The Centurion

Posted on April 22, 2021 by glenn

Humility and compassion.  These are two attributes that seem to be sorely lacking in our society today.  There are exceptions but it seems to me pride and a lack of care and concern are traits among many. 

Let us consider the centurion soldier of the New Testament.  The Centurion was so named because he was in charge of 100 men.  Our word Century has a common derivation. We might consider the centurion soldier equivalent to our captain today.  As a leader among men, he was in a position where pride could have been an issue. 

There are five such men listed in Scripture. 

  • Matthew 8 and Luke 7 – Jesus heals a Centurion’s servant.
  • Matthew 27, Mark 15, and Luke 23 – The Centurion at the crucifixion
  • Acts 10 – Cornelius was a Centurion.
  • Acts 22 – A Centurion rescued Paul from the scourging and likely the one who guarded Paul in Acts 24:23.
  • Acts 27-28 – A Centurion accompanied Paul on the voyage to Rome and saved his life when the soldier’s plan was to kill all the prisoners.

All of the Centurions listed in Scripture seem to be men of honor.  And while Cornelius may be the most famous, I would like to note the Centurion we find in Matthew 8 and Luke 7.

In Matthew 8:5-13, we have the account of Jesus healing the Centurion’s servant.  Even though the Centurion was a leader of men, owner of servants, and likely enjoyed an elevated status socially among men, his humility is on full display with his attitude toward Jesus.  He said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.”

First note his compassion.  He sent for Jesus, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  He knew of Jesus and knew He could help.  His concern for a lowly slave was contrary to the reputation of a Roman army officer.

Secondly, note his humility.  The Centurion likely knew the Jewish law forbade a Jew from entering a Gentile’s house lest the Jew become unclean.  Maybe, he felt unworthy of having Jesus suffer such an inconvenience for his sake.

Last of all, note his faith. He knew that Jesus could heal without being physically present.  He said, “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”   Just say the word and my servant will be healed.  Jesus commended his faith.  He is one of 3 centurions listed in the New Testament with a genuine faith (Acts 10 and Matt 27:54).

After commending his faith, Jesus then noted a coming time when the Gentiles would be welcomed into the kingdom (verse 11).

Faith, humility and compassion.  What wonderful traits to be found in a leader of men.  Do our leaders today exhibit such?

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Sufferings and Glory

Posted on April 10, 2021 by glenn

Psalm 22 is sometimes called the Psalm of the Cross.  Written by David about 1,000 years before the crucifixion and centuries before this means of execution was even known to man, it is a wonderful study in the contrast between 2 ideas.  The 2 ideas are suffering and glory.

The first 21 verses, as a Messianic prophecy, address the sufferings the Messiah would endure on the cross.  The Psalm begins with that familiar cry from the cross as Jesus shouldered the sins of mankind.

The last section of the Psalm beginning with verse 22, extols the glory of the risen Savior.  The key word, praise, is found four times in the section.

When we deal with suffering in our lives, it is always a blessing to consider the glory promised to the child of GOD who will remain faithful.  Does not Revelation 2:10 promise such?

…be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.

The theme of suffering and glory is an interesting study. It is found several times throughout the New Testament, often while discussing the Savior.

Jesus said of Himself in Luke 24:26 – Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? 

Suffering and Glory.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory…Heb 2:9

Three times in Peter’s 1st letter, he reminds us that we too are expected to experience sufferings in our walk with Christ.  We do so with the attitude that we may also be a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed.  The reader is encouraged to visit the following passages: 1 Peter 4:13; 5:1, 10.

When we suffer the reverses of life, let us not quit.  Let us remember the best is yet to come.

Paul may have said it best in Romans 8:18.

For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

It is all a matter of perspective.

Let us be faithful to the LORD no matter what comes our way.

It was Robert Browning who said, “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be…” 

Indeed.

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To Be or Not To Be

Posted on March 8, 2021 by glenn

The phrase is a familiar one.  It actually comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  The lead character is considering life with its troubles and pain but acknowledges the alternative might be worse.  And so Prince Hamlet begins a lengthy speech with the quote, “To be or not to be, that is the question.”

Let us use the idea to spur our thoughts.  Who are you?  Most people identify themselves with what they do.  But think about it in a spiritual context.  Are you who you are or are you what you do?  Said another way, is your life defined by “To be” or “To do”?

Consider the idea of “be” vs “do”. It is an idea of growth. Consider the importance of our individually becoming what we need to be.   Inherent in the idea is our inward being.  The Bible encourages us to examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5).

I recently read an article that made the following statement.  The leaders in the church are responsible for the apathy that exists in our midst. For years, our emphasis has been almost totally on trying to get people to come to church instead of trying to get people to be the church.  Maybe if something good has come from the pandemic of the last 12 months, it is we have had the opportunity to be the church.

