“As His Custom Was…”

The simple definition of a habit is “an action which is repeated often until it is the natural behavior in one’s life.” There are those habits which are good, those which are neutral and those which hinder us in our development. Think of the power of habitually doing that which is right, almost without thinking, because we have trained ourselves to always do that which is right. Take time to look at one of the habits of Jesus’ life.

His custom was always to worship God. After His baptism and His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus began His public life. He returned to the town where He had been raised. “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day . . .” (Luke 4:16). Did you notice those words in the text, “as His custom was”? It was the Sabbath day, the day the Jews gathered for worship. Where was He? Had you been around Him you would have immediately known where to find him. It was the Sabbath—Jesus was at the place He always was on that day.

His custom to worship began early in His life. This custom to worship began even before He had an awareness of where He was. It began when, as an infant, His mom and dad, on the day appointed by God, brought Him to the temple. Luke describes that day, “And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law . . .” (Luke 2:27). Think about the importance of this statement. From infancy His parents lived to obey God, and Jesus was reared in a home where it was customary to serve and worship Him. Parents, if your child has to ask, “Are we going to worship or Bible classes,” you are sinning against your child!

His custom to worship continued into His adolescent years. “And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast” (Luke 2:42). Years later when the God-appointed feast day arrived, where would you expect to find Jesus? You know the answer. This verse gives insight into why He was there. It was His habit, His custom—in infancy, in adolescence and in adulthood. His custom was always to worship and serve God.

Some in the first century had another custom. God commanded the early church, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some . . .” (Heb. 10:25). The saints of the early church assembled to worship, to learn, to sit at the feet of Jesus. Jesus was there (Matt. 18:20), but some had a habit of not assembling!

Two customs about worship—which one is yours?

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Golf, Adultery, and Buddhism

I am confident that everyone is aware of the revelation of the adulterous life of one of America’s best known golfers. We probably should not be overly surprised about his sin, for this is just a continuation of the wave of immorality sweeping our land. Our governors, senators, representatives and presidents have lost their way, and it seems there is a daily revelation theft, sexual perversion, lying and corruption.

The interesting aspect about this revelation is that this sports hero believes his sinful actions can be overcome by a deeper devotion to the Buddhism he embraced from his youth. While Buddhism apparently is the fourth largest religion in the world, most are unaware of its origin and teachings.

It began more than 25 centuries ago in Nepal when Siddhartha Gautama developed his philosophy and began teaching it to others. He was the “Buddha,” the enlightened one. The religion is best viewed as a non-theistic one, with emphasis not on any supreme being but on self development. One teacher of Buddhism explains it by saying, “We shouldn’t rely on the power of an external, even if ‘divine,’ source for salvation or redemption.” One’s life is made better by personal experience and not beliefs or dogmas.

Those who know the Bible do not have to know every aspect of this religion to understand that it is foolish. Salvation does not come from within but from above. God said, “The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). There is no philosopher, modern or ancient, who knows how to direct his own steps. If he cannot direct his own steps, he cannot give directions to another. Did not Jesus say, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch” (Luke 6:39).

The victory that overcomes the world, and the sin in it, is our faith (1 John 5:4). Since this faith comes only from the Bible (Rom. 10:17), there is no true victory without the help of the only true God.

Then there are all of those statues of the Buddhas throughout the world, which have become objects of devotion to the followers of this religion.  Imagine praying to a tree or large rock and thinking help will come by such devotion. Such images are best understood by reading Psalm 115. “They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear. . . They have had hands, but they do not handle.”

Now contrast this with our living God with living eyes, ears, and hands to help us overcome sin! Think about it. Which avenue leads to forgiveness, righteousness and salvation?

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He Loves Us Individually

As I reflect about our worship together this past Sunday, I cannot forget when we paraphrased John 3:16 and quoted it together. “For God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son . . .” Think about this and rejoice that He loves each of us, individually,  so much that He would have given His Son even if we were the only one who followed Him!

It is at this personal level that Christianity takes on new meaning. He loves the world, but He loves each of us—individually. What He does for the world, He does for each of us—individually. What He promises the world, He promises to each of us—individually. He would not change His plan if you were the only Christian. With that in mind, read the following verses I have paraphrased and put your name in the  places where the you find the blanks .

“But God demonstrates His own love toward _______ in that while ________ was still a sinner, Christ died for _______. Much more then, having been justified by His blood, _______ shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when _______ was an enemy ________ was reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, ________ shall be saved by His life.”

“Take eat; this is My body which is broken for _______; do this in remembrance of Me” . . . Then He took the cup . . .    saying,  “Drink from it, _______, for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for ______ for the remission of sins”  . . . “For as often as ________ eats this bread and drinks this cup ________ proclaims My death till I come.” How can anyone be absent from the Lord’s table or find it a “dead time” in worship when eating with the Lord is made personal!

