Who Made You an authority?
Some have asked, “Who made you an authority in such matters”, as they asked Christ (Mt. 21:23); the following is a three-fold answer to that question concerning me:
Mt. 28: 19, 20 and Mk. 16:15
1. A dispensation of the Gospel has been committed unto me; (1 Cor. 9:17)
2. A Commission to the world has been assigned to me; (Mt 28:19, 20)
3. A command to the church has been demanded of me. (Mk. 16:15)
A dispensation given by God Himself;
A commission by Christ to all believers;
A a command in that same commission, also given to His own.
The Lord has made us all an “authority” in such matters as the teaching and spreading of the Gospel. It is our duty, as well as our delight; we go; we speak; we act according to the Word of God to promote His good will. We do what we do “in the name of Jesus” or, as we like to often end our prayers, “In Jesus’ name”. It is by His authority that we do what we do, and that we are what we are. So, when asked by the skeptic “Who made you an authority on the matter”, you can truly say, “I am an ambassador for Christ, and live, move, and act in His authority, and His alone”, and know that you have well answered the probing skeptic though probably not to his satisfaction.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Home is still Home
Home is still Home
Home--a place of joy; of fond memories.
Home--where joy abounds, and fears are wiped away, and sorrows forgotten.
I’m going home.
Home, where growing up was filled with wonder and adventure;
Sometimes there was sorrow--sometimes joy, but home is always home.
It was a place of love; a place of learning; a sanctuary from the storms of life.
It was a place of chastisements and mercy; of comfort, and grace.
Memories linger on; they have impressed themselves deeply into our lives, and are still very much a part of us.
There have been fighting’s and fears; smiles and tears;
There were betrayals, and friendships, follies and fears, but there was also joy and gladness.
Home was a place of security and comfort; of testings and trials; of heartbreak and laughter, but here was always love, spliced with victory.
Home--it isn’t what it used to be, things have changed; I am not what I used to be either, I have grown, and so has “home”.
It still holds a special place in my heart, and endearing place of fond memories; whatever else it may be--
Home is still home.
Home--a place of joy; of fond memories.
Home--where joy abounds, and fears are wiped away, and sorrows forgotten.
I’m going home.
Home, where growing up was filled with wonder and adventure;
Sometimes there was sorrow--sometimes joy, but home is always home.
It was a place of love; a place of learning; a sanctuary from the storms of life.
It was a place of chastisements and mercy; of comfort, and grace.
Memories linger on; they have impressed themselves deeply into our lives, and are still very much a part of us.
There have been fighting’s and fears; smiles and tears;
There were betrayals, and friendships, follies and fears, but there was also joy and gladness.
Home was a place of security and comfort; of testings and trials; of heartbreak and laughter, but here was always love, spliced with victory.
Home--it isn’t what it used to be, things have changed; I am not what I used to be either, I have grown, and so has “home”.
It still holds a special place in my heart, and endearing place of fond memories; whatever else it may be--
Home is still home.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Our three-fold ministry:
Our three-fold ministry:
We are to:
Exalt the Savior;
Exhort the saints;
Evangelize the world.
Exalting the Savior will of necessity,
Exhort the saint; exhorting the saints will
Edify us, as well as others; and
Exonerate the sinner.
It is--
Expedient that we obey the Lord;
Exciting to serve Him;
We must;
Experience salvation;
Execute justice;
Enquire of the Lord,
Evangelize the world.
We are to:
Exalt the Savior;
Exhort the saints;
Evangelize the world.
Exalting the Savior will of necessity,
Exhort the saint; exhorting the saints will
Edify us, as well as others; and
Exonerate the sinner.
It is--
Expedient that we obey the Lord;
Exciting to serve Him;
We must;
Experience salvation;
Execute justice;
Enquire of the Lord,
Evangelize the world.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Three Expectations of Love
Three Expectations of Love
In relation to their stages.
1. Youth: Love is there; it is fresh, new, but it is a selfish love.
One might ask, “What is a selfish love?” (The same with both parties.)
Man: fleshly, physical; Lustful love.
Man asks, “What can she do for me?”
Woman: material love; “What will he give me”
Secure love; takes comfort in knowing that she will be taken care of.
This stage, for both parties, can be the hardest stage to endure.
2. Middle age: Secondly, love’s giving:
Love asks, “What can I do for him/her?” The lusty love is settling, and a new phase begins; love is more secure, more enduring.
Love is growing; it’s the same love, but has matured a bit; it still has expectations, but the focus begins to change.
This love is seen in compatibility.
3. Old age: Third, love’s harmony:
This love has come a long way; it has suffered much-but has endured the pressures of life together. Peers are no longer an issue. The focus remains on the other partner. Lust has been replaced by giving.
This is the best and easiest stage of love--the blissful love that has “endured unto the end”. It is love’s fruitfulness; the joy of the relationship when all obstacles have been overcome, and all interference is past; The two can truly become one in this stage, and love will carry them into eternity as they focus more on the love, and not the flesh.
In relation to their stages.
1. Youth: Love is there; it is fresh, new, but it is a selfish love.
One might ask, “What is a selfish love?” (The same with both parties.)
Man: fleshly, physical; Lustful love.
Man asks, “What can she do for me?”
Woman: material love; “What will he give me”
Secure love; takes comfort in knowing that she will be taken care of.
This stage, for both parties, can be the hardest stage to endure.
2. Middle age: Secondly, love’s giving:
Love asks, “What can I do for him/her?” The lusty love is settling, and a new phase begins; love is more secure, more enduring.
Love is growing; it’s the same love, but has matured a bit; it still has expectations, but the focus begins to change.
This love is seen in compatibility.
3. Old age: Third, love’s harmony:
This love has come a long way; it has suffered much-but has endured the pressures of life together. Peers are no longer an issue. The focus remains on the other partner. Lust has been replaced by giving.
This is the best and easiest stage of love--the blissful love that has “endured unto the end”. It is love’s fruitfulness; the joy of the relationship when all obstacles have been overcome, and all interference is past; The two can truly become one in this stage, and love will carry them into eternity as they focus more on the love, and not the flesh.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
All I need and want
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
I’ve always wanted riches,
But I’ve always needed redemption;
I’ve always wanted reputation,
But I’ve always needed reconciliation;
I’ve always wanted reliability,
I’ve always needed repentance;
I’ve always wanted restitution,
But I’ve always needed rehabilitation;
I’ve always wanted revenge,
But I’ve always needed remorse.
Christ has given me everything I Have always wanted,
And he has given all I need.
I’ve always wanted riches,
But I’ve always needed redemption;
I’ve always wanted reputation,
But I’ve always needed reconciliation;
I’ve always wanted reliability,
I’ve always needed repentance;
I’ve always wanted restitution,
But I’ve always needed rehabilitation;
I’ve always wanted revenge,
But I’ve always needed remorse.
Christ has given me everything I Have always wanted,
And he has given all I need.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Those Dry Bones
“and, lo, they were very dry.”
Ezekiel 37:2
The words above describe a valley that the Lord showed unto Ezekiel, which we call “The valley of dry bones” (Ezekiel 37:1-14) This passage speaks of Israel becoming a nation, of course, but it can also a prophetic type for the church. We see here a resurrection from the dead. The Lord asks, “shall the dead live again?” And our answer is “yes, Lord they shall, by thy grace”. It speaks of resurrection, but it also can be about a new birth. Don’t you see, the Lord promised Israel a homecoming, just as He does the church; he promised him an opening of the graves, just as He did the church. These dry, dead bones, are as “whited sepulchers, full of dead mans bones“, but when the Spirit of God occupies them, they surely will live again. So, we see that though this passage refers to Israel in its context, there is a beneficial application for us in it. If the Word of God is not able to benefit us, then we must say we don’t need it! Don’t cut out the Old Testament, there is much practicality there for us today.
In this chapter then we see:
1. The new birth; (Jn. 3:16~ Gen I, etc.)
2. The resurrection of the dead; (Comp. 1 Cor. 15)
3. The restoration of Israel, and our restoration to our heavenly home. We seek a country, as the old saints did (Heb. 11:14), “Whose builder and maker is God”.(Heb. 11:104.
4. The growth process; the “skin,” sinews, and joints of the church comes together as we grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we become one body.
Yes, those dry bones can live again, and indeed they will, just as our dead and dried up bodies shall be renewed when we receive our new, glorified bodies; the graves will be opened, and the dead will walk, and live again.
Ezekiel 37:2
The words above describe a valley that the Lord showed unto Ezekiel, which we call “The valley of dry bones” (Ezekiel 37:1-14) This passage speaks of Israel becoming a nation, of course, but it can also a prophetic type for the church. We see here a resurrection from the dead. The Lord asks, “shall the dead live again?” And our answer is “yes, Lord they shall, by thy grace”. It speaks of resurrection, but it also can be about a new birth. Don’t you see, the Lord promised Israel a homecoming, just as He does the church; he promised him an opening of the graves, just as He did the church. These dry, dead bones, are as “whited sepulchers, full of dead mans bones“, but when the Spirit of God occupies them, they surely will live again. So, we see that though this passage refers to Israel in its context, there is a beneficial application for us in it. If the Word of God is not able to benefit us, then we must say we don’t need it! Don’t cut out the Old Testament, there is much practicality there for us today.
In this chapter then we see:
1. The new birth; (Jn. 3:16~ Gen I, etc.)
2. The resurrection of the dead; (Comp. 1 Cor. 15)
3. The restoration of Israel, and our restoration to our heavenly home. We seek a country, as the old saints did (Heb. 11:14), “Whose builder and maker is God”.(Heb. 11:104.
4. The growth process; the “skin,” sinews, and joints of the church comes together as we grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we become one body.
Yes, those dry bones can live again, and indeed they will, just as our dead and dried up bodies shall be renewed when we receive our new, glorified bodies; the graves will be opened, and the dead will walk, and live again.
Monday, November 29, 2010
THE HOLY BIBLE
Three words that sound alike, but vastly differ in meaning:
Wholly
Holey
And holy.
1. Wholly
The Bible is the Word of God, from cover to cover;
It is wholly true,
completely reliable
And perfectly recorded.
There is no need to alter it; the truth needs no altering.
Copied inspiration is total inspiration;
The ten Commandments are copies, and have been re-copied by God. They are not “original“!
“Oldest and Best manuscripts?” Who says so? A matter of preference.
Chevrolet better than Ford?
Vanilla ice cream better than chocolate?
All a matter of “taste“.
2. Holey
You have to believe it!
If you do not believe all of the Bible, you have a Bible that is full of holes!
Cut out that which you don’t accept, and see what you have left--a holey Bible!
A “holey” Bible is no Bible at all! It is as if you had a bag full of money with holes in the bag!
There is no stability when the foundation is full of holes.
The real “Water of the Word” leaks out!
Nothing tangible can be reliable when it is full of holes.
3. Holy
A Holy Bible is the only kind we need.
God-inspired; Christ ordained;
A holy Bible that is obeyed is a holy life that is consecrated. It has to be! (Heb. 4:12)
Do you believe it? Then obey it!
When the guide for our lives is holy, and we follow it in obedience, we too must be made holy!
There is no excuse for dis-obeying God’s Word!
Read, heed, study, and it will prove itself superior.
Wholly
Holey
And holy.
1. Wholly
The Bible is the Word of God, from cover to cover;
It is wholly true,
completely reliable
And perfectly recorded.
There is no need to alter it; the truth needs no altering.
Copied inspiration is total inspiration;
The ten Commandments are copies, and have been re-copied by God. They are not “original“!
“Oldest and Best manuscripts?” Who says so? A matter of preference.
Chevrolet better than Ford?
Vanilla ice cream better than chocolate?
All a matter of “taste“.
2. Holey
You have to believe it!
If you do not believe all of the Bible, you have a Bible that is full of holes!
Cut out that which you don’t accept, and see what you have left--a holey Bible!
A “holey” Bible is no Bible at all! It is as if you had a bag full of money with holes in the bag!
There is no stability when the foundation is full of holes.
The real “Water of the Word” leaks out!
Nothing tangible can be reliable when it is full of holes.
3. Holy
A Holy Bible is the only kind we need.
God-inspired; Christ ordained;
A holy Bible that is obeyed is a holy life that is consecrated. It has to be! (Heb. 4:12)
Do you believe it? Then obey it!
When the guide for our lives is holy, and we follow it in obedience, we too must be made holy!
There is no excuse for dis-obeying God’s Word!
Read, heed, study, and it will prove itself superior.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Be ye thankful
Thankfulness—A key to Prosperity
How can we ask the Lord for more of His wonderful blessings when we have not thanked Him for those we already have? Can we honestly keep expecting something from Him when we seem as if we do not appreciate it in the first place? Yet, we do. How unthankful we are in today’s society.
Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said that “a man that is unthankful is nigh well hopeless” and he was not exaggerating at all. You see, thankfulness begins in the heart then it finds its way up to the mouth—it is conditioned on character, and it grows stronger with exercise. Unthankfulness, therefore is a heart condition, and not a matter of a mere lack of manners. Don’t you think that the Lord appreciates our attitude when we are thankful for His blessings? Psalm 100: 4 tells us to “enter into His gates with thanksgiving”, and the word “thanks” alone is mentioned 37 times in the New testament alone. (With 36 in the Old Testament).
Look at Romans 1:21, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” God mentions that these were not thankful, as if that was a part of the reason for their spiritual demise. Then is Col. 3:15, we have a command to be thankful. Thankfulness is an important commodity in the Christian life, and a key to greater blessings from God.
How can we ask the Lord for more of His wonderful blessings when we have not thanked Him for those we already have? Can we honestly keep expecting something from Him when we seem as if we do not appreciate it in the first place? Yet, we do. How unthankful we are in today’s society.
Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said that “a man that is unthankful is nigh well hopeless” and he was not exaggerating at all. You see, thankfulness begins in the heart then it finds its way up to the mouth—it is conditioned on character, and it grows stronger with exercise. Unthankfulness, therefore is a heart condition, and not a matter of a mere lack of manners. Don’t you think that the Lord appreciates our attitude when we are thankful for His blessings? Psalm 100: 4 tells us to “enter into His gates with thanksgiving”, and the word “thanks” alone is mentioned 37 times in the New testament alone. (With 36 in the Old Testament).
Look at Romans 1:21, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” God mentions that these were not thankful, as if that was a part of the reason for their spiritual demise. Then is Col. 3:15, we have a command to be thankful. Thankfulness is an important commodity in the Christian life, and a key to greater blessings from God.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thanksgiving--an anagram.
