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Serving the Saints

Category: Guest Contributor

  • Love Covers

    Love Covers

    “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”

    The second half of this verse is a concept that is often found in scripture. It is found in 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter about love. In verse 5 we read that love, “… thinketh no evil;”, which could be translated, “…doesn’t account evils done…” This fits with the last part of Proverbs 10:12. Imagine a relationship in which partners kept track of offences that were done by each other. How long would that relationship last? The more extreme an offence may be, the harder it may be to be forgiving of them. But, according to the verse above, love covers all sins.

    One way to look at 1 Corinthians 13 is to consider that this is how God loves us! Verses 4-8 say, “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:”. Think about each of these aspects of love from the perspective that it is how God loves us. To sum up, love covers all sins: all of our sins, great and small.

    But, at the same time our sins are an offense to God. He has said that the soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20). It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18), so what He says is the truth. God’s justice must be satisfied, too. It might seem that God has Himself painted into a corner. On one hand the Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8). And on the other hand, we know that He must judge our sin. His justice must be satisfied.

    His solution to the problem is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the sentence of death on our behalf so that God’s justice would be satisfied. His sacrifice was enough to cover all sin for all time. Not everyone believes that they need to be reconciled with God this way. They think they can satisfy God with their own good works. They also believe that what they do will make them right with God, and will give them access into God’s presence. But, if that could reconcile us with God, why did Jesus have to die?

    Other scriptures reveal God’s love and care for His people, as described in Proverbs 10:12. His love covers a multitude of sins on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

    In 2 Samuel 11 and 12 we read about David’s sins against Bathsheba and her husband. David was guilty of adultery and murder. The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David to reveal to him that the Lord knew what he had done. In 2 Samuel 12:13 we read, “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.” David admitted his sin, and Nathan gave him the astounding news that God had put away David’s sin. Isn’t it wonderful to see how God cares for His people? God’s love covered David’s sin on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ: God’s love covers all sins!

    In Jeremiah chapters 1 to 45 we read about Israel rejecting God. Instead, they worshipped the idols of the nations around them. Time and again He appealed to them to leave their idols and follow Him instead, and they refused Him. And, He warned them about judgment for their idolatry. But, in chapters 46-52, God promised to restore them to Himself, describing what His blessing will look like, and judge the nations around them. In Jeremiah 50:20 we read, “In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.” The first 45 chapters list and reveal their sins. But in this verse, the Lord proposed that a search be made to discover the sins and iniquities of His people. He said that even though search would be made, their sins and iniquities would not be found; that there was nothing to find. Isn’t it wonderful to see God’s care for His people? God’s love covers all sins!

    Zechariah 3 talks about a vision that Zechariah had of the high priest Joshua. In the vision, Joshua was standing before God. And, the enemy of our souls was standing at his right hand to accuse him. Since Joshua was in God’s presence, he had passed from this life, and was facing God at the end of his life. Is not it sobering to learn that the enemy of our souls was at that place while Joshua faced God, and was there to accuse him. Wonderfully, none of the words of the enemy are recorded. In Zechariah 3:2-4 we read, “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” See what God had done for Joshua? He gave him change of clothing, making him fit to stand in His presence, and He caused his iniquity to pass from him! Isn’t wonderful to see how God cares for His people? God’s love covers all sins!

    For those that have Jesus Christ as their savior, the same words apply. He has caused our sins and iniquities to pass from us, His love covers all sins. Until we are in His presence, we will have struggles with sin, as Paul expressed in Romans 7:15-24, but our standing before God is unchanged. In Romans 8:1 Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” And scripture is clear that God lives in us, guiding us into all truth and giving us the ability we need to live lives that please Him. Isn’t it wonderful to see how God cares for His people? His love covers all sins.

    All who reject the sacrifice of Christ remain under God’s wrath for their sin. Consider the awful price He paid to reconcile mankind with Himself. God died for us. What more would someone want Him to do? As Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” His love covers all sins.

    Gone is all my debt of sin,
    A great change is wrought with­in,
    And to live I now be­gin,
    Risen from the fall;
    Yet the debt I did not pay—
    Someone died for me one day,
    Sweeping all the debt away—
    Jesus paid it all.

    Refrain

    Jesus died and paid it all, yes,
    On the cross of Cal­va­ry, Oh
    And my sto­ny heart was melt­ed
    At His dy­ing, dy­ing call;
    Oh, His heart in shame was brok­en
    On the tree for you and me, yes,
    And the debt, the debt is can­celed,
    Jesus paid it, paid it all.

    Oh, I hope to please Him now,
    Light of joy is on my brow,
    As at His dear feet I bow,
    Safe with­in His love.
    Making His the debt I owed,
    Freedom true He has be­stowed;
    So I’m sing­ing on the road
    To my home ab­ove.

    Refrain

    Sinner, not for me alone
    Did the Son of God atone;
    Your debt, too, He made His own,
    On the cru­el tree.
    Come to Him with all your sin;
    Be as white as snow with­in;
    Full sal­va­tion you may win
    And re­joice with me.

