Get out of the Boat

The Doctrine of Election

2007-05-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Doctrine of Election:

What is it?
Election is God's decision to choose us to be saved before the foundation of the world.

Predestination is another word that will be frequently used, it is a broader term that encompasses two aspects. For believers, election; for unbelievers, reprobation. However, double predestination is not a helpful term in this discussion. It gives the impression that both election and reprobation are carried out in the same way by God and have no essential differences between them. This is not the case as we will find out in the next two posts.

Scriptural Basis for Election:
Election is an act of God before creation in which He chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of His sovereign good pleasure.

A. Does the New Testament Teach Predestination?

1. Acts 13:48 "And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed."
2. Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
3. Romans 9:11-13 "though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad--in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call--she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' As it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'"
4. Romans 11:7 "What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,"
5. Ephesians 1:4-6 "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."
6. Ephesians 1:12 "so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."
7. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
8. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."
9. 1 Timothy 5:21 "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality."
10. 2 Timothy 1:9 "who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."
11. 1 Peter 1:1 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,"
12. 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
13. Revelation 13:7-8 "Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain."
14. Revelation 17:8 "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come."

Clearly the New Testement teaches Election, but how are we to understand what Election is.
What can we see from these 14 passages listed?
1. There will be Gentiles among the elect.
2. The elect are predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ.
3. They are called, justified, and glorified.
4. Election is not from any works that we have done.
5. Election is according to God's purpose.
6. There elect Jews as well as elect Gentiles.
7. We are chosen through Jesus Christ from before the foundation of the world.
8. The purpose of Election is that the elect would live a Holy and Blameless Life.
9. The elect are Adopted through Jesus Christ.
10. Election is according to the purpose of God's Will.
11. It is also from and through God's Grace.
12. The Elect are Blessed through this election and called Beloved.
13. It is the the Praise of Jesus Christ's Glroy.
14. The elect are Loved by the Lord.
15. God does the chosing.
16. Election is realized those that receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
17. The power behind election is the working of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
18. The Holy Spirit convicts us of the Gospel and the realization of our Election.
19. God does the chosing.
20. Election is enacted by the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit.
21. Election is also enacted by Belief in the Truth (the Gospel of Jesus Christ).
22. There are Elect Angels as well as Jews and Gentiles.
23. God does the chosing.
24. The elect are called to Holy living.
25. Election is not from the works of man.
26. Election is by the Grace of God.
27. Election is according to the Purpose of God.
28. Election was determined before the beginning.
29. In Peter's day there was a dispersion of the elect out of Israel.
30. The Elect are a chosen race.
31. The Elect are a Royal Preisthood.
32. The Elect are a Holy Nation.
33. The Elect are a People for God.
34. The Elect are to proclaim the excellencies of God.
35. The Elect have been saved from Darkness and into Light.
36. Satan will not have power over the Elect, but He will be allowed to conquer them.
37. Election was determined before the foundation of the World.
38. Those who are not elect will marvel at the Beast (Antichrist).

We can group these into 3 main catagories:

A. Comfort: Romans 8:28-30 is very clear on this issue. God's foreknowledge should bring great comfort to the believer. In the past, before the foundations of the world God has predestined His people to be conformed into the likeness of Christ; in the recent past, He has called and justified those whom He has predestined; and in the future at Christ's return He will grant perfect and glorified bodies to those who have believed in Jesus Christ.
So, in the past and in the future we can see that God is working all things to the good of those who love Him, and we can deduce that even now (just like in the past and in the future) God is working all things out for our good.

B. A Reason to Praise God: Ephesians 1:5-6, 12; 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 4; and 2 Thessalonians 2:13 all speak towards this.
We are predestined to be God's sons "to the praise of His glroy." Paul gave thanks to God for those who were predestined and even in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 he said that He was bound to give thanks! We are obligated to thank God for our salvation as well as the salvation of others.
Understanding this aspect of Predestination will seriously reduce any pride that we might have towards our salvation. For in continually giving thanks to God for our salvation, we will remember that it was He who has done the saving, and we could never earn it.

C. Encouragement to Evangelism: 2 Timothy 2:10 is what Paul clings to in Evangelism. He understands that not all will be saved but is encouraged to Preach non-the-less knowing that some have been predestined and He will have some success even though for the most part He will endure suffering.

There are some Misunderstandings of the Doctrine of Election:

1. Fatalistic or Mechanistic:

2. Election is based on God's Foreknowledge of Our Faith:

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Incomplete:

In Christ,

David

Common Grace

2007-01-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Common Grace:

What is it?
Common Grace is the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation.

Adam and Eve became worthy of eternal punishment and separation from God when they sinned!
1 Peter 2:4 "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;"
God had the right to do the same with Adam and Eve...but He chose to show them Grace!

Examples:
1. Physical Realm: Every breath that an unbeliever takes (for that matter that anyone takes) is a gift of God. It is undeserved! The Earth produces vegetation for us to eat and raise animals rather than being completely cursed and allowing nothing to grow like the other planets!

2. Intellectual Realm: All people have some grasp of the truth. All people have a knowledge of God (Romans 1:21). Also all Science and technology carried out by non-Christians is a result of common grace, allowing them to make incredible discoveries and inventions, to develop the earth's resources into many material goods, to produce and distribute those resources, and to have skill in their productive work.

3. Moral Realm: Common grace restrains people from being as evil as they could be. Also by giving warning of final judgment in the operation of the natural world.

4. Creative Realm: God has allowed significant measures of skill in artistic and musical areas, as well as in other spheres in which reativity and skill can be expressed, shuch as athletics, cooking, and writing.

5. Societal Realm: Families, Government, laws, police forces, judicial systems, human societies, educational institutions, businesses, corporations, and voluntary associations. All because of God's common Grace.

6. Religious Realm: Although God has not promised to answer the prayers of unbelievers...He does answer some prayers! This is out of His common Grace. And also the proclamation of the Gospel to those who do not ultimately accept it is a clear declaration of the mercy and grace of God, which gives clear witness to the fact that God does not delight in the death or condemnation of any of his creatures (Ezek 33:11, 1 Tim 2:4).

7. Common Grace and Special Grace Influence each other: The Grace that God bestows on all (common Grace) most definately influences Special Grace. God blesses His people with other gifts...but lets look at an example:
A church is looking to expand it's building, they seek out a construction company to do the work at a resonable price. Many of the men who work on the church may not be saved...but the gifts that God has blessed them with do to common grace a certainly influencing that local body of believers with a new building.

8. Common Grace does not save people: Common grace is different than saving grace! It does not change peoples hearts nor bring them to genuine repentance and faith--it cannot and does not save people. It restrains sin, but it does not change anyone's foundational disposition to sin, nor does it in any significant measure purify fallen human nature.
Also the actions of unbelievers performed by virture of common grace do not in themselves merit God's approval or favor. These actions do not spring from faith and "For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." Romans 14:23b

Reasons:
1. To Redeem those who WILL be Saved: The day of final judgment and punishment is being delayed because there are more people that will be saved. 2 Peter 3:9-10 "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."

2. To Demonstrate God's Goodness and Mercy: God demonstrates His Goodness and Mercy in the Salvation of believers as well as Blessing undeserving sinners. Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." God's kindness is revealed in the universe to His glory. Psalm 145:9 "9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." God showers untold blessings upon all men and also clearly indicates that these are the expressions of a favorable disposition in God, which falls short however of the positive volition to pardon their sin, to lift their sentence, and to grant them salvation. It is not unjust for God to delay execution of punishment upon sin and to give temporary blessings to human beings, because the punishment is not forgotten, but just delayed. In delaying punishment, God shows clearly that he has no pleasure in executing final judgment, but rather delights in the salvation of men and women. Ezekiel 33:11 "Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?" 1 Timothy 2:4 "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." In all of this the delay of punishment gives clear evidence of God's mercy and goodness and love.

3. To Demonstrate God's Justice: When God repeatedly invites sinners to come to faith and when they repeatedly refuse his invitations, the justice of God in condemning them is seen much more clearly. Paul warns that those who persist in unbelief are simply storing up more wrath for themselvs. Romans 2:5 "But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed." On the day of judgment every mouth will be stopped and no one will be able to object that God has been unjust. Romans 3:19 "Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God."

4. To Demonstrate God's Glory: Finally, God's glory is shown in many ways by the activities of human beings in all the areas in which common grace is operative.In developing and exercisin dominion over the earth, men and women demonstrate and reflect the wisdom of their Creator, demonstrate God-like qualities of skill and moral virtue and authority over the universe, and so forth. Though all fo these activities are tainted by sinful motives, they nonetheless reflect the excellence of our Creator and therefore bring glory to God, no fully or perfectly, but nonetheless significantly.

Our Response:
1. Common Grace does not mean that those who receive it will be saved: Even exceptionally large amounts of common grace do not imply that those who receive it will be saved. Even the most skilled, most intelligent, most wealthy and powerful people in the world still need the gospel of Jesus Christ or they will be condemned for eternity! Even the most moral and kind of our neighbors still need the gospel of Jesus Christ or they will be condemned for eternity! They may appear outwardly to have no needs, but Scripture still says that unbelievers are enemies of God and are agianst Christ. They live as enemies of the cross of Christ and have their minds set on earthly things and are by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Romans 5:10 "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."
Colossians 1:21 "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds."
James 4:4 "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Matthew 12:30 "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Philippians 3:18-19 "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."
Ephesians 2:3 "among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

2. We must be careful not to reject the Good things that Unbelievers do as Totally Evil: By common grace, unbelievers do some good, and we should see God's hand in it and be thankful for common grace as it operates in every friendship, every act of kindness, every way in which it brings blessing to others. All of this -- though the unbeliever does not know it -- is ultimately from God and He deserves the glory for it.

3. The Doctrine of Common Grace should stir our Hearts to Much Greater Thankfulness to God: When we walk down the street and see houses and gardens and families dwelling in security, or when we do business in the marketplace and see the abundant results of technological progress, or when we walk through the woods and see the beauty of nature, or when we are protected by government, or when we are educated from the vast storehouse of human knowledge, we should realize not only that God in his sovereignty is ultimately responsible for all of these blessings, but also that God has granted them all to sinners who are totally underserving of any of them! These blessings in the world are not only evidence of God's power and wisdom, they are also continually a manifestation of his abundant grace. The realization of this face should cause our hearts to swell with thanksgiving to God in every activity of life.

In Christ,

David

Sin in Our Life

2006-12-26T16:48:00.000-08:00

1. All people are Sinful before God:

The Universal sinfulness of mankind.
Ps. 14:3 "They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one."

1 Kings 8:46 "If they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near,"

Proverbs 20:9 "Who can say, 'I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin'?"

Romans 1:18-3:20

Romans 3:9-10 "What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one;'"

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

James 3:2 "For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body."

1 John 1:8-10 "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

2. Does our Ability Limit our Responsibility:
The idea that we are responsible before God only for what we are able to do is contrary to the testimony of Scripture, which affirms both that we "were dead through the trespasses and sins" in which we once walked (Eph 2:1), and thus unable to do any spiritual good, and also that we are all guilty before God. Moreover, if our responsibility before God were limited by our ability, then extremely hardened sinners, who are in great bondage to sin, could be less guilty before God than mature Christians who were stribing daily to obey him. And Satan himself, who is eternally able to do only evil, would have no guilt at all-- surely an incorrect conclusion.
The true measure of our responsibility and guilt is not our own ability to obey God, but rather the absolute perfection of God's moral law and his own holiness (which is reflected in that law). "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

3. Are Infants Guilty Before they Commit Actual Sins:
Some maintain that Scripture teaches an "Age of Accountability" before which young children are not held responsible for sin and are not counted guilty before God. However, the passages listed in the last post about "Inherited Sin" indicate that even before birth children have a guilty standing before God and a sinful nature that not only gives them a tendency to sin but also causes God to view them as "sinners."
The passages that speak of final judgment in terms of actual sinful deeds that have been done (Romans 2:6-11) do not say anything about thebasis of judgment when there have been no individual actions of right or wrong as with children dying in early infancy. In such cases we must accept the Scriptures that talk about ourselves as having a sinful nature from before the time of birth. Furthermore, we must realize that a child's sinful nature manifests itself very early certainly within the first two years of a child's life, as anyone who has raised children can affirm. Ps. 58:3 "The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies."

What about those who die before they are old enough to understand and believe the Gospel?

Here we must say that if such infants are saved, it cannot be on their own merits, or on the basis of their own righteousness or innocence, but it must be entirely on the basis of Christ's redemptive work and regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit within them. "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2:5 and "Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'" John 3:3.
Yet it certainly is possible for God to bring regeneration (that is, new spiritual life) to an infant even before he or she is born. This was true of John the Baptist, for the angel Gabriel, before John was born said, "for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb." Luke 1:15 We might say that John the Baptist was "born again" before he was born! There is a similar example in Psalm 22:10 "On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God." It is clear therefore that God is able to save infants in an unusual way, apart from their hearing and understanding the gospel, by brining regeneration to them very early, sometimes even before birth. This regeneration is probably also followed at once by a nascent, intuitive awareness of God and trust in him at an extremely early age, but this is something we simply cannot understand.
We must however, affirm very clearly that this is not the usual way for God to save people. Salvation usually occurs when someone hears and understands the gospel and then places trust in Christ.
Regarding the children of unbelievers who die at a very early age Scripture is silent. We simply must leave that matter in the hands of God and trust him to be both just and merciful. If they are saved, it will not be on the basis of any merit of their own or any innocence that we might presume that they have. If they are saved, it will be on the basis of Christ's redeeming work; and their regeneration, like that of John the Baptist before he was born, will be by God's mercy and grace. Salvation is always because of his mercy, not because of our merits (see Romans 9:14-18). Scripture does not allow us to say more than that.

4. Are there Degrees of Sin:
Are some sins worse than other? Yes or no...depending on the sense in which it is intended.

a. Legal Guilt:
In terms of legal standing before God...any one sin, even what may seem to be a very small one, makes us legally guilty before God and therefore worthy of eternal punishment!

Genesis 2:17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Romans 5:16 "And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification."

Galatians 3:10 (Paul quoting Deut 27:26) "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, 'Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.'"

James 2:10-11 "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law."

Therefore in terms of legal guilt, all sins are equally bad because they make us legally guilty before God and constitute us as sinners.

b. Results in Life and in Relationship with God:

5. What happens when a Christian Sins:

a. Our Legal Standing before God is Unchanged:

When a Christian sins, his or her legal standing before God is unchanged. He or she is still forgiven, for "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1.

Why is this?
Salvation is not based on Our Merits, but it is a free gift of God (Romans 6:23), and Christ's death certainly paid for all our sins--past, present, and future-- Christ died "for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3), without distinction.

Check out these two verses from 1 John:

1 John 1:8
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

1 John 3:2
"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

The fact that we have sin remaining in our lives does not mean that we lose our status as God's children!

b. Our Fellowship with God is disrupted and Our Christian Life is Damaged:

When we sin, even though God does not cease to love us, he is displeased with us.
Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Here God through Paul tells us that we can but should not grieve Him.

Also, Hebrews 12:6, 9-10 "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." "Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness."

When we sin as Christians, it is not only our personal relationship with God that is disrupted, our Christian life and fruitfulness in ministry are also damaged.

John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
When we stray from fellowship with Christ because of sin in our lives, we diminish the degree to which we are abiding in Christ.

c. The Danger of "Unconverted Evangelicals:

While a genuine Christian who sins does not lose his or her justification or adoption before God, there needs to be a clear warning that mere association with an evangelical church and outward conformity to accepted "Christian" patterns of behavior does not guarantee salvation.
Particularly in societies and cultures where it is easy or even axpected for people to profess to be Christians, there is a real possibility that some will associate with the church who are not genuinely born again. If such people then become more and more disobedient to Christ in their pattern of life, they should not be lulled into complacency by assurances that they still have justification or adoption in God's family. A consistent pattern of disobedience to Christ coupled with a lack of the elements of the fruit of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, and so forth (Galatians 5:22-23) is a warning signal that the person is probably not a true Christian inwardly, that there probably has been no genuine heart-faith from the beginning and no regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:4 "Whoever says 'I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,'". John is speaking not of a one time occurrance, but of a consistant pattern of life.

6. The Unpardonable Sin:
Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29-30, Luke 12:10, Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-27, and 1 John 5:16-17

When we examine each of these in their contexts we find that this sin consists of unusually malicious, willful rejection and slander against the Holy Spirit's work attesting to Christ, and attributing that work to Satan. A closer look at the context of Jesus' statement in Matthew and Mark shows that Jesus was speaking in response to the accusation of the Pharisees that "it is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons" (Matt 12:24).
It is only after Jesus clearly explains that what He does is by the power of God (Matt 12:28) and gives a warning to the Pharisees that you are either for or against Him, there is no middle ground (Matt 12:30), that He says that all every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit! (Matt 12:31).

Simplified this means:

1. A clear knowledge of who Christ is and of the power of the Holy Spirit working through Him.
2. A willful rejection of the facts about Christ that his opponents knew to be true.
3. Slanderously attributing the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ to the power of Satan.

In Such a case the hardness of heart would be so great that any ordinary means of brining a sinner to repentance would already have been rejected. Persuasion of truth will not work, for these people have already known the truth and rejected it. Demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit to heal and bring life will not work, for they have seen it and rejected it. In this case it is not that the sin itself is so horrible that it could not be covered by Christ's redemptive work, but rather that the sinner's hardened heart puts him or her beyond the reach of God's ordinary means of bringing forgiveness because it cuts off the sinner from repentance and saving faith through belief in the truth.

This fits well with all the verses listed above except 1 John 5:16-17. This verse seems to suggest a sin that if it is persisted in will lead to death.
This sin seems to involve the teaching of serious doctrinal error about Christ. In the context of asking in faith according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15) John simply tells us that he does not say that we can pray in faith for God simply to forgive that sin unless the person repents--but he certainly does not prohibit praying that the heretical teachers would turn from their heresy and repent and thereby find forgiveness.

7. The Punishment of Sin:

God does punish sin!

Yes, it does serve as a deterrent against further sinning and as a warning to those who observe it. But this is not the primary reason God punishes sin!

The Primary reason that GOd punishes sin is: God's righteousness demand it! So that He might be glorified in the universe that he has created.

Check this out from Romans 3

Romans 3:25 "whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith."...
God put forward as a propitiation...His Son Jesus! But why would God do this?
"This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins." To show God's RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!!!

If God had not sent Jesus, God would not be shown to be righteous because He would have passed over sins and not punished them! People could then rightly, accuse God of unrighteousness.

Romans 3:26 "It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Therefore in the cross we have a clear demonstration of the reason God punishes sin: if he did not punish sin he would not be a righteous God, and there would be no ultimate justice in the universe. But when Sin is punished, God is showing himself to be a righteous judge over all, and justice is being done in his universe.

In Christ,

David

Inherited Sin

2006-12-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

What affect does Adams sin have on us today?

There are 2 ways in which it affects us:

1. Inherited Guilt/Original Sin: We are counted among the Guilty because of Adams sin.
Let's look at what Paul says in Romans 5:12
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--"
And to put it in context read through verse 21!
Paul is not talking about a sin that we commit day in and day out. He is talking about the sin of Adam.
Paul says that "All men sinned."
This means that Go thought of us all as having sinned when Adam disobeyed...Paul backs that up in Vs. 13-14! Sin was in the world before the Law was given to Moses.
Proof that Sin was not counted against the Law but that Men were still held accountable was that Death was in the World! What was the penalty for eating of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Genesis 2:15-17 -- The penalty was Death!!!
But continuing on...Paul goes further to back up His point. Go back and check out Romans 5:18-19. That one man is Adam and through Him many were counted as sinners.

So may think that this is unfair!
Think about these 3 things:
1. Everyone has also voluntarily committed many actual sins for which God also holds us guilty.
2. If you were in Adams you mostlikely would have done the same thing. (But we can't test that now can we).
3. If it is unfair to be represented by Adam in the Fall. Then it is also unfair to be represented by Christ and the redemption that He offers.
God sees the Human race as an organic whole, a unity, represented by Adam as its head. And God also thinks of the new race of Christians, those who are redeemed by Christ, as an organic whole, a unity represented by Christ as head of his people.

2. Inherited Corruption: We have a sinful Nature because of Adams Sin.

Not only do we have the legal guilt that God imputes to us, but also because of Adam's Sin we inherit a sinful nature. Sometimes called "Original Sin or Original pollution." We will use the term "Inherited Corruption."

Ps. 51:5 "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

David is not talking about His mothers sin here...this whole passage from vs. 1-4, David is talking about His own sin.

Ps. 51:1-4 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment."

See also Ps. 58:3 "The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies."

Paul affirms this very thing when He writes: "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

Do you have a child? If you do, you don't need to be told that they have a tendency to do wrong...they naturally do that...they however do need to be taught how to do right!

No Inherited Corruption does not mean that people are as bad as they could be!
Many things keep people from this: Human Conscience, Expectations from Family, and Society, and Laws of Government.

A. In Our Natures we Totally Lack Spiritual Good Before God!
Every part of our being is affected by sin...not just a few parts. Our intellects, emotions, desires, our hearts (who we are at our core), our goals, motives, and our physical bodies.

Romans 7:18 "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out."

