July 2008 Newsletter from the Pastor

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” Daniel 1:8

Good things were on the horizon for Daniel and his friends. They would rise to remarkable positions of authority and power. How important in the process was a self-disciplined stand? The food they had been offered did not conform to the requirements of the Mosaic Law. Their resolve paved the way for future blessings.

The Recabites were a nomadic clan descended from Jonadab.  Jeremiah invited the Recabites into one of the side rooms in the temple. He set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Recabites and asked them to drink some wine. Jeremiah 25:6 reads, “But they replied, ‘We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jonadab son of Recab gave us this command: Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine.’” God assured the Recabites that they would never fail to have a man serve Him. They also served as a contrast to faithless Judah.

How is your resolve? Have you been living with self-control…or do you often feel ‘out of control?’ I lost something that I hope I do not find. But I want to find something that I hope I have not lost. You see, I am one of three who are currently trying to lose weight. Each month we ‘weigh in’ and report to the other two. One competitor recently told me that he had a great day of restraint. What that meant was that he worked hard (exercised) and ate little. He had, for the moment reached his monthly goal.

 It took some reticence, but I also lost weight, that I hope I do not find again.  And then I want to find or hold on to something that also requires self-control.  I will point to I Timothy 4 to help explain.  Paul began with the prediction, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”  Later, he instructed in verses 7 and 8, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

I want to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  (II Peter 3:18)  I do not want to lose that ‘first love’ like the church at Ephesus did.  John admonished them to remember where they had been with the Lord, repent (of their apathy), and return to Him.  (Revelation 2:4)

Matthew 24:12 tells of a time when self-control will be at a premium.  The verse reads, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”  I can imagine someone like Daniel or the Recabites hearing that and digging in.  Their resolve would ‘kick in’ and they would serve as models for others.  Will you do the same?  Others may be depending on your self-disciplined stand.