Now, you take it from there!

Alexander Pope, the 18th century English poet wrote: “A little learning is a dangerous thing, drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again”.

Hosea, God’s 8th century B.C. prophet wrote: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).

A lack of Biblical knowledge has stifled God”s people in every generation since Creation. Ancient Israel was scorned with the epitaph: …And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Some 1st century Christians were censored for their ignorance of Scripture: “…By this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God” (Heb. 5:12).

A vital ingredient for Christian growth is a knowledge of Scripture and the practical application of it ( II Pet. 1:5-10). Part of the training for Timothy to reach maturity was: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15).

The Church at Rome is described as an acceptable body of believers: “And concerning you, my brethren, I myself am also convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14).

The Apostle Peter sets our standard for excellence in knowledge of Scripture: “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (I Pet. 3:15).

Now, you take it from there!

Our message from Jesus is: “When you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive your transgressions” (Mk. 11:25). So, we must have done our own homework, before we can expect grace from above to cleanse us.

Forgiving others who trespass against us is one of our toughest assignments, because we are still to love them, hold them as if no offense has occurred, and wish them well. Forgiveness is forgiveness, without degrees, without reservations, without retaliation; in both Divine and human relations.

Without doubt, it is easier to forgive a friend who has betrayed you, than an enemy who is attempting to destroy you. Jesus must have struggled with this reality when He prayed from the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk.23:34); but, He showed us how it is done!

Scripture exhorts each of us: “Be kind to one another, tender- hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). This means that we must hold ourselves in a forgiving spirit; remembering that God forgives us our deepest sins, freely and completely, when we turn to Him.

Remember also; Joseph forgave his wicked brothers and did them good in return. David forgave Saul who tried to murder him. Stephen forgave his murderers as they were executing him. Our Lord and Master forgave His bitterest enemies. And we must show mercy and forgiveness to everyone; not because they are Christians, but because we are.

In His preaching ministry our Lord said: “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Lk. 6:27,28). This is your sermon for today, and every day. Also remember His supporting words: “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Mt. 11:30).

Now, you take it from there!

This wonderful solution has mystified physical scientist for eons. All of it was spoken into existence by the Creator in His first day of work, and none has been created since. It cannot be destroyed. Boil it and it becomes vapor, to return to liquid when it cools. Freeze it and it becomes solid, to return to liquid when it warms. From this we must conclude that there is never a shortage of water – we just occasionally move excessive quantities of it to other places.

God’s water transportation system is awesome! From reservoirs of earth, the Sun causes evaporation that rises to portable reservoirs in the atmosphere (clouds), and is transported by winds until released by climatic conditions. The cycle continues so that all earth-life is sustained by it. It is life-saving and even life-threatening at times.

Statistics of rainfall are mind-boggling. The following was compiled by our National Weather Service: “One inch of rainfall on one acre of ground (43,560 sq. ft.) equals 6,272,640 cubic inches, equaling 3,630 cubic feet of water, weighing 226,512 pounds. This equals the total of 27,143 gallons of water”. This is an awesome phenomenon that we hold as an ordinary part of God’s Providence over us.

We generally think of water as being used for extinguishing thirst and most fires, but God used water both to save and to destroy. He used the Great Flood to save Noah’s family and to destroy the wicked of earth (Gen. 7 & 8). He used the Red Sea to save Israel and to destroy the Egyptian army (Ex. 14). He used the Jordan River to save Naaman from leprosy (II Kings 5), and John baptized in it for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). God also requires the water of baptism to reach the blood of Jesus (Rom. 6:1-5).

Water is fun to wade in, swim in and fish in. It is refreshing to bathe in, to cook with and to drink; and possibly thousands of other things. But do remember, it is life-sustaining; both physically and spiritually.

THANK GOD FOR WATER!

Now, you take it from there!

God is so good in providing for His own; beginning in Creation week. So often we enjoy the produce of nature without reflecting upon how it began. Allow the Genesis record to refresh your memory:

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind, and God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:11,12).

“Then the Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden….Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” (Genesis 2: 8,15).

From that day to the present generation, the process has been perpetuated; yet our method of cultivation has improved mechanically.

The major ingredients of banana pudding, cherry, apple, peach and raisin pie all originated on day three of Creation. So did the major ingredient of strawberry shortcake.

