Words Without Wisdom

In cold, snowy weather, and with back pain, I had to walk a long distance to a medical office building where I was met by a sign that said “Employees Only Entrance – Go Around Back.” In frustration I walked back to the car and drove to the rear of the building. I looked for a handicap parking spot, but none were available.

After parking the car in a general spot, I went inside and was greeted by several elderly ladies behind a desk. In a feeble voice, one of the ladies said, “Can I help you?” In excruciating pain, I tried to explain why I was there and who I wanted to see. Everything she said only brought more pain and frustration. Now I know why medical insurance is so high.

Much of our communication is just words without wisdom. We often say to people things like “Can I help you?” “How are you?” “What's new?” or “How's it going?” We seldom expect the person to be honest or want to listen to a long story. We wind up saying such things as “Oh, not much,” “Doing fine,” or “OK.”

Sometimes, I just stare at the person and say something like, “Oh, you don't really want to know.” They usually just stare back and utter something. So many words and so little meaning. Where's the wisdom in all of it?

In Job Ch. 34, Elihu accuses Job of being without knowledge and that his words are without wisdom. “Men of understanding will say to me, And a wise man who hears me, ‘Job speaks without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.”

Elihu didn't have a clue as to what was going on in Job's life. If there was anyone who spoke a lot of words and had no wisdom, it was Elihu.

In wisdom, Job's response to God was:

42:2-6 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

God doesn't allow pain and suffering without a purpose. Can we bear up under life's times of crises without becoming bitter and resentful towards God? Job was willing to listen to God's wisdom. Hearing God's wisdom takes a repentant heart. Pride hinders a listening ear.

Getting on the elevator to leave the medical building I was joined by three ladies who in unison said, “Hi, how are you?” They exited on the next floor down saying, again in unison “Bye.” Reaching the 1^st floor, the elevator door opened and a voice from, who knows where, said, “Have a nice day.”

Overall the experience was pleasant, but sadly lacking in meaningful wisdom....just a bunch of words. To turn it into a wise experience, all it would have taken was for someone to have said, “The weather may be bad, but it will get better,” or, “I see you're hurting, I pray you will get better.” Ah, what wisdom and an encouragement that would have been.

You Want Me To What?

My wife just went through a Job-like experience. She developed a boil on her lower abdomen. Evidently a hair follicle became infected (according to her doctor). It looked like a small headlight. It was unreal. Oh, I've led such a sheltered life!

I've never seen anything so nasty looking in my life and since I married her for better or for worse, I became the “home-doctor” for a period of time after a minor surgery.

“Get you something drink? How about something to eat? You want your blanket? It will help keep you warm. What? Change your bandage....Oh no...anything but that! Well....OK! Did I tell you that I love you?” “I love you too,” she responded.

I must admit, her piano playing has improved after the infection when away and she said she has a better understanding of Job's experience.

Ephesians 5:25

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

How did Jesus love the church? He gave everything He had to offer. His gave His life to the fullest. To the cross He went leaving it all on the altar.

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

(Thanks Carole for this great message)

Carole is now with our Lord

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant,  "I'm finished."
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........

The folded napkin meant.... 

"I'm coming back!" 

When God Is Silent

The most difficult time of my life is when God is silent about what is going on.  We all have times of struggle when we don't understand what is going on with our families, health or job situation. Why do people not understand what is going on with me?  Why do other people seem to breeze through life while my life is filled with anxiety, pain and suffering?

Like Job's three friends, everyone seems to know what I'm doing or not doing that God would be so silent.  We seem to forget that it was God who said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job?"

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

 To many, it is unthinkable that God would suggest such a thing.  God said that Job was perfect and an upright man that feared God and turned from all evil.

Job was all alone in his struggle.  Even his wife was unsupportive.  She told him to just curse God and die.

Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Well-meaning people try to offer "one-liner" encouragements, which is of course their attempt to help you through your struggles.  However, unless you yourself have lost a child through a tragic accident or a terminally ill disease, or lost a job it's difficult to really offer a word of encouragement.  Not that we shouldn't try, but it might be more honest to say something like "I can't imagine what you are going through or how you must feel, but I know it's got to hurt.  I will pray that God will shower you in His love and comfort."

