The Status Of A King, The Duty Of A Servant

Dr. Mike Murphy

August 9, 2025

Compassion and charity!  “How can you look at that situation and not feel compassion?”  “I give to our church, and I think our church is involved in a lot of charity!”  “I pay taxes, and I know my taxes go to charity.”  Words we hear used so often these days, but words that are often said without meaning.  In a world that never sees beyond the next few minutes, these are words that have come to describe our own thoughts rather than seen reflected in our true actions. Words that fill our immediate feel good wants, instead of focusing on the Lord’s life changing needs.  As we hear these words so often spoken, how much do we know exactly what these words mean?  And what does the Bible tell us about each word?

Although both words tug on the heart of man, each word has a distinct meaning.  The Hebrew word for compassion means, “tender mercies".  While the Greek word means, “to feel inwardly”.  From the first word of Genesis, to the last word of Revelation, we see the compassion of the Lord shown.  We see His tender mercy, and His inward love for all mankind. Man, as one who is made in God’s image, is to mirror and demonstrate each of the traits we see in the Lord, including compassion.  The Bible makes it clear, compassion is an attribute of the Lord, and should be an attribute that is found in each of us.  Compassion causes us to stop and look, and draws our attention to a need that the Lord wants us to see.

The Bible describes charity as “an act of compassion”.  Charity is when we put the compassion we feel into actions that will help others.  When we care for those in need, we act on the will of the Lord.  The willingness we show to help those in true need, is a direct reflection of our salvation and of the Holy Spirit at work in each of us.

But with each feeling of compassion, we are not to act without wisdom and discernment. We are not to give blindly to every want, but to seek the Lord’s will for true needs.  We must act as good stewards, making sure our coin, time and talent is being used to fulfill God’s purpose, and to bring glory to His name. We must also never forget, the Lord can call us to charity in many ways. Sometimes our greatest charitable acts can be found in the most unusual of ways. Remember the story of the lame beggar that Peter and John encountered(Acts 3:1-10). Remember Peter’s words to this man, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:”(Acts 3:6).  What the Lord led Peter to give this man, was greater than any coin could buy!  And the Lord is often leading us the same today.  When we look at all the gifts the Lord gives us, gifts we may use to serve others in need today, we begin to understand the true purpose of these gifts, and just how far the Lord’s love reaches!

When we come to truly understand compassion and charity, we come to understand the role Christ calls us to today.  We come to understand that charity does not draw attention to ourselves, but to the Lord’s desire in the lives of others.  We come to understand that our compassion cannot turn to charity unless we are willing to serve.  Christ tells us, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:26-28). If our role is to reflect Christ, then His words tells us that we must become a servant.  Just as Christ came to serve, and to give His life, we are to give our lives in service of Him, and to help fulfill His need in the lives of our fellow man.

The word used in the Bible for servant means “slave”.  Although not every servant is a slave, we do know that every slave is a servant.  But like a slave, we must lessen ourselves and be willing to serve at the feet of our Master.  The problem in the Church today, we see way too many who seek to be leaders without first making themselves servants.  Paul said, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”(Philippians 2:3-4).  In other words, in order to serve Christ, we must have a heart to serve others.

So what does it mean to be a servant of Christ?  Let us take a look at what the Bible tells us about such a servant, and what characteristics should be found in each of us.

A servant must be found with a humble heart.  

The word in the Bible for humble means, “lowliness of mind, absence of self”.  Humility is not defined by our outward approach, but by our inward actions.  For a humble heart to be found, pride and selfish ambition must first be destroyed.  The humble hearted servant looks first to the Master, not to himself. Christ’ needs becomes his wants.  He soon comes to realize that what is best for the Master, is best for him.  His obedience leads him to defend the truth and reputation of his Master, not the egos and desires of himself.  The humble hearted servant knows that in true humility is found grace(Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5), and that in the humbleness of his heart is found fulfillment and security.

The humble hearted servant is not led to charity, charity is a part of his very being.  He knows that charity allows this world to see Christ  The reflection of his Master is seen in the action he takes, and can be found in the work the Lord calls him to do.  He knows that to share Christ with others, is to show the world the goodness and love of his Master.  A goodness and love that he could not find in his own heart had the Master not chose to first serve him.

