Turning the Table on Shame

Hebrews 12:2 says of Jesus that He “for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God.” That phrase, “despising the shame” is an interesting one. “Shame” is something that people usually try to avoid, and they are intimidated by it. Public shame often is one of the strongest motivators for action — or inhibitors which leads to inaction! Most people seem to want to avoid shame at almost any cost. Continue reading

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Unfolding His Word

In Psalm 119:130 the writer proclaims: “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Barnes writes of this word, “unfolding”: “The Hebrew word – פתח pethach – means an “opening” or “entrance” – as of a gate, Joshua 20:4; Judges 9:35″. When we open up, and enter into the exposition of God’s word, it gives light and understanding. This is a good reminder in several situations:

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It Does Come Around!

I Samuel 30:11-15 describes how someone who was totally helpless was treated by two very different men — and how God brought their treatment of this helpless person back upon each of them!

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It’s “Snow” Walk in the Park!

Sunday evening, our family had been “snowed in” for the better part of four days, other than morning worship at Trinity Baptist, and a brief trip to the grocery store. With a bad case of “cabin fever”, I decided we needed to do something different: “Let’s all go take a walk!”

There is always something about our family walks. We can each just be sitting around the house — reading, watching tv or playing video games — but the minute we step outdoors and walk, we all start talking and telling stories and laughing. I think it is one of the things we most enjoy together as a family. But this was going to be an “adventure”, in these conditions. Probably 3-4 inches of snow had fallen over the weekend, with a pretty thick layer of ice underneath. Plus the temperatures had been well under freezing — as low as 9 degrees! “Well just see how far we get”, I said. “Maybe just a few feet; let’s at least try to stretch our legs.” So we all bundled up, and out we went.

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Every Encumbrance

Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Here the writer not only encourages us to lay aside “sin”, but also “every encumbrance.” Sins are those things which are rebellion against God’s commands and are outright evil. But “encumbrances” may be a little more tricky for us. They may include things which most would consider to be “good”, but which may slow us down in the Christian race.

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Strengthen Yourself In Your God

In I Samuel 30 we find a little-known episode, but one of the greatest crises David ever faced. It was before he ever became king, and could have derailed everything. While he and his men were off on a mission, the Amalekites made a raid on David’s camp and captured all of their families. Verse 6 says: “Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” Notice what David did in this crisis: Continue reading

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“The Little Condo on the Prairie” (12-04-13)

It’s about the holidays this week — Thanksgiving, Christmas, as well as some of our typical family fare!

SNOWBOUND
Michael was “bummed” about having to miss church services due to an early (late November) snow here in Oklahoma. He bemoaned: “It’s not just the worship; I will miss the Christian fellowship”
Cheryl: “We are Christians; fellowship with US!”
Michael: “That is like going to the prom with your mother!”

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Popular Praise: Blessing or Bane?

SO many people would give almost anything to have the kind of renown and fame that David received from the people of Israel after he killed Goliath, but as we see in I Samuel 29:5, it is not always such a good thing. The enemies of David quoted the Israelites’ song of David’s praise — “Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands” — in order to demean him. This is now the second time that hymn — intended in his honor — had been used by an enemy to slander David. People often dream of such praise and fame, but as we see here it can be a curse instead of a blessing. Continue reading

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Run With Endurance

Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
It is significant that the author adjures us to “run with ENDURANCE.” As has been often said, the Christian life is no “sprint”; rather it is a marathon. Many have seemed to begin well, only to falter and quit, demonstrating that theirs was no real commitment to The Lord (see Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower). Continue reading

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Do Not Confuse Disobedience With “Mercy”

In I Samuel 28:18, Samuel speaks to Saul from the grave: “As you did not obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day.” Here the prophet reminds the distressed king of why God is punishing him: because he “let up” on the punishment which God had specifically commanded him to level on the nation of Amalek (I Samuel 15:3).

There is a good lesson for all of us here: we must be as precise in our execution of God’s commands as He was in giving them.

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