Maybe in the past, we have been more concerned with the building rather than the being.  What is the church?  It is most certainly NOT the building.

We are guilty!  We say “Come to worship, give a little of your income, take a small part in the work of the church and you have fulfilled your part in being a Christian.”  I say, “Not!”           

Does this sound like Paul in Phil 1:21 when he says, “For me to live is Christ?”  The Christian life is all consuming – it is my being – it is my all!  Or else it is nothing.

That may sound pretty harsh but that is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24.  He made it plain that man cannot serve both GOD and mammon.  We are in one camp or the other.  He demands our total devotion (Matthew 10:37).

Wasn’t that the reason Christ condemned the Pharisees in Matthew 23?  Over and over He called them hypocrites.  They were all about the minutia of their actions.  They were legalists.  And yet their hearts were not right.

Be is a small word containing only two letters but it carries so much meaning.  I challenge the reader to consult various dictionaries or online sources to find a myriad of definitions.  But for our purposes, consider the idea of a state of continual existence.

Peter’s last book is a short book of only 60 verses.  In those verses are several verses that contain the word be.  We might refer to them as the “be” attitudes.  Herein Peter encourages us to “be” faithful.  Let us study these be verses and note the context in which they are found.

2 Peter 1:10 – be diligent to make your call and election sure

2 Peter 3:2 – be mindful of the words spoken by the prophets

2 Peter 3:11 – be holy in your conduct

Verse 14 of Peter’s last chapter notes we are to “be diligent to be found without spot and blameless.” 

To be or not to be?  I want to be found without spot and blameless. I realize my only chance at this is to live for Christ.

Let us be the church.  If we get our “be” right – then our “do” will take care of itself.  Let us be.  And let us pray the prayer of the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O GOD, and renew within me a right spirit.”  (Psa 51:10)

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Adoption

Posted on February 14, 2021 by glenn

I never really gave much thought to couples when they adopted a child.  Oh sure, I thought it was a good thing but I just didn’t give it much thought.  I remember my high school English teacher and her husband adopted a child when I was in her class.  And through the years I have known countless adoption situations.  I thought I appreciated the idea.  Such was a huge misunderstanding.  I had no idea of the emotions involved in the process.

Why you might ask?  It was only recently that my understanding of this has been taken to a whole new level.  My younger son and his wife have recently adopted a new born baby boy.  So now he is my newest grandson.  I have other grandsons.  He is my youngest. 

At the birth of my first grandson, Proverbs 17:6 became one of my favorite verses.

                Children’s children are the crown of old men…

I wrote a piece about this several years ago.  The article is entitled “Grandchildren”.  I will not cover the same ground again, although the same thoughts apply today.

We call this new grandson, Will.  Will has joined our family and has instantly stolen our hearts.   There is no thought of his being adopted.  He is just one of us now.

Adoption.  Paul uses the term five times in his writings.  From the 8th chapter of Romans we read the following.

                For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

And because of such,

                We are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs – heirs of GOD, and joint heirs with Christ.

We cannot adequately grasp the blessings contained in this passage.  It is beyond our comprehension.

Sometimes we read about someone dying and leaving a fortune to the heirs left behind.  A price tag can always be placed on this kind of fortune.  But the adoption we have received and what we stand to inherit is as the commercial says, Priceless.

Eternity alone will reveal the depths of this inheritance. 

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you…”  John 14:3

A place prepared just for me.  That’s my inheritance.

I am so thankful for these promises.  This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.  My home in heaven has been prepared for me. 

My being adopted into the family of GOD is indeed a blessing beyond comprehension.

I do have a greater appreciation for the idea of adoptions now.  Will has given me that. 

My prayer for him is to grow up to be a faithful servant in the kingdom of my GOD.  I want him to have a relationship with my LORD just as I do.

And I want him to be adopted again.  I want his next adoption to be into the family of GOD. I thank my GOD for the process of adoptions.

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Nautical Terms 2

Posted on February 10, 2021 by glenn

We are looking at a series of lessons from the Nautical Terms found in the Bible.  Today we will look at the book of James.

The New Testament contains many references to water.  Jesus walked on the water.  He showed His power over nature when He spoke and calmed the stormy sea.  One of His appearances after the Resurrection was by the Sea of Tiberius.  The four early disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were all fishermen. 

It comes as no surprise then that there are many nautical terms in the Bible.  Note the references such as boat, skiff, anchor, ship, rudder, etc.  Thus it should also come as no surprise that there are endless lessons surrounding these nautical terms.

James and Jude were half-brothers of the LORD.  Just as we observed with his brother, Jude, it is noteworthy that James identifies himself as a bondservant of GOD.  Human nature would lead us to expect James to tout his earthly blood relationship to the Savior.  But no, it is apparent much has changed since the early days of the unbelief of the LORD’S brothers described in John 7.

