Barnabas Notes

Bill

Donnie — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:00:33 +0000

I want to talk a bit about Bill. I think I’ve written about him before in these notes several years ago, but I was reminded of him tonight while listening to a sermon.

I don’t remember exactly how I met Bill. We were in a Bible study, but I don’t remember how we came to be studying together; it’s been too many years now. I do remember that Bill was, I think the polite term used to be, “a little slow.” Bill was not mentally retarded, or disabled, but he was challenged. He could live on his own and care for himself and he had a job that paid for his rent and his living.

Even more vividly, I remember that when we studied the Bible Bill’s eyes would light up. He would talk about how beautiful heaven must be and he wasn’t talking about beautiful mansions, but about a perfect existence where he wasn’t handicapped, and an existence where people didn’t make fun of him. Bill had mean neighbors and he hurt! I’m ashamed to say it, but I think heaven meant more to Bill than it did to me.

I’ve lost track of Bill in the years since, but I think of him from time to time and I hope that one day, walking down that street of gold, I’ll see him. I really do want to hug his neck!

but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9). God loves Bill, and He loves you; and so do I.

Donnie Bates

God Loves You

Donnie — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:46:10 +0000

A hallmark of these notes has been to point out that God loves you. The passages referred to are selected to demonstrate that love. However, I wonder sometimes if there are not those who still have trouble believing that God could love them. Discouragement is such a powerful emotion that sometimes it hangs on even in the face of the most convincing evidence that there is reason to be encouraged.

One of the most familiar verses of Scripture is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” How much love is that? I know people whom I love enough to lay down my life to save, but I don’t know anyone I love enough to lay down the life of my family to save. And the fact that Jesus came here for that purpose shows that the Son was in agreement with the Father.

Yes, God…Loves…You! Oh, and I do, too!

Donnie Bates

Doing Good

Donnie — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:00:45 +0000

“Virtue is its own reward,” said orator and philosopher Cisero. In our society we do not begrudge those who work in service industries for their livelihoods, but we frown on those who happen upon someone in need and offer to help “for a price.”

The apostle Paul put it this way: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Ephesians 6:9). Someone could read that and think that Paul was saying the reason to do good is to receive a reward. However, I wonder if what we reap in due time when we do good is not, in part, at least, the satisfaction of having helped someone who needed it. In the context of this verse, Paul clearly means that the reward will be from the Spirit and not from the flesh, so do not expect a material reward. It may come, but don’t expect it.

Our word of encouragement is that when we are actively helping and serving others, it does not go unnoticed. God is watching and if no one else sees, He does! I’m glad He’s watching. He loves you, you know, and so do I.

Donnie Bates

Serving You Since…Eternity

Donnie — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:03:14 +0000

How does it make you feel to know that you are the focus of God’s attention? I suppose the answer to that question depends on the purpose and kind of attention, doesn’t it? If we’re describing God’s attention in judgment, that might not be such a good thing. However, think about God’s attention to His people in saving them.

The apostle Peter wrote that the prophets of old, and even the angels, longed to know more details about the coming Messiah, Who would give His life to save us (1 Peter 1:10-12). Those details were not for them to know, however, and they were told that they were not serving themselves, but us. Wow! Think about that!! Those famous prophets of the Old Testament were told by God that they were serving you and me.

So, here is our word of encouragement for today: Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). Concentrate on the hope God has provided all mankind through Jesus, and not on the troubles of life. And remember, God loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

Smiling at the Future

Donnie — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:43:49 +0000

I don’t know about you, but sometimes the thought of the future concerns me…no, it scares me! I know that a Christian is supposed to have faith and not worry about tomorrow because today has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:33, 34). Still, sometimes it’s hard and, to tell the truth, while I don’t know you, I suspect that it is for you, too, sometimes.

I find encouragement in the description of the worthy woman in Proverbs 31: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future (Proverbs 31:25). Notice that she doesn’t smile because she knows the future is rosy; she smiles because strength and dignity are her clothing.

Strength and dignity will allow us to smile at the future, too. It doesn’t matter what the future holds in this life; we are concerned with the future after this life! That hope will let us smile at whatever future this life holds.

