Purified Seven Times?

Psalms 12:6 - The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Notice in this verse, it is the SILVER that is purified seven times, and then God's words, which already "are pure words" from the start, are compared to this purified silver. It is NOT God's word that is purified in this verse. How could it have ever been impure?

The comparison or parallelism in the verse is easy to figure out, if you just think about it. The silver is pure. God's word is also pure. The silver has been "tried" or proven to be pure, through putting it to the test of fire. God's word has also proven pure through every test, and never fails.

The English grammar of the verse is also simple. There are two clauses. The subject of the first clause is God's words.  This is everything up to the colon.  The subject of the second clause, after the colon, is silver.  You cannot take "purified..." from the second clause and pull in the noun from the first clause.  Everything after the colon is talking about silver.

Sometimes you will hear a rather ignorant argument about the King James Version being the seventh English Bible version, purified through the six prior versions to arrive in its pure state in 1611, as a fulfillment of this verse. This totally misses the verse and makes the "purified seven times" clause apply to the wrong thing. It also defies logic, for how could God's word need to be purified through human processes?

I use and recommend the KJV, by conviction and not simply preference, but I have no tolerance nor need for idiotic arguments such as the above (and many others from the same crowd) to make my case. We can make a case for the KJV and (better yet) the preserved text underlying it without looking like the three stooges, which is exactly what so many resemble when they make outlandish claims about it.

If you're going to promote using the KJV, at least learn how to read and understand what it says before using it to argue your position.  Is that too much to ask?

VM

Five Lessons I've Learned

Here are five lessons I have learned or reminded myself as I have thought over and healed from different situations over many years. Maybe they are a help to others.

I have probably been on both sides of each point below, doing the wrong thing or the right. In personal offenses, I have been both the offender and the offended. You probably have too.

I would have benefitted many years ago if someone had shared these lessons with me. So I share them now with other Christians.

1. Just when you are as upset as you can possbly be about what is going on, it is time to realize YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON !!!

You don't know people's motivations behind what they say and do. Don't pretend that you do know; only God can look on their heart and don't put yourself in His place.  So you don't know what's going on.

There are also things going on outside of your visibility that affect the part of the situation that you can see. People are having conversations and making plans that you're not aware of. Misunderstandings are forming that you can't correct because you don't even know they exist. So again, you don't know what's going on.

And in the middle of this big "mess" (to our human eyes), Almighty God has a plan, a reason (or many), an intended result, a purpose and a learning lesson for you. He has crafted and worked through all parties involved to bring about His purpose, of which you are completely unaware. So finally, when it gets as bad as it can, you still don't know what's going on.

So how can you get angry / upset / despondent / depressed / whatever about what is taking place, when you don't even know what it is?

Instead you can be thankful that if you respond to everything in God's way, His will is accomplished. Walk in the Spirit. Speak rightly. Give thanks and pray.

2. You don't need to be personally vindicated or justified.

In dealing with personal sins against you by others, the biblical motivation is always restoration of the relationship. Restoration should always be possible as far as you're concerned (Romans 12:18, etc.), but sometimes there is a brother or sister who is what the Bible calls "implacable." It means "not willing to reconcile" and it is listed alongside the most heinous crimes and sins. This is the person who refuses to meet with you face to face to discuss the difficulty or sort out the facts. This is the person who claims to be offended but won't tell what the offense is; or who is offended but claims not to be. Implacable.

In such a case, it can be easy for your flesh to change your motivation. Since reconciliation becomes impossible, self vindication or justification becomes tempting. It doesn't seem wrong, since you're not lashing out or slandering, you're just trying to "say your peace" or get your point across or defend your actions. But if it wouldn't lead to reconciliation, what is the point? Just to clear your name?

That is totally unbiblical and your actions and words with that motivation will make everything worse. Refuse the temptation to get the last word, or to make your case to others or third parties. The goal is reconciliation. Once that's not possible, its time to stop wasting your energy and move on.

Really, what is behind anything else you could say or do? Just your own pride, that's all. That's not a motivation that will stand at the Judgment Seat.

3. Don't play the stupid "prove yourself" game.

Jesus said that when your brother says "I repent" that you forgive him. In context, He speaks of a brother that repents multiple times in the same day. So it is clear that forgiveness is immediate. Yes, trust may take time to rebuild, but forgiveness and restoration of fellowship, show of love, etc., is NOW.

