Life as a Plumb Bob

LIFE AS A PLUMB BOB
Psalm 119:9-16
Vs. 11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

A plumb (PLUM) bob is a weighted line that guides a builder to construct buildings that are straight and true.

Every house, office, and shop needs rooms with walls, ceilings, and floors that synch (SINK) together. Without a guide, builders would create configurations that don’t work—nothing would meet at corners perfectly. Doors wouldn’t close, drawers would open automatically or not open at all, rooms would be lopsided.

This reminded Charlie Riggs about lives that wander away from God’s Word.

Charlie Riggs was the man who directed counseling training sessions as an outreach program for the evangelist Billy Graham. He taught thousands of people the basic principles of getting to know Christ and live by His Word. His goal was for people to grasp Biblical principles and live their lives by sharing their faith in Christ with others.

He likened plumb bobs to keeping our hearts lined straight and true to Scripture.

Divine principles studied in the Bible teach believers how to live a life of victory in Christ. By keeping their lives aligned to the prescripts (PRE scripts) in Scripture, their attitudes remain unchanged—no matter what life circumstances may be.

Charlie Riggs taught people to measure their own thoughts, feelings, and behavior by God’s Word, instead of the other way around.

Charlie Riggs’ teaching life was steady behind God’s Word and the great evangelist. His life challenges us today to hide God’s Word inside our hearts and let it guide our lives.

This is how to live a life as a plumb bob—straight and true.

Take Home Nugget

Charlie Riggs lived past ninety years. His life-long practice was to memorize Scripture. His long productive life is an example to us, and challenges us to a life that not only hides God’s Word in our hearts, but to live according to His teaching.

The Bible: Know it in your head, stow it in your heart, show it in your life, sow it in the world.

J.D. Griffith

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Common People

COMMON PEOPLE
Matthew 4:18-25
Vs. 23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”

We judge, often looking down on other people. We tend to give thanks when we see people who are worse off than ourselves. After all, we, as believers in Jesus Christ, know that we are chosen by God, saved, and set apart for His purposes.

Despite knowing that we’re secure in these blessings, (which non believers cannot acquire), we need to acknowledge that Jesus came and died for all people.

The people of the Bible were ordinary folks. Jesus grew up in the home of a laborer. His ministry was announced by a weather-worn man of the wilderness named John the Baptizer.

He chose men as disciples who were fishermen, common people, and one tax collector. (Luke 3, 5).

Jesus lived, loved, and died for these people. He befriended those who were demon-possessed, lepers, and despised tax collectors. He showed us that no one is too poor, too insignificant, or too sinful to be His friend.

As our love and loyalty grows for Christ, our spiritual discernment matures razor-sharp. As children of the Living God, we look past physical appearances and circumstances, and embrace others as God sees them.

We thank God for the privilege of being His children, and heirs to the kingdom. For Him, we reach out in love to our brothers and sisters in the world. God loves everyone He created, and Jesus died for us all. He is a friend to royalty and commoners alike.

Take Home Nugget

A 16th century Italian painter named Caravaggio received scathing criticism for depicting people in the Bible as ordinarily common in his art. His contemporaries, along with church leaders, were offended that he depicted the people who surrounded Jesus as everyday folks. None were beautiful, none had physical attributes that were distinctive. No one in his art deserved immortality.

But Caravaggio was copying Christ, who took Matthew off the street and made him an apostle.
Imagine this dinner party: Jesus sat down to dinner with Matthew, surrounded by tax collectors and sinners. (Matthew 9:10-11). Oh my!

J.D. Griffith

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Sciven

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Break Free

BREAK FREE
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”

There is a chain that no one wants to be part of. It’s a chain of ungrace. It is made up of people who feel right when they’re wrong.

It’s better to be forgiven.

Shakira dashed after Tubalt who had stolen one of her roller blades. “Give it back, Tubalt!” she cried watching him climb onto his bike.

Tubalt rode around the block, holding it out for his friends to see. Jack grabbed it and threw it into the road. Before anyone could retrieve it, Shakira’s one roller blade was trampled flat by a truck. “Oops” Jack said.

The boys showed it to Shakira who wailed, “I’ll never forgive you guys—that was just mean!” She kicked Tubalt hard in his shin.

At bedtime, Shakira said her prayers, her Dad by her side. After saying the Lord’s Prayer, her Dad asked, “Is there anyone you need to forgive, Shakira?”

She told him what had happened. Her Dad laid his hand on hers and said, “We’re commanded to forgive, Shak. This is for your own good, honey. If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive our sins!”

Forgiveness halts the cycle of blame—breaking the chain of ungrace. Unforgiveness causes us to remain bound in a vise grip to those whom we cannot—or will not forgive.

Forgiveness loosens the stranglehold of guilt in those who are to blame—even if justice is still required.

