Verses For The Week and An Important Prayer Request

      I start with the prayer request. We are supposed to have a major snow storm in my area on Wednesday. Please pray that the weather is not that bad. I need to get to work, and I do not want to drive in too much snow. Thank you. 

Isaiah 11:9 -- "They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

Lamentations 3:24 -- "The Lord is my portion says my soul, therefore I hope in Him"

I John 3:3 -- "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Weekend Sermon -- Habakkuk -- Part 4

      Welcome to this week's edition of the sermon. It is my hope and prayer that you are all well and having a very good week. I thank the Lord that I have been doing well. 

     As you know, we have been studying what the book of Habakkuk has to teach us. In today's message, I want to focus on a single verse that comes at the end of chapter 2 which we looked into in last week's message. Habakkuk 2:20 says, "The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him."

    Today, I want us to focus on three of the meanings in this verse. First of all, what is the meaning of this verse in the direct context in Habakkuk's day.  In chapter 2, the Lord is answering the objection that Habakkuk has about the Lord using the Babylonians as a means of bringing judgment against the people of Israel. Towards the end of the chapter, it is made clear that those who worship idols and reject the True and Living God will eventually come into judgment. No one is going to get away with anything. 

     In our verse for our message today, the point was that God had answered Habakkuk. There was nothing more to be said on the matter. This is similar to what we see in the book of Job when God spoke to Job. After the Lord spoke to Job, there was nothing left to say. God is the God of all creation. His will will be done upon the earth. He is omnipotent and omniscient. He has the wisdom and the power to bring about all that which is good and right and in accordance with His perfect will. 

     There comes a time when we have to rest in the assurance that the Lord knows what is best and will take care of what is wrong with this world. The Lord will also guide and direct the path of our lives in the way that will lead to His ultimate glory in this world and in the world to come. We must have faith in the power of the Lord. He is not like the idols that are simply the creation of people's imagination. Our God created and sustains the entire universe. His will will ultimately be done on earth as it is in Heaven. 

     Now, I believe that there is another way to look at this verse. This verse speaks of the awesome majesty of God. The prophet Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne. This is recorded in Isaiah 6. When Isaiah saw the power and majesty of God, he said that he was ruined. He was in deep awe at the glory of God. 

     When we understand how powerful and majestic God is in all of His glory, we must be silent in the light of His power. This verse tells us that our God is worthy of the utmost respect and honor. He deserves the best that we can give to Him. As Paul said in Romans, we need to present ourselves to the Lord as a living sacrifice. It is our reasonable service to a great God. 

     Finally, this verse speaks to me about being silent before the Lord. In Psalm 46:10  we read the words, "Be still and know that I am God." When we go before the Lord in prayer and mediation each day, we don't have to fill that time with a lot of words. There is power in being silent before the Lord and contemplating His majesty and His glory. In the silence, we can allow the Spirit to move in and speak to our hearts. 

     It says in Luke that Jesus often went out to lonely places to pray and spend time with the Father. I believe that on many occasions, Jesus in silence communed with the Father in Heaven seeking strength for His mission on this earth. Let us be silent before the Lord and understand who He is and what He has done. In the silence, let us wait for Him to speak to us. And let us be quick to hear. Amen. 

Prayer requests

     Please keep praying for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Keep praying that those who are sick will make a speedy recovery. Pray for the healthcare workers who are doing such a great job in helping people during this difficult time. 

     Continue to pray for the people of Tonga. Pray that they will continue to receive the aid that they need. 

     We need to keep praying for peace in this world. Pray for the situation with Ukraine. Pray for peace in Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia and anywhere else where you know that there is conflict. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Bangladesh and Morocco. Pray that many will come to know more about Jesus. 

     Next week, Lord willing, we will continue in our study of Habakkuk. On Monday, I will post the verses. I will try to have a review midweek. May God bless you all.  

Review -- I've Changed My Opinion

      As most of you know, James Herriot is my favorite author. I've really enjoyed reading all of his books over the years. I also greatly enjoyed the original All Creatures Great and Small TV series that starred Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy and Peter Davison. 

     When I heard that there was a new series coming out, I had mixed feelings. When I watched the first couple of episodes of the new series, I didn't like it. I initially gave the series a poor review. However, over the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity to watch the entire first season, and I've watched the Christmas special and the first few episodes of season two. 

