My Hearts Desire
Maynard Force
Chapter 20
What Time Is It?
It is time . . . Romans 13.11.
"What time is it?" This is a question we have asked many times. The answer has varied, depending upon the time of day in which we asked it. The answer has had various effects upon us. Let us, for a change, turn to God and ask Him that same question. Listen to His answer in the words of our text: "It is time for you to awake out of sleep'' (Romans 13.11). We are given three reasons why we should wake up right now:
1. "Salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed'' (v.11). Heaven never was as near as it is now. Most any time our earthly journey may come to an end. Such thoughts thrill a child of God to the very heart. With the apostle Paul we say we "have a desire to depart and be with Christ'' (Phil. 2.23).
2. "The night is far spent'' (v.12). It is just about over. We are told the darkest hours come just before dawn. Therefore, do not let the darkness of our day deceive you into believing that the night is not far spent. Every Christian has been saved for this coming day. "For ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day'' (1 Thessalonians 5.5).
3. "The day is at hand." Eternity's day is ready to dawn. The day of the Lord is upon us. Not a second can be lost. We have overslept. Surely, these three reasons should arouse the heaviest of sleepers.
Make haste, friend. God has called. "It is time to awake out of sleep."
"It is time" to remove our coverings-"cast off the works of darkness." God is asking us to throw off the coverings under which we have been sleeping. They have kept us snug and complacent long enough.
Three common coverings that have kept many a sleeping sinner warm are;
1. The blanket of hypocrisy. This covering looks so attractive. All who pull it over themselves are soon fast asleep.
2. The blanket of unbelief. It is thick and warm and is found wherever sinners sleep. How easy to snuggle under its protection and sleep the sleep of death.
3. The blanket of "pet sin." It is so easy to sleep enfolded in some pet sin, as lying, exaggerating, pride, jealousy, and the like. Many a careless child of God has fallen soundly asleep under this blanket.
We have mentioned but three blankets under which sinners are sleeping. There are many more. Listen again, dear friend. God is talking. "Throw off the works of darkness.'' If you have heard His voice, determine today to come out from under your covering. Confess your sins as you bring them into the open, and our Lord will forgive you.
"It is time'' to dress properly. God's Word tells us to "put on the armor of light'' (v.12). This is not a day for silks and satins, but for armor. A terrible battle is raging. Satan and all his forces are making their last stand. Every hellish weapon that he has is now in use. None can stand before him unless clothed in the armor of light. The Lord has commanded, "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able. to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6.11). Ample protection is given so that we can all "be strong in the Lord." But there is no protection for the back! Woe unto him, there- fore, who turns his back to the enemy! "He is not fit for the kingdom of heaven." Hurry, friend. Get dressed! Weary saints who have faced the enemy for some time need to be reinforced. Remember you are on the winning side. Therefore lose no time in putting on the armor of light, for "it is time for Jehovah to work'' (Psalm 119.126).
"It is time" also to arise and walk. "Let us walk becomingly as in the day." "Walk" means progress. This is not a day for naps. The end of the age is on us. "Time is shortened" (1Corinthians 7.39). We are admonished to "watch and pray," for "yet a very little while, he that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry" (Hebrews 10.37). "The coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5.8). "Behold the judge standeth before the doors'' (James 5.9). Oh, friend, tarry not! "Walk while ye have the light'' (John 12.35). All heed the admonition, "Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise ; redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5.15-16) .
We have heard the time according to God's clock. His answer was a solemn one. Linger not, for that is dangerous. By the help of God, "let us not sleep as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5.6) .
Monday, September 14, 2009
19. Rivers of Blessing
My Hearts Desire
Maynard Force
Chapter 19
Rivers of Blessing
The river of God is full of water. Psalm 65. 9.
This is God's way of telling us that He has abundant blessings for us. He uses language we can all understand. He wants even the weakest individual to know that he, too, is invited to share in this abundant blessing. Let us draw near to the banks of the river and together enjoy its fullness.
The river of God satisfies. Not one of the millions who have drunk from it has said otherwise. Jesus, speaking about spiritual thirst, said, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst'' (John 4.14). That is a staggering statement. Ponder it, dear friend. If you have drunk from the river of God, your soul can say, "I know that is true." If not, the invitation is extended to you to come to the river of God and drink. "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou wilt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life'' (Psalm 36.8-9).