How can we personally deal with the pain of silence and discouragement?  Here are a few suggestions:

1. Tell God how you really feel.  He already knows and can handle whatever you throw at Him.  It can be emotionally deadly to ignore what's going on, or lie about it.  Even Christ was troubled and told His heavenly Father that He didn't want to have to go through the cup of suffering He was facing.
2. Meditate frequently on the Word of God.  God's Word will bring into focus a clear picture of your struggle.  His Word allows you to accurately judge between His will for your life verses personal feelings and attitudes.  Some helpful passages include Ps. 3:2-4; 16:7-8; 55:22; 63:6-9; 77:12;119:15.
3. Take your area of suffering to God in prayer.  Ask Him to reveal what He wants to teach you in this area of your life.  Be prepared though for His answer for it may not be what you want to hear.
4. Focus on God, not your situation.  Ask Him to help you see the situation and its lessons from His perspective.
5. Understand that everything that comes to you passes through His loving hands first.

Confess these three truths aloud: 

1.  The Father is with me in this struggle. 

2.  He's in control of my life and has allowed this for a reason. 

3.  He is a good God, who will turn this pain into a blessing to me and those around me.

Emotional pain and discouragement may seem harmless, but don't underestimate its destructive power.  By keeping watch, you can avoid the deadly trap of not believing that God is in the details of your life and that He has a purpose for it all.  He will see you through it all.

Psa 34:17-19  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Wait on the Lord.  Give Him time. 

 Psalm 27:14  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. 

Tours of Duty

(Spiritual Journeys)

Back in the mid-sixties, I was in my mid-20's and eligible for military draft.  It was suggested to me that instead of getting drafted, I should enlist.  In doing so, I could choose what I would do and where I would do it.  The Vietnam War was just heating up and many young men found themselves going to a strange land with strange names and meeting people with strange beliefs and ways of doing things and putting themselves in great danger.  Many did not come back and many that did were never the same.

Since music was such a big part of my life, I decided to try and get into a military band.  It was suggested to me that I audition for an Air Force Band.  I contacted the band located at Wright Patterson Air Force Band up near Dayton, OH.  I had an audition all set up and within a short period of time would head to the base.

Within a few days of the scheduled audition, I received a phone call from the Commanding Officer of the 100^th Division Army Reserve Band located right in my home town of Ft. Thomas, KY.  He convinced me that joining his band would be a much better situation for me -- so, there I was for the next six years – attending one rehearsal a week plus a two-week summer camp each year while working at my regular job.

What would have been a two year full-time tour of duty shortly turned into six years of a part-time experience.  Only God knows where I would be or what might have happened to me if I said “No” and gone to Dayton instead.

In our earthly spiritual journeys of walking with the Lord, only God knows what would have happened if we had made a left-hand turn instead of a right-hand turn.  Sometimes we can make journey decisions and sometimes the decisions are made for us.

Once you join the military, basically, your life is not your own.  Your life becomes the ownership of the U.S. Government.

In our walk with Christ, The same principle applies. 

I Cor. 6:19-20 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I enlisted into His “army.”  I basically said, “Lord, I’ll go where You send me to do what You want me to do.”

 When I married my wife, I made a covenant with her that she would be the only love of my life.  She would not be very happy if one day I came home and said, “Honey, I’ve found someone else.”  That would not make for a very happy home life.  In the same way spiritually, Jesus is not happy when I have other loves that are more important than Him.  Scripture warns us not to love the world. 

 1 Jn. 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 My body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost and as God’s Temple, it must be kept clean and orderly.  I have been given the responsibility of stewardship of that which belongs to God.  The greatest enemy is spiritual adultery and it comes in three facets, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

 Lust of the Flesh

Because my body is God’s dwelling place, there are “house rules” and one is to “guard the flesh.”  (1Co 6:18) I am to flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.  Lusting of the flesh violates a house rule.

 Lust of the Eyes

The second house rule is “guard the eyes.”  The eye gate is one of the most sensitive parts of the body. In the back of the eye is the retina which contains photoreceptor nerve cells. These cells take the light and transform them in to electrical impulses. These electrical impulses are sent to the optic nerve of the eye. The optic nerve then transmits the information to the brain and allows you see to what you see. Using a camera demonstration you can call the retina the film of the camera. If the film goes bad you will not be able to view any pictures no matter what you do. The same goes with the retina. If the retina is damaged one is not able to process any pictures or images. Blindness is the result.

