Be Still and Know That I Am God

It is interesting in light of the latest developments of the Corona-virus (Covid-19) pandemic...that it has begun to slow our hectic, fast paced society down considerably for the time being. I thought about this passage and the need for people in our world to stop and consider the Lord and where they are in relation to Him. We are living in a society that is very busy. 

When we read the following passage...we need to examine the description that Jesus gave concerning the the times preceding the judgments that fell upon Noah's and Lot's time. First of all...the Bible describes the sin that was running rampant during Noah and Lot's day.

Genesis 6
5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
11 ¶  The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 ¶  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Genesis 13:13  But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Genesis 18:20  And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Secondly...there is also another aspect of the days of Noah and Lot that we need to consider. Look at the following passage in the gospel of Luke that describes those same days...

Luke 17
26  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 
32  Remember Lot’s wife.

The list of activities mentioned in the Luke passage...itemize activities that are not sinful in themselves! The list is describing normal everyday functions of society. In both Noah's and Lot's day there was much busyness. So busy that people didn't make time for that which is important...GOD! In the gospel of Luke 14:15-24...people were all given an invitation to come to the great supper...one by one the excuses came...

Luke 14
18  And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19  And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20  And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21  So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22  And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Consider the lameness of the 3 excuses...

• Excuse #1 Business – How could he examine his property in the dark? It is suppertime...it is evening!
• Excuse #2 Possessions – Anybody who buys 10 oxen without 1^st testing them is foolish.
• Excuse #3 Family – He is already on a 1 year honeymoon! 
• Deut 24:5 “When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.”

We live in a time of unprecedented pleasure seeking...people are consumed with what makes them 'happy' - utilitarianism is the order of the day! Paul wrote to Timothy, pastor at the church of Ephesus back in 66 AD about our pleasure orientated society!

2Timothy 3
1 ¶  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Luke 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

People in our society have been "choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life" and now as of this writing...all sports teams, theaters, concerts, etc. have been cancelled. Our province has called a state of emergency, no congregating in groups more than 5. All provincial and municipal parks, daycare's, etc. are closed. Many people are beginning to be laid off from work...some have lost their jobs. Only essential services are open. Many are home with their spouses, parents and children. Now...everyone has a lot of time on their hands! People are not running "to and fro" (Dan 12:4) any more! Things are coming to a grinding halt in our country and in our world...and yes...by mandate of our governments!

I believe the oppourtunity is here...more than ever...for people to get saved and for believers to get right. It is time for believers everywhere to be what God intended us to be...salt and light to this world. (Mt 5:13-14) 

The need of the hour....saved and lost is...

Psalm 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Instead of being consumed with the "things that are in the world" (1Jn 2:15)...we are to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Mt 6:33). Jesus Christ is supposed to have the "preeminence" (Col 1:18) in our lives! We are supposed to "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col 3:2) 

In the midst of all this stillness...God is still seeking to save that which is lost! (Lk 19:10) The Lord is still NOT willing that any should perish! (2Pet 3:9) As we have been forced to "be still"...the oppourtunity to listen and receive the truth has come to our country...our world. Are we going to STOP and LISTEN to God? He is trying to get the attention of this whole world!

If you are not saved..."...now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2Cor 6:2) If you are saved..."...go work to day..." (Mt 21:28) for Jesus Christ. There is no better time than right now!

If you want to be saved...if you want to be sure where you will spend eternity when you die...receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour! For more info...click here

Christians...if you are not right with God...heed His words...

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;

...and remember to spend time with God in the word and prayer!

And then the Lord will be "...exalted among the heathen...exalted in the earth." (Ps 46:10)

Motes and Beams - Part 1

Lk 6

37 ¶  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

41  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

42  Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

Jesus states that a brother has a mote in his eye!

Don’t be surprised when you come to church and meet other believers...when you find a mote in their eyes...from the pulpit to the pew!

We all have problems!

Jesus asks the question...’How can you spot the spec in someone’s eye when you have a large beam in your own eye!’

We all so quick to point out the failures, errors, shortcomings in the lives of others...but have so much difficulty seeing our own failures, errors, shortcomings!

What is so clear to others is not always so clear to us!

Lk 6:41 Jesus said that we all lack perception!

Mt 7:3 Jesus also said that we all lack consideration!