Titus 1:15 "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled."

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

In these passages Scripture is not denying that unbelievers can do good in human society in some senses. But it is denying that they can do any spiritual good or be good in terms of a relationship with God.
Apart from the Work of Christ in our lives, we are like all other unbelievers who are "darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart."

B. In Our Actions We are Totally Unable to Do Spiritual Good Before God:
Not only do we as sinners lack any spiritual good in ourselves, but we also lack the ability to do anything that will in itself please God and the ability to come to God in our own strength.

Romans 8:8 "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Eph 2:1-2 "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--"

John 8:34 "Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.'"

Isaiah 64:6 (Romans 3:9-20) "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

1 Corinthians 2:14 "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

What do all these verses mean?
The first 2: We cannot do anything to please God apart from Christ doing the work in and through us.

The next 4: We cannot please God without Faith --- which is a gift from Him. And we were or are all dead in our sins (that is apart from Christ) and when we are living in Sin, we are slaves to Sin.

The next 1: Without Christ we cannot understand anything that is Spiritual and we cannot accept them.

The last 1: No one can accept Christ or draw near to God, unless God first draws that Person to His Son, Jesus Christ! Jesus is a gift to us from God, and unless God draws us to Jesus, we will think all that has to do with Him is foolishness and we will not accept it.

If we have a total inability to do good and to do any spiritual good in God's sight, then do we still have any freedom of Choice?
Certainly, those who are outside of Christ do still make voluntary choices--that is, they decide what they want to do, then they do it. In this sense there is still a kind of "freedom" in the choices that people make. Yet because of their inability to do good and to escape from their fundamental rebellion against God and their fundamental preference for sin, unbelievers do not have freedom in the most important sense of freedom--that is, the freedom to do right, and to do what is pleasing to God.

I can just hear William Wallace..."FREEDOM!!!!!!"

The application to our lives is quite evident: if God gives anyone a desire to repent and trust in Christ, he or she should not delay and should not harden his or her heart. This ability to repent and desire to trust in God is not naturally ours but is given by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and it will not last forever. "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Hebrews 3:15

In Christ,

David

The Doctrine of Sin

2006-12-15T19:13:00.000-08:00

The Doctrine of Sin:

Definition: Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.

Exodus 20:1-17 The 10 Commandments: Are not only commandments of actions, but of attitude. In verse 17 the word covet is used. How does one covet a neighbor's wife, manservant, maidservant, ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor? We covet is a word that is used to describe an attitude of the heart. A wanting of what is not yours. It is not just a passing...oh, that is a nice car...I want that. It is an attitude that says, I want that car and I will do whatever it takes to get it!
Jesus also spoke of attitudes being sinful in Matthew 5:22, 28. Andger and lust. But not only these are against God's moral law! Paul expands the list to jealousy, anger, and selfishness in Galatians 5:20.

This speaks to action and attitude, but where many differ is this last portion, our nature!
We are sinful by Nature, our character, the essence of who we are! Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:3.

Sin is directly opposite to all that is good in the charater of God, and just as God necessarily and eternally delights in himself and in all that he is, so God necessarily and eternally hates sin. It is, in essence, the contradiction of the excellence of his moral character. It contradicts his holiness, and he must hate it.

But where did sin come from?

God did not create it!!! He did not sin, and cannot be blamed for sin!!!!

It was man and angels who sinned and they sinned willfully and voluntarily.
Gods work is perfect in every way (Deut. 32:4; Gen 18:25; Job 34:10; Jas 1:13).

On the other hand though we cannot say that there is an eternally existing evil power. There is none equal to God.

But, God did ordain that sin would come into the world. He doesn't delight in it, but in giving us free will to make choices...God allowed for us to disobey and act contrary to His Character...which is SIN.

Sin was present before Adam and Eve sinned...the Angelic world had already seen the fall of Satan and the demons. But in respect to mankind...Adam and Eve were the first to sin.

How does sin typically work?

1. It stricks us at our thirst for knowledge. It gives a false answer to the question, "What is True?"
2. It stricks us at our moral standards. It gives a false answer to the question, "What is right?"
3. It stricks us at the core of who we are. It gives a false answer to the question, "Who am I?"

Correct answers to these questions:
1. God's word is truth. (Gen 2:17)
2. God's word is morally right. (Gen 2:17)
3. I am a creature of God. (Gen 1:27)

False answers to these questions:
1. Something other than God's word is truth. (Gen 3:4)
2. Something other than God's word is morally right. (Gen 3:5)
3. We can be like God. (Gen 3:5)

Sin is irrational!!!
It was foolish for Satan to rebel against God. Or for Adam and Eve to think they could gain from Disobeying God...
1. They were created by God.
2. God loved them very much.

But what is even more foolish is to continue in Sin and Rebellion against God. (Ps. 14:1; Prov 10:23; 12:15; 14:7, 16; 15:5; 18:2)

Sin at its basic level is Rebellion against God. A hatred of your creator.
When you actually think about it, sin is completely irrational:
Why would almighty God, who is love, who is good, who is just, who is HOLY (PERFECT), why would He create for anything other than to have fellowship with us and to Love us?
When we rebel against Him in sin, we break His heart. He chases after us wanting to show His Love.
God has given us a Provision for our sins! You see sin requires that a blood sacrifice be made to attone for it. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the World...not to condemn the world but to save it by going to the cross and dying in our place so that we could enjoy fellowship with the Father once again.

When we sin we trample this blood and we make a mockery of Jesus Christ!!! Our Provision!!!

But this sin that we have talked about is sin that we have committed knowingly...what about Inherited Sin?

We will get to that in the next post.

For now, know that you are Loved by God Almighty and that there is still time and still Grace for anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Salvation for their sins.

In Christ,

David

Update

2006-09-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hello All:

Yes I am still Alive!

I have been extreemly busy here in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute...I have 3 classes (a ton of Homework), a fulltime job (SprintNextel Repairs), and Ministry in the City!

Here is the Update:
I still plan on finishing the series that I started way back when on Humility.
The next part will be the Doctrine of Sin, followed by the doctrines of Grace.
I have also been asked to write out a Biblical support for the 5 points of Calvinism. Which I will try to do my best with.

The timeline for this is very fluid right now...I am hoping that in December I will be able to post quite regularly and get most of this done...however during the semester I am not sure how much I will be able to post. After I finish these topics I will try to post more frequently, but the topics will be based on the millions of things that I am learning in School. I am going to try to use this site as a place where I can bring all my thoughts and the teachings of those classes together. Hopefully it will all come together and be mutually edifying!

I do however have a MAJOR prayer request...without going into to much detail...please pray that God would be gracious and provide financially that I would be able to stay at Moody without going into any type of debt.

Thanks,

In Christ,

David

Change in Order

2006-08-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

There is going to be a change in the order for the next posts.

The next post will be on the Doctrine of Sin followed by the Doctrines of Grace.

Also, I might not be able to post for a while:
I was just accepted to The Moody Bible Institute Seminary and will be in the process of moving and adjusting to life in Chicago for the next few weeks.
Please bear with me, I will do my best to post as soon as I can!

Thanks for understanding!

In Christ,

David

God's Incommunicable attributes #5: Independence

2006-07-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

Independence, Self-Existence, Aseity: God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring him joy.

Acts 17:24-25
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”

We see from Acts that Paul understood that God “made the world and everything in it” and from John that “all things were made through him [Jesus Christ], and without him was not any thing made that was made.” God existed from all eternity past, he created us and does not depend on anything for His existence. He is the definition of Independence!

Job 41:11
“Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.”

Psalm 50:10-12
“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”

Many people think that God created Humans because He was lonely and needed people to keep Him company. This could not be farther from the truth. Do you see the implications here? God was lonely so He “needed” to create us so that He wouldn’t be lonely. The truth in this is that God did create us, but it was not because He was lonely. People have come up with that because we were created with a need to be significant. However this significance does not come from God being lonely. He chose to create us, He chose to make us the pinnacle of His creation, He chose to Love us, He chose to send His only Son to die for us. This is what makes us significant: God’s Grace! He pours out His Grace upon us everyday by giving us breath and life, giving us the sleep that we need to restore ourselves, and by revealing Himself to us so that we might know Him.

John 1:3
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Romans 11:35-36
“’Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Isaiah 43:6-7
“I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Ephesians 1:11-12
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”

God is Independent! Self-Sufficient! He does not need anyone or anything else for Him to exist and be completely happy. However, God did create us in such a way that we can bring Him Glory and Honor…and He can take pleasure in that. Also on the flip side, if we can Glorify and Honor Him, we can also take His glory and dishonor Him and that brings Him sorrow. This in no way takes away from God being Independent.

John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

This verse shows us two things:
1. That God was not lonely, Yes God is one, but also 3 persons that completely shared and loved.
2. That God’s Glory does not depend upon us, it was with Him before the foundations of the world!

Our significance can be summed up in this verse: Isaiah 62:3-5 “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”

“God does not need us for anything, yet it is the amazing fact of our existence that he chooses to delight in us and to allow us to bring joy to His heart. This is the basis for personal significance in the lives of all God’s people: to be significant to God is to be significant in the most ultimate sense. No greater personal significance can be imagined.”
Wayne Grudem

In Christ,

David

God's Incommunicable Attributes #4: Unchangeableness

2006-07-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

Unchangeableness: God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.

Psalm 102:25-27 “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.”

God created everything therefore existed before everything. He will also exist long after all has been destroyed! The universe and everything that is within changes, but God doesn’t change, He is not a part of the created order.

James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

It is important to note that God is unchanging in respect to His “being” and His “perfections” and “purposes” and “promises”!
Above we have seen “being and “perfections”, now let’s look at “purposes” and “promises”.

“The doctrine of God’s immutability is of the highest significance for religion. The contrast between being and becoming marks the difference between the Creator and the creature. Every creature is continually becoming. It is changeable, constantly striving, seeks rest and satisfaction, and finds this rest in God, in him alone, for only he is pure being and no becoming. Hence, in Scripture God is often called the Rock…” Herman Bavinck, The Doctrine of God.

Psalm 33:11 “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.”

Isaiah 46:9-11 “remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”

Numbers 23:19
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

But does God sometimes change his mind?

In Exodus 32:9-14; Isaiah 38:1-6; and Jonah God says that He will punish a people. But, when they repent and turn away from their sins, God does not punish them. Did God change his mind?
Also, in Genesis 6:6 “And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.”

Let’s take a look back at the definition that was set forth at the beginning: God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.
God does act and feel emotions, and he ACTS and feels DIFFERENTLY in response to different situations.

Let’s focus on Jonah for a minute: If it was Gods desire to whip out Nineveh, why did he send Jonah to warn them? The purpose for sending Jonah, the purpose of proclaiming Gods word is repentance! The purpose for any type of warning is to bring about repentance! Did God want to destroy Nineveh? NO! Would he have destroyed Nineveh had the people not repented? YES! Gods ultimate purpose was fulfilled in that people were brought to repentance.
Also in Genesis 6:6, this is to be understood only as Gods displeasure. In the short term God was sorrowful about His creation, but in the long run, God was not willing to destroy every part of His creation.

Why is this so important?

At first glance this may not seem all that important, but let’s think about this for a moment.

If God changed:
What if God changed for the better?
1. He would not have been perfect

If God is not perfect, but like man, how can you trust Him?

YOU CAN’T!!!!

2. What if God changed for the worse?

Would you want that?
What is to prevent Him from becoming completely evil?
NOTHING!!!

3. What if Gods purposes changed?

The promise of eternal life in Christ might become void!
His death may be for nothing.
We would be absolutely HOPELESS!!!

Gods unchangeableness is of the utmost importance!
He is both infinite and personal! He is far above all of His creation yet completely intimate with us…
As we give our lives to God, we declare ourselves bondservants, this process takes place: Exodus 21:2-6 “When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.”

If we say to God: “I love my master”
Greek: “Ahavti et Adoun”
We become bonded with Christ and serve Him out of our love for Him.

But Christ not only calls us His bondservants, He also calls us something more personal: He calls us Friends!

John 15:15

"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

And not only that, but we are also His Bride!!!

Ephesians 5:25-33

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

How much more personal can you get?

If any part of God changed, we would stand the chance of loosing these relationships! Christ’s sacrifice might become nothing and we could loose our most presious position: Eternal Life with God through Christ Jesus!

Aren’t you glad that God does not change?

I am too!

In Christ,

David

God's Incommunicable Attributes #3: Eternity

2006-06-26T05:18:00.000-07:00

Eternity: God has no beginning, end, or succession of moments in his own being, and he sees all time equally vividly, yet God sees events in time and acts in time.

Time cannot limit God! He created time. God has no beginning and no end.
God is the Great I AM!!!

Exodus 3:14
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’”

From studying language we can understand just how profound this name really is! “I AM” is constantly in the present tense. This means that God is forever present and in the present.
Now we live in the confines of time. Moment by moment. However, God at any one specific time is present…even though to us it may be in our past or in our future!

Also kind of fun little play on verb tenses: I AM = ME IS
OK maybe that is only funny to me…sorry.

Back to being serious:

Psalm 90:2
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Job 36:26
“Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable.”

Revelation 1:8
“’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

God created all things! Can the creator of all things Himself be created?
I think not!

Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

John 1:3
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

1 Corinthians 8:6
“yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”

Colossians 1:16
“For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

Hebrews 1:2
“but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

Time does not have existence in and of itself. Time is dependent upon matter and space. Therefore if matter and space didn’t exist, time could not have existed. When matter and space were created (Gen 1:1), time was also created!

God sees all time equally vividly!

Psalm 90:4
“For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.”

For us, we tend to easily forget things…even just after they have occurred!
Events become blurry through the passage of time.

But with God, a thousand years is as yesterday!
Do you remember what happened yesterday?

God doesn’t recall past events…they are the present to him, but for our understanding…past events are as clear to God as if they had just happened.

Isaiah 46:9-10
“remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’”

God is not bound by the constraints of time; he is in all time and sees all time at the same time!

Hold on, my brain needs some time to reboot after that…

Picture at the top of a page of paper a circle. This circle is God. Now under this circle picture a line from one side of the paper to the other. This is the timeline from creation to infinity. Now draw arrows from God to each point on the timeline. Make sure that these lines touch the timeline.
Now another picture: A circle at the top of the page, this time representing you. Now the timeline that you draw must be from the beginning of your life to the end of your life only! Now again draw arrows to the timeline, however: the only arrow that can touch the timeline is the arrow that goes straight down to the present. Every other arrow can only be the same length as that arrow (due to our limited capacity) and can only go into the past (because we do not have the ability to see the future). These arrows can’t touch the timeline in the past…therefore it is harder for us to remember.

The arrows on God’s timeline touch the timeline because His memory (if you can even call it that) is not hindered by the passage of time!

God sees and also acts within the constraints of time…but is not bound by time!

Galatians 4:4-5
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,”

Acts 17:30-31
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

We know from multiple different Scriptures that God has presented himself to multiple different people at multiple different times. He also became fully man in the person of Jesus Christ. God stepped into time! God has also put a timeframe on certain things that He will do. He acts within the constraints of time.
But He is not bound by time for it is His creation.

We cannot escape time!

We currently live within the constraints of time…and we will always live within the constraints of time! We cannot escape it!
We are a part of the created order…we are matter and take up space! Where there is matter and space…there is time!
Even in Heaven time will still exist…read through Revelation 21:23, 25; and 22:5. These things require the passage of time! Also Revelation 22:2!
Where there is a succession of moments there is time. As created beings…we live within a succession of moments and we will never share in God’s eternity!
We will live forever in Heaven with Christ…but we were created!

It is very humbling to me, to think that God is always present and sees everything I do with complete clarity. A clarity even that I myself cannot see in everything I do. I mean God sees my actions better than I myself can see them. And He loves me the same!!!!
That just astounds me! I almost can’t believe it! But I know it to be true and it is only by the Grace of God that He has chosen to bless me with the understanding of the blessing that He has given us in His Son Jesus Christ.

Lord, may these truths pierce our hearts and humble us that we may no longer strive against you for what little Glory we steal from you each day. But let us strive with you, to give you all the glory in our lives! That you might be completely exulted in our lives. That you might be our greatest treasure and we would pass every little bit of Glory that we receive right on to you!

In Christ,

David

God's Incommunicable Attributes #2: Omnipresence

2006-06-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Omnipresence: God does not have size or spatial dimensions and is present at every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts differently in different places.

Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

This implies that God also created space.

Deuteronomy 10:14
“Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.”

God has created everything! That means space as well as material items. He is Lord of all, therefore cannot be limited by it.

How can God be present everywhere?

Jeremiah 23:23-24
“Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.”

Here we see that God is both present in a specific space, but also able to be everywhere at the same time.

Psalm 139:7-10
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

This is not just a part of God. He is present everywhere in His fullness!

Does God have special dimensions?

1 Kings 8:27
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”

God cannot be contained by even the largest place imaginable.
We must avoid thinking of God in terms of size or spatial dimensions.

God is far different and greater than anything we can imagine! Before He created anything, He Is! There was no “where”, yet God existed!

Can God be present to punish, sustain, and bless?
Is God present in Hell?

God is present in different ways in different places. God also acts differently in different places.

Amos 9:1-4
“I saw the LORD standing beside the altar, and he said: ‘Strike the capitals until the thresholds shake, and shatter them on the heads of all the people; and those who are left of them I will kill with the sword; not one of them shall flee away; not one of them shall escape.’ ‘If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down. If they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, from there I will search them out and take them; and if they hide from my sight at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them. And if they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it shall kill them; and I will fix my eyes upon them for evil and not for good.”

God is present to punish.
Many think of hell as the absence of God. While that would be hell for the believer…that would in essence be paradise for the unbeliever! It is a tough thing to think of…but what is worse for someone who hates God, to be forever out of the presence of God or to forever be punished by God for the sins committed against God!

Is God present to sustain?
Even in a non-believer?

Colossians 1:17
“And he is before all things and in him all things hold together.”

Hebrews 1:3
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

God is present to sustain.
This also means that God is present within the unbeliever…if only to give them life and to sustain them.
Keep in mind He is not there to Bless them.

Is God present to Bless?

Psalm 16:11
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Most of the time when the Bible talks about God’s presence…it is in reference to Him blessing or being present to bless!

“When you wish to do something evil, you retire from the public into your house where no enemy may see you; from those places of your house which are open and visible to the eyes of men you remove yourself into your room; even in your room you fear some witness from another quarter; you retire into your heart, there you meditate: he is more inward than your heart. Wherever, therefore, you shall have fled, there he is. From yourself, whither will you flee? But since there is One more inward even than yourself, there is no place where you may flee from God angry but to God reconciled. There is no place at all whither you may flee. Will you flee from him? Flee unto him.” Herman Bavinck

Doesn’t it bring great comfort to your soul that God is ever present? He knows all that you are going through! He is able to continually sustain your life and give you breath!

It is an amazing thought that we are absolutely dependent upon God…also very humbling! Just think about sleep…we all need it, it is a great and wonderful gift from God! He created it and instituted rest on the 7th day of creation!
When you go to sleep remember your dependence, and that God is there with you sustaining your life as you sleep. When you awake in the morning, remember that God is there with you giving you life, and He just gave you wonderful refreshing and recharging sleep.

Thank you Lord, that we Can depend upon you for everything. That you are our great provider and that you are the only One who will never fail. Thank You that you are ever present and know every one of our needs! Thank you for being present not only to bless me but also to discipline me when I do not obey you. Lord continue to remind me throughout the day that you are present and help me to bring glory to your name.

In Christ,

David

God's Incommunicable Attributes #1: Unity

2006-05-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Much of these posts are due to the wonderful work previously done by Wayne Grudem in Systematic Theology

Unity: God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.

God is whole. Sometimes, so that we can understand God, we break Him down into pieces. His Holiness, Justice, Knowledge, Mercy, Love, Wrath, Truthfulness, and Wisdom...but in reality all of theses things and many more are wholly God.

God is not all of these separate attributes put together. He also is not a central being that these attach to.

Each and every attribute that God is described by in Scripture is Wholly who He is!
1 John 1:5
"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
1 John 4:8
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Is John contradicting Himself? First He says that God is Light, then God is love...well John which one is it?

Imperfect Analogy:
It is both! Picture a circle and everything within that circle is who God is. Let's say that Light is represented by Yellow. Now the entire Circle is Yellow. Love is represented by Red. Now the entire Circle is Completely Yellow and Completely Red.
This is hard for our finite minds to understand, but God is fully every single one of the attributes that are ascribed to Him in Scripture.

Our capability of understanding these different attributes is limited, this might be a reason that only one or two attributes are described to us at a time. We cannot grasp all that God is, it takes us time to even grasp one attribute of God let alone all of who He is at one time!

"In terms of practical application, this means that we should never think, for example, that God is a loving God at one point in history and a just or wrathful God at another point in history. He is the same God always, and everything he says or does is fully consistent with all his attributes. It is not accurate to say, as some have said, that God is a God of justice in the Old Testament and a God of love in the New Testament. God is and always has been infinitely just and infinitely loving as well, and everything he does in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament is completely consistent with both of those attributes." Wayne Grudem

Every time we see God act we can be sure that each and everyone of His attributes are being fully displayed. Some may be emphasized more than others but there is not any attribute missing.
I.E. in the Cross we see God's Love and Justice. His Love for His creation and Justice that sins be punished. Also we see Wrath in the punishment. But where is Mercy or Jealousy or Blessedness or Wisdom? They are all reflected!!! Take a moment to think about how each and every attribute that you can think of is reflected at the Cross, Creation, and that wonderful moment where God changed your life forever...the moment of surrender to His control...your salvation.

