Mountains of Sin
“The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.” (Song of Solomon 2:8)
Sin looms before us a great mountain which no man can scale alone. It is in a range of its own, and becomes too great a challenge for us to conquer. As men seek to climb Mt. Everest, and other mighty mountains, sin remains undaunted and stands as a mountain, unscaled by mortal man. A true mountain climber plans for his excursion; he knows what he needs to survive and conquer the mount, but he still must face many obstacles and setbacks on his way up. Mt. Everest is an easy climb compared to the mountain of sin that we all must face; we are ill-prepared for such a climb. Will we then hang our heads in defeat? Will we abandon the chore of scaling that mighty mountain? Will we run from the foothills before we face the real mountain? If so, let us run to Jesus for He will conquer the mountain on our behalf.
Our mountains are made low to the Lord; He can, and will conquer all. He will come “skipping upon the hills” as if they are nothing, and seek us out as His “beloved”. There is no mountain high enough to discourage our Lord, for he is the Mighty One. Sin must flee before Him, and death will be “swallowed up in victory”, only Jesus can conquer our sin and death; we are weak and frail, and have no chance of victory without Him, but when he leaps upon the mountaintops, it is for the joy He has in us--the love He has for us.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Virtuous Woman
Virtue (Prov. 31:10-31)
The “virtuous woman” of scripture (Prov. 31) is virtuous toward her husband, as well as toward God; a careful reading if the text will reveal this; see how many times her husband is mentioned, and her virtuous deeds focus on him and the family. It is then to him that she must prove her virtue by her service and her character. Thus, she truly is priced “far above rubies” (v. 10), especially in this day and age. She “seeketh not her own” as is said of charity, and which describes her as a charitable woman (v. 20). Yes, she indeed “shall be praised”. Her acts are toward her husband, and her household, and she takes great care at home. Do you see that the text is for man and his betterment? She is to serve him, and that is her virtue.
Woman was created for man, and not man for the woman (1 Cor. 11:9). Thus, she is a servant to man, but more than a servant, a helper in all respects. She is, in fact, such a helper that man could hardly function without her help, but that help is not needed by God, only by man. She is not “below” man in degree, nor above him in honor, but she is honored in her rightful place in the home. She is a great “keeper at home” (Titus 2:5), and is to be obedient to her own husband, not in cruel subjection, but in tender affection. Now, she is to be obedient regardless, but the text does not make her a slave, per se, but a queen of her home, with queenly rights and privilege; but even the queen is subject to the king. Her virtue then, is seen in her subjection; it is seen in her compassion; it is seen in her humility; it is seen in her beauty, which is her godliness. When she is in her right place with the Lord, she will be virtuous toward her husband, and others will take note.
One preacher puts it this way: “The man is the head of the home, and the woman is the heart of it” He goes on to say that no body can function without a head or a heart. Women, enjoy the place the Lord has given you, you are needed there, and no one else can fulfill that need like you can.
The “virtuous woman” of scripture (Prov. 31) is virtuous toward her husband, as well as toward God; a careful reading if the text will reveal this; see how many times her husband is mentioned, and her virtuous deeds focus on him and the family. It is then to him that she must prove her virtue by her service and her character. Thus, she truly is priced “far above rubies” (v. 10), especially in this day and age. She “seeketh not her own” as is said of charity, and which describes her as a charitable woman (v. 20). Yes, she indeed “shall be praised”. Her acts are toward her husband, and her household, and she takes great care at home. Do you see that the text is for man and his betterment? She is to serve him, and that is her virtue.
Woman was created for man, and not man for the woman (1 Cor. 11:9). Thus, she is a servant to man, but more than a servant, a helper in all respects. She is, in fact, such a helper that man could hardly function without her help, but that help is not needed by God, only by man. She is not “below” man in degree, nor above him in honor, but she is honored in her rightful place in the home. She is a great “keeper at home” (Titus 2:5), and is to be obedient to her own husband, not in cruel subjection, but in tender affection. Now, she is to be obedient regardless, but the text does not make her a slave, per se, but a queen of her home, with queenly rights and privilege; but even the queen is subject to the king. Her virtue then, is seen in her subjection; it is seen in her compassion; it is seen in her humility; it is seen in her beauty, which is her godliness. When she is in her right place with the Lord, she will be virtuous toward her husband, and others will take note.