The river of God never runs dry. It is full of water. There is no end to a full river. Water upon water keeps coming. Day and night its majestic flow is the same. What a perfect picture of God's "grace upon grace" (John 1.16). Where the need is great, the supply is even greater. "Where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly" (Romans 5.20). The rivers of pleasure and lust are seasonal. They merely fool those who flock to their banks, and they are left there to die in their thirst. Not so the river of God, for "everything shall live whithersoever the river cometh'' (Ezekiel 47.9).
The river of God waters the lowest places. It winds hither and thither among the alleys. It is those in the valleys who receive its blessings. If you find yourself in the valley of depression, do not give up in despair, for the river of God flows there. If you find yourself in the valley of grief, look for the river. It winds back and forth all through this place. If you find yourself in the valley of testing, with your vision limited by the mountains, fear not, but look for the river of God. "He sendeth forth springs into the valleys; they run among the mountains'' (Ps.104.10).
The river of God is free to all. A river is of such a nature that it can not be fenced. A small lake may be monopolized by some wealthy individual who can nail up "Keep-out signs all around it. Not so with a river. I have never heard of an individual being sole possessor of a river. A river winds back and forth so that many can enjoy it. If a straight line is the shortest distance between two points, may not a river be the longest distance between two points? Does it not seem that the reason it is so winding is to extend its blessings farther? Surely, that is true of the river of God. Has it not found its way even to you? Listen to our Lord Jesus as He speaks, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink'' (John 7.37). Jesus Himself is this river.
The river of God becomes a blessing only to those who will drink. One can not stand erect and expect to contact its blessings. Only those who humble themselves and kneel by its side can drink. Many a needy soul has thrown himself prostrate beside the river of God and has drunk to his heart's content. The song writer well expressed this experience when he wrote:
"I heard the voice of Jesus say,
'Behold, I freely give the living water, thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink and live.'
I came to Jesus and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him."
The river of God is full of water. It flows for our benefit. "He that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely'' (Revelation 22.17). "There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God'' (Psalm 46.4). Praise God for such a river! Oh, for grace to live on its banks!
Maynard Force
Chapter 19
Rivers of Blessing
The river of God is full of water. Psalm 65. 9.
This is God's way of telling us that He has abundant blessings for us. He uses language we can all understand. He wants even the weakest individual to know that he, too, is invited to share in this abundant blessing. Let us draw near to the banks of the river and together enjoy its fullness.
The river of God satisfies. Not one of the millions who have drunk from it has said otherwise. Jesus, speaking about spiritual thirst, said, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst'' (John 4.14). That is a staggering statement. Ponder it, dear friend. If you have drunk from the river of God, your soul can say, "I know that is true." If not, the invitation is extended to you to come to the river of God and drink. "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou wilt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life'' (Psalm 36.8-9).
The river of God never runs dry. It is full of water. There is no end to a full river. Water upon water keeps coming. Day and night its majestic flow is the same. What a perfect picture of God's "grace upon grace" (John 1.16). Where the need is great, the supply is even greater. "Where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly" (Romans 5.20). The rivers of pleasure and lust are seasonal. They merely fool those who flock to their banks, and they are left there to die in their thirst. Not so the river of God, for "everything shall live whithersoever the river cometh'' (Ezekiel 47.9).
The river of God waters the lowest places. It winds hither and thither among the alleys. It is those in the valleys who receive its blessings. If you find yourself in the valley of depression, do not give up in despair, for the river of God flows there. If you find yourself in the valley of grief, look for the river. It winds back and forth all through this place. If you find yourself in the valley of testing, with your vision limited by the mountains, fear not, but look for the river of God. "He sendeth forth springs into the valleys; they run among the mountains'' (Ps.104.10).
The river of God is free to all. A river is of such a nature that it can not be fenced. A small lake may be monopolized by some wealthy individual who can nail up "Keep-out signs all around it. Not so with a river. I have never heard of an individual being sole possessor of a river. A river winds back and forth so that many can enjoy it. If a straight line is the shortest distance between two points, may not a river be the longest distance between two points? Does it not seem that the reason it is so winding is to extend its blessings farther? Surely, that is true of the river of God. Has it not found its way even to you? Listen to our Lord Jesus as He speaks, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink'' (John 7.37). Jesus Himself is this river.
