Better Farther On
1. A Better Place
I rejoice in answered prayer and we are moving from "My Prayer For A New Year" to "Better Farther On". I have been praying for my Father-In-Law as he started taking chemo treatments again as cancer took a hold for the fourth time. I prayed that God would give him a peaceful crossing when it was his time to cross over into heaven. God answered that prayer and he died from a heart attack before the cancer became too painful. He is in a better place with His Lord and we look forward to seeing him again. For those who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior it really is "Better Farther On".
2. It Is Better Farther On
We had an emotional weekend with the funeral of my Father-In-Law, but it was a peaceful, gracious service with our church filled to capacity with family and friends. Pastor Jack Tripp preached a sermon about Jim being a good soldier of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in II Timothy 2:3. He also used Paul's words to young Timothy found in II Timothy 4:7-8. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." I have sung in a few funeral services, and it is always hard, but I was blessed as we sang, "It Is Better Farther On". Our son, Daniel, our daughter, Susanna and her husband, Andrew, joined Michael and me as we sang the old song, "It Is Better Farther On". I want to share the words of this great hymn and maybe help to lift up your heart and feeble hands so that you, too, can say, "It is better farther on."
(It Is Better) Farther On
As we travel through the desert
Storms beset us by the way;
But beyond the River Jordan
Lies a field of endless day.
Refrain:
Farther on still go farther,
Count the milestones one by one.
Jesus will forsake you never.
It is better farther on.
Oh my brother are you weary
Of the roughness of the way?
Does your strength begin to fail you
And your vigor to decay?
At my grave oh still be singing,
Though you weep for one that’s gone.
Sing it as we once did sing it,
"It is better farther on."
Traditional; first noted in 1877.
3. A Better Country
I want to begin our new series on "Better Farther On" with "A Better Country". It is always hard when a close loved one dies, but for Christians we have hope and comfort that the world knows nothing about. All who die in Christ shall live again. Death delivered him from the old aching body and God gave him a new body where he will never suffer pain again. Jim, my Father-In-Law, left the sorrow, and pain, and suffering of this world for a better country. "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:16) We can read about that beautiful country called Heaven in the book of Revelation. Our God and Savior Jesus Christ is what makes heaven so wonderful, and here are a few more sights we will see in that beautiful city.
"1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Revelation 21:1-4 and 18-23)
4. God Cares For The Birds, And We Are Much Better Than They
All last fall and winter I enjoyed watching the birds gather around my feeder. In the early spring the squirrels knocked it off the pole, and because I knew that the birds would soon be able to feed from the bugs and seeds in my garden I did not put it back up. When we had the six inches of snow last week, I filled the feeder and hung it up and sprinkled bird seed all around on the ground. The birds found it quickly and it has been fun to once again watch them out my kitchen window as I wash dishes. Jesus taught the people that God takes care of the birds, and He will surely take care of us because we are much better than the birds. When you see a bird that's eating, or finding pieces of twigs for a nest, remember that just as God provides for that little bird, He will provide for you!
"25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (Matthew 6:25-30)
5. We Are Better Than Sheep
It was very common for people in the Bible to have sheep. Sheep were used for their wool, for food, and for sacrifices. In Nathan's story to David, we can see that some cherished their lambs like members of the family. "But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter." (II Samiel 12:3) Sheep are not a part of the typical household today, but there are some who cherish their cats and dogs, or other pets, as part of their families. I have seen some animals that are better cared for than some children, and that's a shame. The Pharisees tempted Jesus by asking Him about healing on the sabbath day. The people would help a sheep on the sabbath day, but did not want Jesus to heal a person on the sabbath day. In His response Jesus made it clear that people are better than sheep. It is okay if you have a pet that you treat like part of the family, but remember that in God's eyes, people are better than animals and should be treated as such.
"8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other." (Matthew 12:8-13)
6. Jesus Is Better Than The Angels
When I thought about a series on "Better Farther On" I immediately thought about the book of Hebrews. The word "better" is found 13 times in Hebrews. The first time tells us that Jesus is "so much better than the angels." There seems to be a fascination with angels in the world today. Many talk of angels watching over them and some even post pictures of what they say are angels. I believe in angels, but I believe that our faith, worship, and trust belongs to Jesus, the only begotten Son of God.
