The Hermitage by Jim Hughes: June 2012

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Faithful Are The Wounds Of A Friend

Have you ever had a knock-down, drag-out fight with a close friend? Who hasn’t?

Proverbs 27:6

(KJV)

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

I’ve had bipolar moments in the past where a close friend saw my angst and used those incidents in their defense of why I was not credible during our argument, comparing the bipolar moment of anger with my yelling at them during our argument.

But, my friend left out a very important fact—in our argument I did not cuss them out as I had in a typical bipolar incident I would have. Some people think that because I am loud during arguments that I am out of control. It is quite the opposite!

When someone cuts me off in traffic and I call that person every name in the book (from the curser’s handbook) I AM out of control! But, Bipolar Disorder requires that I take psyche drugs and am under medical supervision—there’s a chemical imbalance in my brain. (This is a whole other story that I won’t get into, if you need clarity Google it . . .)

For the life of me I don’t understand why some think they can get away with being passive aggressive and look cross-eyed and bewildered when I yell during an argument. I have to take drugs and they don’t have to, but inwardly are flipping me off in their mind, while I’m vocal and outwardly expressing my emotions. Jesus said, (Please don’t read any further if you don’t like to obey the Lord’s commands.)

Luke 14:26

(KJV)

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Did you get that, Hate his own life too! This is what the golden rule means when it says to, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!” Maybe I bumped my head, but I would expect my friends to fight to the death to tell me the truth no matter if they step on my toes!

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Renew Your Mind

Romans 12:2

KJV)

Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

I was posting Dr Peale’s devotion for June 28 and came across this,

Norman Vincent Peale

The only way you can rid yourself of a thought or thought pattern is by displacement—by putting another thought in, by substitution or thought-switching. lf you entertain in mind a defeat thought, a discouragement thought, a frustration thought, or any negative thought, practice thought substitution. Deliberately open the mind and substitute the contrary thought pattern, one positive in nature. Such thought conditioning can change your life.

What a wonderful, down-to-earth instruction!

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

Norman Vincent Peale, June 28

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

In The Beginning - Reasoning

Have you ever wondered about a worldview that just doesn’t make sense? Atheists reject the notion that our universe has an intelligent designer.

John 1:1

(KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The original Greek in this verse reads, In the beginning – Logos (Reasoning, Intelligence, Rationality)

Logos

(BLB)

A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe.

I believe God wants us to perceive and welcome with our finite reasoning minds His infinite reasoning divine plan.

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Science Of Faith

Have you heard the English spelling rule, “I before E, except after C” well . . . don’t look now but science is an exception to the rule! So . . . what about the statement that science measures what can be seen, touched, heard, smelled and tasted but it can’t measure the beauty of a crackling bowl of Kellogg's Rice Krispies?

Hebrews 11:1

(KJV)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Sometimes you have to read between the lines of a statement. That’s what the Amplified Version does; it breaks one or two common English words and fills in the gaps left out of the original Greek words used by the New Testament writers.

(AMP)

Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Faith is “the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” Science cannot explain how the five senses work. Oh, scientists can measure brain waves that light up when someone sees or hears but they cannot fully explain how this happens.

Science cannot explain how our conscious mind works. Here's the definition:

Consciousness (noun)

(AHMD)

1. The state or condition of being conscious.

2. A sense of one's personal or collective identity, especially the complex of attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities held by or considered characteristic of an individual or a group.

3. In psychoanalysis, the conscious.

So what I am proposing is that science has limits just as theology has limits. How about ending the war between these two disciplines of thought and combining them. It’s OK to say, “I don’t know,” when you don’t know the answer to a question; and it’s equally alright to say, “But I know Someone who does know the answer.” As Andre Crouch so aptly put it, “Jesus is the Answer!”

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary (AHMD) Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Retrieved from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Conscious+mind

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

The Persistence Of The Saints

I believe we could possibly be in the greatest move of God in our time. And do you want to know the name of it? Of course you do, possibly the greatest move of God of all time! It’s called, “The Persistence Of The Saints!” No bells or whistles, just good old fashioned, dogged determination to carry on with the things of God in the face of these challenging times we are living in. Just come to the conclusion, “Come hell or high water, I am continually going to seek Your will Lord—Thy will be done— right here in my life!”

Hebrews 11:6

(KJV)

God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

It’s gonna take some hide off of our predisposed ideas of living in the lap of luxury, living the Good Life. What is life? Jesus mentioned this in His last prayer before being strung up as a common thug.

John 17:3

(KJV)

As You have given the Son power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know You the ONLY TRUE GOD! and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent!

So what is, The Persistence Of The Saints? DON’T EVER GIVE UP your trust and faith in Jesus! These problems too will pass! Jesus has given us everything we need for the trouble that lies before us, He has given us everything we need for life, His life, the same kind of life He has—ZOE LIFE! The God kind of life, that which makes God—God! It has no ending! It never fails or falls down.

2 Peter 2:3-10

(KJV)

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Friday, June 15, 2012

Who's In Control

So many faithful Christians are motivated by fear; never knowing the Lord in the hard times because they are so worried about their problems. Who’s in control? He’s got the whole world in His hands!

He’s either Lord of ALL or He’s not lord at all!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

(KJV)

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God.

Are we giving thanks? Can we thank God in every situation, for every little detail of our life? That speck on the wall, how 'bout that lamp, what about those dishes in the sink, do I give thanks for all that? EVERYTHING!