Thanksgiving
There is so much to be thankful for today. Yes, we have lost a lot of freedoms; we have been subject to ridicule and persecuted for our beliefs, but there is still much to be thankful for. If we will meditate on the Lord and His blessings, we will see that there is much we take for granted. Let us give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercies are new every morning.
Thank you Lord for thy many blessings;
How can we thank thee enough?
All the love that thou can bestow,
Necessitates our esteem;
Know, dear Lord, our hearts desires;
See our tears of joy;
Grant us Lord thy perfect peace.
In all my ways I’ll acknowledge thee,
Visit me in thy grace;
Illustrate in me thy perfect love,
Never forsake thy people.
Give gifts unto men.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
There is so much to be thankful for today. Yes, we have lost a lot of freedoms; we have been subject to ridicule and persecuted for our beliefs, but there is still much to be thankful for. If we will meditate on the Lord and His blessings, we will see that there is much we take for granted. Let us give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercies are new every morning.
Thank you Lord for thy many blessings;
How can we thank thee enough?
All the love that thou can bestow,
Necessitates our esteem;
Know, dear Lord, our hearts desires;
See our tears of joy;
Grant us Lord thy perfect peace.
In all my ways I’ll acknowledge thee,
Visit me in thy grace;
Illustrate in me thy perfect love,
Never forsake thy people.
Give gifts unto men.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Are You Excited?
“Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?” (Isa. 63:15)
Why is it that we seem to “cool off” as the years go by, and the original zeal, and excitement we initially experienced when first saved seems to wane and weaken as time goes on? Could it be that man cannot hold on to that excitement for very long before it is swallowed up in the mundane chores and activities of life? Or perhaps it is merely because we are wrapped in thin coat of flesh, and are too weak to be consistent and too lazy to get back the Bethel where we began! No one can stay excited all the time, it is nearly impossible to do so in this world, but how often do we visit the joy of yesterday, and bask in the glory endowed us? What will it take to get us back to that place again where we actually rejoiced in the Lord instead of living by rote and repetition? Let us continually seek the Lord in spite of our misgivings and doubts. Yet, it seems there is a maturity in the Christian life, a “tamed zeal” if you will.
A child is easily excited, sometimes their exuberance is seen in smiles or in jumping up and down, or talking rapidly about the event or object of excitement; whatever way it may manifest itself, we know they are excited. As one matures though, he is more settled, and the excitement has less control over him; he is just as excited, perhaps, as the child, but it is repressed more, and manifested differently; so it is in the spirit realm; I do not question whether it should be so, but I see that it is so.
Why is it that we seem to “cool off” as the years go by, and the original zeal, and excitement we initially experienced when first saved seems to wane and weaken as time goes on? Could it be that man cannot hold on to that excitement for very long before it is swallowed up in the mundane chores and activities of life? Or perhaps it is merely because we are wrapped in thin coat of flesh, and are too weak to be consistent and too lazy to get back the Bethel where we began! No one can stay excited all the time, it is nearly impossible to do so in this world, but how often do we visit the joy of yesterday, and bask in the glory endowed us? What will it take to get us back to that place again where we actually rejoiced in the Lord instead of living by rote and repetition? Let us continually seek the Lord in spite of our misgivings and doubts. Yet, it seems there is a maturity in the Christian life, a “tamed zeal” if you will.
A child is easily excited, sometimes their exuberance is seen in smiles or in jumping up and down, or talking rapidly about the event or object of excitement; whatever way it may manifest itself, we know they are excited. As one matures though, he is more settled, and the excitement has less control over him; he is just as excited, perhaps, as the child, but it is repressed more, and manifested differently; so it is in the spirit realm; I do not question whether it should be so, but I see that it is so.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A Holy Family Tree
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Eph. 2:20)
It seems that there is a revived interest in family genealogies nowadays. Many people are excitedly tracing their “roots” and there are even ads on tv to find that great grandparent, or ancestor, etc. Suddenly it has become important to know about the history of our families, but there is a “family tree” that is traced through the Bible for each of us, if we know Christ as our personal Savior. It is built upon a solid foundation of apostolic authority, and Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone. The entire story is told in only four verses in Ephesians:
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
It is an “habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Actually it is two trees joined together in Christ, built upon the prophets for the Jewish race, and upon the apostles for the Gentiles. Being “fitly joined together,” both are made one in Christ. This union, unknown in the Old Testament, is a mystery that has been revealed in these latter days.
This family tree would begin with Jesus at the top, with twenty-four branches, which are the apostles and the prophets. These branches would branch out to multitudes of saints, down through the ages. The “tree” is indeed a “tree of life”, and is vast in proportion to any other ever known. All of us would be in there somewhere, and the myriads of branches would be endless, as if one would attempt to count the leaves on a huge, old tree. Praise God, we are all in the Lord’s family tree!
It seems that there is a revived interest in family genealogies nowadays. Many people are excitedly tracing their “roots” and there are even ads on tv to find that great grandparent, or ancestor, etc. Suddenly it has become important to know about the history of our families, but there is a “family tree” that is traced through the Bible for each of us, if we know Christ as our personal Savior. It is built upon a solid foundation of apostolic authority, and Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone. The entire story is told in only four verses in Ephesians:
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
It is an “habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Actually it is two trees joined together in Christ, built upon the prophets for the Jewish race, and upon the apostles for the Gentiles. Being “fitly joined together,” both are made one in Christ. This union, unknown in the Old Testament, is a mystery that has been revealed in these latter days.
This family tree would begin with Jesus at the top, with twenty-four branches, which are the apostles and the prophets. These branches would branch out to multitudes of saints, down through the ages. The “tree” is indeed a “tree of life”, and is vast in proportion to any other ever known. All of us would be in there somewhere, and the myriads of branches would be endless, as if one would attempt to count the leaves on a huge, old tree. Praise God, we are all in the Lord’s family tree!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Words
The most profound words in the Bible:
“I AM” (Ex. 3:14) spoken by the Father;
“I am”… (John 14:6) spoken by Christ.
The most prideful words in the Bible:
“I will”…(Isa. 14:13,14) spoken by Lucifer.
The most prolific words in the Bible:
Who can?”. (Prov. 20:9) (Psa. 106:2)
The most prophetic words in the Bible:
“I must”…(Lk. 2:49) spoken by Jesus Himself.
The most promising words in the Bible:
“I go”…(jn. 14:2,3) Again spoken by Jesus.
The most powerful words in the Bible:
“I can” (Phil. 4:13)
Words are a road to truth;
Truth will form our thoughts;
Thoughts are the birth of action;
Action is accomplishment,
And accomplishment leads to reward.
Reward is the wages of service;
Service is the duty of man.
Man is the glory of God.
“I AM” (Ex. 3:14) spoken by the Father;
“I am”… (John 14:6) spoken by Christ.
The most prideful words in the Bible:
“I will”…(Isa. 14:13,14) spoken by Lucifer.
The most prolific words in the Bible:
Who can?”. (Prov. 20:9) (Psa. 106:2)
The most prophetic words in the Bible:
“I must”…(Lk. 2:49) spoken by Jesus Himself.
The most promising words in the Bible:
“I go”…(jn. 14:2,3) Again spoken by Jesus.
The most powerful words in the Bible:
“I can” (Phil. 4:13)
Words are a road to truth;
Truth will form our thoughts;
Thoughts are the birth of action;
Action is accomplishment,
And accomplishment leads to reward.
Reward is the wages of service;
Service is the duty of man.
Man is the glory of God.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Paradox of Faith
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
“Substance” is that which we can hold in our hands; it is tangible physical matter, but it is also something of practical value, and perhaps moral value. Faith is substance; it is of practical value; it has worth.
This entire verse is a paradox; one wonders how faith can have substance and be felt or touched or held in the hands? When you think of it, there is no substance in hope--it is a mere longing for, or excitement for something. That is the paradox, but there is another in this verse also, and that is that something unseen can be evidence! “Evidence” is that with which we would use to prove a fact; again, one might ask, “How can that which is unseen be valid evidence?” I do not know the answer to that, but I do know that faith is the evidence of things unseen.
The Bible clearly states this mystery, and it is a fact, whether we understand it or not, because without faith, the Bible says, “it is impossible to please Him” (God). Hebrews 11 goes on to verify the wonderful acts of faith, and faithful men; it is a wonder-working faith that moves mountains, and yet, Nothing is impossible with God (Lk. 1:37)
“Substance” is that which we can hold in our hands; it is tangible physical matter, but it is also something of practical value, and perhaps moral value. Faith is substance; it is of practical value; it has worth.
This entire verse is a paradox; one wonders how faith can have substance and be felt or touched or held in the hands? When you think of it, there is no substance in hope--it is a mere longing for, or excitement for something. That is the paradox, but there is another in this verse also, and that is that something unseen can be evidence! “Evidence” is that with which we would use to prove a fact; again, one might ask, “How can that which is unseen be valid evidence?” I do not know the answer to that, but I do know that faith is the evidence of things unseen.
The Bible clearly states this mystery, and it is a fact, whether we understand it or not, because without faith, the Bible says, “it is impossible to please Him” (God). Hebrews 11 goes on to verify the wonderful acts of faith, and faithful men; it is a wonder-working faith that moves mountains, and yet, Nothing is impossible with God (Lk. 1:37)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Mountains of Sin
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.
“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.
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.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Handicapped Body
1 Cor. 12:14-27
The flesh does not resemble the bone; The bone does not look like the blood; the eye is not the ear, nor the foot a hand. There are many members of the body, and each is different, they all differ from one another; and yet, what would the body be without one member? Handicapped. Though they do not all look like one another, some larger, some smaller; some are odd shaped, while others are quite handsome in appearance, and yet they are all members of one body; all useful, and all needed. God has ordained it to be so, how then can we decide what is most important, and what is less significant? That is not up to us to decide. So it is, my friends, in the spirit; are we so crass as to exalt one part above another? Are we so proud that we will undermine that part which we see no value in; which we find to be less desirable? Though the feet have a lower place than the head, (and all the body is subject to the head), they remain a foundation for the rest of the body. Though the arms and hands hang loosely at our sides, they function as the workers for the body.
I once saw a man that was born without arms. He had to use his feet to do those things he would do with his hands and fingers. Actually, he became quite proficient in making due with what he had. Even though he had learned to use his toes to grasp things, and even to hold a spoon and feed himself with, he still was handicapped; he was lacking that which made his body complete. He adjusted to his circumstances, but think how much easier his life would have been had he not lacked the arms and hands that he needed; when a part of the body is missing, though another part may take up the slack, the body is handicapped--it is incomplete. So it is in the church; so it is in the spirit. No matter how insignificant you may feel you are, you have a place in the body of Christ. You are important. Without you, the body is incomplete, it is handicapped! Take your place, not that of another, but that which was given to you, and function where the Lord has put you.
The flesh does not resemble the bone; The bone does not look like the blood; the eye is not the ear, nor the foot a hand. There are many members of the body, and each is different, they all differ from one another; and yet, what would the body be without one member? Handicapped. Though they do not all look like one another, some larger, some smaller; some are odd shaped, while others are quite handsome in appearance, and yet they are all members of one body; all useful, and all needed. God has ordained it to be so, how then can we decide what is most important, and what is less significant? That is not up to us to decide. So it is, my friends, in the spirit; are we so crass as to exalt one part above another? Are we so proud that we will undermine that part which we see no value in; which we find to be less desirable? Though the feet have a lower place than the head, (and all the body is subject to the head), they remain a foundation for the rest of the body. Though the arms and hands hang loosely at our sides, they function as the workers for the body.
I once saw a man that was born without arms. He had to use his feet to do those things he would do with his hands and fingers. Actually, he became quite proficient in making due with what he had. Even though he had learned to use his toes to grasp things, and even to hold a spoon and feed himself with, he still was handicapped; he was lacking that which made his body complete. He adjusted to his circumstances, but think how much easier his life would have been had he not lacked the arms and hands that he needed; when a part of the body is missing, though another part may take up the slack, the body is handicapped--it is incomplete. So it is in the church; so it is in the spirit. No matter how insignificant you may feel you are, you have a place in the body of Christ. You are important. Without you, the body is incomplete, it is handicapped! Take your place, not that of another, but that which was given to you, and function where the Lord has put you.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Spiritual reincarnation
Some folks seem to believe in a “spiritual reincarnation” of sorts. They think that salvation is given, and taken easily, and that they need to “toe the line” to keep it. This is the ruse of Satan on the blood-bought children of God today. The Bible is very clear that “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Rom. 11:29), and the redemption of our souls is indeed a great gift. To assume that one could lose their salvation is to deny the one time sacrifice of Calvary; our fate was settled, once for all, at Calvary. It would take another sinless Son--another perfect lamb to redeem us again, just as it took the first time; this will not be done, because the one sacrifice is sufficient for taking away all our sin. Some believe we are saved over and over again, as if they are re-incarnated in the spirit.
Many believe that if they lose their salvation (which is impossible to do Phil. 1:6), all they would have to do to be saved again, is to apply 1 Jn 1:9. My friends, that is foolishness. That puts the obtaining of salvation, the “weight of the matter” on confession, and not on the atoning blood of Christ. If it takes the shedding of blood to forgive sin, (Heb. 9:22) then it must take that again to forgive more sin; furthermore, if the Lord sought us out “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8), how much worse could we be if we backslide? A sinner is a sinner. No, our sin does not hinder the Lord from saving us, neither do our good works do anything to redeem us. Don’t be fooled into accepting this “spiritual reincarnation” where you are born again, and again, and again, but accept the one-time sacrifice and walk in the assurance of the Word of God, and the faith in His saving power. Remember, you truly believe but one time; man cannot “un-believe” something he truly believes. He can get angry and rebellious, and refuse to admit it, but he cannot quit believing if he truly believed in the first place, and it is this faith, this believing, that leads to our salvation.
Many believe that if they lose their salvation (which is impossible to do Phil. 1:6), all they would have to do to be saved again, is to apply 1 Jn 1:9. My friends, that is foolishness. That puts the obtaining of salvation, the “weight of the matter” on confession, and not on the atoning blood of Christ. If it takes the shedding of blood to forgive sin, (Heb. 9:22) then it must take that again to forgive more sin; furthermore, if the Lord sought us out “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8), how much worse could we be if we backslide? A sinner is a sinner. No, our sin does not hinder the Lord from saving us, neither do our good works do anything to redeem us. Don’t be fooled into accepting this “spiritual reincarnation” where you are born again, and again, and again, but accept the one-time sacrifice and walk in the assurance of the Word of God, and the faith in His saving power. Remember, you truly believe but one time; man cannot “un-believe” something he truly believes. He can get angry and rebellious, and refuse to admit it, but he cannot quit believing if he truly believed in the first place, and it is this faith, this believing, that leads to our salvation.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Bless the Lord
Bless the Lord
Bless His Holy name; “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name”. He has lifted me from the pit of despair, and rooted me from the depths of despond; He has quickened me again in His Word, and has filled me again with His Spirit. He has taken me from the abyss of doldrums to the clouds, and still set my feet upon solid ground. Bless His Holy name.