Perception – to have knowledge, to receive impressions of external objects through the medium or instrumentality of the senses. To know, to understand, to observe

Jesus said that we ALL have a tendency to not know what is wrong in our own lives...to not even be aware of what keeps us from having fellowship with God!

Jesus said that we all have...

Spiritual

Moral

Social

Personal

...problems in our life that we do not perceive!

We are not even aware of them!

Before we point out the problems in the lives of others...don’t forget that others see our own problems that we can’t see!

In both Mt & Lk...Jesus wants us to get the mote out of our brother’s eye...but that is not supposed to be our priority! Our priority is to go to our brother or sister and ask them to help us see the beam that is in our eye and we need the help of others to get it out!

When we approach our brothers and sisters in Christ with that spirit and attitude...they would be more apt to listen and take rebuke about the mote that is being pointed out!

We need to say...

‘I have a beam that I can’t see and everyone else sees this beam and I need you to tell me what it is!’

This is how we can really mature in the Lord when we take this approach in our walk with God!

Basically...it is probably what people have been saying when you are not around! (talking behind your back)

There are things that are clearly wrong in your life that everyone else sees while you are focused on someone else’s problems!

Jesus asked in the passages...’Why can’t you see the beam in your own eye?’ ‘Why do you see the tiny things in other people’s lives while you can’t see the big things in your own life?’

In future posts we will answer these questions.

Book Review: FORWARD In The Face Of Fear

Many years ago Bro. Feghaly visited our church in Niagara Falls Ontario. During his presentation of the mission field of Lebanon, he played an audio cassette tape of one of the church services. While I listened to that tape, you could hear gunfire and a battle on the street. That one night in church has never left me! Over the years, I lost touch with the ministry of Bro. Feghaly. This book has helped me to reconnect with his ministry.

It was a blessing and a challenge to my own faith to read of God’s miraculous provision and protection during some of the most tumultuous times in Lebanon. In spite of that, I saw a man who truly has taken up his cross and followed the Lord in the midst of persecution. I also read about a man who is committed to the Lord and has relied on God’s wisdom and strength for every task. The book is filled with many examples of Bro. Feghaly’s bold witness for the Lord Jesus Christ - with many souls who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Every man who has been used by the Lord must have a wife who is willing to stand by her husband during the greatest of trials. I was encouraged to read about Mrs. Feghaly's unfailing support of her husband in all these years of ministry together, even during times where she could not be with her husband. Throughout the book, Bro. Feghaly gives God the honor and glory for all that He has done and will do!

The pages of this book have stirred my heart and renewed my vision to serve the Lord with a greater fervency as I pastor here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I thank the Lord for a man whose life is a great example to follow in ministry – he truly is to be commended for putting his hand to the plow and not turning back. I pray as he continues his course and finishes – that he will someday hear the Lord say, ”Well done thou good and faithful servant”!

Bro. Feghaly’s autobiography will surely encourage all to live for Christ and go 'Forward In The Face Of Fear'

"The Lord Gave" - Job 1:21

Job 1

20 ¶  Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21  And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

We like Job entered this world with nothing and so like him all that we have is a blessing from the hand of God. Job credited God as the source of everything he possessed! "...the LORD gave..." (vv. 21) Every soul on this earth possesses more than what they entered the world with! Ultimately, we will will leave this world in the same manner we entered it...with nothing!

     Notice also that Job did not attribute his wealth and prosperity to his hard work or ingenuity.He gave God the glory for all that he possessed...including his sons and daughters! 

'I am so pleased to think that Job recognized the hand of God everywhere giving. He said, ‘The Lord gave.’ 

He did not say, ‘I earned it all.’ 

He did not say, ‘There are all my hard-earned savings gone.’' - Spurgeon

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

• Let's be reminded that a gift is something that is undeserved, it is something that is unearned. 
• Let's not forget that all that we have comes from God and therefore should be precious to us.

Because of this....

• It is unwise to boast in having more than what another has. (2Cor 10:2)
• It should be easy to give back to God when we really understand that all we have comes from Him and that we are giving out of His hand. "...for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." 1Chr 29:14
• We must always remember to worship the Blesser and not the blessing! God is greater than the gifts He gives.
• Let's not forget that the Lord who gave us everything can also take it all away from us!

