The Useful Singer of Truth


The one who constantly quotes the Bible to others is not likely to be well received.  If this is the thrust of his “ministry” to God and His people, he is likely to become a rather burdensome companion.  Consider how the Bible is treated in most households.  This one will be given the same honor.

But the one who does what the Bible says, this one is prone to be somewhat accepted.  But doing what the Bible says doesn’t mean that man’s testimony will be heard everywhere he goes.  Such a one might just selectively pronounce the Gospel, according to his own faith.  He might be accepted.  But he might also be rather a useless “Singer of Truth”.

Yet there is the one who does what the Bible says, listens to the timely and focused prompting from the Holy Spirit, and delivers a “living word”.  This one is acceptable.  This one sings the song of Truth with power and usefulness.  This one will find legitimate persecution.  This one is useful to both man and God.

Such a one won’t have to wait long for the world to hate him.  They already hate the One who drives him onward.  And, beyond description, this one will encounter hard resistance from the majority of the family of God.  Not because he is an irritation, but because he speaks what is true to the moment.  Not because he is quoting what is past, but because he brings the written, and blood honored, Word to the present.  The Wisdom of the Living God drives his willing heart.

Let the resounding gong and the clanging cymbal think this through.

Willing Heart


I tell you a truth.  I do not worship God because I am a righteous man.  I worship God because he has shown me how to love him. 

The world is mistaken.  They see God as a taskmaster, a demanding and angry Lord.  Even all the divisions in the Christian Church appear because of this. 

But man is horribly in error.  It is written, “Unless the Lord builds a house the builder builds in vain.”   The truth of that comes home when a man understands that the Lord is willing to build His Holy house within him.

I could continue with my own words but to no great advantage.  Let me place here a more beautiful way of saying all these things.

“Once I stumbled in the darkness
doing only as I pleased.

But, I wasn’t really happy,
And, my heart was not at ease.

I just didn’t have the willingness
to follow His commands,

‘Til I layed my heart completely in His hands.

If you don’t have a willing heart,
ask Him to give you one.

If you can’t seem to make a start,
Trust in His power.

For the Lord of Love is watching you,
He sees what you’re going through.

And, He can make a way,
If you want Him to.

Oh, do you want Him to?
… Then, tell Him so.

(Kelly Willard “Willing heart”)

If you want to live, simply ask.