The Sword of the LORD

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. ” (1 Corinthians 10:13).    For Christians, temptation is an unpleasant, humbling, and stressful experience.  When we are tempted, we tend to think of ourselves as weak and inferior to other believers who surely don’t struggle with such things to the degree that we do.  Afterwards, we may feel guilty or unclean even if we have not followed the temptation and actually committed a sin.  It’s not unusual, either, for believers to be attacked in their dreams by images of themselves doing things that they would abhor in their waking hours.  They wake up feeling like they have sinned against the Lord, and they weep and repent for what they feel they have done.    Every temptation that we experience is just the result of our humanness, and is, as Paul

"Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:1, 2).   What is it about worshiping the Lord in holiness that is so beautiful, anyway?   I have been preparing for a yard sale.   As I've been going through my attic, basement, and garage, I've found that things end up in one of three categories.   One pile is to discard - stuff I no longer need or want, and probably no one else will either.   Another pile is to put in the sale, try to get some money out of it, and end up taking most of it to Goodwill.   The third pile, however, is to keep - stuff that I set apart because I intend to use it.   The best definition of holiness that I have ever heard is "set apart."   God has separated us from the world because He intends to use us.   We are HIS people, and the sheep of His pasture.   Not only has He chosen us, but He has p

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour : I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring My sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed h

Nehemiah is an incredible figure in the Bible, and his story amazes me because of its relevance for today.  It speaks to me on many levels, but mostly about how important it is for me to know God’s will, get under the burdens that are close to His heart, and do the work that He has called me to do.   Nehemiah was among those who were carried away from Judea into Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city of Jerusalem in 593 B.C.   He was forced, sometime later, into service in the palace of the King, and, so, became the King’s cupbearer - a position of importance.   While in this service, word came to him from some who had returned from Jerusalem, that the people were in great affliction, and the walls of the city were broken down, and the gates burned with fire.   The news so affected Nehemiah that he sat down and wept, and mourned, and didn’t eat for days; but, more importantly, he prayed.   For four months he prayed.   He confessed his sins and the sins of his people, h

"And there went great multitudes with Him: and He turned, and said unto them, if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." (Luke 14:25-30).   My wife and I just celebrated our 50th year of marriage, and many folks have asked us what the secret of our success is.   We are always more than happy to share what has made it work for us.     I could mention that my wife and I are the best of friends and enjoy many of the same interests, but have learned to give one ano

In a past message I used a waffle iron to briefly illustrate the principle of abiding in Christ, the True Vine.   God often uses the simplest of everyday things to speak His truth to us so that we can easily understand His ways.   The more that I have thought about this particular illustration, the more I have seen the powerful lessons and applications that it holds for simple-minded believers like me.   To God be the glory! The first U.S. patent for a waffle iron was issued on August 24, 1869 by Cornelius Swarthout.   Waffles had been around since the 14th century, but were just two plates of metal hinged together and mounted on long poles so that they could be held over a fire.   It was Mr. Swarthout, though, who invented an improved design that could be used on a wood or gas stovetop.   In 1911, General Electric introduced the first electric waffle iron.   Every inventor/designer has a very specific purpose in mind for what