Year: 2020

“To be a witness is to simply tell what you know.” This was part of Pastor’s sermon last night that really stuck out in my mind, bringing me to reflect upon what that means for us individually. Down through time there have been different types of witnesses. In the book of Joshua we find that the stone upon which the Word of God was written became a witness to the children of Israel, a reminder of what God had done in their lives and that He would always be their God.

“And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.” Joshua 24:26-27

In Isaiah we read of the witnesses called to give testament of God, to tell of the only one with the power to save His people. Throughout all of time He was and is God, the only true God.

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord ; and beside me there is no saviour.” Isaiah 43:10-11

Again in John, we read of a witness that was sent to share the message of the Light that had been sent into a lost and dying world. The Light that would guide man out of darkness. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” John 1:6-7

Through this Light man can see. Those who have come to the Light have a witness within, the Spirit of God that gives testimony that they have become a child of God. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Romans 8:16

As children of God that have come to the Light, we are to be a witness to all we meet of the saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22-23

To be a witness is simply to tell what we know, to share the wonderful news of what Jesus has done for us.We all have different stories to tell of our experience coming to know Him, but our witness is all the same. The same witness down through time, we all came as a sinner seeking forgiveness, to a Savior who died to pay the penalty of our sins; a Savior that was buried and rose again so that He might give us Eternal Life. To be a witness is to simply tell what we know, it’s not complicated at all, it’s our story to tell about how we came to know to Jesus.

As a child I use to sing the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”, even today the words still hold such vivid truth for me. The older I get the more I understand that everything that occurs in my life rests in His hands. “For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.” Ecclesiastes 9:1

Some days I find myself in a stew trying to figure things out for myself, a complete waste of my time. No matter what happens or doesn’t happen it all rests in the hands of my God who loves me and sees my need not only for today, but also for tomorrow. He is all powerful, in complete control of every situation I face even before I know what is happening He has a plan in place.

“Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:12-13

A much better use of my time would be to simply spend time praising Him for who He is and stop trying to control what He is already managing quite well. More times than not I get in His way, creating more of an issue of things than the situation called for in the first place. We serve God, not a little god who lacks power and wisdom, but the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things the all powerful one. I’d say it’s high time I remembered that, because He’s got this; I’m the limiting factor. He’s got the whole world in His Hands.

“And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?” 2 Chronicles 20:6-7

“And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.” 2 Chronicles 20:8-9

Sometimes we look upon the world around us and wonder how God could allow it all to continue. The evil that seems to thrive, while the light around us seems to grow dim. We hear the news, standing in indignation over the events of the day, all the while the Lord extends His hand of mercy toward a world that is destroying itself from within. As we look upon the sin of our day we need to be reminded, that God is merciful and longsuffering providing opportunity for men to come to repentance. He is in control of the swinging of the pendulum of time and time is continuing in His longsuffering.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Today, God looks across the world that He created, extending His mercy just as He did in the days of Noah. “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” 1 Peter 3:20

When we become frustrated with all that is going on, we need only look around with the understanding that each person is a living soul that will spend eternity somewhere. Each soul is one for which Jesus Christ died. We need to lose sight of “me” and what might happen to make “me” uncomfortable, becoming concerned with “others” and the eternity they face unless they come to repentance.

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4

It was the goodness and longsuffering of God in our lives that brought us to a saving knowledge of Him. Why would we want less for anyone else? “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15

As we continue to live in His longsuffering, let’s spend our time looking upon the souls of those around us knowing that time is running out. Instead of righteous indignation, we need to be filled with compassion. We need to look beyond the hate and see a soul that is dying without hope.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” Colossians 3:12

One of my favorite feelings occurs when I successfully finish a task. When I begin something I always have a sense of inner drive that pushes me to work toward finishing, not just finishing but finishing well. God had that same desire when He created Earth and everything that existed upon it.

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” Genesis 2:1

God finished the work. Jesus also set out to finish the work that God had set before Him to complete. “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:34

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17:4

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30

Jesus finished what He started, He came to seek those who were lost and do die upon the cross that they might receive forgiveness for their sins. As He died upon the cross, He said, “It is finished”.

Today we have the ability to finish the work set before us, through the power of Jesus Christ and the work that He finished. In Acts we see Paul earnestly striving to finish the work he had been given. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

And later we read “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul completed the ministry God had given him to do, he finished well.

I want to be like Paul, I want the power of Jesus Christ working through my life that others may see Him living in me.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Although I know that within myself it’s not in me to finish well, I do have the assurance in knowing that God who has started His work in me does have the ability to finish it well.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6

Some days there just isn’t enough of me to go around. Life overwhelms me with more coming in than I can ever respond to in any given moment. My cup runs low and I find myself reaching the limit of my sanity. Those are the days when I need more than “Calgon” to “take me away”, I need a renewal that can only come from quiet time spent at the feet of my Savior. I need to step aside, seek His face and allow Him to renew me.