     I have changed my opinion about the new series. It is very different from the original and the story lines vary a lot from the books. However, the program is still good. The acting is good and the scenery is nice. I won't ever like it as well as the original, but the new series is better than I initially thought. You will enjoy it if you don't compare it to the original and just enjoy it for what it is. The first part of season two has been really good. You can watch the first few episodes of season two on the Masterpiece Theatre website. 

Verses For The Week

 Colossians 4:6 -- "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Ephesians 4:29 -- "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such that is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Weekend Sermon -- Habakkuk -- Part 3

      Welcome to the Weekend Sermon. I hope and pray that everyone is doing well today. I pray that the blessings of the Lord will be upon you. 

     For the past couple of weeks, we have been in a series studying the book of Habakkuk. We have seen that the prophet begins by asking God how long it will be before He brings judgment on the wickedness of the people. We know as believers in Jesus that even though it seems as if evil often triumphs, Jesus will return one day and restore all things. His justice and righteousness shall prevail. Last week, we saw that God answered Habakkuk and told him that the Babylonians would be the ones that God would use as an instrument of judgment. The prophet couldn't understand this. The Babylonians were worse than the Israelites in their behavior. The prophet asked God what this was all about. 

     Today, we see that God answers Habakkuk. Chapter 2 of this short book relays to us that God has everything in His control. God assures Habakkuk that the Babylonians will not get away with their bad behavior. God calls out this nation for the wrong things that they have done. They have worshipped idols and not the True and Living God. They have committed acts of violence and exploitation. While it may seem that they will prevail in their wickedness for a time, it will not last. We know from history that the Babylonian Empire didn't last too long. After them came the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans etc. Any kingdom that sets itself up against God and the things of God will eventually fall. 

     In Habakkuk 2:4, God gives the prophet, and us, the key to living in this world. This verse states, " Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him, but the just shall live by his faith." This is one of the key verses in Scripture. It will be quoted in the New Testament in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38. 

    In the context of Habakkuk, the Lord is telling Habakkuk two things. First of all, Habakkuk might not understand everything that the Lord is doing, but the prophet needed to have faith in the Lord. He needed to believe that God would work everything out perfectly according to His will. Also, the Lord was telling the prophet that there were many unrighteous people in the world. They were boastful and prideful, but they would not last in their sin. The person that is pleasing to God and acceptable to God is the one who has faith in God. He does not put his trust in what he can do, he puts his faith and trust in God and in God alone. 

     Why is this verse so often quoted in the New Testament? First of all, it is the key in coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one can come to the Lord by doing good. No one is righteous and all have sinned. It doesn't matter how good you are nor how many good works you try to do, it will not lead to salvation. A person can only come to the Lord by faith. That person must believe that Jesus died for their sins. They must believe that Jesus rose from the grave. They must ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins and be the Lord of their lives. They must entirely depend on what Jesus did for them. When that happens, Jesus takes away their sin and gives them His righteousness. The Bible is clear that we are saved by faith and not by works. Our salvation comes through Jesus Christ and through Christ alone. 

     Now, what else does it mean for us that the just shall live by faith. Just as Habakkuk had to do, we have to trust in what we see the Lord Jesus doing in this world. We have to believe that He is making all things new. By faith, we must believe in the promise of the Lord Jesus that He is coming again. By faith, while we wait for His return, we serve Him in faithfulness living the righteous and holy life that He asks us to live. 

     If you are reading this message, I hope that you have placed your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. You cannot redeem yourself. Your good works will not save you. Place your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

    You may be going through a difficult time in life right now. Have faith in the promises of the Lord. He said that He would never leave you nor forsake you. He has promised that He has prepared a place for us so that where He is, we can be there with Him forever. Have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     I haven't been feeling too bad recently. My sinuses are giving me some problem, so please pray that I will be restored to really good health. Thank you. 

     Right now there is great tension between Russia and Ukraine. We need to pray for peace in this situation. Continue to pray for peace in Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia and Chad. 

     Pray for the people of Tonga. This little country is going through a really hard time due to the volcano eruption and tsunami. Pray that they will receive the aid that they need. 

     Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray for the healthcare workers, and pray that the sick will recover. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those living in Burkina Faso and Israel. Pray that many will come to know of the love of Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue our series in Habakkuk. I will post the verses on Monday, and there will be a review midweek. May God bless you all. 

Book Review

      Today I am reviewing "Woodrow On The Bench" written by Jenna Blum. First of all, let me say that this is a very well written book. The author has written a number of popular novels, and this book has a nice flow to it. 