 As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  The eye takes in information and relates it directly to the brain.  Therefore, what I look at is what I think about.  What I think about is what I become.  Therefore, if we are to be like Christ the greatest enemy to us can become what I look at.  God, guard my eyes that I might not sin against Thee.

 The Pride of Life

The following information came from a Website “word2U” and I thought it was excellent material to share.
A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor. Pvb. 29:23
Pride is the great enemy of the Christian as it is an exaggerated high opinion of self.  It leads to do things that are not Christ-like, and it keeps us from doing what is glorifying to God. 
The Old Testament provides many examples of individuals who were prideful. 

• Pride influenced Adam and Eve to try to become like God (Gen. 3:5).
• Pride motivated Cain to murder his brother (Gen. 4:5).
• Pride provoked Joseph's brothers to sell him into slavery (Gen. 37:8).
• Pride caused King Saul to resent David so deeply that he tried to murder him (1Sam. 18:8).
• Pride led King Hezekiah to foolishly reveal his nation's wealth to his enemies (Isa. 39:2).
• Pride was at the root of the Pharisees’ anger toward Jesus.
• Pride was the reason the disciples argued over rank in the kingdom (Luke. 9:46).

Pride is a relentless enemy and if we give in to its influence, there will be consequences. We may know that we have offended someone, but pride holds us back from asking forgiveness.

We may realize we need to reconcile a broken relationship, but pride will lead us to deny the need. The Spirit may convict us that we are living a sinful lifestyle, but pride will keep us from admitting it.

Pride convinces us that we deserve better treatment. Pride can impede service to others. It causes us to strive for places of prominence. Pride leads us to listen to flatterers and resist honest critics. Pride will lead us to isolate ourselves so that we avoid accountability to others.

As I reflect on my tours of duty for the Lord, I find that each tour had its high and low points.  I also see that I was influenced by those around me.  What makes one tour of duty a wonderful experience while others are not?  I find that it’s my attitude to those in authority over me.

God has placed different individuals as my “commanding officers” in this world to teach me and guide me into the paths that God wanted me to take.

 PRAYER

God, what is my next tour of duty?  Help me to see your hand in the experience through those who You place in my life to help guide me into your will for me and my family. 

The Struggle Between Faith & Doubt

God Inspires Us With These Words In James 5:11  

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.  

How’s your faith?

Are we guilty of checking our minds at the door before we enter the sanctuary each Sunday?  Are we mindless while sitting in the pew?  Do sermons cause us to go brain-dead and become emotionless regarding the week’s activities and feelings?

Has church become just a place to sit back, close our eyes and escape from the struggles we have faced throughout the week?  Or, are encouraged by the Word of God that God truly cares about our life adventures and has an answer for those that trouble us?

Paul encourages Timothy to Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where-unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (1 Tim. 6:12).   The life of faith is truly a FIGHT andETERNAL LIFE is a promise from God.

Living a life by faith is one of life's greatest battles.

God is capable of handling any situation we face in life, yet we fret that He won't take care of what we are going through.  We believe Him and His word, yet we are anxious over the many problems that assail us.  

What are some worries and problems we face?

We anguish about health, money, jobs, neighborhood, reputation, relationships, children, mates, or loneliness.  You name it and it can troubles us.

However, there is a positive side to all this.  It shows us that we are capable of thinking, feeling, and recognizing that we don't have all the answers and that we have to look to our Lord who is capable of guiding and providing answers to all that assaults us.

A Father's Battle Between Faith and Doubt

In Mark 9:15-29 a father faced a physical/spiritual problem with his son and the disciples were unable to help.  The father's battle was between faith and doubt, and hope and despair.

The son had a dumb spirit that assailed him and the father sought out the disciples for help, but the disciples were helpless because of a lack of faith and an ineffective prayer life.

Mark 9:23ff - Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.  When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.  

And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.  But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.  

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. 

The father was wrestling with faith (belief) and doubt....He felt hopeless and helpless.

OVERCOMING DOUBT

Let’s be honest with ourselves, one another, and with our Lord....we all struggle with doubt.  However, as we read scripture, we find HOPE.  Jesus offers the solution to overcoming doubt -- 

Prayer believing that God will answer, 
but at the same time asking God to help us with our doubt (unbelief).

This begs the question, Do I really believe in prayer?  This question is answered by looking at our prayer life.  What is it like?  When, how much time, what do I pray for?  Do I only pray when life’s struggles assail us or is it a daily even when things are going well?