Let’s consider three passages from the book of James.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  (James 1:14)

The Greek word translated enticed, is a fishing term meaning bait. 

In order to catch fish one must use the proper bait and presentation.  Satan uses alluring situations to tempt us to sin in much the same way the fisherman uses bait to tempt the fish.  The lesson we should take from the analogy is powerful.  We rarely see the hook in the bait until it is too late.  Be very aware of his devices.  Sinful temptations can appear very appealing.  We can become entangled and never see the hook.

A second nautical reference is found in James 1:17.  Here the text describes GOD as the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  In ancient navigation, sailors navigated by fixed stars.  There was no variation in their location.  There was no shadow of turning.  The lesson for us is simple.  We can navigate the storms of life by focusing on the Father of lights, the fixed One, with whom is no variation.  The Hebrews writer tells us Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)  That is a comforting thought on which we can depend.

Our third and final nautical reference comes from James 3:4 and calls to mind a ship’s rudder.  The rudder of a ship is what guides the ship.  What is it that guides my life?  I want the LORD to direct my steps.  How can I expect Him to do that?  Psalm 119:133, Direct my steps by Your word.

I must realize the importance of being in His word in order to receive that guidance.

The lessons to be found in the Scriptures are endless.  The nautical theme from the book of James provides three ideas for us to ponder.

                Satan presents temptation in an enticing way to lure us into sin.

                Our GOD is unchanging.  He is there for us.

                He guides us through the written word.

Let us praise Him for these wonderful blessings.

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Nautical Terms

Posted on February 4, 2021 by glenn

In the times of the New Testament writings, many passages included a reference to water.  Jesus walked on the water.  He showed His power over nature when He spoke and calmed the stormy sea.  One of His appearances after the Resurrection was by the Sea of Tiberias.  The four early disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were all fishermen.  The list could go on.

It shouldn’t surprise us then that there are many nautical terms in the Bible.  A sampling of a few of the terms include boat, skiff, anchor, ship, rudder, etc.  Thus it should also come as no surprise that there are endless lessons surrounding these nautical terms.  Sometimes these lessons are lost in the translation process.   Let us visit one such passage found in the book of Jude.

Jude is the half-brother of the LORD.  His one-chapter book appears just before the book of Revelation.  It is noteworthy that he identifies himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ without making mention of his earthly blood relationship to the Savior.  It is apparent much has changed since the early days of life and his unbelief expressed in John 7:5.

In Jude verse 12 we read, “These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves.”

The reference is made to spots in your love feasts.   He was referring to the ungodly men who had crept into the midst of the faithful Christians (v4).  We should also mention the verb “are” is in the present tense.  The present tense means it is on-going and implies those ungodly men were there in their midst even as Jude wrote the letter.

Let us observe the nautical term.  The word translated spots, was a nautical term referring to hidden reefs lying just under the water’s surface.  Just think of the danger these hidden reefs presented to a boat.  Lying just under the surface, they would be undetected to the eye.  Perhaps you have been on a lake and encountered a log lying submerged just under the surface of the water.  Where the hidden reefs are concerned, many ships have met their demise in such a situation.

Being such a danger and being so easily hidden, one can make the connection with those ungodly men of verse 4.  They posed a great danger creeping into the assemblies unnoticed. The text says they turn the grace of our GOD into lewdness and deny the LORD Jesus.  Like the reefs, while unseen, they would cause much damage.

These influences are with us today.  We are to be ever vigilant of these dangerous influences that are very hard to detect.  At first they go unnoticed.  Satan doesn’t enter our lives or our congregations dressed in red with a pitch fork.  No, he slips in the side door, often unnoticed.  He and his workers are like the hidden reefs.  They are deadly and often unseen until it is too late.

May we be grounded in the word so that we are able to detect such evil influences. 

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Protective Wings

Posted on January 5, 2021 by glenn

The story has been told of the fire in Yellowstone that burned everything in its path.  The fire destroyed many creatures unable to escape the flames.  Afterward a firefighter, walking in the charred aftermath, spotted an eerie sight.  A bird still sitting upright with wings spread at the base of a tree stump had burned alive and all that remained were the ashes.  The observer kicked the ashes over and to his surprise several little birds ran out from under the protective wings of the mother.  

As much as I would like to say the inspirational story is true, it likely is not.  The story actually originated many years ago as a mother hen with her chicks in a barn fire.  But the protective and sacrificing love of a mother, illustrated by the story, is a rock solid truth.

Jesus used the same story line in Matthew 23:37 when He lamented over the beloved city of Jerusalem.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

The Greek word rendered hen in most translations is ornis and means simply bird.  Our English word ornithology, the study of birds, derives from ornis.

