Coming Out of Famine pt.2 April 7, 2016

Amos 8:11-12New International Version (NIV)

11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord,
    “when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
    but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 People will stagger from sea to sea
    and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the Lord,
    but they will not find it.

Yesterday we read the words of the prophet Amos who predicted a famine—not one of hunger for literal food or for fresh water. Amos foresaw a famine for hearing God's truth proclaimed. Read the prophet's words again:

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD,
"When I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,
But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.
People will stagger from sea to sea
And from the north even to the east;
They will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD,
But they will not find it."

There's a famine in the land. Unless you are an exception and you find yourself under the sound of reliable, meaningful, deep, and courageous proclamations of God's written Word week after week, you must admit that you're in the midst of that famine. Whether you realize it or not, the toll it is taking on you and those you love is nothing short of devastating.

Let's recommit ourselves to breaking that famine. Here's how to start:

First, pray that God will bring about a revival in the hearts of His people—a revival of interest in the personal reading and studying of His Word. Pray for seminaries where God's ministers are being trained to handle and declare the Truth. Pray for your pastor—for sufficient time to be spent in the study, preparing . . . and then for courage to "preach the Word" with authority. Rarely do congregations get more serious about spiritual things than their pastor, so pray for a renewal of zeal.

Second, begin to nourish yourself in the Scriptures. Get serious about "fixing your own spiritual meals" rather than relying on someone else to prepare all those meals for you. Start cooking from your own biblical recipes! Be selective and discerning. Don't allow yourself to be satisfied with spiritual junk food served by shallow, careless communicators!

Third, consider starting a Bible class in your own home. Great things can happen in settings like that. There's a lot of spiritual nutrition to be gained in groups committed to learning and growing together.

There's a famine in the land. It's time to put an end to it.

Thought for today: Am I content to receive meal prepared devoid of love in the preparation?

Coming Out of Famine pt.1 April 6, 2016

Amos 8:11-12  New International Version (NIV)

11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord,
    “when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
    but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 People will stagger from sea to sea
    and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the Lord,
    but they will not find it.

Have you ever witnessed the ravages of a famine? If so, you can never forget the scene. The stench of death is sickening, frightening. Every living creature suffers due to the extreme scarcity of food. It's one of the most ancient of all plagues—and famines are still with us to this day. We hear and read of them sweeping across vast territories leaving humans and animals in their wakes. The hunger brings a mixture of such malnutrition and starvation, life grinds to a virtual standstill. Not even the otherwise hearty and once-powerful four-footed beasts of the field can survive if the famine remains. Famines take a devastating toll.

We who live in "the land of plenty" can only imagine such scenes. With fast-food places at almost every corner in our busy cities, grocery shelves stacked high with plenty of food and usually a variety of different brands of the same food to choose from—all of it in abundance—and, in addition, many restaurants to suit our food fancy, we don't think of what life would be like where none of that is true.

The Bible speaks rather often of famines but nowhere more eloquently than in the writings of a rather obscure prophet named Amos. God used Amos's pen to describe a tragedy that would one day arrive, leaving humanity in the grip of a famine. But, surprisingly, it would not be a hunger for literal food or parched tongues longing for fresh water. It would be a famine for hearing God's truth proclaimed. Here's the way the prediction appears in Amos 8:11–12.

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD,
"When I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,
But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.
People will stagger from sea to sea
And from the north even to the east;
They will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD,
But they will not find it."

Without meaning to be overdramatic, that prediction has now come to pass. We currently live in the midst of such a famine. The sound, faithful, balanced, consistent, and healthy teaching and preaching of the Word of God is seldom heard here in these United States or, for that matter, around the world.

Don't misunderstand. There are churches and chapels, temples and tabernacles where religious activities abound. And there are people of every persuasion who speak and teach, who appear in the media, who write books, who talk about God and discuss subjects the Bible addresses related to our times. But the lack of solid biblical food based on sound doctrine, served regularly and in healthy portions, is conspicuous by its absence.

Let's recommit ourselves to breaking that famine.

Thought for today: Have I developed a taste for baby food?

Learning To Cook – Cooking For One April 5, 2016

Nehemiah 8:5-8      5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Good nutrition begins with the right foods—prepared the right way. So, how about my encouraging you to cultivate that habit? I know, I know. You're too busy. Furthermore, this is the twenty-first century; very, very few take the time anymore to do their own cooking, right? Wrong.

