Long dead, he still speaks

Tuesday 7-14-15 (Home, Modesto, California)

Scripture reading:    Isaiah 19-21    Heb 11

S=Scripture O=Observation A=Application P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Heb 11:4   It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. God accepted Abel's offering to show that he was a righteous man. And although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us because of his faith. NLT

O.  It was Thomas Edison that first improved, produced and sold machines that could reproduce the sounds of a human voice.  People gathered around in astonishment to listen to a little device talk and sing. 

God spoke to Cain, Abel’s murderer, “What have you done?  Listen!  Can you hear it?  Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.”  And without doubt although Cain covered his ears with his hands, he never could shut out the voice of his brother calling out to him from the ground that he was tilling. 

A.  The book of Hebrews points out that Abel’s voice was heard many centuries after he had become the first man to ever die.  Some voices from the past cannot be silenced.  Today evil, faithless men and women are fervently attempting to shut out the voice of One Who cried from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”  They may remove God’s Word, the first book reproduced on a printing press, the most published book in the world, from the school libraries.  They may punish our children for reading it or quoting it in their schools.  They may burn our Bibles as they have done in the past, but it is too late.  God has spoken and His Word cannot be erased from His universe.  Those that campaign to destroy the Bible will be dead and gone to their “reward” and God’s Word will still be proclaiming His faithfulness.

P.   Lord, You have instructed us to be careful with our mouths, what we speak. You said, “I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matt 12:36)   We throw our words around so freely.  But someday You may play back the sound of our words.  What kind of words am I leaving behind?  What words from my mouth will my children and grandchildren remember?  Precious Jesus, help me to leave behind me a heritage of words declaring Your Truth… and spoken in love.  Amen.

Ralph

Wonderful words of Life,

written by Phillip Bliss in 1838

1. Sing them over again to me,
wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see,
wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty
teach me faith and duty.

 Refrain:

Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.

2. Christ, the blessed one, gives to all
wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the loving call,
wonderful words of life;
all so freely given,
wooing us to heaven.
(Refrain)

3. Sweetly echo the gospel call,
wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all,
wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
sanctify forever.
(Refrain)