A servant must be found with an honest heart.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts.”(Psalm 139:23).  The servant knows that true compassion and charity do not exist in a feeling, but are placed in our heart by the hand of the Master. He knows that for compassion to be made more than mere words it requires a desire of the Spirit.  That charity can not be forced, but must be freely given. Therefore charity can never come from any form of government, but must come willingly from each of us.  The Master has also taught him, charity may starts with compassion, but it must end with accountability.  Compassion may lead us to give the hungry man a fish, but the servant knows that the Master desires us to teach that man how to fish, so that his life will be forever changed.  The servant does not pity those in need, but brings them to the door of the his Master.  He seeks to offer more than a hand out and a handshake, but the daily life sustaining bread that only his Master makes each day.  The servant knows the words his Master gave his fellow servant Peter, telling Peter those who love Him, will tend to His sheep(John 21:15-17).

A servant must be found with an unselfish heart.

"Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great."(Luke 9:48).  The Master has taught his servant that greatness cannot be defined in worldly terms.  He knows that if the Lord was to rank the greatest among us in each of our churches today, His order would surprise us.  He knows that many who pastor our churches would probably find their name way down on the list.  The servant knows that great is not the man who stands at the pulpit, but in the ones who find himself on his knees with the children. The one who gives his time to work with the youth, so that His Hope may be found in their future. The one who finds himself at the door of the sick on the days the church doors are not even open.  The one who is preparing the church an hour before the service starts, so that all may hear His Word.  The servant knows that greatness is not measured on Sunday, but by the man who quietly finds himself cleaning up the mess we have made of the church on Monday.

The servant knows that true charity and compassion can only be found in an unselfish heart.  A heart that ask the Lord what purpose He needs fulfilled, before he tells the Lord the desires of his own heart.  A man whose words and actions point others to Christ, not to himself.

A servant must be found with a giving heart.

“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.”(John 3:16).  The servant does not just know how this verse ends, but how this verse begins.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave...”.  The servant knows that in order to reflect his Master, he must be willing to give as his Master gave.  He must be willing to give all, so that all may know the love of his Master.

The Master has taught the devoted servant of His will to serve His people.  He knows that in order to serve the Master, he must be willing to serve those that belong to his Master. He knows his time and his efforts can achieve so much more when placed in the hands of his Master, than in his own. The servant knows that the Master does not seek Sunday benchwarmers, but those who are willing to give their all, so that His Words may be brought to life each day.

As we look at the role of the servant, we must ask ourselves if in us a servant is found. Does the Church today look to serve Christ, or does it look to be served by Christ?  Does our compassion and charity come from how the world looks to drive us, or does it come from all that the Spirit shows us?  Do we offer our compassion and charity out of obligation, or do we give it freely to serve God’s purpose and plan?

We must again remind ourselves, we can only give what we have first received.  We can only give love, because Christ first showed us love.  We can only serve others, because Christ first served us.  We must again remember just how much charity the Lord has shown to all of us, and we cannot for a second forget all that He has given each of us. What incredible gifts the Lord has laid at our feet, gifts that carry a purpose far greater than this world will ever know. Gifts that call us into action, and affect each of those that Christ brings into our lives. What incredible service these gifts call us to perform, and what amazing promise each brings our way.  Gifts that each day remind us, that for the sake of that call, we must be willing to give our all.  Gifts that will one day cause crowns and titles to be placed at our feet. What a gift each day with Christ brings us.  Each day Christ shows us that we have the status of a king, but the duty of a servant!

Praying each of you will serve Christ!  

One Last Dance....

 Dr, Mike Murphy

January 26, 2025 

Often, I am very blessed to be able to talk and pray with others who are facing or going through cancer.  But rarely does that find me in the situation I found myself in this past week, speaking to a fifteen year old girl whose life had been devastated by lymphoma.  A fifteen year old girl named Courtney, whose words I will now never forget.

Courtney was the niece of a friend of mine, who lives very close.  Courtney and her mom had been staying with them, as they were working with a well-known hospital, in the hope they could help with the cancer.  But as my friend called me, they had learned that no help could be offered, and Courtney’s life would now soon be measured in days.  

