The Reservation Book ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 3:1- 4:1 / NT - Matthew 25:1-13

"Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." -- Matthew 25:11-13

I stood in the foyer of a hotel some years ago and watched as a fellow traveler became quite animated when he was told that there was no reservation and no room for him. He was absolutely sure that he had a reservation, but the hotel had no record of such and they had no rooms available. No matter how sure he was, the record was clear... his name was not found.

"At midnight the cry came out: 'Here's the bridegroom'" The midnight cry is coming and we have no way of knowing when. The door will be open for all those who have reservations. But when it shuts, those left outside will be without hope. No matter how sincerely we believe that we have reservations, if we don't have the oil of salvation in the lamp of our souls, all we will hear are the words, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you". If we don't know the bridegroom (Jesus) in this life, our name won't be found in the reservation book.

For some, the midnight cry is expected with great anticipation. What about you? Have you trusted Jesus Christ as the only means for your salvation? If you have done so, you have been filled and sealed with the Holy Spirit and your lamp is ready for the wedding banquet.  Don't wait until the last moment to come knocking at the shut door. Make sure that your name is found in the reservation book.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 4:2-5:7 / NT - Matt. 25:14-30

Timeless ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 2 / NT - Matthew 24:32-51

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." - Matthew 24:35

Homes are no longer illuminated by candlelight or kerosene lamps. We no longer cool our food in an "icebox", which used fresh ice blocks to do the job. We no longer travel to church in horse drawn carriages or heat the sanctuary with a coal burning furnace. All of the above have given way to modern development, but every week people join together to hear the Word of God preached. God's Word is timeless.

As Jesus spoke of His coming again on a day far into the future, He made it clear that many events and people will pass by the boards, but His Word will remain steadfast and sure. He spoke of events that have not yet occurred, moments that demand patience and great faith from God's people. Yet, he encourages every reader from every generation to be confident and alert. What the Word of God reports will surely come to pass. As then, so today, God's Word is timeless.

Does the Word of God speak to you today my friend? Are you reassured every day that Jesus is coming again? Do you find fresh insight and understanding as you pour over the pages of this ancient writ? The Scriptures are more unique than any book ever written. They make the past live and breath while bringing the future within reach of every reader. We know that Jesus is coming again because the Bible tells us so and that Bible is, and always will be timeless.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 3:1- 4:1 / NT - Matt. 25:1-13

Judgment Day ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 1:21-31 / NT - Matthew 24:15-31

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be." - Matthew 24:21 

From my earliest years, I remember seeing people walking up and down city streets with signs that warned of the impending end of the world. The years have passed and there seems to be no end in sight.  Yet, every year there seems to be a new harbinger of world devastation which convinces some people and further hardens others into unrepentant skepticism. The lingering question remains: will there ever be a judgment day?

The answer is clear and sobering as it comes from the lips of our loving and compassionate Savior. He never carried a sign or encouraged the building of survivalist bunkers. Jesus just told it like it would be and left the warning waft in the air of time and space. A time is coming, "such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be".  Yes, my dear friend, there will be a judgement day.

The greater question is, "how then shall we live?" Our Lord placed no set time for that moment, just the factual account of its coming. Just because that day has not yet arrived, should not lull us to sleep my friend. Be alert and busy about the Lord's work, for our time is short. While the present family of God will be delivered from that hour (1 Thessalonians 5:9), we need to be watchmen that sound the alarm. In the words often used by the nineteenth century preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Turn or Burn" for  Judgement day is coming.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 2 / NT - Matt. 24:32-51

As He Planned ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 1:1-20 / NT - Matthew 24:1-14

"Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."" -- Matthew 24:1-2

Since 1650 there has been a vital gospel ministry in London called the Tabernacle Fellowship. Through the years such men as Benjamin Keach, John Gill and C.H. Spurgeon served as pastors. The Tabernacle of Spurgeon's day was burned down in 1898, and then rebuilt only to be burned down a second time during World War Two. The ministry continues to this day as a viable ministry of God. Buildings come and go, but the work of God continues just as He planned.