It may surprise you to know how popular home cooking has become. Each year more people are returning to their kitchens and trying their hand with new (and old) recipes. Smart decision. It's not only a lot healthier and safer to do that, it can be extremely gratifying. When you prepare your own meals, you know exactly what you're eating. So, let me encourage you to join the swelling ranks of home chefs.

But my main concern here is not the food you prepare for your table, it's the food you prepare for your soul—your spiritual "soul food." Since I have mentioned the importance of this several times, it occurs to me that you may be willing to give it a try, but, like returning to your kitchen, you simply may not know how to go about it.

What are some basic steps to take when getting into God's Word on your own? Let me suggest four simple steps . . . taken in this order:

1. Observation. Having chosen the verse of Scripture you wish to study, read it through several times—slowly, thoughtfully, and if possible, aloud. Be like a keen-eyed detective as you look at those words. Notice things such as key terms, repeated words, and especially words you may not understand. Take the time to check out their definition in a dictionary. While meditating on the verse, pay close attention to what is written by the author.

2. Interpretation. Now you want to get a grasp of what it means. You do this by asking all sorts of questions. Who wrote this? What was he getting at? Why would he write it like that? When did it take place? Where was it written? Your goal here is to figure out the meaning. Take time to answer as much as you can, but don't worry if you can't get every question answered.

3. Correlation. Here's where you want to look elsewhere in the Bible for a similar verse or a thought that ties in with what your main verse is saying. It's helpful to have a Bible concordance handy—that's a book that lists in alphabetical order each word in the Scriptures. Tracing down related verses can be fascinating!

4. Application. Here's where it all comes together, it's the most rewarding part of all. Here you want to address what the verse says to you, personally. Think over what you've uncovered while going through the process of examining the verse—observing, interpreting, and correlating. Next, think about a specific area of your own life where you find encouragement or, perhaps, you feel convicted about something that needs to be changed.

These are the same four steps I take each time I prepare a message that I'm to preach. I've been involved in that process for more than 46 years, and I can tell you, the joy of discovery continues to nourish my soul to this day. Like using a great recipe, the result is wonderfully gratifying!

Many centuries ago, after the Jews had returned to their land and had rebuilt a protective wall around the major city of Jerusalem, Ezra the scribe led them in a time of celebration. Taking the scroll of Scripture, he "opened the book in the sight of all the people" (Nehemiah 8:5), gave God great praise, and then followed a similar plan as I've suggested as he publicly communicated God's truth to all who had gathered together: "They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading" (8:8).

Thought for today: What am I eating on  a daily basis?

Nourishment in 30 minutes April 4, 2016

Psalm 119:11

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.

3 steps to review to obtain a healthy spiritual walk…

Taking in God's Word, talking to Him in prayer, and spending a few extra minutes turning the truth over in your mind with plans to obey.

One of the best ways to put this plan into action is to set aside 30 extra minutes per day—just 30 minutes—for at least this next week. Divide those 30 minutes into 10-minute segments.

For the first 10 minutes, begin a book of the Bible—you may choose Proverbs or perhaps Philippians or maybe the gospel of John. Read slowly and thoughtfully for 10 minutes.

Next, pray—for 10 minutes. Mention those members of your family by name. Remember a few of your closest friends. Pray for your church, your pastor . . . our nation and its leaders. Unburden your soul. Release your anxieties, all those nagging worries.

Finally, sit quietly for the final 10 minutes and think. You may want to begin keeping a journal, where you record in your own handwriting what the Lord is showing you.

Do that each day for at least one week and see how nourishing it becomes. If you find it helpful, keep it up. And by the way, before you think, "30 minutes a day is too long a time," think how long you spend nourishing your body on a daily basis. Then remind yourself of the principle: "optimal health requires optimal nutrition."

The secret lies in keeping a balance, nourishing your soul as well as your body.

Thought for today: What does my routine entail?

Priorities for Spiritual Sustenance April 3, 2016

No one can deny the importance of nutrition. Our level of energy, our ability to cope with life's challenges, and even our mental attitude are directly linked to the proper intake of the right foods eaten regularly and in proper amounts.

We've all experienced times when we have not eaten a balanced diet or we've eaten too many sweets or we've been in a hurry and completely skipped a meal. Invariably, we have endured the consequences of feeling sick, light-headed, and occasionally depressed, or we became irritated and jumpy, sometimes we got a little shaky—in our family, we call that "getting the jitters." It's the body's way of letting us know that it's lacking nourishment. It's a fact: "optimal health requires optimal nutrition."

