GOD SEEKS A MAN!

Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV) So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

When the Prophet Ezekiel penned these words under the inspiration and dictation of the Lord, great evil was being done throughout the land. This verse follows a long list of wrongs done by God's people - including other prophets. God was speaking through the Prophet Ezekiel, looking for a man who would have faith in God in spite of the storm of public opinion to the contrary. God has always wanted better for mankind than mankind wants for himself. And that is true for you, too. God wants better for you than you want for yourself, too often.

So God is looking for a certain kind of man. He is looking for a man of faith. The man of faith would have to be willing to do some things that the world might find strange, even offensive. He would have to buck the culture. He would have to articulate God's goodness to a world that otherwise couldn't see it. He would have to warn the world about God's justice to a world that otherwise didn't believe it. That kind of man is needed today.

That kind of man is needed in our homes. Our children are being thrust into indoctrination camps we call public schools five days a week. Our children come home with strange new ideas they've heard from their teachers and peers only to sit in front of a screen for hours of follow-up indoctrination through the TV or internet. Who will have the courage to take measures in the homes to stand in the gap? Moms? But the kids need DAD to do it, too. His example and active influence is unparalleled. If he is disinterested, Mom's influence is diminished greatly. If he is uninvolved, Mom's influence is diminished greatly. If he openly opposes faith, Mom's influence can be removed all together. Dads need to stand in the gap between God and the world to protect their families.

That kind of man is needed in our public square. All corners of the square, from business, to schools, to medicine, to law, and everything in between face the temptations and morays to serve self rather than truth. God is truth. There is a great move to get God and His morals out of the public square. And so corruption moves in. Who will be a man and stand in the gap? We need a man of faith, a man who trusts that God will both protect and provide for him as he stands before his community to declare that God is real, good, and just. No wrong will go unpunished, and no good unrewarded. Who will be that man?

That kind of man is needed in global society and politics for the same reason as in the public square. He is needed in the courts for the same reason. He is needed wherever corruption, blasphemy, and paganism rule, for God is not mocked, and will pour out His indignation on them for their wicked disregard for His Holiness and Truth. They will learn of their lies at the judgment, and then pay for their deeds. Their only hope is that someone, some man, will stand in the gap and warn them of this in time for them to repent and turn to God's only Hope for Mankind - Jesus Christ, God's Son. 

What Jesus did on Calvary's Cross was to take the full wrath of God upon Himself for these sins of corruption and faithlessness. All who will receive Him as Lord of their life (Commander in Chief) and turn from their wicked ways to follow Jesus' ways, will be spared the wrath of God. Those who will not turn to follow Jesus will face God's wrath themselves.

What kind of man will trust God and love his fellow man enough to stand in the gap and warn his fellows, his family, and his friends?  Will YOU be that man?

And that's "Just A Thot" for today.

May the Lord bless you as you heed His Word today!

ARE YOU A BONDSERVANT, SLAVE, OR SERVANT?

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ... (Romans 1:1)

Sometimes translations don't give us the whole meaning of an original text.  The whole meaning of the original text is important to the sincere student of the Bible.  Good Bible interpretation involves understanding what the text says in light of the time in which it was written, the intent of the author, and the choice of words to convey the message.  Today, we look at the word "bondservant."

The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates the Greek word doulos as "slave" rather than "bondservant" as in the NKJV.  However, a cultural study of the times in which this was written, there was a difference between a bondservant and a slave.  Both were owned by their master, but the slave served by compulsion, while the bondservant by choice. Therefore, the KJV translates the word "servant" to bring out the service aspect.  And a "servant" worked for, but was not "owned" by the master. The servant had time to himself, not in the service to his master. Which word best fits the text? I believe the best word is "bondservant" – if Paul's life was any indication about how connected we are to Jesus; and Jesus showed it in how connected He was to the Father in Heaven.

Now that we've covered the meaning of the word, let's get to the application.  Paul was declaring himself to be a willing servant-slave to Jesus Christ.  He made no bones about answering to Jesus for his actions, taking orders from Jesus, and seeking to honor Jesus for his character and nature.  And I can think of no one this side of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection who had more of an impact on the world's faith than Paul as he served the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. 


 
Paul seemed to hold nothing back from serving Jesus.  He "ate, slept, and thought" Jesus.  Soli Christo gloria, "Only Christ's Glory," seems to be his motto.  Paul may have once persecuted Christians, and even believed Jesus to be a fool and a dead one at that.  But after meeting the resurrected Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, Paul was convinced that Jesus really IS God and that He is alive and wants to communicate with us to instruct us in His aims for us in this life.