No one attribute of God is more important than another! Some may say that God's love is His most important attribute, however this implies that would suppress or ignore His wrath so that He could show love. This could not be farther from the truth...
At the Cross God showed us Ultimate Love,
John 15:3
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends."
1 John 3:16
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."
At the Cross God showed us Ultimate Wrath,
Read through the Crucifixion accounts, watch the scourging and the Crucifixion in "The Passion", that is what we deserve, not him!
At the Cross God showed us Ultimate Wisdom,
This was His plan from the very beginning...there was no plan B

In everything that God does, each and every attribute is displayed fully. We have a hard time seeing it because we are finite, but God is One and there is no other!

Can you say that you always act according to every single one of your attributes? I know I can't! There are times where I completely suppress my Love for someone because at that moment I am angry...God doesn't act like this, He may be angry and judge us justly, but it is always for our own good. Where when I act in anger it is for my benefit and not the benefit of the one I am angry with.
It is very humbling to know that God always acts according to all of His attributes and that the best we can do and the closest we can come to that is genuine Love. And even that falls short.

In Christ,

David

New Series focused on Humility

2006-05-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

I will be beginning a new series with a heavy focus on Humility.

Topics that will be covered are:
1. Part 1: What Sets God Apart: The incommunicable Attributes of God: Infinite, Omnipresent, ect...

2. Part 2: Reasons to be Humble: The Doctrines of Grace: Grace, Election, Calling, Justification, and Perseverance

3. Part 3: 1 More Reason to be Humble: The Doctrine of Sin

There might be times with significant time between posts: I ask that you would continue to check back, as I do the research on these topics I want to be as complete as I can. I am not going to post on a topic everyday...However I will do my best! I do however want to make sure that I post Biblically and with as much Data as I can find all within a reasonable amount of time.
As of right now it is my goal to post 2-3 times for the next couple of weeks.

In the last post, this verse was used...
In the past I have witnessed many people interpret this as meaning that we must earn our salvation. This could not be farther from the truth, God does the work! It is all by His grace that we are conformed into the image of His Son Jesus Christ!

Philippians 2:12-13
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

This "fear and trembling" embraces the godly attitude of humility; it includes the fear of grieving and offending our holy gracious Father, and the awareness of our ultimate accountability to Him. It is our deliberate pursuit of obedience and growth in godliness and is an expression of humble dependence upon God.
We are completely dependent upon God for anything and everything in our lives! The reason you are reading this (your eyes are working), the reason I am typing this (my hands are working), the reason we are alive (our hearts are pumping blood, our lungs are breathing), it is all because of the Wonderful Wonder of God's Amazing Grace!

Thank You Lord that you Love us so much! That you sustain our lives and give us breath to breath. But most of all Lord, Thank You for sending your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer your wrath that should have been poured out upon us, thank you that we can look forward to the resurrection and the removal of the curse and sin. Lord, Let Your Kingdom Come!
In Jesus Holy and precious name, Amen.

In Christ,

David

A Passion for Purity

2006-05-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Chapter 16 A Passion for Purity Versus Passive Prayer

A Passion for Purity Versus Passive Prayer

Matthew 5:28-29
"I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell."

When you are enticed sexually, do you fight with your mind to say no to the image and then mightily labor to fill your mind with counter-images that kill off the seductive image? "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13).
Too many people think they have struggled with temptation when they have prayed for deliverance and hoped the desire would go away. That is too passive. Yes, God works in us to will and to do His good pleasure! But the effect is that we "work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12-13). Gouging out your eye may be a metaphor, but it means something very violent. The brain is a "muscle" to be flexed for purity, and in the Christian it is supercharged with the Spirit of Christ.
What this means is that we must not give a sexual image or impulse more than five seconds before we mount a violent counterattack with the mind. I mean that! Five seconds. In the first two seconds we shout, "NO! Get out of my head!" In the next two seconds we cry out: "O God, in the name of Jesus, help me. Save me now. I am Yours."
Good beginning. But then the real battle begins. This is a mind war. The absolute necessity is to get the image and the impulse out of our mind. How? get a Christ-exalting, soul-captivating counter-image into the mind. Fight. Push. Strike. Don't ease up. It must be an image that is to powerful that the other image cannot survive. There are lust-destroying images and thoughts.
For example, have you ever in the first five seconds of temptation demanded of your mind that it look steadfastly at the crucified form of Jesus Christ? Picture this. You have just seen a peek-a-boo blouse inviting further fantasy. You have five seconds. "No! Get out of my mind! God help me!" Now, immediately, demand of your mind--you can do this by the Spirit (Romans 8:13)--demand of your mind that it fix its gaze on Christ on the cross. Use all your fantasizing power to see His lacerated back. thirty-nine lashes left little flesh intact. He heaves with His breath up and down against the rough vertical beam of the cross. Each breath puts splinters into the lacerations. The Lord gasps. From time to time He screams out with intolerable pain. He tries to pull away from the wood and the massive spokes through His wrists rip into the nerve endings and He screams again with agony and pushes up with His feet to give some relief to His wrists. But the bones and nerves in His pierced feet crush against each other with anguish and He screams again. There is no relief. His throat is raw from screaming and thirst. He loses His breath and thinks He is suffocation, and suddenly His body involuntarily gasps for air and all the injuries unite in pain. In torment, He forgets about the crown of two-inch thorns and throws His head back in desperation, only to hit one of the thorns perpendicular against the cross beam and drive it half an inch into His skull. His voice reaches a soprano pitch of pain and sobs break over His pain-wracked body as every cry brings more and more pain.
Now, I am not thinking about the blouse anymore. I am at Calvary. These two images are not compatible. If you will use the muscle of your brain to pursue--violently pursue with the muscle of your mind--images of Christ crucified with the same creative energy that you use to pursue sexual fantasies, you will kill them. but it must start in the first five seconds--and not give up.
So my question is: Do you fight, rather than only praying and waiting and trying to avoid? It is image against image. It is ruthless, vicious mental warfare, not just prayer and waiting. Join me in this bloody warfare to keep my mind and body pure for my Lord and my wife and my church. Jesus suffered beyond imagination to "purify for himself a people for his own possession" (Titus 2:14). Every scream and spasm was to kill my lust--"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24).

Father, have mercy on us in our continual battle with lust.

Oh, how we love the victories You give.

Let us live there more and more.

Grant us the will to say no to every temptation.

Yes, Lord, grant us far more than to say no.

Help us fight.

Give us the will to make war on our impurities.

Show us the infinite and all-satisfying

glory of the crucified Christ.

May Your name be so precious to us

that we absolutely will not defile it.
In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen.

In Christ,

David

Happy Mother's Day -- A little late

2006-05-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

I would like to focus on a Mother today...one whom many of us know of, but most do not know her name! Without her we might not be where we are today. She was a wonderful woman of Faith (mentioned only twice in the Bible) who raised her three children with the knowledge of the One True and Living God!

What she did, is something that we all can learn from and put into practice in our lives.

BASKET CASE:

Numbers 26:59
"The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister."

Exodus 6:20
"Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years."

If you didn't catch it, her name is Jochebed...she was the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
The story is found in Exodus 1-2:10
Israel Increases Greatly in Egypt
"These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
Pharaoh Oppresses Israel
"Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, 'Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.' Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 'When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.' But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, 'Why have you done this, and let the male children live?' The midwives said to Pharaoh, 'Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.' So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, 'Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.'"
Exodus 2
The Birth of Moses
"Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?' And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go.' So the girl went and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, 'Because,' she said, 'I drew him out of the water.'"

Interesting tidbits: Word Meanings:
Moses = to Birth, to draw out
Basket = Arc

Hebrews 11:23
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict."

We see that this whole story about Moses' birth and how he was raised was a result of the Faith of Jochebed! She trusted God and that He had a plan. So she put her child in a basket.
Moses was a BASKET CASE! He was given to God and place in His care!

GOD is ODD: The Pharaoh was a dictator. What is our reaction today if someone would tell us that we had to through our child into a river? Some of us would want to Nuke the guy, others would be extremely upset and protest, and some might do what the Midwives did and what Jochebed did!
There are 5 women in this story and 3 go unnamed! Yet without them, without their faith, we might not be here today!

We must learn to let go of the things that don't go our way! God is in control. Let God be God!

This is NOT let go and let God!!!
Jochebed didn't quite let go...
She used her head! She trained her kids! Aaron did even speak of his brother...not even to his friends? What young child would not let that slip even once? Hey, guess what? I have a brother!!!
She also trained Miriam to watch after Moses! Miriam was the one who asked the Daughter of Pharaoh "shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?" Umm...I wonder who she is going to go and get?
Jochebed also did some amazing planning! She must have known that the Daughter of Pharaoh frequented a certain area along the banks of the Nile, so she place the basket in that area and in reeds so that it wouldn't float away to fast.
But when things didn't go as she had planned...she let go of her plans and let God be God.
You see Moses was most-likely taken to the palace around age 4. What mother could let her child go? One that trusted in God, that He had a much bigger plan in mind!

Exodus 2:11-15
Moses Flees to Midian
"One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, 'Why do you strike your companion?' He answered, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' Then Moses was afraid, and thought, 'Surely the thing is known.' When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well."

Acts 7:23-25
"When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand."

Hebrews 11:24-27
"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible."

So why didn't Moses being taken from His mother at the age of 4 and being brought up in the Palace for 36 years believe in the god's of Pharaoh and "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter"?

Because Jochebed taught Moses who was God!
How? Good question!
Moses wrote the first 5 books of the Bible so how could Jochebed teach him what was in them?
Well, that comes from Genesis 15, where God promised Abraham that many nations would come from him. This promise was passed to Isaac and down to Jacob. Jacob also passed it down to his 12 sons...who we heard about at the very beginning of this post! Jochebed knew of this promise and she knew the God who made the promise!
She prepared the Person for the Path, not the Path for the Person!

She brought Moses up in the knowledge of God. She trained him up as a man who had a special calling on his life. She didn't know what that calling was but she prepared him the best way she could...knowing who God is!

Prepare the Person for the Path, not the Path for the Person!

Happy Mother's Day -- a little late!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful

2006-05-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful

Psalm 23
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

13 Reasons to be Thankful:

1. Be Thankful: The Lord is my Shepherd --- Vs. 1
Jesus brings us together, protects, and tends to our needs. He cares for, guides and teaches His people!

2. Be Thankful: I shall not want --- Vs. 1
I shall lack no good thing, Christ will Satisfy my every need!

3. Be Thankful: He makes me lie down in green pastures --- Vs. 2
We have rest in Christ!

4. Be Thankful: He leads me beside still waters --- Vs. 2
We do not have to go through this life alone...Christ leads us through it!

5. Be Thankful: He Restores my Soul --- Vs. 3
The depth of our relationship with God brings us Soul Restoration when this world tears our souls apart!

6. Be Thankful: He guides us through life --- Vs. 3
We are lead through this life so that God's name would be Great!

7. Be Thankful: He stays with us through Scary Times --- Vs. 4
Jesus' constant presence with us removes our fear and gives us Confidence!

8. Be Thankful: He protects us from Danger --- Vs. 4
We have someone fighting for us and defending us!

9. Be Thankful: He feeds us --- Vs. 5
We are all Starving...for Christ, He is the Bread of life and the Living Water!

10. Be Thankful: He anoints us with oil --- Vs. 5
We are honored by God through Christ!

11. Be Thankful: My Cup Overflows --- Vs. 5
We are filled to Overflow with God's Love to pour it out upon others!

12. Be Thankful: Goodness and Mercy follow me --- Vs. 6
The Hounds of Heaven wake us up every morning!!!

13. Be Thankful: He invites us to Live with Him forever --- Vs. 6
Eternity in Heaven through Jesus Christ...need I say more?!!!!!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He invites us to Live with Him forever

2006-05-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He invites us to Live with Him forever

Psalm 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Doesn't that last part of this verse just make you want to Shout for Joy!!!

David says, "I shall dwell"! Not, I think I will dwell, or I hope that I will dwell. But "I SHALL DWELL"!!!!

There is no doubt in Davids mind, this is not a question!

The word Dwell can also be translated as, shall return to dwell!
Meaning that this is our home it is where our citizenship is and we will return there!

Ephesians 3:20-21
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Ephesians 2:18-21
"For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

This citizenship in Heaven however is a restored citizenship for some...for others it is broken, they are no longer citizens.

Are you a citizen of Heaven? Would you like to be? Here is how...

All have broken their citizenship:
Romans 3:23
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
Romans 3:10
"as it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one;'"

We earn eternal death through sin:
Romans 6:23a
"For the wages of sin is death,"

But God has provided for the debt we owe:
Romans 6:23b
"but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 3:24-26
"and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Propitiation is a fancy word that means we couldn't pay the debt we owed because of our sin, so God paid it for us through Jesus Christ.

The payment for our sins on our behalf was only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:8
"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Colossians 2:13-15
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

This free gift must be accepted:
Romans 10:9-13
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

It is only through God's Grace and Faith in Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Romans 5:1-2
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

And this Free Gift once accepted is ours Eternally...Nothing can take it away! This is because Jesus stands in our place for the Judgment, He has paid our price!
Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:38-39
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Do you know that your Cirizenship is in Heaven?

Don't wait to make this decision...it is the Largest and most life changing decision you can and will make!
And if you choose not to make a decision...you've already made the decision!
Don't wait...there may be no tomorrow!

Thank You Jesus that you call us brothers and sons of God with you! Thank you for paying the price that my sins have demanded! I give my life to you and trust in you that you are the Only way, the Only truth, and the Only life! Thank You Jesus!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: Goodness and Mercy follow me

2006-05-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He pursues us with Goodness and Mercy

Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

“Surely” can also be translated as “Only!”

“Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!”

I have heard Goodness and Mercy referred to as, “The Hounds of Heaven”.

One morning at camp I decided to get up early and spend some time with the Lord. I got back to the cabin after the breakfast bell had rung and I was rushing so that I could get to breakfast before it was done. I was in the process of making my bed when I heard someone yelling from across the room, “No, no, get off. Down boy, down!” Now the yelling wasn’t the scary kind of yelling, this was filled with laughter and delight. I asked, “What is it? Is something wrong? Can I help?” He said, “No, nothing is wrong. It is just these hound dogs; every morning when I wake up they are always here to great me hello and good morning by jumping on me and licking me!” I was a little confused, “I don’t see any dogs?” “You don’t? They are right here! This one is Goodness and here is Mercy! My Father gave them to me when I was very young and they have followed me ever since, never leaving my side!” Still confused but now intrigued, “I don’t understand?”

He then proceeded to tell me about Psalm 23:6. How God continually pursues us with His Goodness and Mercy. Sometimes we forget that they are there and sometimes we just try to ignore them! But just like mans best friend they are new and fresh and ready to great us every morning by jumping on us and licking us! They will always be by our side ready to give us comfort and show us love!

Goodness:
In man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right towrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosingand following of all moral good.
In God it is Perfect! There is no conflict between right and wrong, good and evil. It is a Perfect steadfast Love!

Psalm 31:19
“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!”

Psalm 65:4
“Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!”

Mercy:
For man, leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice, a disposition to be kind and forgiving, or the feeling that motivates compassion.
For God, by the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).

Psalm 25:6
“Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.”

Psalm 119:77
“Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.”

Ephesians 2:4
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,”

Take a moment to think about Gods Goodness and Mercy. How have you experienced it in your life? How does it keep coming back in new and fresh ways? Pray to God and ask that He would allow you to see His Goodness and Mercy each day, fresh and new! Thank Him that He continually pursues us!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: My Cup Overflows

2006-05-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: My Cup Overflows

Psalm 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

What does "My Cup Overflows" mean?

Well, a cup has a limited amount of carrying space...once that is filled it Overflows.
What do you fill a cup with? Usually some kind of liquid...

But how does this translate into our lives?

In this instance the Cup is our Heart!
And the liquid is actually the Holy Spirit along with everything previously mentioned and every good thing God chooses to Bless us with!

Our hearts a limited and can only hold so much of God...but He doesn't give us just enough to fill us up! He gives us an over-abundance of Himself!!!

Why does God do this? What should we do with this?

They are actually the same question!
God fills us to Overflow so that just like water from a cup spreads out...the Spirit pours out of us onto others!
Matthew 5:16
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

If we allow the Holy Spirit to control us and guide us through our day, we will naturally overflow with the Love of God for all men because the Holy Spirit will be pouring out of us onto others like water pours out of an overflowing cup onto a table and runs onto the floor...

We must learn to let go the control of our lives to God, that He may do His work through us!
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

The Spirit of God flowing out from us is what Changes lives, is what will change the world!
See posts for Monday May 1, 2006 and Monday May 8, 2006.

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He anoints us with oil

2006-05-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He anoints us with oil

Psalm 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

So, what is so special about having my head anointed with oil?

To Anoint:
1. To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to.
2. To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration.
3. To choose by or as if by divine intervention.

The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews.
1.The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield"(Isa. 21:5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.

2. Anointing was also an act of hospitality (Luke 7:38, 46). It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies (Deut. 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam. 14:2; Ps. 104:15, etc.). This custom is continued among the Arabians to the present day.

3. Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Ps. 109:18; Isa. 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14).

4. The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mark 14:8; Luke 23:56).

5. The promised Deliverer is twice called the "Anointed" or Messiah (Ps. 2:2; Dan. 9:25, 26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isa. 61:1), figuratively styled the "oil of gladness" (Ps.45:7; Heb. 1:9). Jesus of Nazareth is this anointed One (John 1:41; Acts 9:22;17:2, 3; 18:5, 28), the Messiah of the Old Testament.

Being anointed is a sign of honor and respect.

If you are in Christ you have been anointed! God has lifted you up, honoring you by anointing you. He has prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies!

2 Corinthians 1:21
"And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,"

1 John 2:20
"But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge."

Hebrews 1:9
"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

1 John 2:27
"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything--and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you--abide in him."

What more do you need to be Thankful for? God has anointed you through Christ!! He has lifted you up! Let us thank God and exult His name for His is good!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He feeds us

2006-05-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He feeds us

Psalm 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

Have you ever been hungry? Starving?
And then had someone prepare you a meal?

A few years back a buddy of mine completed a 40 day fast. He said it was one of the most difficult things that he had done. To come out of the fast he ate very small portions of fruit, but He said that the first bit had the most flavor that he had ever tasted in his life! A few days later we went out for Stake and Ribs (the first meat since the fast broke) and again, he was surprised by how much flavor he could taste.

Most of us...ARE STARVING!
We just don't realize it....

We are STARVING for God...for Christ!

Psalm 34:8
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

John 6:33-36
"'For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.'"

John 6:51
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Right now, we have the Spirit of God as a guarantee...we also have the word of God!

The word of God is both drink and food to satisfy, to help us grow up and be strong.

1 Peter 2:2
"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation-- "
1 Corinthians 3:2
"I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,"

The milk to help us grow is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
The solid food -- that is the stuff Theologians have been debating for Centuries!

My point is that God feeds us exactly what we need to grow strong! To grow strong in our knowledge of Him!

With God if we go hungry, it is not because He did not provide for us! It is because we have refused to take what has been offered freely!

God also offers this to us in the presence of our enemies!
Picture this scene:
You enter the palace dining hall and see the long elegant table. You look for a place to sit but see only chairs filled with your enemies. The guy who always stole your lunch money, the girl who cheated off of you and caused you to fail an important test...ect. Finally, you reach the opposite end and you see one spot left at the head of the table. You see a table marker that has your name on it, so you sit. Just as you sit down, the King enters the room! He walks up to the far end of the table with a silver platter in his hand. You are thinking, why am I hear? Why is the King embarrassing me in front of all of these people who don't like me? But the King passes by the guy who stole you lunch money and right by the girl who cheated off you your test...right by all of the people until He reaches you. He gently places the platter in front of you, takes off the cover to reveal....

This is that part that many miss! God not only prepares a table for us, but this table is prepared in the presence of our ENEMIES!!!!

We have a human emotion and response to our enemies...anger and revenge.
What greater statement from God, than to honor us in the presence of our enemies?

Romans 12:19-20
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.'"

Why do we seek our own vengeance here?
Again...we must not fully trust God and what He says He will do!

Beloved: God PROMISES
1. To give us all that we need
2. To sustain us
3. Vengeance is His

Let us live our lives to these simple standards:

Matthew 22:36-39
"'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He protects us from Danger

2006-05-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He protects us from Danger

Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

How would a rod and staff bring me comfort?

Have you ever picked up a stick infront of a dog, and had the dog back away from you?
Why would the dog back away? It must be scared of something...it wasn't you, it was the stick in your hand.
If a dog would be scared of the stick, why would God's rod and staff bring us comfort?

What did the Shepherd us his rod and staff for?
1. He uses it to fend off wild animals that would attack the flock
2. He uses the curved part at the top to pull us back when we start to wonder
3. Yes He has used it to break my legs (vs. 2), but that was for my own good

His rod and staff are a visible sign of protection!

