The Carpenter's Chapel (5)

Wednesday, 29th September, 2004

“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.”

More of what “is good” for us today. As mentioned the other day, sometimes we think “its good for you” is synonymous with “you won’t like this.” Yet, God’s Word say it is good so indeed it much truly be good.

I am no farmer and have never worked with animals, but understand that it is much easier to “yoke” and animal if the training is started soon after birth. Very near us here in Naas is the Irish National Stud which is the breeding ground for some of the greatest race horse in Europe and the world. It is a fascinating visit in the winter and spring when the mares are foaling. One of the first thing that is done to a new foal is that a bit is inserted its mouth. It is important from the very start that the foal know that this will be a part of its life. The horse grows up accustomed to the bit. It is very uncomfortable at first, and never feels good. Yet, it is vital for the horse to achieve its purpose.

James chapter 1 makes the Biblical application clear.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
James 1v2-4

God knows that the trying of our faith, our own personal “yoke” is a cause for joy, not sorrow. God allows us to bear the yoke that will develop patience in our lives, and when patience has done its works it will make us “perfect,” or mature.

The next time you feel like your yoke is just too heavy, remember that God knows exactly how much of a load you can bear. And remember, that the yoke you are bearing is good for you. We expect our children to accept that what we say is good for them, should we not give our loving Lord the same?

 

Friday, 1st October, 2004

When reading the accounts of the Bible figures it is important to remember that we are reading about people of flesh and blood, just like us. They had their share of trial and weaknesses. The got sick and their spouses and children died. We are often not given these accounts, but that does not negate that that these people were people.

That fact makes life of Daniel even more amazing. For decades after his captivity he showed the same character that he showed when he “purposed in his heart not to defile himself” way back in chapter one.

By the time we get to chapter six we find that Daniel’s testimony was still pure. After being promoted to a position similar to what we would call “prime minister” today the other leaders devise a plot to get rid of him in their jealousy. In Daniel 6v4 we read that the other leaders “sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom.” They looked for all of the skeletons in the closet. They watched him like hawks, but were disappointed in their quest, because:

“…they could find none occasion or fault: forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was their found ANY error or fault found in him.”

What an incredible testimony. No matter how hard their scrutinised Daniel they could find no reason to accuse him. He was faithful and he had done NOTHING wrong. Therefore, they knew that the only way they get him was to use his allegiance to His God.

Today, we must ask ourselves, “How do I hold up under the microscope of public scrutiny?” Can it be said by the people of my town, “We can’t find ANYTHING that this fella does wrong!”

Lord, help me to live my life in such a way that there may be “no occasion or fault” found in me!

 

Saturday October 2,2004

(John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1:14 God came to man.
A short discourse today over one verse, but what a verse it is!
This as an awesome sentence as it describes the spectrum of God's love for mankind. God not only provided a way of salvation, he became "The Way." Not only is it true that "God so loved the world," but He became flesh and dwelt among us. He wore our flesh, He walked our paths, He was tempted and tried, yet He did not sin! But the Bible doesn't in any way show the "Word" as just a man, John testifies again of His Deity: "and we beheld His Glory!" He became flesh and yet He was still God!
W.E. Vine comments: "We can rightly understand the term 'the only begotten' when used of the Son, in the sense of unoriginated relationship. The begetting is not an event in time, however remote, but a fact irrespective of time." (Moule)
The verse ends with the phrase "full of grace and truth." This is a marvelous duo as grace and truth can only be combined in God. It is truth that sets the standard of all things. Without truth we have no laws of science and nature. Yet those laws condemn us a sinners. But grace, the unmerited favor of God, stands on our behalf. Grace is something that God possesses, not something we can earn!
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
It was God's grace bestowed upon us who were "dead in trespasses and sins." It is God's grace that allows us to have faith.” (2Cor. 8:9)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)
Only in God can grace and truth fit together so great. (Psa.85:10)
H.A. Ironside says: “Now the last verse in this section: ‘And the Word was made flesh.’ That is not the best translation. Actually…the Word was never made anything. The Word became flesh. Link that up with the first verse, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ ‘And the Word became flesh. He Who was one with the Father from all eternity became man. It means He took upon Him our humanity…He became a man and yet He was God, ‘And dwelt among us. The word ‘dwelt’ might be rendered ‘tabernacled’ among us. Of old God dwelt in the tabernacle in the wilderness. Now He has been manifested in His son.” (John p.32)

 

Sunday October 3, 2004

“John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? That we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” (John 1: 15-27)

Now we turn to the witness of John the Baptist. "Witness" is another key word. Dr. Morris states that the author "Uses the Greek word martureo (translated 'witness,' 'testimony,' 'record,' 'report,' 'martyr') over 60 times." (p.1132). Not only does he recognize the authority of Christ, but he declares the pre-existent (eternal) nature of our Lord.
1:15 states: "He that cometh after me...was before me."
Another word, "fullness," should cause us to stop and reflect over the years of blessings from God. The longer we live, the more we ought to be able to see the fullness of His blessings!