“For the eyes of the Lord are over _______ and His ears are open to ______’s prayers.” How can anyone read this and not stay focused during times of prayer! How can you mediate on these words and not pray more?

“Let not _________’s heart be troubled  . . . If I go and prepare a place for ________, I will come again and receive _______ to Myself; that where I am there ________ may be also.” Read these words, make them personal. While God is concerned about all the world, He is concerned about you! The righteous will hear His words about coming and entering into the joys of the Lord. But it is not just the righteous who will hear His words—it is you!

Take time today to think about God and His concern and involvement in the world. More importantly, take time to think of His concern and involvement in your life—individually!

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Having a Bad Day and Looking for Great Joy?

Over the years that which brings the greatest joy changes. While a child’s greatest joy might be Christmas, that same time someday might be seen as a period of great stress in dealing with presents and making sure everyone is remembered. Later a child’s greatest joy might be an award at school or scoring the winning points in an athletic contest.

For a teen it might be getting a driver’s license or that first car. It might be the graduation from school or acceptance at a particular college. It might be participating, even as a fan, as the school team wins at the local, regional or state level.

I saw this list years ago which attempted to show the many facets of what might bring joy to different individuals: to an athlete it might be a gold medal; to a contestant the right answer; to a bride or groom the wedding day; to a parent the birth of a healthy child; to a grandparent a special call expressing love; to a builder an edifice; to a worker a cherished promotion or raise; to a politician a winning vote; to a surgeon recognition of great skill; to a teacher great FCAT scores by students; to a runner the finishing of a marathon; to a climber the ascent of a mountain and to a writer the finishing of a book.

Now think for a moment about what brings you spiritual joy. Do you know the joy of learning new truths; of seeing someone baptized; of seeing the lost restored; of singing praises to God; of communion; of soul-winning; of seeing young people making right choices; of prayer; of thanking God for answers to specific prayers; of taking quiet time to spend with God; of reading the Bible; of helping another share a problem; of sharing your problems with another; of visiting those who are sick or aged; of giving sacrificially; of teaching children in Bible classes; of work parties at the church building; of seeing a need at church and volunteering to fill the need; of setting up or cleaning up after a church gathering; of going out of your way to greet visitors; of Cornerstone meetings; of giving unexpected praise; and of “washing the feet” of a “Judas” in your life?

What brings joy? Apostles rejoiced they were worthy to suffer for Him (Acts 5:41). Paul rejoiced at sacrificially serving others (Phil. 2:17). John’s greatest joy was knowing his children walked in the truth (3 John 4). Christians will rejoice to hear, “Enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matt. 25:21).

So what about you? What today would bring you great joy? Make your own lists. Look at the lists above. What would bring you the most joy today? Have a truly happy day! Think!

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“And It Came to Pass”

So what’s your favorite Bible verse or statement? I heard of one person who said his favorite quote from the Bible was, “It came to pass.” When asked to explain this he said, “Can you imagine what life would be like if the Bible said, ‘It came to stay!’” What an interesting concept about life. The phrase “it came to pass” is found 387 times in the Bible, but the Bible also shows that “it did not come to stay.”

We recognize this when it comes to how swiftly life passes. Life may seem to drag on and on to a child, but soon we have an appreciation of how rapid time passes us by. The Bible describes the brevity of life by comparing it to a vapor, like the morning fog that disappears so rapidly (James 4:14); to a messenger who runs to deliver his message (Job 9:25); to a shadow (1 Chron. 29:15); to water poured out on the ground (2 Sam. 14:14);  to a tale that is told (Psalm 90:9) and to grass that withers (1 Peter 1:24). Life truly comes to pass!

Sorrow and tears also come to pass. Does not the Bible talk about God wiping away our tears? God does not forbid sorrow, but He forbids sorrowing like those who have no hope. David’s life had many times of grief and sorrow, but we must not forget that he said, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). The next time the clouds surround you and you are filled with despair, just remember that it came to pass.

Temptation is another thing which comes to pass. Think of how life would be if there were never any relief from those agonizing times when we are tempted to do wrong. Yet how comforting are the words, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

How wonderful it is to remember that death too comes to pass. While death is certain, so also is the resurrection! How tragic it would be if we were like animals who live and die, and that’s all there is! However, there is the resurrection morning. Death is not permanent but simply a door of transition from time to eternity. Death comes to pass.

There is a sense in which we too come to pass. That is why the Bible describes us as being sojourners who will soon leave this world (1 Peter 2:14). We are travelers and wanderers, who are simply awaiting the call to come home. The older you get, the more you realize this truth.

There will be many things in our lives which temporarily can upset us. Just remember that all these come to pass.

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