Psalm 5:11
"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you."

Psalm 20:1
"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!"

Psalm 91:14
"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name."

John 10:14-15
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."

If we take refuge in God, we can rejoice because He spreads His protection over us! Even His name will protect us!!! He protects those who know His name, Do you know His name?

Do you want to know His name?

John 1:1-5
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

John 8:12
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

His name is Jesus, He is the Good Shepherd, the one who can protect us from all evil!

This is a promise for you, if you believe in Jesus Christ:
Romans 8:31-39
God's Everlasting Love
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 10:13
"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Romans 10:9-10
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Just like Peter in the last post, we must cry out: "LORD, save me!" When we do this we fall into the loving arms of the One and Only Living God our "Abba" (daddy)! And He will protect us from everything!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He stays with us through Scary Times

2006-05-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He stays with us through Scary Times

Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

What is the valley of the shadow of death?
What is it to you?
A loved one battling with a life threatening illness? You battling with an illness?
Maybe someone you know puts their life on the line everyday?
A terrible car accident? Your house getting broken into?

Simply put...it is anything that could cause you to Fear!

Why do we fear?

We fear, because we take our eyes off of Jesus Christ! We forget who we are!

Let's look at an example from Peter:

Matthew 14:28-33
"And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus."

Peter is the only one of the Twelve Disciples to even dare to walk to Jesus! He started out strong...

"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.'"

...but lost focus! He saw the wind...and waves...he took his eyes off of Jesus and started to doubt who Jesus was...

"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'"

...but realized he was in trouble and cried out to Jesus, "Lord, save me." And Jesus was right there to take hold of Peter and save him!

Jesus is always there for us...when we loose sight of Him, He is still right by our sides waiting for us to say, "Lord, save me!"

Romans 8:15
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

2 Timothy 1:7
"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Through Jesus Christ we have the confidence to go through this life without Fear! We see it right in the middle of Psalm 23:4 "for you are with me."

Jesus put it this way in Matthew 28:20
"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Let us focus our eyes and lives on Jesus Christ! In Him there is no reason to Fear. He is Lord of all! And best of all, we have this promise from Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Even if something seems bad, we know that God is using it for Good, and we can be confident that He has His and our best interests in mind!!!

David wrote this at the very beginning of Psalm 27
Psalm 27:1
" LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Never Let Go
Matt and Beth Redman c2005 Thankyou Music
(Matt and Beth wrote this song just after the London Bombings)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I´m caught in the middle of the storms of this life,
I won´t turn back, I know You are near.

And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

O no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
O no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go -
Lord You never let go of me.

And I can see a light is coming for the heart that holds on -
A glorious light beyond all compare.
And there will be an end to these troubles,
But until that day comes,
We´ll live to know You here on the earth.

(And I will fear no evil)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on,
And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes,
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You.

O no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
O no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go -
Lord You never let go of me.

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He guides us through Life

2006-05-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He guides us through Life

Psalm 23:3
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

We have already talked about He Leads us! But this is an extension of that thought!

Why does God lead or guide us through Life?

"For his name's sake."!!!!!!!

God leads us, so that His name would be Great...Highly Spoken of!!!!

Remember the Exodus from Egypt?
Exodus 6:7-8
"I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD."

Why did God lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Dessert? Why didn't God just give them Egypt? What was with the whole long drawn out thing with the Plagues?

Romans 9:17
"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'"

God was showing His power...and His name was proclaimed in all the earth.
As the Israelites wandered the Dessert, they met many different people. Also, when they were moving into the Promised Land under Joshua, they met many different people.
Most of the people that the Israelites met, had already heard of what had happened in Egypt!!!
Many made peace with Israel out of fear that what happened to Egypt might happen to them.

It is the same for us!!!
God leads us! Why? That His name might be spread throughout the World. That He might be glorified in and through His people! And that, "every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11 "and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:11

You see God is "all about Himself"!!!!
Is this a bad thing?
For us...Yes...
For God...NO!!!!!

God must be, "All about Himself!"
Otherwise He would not be God!!!!
Nothing can be above God. "You shall have no other God's before me."
How can God break His own Commandment?

God leads and guides us through this life so that we might be a "Light" pointing to Him, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Isaiah 6:3

In Christ,

David

A Chance to Change the World: Part 2

2006-05-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

Life can be an adventure, or life can be a bore. Life can be fruitful, or fruitless. God offers us the chance to do something eternally significant with our lives; to make a difference; to live life on purpose, with vision and vitality. From Romans 16 we get to learn from a man who lived like that. As he closes the letter to the Roman church he expresses four values that shaped his life and work, and are foundational for any healthy, fruitful church.

Romans 16:1-27
Personal Greetings
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you."
Final Instructions and Greetings
"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you."
Doxology
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."

3 Values for the Christian Community

1. Affectionate Unity

In this short text (but long goodbye) Paul uses the word Greet 22 times! He could have as he did in other letters said, and Great all the Brethren.
Paul uses the word Beloved 4 times and In Christ 11 times
They were united in 1 common family...they were united through Christ!

Also, in vs 17-20 Paul breaks back into teaching mode...about Unity!!!
Jesus died for the Unity of His Church!
John 13:35
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Ephesians 4 is also a great chapter that talks about Unity in the Body of Christ!

2. Teamwork

Paul listed off 28 people by name!
Paul understood that we are not in this by ourselves and if we go about the work of Christ alone, we will fail and fall flat on our faces!
There are no Superstars!...except Jesus Christ!
Every single person has a calling, a value, a purpose!!!
Still don't believe me?
Paul uses these phrases in writing to the Romans:
A. Fellow workers
B. Fellow Apostles!!!
Paul understood that we are all equal in Christ, but we all have different callings and duties! Each one as important to the work as the other!
We are all on the same level, we just have different jobs!

3. Perseverance

Staying in the Game...Day after Day, Week after Week, Month after Month, Year after Year...
We must continually ask, "Jesus, what is next? Lead us forward in what you have for us!"
The Church should never coast!!
We are workers...that is what we were designed to do.
We must stay engaged!
1 John 5:4-5
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Every Church should hold fast to this promise, and use is as one would a life verse!

I heard a story about a woman from Sao Paulo Brazil. A missionary had met her and noticed that she was wearing a small disfigured ring. He asked her about it and what was inscribed on it. She replied, when I was very young the government was in danger of being taken over. They asked people for money and jewelry so that they could afford an army to protect the city. Many gave even their wedding bands. But I as to young, so I offered them a silver brush that I had. In return they gave everyone a tin ring with the inscription: I gave my gold for the good of Sao Paulo, 1932.

We are called to give not just our gold, but our very lives to the cause of Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

David

A Chance to Change the World: Part 1

2006-05-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Are you ever disappointed in Yourself??? In things you haven't done??? Or the Person you haven't become???

God has given us a desire to be Great, to be significant, to change the World!

Paul was used by God to change the World!

Paul understood 4 assignments...

Assignment #1
The Big Assignment

Romans 15:15-20
"But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;"

There is one common purpose that we all exist for...
We exist to Point to God (1 Peter 2:9)
We are called as priests and ambassadors to those who don't know Christ! To lead them to Christ!
We are not alone in this work!!! Christ does the work through us!!! (Vs. 18)

Assignment #2
The Personal Assignment

Romans 15:20-24
"and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, 'Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.'"
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
"This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while."

This is our Unique call from God that fits into the Big assignment.
Paul's Unique call was that of a Starter. (Vs. 20) Paul would start a Church where Christ had not been preached, and then move to a new place and start a new Church!
What is Your Specialized Assignment?
Who are the people God has placed in your life for you to talk to about Him?

Assignment #3
The Special Assignment

Romans 15:25-29
"At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ."

Do you see it? The Special Assignment for Paul...
Jerusalem was not on the way to Spain by way of Rome!
Paul was in Eastern Asia, at best straight north of Jerusalem. But mostlikely west as well!
Paul was heading South East to Jerusalem...the exact opposite way of Rome!
But something had changed for Paul, God called Paul on a Special Assignment.
Paul surrendered His wants and desires to go to Rome to the Calling and Prompting of the Spirit.
This Special Assignment could be as short as a Day...week...month...or in Paul's case it took about 4 years to get to Rome. He never did get to Spain.

Are you willing to put your life on hold...and surrender to the Spirit?
Christ has the Right to call us to what ever and where ever He wants us...it is our arrogant Pride that makes us think our life is ours.
We forget that we have been bought by His Blood and we own Him our very lives!!!

Assignment #4
The Warfare Assignment

Romans 15:30-33
"I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

We ARE in a War!!!!

Our enemy seeks to interrupt our assignments!!! To stop us from completing them.
Paul understands this assignment all to well, and he knows how to complete it!
We need each other! We need to pray for each other, that we would all accomplish our Assignments!
We also need to pray for unbelievers, that they would not hinder our assignments, but see our lives and hear the message we preach and turn to God and put their Faith in Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 6:10-20
The Whole Armor of God
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

Assignments:
1. The Big Assignment -- Exulting God in all we do!
2. The Personal Assignment -- Our Unique calling by God!
3. The Special Assignment -- Any other Assignment you are called to by God!
4. The Warfare Assignment -- Praying for Brothers and Sisters and well as unbelievers!

In Christ,

David

The Church by Design

2006-05-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

The Church by Design

1 Peter 2:4-12
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

The Church is by Design: Missionary!

The Church is not a Physical Building...It is built with Living Stones, People! And Christ Himself is the Cornerstone! The Foundation Stone!!

1 Peter 1:1-12
Greeting
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."
Born Again to a Living Hope
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."

It is a great privilege to be a part of the Kingdom of God, but with Great privilege comes Great Responsibility!

Going back to 1 Peter 2:4-12 we find the purpose of the Church in Vs. 5
"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Also, Romans 12:1
A Living Sacrifice
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Philippians 4:18
"I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God."

And Hebrews 13:15-16
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

What are Spiritual Sacrifices that are Pleasing to God?
1. Our Bodies...made Holy by the Blood of Christ
2. Monetary Gifts to others to Help them
3. The fruit of lips that acknowledge Christ's name

In short, our entire lives should be a Spiritual Sacrifice!

Worship is not 1 hour on Sunday morning...
Worship is a Lifestyle!!!

A Word of caution:
In 1 Peter 2:8 we see that there are people who will reject God. Indeed they are destined to reject Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. And because they reject God, He also rejects them.

This does not mean that we should not befriend them or share the Good News with them, on the contrary, we should be motivated to share the Good News with them.
Also, this is part of God's Sovereign Plan. Does God desire some to be lost? No, but...we who are saved should be all the more thankful!!!

What does this all mean for those of us who Believe in Jesus Christ...our only Hope of Salvation?

Vs. 9
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

We can claim nothing for ourselves! We owe everything to Jesus Christ!
We can only bow before Him and say, "THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!"

Our Identity as the Church is the same as the Identity that God had for Israel!!!
1. A Chosen Race
2. A Royal Preiesthood
3. A Holy Nation
4. God's own People

Israel was Special and Unique...and Now that Identity is for Us...the Church/Body of Jesus Christ!

Why did God do this?

Vs. 9 second half
"that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

So are we called to Worship or Evangelism?
BOTH!!!

What is Worship?
It is declaring, How Great God is!!!!

What is Evangelism?
Declaring, How Great God is!!!!

Worship = Declaring How Great God is to and with the Saints (the Body of Christ)
Evangelism = Declaring How Great God is to the Unsaved

We exist so that the World will know, how incredible our God is!!!

Vs. 11-12
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

We are Resident Aliens!!! Living in a country that is not our own!!!
1. We must abstain from evil
2. We must live honorable lives
3. We must live as Arrows Pointing to God for others!!!

"Only one life, will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last!" John Piper

How are you living your life?

In Christ,

David

Everything to the Glory of God

2006-05-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Chapter 5 How to Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God

When I am asked, "Is the Doctrine of Total Depravity Biblical?" my answer is, "Yes." One thing I mean by this is that all of our actions (apart from saving grace) are morally ruined. In other words, everything an unbeliever does is sinful and thus unacceptable to God.
One of my reasons for believing this comes from 1 Corinthians 10:31. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Is it sin to disobey this biblical commandment? Yes.
So I draw this somber conclusion: It is sin to eat or drink or do anything not for the glory of God. In other words, sin is not just a list of harmful things (killing, stealing, ect.). Sin is leaving God out of account in the ordinary affairs of your life. Sin is anything you do that you don't do for the glory of God.
But what do unbelievers do for the glory of God? Nothing. Therefore everything they do is sinful. That is what I mean by saying that, apart from saving grace, all we do is morally ruined.
This, of course, raises the practical question: Well, how do you "eat and drink" to the glory of God? Say, orange juice for breakfast?
One answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:3-5:

[Some] forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Orange juice was "created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe...the truth." Therefore, unbelievers cannot use orange juice for the purpose God intended--namely, as an occasion for heartfelt thanksgiving to God from a true heart of faith.
But believers can, and this is how they glorify God. Their drinking orange juice is "made holy by the word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:5) The Word of God teaches us that even juice, and even our strength to drink it, is a free gift of God (1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:11). The prayer is our humble response of thanks from the heart. Believing this truth in the Word and offering thanks in prayer is one way we drink orange juice to the glory of God.
The other way is to drink lovingly. For example, don't insist on the biggest helping. This is taught in the context of 1 Corinthians 10:33, "I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). Everything we do--even drinking orange juice--can be done with the intention and hope that it will be to the advantage of many that they may be saved.
Let us praise God that we have escaped by His grace from the total ruin of all our deeds. And let us do everything, whether we eat or drink, to the glory of our great God!

Father, every good gift is from You.

Even the ability to receive them is from You.

We love to declare our dependence on

You for the smallest and the greatest things.

Grant that nothing in our lives

will be disconnected from You.

Make us conscious all the time that

everything gets its proper meaning

from how it relates to You.

May it be our joy to join our orange juice --

and everything else -- to Your grace.

With overflowing thanks, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He Restores my Soul

2006-04-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He Restores my Soul

Psalm 23:3
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

This ties in with something I didn't talk about in the last post...

God leads us to still waters!
Have you ever seen still waters? What are some of its characteristics?
1. Calm
2. Peaceful
3. Deep!!!

Think about a river, the shallow parts are usually the most rough, but the deep parts...they are usually calm!
Still waters are Deep!

So, how do still waters relate to Soul restoration?

What else is deep? How about our relationship with God Himself?

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Treasures in Jars of Clay
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you."

This is a picture of our lives...rushed, busied, and Soul depleting!

"Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

But as God draws nearer to us, and we to Him...the grace of God extends to more and more people!

God makes us lie down in Green pastures...where we meet with Him.
God leads us to the Deep, still waters...where we are in fellowship with Him.
And this is where He restores our Souls!

God's Grace is an Amazing thing!
It is never ending...and only increases!
This is something that cannot be described by words...it is only something that you can experience from God!
No matter where you are in life, no matter what you have done...God's Grace extended through the person of Jesus Christ, is more than enough...it will fill you up and restore your Soul!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He leads me beside still waters

2006-04-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He leads me beside still waters

Psalm 23:2
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."

God leads me!

I don't know about you, but the more I go through life, I find one thing to be true:
When I try (key word, TRY) to take control of my life and do what I want...Life is hard, and I fall flat on my face. But...
When I let God sit in the Drivers seat...Life is much less complicated!

I love what the psalmist says in Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Is this not the Truth? God has given us all the answers that we will ever need in this life, in His Word!

Listen to what God says in Isaiah 42:16
"And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."

We were all blind...blind to the things of God at one point. Yet, here we are today! God has been faithful to His promise! Thank You LORD!
Some reading this are still blind...Jesus Christ is the Light of Life, the only cure for Spiritual Blindness...

John 1:1-5
The Word Became Flesh
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

John 8:12
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

It is a wonderful thing, that God would care for us so much...that He would lead us and guide us to Himself! The only place that we can experience True Joy!

Thank You Jesus!!!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He makes me lie down in green pastures

2006-04-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: He makes me lie down in green pastures

Psalm 23:2
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."

God makes us rest!

Have you ever had a long week at work...and thought, "Yes, the weekend is here...I can rest." Only to have the busiest weekend ever?
This world is on the move...Everything needs to be done NOW!!!!
We have convenience dining, Fast Food, and Drive through!
We have Cell phones, Smart Phones, and Text messaging!
And Malls, Shopping centers, and Online buying!
This world is all about getting things and getting them fast!

Man...just thinking about the deadlines I have makes me want a vacation!

It is refreshing to know that God will make us rest!
After all, our bodies were created with a need for rest! And God instituted Rest!

Genesis 2:1-3
The Seventh Day, God Rests
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."

God rested!
God doesn't need to rest, but He was teaching us that we need rest, we are not designed to be on the go 24/7!!!

God says this to Job, a man that pretty much every bad thing that you can think of, happened to him!

Job 11:18
And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.

Jesus says this to us!

Matthew 11:28-29
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Hebrews 4:1-4
"Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, 'As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest,"' although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: 'And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.'"

Hebrews 4:10-12
"for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Rest is not just from work. We were also designed for work...Subdue the earth (Genesis 1 and 2).

Rest is found in the Person of Jesus Christ!
Rest from Sin! This is the biggest Rest that we can ever have!

Because of Christ...His death (payment for sins)...and His Resurrection (conquering of sin), through His power...we are also "More than conquerors!" (Romans 8:37)
And we have "Rest" from sin...though this will not fully come about until the Resurrection of the Dead.

One other interesting Point.
We will be made...to lie down!
Sometimes it is necessary for the Shepherd to break the legs of the sheep. You see the sheep might keep wandering off (because the grass is always greener...away from Christ...Not...but like it or not, we do wander away.) And every time, the Good Shepherd brings the sheep back. But to keep it from wandering again, the Shepherd will break one of the sheep's legs. This is a kind gesture and is done to keep the sheep safe and give it rest.

Has Christ ever broken you?
It is painful to be broken, but it is always for good. We grow and become more like Christ as He gently performs surgery to repair our broken bone and open wound.

Are you resting in Christ?
Are you willing to let Him break you and grow you?

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: I shall not want

2006-04-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: I shall not want

Psalm 23:1
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

What does it mean, I shall not want?

I shall lack no good thing!

More importantly:

Christ will Satisfy my every need!

Is Jesus Christ all sufficient in your life? Is there something else that you are placing infront of Him?

God loves us, and the greatest gift that He has freely given us is....

Himself!!!!

John 17:24
"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."

What does Jesus ask? He asks that, in the end, we might see His glory. His love for us makes Himself central. Jesus is the one being for whom self-exaltation is the most loving act. This is because the most satisfying reality we could ever know is Jesus. So to give us this reality, He must give us Himself. The love of Jesus drives Him to pray for us, and then die for us, not that our value may be central, but that His glory may be central, and we may see it and savor it for all eternity. Divine love labors and suffers to enthrall us with what is infinitely and eternally satisfying: God in Christ. That we might see His glory--for that He went to the cross!

If you were in Heaven and asked someone if they were Humble...what would they say?

If they said, "Yes." Then they for that instant would cease to be humble.
If they said, "No." Then they would be lieing.

I think they would reply, "Christ is All."

Christ will be our everything! Here in this place, Now...Christ should be our Everything!!!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: The Lord is my Shepherd

2006-04-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

Be Thankful: The Lord is my Shepherd

Psalm 23:1
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Why should I be thankful that the LORD is my shepherd?

Shepherd:
1. One who herds, guards, and tends sheep.
2. One who cares for and guides a group of people, as a minister or teacher.

A Shepherd guards, tends and holds together His flock of sheep!
A Shepherd cares for, guides, and teaches His people!

Read Isaiah 43 and John 10 together.

Isaiah 43
Israel's Only Savior
"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.' Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. 'You are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'and I am God. Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?' Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'For your sake I send to Babylon and bring them all down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.' Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 'Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for my self that they might declare my praise.' 'Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense. You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities.' 'I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right. Your first father sinned, and your mediators transgressed against me. Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary, and deliver Jacob to utter destruction and Israel to reviling.'"

John 10
I Am the Good Shepherd
"'Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.' This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.' There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, 'He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?' Others said, 'These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?'"
I and the Father Are One
"At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.'" The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, 'I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?' The Jews answered him, 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.' Jesus answered them, 'Is it not written in your Law, "I said, you are gods"? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came--and Scripture cannot be broken-- do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, "You are blaspheming," because I said, "I am the Son of God"? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.' Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, 'John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.' And many believed in him there."

We have good reason to be Thankful. God is our Shepherd! He is looking out for us and guiding us. He will never let us go!

Never Let Go -- Matt Redman

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I'm caught
in the middle of the storms of this life,
I won't turn back, I know You are near.

PreChorus:
And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me.

Verse 2:
And I can see a light
that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare.
And there will be an end
to these troubles, But until that day comes,
We'll live to know You here on the earth.

Bridge:
Yes, I can see a light that is coming
for the heart that holds on,
And there will be an end to these troubles,
but until that day comes,
Still I will praise You,
still I will praise You.

PreChorus:
And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me.

Verse 1:
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I'm caught
in the middle of the storms of this life,
I won't turn back, I know You are near.

Thank You Jesus that You are always there for us, that You will never let us go, and we can be/should be completely satisfied in You!

