Many years ago while living in the southeast, we became acquainted with an organization called Worldwide Tentmakers.  Worldwide Tentmakers seeks to come alongside and assist local churches in the promotion, preparation, and placement of self-supporting witnesses.*

The biblical model for tentmakers is the Apostle Paul.  Paul was a tentmaker and could support himself as he evangelized and planted churches.  

The idea of modern tentmakers was for a Christian businessman and/or tradesman to take a job where a missionary or church planter was already working to establish a ministry in order to help  them with financial support and lay ministry. 

At the time we came across WWTM, they were publishing lists of international jobs that were available for qualified individuals.  We began to use their lists to look for jobs in places with ministry needs.

There was an opportunity to teach history in Soldotna, AK.  I sent a resume’, but the position was filled from within the existing faculty.  There was a need for a Master Plumber at the US Embassy in Moscow, but no dependents were allowed.  We also had missionary friends ministering to Micronesian people in Hawaii, so I sent resume’s there as well, but without results.  Many other opportunities were pursued, but no doors opened.

I had always had a burden for the rural people of the Midwest, which was home for me, but I didn’t want to go there because it was home.  Wherever my family and I went, it needed to be where God wanted us to be, not where I wanted us to be.  

We eventually sent resume’s to the largest city near my hometown.  On a trip home that summer I followed up and was hired by a commercial plumbing/HVAC subcontractor in that city.  

We returned to South Carolina, sold our home there and moved back to the Midwest in about two months time.  No other opportunity opened up for us.  I knew we were right where God wanted us.

Both of my parents passed away shortly after we arrived home.  Dad was gone within thirty days and mom about seven months later.  I have an older sister who is a dependent and who was living with mom and dad at that time.  

We were able to purchase the home place from the estate and to build an addition to the house with a  small living area for my sister.  With the exception of a couple of years with other family members, she has lived with us since.

I have had dreams and visions of things that I wanted to accomplish for the Lord, but didn’t.  Perhaps my motives were questionable.  Perhaps these dreams, visions  and goals were just mine and not really according to His purpose.   In recent times, I’ve begun to wonder if His purpose all along was for us to come home and care for my sister.

We often want a showy place to minister.  A position that shows we are successful at what God has called us to do.  Something that we can report on when we go back to the place where we began to serve God.  The sad thing is that we are usually looking somewhere other than our home for that fulfillment.  

Are you where God wants you?

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  James 1:27

*www.worldwidetentmakers.

Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

KJV

………let the word of Christ dwell in you richly……

Many years ago, as a young Christian believer, I used to read one chapter of Proverbs each day.  The Old Testament book of Proverbs contains 31 chapters.  One for each day of the month.  Lately I’ve been working on getting back into that habit, because Proverbs contains so much practical wisdom and truth.

Today is the 30th day of July, so I read the 30th chapter of Proverbs this morning.
There is so much there to think on. I’m going to post some of the passages that jumped out at me today in hope of encouraging you to spend time in Proverbs as well.

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?  Proverbs 30:4

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  Proverbs 30:5&6

There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.  Proverbs 30:12

The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.  Proverbs 30:17

Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.  Proverbs 30:20

………let the word of Christ dwell in you richly………

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, THAT he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  THAT Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; THAT ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, THAT ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21

For this cause……..Verses 2-13 are parenthetical.  Paul repeats this phrase from verse 1 to continue his line of thinking from Ephesians chapter 2 concerning the riches believers have in Christ.  I (Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, see vs 1), bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (not necessarily our physical position, but certainly the submission of our will to Him)**, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (a reference to Christian believers – Jew and Gentile alike).

That……There are no less than four that‘s which are Paul’s requests unto to God for his fellow believers – Jew and Gentile.   The THAT’s above are like falling dominoes.  Fulfillment of the first spills onto the the next and so on.   We will concern ourselves only with the first that, which will teach us something more of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church today. 

……….that he would grant you,……..The word translated grant is a derivative of the Greek word didomi which simply means to give.*  The Giver is God, the recipient of the gift is the believer who apart from God is without this gift.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,….James 1:17.

.……according to the riches of his glory..……The word for riches is the Greek word ploutos which is used in the NT of (I) material “riches,” used evilly, and (II) of spiritual and moral “riches,” possessed by God and exercised towards men.*  The latter (II) are rich benefits, wealth, or abundant blessing which flow from God or Christ.*** 

……..to be strengthened with might……The meaning for to be strengthened is self explanatory.  The Greek word used here is from the root word krataiow which basically means to be strengthened,* as it is translated. The important observation is that it is in the passive voice, meaning the subject (believers) are being acted upon.   This is not a strength that can be mustered up by the individual.  The source of this strength is God Himself.  

……….by his Spirit…….The English translation, by his Spirit, does not adequately express what is contained in this phrase in the Greek language.  The word eis is included in the Greek, but its meaning is not conveyed in the translation.  It can mean one, only, one virtually by union, one and the same.  Another form of this word includes the meaning of oneness and unity.  This word emphasizes the unity of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  It emphasizes  the one and only Spirit of God as opposed to the many spirits in the world.

……….in the inner man…….This is not outward physical strength that Paul is petitioning for his fellow believers.  It is a supernatural inner strength that enables a believer to be delivered from the power of sin after he/she realizes his/her own strength is not sufficient .  It is a supernatural inner strength that enables a believer to stand alone when all others including family are opposed.  It is a supernatural inner strength that enables a believer to be sustained when all other avenues of resources have been depleted.   It is what sustains when the will is broken, the physical is exhausted, and the emotions have run dry.  It is not to be merchandized.  It is  for our sustaining power and for His glory.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  

Isaiah 40:29-31

*Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – pgs 265, 533-534, & 605;  **MacArthur Study Bible NKJV – notes on Ephesians 3:14;  ***The Analytical Greek Lexicon, Zondervan Publishing House, Sixth Printing 1970 – pg 330.

