Salt of the Earth

"Ye are the salt of the earth..." Matthew 5:13

Tucked away in my Bible is page from the "Daily Bread," a devotional published by the Radio Bible Class. It has been in my Bible for at least 20 years. This particular devotional was written by M. R. DeHaan. Here it is in its entirety. "People do not usually realize the importance of salt in connection with maintaining the life and health of their bodies. In our bloodstream there is always an exact percentage of salt, and any great deviation from this amount would result in sickness and in death.

Salt is a sustainer of life. For this reason sea water will support many times more organic life than fresh water. Salt is also a preservative, for it greatly retards corruption. Salt is a splendid condiment, adding zest am savor to our food.

Salt in the Scriptures is said to be:
1. A symbol of a binding covenant (Lev. 2:13; 2 Chronicles 13:5).
2. A healing aid in its cleansing properties (2 Kings 2:20, 21).
3. A stimulant to the appetite (Job 6:6).
4. A promoter of soundness (Luke 14:34, 35).
5. A promoter of peace (Mark 9:50).
6. A stimulant to our testimony (Matt. 5:13).
7. An evidence of grace (Col. 4:6).

How much 'salt' do you display in your everyday contacts with others? Can they tell by your sanctified actions that you have been with Jesus? Is your word a dependable as a covenant of salt (2 Chronicles 13:5)? Does your influence have a healing virtue? Do you create an appetite for Christ in others? Do you promote honesty and encourage others to live peaceably? Do you have the evidence of His salting grace in your life? By this, judge the level of your sanctification.

Remember today as you go into the world of corruption that you are to be the preserving 'salt.'”

Questions Part 2

At the beginning of Jesus ministry, John the Baptist declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” In response to John’s declaration, two of his disciples began to follow Jesus. After a little while, Jesus asked them, “What seek ye?” The disciples responded, “Where dwellest thou?” They wanted to know not so much the location but the manner of His life. The test of Jesus deity was the way he lived not the pronouncements made about Him. Jesus response was simply “Come and See.”

Down through the ages people have been investigating the person and life of Jesus. Some are serious while others insincere. In their search, they have had to answer the question, “What seek ye?” Like the Pharisees, some seekers have been looking for ways to discredit Jesus because He is a threat both to their way of life and philosophy of life.

Instead of seeking Jesus, others have tried everything the world has to offer and come up empty. They are looking for salvation – deliverance from the guilt and power of sin in their life. In so doing they are looking for satisfaction. The emptiness of life apart from Jesus has driven then to look for answers. Some turn to drugs, sex and or alcohol only to find nothing more than the same empty life they are running away from.

A few have been real seekers have investigated the person and teachings of Jesus and found in Him the satisfaction they have been missing. Knowing Jesus as your Savior gives life meaning and complete fulfillment. Has your life been missing the contentment and satisfaction you have been seeking? I would invite you to respond to Jesus invitation to come and see.

How do you do that? One, commit yourself to diligently reading the Bible. I would suggest you start with the Gospel of John and then read the Epistle of First John. Secondly, before you begin to read, pray and ask God to help you understand what you are reading. Thirdly, when you come to the point of wanting to follow Jesus, bow you head and ask Jesus to forgive you your sins and to come into life as Lord and Savior. If you then need help or have questions write us at hope08@hopetriumphant.com and we will try to answer your questions.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Questions

When my wife and I arrived at the Eugene, OR airport, we were picked up by my daughter and granddaughter. After traveling about 15 miles from the airport, I noticed my wife and granddaughter were laughing. I asked them what was so funny and they informed me that I had asked over 75 questions since leaving the airport. All my questions were for information about the area my daughter and her family lived.

I am always asking questions promoting various family members to ask me when I was going to stop asking DUMB and UNNECESSARY questions. As you read the Gospel of John you will come across many questions asked by Jesus. Jesus never asked a DUMB or UNNECESSARY question. Jesus never asked a question to gain information for He was God manifest in the flesh.