Be strong (keep your faith) and dignified (faithfully obedient to God) and smile at the future, knowing that He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

The Encouragement of Maturity

Donnie — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:37:42 +0000

We have noted before the suffering of the apostle Paul (see 2 Corinthians 11). It is not difficult to see the concern that his brethren had for him when reading through the epistles he wrote, especially those we call “the Prison Epistles” (i.e. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon).

Our word of encouragement comes from Paul’s response to the concern shown to him by those brethren. After saying: To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, (Ephesians 3:8), Paul goes on to describe that grace in greater detail. Then, he makes this statement: Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory (Ephesians 3:13).

It’s encouraging to see those for whom we have great respect, and great concern, face the things that cause the concern with honor and courage. If the apostles had not been willing to face death and all the other suffering they endured, Christianity would never have survived. Because of their maturity, countless others were willing to follow their example. That encourages me to follow, as well.

Remember, God loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

What Really Matters

Donnie — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:30:25 +0000

In an earlier post we noted that we do not lose heart because we receive mercy (2 Corinthians 4:1). Later in that chapter, Paul says: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

By “outer man,” Paul means that we live in a physical world, in physical bodies which suffer pain, both physical and emotional. That decay will eventually result in our physical death if the Lord delays His return long enough. So, we suffer in this life, but we do not lose heart! And the reason we do not lose heart is that our inner man, our spiritual existence, is being renewed day by day!! That means there is encouragement available to us because of the abundance of God’s grace.

In the next verse Paul goes so far as to say that what we suffer in this life is momentary, light affliction. It takes a lot of God’s grace to view suffering this way, and that is what Christians have…a lot of God’s grace. That encourages me; I hope it encourages you!

God loves you, you know, and so do I.

Donnie Bates

As We Received Mercy

Donnie — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:30:24 +0000

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:1). In the context of this passage, the apostle Paul is describing the difference between the glory of New Testament Christianity compared to Old Testament Judaism. It is a great passage, full of hope and encouragement.

For our purposes here I would like to focus on the last two phrases of this verse. Christians have reason to hope, to not lose heart, because of our Christian faith. Of course, we have the responsibility to examine that faith to make sure it is genuine and obedient to the pattern, or form of God’s will (2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 6:17).

The meaning of the verse seems to mean that, to the degree that we have received mercy, we can keep our hope and not lose heart. And for a Christian, that degree of mercy is complete, meaning all we need. When you put this all together it means that no matter what happens in this life, a Christian can remain hopeful and encouraged.

I’m glad God loves me! He loves you, too, and so do I.

Donnie Bates

Not So As to Make You Sad

Donnie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:57:53 +0000

Sometimes difficult things must be said! It is not pleasant, but it must be done. Sometimes we avoid doing the necessary because of the unpleasant nature of it. Still, we understand that to avoid it is of no help to the one who needs help.

I am so thankful to good brethren who have taught me that when you love someone, and they know you love them, you can say the hard things that must be said, even with tears in your eyes, and the love behind the words overcomes the pain.

The apostle Paul said a lot of hard things to the church in Corinth, but they were things that needed to be said. No one should make the mistake of thinking that he enjoyed it. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you. (2 Corinthians 2:4).

It is a great encouragement to me to know that someone would love me enough to do such a difficult thing for me, and it is equally encouraging to know that when I must do it, my love can be known through those difficult words.

God is good! And He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

Make Haste to Help Me, O Lord, My Salvation

Donnie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:34:23 +0000

Don’t you hate that feeling of total helplessness? You feel pressed from every direction, but there is no obvious way of escape. What do you do? Where do you turn?

I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart…My heart throbs, my strength fails me; and the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me (Psalm 38:8, 10). David wrote this because of how he felt about his sin (Psalm 38:2). God created us to feel this way when our conscience is in good working order, i.e. we haven’t “seared” it to the point that we no longer feel guilt.

What David is describing is an awful feeling, but that’s exactly what we should feel when we are guilty of sin. There are no answers, in any direction…except One! David has the right idea: Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! (Psalm 38:21, 22).

This is where you and I need to be. Justification trumps guilt, but justification is only available under God’s conditions. So remember, sin will destroy you, but God can take that sin away and He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates