Roots by the River

The following was written 45 ½ years ago. It still applies. “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.” (Jeremiah 4:3) The Lord’s instruction to Judah through Jeremiah was spiritual instruction. He wasn’t speaking about farming. The Bible is wonderful in its clarity, and we can be awfully obtuse in our understanding. We do not operate like good farmers. We are like a three-year-old child who plants a bean and digs it up every day to see if it is growing. We have a Jack-and-the-Beanstalk view of sowing. We expect a giant plant the next morning. We are impatient for the harvest so we are impatient in our sowing. We sow in unplowed, undisced, and unharrowed ground. We sow in weeds. We sow in the rocks and on hard ground. We wonder why no harvest. The harvest is dependent on sowing, which is dependent onus. It is also dependent upon the ground. The kind of ground is, in a sense, dependent on us. “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among the thorns” speaks of the ...

I am sending this out knowing that some of you have fibromyalgia. This was not in place of prayer. It was God’s answer to prayer in her life: “Reaching this point in my spiritual life enabled me about ten years later to marry a man whose work, I knew, would take both of us to new and unfriendly territory halfway around the world. Many people have asked me since that time how I could do it. The answer is simple: I have learned that I couldn’t. It is not about me and what I can or can’t do; it is all about what Christ can do. This move meant many unknowns, but then, God had me living like that for many years – in my own country . I am not an adventuresome person and not a risk-taker, and I am thankful for that, otherwise I might have doubted myself; “Am I really doing this for the Lord – or doing it for myself?” Because it’s not in my nature to take such a drastic step, I will gladly testify that it is the Lord’s hand. “Having come to a desert in a very out-of-the-way spot, one day G...

Here are a few scriptures that are not to be obeyed. They are not commands. They are to be believed. Your belief will be the major means of obedience to the adjacent commands. 1. “By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:2) 2. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:6). 3. “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11) 4. “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God , the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” (Romans 6:22) 5. “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” (Romans 7:6) 6. “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for yo...

Regularly I see people who have a tendency to be introspective. When I ask them if this introspection is an “upper” or a “downer” the answer is “a downer.” Then I ask them, “Is it accusatory or convicting?” The answer is “accusatory.” The accuser of the brethren is Satan. This introspection is not of God. Recently I read an account by Charles Finney speaking of himself in the 1820’s almost 200 years ago. “Sometimes I would pursue a wrong course in fasting, and attempt to examine myself according to the ideas of self-examination then entertained by my minister and the church. I would try to look into my own heart, in the sense of examining my feelings; and would turn my attention particularly to my motives, and the state of my mind. When I pursued this course, I found invariably that the day would close without any perceptible advance being made. Afterward I saw clearly why this was so. Turning my attention as I did, from the Lord Jesus Christ, and looking into myself, examining my ...

We all know that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to give us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We can quote the verses. Here are other verses that tell us of other results of this wonderful salvation: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (John 2:1) “By no means! We are those who have died to sin ; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:2) “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:6) “Now if we died with Christ , we believe that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8) “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” (Romans 6:10) “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11) “You have been set free from sin and ha...

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:3-4) This sin, both kinds “looking and “talking”, is pandemic in the world and epidemic in the church. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and eve...

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31) “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:8) Wrath and anger and obscene speech have no place in a Christian’s life. I know a pastor who is guilty of anger with his child. I also know he does not discipline his children. The children are wild. “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)” (I Timothy 3:4-5) “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not ...

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21) “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) Have you ever been exasperated or been provoked to anger by your father? If “yes” then that is saying that your father was in sin. Have you exasperated your children or provoked them to anger? Then you are in sin. This sin must be confessed and forsaken.

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” (Ephesians 5:28-29, KJV) “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4, KJV) Notice the difference between your wife and your children. Your wife is to be nourished and cherished. Your children are to be nurtured and admonished. Both are to be nourished. Wives are to be cherished Children are to be admonished Wives are not to be admonished . Suppose my wife needs to be admonished . There is a way to admonish people. “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28) Admonishing is done with all wisdom , to present everyone perfect in Christ. Husbands do not do it with all wisdom and it does n...

Over the years I have gotten to know men, not a few, who were apparently outstanding Christians in their churches and cities who had major sins that no one suspected that they could have been guilty of. For some reason I found out and ministered to them, but was only partly successful with a few of them. The next few posts be on their sins. I do not think all of you are guilty but I know some of you are. If the church does not know, God knows and your wife and children probably know. How Do You Treat Your Wife? “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (I Peter3:7) You are to live with your wives 1. in an understanding way 2. as with someone weak, since she is a woman 3. So that your prayers will not be hindered. Are your prayers hindered? Are you imitating Jesus? “Husbands, love your wives and do not...