Why then did Jesus ask questions? He asked questions to elicit a response from His hearers. “Do you believe in the Son of God?” [John 9:35] was designed to produce a response of faith. By asking, “Do you also go away?” [John 6:67] He was seeking from His disciples a verbalization of truth. In an attempt to refine Martha’s thinking, He said her, “…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” [John 11:25, 26]

Of all the questions Jesus asked, the one that He asks all men and women of all ages is, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” Acceptance of Him as your Savior brings forgiveness of sins and eternal life, while rejection of Him brings eternal condemnation. This is the “Ultimate Question.” If you would like to know more about knowing Jesus, you can get a free copy of the “Ultimate Question” by emailing us at hope08@hopetriumphant.com. If you have any questions you would like us to answer, please use the email address to send them to us. There are no DUMB or UNNECESSARY questions.

Remembering Dad

This past March, my Dad went to be the Lord. Years ago I wrote this article as a tribute to my Dad.

Dear Dad:

Last week while I was watching a sporting event on television, the camera focused upon one of the athletes who had just come out of the game. Once he realized this fact, he held up one finger and yelled, “We’re number one.” Be­fore the camera moved away, he said something every athlete I have seen on television in the same situation say: “Hi, Mom.” I thought to myself, I’ve never seen and heard an athlete say, “Hi, Dad.” You know, dads are special too.

As a pastor, I try to teach people to obey God’s Word. I can’t recall how many times I have instructed children to obey their parents and to honor their fathers and mothers. One day I was asked, “What does an to honor your parents?” My only answer at the time was “To honor means to obey.” Today I understand that to honor means so much more. It means recognizing the value and importance of your parents.

Dad, I want you to know how much you mean to me and how much I love you. Now, more than ever, I know that you Jove me—and all you did for me was an expression of that love.

Countless are the lessons I learned by just watching you around the house and at work in church. I understand now the sacrifices you made for us kids as we were grow­ing up. I remember the example you set for us by taking us to church every Sunday and Wednes­day. That was important to me for two reasons: first, because we did it as a family; and, second, because it was during those years at church that God called me into the minis­try. Without your commitment to the Lord’s work, I would not be in the ministry today.

As your son, I have given you your share of heartaches, and I have received my share of spank­ings. What’s important is that you stood by me along the way; the spankings were one of the ways you taught me to accept responsibility for my actions. I’m sure that you have helped me out of trouble countless numbers of times about which I’ll never know. For these things, I am grateful.

The day came when I left home for college. While you anxiously left me at school wondering how I would do, you must have heaved a sigh of relief. Life seemed to move so fast – marriage, children, graduation, ordination and my first church. Now my children are leaving home! I find myself wondering like you must have 28 years ago whether they appreciate all I have done for them-the love, sacrifice and advice. I understand for the first time how you must have felt the day I left for college and how you have felt these past 28 years.

Dad, I know you have been dis­appointed because the letters and telephone calls have been from someone else. I know you missed having the family home for a birth­day or a holiday. You will never know how many calls, letters or visits home were planned, only to have them get lost and forgotten because of someone else’s prob­lems.

Before it’s too late, I want you to know how much I love you and appreciate everything you have done for me over the past 45 years. I thank the Lord for giving you to me. I’m glad you are my dad. You are special too!

Love, Your son Bob

P.S. Mom, I love you too. Thank you for all you have done for me.

Published in The Baptist Bulletin, June 1990

Father's Day

With Father's Day a little over a week away I thought I might share some Father's Day quotes with you.

"Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old." (Solomon - Proverbs 23:22 NKJV)

"An effective father devotes himself to become an instrument and model of human experience to his children...accepts and affirms his children for who they are, appreciates them for what they are accomplishing, and covers them with affection because they are his." (Gordon MacDonald)

"One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be." (Unknown)

"The father who loves his children will not substitute toys for time, replace commendation with condemnation but will be their teacher not taskmaster." (R. Robert Flatt)

"Becoming a man means integrity...staying true to God's Word...being responsible to others, regardless of their social position in life...loving the unlovable...humbling oneself." (Bob Welch)

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." (Clarence Budington Kelland)

For more quotes for Father’s Day go to: www.hopetriumphant.com/father's_day_quotes.htm

Fruit of the Spirit - Temperance

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23

Temperance is self-control, the controlling power of the will under the operation of the Holy Spirit. It goes beyond a reference to alcohol to being able to check all natural appetites. Paul said we are to be “temperate in all things” [1 Corinthians 9:25]. Temperance is not self-control but Spirit-control. It involves being able to check our sexual desires [1 Corinthians 7:9] so that they find fulfillment in the proper context of the marriage relationship. Temperance is a quality that enables the believer to walk and live in the world and keep himself unspotted and pure before God and man.

