The Slough Of Despond

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-24

It has been said that John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress was second in popular book sales only to the Bible. I am not sure of that contest now. However, if you have never read the allegory I would challenge you to do so. It is the tale of a Christian's plight through this world. People and places he encounters all have allegorical names. Such as Mr. Pliable who represents a fair weather friend, or, Evangelist who represents the persons telling of the Good News of the Gospel. The City of Destruction denotes the places of this world slated for judgement. So on we could go. The book starts with Christian, the main character, having a burden on his back (sin) and desiring salvation sets out to find the Wicket Gate and the path to Eternal Life ending in the Celestial City (Heaven). Now if you're not familiar with the story I can assure you it is most Biblically sound. The writer Bunyan wrote it while in an English dungeon of which he was put there for preaching the Gospel.

The first hardship Christian encounters is the Slough of Despond. This is a term so described by Bunyan as:

"It is the low ground where the scum and filth of a guilty conscience, caused by conviction of sin, continually gather, and for this reason it is called the Slough of Despond."

Christian falls into this Slough and sinks under the weight of his burden of sin on his back. He does this by not heeding the stepping stones the King (Jesus) put in the slough as a way of escape. Near to drowning, and left by his temporary companion "Pliable" Christian is rescued by a goodly man named "Help."

The Slough of Despond is interesting in two ways to me.

The first, we find that the Slough of Despond is a place of discouragement but can also be a place of remembrance pointing to thankfulness. Though the Lord does not at all wish us to dwell in sin and be languished with its guilt and shame, we ought to remember our guilt only long enough to give us a fresh renewal of Christ's salvation. He paid All He had so you and I would not be forever drowning in our own muck of sin. Drowning is a horrible thing, but more so when its in mire. I have fallen in quicksand once. Fortunately there was a strong branch I grasped held of to pull me out of the mire. Such a Branch is the Righteous Branch, of whom the Strong arm of the Lord extends to everyone in trouble. It reminds us of just how gracious our Lord is by making an escape of a humanly inescapable horror.

This next short paragraph is speculative. This is just me talking. Opinion. Nothing more. But I have for some time wondered at the thought if when we reach the portal's of Heaven, when we receive our glorified un-cursed bodies, once we have encountered every wonder there is, even to the point of seeing the Savior's wonderful loving face, will we completely and fully, 100 percent appreciate and fully recognize all that was paid on our behalf for such a salvation as we have? I wonder if at sometime, NOT that we are in any means unappreciative or apathetic of our Supreme Benefactor, but will it be when we shall see the hordes of the Lost (those who refuse to accept Christ as Savior, not a Christian who has committed a sin) have their final judgement pronounced on them, cast into the Lake of Fire, hearing the agony of our lost friends and even family as they disappear forever into that great cauldron of suffering simply because they refused the Strong Branch that wanted so desperately to save them. Will it be then, LITERALLY seeing what could have and should have been our fate too, then appreciate so great a salvation to its fullest? Will we then run to bosom of our dear Savior and thank Him in joyous weeping? Reminding us of His price for our salvation by the gentle touch of His Hand on our shoulder, we feel the scab of the nail prints that He bore for us.

The second point is that this Slough of Despond can be instrumental in working out our own need for restored fellowship. When we sin, it cost us inwardly and outwardly. Sometimes Christians refuse out of pride to admit to our sinfulness. The mire has to sometimes rise to uncomfortable levels around us before even we cannot go any longer in denial of sin. Is there some burden of sin you have, perhaps something you have been dealing with for a long time? Perhaps its something that no one but you and God knows about. The prophet Jonah tried such a ruse to run away from God in refusing to own up to his prejudice about going to preach revival to Ninevah. Jonah's Slough of Despond was worse than a mud bog, but in the literal digestive tract of a large fish (let your imagination take over). But it was good for Jonah because it made him come to realize that his sin and the all seeing eye of God cannot be dismissed in secrecy. I urge you if your in a situation that keeps making your life miserable, to let it go, repent and turn away and out of Slough.

The Slough of Despond was aptly named. Despond is that emotion or state in which deep depression and lack of joy flows freely. There are other causes for this same emotion, but when it is Sin, its clear to the Christian. Despond will crowd you, choke you, stifle your life until we are brought to the place of confession and repentance. We can be so glad that "Help" (Christ) stands ready to forgive and pull us out of the mire we have made for ourselves. Not only did Help pull Christian out of the mire, but He put Christian back on the right road that leads towards Heaven. We can be assured that Christ will do no less for us too.

