April 25
Judg 4:1-5:31 | PS 94:1-23 | Prov 14:3-4 | Luke 22:35-53
Every day the individuals in my mission field change. Some come broken and desperate due to some calamity in their lives or the lives of their loved ones. In their desperation, they often know they need something, so often their ears are sensitive to a message about Jesus. But many do not come this way. They come to my office and when I ask how things are going, I hear a lot of "fine and good". Though those who answer this way usually speak of "all is well" concerning their spouses and children, especially in these times their is an uncertainty and concern about the future. For these individuals, I will generally speak about the certainty of the future, as outlined in Scripture. Often I will ask if they ever read the Bible. Most will openly admit never. Some will say, "a little here and there". I go on to point out all of the things of lesser importance that they spend countless hours absorbed in, to which all will admit to this. I then explain why I have no fear concerning the future, and how my trust is in my Sovereign God, who has already spoke forth that which He will do. I explain that I see death as only a change of residence and nothing to fear. I then go on to explain how they can read through the entirety of Scripture, and how easy it is. For my Jewish patients, I explain that the first three-quarters of my Bible is the exact same as their Bible, so they should not deem what I say as "apples and oranges". I will show them apps, and explain how to get and go through a Bible reading plan. We sometimes mistakenly believe that we must have all the right words. We don't have to, because God does have all the right words, in His Word, the Bible. I simply advise to approach it with an open mind and daily, and allow God's Word to open up their eyes and hearts.
Notice what Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 22:37, "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”" Jesus knew that Isaiah 53 prophetically described what was about to transpire in His life. We read in Isaiah 53:5,8-9. 12, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed....He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked—...Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors." He also knew exactly how He was going to die from Psalm 22:16, "...They pierced My hands and My feet;". With that realization, it is completely understandable that the Man, Jesus, is seen as He is in Luke 22:41-44, "And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
We would do well to trust each and every word written in God's Word. It is not an approximation or an allegory. It is an accurate record of both past and future events. Without being overly simplistic: If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, one day you will get to enjoy heaven, as described in Revelation 21-22, along with other areas in the Bible. If you do not accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, one day you will experience hell, which Jesus describes as a place of "weeping and gnashing of teeth". If you choose not to believe but then come to faith somewhere during the seven year Tribulation, then just read Revelation 6-19, and you will get an accurate depiction of exactly what will unfold. Point people to the Word. You don't have to be eloquent, because He is. You don't have to be worried about getting everything that you say right, because His Word is completely accurate. As I often state to people, with all the time that they spend on one pastime or another, don't they think it would be a good idea to read the Book, rather than making quick decisions based on a member of the clergy that perhaps you don't like, or a congregation that you might have found hypocritical or boring, or a particular person of faith who you considered "not nice"? Everyone should make a decision about God based on God and His Word, and not on those purporting to represent Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: