Hebrews 12:25-29
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks --
We are responsible to pay attention and take to heart into our personal lives what God is saying to us.
If they did not escape --
They were called to account.
when they refused Him who warned them on Earth, --
From Mount Sinai with Moses.
how much less will we, --
We won't escape from accountability, either.
if we turn away from Him who warns us from Heaven? --
God is on His Throne in Heaven.
At that time --
Back in Moses' time.
His voice shook the Earth, --
The Mountain was quaking, an earthquake.
but now He has promised, --
God always does what He said, this is stronger, a promise.
"Once more I will shake not only the Earth but also the Heavens." --
God will "shake;" dislodge, scramble (like dice), destroy, not just the Earth, but also all the "Heavens," the whole Universe!
The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
So all Creation, the whole material Universe, will not only be re-arranged, but totally destroyed, completely burned up, and what will remain will be what always was, God and His Kingdom.
Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, --
God's own, that can never be damaged or destroyed, that will last, perfect, forever.
Let us be thankful, --
Remember to thank God.
and so worship God acceptably --
This is the worship He wants, that He will accept.
with reverence and awe, --
Recognizing His holiness, power, sovereignty, greatness, etc, etc, etc.
for our "God is a consuming fire." --
God is the Maker of all, owner of all, and can dispense with all whenever He wants.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Skin Color
Numbers 12:1,9-10
Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. ... The anger of the Lord burned against them, and He left them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam's skin was leprous--it became as white as snow. ...
Moses' wife was a Cushite, she had black skin. The Israelites were Middle-Eastern, people with light brown skin. When Aaron and Miriam complained because of her shade of complexion, God, in effect, said, "You object to black skin? You want white skin? Okay, Poof! your skin is white!"
When God told the Israelites not to intermarry with the peoples in the Promised Land, He wasn't concerned about skin color; He was keeping them from idolatry and immoral practices. He allowed Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, to marry Salmon, and be the mother of Boaz, then Boaz married Ruth, who was a Moabitess, whose son was Obed, who was King David's grandfather, in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5-6). These foreign ladies had embraced Israel's God, rejecting the idols they had previously worshiped. God is always wanting the very best for each of us, morally and eternally, and He is not concerned about our skin color: He made each of us just the color He knew would be best for us. His primary concern is the "color" of our souls: are they scarlet, the deep red of sin? or are they as white as snow, having been washed in the "crimson flood" of the Cross?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. ... The anger of the Lord burned against them, and He left them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam's skin was leprous--it became as white as snow. ...
Moses' wife was a Cushite, she had black skin. The Israelites were Middle-Eastern, people with light brown skin. When Aaron and Miriam complained because of her shade of complexion, God, in effect, said, "You object to black skin? You want white skin? Okay, Poof! your skin is white!"
When God told the Israelites not to intermarry with the peoples in the Promised Land, He wasn't concerned about skin color; He was keeping them from idolatry and immoral practices. He allowed Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, to marry Salmon, and be the mother of Boaz, then Boaz married Ruth, who was a Moabitess, whose son was Obed, who was King David's grandfather, in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5-6). These foreign ladies had embraced Israel's God, rejecting the idols they had previously worshiped. God is always wanting the very best for each of us, morally and eternally, and He is not concerned about our skin color: He made each of us just the color He knew would be best for us. His primary concern is the "color" of our souls: are they scarlet, the deep red of sin? or are they as white as snow, having been washed in the "crimson flood" of the Cross?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Protection From The Ark Of The Covenant
Numbers 1:52-53
The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law, so that My wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law.
God protected the Levites from the lethal effects of proximity to the Mercy Seat where God appeared between the Cherubim. They were the barrier between the Ark and the Israelites. Others who got too close to it or touched it either died (see I Chronicles 13:9) or were afflicted with tumors (see I Samuel 6), or to be put to death, maybe so as to not spread its effects to the rest. Even the Kohathites who were to carry them were never to look at or touch the holy things: they were to first be covered by Aaron and his sons first, then the Kohathites could come in to carry them out (Numbers 4:20). God gave us guidelines to observe so we could be healthy and prosper, while honoring His holy Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law, so that My wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law.
God protected the Levites from the lethal effects of proximity to the Mercy Seat where God appeared between the Cherubim. They were the barrier between the Ark and the Israelites. Others who got too close to it or touched it either died (see I Chronicles 13:9) or were afflicted with tumors (see I Samuel 6), or to be put to death, maybe so as to not spread its effects to the rest. Even the Kohathites who were to carry them were never to look at or touch the holy things: they were to first be covered by Aaron and his sons first, then the Kohathites could come in to carry them out (Numbers 4:20). God gave us guidelines to observe so we could be healthy and prosper, while honoring His holy Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 28, 2016
If -- Then
Proverbs 2:1-22
If ---- Then
My son, if you accept My words, ... and if you call out for insight ... and if you look for it as ... for hidden treasure, Then you will understand the fear of the Lord ... then you will understand what is just and right and fair--every good path.
Guard you, protect you, save you ... from wicked, perverse, dark ways, crooked paths; also from seductive, sexual sin.
For the upright, the blameless, will live in the land and remain in it; but the wicked, the unfaithful, will be cut off and torn from the land.
God always gives us the choice, whether we want to do right and trust that what He says really is true. It's our own decision to want what is wise or to seek out worldly things and attitudes, which is foolishness. This world is very seductive, in both its attitudes and philosophies, and also in its moral standards that ignore the harm that results from the perverseness and worldly pleasures.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
If ---- Then
My son, if you accept My words, ... and if you call out for insight ... and if you look for it as ... for hidden treasure, Then you will understand the fear of the Lord ... then you will understand what is just and right and fair--every good path.
Guard you, protect you, save you ... from wicked, perverse, dark ways, crooked paths; also from seductive, sexual sin.
For the upright, the blameless, will live in the land and remain in it; but the wicked, the unfaithful, will be cut off and torn from the land.
God always gives us the choice, whether we want to do right and trust that what He says really is true. It's our own decision to want what is wise or to seek out worldly things and attitudes, which is foolishness. This world is very seductive, in both its attitudes and philosophies, and also in its moral standards that ignore the harm that results from the perverseness and worldly pleasures.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Easter - Resurrection To Ascension
Jesus rises very early sometime after midnight on the first day of the week.
There is an earthquake when an Angel rolls the stone away from the entrance to the tomb and sat on it, scaring the soldiers half to death (Matt. 28:2-4).
While still dark, Mary Magdalene leads the women to the tomb, and they see that the stone is already rolled away (Mark 16:1-2, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1).
The Angels remind the women what Jesus had said about His suffering and rising from the dead on the third day; then tells them to tell His disciples and Peter to meet with Him in Galilee. Then the women leave (Luke 24:6-8, Mark 15:5-6, Matt. 28:5-7).
Mary runs to Peter and John, saying, "They've taken His body!" (John 20:2).
Peter and John run to the tomb, followed by Mary (Luke 24:12).
Peter doubts, John believes, and they go home (John 20:2-10).
Mary stays, crying. Jesus appears to her first, saying, "Mary!" She believes. Jesus then tells her to tell His brothers to come to the meeting with Him in Galilee (John 20:11-17).
Jesus then appears to the women who are on their way and tells them to tell His brothers to come to the meeting in Galilee. (Matt. 28:8-10).
Mary joins the women and they tell the disciples about Jesus' Resurrection, but they don't believe it (Matt. 28:8, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:18).
That same day, two disciples are travelling "in the country" to Emmaus, and Jesus walks with them. They only recognize Him later as He breaks bread, and then He disappears (Luke 24:13-35).
The two disciples rush back to the other disciples (Luke 24:33).
That evening, Jesus appears to the disciples, but Thomas is not with them (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:16-49, John 20:19-23).
A week later Jesus appears to the disciples again, this time Thomas is with them (John 20:24-29).
Jesus keeps His appointment to meet with the disciples and His brothers in Galilee, and stays on Earth for 40 days, eating, walking and teaching (Matt 28:16-20 Acts 1:3).
Sometime during this 40 days, Jesus fixes breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23).
Also during this 40 days, Jesus meets with over 500 people at one time (I Cor. 15:6).
Back in Jerusalem, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus ascends into Heaven (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50, Acts 1:2, 9-11)
This is as accurate as I have been able to put together all these events in order. If anyone else, by their own Bible study and the leading of the Holy Spirit, can improve on this timeline, I would appreciate your input. Thank you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
There is an earthquake when an Angel rolls the stone away from the entrance to the tomb and sat on it, scaring the soldiers half to death (Matt. 28:2-4).
While still dark, Mary Magdalene leads the women to the tomb, and they see that the stone is already rolled away (Mark 16:1-2, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1).
The Angels remind the women what Jesus had said about His suffering and rising from the dead on the third day; then tells them to tell His disciples and Peter to meet with Him in Galilee. Then the women leave (Luke 24:6-8, Mark 15:5-6, Matt. 28:5-7).
Mary runs to Peter and John, saying, "They've taken His body!" (John 20:2).
Peter and John run to the tomb, followed by Mary (Luke 24:12).
Peter doubts, John believes, and they go home (John 20:2-10).
Mary stays, crying. Jesus appears to her first, saying, "Mary!" She believes. Jesus then tells her to tell His brothers to come to the meeting with Him in Galilee (John 20:11-17).
Jesus then appears to the women who are on their way and tells them to tell His brothers to come to the meeting in Galilee. (Matt. 28:8-10).
Mary joins the women and they tell the disciples about Jesus' Resurrection, but they don't believe it (Matt. 28:8, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:18).
That same day, two disciples are travelling "in the country" to Emmaus, and Jesus walks with them. They only recognize Him later as He breaks bread, and then He disappears (Luke 24:13-35).
The two disciples rush back to the other disciples (Luke 24:33).
That evening, Jesus appears to the disciples, but Thomas is not with them (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:16-49, John 20:19-23).
A week later Jesus appears to the disciples again, this time Thomas is with them (John 20:24-29).
Jesus keeps His appointment to meet with the disciples and His brothers in Galilee, and stays on Earth for 40 days, eating, walking and teaching (Matt 28:16-20 Acts 1:3).
Sometime during this 40 days, Jesus fixes breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23).
Also during this 40 days, Jesus meets with over 500 people at one time (I Cor. 15:6).
Back in Jerusalem, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus ascends into Heaven (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50, Acts 1:2, 9-11)
This is as accurate as I have been able to put together all these events in order. If anyone else, by their own Bible study and the leading of the Holy Spirit, can improve on this timeline, I would appreciate your input. Thank you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Mourning Turned To Joy
Luke 23:55-56, 24:1-10
And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. --
Mary Magdalene was a very close friend of Jesus, and was there witnessing His horrific death, and how His body was taken from the Cross and laid hurriedly in the tomb. She must have been deeply grieving for the shameful way her Beloved was treated, and His death.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; --
There was still one more thing Mary could do for this gentle Man she loved so much: make sure His burial would not be deficient in any of the customs afforded a loved one in burial, so she prepared many pounds of spices and ointments commonly used in formal funereal burials to show respect for the deceased.
and rested the Sabbath Day according to the commandment. --
That day of the death and burial was the day of preparation for the Sabbath the next day, when the Law commanded rest from common work, so Mary and her lady friends used that day to put together the preparations to be applied after the Sabbath.
Now upon the first day of the week, --
The day after the seventh, the Sabbath; the first day of the week, Sunday.
very early in the morning, --
Mary was eager to perform this last courtesy to her dear Lord; it was before sunrise.
they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, --
I'm sure Mary and the other women with her may have been tearful, in mourning and expecting to perform this very distasteful task lying before them.
and certain others with them. --
The women are named later, in Verse 10.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. --
The stone was rolled away after Jesus rose and exited the tomb, Matthew tells us (Matt. 28:2) that the Angel of the Lord came with a great earthquake to roll back the stone from the door of the tomb and sat on it, which scared the soldiers half to death.
And they entered in and found not the body of Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, --
First they wondered why the stone was already rolled away, then they did not even find Jesus' body there where they saw it laid two days ago, so they were very confused.
behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: --
Whenever Angels appeared to people in the Old Testament, they looked like young men. This remains true to the stories previously given in Scripture.
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, --
Every time Angels or the Angel of the Lord appeared, they inspired fear in the recipients, and almost always said first, "Fear not!"
they said unto them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but risen: --
They needed to be told, as this kind of event had never before happened in the history of the Earth, that One would rise, alive, from being dead.
remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." --
Angels aren't given the privilege of presenting the Gospel, that Jesus died fulfilling the Scriptures, and rose from the dead fulfilling the Scriptures, this has been gifted to us; but he could remind these women of the words Jesus spoke to them before.
And they remembered His words. --
They didn't remember before because they didn't understand them before, the concept was too unreal to make sense of. But now that it has happened, it made perfect sense.
And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. --
They obeyed what the Angel told them to do, to go tell the others.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Johanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. --
So Mary Magdalene's sorrow and grief turned into joy and celebration. As did that of the other women with her, who had been with Jesus as He taught and traveled, and they even helped to support Him in His ministry (Mark 15:41, Luke 8:2-3).
So, Ladies, we can also serve, minister to and help support with our own means, the ministries of our Lord. Jesus elevated women's place in society to have equal value with men, so Christianity is the only religion in the world that does not subjugate women's value to be less than a man's.