In Christ,

David

Also, check out Ezekiel 34! What a promise from God!

Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel
"The word of the LORD came to me: 'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.
The Lord GOD Will Seek Them Out
For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken.
The LORD's Covenant of Peace
I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord GOD. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD.'"

Isaiah 6

2006-04-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 6 -- Todd Agnew

I saw the Lord, seated on a throne, high and exalted
And the train of His robe filled the temple
Above Him were angels, with six mighty wings
And with two they’d cover their faces
With two they’d cover their feet
With two, they’d fly
With two, they’d fly… and sing

(Chorus:)
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
The whole earth is full of His glory
He’s glorious

I said, “Woe to me, I am ruined
I am unclean, and so are all my kind
But my eyes have seen the King
The Lord Almighty

(Chorus:)
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
The whole earth is full of His glory
He’s glorious

An angel flew to me and he had fire in His hand
He put it to my lips and God took away my sin
He took away my sin

(Chorus:)
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
And the whole earth is full of His glory
He’s glorious
You’re glorious

In Christ,

David

My Jesus

2006-04-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

My Jesus -- Todd Agnew

Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ
Then why do you look so much like the world?

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant
So which one do you want to be?

Blessed are the poor in spirit
Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins
He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the rich
So which one do you want to be?

Who is this that you follow
This picture of the American dream
If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins
But the Word says He was battered and scarred
Or did you miss that part
Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and the least of these
He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable
So which one do you want to be?

Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet would stain the carpet
But He reaches for the hurting and despised the proud
I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd
And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud

I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

Not a posterchild for American prosperity, but like my Jesus
You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity
I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus
Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me
Can I be like You Jesus?
I want to be like my Jesus

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful

2006-04-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:4-7
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Supplication:
1. To ask for humbly or earnestly, as by praying.
2. To make a humble entreaty to; beseech.
3. To make a humble, earnest petition; beg.

What do we have to be Thankful of or for?

Well, a few posts back is a series about the "5 Surprises you will Discover in Heaven!"
Are you reading this? Then you can be Thankful that you have breath and are alive!
There is always good in every bad situation...you just need to look for it and focus on it!

I know I have posted on this before, but it is to good not to come back to!
Psalm 23
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the context of this Psalm is that David wrote it while He was being hunted down by His...Son! Absolom!
The fear comes out in Vs. 4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death."

But let's take a look at the many, many things that David was Thankful for in this time!
I count 13!

Vs. 1
1. The Lord is my Shepherd! He watches over us and protects us...Check out Isaiah 43 and John 10.
2. We lack no good thing! I shall not want...He is my "All in All"!

Vs. 2
3. He makes us rest...for our souls! When we rest, God restores our souls!
4. He leads us! We are not on our own in this life!

Vs. 3
5. He Restores our souls!
6. He guides us through life!

Vs. 4
7. He stays with us in Scary times! Through the valley of the Shadow of Death!
8. He protects us from danger (enemies)! With His rod and staff!

Vs. 5
9. He feeds us well! That would be an understatement!
10. He anoints us with Healing Love!
11. He fills us to overflow!

Vs. 6
12. He pursues us with his goodness and mercy!
13. He invites us to live with Him forever!

I will expand on these in the following days and weeks!

In Christ,

David

2 Great Songs

2006-04-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

Center -- Charlie Hall

You're the Center of the Universe
Everything was made in You Jesus
Breath of every living thing
Everyone was made for you

You hold everything together
You hold everything together

Christ be the Center of our lives
Be the place we fix our eyes
Be the Center of our lives

We lift our eyes to Heaven
We wrap our lives around your life
We lift our eyes to Heaven, to You

Oh Christ, be the Center of our lives
Be the place we fix our eyes
Be the Center of our lives

In Christ alone --

In Christ alone, my Hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Her in the Love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground, His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in Victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!

In Christ,

David

Anchors of the Resurrection

2006-04-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

Anchors for the Soul found in Christ's Resurrection!

What do you say to a friend when things are going bad? -- "Hold on, Hang in there!"

But what is it that we are supposed to hold onto through these storms?

What are these Anchors that hold us steady in the Great storms of life?

Christians all over the world gather in great numbers to remember and celebrate the bodily and physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This historical event confirms our confidence in the words of Christ and gives strength to the souls of men and women to face whatever challenges in life they may face. 1 Corinthians 15, explores the vital place that Jesus' resurrection has in human history and reveals that it provides two anchors for our souls as we face the storms of life.

1 Corinthians 15:1-26
The Resurrection of Christ
"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed."
The Resurrection of the Dead
"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death."

1. Our Faith is Certain!
Because of the resurrection of Christ!
Faith = Belief in the unseen
Christ's Resurrection makes Faith certain!
We believe that just as Christ was raised, we also shall be raised! Because of His resurrection, our Faith in our resurrection is assured!
Vs. 3 "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,"
Christ died for our sins -- taking God's wrath upon himself!

However...

That is all WORTHLESS without the resurrection!
Vs. 16-17 "For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."

But...

Vs. 4
"that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"
Christ was buried! He did die! AND was Raised according to the Scriptures!!!

Why is this phrase...."According to the Scriptures" added?

The Old Testament points forward to Christ
The Gospels and Acts are what the Old Testament is point toward...the Event!
The New Testament is explaining what God did...there is no other way!

"According to the Scriptures" helps us understand what God was doing!
And destroys any possibility of the Resurrection being a Hoax!

Was the Resurrection of Christ a Hoax?

No--
1. Why would these fishermen from Galilee lie? Most of them died preaching the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! Would you die for something you know is a lie? I didn't think so!
2. If the Religious officials could have presented Christ's body to prove the Disciples wrong, don't you think they would have?
3. A story was fabricated that the guards fell asleep. Ummm...the penalty for that was death! I don't think the guards would have taken that risk...they didn't fall asleep!

Vs. 12-19
"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."

The stakes here are way to high!
1. If Christ was raised, we can take Him at His word...and trust that we also will be raised if we believe in Him!
2. If Christ was not raised, we preach in vain, we make God out to be a liar, and we are still in our sins! "We are of all people most to be pitied."

2. Our Future is Secure!
Vs. 20-26
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death."

Jesus was First...Firstfruits -- This implies that there will be more!!! That means us! All who are in Christ!

We are all in Adam by Birth, we have a sin Nature and we can choose to sin. Because we are all in Adam from birth, we all die.

All those who are in Christ will live! This is not because of a physical birth, but because of a Spiritual Birth!
This Spiritual Birth can only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit allowing a person to freely give control of their life over to Christ.
Romans 10:9-10
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

What is our Anchor for the Soul?

Christ!

In Christ,

David

He has Risen! He has Risen Indeed!

2006-04-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

He has Risen!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Foundation of the Christian Faith.
Without the resurrection, the Cross is meaningless!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives hope to all the world. Lets take a look at this resurrection hope through the eyes of Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' followers. By observing a moment in the life of Mary, we will see the power and glory of our only Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Hope in the Midst of tragedy!
Take a long look at the world that we live in, remember 9-11, the London Subway bombings, the Tsunami, the recent major earthquakes, Hurricane Katrina, and many other natural disasters.
Let alone all of the Personal tragedies we all go through each Year!

We all need Hope!
Hope is the one thing that gets us all through...without Hope, we are utterly lost!

Matthew 28:1-10
The Resurrection
"Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.' So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.'"

Mary Magdalene:
Most likely she was a prostitute, she had an illness (the Bible is not specific as to what it was), she came from a despised city, she was single and living in a culture that was unfriendly to single women bettering their lives. And she was possessed by 7 demons!
Then she met Jesus of Nazareth!
He cast out the demons, healed her, and gave her hope of a better life!
Then, the man that gave her this wonderful hope was beat to the point of Death, despised, spit upon, made a public mockery, and hung on a cross until Dead.
In that moment...All Hope was gone!

Or was it?

Who would have blamed her for now going to the Tomb that Sunday morning? I certainly would not have!

But what if she had not gone? Just think about that! She would not have seen the Angels at the Tomb...let alone Christ, Alive!

But she did go...and here is what we can learn from her experience!
1. The hope of the resurrection intersects and interrupts our lives.
Vs. 8 "So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples."
Fear and Joy together can be found only in the presence of Hope!
The fear of not fully understanding what is happening, the fear of knowing that you saw Jesus die, but now seeing Him alive and talking with you! The Reverential Fear of knowing deep down in your heart that this man, Jesus...is God!
The Joy of Hope restored! The Joy of having your friend back! The Joy of knowing deep down in your heart that this man, Jesus, your friend...is God!
And then in Vs. 9 Seeing Christ face to face! What a Joy!!!

Mary went from Disaster to New Life and New Hope!

It was the same with Peter...from His denial of Christ in Luke 24 to New Life and New Hope!

It was the same with the rest of the disciples...from Broken and Hiding men to Changing the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ...the Good News is not merely the Cross...moreso it is the Resurrection and the Hope of New Life that it brings!!!

2. The hope of the resurrection is the ONLY solution to life's ultimate disaster!
What is life's ultimate disaster? Eternity without Christ!
Are YOU prepared for Death? and I don't mean having a will and insurance!
Are you 100% sure that if you die you will spend eternity in Heaven?

Eternal life is not based on being good!
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Romans 3:23-26
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Eternal Life is all about Christ and what He has done! He must be received into your Heart!
Romans 10:9-10
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
John 1:12
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,"

3. The hope of the resurrection must be responded to.
The resurrection is the most hopeful thing that has been offered to us!

There are 2 types of Fear!
A. Paralyzing Fear: Not accepting Christ and Eternal life that He offers!
B. Energizing Fear: The Hope of the Resurrection and a Personal Relationship with Christ!

Check out Vs. 9 again!
"And behold, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him."
Jesus revealed Himself...then what? They came up to Him! We must go to Him as well!
They bowed down! We must bow our hearts and lives!
This is not a cold and stoic bowing, this is personal! As they bowed the took hold of his feet and worshiped him!!!!!

We can approach God and have a Personal Relationship with Him because of Christ!
Reverence and Intimacy = Personal Relationship with God!

It is not about us and what we can do!

It is about God, and what He has already Done!!!

Do you accept it?

In Christ,

David

5 Surprises You will Discover in Heaven: A Review

2006-04-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

5 Surprises You will Discover in Heaven:

Surprise #1: The Nature of Heaven:
A Renewed, Recreated, resurrected, Redeemed Earth! Heaven and Earth are One!

Surprise #2: The People of Heaven:
1. We will still be the same person in Heaven...having our own personality!
2. We will still be physical...having bodies...although perfected (free from sickness)
3. We will still be limited...having expanded capacities, but still limited.
4. We will still be made in the Image of God with out the curse! Having Creative capacity!
5. We will be Freed Forever from Sin and the Curse!

Surprise #3: The Relationships of Heaven
1. Will be Rich
2. Will be Pure

Surprise #4: The Activity of Heaven
1. Worship
2. Learning
3. Fellowship
4. Rest and Pleasure
5. Work/Labor/Service

Surprise #5: The God of Heaven
1. The Centrality of God will Overwhelm us!
2. The Grace of God will Stun and Shock us!
3. The Worship of God will Consume us!

In Christ,

David

5 Surprises You will Discover in Heaven: Surprise #5 The God of Heaven

2006-04-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

Surprise #5 The God of Heaven

Review:
Surprise #1: The Nature of Heaven: A Renewed, Recreated, resurrected, Redeemed Earth! Heaven and Earth are One!

Surprise #2: The People of Heaven:
1. We will still be the same person in Heaven...having our own personality!
2. We will still be physical...having bodies...although perfected (free from sickness)
3. We will still be limited...having expanded capacities, but still limited.
4. We will still be made in the Image of God with out the curse! Having Creative capacity!
5. We will be Freed Forever from Sin and the Curse!

Surprise #3: The Relationships of Heaven
1. Will be Rich
2. Will be Pure

Surprise #4: The Activity of Heaven
1. Worship
2. Learning
3. Fellowship
4. Rest and Pleasure
5. Work/Labor/Service

The God of Heaven
A story:
Bill and Sue lived in NYC. Bill had a brother who lived in San Diego. They rarely got to see each other, but Bill and Sue had been saving for a vacation and decided to go see Bill's brother. They looked online for the cheapest plane ticket to San Diego, however there were several layovers along the way. The most outstanding of which was in Dallas for five hours. Once in Dallas, Bill started down the list of things he had thought of to do to keep him occupied throughout the five hours. He read the news paper, read a book, listened to some music, wondered the terminal, talked to others who were waiting on flights. But all of this was exhausted within an hour. With four hous left Bill started to think of what He could do...and then He had an idea! Turning to his wife, he said, "we could take our nest egg (about $35,000) and go out and buy furniture and bigscreen tv's and a surround sound system and bring them into the terminal so that we wouldn't be so bored! Sue thought this was a great idea and added, they would still be here for our return trip...what a great idea.

Now wait a second....who in their right mind would do such a thing?

Isn't that what we do everyday? We spend our lives here not even thinking about the bigger picture! We don't often think about storing up our treasures in Heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Our Heavenly Dwelling
For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

1. The Centrality of God will Overwhelm us!
Any discription of Heaven without God as it's center is inadiquite! The permanant and real presence of God is first and foremost in Heaven!
Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
"After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.' At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!' And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.'"

Isaiah 6
Isaiah's Vision of the LORD
"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'"

Both John and Isaiah got to see the thrown of God! And in both accounts it filled their view...actually in Isaiah's account the train of God's robe filled the temple! God will be so Big, Bigger than we can ever imagine. There is nothing, nothing that can prepare us for the Centrality of God in Heaven!

Revelation 21:1-3
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'"
God will be among His people!
Revelation 21:22-23
"And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb."
No localized Temple for God's presense...because He is among His people!
Revelation 22:3-5
"No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
We will see God's Face...the very thing that would have killed Moses when he asked to see God's Glory. This is God's Shakina Glory (if you know Hebrew!).

Read through the book of Ezra! There is an amazing story of how God comes first.
Breifly...The people come back to rebuild Jerusalem. They don't build the walls first even though there are many enemies still after them. No, they first build the Alter, then the Temple next! They put God first and have complete trust that God will protect them even without the wall!
This is the type of faith that we as followers of the One True and Living God should have!!!
God must come first!!!!!

Story:
Jeff has decided that his family deserves a new house to live in. As he is building the house, he also decides that he doesn't want to be controled by a roof. You see, when Jeff was a kid, his father had to reshingle the house every year. The roof controled his father's summer and Jeff wants nothing to do with that! So the house gets completed and the family moves in. They love the house and the wonderful summer nights spent just looking at the stars from the comfort of their own beds! However, the next night it starts to rain. Jeff quickly runs to the store to get tarps to cover the furniture and the rest of the summer goes well. Summer turn to fall and fall starts heading into winter. You see, Jeff and his family live in Wisconsin...were the winters aren't so nice! Jeffs wife and kids complain about the cold and Jeff adds more wood to the fire. Finally Jeff's wife gets to the point where she can't take it anymore. She asks, "why can't we have a roof?" Jeff replies, "My father was controlled by his roof, I will not!" To this his wife says, "Jeff, you are being controlled! You are being controlled by the lack of a roof!"

The point is, something is going to control us! What is going to control us? God, or something else? God must come first!

2. The Grace of God will Stun and Shock us!
Revelation 21:4-7
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.' And he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son."
Revelation 7:15-17
"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water,and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
A. See how Great God is?
B. See what Heaven is like? What God has created for us!
C. See the utter foolishness of our sin and His extension of forgivenness through Christ!

Do you fully Understand what Christ has done for You? I don't think any of us can untill we get to Heaven! Truly I don't!
We will look back with tears in our eyes at our life, at our sin and we will weep! But God has promised to wipe away those tears from our eyes!

He has welcomed us into His family! For all eternity He will say, "You are my Son/Daughter, and I love you!

3. The Worship of God will Consume us!
Do you ever get distracted in your worship? Where you have to pull yourself back to God and away from the world? This is life on earth in our fallen state...we all get distracted! What is it that pulls us away?

Heaven will be much different! We will be so consumed with Worship that we will have to pull ourselves away from God to get anything done!

Revelation 5:11-14
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped."
There will be no distractions in Heaven! Don't you just want the job of falling down on your face and worshiping God!!!

Here is a letter from a wonderful man that has not let a distraction get in his way of serving God!

John Piper Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
January 6, 2006
Dear Friends,
I hope this letter will encourage your prayer, strengthen your hope, and minister peace. I am writing with the blessing of the Council of Elders of Bethlehem Baptist Church to help you receive the news about my prostate cancer.
At my annual urological exam on Wednesday, December 21, the doctor felt an abnormality in the prostate and suggested a biopsy. He called the next day with the following facts: 1) cancer cells were found in two of the ten samples and the estimate is that perhaps 5% of the gland is affected; 2) my PSA count was 1.6, which is good (below 4 is normal); 3) the Gleason score is 6 (signaling that the cancer is not aggressive). These three facts incline the doctor to think that it is unlikely that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, and that it is possible with successful treatment to be cancer-free.
Before going with my wife, Noël, to consult in person with the doctor on December 29 about treatment options, I shared this news with the Bethlehem staff on Tuesday morning, December 27, and with the elders that evening. Both groups prayed over me for healing and for wisdom in the treatment choices that lie before us. These were sweet times before the throne of grace with much-loved colleagues.
All things considered, Noël and I believe that I should pursue the treatment called radical prostatectomy, which means the surgical removal of the prostate. We would ask you to pray that the surgery be completely successful in the removal of all cancer and freedom from possible side effects.
With the approval of Bethlehem’s executive staff and elder leadership, we are planning surgery in February. The recovery time is about three weeks before returning to a slow work pace, and six weeks to be back to all normal activities.
This news has, of course, been good for me. The most dangerous thing in the world is the sin of self-reliance and the stupor of worldliness. The news of cancer has a wonderfully blasting effect on both. I thank God for that. The times with Christ in these days have been unusually sweet.
For example, is there anything greater to hear and believe in the bottom of your heart than this: “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)?
God has designed this trial for my good and for your good. You can see this in 2 Corinthians 1:9, “Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” And in 2 Corinthians 1:4-6, “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God . . . If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation.”
So I am praying: “Lord, for your great glory, 1) don’t let me miss any of the sanctifying blessings that you have for me in this experience; 2) don’t let the people of Bethlehem miss any of the sanctifying blessings that you have for us in this; 3) grant that the surgery be successful in removing cancer and sparing important nerves; 4) grant that this light and momentary trial would work to spread a passion for you supremacy for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ; 5) may Noël and all close to me be given great peace—and all of this through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.” I hope God will lead you to pray in a similar way.
With deep confidence that
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Pastor John
With Sam Crabtree, Lead Pastor for Life TrainingKenny Stokes, Lead Pastor for SpreadingTim Johnson, Chairman of the Council of EldersRoss Anderson, MD, Bethlehem Elder

Who could blame a man diagnosed with Cancer for leaving his post to spend time with His family? But not Mr. Piper...I just love his attitude.

He has, and we must always strive to Set our Hope and Focus on Heaven!
Keep one eye on Earth and one eye on Heaven!

In Christ,

David

5 Surprises You will Discover in Heaven: Surprise #4 The Activity of Heaven

2006-04-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Surprise #4 The Activity of Heaven

Review:
Surprise #1: The Nature of Heaven: A Renewed, Recreated, resurrected, Redeemed Earth! Heaven and Earth are One!

Surprise #2: The People of Heaven:
1. We will still be the same person in Heaven...having our own personality!
2. We will still be physical...having bodies...although perfected (free from sickness)
3. We will still be limited...having expanded capacities, but still limited.
4. We will still be made in the Image of God with out the curse! Having Creative capacity!
5. We will be Freed Forever from Sin and the Curse!

Surprise #3: The Relationships of Heaven
1. Will be Rich
2. Will be Pure

The Activity of Heaven
What will we do with all that time?
1. There will be at least 5 types of Activity in Heaven.
A. Worship -- Check out Revelation 5 and the complete Soul Satisfying Worship of God!
B. Learning -- Again we are not Omni-Anything!
C. Fellowship -- Rich, Deep, and Pure!
D. Rest and Pleasure -- God instituted this in Genesis when He rested on the 7th Day...and it wasn't because He got tired! Also, everything that is created was originally for our good and enjoyment.
E. Work/Labor/Service

Lets focus on the Work/Labor/Service!
Heaven, I imagine will be a Bee Hive of activity! It will be God directed, Soul Satisfying, and God Honoring! As well as Deeply Fulfilling! Can you imagine you Job without sin?!

2. What is the Biblical evidence for Work/Labor/Service in Heaven?
Work was before the Fall! Genesis 1:28-31, God tells Adam and Eve to fill, Subdue, and Reign over the Earth and all that is on it! These are Work Words!
Work was not a punishment for the first sin. The curse was to frustrate our work! We were originally designed to work!

Revelation 5:9-10
"And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
God's people are a Kingdom and Priests! They will Reign on the Earth!
The Word Reign implies -- Activity, Order, Society...We have been Redeemed to Reign!

Revelation 7:13-15 and 22:3-4
"Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, 'Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?' I said to him, 'Sir, you know.' And he said to me, 'These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.'"
and
"No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads."
We will be serving God Day and Night!!!