With cancer, it is often challenging for me to travel or drive much distance, but being close, I was able to make my way to their house, offering to do what I could to talk and pray with Courtney.  As I entered their door, I was quickly aware of just how beautiful a young girl Courtney was, and even more appealing than her beauty, was the overwhelming presence of her smile.  By the time I was blessed to be able to meet her, cancer had already made its presence known, now weakening her to the point it was a struggle for her to just get up from her chair. But even as the cancer looked to devastate her, it could not mask her grace, and could not camouflage the draw of her personality.

As I sat to talk with Courtney, she soon began to tell me her story.  At fourteen, all of her life was ahead of her.  She had just made the freshman cheerleading team at school, and was looking forward to going to her first school dance with her boyfriend.  But as Courtney went through everything each day, she began to notice an internal pain that just would not go away, and began to experience a tiredness she just could not seem to get over.  One doctor soon had her sent to the next doctor, and one test soon led to another test, until the final test left her in the office of a local oncologist, who sadly let her know that she had cancer.

On that day, Courtney’s life took a sudden change, as school events and slumber parties were soon replaced by doctor's visits and chemo treatments.  And with each new treatment came a need for even more treatment, and with each new treatment, the cancer continued to rapidly advance.  A seventy percent chance to overcome the cancer soon turned to a thirty percent chance, until that day, it turned to no chance at all.

As I talked to Courtney that day, I soon discovered something about her that was even more appealing than her bubbly personality and her big smile, and that was her love for Christ.  At thirteen, she had come to not just read, but desire to understand the words of her Bible for the first time. And with each verse, her love for the Lord grew, and her desire to give her life to Christ soon became a reality.  Christ became the center of her life, and with each opportunity, she loved to share a word or two about Him with another.

As she talked to me about her cancer, it was not tears, but a smile that came to her face.  A smile that did not leave her in fear of what the days ahead would bring, but a joy and a certainty of the promises that tomorrow would hold.  And as she talked about this to me, she spoke words to me that completely overwhelmed me.  With a smile she told me, “Even though I know I will never get to go to a school dance, I realize that I will soon be dancing with the One I love most each day.  And even though I will never get to cheer at a high school game, I will soon have something even greater to cheer about each day.”  And with each word and each smile, it was my own heart that began to melt just a little more.

The more we talked, the more Courtney desired to share a verse of Scripture with me.  And soon nothing would stand in the way of that desire, as she was determined to get her Bible.  No matter how many times I offered to help, she would not let me, vowed and determined she would place her Bible in her hands for herself.  And as I watched this helpless and so very weak girl struggle to take each step, I soon came to realize that the one thing she was not was helpless.  As we each step, you could all but watch her lean on Him more.  As she opened her Bible, she turned it to 1 Peter 4:10, and read to me, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  Finishing the verse, she began to explain the words of the verse to me, telling me that He had led her to read this verse several times, and each time she read it, she was drawn to it more.  Telling me how the words of this verse spoke to her, reminding her each day that despite the cancer, she had so much to be thankful to Him for.  And the best way she could thank Him, was to continue to find ways each day to serve Him, looking to share His grace with another each opportunity she was given.

As I talked to Courtney a little longer that day, I ended the day by praying with her.  And before I left, she motioned me to her, hugging me and thanking me for the time we had spent together that day.  As she did, I let her know that I looked forward to being able to talk with her again.  But as the words were spoken, she quickly smiled, quietly telling me, “Do not worry, soon we will have plenty of time to share more stories, and talk for an eternity.”

The next day, I soon learned that overnight, Courtney had grown even weaker.  And as the following day turned to night, the weakness would come to overtake Courtney, as she would spend the late hours of that night eternally dancing in the arms of her First Love.

In the days since, I have come to realize, it was not me that the Lord sent to talk to Courtney, it was the Lord sending me to Courtney so I could listen to her talk to me.  In that way too short time I was given the blessing of being able to speak and pray with her, the Lord has used her words to show me that I stand in front of Him without excuse.  My cancer does not, cannot not, and will not prohibit me.  It may leave my body weakened more and more each day, and leave me unable to do so many of the things I once took for granted each day.  But the cancer does not leave me with a single excuse, as it leaves me realizing just how much I have to be thankful to Him for.  And the best way I can show Him my thankfulness, is to continue to make the most of each opportunity He places before me.  I may not be able to do the things I once could do in service to Him, but even in my weakening state, I can still look to make the most of each opportunity I am extended in service to Him.  Leaving me realizing, cancer may greatly continue to weaken me, but it cannot stand against the strength He brings to me, and the hope and joy that serving Him each day still offers me.