Understand that it takes time for someone to change longstanding patterns, time for them to learn what all contributes to their issues, time for them to sort through the various (and sometimes contradictory) counsel they are receiving. Meanwhile, their simple indication of repentance and their starting on the road to victory, however small their steps, these are enough to receive them into the enjoyment of unhindered Christian love and fellowship that they previously had.

(Obviously I am talking here about time to change their attitudes, mindsets, speaking habits, public demeanor and the like that go into personal offenses between brethen. Outright sins of immorality require a clean break).

The offending brother who repents is glad to have the burden lifted and to now be on the road to victory. But the offended party might view this brother's new-found joy as rather a non-chalant attitude about the sin or offense. That is, they might view it that way *IF* they haven't truly forgiven him yet. If they are taking the "wait and see" or "prove yourself" attitude, everything the brother does comes under intense scrutiny and there is bound to be more fault found. This is not a recipe for reconciliation but for more hurt.

If a person has truly forgiven, then they can SHARE in the joy that comes from finally being on the road to victory, not SCORN it.

Don't play wait and see. Get the issues out in the open and discuss them completely and commit to help each other heal.

To the repentant brother, I also say don't play along with this stupid game. If somebody is doing a "wait and see" on you, don't let it steal your joy. Don't cater your actions to them to try to prove yourself. Their attitude already shows that you will never measure up. They are looking closely for your next trip-up. Just serve the Lord, draw close and walk with Him. You didn't repent of that, even if they seem to think you should have!  More on that later.

4. Don't think because you have "moved on" that others have.

This is the flip side of the prior point.  Sometimes the waiting game is played or an offense between brethren isn't dealt with for a long time. Then if it is brought up to the offender later, he or she says something like, "Why are we still talking about that when it happened so long ago?"

You're still talking about it because you didn't talk about it enough back when it happened, Dummy! I hate to point out the obvious, so don't be a knuckle head.

There is no statute of limitations on dealing with personal offenses. You don't get off the hook just because it's been six months or however long.

Maybe the offended brother tried to let love cover it but finally realized it needed to be dealt with. Maybe he first thought he misunderstood but now realizes he didn't or wants to be sure. Maybe he let it go then but now sees it as a pattern in you and his concern is with helping you.

Whatever the reason, whether or not he should have brought it up before, he is bringing it up now and it is obviously an issue for him so it needs to be one for you. Deal with it together. Don't weasel out because you thought you got away with it for so long.

5. Don't let anybody stop you from serving the Lord or ministering to others or sharing the lessons you've learned.

I alluded to this in a prior point but I will expand on it here.

You might have repented of this or that. You might have even resigned a ministry in order to focus on getting things right and regaining lost trust.

But you did not resign from being a Christian, studying the Bible, faithfully attending church, helping others, and trying to serve where you can, whether cleaning toilets or spreading the Gospel.

You did not repent of being able to share joys, concerns or prayer requests. You did not resign from being able to say "Amen" when the preaching hits home. You did not forfeit your right to view your church home as a refuge from the world and spend time there. You did not lose your responsibilities to uphold the church membership covenant and help other members.

If you come under formal church discipline, there should be specific expectations laid out, maybe with certain things off-limits. But otherwise you have all the same rights and responsibilities as every other church member and anyone denying you these has now become the offender.

You don't need to put on sackcloth and sit in ashes with tears until somebody else thinks you've paid your dues. Understand that part of your recovery is going to be focusing on working for Christ. Don't expect to take on a new ministry or new formal responsibility while you're working through issues. But don't draw back from being the best church member and Christian you can be at this stage of your life.

If it bothers somebody that you're trying to live like a Christian should while you sort through your issues, that is a sign that person probably will not end up reconciling with you after all. They already show they are implacable. They don't even want to think that a scoundrel like you could be used by God. Not only is that not your problem, but there's nothing you can do about it.  So don't let them stop you from pressing toward the mark.

(And by the way, you're probably not the right person that can help them with their new attitude problem. Oh well. You can love them anyway.)

Maybe some young Christians will read this and avoid some of the mistakes the rest of us have made.

VM

Should Christians "Attack" Other Christians?

