It must be possible to grow “tired,” even when doing good things. I say that because Paul the Apostle wrote in Galatians 6:9 … “And let us not be weary in well doing.” He likely would not have forbidden this condition, had it not been prevalent in the Galatian Churches.

Paul was “weary” when he penned these words, surely … “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.” 2 Corinthians 1:8, the sheer honesty of Paul! Despairing of life!

Of course … Hallelujah … through the Word of God and the invigorating Holy Spirit such “weariness” can be dispelled.

Yet I saw this verse earlier today and thought it worth sharing … “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?” Isaiah 40:28

God never is “weary!”

He has never “fainted!”

Almighty!

No wonder then it is said of David of old … “But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6, with those last three words being “key!”

“IN THE LORD!”

It almost sounds like one can sidle up to the Lord God Almighty and by faith, reach out and touch Him … and be infused with some of His Strength, Power, Un-weariness!

Now Paul chimes in again … “I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13, he must have somehow “touched” the Lord Jesus!

Dear friend in Christ, if you are spiritually exhausted (or near there) this morning … get alone and invest some time with the Almighty God Who is never exhausted!

You will soon learn … “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29, and again I say Hallelujah!

What a wise habit to cultivate!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

There was a day in America when true Christianity was admired, respected … even by lost people.

But Paul the Apostle lived to be considered as merely the “scum” of the earth.

But let me give you his words: “We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” 1 Corinthians 4:13

We who love Jesus and pursue discipleship well may (yes, in America) soon face such demeaning hatred, or something close to it.

The verb translated “are made” is spelled “ginomai” in Greek, meaning “to become.” Things (in our Country) may not be that bad (us being like “filth”) yet … but could easily turn that way! In Paul’s case here, “ginomai” is framed as an aorist verb, that indicates Paul is already undergoing the “filth” and “offscouring” reputation!

Then the noun “filth” is “perikatharma,” the scum washed off a very dirty pot so it might be used again! That’s how the Jews who hated Paul really felt!

And its counterpart, “offscouring,” is spelled “peripsema.” a synonym here. Indicating the “useless crust” rubbed (with great effort) off any vile implement or tool or vessel!

In Greek culture “peripsema” was a term used for a good-for-nothing, low-life criminal who would be sacrificed (thrown alive into the ocean) to please the god of the sea (Poseidon) to bring peace to a community, to protect one’s family!

One who died for the sake of others!

Wow!

When I was first saved I mainly delighted in “missing Hell!” In owning a “mansion” in Glory! In enjoying my relationship with the Lord Jesus! LITTLE DID I SUSPECT THIS “FILTH” THING, THIS “OFFSCOURING” NOMENCLATURE!

Yet Paul endured it!

Jesus did as well.

So did all the Prophets!

And we (sill in America I mean) might too in days ahead.

Maybe we had better brace ourselves (through the Word of God and prayer) for such name calling.

One entire political party (looks like to me) has become anti-Christian in its platform, no matter what they say to the contrary!

Oppose such things as baby-killing and same sex marriage (a paradox from the beginning) … and see what they call you!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

And I no longer write Lessons on the weekends. (Monday through Friday mornings, however I do. As you readily can see by the archives here.)

But I did want to share with you this great prayer verse this morning, as an encouragement …

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Jeremiah 33:3

Wow!

God inviting us to pray!

In fact, since the verb “call” (in Hebrew “qara”) is an imperative … we have God commanding us to pray!

What an honor!

Invest some time today … in prayer!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

I’ve preached again and again Ephesians 4:30, about the possibility of “grieving” the Holy Spirit. (“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”)

But not until early this morning did I realize the significance of the context in which this short command is situated.

I think Paul is teaching us some sins, specifically, that can “grieve” the Spirit of God. The verb here is “lupeo,” meaning “to cause sadness or sorrow or heaviness!” (Its cognate “lupe” is a noun even meaning “pain” at times!)

Here’s that list, for us to stringently avoid …

All are found in the immediate context of Ephesians 4:30, the “grieve not” verse. From verses 25 through 31 …

Number one … “lying!” (Verse 25 … “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour.”)

Number two … “anger!” (Verse 26 … “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”)

Number three … “stealing!” (Verse 28 … “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” A whole philosophy of industrious labor!)

Number four … “sins of the tongue!” (Verse 29 … “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” Where “corrupt” is “sappros,” equaling “rotten, putrefying!” Then too, verse 31 … “Let all evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”)

And for those of you who want to do “more,” further excelling as Christian examples … these also must go: “bitterness, and clamour,” a lack of forgiveness and apparently some form of “loud partying,” empty and foolishly boisterous activity!

What a paragraph to study!

And I am sure, the Holy Spirit would approve!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

I have worded the title to this lesson this way for a reason … based on the preaching of Jeremiah the Old Testament Prophet. Quoting God now, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” God can determine NOT to remember something, Jeremiah 31:34!

And the New Testament Book of Hebrews twice uses this terminology of the Lord! Like this: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12, but add Hebrews 10:17 to this glorious list as well.

Yet, back to Jeremiah, there is something God specifically remembers and apparently loves to ponder! Jeremiah 2:2, in part: “Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the KINDNESS of thy youth, the LOVE of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.” God remembers young Israel’s KINDNESS and LOVE to Him!

Wow!

I wonder today if WE are as kind to God as when we first met Him, when He first saved our souls! The noun “kind” (kindness) used here is “hesed”” in Hebrew. It particularly involves “covenant loyalty!” As in the marriage ceremony, the vows we promised to our mate, staying faithful to her “til death do us part!”

That’s what delights the Lord!

I think the love Jeremiah mentions in our Text is elsewhere called “first love!” Full of fervor and dedication, almost “doting” on someone! Yes, God specifically remembers such as that!

So today, based on the Word of God (what great Authority), let’s practice “kindness” and “love” toward our Lord! Let us not grieve or quench Him in any way!

(If there are six things God hates, yea seven … then maybe there are six things in which God delights, year seven! And if I am anywhere near correct … two of these things are “kindness” and “love” to Him!)

Expressed specifically by those He has saved, delivered!

Now … lesson over.

Homework … “the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals” … analyze and develop and sharpen these disciplines in your life, as you once did when initially meeting Jesus!

In other words, have I maintained the fervency and vigor of my “kindness,” of my “first love” toward the Saviour?

One day He needed a drink of water, John 4:7, maybe today He “needs” your love and kindness!

Surely that’s the least we can render unto Him … for “all His benefits” toward us! See Psalm 116:12 for the vocabulary I’ve just used here.

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Jeremiah 2:2 also says Israel “wentest after God” in the wilderness, at first anyway. The essence here (something else God fondly recalls) is “walking” with our Lord!

Jesus’ Words would have been … “Abide in Me!”

You all get the picture by now I am sure.

.