A reminder to my tongue...

Psa 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

What do eyes, ears, hands, feet, tongues, TV, Internet, Vehicles, Radios, Books, Words, Thoughts, Actions etc have in common?

All of them can offer something positive or negative, profitable or destructive

Feet can be swift to shed evil according to Rom 3 or they can be beautiful as they spread the gospel - Rom 10.

The Tongue can be a fire, a world of iniquity according to James 3 or a powerful witness of the praise, majesty and wonder of our matchless God according to the verse above.

We can record videos of sermons and play them on TV or we could waste hours of our life on vain unprofitable programming or downright wicked content.

A car can be used to bring a missionary across the border of a closed country with Bibles in the trunk or it can be used to run every member of the family to a different location and activity every day thereby keeping them away from the structure and togetherness that God desires for our families in order to grow.

Since it seems to be the tongue that I cant shut off fully (wouldnt that be nice at times), cant park, cant disconnect, and cant close like many of these other things (y'all are probably shouting hearty Amens right about now - no he cant!) - this is a reminder to my tongue that you belong to God and what you say is to be for the honour and glory of Christ

• Praise him all the day long
• Speak of His righteousness all the day long
• Witness all the day long
• Boast of God all the day long
• Preach the word all the day long
• Love, encourage, challenge, teach, sing and pray all the day long

(Psa 141:3) Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

(Psa 34:13) Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

(Psa 51:15) O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

(Pro 29:11) A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

(Luk 6:45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

I have concealed the words of the Holy One

The words of Job
Job 6:10
I have not concealed the words of the Holy One

To my shame and to my Saviours disappointment I cant say this

Is there perhaps a more challenging and convicting statement in scripture? I have never read that phrase and not felt guilt and conviction. Never have I been able to go to God and look back at previous days weeks and months and said, God, I am innocent - I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. To say that completely, to have a clear conscience that every moment of every day, every opportunity was seized to share the gospel - far from it.

On sunday we were walking into Sam's to buy, you guessed it - diapers, and we stopped to witness to a man in the parking lot. The man was not receptive, he took the tract, saw what it was and wanted to give it back. I attemtpted to reason with Him and let him know that we care about his soul but he walked away - off to his car. I pray for that man, but lest anyone think us faithful witnesses - how many others did I pass in that lot, in that store, on the street without offering a tract - plenty. I am regularly guilty of concealing the words of the Holy One.

I write this in rebuke of myself and if necessary, as a challenge to all my dear brothers and sisters that our emphasis, focus and standards about personal evangelism must be drastically increased - we have the words of eternal life and a King who laid down His life to make this blessed hope available - we must avail of the privilege of sharing it with others.

Job prophesied of Christ and told the world of his coming Redeemer - I pray that I would more faithfully do the same

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Doth Job fear God for naught?

I am thankful to God this morning for the three little girls asleep comfortably in bed when I left this morning.

I am thankful for a wonderful wife of 11 years, 8 months pregnant with our fourth little girl that will be ready to teach, pray with, pray for and minister to the kids.

I am grateful for God's mercy as my littlest daughter fell and hit her head on a sharp wooden corner last night and came away with only one small little cut and bruise.

I am thankful that a great wind did not come from the wilderness and smite the four corners of our house causing it to fall on my family as it did on Job's - amen?!

I am appreciative that my job my car started, my trip was safe and i had a job to work at this morning

I am glad for a family that gathered yesterday to celebrate my wife and daughters birthday and for the fellowship we had.

I am ecstatic that I have an eternal home in Glory awaiting me at the end of this life...

As we all know, God allowed Satan to take his best shot at making Job turn on God - and what a shot it was...

Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

As much as you the readers and I would like to have God point to us when dealing with Satan and say - Hast thou considered my servant...(Insert Name), this is one of those chapters that makes us really consider the cost that may be associated with that.

How glad i am to know that regardless of the challenge, the affliction or the trial - the victory is assured already through Christ!
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In my weakness and anguish I cant say that I would recite Job's response if such tragedy befell me.