We are all to be subject to one another in our daily interactions with others (Ephesians 5:21), and God's order of authority mandates that someone must be in charge to avoid confusion, so the wife is to be subject to her own husband (Eph. 5:22-23ff), but this does not diminish her value in relation to his any more than Jesus' value is diminished in relation to His Father by obeying Him.
And the first person Jesus chose to show Himself to as Resurrected was this same Mary Magdalene (John 20:14-17). She was apparently as dear to Him as He was to her.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 24, 2016
The Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. . . . (He then told them about the Persistent Widow.) And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the Earth?
We are to continue to pray and ask God for what it is that we need. If the unjust judge would help the widow because of her persistence, how much more does God care for His children and want to give us every good thing we need? And if He has not answered yet, we can know that the answer is on its way and is already ours.
O my Father, Help us to continue to ask You for what You want to give us. Keep us persistent, strengthen our faith to make us unwavering, and preserve our lives to the end, the Parousia.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. . . . (He then told them about the Persistent Widow.) And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the Earth?
We are to continue to pray and ask God for what it is that we need. If the unjust judge would help the widow because of her persistence, how much more does God care for His children and want to give us every good thing we need? And if He has not answered yet, we can know that the answer is on its way and is already ours.
O my Father, Help us to continue to ask You for what You want to give us. Keep us persistent, strengthen our faith to make us unwavering, and preserve our lives to the end, the Parousia.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Going Home
Leviticus 25:23
The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is Mine and you reside in My land as foreigners and strangers.
God is giving His people the rules for living, and has told them that whenever they sell or buy land from one another, it's actually the number of crops they are selling until the next Year of Jubilee (v. 16), every fifty years. The concept is that we don't own our property, God owns it, and He allows us to live here under His terms as our landlord. And He shows us that He is just and compassionate to have the land revert back to the original clan and family, so the people can always go home.
Every fifty years the economy would re-set; debts would be forgiven, slaves set free, and everyone would be able to go home with a fresh start.
And Jesus is preparing a place for me! (John 14:2-3).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is Mine and you reside in My land as foreigners and strangers.
God is giving His people the rules for living, and has told them that whenever they sell or buy land from one another, it's actually the number of crops they are selling until the next Year of Jubilee (v. 16), every fifty years. The concept is that we don't own our property, God owns it, and He allows us to live here under His terms as our landlord. And He shows us that He is just and compassionate to have the land revert back to the original clan and family, so the people can always go home.
Every fifty years the economy would re-set; debts would be forgiven, slaves set free, and everyone would be able to go home with a fresh start.
And Jesus is preparing a place for me! (John 14:2-3).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
He Has Overcome The World
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
O my Father, I thank you for the peace of mind and heart You have given me through Your Son Jesus, my Lord. Thank you for Your great power and goodness, for Your love and compassion for me and mine, and all You have made. Thank you that Jesus has overcome the world, this world system, that is fighting so vigorously against Your ways. Thank you that you will continue to be with us, and will never leave us, nor forsake us to our poor, foolish choices. Teach us Your ways, Father; bring Your righteousness back into American national life, that we can again be that city on the hill, shining Your light unto the nations.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
O my Father, I thank you for the peace of mind and heart You have given me through Your Son Jesus, my Lord. Thank you for Your great power and goodness, for Your love and compassion for me and mine, and all You have made. Thank you that Jesus has overcome the world, this world system, that is fighting so vigorously against Your ways. Thank you that you will continue to be with us, and will never leave us, nor forsake us to our poor, foolish choices. Teach us Your ways, Father; bring Your righteousness back into American national life, that we can again be that city on the hill, shining Your light unto the nations.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Answered Prayer
I Kings 3:5,12-14
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." --
Ask for whatever you want! We must know what we want to ask for, and be specific.
"I will do what you have asked: I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be."
And expect the answer. Expect to receive it, look for it, act as though you already have it.
"Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for--both riches and honor--so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."
Also expect and look for what would come as a result of the answer to what you have asked for; in Solomon's case, he asked for wisdom to govern, and it resulted in also bringing him riches and honor.
"And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
Then there is a condition: to live our own life according to the "Manufacturer's Operating Manual" will result in a long life to enjoy the benefits of answered prayer for a long time.
Obeying God's rules and ways always results in God giving us all the benefits and He receives all the glory, the credit, because that's how He planned it all out from the beginning.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." --
Ask for whatever you want! We must know what we want to ask for, and be specific.
"I will do what you have asked: I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be."
And expect the answer. Expect to receive it, look for it, act as though you already have it.
"Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for--both riches and honor--so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."
Also expect and look for what would come as a result of the answer to what you have asked for; in Solomon's case, he asked for wisdom to govern, and it resulted in also bringing him riches and honor.
"And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
Then there is a condition: to live our own life according to the "Manufacturer's Operating Manual" will result in a long life to enjoy the benefits of answered prayer for a long time.
Obeying God's rules and ways always results in God giving us all the benefits and He receives all the glory, the credit, because that's how He planned it all out from the beginning.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Does God Delight In You?
Psalm 18:19b
He rescued me because He delighted in me.
David had been pursued by King Saul, who was envious of of his popularity and favor with God. There were several times David had the opportunity to kill Saul and take his kingdom, as God had had Samuel anoint David to be the next king after Saul. But David loved God, and when you love someone with genuine love, you want to do what pleases them, and David refused to take advantage of Saul, who had also been anointed as king. David trusted in God, and expected Him to fight on his behalf. So He delivered him out of all his troubles with Saul. And David did become king, a great king, respected and admired by the people, and also by the other nations of his day, who heard of him and sent tribute to him (vs. 44-45).
David was called a man after God's own heart, for many reasons, one of which is because he trusted Him to do what He said He would do, and showed it by his actions. I don't know if there are many people in all history who really trusted God like David did.
God always honors those who choose to trust Him, and find the faith to actually act on it. When we say we believe, then live our lives as though He doesn't even exist, making all our own decisions according to our own logic and intelligence, we prove that our trust is not in God at all, but ourselves; we are worshiping ourselves, we are our own #1.
But when we read and know His Word, will we determine that we will live our daily lives according to God's principles according to the Bible, even when it goes against "common sense"? That's what David did.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He rescued me because He delighted in me.
David had been pursued by King Saul, who was envious of of his popularity and favor with God. There were several times David had the opportunity to kill Saul and take his kingdom, as God had had Samuel anoint David to be the next king after Saul. But David loved God, and when you love someone with genuine love, you want to do what pleases them, and David refused to take advantage of Saul, who had also been anointed as king. David trusted in God, and expected Him to fight on his behalf. So He delivered him out of all his troubles with Saul. And David did become king, a great king, respected and admired by the people, and also by the other nations of his day, who heard of him and sent tribute to him (vs. 44-45).