Should Christians "attack" other Christians, especially ministries or groups or denominations, by pointing out error and unfaithfulness?  You may hear statements all the time that they shouldn't.  But is this idea biblical?

First of all, let's refuse to play the world's word-twisting games

Pointing out error is not an "attack" or "hatred."  Calling it that is the game the world plays to try to publicly discredit Christians who take a faithful stand.  Whether it is those from the homosexual agenda pointing out "hate" in Christians who speak against sin, or whoever it is, this is deception from the devil.  God's people should have no part in furthering the lie that truth cannot be proclaimed publicly because some may be offended.  The truth always offends those who are not lovers of truth.  A Christian proclaiming truth should expect to be shouted down by the devil's crowd, but it is a sad day when other believers don't want to stomach it either.  Let's not join the world and do the devil's work alongside his crowd.

Instead, A Christian who is in error but has the attitude of the psalmist in Psalm 119:128 will never bristle at the truth or think it is an attack; they will realize what is in error and try to correct it: "Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way."  Notice also this biblical hatred is toward the false way, not toward a person.  And it is based not on personal opinion but the attitude that whatever God says is absolutely correct, period.

Proclaiming truth and contrasting it with error is not an attack.  But what is it?

Secondly, let's understand the reason for proclaiming truth

The point of proclaiming truth and contrasting it with error is to (a) encourage the faithful to stay faithful and (b) encourage the unfaithful to get faithful.  It is not about attacks or trying to hurt anyone. It is a part our biblical duty to one another to keep each other in line.

Considering the fact that who a person spends time with affects who they are becoming (I Corinthians 15:33, etc), it is extremely important for Christians to choose wisely whom to be with.  This includes probably most importantly which church they join or attend (and its denomination as a whole), since this is where they are receiving their discipleship and Christian training.  For that reason, proclaimers of truth have to necessarily, at times, contrast truth with the errors (either bad doctrines or bad practices) of certain churches.  It is not about denominational wars.  It is about loving the truth and loving God's people enough to give them the truth.

It even becomes necessary at times to point out errors within one's own fellowship.  A faithful proclaimer of truth will not shy away from speaking the truth regarding issues affecting his own denomination, church, association or circle of fellowship.

Again, this is not an attack but an exhortation for God's people to be on their guard against error.  In Galatians 2:11 and following, Paul says he had to rebuke Peter publicly for Peter's error.  He did not attack Peter.  He helped Peter see the error.  But the concern was not only for Peter, but also for those influenced by Peter.  So the point is not just the erring brother, but those who can be dragged into error likewise.

If a lover of truth points out, "that group of churches produces believers with a certain kind of character flaw," it is not an attack against that group of churches.  It is a warning to others that maybe that group of churches is not the ideal place to raise their families, get their discipleship, mold their own Christian character, etc.  This is "speaking the truth in love" out of love and concern for others.

Finally, let's not play the "holier-than-thou" trump card

To stand and loudly proclaim truth and contrast it with error is not to stand and say "I am perfect."  If a person has to be perfect in order to speak the word of God, then we wouldn't have the Bible, or any churches or pulpits, or any Christian literature.

Proclaimers of truth know their own weaknesses and they battle sin every day.  Lovers of truth know they must follow Galatians 6:1 - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

Notice who is to to help restore the brother in error: "ye which are spiritual."  Having just explained the fruit of the Spirit in chapter five, it becomes clear that somone helping the brother in error is supposed to do so while walking in the Spirit and having the fruit of the Spirit on display while the truth is given out.  Such a brother is aware that he has nothing good in himself or in his own sinful flesh.  He has nothing to offer the erring brother except God's truth.  He is not pointing at himself and saying, "Look at me, I am so great."  He is humbly pointing at God's word and saying, "Won't you join me in trying to uphold this together?"

Holier-than-thou?  Not the lover of truth.  But the lover of truth knows God is holy, holier than ALL.  This God has told His people to be holy as well.  To do that, they need to know the truth and they need to beware of error.  How can they keep from falling into error if there are not faithful watchmen willing to help?

Pointing out error should not be the thrust of anyone's ministry.  But proclaiming truth HAS to be the focus, and whenever and wherever truth meets error, these lines should be clearly and unmistakably drawn.  It is not an attack or a holier-than-thou diatribe.  It is the truth.  Lovers of truth have no issue with that.