Revelation 21:22-26
"And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations."
Kings...there will be Kings! Kings also imply Society and Culture! We will most definitely be in Active Service of the King of Kings!

Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
Vs. 21 Says, "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; go and take your rest.'"
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Did that get your attention?
Vs. 21 Says, "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"
I will put you in Charge of much! Those are workin' words if I have ever heard them!

For those who would say that this is just a parable and that we can't read into it that much...

It is repeated in Luke 16 and Luke 19
In Luke 16:10-13, Jesus is no longer in Parable mode, He has gone into Teaching Mode.
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
If we are Faithful on Earth with the little that we are given, we will be intrusted with much more in Heaven!
Use what you have Well, it is only on Loan!!!

Life on Earth is Training for Life in Heaven!!!

It doesn't matter where you are called to serve! Whether it be in business or in ministry. What matters is Serving Well!!!

So how does this sound to you? Are you excited for Heaven? Completely fun and fulfilling work?
Well, Some who read this will not be going to Heaven!

Awe...Dave, why do you have to be such a downer, I was getting excited?

Well,

Matthew 25:34-40
The Final Judgment
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

And 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Take another look at that list...it is a sobering list! We all fall in that list somewhere!

Some wont go to Heaven!
Here is how you can know for sure that you will go!

Romans 3:23
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
Have you ever lied? Stolen anything? Disobeyed your parents or anyone in authority over you? Broke the Law? Looked at another in Lust?
If you say yes, You've sinned! If you say No, You have just lied, and sinned...so lets move on!

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
We earn death by sinning, but God offers us a FREE Gift...Eternal life in Christ Jesus!

Romans 5:8
"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The debt we owed because of our sin was paid by God, in having Christ died in our place!

Romans 10:9-10
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Self explanatory!

Romans 5:1
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Our Faith in Christ Jesus, that He is our only Hope of Salvation is what gives us peace with God.

Romans 8:1-2
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
And when we have peace with God, we no longer stand condemned!

Romans 8:38-39
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
And nothing can take away what we have received through Christ Jesus!

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
This is it...there is only one way! If you want to enjoy Heaven...Christ must be your only hope at attaining Eternal Life.
We cannot earn it...it is a FREE Gift offered by Christ...and you must accept that gift to go to Heaven!

The Final Surprise...Tomorrow!

In Christ,

David

5 Surprises You will Discover in Heaven: Surprise #3 The Relationships of Heaven

2006-04-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Surprise #3 The Relationships of Heaven

Review:
Surprise #1: The Nature of Heaven: A Renewed, Recreated, Ressurected, Redeemed Earth! Heaven and Earth are One!

Surprise #2: The People of Heaven:
1. We will still be the same person in Heaven...having our own personality!
2. We will still be physical...having bodies...although perfected (free from sickness)
3. We will still be limited...having expanded capacities, but still limited.
4. We will still be made in the Image of God with out the curse! Having Creative Capasity!
5. We will be Freed Forever from Sin and the Curse!

The relationships of Heaven:
1. The relationships of Heaven will be Rich!
Heaven will be a very Relationally Rich environment, Relationships will be a Central Element of Heaven!
A. The Bible points to it: Genesis 2 -- Adam was Perfect, yet it was not good for Adam to be alone? Wait a second...Adam wasn't alone! God was with him! But God said in Genesis 2:18 "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." So then God made the animals, but Genesis 2:20 records, "But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him."
So Genesis 2:21-25 says, "So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, 'This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed."
God was there with Adam, yet God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone;" so, God formed the animals, "But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him." So God created Woman from Man! We are relational beings, this relational state was before the curse, it was the original intent of God! We will have relationships...deep and meaningful relationships in Heaven!
See also: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Luke 16:1-13 focus on vs 9, and 19-31, Matthew 8, and Luke 13.
Feel free to ask questions about these verses, but focus on the relational aspects and the implications.

B. Logic: We will live on a Renewed Earth with Cities -- Cities imply Relational Centers!

C. Witness of the Church through the Ages:
1. The Biblical Evidence...partially above
2. The Holy Spirit...testifying to our hearts
3. The Born Again Church and the Writings of the Saints: i.e. guys like Jonathan Edwards and Richard Baxter

The Relationships of Heaven will be Pure!
They will be without Sin and the Effects of the Curse!
Think about the best time you have had in your life! I bet you the reason why it was so good was mostly because of the PEOPLE you were with!
Now, think about the worst time you have had in your life! I bet you the reason why it was so bad was mostly because of the PEOPLE you were with!!!!

We can't excape it! We are relational! We need other people! But because of the fall, sin affects our relationships.

James 3 talks about how we cannot tame our tounges and how the curse has affected us.
James 3:9-10 "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."
It will not be like this in Heaven...Heaven will be Ephesians 4:29 fullfilled! "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Revelation 21:3-4 and 22:3
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
and
"No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him."

Can you even imagine it? Everything will be perfect...all of our relationships will be without sin! No selfishness, greed, impatience, hatred, or anger! Can you imagine everything you do and say being 100% fullfilling to all!

Jonathan Edwards put it this way, "No inhabitants of that blessed world will ever be grieved with the thought that they are slighted by those that they love, or that their love is not fully and fondly returned...There shall be no such thing as flattery or insincerity in heaven, but there perfect sincerity shall reign through all in all. Everyone will be just what he seems to be, and will really have all the love that he seems to have. It will not be as in this world, where comparatively few things are what they seem to be, and where professions are often made lightly and without meaning. But there, every expression of love shall come from the bottom of the heart, and all that is professed shall be really and truly felt."

2 Surprises left to go!

I will be posting the final Surprise on Saturday...Just in Time for Easter!!!!

In Christ,

David

5 Surprises You will Discover in Heaven: Surprise #2 The People of Heave

2006-04-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

Surprise #2 The People of Heaven

Reveiw:
The Nature of Heaven: A Renewed, Recreated, Ressurected, Redeemed Earth! Heaven and Earth are One!

Exploring the Biblical Data:
1 Corinthians 15:35-49
The Resurrection Body
"But someone will ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?' You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven."

1. Resurection Bodies are different and better, but there is continueity! Vs 35-41

2. Now-Perishable...Then-Imparishable! Vs 42

3. Now-Dishonor...Then-Glory Vs 43

4. Now-Weakness...Then-Power Vs 43
Greater capasity but not unlimited, we will not be God, we will not be Omni-anything!

5. Now-Natural...Then Spiritual Vs 44
More able to relate to God, Still having physical bodies, not just spirits.

6. Now-Like Adam...Then-Like Christ Vs 45-49
Earthly Heavenly

Philippians 3:17-21
"Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

We were created in God's Image (Genesis 1:26-27), but through the Curse (Genesis 3:14-19) we became Bent and Marred.

Luke 24:36-43
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
"As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, 'Peace to you!' But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.' And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them."
John 20:24-29
Jesus and Thomas
"Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.' Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"
Acts 1:1-11
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
"In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'
The Ascension
"So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'"

Jesus has a Physical Body -- After His Ressurection! He was not just a Spirit! We are created in His image...if He had a physical body after His Ressurection...Why wont we?

Luke 20:34-36
"And Jesus said to them, 'The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.'"

Thought this was an interesting verse...there is no marriage in Heaven (we will discuss this in the next post), we wont be able to die anymore (the curse has been removed), we are equal to angels (this could be in power or position), and we are sons of God (angels are not referred to as sons of God!).

Brief Summary of the Biblical Data:
1. We will still be the same person in Heaven...having our own personality!
2. We will still be physical...having bodies...although perfected (free from sickness)
3. We will still be limited...having expanded capacities, but still limited.
4. We will still be made in the Image of God with out the curse! Having Creative Capasity!
5. We will be Freed Forever from Sin and the Curse!

More Surprises coming soon!

In Christ,

David

5 Surprises You will Discover in Heaven: Surprise #1 The Nature of Heaven

2006-04-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Surprise #1: The Nature of Heaven

How do you think of Heaven?
Is it this cloudy place? A Spiritual place...by that I mean disembodied spirits floating around? Other Worldly? Are there Harps? Is it an Eternity long Worhsip Service?
Almost everytime Hollywood trys to depict Heaven, they get it completely wrong!

The Bible indicates Heaven is....
A Renewed, Recreated, Restored Earth!
It is not us going up to God! It is God coming down to us on the earth!!!
Revelation 21:1-4, 9-14
The New Heaven and the New Earth
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'
The New Jerusalem
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, 'Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.' And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

The New Jerusalem -- God's Holy City -- Untainted by Sin! Coming Down...down to where? The New Recreated, Renewed, Resurrected Earth! God's dwelling place is now WITH man!!!

Most of what is going to be written in this series of posts has been shaped in my mind by Randy Alcorn from his book "Heaven". His writings have totally reshaped and reformed my view of Heaven. This is a brief overview of the main points in his book. Please by all means read the book...you will not be dissappointed!!!

The Biblical Data Supporting this Understanding.

1) Genesis 1 -- Everything in Creation is pronounced by God to be Good! Everything was as it was originally intended to be!

2) Genesis 3 -- Everything in Creation is now Cursed: This is supported by
Romans 8:18-23
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."
and Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?"

3) The Effects of the Curse are Death, Sickness, Selfishness, anything that tears down rather than building up.

4) God Promised to Renew the Earth to stop the Curse
Isaiah 66
Revelation 21
2 Peter 3 -- Did the Earth get completely destroyed in the flood? Only the wickedness and ungodlyness...the Earth remained! Could God destroy the Earth with Fire, yet allow it to remain, cleansed of all ungodlyness?
Hebrews 11:10, 16

5) The Center piece of the New Earth is the New Jerusalem!
In Revelation 21 it is given Human Measurements! It is 1/2 the size of the Continental U.S.

6) The Core of Heaven is Gods presence umong us!
Genesis 2 -- Gods original plan was to dwell among us as He did with Adam and Eve!
Revelation 21 -- God will once again make His dwelling among His People!!!
There will be no sin to prevent us from entering into His presence!

Picture It!
Have you ever gazed upon endless mountains or the rolling plains or a lush green forest and thought: This is so amazing, God, you're creation is so beautiful!
Doesn't a scene like that make you long for something better?
Doesn't it make you long for Home? Your Eternal Home?
I know I long for Home just writing this now!!!

Primary Objections to this Understanding of Heaven.
1) These passages are Metaphores not litteral.
2) Greek Plutonic Thought -- all creation is evil.

However:
1) May of the passages about Christ's First Coming are thought to also be Metaphoric...but they were fulfilled litterally! Why not the prophesies about Heaven?
2) Creation is not originally evil...it has been tainted by the fall. Not just a tiny little scatch...but completely tainted...but the original product created by God is good!
Also, we only know a physical existance! Take away the curse and we are still physical! Why would heaven be a non-physical place?

One key thing that I must always keep in mind when thinking about my Eternal Home, is that it has to be very similar to what God created in Genesis 1. When I think into the Future and what Heaven will be like, I also look to the past at what Eden was like. God dwelling with man in Eden and God once again dwelling with man on the New Earth!

Focusing on Heaven is not a bad thing...the Core of Heaven is God! Heaven is our Home! Is it not important to know about our Home? How can we want to be and go there if we don't know what it is like!!!

Four more Surprises to come!

In Christ,

David

Who am I? A Sinner or a Saint?

2006-04-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

In the post THE LIE back on March 22, 2006; part of the lie dealt with us believing that we are Sinners...saved by grace. But I would like to expand on that topic to prepare for the next series of posts on Heaven and what Heaven will be like.

Who does Jesus say that I am?
Matthew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Jesus is saying that we stand out...we are not the normal part of the societal structure...we are different!

Here is what most people believe to be the meaning of the word Saint:

1. Abbr. St. or S. Christianity. A person officially recognized, especially by canonization, as being entitled to public veneration and capable of interceding for people on earth.
2. A person who has died and gone to heaven.
3. Saint A member of any of various religious groups, especially a Latter-Day Saint.
4. An extremely virtuous person.
5. To name, recognize, or venerate as a saint; canonize.
6. a) a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
b) a person of exceptional holiness
c) a model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
d) v. to hold sacred
e) in the Catholic church; declare (a dead person) to be a saint; "After he was shown to have performed a miracle, the priest was canonized"

This deffinition gets closer:
7. one separated from the world and consecrated to God; one holy by profession andby covenant; a believer in Christ (Ps. 16:3; Rom. 1:7; 8:27; Phil. 1:1; Heb.6:10). The "saints" spoken of in Jude 1:14 are probably not the disciples ofChrist, but the "innumerable company of angels" (Heb. 12:22; Ps. 68:17), withreference to Deut. 33:2. This word is also used of the holy dead (Matt. 27:52;Rev. 18:24). It was not used as a distinctive title of the apostles andevangelists and of a "spiritual nobility" till the fourth century. In thatsense it is not a scriptural title.

Saint is from the Greek word Hagios which litteraly means sacred or holy. Holy and sacred mean set apart. Set apart from what? Set apart from the world, set apart to/for God!
Have you ever heard the phrase, I am in this world but not of it? This is the New Testament meaning of the word Saint!
A Saint is not some person who lead a wonderful and good life and has been remembered for it. No, A Saint is someone that God has chosen out of the world, set them aside and redeemed them to serve Him!
You may be thinking:
1. Why have I never heard of this before?
2. I like this, except for the whole serving part?

Well, please stay with me through the series on Heaven...trust me you don't wont to miss it!

Let's look a little closer at who can be considered a Saint!
Romans 1:7
"To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 1:2
"To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:"
Ephesians 1:1
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:"
Philippians 1:1
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:"
Colossians 1:2
"To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:Grace to you and peace from God our Father."
Hebrews 13:24
"Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings."
Jude 1:3
"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."

Here we see several different charateristics of Saints.
1. Romans 1:7 -- Saints are loved and called by God
2. 1 Corinthians 1:2 -- Saints are Sanctified in Christ Jesus and called by God
3. Ephesians 1:1 -- Saints are Faithful in Christ Jesus
4. Philippians 1:1 and Colossians 1:2 -- Saints are IN Christ Jesus
5. Hebrews 13:24 and Jude 1:3 -- Saints are Living human beings, not just people who lived good lives and now we recoginize it. The writer of Hebrews told his audience to Greet the saints, and Jude told his audience to contend for the faith...the faith that was delivered to the saints. Also in Pauls writings, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Philippians, He adresses his audience as Saints!

But what about?
1 Thessalonians 3:13
"so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
And all the times Saints are mentioned in Heaven?

Let me ask a different question...one that will become clearer as we enter into the study of Heaven...
Do we change from this life to the next? And if so, how much do we change?
If we are IN Christ in this life, will we not stay IN Christ in the next?

Ephesians 1:5
"he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,"
Ephesians 1:12
"so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."
Ephesians 2:5-7
"even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Colossians 1:27
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 2:13-15
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
2 Corinthians 1:22
"and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

We are Adopted as Sons and Daughters through Christ! Will this all of a sudden change? If we are the children of God in this life, how much more will we be the Children of God in the next without the hindrence of Sin to mare our relationship!
Christ died to appease the penalty due because of our disobediance, our sin. He took all of our sins upon himself and nailed them to the cross! And given us His Spirit as a guarantee! This is the guarantee of our inheritance as children of God! And this inheritance is being raised with Christ and seated with Him in the Heavenly places!

You too can be a Saint!
100% of your faith must be placed in Christ Jesus as the sole/soul hope of eternal life!
He died to take upon himself your sins, to forgive you of all the wrongs you have done against Him. He offers a pardon to you free of charge, He loves you and wants you to spent eternity with Him.
Do you accept this free pardon and place you trust in Christ Jesus?
For more on this, send me an email, check out www.wayofthemaster.com, or leave a comment with your questions.

Galations 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galations 3:13-14
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'--so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."
Galations 3:16
"Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, 'And to offsprings,' referring to many, but referring to one, 'And to your offspring,' who is Christ."
Galations 3:22
"But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."
Galations 3:24
"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith."
Galations 3:26
"for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith."
Galations 5:24
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

The next few post will be on the topic of Heaven and 5 suprises that you will find there. I must warn you, this very well could challange most if not all of the ways in which you think of and picture Heaven. But be assured, it will be 100% biblically based! And if not, I will deffinately say that what I would be saying is just speculation based off of biblical evendence.
I want everyone to understand that I have not been to Heaven! So I do not have a personal and intimate knowledge of what Heaven will be like...but, God has revealed to us many things about our permanent home that we should all know!
Also, this is not a Major issue. We are all free to dissagree on what Heaven will be like, as I am sure none of us have been there (at least yet!). However, I would ask that disagreements be supported biblically!

Thanks,

In Christ,

David

This is My BIBLE

2006-03-31T11:27:00.000-08:00

This is My BIBLE!!

I AM who it says I am.
Matthew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

I CAN DO what it says I can do.
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me."

I AM GOING where it says I will go.
John 14:1-7
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

God's Word is milk for my soul.
1 Peter 2:2-3
"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."

God's Word is seed for my faith.
Luke 8:10-15
"he said, 'To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that "seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand." Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard. Then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience."

God's Word is light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

God's Word is power for my victory.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

God's Word is freedom for my life.
John 8:31-32
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"

When I read God's Word it brings me joy.
Jeremiah 15:16
"Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts."

When I study God's Word, it keeps me from shame.
2 Timothy 2:15
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

When I memorize God's Word, it purifies my heart.
Psalm 119:10-12
"With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!"

When I quote God's Word, it defeats my enemies.
Ephesians 6:10-20
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

When I meditate on God's Word, it brings me success.
Joshua 1:6-10
"Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. And Joshua commanded the officers of the people,"

When I abide in God's Word, it gives me confidence.
John 15:5-9
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."

I AM A BIBLE-BELIEVING FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST!

In Christ,

David

The Lie

2006-03-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

Most of this is from a Talk by Louie Giglio @ Passion '05

A Massive Lie within the Christian Church

What does it mean to stop trying and have a lot more dying in our lives?

Who can say, "I have always put God first and Glorified Him in everything I do?"

So what is different here? What will make you (when your done reading this) go and serve God with all your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength? Rather than continue the cycle of rededication!

Lie #1:

There is Something Better than Jesus

What is it in your life? In what area have you bought into this lie? Is it, Sexual Temptation? Lying? Stealing? Foul Language? Where do you struggle with sin?

Jesus Is Better!!!

Yes, I'm in the Battle too, Yes it's a Temptation for me too, Yes I struggle, but guess what...

Jesus Is Better!!!

Have you been in this lie so long that you are thinking, "I'm in deep and I think I'm going under? How do you break out from underneath this weight?

How do you love God more?

How can I agree with Isaiah?

Isaiah 26:8

"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your Truth, we wait eagerly for You. For Your Name and Your Renown are the Desire of our Souls."

I desire that my life be a part of a generation that lives for the Glory of Your name. (Psalm 86:11-12)

How can I agree with the 5 Passion Statements?

1. Because I was created by God and for His Glory, I will Magnify Him as I respond to His Great Love. My Desire is to make knowing and enjoying God the passionate pursuit of my life.

(God, Give me a desire for you like the desire that You have for me. Colossians 1:16-18, John 17:3, Revelation 3:20, Philippians 3:7-10, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Psalm 73:25-28, Psalm 16:11, Isaiah 43:7)

2. Because Christ established the church for God's Glory, I desire to magnify God as I use the gifts He has given me to serve and build up the Local Church. I will pray for continued renewal in my church through the work and power of the Holy Spirit.

(God renew in me a love for Your Church, the Body of Christ. Ephesians 3:20-21, 4:1-13, 5:25-27, Hebrews 10:23-25, Acts 2:41-47)

3. Because God is Glorified Greatly when Believers Love each other, I desire to Magnify Him as I Humbly yield to and pray towards unity among All Christians in my life.

(God, give me a desire to lift up Your Name above all other names. John 17:20-26, John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 3, Psalm 133:1, Colossians 3:12-17)

4. Because many in my life are hopelessly separated from God, I desire to magnify Him by sharing the Life and Love of Jesus where I live. As I share, I will earnestly pray for revival in my world. (God, break my heart for those with whom I live. Romans 10:11-15, Isaiah 6:1-8, 62:6-7, Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Peter 2:9-12, Philipians 2:12-16, 1 John 5:14-15)

5. Because God is seeking worshipers of all peoples, I desire to magnify Him among the nations. I actively commit my life and energy to participation in His global purposes in my generation. (God, kindle in me the desire to go anywhere, at anytime, at any cost, to do anything to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Psalm 86:9, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Isaiah 49:6, Revelation 5:9-14, Matthew 28:18-20, Psalm 67, Acts 1:8)

Good News: You Can't!!!???

It is not about Self-Power, and I can do this...It's about Christ's Power, and He can do it!!!

Lie #2:

You Can Do It

NO! You Can't...It's a Lie!!!

Let me ask you a few questions?

Do you have consistency in your Quiet Times? Prayer Times? Loving the Hard to love people in your life? Being full of Christ all the time? Sharing the Gospel? Avoiding Temptation?

Most everyone who reads this, must honestly answer: No I don't have consistency!

We are Amazing Failures!!!

The Christian Life is not Hard. It is not even Difficult! It is IMPOSSIBLE!!!!

It is so impossible for us, that there has only been 1 person who has pulled it off...and they named it after Him!!!

God isn't saying, "You can do it!"

