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Psalm 119:92-94 Life will hit us hard at times with all types of adversity: illness, financial woes, death, etc. Such troubles can also shake our faith and turn us away from God. In Psalm 119, the psalmist found himself in some severe difficulties, and his response to them provides valuable insight for us when we experience the turmoils of life. As we read through the psalm, it becomes apparent that the psalmist is in the midst of adversity. Numerous times he uses the word affliction/afflicted. His soul “cleaves to the dust” (v 25), and it “weeps because of grief” (v 28). “Trouble and anguish” have come upon him (v 143), and he rises before dawn to “cry for help” (v 147). The nature of this trouble does not appear to be an illness or personal problem but an oppression by enemies. He speaks of princes who talk against him (v 23), being reproached (v 42), and of the arrogant (v 51) and the wicked being against him (v 61). He has oppressors (v 121), persecutors and adversaries (v 157). We are not informed of the specifics about these enemies, but he sees himself in dire straits because of them This brings us to the psalmist’s understanding of his situation. He recognizes that the Lord has been behind his affliction (v 75), and that He has done it out of faithfulness to him. How could this be? What could be God’s purpose in allowing such troubles? The writer readily confesses (v 67) that this current situation has brought him back to serving the Lord. He admits that this has been good for him (v 71) so that he might learn the statutes of God. This is likely the learning of how to live by the word and trust one’s life to God rather than mere “head” knowledge. In fact, he fully asserts that if God’s word had not been his delight, he would have perished (vv 92-93). Lesson for us? When disappointment and adversity strike, get out God’s book! Read His promises and assurances. Listen to His voice. Read how others persevered in the face of trials. Delight in God’s word so that you, too, will live and not perish.

John 10:24-39 With the advent of the 24-hour news cycle on television, campaigning is virtually a year round activity. Those in office and those planning to run for an office are regularly jockeying for position, expressing opinions on virtually every issue in the public square and getting plenty of face-time on camera. But we can always recognize the consummate politician. When pressed for specific answers to tough questions, they break out their high-sounding phrases, well-worn generalities and heartfelt expressions. But very little of substance is forth coming. I guess it’s always been that way. Jesus, on the other hand, was certainly no politician. Not even close. He always said exactly what He meant to say and made His positions clear. He spoke the truth for all to hear, and each person was challenged to either accept or reject Him and what He had so say. He would not compromise on anything. That’s why He was loved and adored by some and absolutely hated by others. This ultimately paved the way to the cross. In our text Jesus is speaking about His heavenly Father and asserts that He and His Father are one. The Jews who were listening to Him could not accept this because that made Him God. Of course, He was God! But He stood up to them and defended Himself from scripture against their charge of blasphemy while they were standing there with stones ready to kill Him. It’s rather easy to be a politician. Don’t say much to offend anybody. Give indefinite and vague answers. Smile a lot. Kiss the babies and say nice things to everybody. On the other hand, if you have solid beliefs that stand for something, then you must be prepared for the crowd’s reaction. Christians are to stand for what their Master stood for - truth, love, righteous living and real good news. There can be no compromise with the truth. There should be no over-reaching where there is room for opinion. There should always be love in abundance. And be ready to face the crowd.

Psalm 119:18 It seems that few people realize what a precious commodity we have in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. Consider that without these revelations from our God we would not know: ...how this planet really came into existence (the secular cosmologist’s theory is certainly unsatisfying on several fronts). ...the nature of this God who made all things - merciful, gracious, compassionate, forgiving, faithful, full of lovingkindness, all the while being holy, just and opposed to all evil. ...that we are actually related to this God, being His offspring and made in His image. ...the reason why Death stalks every person, and troubles and heartache come into every life - SIN! ...the origin of the sin on this planet and the hopeless condition in which we find ourselves as a result - separated from our God and having no remedy for this situation! ...the eternal purpose and plan of God to save His offspring from the power of this sin because of His love for His children. ...the unfolding history of God’s rescue of humanity through the lives of certain people - Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Nehemiah, Mary, John, et al. ...the sacred mystery of the conception of Immanuel, God With Us. ...the life of Jesus of Nazareth - His teachings, ministry, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection. ...the meaning of Jesus’ cross and His rising from the dead. ...the appropriate response to Jesus’ sacrifice in order to avail ourselves of the grace of God given to us in Christ Jesus. Without the Word of God, NONE of this would be known and a whole lot more! No wonder the psalmist exclaims: “Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”

Devoted Hebrews 10:39 Though the mountain is high, I choose to climb it. Though the river is wide, I choose to ford it. Though the storm is strong, I choose to weather it. Though the cold is chilling, I choose to endure it. Though the forest is thick, I choose to make a way through it. Though the trail is steep, I choose to hike it. Though the wilderness is daunting, I choose to trek across it. Though the heat is sweltering, I choose to bear it. Though the swamp is foreboding, I choose to wade through it. Though the desert is parched, I choose to traverse it. Though the snow is deep, I choose to slog through it. Though the ocean is vast, I choose to cross it. These things I will do because my life belongs to my Lord Jesus, and He has asked me to do them. He will be with me every step of the way, and in so doing I will see Him at the end of the journey. This is my hope and His promise to me. Praise the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!!