I want so much to offer the biggest and heartfelt of “thank you’s” to Courtney, for truly teaching this “old dog” a new trick.  And for spending your “one last dance” making the most of the opportunity to reach out for Him to me. 

I pray that each of you are found dancing close with your First Love on a future day! 

A Hero Was Called Home

Dr. Mike Murphy

November 24, 2024

He never preached a sermon.  He never led a Bible study.  He never taught a single Sunday School class.  He never sang a song on Sunday morning that inspired others.  But he helped bring more to Christ than all those who had filled each of the above roles in the church.

He was a quiet man.  A man of few words, who spoke only when necessary.  He would occasionally joke, saying that he was not quiet, it was just that words were too precious to waste.  By most standards, he lived his life in the shadows.  But in the cover of the shadows he shined, serving Christ with a passion that few would ever duplicate.

When the services were over each Sunday, and the church was again empty, he was still there.  Cleaning the leftover bulletins from the pews, placing each Bible and hymnal back in place.  Making sure visitor cards were collected, and placed in the office where they could be followed up.  He walked the vacant halls, making sure the trash was emptied, the bathrooms were left clean, and everything was in working order.  He did all the things that no one thought about, that few even noticed.  The unappreciated things that keep the church doors open each week.

Since retiring, he made his way to the quietness of the church each morning.  He sat alone in the church and spent time with God.  He prayed for the pastor and the staff of the church. That God would fill them with His Spirit, that each of their words would reflect His. He prayed for those who had needs.  That God would wrap His arms around each, comforting them in His protection and care.  He prayed for each who visited the church. That the Lord would lead them to the place they needed to be.  And he prayed for those who had yet to visit. That Christ would reach their heart with His truth, and direct their paths to where He needed them most.

Every Sunday morning, his car was the first one in the parking lot.  He made the coffee, and placed the pastries on the tray that he had brought for each to enjoy.  He made sure each classroom had all the chairs needed, and the nursery had all the supplies each little one could need that day.  He set up the microphones, and made sure each was in working order.  He made sure each acolyte and choir robe was laid out and ready, and he made sure that each tithing plate was in its’ place.  He did all the little things to make sure the day went smooth, that each word and song was heard, and each touching moment was felt.

From the quiet of the shadows he towered.  Towering not in the thoughts and minds of man, but in the eyes of our Lord.  Each unnoticed moment was heroic in the Lord’s eyes. Each unnoticed effort placed the needs of God above his own needs.  Each unnoticed endeavor was an achievement that placed a smile on the Lord’s face.

On a quiet Thursday night, in an emergency room not far from the church, you could hear the heart monitor go silent.  He had breathed his last breathe of this earth’s air.  The church parking lot would sit empty that following Friday morning.  And on Sunday, all would only notice that everything was not quite in place.  For on that quiet Thursday night, a hero was called Home.

Hero.  A word we use to place those on a pedestal.  One who is idolized for their courage, worldly achievements, and noble qualities.  Men and women of fame and fortune, that this world holds above all others.  But we often find that those we raise onto our shoulders, are not the same as a hero in the Lord’s eyes. What God and man define as heroic, are often described with conflicting words, in very different terms.

So what does God see as a hero?  I believe that Corrie Ten Boom said it best.  “It is not about my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts.” God does not measure a hero by talent, but by what we do with the talent He gives us.  Each talent is a gift from God, and each talent is given to us with a purpose in mind.  And each of these talents are as uniquely given from God as each of us are unique.

Paul said, “In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.  If it is giving, give generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”  Romans 12:6-8.  Paul makes it clear, God is not looking for the man with the most talent.  God is looking for the man who is willing to use the incredible talent He gives us.  God sees no more talent in the pulpit than He does in the pews, in both He sees the potential.  The potential to make the most for His glory with these incredible gifts He has given each of us.  God calls on us to use our gifts wisely.  To use our gifts with purpose and intent.  But above all, He just calls on us to use our gifts for Him. Knowing that if we are willing to use them, He will take care of everything else.