"1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" (Hebrews 1:1-5)
There are some amazing stories about angels in the Bible, and I believe that angels still have a purpose in the lives of Christians today, but it was not an angel who died for me. It was my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who took on the form of man and became a little lower than the angels to die for me and He deserves all my praise! "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9) He truly is "so much better than the angels."
7. Better Hope
For some, to hope for something is just wanting something to be what's best for their plans. They may have vacation plans and hope it doesn't rain. Jesus gives us a better hope. Our hope in Christ is "... an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..." (Hebrews 6:19) "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." (Hebrews 7:19) Actually, without Christ we have no hope. "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" (Ephesians 2:12) Now we have hope in Christ Jesus, and God's Word gives us many descriptions of this better hope.
"13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14)
"1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (I John 3:1-3)
"1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:1-2)
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27)
"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." (Galatians 5:5)
8. "Thy Lovingkindness Is Better Than Life"
I told Michael last week that God has been so good to us. I try to thank God often for my home and family and our church and Pastor. But those things are not what motivates my praise to God. He provides me with things that can't be seen. He gave me salvation and with it He gives me peace in my heart, and love and joy that the world can't understand. He speaks to me in a still small voice and leads me and guides me in paths of righteousness. David praised God and said, "Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." When we look at the heading of this Psalm we see that David said this when he was in the wilderness of Judah, probably at a time when he was running for his life. Even in the hard times David could say, "...thy lovingkindness is better than life..." It is great when we praise God and say, "God is good" when things are going well in our lives, but we need to also praise Him when the trials come, because God is good all the time!
"1 <<A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.>> O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me." (Psalm 63:1-8)
9. To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
We live in an age where many believe they can do what they want and buy their way out of trouble. This is not a new idea. King Saul disobeyed the Lord and thought that he could offer sacrifices to God to cover his disobedience. God sent Samuel the Priest to tell him, "... to obey is better than sacrifice..." God will forgive us when we repent, but true repentance is turning away from our sin. And our sin is not without consequence. God rejected Saul from being king because of his rebellion against God.
"17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." (I Samuel 15:17-23)
10. Salvation Is Better Than Anything In The Whole World
For our thoughts on better things today we are looking at the words of our Lord found in Matthew 16:26. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" If you still haven't asked the Lord to save you, what are you trading for your soul? Salvation is better than anything this world has to offer. All the wealth of the world can't buy salvation. And all the treasures of this world are temporary. Jesus is better, so much better, than all the treasures of this world.
"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
11. The Power Of God Is Better Than Silver And Gold
This is a great story from the New Testament that shows us that the power of God is better than silver and gold. There are many needy people in the world today and it is great when we can help them financially, but sometimes our pockets are empty. We can show them how they can trust in Jesus to save them and that can make a change in their lives for eternity. Peter and John had no money to give the lame man, but they had the power of God on their lives and that made a difference.
"1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering." (Acts 3:1-11)
12. A Good Name Is Better Than Great Riches
Let's open with our verse today... "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1) This verse is so clear there is not much that needs to be said about it. I think of this in the corporate world. Those who cheat and steal their way to the top will one day see that "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches..." I try not to judge others, but sometimes when I hear someone mention a person's name, I automatically have opinions about that person, sometimes good and sometimes not so good. We carry our name with us through time. And it can take only a few moments or a few words to ruin a testimony that we may have spent years to build. Guard your name, and guard your testimony, for they are better than great riches.
13. Wisdom Is Better Than Silver And Gold
Today we see something else that is better than silver and gold, WISDOM! "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" (Proverbs 16:16) This was penned by a man who had more wisdom than any other man, and who also seems to have had more wealth than anyone during his time. "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; ..." (I Kings 4:29-31) And look at the gold that he had...
