Rivers Of Living Water

John 7:37-38

A mighty river begins in the towering rocks of a mountain. As the winter ice and snow are warmed by the sun’s rays, it starts its journey down the steep slopes as a single droplet of crystalline and pure water. Joined by other droplets, the water begins to collect in a pool until the small basin that contains them fills and overflows its brim into another basin. More droplets of water migrate from other ice packs and snow banks, uniting with the first droplet and forming a small rivulet that succumbs to the gravitational forces by which they are propelled.

As each single droplet melds with others, the river begins to build into a small trickle of water. This stream is joined by other streams that took a different course in their descent from the mountain top. The flow of water builds until its force is so great that it forms into a cascading waterfall. Trillions upon trillions of water droplets sparkle like diamonds in the sun as the river comes crashing down the steep slopes. Elbowing its way through the rough terrain, the living force of the water cuts banks and forms channels in the canyon walls. Fed by smaller streams and rivers in their own journey from the mountain top, the mighty river at last slows as it reaches its destination and purpose in the valley below.

The living water Jesus Christ spoke of in John 7:37-38 is much like this description of a mighty river. It begins with a single droplet of faith in the heart of man (Isaiah 55:01) When his thirst rages, a single drop of water will not quench it. He must come to the deep well of salvation and drink great gulps of the life-giving water until he feels satisfied and restored (John 4:13-14). And even then if his course changes, once man has tasted of this water, he will not return to the stagnant pools he once found himself in (Ecclesiastes 11:1). The man who has drunk of the water of life will yield to the Force that propels him down the mountain side and into the valley below (Luke 9:28-42). And as he heeds his Master’s call, he will gather others into the life-giving current until a mighty river of souls is united in a common goal.

Just as one single drop of water begins a mighty river and fills an ocean, one small droplet of God’s Word upon the tongue of a dying man can create a sea of saved souls. The well of the water of life is deep, its source never-ending, and all are called to drink from it (Revelation 22:17). As we journey through the tributaries of its river, let us remember to freely share from our cup for it is kept full by the hand of God and will never empty. And if there ever is fear the river will end, remember that just as the sea gives up its water to the heavens, it is returned to the mountain to begin anew. The life it brings is eternal and the rewards everlasting.


Additional Scripture - click to read:

Psalm 1:3; 23; 42:1
Isaiah 49:10
Ezekiel 36:25
Zechariah 14:8
John 3:5; 4:10
Ephesians 5:26
1Peter 3:21
2Peter 2:17
1John 5:6
Revelation 7:17; 21:6

Above Rubies - A Review By Dale Brown

ABOVE RUBIES magazine is a publication dedicated to family and social issues, which is circulated among the home school crowd. It is loaded with testimonials pertaining to everything from home schooling to nursing infants. Many of the concerns that are addressed are legitimate concerns. However, writer and editor, Nancy Campbell, makes some unbiblical leaps in some of her conclusions.

In the #71 issue Nancy Campbell’s article, The Family Charge, claims that the Garden of Eden was a prototype for all homes to come, therefore "God wants Eden homes to be spread across the world. He wants us to take dominion over all deception and evil and spread God’s love, truth, joy and salvation across the earth." This all sounds well and good. It is where she goes with it that is a problem. She then quotes the problematic Finis Dake’s bible commentary on Psalm 127:3-5, "Each child will in the process of time be a defense, support and propagation of the eternal reproduction of man and fulfillment of the plan of God for man. The more arrows one has, the more enemies he will slay, the more powerful will he be in the earth. The more children born and saved to help God administer the affairs of the eternal plan for man, the more reward God will have." She then says "It is an undisputed fact that the people who obey God’s mandate to be fruitful and multiply are the people who will subdue and take dominion. Before dominion comes multiplication. It is an eternal law. If we as God’s people want to multiply God’s ways across the world, we must first be fruitful! Currently, the Islamic people are outnumbering western civilizations seven to one! They are on their way to taking dominion, unless we wake up!"