      Woodrow is a Labrador retriever that the author has had as a friend for many years. As happens to all of our dog friends, Woodrow got old and began to develop a number of health problems. Each day, the author and Woodrow would travel from the apartment to a bench across the street. On some days, that is as far as Woodrow could go. The pair would sit out there and they would encounter a number of different people. A community of Woodrow's friends developed, and they were touched by the old dog who was enjoying his life for as long as possible. 

     What struck me most about this story is the great care that the author gave to Woodrow. She worked hard to met his health needs even when it became very difficult. Many people wouldn't have done what she did, but you can tell that she really loved Woodrow and did all that she could to give him a great life. 

     I recommend this book to everyone who has loved an old dog and been touched by their spirit and their kindness. This book relates how many people can be brought together by a great dog. 

Verses For The Week

 John 16:33 -- "These things I have spoken to you, So that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world."

John 14:27 -- "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I did not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid."

Weekend Sermon -- Habakkuk -- Part 2

      Welcome to this week's sermon. I hope that everyone is staying healthy and having a good week. I thank the Lord that I am doing well. 

     Last week, we began a new series of messages based on the book of Habakkuk. We saw that the prophet called out to the Lord wondering when the Lord was going to do something about the sinfulness of the people. He wondered when things where going to change. Often, we wonder the same thing in our day. As those who know the Lord Jesus, we know that He has promised that He will come again and restore all things to the way that they existed before sin entered into the world. 

     Today, we see what the Lord's response was to Habakkuk. We learn that the Lord fully understood the situation that the prophet described to Him. In fact, the Lord lets Habakkuk know that He is raising up a people to bring about judgment if His people do not repent. The Lord says that He is raising up the Babylonians to be His instruments of judgment. 

     This catches the prophet completely off guard. He doesn't understand how the Lord can use a people that are even more sinful than his own people to be the instrument of judgment. He doesn't understand what God is doing, and he asks God what is going on. 

     There are two things from this that I want to focus on. First of all, the Lord often works in ways that we do not expect in order to bring about His will in this world. We may be like Habakkuk and not understand it all, but the Bible is clear that the ways of God are above our ways. His thoughts are above our thoughts. In times when we don't understand what God is doing, that is the time when we have to have faith. We must lean in on the fact that we know that the Lord has done what is right and good in our lives in the past, therefore we believe that the Lord will work all things out to help us and to fulfill His divine purpose. 

     Jesus and His ministry on earth wasn't what some people expected. At one point, even John the Baptist sent a delegation to ask Jesus if He really was the promised one, or if they should be looking for someone else. Jesus wasn't doing what John and some others expected. However, He was perfectly fulfilling all that the Father had sent Him to do. 

     Just because God is doing something in a way that we don't understand doesn't mean that we have to doubt. The Lord knows what He is doing, and all will be well. 

     The second thing that I want to focus on today is Habakkuk's response. He made a complaint to the Lord. And the Lord was not angry with Him. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking the Lord what is going on. There is nothing wrong with questioning what God is doing. Job did this as well, and so did Asaph. The Lord does not get angry if we truly call out to Him wanting an answer to what is happening in our lives. We just need to have the right attitude of humility.

     It is always easy to understand what the Lord is doing in this world and in our lives. However, we can rest assured in the knowledge that the Lord Jesus has all in control, and He is only doing that which is good and that which will bring about the best outcome. Amen. 

Prayer Request

     This weekend, the forecast for my area is for a lot of snow. Please pray that it won't be very bad. I don't like to drive to work on the slick roads.

     Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray that the sick will recover. 

     Let us all pray for peace in the world. Pray that there will not be a conflict between Russian and Ukraine. Pray for peace in Yemen, Syria and Ethiopia. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Brunei and Guinea-Bissau. Pray that many will come to know the love of Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue with our series in Habakkuk. I will post the verses on Monday, and I will have a review midweek. May God bless you all. 

An Important Day

 On this date many years ago, my friend Toby came to live with me. I will never forget that day. I thank the Lord for bringing us together and allowing us to share many wonderful years together. I know that we will be together again someday. 

Documentary Review

 I like to watch animal movies and documentaries, so I was excited to find a documentary called "We Don't Deserve Dogs" at the library. I have to say that this is the most disappointing film about dogs that I've watched in a very long time. First of all, the subtitles are so small and light colored that you cannot read them half the time. Also, there are some very upsetting stories featured in this film. One is about a stray dog that no one seems to want to take the responsibility for getting off of the streets and into a permanent home. The worst one is about dogs in Vietnam. There are very disturbing images in this part of the film. I don't really have much good to say about this documentary. It was not at all what I was expecting. 

