SEEKING THINGS ABOVE
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1)
Volume I Number 1
April 2020
==================================================
Table of Contents
A Hymn of Faith (Habakkuk’s Prayer) —– Habakkuk
Surviving the Financial Crisis ————- Kent Heaton
Lift Up Your Soul to God —————– Mike Johnson
Cleaning Out the Barn ——————— Mark McCrary
Commit Your Way to the Lord ———- Mike Johnson
Seek God When He May Be Found —- Mike Johnson
Mental Attitudes ————————– Author Unknown
Church Growth (Audio) ———– Irvin Lee (circa 1975)
____________________________________________
(In light of the current pandemic crisis,
consider the following passage.)
A Hymn of Faith
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls —
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
(Habakkuk 3:17-19)
__________
Surviving the Financial Crisis
Kent Heaton
A financial crisis occurs when the crisis of man’s soul is dependent upon the financial condition of his heart. Samuel Johnson said, “The love of money has been in all ages, one of the passions that have given great disturbances to the tranquility of the world” (Rambler, October 6, 1750). How remarkable man is as the only creature that puts such worth and value upon printed paper. An animal foraging through a wilderness will pay no attention to shiny pieces of gold to search for food and water, knowing that food and water give life, not gold or silver.
Dee Bowman said recently that more people are upset about their earthly treasure than they are about their heavenly treasure. If people worried as much about their soul as they do their money, what a change would take place in the world. Jesus plainly reminds us of the value of both: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
If the focus of our life is only upon the treasures of this life, then we are men most miserable. We can gain great wealth one day and lose it the next day. There are no guarantees when it comes to riches. The value of our riches can only be measured by the fear we have of losing them. Riches in heaven cannot be taken away by man. Our reward in heaven does not fade away and no one can steal it away. Paul affirms, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (II Timothy 1:12).
There is nothing within the arsenal of money that can give you what God can give. The possession of riches is not sinful, but securing our hearts to the temptation of riches is what will bring about woe and misery. “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (I Timothy 6:6-10).
How do we survive the financial crisis? Trust in God! “Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). “The image of Caesar is money; the image of God is man. Give money to Caesar, and give thyself to God” (Tertullian, De Idol. 15, c.211 A.D.). Our hopes and dreams should not be gauged by the flow of Wall Street or our local bank. The sure deposit of our hearts within the gates of God’s house will bring about security that is everlasting.
Life is not about riches and certainly in death riches remain. The proverb says, “Shrouds have no pockets.” The man Job lost all his earthly wealth but retained his godly wealth – and died a richer man because of it. Where our heart is will be where we find our treasure.
__________
LIFT UP YOUR SOUL TO GOD
(Psalm 25:1)
Mike Johnson
Psalm 25:1 says, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” The author of this Psalm, regarded as David, starts his prayer in a very respectful way, humbly appealing to God’s mercy, and desiring His pardon.
This verse teaches a lot about the nature of prayer. We learn His prayer was to the Lord and the Lord only: it would do David no good to pray to another human being or an idol. Next, it was voluntary: no one was forcing him to pray. Also, it was emphatic: he spoke forcibly and clearly.
Please consider another salient point from this verse. David says he would lift up his soul to God. Today, when we pray, we must have the right state of mind and must lift our “souls” to God. Prayer involves the human will and fellowship with God. When we pray, we are to turn our minds away from things of the earth and turn them toward God. Sadly, many who pray are merely saying words instead of lifting their souls to God. All worship must come from the heart. Jesus condemns those who “… draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Mt. 15:8).
When you pray, do you lift your soul to God? Do you direct your thoughts to the Lord above? Do your prayers come from within? We must lift up our souls to the Lord!
__________
Cleaning Out the Barn
Mark McCrary
Growing up, this was the job I hated the most (and, hated is not too strong a word). Three times a week I had to clean out the feed room in the barn. That includes everything you think would be included. It was a stinky, unpleasant job. I did it because it was my chore to do. I did it because dad made me.
Fast forward 30 years. Saturday afternoon I was feeding the cows for Pop. I finished his instructions, and was about to leave the feed room when I noticed how dirty the floor was. I looked over and saw the shovel to the side and decided to clean the floor for him. I did the same thing that I’d done 30 years ago. It was just as unpleasant. But this time I did it not because I had to, but because I love him.
