The Carpenter's Chapel (4)

Saturday June 26, 2004

"Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul." (Psalm 142:4)

This is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. To be all alone, not knowing where to find refuge from problems that bear heavily at times-this is the lot of many lonely people.

James spoke of those in material need:
"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" (James 2:15,16)
Of a truth, those in such dire need of the basics of life are to have these needs met. But often, this is not the problem, people's needs go beyond the basics; they face lonliness and dispair, "No one cares for my soul." God certainly acknowledged the need for human companionship:
"...It is not good that man should be alone..."
(Genesis 2:18)
Perhaps merely a kind word or jester can make all the differnce to a hurting person.

Sometimes, of course, one's feeling of lonliness may be because of unconfessed sin, as when David lamented after his crime of adultery and murder:
"There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my sin."
(Psalm 38:3-5) I'm sure I have quoted the cartoon character, Pogo, before, but Pogo's words nonethelass fits: "We have met the enemy, and he is us!"

The remedy in such a case is obvious:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1John 2:9)

There was a time, in fact, when the Lord Himself was all alone. When He was arrested, "Then all the disciples forsook Him, and fled." (Matthew 26:56) But that was not the worst of it, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
Jesus died alone on the cross-the lonliest and most forsaken Person in all of history. Even His Father had to abandon Him, when He took our sins and died for us. Thus, He understands our own need, and is always there.
"For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18)

 

Thank you Watchman.

 

Thank you Charles!

 

Sunday June 27, 2004

Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying: "Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd."
And the Lord said to Moses: "Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;" (Numbers 27:15-18)

The Lord answered Moses' request by designating Joshua to lead the children of Israel. Joshua would be their new "pastor" (or "shepherd"), guiding and protecting them in all their ways. In reality, of course, the Lord Himself was their Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) while Moses and Joshua had been undershepherds.

The name Joshua is the same as Jesus in Hebrew, and Joshua, as udershepherd, is a beautiful type of the Lord Jesus Christ, "that great Shepherd of the sheep" (Hebrews 13:20). Jesus said: "I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out , and find pasture" (John 10:9).

The Shepherd of the sheep is also the Door of the sheep, taking His own stand in the very entrance to the fold. The sheep cannot leave the fold, nor intruders enter the fold, because He is there at the door of the fold. The sheep come into the fold for rest and fellowship, as well as for salvation, then they go out of the fold for work and service.

Joshua was the shepherd of Israel, but Jesus is our own Good Shepherd, Who, "gives His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). "Other sheep I have," He said, "which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd" (John 10:16). All who are truly "the sheep of His pasture" should "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise" (Psalm 100:3-4) each day before venturing out with Him, into the world.

 

Wow! What a challange on the importance of daily devotions.

 

I enjoy - and am blessed - by reading the devotionals of Jim, Roger, Charles, and David(Coffee house)!

Thank you gentlemen!

 

Amen - We are indeed the only Bible some people will ever read.

 

Thank you Jim - gives me pause to think!

 

Amen. Thank you Jim. A great lesson for all of us there.

God Bless

Sheila

 

Tuesday, 29 June, 2004


Now we turn to Faithful’s response when accused by Shame. Christian ask the question, “What did you say to him?”

Faithful’s first reply to Shame really sets the tone, "that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16v15).

When Shame rears his ugly head and begins to appeal to the Christian we must first trun our thoughts to the Word of God. That is the only place to find an answer to his appeal, for humanly thinking everything Shame says makes sense. Yet, God says that those things which have the most appeal to men are abominable to God. Shame makes sense only when you leave God out of the equation.

I think the key phrase in this entire section is what Faithful declares – “Therefore, thought I, what God says is best, indeed is best; though all the men in the world are against it.” What can we add to that? What God says is best, is best – full stop. This is a profound statement of faith! Whatever God says is best IS best no matter how it seems to us at the time!

Look again at the very end of Faithful’s song – “Oh let the pilgrims, let the pilgrims then
Be vigilant, and quit themselves like men.”

How do we defeat the allure and temptation of Shame?
1) Remember, what God says in best, is indeed best.
2) Be vigilant in the battle.

 

Jim, Roger, thanks for the devotionals. It seems I have so little time to post here (on weekdays.)

 

Keep in the Word. Thank you Roger!

 

Great message! Thank you Jim!

 

Thursday, 1st July, 2004

We know meet one of the most interesting characters on the journey to the Celestial City. Sadly, Talkative is one with whom we are often quite familiar. At first Christian and Talkative have a wonderful chat about speaking of things of God and the merit of speaking of good things. Faithful gets a bit anxious when these words by Talkative.

So he turns to Christian to see what he thinks.

Faithful then asks Christian for an explanation of his negative view of Talkative and why he though he had been deceived..

The problem with Talkative is one that is much to common. To speak of the things of God is easy. All over our globe are those who have no problem speaking of God. Too often though those who speak of God are like the Pharisees described by Jesus in Matthew 23v3 – “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”

The key phrase here – “They say, and do not.” My dear brothers and sisters may it NEVER be said of us that we “say, but do not.” Christian fellowship is a wonderful thing, but if we do wrongly if we do not “practise what we preach.” Talkative’s life did not match his message. How about you – are they ways in which your walk does not match your talk? Are there ways in which you say, and do not? May it never be so my friends. May what we say be what we do!

 

Amen. A very important message. Thank you Roger.

God Bless

Sheila

 

Our children and spouses will tell the best - whether or not we practice what we preach!

Thank you Roger!