I, myself, am the perfect example of this.  There are many who could speak this message to you with more charisma than I will ever be capable of. Whose words could move you in ways I never could.  Those who could write these words with more clarity and passion than my mind will allow.  Who could take these words and paint a picture for you with more detail than I have the simple ability to do.  But we must remember, God is not looking in us for greatness.  He is already great!  He does not need greatness from us, all He needs is the effort.  The willingness to let His greatness be seen or heard through us.  It is for this reason, I always pray that God will not make me great, that He will just find me willing.  For it is in that willingness, that His greatness can be found.

Every gift already comes to us with perfection(James 1:17), already perfect in every way.  God just needs us to take these gifts and show the world the perfection in them.  Each time we use the incredible gifts He gives us, we show the world the Perfect Hand that created each gift.  Each time we are willing to use these gifts for Him, or words tell others of Him, and our actions point those around us to Him.  Each time we use these gifts to glorify His name, we show this world the only Hero this world will ever need to see.  And each time we are willing to use these perfect gifts, the world sees the image of that Hero reflecting in each of us.

Nowhere do we see this taught to us more than in the words that Jesus taught us. In the Parable of the Talents(Matthew 25:14-30), Christ paints for us the perfect picture of what we can do if we are willing to use the gifts God has given us.  In the parable, a wealthy man is about to go on a journey, and entrust his servants with what he has.  To one servant, he entrusted five talents.  To another, he entrusted two talents.  And to another, he entrusted one talent.  The first servant, takes the five talents and puts them to work, making his master another five talents.  The second servant does the same, doubling the two talents to four.  The third servant, decided to dig a hole in the ground and protect away his master’s funds.  After a long journey, the master returns and calls each of his servants to him.  The first hands him the ten talents, and the master praises him. Knowing he can trust his servant with even more.  The second does the same, and the master again praise his servant.  As the third comes in, he hands the master the one talent he protected away.  The master is disappointed, and furious with the servant.  The master sees that he has done nothing with the talent he gave him, taking the talent from him and sending him away.

Like the master in the parable, God wants each of us to make the most of the talent He gives us.  To use that talent to bring glory to His name, to be willing to put that talent to work so others may know what He alone has done for each of us.  For each of us to see what a blessing each talent can be, and what each talent can accomplish for our Master. But He does not want us to bury our talent away.  To deposit it deep within ourselves, never to be used for gain.  Wasted away, forgotten without purpose in mind.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in various forms.”  1 Peter 4:10.  Every talent we have belongs to God.  A precious gift given to us with a purpose in mind.  Just like the Word of God, each time we use those gifts their value increases.  Our talents not only become blessings to others, but a blessing to ourselves that draws us closer to the One who gave us each of those gifts.

Today, be a hero!  Whether you find yourself in the shadows or in the spotlight, be a hero for God today!  Put your talents to work for the Lord.  Be willing to hear His voice, to follow His call.  Go wherever that call leads you. Whether that be speaking to the masses or sweeping your church, do it with joy. Knowing the Lord has a purpose in mind for what He is calling you to do.  From the smallest of our efforts, history is filled with God creating the greatest of miracles. Miracles that only required for us to step forward, to be willing to let God use us as His hero!

And on a distant day, when Heaven opens its’ gates for you, I pray the Lord will call another hero Home.

Today, I pray, you will be a hero!

Trust And Obey

 Dr. Mike Murphy

November 17, 2024

As a little kid, I had one word I loved more than all the others.  One word that found its’ way into many of my early sentences.  That word?  Why!  I always wanted to know more. Why do I have to do that?  Why do we have to go?  Why do things work this way?  I am all but positive if you asked my parents, they would tell you I asked “why” in my sleep!  

Of all the people I asked why, I had a Sunday School teacher that knew how to answer my question best.  She would always tell me, “One day you will know why.”  This only lead to more questions from me.  “What day?”  “When will that day be?”  This always led to her telling me, “When you are older, you will understand.”

Of all my “why” questions, many of them came at church.  One of my biggest had to do with why we sang the same songs so often on Sunday mornings.  Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Blessed Assurance, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, and Holy, Holy, Holy, seemed to always find their way into the bulletin.  And one other seemed to be there the most.  Trust And Obey.  If I had known what royalties meant, I would have sworn at that young age the choir director was receiving one each time the song was sang.