I set out to search His Word, with a tragic heart and in a fit of depression, and He lifted me up. He gently lifted me through His beloved Word, and graciously set me down on solid ground again. So gentle, and yet so firm, His hand, and such compassion I have never known from another. How could I but turn to Him and love Him for all the grace He has bestowed upon me? “Oh see that the Lord is good, His mercy endureth forever.” I will praise Him from the deepest depths of my heart, and from the rooftops I shout to the glory of God; Oh that I might know Him better, and intimately, as one should, and can. He has afforded me to draw close to Him, and my joy is overwhelming. Let me see thy presence oh Lord, and bask in the glory of thy brightness; let me learn to love thee entirely, and in truth, and with my entire being. “Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me”: bless His Holy name forever, and ever more.
Bless His Holy name; “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name”. He has lifted me from the pit of despair, and rooted me from the depths of despond; He has quickened me again in His Word, and has filled me again with His Spirit. He has taken me from the abyss of doldrums to the clouds, and still set my feet upon solid ground. Bless His Holy name.
I set out to search His Word, with a tragic heart and in a fit of depression, and He lifted me up. He gently lifted me through His beloved Word, and graciously set me down on solid ground again. So gentle, and yet so firm, His hand, and such compassion I have never known from another. How could I but turn to Him and love Him for all the grace He has bestowed upon me? “Oh see that the Lord is good, His mercy endureth forever.” I will praise Him from the deepest depths of my heart, and from the rooftops I shout to the glory of God; Oh that I might know Him better, and intimately, as one should, and can. He has afforded me to draw close to Him, and my joy is overwhelming. Let me see thy presence oh Lord, and bask in the glory of thy brightness; let me learn to love thee entirely, and in truth, and with my entire being. “Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me”: bless His Holy name forever, and ever more.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Grandpa
Grandpa
Some kids call me grandpa now,
I wonder how this could be;
That the name should be applied,
To a man as young as me?
I have little imps come by,
And I bounce them on my knee;
And still I stand in solemn awe,
That this should happen to me.
The cute, the lovely little ones,
That I often get to see,
Bring great joy to my soul,
Even a man as young as me.
Ne’er dreamed of the day
That I would have three;
That call me by that grand old name,
How can all this be?
Now there is another,
One to add to three,
Another cute little body
To bounce upon my knee.
Finally I find there’s six
Darling little scamps;
Three of one kind, three of another--
Bright as little lamps!
But as the days quickly pass,
And more wrinkles I begin to see,
I now know why they call me “gramps”--
A man as old as me!
Some kids call me grandpa now,
I wonder how this could be;
That the name should be applied,
To a man as young as me?
I have little imps come by,
And I bounce them on my knee;
And still I stand in solemn awe,
That this should happen to me.
The cute, the lovely little ones,
That I often get to see,
Bring great joy to my soul,
Even a man as young as me.
Ne’er dreamed of the day
That I would have three;
That call me by that grand old name,
How can all this be?
Now there is another,
One to add to three,
Another cute little body
To bounce upon my knee.
Finally I find there’s six
Darling little scamps;
Three of one kind, three of another--
Bright as little lamps!
But as the days quickly pass,
And more wrinkles I begin to see,
I now know why they call me “gramps”--
A man as old as me!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Kingdom of God
Kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33)
We do not “seek” Heaven as we are told to seek the kingdom, it is ours through Christ, and Promise. So, we see that the “kingdom of God” is not the “kingdom of Heaven”. A king has a kingdom, and our King, the “King of kings” is a spiritual being with a spiritual kingdom, and “invisible” kingdom, yet visible in the lives of men. The kingdom of Heaven is a very precious kingdom indeed, one worth selling all that we have for it, and that is what we are to do, sell all for Jesus. Everything that is precious, or important to us, ought to take second place compared with the Lord, however, both these kingdoms become ours through Christ. All the redeemed of God dwell in the kingdom of God, and inherit the kingdom of Heaven. The “kingdom” is all that is under His rule, His domain, and empire, you might say; This term is proper then when applied to an earthly kingdom, or a Heavenly!
Kingdom? (Mk.9:1)
They would see Christ's kingdom with great power. What kingdom? What power? It refers to the resurrection of Christ, “in great power”, as He alone enters into the “spirit realm”, and is the master and originator of it. It is indeed His kingdom. If this were not true, He would have deceived those who He promised would not die until they saw Him in His kingdom with great power and glory. Jesus would have been a liar! We know this cannot be.
Aside:
A youngster cries from physical pain, almost unaware of an “emotional stress”; the older man cries out of distress, “emotional pain” oblivious many times to physical hurt. The crying is the same for both. The “hurt” is still there, though the focus of it is on different things.
We do not “seek” Heaven as we are told to seek the kingdom, it is ours through Christ, and Promise. So, we see that the “kingdom of God” is not the “kingdom of Heaven”. A king has a kingdom, and our King, the “King of kings” is a spiritual being with a spiritual kingdom, and “invisible” kingdom, yet visible in the lives of men. The kingdom of Heaven is a very precious kingdom indeed, one worth selling all that we have for it, and that is what we are to do, sell all for Jesus. Everything that is precious, or important to us, ought to take second place compared with the Lord, however, both these kingdoms become ours through Christ. All the redeemed of God dwell in the kingdom of God, and inherit the kingdom of Heaven. The “kingdom” is all that is under His rule, His domain, and empire, you might say; This term is proper then when applied to an earthly kingdom, or a Heavenly!
Kingdom? (Mk.9:1)
They would see Christ's kingdom with great power. What kingdom? What power? It refers to the resurrection of Christ, “in great power”, as He alone enters into the “spirit realm”, and is the master and originator of it. It is indeed His kingdom. If this were not true, He would have deceived those who He promised would not die until they saw Him in His kingdom with great power and glory. Jesus would have been a liar! We know this cannot be.
Aside:
A youngster cries from physical pain, almost unaware of an “emotional stress”; the older man cries out of distress, “emotional pain” oblivious many times to physical hurt. The crying is the same for both. The “hurt” is still there, though the focus of it is on different things.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Life
Life is like a four tier building;
The first floor; Mayhem. Chaos, and confusion. Every man is born into this state, he spends much of his youth here, and some never really go on to the second floor. This represents those who live by the motto “do your own thing” or “Doing in MY way”; also the “If it feels good, do it” philosophy. This is man in his natural state. He that lives here is a “Me only” thinker--he cares not for anyone or anything else but “self.” Infant stage.
The second floor; Law. Stringent rules that demand of us; commanding that which we do not wish to give. A cage: A restraint to our natural instincts (intuitions); A binding cord, a forced obedience. As man grows, he realizes responsibility; subjection to bosses; to police; to judicial laws; to authorities; rules in general. In school he learns subjection.
Manners are gotten here, he learns from them, and morals. Teenage stage.
The third floor; Grace: a free will, but a will to do right instead of the “Me” attitude (first floor); A will to choose good or evil, which was introduced through law. Grace inside, law on the fringes. Law seasoned with grace; love prevails, patience rules. Young married.
The fourth floor; Utopia: The ideal. The exact right mixture of law and grace; of love and truth; of joy and peace. The epitome of all goodness. Heaven on earth; “Thy kingdom come”…Old age.
There are those who seem to be good at everything in this life. They set out to build, and do a great job: they put their heart into sports, and excel in that area; or they seem to have a charisma that charms others to do whatever they wish them to do. Whatever the case, it could be dangerous to excel in anything in the flesh. The more proficient we are in worldly things, the greater hold the world has on us. When we are good at repairing and building, we spend much time in this sphere of learning; when we are good at sports, our heart is drawn to sports events, and we become at least a little consumed with them; when we learn to motivate people that becomes a bane to us, and we find it getting out of hand; our mastery seems to master us instead of others. Those that are good at “business”, are always busy in their business--their time is not their own.
I used to feel deprived and “out of place” because I am good at nothing in this life, but now I see the blessing in it. I have nothing more to occupy my time and thoughts than that of meditating upon the Lord and His greatness and Majesty. Don’t ask me to repair a car, or to build a house, if you want it done right, and don’t choose me if you need a qualified ally in a sports game, because I will inevitably let you down, but choose me to pray for you when the need is great and the afflictions come, that I can do.
The first floor; Mayhem. Chaos, and confusion. Every man is born into this state, he spends much of his youth here, and some never really go on to the second floor. This represents those who live by the motto “do your own thing” or “Doing in MY way”; also the “If it feels good, do it” philosophy. This is man in his natural state. He that lives here is a “Me only” thinker--he cares not for anyone or anything else but “self.” Infant stage.
The second floor; Law. Stringent rules that demand of us; commanding that which we do not wish to give. A cage: A restraint to our natural instincts (intuitions); A binding cord, a forced obedience. As man grows, he realizes responsibility; subjection to bosses; to police; to judicial laws; to authorities; rules in general. In school he learns subjection.
Manners are gotten here, he learns from them, and morals. Teenage stage.
The third floor; Grace: a free will, but a will to do right instead of the “Me” attitude (first floor); A will to choose good or evil, which was introduced through law. Grace inside, law on the fringes. Law seasoned with grace; love prevails, patience rules. Young married.
The fourth floor; Utopia: The ideal. The exact right mixture of law and grace; of love and truth; of joy and peace. The epitome of all goodness. Heaven on earth; “Thy kingdom come”…Old age.
There are those who seem to be good at everything in this life. They set out to build, and do a great job: they put their heart into sports, and excel in that area; or they seem to have a charisma that charms others to do whatever they wish them to do. Whatever the case, it could be dangerous to excel in anything in the flesh. The more proficient we are in worldly things, the greater hold the world has on us. When we are good at repairing and building, we spend much time in this sphere of learning; when we are good at sports, our heart is drawn to sports events, and we become at least a little consumed with them; when we learn to motivate people that becomes a bane to us, and we find it getting out of hand; our mastery seems to master us instead of others. Those that are good at “business”, are always busy in their business--their time is not their own.
I used to feel deprived and “out of place” because I am good at nothing in this life, but now I see the blessing in it. I have nothing more to occupy my time and thoughts than that of meditating upon the Lord and His greatness and Majesty. Don’t ask me to repair a car, or to build a house, if you want it done right, and don’t choose me if you need a qualified ally in a sports game, because I will inevitably let you down, but choose me to pray for you when the need is great and the afflictions come, that I can do.
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Wickedness around Us
The Wickedness around Us
Often, as I am dwelling on, and praying about the wickedness of this world, a fit of mild depression comes over me. We hear the daily news; read the newspapers, and it seems that all hope for sanity has been swept away by conniving minds, and workers of iniquity. We are surrounded on every side by humanism, and immorality, and flagrant idolatry and it seems as though we are thrown into the pot with them, and all is coming to a boil, but praise God that he is in control. As I dwell on these things, I am also reminded of my part in them!
Yes, I have a part in the wickedness of the world too, and so do all of us. Let us not be too quick to condemn, lest we fall into our own judgment, and wallow in a wretched pool of filth. You see, I have to be reminded that I am as wicked as they, except that I have put certain restraints on that wickedness, or rather, the Lord has, and now I am guided by His Blessed Spirit.
Yes, we seem to be living in a cesspool of evil, and there is not much that we can do about it on our own, but thank the Lord, he can do something; He can change lives and hearts. Let this be our prayer; that God would stir the hearts of His people to pray, and that He would change the hearts of others and turn them around, and change the entire world by doing so. Though we dwell amidst evil, we need not be companions with it; seek the wonderful life-changing grace of God, and “draw nigh” unto Him.
Often, as I am dwelling on, and praying about the wickedness of this world, a fit of mild depression comes over me. We hear the daily news; read the newspapers, and it seems that all hope for sanity has been swept away by conniving minds, and workers of iniquity. We are surrounded on every side by humanism, and immorality, and flagrant idolatry and it seems as though we are thrown into the pot with them, and all is coming to a boil, but praise God that he is in control. As I dwell on these things, I am also reminded of my part in them!
Yes, I have a part in the wickedness of the world too, and so do all of us. Let us not be too quick to condemn, lest we fall into our own judgment, and wallow in a wretched pool of filth. You see, I have to be reminded that I am as wicked as they, except that I have put certain restraints on that wickedness, or rather, the Lord has, and now I am guided by His Blessed Spirit.
Yes, we seem to be living in a cesspool of evil, and there is not much that we can do about it on our own, but thank the Lord, he can do something; He can change lives and hearts. Let this be our prayer; that God would stir the hearts of His people to pray, and that He would change the hearts of others and turn them around, and change the entire world by doing so. Though we dwell amidst evil, we need not be companions with it; seek the wonderful life-changing grace of God, and “draw nigh” unto Him.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Galatians 3
We are all, spiritually speaking, the “seed of Abraham.” Hence we too have the promise of fruit bearing, and of being the “Father of many nations” as it were. Some today though, have accepted the handmaids of Satan and produce corruptible fruit. Satan has many handmaids, but there is only one true wife! Illegitimate fruit is prevalent today because of the corruptible seed Satan has sown among the congregations of America. Too many times we let the “Bible scholars” of our day steal the blessing of the promises away from us. The Old testament Promises are ours as well as the New. We are all under the promise as the seed of Abraham, spiritually speaking..
Friday, August 20, 2010
1 Peter 2:19, 20
There is a certain glory in suffering wrongfully and taking it patiently. Christ entered into His glory at the point of suffering wrongfully (Lk. 24:26), and when we enter into His suffering, or suffer with Him, it is only at this point that we do so. When we are “buffeted” for our faults, this is justice; but if we are buffeted “innocently”, this is glory for us Look at 1 Peter 4:14: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” Do you want the Spirit of God to rest upon you? If so, you need to pay the price. Consider also the three Hebrew children of Daniel 3: Until they entered the fire, they did not see Jesus, but as soon as they were in the fiery furnace of affliction, Jesus came to visit! Jesus is there for us, whenever we need Him, and even when we think we don’t! So we see the value of patience. Are you willing to enter the fire?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Defying Nature-In Birth
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Mt 1:18)
One of the great things about Jesus was that He was often found to defy nature. Here, we have a woman who “Had never known a man” (Lk. 1: 34) and yet, she became the mother of our Lord! Her reputation was at stake, but she seemed willing to honor the Father, and be used to bring the Savior into the world. Mary was, no doubt, ostracized by her peers because everyone knows that a woman cannot be “with child” unless something unscrupulous had taken place! She bore the pain of rejection; she submitted to the Holy Spirit of God, not refusing to suffer the expected shame and reproach; Mary was quite a woman, but the main point is that God is quite a God! He defied nature several times in scripture, and blessed His children as a result of it.
