STRAIGHT

 

Write From My Heart

October 6, 2021

STRAIGHT in order; properly arranged

John 1:19, 23 (NIV) Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. … John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

            The person referred to in the above passage was not the Apostle John but rather he was the one who is often referred to as John the Baptist. Most scholars agree that John the Baptist was most likely a cousin of Jesus through the kinship of Mary and Elizabeth. As we read in early verses, John was given the task to prepare the world to receive God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior.

John 1:6-9 (NIV) There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

            Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, was coming to be the Savior of a lost and dying world. He would be the means of salvation and restoration of the broken relationship between Holy God and sinful mankind. John’s job was to prepare the people to hear such glorious news. Christ was coming! Taking words from the prophet Isaiah, John identified himself as the one whose job was to put everything in order and make sure everything was properly arranged for the coming of the Savior. It was a job he took seriously and served faithfully until the day of his death.

            When you think about it, isn’t that what our job should be? If we honestly believe that Christ is coming again, shouldn’t our desire be to make sure everything is in order and properly arranged? Yes, get ourselves in order first…but we cannot ignore the fact that our witness should be to everyone with whom we come in contact. All people need to know the Savior is coming again. Christ has promised to return and his return is imminent—there is no time to delay to make straight the way for the Lord!

GOOD

 

Write From My Heart

October 5, 2021

GOOD as it should be; as one should be

Matthew 19:16-17 (NIV) Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”   “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

            During the process of creation God pronounced each phase of creation to be good. He created things just as they were meant to be. What he created needed no modifications nor adjustments to be any better than the way he created it to be. The phrase, “God saw that it was good,” is repeated throughout the creation story. It was mankind who tarnished God’s creation with sin.

            As I study the verses from today’s text selection, I gain a new respect for the word good—just as it should be. Christ reminded the young man that only he, Jesus Christ himself, could truly bear the title “just as I should be.” His advice to the young man was to obey the commandments, which was something the man would gladly do until it came to his personal wealth.

            How does this apply to us today? If you notice in the following verses (18-22) Christ began by listing some of what we know as The Ten Commandments found in the Old Testament. The young man had no problem following those, and for the most part neither do we. But all those commandments set the foundation for life in Christ, namely:

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

            If we are honest, it is the second part about truly loving our neighbors as much as we esteem ourselves that causes the friction in our lives just as it did with the young man to whom Jesus was speaking. If our desire is to be a good person, then our desire is to be like Christ for only then are we just as we should be. That kind of life is only possible through Christ.

ENOUGH

 

Write From My Heart

October 4, 2021

ENOUGH  the amount necessary or needed to fill; fully; quite

1 Kings 19:3-5 (NIV) Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. … He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” The he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.

            Wouldn’t we all be millionaires, or perhaps even billionaires, if we had even a small amount for each time we uttered the words, “I’ve had enough!”? In Elijah’s case, he was afraid, and later he even expressed his loneliness to the Lord:

1 Kings 19:10  “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

            Do we forget that God knows full well how much we can bear? Don’t you think God knows full well when we are reaching our breaking point? If you are observant, it is just at these times that God sends people into your life to encourage you or to stand beside you and lift you up in prayer. Just at the point when you think things will never change, all hope is lost, and your lot in life is just to muddle through as best you can…God sees, and God cares.

            In Elijah’s case, God provided nourishment and rest and the assurance that he was not alone. While he may provide similar things for us today; one thing is certain and clear, he always assures us with his promises:

Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 71:20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

Psalm 94:18-19 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Psalm 121:1-2  I lift my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

I Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.