One preacher puts it this way: “The man is the head of the home, and the woman is the heart of it” He goes on to say that no body can function without a head or a heart. Women, enjoy the place the Lord has given you, you are needed there, and no one else can fulfill that need like you can.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The gold of the temple
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16)
“Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?” (Mt. 23:17)
I am beset on every side by my adversary; he has laid siege to my temple, but he cannot get to the gold of the temple. He attacks at will, attempting to break the walls of the temple, but my spirit, which is of the Master, holds firm. So, I ask myself, “What is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?” I see that the gold has much more worth. The gold belongs to the Master, and the temple? It is man made; it is nothing; it is temporal, while the gold is eternal. Daily, yea, almost hourly the adversary attacks; his darts are severe and the temple groans at the onslaught. Though the temple be destroyed, the gold remains, for the Master watches over it, and it is his own to protect. None can overcome the Master, for He is the Champion of love, He is Almighty. I try to care for the temple, but He cares for the gold of the temple; it is His joy to do so. As struggle to maintain the temple, He is relaxed, knowing that none can harm that which is most precious--the gold inside the temple. I have been given charge of the outer temple, while the Master sees to the precious inner sanctum, where the gold is stored. As inadequate as I am in performing the upkeep of the outer temple, I thank the Master that he cares for and tends to the inner, for He cannot be moved. I could not but fail were I to be in charge of the inner, and the Adversary would certainly break in and pillage my very soul. Thank God for His watch-care over our souls.
Gold is eternal. You can melt it, you can chop it, you can ground it to powder, and scatter it to the four corners of the world, but it will still be gold. The temple, though precious, is temporal, it can be destroyed until there is nothing left but sawdust! Let us appreciate the temple, but take especial care for the gold of the temple, the soul, after all, what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his very soul?
“Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?” (Mt. 23:17)
I am beset on every side by my adversary; he has laid siege to my temple, but he cannot get to the gold of the temple. He attacks at will, attempting to break the walls of the temple, but my spirit, which is of the Master, holds firm. So, I ask myself, “What is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?” I see that the gold has much more worth. The gold belongs to the Master, and the temple? It is man made; it is nothing; it is temporal, while the gold is eternal. Daily, yea, almost hourly the adversary attacks; his darts are severe and the temple groans at the onslaught. Though the temple be destroyed, the gold remains, for the Master watches over it, and it is his own to protect. None can overcome the Master, for He is the Champion of love, He is Almighty. I try to care for the temple, but He cares for the gold of the temple; it is His joy to do so. As struggle to maintain the temple, He is relaxed, knowing that none can harm that which is most precious--the gold inside the temple. I have been given charge of the outer temple, while the Master sees to the precious inner sanctum, where the gold is stored. As inadequate as I am in performing the upkeep of the outer temple, I thank the Master that he cares for and tends to the inner, for He cannot be moved. I could not but fail were I to be in charge of the inner, and the Adversary would certainly break in and pillage my very soul. Thank God for His watch-care over our souls.
Gold is eternal. You can melt it, you can chop it, you can ground it to powder, and scatter it to the four corners of the world, but it will still be gold. The temple, though precious, is temporal, it can be destroyed until there is nothing left but sawdust! Let us appreciate the temple, but take especial care for the gold of the temple, the soul, after all, what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his very soul?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Prayer is Asking
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (Mt. 7:7)
John R. Rice wrote a book called “Prayer is Asking”. Asking seems to be the one thing that the Lord definitely wants us to continue doing. If you will loook closely at this passage, you will notice an anagram in these verses (vs. 7,8). Not only does our Lord come out and tell us to ask outright, but He gives us a hidden message also; let’s examine these verses closely:
Ask, and it shall be given you;
Seek and ye shall find;
Knock and it shall be opened unto you:
For everyone that Asketh recieveth;
And he that Seeketh findeth;
And to him that Knocketh it shall be opened.
An anagram within an anagram!
Do you see what I mean? Definitely, the Lord is admonishing us to ask;
Then He promises us that He will answer;
Those that ask, will receive; if we don’t as, we do not receive.
They that seek shall find; when we really seek after the Lord, and the answer to our enigma, we will find it;
And those that knock, it shall be opened unto them. No knocking, no open door.
Ask before you can receive;
Seek before you will ever find;
Knock before the door is opened.
Ask, This is general prayer;
seek, This is eager or fervent prayer; Praying with intensity;
knock, and knock, and knock until He opens the door. This diligent, persistent prayer that “moves mountains”; it is the way to get answers to our prayers.