Eyes to See Matthew 13:14-17 Days pass, and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among the miracles. Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing. Let there be moments when your Presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk. Help us to see wherever we gaze that the bush burns unconsumed. And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness, and exclaim in wonder: “How filled with awe is this place, and we did not know it! Blessed is the Eternal One, the holy God!” –from The Hebrew Book of Prayer Let us not be like those who... ...have eyes to see but don’t perceive; ...have ears to hear but don’t listen; ...have fingers to touch but never feel; ...have tongues to taste but don’t savor; ...have noses to smell but never enjoy; ...have minds to know but don’t comprehend; ...have hearts to wonder but never consider; ...have lips to praise but never glorify. ><> Jeff

Hebrews 6:10 If you’ve been to a major league baseball game in the last few years, you know that the national pastime has moved into the technological age. Modern ballparks are bedecked with electronic displays of all kinds and are flooded with music and sound. Advertising is everywhere, and screens showing scores of games, players’ bio’s and videos abound. When a player comes to bat, a large screen will display his hitting statistics for everyone in the park to see. Batting average, home runs, runs batted in, et al - they are all on display. How embarrassing it must be for a player who is having a miserable year at the plate to have his lowly statistics displayed for all to see. He surely must have “thick skin” and not let it bother him. Reflecting on all of that, I had this thought. What if our statistics were on full display for all the church to see? Number of prayers offered, visits made, hungry fed, time in Bible reading and study, words of encouragement offered, grief shared, gifts to the needy, ministries supported, times sharing the gospel, sins confessed, kindnesses rendered, tears wiped away, comfort given, truth taught, forgiveness sought, et al. Would I be embarrassed? Would you? Let’s not get the wrong idea here that our collective number of good works will obtain eternal life for us - that isn’t the case. However, our works are an indication of the treasure we hold dear and of whom we love. The writer of Hebrews noted: “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” It sounds like God is very interested in works done by His people and their love shown through service to others. Even though our “statistics” are not on display for all to see (We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief!), we should be fully aware that our Lord Jesus has full access to our “statistics” at all times. What does He see when He looks at your stats?

Hebrews 2:1-4 In our last piece we looked at this great salvation which God is offering to all humanity from a broader, heavenly perspective. In this, we want to observe that this salvation has great and marvelous purposes for those who are saved. We can become rather overcome in our self-adoration in thinking that God simply saved us to give us an eternal home. There is much more to it than that. This salvation saved us from our sins to lead a righteous life. This salvation freed us from the grasp of Satan and brought us into the loving arms of Christ. This salvation broke the chains of death and gave us life. This salvation brought us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of light. This salvation freed us from serving Satan so we could serve the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation brought us from hopelessness into a great hope. This salvation conveyed us from the wrath of God into being at peace with God. This salvation released us from captivity and put us into the army of the Lord. This salvation removed our heart of self-gratification and gave us a heart of self-sacrifice. This salvation freed us from believing lies to knowing the truth. This salvation changed our hearts of despair into hearts of joy. This salvation replaced worldly babble with a heavenly gospel. This salvation crucified me to let Christ live in me. So great a salvation can only come from God. A new birth! A new creation! A new purpose! A new future! Praise the Lord!

Heb 2: 1-4 God went to great lengths to provide salvation for the human race. It was planned from the beginning and culminated in the sacrificial death of God’s Son and subsequent resurrection. The Hebrew writer speaks of it as “so great a salvation.” Let us consider what makes it “so great” from a broader, heavenly perspective. This salvation was born of the love of God. This salvation caused the Word of God to empty Himself. This salvation resulted in God becoming a human being. This salvation required the suffering of the Son of God. This salvation required the horrible death of the Son of God. This salvation brought about the defeat of Satan. This salvation fulfilled years of prophecy. This salvation provided eternal life. This salvation opened the gates of death. This salvation was the triumph of good over evil. This salvation provided reconciliation with God. This salvation brought peace with God. This salvation provided true forgiveness of sin. This salvation will someday reverse the curse. This salvation offers life with Christ Jesus Himself. This salvation brings the gift of the Holy Spirit. This salvation came with signs and wonders. This salvation brings Jew and Gentile together in one body. This salvation is to the glory of God. This salvation came by the power of God. This salvation created a new group of people - sons of God. This salvation gives true and glorious freedom. No doubt, you can think of more. Next time, Lord willing, we want to look at this great salvation from a different perspective.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 From time to time, Shirley and I like to visit one of those mega book stores offering club memberships, complete with coffee bar and stocked with puzzles, games and all sorts of things associated with reading. Books tend to get me excited like shotguns, nine irons and torque wrenches do other guys. But when you walk into one of these stores, there they are - row upon row upon row. Shelf after shelf after shelf. Books! Every conceivable subject and some inconceivable! Vegetable gardening, flower gardening, square foot gardening, travel (to anywhere), cooking (pasta, beef, barbecue, low fat, low carb, low cal), world history, ancient history, American history, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, novels (of every ilk), science, science fiction, Scientology, and, yes, even golf, guns and garage mechanic. You get the idea. The thought always comes to me when I’m standing in the midst of all those titles: “Where should a person begin reading?” If I’m, say, a young person just starting to wake up to life, what books should I pick to read? Which ones are “an absolute must?” Which ones are “worth your while?” Which ones “a waste of time?” Certainly, numerous books are worth our while, and many are must reads. But there is still only one book which is an absolute necessity! That would be the Bible, the collection of God’s sacred writings. In no other volume can we find the truths about life, death and the hereafter. About our beginnings and the planned end. About God and us. About the vicious battle raging between good and evil. About Jesus Christ who came to rescue us from Satan and the power of death. No other book contains these truths - period! God authored only one Book, and it is a perennial best seller. I wonder, however, if it is a perennial best read? How many people own a copy of God’s book but have never read it cover to cover even once? Can you imagine? The only book which tells us about all of those “life and death” topics lies closed on the shelf. Imagine that.