I read this today and said, we dont fear God for naught - how much closer I need to draw nigh to God so that it is His strength and not my flesh and reasoning that takes over when afflictions arise. The strength and the grace come from Him alone - no one reading this would stand a chance of being able to deal with such tribulation in their own strength.

Yet, How many examples can you think of where the grace of God provided such amazing help in the midst of difficulty that you could only wonder at how awesome God is. Take some time and praise Him for those displays of His love and grace.

I remember my little Anna being born. We did not know right away that she was born with a cleft palate. She was delivered through an emergency C section and then within hours they had to take my wife back in for emergency surgery. The following morning my little 7 pound Anna choked. Since she had the cleft, both her airways were fully blocked. The doctor started flipping her upside down and hitting her back with tremendous force. We watched with horror as she turned purple and they rushed her out of the room. I followed them out but they closed the door on me in the treatment room. Her heart rate dropped to 29. I never thought I'd see her alive again. I fell to my knees and uttered the most heartfelt cry to God I could. God, save her. Why God in His mercy spared my wife and daughter at that time while somewhere in the world I expect the outcome of tragic events were not so positive I wont understand until glory. We are not expected to understand God's ways, but we can know they are Good (Rom 8:28) and that we can trust Him even though we don't understand (Prov 3:5-6). The grace of God displayed, the support and prayers of friends, the testimony to others - looking back I can now see the good that it brought and the strength that it built.

How grateful I am that God did not put me through what Job went through and how grateful I am for the grace that God at this moment is giving to those who have and are going through far worse that what we experienced.

I pray that experience taught me that I dont fear God for naught...

Happy 3rd birthday Anna (10/18) - you are a treasure I dont deserve - as are all my girls and my wonderful wife

While We Can

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

As I read through Revelation it is stunning to see the extent of the great judgment that the Lord, the righteous Judge will pour out on this earth as He fulfils His promise of wrath on the ungodly and reaps a harvest of souls, primarily those of the children of Israel.

I read of all those that will take the mark of the beast and worship his image for temporary convenience, commerce and supposed safety only to have the first vial judgment afflict them horribly.
Rev 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

It is much the same now, there is a false sense of security this world has in something. It may be religion, it may be our strong military or it may be economic prosperity but the time is coming and is soon present when a judgment will come that will have a staggering world effect.
Oba 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

If God chooses to pour judgment out on America prior to the rapture I would expect to see what we see in Revelation, that while some will turn to God, many others will also blaspheme His name. A third group, of course, would die in the process, their souls being sent off to an eternal destination. The time is short.

We are blessed and priveleged to have the everlasting gospel to preach of Christ who died and rose again to pay for our sins and give us a way to eternal life. We have but a short time, we know there is impending judgment, we know that billions of souls are in jeopardy right now and we know our loving and longsuffering Saviour ordained in this time in history for us to be the conduit for the gospel to go to all the world.

What a challenge, what a privelege, what a sober and humbling responsibility. What grave consequences are on the line, what little time there is - lets be faithful and fervent to spread the gospel - While we Can

God is going to put the gospel, at least in part, into the hands of an angel during the tribulation. Right now, it is in our hands. Through the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God and His word, may we be found faithfully preaching that glorious gospel wherever we are when that trumpet blows. Satan would like nothing more than to keep us from this crucial work, I expect that he has had success in doing that more than once in each of our lives through distractions, busyness, wrong priorities, sin or otherwise. Today is a new day, to be devoted to Jesus Christ, He deserves our all and with His help, we can give Him our all - While we Can

A great day

Yesterday was a blessing. It was my wifes birthday and I took the day off, not for her birthday but so that we could spend the entire day with people she had never met before. Ok, obviously that didn't sound good.

