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In 1997, Tim began sending out "HEM-Lines", a weekly e-mail devotional sent free of charge to anyone who requests it. Below is one of the more recent devotionals sent out. If you'd like to be added as a subscriber, write to Tim@GraceMine.org and request to be included.
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"HEM*-Lines"
July 31, 2008, Volume 12, Number 7
(*Heaven and Earth Meet)
"Directions To Beauty"
I love the mountains of the Southern Appalachians! Having grown up on
the side of Pine Mountain in Harlan County, KY, the mountains are part
of my heritage. As a boy I qualified as a "ridge runner". My
brothers, cousins and I spent much time roaming through the woods, and
once even constructed our own log cabin. I feel very much at home
when I take time to get out in the forests of our region.
I also have great respect for the mountains. I know how easy it is
for even an experienced hiker to become disoriented. Without marked
trails or someone who knows the area well, a person can easily get
lost and spend hours, even days, wandering through some of the large
tracts that make up our national forests.
A person is wise to have good directions when setting out on a day in
the woods. That's just what I did earlier this week when heading for
a couple of waterfalls in western North Carolina. I didn't want
anything (like getting lost!) to spoil what promised to be a relaxing
few hours.
Kevin Adams has often been my guide on such excursions. I've never
actually met him, but his books on waterfalls in North Carolina and in
Virginia have helped me select destinations for my day trips. Most
entries in his books feature a photo of the waterfall, along with a
"beauty rating" and other details. When the beauty rating is 7 or
above (10 is the best), that's a place I want to visit.
In reviewing his list prior to my recent outing, I noted a waterfall I
hadn't visited before. "Roaring Fork Falls" sounded intriguing, and
it didn't seem to be a very strenuous hike. But how to get there?
That's another reason I like Adams' books; he includes directions to
the waterfalls, including highway numbers and precise mileage. I've
rarely been frustrated when following his directions.
As it turned out, I was treated to wonderful beauty at Roaring Fork
Falls. That trek, along with a trip to Crabtree Falls, both in Yancey
County, made for a relaxing and inspiring day. My appreciation for my
guide grew even more. (For a peek at Crabtree Falls, visit the
"Waterfalls & Mountain Streams" photo gallery at www.Joycaster.com.)
My family and I also used directions from others on our recent trip to
the panhandle of Florida. I had no previous experience with the area,
and knew nothing about the best beaches to visit. Using guidebooks
and information found on various Internet sites, we were able to find
some spots that offered stunning beauty without the stifling crowds.
You know, of course, the old stereotype about men; we never like to
ask for directions. My wife will tell you that I fit that profile
pretty well. I've been known to take longer than necessary to reach a
destination because of my firm conviction that "we'll figure this
out". There are times, however, that I rise above my stubbornness.
Following the directions of people who know the terrain can be
beneficial.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," we've often heard. Waterfalls
attract me; others care little or nothing for them. But what about
spiritual beauty? Is that concept attractive to us? Do we even know
that it exists or where it can be found?
God's word speaks of that spiritual beauty: "Give unto the Lord the
glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness"
(Psalm 29:2). In holiness, the psalmist writes, there is beauty.
That is the preferred setting from which to offer worship to God.
Holiness is spiritual beauty.
Talk about foreign concepts! Our world isn't familiar with
"holiness". Let me try to explain by talking about your toothbrush.
I'm guessing that everyone who reads this owns a toothbrush, and I'm
also guessing that the toothbrush you own is used by only one person -
you. Most will exclaim "Yuck!" at the thought of placing that
instrument of dental hygiene in more than one mouth. I use my
toothbrush because I feel sure it has not been used in any mouth other
than my own.
That's a crude illustration of the concept of holiness. The word in
the Greek means "set apart". This statement from 2 Corinthians 6:17
shows why holiness is important: "Therefore come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I
will receive you." Those who aren't holy defile themselves with what
is unclean. According to this verse, God will not receive such
people, nor their worship.
But let's be honest: Who among us has not defiled ourselves with
sinful things? One of the clearest messages in the Bible is that sin
is a universal problem (see Romans 3:23, for example). If it be true
that God will not receive us if we are tainted with sin, what hope do
any of us have? Are we not attempting in vain to reach that state
called "the beauty of holiness"?
There is good news, however, for sinners. In 1 Corinthians 6:11,
after listing several sins that keep people from inheriting the
kingdom of God, Paul made the happy announcement: "And such were some
of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."
"Sanctified" is from the same Greek word otherwise translated as
"holy". What Paul is announcing is this: Those who have been guilty
of sins which bar their entrance into heaven can also be sanctified -
"made holy". What makes this possible is stated in Hebrews 13:12
(among other passages): "Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify
the people with His own blood, suffered outside the camp." The blood
of Jesus, shed at His crucifixion, is what cleanses people from their
sins. In doing so, they are made holy, a state of spiritual beauty in
the sight of God.
To see this principle at work, consider the example of Paul. Before
he was a Christian apostle, Paul (Saul) was a persecutor of
Christians. When he personally encountered Jesus (see Acts 9), he was
brought to his knees. He knew he was guilty of one of the worst of
all sins - fighting the Son of God!
But forgiveness was available for even a sinner like Paul. Ananias,
who had been sent to Paul by Jesus (see Acts 9:10-18), had simple
directions for this man who now believed in Jesus and was penitent of
his sins: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and
wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
Not surprisingly, Paul did just that, and he became a valuable servant
to the One he once fought.
Perhaps you've heard other directions given to the question, "How can
a person be saved?" There are several different answers given by the
religious world. But for those who want to be sure to arrive at their
desired destination, isn't it best to follow the directions given by
the most reliable Guide of all? The One who said, "He who believes
and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned" (Mark 16:16) knows the path to beautiful holiness. After
all, He's the one who blazed the trail (Hebrews 10:19,20)!
Holiness is within our grasp, thanks to the grace of God. Let us be
sanctified by Jesus' blood, and then worship God in the beauty of that
holiness.
Do you have questions about the Bible's teachings regarding salvation?
Let's talk about them. I don't claim to have all the answers, but we
have the Book that does. Searching together we're more likely to find
the vital truths God wants us to discover.
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Copyright, 2008, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless
otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990,
Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
"HEM-Lines" is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland
Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall,
minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request
it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to
"Tim@GraceMine.org" (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address
above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial
purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered. |
