Jesus For All Nations

In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Paul exhorted young Timothy to “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (NIV)

In the aftermath of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic, reports noted that eleven millionaires had been among the hundreds on board who went to a watery grave in April 1912. Their combined wealth totaled nearly two hundred million dollars. Yet if these millionaires could have sent a message to the living about the most important things in life, not one would have mentioned money.

Newspapers also reported that Major A.H. Peuchen of Toronto, who was a survivor of the tragedy, had left more than three hundred thousand dollars in money, jewelry, and securities in his cabin. He started back for the box when evacuation efforts began, but then thought an instant and quickly turned away. Later he said, “The money seemed a mockery at that time – I picked up three oranges instead.”

Money is intended to serve us, not to rule us!

Margeurite Jackson, an Indianapolis widow, was ruled by her wealth. She lived in constant fear that her money would be stolen. When she died, more than five million dollars was found in her home! The money, one report concluded, “had brought Mrs. Jackson nothing but a life of private terror.”

How are you regarding money today? Is it a tool, or a crutch? A prison, or a key?

Let us regard money as the Proverb writer did (Proverbs 23:5) and follow our Lord’s directive concerning our “treasures” (Matthew 6:19-20).

The following is a story of nature demonstrating the fact that struggles are a necessary part of growth and development for the Christian in this life. God places these struggles (or trials) before us to prepare us for that perfect home in heaven with Him.

One day a small opening appeared on a cocoon. A man sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no further. The man decided to help the butterfly so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restraining cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening was God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

As Christians, struggles (or trials) are exactly what we need in our life in order to grow and develop properly. If God allowed us to go through our Christian life without any obstacles, it would cripple us spiritually. We, like the butterfly, would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!

Let us thank God for our daily struggles (trials) and display the same attitude toward trials as the Apostle Paul. The great Apostle said in 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

A bad habit is difficult to overcome. For example, if we take off the first letter of the word habit, notice that it does not change “a bit.” If we take off another letter, the only word then left is “bit.” If we take off still another letter, the whole of “it” remains.

However, if we take off another letter, the “it” is destroyed. This little illustration shows us that if we want to get rid of a bad habit, we must throw it off altogether, replacing it with a good habit.

For example, if we have the bad habit of smoking, letus replace that habit with prayer and the reading of the Scriptures (Ephesians 3:11-16; Colossians 1:9-13; Ephesians 3:4; 1 Timothy 4:13). We can carry a small Bible or New Testament with us (see bookstore) and every time we get an urge to smoke, we can say a short prayer, asking God to help us overcome our smoking habit, then read the Scriptures for strength and for reprogramming our thinking processes [mind] (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:6-8,13;  Colossians 3:1-10).

The longer we maintain the above activity in our everyday lifestyle, we will soon find that the once bad habit begins to fade away, no longer having the strong influence over us it once had (Romans 6:11-19). Pretty soon, that bad habit will leave us completely, replaced by the good habit of prayer, daily Bible reading, and study (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

May the Lord help us all to get rid of any bad habits we may have in our life, replacing them with good habits, resulting in godly lifestyles (1 Timothy 4:7-8; Titus 2:10-13).

Most people regard a quitter is one of the most despicable characters on earth. We admire a person who, against all odds, keeps on struggling till the contest is ended; who keeps on running till he finishes the race, even if he has no chance of winning. We applaud the man who crawls across the finish line dead last – but finishes the race! The book of Hebrews is filled with admonitions to discouraged Christians, but in Hebrews 10, the writer particularly focuses on the needs of despondent and weary disciples. The Hebrew writer develops three central thoughts that are designed to stir the brethren up to renewed efforts.

1) “Call to remembrance the former days….” (Hebrews 10:32) – As the readers would reflect upon the former days, they would remember their endurance in a great struggle of suffering when they were openly exposed to public ridicule and scorn. This may well have been in an open arena with jeering crowds watching. Their courage and stand for right would not yield, nor would they hang their heads in shame because of their faith. They would remember that they shared in the affliction of others when they stood by them. What is more, they had even accepted the seizure of their property joyfully, because they were aware, at that time, of the enduring reward they had in heaven as compared to the transitory value of material things (cf. Matthew 6:19-20; 1 Timothy 6:17,19). Remembering the strength they had in times past would instill their strength anew.

2) “Cast not away therefore your confidence….” (Hebrews 10:35) – This thought is best illustrated by the soldier who, in the heat of battle, throws away his shield in fear and flees. They needed to be reminded that their trust has a great recompense. However, the only way they will receive that reward is by enduring (cf. Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10). The hope for relief is in sight, for the Lord will not tarry in His coming in judgment against the oppressive powers (Hebrews 10:37; cf. Habakkuk 2).

3) “Do not draw back….” (Hebrews 10:38) – The just will survive by his faithfulness but God has no pleasure in quitters. The picture here is of one who stealthily sneaks back away from the conflict, hoping that his withdrawal will be inconspicuous. While Jesus offers the Christian peace in the midst of an anxious world (John 14:27), He does not offer freedom from conflict and adversity with the world (John 15:18-20; cf. 2 Timothy 3:12). Let us remember that only the coward shrinks from the heat of the battle.

Do not ever quit! Do not ever give up! If you quit, you lose it all (Matthew 16:25). In the final analysis, it matters not how much we loath a quitter – God loathes a quitter even more, “… but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38b). With knees bloody and body spent, crawl if you have to, but finish the course! (2 Timothy 4:7; cf. Philippians 3:14).

In Revelation 21:8 NKJV, we learn that those folks who are “fearful” will end up in eternal torment.  They are classed with the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, and all liars — a rather unsavory company to say the least.

There are “fears” which are necessary in the Christian life — such as a deep, abiding respect for God (Hebrews 12:28 NKJV; Romans 11:20 NKJV), and “fear” lest Christians stray from Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV).  Such “fears” are in keeping with a strong faith in God.

But there are fears that spring from doubt (Matthew 14:25-32 NKJV) which manifest themselves in many ways.  When God sent Israel forth to war He rejected the fearful “lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart” (Deuteronomy 20:8 NKJV).  God wants people who put their trust in Him — not in physical strength or numbers (cf. Judges 7:3-7 NKJV).

Those who fear the people and “love the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43 NKJV), are of little value to the Lord.

Many times, anxieties cripple our usefulness and prevent our putting God’s kingdom first in our lives (Matthew 6:33 NKJV; cf. Luke 12:22-34 NKJV).  If we “fear” to ask, we will not learn (Luke 9:45 NKJV; cf. Mark 9:32 NKJV) and if we “fear” to act, we become an “unprofitable servant” (Matthew 25:25-30 NKJV).

Regarding the fear of what our fellow man might do to us, our Lord said:

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28 NKJV).

This was part of Christ’s instructions to the twelve, sent to proclaim truth in a hostile world.

In later years, Jesus spoke to Paul in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10 NKJV).

Today the Lord needs men of courage — men who are unafraid to speak — men who are more concerned for their soul and the lost souls about them, than for self (Romans 10:1 NKJV; Ephesians 6:16-20 NKJV; Philippians 1:14-21 NKJV). Let us never fear in proclaiming the soul-saving gospel of Christ to folks lost in sin (Romans 1:16 NKJV; Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV; Mark 16:15-16 NKJV).