With this goal in mind, I would encourage you to read through this sermon by C.H. Spurgeon.

We all think that we understand what it means to “read the Bible,” but I especially appreciated Spurgeon’s remarks about the way we read:

“But, now, beloved, our point is that much apparent Bible reading is not Bible reading at all. The verses pass under the eye, and the sentences glide over the mind, but there is no true reading. An old preacher used to say, the Word has mighty free course among many nowadays, for it goes in at one of their ears and out at the other; so it seems to be with some readers—they can read a very great deal, because they do not read anything. The eye glances but the mind never rests. The soul does not light upon the truth and stay there. It flits over the landscape as a bird might do, but it builds no nest there, and finds no rest for the sole of its foot. Such reading is not reading. Understanding the metering is the essence of true reading. Reading has a kernel to it, and the mere shed is little worth. In prayer there is such a thing as praying in prayer—a praying that is in the bowels of the prayer. So in praise there is a praising in song, an inward fire of intense devotion which is the life of the hallelujah. It is so in fasting: there is a fasting which is not fasting, and there is an inward fasting, a fasting of the soul, which is the soul of fasting. It is even so with the reading of the Scriptures. There is an interior reading, a kernel reading—a true and living reading of the Word. This is the soul of reading; and, if it be not there, the reading is a mechanical exercise, and profits nothing. “

You can read Spurgeon’s entire sermon by clicking here.

We all think we are right. But check your thoughts by God’s Word for real wisdom. Helpful hint: Ask “what’s right about this?” before you post it.

2     Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But the LORD ponders the hearts.

Want to get rich online? If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

Should you assume that strangers who contact you are “probably o.k.”? Think again. Or should you give everyone the ability to post things on your personal pages?

8  The way of man is forward [crooked] and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

What is really happening with people who constantly criticize others?

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Social networking is often used to seduce the simple: “Hey, look at this link! ” Where are you “surfing?” What happens when you wander from God’s way?

16 The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

If I put these Proverbs into effect, I might lose all my “friends” online!

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

What are you really searching for online?

21 He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Do you post whatever comes to your mind? Stop to think before you press “send!” Don’t post it unless you want to see it on a billboard with your name.

23  Whoso keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Maybe one of your “friends” is using another name. Is his real name here?

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.

Are you really being productive online? Or are you just entertaining yourself?

25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor.

Some people put on a really bold front. But are they really seeking wisdom for the way?

29 A wicked man hardens [emboldens] his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

Spiritual warfare is a reality. Do you go online with a “military mindset?” Unrestricted access to the internet could destroy you. Get a filter in place and be accountable. Ask the Lord for safety.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

– Pastor Gordon Dickson

Sufficient Sweetness

That’s right. This is a sermon about “sufficient sweetness.” What do you do when your body sends you the “full” signal? Keep right on eating or call a halt? Part of the problem is that we have come to think of eating as a way to be entertained. Now it is clear in Scripture that good food is a wonderful way to have great fellowship with others. The problem is that we allow ourselves to think of eating primarily as entertainment rather than nourishment. When you view it this way, munching becomes a way to change your moods; cooking becomes your source of comfort.

Those Basic Assumptions

When our most basic assumptions about eating are out of whack, we can’t really expect to draw the right conclusions.

For instance, one summer evening several years ago, my family was enjoying a wonderful campout near Cincinnati. The children were asleep and my wife and I were reading under the dining canopy we had set up. In a short while, I read 50 pages of 1776 by David McCullough, and almost the entire time, I was munching away on pistachios. Those wonderful, salty nuts added real zest to the occasion and I thoughtlessly downed them while I was reading. Suddenly, in a start, I sat up and looked wide-eyed at my wife.

She asked, “what is wrong?”

I replied, “the Lord just spoke to me!”

She responded, “Well, what did He say?”

I answered by quoting Proverbs 25:16!

“Have you found honey? Eat only so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith and vomit it up.”

You see, I was just reading a terrific book about the American Revolution, and suddenly the Lord spoke to me through the Scriptures. That kind of thing has happened to me frequently. On this occasion, it brought me up short and I pushed away the bag of pistachios.

What stopped my snacking?

So what was it about Proverbs 25:16 that stopped my snacking?