"14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
16 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
17 And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
22 For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year." (Portions of I Kings 10:14-25)
King Solomon had wisdom and riches, and he realized that wisdom was better. And though we are not all rich, God tells us that we can be wise if we ask Him. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
14. God's Word Is Better Than Gold And Silver
A few days ago I received an email asking about my Biblical beliefs and I want to share those with you. I use the King James Bible, because I feel that it is the closest version we have to the original scriptures. I believe that ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, all have been born under the curse of sin and "...the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He came down from heaven in the form of man to give Himself as a sacrifice to pay for the sin of all who believe in Him. I believe that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to receive salvation and escape hell. I believe that after we are saved we are safe and secure in the Lord and He is preparing us a home in heaven for all eternity. I believe that God created the heaven and the earth in the beginning of time as stated in Genesis 1:1, all the way through to the book of Revelation that tells us of the end of time. I believe the Bible because I asked Jesus to forgive me and save me almost 50 years ago, and He has proven His Word to be true time and time again through answered prayer. He gives me love, joy, and peace and I am so thankful that God has recorded His Word and preserved His Word for us and we can read it and pray for understanding and wisdom.
Think for a moment what it would be like to not have a copy of God's Word. For many years God spoke through His priests and prophets and the Word was penned down, but individual men and women did not have copies of what God had told them. God spoke to a select few, and sent angels and messengers to some, but most were not so fortunate to hear God's Word. There are times in Bible history when the Word was hidden beneath the rubbish in the temple. I feel truly blessed that God has given us a copy of His Word. We also have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the scriptures. I can say with the Psalmist, "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." (Psalm 119:72)
15. Jesus Went A Little Farther In The Garden Of Gethsemane
We have looked at the "Better" things according to God's Word, and now I want to focus on the "Farther On" part of our theme title. Four years ago I talked about men and women in the Bible who went "A Little Farther." I don't usually repeat the devotionals, but I think it would be good to take another look at some of those individuals who went a little farther.
"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:36
In a few weeks we will celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin our new devotional series on "A Little Farther", we see in these familiar verses that Jesus went a little farther in prayer. Jesus came to the place in Gethsemane and He asked the disciples to wait there. Then, He took Peter, James, and John a little farther with Him to pray. Being "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death", "He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed." Jesus was willing to give His life to pay for our sin. He knew the pain and suffering He would bear. He took His closest friends with Him a little part of the way in the garden, but He went a little farther in prayer, even unto death. Where are we in prayer and communion with God? Are we with the multitudes who followed Jesus in the day, but did not know about Gethsemane in the night? Maybe we are with the other disciples who went along with Jesus into the garden. A very few may even be with Peter, James and John who went a little farther with the Lord. Notice what Jesus said when He returned to them. "And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:40-41) When we go a little farther in prayer with our Lord, He will help us overcome temptation. Watch and pray, and follow Him.
16. Enoch Walked With God A Little Farther
"And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Genesis 5:21-24
As we continue our devotions on going a little farther, let's look at the story of Enoch. I have heard it explained that Enoch and God walked together each day and as they walked each day Enoch walked a little closer to God. One day, after a while, God told Enoch that they were closer to His home, and Enoch just went home with God. What else do we know about Enoch's walk with God? Enoch's son was Methuselah (who lived 969 years and died the year of the flood), his grandson was Lamech, and his great-grandson was Noah. In the days of Noah, there was great wickedness on the earth, so things were probably getting pretty bad during Enoch's day as well. In verses 14 and 15 of Jude we see that Enoch preached against the wickedness of his day. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Also, in Hebrews 11:5 we read, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Enoch prophesied, and he pleased God, and he walked a little farther with God and a little closer to God and God just took him away from the wickedness. What about us? Can the world see a difference in the way we walk? Would others say that we walked with God, or that we pleased God? How can we walk a little farther? Walk in the light. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:6-7) Walk in truth. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (III John 1:4) "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." (Colossians 4:5) "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory." (I Thessalonians 2:12) Finally, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
17. Noah Went A Little Farther To The Saving Of His Family
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:5-9
