQtBOjGnf74LqSaRCrBzexaiDn_yGz9LXy0DC1BfgL_JMV9qV-ZweT_AlUweNvffQwqr4tn6ZF2CUDc4KIiUgQkl1S5uAkx2iEMebV8u2uB-ZgHquoaLks73SVs9Vngxkt4EELByaUr/s1200/Red%20Modern%20Merry%20Christmas%20Email%20Header(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDgFcQSaqegzwjrwALuwB1Pq3yH9v4-sJAKid8Q_UWVQtBOjGnf74LqSaRCrBzexaiDn_yGz9LXy0DC1BfgL_JMV9qV-ZweT_AlUweNvffQwqr4tn6ZF2CUDc4KIiUgQkl1S5uAkx2iEMebV8u2uB-ZgHquoaLks73SVs9Vngxkt4EELByaUr/s16000/Red%20Modern%20Merry%20Christmas%20Email%20Header(1).png" /></a></div><br />“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things
were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life,
and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it…. The true light that gives light to
everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world
was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which
was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him,
to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of
God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s
will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 9-14).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the Christmas story according to John. This is the
reason for all of my descendants and many other relatives being Christian
today.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My wife Bessie received Christ in 1935 at the age of 15 at a
revival meeting in Edmonton, Alberta. I received Christ on October 18, 1947, at
a Youth for Christ meeting in a Presbyterian church at the corner of North
Avenue and St. Paul Street in Baltimore, Maryland. It was after a football game
my second year at the Naval Academy. I had turned 20 on October 6.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The message preached that evening was by a Filipino
evangelist, Gregorio Tingson. His text was Psalm 40:1-4: “I waited patiently
for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy
pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place
to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will
see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the meeting was over, Willard Peterson (USNA class of
’49) took me to another room and introduced me to the Father through Jesus
Christ. I wanted to sing for joy! If you do not know the Father, please read
the next five chapters of the Gospel of John.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My favorite Christian carol is Isaac Watts’ “Joy to the
World, the Lord is Come.” Watts did not write this for Christmas day. He did
not believe in celebrating Christmas. Let’s look at it. Verse 3:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No more let sins and sorrows grow,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nor thorns infest the ground;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He comes to make His blessings flow<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Far as the curse is found,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Far as the curse is found,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Far as, far as, the curse is found.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It sounds like the Second Coming when there will be great
joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Look at Luke 10:17-21:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the
demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning
from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and
to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not
rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written
in heaven.” At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I
praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these
things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes,
Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,
‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’ … ‘In the same way, I tell you,
there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who
repents’ …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘The son said to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to
be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the
best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this
son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they
began to celebrate’” (Luke 15:2, 10, 21-24).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is into parties when sinners are saved.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.</i></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-71330592590400449792023-12-18T05:30:00.000-08:002023-12-18T05:30:00.125-08:00Darkness for Light, Bitter for Sweet<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi97LWg_yJoNroXCh_I7LJ2wNliWw6Tt9406wcejDzSm6ESC2VGMoNjj6XiB1rjYTozLxlRAh4En02vfCzj6NVql01DwJy4xKFq_fMNQRho53mjMN2S3P1LsK734nyaoVXLaDyGU0E2JKZfMZiR2bnEOgmhIbD3_BQhdnL4J147U7XMDTR-aC/s1200/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(36).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi97LWg_yJoNroXCh_I7LJ2wNliWw6Tt9406wcejDzSm6ESC2VGMoNjj6XiB1rjYTozLxlRAh4En02vfCzj6NVql01DwJy4xKFq_fMNQRho53mjMN2S3P1LsK734nyaoVXLaDyGU0E2JKZfMZiR2bnEOgmhIbD3_BQhdnL4J147U7XMDTR-aC/s16000/To%20the%20Word%202023%20blog%20post(36).png" /></a></div><br />In the book of Isaiah, several chapters stand out in my
memory. One of them is chapter five. Here are a few verses from it. It is God’s
rebuke to Israel, 700 years before Jesus’ time on earth.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit,<br />
and wickedness as with cart ropes,<br />
to those who say, ‘Let God hurry;<br />
let him hasten his work<br />
so we may see it.<br />
The plan of the Holy One of Israel—<br />
let it approach, let it come into view,<br />
so we may know it.’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Woe to those who call evil good<br />
and good evil,<br />
who put darkness for light<br />
and light for darkness,<br />
who put bitter for sweet<br />
and sweet for bitter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes<br />
and clever in their own sight.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine<br />
and champions at mixing drinks,<br />
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,<br />
but deny justice to the innocent.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Isaiah 5:18-23)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These verses apply to the United States today. Verses 24 and
25 describe the judgment of Israel because of their sins:</p>
<p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Therefore,
as tongues of fire lick up straw<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">so their
roots will decay<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and their flowers blow away like dust;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">for they
have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and spurned the word of the Holy One of
Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Therefore
the Lord’s anger burns against his people;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> his hand is raised and he strikes them
down.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
mountains shake,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Style1">
</p><p class="Style1"><span style="line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and the dead bodies are like refuse in the
streets.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This post coordinates with today's reading in the <b>To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge</b>. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
please join us at <a href="http://TotheWord.com">TotheWord.com</a>. We would love to have you reading with us.<o:p></o:p></i></p><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">How To Be Free From Bitterness
and other essays on Christian relationships</div>Jameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.com0