The people she hadn't met were my missionary friends from Cebu, Philippines - the Lewis Family. They came in late Tuesday and will only be here until Friday morning. (A special thanks to Pastor Vince Giardino and Gospel Light Baptist Church for allowing them to stay in their beautiful missionary apartment/prophets chamber. They made the same accomodations for the Perkins family and it has been a great blessing.) We spent the day yesterday with Travis, Angela, Gideon, Alayna and Victoria (Toria) as well as Angela's mom and dad who are traveling with them this week to see the fall foliage in the Northeast. We had a great day at Letchworth park picnicking, hiking, talking about ministry and building a wonderful friendship. We then went to Old Paths Bible Baptist Church (that support the Lewis Family) for a great service. Brother Travis preached from Luke 5 on the Devastating need (man sick of the palsy), the Devoted men that cared for him and the Deliverance through Christ. He applied it to the great need around the world, the ministry of Christ that we should reflect by being willing to minister to one soul at a time and the dedication it requires. One soul at a time may not seem like much when billions are lost but as was mentioned last night - it makes all the difference in eternity for that one affected. Better than that, the one saved will now go reach others.

I want to thank God for allowing our families to meet and for such a wonderful wife of 11+ years who is so loving and faithful to such a worm as I. Happy birthday Steph!

The Wonderful Grace of Jesus

wonderful, the matchless grace of Jesus...
all-sufficient grace for EVEN ME!

2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2Co 8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

From the throne of glory to a dirty manger He came, His grace strong enough to overcome the 4000 years of rebellion that man had already grieved Him with. He submitted Himself to the influences of pain, weakness, poverty, hunger, thirst, rejection, abuse, temptation, fear and so much more. His poverty was more than just giving up the wealth and worship He enjoyed in glory. He demonstrated to us that not only was He willing to pay a debt that we could not pay and that He did not owe but that He would also be an example of how to set aside the comforts, wealth and pleasures on the earth, to take off the fine apparel and gird ourselves with a towel to wash the feet of others. I have not followed that example nearly enough.

Forward a year ago, what an oft preached statement. For the world that means one step closer to retirement, bigger nest eggs and a nicer car. For Christ, it was further abuse, escalated rejection, increased poverty, more villages to preach in, more feet to wash, more people to minister to - until the culmination - the resurrection - when His work was complete, the joy that was set before Him began to be fulfilled and He took His rightful place at the right hand of the throne of God where He ever lives to make intercession for us (think about that-praying for us)

The richest rewards and payouts are typically with the most costly and often risky investments. This is where there is a difference

• there is a cost to serve God versus fulfilling the lust of our flesh - but not near the price that we deserve to pay for the sin that we are saved from - and eventually we realize that the "temporary cost" is still so beneficial in the relationships formed, the strengthening of family, the trouble that you dont end up in because you live more responsibly and especially the communion we get to enjoy with our Saviour
• there is no risk involved - His word is true - it is a blessed hope we have - even when the message we bring is rejected we are laying up treasure in glory. What amazing grace God has shown us!

2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Would that eternity was always on my heart, how often I fail so miserably, grieve God, lightly esteem the Rock of my salvation - and yet He is there to forgive and restore!

O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me...
I thank God through Jesus Christ - Rom 7:25

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

How great is His love for us - I can't wait for the day when we will no longer be bound by these bodies of flesh and can live with Him in perfection and glory!

Proverbs 2 and animals...also

Some thoughts on Proverbs 2

The Fathers Challenge and Conditions
(Pro 2:1) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

(Pro 2:2) So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

(Pro 2:3) Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

(Pro 2:4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

What I don’t see here is the instruction to just LISTEN to music or messages, or just ATTEND (church), or even just SERVE or just Do Right. Serving in a dozen ministries for 30 hours a week would not meet these conditions – service is an outpouring of our love for God. To love God how we should and to please Him with our service - then we must

Receive His word,
Hide His word,
Incline our ears to His wisdom,
Apply our hearts to what He tells us
Cry out for His knowledge
Lift up our voice for understanding
SEEK and SEARCH HIS WORD for it as if for treasure – because that is what it is – of far more value than GOLD AND RUBIES – keep your yacht, keep your cottage, keep your Mercedes, keep your designer clothes – God’s Word is the great treasure – would that our thirst for it would be so strong that we'd have no other desire for stuff, that we wouldn't receive the least bit of relief or false satisfaction from anything but God…

The Fathers Covenant

If you follow the above - Then
(Pro 2:5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
1 Statement – 1 verse that expresses the covenant promise but Oh, what that verse contains – the fear of the Lord – the knowledge of God
Do you need the list of the benefits and blessings associated with the Fear of the Lord?
Wisdom
Knowledge
By Humility and fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life

By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil

the List of verses about the Fear of the Lord is big - DO A STUDY ON IT!