Our lives are often shaped by the hammers of fear, adversity, anxiety, 
and despair on the anvil of God's love through prayer and encouragement.

LACK OF FAITH AND HOPE ARE A DEEP ROOT IN ONE'S LIFE

Lack of faith and the presence of doubt are a deep-root caused through years of failed self-effort.

I was reminded this past week of the truth of how our lives are affected by deeply rooted character flaws.  I’m in the process of putting in a French Drain around the foundation of two walls.  In order to put in the drain, I have to dig a trench deep enough to accommodate a 4“ drain pipe and several inches of gravel.  A couple of days were agonizingly spent digging out the root balls of several bushes.  What a pain!

• Not Trusting God With My Finances

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

• Anger & Hatred Towards Others 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

Lack of Faith Can Led to Idolatry

Anxiety reveals the presence of idolatry such as in worrying about money.

Mat 6:24-32  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

Answers to Overcoming Doubt and Fear

• Seek God and His righteousness and Don't Worry About Tomorrow

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

• Pray - Make your requests known to God

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

• Think Godly Thoughts

Php 4:8-9  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

• Be Humble before God and Others

1Pe 5:6-10  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

• Cast Your Care Upon Him

Be Sober & Vigilant, Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.   1 Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  

• Realize Who Is Behind It All

1Pe 5:8ff  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

• Realize There Is An End To It and a Benefit (Spiritual Growth & Maturity)

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

In Christ We Can Overcome Fear and Doubt

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; 

I have overcome the world. 

Thank God For Friends

The other day God burdened my heart to call a friend that I had not talked to for some time.  I delayed calling at first, but the burden to call only got worse.  The call was not for his sake, but mine.

 I poured out my heart to him and bless his heart, he just listened.  He was very careful not to come back with a bunch of religious platitudes.  He even said, "I don't want to offer a bunch of answers, because they're not what you need."  He was right on.  I just needed someone on whom I could safely dump.

I thank God that I had a brother-in-Christ that I could call.  The amazing thing is that over the past 20 years or so, we have been in contact only a few times.   But I knew he was a godly man and one in whom I could trust.  It was like we had never been apart.  I don't understand that, but I thank God for it.

God's Word is so accurate that "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Pro 17:17) God knew that our lives would be at times in need of godly support, wise counsel, and loving understanding.

God has given me a wonderful wife, who is the love of my life, my friend and confidant, but there are times when I need a male friend who understands and can be a comfort (aside from the Holy Spirit).  

How does one go about obtaining such a friend?  Scripture gives us a clue.  A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  (Pro 18:24)

I don't really enjoy being around someone who has a judgmental or critical spirit.  They can be such a "downer."  Do people like to be around me?  Am I a friendly person?  Have you ever known someone who, after being around them, filled you with joy?  I desire to be like that.

When we part company with someone, we should ask ourselves critically "Was I a talker or a listener?  Was my conversation positive or negative?  Did I leave the person with hope and encouragement?"  "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel."  Pro 27:9 

When I am in a conversation with another individual, is my "brain contact" sharp or am I like a short circuit that drains the life out of the other individual?  I can tell just by looking at the other individual's face.  Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Pro 27:17) that is, conversation promotes intelligence, which the face exhibits.   A dull knife only mars and tears.  It does more harm than good. 

Another issue to consider is timing and sensitivity.  Always ask the question "Do you have a moment?"  Or "Is this a good time to chat?"  Avoid monopolizing the conversation.  At some point it is good to quit talking and allow the other person to respond.  Be a listener yourself.  As the old saying goes, "The reason God gave us two ears and one mouth is so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." 

Obviously, avoid making contact at inappropriate times unless it is a real emergency "He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him."  Pro 27:14

Lastly, avoid making friends with those who will drag you down into the pits of hell.  We are in the world, but not of the world.  Some people never grow in their walk with Christ because of the close friendships they keep. 

This can be a difficult issue because we have to be around people in our neighborhood, at work and in other organizations where there is no choice.  You can't keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair.  "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."   Jas 4:4  

We need to be reminded that wherever I am, "I am in a mission field." 

PRAYER

God help me to be a friend to someone today.  Guard me from the presumptuous sin of feeling like I have to deliver "spiritual zingers" and solve all the world's problems.  Help me to be a loving listener and that my words would be as the proverb says,  "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Pro 25:11