Sarai, Abraham’s wife, was over ninety years old when she bore a child! It was unheard of in those days, and still is today that a woman of that age should give birth, and yet, God defied nature, and she had Isaac.
Hannah, a woman who was barren for many years, bore Samuel in her old age, and he became a mighty prophet and judge.
Elisabeth, a woman also of great age, childless throughout her marriage, was called “barren” though she longed for a child. God defied nature again! Elisabeth conceived and bore the greatest of the prophets, John the baptist. God is a God of miracles, but Lo! and behold! He performed a greater miracle in me; He gave me a new heart! He took a barren soul and gave it life! He took a wayward young man and made him into a useful vessel, and what an amazing feat that was! He defied nature again--in me! He took a natural man, and changed him so that he became supernatural, and was “born again”. I became a new creature in Him, and wonder of wonders, I still am! He continues to defy nature to this day, over and over again in providing for wandering souls a second chance--in giving them a new birth too! What an awesome and amazing God!
One of the great things about Jesus was that He was often found to defy nature. Here, we have a woman who “Had never known a man” (Lk. 1: 34) and yet, she became the mother of our Lord! Her reputation was at stake, but she seemed willing to honor the Father, and be used to bring the Savior into the world. Mary was, no doubt, ostracized by her peers because everyone knows that a woman cannot be “with child” unless something unscrupulous had taken place! She bore the pain of rejection; she submitted to the Holy Spirit of God, not refusing to suffer the expected shame and reproach; Mary was quite a woman, but the main point is that God is quite a God! He defied nature several times in scripture, and blessed His children as a result of it.
Sarai, Abraham’s wife, was over ninety years old when she bore a child! It was unheard of in those days, and still is today that a woman of that age should give birth, and yet, God defied nature, and she had Isaac.
Hannah, a woman who was barren for many years, bore Samuel in her old age, and he became a mighty prophet and judge.
Elisabeth, a woman also of great age, childless throughout her marriage, was called “barren” though she longed for a child. God defied nature again! Elisabeth conceived and bore the greatest of the prophets, John the baptist. God is a God of miracles, but Lo! and behold! He performed a greater miracle in me; He gave me a new heart! He took a barren soul and gave it life! He took a wayward young man and made him into a useful vessel, and what an amazing feat that was! He defied nature again--in me! He took a natural man, and changed him so that he became supernatural, and was “born again”. I became a new creature in Him, and wonder of wonders, I still am! He continues to defy nature to this day, over and over again in providing for wandering souls a second chance--in giving them a new birth too! What an awesome and amazing God!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Thou shalt not kill?
The quote above is from the Bible, Exodus 20:13 to be exact. It is probably the most quoted and best known verse in the Ten Commandments. There is much confusion as to the duty of the veteran and law enforcement and even the judicial system because of the misunderstanding and misapplication of this verse. Critics will often quote it to make a point in an endless argument against war and justice, but none of them live by the other nine Commandments either! The implication of this verse speaks of murder, and any unjust or undue killing. The same Bible that condemns killing also condones capital punishment; in Genesis 9:6, God says “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” God does not contradict Himself, neither can He because a contradiction is a lie on the one side or the other. As one reads the Old Testament, he soon realizes that God sent the armies of Israel to battle against many enemies, and He worked many miracles among them. So…why all the confusion concerning this verse? Because man is ignorant to the ways of God. What then is man to do? Obey God first, and the law next.
The word “kill” here speaks of malicious killing—murder, with intent and deliberate planning, and out of hatred. It can only be interpreted this way lest we call God a hypocrite and accuse Him of lying to boot! I shudder to think of anyone being so brash, and foolishly bold. When men take it upon themselves to interpret the Word of God, there is always prejudice involved, and self will. How can prideful men see truth? How can evil understand good? Too often we base our lives on our own interpretation of scripture, and the end is always disastrous. The Bible says what it says, with no need for clarification, but with a God-given sense that honors Him and His name.
The word “kill” here speaks of malicious killing—murder, with intent and deliberate planning, and out of hatred. It can only be interpreted this way lest we call God a hypocrite and accuse Him of lying to boot! I shudder to think of anyone being so brash, and foolishly bold. When men take it upon themselves to interpret the Word of God, there is always prejudice involved, and self will. How can prideful men see truth? How can evil understand good? Too often we base our lives on our own interpretation of scripture, and the end is always disastrous. The Bible says what it says, with no need for clarification, but with a God-given sense that honors Him and His name.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Two Rrelated Verses
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” Romans 10: 17
Hearing what? The Word of God.
The Word plants the seed;
It nourishes the “seed;”
As we absorb the Word of God, we increase.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.” Psalm 119: 9
Taking heed “thereto”--to that effect; taking heed to cleansing;
Cleansing also comes by hearing (and heeding) the Word of God.
Initially we obtain faith, and at the same time we obtain cleansing.
Hearing is often spoken of as “heeding”; so then Faith cometh by hearing , and heeding by the Word of God. Heeding is applying it personally; as we apply it, we are cleansed by it. These two verses, though written many years apart, are in harmony with one another.
Hearing what? The Word of God.
The Word plants the seed;
It nourishes the “seed;”
As we absorb the Word of God, we increase.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.” Psalm 119: 9
Taking heed “thereto”--to that effect; taking heed to cleansing;
Cleansing also comes by hearing (and heeding) the Word of God.
Initially we obtain faith, and at the same time we obtain cleansing.
Hearing is often spoken of as “heeding”; so then Faith cometh by hearing , and heeding by the Word of God. Heeding is applying it personally; as we apply it, we are cleansed by it. These two verses, though written many years apart, are in harmony with one another.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
I am…
I am…
I’m stuck in a world I do not want;
I’m bored out of my gourd, and there is nothing amusing here;
Nothing seem to attract my interest,
So I just stay inside…a recluse.
I don’t have friends, I have no fellow to share with;
I am sick unto death,
And await my final redemption.
The wait is long, and tedious,
And it seems the end is too far off.
I feel like a prisoner in a body of flesh;
A body that will not do right;
A “cell” of my own making,
And yet, I seek to feed it more.
Oh, I find comfort in my wife,
And great fellowship and companionship,
But there is no other;
No man to talk “man talk” with;
No one seems to want to share the blessings of God.
In a sense, it’s a lonely world,
This world I live in;
My greatest friend is He that is invisible;
My Friend, Jesus.
I can spill my heart out to him, and He always listens;
He comforts me when I am blue,
And rebukes me when I am proud;
I guess, in reality,
He is all I need in this loathsome world;
He is all I desire.
He is all I need.
I’m stuck in a world I do not want;
I’m bored out of my gourd, and there is nothing amusing here;
Nothing seem to attract my interest,
So I just stay inside…a recluse.
I don’t have friends, I have no fellow to share with;
I am sick unto death,
And await my final redemption.
The wait is long, and tedious,
And it seems the end is too far off.
I feel like a prisoner in a body of flesh;
A body that will not do right;
A “cell” of my own making,
And yet, I seek to feed it more.
Oh, I find comfort in my wife,
And great fellowship and companionship,
But there is no other;
No man to talk “man talk” with;
No one seems to want to share the blessings of God.
In a sense, it’s a lonely world,
This world I live in;
My greatest friend is He that is invisible;
My Friend, Jesus.
I can spill my heart out to him, and He always listens;
He comforts me when I am blue,
And rebukes me when I am proud;
I guess, in reality,
He is all I need in this loathsome world;
He is all I desire.
He is all I need.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Idolatry
Idolatry
Idolatry is much more prominent today than we usually think. Any thing, or any one, that we look to constantly for our “help” or strength, or encouragement, we make them an idol. Don’t we see that God wants to be our joy; our sustenance; our hope and stay; our protector; our EVERYTHING? These (as well as much, much more) are the very things we ought to be looking to our God for! These dependent issues are His glory! We rob Him of His glory whenever we depend on mans means, whether it be welfare, or self-help groups, or unions, or whatever! Any organization that we look to, to keep us secure in any way, to comfort us, or to give us “peace of mind” becomes an idol, we rob God of the joy of being these things unto us!
Idolatry is much more prominent today than we usually think. Any thing, or any one, that we look to constantly for our “help” or strength, or encouragement, we make them an idol. Don’t we see that God wants to be our joy; our sustenance; our hope and stay; our protector; our EVERYTHING? These (as well as much, much more) are the very things we ought to be looking to our God for! These dependent issues are His glory! We rob Him of His glory whenever we depend on mans means, whether it be welfare, or self-help groups, or unions, or whatever! Any organization that we look to, to keep us secure in any way, to comfort us, or to give us “peace of mind” becomes an idol, we rob God of the joy of being these things unto us!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Our Cornerstone
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
This verse, in Psalm 118:24, speaks of Calvary, and not necessarily our "today". Verse 22 makes this quite clear, although we can be thankful for today, and every day, we will rejoice greatly in the day of the Lord's glory. Our Lord Jesus is the "Chief Cornerstone" and "it is marvelous in our eyes."
I used to work with brick mason's and I learned the importance of the cornerstone. The corners were built up on a block basement, for example, and served as guides for the rest of the row of blocks that will connect the two corners. The block layers used to build the corners up four or five tiers, then run a line from one side to the other, to assure that the blocks were straight and that they were flush with the previous block. Without the cornerstone, the wall could easily be bowed, or laid in a way that the blocks did not line up with the right precision. A wall could lean in the middle, or sag without the cornerstones being laid first. Jesus is our guide,lest we err, and become distorted in our Christian walk. He is, in fact, the "Chief", or most important, cornerstone in the entire building.
This surely is marvelous to us, and wonderful to be a part of. Let us be thankful for all our "today's" every day, but rejoice all the more in the day that Christ redeemed us to the Father at Calvary...after all, that is where it all began.
This verse, in Psalm 118:24, speaks of Calvary, and not necessarily our "today". Verse 22 makes this quite clear, although we can be thankful for today, and every day, we will rejoice greatly in the day of the Lord's glory. Our Lord Jesus is the "Chief Cornerstone" and "it is marvelous in our eyes."
I used to work with brick mason's and I learned the importance of the cornerstone. The corners were built up on a block basement, for example, and served as guides for the rest of the row of blocks that will connect the two corners. The block layers used to build the corners up four or five tiers, then run a line from one side to the other, to assure that the blocks were straight and that they were flush with the previous block. Without the cornerstone, the wall could easily be bowed, or laid in a way that the blocks did not line up with the right precision. A wall could lean in the middle, or sag without the cornerstones being laid first. Jesus is our guide,lest we err, and become distorted in our Christian walk. He is, in fact, the "Chief", or most important, cornerstone in the entire building.
This surely is marvelous to us, and wonderful to be a part of. Let us be thankful for all our "today's" every day, but rejoice all the more in the day that Christ redeemed us to the Father at Calvary...after all, that is where it all began.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Warfare in Witnessing
Every time we witness to someone there is a battle going on! There is an unseen conflict between the forces of good and evil, the one pulling one way, and the other, the other way. This warfare can leave one mightily confused; the subject may not know which way to turn, and so he/she does not do anything at all. The tragedy is theirs, but the problem is ours! Our “weapon” in this warfare is the Word of God, used as a sharp two-edged sword that pierces into the flesh, and cuts to the heart. If we wield the sword properly and skillfully, our subject will be freed from Satan’s grasp, and we have made an ally; but if not, we have lost the prospect, and he may never get another chance to escape the dungeon of the devil. We cannot blame this on the weapon, the blame must be on the wielder of that weapon and the cunning by which he uses it. Many times it is up to us; it is in our field of glory that we win or lose a battle for a soul. Of course men are saved solely by grace, but the wielder of the sword has a responsibility to His King, and an oath of honor to do all that he can do for the King’s glory, and of course, a debt is owed to the benefactor of his skill in the wielding of the Sword.
Friends, we need to be precise; make sure that our swath is wide enough; be sure to use the right Sword, and to choose your words carefully; remember, to many of our prospects this is virgin soil, they do not always understand the words and phrases we use. Be sure to use the right scripture so that we are not tempted to impress them with our knowledge, but to drive the sword home, clear to the hilt if necessary, and the best results are obtained. It is the sword that does the work, be sure to allow it the freedom it needs to cut to the quick, and instead of death, it will bring life--life forever more!
Give the cut time to bleed! Let the convicting power of the Sword of the Lord run its course; be sure not to force the Sword where it will not be effective--aim for the heart. The good swordsman-servant has patience; there is no hurry when the sword has cut, they will bleed out! Be wise; be patient; be true to your King, and go forth into battle with the assurance that your King is at your side; He fights the main battle, you are merely the wielder of the sword. He determines how deep the cut is, and how much it bleeds--It is the King that determines the path of the Sword, and He that delivers the prey from our hand, or gives him over to us in complete victory. He has the power and the ability to do so. Let us pray that our adversary remains unseen, so that we do not run in flight at the sight of him; let us stand boldly and fend off the fiery darts of evil that come our way, and wear the armor of God our King for protection, and go forth praising the glorious name of our King, and keep His message to mankind fresh upon our lips, shouting as we go.
Friends, we need to be precise; make sure that our swath is wide enough; be sure to use the right Sword, and to choose your words carefully; remember, to many of our prospects this is virgin soil, they do not always understand the words and phrases we use. Be sure to use the right scripture so that we are not tempted to impress them with our knowledge, but to drive the sword home, clear to the hilt if necessary, and the best results are obtained. It is the sword that does the work, be sure to allow it the freedom it needs to cut to the quick, and instead of death, it will bring life--life forever more!
