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Keeping Warm

8/18/2017

Some Like it “Hot”! (Including Jesus) While near the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire (-35 degrees Fahrenheit), a man tossed a pot of boiling water into the air and watched the contents turn to snow before reaching the slope below. Remarkable, considering that water boils at 212 degrees and freezes at 32 degrees. In a few seconds the temperature of the water plummeted 180+ degrees and changed to snow. What can Christians learn from this?

1. The water cooled rapidly when removed from its heat source.

Jesus Christ is the source our spiritual “heat” (Jn. 15:5), and we remain connected to Him by means of Bible study, worship, prayer and service to others.
If we omit any of these vital activities, our “fire” will diminish.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4)

2. Collectively the water remained hot; but when “divided” it rapidly cooled.

The trillions of water molecules remained hot while in close proximity to each other inside the pot. But they cooled quickly when “dispersed”.
So it is with Christians. To maintain our spiritual fire, we must exhort one another daily and avoid forsaking the assembly of the church. (Hebrews 3:13, 10:25)
However, when the distance between us increases, we invariably “cool off”.
“…if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” (Eccl. 4:11)

3. A “stirred” pot led to frozen drops!

When the boiling pot of water was agitated and tossed, it quickly changed to snow.
It only takes one or two Christians to “stir things up” in the local church by criticizing, complaining or gossiping.
The resulting “agitation” often “cools” other Christians.
Paul wrote, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”(Rom. 14:19)

Remaining “hot” spiritually requires a continuous connection to Jesus, frequent contact with our brethren, and maintaining unity in the body.

Are you and I keeping the church “hot”, or causing it to “cool down”?

Jesus, Always Jesus!

Dennis

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Four Stones Too Many

8/11/2017

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USELESS STONES?

Trivia question – “Where do we read of FOUR (seemingly) USELESS STONES in the Bible?”

Answer - 1 Samuel 17, the story of David and Goliath. As the young shepherd prepared to square off against the giant, “…he…chose FIVE smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch…and…approached the Philistine… So it was, when the Philistine…drew near…that David…ran…to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone… (1 SAM 17:40; 48-50)

Because David required only one stone to beat Goliath, we might conclude that the four remaining stones were “useless”. Some have even asked, “If David had genuine faith that God would deliver Goliath to him, why he pick up FIVE stones? The simplest answer - David suspected that Goliath might have relatives! (He did, in fact, have a least one brother, Lahmi – 1 Chron. 20:5.)

Actually, David’s decision to select five stones in no way signified a lack of faith in God. It was customary for ancient warriors to bring extra “ammunition”. (Can you imagine an archer going into battle with one arrow?) Although David believed that God would enable him to defeat Goliath, he also realized his need to utilize every “tool” available – his sharp eyes, skill, arm, sling and several smooth stones. David did not expect God to do all the fighting for him; he still had to do his part. Bringing extra “ammo” was part of it.

Some folks today need to learn this. They ask God to do practically everything for them, as if He were a “genie” awaiting their next “command.”
·   “Grant me salvation as I recline on my couch!”
·   “Get me a job while I watch my favorite reruns on TV!”
·   “Save the souls of my family and friends while I take a nap!”
·   “Help the sick while I help myself to seconds!”

In PHIL 4:13 Paul wrote, “I can DO all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Although Paul believed in the power of Christ, he also knew that he had an obligation to DO. So it is with us - “…it is God who works in you both to will and to DO for His good pleasure.” (PHIL 2:13) DO all you can; God will take care of the rest!

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Keeping Warm

Four Stones Too Many

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