The Feast of Tabernacles

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Why do we give? Is it because it is traditional, seasonal, or even promotional? God gave because He loves us and He desires to meet a need. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves–He forgave us and washed away our sin and guilt. We should give to others because we love and we desire to meet a need.

How do we give? We give according to our means. We don’t break the bank. Also, we should plan what we give ahead of time. It should be thoughtfully and joyfully given. Your presentation of the gift reflects a part of you and your love for them.

What do we give? When we give we do according to how well we know the recipient. What are their likes, needs, and experiences? Will the gift match them? It takes thought and contemplation to find the right gift for the right person.

How do we receive a gift? Remember that our relationship to the giver is more important than the gift. We should be thankful and appreciative for the thoughtfulness, effort, and cost of the gift. We should receive the gift with a humble attitude. After the gift is opened expressing gratitude sincerely is appropriate and right.

There are some gifts that cost little in monetary value. It could be to keep the children for an evening, helping a neighbor clean their house, taking someone to the doctor, helping to fix a dripping sink, etc. God blesses those who give and He enables all to give.

“The Israelite’s did as they were told; some gathered much, some little” (Exodus 16:17).

What would happen if you and I would read more of the Bible on a daily basis? I believe it would change the way we think, talk, and walk. We get into so many ruts in life that sometimes we need to get into the “rut of reading more” and allowing the Spirit of God to shape us into His people.

America needs more Christians who would read, digest, and depend upon the Author to imprint His Word upon the hearts and minds of His people. It would literally change us from the inside out. It would turn our lives upside down and right side up.

The Bible read for significant minutes will become the Essential Everyday Life Commentary upon what we feel, do, and live. Try it and find out how God will speak to each of us on His level. See the wonder of life in His Word and find yourself walking more in His presence. Gather much and you will receive more. Gather little and you will receive more.

“God–His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him” (Psalm 18:30).

Are we as Good as the Book?

God’s Word shields a believer with truth. To find refuge from a world of lies is of utmost importance to the believer. His Book has been proven and it is found perfect and true. When we know God’s Book we know the way home.

Who proved it? Jesus did. The Lord Jesus walked in the midst of hostility, confusion, and lethargy. But He found the written Word pure and a refuge from the sweltering heat of a world gone mad. He used it against Satan. He walked with the Book. All Jesus did brought the Book of God out in the open. He stood strong against Pilate. He went to the cross triumphantly and rose out of the dead triumphantly, proving the Book of God is Good!

When we follow the Lord Jesus we follow Him by this Book given by and from God. The Father above us, the Son beside us, and the Spirit impressing with the Book in us will guide us home. God’s Word is our arsenal against the lies of Satan. We are shielded from the attacks of untruth and led through the maze of confusion with confidence by using the time-tested Word of God.

Hundreds of students across the Piedmont Triad walked out of class during Wednesday’s nationwide walkout, but Connor Groce had his own way of taking a stand by staying in his seat.  Connor said, “I just spent the moment in prayer and in reflection,” the West Forsyth senior explains.  “Obviously, for the families of the victims in Florida and the horrific tragedy down there but for our nation as a whole because I think we live in a very fragile time.”

At its core, the current debate taking place about gun control is about more than guns.  What’s being protested is a symptom of a much larger problem.  We will not be able to legislate away evil.  No laws written on any book will change the human heart.

Our day is a lost culture that the students have inherited from us.  It’s a lost culture that mocks or ignores God and His “Timeless Truths“.  We live in a generation that is top-heavy for carnal pleasures and temporary thrills.  We have lost control of ourselves.

There is a growing epidemic of gun violence.  In addition to Florida, there have been school shootings in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan and Pennsylvania.  “How many schools, how many children have to get shot?” Andrew Pollack asked and pleaded with the President of the United States.  Mr. Pollack’s daughter, Meadow, was murdered in Parkland, Florida.  He said, “It stops here, with this administration and me, because I’m not going to sleep until its fixed.”  Any parent can understand this man’s broken heart if it were one of us before President Trump.

Many of the people who want to control and eliminate the symptoms are the very ones, sadly, who want to ban the very things that will lead to healing and revival.  Unless this country and her churches turn back to God, those with a fervent and sincere faith are going to be continually mocked and marginalized rather than respected and uplifted, meaning there is absolutely no help or hope from outside of ourselves, for God is out and Satan is in.

John Adams, second President, remarked that “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”  History is very clear:  godlessness and immorality leads to any outbreak of evil.  If Conor Groce can take 17 minutes to pray in a classroom, can not God’s people take more and call upon God’s grace and mercy to start in us.

“And he said unto them, Go, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out demons, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall have finished” (Luke 13:82).

Herod had threatened to kill the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees wanted Him dead as well. What would the Lord Jesus do? Would He run? Would He hide? No, for He was under divine appointment. His Father and the Spirit of God was leading Him to Jerusalem.

Herod nor the Pharisees had any control over God’s anointed One. Our Lord was not afraid of any danger. He followed a divine timetable and nothing could harm Him until He gave Himself over into the hands of His enemies. He was on the Father’s schedule.

There are a lot of Herod’s running around today. A lot of Pharisees who do not have your best interest in mind. A fox was not held in high esteem by the Jews. A fox was known for its cunning ways and it was known to hunt at night. Holy sarcasm was used here to describe the enemies of God.

My friend there is a God and He has work for us today. We have today, we have tomorrow, and the third day if the Lord wills.

We have a work to do, a class to teach, people to reach, and others to minister God’s good hand. And we have a family to pray for, sons and daughters to love, and enemies to pour out God’s love upon. There is a world to reach, much money to give, prayers to pray, and God has it planned out for us. Let’s walk in the light while it is still day. Don’t fear the sound of Satan nor the breath of unbelievers.