Do we need the verses from Paul and Moses and Jeremiah and other saying how there is nothing more important in all the universe than to KNOW GOD – Phil 3:7-10, Ex 33:13, Jer 9:23-24

The Fathers Cabinet
O the riches that God has reserved, the wealth, the wisdom, the power, the victory, the knowledge, the treasures that God has laid up – they are reserved for His children –

Treasure of thunder to discomfit those Philistines and make them flee, Samuel
Treasure of hail to vanquish those enemies, Joshua
Treasure of flies, and lice, and frogs and darkness to show His might and prepare the Egyptians to let you go, Moses
Treasures of fire to consume the offering and show who is the one true God, Elijah
Treasures of manna to feed you in the wilderness, children of Israel
Treasures of the Precious Blood of Christ to wash away your filthy rags, sinners (ME!!!)
Treasures of clean garments to cover you with the righteousness of Jesus Christ!!!
Treasures of forgiveness and cleansing by His faithfulness for those who will confess their sins

And Brothers – He has treasures of Wisdom, and Knowledge and Discretion and Understanding that are offered to us through His holy BOOK!

(Pro 2:6) For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

(Pro 2:7) He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

(Pro 2:8) He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

WHAT A PANTRY
Giveth – you must have something to give it
Layeth up – What excess He has available for the asking – do you think God runs out – does wisdom go on back order
Keepeth – is his knowledge ever discontinued
Preserveth – is His word ever something that could be spoiled, could it go bad, could it no longer have value

Could this book have an expiration date somewhere? – “wait, is this it – nope – that's the ISBN number – oh HERE IS THE EXPIRATION DATE - 1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

The wisdom, knowledge, understanding, protection, judgment, and guidance of God for the saints is stored up and preserved within His word and through accessing it by faith in prayer…

The Covenant Continued
(Pro 2:9) Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

EVERY GOOD PATH is not understood without an understanding of His righteousness, His judgment, His equity, His fear and His knowledge – these are the covenants – the promised results to those who receive and hide and incline and apply…

The trendsetters, those that establish the precedents that others follow - how often are they followed, looked to and mimicked as a result of personality, popularity, profitability and persuasiveness while having little true understanding - think hollywood

God says - know my word, apply, seek, cry out for it and apply thine heart - then with wisdom you can understand righteousness, judgment and equity and establish Good Paths to follow.

(Pro 2:10) When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

(Pro 2:11) Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

DISCRETION – 1. knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding ones own conduct.

A good man--will guide his affairs with discretion. Psa 112.

My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion. Prov 3.
OH FOR PERFECT DISCRETION – OH FOR THE PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD – WHAT PLEASES HIM IN EVERY AREA SO THAT WHETHER I EAT, DRINK, SING, SPEAK, WORK, WITNESS, SERVE, PRAY, LEAD, LOVE ETC – THAT ALL OF IT IS DONE TO THE UTMOST GLORY OF GOD – THAT MY CHOICE OF SHOES FOR THE DAY WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THE TASK AHEAD – THAT EVERY LAMB, EVERY TALENT, EVERY MOMENT THAT I OFFER IN SERVICE TO GOD WOULD BE MY BEST – WOULD BE SPOTLESS AND ACCEPTABLE – IT IS OUR REASONABLE SERVICE

Would that discretion will keep us and understanding preserve us today. Seek God to give you of His abundant treasures of wisdom.

The Fathers Assurance of Conquest

Why the need for this discretion?
(Pro 2:12) To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
(Pro 2:13) Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
(Pro 2:14) Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
(Pro 2:15) Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
(Pro 2:16) To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
(Pro 2:17) Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
(Pro 2:18) For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
(Pro 2:19) None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

Summary - Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

(Pro 2:20) That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
(Pro 2:21) For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
(Pro 2:22) But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Today - discretion tells me - STAY IN THE CAR - there really is a Lion in the street (and his friends!)

Have a great day! (Pics taken at African Lion Safari near Toronto - many years and many kids ago!)