As the disciples marveled at the great buildings of the Temple, Jesus pointed out their eventual destruction. In fact, in 70 A.D. the Roman Military Commander Titus Flavius Vespasianus led a 143 day siege with 30,000 troops and destroyed the Temple buildings and burned Jerusalem to the ground. While Jesus spoke of this horrific destruction, he continued to foretell of many more prophetic events, including his second coming. Buildings will come and go, but the work of God continues just as He planned.

As we take this passage under consideration my friend, stop for a moment and consider the building in which you worship. Are you caught with its splendor or historic characteristic? Do you think that the gospel ministry taking place in this building depends on the edifice? Remember, buildings come and go, but the work of God continues just as He planned.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 1:21-31 / NT - Matt. 24:15-31

Focus...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron.26 / NT - Matthew 23

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." -- Matthew 23:23-24

The story is told about a coastal life saving station that saved a great many lives every year. As time passed the station became famous and efforts were made to buy better equipment and build a bigger building. The volunteers continued to give much time and energy to improve the looks and quality of the station. It eventually became more beautiful than any other station with more volunteers than ever. With all the activity focused on the station itself, one thing ceased to happen; saving lives. They lost their focus.

Within this passage we read strong words of rebuke from Jesus. He was greatly displeased with the leaders of Israel at that time. They were determined to follow the very fine details of the law with tremendous diligence. They were caught up in the technicalities of the law to such a degree that they forgot the more important matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness. They lost their focus.

It's easy for us to become so obsessive about small microscopic issues that we forget the greater matters and why we are called of God. Some believers are determined to do church the right way and make it look and sound better than any other. In the process they lose sight of the reason the church exists: to save souls. Please be careful my friend, in your drive to do the very best for Jesus, that you don't lose HIS focus... "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them..." (Matthew 9:36)

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 1:1-20 / NT - Matthew 24:1-14

Love, Sweet Love...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 5 / NT - Matthew 22:34-46

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "-- Matthew 22:36-39 

In 1965 Hal David and Burt Bacharach wrote "What the world needs now is love, sweet love, It's the only thing that there's just too little of."  The song reached number 7 on the US charts in May of that year. Apparently this message hit a nerve that resonated for quite some time. But then again has there been any improvement over the last sixty- one years? Isn't there still a great need for love?

As Jesus responded to a Pharisee's inquiry with the above statement, he highlighted the greater love that was needed. While the world may join together in a call for loving one another, this love will never be what it needs to be without the greater love for God. Until the heart is converted and grows with an all encompassing love for God, loving others will always be more than difficult. Yes, what the world needs now is love, sweet love... for God.

How much do you love the Lord today my friend? Does he have your undying devotion that draws your heart, soul and mind into total commitment? Is the Lord the reason for your living? When love for the Lord is the driving force in your life, you can't help loving your neighbor as yourself. Such a love for God and others is "not just for some but for everyone".

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 26 / NT - Matthew 23

Clear Directions...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jonah 3-4  / NT - Matthew 22:1-33

"Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." -- Matthew 22:29

Have you ever been lost in a city? You stop and ask someone for directions and they give you a rather nebulous response. A few blocks later you have to stop again. This time you have an interchange with two or three bystanders and the discussion becomes even more confusing. Oh for a map! (Quite often more dependable than any GPS)

The Scriptures are God's map for life. We can sit around and discuss many ideas about spiritual matters, but if we don't use the map, we will get lost. A good map not only shows the right roads to take, but also has the power to provide us the distance and time our trip will take. God's Word gives clear direction and his power brings possibilities into reality. 

Be careful when theological discussions move toward perplexity. The study of the Scriptures will always give insight and the power of God will always give confidence for the future. Don't stay lost in a labyrinth of spiritual confusion. Study the Scriptures and find the direction and power you need for the journey.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 5 / NT - Matthew 22:34-46