Watch for the Slough of Despond, avoid its clutches, but gaze for a slight moment and remember that those who are by choice languishing in Despond can be freed as you have been. To go a step deeper, perhaps the Lord would use you to rescue someone from that state today. I do not mean that we can offer salvation to the Lost in the sense we do the saving, but we can encourage and lovingly confront a failing brother and by the Lord's permission help to lift them out of the mire, pointing them to Christ who is their Benefactor.

Father, thank you for rescuing our poor helpless souls from the Slough of Despond. We do not deserve such kindness. We ask You to help us to avoid the pitfalls of life that lead to miry bogs. If we find ourselves trapped inside one such bog, may it not take long to call to You for help and forgiving lift us out. We pray for a brother or sister living in some form of sin. Help them not to desire the filth any longer. May today be the day, like the prodigal, they will arise and head towards the Father. Thank you for Grace, greater than our sin. We love you Lord. In Your Name, Amen.

Central Is Never Busy

Scripture Reading: Psalm 69:30-34

In my last post I mentioned I like old things, particularly old hymns and songs that are mostly forgotten. Out of these hymns there are certain phrases that makes wonderful sermon and teaching topics. Cliff Barrows, the choir and song leader for Billy Graham, once remarked that good hymnology makes wonderful theology. Though a lot of songs are not completely theologically structured, they have good references to Biblical principles. The reference we are going to look at today is one of prayer.

The old hymn we're looking at is "The Royal Telephone." by Frederick Lehman 1919.

The lyrics are extremely clever in their analogy to our open line of communication to our Father in Heaven. We as Christians have an always "open line" direct with Heaven at any time or any place in the world. The question is, how often do we use it or take advantage of such a privilege? Let's look at some privileges and one urgent suggestion that we should appreciate about our "connection" to Heaven.

First of all, we have no intermediate operator. It used to be back before even the dial telephones that one would have to call the operator to speak to whoever they wished. Later on there were, and I suppose still are, direct line phones. When I think of such, I am reminded of the "red" phone that you would see in the movies of the 60's era, where some secret service man would pick it up and the call without dialing would go immediately to the Oval Office of the President. This "hot line" is exactly what we have with God. We need no priest, no pastor, not anyone to connect us with God. That is one of the greatest blessings we have over all other false religions. You can talk to God anytime without any interference or anyone listening in. Prayer is a personal matter and is not limited by the greatest joy of the soul to the greatest sorrow of the heart. Direct line always.

Secondly, there are no busy signals. Before the advent of "call waiting." we would be constantly annoyed and upset when the buzzing of a busy signal was heard. This was due to either the phone being off the hook purposely or accidentally, or, the person on the other end talking only to someone else. Maybe today you feel like God hands you a busy signal or has too many voices to listen to. We cannot judge God with human means. We cannot understand how He can listens to millions of voices every second and yet heed and understand each one as if they were singularly it. But He does. God stands open and willing to listen to you the believer. You're not bothering Him. The sum of all the world's urgent needs are but a trifle to His Omnipotence. God has never had more than He can handle. The line is open.

Thirdly, there are no charges to be paid. Ever since there were telephones, there have been monthly fees. Now with cell phones, those fees include roaming and data charges too. It can be expensive if not overwhelming. The Devil would like to discourage us with the lie that because we are not as Holy as God, or, because we did not do a great job in the Christian life yesterday, that God cannot and will not hear us. We have to work our way back and earn His trust and ear. No. Do we sin? Yes we do. Does God forgive? Yes He will. Does God act like a tyrant in keeping us down with earning anything? No He does not.

A completely interesting side note about the lies of Satan. Whenever Satan accuses God of being whatever, fill in the blank, and tries to discredit what God says and promises, Satan is only trying to mask himself, because his discrediting accusations towards God is really and truly the way he acts towards his own children, the unbelievers.

The blood of Jesus Christ takes away our need to pay for our sins and earn confidence with God. God sees us as He sees Christ, pure and blameless. He sees us as we will be apart from the world and these fleshly bodies. The Bible does say that we must repent of our sinful practices to restore our fellowship with God, but that is a far cry from trying to win it back. You are His freely, and He is yours freely.