Forgiveness creates a supernatural link between the forgiver and the forgiven. We are never too different from the one who wronged us.

Take Home Nugget

Jesus died on the cross so that you would be free from your sins. He died for others, too.

There might be one hundred reasons why you shouldn’t forgive someone, but there is one reason why you should.

If you feel right to withhold forgiveness for others, how would you feel if you knew God won’t forgive your sins?

That’s the one reason that I hope you’ll forgive others. It’s way better to be forgiven.

J.D. Griffith

He who cannot forgive others burns the bridge over which he himself must pass.

Herbert

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Forgive or Blame?

FORGIVE OR BLAME?
Colossians 3:12-17
Vs. 13: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

God has a challenge for believers: Forgive them who harm you.

“It’s not my fault!” Terry yelled defensively outside the broken window.

His Mom frowned, looking outside. “Regardless of who hit this ball, take your game to the field now” she ordered, pointing to the lot next door. She tossed the baseball to her son and smiled.

“Wow, your Mom is so cool, Terry!” Miguel said. “My Mom would have freaked out if I’d have broken a window at my house—after all, I hit that ball, not you.”

What good would have come from Terry’s Mom yelling at the boys? She showed them compassion, forgiveness, and love. She knows that everything that impacts a person’s life by hurtful deeds causes bitter resentment. She wants her son and his friends to live differently.

She wants them to live without bondage of anger over offences by others.

Finger pointing and casting blame is easy. Forgiveness is the magic ointment that heals wounds.

The Lord’s Prayer is packed with reverence for God and His duties for His children.

But only one job is aimed at believers—forgive debtors. (Matthew 6:12). Debts and debtors are good metaphors for sin and sinners. A wronged person often feels that he’s owed something. An apology or compensation would heal the wound slightly. But forgiveness is mercy outstretched that cancels that obligation totally.

Some offences seem too severe to even consider forgiving. That’s when it’s better for us to remember Jesus’ scared hands—hurt that He took for our sins. He didn’t deserve that. The Holy Spirit enables us to forgive when it’s difficult for us to do so.

Even when your debtor doesn’t deserve your grace, when you choose to show mercy anyway, you’re acting out what Jesus did for you.

Take Home Nugget

Our Lord remembers our sins no more. He taught us debt cancellation. For our spiritual growth and maturity, let us follow His example.

But it HURTS!
A dear one cries.
“Forgive” God’s command blurts.
Weeping eyes God, Himself dries.

“For as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

J.D. Griffith

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Blame Game

BLAME GAME
Genesis 3
Vs. 1: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

This glimpse of Eden should tell us much about heaven. And it tells us a lot about earth. God made everything perfect, and it was all good in His sight. He created everything—from the heavens to the smallest gnat. Everything was wonderful! Think about the word “wonderful.” It means full of wonder. Our earth is full of wonder, don’t you think?

Imagine the woman’s reaction when a snake spoke to her. She didn’t freak out—in fact, she wasn’t even scared of the snake. Did humans have that relationship with every animal when living in Eden?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner was at their fingertips. They didn’t even have to wash the poison and pollution off the fruit before eating. Can you contrast further about perfect wonderful Eden and earth today?

As is usually the case when something is perfect and wonderful—disaster strikes.

The first disaster came the same way it strikes today.

The blame game is the oldest game in history. After God confronted Adam and Eve about where they were—why they were dressed in fig-leaf clothes, the finger pointing began.

Adam blamed Eve, claiming, “She gave me the fruit.” He knew God’s command, but was tempted by his wife’s innocent suggestion, “Look how good it looks, take one bite.” He knew the consequences of disobedience, but ate the fruit anyway.

Eve pointed to the serpent, blaming him, “He made me eat the fruit.” But the serpent did not have the power to make her weak and reckless. She knew the deal, but chose unwisely and disobeyed God.

The attraction for the forbidden was not the serpent’s fault—even though it was his plan. The grief and pain that came to Adam and Eve was deserved. Choosing between God’s will and our own wishes continues today.

Take Home Nugget

Feeble attempts to make someone else the bad guy can make us feel better about our mistakes. But momentary justification does not compare to the satisfaction of following God’s playbook.

Lead my every thought, word, and deed
Lord. Provide me truth on which I’ll feed.
Stop me from hurting others by my greed.
Plant a goal of pleasing You as my life’s seed.

J.D. Griffith

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Life Victory

LIFE VICTORY
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Vs. 14: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.”

We learned that God gives us a passing grade through our life’s probation. This is our victory, and God is proud of us. Through each trial, God is glorified and we are blessed. As we grow in the knowledge of Him, we’re spreading Christ throughout the world. Our victory is a win-win-win: for God, for us, for the world.

Greek mythology had an Olympian goddess named Nike who beat the mighty Titans.