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind”. Ephesians 4:23

When I come to the end of me, He is all I need.

“The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.” Lamentations 3:24-25

“He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3

Over time there have always been stories heard of fierce and awful things that were occurring in countries far beyond our America, the Land of the Free. There was a sense of security in knowing that we were safe here in our own homeland; but sadly, the ever increasing sense of evil that has begun to invade our country is progressing daily and can leave us with feelings of insecurity and fear if we lose sight of the source of our strength.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:114

Our hope is found in the surety of God’s Word. Down through time He prepared a Book that contains all of the words that He knew we would need for today. Words that provide evidence of His power and might, reminders that we are not alone in our fight. He gave His Word unto man and commanded it be written in the pages of the Book.

“Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.” Jeremiah 30:2

Even though there have been those who tried their best to destroy God’s Word, He preserved it. “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

Many things may come and go, but God’s Word is one thing that will never be destroyed. It will always remain as our hope and source of strength.

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8

When we find our strength wavering, we need only stop and go to His Word to find reassurance that none of what is happening around us is beyond His control. He has already shared with us the ending of the story, we simply must remain focused on the Author.

“My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:81

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

No matter what comes our way, stay focused on the Author, because He’s already written the end of the story.

I recently had a burden upon my heart that I had carried for a few years. During that time I had remained unsure of how God wanted me to proceed. Over time I had waited patiently for His direction, some days more patient than others, but yet I waited. In my heart I knew that until I had peace about the direction to go I should simply wait.

When we find ourselves waiting it can become easy to give up, we feel as though God is not listening; but, we know from the promise of His Word that He hears the cry of the righteous. “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

Our confidence is found in Him. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” I John 5:14

Not only do we have the assurance that He hears us, we know He has the power to answer us. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” Matthew 7:7

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

He hears the hearts cry of the sinner who is seeking. He hears the hearts cry of the one who hast lost their way. He hears the hearts cry of a need that only He can supply. He hears us when we pray. “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.” Psalm 65:2

“For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.” Psalm 38:15

Each morning when I come to Him in the quiet beginning of the day, I always find Him there faithfully present with words of encouragement and hope. “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23

No matter where I might be in any given day, whether in my physical presence or state of mind, His faithfulness remains the same. No matter where I might go, He remains able to reach out to me.

“Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.” Psalm 36:5

His faithfulness is not limited to one person, one group of people, or even one generation, it is unto all; because of His faithfulness the world exists. “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations; thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” Psalm 119:90

As I think upon Him in His faithfulness, the wonder of all that He has done and has promised, I find my heart overflowing with praise for I know He remains faithful. He is the one true constant that I can hold on to in a world that seems to have fallen apart.

“O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1

In all things, throughout all of time He remains faithful . . .

In recent day’s, our town and surrounding areas experienced a major flooding event that resulted in numerous roads becoming impassable with some of the smaller bridges being completely washed away. For a short window of time some individuals were unable to return to their homes and/or jobs. As with change of any type, this disrupted the normal flow of life resulting in detours, not only in travel, but also in the everyday normal we become accustomed to in our day. Webster defines a detour as a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure.

In similar fashion, the need for detours can occur in our spiritual life. Often we find ourselves headed in a direction we set for ourselves, but not necessarily a direction that is taking us to where God intended for us to be. Our usual isn’t necessarily God’s intended, so we find ourselves in the wilderness unsure how to redirect our lives. In our wilderness, God stands ready to provide the detour necessary to bring us out

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

God can bring about a detour in our lives that will bring us out of the wilderness, out of the desert. He will guide us through the dark places in our lives into places of light where we can once again see Him and His direction clearly.

“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

Though God may not direct our lives along paths we expected, we need to remember that His detours will always bring us to exactly where we were intended to be all along.

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

The very one against whom I have sinned, stands ready to defend me because of His ever present mercy toward those who have accepted the finished work of His son. “But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.” Psalm 59:16-17

When I am unable to defend myself, He is my defender. When I call out to Him in distress, He is there to defend me. “Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.” Psalm 31:2

In the quiet hours of the night when sleep evades me, in moments during which the devil brings thoughts of doubt or reminders of guilt; during those times I need only wait, knowing that God is my rock, my salvation, my defence. I possess nothing within myself, my defence rests within my God; so nothing the devil can throw at me need trouble or disturb me, for God is my defence.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:5-8

I have the best attorney of all time fighting to defend me, for my defence is of God. “My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.” Psalm 7:10 My defence is built upon the work of Calvary, where Jesus paid it all for me.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” Philippians 2:10