According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, thanatos, “death” (as a noun) is used in Scripture of: (a) the separation of the soul (the spiritual part of man) from the body (the material part), the latter ceasing to function and turning to dust,……(b) the separation of man from God; Adam died on the day he disobeyed God, Gen. 2:17, and hence all mankind are born in the same spiritual condition, Rom. 5:12, 14, 17, 21, from which, however, those who believe in Christ are delivered, John 5:24; I John 3:14.  “Death” is the opposite of life; it never denotes nonexistence.  As spiritual life is “conscious existence in communion with God,” so spiritual “death” is “conscious existence in separation from God.”

Physical death is the separation of the soul or spirit from the body.  What does physical death hold for the Christian believer?  The apostle Paul declares; We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:8

Are you a Christian believer?  Are you concerned about death and dying?  Are you troubled at the thought of dying?  Physical death is the second best thing that can happen to a believer.  

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.  Psalm 16:11

The apostle Paul expresses his desire and purpose this way:  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  Philippians 1:23 – 25

……….let the word of Christ dwell in you richly………

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.

Give of Your Best to the Master By Howard B. Grose  Pub. 1902

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…Ecclesiastes 12:1

Some of my favorite passages of Scripture are those where men of God stand and converse with the Lord face to face.  These men were friends of God.

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.  Exodus 33:11

• Abraham was called the friend of God:

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  James 2:23

The New Testament equivalent is a man that allows the written word to dwell in him richly.   The written word testifies of Christ; a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24b

• Moses got his priorities right:

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:   Hebrews 11:24 – 26a

• Job was a man who eschewed evil.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.  Job 1:1

According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments, the word eschew means to turn away from.  In a day and age when men are seeking evil and not good, a day when men are turning aside from that which is good and right, it is uncommon to find a man who turns aside from evil both in his public and private life.

• Solomon was a man who desired God’s wisdom.

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee;  II Chronicles 1:11 & 12a

There are many other faithful men in Scripture whose lives God recorded for our example.  You may want to do your own study to find godly characteristics that you would like to see in a future husband.  Honor the Lord by using these traits to find someone whose heart God already rules.  

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

Sometimes I think that we put less (rational) thought into choosing a mate, than we do when choosing a vehicle.  Oh, that one is a pretty color, but does it have a motor?  Oh, that one is a classic, but you can only drive it in parades?  Oh, that one has 500 HP, but can you afford to buy the gas?  Oh, that one is as fast as a rocket, but is it street legal?  Whatever happened to just being practical or making a wise decision?

So what makes our decision about a life’s mate wise and practical?  Are you going to have children?  Don’t pick someone who hates kids.  Are you looking for someone to raise and teach the kids certain values?  Don’t pick someone who doesn’t share those values.  Are you looking for someone that you can trust?  Don’t pick someone who looks really good but is unstable.  Are you looking for a Christian believer?  Don’t pick someone who isn’t a Christian with the idea that you will convert them.

Chances are you are not going to meet someone this week and know within two weeks, three months or even a year that this is the one that meets all the above.  Even someone who professes to be a Christian should not be accepted as such based on their word alone.  

Does their life action match what they say?  Are they under the Spirit’s control?  Do they manipulate?  Is the Word of God important to them?  What kind of friends do they have?  How do they handle money?  Do they love the brethren?  Observing all this takes time and it doesn’t need to take place in a romantic relationship.  

Before I met my wife, I came up with what I considered to be some biblical guidelines to keep me on track and to help me find God’s will for a mate.  

The desire of my heart was to find a wife that was willing to help me find God’s will and who would support me in doing so.  I was also looking for someone who would help me raise our kids according to biblical values.   My heart’s desire was for a wife who was loyal and faithful and in whom my heart could safely trust.  I was looking for a woman of godly character.  

When it was time, I knew it was to be her.  There were no nagging doubts.  I found her or I should say that God led us to each other.  I have often said of her; “I dated some prettier, but none more beautiful”. 

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.  Proverbs 31:28 – 31

I remember a particularly difficult and lonely time in my life. During that time I heard a preacher on the radio say; Walking with God can be lonely,…..but it is a sweet loneliness.

(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.  Psalm 139:1 – 18

There is a popular teaching making the rounds in professing Christianity today. In fact, it is nothing new as it has been around for a long long time. It is the teaching that believing in Jesus is just one of many ways to attain salvation.  In other words, salvation is at the top of the hill and how you get up there is up to you as long as you are sincere.  After all, who am I to judge?

The proponents of this teaching simply won’t say, when asked about the cults and other world religions such as Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Islam, Hinduism, etc., that they also must trust in Jesus Christ and His merit alone as their only hope of salvation.  The response is simply……I just don’t know, who is to say?  I don’t want to be judgmental.

Well the manual on Christianity, the Bible, actually has a lot to say about that.  In fact, John 14:6 is the Lord Himself speaking.  Surely if you believe in Him, you would accept His own words on the subject, wouldn’t you?

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:5&6

Can salvation come by anyone else?

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:12

If you believe in Jesus and also believe that there are other ways to God for those that are sincere in their beliefs, then you believe in another Jesus, and not the Lord Jesus Christ of Scripture.  You are yet in your sins.

If you were taught that there are other ways to God after you believed in Christ, then you have been taught incorrectly.  You need to repent and believe the words of the Christ of Scripture.  Jesus speaking……no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

…..let the word of Christ dwell in you richly……