The same is true spiritually speaking. Without sufficient and regular nutrition, our inner life begins to suffer the consequences. Our souls long to be fed, nourished, and energized on a regular basis. When we fail to set aside time to absorb healthy spiritual food, it isn't long before the consequences kick in . . . and it's not a pretty sight. We start to operate in the flesh rather than under the control of God's Spirit. We get shallow and selfish, more demanding and less gentle, quick to react impatiently, rashly, angrily. These are all signs of inner malnutrition.

For the next few moments let's think about what's needed to maintain a healthy level of spiritual nutrition. It isn't rocket science.

1. We need a regular diet of God's Word. Just as we must eat each day, so we must take the time to read the Scriptures each day. Our souls must be "nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6).

2. We need to pray regularly. In reading the Bible, God speaks to us; in prayer, we speak to Him. Prayer helps us realign our lives to the Lord's timing and direction. It also shifts the load off our shoulders and onto His. David wrote, "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22).

3. We need time to be still, to meditate on the things of God. Such moments of quietness calm our nerves, clear our thinking, and enable us to refocus. After directing Joshua to structure his life around God's truth, the Lord added, "you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it" (Joshua 1:8). Tragically, meditation is a lost art of the twenty-first century. How few truly take time to "cease striving and know that [He is] God" (Psalm 46:10). How seldom do we make deliberate plans "to do according to all" that we have observed.

Thought for Today: Am I truly fed or do I need to change my diet?

The Way To The Place Prepared April 2, 2016

Look again at what Jesus explained to His disciples during their last supper together:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1–3)

While these words mean a lot to us today, they confused those who first heard them. After all, they expected Jesus to overthrow the Roman government, releasing the people of Israel from that long-standing domination, and to establish His kingdom on earth. But at that time, they heard that He was going to a cross, and He was going to die, and that meant they'd be left without Him . . . and this information came at the tail end of their investing 3 1/2 years of their lives with Him, anticipating all the above.

And on top of all that, He told them not to be troubled? And then He told them He was leaving and returning to His Father? He went on to say that they knew the way He was going. It was at this point Thomas must have waved his hand and interrupted Him with words to this effect: "Lord, we don't get it . . . and we don't understand the way!"

Jesus's response was clear and concise. It represents one of the most important statements He ever made. He said this to all of them: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).

As important as His returning to prepare a heavenly home for us may seem, there is something far more basic than that. And that is being sure that we're included in that eternal place He's preparing. To the surprise of most people, it has nothing to do with becoming religious or trying our best to be good or working very hard to earn a place on His roster. No, that's not it at all. Having a place in heaven after we die has everything to do with this one factor: our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Look again at His words. He, alone, is the way to God. He, alone, personifies the truth. He, alone, is the source of eternal life with the Father. Without the way there is no going. Without the truth there is no knowing. Without the life there is no living. And so, without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ there is no forgiveness of our sins, there is no hope beyond the grave, there is no home prepared for you in heaven.

Yes, the way that leads us into heaven is that narrow. To come to the Father and enjoy the place that's prepared, it must be through faith alone in Christ alone . . . Jesus Christ plus nothing. If Jesus's final words to His disciples at their last supper mean anything, they mean that.

Make sure that you not only understand this, but you also accept it, personally. Just as He has left the earth to prepare an eternal home for us, He urges you and me to prepare our hearts by receiving Him. He becomes the key that will unlock the door to your new home in heaven and allow you entrance.

Thought for today: How do I demonstrate my (faith) trust in God?

Preparation April 1, 2016

John 14:1–3     "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." 

We have been focusing on our need to prepare—whether it's our meals or our plans or our minds or our hearts—the emphasis has remained on us.

Let's switch things around and look at the other side of preparation. Let's think about the Lord's preparation. Do you realize that one factor is a major reason Jesus left the earth and went back to heaven? Have you ever thought about that?

We know this is true because of what He explained to His disciples during their last supper together. Take note of what He told them.

Not once but twice He mentioned that He was returning to the Father's house (heaven) to "prepare a place" for those who believe in Him. Not very much is said about this, unfortunately, so we tend to forget it or ignore it. But according to Jesus's own words, one of His top priorities after returning to heaven has to do with preparation.

Stop and think. If that represents a major part of His activity during all these centuries, it must be some kind of place He's preparing.

Thought for today: How am I preparing for God?