The river of God becomes a blessing only to those who will drink. One can not stand erect and expect to contact its blessings. Only those who humble themselves and kneel by its side can drink. Many a needy soul has thrown himself prostrate beside the river of God and has drunk to his heart's content. The song writer well expressed this experience when he wrote:
"I heard the voice of Jesus say,
'Behold, I freely give the living water, thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink and live.'
I came to Jesus and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him."
The river of God is full of water. It flows for our benefit. "He that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely'' (Revelation 22.17). "There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God'' (Psalm 46.4). Praise God for such a river! Oh, for grace to live on its banks!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
18. A Potent Plea
My Heart's Desire
Maynard Force
Chapter 18
A Potent Plea
Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. John 11. 3.
This was the message Mary and Martha sent to Jesus when their brother, Lazarus, was at the point of death. Eight well-chosen words. No telegram today was better worded. They could have said, ''Our brother Lazarus is sick," but they chose to word the message, "He whom thou lovest is sick." "He whom thou lovest", what a fitting way of referring to their brother! Friend, do you realize that these words are a fitting description of you also? "He whom thou lovest'', that's you. For the Lord truly loves you, whether you realize it or not. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins'' (1 John 4.10).
"Behold Lord; he whom thou lovest is sick." Lazarus had now become helpless even to the extent of having others wait upon him. He had met with a situation that had overcome him. Whereas his own strength had been sufficient in the past, now he had none. What a moment for Satan to strike! The afflicted often forget that the Lord loves them just as much in their helpless state as when they were strong and healthy. God's Word can not change even if our condition has changed to one of helplessness. We are still described as those "whom thou lovest." Let us never forget that our God is "a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat'' (Isaiah 25.4). How comforting to notice that it was while Lazarus lay in this helpless condition that they referred to him as "he whom thou lovest.''
"Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest'' is now seemingly quite useless. How tragic if the Lord should cease to love us when we can no longer engage in some outward activity for Him! Such suggestions come from the devil. They seem very reasonable. The prophet Isaiah was tempted to say, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and vanity'' (Isaiah 49.4). The Lord soon led the prophet out of this depression by bringing him to the conviction, "I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God has become my strength'' (v. 5). What a blessed stopping place for a weary soul! Let us never move away from it. Remember, even though Lazarus lay apparently useless on a sickbed, still he was referred to as ''he whom thou lovest.''
"Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest'' is at the point of death. What sweet words at a time like that, to be referred to as "he whom thou lovest''! Can it be true that at the end of life, when we are especially conscious of our many failures and shortcomings, we can still be referred to as "he whom thou lovest''? Is there not a danger of putting too much faith in the love of God? Never! Listen to the apostle Paul, "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord'' (Romans 8.38-39) .
Regardless of where you are, or who you are, these words, "Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest," describes Christ's relationship to you. May your memory grasp them fast. Let them sound and resound in your mind over and over again-"Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest'' is sick, is tired, is weary, is discouraged, is sorrowful, is sinful, is in trouble, is distressed, is at death's door, or in any other possible situation. To any and to all we cry out with Paul, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us'' (Romans 8.35-37).
Maynard Force
Chapter 18
A Potent Plea
Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. John 11. 3.
This was the message Mary and Martha sent to Jesus when their brother, Lazarus, was at the point of death. Eight well-chosen words. No telegram today was better worded. They could have said, ''Our brother Lazarus is sick," but they chose to word the message, "He whom thou lovest is sick." "He whom thou lovest", what a fitting way of referring to their brother! Friend, do you realize that these words are a fitting description of you also? "He whom thou lovest'', that's you. For the Lord truly loves you, whether you realize it or not. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins'' (1 John 4.10).