Give the cut time to bleed! Let the convicting power of the Sword of the Lord run its course; be sure not to force the Sword where it will not be effective--aim for the heart. The good swordsman-servant has patience; there is no hurry when the sword has cut, they will bleed out! Be wise; be patient; be true to your King, and go forth into battle with the assurance that your King is at your side; He fights the main battle, you are merely the wielder of the sword. He determines how deep the cut is, and how much it bleeds--It is the King that determines the path of the Sword, and He that delivers the prey from our hand, or gives him over to us in complete victory. He has the power and the ability to do so. Let us pray that our adversary remains unseen, so that we do not run in flight at the sight of him; let us stand boldly and fend off the fiery darts of evil that come our way, and wear the armor of God our King for protection, and go forth praising the glorious name of our King, and keep His message to mankind fresh upon our lips, shouting as we go.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
By Grace, through Faith
By Grace, through Faith
(An analogy)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: “ (Eph 2:8)
Have you ever been in a large industrial factory and seen the pipes that run along the ceiling? These pipes are called “raceways” and the contain the electrical wiring that runs nearly every operation in the building. They are more frequently called “conduit” when used in a smaller field of construction; the metal pipe insulates and protects the wires inside. Conduit is the means of moving the power to the right location. Faith is like conduit; God’s grace is the power, and the conduit distributes that power to the right people through the “wire” of the Holy Spirit. This is indeed a “gift of God”. It is not our faith that saves us, but God’s grace! Our faith plays an active part in delivering the salvation that grace freely gives, but it is not the faith we should focus on, but the grace of God.
Picture with me, an “air” of grace racing above all men. It is there because of Christ and Calvary, and it is available for all men. It races by, a constant stream of grace, far above our heads, but it does us no good until we can tap into it! Every man can tap into it, by faith, but if he chooses not to for whatever reason, the grace is still there! It is not affected by mans indifference. It is there for another time, because it is a constant flow, and a powerful force. Oh, you can’t see it, it is as the wind of God, but it is there nonetheless. It is an “air stream” that carries salvation to all who wish to make use of it, and its power is unlimited. As it continually circles the globe, it grows as men tap into it, and allow it to change their lives, but there is still enough there for others, no matter how many make use of it. The grace of God is sufficient for all men, all the time, and under all circumstances; it is a wonderful gift. Don’t let it pass you by; it is too good to miss; trust in Christ who provided it, and tap into it freely, and come, and see that the Lord is good, and “His mercy endureth forever.”
(An analogy)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: “ (Eph 2:8)
Have you ever been in a large industrial factory and seen the pipes that run along the ceiling? These pipes are called “raceways” and the contain the electrical wiring that runs nearly every operation in the building. They are more frequently called “conduit” when used in a smaller field of construction; the metal pipe insulates and protects the wires inside. Conduit is the means of moving the power to the right location. Faith is like conduit; God’s grace is the power, and the conduit distributes that power to the right people through the “wire” of the Holy Spirit. This is indeed a “gift of God”. It is not our faith that saves us, but God’s grace! Our faith plays an active part in delivering the salvation that grace freely gives, but it is not the faith we should focus on, but the grace of God.
Picture with me, an “air” of grace racing above all men. It is there because of Christ and Calvary, and it is available for all men. It races by, a constant stream of grace, far above our heads, but it does us no good until we can tap into it! Every man can tap into it, by faith, but if he chooses not to for whatever reason, the grace is still there! It is not affected by mans indifference. It is there for another time, because it is a constant flow, and a powerful force. Oh, you can’t see it, it is as the wind of God, but it is there nonetheless. It is an “air stream” that carries salvation to all who wish to make use of it, and its power is unlimited. As it continually circles the globe, it grows as men tap into it, and allow it to change their lives, but there is still enough there for others, no matter how many make use of it. The grace of God is sufficient for all men, all the time, and under all circumstances; it is a wonderful gift. Don’t let it pass you by; it is too good to miss; trust in Christ who provided it, and tap into it freely, and come, and see that the Lord is good, and “His mercy endureth forever.”
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Armor Provided
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Eph. 6:13)
God provides our armor. Years ago, when I was in the Army, they provided all my needs. I did not have to buy clothes, or weapons, or a flak jacket, a steel pot, or anything of the sort--the Army provided for my protection from the enemy, and from the pangs of hunger as well as the need for clothing. They taught me how to protect myself from the enemy, and gave me the equipment I needed to do it. They even did my laundry, and provided for my cleanliness and health! My friends, the Lord does the same with us!
As we walk through life, we are assailed on every side by Satan’s attacks. We can grow weary and weak if we are not vigilant and property equipped; we are given what we need to win the battle, but we must wear it before it does any good, and we must walk circumspectly. The Lord is good in providing for us; He doesn’t have to; He could demand of us that we walk circumspectly, and be very careful, and that is all, but He also provides our protection as we do. In the Army, all my needs were met; I did not lack anything that I needed. In the Lord’s Army, it is the same, I have need of naught. Today, I can truly say with David, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psa. 23:1)
God provides our armor. Years ago, when I was in the Army, they provided all my needs. I did not have to buy clothes, or weapons, or a flak jacket, a steel pot, or anything of the sort--the Army provided for my protection from the enemy, and from the pangs of hunger as well as the need for clothing. They taught me how to protect myself from the enemy, and gave me the equipment I needed to do it. They even did my laundry, and provided for my cleanliness and health! My friends, the Lord does the same with us!
As we walk through life, we are assailed on every side by Satan’s attacks. We can grow weary and weak if we are not vigilant and property equipped; we are given what we need to win the battle, but we must wear it before it does any good, and we must walk circumspectly. The Lord is good in providing for us; He doesn’t have to; He could demand of us that we walk circumspectly, and be very careful, and that is all, but He also provides our protection as we do. In the Army, all my needs were met; I did not lack anything that I needed. In the Lord’s Army, it is the same, I have need of naught. Today, I can truly say with David, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psa. 23:1)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Society’s Response
When God told Israel to invade Canaan, the people said that He was full of hate;
When Paul rebuked Peter for hypocrisy, the people said he had no love;
When Elijah called down fire from Heaven to destroy the envoy that the king sent to him, they said he was an angry man;
When Elymus was struck with blindness, they said the apostles had no right to do it.
When Achan and his family were stoned for coveting the spoil, they said it wasn’t fair;
When the widow woman’s son was restored to life by Elijah, they said “Why him? What about me?”
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Mt. 5:11,12)
When Enoch “walked with God: and was not” they said a flyinfg saucer abducted him!
When the sea parted and swallowed up Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army, they said it was coincidence;
And when a young shepherd boy slew a giant with a stone, they said it was just “dumb luck.”
When a “crazy” preacher named Noah was seen building a huge boat, they laughed him to scorn;
When a bunch of slaves began to build the walls of Jerusalem again, they mocked and ridiculed them.
When a Mighty God gave His only Son to an unworthy people, they crucified Him.
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” (1 Peter 4:13,14)
Unfortunately, things haven’t changed all that much!
When Paul rebuked Peter for hypocrisy, the people said he had no love;
When Elijah called down fire from Heaven to destroy the envoy that the king sent to him, they said he was an angry man;
When Elymus was struck with blindness, they said the apostles had no right to do it.
When Achan and his family were stoned for coveting the spoil, they said it wasn’t fair;
When the widow woman’s son was restored to life by Elijah, they said “Why him? What about me?”
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Mt. 5:11,12)
When Enoch “walked with God: and was not” they said a flyinfg saucer abducted him!
When the sea parted and swallowed up Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army, they said it was coincidence;
And when a young shepherd boy slew a giant with a stone, they said it was just “dumb luck.”
When a “crazy” preacher named Noah was seen building a huge boat, they laughed him to scorn;
When a bunch of slaves began to build the walls of Jerusalem again, they mocked and ridiculed them.
When a Mighty God gave His only Son to an unworthy people, they crucified Him.
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” (1 Peter 4:13,14)
Unfortunately, things haven’t changed all that much!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Much is said about election and predestination, and the doctrine of divine grace, but mostly it is unclear and vague, at the least. Allow me to put a simple outline in the processes of the Lord, and they way I see it. I may have posted this a long time back, but it needs refreshing occasionally to remind us of the goodness of our God.
There is:
The multitudes;
out of the multitudes, we find the elect;
From the elect the called;
and from the called, the chosen.
There is a certain order here, and our God is a God of order.
There is:
The multitudes;
out of the multitudes, we find the elect;
From the elect the called;
and from the called, the chosen.
There is a certain order here, and our God is a God of order.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Nourishment
Col 2:19-23
The passage may be compared to eating of food. Do you eat for flavor only, or for nourishment? Some foods have little nourishment, but taste good; others have a lot of nourishment, but the flavor is lacking. The Word of God has both! Let the Word nourish you (1 Peter 2:2), it tends to your growth.
Be increased with the increase of God. (Col. 2:19) Some die of malnutrition, while others thrive on nutrition, it is entirely up to you which one affects you. Don’t fall for the delicacies of the world (Col. 2:8), but rather seek the food of God. (Heb. 5:14)
Sometimes the dessert is not too nourishing, it is all “fluff”, but if we get the nourishment first, we can also enjoy the dessert. In the Word of God, seek the nourishment, then enjoy the dessert! There is much delectable dessert to be had, but first you need to “clean your plate” of the nourishing food. Seek the things that edify the body, and glorify the Father, then enjoy the “tasty” desserts; it is all there at the table, we must feed ourselves from it. One does not live on dessert alone, the sweetness would be his demise, but he can live on the meat, and the milk, and do well in this life; the strength is in the nourishing.
Be careful too of allowing the church service to be your entire diet. We all need to learn to feed ourselves eventually. If you are not getting “fed” from the preaching, get the nourishment you need from personal Bible study, that is where the “strong meat” comes from. Feed thyself that ye may be able to feed others.
The passage may be compared to eating of food. Do you eat for flavor only, or for nourishment? Some foods have little nourishment, but taste good; others have a lot of nourishment, but the flavor is lacking. The Word of God has both! Let the Word nourish you (1 Peter 2:2), it tends to your growth.
Be increased with the increase of God. (Col. 2:19) Some die of malnutrition, while others thrive on nutrition, it is entirely up to you which one affects you. Don’t fall for the delicacies of the world (Col. 2:8), but rather seek the food of God. (Heb. 5:14)
Sometimes the dessert is not too nourishing, it is all “fluff”, but if we get the nourishment first, we can also enjoy the dessert. In the Word of God, seek the nourishment, then enjoy the dessert! There is much delectable dessert to be had, but first you need to “clean your plate” of the nourishing food. Seek the things that edify the body, and glorify the Father, then enjoy the “tasty” desserts; it is all there at the table, we must feed ourselves from it. One does not live on dessert alone, the sweetness would be his demise, but he can live on the meat, and the milk, and do well in this life; the strength is in the nourishing.
Be careful too of allowing the church service to be your entire diet. We all need to learn to feed ourselves eventually. If you are not getting “fed” from the preaching, get the nourishment you need from personal Bible study, that is where the “strong meat” comes from. Feed thyself that ye may be able to feed others.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Gospel In Isaiah
Isaiah 53
We see here a clear presentation of the Gospel, even way back in Isaiah’s time. In this short chapter we see a certain progression that is important in the understanding of the sacrificial death of our Lord. The narrative begins with his life before Calvary; it "peaks" in v. vs. 7-9, and then reigns victoriously toward the close of the chapter. The Gospel is clearly seen in these verses.
We have first: the people whom the Lord is seeking, (v. 1):
The obscurity of the “seeker”, (v. 2): The rejection of His deity by men (v. 3):
The prophetic message of the Messiah, (v. 4):
The message of the sacrificial Lamb for all mankind, (v. 5):
The wretchedness of man and his need for redemption, (v. 6):
The suffering, death and resurrection of Christ on our behalf (vs. 7-9):
The invitation to man (v. 10):
The victory of the Savior and man over sin, (v. 11):
And the will of God completed to His own glory, (v. 12)
What a blessed and prophetic chapter that speaks of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.
We see here a clear presentation of the Gospel, even way back in Isaiah’s time. In this short chapter we see a certain progression that is important in the understanding of the sacrificial death of our Lord. The narrative begins with his life before Calvary; it "peaks" in v. vs. 7-9, and then reigns victoriously toward the close of the chapter. The Gospel is clearly seen in these verses.
We have first: the people whom the Lord is seeking, (v. 1):
The obscurity of the “seeker”, (v. 2): The rejection of His deity by men (v. 3):
The prophetic message of the Messiah, (v. 4):
The message of the sacrificial Lamb for all mankind, (v. 5):
The wretchedness of man and his need for redemption, (v. 6):
The suffering, death and resurrection of Christ on our behalf (vs. 7-9):
The invitation to man (v. 10):
The victory of the Savior and man over sin, (v. 11):
And the will of God completed to His own glory, (v. 12)
What a blessed and prophetic chapter that speaks of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Internet
I had a very scary thought early this morning:
What one thing ties the world together today? The internet.
Who controls the internet? Many say that no one person or body can control it, but what if one person does? What if one man could take control of the internet, and have all that is in it at his discretion? He would have the power of complete censorship; he would literally come into nearly every home in America, and be able to obtain valuable information about any one of us; private, personal, and vital information that could ruin us, or promote us, whichever he desired! Think of the power he would have in the mere knowledge of our business activities, our beliefs, our very heart and souls!
Perhaps you are saying “It will never happen, no one person can control the internet”, but a few years ago men thought that something like the internet itself would be an impossibility! Who would have thought that one man would discover something so widespread and so prominent as the internet? Yet one man did, and look at it now! Some could hardly get along a few days without it!
Think about it: if the internet became under the control of Muslims, all Christian sites could be shut down. (Already it is possible to shut down certain sites, as many of us have seen). If it came under the control of any man or group, we would be at their mercy for the most part, at least under their watchful eye. “Big Brother“ is watching already to some extent; if you do not believe that, try posting a lot of illegal stuff and see what happens to you! I have no qualms with the law regulating the internet, it needs to be checked, but, what if the ant-Christ had control of such a powerful tool? We put too much vital information on the net.
My point is that we need to wean ourselves from the net, and spend less time revealing our personal lives through even “friendly” sites; others who are enemies of good and righteousness also have access to these sites. Let us hope that it is not too late already. Does this sound rather fanatical to you? Does it sound so far-fetched that you laugh at the thought of it? If so, you may be the net’s greatest victim. The possibility has already been proven; many have hacked into computers of banks, financial institutions, and even stole identities of past veterans that served our country, and all through the internet! That which we all thought to be good can turn out to be very evil. Already it has been reported that perverts are watching, and gathering information about our children and they are able to discern where we live, and how many are in the family, etc., because we have surrendered that information on the net for all to see. One cannot protect themselves enough, there is always someone that can break through passwords, and firewalls, and phsishing nets, and filters, etc., and steal our identities.
What one thing ties the world together today? The internet.
Who controls the internet? Many say that no one person or body can control it, but what if one person does? What if one man could take control of the internet, and have all that is in it at his discretion? He would have the power of complete censorship; he would literally come into nearly every home in America, and be able to obtain valuable information about any one of us; private, personal, and vital information that could ruin us, or promote us, whichever he desired! Think of the power he would have in the mere knowledge of our business activities, our beliefs, our very heart and souls!