We saw in the fifth chapter of Genesis that Enoch "walked with God." Now we have come to the sixth chapter and we see that his great grandson, Noah, also "walked with God." Noah also worked for God, "to the saving of his house" as we see in Hebrews 11:7. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." The first three individuals of the faith chapter in Hebrews 11 give us an example of how we need to live. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel worshipped, 11:5 tells us that Enoched walked with God, and 11:7 tells us that Noah worked. If we want to go a little farther with God, we need to follow this order. We need to worship God, then we can walk with God, and finally accomplish something for God in our work for God. It is fruitless for us to try to walk with God or work for God until we have worshipped God. Ok, got a little sidetracked there... back to Noah. The people of the earth were very wicked. While God chose to take Enoch out of the wickedness, God had something different in mind for Noah. He told Noah to build an ark and prepare for a great flood. I like Genesis 6:22, "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he." Noah went a little farther than all the rest of the world. He worked a little harder to save his family. If we want to see our family saved, then we need to work a little harder, and go a little farther with God. Noah preached to the lost and dying world, but they would not listen. We need to work just as hard to save a lost and dying world today. "And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;" (II Peter 2:5)
18. Abraham Went A Little Farther In Search Of A City
"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran." (Genesis 12:1-4)
Let's continue in Hebrews 11, the Faith Chapter, with Abraham. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.." (Hebrews 11:8-10) God told Abraham to go to the land He would show him, and Abraham went. I always enjoy going to visit my sister. It takes me a little over three hours to make the trip. I usually look at what time we leave, and guess about what time we will be back home. While driving back home, I keep a watch on the clock and keep telling myself that I am getting closer to home. It is a little easier now that I don't have little voices in the back seat crying, "Are we there, yet?" After we have been on the road two or three hours, I start telling myself, "Just a little bit farther." I am always ready to get back home. Think about Abraham. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." It would be really hard to just pack up and leave, not knowing where you are going. But, sometimes if we want to go a little farther with God, we may have to pack away some things that hinder our path, and step out in faith to follow God. We may not always know where God is leading us, but as we take each step in faith, we can keep on going a little farther with God.
19. Going A Little Farther To Show Kindness
I have told Michael often that my devotionals are sometimes like a blog. There is not a great amount of Bible teaching, but God speaks to me through the ordinary, and sometimes extraordinary happenings, to show me things through His Word. Those are the times when I love sitting and writing out the devotionals, and the thoughts flow through my fingers as I try to share what God is trying to say through these simple thoughts. So, today I am not looking to the past devotionals as I had planned, but to something that happened not once, but twice in the same day. Mom and I went shopping and as we started into the mall I saw a woman drop something from her pocketbook in the parking lot. As she went into the store I told Mom to stop her and I went back to the parking lot to pick up the glasses she had dropped. She was thankful that we had taken the time to return them to her, as she did not know that she had lost them. After the long day of shopping and running errands I started the trip back home and I passed a man who got his mail from his mailbox. He had several pieces of mail in his hands and one piece fell and blew across the road. I turned around and went back. I pulled into his driveway and rolled down my window as he got out of his truck. I told him that he dropped a piece of mail and the wind blew it across the road. He also thanked me as he started down his driveway to find the lost mail. Since these incidents were repeated in the same day I tried to see what God was showing me. I believe that God used these two lost items to tell me that sometimes we need to go a little farther to show kindness to others. It may take extra steps on our part. We may have to turn around and change our course, but I believe that God makes no mistakes and there are times that He lets someone cross our path at just the time when he or she needs our help. To be a shining light to others we need to go a little farther to show kindness. And since both things in my lesson from God were things that were lost, I believe that He was also telling me that we need to go a little farther to help the lost ones find their way to Jesus. God may let someone cross your path today that is walking in the darkness and needs help to find the Light. "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." (Proverbs 3:27) "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
20. Ruth Went A Little Farther
"6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:" Ruth 1:6-16
If anyone believes all the jokes we hear about mothers-in-law, then that person does not know the story of Ruth and Naomi. Naomi and her husband and two sons left Bethlehemjudah and went to Moab because of a great famine. Naomi's husband died, and their two sons married Moabite women. After ten years had passed the two sons died also and Naomi decided to go back home. She told her daughters-in-law to return to their homes and Orpah returned back home. Ruth went with Naomi to Bethlehemjudah. She didn't just go a little farther with Naomi, but she returned all the way and said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:" Ruth was rewarded for her faithfulness to Naomi and her God. She was found by Boaz, a kinsman redeemer, and had a son named Obed. Obed had a son named Jesse. Jesse had many sons, the youngest was named David and he went on to become king over Israel. Don't quit on the Lord. Keep on following God... a little farther. You don't know what influence your faith will have on the future generations.