VM
07-08-2014

Outline of Philippians

The book of Philippians is said by many Bible scholars and commentators to be hard to outline, as it appears not to follow any particular order.  However, I have been studying the book for years and I keep seeing four themes that naturally flow in very clear order from one point to the next.  I don't claim any special insight, I just know what I see as I have read through and studied this book, more than I have any other of Paul's epistles.  And I see four major themes corresponding closely to the four chapter divisions, all pointing to what I believe is the central message of the book: "Christian Experience."  I have outlined these four themes with the thrust of my outline being "Elements of Vital Christian Living."

The four themes, as outlined below are:

Chapter 1 - Think Rightly About the Gospel
Chapter 2 - Develop the Form of a Servant
Chapter 3 - Stand Fast
Chapter 4 - Hold a Proper Christian Attitude

Together these are "Elements of Vital Christian Living" and form the basis for living a vibrant Christian life regardless of the circumstances around us.

Some have said that "joy" is the theme of Philippians.  Joy and rejoicing are represented very well in the book, appearing 18 times in only 4 short chapters, written ironically from prison.  However, what I see is that this joy and rejoicing is but a part of the overall Christian experience.  I am making a note in my Bible, "Joy in Philippians is not the main course, but is sprinkled like salt in every bite."

Philippians stands alone, unique among Paul's epistles to churches.  It was not written to teach doctrine, like Romans and Ephesians.  It was not written to correct any moral problems, like Corinthians and Thessalonians.  It was not written in response to false doctrine, like Galatians and Colossians.  Instead it was written to a normal, thriving church that was already moving in the right direction.  If Paul were on earth today writing letters to churches, the most sound and solid of Bible-believing churches could receive a letter just like Philippians.  For that reason, such a church should study it diligently and gain from it all that it might.  While we learn much from Corinthians or Galatians for example, we still have to (hopefully) say, "It wasn't meant for a church like ours; by the grace of God let us not become such a church."  But when we study Philippians, we instead have to say, "It was meant for a church JUST like ours!  Let us gain from it all its wonderful riches!"

Starting next week, I will be attempting to teach through Philippians for the second time in my ministry.  The first time through ten years ago, teaching to a group of senior high school boys and girls, was my first ever public teaching ministry in a church.  I studied very diligently, but I mainly had to follow the printed 13-week lesson plan provided by a Sunday School publisher, since the kids were studying that.  This time, I was asked by my pastor to teach a Bible study to (mainly) adults and I will follow the outline of Philippians that I have developed in my own mind over years of thought on the book.  I finally put my outline on paper recently and it still needs to be fleshed out more, but I will share it here in its current form.

As I teach through the book, I plan to post my lesson plans and detailed outlines here as well, or over at my preaching blog, and I will also be sharing my Bible's margin notes, old and new, over at my wide margin Bible note-takers' blog.

Here is my (current) outline of Philippians.  The next time you read through Philippians, you may be able to correlate this outline and see how these points seem to sum up the message of each chapter and section.  In thinking through the book this way, I think we can gain much from this outstanding little letter to a faithful church.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

Outline by Victor E. Mowery, 2014

Theme: Elements of Vital Christian Living

I.                   Think Rightly About The Gospel – Chapter 1

A.   Our Fellowship in the Gospel – 1:1-11

B.   God’s Sovereignty in the Gospel – 1:12-18

C.   Conduct Becoming of the Gospel – 1:19-30

II.                Develop The Form of a Servant – Chapter 2

A.   The Servant’s Heart – 2:1-4

B.   Jesus: Servant of No Reputation – 2:5-11

C.   The Philippians: Servants of No Rebuke - 2:12-18

D.   Timothy: Servant of No Equal Peer – 2:19-24

E.   Epaphroditus: Servant of No Self-Regard – 2:25-30

III.              Stand Fast – Chapter 3 (3:1-4:1)

A.   Stand Fast to Stay Safe! – 3:1-3

1.                 Safe in the Tried & True Doctrine, v. 1

2.                 Safe Against Teachers of Works Salvation, vv. 2-3

B.   Stand Against Exaltation of Flesh and Self – 3:4-11

C.   Stand Fast in the Journey to Christ-likeness – 3:12-16

D.   Stand Fast in the Heavenly Mindset – 3:17-21

1.                 Follow the Right Example, v. 17a

2.                 Mark and Reject the Wrong Example, v. 17b-19

3.                 Keep An Eye on the Sky, for our Redemption Draweth Nigh !  v. 20-21

E.   Stand Fast in the Lord – 4:1

IV.            Hold a Proper Christian Attitude – Chapter 4

Obviously, Roman numeral IV needs to be developed more.  In fact, all of the points will be developed more as I teach through the book.  I plan to keep posting updated outlines here and it is my hope that sharing the lessons here will be of help to others.  If it seems hepful to you, stay tuned and ask questions in the comments section below.