Perhaps you are saying “It will never happen, no one person can control the internet”, but a few years ago men thought that something like the internet itself would be an impossibility! Who would have thought that one man would discover something so widespread and so prominent as the internet? Yet one man did, and look at it now! Some could hardly get along a few days without it!
Think about it: if the internet became under the control of Muslims, all Christian sites could be shut down. (Already it is possible to shut down certain sites, as many of us have seen). If it came under the control of any man or group, we would be at their mercy for the most part, at least under their watchful eye. “Big Brother“ is watching already to some extent; if you do not believe that, try posting a lot of illegal stuff and see what happens to you! I have no qualms with the law regulating the internet, it needs to be checked, but, what if the ant-Christ had control of such a powerful tool? We put too much vital information on the net.
My point is that we need to wean ourselves from the net, and spend less time revealing our personal lives through even “friendly” sites; others who are enemies of good and righteousness also have access to these sites. Let us hope that it is not too late already. Does this sound rather fanatical to you? Does it sound so far-fetched that you laugh at the thought of it? If so, you may be the net’s greatest victim. The possibility has already been proven; many have hacked into computers of banks, financial institutions, and even stole identities of past veterans that served our country, and all through the internet! That which we all thought to be good can turn out to be very evil. Already it has been reported that perverts are watching, and gathering information about our children and they are able to discern where we live, and how many are in the family, etc., because we have surrendered that information on the net for all to see. One cannot protect themselves enough, there is always someone that can break through passwords, and firewalls, and phsishing nets, and filters, etc., and steal our identities.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A long hard struggle
A long hard struggle
It’s a long, hard struggle through life, but the Lord makes it a lot more pleasant. Oh, it isn’t easy for anyone, but admittedly, some have it much worse than others. We suffer many things in this life; sickness, deaths, persecutions, mockeries, even beatings for some, but the Lord sees us through if we will just hang on. Each moment seems to hold a blessing or a curse for us; every step we take can bring about a new disaster, or a new blessing, but the Lord is there with us through it all; He is there to guide us through, and to make the path easier to tread, and He does that well. No matter oh Christian friend, how hard your plight, it would be worse without Jesus. Jesus never fails; He suffers long, and is kind; He envieth not; is never puffed up; He does not behave Himself unseemly, and seeketh not His own; is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil at all. He rejoices in the truth, bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things for us, and endures all things for us; He is charity manifest in the flesh, and we would be very wise to walk close to him through this life. He has overcome the world with its maladies and temptations, and knows the paths of Truth; yea, we would be wise to follow Him, even unto the end.
It’s a long, hard struggle through life, but the Lord makes it a lot more pleasant. Oh, it isn’t easy for anyone, but admittedly, some have it much worse than others. We suffer many things in this life; sickness, deaths, persecutions, mockeries, even beatings for some, but the Lord sees us through if we will just hang on. Each moment seems to hold a blessing or a curse for us; every step we take can bring about a new disaster, or a new blessing, but the Lord is there with us through it all; He is there to guide us through, and to make the path easier to tread, and He does that well. No matter oh Christian friend, how hard your plight, it would be worse without Jesus. Jesus never fails; He suffers long, and is kind; He envieth not; is never puffed up; He does not behave Himself unseemly, and seeketh not His own; is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil at all. He rejoices in the truth, bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things for us, and endures all things for us; He is charity manifest in the flesh, and we would be very wise to walk close to him through this life. He has overcome the world with its maladies and temptations, and knows the paths of Truth; yea, we would be wise to follow Him, even unto the end.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Sunny Days
Sunny Days
“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” (Rev. 21:25)
There is no gloomy day in eternity. The Son always shines, and the days are always “good days”. The gates need not be shut, for the safety of all is assured; there is no darkness in eternity.
Darkness is a cloak for evil; an evil doer can “hide” in darkness, even right out in the open, but, friends, there are sunny days ahead! I can’t imagine a place where it never rains! I cannot fathom having light continually, and never having to sleep or flee from the evils of night. What a wonderfully glorious place Heaven will be! The brightness of the glory of God will be sufficient to lighten all of heaven, and we will find comfort in the solace of His grace. Another verse in the Revelation takes it a step further:
“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5)
“The Lord giveth them light”. All light is of the Lord, and it is good, and His light is everlasting. We have a hidden teaching here--that is that the Lord gives enlightenment forever! When the “light comes on” and we “see the light” in our lives, it is an everlasting light, even as the salvation it brings with it! Are your days clouded by sin? Are you enjoying the Sunshine of grace? It doesn’t have to be that way, we all have a choice in the matter. If you prefer to live in darkness the rest of your life, you may also spend eternity in the darkness of hell; that is up to you, my friend. The Light has been provided, as well as the Life, and it is ours for the taking. Trust the Lord today, and forever hereafter.
“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” (Rev. 21:25)
There is no gloomy day in eternity. The Son always shines, and the days are always “good days”. The gates need not be shut, for the safety of all is assured; there is no darkness in eternity.
Darkness is a cloak for evil; an evil doer can “hide” in darkness, even right out in the open, but, friends, there are sunny days ahead! I can’t imagine a place where it never rains! I cannot fathom having light continually, and never having to sleep or flee from the evils of night. What a wonderfully glorious place Heaven will be! The brightness of the glory of God will be sufficient to lighten all of heaven, and we will find comfort in the solace of His grace. Another verse in the Revelation takes it a step further:
“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5)
“The Lord giveth them light”. All light is of the Lord, and it is good, and His light is everlasting. We have a hidden teaching here--that is that the Lord gives enlightenment forever! When the “light comes on” and we “see the light” in our lives, it is an everlasting light, even as the salvation it brings with it! Are your days clouded by sin? Are you enjoying the Sunshine of grace? It doesn’t have to be that way, we all have a choice in the matter. If you prefer to live in darkness the rest of your life, you may also spend eternity in the darkness of hell; that is up to you, my friend. The Light has been provided, as well as the Life, and it is ours for the taking. Trust the Lord today, and forever hereafter.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Defying Nature-In Birth
Defying Nature
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Mt 1:18)
One of the great things about Jesus was that He was often found to defy nature. Here, we have a woman who “Had never known a man” (Lk. 1: 34) and yet, she became the mother of our Lord! Her reputation was at stake, but she seemed willing to honor the Father, and be used to bring the Savior into the world. Mary was, no doubt, ostracized by her peers because everyone knows that a woman cannot be “with child” unless something unscrupulous had taken place! She bore the pain of rejection; she submitted to the Holy Spirit of God, not refusing to suffer the expected shame and reproach; Mary was quite a woman, but the main point is that God is quite a God! He defied nature several times in scripture, and blessed His children as a result of it.
Sarai, Abraham’s wife, was over ninety years old when she bore a child! It was unheard of in those days, and still is today that a woman of that age should give birth, and yet, God defied nature, and she had Isaac.
Hannah, a woman who was barren for many years, bore Samuel in her old age, and he became a mighty prophet and judge.
Elisabeth, a woman also of great age, childless throughout her marriage, was called “barren” though she longed for a child. God defied nature again! Elisabeth conceived and bore the greatest of the prophets, John the baptist. God is a God of miracles, but Lo! and behold! He performed a greater miracle in me; He gave me a new heart! He took a barren soul and gave it life! He took a wayward young man and made him into a useful vessel, and what an amazing feat that was! He defied nature again--in me! He took a natural man, and changed him so that he became supernatural, and was “born again”. I became a new creature in Him, and wonder of wonders, I still am! He continues to defy nature to this day, over and over again in providing for wandering souls a second chance--in giving them a new birth too! What an awesome and amazing God!
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Mt 1:18)
One of the great things about Jesus was that He was often found to defy nature. Here, we have a woman who “Had never known a man” (Lk. 1: 34) and yet, she became the mother of our Lord! Her reputation was at stake, but she seemed willing to honor the Father, and be used to bring the Savior into the world. Mary was, no doubt, ostracized by her peers because everyone knows that a woman cannot be “with child” unless something unscrupulous had taken place! She bore the pain of rejection; she submitted to the Holy Spirit of God, not refusing to suffer the expected shame and reproach; Mary was quite a woman, but the main point is that God is quite a God! He defied nature several times in scripture, and blessed His children as a result of it.
Sarai, Abraham’s wife, was over ninety years old when she bore a child! It was unheard of in those days, and still is today that a woman of that age should give birth, and yet, God defied nature, and she had Isaac.
Hannah, a woman who was barren for many years, bore Samuel in her old age, and he became a mighty prophet and judge.
Elisabeth, a woman also of great age, childless throughout her marriage, was called “barren” though she longed for a child. God defied nature again! Elisabeth conceived and bore the greatest of the prophets, John the baptist. God is a God of miracles, but Lo! and behold! He performed a greater miracle in me; He gave me a new heart! He took a barren soul and gave it life! He took a wayward young man and made him into a useful vessel, and what an amazing feat that was! He defied nature again--in me! He took a natural man, and changed him so that he became supernatural, and was “born again”. I became a new creature in Him, and wonder of wonders, I still am! He continues to defy nature to this day, over and over again in providing for wandering souls a second chance--in giving them a new birth too! What an awesome and amazing God!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Babes
Aren’t newly-born babies quite cute? They may not actually be too cute at the very first, but most will agree that babies are really cute up to and about the age of two and a half or three; then, they begin to be kids! I wonder if the Lord sees us that way. I wonder if we aren’t quite lovely at first, until we begin to grow toward adulthood. The road to adulthood is a long, winding path, and full of many pitfalls; how do these affect our lives, and our walk with the Lord? Oh for the innocence of the child; the loyalty and the unfeigned love that they have toward others is soon lost and replaced with…life in this world. 1 Peter 2:2 says: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” perhaps the Lord would prefer us to remain in the same state of mind that we were as a young child of God—as a babe in Christ. Oh, He wants us to grow, and to learn more about Him and His great love for us; He wants us to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of Truth, but in effigy, I can’t help but think that perhaps He would like us as sweet and as cuddly as the very young infant, before the indoctrination and the problems of the world sets in, and totally dependent on Him! I believe He wants us to grow in the Word, but to remain as babes in practice, depending totally on Him for all our needs. Remember this the next time you hold a precious little bundle in your hands, and try to see yourself as you see that sweet little baby.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
My Dad
My dad wasn’t a bad man, as far as the flesh is concerned; he did his best to raise his children in the bewilderment of a rapidly changing world. He never did tell me that he loved me; I never heard him praise me for well doing, but I know that “in his own way” he loved me, and I grew up with the hope that I had pleased him and become someone he could be proud of. It didn’t work out that way, unfortunately. He passed away many years ago at the ripe old age of sixty-four; he left little behind for us in the way of preparing us for the world and its wiles, whether monetarily or in the framework of wisdom. My dad, as far as I know, was never saved.
My God? He is everything my dad was not! He is loving, and kind, and full of compassion for His own, as well as for strangers. I love my God with all my heart--but I never really learned how to love my dad in the same way; I never seemed to live up to his expectations. Not that I live up to the Lord’s expectations, not by a long shot, but my Lord treats me better in spite of myself. Even when I fail Him, he is there to carry me through; oh, He punishes when necessary, but then He gently leads me out of mischief, and into a cradle of grace. My earthly dad never knew what grace was, at least he never let us know if he knew! I thank my God for being what I need Him to be; I thank Him greatly, and praise Him for being a Father unto me. Please do not think badly of my earthly father, he did not know any better--he did what he felt was best, but my Heavenly Father, He always does what is best, whether I think it good or not! He knows what’s best.
If your dad did not live up to your expectations of what a father should be, The Lord will, guaranteed! Make God your Father, and see what being a father is all about. With Christ as my friend, and God as my Father, I cannot go wrong (though I do many times!).
My God? He is everything my dad was not! He is loving, and kind, and full of compassion for His own, as well as for strangers. I love my God with all my heart--but I never really learned how to love my dad in the same way; I never seemed to live up to his expectations. Not that I live up to the Lord’s expectations, not by a long shot, but my Lord treats me better in spite of myself. Even when I fail Him, he is there to carry me through; oh, He punishes when necessary, but then He gently leads me out of mischief, and into a cradle of grace. My earthly dad never knew what grace was, at least he never let us know if he knew! I thank my God for being what I need Him to be; I thank Him greatly, and praise Him for being a Father unto me. Please do not think badly of my earthly father, he did not know any better--he did what he felt was best, but my Heavenly Father, He always does what is best, whether I think it good or not! He knows what’s best.
If your dad did not live up to your expectations of what a father should be, The Lord will, guaranteed! Make God your Father, and see what being a father is all about. With Christ as my friend, and God as my Father, I cannot go wrong (though I do many times!).
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
A Holy Family Tree
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Eph. 2:20)
It seems that there is a revived interest in family genealogies nowadays. Many people are excitedly tracing their “roots” and there are even ads on tv to find that great grandparent, or ancestor, etc. Suddenly it has become important to know about the history of our families, but there is a “family tree” that is traced through the Bible for each of us, if we know Christ as our personal Savior. It is built upon a solid foundation of apostolic authority, and Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone. The entire story is told in only four verses in Ephesians:
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
It is an “habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Actually it is two trees joined together in Christ, built upon the prophets for the Jewish race, and upon the apostles for the Gentiles. Being “fitly joined together,” both are made one in Christ. This union, unknown in the Old Testament, is a mystery that has been revealed in these latter days.
This family tree would begin with Jesus at the top, with twenty-four branches, which are the apostles and the prophets. These branches would branch out to multitudes of saints, down through the ages. The “tree” is indeed a “tree of life”, and is vast in proportion to any other ever known. All of us would be in there somewhere, and the myriads of branches would be endless, as if one would attempt to count the leaves on a huge, old tree. Praise God, we are all in the Lord’s family tree once we accept Christ as Savior!
It seems that there is a revived interest in family genealogies nowadays. Many people are excitedly tracing their “roots” and there are even ads on tv to find that great grandparent, or ancestor, etc. Suddenly it has become important to know about the history of our families, but there is a “family tree” that is traced through the Bible for each of us, if we know Christ as our personal Savior. It is built upon a solid foundation of apostolic authority, and Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone. The entire story is told in only four verses in Ephesians:
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
It is an “habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Actually it is two trees joined together in Christ, built upon the prophets for the Jewish race, and upon the apostles for the Gentiles. Being “fitly joined together,” both are made one in Christ. This union, unknown in the Old Testament, is a mystery that has been revealed in these latter days.