If you are looking for an uplifting documentary about what dogs bring to our lives, this isn't the one. I would not recommend allowing younger viewers to watch this. There are a lot better documentaries out there about dogs and how they make our lives better. 

Verses For The Week

 Psalm 82:3 -- "Give justice to the weak and fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute."

Isaiah 1:17 -- "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow's cause."

Proverbs 16:8 -- "Better is little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice."

Weekend Sermon -- Habakkuk -- Part 1

      I hope that all of you are doing well in this new year. With the new year, we are going to start on a new sermon series. Also starting next week, I will do my best to have a book or film review each week. 

      Today, we are starting a new sermon series on the book of Habakkuk. I believe that I have mentioned on the blog in the past that I did extensive study on what are known as the Minor Prophets when I was in Bible college. I have always felt that many of these smaller prophetic books are often ignored in preaching and teaching, and one of the things that I've tried to do from time to time is to go through some of the books of the Minor Prophets to see what they have to teach us today. 

     Before we get into the book of Habakkuk let me give you a little history that leads us up to the content of this book. When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became the new king. Right away, he faced a challenge to his leadership. He was not wise as was his father, and due to a bad decision on Rehoboam's part, the Kingdom of Israel was divided. The ten tribes in the north followed a man named Jeroboam, and he became the king of Israel which is also called Samaria in the Old Testament. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the House of David. They became known as the Kingdom of Judah. 

     The Kingdom of Israel only had evil kings. No matter how many prophets the Lord sent to the north, they never truly turned their hearts back to the Lord. This land would be conquered by the Assyrians. Judah remained for a few more years. However, the land was experiencing great difficulties. The Babylonians were a growing threat to such a small nation. 

     Habakkuk wrote his prophecy in the time just before the fall of Jerusalem. It was a time when the people had fallen away from the Lord, and the nation was ruled by kings who did not want to follow the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Lord sent many prophets to the people including Isaiah and Jeremiah, but the people would not listen. 

     Not much is known about the man Habakkuk. Many Bible scholars believe that he may have been a Temple prophet. Part of their job was to compose music, and the final chapter of Habakkuk is a Psalm. 

     As the book of Habakkuk opens, we find the prophet telling the Lord about the distress that he is feeling due to the fact that the people are wicked, violent and they do not follow the law nor the ways of justice. Habakkuk asks, "How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?" In other words, Habakkuk wanted to know when the Lord was going to do something about all of the sin and evil that was going on. Habakkuk was tired of what was going on in his world, and he wanted the Lord to do something about it. 

     I definitely understand where Habakkuk is coming from. I look at the world today, and I see many of the same things going on that were going on in the days of this prophet. In my country at least, the majority of the people have decided that they do not want to follow the law of God. They don't want to follow the way of Jesus. Even those who call themselves followers of Jesus preach a Jesus that has little resemblance to the Jesus of Scripture. Their Jesus is not the Jesus who preaches the way of peace and compassion. The Jesus they preach is not the Jesus who gave us the great teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. 

     All around the world there is injustice and oppression. The poor are taken advantage of by the rich and powerful. The world is full of exploitation. Like the prophet, I ask when the Lord will come and do something about it. 

     In the verses that follow, the Lord responds to Habakkuk. The Lord has responded in our day. We have the promise of the Lord Jesus that things will not always be the way that they are now. One day Jesus will come and restore all things to the way that existed before the Fall. He will bring justice and righteousness and peace to this earth. In the meantime, we are to work to bring justice, healing and hope to the nations by sharing the message of Jesus.

     It is easy to get frustrated when we look at the state of this world. However, we can have hope in the Lord Jesus. He will come again, and in this we have hope. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please pray for the people in Colorado who suffered due to the terrible fires. I know someone who lives in Louisville. Thanks be to God, they were not hurt, and their house did not catch on fire. Many are suffering. Let us pray that they will receive the aid that they need. 

     Let us also pray for those in the Southeast part of the US who are recovering from the storms that destroyed much in that region. 

     Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Get your vaccination and booster please. Pray for doctors and nurses who are overwhelmed right now.  Pray that the sick will recover quickly.

     We need to pray for peace in the world. Please remember to pray for peace in Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia and Afghanistan. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Iran and Chad. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue our series in Habakkuk. I will post the verses on Monday, and a review midweek. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Matthew 11:28 -- " Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Psalm 119:114 -- "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word."