David was called a man after God's own heart, for many reasons, one of which is because he trusted Him to do what He said He would do, and showed it by his actions. I don't know if there are many people in all history who really trusted God like David did.
God always honors those who choose to trust Him, and find the faith to actually act on it. When we say we believe, then live our lives as though He doesn't even exist, making all our own decisions according to our own logic and intelligence, we prove that our trust is not in God at all, but ourselves; we are worshiping ourselves, we are our own #1.
But when we read and know His Word, will we determine that we will live our daily lives according to God's principles according to the Bible, even when it goes against "common sense"? That's what David did.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Manna
Exodus 16:11-36
The manna God gave the Israelites in the desert was not like anything else found on Earth. It was found on the ground when the dew was gone. It looked like thin flakes of frost (v. 14), it was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey (v. 31). The people were to gather about two quarts per person per day (v. 16), and they were not to keep any aside or it would become garbage (vs. 19-20). The exception was that, since they were to rest on the Sabbath, they could gather twice as much the sixth day and it would still be fresh to eat on the seventh day (vs. 23-26). Some people always have to see for themselves, though, instead of trusting what God said, and they found that there wasn't any to gather on the Sabbath (v. 27).
So it would spoil if kept overnight, except each sixth day it would keep and be fresh each seventh day. This is amazing, the food of the Angels (Psalm 78:25).
God is so good to all of us. He knew that there was no food for all these people in the desert, so He provided, miraculously, enough food for them all, along with instructions. Since this was not Earthly fare, He told them how to find it, gather it, and deal with it. God always provides the information we need to deal with whatever situation we face in life, not just the special times, but all the times.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The manna God gave the Israelites in the desert was not like anything else found on Earth. It was found on the ground when the dew was gone. It looked like thin flakes of frost (v. 14), it was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey (v. 31). The people were to gather about two quarts per person per day (v. 16), and they were not to keep any aside or it would become garbage (vs. 19-20). The exception was that, since they were to rest on the Sabbath, they could gather twice as much the sixth day and it would still be fresh to eat on the seventh day (vs. 23-26). Some people always have to see for themselves, though, instead of trusting what God said, and they found that there wasn't any to gather on the Sabbath (v. 27).
So it would spoil if kept overnight, except each sixth day it would keep and be fresh each seventh day. This is amazing, the food of the Angels (Psalm 78:25).
God is so good to all of us. He knew that there was no food for all these people in the desert, so He provided, miraculously, enough food for them all, along with instructions. Since this was not Earthly fare, He told them how to find it, gather it, and deal with it. God always provides the information we need to deal with whatever situation we face in life, not just the special times, but all the times.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 18, 2016
Have You Chosen Him?
Job 23:13
But He stands alone, and who can oppose Him? He does whatever He pleases.
God stands alone, the only God, none equals Him. There is no other anywhere in all Creation that can stand beside Him; He has no rival.
He has the power and authority to do whatever He pleases, and He only pleases to do what is good--for our benefit and for His glory. Even when He punishes the wicked, it displays His power, authority and goodness to those who love Him.
His favor extends to every man (mankind), but not every man chooses Him. He has given us the authority to choose, and, even though He wants us all to choose him, He still allows those who reject His goodness to have what they have chosen--an eternity without Him.
Since God is light, they will have no light; He is love, they will experience no love; He is good, they will know no goodness; He is hope, they will have no hope.
Have you chosen Him?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But He stands alone, and who can oppose Him? He does whatever He pleases.
God stands alone, the only God, none equals Him. There is no other anywhere in all Creation that can stand beside Him; He has no rival.
He has the power and authority to do whatever He pleases, and He only pleases to do what is good--for our benefit and for His glory. Even when He punishes the wicked, it displays His power, authority and goodness to those who love Him.
His favor extends to every man (mankind), but not every man chooses Him. He has given us the authority to choose, and, even though He wants us all to choose him, He still allows those who reject His goodness to have what they have chosen--an eternity without Him.
Since God is light, they will have no light; He is love, they will experience no love; He is good, they will know no goodness; He is hope, they will have no hope.
Have you chosen Him?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Child-Rearing
Proverbs 22:6,13
Train a child in the way he should go, --
Start him off on the right path for him, according to his "bent."
and when he is old he will not turn from it. --
When he grows older, he will have it to fall back onto, or it will keep him on the right path for him.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, --
Foolishness, childishness, is natural in a child, but he needs to learn that fun is not the goal in life, and it will never satisfy.
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. --
Whether it is an actual rod or paddle for a spanking, a time-out, a withholding of privileges, extra assigned chores, or whatever, a child needs to experience (not be rescued from) the consequences of his actions and choices, in order to learn how to make wise, right decisions in his life.
We, as parents and grandparents, are given the most solemn responsibility ever devised in this world: to prepare the next generation for God. Faith is often lost in just one generation, so we need to view this opportunity to have input into the lives and thinking processes of those who come after us very seriously, to influence them for good and make sure they understand clearly what is important both in this life and in the next.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Train a child in the way he should go, --
Start him off on the right path for him, according to his "bent."
and when he is old he will not turn from it. --
When he grows older, he will have it to fall back onto, or it will keep him on the right path for him.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, --
Foolishness, childishness, is natural in a child, but he needs to learn that fun is not the goal in life, and it will never satisfy.
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. --
Whether it is an actual rod or paddle for a spanking, a time-out, a withholding of privileges, extra assigned chores, or whatever, a child needs to experience (not be rescued from) the consequences of his actions and choices, in order to learn how to make wise, right decisions in his life.
We, as parents and grandparents, are given the most solemn responsibility ever devised in this world: to prepare the next generation for God. Faith is often lost in just one generation, so we need to view this opportunity to have input into the lives and thinking processes of those who come after us very seriously, to influence them for good and make sure they understand clearly what is important both in this life and in the next.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Living That Eternal Life
Romans 8:9-17
You, however, are not controlled by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. --
If God's Holy Spirit does not live in you, then you cannot be controlled by Him, only by your flesh, your sin-nature.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. --
God puts His Spirit into every person He gives New Birth to, to be born into God's own family, when he trusts Jesus to pay his eternal debt in his place on the Cross, and knows that Jesus rose from the dead. Otherwise, he doesn't belong to Him.
But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, --
When the Spirit of Christ enters a person, the power of sin that resides in his body, his sin-nature, cannot any more compel him into sin, because that power was defeated at the Cross, so is considered dead.
yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. --
The righteousness of Jesus Christ is put into that person, not earned by him, by the miracle of the New Birth, making his once-dead human spirit alive with the life of God's Holy Spirit.
And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead --
That's God's Holy Spirit.
is living in you, --
If you have been re-born spiritually, through your faith, your trust in Jesus Christ.