"Behold Lord; he whom thou lovest is sick." Lazarus had now become helpless even to the extent of having others wait upon him. He had met with a situation that had overcome him. Whereas his own strength had been sufficient in the past, now he had none. What a moment for Satan to strike! The afflicted often forget that the Lord loves them just as much in their helpless state as when they were strong and healthy. God's Word can not change even if our condition has changed to one of helplessness. We are still described as those "whom thou lovest." Let us never forget that our God is "a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat'' (Isaiah 25.4). How comforting to notice that it was while Lazarus lay in this helpless condition that they referred to him as "he whom thou lovest.''
"Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest'' is now seemingly quite useless. How tragic if the Lord should cease to love us when we can no longer engage in some outward activity for Him! Such suggestions come from the devil. They seem very reasonable. The prophet Isaiah was tempted to say, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and vanity'' (Isaiah 49.4). The Lord soon led the prophet out of this depression by bringing him to the conviction, "I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God has become my strength'' (v. 5). What a blessed stopping place for a weary soul! Let us never move away from it. Remember, even though Lazarus lay apparently useless on a sickbed, still he was referred to as ''he whom thou lovest.''
"Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest'' is at the point of death. What sweet words at a time like that, to be referred to as "he whom thou lovest''! Can it be true that at the end of life, when we are especially conscious of our many failures and shortcomings, we can still be referred to as "he whom thou lovest''? Is there not a danger of putting too much faith in the love of God? Never! Listen to the apostle Paul, "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord'' (Romans 8.38-39) .
Regardless of where you are, or who you are, these words, "Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest," describes Christ's relationship to you. May your memory grasp them fast. Let them sound and resound in your mind over and over again-"Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest'' is sick, is tired, is weary, is discouraged, is sorrowful, is sinful, is in trouble, is distressed, is at death's door, or in any other possible situation. To any and to all we cry out with Paul, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us'' (Romans 8.35-37).
17. Freed From Bondage
My Heart's Desire
Maynard Force
Chapter 17
Freed from Bondage
Arise, take up thy bed and walk. John 5. 8.
These words of Jesus were spoken to a man who had been bedridden for thirty-eight years. Would it not have been enough had Jesus said, "Arise, and walk''? Why should this man be told to take his bed with him?
The sick man was to take up his bed and walk because he was never to live in this place of defeat again. He had struggled there for thirty-eight years to better his condition, but had failed. Neither was there anyone in this place who seemed to care enough to help him. His companions were classified as "sick blind, halt, and withered.'' The sick are too often self-centered people who think only of themselves and their ailments. The blind are those who have no vision, but sit in darkness all the time. The halt are those who limp around, but get no place. The withered are those who were once robust and strong, but are now dried up. In this depressing place, he had been kept a prisoner for these many years. Now that he had met Jesus, he, as well as his surroundings, was to be different. The past was to be forever gone. He was to be completely free, "For if the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed'' (John 8.36).
He was to take his bed with him so he would not be tempted to return to that place of misery again. There were "sick" people in that place from whom he might contract other diseases so that "the last state of the man'' would become "worse than the first" (Luke 11. 26). No doubt his bed was his sole possession, and Christ wanted not only him, but his meager belongings as well, liberated from this place of bondage. Too many people who have been set free by Christ never take their belongings with them into that freedom. Their possessions then become the bait that entices them back into bondage again. Moses realized this danger, and therefore told Pharaoh, "Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind'' (Exodus 10.16). He knew that if even a calf were left, some man would be tempted to sneak back and get it. Once a soul is set free there is to be no going back into the place of bondage. This truth was demonstrated when God chose to lead Israel out of Egypt by way of the Red Sea. Once they were safely on the other side He closed the passage, never to open it again, for there was to be no back-tracking. Christ stands ready to liberate not only us, but also all our possessions. "Stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage'' (Galatians 5.1). Be sure your belongings also are set free, that they do not become your ''yoke of bondage.''
The man was to take his bed, for now he had power to do so. Until now his bed had carried him, but now that he had met Christ he was to carry his bed. This bed, which was a symbol of his possessions, had held him fast for many years. Christ had reversed the situation. Now that he was a free man, he was to be master of his bed. Christ did a similar thing for Zacchaeus, the rich man. Zacchaeus had become a slave to his wealth, and lived only for himself. When Jesus. saved him be became master of his wealth and immediately began to make right use of it. Listen to him as he exercises his freedom for the first time, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor'' (Luke 19.8). Once he worked for his money. Now his money worked for him. Arise, take your possessions, and be master of them!