During Job's time of mourning and grief, he blessed the "name of the Lord" and worshiped God as he had done in the past. Job had no control over the circumstances, but he had control over his response to the circumstances of life!

It amazes me that after Job...

• lost his sons and daughters
• faced a financial reversal
• faced personal health problems
• faced criticism from his wife

....two times, the Lord's commentary was that Job did not sin nor did he charge God foolishly! (Job 1:22;2:10)

In James 5:11, God commends "the patience of Job" during his time of trial.

It is so much easier to praise, thank, and bless the Lord when we are on the mountaintop...it is so much harder to praise, thank, and bless the Lord when we are in the valley.

Let's not forget the Holy Spirit's admonition to the church....

1Thess 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

God Leads Us Along - George A. Young

Is 43

1 ¶  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6  I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7  Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

vv. 2 'Walking is the pace at which you go when you are not in a hurry, when you are not concerned or alarmed. When you are not burdened or anxious, then you walk. "He that believeth shall not make haste" (Isaiah 28:16).” - Redpath

 

God Leads Us Along - George A. Young (1903)

Click here to hear the song

Verse 1

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.   

Refrain:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Verse 2

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

Verse 3

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,

God leads His dear children along.

Verse 4

Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.

The Preeminence of Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation

Lk 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 


Lu 24:44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Jn 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Jn 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

GENESIS - The seed of the woman, the seed promised to Abraham, the substitute for Isaac, and the son who was rejected by his brethren in order to save the world

EXODUS - the slain lamb of the Passover, the smitten rock, and the emancipator of Israel

LEVITICUS - the great high priest and the atonement

NUMBERS - the One who blesses so that none may curse

DEUTERONOMY - the Prophet like unto Moses 

JOSHUA - the leader into the promised land

JUDGES - our Judge 

RUTH - our kinsman-Redeemer

1 &2 SAMUEL - the King after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)

1 & 2KINGS - the all-wise King 

1 & 2CHRONICLES - the great record-keeper

EZRA - the supplier and furnisher for the house of God

NEHEMIAH - the rebuilder of the walls (the Carpenter)

ESTHER - our Mordecai

JOB - the living Redeemer

PSALMS - Savior, Shepherd, and Sovereign

PROVERBS - our wisdom

ECCLESIASTES - our purpose for living

SONG OF SOLOMON - the faithful lover

ISAIAH - Emmanuel

JEREMIAH - The fire in Jeremiah's bones

LAMENTATIONS - The weeping prophet

EZEKIEL - the Son of Man

DANIEL - the smiting stone and the fourth man in the fire

HOSEA - the faithful husband

JOEL - the leader of His mighty army

AMOS - life's great preparation (Amos 3:3)

OBADIAH - the reclaimer of His kingdom

JONAH - the one real sign for Israel

MICAH - the One to come forth from Bethlehem

NAHUM - the message of good tidings and peace

HABAKKUK - the greatest fisherman

ZEPHANIAH - the Savior of Israel

HAGGAI - the shaker of the heavens and the earth

ZECHARIAH - the One to stand upon the mount of Olives

MALACHI - the Sun of righteousness, rising with healing in His wings

MATTHEW - the King of the Jews

MARK - the suffering servant

LUKE - the Son of man

JOHN - the Son of God, God the Son, the true light, the bridegroom, the bread, the door, the way, the truth, the life, the good Shepherd

ACTS - both Lord and Christ

ROMANS - just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus

1CORINTHIANS - the Rebuker of sin

2CORINTHIANS - the Restorer of the fallen

GALATIANS - our Liberator

EPHESIANS - our head, our peace, our Lord

PHILIPPIANS - our joy, our strength, and our supply

COLOSSIANS - our completion

1 & 2THESSALONIANS - our returning Savior

1 & 2TIMOTHY & TITUS - the Shepherd of the shepherds

PHILEMON - our debt-payer

HEBREWS - our great high priest and better than anything

JAMES - the Judge standing before the door

1PETER - precious

2PETER - longsuffering

1JOHN - light, love, and life

2JOHN - the grounds for welcome

3JOHN - the truth

JUDE - the Judge of false prophets

REVELATION - Alpha and Omega, the Almighty, the Amen, He that lives, was dead, and is alive for evermore, has the keys of hell and of death and is SURELY coming QUICKLY!

-Anon.