He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give Life to your mortal bodies --
God's Holy Spirit will give us also that Resurrection Life, that is eternal and supernatural, to these same bodies we're living in now, only changed and enhanced, like Jesus' body was when He was Resurrected.
through His Spirit who lives in you. --
This same Holy Spirit that will Resurrect our bodies is here, living in our bodies right now.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-- --
Because of this, we are responsible to God for something.
but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. --
We never need to obey our fleshly urges or be primarily focused on meeting our worldly needs any more now.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; --
All of our worldly and fleshly needs and desires only fuel the natural, mortal life that will die.
but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, --
If you repent and turn from and repudiate whatever immoral or unlawful or simply spiritually useless things you used to do. This is what we are now obligated to do.
you will live. --
You will be living that eternal life you received, that will last forever.
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
If you are living that eternal life, that life of much higher quality than the merely natural, human life, that shows that God's Spirit in you is leading you to live that better life, because you are a son of God, Himself.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear --
Any spirit that leads to fear cannot be God's Spirit.
but you received the Spirit of adoption [sonship].
God's Spirit causes us to be born into God's personal family, and will, at our Resurrection, pronounce us adult sons with all the rights and authority to "run the family business," His kingdom.
And by Him we cry, "Abba" (Da-da), "Father" (Daddy).
Children born into an intact family will often say as their first word, Da-da, which acknowledges that the father in the family is their Daddy. We are those children, born into God's family.
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. --
That's how we know that we are, right now, today, God's own children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- --
We just determined that we are His children, so that means we are also His heirs, He's put us in His "last will and testament."
heirs of God --
We stand to inherit God's riches.
and co-heirs with Christ, --
Everything Jesus will inherit, we will inherit with Him, as His co-heirs.
if, indeed, we share in His sufferings --
Jesus suffered, then received glory and riches and authority and power.
that we may also share in His glory. --
We will suffer as Christians, being persecuted by the world and those who belong to the world. Because we will also suffer, and we are God's children, then we also will inherit glory and riches and authority and power with Jesus, to rule with Him in His kingdom forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
You, however, are not controlled by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. --
If God's Holy Spirit does not live in you, then you cannot be controlled by Him, only by your flesh, your sin-nature.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. --
God puts His Spirit into every person He gives New Birth to, to be born into God's own family, when he trusts Jesus to pay his eternal debt in his place on the Cross, and knows that Jesus rose from the dead. Otherwise, he doesn't belong to Him.
But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, --
When the Spirit of Christ enters a person, the power of sin that resides in his body, his sin-nature, cannot any more compel him into sin, because that power was defeated at the Cross, so is considered dead.
yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. --
The righteousness of Jesus Christ is put into that person, not earned by him, by the miracle of the New Birth, making his once-dead human spirit alive with the life of God's Holy Spirit.
And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead --
That's God's Holy Spirit.
is living in you, --
If you have been re-born spiritually, through your faith, your trust in Jesus Christ.
He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give Life to your mortal bodies --
God's Holy Spirit will give us also that Resurrection Life, that is eternal and supernatural, to these same bodies we're living in now, only changed and enhanced, like Jesus' body was when He was Resurrected.
through His Spirit who lives in you. --
This same Holy Spirit that will Resurrect our bodies is here, living in our bodies right now.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-- --
Because of this, we are responsible to God for something.
but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. --
We never need to obey our fleshly urges or be primarily focused on meeting our worldly needs any more now.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; --
All of our worldly and fleshly needs and desires only fuel the natural, mortal life that will die.
but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, --
If you repent and turn from and repudiate whatever immoral or unlawful or simply spiritually useless things you used to do. This is what we are now obligated to do.
you will live. --
You will be living that eternal life you received, that will last forever.
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
If you are living that eternal life, that life of much higher quality than the merely natural, human life, that shows that God's Spirit in you is leading you to live that better life, because you are a son of God, Himself.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear --
Any spirit that leads to fear cannot be God's Spirit.
but you received the Spirit of adoption [sonship].
God's Spirit causes us to be born into God's personal family, and will, at our Resurrection, pronounce us adult sons with all the rights and authority to "run the family business," His kingdom.
And by Him we cry, "Abba" (Da-da), "Father" (Daddy).
Children born into an intact family will often say as their first word, Da-da, which acknowledges that the father in the family is their Daddy. We are those children, born into God's family.
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. --
That's how we know that we are, right now, today, God's own children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- --
We just determined that we are His children, so that means we are also His heirs, He's put us in His "last will and testament."
heirs of God --
We stand to inherit God's riches.
and co-heirs with Christ, --
Everything Jesus will inherit, we will inherit with Him, as His co-heirs.
if, indeed, we share in His sufferings --
Jesus suffered, then received glory and riches and authority and power.
that we may also share in His glory. --
We will suffer as Christians, being persecuted by the world and those who belong to the world. Because we will also suffer, and we are God's children, then we also will inherit glory and riches and authority and power with Jesus, to rule with Him in His kingdom forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Humility And Serving
Philippians 2:6-8
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!
O my Father, I am astounded by the humility Jesus showed when He submitted Himself to His enemies! He did not speak out to defend Himself, but silently allowed them to torture and kill Him.
Please help me to humble myself. I have considered myself as equal to or even above others in terms of education or quality of moral living or extent of life experiences; but You have told me to "consider others better than" myself. Please help me, Father, to even just "think more" often of others than I do myself, and start there. Teach me to do this, and then I may be able to grow more mature in living out my faith to think of others as "better than" myself. Show me how to serve them, according to their needs, not just what I think they "should" need. And thereby to serve You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!
O my Father, I am astounded by the humility Jesus showed when He submitted Himself to His enemies! He did not speak out to defend Himself, but silently allowed them to torture and kill Him.
Please help me to humble myself. I have considered myself as equal to or even above others in terms of education or quality of moral living or extent of life experiences; but You have told me to "consider others better than" myself. Please help me, Father, to even just "think more" often of others than I do myself, and start there. Teach me to do this, and then I may be able to grow more mature in living out my faith to think of others as "better than" myself. Show me how to serve them, according to their needs, not just what I think they "should" need. And thereby to serve You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 14, 2016
Are You Still Condemned? Or Rescued?
John 3:17-18; Ephesians 2:3b-5,8,10; Hebrews 4:16
For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of God's one and only Son.
Like the rest (of humankind), we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this (faith) is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
God's own Words speak eloquently, with no need of further comment from little me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of God's one and only Son.