21. The Shunammite Couple Went A Little Farther For God's Man
"And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither." II Kings 4:8-10
This is an excellent illustration as to how we should be hospitable to the men of God. Elisha was a prophet and as he went through Shunem, this woman would welcome him into her home and give him something to eat. But her hospitality did not stop there. She went a little farther. She and her husband made a little chamber for him to stay in. There was a bed for him to sleep on, and they added a table, stool and candlestick. We still use the term, "Prophet's Chamber" today for rooms set up for visiting preachers. God blessed this couple for their cordiality toward Elisha and gave them a son. We should follow the example of this couple and take care of our pastors and preachers. When was the last time you took your pastor and his family out for a meal? And even going a little farther, when was the last time you invited them over to your house for fellowship? Let's go a little farther and take care of God's servants, and God will surely take care of us.
22. Moses Continued To Go A Little Farther
"Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Exodus 3:1-5
Today we see Moses on the backside of the desert, watching over a flock of sheep. In all the years he spent tending sheep, he did not know God was teaching him how to be a great shepherd of His flock. He saw the burning bush, and went a little farther to "holy ground". God told Moses to return to Egypt and lead His people out of bondage. "And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn." (Exodus 4:21-23) God did harden Pharaoh's heart just as He said, but Moses and Aaron continued to go back before Pharaoh with God's Word, "Let my people go." After the final plague, the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh let the Children of Israel go, but followed them to the Red Sea. With the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian Army behind them there was no where to go. "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever." (Exodus 14:13) God opened up a path in the midst of the waters and the Children of Israel went a little farther on dry land through the Red Sea. God commanded the people not to come up on Mount Sinai when He came to talk to the people, but He called Moses a little farther up the mountain. "And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up." (Exodus 19:17-20) The Israelites murmured and complained along the way, and Moses may have been discouraged of the way, but he continued to follow God in the way for forty years through the wilderness. You may feel like you are on the backside of a desert, or backed up against a wall by your enemies, or even like you are going in circles through the wilderness. Be encouraged by the stedfastness of Moses. Keep going a little farther, even when it means you have to "stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD."
23. Joshua Went A Little Farther On His Journey To The Promised Land
We looked at several occasions where Moses went a little farther with God, and today I want to look at how Joshua also went a little farther. Joshua fought with Amalek to the going down of the sun. "But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." (Exodus 17:12-14) Joshua went a little farther up Mount Sinai with Moses. "And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God." (Exodus 24:13) Joshua was also with Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai and discovered sin in the camp. "And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp." (Exodus 32:17) Joshua went to the tabernacle with Moses, and stayed a little longer. "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle." (Exodus 33:11) Joshua and Caleb were the only two spies that wanted to go in and possess the Promised Land. They were the only two men of that generation that God allowed to enter into Canaan. "Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun." (Numbers 14:30) Joshua followed Moses all those years in the wilderness and God allowed him to lead the Israelites into Canaan. "And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it." (Deuteronomy 31:7) Joshua followed God all his life, 110 years. When we come to the last chapter of Joshua we see his charge to the people before he died and see that Joshua was still going a little farther with God. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
24. "Go Out Quickly"
Elsa was sitting on my lap Sunday, and I was doing what I could to keep this little, almost three year old, quiet, while also trying to listen to the sermon. Preacher Tripp was preaching about the great supper found in Luke 14:16-23. He came to verse 21 and read, "... Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind." He said, "The master was angry and said, Go out quickly..." Little Elsa looked up at me and said, "He said, Go out quickly!" I didn't respond to her liking, so she said again, "He said, Go out quickly!" Children hear more than we realize. As she played with my necklace on my lap I did not know that she was listening to what the preacher was saying. But she heard him and she thought we were supposed to get up right then and "Go out quickly!" Meanwhile, Jedidiah was holding his finger to the words on the page and reading along with the preacher. I hope that this will be an encouragement to all those who take their children to church. I know that it takes an extra effort to get them dressed and arrive on time. I know that it is hard to sit and keep them quiet during the service. But don't quit. You are building a foundation of God's Word and He has promised that His Word will not return void. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
We have been looking at people in the Bible who went a little farther and I thought this scripture was a great example to show us that we need to go a little farther to invite people to come to the Lord. Some will have excuses, just like in these verses. But we can go a little farther and put forth the effort to make sure the invitation gets out to those who will be happy to come to the Lord.