Instead of preaching the gospel to the lost and casting out the devil, Nancy’s great commission is to go ye therefore and make babies. Both Jesus and Apostle Paul had no wives, therefore they both failed the dominion mandate. God told Jeremiah the prophet, "You shall not take a wife for yourself nor have sons or daughters born in this place" (Jer. 16:2). The 144,000 believers in Revelation 14:4 were a chaste lot never defiled by women as well. She seems to being saying that converting Muslims to Christ is out of the question; we must out-breed them. Never mind the fact that even Christian children are born into sin and need to be born again. We were thrown out of the garden of Eden because of our fallen state. We therefore cannot recreate Eden, no matter how hard we try.

She never addresses God’s blessing to eunuchs, "For thus says the Lord, ‘To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, to them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off’" (Isa. 56:4,5). Jesus said that there are those who have been made eunuchs for the sake of the gospel (Matt. 19:12). This certainly flies in the face of the "out-breed-em" method of evangelism.

The Slippery Slope

A recent survey of 1,871 self-described Christians in the United States produced shocking results. Just the title of the article that reports on this is shocking: “Most American Christians Do Not Believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit Exist.”

As an example of the ground being lost in the Truth War, 40% of these so-called Christians strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but only a symbol of evil.” Another 19% of them said they “agree somewhat” with that perspective. A minority of Christians disagreed. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagreed strongly, and 9% disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were unsure what they believed about the reality or symbolism of Satan.

The same survey revealed that tens of millions of so-called Christians do not even accept the core teaching of the deity and perfection of Jesus Christ. More than one-fifth (22%) strongly agreed that Jesus Christ sinned when He lived on earth, with an additional 17% agreeing somewhat! Holding the opposing view were 9% who disagreed somewhat and 46% who disagreed strongly. Six percent did not have an opinion on this matter!

But, beloved, these folks were entertained. Their ears were tickled. They no doubt sat in churches who would not confront issues with Bible truth. They got warm fuzzy feelings about the stories they heard and the dramas that were presented in place of expository teaching. Their churches may have said the Bible was their “only rule for faith and practice,” but they only gave lip service to that creed in their rush to entertain, meet “felt needs,” and gain popularity.

I believe Paul spoke of this when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:3-4: "FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; BUT WANTING TO HAVE THEIR EARS TICKLED, THEY WILL ACCUMULATE FOR THEMSELVES TEACHERS IN ACCORDANCE TO THEIR OWN DESIRES, AND WILL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH AND WILL TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS."

So what are we to do? How are we to survive this onslaught of apostasy? For the preacher, follow Paul’s advice to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5: "BUT YOU, BE SOBER IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE HARDSHIP, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY." For the parishioner, endure sound doctrine. "Make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding" (Proverbs 2:2). If you do, the Word of God will do its work in those who believe and we will win the Truth War. We will endure to the end.

Oh, the end. It will soon be worth it all!!

Pastor Paul Guay

If Wishes Were Fishes

“You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”

Psalm 145:10

I recently helped celebrate my second granddaughter’s birthday with a large group of family and friends. Analiese Marlene had reached the milestone of eleven years, a pinnacle in her eyes. The party consisted of the usual faire: balloons, poppers, gifts and her favorite desert, cheesecake with raspberry topping. And as is the custom, eleven candles adorned the top of the cake, their little flickering flames adding to the glow that spread across her beautiful face. As she prepared to blow out the candles, without thinking, I quickly said, “Make a wish!” She closed her eyes, paused a few seconds, and then blew them out with a single breath. Small wisps of smoke rose from the extinguished candles as we applauded and called out our congratulations and hope for many more years to come.

This time-worn tradition of wishing on candles made me pause and reflect how, as children, we believed that expressing ourselves this way would bring us something we desired. If we were fortunate to see the night sky’s first star, we would recite, “Star light, star bright; first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight!” We believed if we found a penny and put it in our shoe it would bring us good luck. Fingers were crossed in fervid anticipation of the possibility of things to come. And the grass in the yard was scoured for that rare and lucky four-leafed clover.

The title to this piece was dug out of my dusty and cluttered memory. Where I heard it, I can not say, but I just discovered the quote comes from a child's book entitled "Twice Upon a Times" by Rose Impey. What I want to believe is the conclusion to this quote sticks in my mind as clearly as if I had just learned it. “If wishes were fishes, we would all swim the sea!” I have often thought it should say “fish the sea”, and perhaps it did. But whatever is the correct quote, either word implies that to wish upon anything gains us nothing. Wishing on objects is merely foolish superstition created to appease the desire of a child. If wishes were indeed "fishes", the majority of our time would be spent on the water bobbing a pole or dipping a net to see if we could catch the wished for desire. Considering the vastness of the sea, the chances of that happening would be pretty slim and we could just as easily hook a more undesirable fish. Although we innocently continue to hand down these ancient traditions, we would be better served to remember the One from whom all desires and longings are derived.