Although the story in the first paragraph is almost certainly fictitious, the Scriptures have many references to GOD caring for His people in the same way a mother bird cares for her young.

Ruth 2:12 – of GOD it is said, “under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

4 times in the book of the Psalms we find the phrase “under the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8, 36:7, 57:1, and 63:7).

These references speak of GOD’S protective wings, under whose shelter we may find protection during the storms of life.  The same motherly love and care is available to all.  Sadly, the majority rejects that care time and time again.  Just as those in first century Jerusalem did, many today reject His offer.

Those wings will not always be available.  GOD’S protective wings will not always be available. One’s life will eventually end here on earth or the LORD will return some sweet day and end our opportunities.  Jesus said in John 14:6, “No man comes to the Father except through Me.”  Oh friend, let us accept His offer while there is still time.

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The Ark and the Richter Scale

Posted on December 30, 2020 by glenn

And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook.                                    1 Samuel 4:5

The Ark of the Covenant was symbolic of the LORD’S presence with the people.  It contained the Ten Commandments and Aaron’s rod that budded among other things.  The Ark had been captured by the Philistines.  In our text, the Ark is being returned to the camp of the Israelites.

Upon seeing the Ark returned, the Scriptures note the Israelites shouted so loudly that the earth shook.

Do you think this was literally possible?  Oh yes!  I am reminded of football games in the past, when the stadiums have erupted with such volume and intensity so as to produce seismic activity registering on the Richter scale.

Today, we don’t have the Ark of the Covenant but we serve the same GOD.  We have the assurance of His presence in our lives if we are faithful followers.

We have His word.  An old preacher once said that each time he opened the Scriptures he did so as though they just fell from the hands of GOD.

My question is simply this.  Does the presence of the LORD in my life and His word that I hold in my hand produce the level of joy that would register on the Richter scale?

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FEAR

Posted on December 4, 2020 by glenn

For the past few months we have been confronted by one concern after another.  Uncertainty, coupled with what we do know has been enough to cause everyone some level of anxiety.  I have always heard that we should hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  To that end, I ask you to think about this idea of fear.

What is your greatest fear?  What is the absolute worst thing you can imagine?  Ok, that is not exactly a pleasant way to start a devotional blog.  But my reason for asking is simply to get us to think about the worse-case scenario.  If you are a believer and you note the title to my website, then you will be interested in what the Bible has to say about this.  Thus, I submit to you a list of the most feared passages in Scripture.  The list is certainly not all-inclusive and it is subjective on my part, but I think you will agree these passages indeed describe a worse-case scenario.

Matt 7:23                             I never knew you

“Never, not at any time did I know you.”  The implication being that even though there was a pretense of religion from some, it was not genuine.

Matt 25:41                          depart from Me

In life we have the opportunity to draw near unto GOD (James 4:8).  There will come a time when that opportunity is over.   When the door of our life closes, so too will our opportunity to draw nigh unto GOD.  This departure will be for all eternity.

John 12:39                           they could not believe

Notice the text says could not.  It is not they would not believe; it is they could not believe.  Our hearts can harden to the point we can no longer be touched with the truth.

Eph 4:19                               being past feeling

As in the previous reference, we can get to the point of being past feeling.  We can allow our hearts to harden to the point of no return.

Heb 2:1                                 take heed lest we drift away

The term drift away carries with it the idea of something happening gradually. Drifting away from the truth usually happens in small incremental steps.  This is the process of allowing our hearts to harden.  It happens over time rather than all at once.

Rev 20:15                             And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Hell is real.  Eternity is forever. 

Let us live our lives with the knowledge of these feared passages and remember what Paul told Timothy in what would be his last epistle preserved for us.  For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear.  (2 Tim 1:7)

And may this encourage us even more to:

Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of GOD in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

Let us consider whether the anxiety we currently face is related to things of a temporal nature or spiritual nature.  Sure the anxiety is real.  Sure our concerns are real.  But how do they measure up when considering the things of an eternal nature?

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Man and His GOD

Posted on June 21, 2020 by glenn

Proverbs 20:24            A man’s steps are of the LORD

In our quest to use Proverbs 20 to define the characteristics of a faithful man, we come to verse 24.  Indeed, without this one undergirding all the others, he has no chance of being a faithful man.

A faithful man’s steps are of the LORD.  The NASB says ordained by the LORD.  This is his greatest asset!  He understands his dependence on GOD.

He understands from Jeremiah 10:23, that it is not within man to direct his own steps.

Psalm 119:133   Direct my steps by Your word.  He understands that direction is found in the pages of Scripture.

The faithful man is a follower of GOD. This is his most important characteristic.

Psa 127:1  Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

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