This made her a symbol of winning—not only in warfare, but also in athletics. The Romans adopted her into their worship and renamed her Victoria. Did you ever see the sneaker named Nike? Have you ever worn them?
The apostle Paul taught in a Greco-Roman world where victory was highly valued—hence renaming the Goddess Nike to Victoria. He used words that his audience could relate to. So in expressing Christian truth when preaching in Corinth, he told the Corinthians that Christ leads us in a military procession of triumph.

This compares to the believer’s life as though training for the Olympic games. 1Corinthians 9:24-27 paraphrased: In a race, only one gets the prize; run so that you get that prize; everyone who competes, goes through strict training; people run to win a crown that will not last. Vs. 25 talks about obtaining a crown that will last forever. Now that’s victory!

Take Home Nugget

Romans 12:21 tells us: “Overcome (be a victory over) evil with good.” For those who intentionally hurt you, return kindness—in spite of their evil intent. They will be surprised, and you will feel victory; know that we cannot demonstrate this loving attitude by our own strength. In Christ, we have divine power that the ancient Greeks and Romans could only hope for. Jesus

Christ is our God of victory, and He leads us through every one of life’s trials.

Through trials we learn to overcome.
Through Christ our victories are won.
God will give us the victory when we let Him lead the fight.

J.D. Griffith

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Open Book

OPEN BOOK
Psalm 139: 13-24

Vs. 16 (The Message): “Like an open book You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.”

The Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as divine parent/teacher, guides believers through lives of probation. What does that mean? God loves us so much that He provides us assurance that He’ll lead us to victory.

He walks side by side with us, comforting us through all life’s trials—tests that are designed specifically for maturing in Christ.

As predestined believers, we are born into a state of loving acceptance through our lives of probation. (Romans 8:29-30). From day one, we’re subject to tests, trials, and challenges designed to develop our faith.

Fortunately, God Himself pledges that we’ll pass every test. Each challenge is intended for us to “pass”—lesson learned. As infants, we’re fed milk. When we learn to tolerate solid food, we graduate to eating more hearty cooking.

So is life’s probation—auditions where we react to different situations. At first the tests are easy. With each subsequent test, we build upon that which we’ve already learned. Our trials grow increasingly more challenging. (Hebrews 5:12-14).

If we should flub one test, (meaning that we haven’t learned the lesson yet), we get another chance. Our loving Father allows us to re-do, until we learn the lesson.

The best part is that every tryout is stamped “PASS”. No one fails. Each person simply passes through life’s progression of trials, growing at one’s own pace. Spiritual maturity, or righteousness, grows us one block at a time. (One lesson learned at a time). At life’s end, we’ll emerge victorious.

Take Home Nugget

By surrendering our will to God, submitting ourselves to His plan, and yielding to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we are assured victory at the end of our lives. Our probation is open-book testing, (the Bible). How can anyone fail an open book test?

God knew you’d pass before you even learned to walk.

Through trials we learn to overcome,
Through Christ our victory is won.
Come, live courageously at His feet,
Success and peace is so very sweet.

J.D. Griffith

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Probation

PROBATION
1 Thessalonians 5:15-24
Vs. 23b: “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The word probation comes from the Latin root “probare” (pro*BAR*e) meaning “to prove”. Alternate meanings include: testing, trial, audition. Many people think of probation as a test, a season of life where persons are graded either as “pass” or “fail”. All babies are born with loving acceptance into their probation.

It is God’s will that each child pass every test.

Babies are born without any knowledge. Their brains and hearts are like a blackboard, eager for input. The first input is mom’s voice. The baby knows and trusts that which was constant from the beginning. Mom is the baby’s sanctuary, a dependable constant. From day one, life blooms challenges in every way. Hungry? Want something, but don’t know what? There is sooooo much to learn! Every mother is anxious for her baby, and eager to provide whatever is needed. She knows many trials are looming ahead ready to shape her child.

Probation is a life-long process—we’re never done with our proving ground. But our lives are also a hope-filled progression. God watches us learn and grow—developing physically, mentally, and spiritually. When we reach an age of reason and choose to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit is in charge of our spiritual growth.

Life’s best-kept secret is that we reach maturity by winning victories through overcoming trials.

Paul talks about life’s progression of “working out salvation” by ascending the spiritual ladder.

This misnomer is confusing. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, he is sealed as a saved and forgiven child of God. His salvation is secure. What Paul means is our maturing in Christ. “Working out salvation” refers to the maturing process, and is done with “fear and trembling”. (Philippians 2:12).

Take Home Nugget

But the phrase "fear and trembling" is also troublesome. While our salvation is secure after accepting Jesus, we’re to approach the Father in awe and reverence.

His way is love, and it is His will to lead us into victory through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God, give me the faith of a little child;
One that trusts, is strong and sure.
That my words to others be mild—
My thoughts and heart be pure.

J.D. Griffith

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