Jesus Christ taught the Father knows what we need before we ask Him (Matt 6:8) and that “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor” (2Cor 9:9). The Lord has poured out His Holy Spirit upon this earth and bestowed upon all mankind a “free” (Rev 22:17) and “perfect” gift (James 1:17) - eternal life (Rom 6:23). There is no need to wish for the gift. God has already made it available to anyone who asks (Matt 7:7-11). No wishing upon candles, stars, clovers, or anxiously crossing fingers is required. All you have to do is reach out and take it from His extended hand.

So, if I may use this venue to do so, I would like to rephrase my birthday wish for Ani:

Happy birthday, Goose! I pray as you closed your eyes and made your wish, the wisps of smoke were a fragrant incense to the Lord, that you seek after His perfect gifts, and that He gives you the desires of your heart!

I love you!

Granny


Recommended reading:

Ps 37:4; 103:5
Rom 8:5; 13:14
1Cor 12:31
Gal 5:16
Eph 4:22
Col 3:5
1Tim 6:9
2Tim 2:22
1Pt 2:11
2Pt 1:4
1Jn 2:17

John Piper

Sometimes a description cannot be given because there is no breath left for words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O68MByaMVdM

Finding The End Of Yourself

“I indeed was this and that; but He came, and a marvelous thing happened.”

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
August 22

There are few discoveries in the beginning of a child’s life that are more wonderful and exciting than realizing his attributes, talents, and developing a personality. From the beginning we apply these things to our emotional growth, creating a persona of whom and what we are. Indeed, our environment plays a critical role in the health of our development, how we are raised and with what degree guidance and nurturing are applied. But once we reach a certain point in our maturity, the outcome ultimately is of our own choosing and our lives are built upon a foundation we begin to lay.

In the beginning of our new-found independence, we rush out into the world, convinced we are capable of tackling all of life’s inconsistencies and problems. Although we may not do so deliberately, we build our lives upon material desires and gain. We begin relationships that are intended to last a lifetime and start families. The burdens of debt and responsibilities begin to pile upon us, but we maintain that this is an essential part of succeeding in life and proudly wear them as badges of honor. However, when trouble comes, the majority of us rarely learn from the hard lesson. Instead we continue to repeat the mistake. Our solution for trials is to either run from and abandon them, or dig a deeper hole that eventually buries us. We are seeing this more and more in today’s economical climate.

If you are someone who has fallen into this pit, you may wonder if there is an end to it, a bottom, so to speak. You frantically assume all of the weight and try to claw your way out. You think if you can just keeping running you will ultimately reach the end of your troubles and at last be able to breathe. But it is not until you reach the end of yourself that life actually begins and as a newborn babe, take your first breath. The foundation you laid may have crumbled into the sand, but once you have reached the end of yourself and placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the foundation you rebuild will stand on solid rock for all of eternity.

Whether you are like the person described above or a Christian bent on dictating to God when and how you will serve Him, the end is where you will find the beginning. It is only at the end of your self-serving nature that you will find new meaning and direction. Begin there. Cast away all the bulwarks of self that you have built and allow Jesus Christ to lead you. When you do, that is where your life will truly begin.

Recommended reading:

Matthew 3:11; 5-7

Kieran's Mystery Flower

For Mother's Day, my then 5-yr old grandson, Kieran, gave me a little clay pot full of dirt and told me within it there was a flower.  We waited with anticipation for something to grow and when it did, we all wondered what it might be.  Was it a daffodil, a tulip, an Iris?  It struggled in the confined space and didn't appear to be progressing beyond a few slender stalks.  I knew it needed help!

I had a large empty pot that I planted the small mound of dirt holding the foot-long stalks into and added a primrose that managed to survive after bloom for company.  And we continued to wait, all the while pondering what the mystery plant could be.

Almost a full summer went by before it revealed its beauty to us.  My suspicions were correct as it grew into an almost 4-ft tall Gladioli.  I propped it up next to a small bench holding other pots of flowers to keep the stalk from snapping off and waited for it to bloom.