This family tree would begin with Jesus at the top, with twenty-four branches, which are the apostles and the prophets. These branches would branch out to multitudes of saints, down through the ages. The “tree” is indeed a “tree of life”, and is vast in proportion to any other ever known. All of us would be in there somewhere, and the myriads of branches would be endless, as if one would attempt to count the leaves on a huge, old tree. Praise God, we are all in the Lord’s family tree once we accept Christ as Savior!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Two related verses
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” Romans 10: 17
Hearing what? The Word of God.
The Word plants the seed;
It nourishes the “see“;
As we absorb the Word of God, we increase.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.” Psalm 119: 9
Taking heed “thereto”--to that effect; taking heed to cleansing;
Cleansing also comes by hearing (and heeding) the Word of God.
Initially we obtain faith, and at the same time we obtain cleansing.
Hearing is often spoken of as “heeding”; so then Faith cometh by hearing , and heeding by the Word of God. Heeding is applying it personally; as we apply it, we are cleansed by it. These two verses, though many years apart, are in harmony with one another.
Hearing what? The Word of God.
The Word plants the seed;
It nourishes the “see“;
As we absorb the Word of God, we increase.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.” Psalm 119: 9
Taking heed “thereto”--to that effect; taking heed to cleansing;
Cleansing also comes by hearing (and heeding) the Word of God.
Initially we obtain faith, and at the same time we obtain cleansing.
Hearing is often spoken of as “heeding”; so then Faith cometh by hearing , and heeding by the Word of God. Heeding is applying it personally; as we apply it, we are cleansed by it. These two verses, though many years apart, are in harmony with one another.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Out Of Context?
I am often accused of taking a verse out of context, but what many fail to see is the “context” of scripture as a whole! If it agrees with the line of scripture, then it is in context with scripture, and not merely the immediate text. To confine a passage or verse to one area of scripture isolates it from the rest of the context--that of the entire flow of scripture.
Here are three guidelines for us to determine whether a passage or verse betrays the text it is used in:
1. Does it glorify the Father?
2. Does it edify the saints?
3. Does it exemplify the Savior?
If the answer to all three of these is “yes” then it is doing what it was written for! Many New testament writers have quoted Old Testament passages and applied them differently than the way they used on the Old Books.
Be careful not to get so hung up on the immediate “context” that you miss the true “content” of the scripture!
Here are three guidelines for us to determine whether a passage or verse betrays the text it is used in:
1. Does it glorify the Father?
2. Does it edify the saints?
3. Does it exemplify the Savior?
If the answer to all three of these is “yes” then it is doing what it was written for! Many New testament writers have quoted Old Testament passages and applied them differently than the way they used on the Old Books.
Be careful not to get so hung up on the immediate “context” that you miss the true “content” of the scripture!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Many Mansions
John 14:1-6
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)
Where was Jesus going? To Calvary! Of course He was going to Heaven, but Calvary was where he provided a mansion for us. You see, the mansions already exist (v. 2 speaks of present tense), they are already waiting for us, and only God knows the number of them. A virtual Holy city--a city full of individual mansions, which are the proper dwelling for royalty! Jesus, in all actuality, prepared us for the mansion--He prepared a place for us in a mansion in Heaven. We must meet Him at Calvary first though before we can meet Him in Heaven; this refers us back to verse one: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” That is How we meet Jesus at Calvary. Until Christ died on the cross, we had no place in Heaven--no eternal life; Jesus had to go and prepare the way for us, and He is the Way; the “preparation“ is Calvary. (John 14:6).
If He goes (and He did go) he will doubtless come again to deliver us to our mansion--to take us to heaven to be with Him (v.3). The way has been prepared already. We know the way; we know that it is through Jesus that we will go to heaven and receive our mansion, because He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father” but by Him (v. 6).
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)
Where was Jesus going? To Calvary! Of course He was going to Heaven, but Calvary was where he provided a mansion for us. You see, the mansions already exist (v. 2 speaks of present tense), they are already waiting for us, and only God knows the number of them. A virtual Holy city--a city full of individual mansions, which are the proper dwelling for royalty! Jesus, in all actuality, prepared us for the mansion--He prepared a place for us in a mansion in Heaven. We must meet Him at Calvary first though before we can meet Him in Heaven; this refers us back to verse one: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” That is How we meet Jesus at Calvary. Until Christ died on the cross, we had no place in Heaven--no eternal life; Jesus had to go and prepare the way for us, and He is the Way; the “preparation“ is Calvary. (John 14:6).
If He goes (and He did go) he will doubtless come again to deliver us to our mansion--to take us to heaven to be with Him (v.3). The way has been prepared already. We know the way; we know that it is through Jesus that we will go to heaven and receive our mansion, because He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father” but by Him (v. 6).
Thursday, May 27, 2010
What Will it Take?
What will it take, my friend, to bring you humbly to the Lord? It Took a nervous breakdown to bring Nebuchadnezzar to God; it took a funeral to bring Isaiah to the Lord; it took a great storm and a big fish to bring Jonah back to God, and it took poverty and despair to bring the Prodigal back to the Father. What will it take for you? What took you away from the Lord in the first place? It took an earthquake to bring a jailer to God, and it took the death of a son to bring repentance to David’s heart, what will it take for you? What does it tale for me? We all have strayed; we all have fallen away; every one of us have chased shadows and come up empty. What else has to happen before we get right with our God? It begins with a look; that leads to a further thought; it grows into a desire, and is soon fulfilled in the taking or doing. It is so subtle, this thing called sin; it creeps in slowly, but is devastating when it gets to full force; it always brings disaster in the end. As devastating as it is, it takes devastating matters to overcome it; it takes a broken heart--or a crying spirit to rectify the damage that is done by sin, sometimes it takes the death of a friend or loved one to wake us up.
What will it take for you? It took depravity for me; it took vile affections, thoughts of suicide, and a reaching the “bottom of the barrel” for me. I hope it doesn’t take the same path for you.
What will it take for you? It took depravity for me; it took vile affections, thoughts of suicide, and a reaching the “bottom of the barrel” for me. I hope it doesn’t take the same path for you.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
the Nut
The Nut!
The nut that has a hard shell surrounding its meat is protected from the elements and the prey that may desire to sift and ravage its heart. The outside, though hard and useless is often a help to the nut, a protector of its precious fruit. Hardness then is not always bad--not when it hides the fruit from evil! In our world today, we must be nuts! We must be somewhat hard on the outside, but tender and good on the inside, although the hard shell must first be cracked open to reveal its treasure. Oh what a joy the meat is when we finally crack open the hard shell!
The cares of life will often harden the sweetness of the Christian, but thank God that the Spirit dwells within, and once the shell is penetrated, the sweetness shines through in all its glory. Hardness is not necessarily justified--it would be much easier to get to the fruit if we did not have break open the shell, but it is there for a reason. Nothing comes without sacrifice; little of worth comes without work. No labor equals no fruit; it is the same in nature as it is in the spirit. It is better not to have been hardened by life, but if we are, let us concentrate on getting to the fruit; The hardness is a shield, or wall, that we feel we must put up-- a defense against the evils of man, but it is time to throw down the stronghold, and let the fruit be discovered; only then are useful to God and man.
The nut that has a hard shell surrounding its meat is protected from the elements and the prey that may desire to sift and ravage its heart. The outside, though hard and useless is often a help to the nut, a protector of its precious fruit. Hardness then is not always bad--not when it hides the fruit from evil! In our world today, we must be nuts! We must be somewhat hard on the outside, but tender and good on the inside, although the hard shell must first be cracked open to reveal its treasure. Oh what a joy the meat is when we finally crack open the hard shell!
The cares of life will often harden the sweetness of the Christian, but thank God that the Spirit dwells within, and once the shell is penetrated, the sweetness shines through in all its glory. Hardness is not necessarily justified--it would be much easier to get to the fruit if we did not have break open the shell, but it is there for a reason. Nothing comes without sacrifice; little of worth comes without work. No labor equals no fruit; it is the same in nature as it is in the spirit. It is better not to have been hardened by life, but if we are, let us concentrate on getting to the fruit; The hardness is a shield, or wall, that we feel we must put up-- a defense against the evils of man, but it is time to throw down the stronghold, and let the fruit be discovered; only then are useful to God and man.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Becoming a Disciple
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” (John 8:31)
The subject is discipleship. The key word is “if”. you see, it is up to you whether you become a disciple or not; discipleship is more than believing--it is following; it is obeying; it is working. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31); being saved is not the sum of discipleship, but one earmark of discipleship is seen in the verse above: “If ye continue in my Word…”, continuing in the Word of God is good evidence of discipleship.
There are six verses in the New testament that describe what it means to be a disciple, three are found in Luke, and three in John. As for now though, we must focus on this one, which may be paramount to the others, or at least lead us to practice them. Just for the record, they are: (In Luke) Luke 14: 26~Luke 14:27, and Luke 14:33 and three in John--Jn. 8:31~Jn. 13:35 and Jn 15:8. These are, however, parenthetical for now, as we want to focus on staying in the Word of God.
It is said that Michael Jordan claimed to “eat, drink, and sleep” basketball. He became great because he continued, at all times, in all ways, to focus on the game. We need this sort of tenacity concerning the Word of God. We need to eat, drink, and sleep in the Word; we need to allow it to permeate our lives in every way, and consume our thoughts and actions. Only then can we hope to be considered a true disciple. If you wish to become a disciple of Christ, this is a great place to begin, if not, that is up to you.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
There are several other verses to that effect:
Col. 3:1-3; Phil. 4:8; Josh. 1:8, etc.
The subject is discipleship. The key word is “if”. you see, it is up to you whether you become a disciple or not; discipleship is more than believing--it is following; it is obeying; it is working. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31); being saved is not the sum of discipleship, but one earmark of discipleship is seen in the verse above: “If ye continue in my Word…”, continuing in the Word of God is good evidence of discipleship.
There are six verses in the New testament that describe what it means to be a disciple, three are found in Luke, and three in John. As for now though, we must focus on this one, which may be paramount to the others, or at least lead us to practice them. Just for the record, they are: (In Luke) Luke 14: 26~Luke 14:27, and Luke 14:33 and three in John--Jn. 8:31~Jn. 13:35 and Jn 15:8. These are, however, parenthetical for now, as we want to focus on staying in the Word of God.
It is said that Michael Jordan claimed to “eat, drink, and sleep” basketball. He became great because he continued, at all times, in all ways, to focus on the game. We need this sort of tenacity concerning the Word of God. We need to eat, drink, and sleep in the Word; we need to allow it to permeate our lives in every way, and consume our thoughts and actions. Only then can we hope to be considered a true disciple. If you wish to become a disciple of Christ, this is a great place to begin, if not, that is up to you.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
There are several other verses to that effect:
Col. 3:1-3; Phil. 4:8; Josh. 1:8, etc.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Faith, Hope, and Charity
Faith: (Heb. 11:1)
“Seeing the unseen; doing the undoable”
Whenever the Bible speaks of faith to the Christian, it refers to the “work of faith” in our hearts, as well as a work of faith in our lives. It is speaking of a daily faith that we must walk in every day, and exercise every moment. Faith is refusing to doubt; it is walking in the assurance that God will meet all needs; defeat all obstacles; and win all our battles for us. Simplified: it is trusting in His promises.
Hope: (Rom. 11:29)
“Hope is the wish that faith delivers”
Hope is not faith; it is weaker than faith; it is not expectation, but a longing; a wishful thinking It is man’s dream apart from God’s grace. Many times we mistake hope for faith. Hope has no power; it moves no mountains--but it rides upon the wind and dissipates as a cloud; it delivers nothing. Hope only sees what faith delivers…yet we must never lose hope in the Lord, never quit dreaming.
Charity (1 Cor. 13)
“Charity is the essence of love”
Of the “big three” Charity rates the highest! Yes, even higher than faith for the Bible says “The greatest of these is charity” (1 Cor. 13:13). Charity is love’s action; it is the greatest because it gives, which is the ultimate goal of love--to give. Charity is the “giving” of love, and our God set the example--“For God so loved that He gave…” That, my friends, is the ultimate charity.
“Seeing the unseen; doing the undoable”
Whenever the Bible speaks of faith to the Christian, it refers to the “work of faith” in our hearts, as well as a work of faith in our lives. It is speaking of a daily faith that we must walk in every day, and exercise every moment. Faith is refusing to doubt; it is walking in the assurance that God will meet all needs; defeat all obstacles; and win all our battles for us. Simplified: it is trusting in His promises.
Hope: (Rom. 11:29)
“Hope is the wish that faith delivers”
Hope is not faith; it is weaker than faith; it is not expectation, but a longing; a wishful thinking It is man’s dream apart from God’s grace. Many times we mistake hope for faith. Hope has no power; it moves no mountains--but it rides upon the wind and dissipates as a cloud; it delivers nothing. Hope only sees what faith delivers…yet we must never lose hope in the Lord, never quit dreaming.
Charity (1 Cor. 13)
“Charity is the essence of love”
Of the “big three” Charity rates the highest! Yes, even higher than faith for the Bible says “The greatest of these is charity” (1 Cor. 13:13). Charity is love’s action; it is the greatest because it gives, which is the ultimate goal of love--to give. Charity is the “giving” of love, and our God set the example--“For God so loved that He gave…” That, my friends, is the ultimate charity.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Grey Areasa
Gray Areas?
Often, when we are debating an issue, someone will challenge us with “Chapter and verse please”, but there is not always a chapter and verse for things that are right. Why don’t they ask the Holy Spirit for chapter and verse? Let me say first that there are no gray areas, not really; my Bible is written in black and white, and is as plain as black and white. Nevertheless, here are seven guidelines for us to use to determine what is right and wrong when there may not seem to be an applicable verse:
Ask yourself “How does this affect me…”
1. Spiritually?
2. Mentally? (see James 1:8)
3. Morally?
4. Emotionally?
5. Ethically?
6. Physically?
7. and Socially.?
If you are honest, you will get your answer as to whether something is wrong or right, and how important it might be to you.
This is true with standards that some claim are more preference than scriptural; Many times people say that to skirt the issue, and are most likely under conviction. You cannot fight the Holy Spirit, nor argue Him away.
Often, when we are debating an issue, someone will challenge us with “Chapter and verse please”, but there is not always a chapter and verse for things that are right. Why don’t they ask the Holy Spirit for chapter and verse? Let me say first that there are no gray areas, not really; my Bible is written in black and white, and is as plain as black and white. Nevertheless, here are seven guidelines for us to use to determine what is right and wrong when there may not seem to be an applicable verse:
Ask yourself “How does this affect me…”
1. Spiritually?
2. Mentally? (see James 1:8)
3. Morally?
4. Emotionally?
5. Ethically?
6. Physically?
7. and Socially.?