John the Baptist openly admitted that he was not the Christ, the Messiah, but was preparing the way as foretold by Isaiah:
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isa. 40:3)
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:” (Mal. 4:5);
Or, "that prophet."
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. (Deu 18:18-19)
The priests asked if he was Elijah.
When he answered no, the Pharisees wondered why John was baptizing and by whose authority.
Dr. Henry Morris notes: "This question indicates that the baptism ritual was what concerned the Jewish leaders rather than John's preaching of repentance. They recognized baptism as indicating some kind of new beginning, a change of belief and life-style and were fearful it might undermine their own authority and privileges. There is no indication of such a practice in the Old Testament, nor any firm evidence of so-called 'proselyte baptism' in the inter-Testamental period. Indications suggest that baptism is something entirely new, symbolizing somehow that the coming of the Messiah would begin a new kingdom with those who follow Him, indicating their new life by submission to baptism...This would acquire much greater significance later when they came to understand that it pictured the literal death, burial, and resurrection of the Coming One about whom John was preaching." (p. 1133)
John's response only deals the main issue: his authority. As John previously answered that he prepares the way of the Lord (the Messiah), now he points the finger of judgement at them, as seen in Matthew:
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Mat. 3:7-12)
John declares "there standeth one among you, whom ye know not." Jesus was very close, possibly in the crowd as John spoke to the Pharisees, yet they had no desire for the Christ to come as they were more concerned with their own authority and power. John however comprehends and submits to the Lord as he admits, "I am not worthy" even to be Christ's servant.

 

Thanks Jim for the story. He had his priorities in order.

 

Tuesday, 5th October, 2004

I remember several hurting times in my life. My mom died shortly after we started deputation. I knew that she was in heaven, but as all those who have been though it know, it hurt deeply. I was 37 years old, but my mom was gone from my earthly life. Friends were a great help during this time. I remember a new friend who was appointed to the mission board the same day we were phoning me and saying, “Roger, I wish I was there to give you a hug.”

They are few things that give more comfort than a hug. There is something very special about a friend or loved one who comes alongside during pain or sorrow and puts their arms around you. They don’t even have to say a word.

As God’s children we all go through times of hurt and affliction. Sometimes we feel like we are “going through the ringer” the pressure is so intense. This is the kind of affliction that Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 1v3-4a;

”Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…”

What a picture of the God of the universe. This is the same God Who said “let there be light” and who parted the Red Sea. Now we read that He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. The beginning of verse 4 says that He comforts us in ALL our troubles.

Isn’t that an amazing fact? The holy, holy, holy God Who inhabits eternity and whose very name is Holy is also the Father of mercies and the God of all comforts. He is the One Who comes alongside and wraps His loving arms around us when we are “going through the wringer!”

All praise to the Him, Who reigns above, in Majesty Supreme…and Who is the God of all comfort!

 

Thursday, 7th October, 2004

In the last devotional thought I shared the experience of my mom’s death back in 1992. I mentioned that there was great comfort in a simple hug.

Just a few weeks later a close friend called me before church on a Sunday morning. His father had been our jogging and had dropped dead of a heart attack while on the jog. He was understandably distraught. Because of the recent death of my mom, and the comfort provided to me at that time, I was able to go to my brother in Christ and provide mush needed comfort for him.

This is what Paul is talking about in 2 Corinthians 2v4:
..the God of all comfort, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God.”

There are reasons why we go through hard times. We go through hard times to grow and mature in Christ. We go though hard times to hone us for service. We go through hard times so that God may be glorified. Let us not forget, one reason that we go through hard times is so that we may comfort others, with the comfort “wherewith we are comforted.”

Lord, remind of your comfort for me when I see other in affliction, so that I may be of comfort to them

 

Heart-touching devotionals guys, thank you.

 

Saturday October 9,2004

These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:28-29)

Since the first entrance of sin in the world, the shedding of blood by a spotless lamb has been required by God as a substitute for the life of guilty but repentant sinners.
When God delivered Israel from Egypt, a lamb was offered for each family, and the annual Passover supper was established. "They shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a house." (Exodus 12:3). Then, for the whole nation, offered once a year, was a 'id of the goats" on the great day of atonement. "then shall (the high priest) kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people...And he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins. (Leviticus 16:15-16). But this was only symbolic, "for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4)
An animal, whether slain for an individual, a family or a nation, could at best only testify to faith in God's promises, and God, in His grace, could accept the shed blood as a temporary atonement (or "covering) for their sins. But there was still needed a real sacrifice that really could take away the sins of all believers everywhere-a perfect sacrifice that would do away with the need for any future sacrifices.
Then finally Christ came. As the true lamb of God, He "offered one sacrifice for sins or ever." (Hebrews 10:12. He has, as far as our offended creator is concerned, finally taken away the sin of the world. But He is not only the slain Lamb; one day, though all the anti-God leaders of the world system rise against Him, :the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings." (Revelation 17:14).