As I grew older, I began to understand the words of my early Sunday School teacher. I began to understand the words of each song, and to appreciate why each song was sang. I began to understand what was being said with each word, and why singing those words were more than just tradition.  And as I grew a little older, I even learned how the song I heard the most came to be. I was amazed at the story behind the words to Trust and Obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

In 1887, as D. L. Moody was holding a revival in Brockton, Massachusetts, a young man stood in the audience to testify about his recent found faith.  When he began to talk about his sins being forgiven by God, the young man said, “I am not quite sure,”.  Then this babe in Christ went on to say, “But I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.”  Even though he did not yet understand how, this young man announced to the audience that night he was trusting his salvation in God’s hands, and he would do all he could to obey the will of God.

The music that night was being lead by famous Christian music composer, Daniel Towner.  The words this young man spoke stuck in his head, and he quickly found himself writing down the words.  A short while later, he found himself writing to his friend, songwriter John Sammis, about the young man that night.  As he told him about the young man, he included the words that the young man had spoke.  Sammis soon found himself turning the words into the chorus of a hymn.  A hymn that he would soon add five stanzas to, and send back to his friend Daniel Towner.  A hymn that Towner would included it in a book of hymns that would become famous the world over.  A hymn we sing often on Sunday mornings today.

Trust and obey.  No two words should be able to better describe our faith. No two words sound sweeter when the Lord hears us sing them. No two words can bring us closer to His Word.  No two words connect us closer as to why Christ placed Himself on the Cross. And no two words can fill our spirit any stronger today.

The word “trust” is an amazing and in depth word.  Trust implies confidence and security, and leads us to action based on that security.  Many often confuse trust and faith, and although the words are connected, they are not the same.  The Bible tells us that faith is a gift God has given us(Ephesians 2:8-9). Trust is what we do because of our faith, the belief that comes from that faith. Trust is what causes us to believe and to accept each truth that God has shown us. Trust is what leads us to live by our faith, what guides us each day to make our faith an example to those around us.

With each word of God’s Word, we learn a little more about that trust, and we learn why we can place our full trust in God.  How many times has someone said to you, “Trust me”?  When you hear those words, you will instinctively do one of two things.  You will place your trust in that person, or you will ask “why”. Each word the Lord has given us, shows us and teaches us that we do not need to ask “why”.  With each word we learn that He is worthy of that trust.  Each day, He proves to us that trust.  And each minute, He shows us why we can only trust Him fully.  Each chance we give Him, He proves to us that trust, and shows us why our choice is so obvious.

The word “obey” is another word that carries just as much meaning. Obey means to be submissive and dutiful, to comply with the one in authority. When we obey, we fulfill our obligation and duty to God, and we willfully submit to the will of God.  When we are obedient, we acknowledge the authority of God, and we place the purpose of His authority above our own.  But we do not just obey God out of duty, we do so out of love.  We trust His love for each of us, and we serve Him so this world may see that love in us.  When we obey, we prove our love for God(1 John 5:2-3), and when we obey God, we reap the blessings of that love(John 13:15-17).

No greater example of obedience can be seen than by what Christ Himself did.  It was His obedience to the Father that led Christ to the Cross(Philippians 2:8).  When we take up our cross today, and follow Christ, we reflect that obedience(Matthew 16:24), and we show the world a love that can only be found in that obedience.  There is no greater way we can reflect Christ than to obey the will of God.

Of all the great passages we read in the Bible, there is one I find myself quoting the most.  Two verses that capture the essence of our faith, and the heart of that faith.  These two verses?  Proverbs 3:5-6.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”  In these words, Solomon captures the perfect meaning of both trust and obedience.  Our trust should be in One who is proven, not in our own finite and flawed thinking.  And when we place our trust in the only One who has truly earned that trust, we will obey Him without question, knowing that He will only lead us where we need to be.

As many of you may know, I am in the final stage of cancer.  Each day I can feel its’ effect, and each day I feel it taking a little more of this body.  Each day, this world would have me return to the question of my youth, questioning God as to “why” I have this.  Why me? Why do You not heal me?  Why do You not take the burden of this disease away from me? But as the world brings these questions into my mind, the words of Solomon speak to me louder.  They show me that “why” is not the right question.  They teach me that the only question that matters is “how”.  “How can You use me?”, is the only question I now wish to ask. Despite the limitation this disease has now placed on me, how can the Lord still use me today?