"16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14:16-23)
25. Simeon And Anna Waited A Little Longer
"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," Luke 2:25-30
"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, ... And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Luke 2:36-38
Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple when He was eight days old according to the Jewish law to present Him to the Lord. They had wondered at the things told to them by the shepherds, and now they have been approached by two elderly people who looked for the coming of the Messiah. They knew that this little baby was the Christ Child. They kept waiting a little longer for the coming of the Lord, and Simeon could now say, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,"
We have been told for years that the Lord is coming again. It was told when Jesus appeared after His resurrection. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:8-11) Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven. I believe that it won't be very long. I believe that we may need to wait just a little longer. Are you ready? Are you looking for His coming as Simeon and Anna looked for His first coming? I've read the last chapter, and I know how it ends... "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 22:20-21) Can you say with John, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"?
26. Following Those Who Came Before
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.." Hebrews 12:1-2
We have been looking at men and women in the Bible who went a little farther with God. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is filled with heroes of faith. Thus, chapter twelve opens, looking back on those who came before, and looking forward unto Jesus. The author seems to be cheering us on with our theme, just a little farther. Lay aside every weight and sin that might hinder us from a good finish. Run with patience. He seems to be setting the tone, just a little farther, then you'll reach the finish line. What about this cloud of witnesses that has gone before? We hear these amazing stories from the Bible and we think of these men and women as heroes that had extraordinary powers, and traits that excelled human capabilities. James reminds us that these men and women were like us. "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." (James 5:17-18) We sometimes think of these Bible characters as being old men and women who had a great deal of experience in life. This is not always the case. Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold as a slave into Egypt. (Genesis 37:2) Daniel was in a group of children when he was taken into Babylonian captivity, yet he "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself..." (Daniel 1:8) Samuel had just been weaned as a small child when Hannah took him to the temple to serve the Lord. (I Samuel 1:24) David was but a youth when he fought against the giant, Goliath. (I Samuel 17:42) We can serve the Lord when we are young. What a blessing to have the privilege of serving the Lord for many years. Each of these four men continued serving the Lord into their old age. No matter what your age you can go a little farther in serving the Lord, and put your trust in Him, that it is better farther on.
27. For The Saved, It Really Is Better Farther On
We are almost to a close in our devotionals, "Better Farther On" and we have seen that for the saved, it really is better farther on. When we trust in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior He gives us salvation, full and free. He died for all who would believe in Him, rose again the third day, and returned to heaven to prepare a place for His children. You may not have the biggest or best home in this old world, but remember that we are just passing through and our eternal home is up above. And even greater than our new heavenly home is the truth that we will be with Jesus. He is coming back and I believe that it will be soon. Are you ready for Christ's return?
"1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
28. How Can We Make Life Better For Others?
One of the saddest verses in all scripture is found in Psalms 142:4, "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." It is so sad to think of the many people going about us day by day that could rightfully say, "...no man cared for my soul." As Christians we need to try to make a difference in the lives of others. We can say that our lives will be "better farther on" but many don't have that hope. Let's do all we can in these last days to make life better for others. In closing this devotional series I want to look at some scriptures that encourage us to help make life better for others.
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13:34)
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:" (I Peter 3:8)
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14:19)
"1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
"And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." (Jude 22 & 23)