“Ye have not because ye ask not”
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (Mt. 7:7)
John R. Rice wrote a book called “Prayer is Asking”. Asking seems to be the one thing that the Lord definitely wants us to continue doing. If you will loook closely at this passage, you will notice an anagram in these verses (vs. 7,8). Not only does our Lord come out and tell us to ask outright, but He gives us a hidden message also; let’s examine these verses closely:
Ask, and it shall be given you;
Seek and ye shall find;
Knock and it shall be opened unto you:
For everyone that Asketh recieveth;
And he that Seeketh findeth;
And to him that Knocketh it shall be opened.
An anagram within an anagram!
Do you see what I mean? Definitely, the Lord is admonishing us to ask;
Then He promises us that He will answer;
Those that ask, will receive; if we don’t as, we do not receive.
They that seek shall find; when we really seek after the Lord, and the answer to our enigma, we will find it;
And those that knock, it shall be opened unto them. No knocking, no open door.
Ask before you can receive;
Seek before you will ever find;
Knock before the door is opened.
Ask, This is general prayer;
seek, This is eager or fervent prayer; Praying with intensity;
knock, and knock, and knock until He opens the door. This diligent, persistent prayer that “moves mountains”; it is the way to get answers to our prayers.
“Ye have not because ye ask not”
Monday, October 11, 2010
The "slave block" of sin
The Slave block of sin
Hosea 3
Sin is degrading. It is debilitating and damning, and in the case of Gomer, we see that even worldly men take gain from it wherever they can. Hosea redeemed his beloved from the slave market; this depicts what Christ did for us, We were all slaves to sin, and subject to be auctioned off to the highest evil bidder, until Jesus redeemed us and became the ransom for our sin.
Long before mankind ever existed, before even the foundations of the earth, this plan of redemption was designed. It was designed by the Father, executed by the son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit; the three-fold work was accomplished by a triune God, and is ours today by grace. Yes, all three had a part in our redemption. How can such a thing be? Nothing is impossible with God. As Gomer’s sin lead her in a downward path, and she found herself on the auction block, but love bought her back! What love that should forgive betrayal; what love that overlooks the evils of the past; What love that redeems that which is considered unworthy, unredeemable; what love Jesus has for us! It is easy to see the likeness here; Hosea represents Christ, or rather one manifestation of the Father’s love, and Gomer represents us, the sinful adulterers who constantly stray, even to the point of infidelity to our God. Only godly love can love the unlovable; only God’s mercy can forgive the unforgivable; Hosea knew the true love of God, and it worked in him, and through him, to reach even unto Gomer. Did she repent? We do not know. Was she remorseful for her infidelities? We do not know, but Hosea didn’t care--he paid the price, and bought her back. She may not have walked in sweet fellowship with him after that, but he still did not abandoned her, though he had good reason to do so; he gathered her up in loving arms and made her his own. Did she ever stray again? We do not know, but Hosea loved her in spite of herself, and that is the message for us today from God--He loves us with an amazing love, a love that we cannot understand. What an amazing story Hosea has to tell; what an amazing thing, this thing called love.
Hosea 3
Sin is degrading. It is debilitating and damning, and in the case of Gomer, we see that even worldly men take gain from it wherever they can. Hosea redeemed his beloved from the slave market; this depicts what Christ did for us, We were all slaves to sin, and subject to be auctioned off to the highest evil bidder, until Jesus redeemed us and became the ransom for our sin.
Long before mankind ever existed, before even the foundations of the earth, this plan of redemption was designed. It was designed by the Father, executed by the son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit; the three-fold work was accomplished by a triune God, and is ours today by grace. Yes, all three had a part in our redemption. How can such a thing be? Nothing is impossible with God. As Gomer’s sin lead her in a downward path, and she found herself on the auction block, but love bought her back! What love that should forgive betrayal; what love that overlooks the evils of the past; What love that redeems that which is considered unworthy, unredeemable; what love Jesus has for us! It is easy to see the likeness here; Hosea represents Christ, or rather one manifestation of the Father’s love, and Gomer represents us, the sinful adulterers who constantly stray, even to the point of infidelity to our God. Only godly love can love the unlovable; only God’s mercy can forgive the unforgivable; Hosea knew the true love of God, and it worked in him, and through him, to reach even unto Gomer. Did she repent? We do not know. Was she remorseful for her infidelities? We do not know, but Hosea didn’t care--he paid the price, and bought her back. She may not have walked in sweet fellowship with him after that, but he still did not abandoned her, though he had good reason to do so; he gathered her up in loving arms and made her his own. Did she ever stray again? We do not know, but Hosea loved her in spite of herself, and that is the message for us today from God--He loves us with an amazing love, a love that we cannot understand. What an amazing story Hosea has to tell; what an amazing thing, this thing called love.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Walk in Truth
A Man of Truth
Friends, in spite of the world’s ideas, and philosophies, Truth still prevails; in spite of how things look to the eye of flesh, and how dire life seems to be at times, Truth prevails. A man of truth will be respected whether he knows it or not. The world is not going to often tell you “I respect you”, but they will because every man is in a search for Truth, though many have a distorted view if what real Truth is. Every man desires truth to some extent, and every man respects the truth. The world needs men of truth; it needs leaders that are not afraid to venture out and lead others into the paths of Truth. Will you, dear reader, be that man?