Like the rest (of humankind), we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this (faith) is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
God's own Words speak eloquently, with no need of further comment from little me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Death Or Life, Our Choice
Romans 5:10-14,21
For if, when we were God's enemies, --
Before we turn to God in repentance and trust in Jesus to pay our debt for us, we were at enmity with God, his enemies.
we were reconciled to Him --
We were changed, as I change my checkbook to agree with the bank statement, so we were reconciled to God, to agree with His holiness, and remove the things that were against us to becoming His righteousness: a miracle in each one of us.
through the death of His Son, --
Because the Son of God, Jesus, God's Christ, was born a Man and died Man's death, the debt we each owe, in the place of each one of us; this is how we have been reconciled, because our debt is paid.
how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! --
Because Jesus conquered Death, He rose from the grave. The life He rose with was more than the human life had been, He returned with Resurrection Life. And because He was Resurrected, so will we. This is the full Redemption, when we will be fully and completely saved, when we also will be Resurrected.
Not only is this so, --
This is our hope in the Lord, that He will return to take us to be with Himself forever, Resurrected with His Eternal Life, like Him.
but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. --
We can be joyful in realizing the Truth of both our future Resurrection and being right with God right now.
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, --
The first man Adam chose to disobey God, which was the first human sin, and the paycheck for sin is death, so death entered the world through this one man.
and in this way death came to all men because all sinned. --
We all are born from the genealogical line of Adam, so we genetically inherit the sin-nature that Adam's natural life became when he sinned. So each of us has that bent toward sin, that makes it easier, or more convenient to choose to do the wrong thing, or to not do the right thing. So we have all, each human person that has ever lived, missed the mark of God's perfection, so we all deserve to die, and we all die.
For before the Law was given, sin was in the world. --
Even before there were rules given to describe what was wrong, people still made foolish and evil decisions to do what they knew was wrong, they still sinned.
But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. --
When there's no law or rule against it, no one can be convicted of it.
Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as Adam did --
People still died, even though they couldn't be charged with breaking a rule, they still suffered the consequences of their choices.
who was a pattern of the One to come.
Adam was a pattern of a member of Mankind who had a decision, a choice to make. Adam made the wrong choice; Jesus made the right choice. He is the One to come, the second Man who had the authority to make a choice that would affect not only himself, but many others, even, all others.
Adam's sin affects every human person who lived or lives or will live.
Jesus's righteousness can affect every person who lived or lives or will live. He is the Second Adam, who can reverse the harm the First Adam caused.
Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might rein through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. --
So we each have the choice to do right or to do wrong. Each of us is responsible to choose rightly, and is accountable to God for the choices we make, rightly or wrongly. In Adam we all will die. In Jesus Christ we are given the possibility of living forever.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For if, when we were God's enemies, --
Before we turn to God in repentance and trust in Jesus to pay our debt for us, we were at enmity with God, his enemies.
we were reconciled to Him --
We were changed, as I change my checkbook to agree with the bank statement, so we were reconciled to God, to agree with His holiness, and remove the things that were against us to becoming His righteousness: a miracle in each one of us.
through the death of His Son, --
Because the Son of God, Jesus, God's Christ, was born a Man and died Man's death, the debt we each owe, in the place of each one of us; this is how we have been reconciled, because our debt is paid.
how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! --
Because Jesus conquered Death, He rose from the grave. The life He rose with was more than the human life had been, He returned with Resurrection Life. And because He was Resurrected, so will we. This is the full Redemption, when we will be fully and completely saved, when we also will be Resurrected.
Not only is this so, --
This is our hope in the Lord, that He will return to take us to be with Himself forever, Resurrected with His Eternal Life, like Him.
but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. --
We can be joyful in realizing the Truth of both our future Resurrection and being right with God right now.
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, --
The first man Adam chose to disobey God, which was the first human sin, and the paycheck for sin is death, so death entered the world through this one man.
and in this way death came to all men because all sinned. --
We all are born from the genealogical line of Adam, so we genetically inherit the sin-nature that Adam's natural life became when he sinned. So each of us has that bent toward sin, that makes it easier, or more convenient to choose to do the wrong thing, or to not do the right thing. So we have all, each human person that has ever lived, missed the mark of God's perfection, so we all deserve to die, and we all die.
For before the Law was given, sin was in the world. --
Even before there were rules given to describe what was wrong, people still made foolish and evil decisions to do what they knew was wrong, they still sinned.
But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. --
When there's no law or rule against it, no one can be convicted of it.
Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as Adam did --
People still died, even though they couldn't be charged with breaking a rule, they still suffered the consequences of their choices.
who was a pattern of the One to come.
Adam was a pattern of a member of Mankind who had a decision, a choice to make. Adam made the wrong choice; Jesus made the right choice. He is the One to come, the second Man who had the authority to make a choice that would affect not only himself, but many others, even, all others.
Adam's sin affects every human person who lived or lives or will live.
Jesus's righteousness can affect every person who lived or lives or will live. He is the Second Adam, who can reverse the harm the First Adam caused.
Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might rein through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. --
So we each have the choice to do right or to do wrong. Each of us is responsible to choose rightly, and is accountable to God for the choices we make, rightly or wrongly. In Adam we all will die. In Jesus Christ we are given the possibility of living forever.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Substitutionary Sacrifice
Romans 5:6,8-9
You see, at just the right time, --
God's timing is always perfect.
when we were still powerless, --
We never have had nor will have the power to save ourselves from the consequences of our own poor choices.
Christ died for the ungodly. --
Jesus Christ, the righteous One, the only sinless One; paid the sinner's debt, the human death we all deserve, in our place, substituted for each one of us.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: --
God the Father loves each one of us, we all have been made by Him, and He loves everything and everyone He made. This is how He shows us His love.
While we were still sinners, --
While we were still God's enemies.
Christ died for us.
Jesus Christ took upon Himself Death. Death he did not deserve, but we do. A debt He did not owe, but we do. He did this for each one of us, individually, as well as corporately, for all of us and the whole Universe we live in. And by actually dying, going through Death itself, He conquered it, He gained the victory over it, proved by His Resurrection.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
You see, at just the right time, --
God's timing is always perfect.
when we were still powerless, --
We never have had nor will have the power to save ourselves from the consequences of our own poor choices.
Christ died for the ungodly. --
Jesus Christ, the righteous One, the only sinless One; paid the sinner's debt, the human death we all deserve, in our place, substituted for each one of us.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: --
God the Father loves each one of us, we all have been made by Him, and He loves everything and everyone He made. This is how He shows us His love.
While we were still sinners, --
While we were still God's enemies.
Christ died for us.
Jesus Christ took upon Himself Death. Death he did not deserve, but we do. A debt He did not owe, but we do. He did this for each one of us, individually, as well as corporately, for all of us and the whole Universe we live in. And by actually dying, going through Death itself, He conquered it, He gained the victory over it, proved by His Resurrection.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 11, 2016
Peace, Grace, Hope, Glory
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore since we have been justified --
Declared righteous, not earned righteousness.
through faith, --
By reason of our trusting in Jesus.
we have peace with God --
We are again friends with God instead of His enemies, we don't have guilt between us.
through our Lord Jesus Christ, --
By the means of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.
through whom we have gained access --
Because of Jesus we can go right in, we have access; the veil is ripped apart.
by faith --
by means of our trusting in Him.
into this grace --
This totally unmerited favor of God.
in which we now stand. --
That we have right now, that benefits us today in the circumstances we find ourselves in at this moment.
