ICR on Halloween, 10/31/08:

Halloween

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1)

Halloween was a corruption of "Hallowed E'en," the evening before "All Saints Day" in which civil disobedience and sinful license were tolerated prior to the forgiveness and penance sought the next day.

Although the level of debauchery and wickedness has waxed and waned over the centuries, nothing "hallowed" has ever been associated with the practice--until more recent times among evangelical churches. Now we promote a "Harvest Festival" or a "Bible Character Dress-up Night"--much of which encourages the practice of costuming and treats as a harmless alternative.

The difficulty is not with the church activities, but with the timing and the association with that which is evil. That obvious connection with a pagan holiday will undermine resolve to "come out from among them, and be ye separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Yes, no doubt that passage warns against an "unequal yoke" in marriage--but its primary focus is on church and individual purity! "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

As a parent, I know the pain of restricting my children from participating in the "fun" of Halloween. And as a former pastor, I know the pressure to accommodate the majority of church members who see no "harm" in such things. However, our allegiance and our responsibility are to the Lord, not men (Colossians 3:23). HMM III

ICR Devotional Thoughts - 10/23/2008

When the Lord Comes

"After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." (Genesis 15:1)

This is the first of the great "I am's" of Scripture, and it was given to Father Abraham at a time of both great victory and great despondence. The Lord had enabled Abraham's little army to vanquish a much larger Amorite host, but then, still childless, he was suddenly overwhelmed by his loneliness and vulnerability in an alien land.

Then Jesus came! When Christ much later affirmed His eternal self-existence to the Pharisees ("I am," He had said), He claimed that Abraham had seen His day, and rejoiced (John 8:56). This experience, recorded early in Genesis, was, no doubt, that great occasion. As the living Word (John 1:1) by whom all things were made (v. 3), He assured Abram that He, Himself, would provide all needed protection ("thy shield") and all needed blessing ("exceeding great reward"). And then it was that "he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal existing Creator and Redeemer of all things is no less able today than then to be our protection--and our provision, as well.

Note also that it was the Word of the Lord which came to Abram in a vision. This is the first use of the Hebrew word dabar in Scripture to mean "word," and here it is the Word of God personified. This still further identifies the vision with the pre-incarnate Christ, who would eventually become God's incarnate Word (John 1:1, 14).

Thus, as to Abram, God says: "Fear not!" Adam, indeed, was justifiably afraid when he heard the voice of the Lord (Genesis 3:10), for he had only a fig leaf for a covering. But, like Abram, we have a strong shield, which is none other than the Lord Himself. HMM

ICR Devotional Thoughts - 10/21/2008

A Bag with Holes

"Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." (Haggai 1:6)

This biting description of a frustrating life style, penned by one of the Jewish post-exilic prophets, is both preceded and followed by this appropriate admonition: "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways" (Haggai 1:5-7). When a professing believer somehow never seems to have enough and his money bag seems filled with holes, it is time for him to consider carefully his ways before the Lord.

After all, our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and is well able to supply all our needs. In context, Haggai is rebuking the people of Judah for tending to their own welfare and neglecting the work of God. "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled |paneled| houses, and this house |that is, the unfinished temple in Jerusalem| lie waste?" (Haggai 1:4).

Herein is an eternal principle. Jesus said, "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things |that is, food and drink and clothing|. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:32-33). If these necessities of life are not being provided, we urgently need to consider our ways. Are God’s kingdom and His righteousness really our first concerns?

We often quote the wonderful promise "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). But we must remember that this promise was given to a group of Christians whose "deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality," because they "first gave their own selves to the Lord" (2 Corinthians 8:2, 5). HMM

Today's ICR Devotional Thoughts

The Importance of Reading

"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (1 Timothy 4:13)

In this video age, Christians are in grave danger of forgetting the importance of reading. The word translated "reading" in this verse is the Greek anagnosis, a compound word meaning essentially "renewed knowledge." A sermon or lecture is knowledge heard; an educational film or video is knowledge seen; but reading is knowledge that can be read, rehearsed, reviewed, and renewed again and again, until fully and securely learned. In fact, it is necessary for students to take notes, even when hearing a sermon or seeing a film, if they expect to retain any knowledge received by such means.

The importance of reading is also pointed out by the verb used in the verse. "Give attendance" means, literally, "continue steadfastly." It is so translated in Acts 2:42: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine."

Reading and studying the Scriptures are especially necessary for a fruitful Christian ministry, but even this is not really enough. The Bible also commands us always to be ready to give an "answer" (Greek apologia, a systematic defense) to everyone who asks a "reason" (Greek logos, a logical explanation) for our Christian hope (1 Peter 3:15). To do this requires steadfast continuance in the study, not only of the Bible, but also of other sound literature as well. A truly effective and influential Christian is an informed Christian, armed with facts and sound counsel, prepared and capable both in his own professional field of practice and in his spiritual service as a Christian witness.

It is significant that Paul, just before his martyrdom and while imprisoned in a damp, cold, Roman dungeon, still desired his books to read (1 Timothy 4:13). The conscientious Christian must never cease to study and to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). HMM

Encouragement and a Future Hope for you workers out there...

Today's One Year reading helped me to look at potentially tedious, time-consuming or downright dead workdays as beneficial and eternally significant. Here's what Paul writes:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24) Be diligent in the work the Lord gives you, it is for a purpose and He does see it!

The Shack

I've been reading through The Shack, by William Young. It's been over the past month or so, so the details aren't all that fresh. However, the storyline so far is intriguing. I will write more as I get into the meat and potatoes, so to speak, of the book and have some material to work with.