There are “Be” commands in the Bible. They are basic or precede the “Do” commands. We “do” out of what we “are.” God “did” out of what He “is.” “God is love,” (I John 4:8 and 16). God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God loved out of what He is, love. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45) Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Man speaks out of what he is. If our hearts are filled with good things they overflow with good things. The “Be” commands are heart things. Here are a few of the “Be” commands: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do...

When I was a young man I had an emotional reaction to the Apostles Creed recited in churches. It was not because I did not believe it, because I did, and do believe it. On the contrary, that’s why I did not like to hear it. It was recited by rote and mumbled by people I assumed did not believe it, or if they did believe it they did not seem to care if they believed it. Then one Sunday fifty some years ago I happened to be in the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Bala Cynwood, Pennsylvania on a Sunday morning. The congregation stood and shouted out: “I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH: AND IN JESUS CHRIST HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD; WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY GHOST, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED; HE DESCENDED INTO HELL; THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD; HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY; FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE QUICK AND T...

Three examples of people of faith have bee taken from that classic chapter on the subject, Hebrews 11. A good introduction to this topic would be to read that chapter through. Since question 7 calls for a definition of faith, by studying the 8 passages of Scripture, you will finally have 8 definitions. There is certain to be some overlapping, but by keeping a record of the various definitions, you may be able to make a comprehensive definition at the end of the studies. 1. Genesis 6:1-22, Hebrews 11:7 - Noah 2. Genesis 15:1-6, Romans 4:16-25 - Abraham 3. Joshua 2:1-21, Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab 4. Jonah 3:1-10 - People of Ninevah 5. Matthew 8:1-13 - Centurion 6. Luke 7:36-50 - A woman 7. John 20:1-10 - 'The other disciple' (vs. 8) 8. Acts 27:1-44 - Paul (vs. 25) From a study of each of the above Scriptures decide: 1. What were the circumstances or needs that called for the exercise of faith? 2. Were there obstacles or problems that made belief difficult? 3. Exactly...

The purpose of this type of study is to discover from the lives of actual people, whose story is recorded in Scripture, some of the principles of leadership. The subject is more difficult than previous subjects we have studied such as guidance and prayer; because the material is not in such concise form. The complete life of each individual should be studied, but since the time for study is usually limited, one incident or one part of the individual's life has been selected. In this way most of the outstanding qualities, conditions, and problems of Christian leadership will be revealed. 1. Exodus 3:1-18, 4:1-20 - Moses 2. Joshua 1:1-18, 3:1-6 - Joshua 3. Samuel 14:1-23 - Jonathan 4. Nehemiah 1:1-11, 2:1-20 - Nehemiah 5. Acts 27:1-44 - Paul 6. Matthew 8:5-13 - Centurion 7. Acts 3:1-16, 4:1-20 - Peter In studying each of these Scriptures, come to a conclusion regarding: 1. What were the circumstances in which leadership was shown? 2. What was the particular assi...

The Next three posts will be on bible study topics. They were designed by Bill Pape in the 1960s in Japan. If you do all of them there will be 23 studies. MIRACLES By faith we leave the realm of human impossibilities, and enter the area of divine possibilities. We pass from the ordinary to the extraordinary. The purpose of this study is to discover the principles governing miracles. God's ways astonish men, but they are never haphazard. There is a vital difference between a miracle, and what is commonly known as 'good luck.' In making your conclusions, do not read into the Scriptures what is not there. The Bible is not a mirror of your own ideas, but a revelation of the mind of God. On the other hand, do not miss what is in Scripture, and which diligent search will bring to light. If you do not have time for all the questions at one session of study, select those you feel to be most important, but always include the last. 1. Exodus 14:1-31 - Dividing the sea 2. 1...

Fear is an emotion that is happening now about the future. It is a future that is negative and it is always false. It is a lie from the enemy. It is a temptation. Hope is also an emotion that is happening now about the future. It is a future that is positive and sure to happen. It is true. It is based on the promise of God. Hope is not “iffy” as in “I hope I pass the exam.” Hope is a glad anticipation of something that is sure to happen. “We have this hope as an anchor of the soul firm, and secure.” “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” (Hebrews 6:19) “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) God made woman to need love, provision, protection, and security. God provide...

You May have figured out a few of my favorite verses of scripture. They include: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all… But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin...If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:5, 7, and 9) “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” (Colossians 2:6) “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29) These favorites have been expanded to include I Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Philippians 2:14. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circums...

Hope is one of the three survivors in 1 Corinthians 13:13. Let's look at Hope.   “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope . And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5) “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:24-25) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) ...

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37) “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.” (1 Peter 3:1) “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips .” (Colossians 3:8) “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister , ‘ Raca ,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘ You fool !’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:22) “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the ...

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2) There are two promises based upon this delight. 1. He will give you the desires of your heart. 2. You will be like a tree planted by streams of water. The object of this delight is the Lord and His law. Psalm 119 has nine assurances of delighting in the Law of the LORD. In today's use 'delight' is used in some other enjoyment. It is used humanistically.