He's saying, "You can't do it, and if you think you can do it, you're just about to stumble and fall. I'm not asking you to do it, I know you can't do it, I know how hard it is. I know you; and this isn't going to work for you! But it worked once...and Christ is still here! And I am going to put the 1 who can, inside the 1 who can't, so He can live the Christian life through the 1 who can't!"

Colossians 1:24-27

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

This is the Mystery...Christ IN YOU!!! Jesus Christ is Living inside of the Redeemed!!!

Isaiah, Daniel, David, Moses, Abraham, Micah, and Rahab didn't know this! But you get to know it!!! It has been made known to the Saints!!! Christ IN You!!!

A Saint is not a person who has led a good life, and we remember them for it...

A Saint is a person that God has set apart, and redeemed...Made Holy!!!

Do you want to live a life that Glorifies God?

Then you have to know this Mystery because this Mystery is the operational element that produces that power of God! Christ IN You!!! This isn't about going someplace when you die! It's about receiving a power source for while you live!!!

The question here isn't, "Do you know where you will go if you die tonight?"

It is, "If you don't die, do you have the hope and confidence of a power source that will enable you to live triumphantly tomorrow?"

Rededication is a Man Made idea!!!

I promise to never do that again God...I know what I said before, but I promise this time it will be different.

It's not about I...It's about what God has done!!!

Rededication should not be promises...but refocusing! There is no I in rededication...it wont work...You Can't!!!

We have Jesus...not just a belief in Him...We Have HIM!!! CHRIST IN YOU!!!

In and not And:

Jesus = Victory

Not Jesus and...Christ is the Hope of Glory...not Christ and...

Lie #3:

You Can't Stop

This lie is all about the next lie...and you will see why.

Who are you?

Lie #4:

I'm just a sinner, saved by grace

No don't loose me here...I'm not going off the deep end!

The focus of this lie is that we are JUST Sinners...saved by grace

This gives us an excuse to sin...because I'm just a sinner...what else do you expect!

It will be completely ordinary and normal to sin...if we believe this lie!

You are a sinner, a rebel, a hater and reviler of God! Who God found, restored, redeemed, forgave, cleansed, and made Holy in Christ...You are a Saint!!!

Paul's letters start...Dear Saints ---Stop Sinning!!! Not, "You big, fat, bunch of retched sinners...saved by grace.

This is 1/2 of the Gospel! Jesus died on the cross to forgive my sins...it's up to me to figure out how to live my life.

The other 1/2 of the Gospel is -- Jesus rose from the tomb, called me to life and to be life in me and righteousness in me and to be God in and through me!

Do you know Romans 3:23?

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Is that it? Is there anything more?

It is at this point that I just LOVE punctuation!!! What comes after the comma?

Romans 3:24-26

"and are justified by his grace as a [free] gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

We are ALL Sinners, BUT...

Don't believe 1/2 of the Gospel! We are sinners, JUSTIFIED by God's GRACE, FREELY!

Colossians 2:13-15

"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

1 Sacrifice for all sins! Past, Present, and Future!!! And He calls me FORGIVEN!!!

He [Jesus Christ] NAILED ALL of my sins to His Cross!!! He became sin on my behalf, so that I might become the Righteousness of God!!!

2 Corinthians 5:21

"For our sake he made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Who are you? Who am I?

I am the Righteousness of God in Him [Jesus Christ]!!!

I am a sinner who has been transformed, forgiven, cleansed, and made a Holy One IN Christ! I am given a new Identity in Christ...I am a Saint!!!

Difference between Sinners and Saints

Sinners try to do Good things!!!

Saints...can sin! They temporarily Abandon their Sainthood (although not permanently), choosing something less than what God has designed for them.

A Holy One living in an Unholy lifestyle!

God wants us to "Change the way we think about ourselves."

The short hand of Paul's letters is, "Saints...Stop Sinning!"

Not, "Sinners...Act Holy."

By God, I am the Righteousness of God!

By God, I am a Holy One, a New Creation, Cleansed, Forgiven in Christ!!!

I'm a Holy One who is sinning Temporarily!!!

Who are You???

Are you a Sinner...saved by grace?

Or...A Saint/Holy One in Christ Jesus?

Stop trying to Act Holy and Start dying to trying! Surrender to Christ!!!

Colossians 2:14

"by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

When Satan (the Accuser) comes to you reminding you of all your past sins...through Christ you can say, "You want to talk about my past sins? O.K. here is what I know, 'by canceling the record of debt that stood against me with its legal demands. This God set aside, nailing it to the cross with Christ Jesus.' My debt is payed, I am now the Righteousness of God through Jesus Christ! You want to talk about that....Hey, where'd you go???

Everything...Past, Present, Future...All sins Christ Nailed to the Cross!!!! Once for All!!!

Romans 8:1

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Who are you?

You Big, Fat, bunch of....Saints!!!

Stop Sinning and believing the lie that anything is better than Jesus!!!!

In Christ,

David

How can I be more Like Jesus?

2006-03-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

How can I be more like Jesus?

Well, you in and of yourself...you can't do it! That is the bad news....

The Good News...

Colossians 3:1-17
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

And where do we get the power to do this???
Colossians 1:27
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

It is Christ living IN you!

Many of us think that it is Christ AND me...Oh, yeah me and Jesus. We're going to go knock down the gates of hell and...
Jesus is thinkin': "Well, I could work with you."

But it is not Jesus AND...
Jesus and You does not = Victory
Jesus and Me does not = Victory
Jesus and ... does not = Victory

JESUS = VICTORY

God was and is so convinced (and rightly so) that we could not live the Christian life, that He sent Jesus (His only Son) to die and nail our sins to the cross. And not only that but God raised Jesus from the dead to live and rule for all eternity! Christ is alive living the Christian life in His people!
Colossians 2:13-15
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

How do I be more like Jesus?
I step aside every second of every day that I am breathing, and allow Jesus Christ to live the Christian life IN me! I can't do it, BUT, Christ IN me can!!!
It is nothing that I can do, only what Christ can do In and Through me!!!

Christ = Victory
Victory over death
Victory over sin
Victory over the accuser (Satan)
Victory In my life
Victory In your life
Christ = Victory

In Christ,

David

Why be more like Jesus?

2006-03-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

Why do I need to be more like Jesus?

Do you call yourself a Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian?
Christians are Disciples and Followers of Christ.

Disciple: One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.

Follower:
1. One who subscribes to the teachings or methods of another; an adherent
2. One that imitates or copies another

Also, I think this has the most impact on my life:
John 14:15
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Becoming more like Christ is also already done...in a sense:
Romans 8:29
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

God has chosen us...to be conformed to the image of his Son...Jesus Christ! Conformed is in the past tense.
What this means is that it is not our job to make sure that we become more Christ like. That is the job of the Holy Spirit working within us.
Our job is to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us! To get our fleshly desires out of the way so that the Spirit can do His work.
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
1 Peter 1:14-16
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
But the catch is...we don't have the power to do that! Only Christ does!
Colossians 1:27
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
So Christ living within us, gives us the power to say no to our fleshly desires and yes to the Holy Spirit working within us!

In the end, God does all the work! Without God we could do nothing!
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me."

So, why be more like Jesus?
1. If you call yourself a Christian...it's all in the name...you are a follower of Christ!
2. Do you love Him? Keep His Commands!
3. If you have the Holy Spirit...you are already conformed into the Image of Christ, we need to (through Christ's strength) allow the Spirit to control us rather than our fleshly desires!

Now for the tough part...How can I be more like Christ?
Application of why to how do I do this in my life is always the toughest part.
We will get to that in the next post.

In Christ,

David

Living to the Highest Standard

2006-03-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to live to the Highest Standard?

1 Corinthians 6:12
"'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be enslaved by anything."

1 Corinthians 10:23
"' All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up."

First, what is the Standard?
That question is easy to answer, but hard to live out...in fact impossible to live out...for humans!
The answer is...Perfection! Absolute Perfection!

O.K. Perfection, but no one is perfect. How do I know what Perfection is?
That is also easy to answer, but hard to live out...Jesus lived the perfect life, completely sinless!
Hebrews 4:15
"For we do not have a high priest [Jesus Christ] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

So, I need to be like Jesus! Why? How?
Well, first I want to make something extremely clear:
Living a Christ-like life does not earn you the right to go to heaven! Not even close!
You and I cannot live a Christ-like life unless a few factors are already inplay in our lives.

1. God has already chosen you to be His child!
Ephesians 1:3-6
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."
John 15:18-20
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."
Romans 11:5
"So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace."
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
2 Thessalonians 2:13
"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."
1 Peter 2:4-5
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

2. He has given you His Holy Spirit to guide you through life and reveal the truth of His word.
Mark 13:11
"And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit."
Luke 12:11-13
"And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Acts 2:1-4
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Romans 5:3-5
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 9:1
"I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--"
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
"And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia."
Hebrews 10:14-17
"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,' then he adds, 'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.'"

3. You are saved (by evidence of the Holy Spirit) and are already eternally secure!
Ephesians 1:13-14
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Ephesians 4:30
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Titus 3:4-7
"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Hebrews 10:14-17
"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,' then he adds, 'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.'"

Why and How do I become more like Jesus?
We will get to that in the next post...

In Christ,

David

What happens when?

2006-03-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

What happens when?
1. I cause another to stumble?
2. A conflict over freedom's arises?

If I am ever the cause of someone else stumbling or I am the stumbling stone, what happens next?

If we are at this point a few things could have happend.
1. We passed judgment on another.
2. We have exercised a freedom in Christ unwisely.
3. A combination of both.

Romans 12:18
"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

No matter what has happend, we have sinned against our brother. We must appologize and ask for their forgivenness.
Trust me, this will be one of the hardest things you have to do in your life!
Why?
1. It is hard because of Pride. We will want to get our point across that we were not sinning while listening to music or watching a movie. But, we must not let that get in the way, we have cause our brother to stumble...that is the sin! Or, we have judged them for their conviction, that is our sin!
Just because the initial action was not a sin, doesn't mean that through the course of the disagreement we have not sinned against our brother.
2. It is hard because we don't separate the issues. What is first confronted is usually one the surface issue, there are usually deeper issues at hand...i.e. stumbling blocks and judgment.

From here, once you have appologized and asked your brother to forgive you:
1. Unity may be restored....
2. They may ask follow up questions.

If Unity is restored great, wonderful...

But, if they ask:
1. Have you repented of your sin?
2. Do you understand why we believe that you were sinning?

This is a tough situation. If you truly care for them, you can let them know where you are truly at. But answer them truthfuly!
Let them know that you may not share their full conviction in that area, but you are sorry for offending them and being a stumbling block to them. Let them know that (if this is the case) God is working on you in that area.
You don't need to tell them the full extent, just that God is working.

Always appoach in humility and love!
Proverbs 10:12
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses."

1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

In Christ,

David

My friend Liz made Nationals!!!!

2006-03-10T11:20:00.000-08:00

Yeah Liz!!! Good Luck in Minneapolis!

Liz is on the left and her bestfriend Diane is on the right. This was taken at Starbucks in Grandshute, WI (Near the Fox River Mall, and Appleton, WI) after Lifest (www.lifest.com) listening to Chris Tomlin!!!

Anywho, Liz is a swimmer and she has made it to Nationals this year (her last year of eligibility!).

Here is wishing Liz the Best of Luck, although she wont really need it!!!

Have fun and enjoy Nationals!!!!!

UPDATE:

Liz was in a relay that took 5th! Congrats on being All-American Liz!!!! (the 1st All-American Athlete I have ever had the privilege of knowing)

And the Pointers as a team took 10th!!! Wonderful Job, and Congrats!!

On a side note, this was the first ever swim meet that I have attended. It was wonderful and exciting! If you have never been to a swim meet, I would definitely encourage you to go to one!

Freedoms and Liberties of being a Christian

2006-03-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

What are the Freedoms that we enjoy as Christians?

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
"'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor."

Christ died and rose again to set us free from the bondage of sin and the penalty of the Law. In this verse we see because of Christ's death and resurrection "all things are lawful". But we also see that "not all things are helpful' and 'not all things build up'.
Paul encourages us to only seek the good of our neighbor! What is in their best interest!

Romans 14:13
"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Romans 14:20
"Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble."

Here again Paul tells us to consider our brothers first, and not to do anything that would cause them to stumble!

So right about now you may be thinking, "Dave you didn't answer the question that you asked above."
Well, yes and no. "Everything is Lawful." But what about something that is explicitly spelled out to be sin by Scripture? No that is not Lawful...we must keep 1 Corinthians 10 and Romans 14 in their original contexts! Paul is talking to 2 groups of believers who are divided on an issue. Half of each group is holding to the Old Testament Laws (which Christ died to free us from, however they are still there for our protection), and the other half is under the Grace of Christ on these issues...the main issue is eating meat (especially meat sacrificed to idols).

So a non-exhaustive list of freedoms:
1. Tattoos
2. Smoking
3. Drinking Alcohol
4. Dancing
5. Watching Movies (except pornography --- I don't know of any male that can avoid lust)
6. Listening to Music
7. Playing Video Games
8. Reading non-Christian books (i.e. The Davinci Code, Sci-Fi Novels, Murder Mysteries ect..)
9. Birth Control
10. Many, Many more things...

So, I have these freedoms through Christ, but how and when can I use them, if I am to always keep my brothers interests first?

2 Timothy 2:23-26
"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

Here Paul is telling Young Timothy to avoid foolish and ignorant controversies! They breed quarrels. And we as the Lord's servants must not be quarrelsome!
We can exercise our freedom's when they will not cause quarrels...meaning, if you know that someone doesn't agree with drinking (even though you are not going to get drunk), we should be mindful of them and avoid drinking in their presence. We must protect the Unity of the Body before our own personal preferences!

Romans 14:1-4
"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand."

"Weak in faith" does not mean that a person who doesn't agree with listening to Rock and Roll is a baby Christian or not Strong in their personal walk with Christ. It means that on this issue they do not have the faith that this issue is not sin, they have strong convictions given to them by God to protect them from sin in this area.
What that all means is that, if you were listening to a song that used explicit foul language and the whole song was about killing, you might be completely fine. Not tempted to sin in any way at all. Not tempted to swear, or hate, or kill anyone. However, if your friend walked into your house and heard that music they might be tempted to sin in one way or another. For them this would then be sin, on two counts:
1. They cannot listen to this song out of Faith.
Romans 14:23
"But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."
Along with that, they may sin by acting upon something from that song...Hating another person or swearing.
2. It would be sin on your part for putting a stumbling stone in front of your brother.

So,
1. I have freedoms because of what Christ did through His death and resurrection!
2. I must not abuse those freedoms by causing my brother to stumble!
3. I must always keep fellow Christians in mind when exercising my freedoms!

What happens when....
1. I do cause a brother to stumble?
2. A conflict over a freedom arises?
3. Not everything is helpful or builds up, Living to the Highest Standard.

These I will talk about next week.

In Christ,

David

Christian Freedom and Liberty

2006-03-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

This is going to be the next thing that I write about.

Prayer Request:
Right now I am going through a tough time, a friend and I are being judged by some because of some of the Freedoms that we have.
These people who are judging us have convictions against our freedom, and are basically condeming us of willfull sin.

Please pray that the Unity of the Body will remain, that a peaceful solution can be brought about and that God's Will be done. Also that during the times of discussion, that God would bind Satan and keep us all from becoming fleshly about this...keeping the pride out.

I don't want to go into detail, at least not until some kind of a resolution has come about, but I do need to study this topic more deeply.

Texts that I have selected thus far are, Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10.
If anyone suggests any other scripture, I will be more than happy to take a look at it.

Ken, thank you for your suggestion and I promise, I will get to that...that is another thing that I really need to study much more in depth.

In Christ,

David

End of Romans Study

2006-02-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

Wow,
I have just finished commenting on the final post of this study on Romans, and already I am sad that it is over.

This has been a wonderful time of learning, refreshing, and challenges. I hope those of you who have followed along have had as great a time as I have had.

I am going to take a few days off...from posting.

I have not chosen a new topic to post on yet, but if you would like to offer some, I would be happy to consider them.
A few that I have thought of are:
1. Differences in Reformed Theology vs. Roman Catholic Theology
2. A study similar to Romans on Galations, Ephesian, Philippians, or Colosians
3. A study on Predestination and Free Will and how both are equally taught
4. A study on Eternal Security
5. Something that is suggested to me that I find interesting

Anyway,
In the words of Jim Carry, "Goodmorning, and in case I don't see you, Good Afternoon, Goodevening, and Good Night!"

I will be back posting in a bit...

In Christ,

David

Romans 16:24-27

2006-02-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

Romans 16:24-27
ESV
(Some Manuscripts insert this verse, the earliest Manuscripts do not have verse 24: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.)
Doxology
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- 27to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."

NASB
(The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.)
"Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; 27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen."

Stephanus 1550 New Testament
24 η χαρις του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου μετα παντων υμων αμην
25 τω δε δυναμενω υμας στηριξαι κατα το ευαγγελιον μου και το κηρυγμα ιησου χριστου κατα αποκαλυψιν μυστηριου χρονοις αιωνιοις σεσιγημενου
26 φανερωθεντος δε νυν δια τε γραφων προφητικων κατ επιταγην του αιωνιου θεου εις υπακοην πιστεως εις παντα τα εθνη γνωρισθεντος
27 μονω σοφω θεω δια ιησου χριστου ω η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην [προς ρωμαιους εγραφη απο κορινθου δια φοιβης της διακονου της εν κεγχρεαις εκκλησιας]

Key Words:
1. Amen: 281 / Amen -- truly (from 543 Hebrew) 543 Hebrew / Amen -- verily, truly (from 539 Hebrew) 539 Hebrew / Aman -- to confirm, support
2. Mystery: 3466 / Musterion -- a mystery or secret doctrine (from Mustes -- one initiated)(from 3453) 3453 / Mueo -- to initiate into the mysteries, to instruct (from Muo -- to shut the eyes or mouth)
3. Writings/Scriptures: 1124 / Graphe -- writing
4. Prophetic/Prophets: 4397 / Prophetikos -- prophetic (from 4396) 4396 / Prophetes -- a prophet (an interpreter or forth-teller of the divine will) ( from 4253 and 5346) 4253 / Pro -- before and 5346 / Phemi -- to declare, say
5. God: 2316 / Theos -- God, divinely, a god
6. Nations: 1484 / Ethnos -- a race, a nation, the nations (as distinct from Israel)

1. Able: 1410 / Dunamai -- to be able, to have power
2. Strengthen/Establish: 4741 / Sterizo -- to make fast, establish (akin to Sterigx -- support, prop)
3. Preaching: 2782 / Kerugma -- a proclamation (from 2784) 2784 / Kerusso -- to be a herald, proclaim
4. Disclosed/Manifested: 5319 / Phaneroo -- to make visible, make clear (from 5318) 5318 / Phaneros -- visible, manifest (from 5316) 5316 / Phaino -- to bring to light, to cause to appear
5. Command/Commandment: 2003 / Epitage -- a command (from 2004) 2004 / Epitasso -- to arrange upon, ie to command (from 1909 and 5021) 1909 / Epi -- on, upon and 5021 / Tasso -- to draw up in order, arrange
6. Obedience: 5218 / Hupakoe -- obedience (from 5219) hupakouo -- to listen, attend to (from 5259 and 191) hupo -- by, under; and akouo -- hearing, to hear, listen

1. Grace: 5485 / Charis -- grace, kindness
2. Gospel: 2098 / Euaggelion -- good news (from 2097) 2097 / Euaggelizo -- to announce good news (from 2095 and 32a) 2095 / Eu -- well (from Eus -- good) and Aggelos -- a messenger, angel
3. Revelation: 602 / Apokalupsis -- an uncovering (from 601) 601 / Apokalupto -- to uncover, reveal (from 575 and 2572) 575 / Apo -- from, away from and 2572 / Kalupto -- to cover
4. Secret: 4601 / Sigao -- to keep silent, to keep secret (from 4602) 4602 / Sige -- silence
5. Eternal: 166 / Aionios -- agelong, eternal (from 165) 165 / Aion -- continued duration, a space of time, an age
6. Faith: 4102 / Pistis -- faith, faithfulness (from 3982) 3982 / Peitho -- to persuade, to have confidence
7. Wise: 4680 / Sophos -- skilled, wise
8. Glory: 1391 / Doxa -- opinion (always good in N.T.), hence praise, honor, glory (from 1380) 1380 / Dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem (from Dokos -- opinion)

Feel free to comment on what God reveals to you as you read His Word.

In Christ,

David

Romans 16:17-23

2006-02-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

Romans 16:17-23
ESV
Final Instructions and Greetings
"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 21Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you."

NASB
"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. 20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 21Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother."