I was crunching away for contentment. I felt as if pistachios were giving me peace! And in a moment’s time, the Word of God helped me to arrest my impulses. My faith interrupted my feelings. Proverbs 25:16 emphasizes “sufficiency” instead of saturation. When I reach “full,” there is no need to go farther. Now if you begin to think in these terms, you will begin to re-interpret the signals your body sends you. You can begin to discern the difference between “hunger pings” and “hunger pangs.” But, as the verse warns, if you snack right on past sufficiency, be prepared to feel sick. I recommend that you memorize this proverb to see if the Lord doesn’t bring it to your mind as well. God’s Word has a marvelous ability to reign in our feelings and impulses.

In this proverb, honey can represent any and all food. (Have you found pizza??) We were created by God to live for His Glory and enjoy His Creation. We were not created to sicken ourselves with a saturation of sweetness.

So ends this sermon on “sufficient sweetness.” Hope you enjoyed this “Honey Homily.”

–Pastor Gordon Dickson, Calvary Baptist Church, Findlay, Ohio

www.cbcfindlay.org

www.glimpsesofcalvary.com

Enjoying conflict? Fools meddle to keep strife alive.

3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Purity in posting. What are you known for?

11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Who is reading your posts? The One who made eyes and ears.

12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,  the Lord hath made even both of them.

Do you know how to spot real treasure?

15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Who are you fooling? Deceit seems sweet, but the taste won’t last.

17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Can’t wait to share the latest secret? Talebearer alert! Beware of flatterers.

19 He that goes about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips.

Blasting your parents online? Find your future here.

20 Whoso curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Someone has hurt you and you want to pay them back? Trust the Lord to deal with them and save you – from yourself.

22 Don’t say, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save you.

It’s time to take a new look at the way you use social networking.

– Pastor Gordon Dickson

And here are a few thought from Proverbs 21 as well.

A certain man had two sons…

Here we find a remarkable puzzle.

What did these sons really want?

Were they really all that different?

Down the long hall of human history, human beings have been reacting to each other — and calling this reaction “righteousness.” Is this really the case? In this fascinating parable, Jesus Christ pulls away the mask from humanity, to reveal what we really are.

The highway to heaven is hidden in humility, but the path to punishment is paved with pride.

Click the player here to listen to part one

For part two of this message, click here.

Without God on our Side

Psalm 124

to the tune of “Now Thank We All Our God”

Without God on our side, (say all the people with us)

Without God on our side, the floods would have engulfed us.

For angry men rose up and like a swelling tide

They would have swallowed us, but God was on our side.

. . . . .

We praise and bless the Lord, our Wonderful Defender

Who kept us from the snare from being torn asunder

For they would tear our flesh and swallow us alive

But God protected us in Him we live and thrive.

. . . . .

Now thank we all our God, the Lord Christ, our Creator

Who made the heav’n and earth and came as our Redeemer

He still defends today, our blessed Lord and Guide

Now let the people say, “The Lord is on our side.”

Adapted from Psalm 124 by Gordon Dickson

Moses wrote in Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Here’s an idea – plan your life like you plan your year.

All of us prepare for the seasons of the year.  (If you don’t believe me, check the mall parking lots at certain times of the year.) All of us know how to plan for New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We understand the “rhythms of the seasons.” Now let’s see if we can look at our passing years the way we look at the passing seasons. If my math is right, every five days would represent one year (using Moses’ average life span in Psalm 90:10).

So, what if your lifetime were like one year?

The day you were born – Happy New Year! It’s the start of a brand new life and a brand new year. What a wonderful season! Your whole life and your whole year are before you!

At nine years of age, you would find yourself at Valentine’s Day. It’s still too early for spring, but things are beginning to change. Valentine’s Day introduces you to love – and not just the mom and dad kind. When you discover this kind of love, everything begins to change!

You would be “sweet 16″ on St. Patrick’s Day … and not a moment too soon either! This “green” day reminds you of the greening of spring. In this season of “spring cleaning,” you must sort out the treasure from the trash. At 16, you are choosing between good and garbage – constantly. Your choices in “spring cleaning” stay with you all year long, and that’s just like life.

You need the Lord’s help to know trash from treasure.