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Will Of God

None of us want to stand before the Lord on Judgment Day and hear him say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you!”

So to remedy this, here’s two scriptures to ponder upon when checking to see if we are in the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

(KJV)

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God.

Are we giving thanks?

Hebrews 11:6

(KJV)

Without faith it is impossible to please God, for they that come to God must believe that He is, and that He’s a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Are we seeking Him?

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

No Man Is An Island

In Matthew 18:20 Jesus tells us that when we get together with one another in agreement, He would be in our midst. Don’t miss a very important key that happens when we meet together, we are in agreement with one another.

The best ad lib comedy teams have one rule, and one rule only: to be in agreement! If the first guy is talking about the spots on a cow looking like Lake Michigan, the second guy plays off that and says, “Oh! That’s why my milk in the morning revs me up like a car from Detroit!” Silly analogy, but the point is the second guy doesn’t say, “Oh! That’s why my milk in the morning revs me up like a car from Salt Lake City!”

We need to be in a place where we can feed off of the nuggets of gold that our brothers and sisters bring to the relationship. How do you know that just one little uplifting idea can change the course of not only our lives but the destiny of all mankind!

Acts 2:1

(KJV)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Let’s get on the same page with one another!

References:

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of England

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Monday, June 11, 2012

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

You say you love God, that’s good. You say you don’t sin, that’s bad. God says you’re a liar, that’s ugly!

1 John 1:5-10

(MSG)

5 This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him.

6-7 If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.

8-10 If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.

Don’t be afraid to admit to God and your conscience that you have done a wrong doing!

References:

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Friday, June 8, 2012

Rebuke Your Brother

The other day I was reading a text and something just jumped out at me big time! Something I had never seen before. I always remember the part about forgiving those who hurt you, but . . .

Luke 17:3

(AMP)

3 Pay attention and always be on guard [looking out for one another]. If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents (feels sorry for having sinned), forgive him.

Did you get that? Jesus says, to rebuke him, reprove and correct your brother. WOW! No wonder so many Christians are falling by the wayside! When you see a brother falling, Jesus’ brother says to snatch them from hell-fire,

Jude 1:22-23

(AMP)

22 Refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt.

23 [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality.

Paul says,

Galatians 6:1-3

(MSG)

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

Yes, we are to forgive are brothers and sisters, but don’t be a milk-toast Christian! If you see your brother sin, rebuke him! You just might be saving them from backsliding; and we all know that nobody ever has assurance when and if they can repent in such a condition.

References:

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Saturday, June 2, 2012

I Don’t Want To

I know I haven’t perfectly kept God’s commands, but thru His grace and power in me I am able to do all things!

Matthew 21:28-32

(MSG)

28 Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’

29 The son answered, ‘I don't want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.

30 The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.

31-32 Which of the two sons did what the father asked?

They said, “The first.”

Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God's kingdom.

John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn't care enough to change and believe him.”

References:

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

Friday, June 1, 2012

I have learned the secret of how to be content

Right now in this *cave that I am living in I am reminded of how blessed I am because Christ empowers me with His sufficiency!

Philippians 4:11-13

(AMP)

11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.

12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

*Cave – Due to fibromyalgia, limes disease and fatigue I can't stand or sit for long. I haven’t worked in 5 1/2 years and have no income. For the past nine months I have been living in a renovated garage/apartment with no running water or toilet facilities. The electricity is a cord from the laundry room of the wonderful Christian sister who has answered the call to serve the Lord by giving me a roof over my head at no cost.

I have been turned down for disability because I am able to ride a bicycle to my doctor's appointments. Everybody says that I need exercise because I am diabetic and lie in a recliner all day flat on my back, but I can't afford physical therapy. Just as well, because of the bicycle riding I have been able to come off of the insulin I was on, I lost 30 lbs. (while on my primary care doctors guidance). I get food-stamps and am on indigent health care.

I bath once a week by filling a bucket of water from a spicket outside the laundry room and use the adjoining apartment which has no running water either but has a shower stall and a toilet. I use the bucket also to flush the toilet. I have three fans going to keep me cool from the 106° weather outside. The tin roof of the apartment has no insulation. I cook on a portable counter-top burner and have a thermos cooler to keep a few things cold. (I rotate frozen gallon jugs of water – that I freeze in my dear sister’s chest freezer in the laundry room to chill the thermos - I also make ice cubes in the freezer.)

Praise God thru the electricity and the laptop computer my sister has given me I am able to put out 18 blogs, (eight of which are daily devotionals) and also prepare songs that I use to lead worship at my church. I play an electric/acoustic classical guitar that a brother in the Lord gave me. The two of us are in a band, Thessalonas. (You can visit us online at www.thessalonas.com)

I’m not writing this to get sympathy I just want to show how thankful I am for the Lord’s provision. Over 85% of the world’s population live on $4 a day! I’m living like a king!

References:

Email: classicdevotionals@gmail.com

The Hermitage by Jim Hughes

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Faithful Are The Wounds Of A Friend

Renew Your Mind

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

In The Beginning - Reasoning

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Science Of Faith

The Persistence Of The Saints

Friday, June 15, 2012

Who's In Control

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Will Of God

No Man Is An Island

Monday, June 11, 2012

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Friday, June 8, 2012

Rebuke Your Brother

Saturday, June 2, 2012

I Don’t Want To

Friday, June 1, 2012

I have learned the secret of how to be content

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