Centuries later, horticulturists and nutritionists have made interesting discoveries. Recently, I read some of the discoveries with amazement. The short article read: “Did you know that the strawberry is part of the rose family? And speaking of family, eight strawberries provide children with 140% of their recommended daily amount of vitamin C. But most interestingly, the strawberry is the only fruit to bear its seed on the outside.”

Now that’s food for thought. “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1: 12).

So, our caption – “Strawberry Shortcake; Our Gift From Eden”! And is it ever good. Thank you, Lord.

Now, you take it from there!

Review your potential. The Lord believes in you and has a special place to use your talents in the Kingdom. You are specifically described in His parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), with your productivity level on the chart. Read this gem for your job assignment and do not sell yourself short. Your Lord evaluates you as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13,14) and expects you to make a difference in the lives of others as you “let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Recommit yourself to service. Remember the day of your baptism and the commitment you made to become a marching soldier in the Lord’s Army. Remember that you were washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6:11). Recommit to reality: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Renew your efforts. “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead…press onward to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14). Reclaim your neglected opportunities: “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35).

Revive the weak and faint-hearted. Reach out, touch and lift up those who have fallen. Study this: “Brethren, if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2) – then go. All instructions for self-examination and proper approach are included. Adhere to this prescription from the Great Physician for desired healing.

Remain constant in service. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58).

With these in place, you will experience A New Year and a New You!

Now, you take it from there!

In your pursuit, do not look for a church like those described in Revelation, chapters two and three. Ephesus had left her first love and needed to repent. Pergamum had some false teachers, others ate things offered to idols, still others were immoral and needed to repent. Thyatira tolerated immorality, ate things offered to idols and needed to repent. Sardis had the name of being spiritually alive, but was dead and needed to repent. Laodicea was lukewarm, claimed to be wealthy – needing nothing, but was spiritually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked and needed to repent. Then, the church at Corinth was in the strictest sense, a hospital for sinners, and it took two letters (about 8,000 words) of corrective instruction for them.

Beyond doubt, these were not model churches, and were in immediate need of purging the evil from within. The desire of Christ is: “That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:27). All congregations have problems and need to purge the evil from within. Jesus will do the final purging at His coming (Matt. 13:41) and deliver the perfect Church to the Father (I Cor. 15:24).

In the meantime, do some deep digging into your aspirations for perfection. If you are still looking for a perfect church, settle on one that is “pressing on toward perfection” (Heb. 6:1). The nearest to a perfect church on earth, assuming it is Scriptural in origin, doctrine and practice, is one where everyone praises the Lord, everyone loves and praises each other, everybody is somebody, everybody is keeping the unity of the spirit, everybody is actively promoting outreach, sound doctrine is taught and preached, the property is paid for and everybody (along with Paul) is debtor to the lost (Rom. 1:14-16).

If you can find that one – GET IN IT! Size is secondary, but it helps.

Now, you take it from there!

Hands! What marvelous accessories out there at the ends of our arms. Bones, arranged with joints, tendons, muscle, tissue, nerves, a network of vascular pipelines and appendages with nails so we may scratch. All of these, and more, covered with skin and enhanced with perfect coordination.

Hands! And what do we do with these marvelous inherent parts of human anatomy? Well, we wash them clean, anoint them with lotion, manicure the nails, ring the fingers, adorn our clothing, tie our shoes, eat our food, operate remote controls and cell phones, and hundreds of other things to serve ourselves – God intended that we use them this way, so keep on using them.

Hands! Two of them, given to each of us, that we may use them to the glory of the Giver. They are given for dual purposes; self-service, and to serve others. Solomon’s description of a worthy woman praises her because she “works with her hands in delight” (Proverbs 31:13). Nestled among other worthy character traits, these are assigned to her hands: “She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her palms grasp the spindle. She extends her hands to the poor and she stretches out her hands to the needy” (verses 19, 20). Then: “Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her” (verse 28). Finally: “Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (verse 31). Paul extols the virtue of honorable labor with our hands in dual purpose: “Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).

Hands! Look at your two hands. Make a fist – then straighten the fingers. Now, look again to see these marvelous instruments that are gifts to be used honorably, and to God’s glory. At the same time, why not sing some good old favorite hymns – like: “Hand in Hand We Walk Each Day”, or “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”, and, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Lead Me Home”. With this exercise completed, you are ready to adopt the heavenly message for the acceptable earthly work ethic – “Whatever you hand finds to do, verily do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or wisdom in Sheol where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Now, you take it from there!