At 18, you’re late in March and ready to march. Congratulations! High school is behind you; the world lies at your feet. Spring is in full swing! It’s a time to plan your planting. So much of the rest of your “life year” will be formed by the choices you make here. It’s time to ask the Lord for wisdom.

Age 22? You’re in the Easter season and already making some very adult decisions. As the flowers bloom and the weather warms, you see bright new horizons ahead of you. Already you have seen the results of some of those trash/treasure decisions and those “sowing and reaping” choices. As you plan out vacations and holidays, you begin to realize that the course of your “life year” is pretty well set. How you “applied your heart to wisdom” has made all the difference.

When you’re 27, you would be celebrating Mother’s Day, and, by Memorial Day, you would be “over the hill” at 30! The weather is warm and the plans are many. Now you are making decisions, not only for yourself, but for others. You have more responsibilities and more opportunities. Sometimes wisdom comes knocking – with some very hard knocks! It becomes more and more obvious what kind of life and what kind of year you’ve made for yourself.

If you are in your mid-thirties, it’s time to celebrate July 4th. Isn’t independence great? But how did time pass so quickly? Valentine’s Day was just yesterday, right? These are warm days, sweltering “years,” hot with the activity of many well laid plans. The real fruit of your choices is starting to show and grow.

It’s time to “number your days” and “apply your heart to wisdom!”

By the time you’re fifty, it’s Labor Day, and the summer is over. It’s harvest time! So many choices you made earlier in the year, and earlier in life, are now ready for harvest. You begin to understand the phrase “too soon old; too late smart.” Fall is on the way. Is that snow on the roof already?

It seems a stretch, but if you’re 65 you would be at Thanksgiving. (Whew! let’s stop and catch our breath!) In this season of the year, you want to gather all your loved ones together. The word “family” is very important during this part of your “life year.” It’s time to gather together to enjoy the fruit of your labors. It’s time to bless and be blessed.

At 70, it’s Christmas … who would have believed it? Reminiscing in this season brings back the memories of a lifetime. The treasure of those beautiful memories must push aside the trash of the bad memories. It’s time to bless others with the fruit of your year and the fruit of your life.

In which season of the “life year” are you now living?

Wisdom teaches us to use each season of life the right way. It’s never too late for “course adjustments.” As most of this new year lies before us, I hope you will treasure every moment that you have, and remember “time waits for no man.” None of us is guaranteed three score and ten years.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

. . . . . .

Failures aren’t finished!

The Peter Series: Biographical messages

This series of 22 radio broadcasts reminds us that  failures aren’t finished. Let’s study the life of the Apostle Peter to discover how the Lord can still work through us today.

How should you respond when you become acquainted with an angry man? Should you make friends with this furious man? The danger of this relationship and so many other relationships is explained in verse 25. The fact is, we tend to adopt the values of the people that we associate with. Stay around this man for long, and you will begin to think the way he thinks. The result: you too will find your soul in a trap, just like he does! If you really want to get frustrated, then learn to think like this furious man.

Renewing the Mind

These verses highlight the importance of renewing the mind. We would all like to believe that our thinking doesn’t change, but the fact is that it changes constantly. We are constantly listening to others and evaluating their ideas. We tacitly accept the ideas that we tolerate, while rejecting the others. Scripture passages such as Romans 12:1-2 make it plain that we are in danger of “being conformed” or pressed into the mold of the views of those around us. This is why the Christian must renew his mind with the Scripture; your thinking doesn’t remain static; it changes constantly. As a Christian, you have a golden opportunity each day — you can renew your mind with the Glory of God. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

When I was a youth pastor, parents used to express the wish for “positive peer pressure” for their own teens. They thought that if other teens would pressure their teens to do right, then they would do right. When someone expressed this opinion to me, I usually responded that if someone could be pressured to do right then they could also be pressured to do wrong. My appeal has been the same for years: teach your teen how to renew his mind with the Scripture. Do this in your family devotions and even in your own casual conversation. In so doing, you are placing values that will not be easily dislodged. Teach your children how to find friends and what to avoid in acquaintances. Teach them the danger of adopting the wrong values of others.

Pastor Gordon Dickson, Calvary Baptist Church, Findlay, Ohio