    Refrain (M.S. Shaffer)

    Featured Image Credit: Adobe.com

  • A Recipe for Prayer

    A Recipe for Prayer

    Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, …..  “Isaiah 6:8

    As our nation celebrated a Week of Prayer I opened my Bible (actually my tablet) and read this prayer of Isaiah which begins with “I saw  the Lord.”  

    We often focus on this chapter as the vision of Isaiah.  However, since my heart was focused on prayer I found a little “treasure hidden in the field” as the old brothers would say.

    We often pray privately just like we pray publicly.  It is how we are taught. By our example we teach this to our children.  We talk to the Lord. We give him a list of things to act upon. Then with the invocation of Jesus Name we conclude our prayer time with “amen” (let it be so).  Imagine if all of our interactions were done this way. Rather than converse, we just tell folks what is on our minds,  say “let it be so”, and walk away.  That sounds silly in the context of human interaction.

    Let’s take a look at this “vision” a little differently.  Read the opening of Isaiah 6 and think of the author sitting in his home meditating on the Word of God and seeking His face.  Suddenly and apparently unexpectedly he sees The Lord!  The first part of this “prayer” is not speaking words, but seeing a vision of the Glory of the Lord. In fact, it is a while before Isaiah speaks.

    This is the recipe for private prayer  that we may glean from Isaiah’s encounter with the Lord.

    1) GET A VISION OF THE LORD (6:1)
    I may not have had my own “vision”, but sitting there reading the Word of God I could see Isaiah’s vision and pictured in my mind what it must have looked like.  God has revealed Himself in His Word and in all that He has created.  Perhaps it could be in a flower “behold the Lilly of the field”, or a creature of God “behold the ant” that He will show Himself to me on another morning with Him.  This phase of our prayer time is as important as the words that we speak. Get a vision of WHO GOD IS!

    2) TAKE A LOOK YOURSELF (6:5)
    When we see ourselves in light of the Glory of the Lord we should respond like Isaiah, “woe is me”.  We read that all our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) but until we compare all that we think is good in us to His Glory we fail to see just how unworthy we really are.  We need to get to the place of the publican who prayed “Lord be merciful to me, the sinner” (Luke 18:3). When we are humbled in His presence,  when words fail us,  we are finally ready to listen to Him.

    3) LISTEN FOR HIM TO SPEAK (6:8)
    I am not proposing that we pause in public prayer to hear the Lord speak.  However, in our private time of prayer, we need to insert times of “silent prayer” to allow God to speak to us.   We may not be blessed with the audible voice of God that the apostles heard at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:35), but we can hear Him.  Isaiah is recording a “vision” here. This is not a physical encounter, yet the voice of the Lord was clear to him.  “I heard the voice of the Lord”.   God has spoken through His prophets, and now through His Son (Hebrews 1:1ff). When we open His Word we can also hear Him speak if we will just listen.

    4) RESPOND TO GOD’S WORDS (6:8)
    Isaiah responds spontaneously with “Hear am I, send me!”   From my earliest days in the faith I have been touched by missionary slide shows and stories.  I wanted to go and wrote to missionaries and went to nursing school, but He did not send me to the jungles of Africa.  Isaiah’s words went forth to the world through this prophetic book, but there is no record that he himself “went”.   Abraham took Isaac to the mountain and was prepared to sacrifice his own son, but God provided himself a sacrifice. (Genesis 22).  When we respond to the Word of God with willingness and eagerness it pleases Him.  We are thinking like He thinks and feeling like He feels. We now see the world as He sees it.  Our own insufficiency is somewhat forgotten as we gain strength in His presence.

    5) NOW YOU ARE READY TO “PRAY”

    sbs (2025)

  • Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31

    “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

    Psalm 107 reveals the mercy of God. The first and last verses speak of it. The Psalm tells about four situations that show His mercy. These are in verses 1-8, 9-15, 16-21, and 22-31. In each, people found themselves in difficulties. In each, the people looked to God, and in each God delivered them. Each section ends with a note of praise to God.

    In Psalm 107: 4,5, we read, “They (those who the Lord had redeemed from the enemy) wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.” This reminds of the wanderings of Israel after they left Egypt. They knew not where they were going, and needed food and drink. Continuing in verses 6 and 7 we read, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” Because they cried unto the LORD, God in His mercy provided them with what they needed and led them to where they were going.

    Jesus said in Luke 12:27-30, “Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” He knows what we need! In Matthew 6:8 Jesus said that God knows what we need before we ask. Just as God in His mercy cared for wandering Israel, so can we trust Him, too.

    In Psalm 107:10-12 God wrote, “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.” Here we hear of those who are afflicted because they ignore God’s Words. Their hearts were brought down by labor, and when they fell down they had nobody to help them. These things God brought upon them because they ignored Him. Continuing, we read in verse 13 and 14, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” Though they were in their troubles for ignoring God, He came to their aid when they asked. What mercy!

    In John 8:12 we read, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Those who follow Jesus do not sit in darkness because Jesus is the Light of the world. In Luke 4:4, Jesus, quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3, saying, “…It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” The real source of life is what God says, His words. Obeying Him is life. Ignoring Him brings labor and darkness.

