Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. To say we live in a fast-paced
society would be something of an understatement. Never has
there been a time in all the world when man has had more conveniences
and time-saving devices than in the present day. Yet men are
seemingly more consumed with activity than ever before. We
are so busy about many things, rushing here and rushing there.
Little time is spent in enjoying or recognizing the simple blessings
of life. Many can only be satisfied with
something bigger or better than their neighbor. Everyone is under
pressure to produce more for less in shorter periods of time.
Scarcely does a new product hit the market than a cheap imitation
of it is already on the shelves. New inventions are obsolete by
the time they can be produced. The majority seem willing to
sacrifice quality and service for the lowest price. Some don't
even know that such a choice could be made. Truth in advertising
has given way to hyperbole and exaggeration. We live in a discount
world that seldom considers the ultimate price that is being
paid. We have become a nation enslaved by its appetites and
held hostage to its insatiable desire. Sadly, much of this attitude
is manifested in modern day religion and religiosity. Most modern
day preaching more closely resembles a pep rally than the laying out
of scriptural principles line by line. More effort is put on
stirring men up to action than in seeking to instruct them about
Christ. Whom shall he teach knowledge and whom shall he make to understand
doctrine? Them that are weaned from milk and drawn from the
breast. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little.
The religious flesh of men wants to see actions, results, and
new converts. Many who call themselves Christians
are willing to submit themselves and others to the process of
stirring up the flesh in order to have something they can be
proud to be a part of. Never before in my short lifetime
have I seen more endeavors in building things for religious
flesh to glory in than in the present time. Whether it's gargantuan
buildings, sports programs, clown ministries, youth programs, they
all center on some work that can be seen and felt. We're certainly
not trying to say that all of these endeavors are wrong, or
that some good might not come as a result of them. We are attempting
to point out that these things are not the necessary things
that the true believer should be pursuing with all of his heart.
The growth of God's people only really occurs as the Spirit of
God gives the increase. Except the Lord build the house,
they labor in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the
city, the watchman waketh but in vain. The way of the Lord
in building his city is not one fraught with great rushing about.
In fact, sometimes it seems as though very little progress is
being made. But God is the trier of men's hearts. Devotion is
of greater value than activity. There are no shortcuts to growth
in faith and experimental knowledge in the things of God. This cannot
be received in some soul-stirring, unexplainable experience, nor
can it be taught in a one-week seminar. The lessons that we
truly learn are the result of much struggle because of the
sinful nature that we war against continually. Sometimes it may
seem as though we take two steps forward and one step back. Yet
the Lord is not frustrated nor anxious about the progress of
His people, for it is He who works in us both to will and
to do. of his good pleasure. Everything is right on time.
Religious men think that they can devise programs and methods
that will produce spiritual growth. They are often convinced that
some plan that worked today will work again by duplicating the
conditions of the first success. One great leader of a church
somewhere puts some plan into action which produces, at least
momentarily, a great result. He becomes convinced, and others
concur, that if he can teach other men how they did it, then
those men can produce similar results. Others have learned
the secret of building large, successful churches and are willing
to share this insight with others as long as they've got the money
to buy their book. God is not a cookie cutter. He works in
unique ways each time he desires to manifest himself to men. He
is able to equip each one of his servants with exactly what
they need to accomplish what he intends for them to do. God
first told David to go and slay the Philistines, which thing
David did. The Philistines later regrouped, and David set out
to go forth unto battle as he had before. But the Lord prevented
it, and told him to wait under some mulberry trees until he
heard the wind blowing in their tops. When such a rustling was
heard, then he could go into battle, for the Lord had already
gone forth before him to ensure a victory. The Lord will ensure
that a victory will be won when He sends men into battle, and
He alone is glorified. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.