And we rejoice in the hope --
We celebrate and take joy in the knowledge of the certainties that haven't happened yet but we know they will without fail. Not just a wish, a future fact.
of the glory of God.
God's goodness, His greatness, His majesty, His enormity and authority, His boundless power to rule and accomplish everything He wills. And He is ours!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Therefore since we have been justified --
Declared righteous, not earned righteousness.
through faith, --
By reason of our trusting in Jesus.
we have peace with God --
We are again friends with God instead of His enemies, we don't have guilt between us.
through our Lord Jesus Christ, --
By the means of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.
through whom we have gained access --
Because of Jesus we can go right in, we have access; the veil is ripped apart.
by faith --
by means of our trusting in Him.
into this grace --
This totally unmerited favor of God.
in which we now stand. --
That we have right now, that benefits us today in the circumstances we find ourselves in at this moment.
And we rejoice in the hope --
We celebrate and take joy in the knowledge of the certainties that haven't happened yet but we know they will without fail. Not just a wish, a future fact.
of the glory of God.
God's goodness, His greatness, His majesty, His enormity and authority, His boundless power to rule and accomplish everything He wills. And He is ours!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Free, Indeed
John 8:34-35,31-32
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." --
Everyone who gives himself to a sin to commit it becomes a slave of that sin; it becomes a habit, then an addiction.
Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, --
A slave has been bought and can be sold again at any time, at the whim of the slave-holder.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free, indeed. --
The Son has the authority to set a slave free, to never have to return to that position of slavery ever again.
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. --
If I actually take hold of what Jesus said, then I will be a true disciple, a student, learning from the Teacher.
Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. --
So this Truth Jesus is talking about is His Truth concerning Eternal Life, and the power and authority of His Holy Spirit living in us enabling us to do the things He planned for us to do, and avoid the things that are detrimental to us, that draw us away from Him. The authority to break the chains of addiction, and heal broken relationships, and every other enticing way of thinking and acting that would be self-centered rather than God-centered.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." --
Everyone who gives himself to a sin to commit it becomes a slave of that sin; it becomes a habit, then an addiction.
Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, --
A slave has been bought and can be sold again at any time, at the whim of the slave-holder.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free, indeed. --
The Son has the authority to set a slave free, to never have to return to that position of slavery ever again.
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. --
If I actually take hold of what Jesus said, then I will be a true disciple, a student, learning from the Teacher.
Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. --
So this Truth Jesus is talking about is His Truth concerning Eternal Life, and the power and authority of His Holy Spirit living in us enabling us to do the things He planned for us to do, and avoid the things that are detrimental to us, that draw us away from Him. The authority to break the chains of addiction, and heal broken relationships, and every other enticing way of thinking and acting that would be self-centered rather than God-centered.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
To Not Slip
Psalm 37:30-31
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, --
The righteous person will say the things that are wise, that show understanding.
and his tongue speaks what is just. --
He will be honest and fair.
The law of his God is in his heart; --
He knows God's Word by heart.
his feet do not slip. --
He will not be in danger of slipping off the road. Because he has extensively read, studied and memorized the Bible and gained a clear understanding of the mind of God thereby, then when he speaks it will be with words of wisdom, compassion, understanding of the bigger picture, and will see the truth of what is going on around him to judge with honesty and true justice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(You must pardon my omission of a posting yesterday, my computer was hacked and I had it in the shop for repair.)
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, --
The righteous person will say the things that are wise, that show understanding.
and his tongue speaks what is just. --
He will be honest and fair.
The law of his God is in his heart; --
He knows God's Word by heart.
his feet do not slip. --
He will not be in danger of slipping off the road. Because he has extensively read, studied and memorized the Bible and gained a clear understanding of the mind of God thereby, then when he speaks it will be with words of wisdom, compassion, understanding of the bigger picture, and will see the truth of what is going on around him to judge with honesty and true justice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(You must pardon my omission of a posting yesterday, my computer was hacked and I had it in the shop for repair.)
Monday, March 7, 2016
Sparrows And Hairs
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I cannot think of any detail about me that would have less significance than the number of hairs on my head! Yet my Father's care for me is so great, so extensive, so intensive, that He keeps track of even my hairs. And if He is so concerned for that non-consequential detail, how much more does He care for what impacts my life and the lives of those around me.
O my Father, teach me how to be aware of myself and those around me, to see them through Your eyes, and care for them as You do!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I cannot think of any detail about me that would have less significance than the number of hairs on my head! Yet my Father's care for me is so great, so extensive, so intensive, that He keeps track of even my hairs. And if He is so concerned for that non-consequential detail, how much more does He care for what impacts my life and the lives of those around me.
O my Father, teach me how to be aware of myself and those around me, to see them through Your eyes, and care for them as You do!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
The Enormity Of The Reality of God
Job 11:7-9
Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below--what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
Job's friend Zophar states here the enormity of the reality of God. Even though some of what Job's friends stated to him, he recognized as lies and deceit about himself and about God (that's why God told him to pray for them), what God allowed to be recorded here excluded the untruthful comments, because He is the God of Truth and this is His Word. So we need not be judges of the Word to determine what we think is true or not. And we see here that God is unfathomable to our human minds, He is far beyond what our minds can conceive.
O my Father, thank you so much that You are God, not us, and that we can trust Your Word to always be True. Grant us please the discernment to understand what You are telling us, and the wisdom to know what to do and how to do Your will, to further Your plans and accomplish Your purposes in Your time.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below--what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
Job's friend Zophar states here the enormity of the reality of God. Even though some of what Job's friends stated to him, he recognized as lies and deceit about himself and about God (that's why God told him to pray for them), what God allowed to be recorded here excluded the untruthful comments, because He is the God of Truth and this is His Word. So we need not be judges of the Word to determine what we think is true or not. And we see here that God is unfathomable to our human minds, He is far beyond what our minds can conceive.
O my Father, thank you so much that You are God, not us, and that we can trust Your Word to always be True. Grant us please the discernment to understand what You are telling us, and the wisdom to know what to do and how to do Your will, to further Your plans and accomplish Your purposes in Your time.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 5, 2016
The Wisdom Of Old Age
Job 12:12
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
Job is defending himself to his friends, and stating a truth (or a truism) that can be applied universally. People who have attained advanced age, who have lived many years, can be expected to have learned something useful to teach the young. Those who have walked with God for many years have certainly learned much from Him. They will be able to connect the dots of all the world happenings to see the relationships there (understanding) and to realize the right way to respond to them (wisdom). Both world-wide events and also personal and family issues will be open to their examination and judgement.