If you are honest, you will get your answer as to whether something is wrong or right, and how important it might be to you.
This is true with standards that some claim are more preference than scriptural; Many times people say that to skirt the issue, and are most likely under conviction. You cannot fight the Holy Spirit, nor argue Him away.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Christian Service
Christians nowadays put a lot of emphasis on our own works. What I mean is that we feel that the busier we are running to and fro, and doing the things we do “for the Lord” is our service or worship to Him. My friends, worship is a personal thing; it is an intimate relationship between us and our Savior. Our service may show that we believe; it may exalt us to certain heights, and gain us favor and position, but many times, it is simply a dead end when it comes to worshipping our Lord. Perhaps this is why we sometimes “burn out” for the Lord, we are too busy working to worship!
“Worship” is defined as:
“1. To adore; to pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration.”
2. To respect; to honor; to treat with civil reverence. Etc.
This we do in our hearts, and not in our actions. Jesus said “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4:24) I believe that this is what the Lord was speaking of. The key word is “adoration”; when we truly adore someone, they consume all our thoughts all the time, yet sometimes we get so busy serving the Lord, we do not take time to adore Him! Adoration is defined thusly:
“1. To worship with profound reverence; to address with exalted thoughts, by prayer and thanksgiving; to pay divine honors to; to honor as a god or as divine.
2. To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost esteem, affection and respect; as, the people adore their prince.” (Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English, of 1828)
We worship the Lord in our “closet” rather than in our outward acts.
“Worship” is defined as:
“1. To adore; to pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration.”
2. To respect; to honor; to treat with civil reverence. Etc.
This we do in our hearts, and not in our actions. Jesus said “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4:24) I believe that this is what the Lord was speaking of. The key word is “adoration”; when we truly adore someone, they consume all our thoughts all the time, yet sometimes we get so busy serving the Lord, we do not take time to adore Him! Adoration is defined thusly:
“1. To worship with profound reverence; to address with exalted thoughts, by prayer and thanksgiving; to pay divine honors to; to honor as a god or as divine.
2. To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost esteem, affection and respect; as, the people adore their prince.” (Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English, of 1828)
We worship the Lord in our “closet” rather than in our outward acts.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Fire and Light
Spurgeon once said “There must be light as well as fire. Some preachers are all light, and no fire, and others are all fire and no light; what we want is both fire and light.” We need to light the fires of zeal under God’s children, but we also need to give them something to get excited about! The zeal is fine, but it must be accompanied by wisdom; any sermon that has the fire of God also must have the practicality of man to be effective. I speak in the both senses of this thought, the sermonizer and the hearer. The sermonizer must give practical wisdom with the encouragement of zeal, while the hearer must receive zeal, and use wisdom in applying it. Both are essential to the work of the Lord, there is no true light without fire.
Some have said “Where there is smoke, there is fire”, let not our lives be filled with smoke only, but with the fire of the Lord.
Some have said “Where there is smoke, there is fire”, let not our lives be filled with smoke only, but with the fire of the Lord.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The early Bird
Just this morning, as I gazed from my window, and the sun was peeking over the horizon, I chanced to see the early bird. He was magnificent! A colorful bird, he was, and industrious above all the others. This bird was hopping around on the ground as if it was hunting--and indeed, it was. Soon I saw him lower his head quickly, and latch on to a worm. The worm struggled a little, writhing, and curling itself up, trying to get away, but he was no match for the early bird; The magnificent bird began back stepping, and literally pulled the worm from his lair, and then, as if it were “all in a days work” the bird began to search again, that worm was history. It wasn’t long before he had found another, and another; soon he was out of sight, and had fattened himself with the delicacies of earth. I sat there reflecting for a moment on what I had seen, and realized that I had learned the great truth of a maxim… I discovered that, indeed it is the “early bird that catches the worm.”
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Master of Wind and Wave
Matthew 9
Isn’t it amazing that the elements, which have no scruples at all--no sense of right and wrong--no will of their own can obey the words of our Lord, when men have such a time doing it? One clearly sees that the Word of the Lord has great power; the elements have no choice but to obey, and why should they hope to do otherwise? My friends, we hold this same Word in our hands every day! What power we possess! What neglect we give to it!
The atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima told of an awesome power--so powerful that man stood in awe at its destructive force, and yet, we hold a greater power in our hands in the Bible! The Word is greater in that it creates instead of destroys. The one has the power to destroy the world, while the other has the power to create it. To make something out of nothing is by far a more awesome power than that which destroys what has been made. Japan saw devastating, unbelievable destruction when the bomb was dropped, and yet the miracle of birth is seen every day, and little is said about it. The Japanese saw death, chaos, mass destruction, while the birth of a child sees a vibrant new life; which do you suppose is the greater of the two? Yes, Jesus is Master of wind and wave, but He has yet to master the hearts of men. It seems that the elements, though having no sense at all, are wiser than the wisest of men. Don’t take the Bible for granted; let it build your life into a vibrant, new life also, by regeneration.
Isn’t it amazing that the elements, which have no scruples at all--no sense of right and wrong--no will of their own can obey the words of our Lord, when men have such a time doing it? One clearly sees that the Word of the Lord has great power; the elements have no choice but to obey, and why should they hope to do otherwise? My friends, we hold this same Word in our hands every day! What power we possess! What neglect we give to it!
The atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima told of an awesome power--so powerful that man stood in awe at its destructive force, and yet, we hold a greater power in our hands in the Bible! The Word is greater in that it creates instead of destroys. The one has the power to destroy the world, while the other has the power to create it. To make something out of nothing is by far a more awesome power than that which destroys what has been made. Japan saw devastating, unbelievable destruction when the bomb was dropped, and yet the miracle of birth is seen every day, and little is said about it. The Japanese saw death, chaos, mass destruction, while the birth of a child sees a vibrant new life; which do you suppose is the greater of the two? Yes, Jesus is Master of wind and wave, but He has yet to master the hearts of men. It seems that the elements, though having no sense at all, are wiser than the wisest of men. Don’t take the Bible for granted; let it build your life into a vibrant, new life also, by regeneration.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Virgin Birth
The Catholics call it the “Immaculate conception”, and yes, they too teach that Mary was a virgin, but she was not “immaculate“, or without sin. This virgin birth is of the utmost significance when it comes to our salvation. Why? Because it was necessary that no man have a part in the birth of Christ, else sin would have passed on to our Lord. The Bible says that sin is passed on from man to man, and generation to generation through natural birth. Look at Romans 5:12: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” You see, without the virgin birth, we have no Redeemer! We have no forgiveness of sin, and no perfect sacrifice for it; we are all hopelessly lost except for Calvary, and the fact of the virgin birth; the immaculate Savior was all it took to wipe all sin from our souls. Only He was as a lamb without blemish, and therefore, only he could raise again from the grave, defeating sin and death. Thank God for the virgin birth.
In His book, “The Chemistry of the Blood”, Dr. M.R. Dehaan (a medical doctor), says that the blood of a fetus is always from the father, and not from the mother (this is why doctors can tell who the natural father of a baby is by merely taking a blood test and matching the DNA). Thus, the blood of Christ is Holy blood, and is not tainted by man, but is of The Father! It is His blood that atones for sin, and none else.
In His book, “The Chemistry of the Blood”, Dr. M.R. Dehaan (a medical doctor), says that the blood of a fetus is always from the father, and not from the mother (this is why doctors can tell who the natural father of a baby is by merely taking a blood test and matching the DNA). Thus, the blood of Christ is Holy blood, and is not tainted by man, but is of The Father! It is His blood that atones for sin, and none else.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Glory of Suffering
1 PETER 2:19,20
There is a certain glory in suffering wrongfully and taking it patiently. Christ entered into His glory at the point of suffering wrongfully (Lk. 24:26), and when we enter into His suffering, or suffer with Him, it is only at this point that we do so. When we are “buffeted” for our faults, this is justice; but if we are buffeted “innocently”, this is glory for us Look at 1 Peter 4:14: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” Do you want the Spirit of God to rest upon you? If so, you need to pay the price. Consider also the three Hebrew children of Daniel 3: Until they entered the fire, they did not see Jesus, but as soon as they were in the fiery furnace of affliction, Jesus came to visit! Jesus is there for us, whenever we need Him, and even when we think we don’t! So we see the value of patience. Are you willing to enter the fire?
There is a certain glory in suffering wrongfully and taking it patiently. Christ entered into His glory at the point of suffering wrongfully (Lk. 24:26), and when we enter into His suffering, or suffer with Him, it is only at this point that we do so. When we are “buffeted” for our faults, this is justice; but if we are buffeted “innocently”, this is glory for us Look at 1 Peter 4:14: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” Do you want the Spirit of God to rest upon you? If so, you need to pay the price. Consider also the three Hebrew children of Daniel 3: Until they entered the fire, they did not see Jesus, but as soon as they were in the fiery furnace of affliction, Jesus came to visit! Jesus is there for us, whenever we need Him, and even when we think we don’t! So we see the value of patience. Are you willing to enter the fire?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
An Unknown Tongue
The Language of Love
Who can know the mighty depths of the Love of God? The most loving person this world has ever known has but touched the outer fringes of the love of God. It was love that brought Christ down from Heaven, and love compelled Him to die at Calvary’s hill. His was a love that is unapproachable, and yet, by the grace of God, we are privileged to know Him intimately. Only the heart can understand true love, and yet no man can reach unto the heights of the love of God.
What language does God speak?
The language of joy; of peace, and a tender moment;
Perfect love, and everlasting Mercy:
The language of the heart.
Surely He doth speak in an unknown tongue.
Who understands His great Wisdom?
Who knows His perfect love?
Who can tell His absolute Truth?
Who discerns the heart of man?
Surely He doeth speak in an unknown tongue.
He hears the voice of sorrows,
The silence of a broken heart;
He hears the agonizing cry of a single tear,
And He sends His angels to help.
Surely He knoweth the unknown tongue.
The heart speaks a language unknown to man,
But God knows all its thoughts;
He answers the need of the crying soul,
His blessings He doth impart.
Surely He heareth the voice of the heart;
He speaketh in an unknown tongue.
Who can know the mighty depths of the Love of God? The most loving person this world has ever known has but touched the outer fringes of the love of God. It was love that brought Christ down from Heaven, and love compelled Him to die at Calvary’s hill. His was a love that is unapproachable, and yet, by the grace of God, we are privileged to know Him intimately. Only the heart can understand true love, and yet no man can reach unto the heights of the love of God.
What language does God speak?
The language of joy; of peace, and a tender moment;
Perfect love, and everlasting Mercy:
The language of the heart.
Surely He doth speak in an unknown tongue.
Who understands His great Wisdom?
Who knows His perfect love?
Who can tell His absolute Truth?
Who discerns the heart of man?
Surely He doeth speak in an unknown tongue.
He hears the voice of sorrows,
The silence of a broken heart;
He hears the agonizing cry of a single tear,
And He sends His angels to help.
Surely He knoweth the unknown tongue.
The heart speaks a language unknown to man,
But God knows all its thoughts;
He answers the need of the crying soul,
His blessings He doth impart.
Surely He heareth the voice of the heart;
He speaketh in an unknown tongue.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF HUMAN RELATIONS
Building relationships
1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes seventy-two muscles to frown, and only fourteen to smile.
3. Call people by name. The sweetest music to most men’s ears is the sound of their own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful. If you would have friends, be friendly.
5. Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is genuinely a pleasure; make it a pleasure to do so.
6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost anybody if you try.
7. Be generous with praise—cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. Walk a mile in their shoes; their pain is real, though it may seem trivial to you..
9. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
10. Add to this a good sense of humor; a big dose of patience, and plenty of humility, and you will be rewarded many-fold.
--copied
1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes seventy-two muscles to frown, and only fourteen to smile.
3. Call people by name. The sweetest music to most men’s ears is the sound of their own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful. If you would have friends, be friendly.
5. Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is genuinely a pleasure; make it a pleasure to do so.
6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost anybody if you try.
7. Be generous with praise—cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. Walk a mile in their shoes; their pain is real, though it may seem trivial to you..
9. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
10. Add to this a good sense of humor; a big dose of patience, and plenty of humility, and you will be rewarded many-fold.
--copied
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Clouds of Sin
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
Our Lord has promised never to leave us, nor forsake us. This has been a very precious verse in the lives of my wife and me over the years, and we had to often remind ourselves of the truth of it; that being said, it doesn’t mean that we will never withdraw from the Lord. Our text verse tells us that we can fail to “walk in the light” and break fellowship with the Lord as a result of it. Just as the clouds obscure the sunlight, and turn the day into a dark, and dismal day, so can sin obscure the light of God’s presence, and turn our lives into seeming chaos. We all know on a very dark and gloomy day, that the sun is there hiding somewhere behind the clouds; it is still shining, but the clouds have come between us and the brightness of it; and, in the same way, the Son is still there when we have sinned, but the light of His glory has been obscured by sin, and the brightness has been dimmed. When we finally discover that this has happened, we need to get back to the place of fellowship with Him; we need to confess that sin, humbly, and sincerely and the glory of God will shine on us once more. Let’s be sure that we get back to the light, and the fellowship of the Father in Christ, and that we dwell there so that we never stray far away again. Everyone seems to like a bright sunny day much more than the overcast cloudy day; we seem to be in higher spirits when the sun shines brightly.
Our Lord has promised never to leave us, nor forsake us. This has been a very precious verse in the lives of my wife and me over the years, and we had to often remind ourselves of the truth of it; that being said, it doesn’t mean that we will never withdraw from the Lord. Our text verse tells us that we can fail to “walk in the light” and break fellowship with the Lord as a result of it. Just as the clouds obscure the sunlight, and turn the day into a dark, and dismal day, so can sin obscure the light of God’s presence, and turn our lives into seeming chaos. We all know on a very dark and gloomy day, that the sun is there hiding somewhere behind the clouds; it is still shining, but the clouds have come between us and the brightness of it; and, in the same way, the Son is still there when we have sinned, but the light of His glory has been obscured by sin, and the brightness has been dimmed. When we finally discover that this has happened, we need to get back to the place of fellowship with Him; we need to confess that sin, humbly, and sincerely and the glory of God will shine on us once more. Let’s be sure that we get back to the light, and the fellowship of the Father in Christ, and that we dwell there so that we never stray far away again. Everyone seems to like a bright sunny day much more than the overcast cloudy day; we seem to be in higher spirits when the sun shines brightly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