So, I ask myself today, "Are YOU a bondservant of Jesus Christ?  What might you be holding back from the Lord in your service to Him?"

The outcome of events often frustrate me when they aren't as I wish.  After muttering, sometimes not so quietly, about it, I breathe deep and accept them.  I hold back the deepest parts of me because I am afraid of the pain that change will bring (as it always does with hard-headed people like me who seem to only learn by hard knocks).  I hold back for the sake of dignity when I should be loving, caring, and giving.  I don't want to look the fool, weak, or wimpy.  My machismo comes flying out of me.  But that wasn't Jesus' way, and it isn't what He wants from me.

There are many other ways I hold back.  I want to be like Paul, but I'm more like Peter, who resolutely, boldly, and confidently told the Lord he would NEVER deny the Lord Jesus, only to do so three times before the cock crowed in the morning.  My own bold, resolute, confident service to the Lord is more often flawed in action than in intent!  Some bondservant I am when the choices are to be made!

And that is the rub.  It's one thing to CALL oneself a bondservant, but it is altogether different to BE one when choices are to be made.  Do I do this for MY convenience, protection, or understanding?  OR Do I do this because it is what Jesus wills - period?

Lord, may I be a better bondservant today than I was yesterday, because YOU deserve it.  You demonstrated true bondservice as you did ONLY the will of the Father.  You gave me Paul's record as an example.  How far short of your standard I fall.  How great is your grace and mercy that I should still be the center of your love, patience, and purpose as you make me into your image.  I can bask in your love, serve you with gratitude, and delight in your pleasure today.  I am your bondservant - and I will try to be a better one today.  For your glory, Amen!

And that's "Just A Thought" for today. May you be blessed in your walk with the Lord Jesus.

The Lord's Tools

Bible Reading:

(Luke 5:4) Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

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For some reason, the miracles of Jesus involve the work of men. Dear friend, do not think that God's miracles on your behalf will simply "fall from the sky." Likewise, brother, do not think that God's answers to your prayers will be as lightning bolts that do your bidding. The miracles of God will probably involve you - not simply as the recipient, but as the agent through which they are brought to pass. You, Believer, are an instrument of God.

These fishermen, at the command of Christ, needed to receive the huge catch that Christ miraculously made available. Christ has provided for greater miracles that require our participation. For example, it is through the foolishness of preaching that people will be saved. Like the fishermen letting down their nets, we are the instruments that unite men's souls with Christ. Likewise, there are those who were sent to bring healing to the possessed - but could not. When they asked the Lord why, He answered that there were certain spirits that could not be removed except through prayer and fasting. It is through our prayers and fasting that many miracles are done in men's souls.

It is the high privilege of the Believer to serve in the Lord's work. It is also a universal privilege, not reserved for a "clergy" class. These raw fishermen were not "clergy." Their education was far from "complete" when they drew in the greatest catch of their lives. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful blessing to be involved in the miracles of the Lord. Let us therefore approach the commands of Christ as blessings rather than inconveniences. How we miss out on the greatest things in life simply because we will not allow the Lord to use us as His instruments - wherever and however He chooses.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Mark 4:36

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

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Following Jesus is no small thing. It is not for the fearful, timid, or weak-minded. The disciples of Jesus Christ were men - men of the sea. They faced danger, hard work, and hardships without flinching. Jesus took them on such journeys. Many went along. Some in other little ships. It is safer to be in a little ship in Jesus' flotilla than to be in a large ship without the Savior of mankind - even when the storms hit - for Jesus has never lost a soul to this day, 2000 years after His resurrection and ascension.

Yes, the multitude were sent away. That meant the women and children, and most of the men. Few were man enough to follow Christ where He was going. It is good to follow Christ. For in so doing, then we see His power and our need. In following Christ, we find that we are able to face far more than we ever thought possible. In following Jesus, the storms of life that are so certain to assail us, will never defeat us. In following the Messiah, the path way is never confused, the road is certain, and no wind is enough to blow us off-course.

Little ships or big ones are like our faith. Little faith or big faith is of no consequence - when that faith is in Jesus Christ. Often I feel like I am a little ship. But I am Christ's little ship, and that means that I will safely reach the harbor of Heaven in perfect condition and not a moment too late. My safety is in His hands, and my speed and direction of travel is under His command. I can rest assured that whatever my hands find to do along the journey will be the right thing when done for His glory and under His command. My hands will not be idle when operating this little ship. There will be sailing, rowing, maintenance, and cleaning. There will be fishing, and there will be rest. All in due time. Yet, under the guidance of the Lord, this little ship will not be lost as long as I follow Jesus Christ.

Bro. Greg