Walk in Truth. Walk in the favor of man and God, and be a man of truth. God also desires Truth in us:
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Jesus is Truth; (Jn. 14:6) He is truth incarnate, and the epitome of Truth in Spirit. As he prevails, so Truth prevails; as he is , so is Truth.
Friends, in spite of the world’s ideas, and philosophies, Truth still prevails; in spite of how things look to the eye of flesh, and how dire life seems to be at times, Truth prevails. A man of truth will be respected whether he knows it or not. The world is not going to often tell you “I respect you”, but they will because every man is in a search for Truth, though many have a distorted view if what real Truth is. Every man desires truth to some extent, and every man respects the truth. The world needs men of truth; it needs leaders that are not afraid to venture out and lead others into the paths of Truth. Will you, dear reader, be that man?
Walk in Truth. Walk in the favor of man and God, and be a man of truth. God also desires Truth in us:
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Jesus is Truth; (Jn. 14:6) He is truth incarnate, and the epitome of Truth in Spirit. As he prevails, so Truth prevails; as he is , so is Truth.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
God’s Gifts
Simply put, THE greatest gift of God is “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23); there are, however, many gifts, very many, given to us by the Mercy and grace of God. I speak of more than the “sign gifts” that we are all familiar with—yes, even beyond the promise of God, and into the realm of grace. The Lord is so good that it is beyond our comprehension how He could love “such a wretch as I”. Think a moment; aside from the promises of God (which cover all our needs, and beyond, themselves!), we are given (by grace) the treasures of the Lord, according to His Word. We are given a portion of His wisdom, the same wisdom that was with Him before the foundations of the world; the same wisdom that was there when He laid the foundations of the world, by His spoken Word. The Book of Proverbs has much to say about this wisdom, especially the eighth chapter. Along with this wisdom comes the treasure of the Lord. Better than rubies; finer than fine gold; more precious than anything we can imagine, or want, “all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (Prov. 8: 11); friends, there is nothing greater than the wisdom of God, and the rewards He affords us. “Riches and honor” are with her, “Durable riches, and righteousness” (Prov. 8: 18) so that our barns are filled with good things, and our prosperity will be seen and known (Prov. 3: 10). These are just a few, but there are many more promises given for prosperity and satisfaction, and beyond, that we need to take hold of.
Friday, October 1, 2010
God’s Gifts
Simply put, THE greatest gift of God is “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23); there are, however, many gifts, very many, given to us by the Mercy and grace of God. I speak of more than the “sign gifts” that we are all familiar with—yes, even beyond the promise of God, and into the realm of grace. The Lord is so good that it is beyond our comprehension how He could love “such a wretch as I”. Think a moment; aside from the promises of God (which cover all our needs, and beyond, themselves!), we are given (by grace) the treasures of the Lord, according to His Word. We are given a portion of His wisdom, the same wisdom that was with Him before the foundations of the world; the same wisdom that was there when He laid the foundations of the world, by His spoken Word. The Book of Proverbs has much to say about this wisdom, especially the eighth chapter. Along with this wisdom comes the treasure of the Lord. Better than rubies; finer than fine gold; more precious than anything we can imagine, or want, “all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (Prov. 8: 11); friends, there is nothing greater than the wisdom of God, and the rewards He affords us. “Riches and honor” are with her, “Durable riches, and righteousness” (Prov. 8: 18) so that our barns are filled with good things, and our prosperity will be seen and known (Prov. 3: 10). These are just a few, but there are many more promises given for prosperity and satisfaction, and beyond, that we need to take hold of.
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