Luke 1:5-25 Zacharias was doing his priestly duty as, I’m sure, he had done for many years for he was “an old man” as he himself said. He was burning incense in the temple of the Lord, and the multitude of the people were outside in prayer while he was attending to the altar of incense. Another time for prayer. Another time for burning incense. It had happened hundreds of times before. Worship ritual. Show up. Pray. Go home. But this time, something changed. God showed up! He showed up in the form of the angel Gabriel, and things would never be the same again! “Zacharias, your prayer has been heard, and your wife will have a son, and you will name him John. He will be great in the sight of the Lord and will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zacharias is so stunned he doesn’t believe Gabriel’s message and so is made mute until after the child is born. When he exits the temple, he must make signs to the people to try to get them to understand he has seen a vision. When his course of service is over, he heads home, but home will not be the same again. He can’t speak. That must have been an interesting adjustment for him and Elisabeth to make. How did she take the news from Gabriel? Shortly after, she becomes pregnant! It must all be true! Soon there will be a little boy in their house. Things will never be the same again. And as we know, this John becomes the Baptizer who becomes the voice of one crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord. God showed up in the person of John the Baptist. Things will never be the same again! Has God ever showed up in your life? In a powerful message from His word? In a man or woman of great faith? In a moving event or a glorious blessing? You will never be the same again.

Ephesians 1:3 When we reflect upon our blessings for which we are thankful, we tend to think of such things as food, clothing, warm house, good health, etc. - all wonderful blessings from God. Paul rejoices in our God and Father who has blessed us with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” How many spiritual blessings can you name? Some of them... ...forgiveness of sins ...freedom from guilt ...adopted sons of God ...eternal inheritance with Christ ...gift of the Holy Spirit ...member of the body of Christ ...prayers answered ...freed from sin ...joy of the Lord ...wearing of the name Christian ...guidance and instruction from the Word of God ...love and support from my church family ...freed from the grasp of Satan ...eternal life ...leading of the Holy Spirit ...peace of God ...genuine hope ...promised resurrection from the dead ...receive the righteousness of Christ ...redemption of our body ...constant shepherding of Christ Himself ...suffering with Christ ...eternal glory ...share in the Lord’s table There are others...

Proverbs 30:6 Ned, Tillie and Warren were enjoying a game of Monopoly one evening. Now things weren’t going well for Warren. He had been able to buy only a few properties, and Ned and Tillie already had some houses on some of theirs. Warren’s money was dwindling. Then he landed on one of Tillie’s holdings with three houses. “I can’t pay that much rent,” he growled. “Well, you’ll have to mortgage, advised Tillie. “Even that won’t be enough,” snapped Warren. “I guess I’ll rob the bank.” “You can’t do that!” laughed Ned. “Why not?” shot back Warren. “The rules don’t say I can’t” And with that he grabbed a handful of $100 dollar bills from the bank. Needless to say, the game rapidly deteriorated after that. We smile at this little episode and heartily concur that Warren was not right in taking money from the bank even though the rules did not say that such a thing could not be done. All of the legitimate bank transactions were spelled out in the rules. With those being written, the illegitimate transactions did not have to be noted (which could, in fact, fill page upon page and become quite cumbersome). This story illustrates one of the primary principles in the interpretation of Scripture. Sometimes God specifies what not to do. More often, He just tells us what to do. When the word teaches us to do something, it does not have to tell us all the things not to do. For example, the Word teaches that the Lord’s Supper is observed using unleavened bread and the cup (fruit of the vine, wine). The Holy Spirit does not say: “Do not use donuts, melon slices or raisin cakes. Do not use milk, apple juice or iced tea.” What is specified is only what is authorized. Our text warns us not to add to God’s word. We must exercise great diligence in rightly interpreting God’s word and not add anything to it thereby putting words in God’s mouth.