 Our patience and diligent care paid off as we watched the row of buds open into a radiant, sunny, and perfect yellow.  It was all the more perfect  because it came from the heart of my grandson and his love for me.

Because Gladioli must be dug up and kept in storage over the winter or they will perish, I will honor its struggle by trying to preserve it for next year.  Like the love Kieran expressed for me with this simple gift, I will replant it and let it speak of God's eternal beauty and His everlasting love He has so graciously planted in my heart.

How To Find A Good Church

Beyond the obvious things like friendliness, location and opportunities for you to minister your spiritual gifts, there are some core issues which will help you avoid rocky shoals and steer you to safe harbors. If these were my opinions I would not speak them. I am not qualified to counsel on Church hunting. But the Word of God lays down some critically important criteria to guide our quest.

Paul, if he was the author of Hebrews, chided his Jewish readers because they should long-since have outgrown the pabulum stage.

In Hebrews 5:10-14, he mourned the fact that he could not delve into deeper things because of their immaturity in the Word…and then without hesitation or apology...in Hebrews 6:1-9 , Paul immediately launched into some of the deepest waters of Scripture with his warning against apostasy and the impossibility of renewing such folks to repentance. To this day, theologians wrangle over what he meant by that.

Here’s the point: Paul urged the less mature to step up and then he taught them that which they most needed to grow. He did NOT tone down his message to suit their immature appetites; he taught them the wisdom of the ages.

Put another way, Admiral Paul did not set the speed of the early-Church convoy to its slowest ship; that would have spelled vulnerability to the enemy’s torpedoes and disaster for the whole convoy. Paul maintained the speed of the aircraft carriers and finished his course successfully. Paul was a man on a mission; he had an assignment and carried it out. You can read his job description in his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:17-32. It included things like risking his own life for the sake of fulfilling his assignment (24), teaching them daily from house to house (20), and declaring to them the whole counsel of God (27). There was no partial, toned-down lesson material for Paul and his disciples. The whole counsel of God was his only curriculum. He was a meat and potatoes kind of guy!! THAT was Paul's recommended diet. So, as you search for the Church God would have you identify and worship with, these things will assure your continued joy and happiness. As eternity is infinitely greater than time, the priority of the Word preached and taught supersedes pleasant surroundings, appealing music or entertaining drama. In the exercise of His will, God brought us forth by that Word of Truth, not by music, drama or any accouterments (James 1:18).

Would you like to be blessed in what you do, in this case, your choice of a Church? Your blessing will involve three things that each amounts to hard work.

It Demands Intensity (James 1:25)

According to James, the blessing is reserved for those who look intently into the perfect Law, the Law of liberty, and abide in it, not having become forgetful hearers. God designs to bless you through your Church and to bless the Church as you exercise your spiritual gifts. He does not keep it a secret how you receive this blessing. James has given the great KEY to experiencing that: Look intently into the Word of God and abide in it. Don’t be a forgetful hearer. Don’t be a superficial looker. Intensity is required.

It Requires Diligence (Hebrews 11:6)

According to the writer of Hebrews, it is impossible to please God without faith. The one who comes to God must also believe that He rewards those who diligently (KJV) seek Him. This echoes James' promise that these—not the forgetful hearer, not the superficial hearers—shall be blessed in what they do. Diligence is required.

It Calls For Endurance (2 Timothy 4:3)

And finally, Paul warned Timothy that a day would come when men would no longer endure sound doctrine, but would seek toned-down, dumbed-down messages to scratch itching ears. By the way, my friend, that day is here! Across America and around the world men no longer have stomachs for enduring sound doctrine; consequently they will die of malnutrition. Avoid such churches like the plague that they are! Endurance is required.

It won’t take long to determine the preeminence of the Word or the lack of it at a given Church. Jesus reiterated the truth that man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Does the teaching of the Church reflect that priority? Or is it marked by its brevity, story-telling or entertainment? Is it overshadowed by the strength of personality?

Look for a Church that teaches every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God verse-by-verse. Look for these things in a Church: intensity in the preached Word, diligence in the preparation, and enduring, faithful consistency in expository preaching both from the pulpit and in the classrooms.