    Then in Psalm 107:17, 18 we read, “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.” This goes a step further from the previous. They ignored God’s word, so that they are in their iniquities, and are afflicted. Their souls were famished. They desired nothing of spiritual value. Continuing in verses 19 and 20 we read, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” They appealed to God in their situation, and God heard and delivered them by sending to them back to the Word that they had ignored. Our souls are fed by spiritual food, God’s Word. Their relief came in paying attention to His Word and obeying Him.

    Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s word is what mankind needs to live lives that honor God. And again we see that God was ready to help when they asked. Again we see His mercy.

    Psalm 107:24-27 says, “They that go down into the sea see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” A storm on the sea is terrifying. The trials of those who do business in the see were so severe, the storms were so great, that they were like drunken men. Continuing in verses 28 to 30 we read, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” In this case, the trials are in the form of natural disasters which are beyond men’s control. In God’s mercy He is ready and able to help even in the storms.

     In Mark 4:37-39 we read, “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” The sea is under God’s control, it calms at His command.

    Verses 6, 13, 19, and 28 are identical and tell of the people turning to God; “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” It is astounding, and reassuring, to see that no matter their situation, He delivered them from out of their distresses when they cried to Him. In each of these four cases we read of God’s mercy, care, and deliverance for the people.

    Verses 8, 15, 21, and 31 are also identical. These verses are appeals to praise God. All of mankind should praise God for His goodness and for His wonderful works on their behalf. Oh, that they would! It is said four times in this psalm. Israel, and by extension, mankind, have gotten themselves into difficulties by ignoring God. Yet He sends relief! He reconciled mankind to Himself through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God’s heart toward mankind is revealed. What mercy! What grace! What love! What praise is due to Him!

    Spiritually speaking, mankind is wandering, under death, under sin, and beset by things that are out of our control. Ultimately, our only hope is to call upon God in our distresses. Psalm 107 reveals that God hears every feeble cry of dependence on Him, and works to deliver those that trust Him. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

    The writer ended the psalm with, “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness (mercy) of the LORD.” This is Who God is. He rightly deserves praise from us, and He is merciful to us. It is wisdom to depend on God even in our failures. He is merciful!

    God is good! I will not fear
    The trials that await me here;
    His promises are true and sure;
    His Word forever must endure.

    Refrain

    O blessèd hope, O joy indeed,
    His mercy covers all my need!
    God is good! His love to me
    Is broad and boundless as the sea.

    God is good! His hand supplies;
    I cannot need what He denies.
    I’ll trust His love from day to day,
    And follow where He leads the way.

    Refrain

    God is good! He will not fail,
    Tho’ Satan’s fiery darts assail;
    I trust His grace from hour to hour,
    And do not fear the tempter’s power.

    Refrain (Charles H. Gabriel)

  • Space and Time

    Space and Time

    This is a message based on Genesis by Dennis Ploor presented on September 9, 2029.

  • That You Might Believe

    “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:30-31

    In the end of his book John revealed his purpose for writing it. From the beginning to the end, he wrote so that his readers would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.

    John 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Speaking of the Word, John 1:14 tells us, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, …full of grace and truth.” So, in the first 14 verses John says that Jesus, called the Word, is God, Who created all things and Who became flesh. The rest of the book tells how He lived, died on a cross, and rose again from the dead.

    In John 2, Jesus went to the city of Cana for a wedding. In John 2:6-10 John wrote, “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins (about 18-27 gallons) apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: …the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” Jesus turned 162 gallons of water into the best wine.

    In John 4 a man from Capernaum came to Cana where Jesus was; a twenty-mile trip. In John 4:47-50 John wrote, “When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. …Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” As he went, the man learned that his son had been healed, and he and his family believed on Jesus. The distance from Cana to Capernaum was no barrier to Jesus healing the boy.

    In John 9 is the story of a man who was born blind. Jesus’ disciples wondered why the man was born blind. In John 9:3 Jesus said, “…Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” As the story continued, there was much controversy about what had happened. Stating the obvious, in John 9:25, the man himself “…answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Then the leaders of the synagogue cast the man out of their gathering, and in John 9:35-38 we read, “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” Jesus healed a man that was born blind!

    We read in John 11 about Lazarus who took ill, and then died. Four days after his death Jesus came to his town. John wrote in John 11:39-45, “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. …He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead!

    All 879 verses of John reveal that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. In these few examples Jesus changed water to wine, healed a sick man from a distance, healed a man born blind, and raised someone who had been dead for four days. Is not Jesus God?

    John wrote his book so that his readers would believe this about Jesus because by believing they might have life through His name. This is eternal life, and it is available only by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. This means believing Who He said He was, Who His Works say He is, and why He came to earth. The last is told in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” What will each of us do with Jesus? Eternal life is waiting!

    Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
    We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
    But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
    All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

    Refrain

    It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
    Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
    One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
    So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

    Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
    We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
    But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,
    Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in pray’r.

    Refrain

    Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
    We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
    We’ll share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,
    The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.

    Refrain (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)