Stephanus 1550 New Testament
17 παρακαλω δε υμας αδελφοι σκοπειν τους τας διχοστασιας και τα σκανδαλα παρα την διδαχην ην υμεις εμαθετε ποιουντας και εκκλινατε απ αυτων
18 οι γαρ τοιουτοι τω κυριω ημων ιησου χριστω ου δουλευουσιν αλλα τη εαυτων κοιλια και δια της χρηστολογιας και ευλογιας εξαπατωσιν τας καρδιας των ακακων
19 η γαρ υμων υπακοη εις παντας αφικετο χαιρω ουν το εφ υμιν θελω δε υμας σοφους μεν ειναι εις το αγαθον ακεραιους δε εις το κακον
20 ο δε θεος της ειρηνης συντριψει τον σαταναν υπο τους ποδας υμων εν ταχει η χαρις του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου μεθ υμων
21 ασπαζονται υμας τιμοθεος ο συνεργος μου και λουκιος και ιασων και σωσιπατρος οι συγγενεις μου
22 ασπαζομαι υμας εγω τερτιος ο γραψας την επιστολην εν κυριω
23 ασπαζεται υμας γαιος ο ξενος μου και της εκκλησιας ολης ασπαζεται υμας εραστος ο οικονομος της πολεως και κουαρτος ο αδελφος

Key Words:
1. Brothers/Brethren: 80 / Adelphus -- a brother (from Alpha -- first, and delphus -- womb)
2. Divisions/Dissensions: 1370 / Dichostasia -- standing apart, dissension (from Dichostateo -- to stand apart)
3. Obstacles/Hindrances: 4625 / Skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), a snare, a stumbling block, an offense
4. Doctrine/Teaching: 1322 / Didache -- doctrine, teaching (from 1321) 1321 / Didasko -- to teach (from Dao -- to learn)
5. Hearts: 2588 / Kardia -- heart
6. Good: 18 / Agathos -- good
7. Evil: 2556 / Kakos -- bad, evil
8. God: 2316 / Theos -- God, divinely, Lord
9. Satan: 4567 / Satanas -- the adversary, Satan, the devil
10. Feet: 4228 / Pous -- a foot
11. Timothy: 5095 / Timotheos -- Timothy (from 5092 and 2316) 5092 / Time -- a valuing, a price (from Tio -- to value, honor) and 2316 / Theos -- God, divinely, Lord
12. Lucius: 3066 / Loukios -- Lucius
13. Jason: 2394 / Iason -- Jason, also name of a legendary greek
14. Sosipater: 4989 / Sosipatros -- Sosipater, of a safe father (from 4986) 4986 / Sopatros -- Sopater, of a safe father (from 4982 and 3962) 4982 / Sozo -- to save (from Sos -- safe, well) and 3962 / Pater -- a father
15. Tertius: 5060 / Tertios -- Tertius, third
16. Gaius: 1050 / Gaios -- Gaius
17. Erastus: 2037 / Erastos -- Erastus, beloved (from Erao -- to love)
18. Treasurer: 3623 / Oikonomos -- the manager of a household (from 3624 and Nemo -- to manage) 3624 / Oikos -- a house, a dwelling
19. Quartus: 2890 / Kouartos -- Quartus

1. Appeal/Urge: 3870 / Parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage (from 3844 and 2564) 3844 / Para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside and 2564 / Kaleo -- to call
2. Cause: 4160 / Poieo -- to make, do
3. Taught/Learned: 3129 / Manthano -- to learn
4. Avoid/Away: 1578 / Ekklino -- to deviate, to turn away (from someone or something) (from 1537 and 2827) 1537 / Ek or Ex -- from, from out of and 2827 / Klino -- to cause to bend
5. Serve/Slaves: 1398 / Douleuo -- to be a slave, to serve (from 1401) 1401 / Doulos -- a slave
6. Deceive: 1818 / Exapatao -- to seduce wholly, deceive (from 1537 and 538) 1537 / Ek or Ex -- from, from out of and 538 / Apatao -- to deceive (from 539) 539 / Apate -- deceit
7. Obedience: 5218 / Hupakoe -- obedience (from 5219) hupakouo -- to listen, attend to (from 5259 and 191) hupo -- by, under; and akouo -- hearing, to hear, listen
8. Crush: 4937 / Suntribo -- to break in pieces, crush (from 4862 and 5147) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with (expresses association with) and 5147 / Tribos -- a beaten track, a path (from Tribo -- to rub, thresh out)
9. Host: 3581 / Xenos -- foreign, a foreigner, guest

1. Contrary: 3844 / Para -- from beside, by the side of, by beside
2. Appetites: 2836 / Koilia -- belly (from Koilos -- hollow)
3. Smooth: 5542 / Chrestologia -- smooth speech (from 5543 and 3004) 5543 / Chrestos -- serviceable, good (from 5530) 5530 / Chraomai -- to use, make use of (akin to 5534) 5534 / Chre -- it is necessary, fitting and 3004 / Lego -- to say
4. Flattery/Flattering: 2129 / Eulogia -- praise, blessing (from the same as 2127) 2127 / Eulogeo -- to speak well of, praise (from 2095 and 3056) 2095 / Eu -- well (from Eus -- good) and 3056 / Logos -- a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech (from 3004) 3004 / Lego -- to say
5. Naive/Unsuspecting: 172 / Akakos -- guileless (from Alpha -- first and 2556) 2556 / Kakos -- bad, evil
6. Rejoice/Rejoicing: 5463 / Chairo -- to rejoice, be glad
7. Wise: 4680 / Sophos -- skilled, wise
8. Innocent: 185 / Akeraios -- unmixed, pure (from Alpha -- first and 2767) 2767 / Kerannumi -- to mix (from Kerao -- to mix)
9. Peace: 1515 / Eirene -- peace (from eiro -- to join)
10. Grace: 5485 / Charis -- grace, kindness

1. Soon: 5034 / Tachos -- speed (from 5036) 5036 / Tachus -- quick, swift

Feel free to comment on what God reveals to you as you read His Word.

In Christ,

David

Romans 16:9-16

2006-02-21T08:14:00.000-08:00

Romans 16:9-16
ESV
"Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you."

NASB
"Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. 15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you."

Stephanus 1550 New Testament
9 ασπασασθε ουρβανον τον συνεργον ημων εν χριστω και σταχυν τον αγαπητον μου
10 ασπασασθε απελλην τον δοκιμον εν χριστω ασπασασθε τους εκ των αριστοβουλου
11 ασπασασθε ηροδιωνα τον συγγενη μου ασπασασθε τους εκ των ναρκισσου τους οντας εν κυριω
12 ασπασασθε τρυφαιναν και τρυφωσαν τας κοπιωσας εν κυριω ασπασασθε περσιδα την αγαπητην ητις πολλα εκοπιασεν εν κυριω
13 ασπασασθε ρουφον τον εκλεκτον εν κυριω και την μητερα αυτου και εμου
14 ασπασασθε ασυγκριτον φλεγοντα ερμαν πατροβαν ερμην και τους συν αυτοις αδελφους
15 ασπασασθε φιλολογον και ιουλιαν νηρεα και την αδελφην αυτου και ολυμπαν και τους συν αυτοις παντας αγιους
16 ασπασασθε αλληλους εν φιληματι αγιω ασπαζονται υμας αι εκκλησιαι του χριστου

Key Words:
1. Urbanus: 3773 / Ourbanos -- Urbanus (of the city, polished)
2. Worker: 4904 / Sunergos -- a fellow worker (from 4862 and 2041) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with and 2041 / Ergon -- work (from Erdo -- to do)
3. Stachys: 4720 / Stachus -- Stachys (from the same as 4719) 4719 / Stachus -- a head of grain
4. Apelles: 559 / Apelles -- Apelles (from 624) 624 / Apollonia or Apollon -- Apollonia , a city in Macedonia (name of Greek God Apollo)
5. Family/Household: ???
6. Aristobulus: 711 / Aristoboulos -- Aristobulus "best-counseling" (from 708 and 1012) 708 / Aristarchos -- best leader (from Aristos -- best and Archos -- leader)
7. Herodion: 2267 / Herodion -- Herodion (from 2264) 2264 / Herodes -- son of a hero, Herod the name of several kings of the Jews (from Heros -- hero)
8. Kinsman: 4773a / Suggenes -- congenital, a kinsman, relative (from 4862 and 1085) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with and 1085 / Genos -- family, offspring (from 1096) 1096 / Ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
9. Narcissus: 3488 / Narkissos -- Narcissus (from Narke -- numbness)
10. Tryphaena: 5170 / Truphaina -- Tryphaena (from 5172) 5172 / Truphe -- softness, daintiness, luxuriousness (from Thrupto -- to break)
11. Tryphosa:5173 / Truphosa -- Tryphosa (from 5172) 5172 / Truphe -- softness, daintiness, luxuriousness (from Thrupto -- to break)
12. Workers: 2872 / Kopiao -- to grow weary, toil (from 2873) 2873 / Kopos -- laborious toil (from 2875) 2875 / Kopto -- to cutt (off), strike, to mourn
13. Persis: 4069 / Persis -- Persis (from Persikos -- Persian)
14. Worked: Same as #12 above
15. Rufus: 4504 / Rhouphos -- Rufus, red
16. Mother: 3384 / Meter -- mother
17. Asyncritus: 799 / Asugkritos -- Asyncritus, incomparable (from Alpha -- first and 4793) 4793 / Sugkrino -- to combine, compare (from 4862 and 2919) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with and 2919 / Krino -- to judge, decide
18. Phlegon: 5393 / Phlegon -- Phlegon (from 5395) 5395 / Phlox -- a flame (from Phlego -- to burn)
19. Hermes: 2060 / Hermes -- Hermes, name of a Greek god
20. Patrobas: 3969 / Patrobas -- Patrobas, father's life (from Patrobios -- 3962 and 979) 3962 / Pater -- a father and 979 / Bios -- life, living
21. Hermas: 2057 / Hermas -- Hermas (from 2060) Hermes -- Hermes, name of a Greek god
22. Brothers/Brethren: 80 / Adelphus -- a brother (from Alpha -- first, and delphus -- womb)
23. Philologus: 5378 / Philologos -- Philologus, student, scholar (from 5384 and 3056) 5384 / Philos -- beloved, dear friendly and 3056 / Logos -- a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech (from 3004) 3004 / Lego -- to say
24. Julia: 2456 / Ioulia -- Julia (from 2457) 2457 / Ioulios -- Julius, a centurion
25. Nereus: 3517 / Nereus -- Nereus, name of a mythological sea god
26. Sister: 79 / Adelphe -- sister (from 80) 80 / Adelphos -- a brother (from Alpha -- first and Delphus -- womb)
27. Olympas: 3652 / Olumpas or Olumpos -- Olympas
28. Saints: 40 / Hagios -- Sacred, Holy
29. Kiss: 5370 / Philema -- a kiss (from 5368) 5368 / Phileo -- to love (from 5384) 5384 / Philos -- beloved, dear, friendly
30. Churches: 1577 / Ekklesia -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation (from 1537 and 2564) 1537 / Ek or Ex -- from, from out of and 2564 / Kaleo -- to call

1. Greet: 782 / Aspazomai -- to welcome, greet
2. Beloved: 27 / Agapetos beloved (from 25) 25 / Agapao -- to love
3. Chosen/Choice: 1588 / Eklektos -- select, favorite (from 1586) 1586 / Eklego -- to select (from 1537 and 3004 in the sense of pick up) 1537 / Ek or Ex -- from, from out of and 3004 / Lego -- to say

1. Approved: 1384 / Dokimos -- tested, approved (from 1209) 1209 / Dechomai -- to receive
2. Holy: 40 / Hagios -- Sacred, Holy

Feel free to comment on what God reveals to you as you read His Word.

In Christ,

David

Romans 16:1-8

2006-02-20T09:44:00.000-08:00

Romans 15:1-8
ESV
Personal Greetings
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord."

NASB
Greetings and Love Expressed
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord."

Stephanus 1550 New Testament
1 συνιστημι δε υμιν φοιβην την αδελφην ημων ουσαν διακονον της εκκλησιας της εν κεγχρεαις
2 ινα αυτην προσδεξησθε εν κυριω αξιως των αγιων και παραστητε αυτη εν ω αν υμων χρηζη πραγματι και γαρ αυτη προστατις πολλων εγενηθη και αυτου εμου
3 ασπασασθε πρισκιλλαν και ακυλαν τους συνεργους μου εν χριστω ιησου
4 οιτινες υπερ της ψυχης μου τον εαυτων τραχηλον υπεθηκαν οις ουκ εγω μονος ευχαριστω αλλα και πασαι αι εκκλησιαι των εθνων
5 και την κατ οικον αυτων εκκλησιαν ασπασασθε επαινετον τον αγαπητον μου ος εστιν απαρχη της αχαιας εις χριστον
6 ασπασασθε μαριαμ ητις πολλα εκοπιασεν εις ημας
7 ασπασασθε ανδρονικον και ιουνιαν τους συγγενεις μου και συναιχμαλωτους μου οιτινες εισιν επισημοι εν τοις αποστολοις οι και προ εμου γεγονασιν εν χριστω
8 ασπασασθε αμπλιαν τον αγαπητον μου εν κυριω

Key Words:
1. Commend: 4921 / Sunistemi or Sunistano -- to commend, establish, stand near, consist (from 4862 and 2476) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with and 2476 / Histemi -- to make to stand, to stand
2. Sister: 79 / Adelphe -- sister (from 80) 80 / Adelphos -- a brother (from Alpha -- first and Delphus -- womb)
3. Phoebe: 5402 / Phoibe -- Phoebe, a deaconess (from female of Phoibos -- bright)
4. Servant: 1249 / Diakonos -- a servant, minister
5. Church: 1577 / Ekklesia -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation (from 1537 and 2564) 1537 / Ek or Ex -- from, from out of and 2564 / Kaleo -- to call
6. Cenchreae/Cenchrea: 2747 / Kegchreai -- Cenchrea, a port of Corinth (from Kegchros -- millet)
7. Saints: 40 / Hagios -- Sacred, Holy
8. Patron/Helper: 4368 / Prostatis -- a patroness, protectress (from 4291b) 4291b / Proistemi -- to put before, to set over, to rule (from 4253 and 2476) 4253 / Pro -- before and 2476 / Histemi -- to make to stand, to stand
9. Prisca: 4251 / Priska -- Prisca, the wife of Aquila
10. Aquila: 207 / Akulas -- Aquila
11. Workers: 4904 / Sunergos -- a fellow worker (from 4862 and 2041) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with and 2041 / Ergon -- work (from Erdo -- to do)
12. Life: 5590 / Psuche -- breath, the soul
13. Necks: 5137 / Trachelos -- the neck (from 5138) 5138 / Trachus -- rough
14. Gentiles: 1484 / Ethnos -- a race, a nation, the nations (distinct from Israel)
15. House: 3624 / Oikos -- a house, a dwelling
16. Epaenetus: 1866 / Epainetos -- Epaenetus, praiseworthy (from 1867) 1867 / Epaineo -- to praise (from 1909 and 134) 1909 / Epi -- on, upon and 134 / Aineo -- to praise (from 136) 136 / Ainos -- praise
17. First: 536 / Aparche -- the beginning of a sacrifice, i.e. the first fruit (from 575 and 746) 575 / Apo -- from, away from and 746 / Arche -- beginning, origin (from 757) 757 / Archo -- to rule, to begin
18. Convert: 536 / Same as #17 above
19. Asia: 773 / Asia -- Asia, a Roman province
20. Mary: 3137 / Maria or Mariam -- Mary, the name of several women
21. Worked: 2872 / Kopiao -- to grow weary, toil (from 2873) 2873 / Kopos -- laborious toil (from 2875) 2875 / Kopto -- strike, to mourn (from Kop -- to cut [off])
22. Andronicus: 408 / Andronikos -- Andronicus, a Jew in Rome, "man of victory" (from 435 and 3534) 435 / Aner -- a man and 3534 / Nikos -- victory (from 3529) 3529 / Nike -- victory
23. Junia/Junias: 2458 / Iounias -- Junias, a kinsman of Paul
24. Kinsmen: 4773a / Suggenes -- congenital, a kinsman, relative (from 4862 and 1085) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with and 1085 / Genos -- family, offspring (from 1096) 1096 / Ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
25. Prisoners: 4869 / Sunaichmalotos -- a fellow prisoner (from 4862 and 164) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with and 164 / Aichme (a spear) and Haliskomai (to be taken, conquered) -- captive
26. Apostles: 652 / Apostolos -- a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle (from 649) 649 / Apostello -- to send, send away (from 575 and 4724) 575 / Apo -- from, away from and 4724 / Stello -- to arrange, prepare, gather up, to restrain
27. Ampliatus: 291 / Ampliatos -- Ampliatus

1. Welcome/Receive: 4327 / Prosdechomai -- to receive to oneself (from 4314 and 1209) 4314 / Pros -- advantageous for, at (denotes local proximity), toward (denotes motion toward a place) and 1209 / Dechomai -- to receive
2. Help: 3936 / Paristemi -- to place beside, to present, stand by, appear (from 3844 and 2476) 3844 / Para -- from beside, by the side of, by beside and 2476 / Histemi -- to make to stand, to stand
3. Greet: 782 / Aspazomai -- to welcome, greet
4. Risked: 5294 / Hupotithemi -- to place under, lay down, to suggest (from 5259 and 5087) 5259 / Hupo -- by, under and 5087 / Tithemi -- to place, lay, set
5. Beloved: 27 / Agapetos beloved (from 25) 25 / Agapao -- to love

1. Worthy: 516 / Axios -- worthily (from 514) 514 / Axios -- of weight, of worth, worthy (from 71 in the sense of to weigh) 71 / Ago -- to lead, bring, carry
2. Thanks: 2168 / Eucharisteo -- to be thankful (from 2170) 2170 / Eucharistos -- thankful (from 2095) 2095 / Eu/Eus -- well, good
3. Well/Outstanding: 1978 / Episemos -- bearing a mark, notable (from 1909 and 4591) 1909 / Epi -- on, upon and 4591 / Semaino -- to give a sign (from Sema -- a sign, mark)

Feel free to comment on what God reveals to you as you read His Word.

In Christ,

David

Romans 15:30-33

2006-02-17T11:59:00.000-08:00

Romans 15:30-33
ESV
"I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

NASB
"Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

Stephanus 1550 New Testament
30 παρακαλω δε υμας αδελφοι δια του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου και δια της αγαπης του πνευματος συναγωνισασθαι μοι εν ταις προσευχαις υπερ εμου προς τον θεον
31 ινα ρυσθω απο των απειθουντων εν τη ιουδαια και ινα η διακονια μου η εις ιερουσαλημ ευπροσδεκτος γενηται τοις αγιοις
32 ινα εν χαρα ελθω προς υμας δια θεληματος θεου και συναναπαυσωμαι υμιν
33 ο δε θεος της ειρηνης μετα παντων υμων αμην

Key Words:
1. Brothers/Brethren: 80 / Adelphus -- a brother (from Alpha -- first, and delphus -- womb)
2. Love: 26 / Agape -- love, goodwill (from 25) 25 / Agapao -- to love
3. Prayers: 4335 / Proseuche -- prayer (from 4336) 4336 / Proseuchomai -- to pray (from 4314 and 2172) 4314 / Pros -- advantageous for/at, toward, motion toward a place and 2172 / Euchomai -- to pray
4. God: 2316 / Theos -- God, a god
5. Unbelievers/Disobedient: 544 / Apeitheo -- to disobey (from 545) 545 / Apeithes --disobedient (from Alpha -- first and 3982) 3982 / Peitho -- to persuade, to have confidence
6. Judea: 2453 / Ioudaios -- Jewish, a Jew, Judea (from 2455) 2455 / Ioudas -- Judah, Judas, the name of several Israelites, also one of the twelve tribes of Israel, also the Southern kingdom
7. Jerusalem: 2419 / Ierousalem -- Jerusalem, the capital of united Israel and Judah, also a future heavenly city
8. Saints: 40 / Hagios -- Sacred, Holy
9. Amen: 281 / Amen -- truly (from 543 Hebrew) 543 Hebrew / Amen -- verily, truly (from 539 Hebrew) 539 Hebrew / Aman -- to confirm, support

1. Appeal/Urge: 3870 / Parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage (from 3844 and 2564) 3844 / Para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside and 2564 / Kaleo -- to call
2. Strive: 4865 / Sunagonizomai -- to strive with (from 4862 and 75) 4862 / Sun -- with, together with (expresses association with) and 75 / Agonizomai -- to contend for a prize, struggle (from 73) 73 / Agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle (from 71) 71 / Ago -- to lead, bring, carry
3. Delivered/Rescued: 4506 / Rhuomai -- to draw to oneself, deliver (akin to Eruo -- to drag)
4. Service: 1248 / Diakonia -- service, ministry (from 1249) 1249 / Diakonos -- a servant, minister
5. Refreshed/Refreshing: ???

1. Spirit: 4151 / Pneuma -- wind, spirit (from 4154) 4154 / Pneo -- to blow
2. Acceptable: 2144 / Euprosdektos -- acceptable (from 2095 and 4327) 2095 / Eu -- well (from Eus -- good) and 4327 / Prosdechomai -- to receive to oneself (from 4314 and 1209) 4314 / Pros -- advantageous for, at (denotes local proximity), toward (denotes motion toward a place) and 1209 / Dechomai -- to receive
3. Joy: 5479 / Chara -- joy, delight (from 5463) 5463 / Chairo -- to rejoice, be glad
4. Will: 2307 / Thelema -- will (from 2309 / Thelo -- to will, wish)
5. Peace: 1515 / Eirene -- peace (from eiro -- to join)

Feel free to comment on what God reveals to you as you read His Word.

In Christ,

David