He was to take up his bed for it was to be placed in new surroundings. Both he and his surroundings were to be different. The anxiety of the past was to be forever over. Now he was to rest in a new place where he could lie down in peace. He had been set free that he might fellowship with free people.He was not only to meet free people, but to make his abode with them. From this day on, he would be numbered with the free. He would be free to forget "the things which are behind'' and to stretch for- ward into the things which are before" (Phil. 3.13). He was now free to start life over again. He had become a new man. "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new" (2 Cor.5.17).
When you see a person moving out his bed, you know that he is really leaving his former place of abode. Those who take only a suitcase or two will eventually return. Jesus wants us to break all our connection with our former defeated lives. He wants us and our possessions to be free. Therefore he gives the command, "Arise, take up your bed and walk."
Maynard Force
Chapter 17
Freed from Bondage
Arise, take up thy bed and walk. John 5. 8.
These words of Jesus were spoken to a man who had been bedridden for thirty-eight years. Would it not have been enough had Jesus said, "Arise, and walk''? Why should this man be told to take his bed with him?
The sick man was to take up his bed and walk because he was never to live in this place of defeat again. He had struggled there for thirty-eight years to better his condition, but had failed. Neither was there anyone in this place who seemed to care enough to help him. His companions were classified as "sick blind, halt, and withered.'' The sick are too often self-centered people who think only of themselves and their ailments. The blind are those who have no vision, but sit in darkness all the time. The halt are those who limp around, but get no place. The withered are those who were once robust and strong, but are now dried up. In this depressing place, he had been kept a prisoner for these many years. Now that he had met Jesus, he, as well as his surroundings, was to be different. The past was to be forever gone. He was to be completely free, "For if the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed'' (John 8.36).
He was to take his bed with him so he would not be tempted to return to that place of misery again. There were "sick" people in that place from whom he might contract other diseases so that "the last state of the man'' would become "worse than the first" (Luke 11. 26). No doubt his bed was his sole possession, and Christ wanted not only him, but his meager belongings as well, liberated from this place of bondage. Too many people who have been set free by Christ never take their belongings with them into that freedom. Their possessions then become the bait that entices them back into bondage again. Moses realized this danger, and therefore told Pharaoh, "Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind'' (Exodus 10.16). He knew that if even a calf were left, some man would be tempted to sneak back and get it. Once a soul is set free there is to be no going back into the place of bondage. This truth was demonstrated when God chose to lead Israel out of Egypt by way of the Red Sea. Once they were safely on the other side He closed the passage, never to open it again, for there was to be no back-tracking. Christ stands ready to liberate not only us, but also all our possessions. "Stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage'' (Galatians 5.1). Be sure your belongings also are set free, that they do not become your ''yoke of bondage.''
The man was to take his bed, for now he had power to do so. Until now his bed had carried him, but now that he had met Christ he was to carry his bed. This bed, which was a symbol of his possessions, had held him fast for many years. Christ had reversed the situation. Now that he was a free man, he was to be master of his bed. Christ did a similar thing for Zacchaeus, the rich man. Zacchaeus had become a slave to his wealth, and lived only for himself. When Jesus. saved him be became master of his wealth and immediately began to make right use of it. Listen to him as he exercises his freedom for the first time, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor'' (Luke 19.8). Once he worked for his money. Now his money worked for him. Arise, take your possessions, and be master of them!
He was to take up his bed for it was to be placed in new surroundings. Both he and his surroundings were to be different. The anxiety of the past was to be forever over. Now he was to rest in a new place where he could lie down in peace. He had been set free that he might fellowship with free people.He was not only to meet free people, but to make his abode with them. From this day on, he would be numbered with the free. He would be free to forget "the things which are behind'' and to stretch for- ward into the things which are before" (Phil. 3.13). He was now free to start life over again. He had become a new man. "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new" (2 Cor.5.17).
When you see a person moving out his bed, you know that he is really leaving his former place of abode. Those who take only a suitcase or two will eventually return. Jesus wants us to break all our connection with our former defeated lives. He wants us and our possessions to be free. Therefore he gives the command, "Arise, take up your bed and walk."
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