Finally—and perhaps most importantly: Pray. It is the delight of the Good Shepherd to lead you into green pastures (Psalm 23). May you hear your Shepherd’s voice and follow Him into those pastures and enjoy the banquet He has prepared for you! May God bless you in your search.

Peace Be Upon Israel

“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:7

Bring Your peace, Lord,
Your perfect peace, Almighty God.
Bring Your peace to the nation that cries out for You.
Their enemies are on every side;
they lie in wait at the gate of Your Holy City.
They come to tear down and destroy what Your hand has made; to devour the children of Your covenant.

All day long, Your people look to other ways;
the peace they long for they cannot find
among the schemes and devices of man.
What is built by their hands is torn down in a moment;
their plans are thwarted by the hatred in their enemy’s hearts who covet the land You gave Abraham, and to his seed forevermore.
But You, Oh God, are mighty and Your arm is strong.

The sword that You wield is honed with Your Truth;
You will cut down the wicked and reap what is Yours.
Like a man who reaps and gathers the sheaves of his labor, You will gather Your children and carry them to safety.
In Your arms, You will bear them;
by Your strength, You will protect them.

Who will be able to say on the day You have ordained,
“Where is your God to protect you now?
We have come to take what is ours. He cannot save you.”?
Their hearts will melt like wax; their strength shall fail them when they see You whom they have forsaken.
With the breath of Your mouth and the power of Your Word, You will lay waste those who lie in wait outside the city gate, and they shall be no more.

Rejoice, Oh Israel! Make your hearts glad!
For your God remembers you and the promise He has made.
The Holy One of Israel has gone before you;
by His hand He has defeated the enemy that surrounds you.
He has come to reclaim His throne, His rightful inheritance
in the city of Jerusalem where His sacrifice was made,
and to establish His reign upon the earth.

Peace be upon you, Oh Israel; peace forevermore.
Worship and praise the God of salvation;
bring gifts and bow down before His royal throne.
Give thanks to your God who has delivered you
from the hands of your enemy, for His sake and glory,
for Jehovah will reign forever.

By His hand, peace will be over all the earth, both now and forevermore.

Amen.



Copyright 2006 Karen L. Brahs

Looking For Elijah

2Kings 2

When we first see our need for Jesus Christ, very often God places before us a mentor to gently guide us in our spiritual growth. Because we are like newborn infants, it is essential that we have someone who can feed us the “milk” of God’s Word (1Corinthians 3:1-2). In the beginning of our new life we are not ready for the solid food of God’s Truths because of our immaturity and the danger of being misled. Thus, like an infant we begin our new birth by craving “pure spiritual milk” that is fed us by spiritually mature men and women whose God-given strengths can help us grow (1Peter2:2)

There comes a time when we must take our first step of faith away from our “Elijah”. The inclination is like that of a toddler who bravely wanders a short distance from his mother, but always keeps her in his sight. If he needs her, he knows she is only a few steps away. Elisha felt this discomfort while being reminded by Elijah’s students that his master would be taken away by God (2Kings 2:3). Elisha stubbornly refused to leave Elijah’s side and followed him to the Jordan (v7). But it was not God’s intention that Elijah be Elisha’s guide forever and like the toddler who grows into maturity, it was time to be separated to further God’s plans.

Our first reaction would be to frantically search for the one upon whom we leaned so heavily. We are apt to say, “I cannot go on without Elijah. I am too weak and afraid.” But God says we must. Elisha suddenly found himself alone on the other side of the Jordan. He obviously grieved because he “took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart” (v12). But because God had granted Elisha his request for a “double portion” of Elijah’s “spirit” (v9; Deuteronomy 21:17), his strength was renewed and his commission fulfilled.

When we reach the banks of our Jordan where separation is essential to service and work for the Lord, we must no longer look for our Elijah. Rather we should cross back over and rely on God to lead us in the direction He desires (v13-14). Like Elisha who was chosen by God to follow after Elijah, we have been commissioned by Christ to give His Gospel to a starving world (Matthew 28:16-20). If we continue to hang onto the apron strings of our Elijah, the lost would remain so and we would never mature beyond the point of an infant who survives solely on milk to sustain him. We should crave solid food and desire the “double portion” God granted Elisha and apply it in faithful service to God.

Who knows? Perhaps someday you, too, will become an Elijah to a newborn infant who will then accept the "mantle" of service and bring further glory to the Lord.