Fourthly, there are no dropped calls. This sort of correlates with what we just talked about with the difference that God is not in the business of "hanging up" or losing you because of anger or some hostility. Cell phones are notorious for losing a call right in the middle of usually something important. One moment you have a full signal, the next you might as well be in a cave. As you talk to God in prayer you have His full undivided attention. In fact, God delights in us talking to Him. He wants a personal dialogue with us. So He will not drop you or leave you stranded. Once you are connected to Him in Christ through salvation, its like having a heavy anchor chain from His throne to the depths of your world. No element, no trial, no doubt or no sin can sever the connection.

Finally, the urgent warning. Prayer is a privilege, and being constantly connected like a line telephone is a great privilege. However, the greatest tragedy of prayer is that its only seemingly used when disaster strikes. This speaks and smells of deep carnality on the part of the believer. Of course, we can freely and always should turn to God in prayer when a tragedy strikes, there is never any shame in that at all. What I am saying is, prayer is supposed to be a constant connection in the good times as well as bad. We are never in need of more prayer to God for us than when we find ourselves in the times of prosperity and plenty. It is such times that we sort of feel free from depending and thanking God for all we are and have. When times are easy we sort of feel like we can do this thing called "life" on our own with no Divine Assistance. How awful we treat God by not giving Him but a sentence prayer in the fields of plenty, but give Him a screaming scroll in the times of agony. How great His love is! This was case with Israel so often. In fact if the Old Testament could be summed up in one thought it would be that God tried and tried for Israel to acknowledge Him and His love everyday, and the same from them to Him.

Spend every day thanking Him, Praising Him for Who He is towards you, Bless Him with praises of song, and speak to Him words of your love as you hear words of His.

Central Is Never Busy.

Father, help me and all who read this to appreciate this awesome privilege of prayer. We can't fathom its full blessing, but we do know what it is like to feel lonely and cut off by people in the world. Thank you that You do not treat us this way and that we can come to your listening Ear and that You not only desire to hear us, but delight in it as well. We hold the attention of the God of all that is, help us to fully realize this everyday. Thank you for not being too busy to talk to us. In your Name, Amen.

It Will NOT Come OUT!!!

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:18-20

How many times have you been told in life (mostly the men here) when we spill something on us, usually food, that it won't come out? Of course the morsel of food or the blob of whatever lifts off the fabric, but the footprint it leaves beneath it stays there.

I had the most unique experience I want to share this week. Although I did not think so at the time, this makes for a good illustration. It was Communion night at my church. We have an AV room separate from the main congregation so one of the deacon's brings back the bread and juice to us. I had my bread and juice on the desk in front of me. We could watch on our monitor when it was time to partake. It came to the juice and as I put the plastic cup to my mouth I thought I saw a drip and as I drank, the whole cup was running everywhere. I jumped back and sat the cup down (which puddled out on the desk). The guy beside me said, "Dude, your glass is cracked." I saw all the purple drops on my best shirt and I immediately ran to the staff bathroom to wash the shirt to no avail. You sort of look at grape juice like acid, its dangerous effects are usually permanent, so you handle it carefully. I always cringe as I see a whole platter of grape juice passing down the row. Well, anyway, there I was big wet blob on the shirt from the intense "water treatment" and all these little stains on me. As I was surveying myself in the mirror, the Holy Spirit reminded me just how vital a picture this was to see.

Stains are not usually welcome on our person or our clothes. They denote ugly marks we rather not anyone see for embarrassment sake. All stains except one. We as humans will have up to two stains on our souls. First we were born with the stain of sin. The Bible says that this sin brings death of eternal separation from God on all of us (Romans 6:23). As hard as we try to remove that stain with the solution of good deeds or moral living that stain will not come out! I soaked and soaked myself with water, and the grape juice stain lightened but did not disappear. The Holiness of God requires that ALL the stain be gone, not faded, but removed. We have nothing at all in our power to remove such a stain.

The second stain is the cleansing stain of Christ's blood. Here was the illustration from the broken communion cup. To rid our sins, Christ was to go to the Cross to shed His blood for the forgiveness of them, completing the fulfillment of the Old Testament pattern. The difference was that the blood He shed would be totally sufficient as it would not go away nor wear off in its potency. Grape juice (which we use to represent the blood of Christ shed for sin) has the express quality of not coming out of clothes. When you and I receive Jesus Christ into our hearts, His blood cleanses us from all sin. This is not a one time action. This covering stain lasts forever never coming out of our souls.