When you review the list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19 – 21, you will note many of these sins are the result of a person’s inability to check is desires. An example would be there is nothing wrong with feeding our appetite but the absence of temperance leads to gluttony.

Consider the breakdown of the works of the flesh. First we have sensual sins [v. 19], then superstitious sins v. 20a], and finally social sins [20b, 21a]. These are contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Character is demonstrated by conduct. What does your conduct tell us about your conduct?

Last chance to get a FREE copy of the booklet "The Fruit of the Spirit". Please go to http://www.hopetriumphant.com/free_literature.htm to get your FREE copy.

Fruit of the Spirit - Meekness

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness…” Galatians 5:22, 23

Meekness is the most misunderstood fruit of the Spirit. A meek person is often seen as a weak person but in reality, meek person is a very strong person who is the master of himself and servant of others. From a negative viewpoint, meekness is NOT being easy going, nice, weakness in personality and character, a natural quality, being a dormouse or a spirit of compromise. Positively meekness IS having a temper of spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good without disputing or resisting; not feeling sorry for yourself when other are given priority over you; not being cowardly; enduring through patience and longsuffering when suffering unjustly; praying rather than retaliating when falsely accused; and not being proud or asserting oneself.

The key is that a meek person is one whose strength is under control and does not focus on personal claims or merits. Jesus Christ was a meek person but always acted with His strength under control. Consider the time he defended the Temple as a House of Prayer and threw out the money changers. He wasn’t concerned for Himself but for the Father’s glory and the right use of the Temple as the House of God and not a place for merchandising regardless of the excuse given.

When we look at meekness in relation to the other fruit of the Spirit, we understand that meekness describes the condition of the heart and mind while gentleness describes one’s actions. Meekness finds its strength from longsuffering and patience and expresses itself in love not anger.

Martyn-Lloyd Jones once described a meek person as being mild, patient and longsuffering, with no spirit of retaliation, as having a teachable spirit and being able to leave everything in God’s hands.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." [Ephesians 4:1 – 3]

If you would like a FREE copy of the booklet "he Fruit of the Spirit" please go to http://www.hopetriumphant.com/free_literature.htm

Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith…” [Galatians 5:22]

In this passage faith is loyalty, reliability and fidelity as opposes to a system of believe or our initial act of faith that results in salvation. We are saved by grace through faith but once we enter into the body of Christ we are expected to allow the Spirit of God to work in and through us. One evidence of this working is faithfulness. Another way to define faithfulness is to live according to one’s profession. There are two possible alternatives. You will either manifest the works of the flesh [Galatians 5:19] because you have not exercised trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior or you will manifest the fruit of the Spirit as a child of God.

The fruit of the Spirit is our evidence that we are living in the Spirit. There are two actions that hinder the work of the Spirit in the believer’s life. The first is to “grieve the Spirit" [Ephesians 4:30]. We grieve the Spirit by the acts of sin we commit. In the context, we grieve the Spirit when we allow corrupt communication, bitterness, wrath, anger, etc to be manifest in our lives. The second is to "quench the Spirit" [1 Thessalonians 5:19]. In this case the scripture is referring to what we do not do. We cut off the work of the Spirit of God when we do not read the Bible, pray, memorize Scripture, attend church, give thanks, etc. We need to avoid the sins of commission and omission so the Spirit of God is able to produce His fruit within us.

How important is faithfulness? It is a demonstration of loyalty [Luke 16:10], required for service [1 Corinthians 4:2], an act of obedience [Matthew 25:20-23] and a demonstration of a special relationship with Christ [John 15:15, 16].

Faithfulness means:

“I complete my assignments.
I keep my promises.
I pay my bills.
I honor my commitments.
Do my work – on time.
I become a better teacher, employer, employee, committee member and chairman, because I am reliable and faithful.” [Donald Baker]

Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of faithfulness in you?

If you would like a FREE copy of the booklet "he Fruit of the Spirit" please go to http://www.hopetriumphant.com/free_literature.htm