Obedience to God is kind of like that. Early on in our spiritual life, we obey because we have to; we do what we’re told. Somewhere along the way, though — if you’re really growing — we start obeying because we love him. Tasks that seemed to be so difficult at one point become much more bearable. That’s why — long term — love is a far better motivator in Christian service than fear or obligation.
“If you love me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
__________
COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD AND TRUST HIM
(Psalm 37:5)
Mike Johnson
Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37 is an admonition to followers of God to retain their confidence in Him and not be discouraged when facing hardships in life. Among other exhortations, they were told to commit their way (course of life) to God and trust in him. Similarly, Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”
Consider the meaning of the Hebrew word translated “commit.” The root meaning involves the idea of “roll” and refers to the “rolling of a stone.” Consider the following definition. “It can also describe abstract concepts, such as reproach being rolled off (removed) from someone (Ps 119:22) or one’s ways and works rolled onto (committed, entrusted) to someone (especially God)…” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament). Thus, it might be said we are to roll off the burdens of life onto the Lord. Consider 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
We must commit our lives to the Lord and trust Him to take care of us. Further, as we handle the burdens of life, we give God credit. Have you committed your life to the Lord? Do you trust in Him? If not, you should.
__________
Seek God When He May Be Found
(Psalm 32:6)
Mike Johnson
In Psalm 32, David describes what might be called the “blessedness of forgiveness.” In this Psalm, David speaks of the agony of sin and of the joy of receiving forgiveness from God. In the course of doing this (V. 6), he speaks of the need to seek God when He “may be found.” Cannot God always been found by the penitent sinner? In a sense, the answer is “yes,” but something else is involved here. God is not hiding from the sinner, but the sinner may not have the opportunity to find God. Many events in life can happen, which take away opportunities to make ourselves right with God. Consider three circumstances/events, which can occur:
- Our conscience can become hardened or seared. Hebrews 3:13 speaks of a person being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin;” Romans 2:5 described an “impenitent heart;” 1 Timothy 4:2 speaks of those who have “their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” People often want to repent and confess their sins to God because their conscience bothers them. However, as time goes on, and they continue to ignore conscience, it then ceases to bother them and becomes hardened or seared. They have lost their opportunity.
- We can die at any time (James 4:13-17). We are going to be judged based on that which we have done in our body (2 Cor. 5:10). After death, it will be too late.
- Christ can return at any time (Mt. 24:36-44, 2 Pet. 3:10). At a time when we least expected it, time, and our opportunity to repent can end on this earth.
The point is clear. We must take advantage of the time we have now to receive forgiveness lest we lose the opportunity, i.e., we must seek forgiveness “in a time when God can be found.” II Corinthians 6:2 says, “… Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” All of us should seek God now while we can find Him.
__________
Mental Attitudes
Author Unknown
Tom Jones and Sam Brown went to a church service on Sunday morning. They entered side by side. They sat in the same pew. After the last song and benediction, they arose and departed as they had come.
Said Tom Jones to Sam Brown, “The service was a soul-feast. The songs inspired me. The prayers comforted me; the Lord’s Supper was a beautiful reminder of the suffering Son of God. I am a better man because of the wonderful hour of worship.”
Sam Brown answered, “I am frank to say that no such inspiration came to me. As far as I am concerned, that was just another religious service–a thing to be endured, not enjoyed.”
The question is, “How could the same religious service prove a blessing to one and a thing of indifference to another? The first man came in quest of a blessing and found it; he came hungering and thirsting after righteousness and was filled. The other found no blessing because he was not looking for a blessing.
The difference in mental attitude makes all the difference in the world. What we are in heart determines what we see, what we find, what we receive. Before we can get anything out of a church service, we must put something into it–our love, devotion, and our undivided attention. In order to receive, we must give. We often think that the trouble is on the outside of us, when in reality, the trouble is on the inside of us.
-via, Lanett Bulletin
______________
Audio Sermons
Church Growth – Irvin Lee (circa 1975)
(This sermon was preached by Irvin Lee in a Gospel Meeting at the
North Parkway congregation in Arab, AL.)
====================================================
Editor: Mike Johnson
www.seekingthingsabove.org