There are Christian folk that believe in this cleansing blood, but cannot accept the fact that its permanent. How sad to be tormented by the thought, for just one sin committed, and then death comes and they perish forever in Hell. This is not what the Scriptures teach, but what the deception of Satan shouts. If the blood of Christ is to be a perfect payment for sins, then should it last. Anything that does not last completely, is not perfect. We do not desire to keep sinning, but when we do sin there is no eternal condemnation for it either. You cannot sin your way out of salvation. When Christ "stains" a heart, what really happens is that old stain of sin (that cannot be cleansed by any other means) is removed and the new stain of Christ's blood replaces it. The "stain" of His blood is not an ugly one, but more like a beautifully painted portrait. That portrait is our righteousness and our ONLY pass into Heaven.

Finally, a stain is something we try to hide. I was embarrassed to circulate in the halls of our church due to gigantic blob all over my shirt. I could not hide it. We should not be embarrassed or try to hide or cover up the reality of Jesus in our lives. If the stain were reproachable, certainly we should try to hide, but it isn't. The stain is glorious. The stain is something we should want all to see and hopefully desire to have too. When we try to blend in with the world, we are hiding our stain of Redemption. When we are open about speaking for Jesus in our lives and for what He has done, we are showing Him off. How can we cover up the very thing that completely and utterly changed the course of our lives from destruction to everlasting Hope?

Does the stain of sin still marr your soul? Would you desire to have it removed? Once death comes, either the stain of sin or the stain of Christ's precious blood is set for all eternity. You can lose your sin stain in this life, but you never can lose the redemption of His stain. In a world of absolute uncertainty, one thing is quite certain. A decision to be saved by Christ's blood never changes. Its the permanent stain of Righteousness, and it won't come out!!!

If you're not a believer in Jesus Christ, consider the consequences of your decision not to trust Him. Is it really worth suffering unspeakable torment all alone forever just to live a few years on Earth "enjoying" life which will ultimately betray you? I plead with you, turn your life to Christ.

Would you pray with me,

Dear Jesus, I realize I have a black mark of sin on me. I know that mark means I am not going to Heaven. But I know from what I have read today that my sins can be removed and forgiven by trusting in Jesus. I desire for You to come into my heart and cleanse my sin stain and cover me with your stain of blood of forgiveness and salvation. Thank you Lord that your forgiveness lasts forever,

and forever now I will be with You. In your Name, Amen.

If you received Christ through this posting online or through reading it in an e-mail, please write to me and I want to send you a free booklet to help you on your new Christian walk with Christ. The address is jonbrowning@suddenlink.net

Lifetime Eraser

One of those Elementary School memories I have is the new eraser I would usually get before every school year. One year I was particularly proficient in missing the answer to practically every math problem thrown at me, so my dad in his wit bought me this jumbo eraser that was about the size of a Hershey bar. I did use it, but didn't wear it down to a small size. Still the application is this, when we mess up in life we tend to measure it. For example we think that a child caught stealing a piece of candy is a small problem that can be easily corrected. But contrasted to an adult who has lead a drug filled life, had one or two affairs, or has messed up in some "large" way may never be corrected or in fact will be consigned to the guilt of his or her actions. So we think. The fact is that no matter what we have done, there is no such thing as a small sin or a large one. We can be sure though that God needs no size chart for the eraser to forgive us our problems. Did you know that God can even do that---erase your guilt? He can and with only a single loving stroke. The Bible says in Psalm 103:12 that our transgressions are removed as far as east is from west, in other words, in directions that never meet again. The Apostle John tells us in his first book that when we come to Christ in confession, Christ will unquestionably, unreservedly, undoubtedly, and unashamedly pardon us as if we never committed the sin. Such a loving eraser in our Father's eyes is called Grace, and the vehicle of Grace this eraser is held in a hand called Mercy. It is true its Grace that pardons the sin, but its Mercy that commands the Eraser.

My friend whatever is in your past. What could conceivably be in your future, and that which plagues you in this hour can be resolved and wiped away with the Eraser of Grace. No sin too great, no thought too dark that He does not delight to say, "Let me erase that and set you free." He is willing to take you as you are...will you be free?