 

Amen. Thank you Charles for that very clear devotional. Do you mind if I print it off?

Jim, thank you also for your devotional on Friday. A subject which reminds us all of our duties and responsibilities as Christians to those who do not yet know the Lord.

Both a real blessing. Thank you gentlemen.

God Bless

Sheila

 

Sunday October 10, 2004

“ This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:30-34)

The next day finds John still at Bethabara, which is about 20 miles from Jerusalem. The multitudes that came to hear John did so earnestly and seriously. The Holy Spirit directed John's vision to Jesus coming unto him. Then John made one the greatest declarations of the Bible in verse 29: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." It is interesting to remember that the followers of John were Jewish persons who were looking for a coming Redeemer, not a Savior. Yet this is the great need of their heart. In the statement of 1:29, he referred to two great pictures of the Old Testament.
First, the Passover lamb of Exodus 12 of which became the substitute for the sins of Israel. That perfect, innocent lamb was slain so that the judgement of God would "pass over" them. Jesus is the Lamb of God.
Second, the example of the scapegoat of Lev. 16 to "take away sin." The blood of the sacrificed goat was placed upon the live goat, which was led out into the wilderness never to be seen again. This pictures the forgiveness of God in completely removing sin from our account.
Now we come back to John the Baptist's testimony in 1:30,31. "Of whom I said..." seems to be connected with his answer to the Pharisees of John 1:26. Whether this audience is made of followers and/or Pharisees it is not known. To this unknown audience he declares to have seen the "Spirit descending from heaven like a dove." God in the form of a dove. One can only imagine the awe of John as he sees this sign from heaven that prior to this has never happened before.

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.’ “ (John 1:35-50)

John the Baptist has already declared Jesus to be the "Lamb of God" and has given testimony of the Holy Spirit coming upon Him. The next day he again addresses Christ as "The Lamb of God." Two of John's disciples begin to follow Jesus, one is named Andrew, while the other is assumed to be the writer of this Gospel: John. Jesus asks them, What seek ye?" To this Jesus answers "Come and see." There is no commitment required of them at this time. Later Jesus would say to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19) Andrew sees enough to go find his brother Simon and declare that they had found the Messiah and brought Simon to Jesus. This is a very good example for us today: family evangelism. Jesus tells Simon that he is to be called Cephas, "a stone." The name Peter (Petros), is said to mean a small stone or pebble (Mt. 16:18).
The next day Jesus meets Philip and to him Jesus says "Follow Me." Philip immediately goes to find Nathanael, who is doubtful until Jesus displays His omniscience. Jesus describes Nathanael as a Jew without guile (deception). He is a man who tells it like it is. Jesus saw him under a fig tree, of which one commentator suggested that, as a disciple of John the Baptist, he was praying for the coming King that John had predicted. Nathanael gives one of the best testimonies of Christ as he proclaims Jesus as both the "Son of God" (Messiah) and the "King of Israel!"

 

Thank you Charles,

God Bless

Sheila

 

Monday, 11th October, 2004

As our look into 2 Corinthians continues we come to verse 9-10 of chapter 1. Here Paul recounts how that he was in total despair over his afflictions:

yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead: who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;

In his afflictions, which we read in previous verse was “pressing him down beyond measure” he learned quickly that “we should not trust in ourselves.” Too often our first response to affliction is to trust ourselves and try to come up with our own solutions. The problem is that when we do that we only make matters worse. What conclusion did Paul come to his trial? “Trust in God that raiseth the dead.” What a wonderful comfort in trial. Humanly speaking the worst result of a trial is death, but we can rest in the God Who has power over death. This reminds me of Abraham and Isaac, who on the way up to sacrifice Isaac had comfort that “we will return again.”

Verse 10 is a wonderful verse. Look at the all encompassing power of God.

· He delivered us
· He delivers us
· He will deliver us

Christ delivered us from eternal death at salvation. He delivers us daily from more than we can bear. One day He will deliver us for all eternity. No wonder William Williams penned these words

 

Amen.

Thank you Roger.

 

Amen. We can sometimes lose sight of the fact that we are here for His purpose and not the other way round.

Thank you Jim,

Blessings

Sheila