I do not know of a single person who goes into ministry that does not pray the Lord will use them to move mountains.  But the Lord has used the cancer to show me, He does not need me to move mountains, He can do amazing things with my life if I am just willing to move hills.  The cancer may not allow me to now do the things for Him that I so desire to do, but not one day has He let it prohibit me from doing everything He needs me to do.  Each day He shows me that the cancer does not control me, He does.  Cancer does not silence His call to me, and provides me with no excuse to still answer that call each day.  The call may not come to speak to thousands, it may be to only speak to one.  But He has shown me the power that comes in trusting and obeying that call.  The one I obediently speak to about Him today, may be the very one He will entrust to speak to thousands tomorrow.  He shows me each day that His will does not come in size and measure, but in trust and obedience. And if I faithfully follow that trust and obedience, He can still use my life in the most incredible of ways.

Each time I now hear the song Trust and Obey, I think about the young man at the revival that night, and a smile comes to my face.  History may not record his name, but God has recorded his deed.  With a few words that night, this young man moved a hill for the Lord.  And through his faithfulness that night, God spoke to others to put his words to song. A song that would be heard the world over.  A song that would lead men and women to move mountains!  This young man reminds me of what the Lord can do with every faithful word we speak, with every simple act of trust and obedience we show those around us.  

As my days become fewer, I can all but hear this young man’s voice.  And each time I hear it, my “whys’ become fewer, my trust becomes stronger, and my obedience becomes one of joy.  Each day, I can feel the Lord’s arms around me, holding me up, giving me a little added strength, so I can take another step down the path that Solomon talked about.  Each step of that path, He talks to me, and He explains to me how each of my “whys’ are not really questions.  He reminds me that He has already healed me, that cancer has no hold over me, and He has offered me an eternity to prove His words to me.  With each step He shows me the love He has for me, a love so deep it still finds purpose in me.  A love that each day still gives me the strength to hold a shovel, and blesses me to still be able each day to move a few more hills.

With each of my prayers, I pray you move a hill today.

House Of Chaff

Dr. Mike Murphy
November 10, 2024

He had never been so sore in all his young life.  Every muscle in his body ached.  For days now he had worked the wheat, finding himself day after day on the threshing floor.  Hour after hour each day he would swing the flail, breaking the chaff, or the husk that covered the grain.  For countless hours he would beat it with the flail, then to do nothing more than to winnow it, pitching the grain into the air and watching the chaff blow away. With each swing of the flail, and each pitch of the grain, his muscles reminded him how much he wished this job would end. But the fire in his muscles were not the worst of the burning.  Despite covering his face, each breath also brought with it pain.  The chaff so filled the air that it permeated his lungs, and with each cough irritated his throat.  He could feel the particles fill his throat and mouth even as he slept.  And each night as he finished, his eyes looked like they were filled with blood.  Hours after he finished, his sight would still be blurry, and the scratching would just not stop  The chaff so irritated his eyes he wondered if he would ever see things clearly again.

All he know is he wished he was done, that he was anywhere but here. He father had promised the aging, neighboring farmer that he would help him with his crop.  He wondered each day if this was a lesson he was being taught. Often times he had complained as he helped his father in the family business, laying rock from daylight until dusk.  But as he again swung the flail, he vowed to himself he would never be heard complaining again.  The heft and burden of the rock did not begin to compare to the weight the chaff was placing on him. 

Wheat and chaff.  What a difference we see when we look at both. Wheat is full of life, placed in the ground and nourished, it can produce for us a great harvest.  It can feed countless people, producing foods that can both satisfy our taste and our hunger.  A simple look at the Market, and you will see just how precious and valuable wheat can be.  How important and necessary it is in sustaining the lives of many around us.  Chaff, on the other hand, is a different story.  Chaff has no life to be found in it.  It can never grow, only capable of rotting.  It produces nothing, no food can be made from it.  It cannot sustain us, and it is not capable of satisfying us. It is of absolutely no value, and can only be thrown into the wind or burnt into dust.  