Help me, Father, to be that aged one.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
Job is defending himself to his friends, and stating a truth (or a truism) that can be applied universally. People who have attained advanced age, who have lived many years, can be expected to have learned something useful to teach the young. Those who have walked with God for many years have certainly learned much from Him. They will be able to connect the dots of all the world happenings to see the relationships there (understanding) and to realize the right way to respond to them (wisdom). Both world-wide events and also personal and family issues will be open to their examination and judgement.
Help me, Father, to be that aged one.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Family Rights
Galatians 4:1-7
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. --
The child of a Noble in the world will inherit the whole estate on the death of the father, even if he's still an infant or toddler: he will, by law, be the owner. But he will be under a nanny, or a guardian or a trustee and cannot make any decisions for himself, just like a slave cannot decide for himself.
He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. --
The guardians and trustees will be making all the decisions on running the estate, and the child will have no say at all in the matter until he attains the age set by his father, when he will be legally old enough to assume the responsibility.
So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. --
This was the Law of Moses, as well as the legal system of the world's governments. We, the human race, were under restrictive limits in how to run our own lives. We were expected to walk in the steps of our fathers' professions, stay in our own economic and cultural sphere, etc.
But when the time had fully come, --
God waited all the centuries after Adam and Abraham; waited until Rome had conquered the whole known world and built roads making every part of the world easily accessible (for the spread of the Gospel); when the philosophies of Men had developed the thinking processes of intelligent minds; had developed the Greek language, the most descriptive and accurate language ever spoken, etc.
God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, --
God's own Son, the Second Person in the Trinity, Who proceeds from the Father from Eternity Past, Who broke into this World by means of a birth as a human baby, born of a woman who supplied His human nature, subjecting Himself to all the natural laws of the Universe and all the political and religious laws of the time. Setting aside His Divine prerogatives and subjecting Himself to all the limitations we are under.
To redeem those under law, --
To rescue us from the bondage and slavery we are all subjected to in this world.
That we might receive the full rights as sons. --
We will one day be released from all the limitations that hold us down from achieving all that we were created for.
Because you are sons, --
We are, right now, sons; not in some future day.
God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, --
The Spirit of Jesus, in our hearts right now, today.
The Spirit who calls out, "Abba," "Father." --
We call God "Abba," which is the Greek word for the first word an infant will say, "Da-da"; and "Father," which we would say, "Daddy." That's who God is to us when we are "born again" spiritually into His family.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son, --
We've been rescued from the slave-market of sin and received into the family of God as His own child.
And since you are a son, God has also made you an heir. --
We are born into God's own family, and God has also determined that we will inherit His Kingdom (unlike Ishmael, who was born of Abraham by the slave-woman, so had no part at all in Isaac's inheritance as the heir).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. --
The child of a Noble in the world will inherit the whole estate on the death of the father, even if he's still an infant or toddler: he will, by law, be the owner. But he will be under a nanny, or a guardian or a trustee and cannot make any decisions for himself, just like a slave cannot decide for himself.
He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. --
The guardians and trustees will be making all the decisions on running the estate, and the child will have no say at all in the matter until he attains the age set by his father, when he will be legally old enough to assume the responsibility.
So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. --
This was the Law of Moses, as well as the legal system of the world's governments. We, the human race, were under restrictive limits in how to run our own lives. We were expected to walk in the steps of our fathers' professions, stay in our own economic and cultural sphere, etc.
But when the time had fully come, --
God waited all the centuries after Adam and Abraham; waited until Rome had conquered the whole known world and built roads making every part of the world easily accessible (for the spread of the Gospel); when the philosophies of Men had developed the thinking processes of intelligent minds; had developed the Greek language, the most descriptive and accurate language ever spoken, etc.
God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, --
God's own Son, the Second Person in the Trinity, Who proceeds from the Father from Eternity Past, Who broke into this World by means of a birth as a human baby, born of a woman who supplied His human nature, subjecting Himself to all the natural laws of the Universe and all the political and religious laws of the time. Setting aside His Divine prerogatives and subjecting Himself to all the limitations we are under.
To redeem those under law, --
To rescue us from the bondage and slavery we are all subjected to in this world.
That we might receive the full rights as sons. --
We will one day be released from all the limitations that hold us down from achieving all that we were created for.
Because you are sons, --
We are, right now, sons; not in some future day.
God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, --
The Spirit of Jesus, in our hearts right now, today.
The Spirit who calls out, "Abba," "Father." --
We call God "Abba," which is the Greek word for the first word an infant will say, "Da-da"; and "Father," which we would say, "Daddy." That's who God is to us when we are "born again" spiritually into His family.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son, --
We've been rescued from the slave-market of sin and received into the family of God as His own child.
And since you are a son, God has also made you an heir. --
We are born into God's own family, and God has also determined that we will inherit His Kingdom (unlike Ishmael, who was born of Abraham by the slave-woman, so had no part at all in Isaac's inheritance as the heir).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Joseph's Economics
Genesis 47:13-26
And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land be not desolate.
And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's. And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them from Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass, in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.
And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's.
This extended passage describes the economics that Joseph determined in Egypt. He sold the grain to the people, and when their money was gone, having been transferred into Pharaoh's coffers, they paid with their animals and livestock, which all became Pharaoh's property; then, amazingly, the people all consented to give up their land and be slaves of Pharaoh! All because of the famine. So Joseph established in Egypt that the people would all work for Pharaoh, giving him 20% of all their produce and could retain the other 80% for seed and food.
Today I see a very similar system at work in the governments of the world, in extracting at least a 20% tax on all that is earned by the populace, which have been reduced to this slavery. Except for the churches (the priests).
This is also similar to how I see the Man of Sin (the Antichrist) will reduce the whole world to servitude, ruling over not only their lives and finances, but also demanding their worship.
When economic conditions get drastic, people will always be willing to give up freedoms for security, and will end up with neither.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land be not desolate.
And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's. And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them from Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass, in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.
And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's.
This extended passage describes the economics that Joseph determined in Egypt. He sold the grain to the people, and when their money was gone, having been transferred into Pharaoh's coffers, they paid with their animals and livestock, which all became Pharaoh's property; then, amazingly, the people all consented to give up their land and be slaves of Pharaoh! All because of the famine. So Joseph established in Egypt that the people would all work for Pharaoh, giving him 20% of all their produce and could retain the other 80% for seed and food.
Today I see a very similar system at work in the governments of the world, in extracting at least a 20% tax on all that is earned by the populace, which have been reduced to this slavery. Except for the churches (the priests).
This is also similar to how I see the Man of Sin (the Antichrist) will reduce the whole world to servitude, ruling over not only their lives and finances, but also demanding their worship.
When economic conditions get drastic, people will always be willing to give up freedoms for security, and will end up with neither.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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