VM - 07-04-2014

The Land of Libertia Revolts Against the Revolting

In the great land of Libertia,
There was a fine man in Principia
Who all his life his living made by craft.

He painted canvas, carved up stone,
Frescoes, sculptures, fabric sewn;
If art was ever needed, he was asked.

He loved this country, his great land,
For rights protected made it grand.
Of certain freedom there was never doubt.

The liberty this, the right of that,
Protected, written, inviolate.
No law could mock, no court case e'er stamp out.

Above all rights stood one supreme,
The one by which this man could dream,
And turn his dreams to artwork by his hand.

This same right protected Press,
Speech, Religion, all the rest.
'Twas this same right which made such happy land.

But into this great happy place
Rode a band, a great disgrace,
Spewing hatred, spouting vile lies.

No one liked their vicious slander,
But they had the right, you will remember.
A right on which all freedom lives or dies.

Our gentle artist met this band
In his shop, their coin in hand.
They asked him, "Would you paint a gruesome scene?"

"Hate and vile, I won't do it!
Get you hence and see ye to it!
Leave me out, my conscience must be clean!"

That's where this story should've ended,
But these wicked fellows were offended.
"Get a judge, we will, you selfish pig!"

And get a judge, they did, oh my!
With one deaf ear and one blind eye,
In long black robe with long white powdered wig.

"This is awful," I heard him say.
"You can't refuse them, there's no way.
You violated all their civil rights.

"You must paint and you must carve,
Whatever they want, no extra charge.
You must work long days and even longer nights."

This judment echoed through the air
Till none was free and naught was fair
And one day people found that they were slaves.

There didn't seem to be escape
As each new judge more rights would rape.
But the artist took to hide in mountain caves.

For twenty years he carved and painted
While down below the people fainted.
Their rights were gone, their spirits beaten down.

One spring day when mount snow thawed,
The slaves looked up and all were awed,
For spread across the range was Artist's work.

After twenty years it came together,
A bold sign made to break their fetters.
Upon each single mountain peak one word.

"Forced speech is not free," it said.
In bold blue letters, offset in red.
There upon the mounts for all to see.

Reminded! "Yes, we had some rights!
"We let them go without much fight.
For rights of others seemed to stifle me.

"It was not like that at one time.
My rights, your rights, all were fine.
We remember how we all behaved.

"Your rights ended where mine began.
Likewise mine where you would stand.
No one was made to be another's slave.

"Off with shackles! Off with chains!
We will rise up, our rights reclaim!
We will take back our land of Libertia."

And so it was the folk revolted.
The judges fled. The king, he bolted.
And freedom came again to Principia.

Now you may think this tale a fool,
But open eyes, remove the wool.
For this same thing has happened in your nation.

A man with camera forced to shoot;
Cake decorators have to pretend it's cute.
The rights we've lost were once our proud foundation.

Far too long we quipped and quibbled,
While at the roots the termites nibbled.
Far too much we failed to hold a line.

And now our chickens are home to roost.
Our situation is self-induced.
For we looked the other way and said, "We're fine."

With chains tight now, the gag's in place.
The "rights" of others won the race.
Is there any hope to set things straight?

I wonder if a Patrick Henry,
A Washington or a John Jay, any,
Founding Fathers would think it now too late.

Victor Eugene Mowery
June 12, 2014

Got the News a A Pastor Resigned

http://www.jimpreisig.com/my-blog/2011/09/pastor-resigns.html

By the time I heard that Pastor Paul Brooks resigned from the ministry of First Baptist Church of Raytown, MO, it was already old news.  The blogger I linked above kind of summarizes my feelings, except for one thing.  That blogger is praying for others in the situation, but I guess he didn't say he was praying for Paul Brooks, so I will say that I am.  And I thank God for his ministry.