It is for this reason the Bible gives us examples of wheat and chaff.  The psalmist tells us, “The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.”(Psalm 1:4). Hosea warned, “Therefore they will be like the morning cloud and like dew which soon disappears, like chaff which is blown away from the threshing floor, and like smoke from a chimney.”(Hosea 13:3).  Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar of a future day, “Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”(Daniel 2:35).  Job pleaded with the Lord, “Will You cause a driven leaf to tremble?  Or will You pursue the dry chaff?”(Job 13:25). Isaiah told the His people, “But the multitude of your enemies will become like fine dust, and the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away; and it will happen instantly, suddenly.”(Isaiah 29:5).  And John the Baptist foretold of Christ, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”(Matthew 3:11-12). 

As we look around us today, we see the words of the prophets being repeated.  But often as the prophets experienced, the laughs are heard, the denials are seen, and the words are ignored.  As we walk through the doors of many of our churches today, we hear the echo in the voices of the prophets calling out to us, warning us.  As we enter our sanctuaries, we hear the flails hitting the threshing floor of so many of our churches, The striking of the flails ring loud as they seek to produce a harvest.  But as the flails stop and the air clears, we begin to get a close look at the harvest that should fill our floors.  Not a grain of wheat can be found, only chaff fills our structures.

As we look at the fields we call our churches, it is no wonder that our harvests have failed.  Those who have been appointed to tend our fields, often have no desire to be farmers. They plant our fields with everything but wheat. They fertilize the fields with foreign and poisonous products.  The stalks of wheat that should fill our fields go unfed and without water, drying up where they stand, never producing the essential grain that alone can sustain so many around us. Grain that is needed to plant future fields that will also nourish us.  But as the crop is gathered, those who tend our fields find no shame in the harvest.  Instead they try to convince us that what lies on the threshing floor before us is not chaff, but wheat.

How soon they forget the words that Paul gave us.  “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”(James 3:1). Those who are called by their own glory, not called to glorify the Lord.  The words they speak from our pulpits often tell us of a god, but do not teach us about God.  They are filled with words that do not contain one syllable of His Word.  They speak as if they are full of a newfound knowledge, but not an utterance is heard of His profound wisdom.  They choose to ignore the words that Jeremiah gave us, "The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw(chaff) have in common with grain?" declares the LORD.”(Jeremiah 23:28).  

They tell us that  His Word is changing, that what was spoken in the past does not carry the same meaning today.  They tell us that what we thought was His Word, is not His Word at all, but nothing more than the words of men.  They so often speak words that are not meant to encourage us, but meant to confuse us.  They then make themselves at home in the midst of that confusion, feeding off of it, and making themselves wealthy from it.  But as they waller in the mud of their confusion, they forget the words that was spoken to the church in Corinth. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace”(1 Corinthians 14:33). No peace can be found in confusion, but can only be found in Truth.  In Truth we may not hear the words we wish to hear, the words so many who speak from our pulpits desire to say.  But in Truth we will always hear the words we need to hear, the words that will bring a true peace that He alone so desires for us. Words that are given to those He has truly called to speak.

So many who have regularly visited our fields, now find no reason to return to our fields. With each visit they found our fields more and more desolate, empty of the wheat they sought, the wheat that alone could nourish them.  They no longer heard the voice of a peaceful farmer as they arrived at our farms, but found themselves being approached by charlatans looking to sell them chaff they tried to disguise as wheat.  Our farms have quickly become known as houses of chaff, not houses of The Lord where wheat could be found. Wheat they so longed for, wheat they so desired.

As so many of these that falsely tend our fields today continue to loudly and boldly speak, those who have truly been called to be the farmers of our fields are being heard less and less. The peaceful voice of the farmers is being drowned out by these confusing voices.  And I fear that in the days that await us, their voice will be silenced more and more. We watch today as our threshing rooms become more and more empty, and as our fields stand barren without a sign of crops growing.  If we do not run these charlatans from our fields, and turn in the direction of these true farmers, I fear the threshing floors will soon be left empty.  The flails and winnowing tools will be locked away, no longer to be used. Our fields will no longer be seen, sold to the world around us.  And the doors of our threshing rooms will be locked, no longer able to produce the wheat that we so desperately need to feed this world today.  The world will gaze upon our fields and see nothing but dust in the wind, and they will look upon our threshing floors and see nothing more than the remnants left of the chaff.

Praying our fields will once again be found full of wheat.