The ministry of Pastor Paul Brooks was instrumental in my life.  I never met him or attended a service there, but I watched his services faithfully on television for several years while I was out of church.  This would have been the late 1990s into very early 2000s.  Of all the decent preachers on television at the time (and there were very few then and even fewer now), Paul Brooks was the one I appreciated the most.  Even the nationally broadcast preachers were not as much help to me as this pastor on local television.

God grew me significantly through the preaching ministry of Paul Brooks.  Many positive changes toward godliness in my life at that time were a result of conviction and education I received while watching his TV show every Sunday morning.  I even have a scholarly project I've long wanted to undertake as a result of his ministry - publishing a unified Gospel account according to the King James Version, as Paul Brooks did with the NIV.

At a time like this in his life and ministry, I wonder if he would appreciate a note or card in the mail.  I think I will attempt to find an address for him, or maybe even a phone number.

The blogger I linked above remembered everyone in the situation except the sinner who brought the situation about.  When you're praying for and comforting those hurt by such a situation, don't forget the one who is ultimately hurt the most - the erring brother.  I find it interesting the Bible doesn't spend much time telling us how to give proper encouragement to those hurt by the sins of others.  But it DOES give very specific instruction to encourage the erring brother who is trying to get right, "lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow."  II Corinthians 2:1-11.

This seems to be so often neglected, especially when the erring brother is a pastor or Christian leader.  There is some apparent comfort offered for a brief time, but when expectations are not met, usually expectations that have not been voiced and may not even be reasonable, the bitterness that was already beneath the surface boils over. 

There is no attempt to understand what the brother is dealing with; there is no graciousness; there is just backbiting, rampant gossip, finger-pointing and overactive fault-finding.  And all this toward a man who, though he was just a man with feet of clay and the same sinful nature as all others, tried to fulfill his call from God to help change lives for the better, and did exactly that for many lives for many years.

God forgive us.  Since we humans can't seem to forgive one another...

VM
06-11-2014

Lessons on the Lake

I have been invited to fill in a sermon for my pastor again, this time while he takes an anniversary trip with his wife.  I praise the Lord for even more upcoming opportunities to preach at various times this summer.  It is exciting to again be doing what I love, even if only as a substitute right now.

It was a blessing that our family's extremely busy summer dovetailed perfectly with our pastor's likewise busy schedule.  Every date that he asked me to preach was available on our otherwise full calendar.  I'd say God had that planned.  I will be preaching at least six or seven times in the next three months for our church here and I pray to be used as a blessing.

Previously when I've filled in here, I have simply given messages I have on-hand, updated as necessary.  This time, I took time off work this week for study and prayer and my intent is to preach from the following outline as the Lord allows.

Two fellow church members from Kansas are visiting with us here and this will be the first time they have heard me preach in over two years.  They may hear a repeat in the next week or two, but this message will be fresh for all.  May God use it.

"Lessons On the Lake" - Mark 6:45-52 <read here first>

1. JESUS PRAYS  (vv. 45-46)

a) Those who are Christlike pray

 “You cannot become more Christlike than you are right now, without praying more than you DO right now.”

b) Jesus prays for His own


2. JESUS SEES  (vv. 47-48a)

a) Jesus sees the storm

b) Jesus sees our toil and distress

i) He sees when we toil to do His will despite the storm, and He will bless it
ii) He sees when we give up in the struggle and go outside His will, and He will deal with that as well

3. JESUS HEARS  (vv. 48-50)

Job 34:28b - he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

Psalm 34:15 - The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

4. JESUS' DISCIPLES OFTEN MISTAKE HIS WORK  (v. 49)

5. JESUS' DISCIPLES OFTEN FORGET HIS WORK  (vv. 51-52)

The study time was a blessing to me again, as God always opens my eyes to so many ways in which we all fall short of what we strive for and preach.  Every point in a genuine Christian preacher's outline is relevant to himself, is targeted to his own shortcomings, is exhortation to his own spirit.  He preaches to himself all week before he stands in the pulpit to preach the condensed version to others.  Praise God for His mercy, grace and longsuffering and for His enablement to rise above our situations and live for Him despite our frailties. 

Dear Jesus, Let me not often mistake Your work or forget Your work.  And let me always remember and take heart that You pray for me, see me, and hear me.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

VM
05/31/2014