Proverbs 23:3
...For that food is deceptive.
When this was written, the writer was probably thinking about the meal an unrighteous ruler would provide, to deceive you into promoting him or supporting his program.
Today we can also see this phrase, "deceptive food," in a completely different light. There is "food" today that is not nourishing, some that has no nutritional value at all, but will chemically induce the brain's pleasure and flavor areas to deceive you into thinking it's worth eating.
There are other "foods" being produced today that contain their own insecticides, as part of the plant, you can't wash it off, so you're eating the poison, too.
And by taking the genes from one kind of life and introducing them into a completely different kind of life, they're getting a "Frankenstein Monster" of a product, that has been shown to be fatal to the animals it's been tested on.
So these "foods" themselves are deceptive, masquerading as food.
God has given us everything we need in this Earth, and we only do harm to ourselves and to one another when we "play god" and mess with it. We just think we're so smart! So we end up with auto-immune diseases and allergies to healthy foods, and wonder why we feel so bad.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Persecution
John 16:1-4
These things I have spoken to you that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me. But these things I have spoken to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
The history of religious persecution clearly portrays the fulfillment of this prophesy. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed, so Jesus is telling us that people who are not true Christians will think that killing will "cleanse" the society of those who don't agree with their beliefs, their morals, or their life philosophies. In every age this has been true, even when it was the "christian" church doing the persecuting (hence, the Reformation). There are more Christian martyrs today than at any other age in history.
Because we know these things, we need to make sure our salvation is secure, and to strengthen ourselves emotionally and spiritually to withstand the rejection and persecution, even when it comes from our own families and friends.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
These things I have spoken to you that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me. But these things I have spoken to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
The history of religious persecution clearly portrays the fulfillment of this prophesy. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed, so Jesus is telling us that people who are not true Christians will think that killing will "cleanse" the society of those who don't agree with their beliefs, their morals, or their life philosophies. In every age this has been true, even when it was the "christian" church doing the persecuting (hence, the Reformation). There are more Christian martyrs today than at any other age in history.
Because we know these things, we need to make sure our salvation is secure, and to strengthen ourselves emotionally and spiritually to withstand the rejection and persecution, even when it comes from our own families and friends.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Tasted Death
Hebrews 2:9
But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Jesus hated death, it upset Him, unsettled Him, whenever He was too near it. But before God created, He had agreed to come to be our Sacrifice.
The angels were created incapable of death, so when they sinned there was no remedy for them, there could be no redeemer; they would have to suffer the consequences of their decision, being separated (death) from God for eternity.
But God created Mankind, just a small step below angels in authority, and gave us the ability to live and/or to die. And we sinned, too. Now something can die for us (animal sacrifices) so we can continue to live. Then Jesus, the eternal Son, broke into our world as a human being, just like us. To be our final Sacrifice, to not just cover the debt temporarily, but to pay it off in full--to totally satisfy the wrath of God that is justly due to each of us. Now God can freely forgive us and allow us to live eternally with Him.
Jesus tasted death for each one of us. Now when we die, we won't "taste" death--we will go directly from this earthly, physical life into that spiritual, eternal, Heavenly life.
Thank you, Jesus, for conquering that cruel enemy of ours; and thank you, Father, for Your glorious Plan to accomplish this!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Jesus hated death, it upset Him, unsettled Him, whenever He was too near it. But before God created, He had agreed to come to be our Sacrifice.
The angels were created incapable of death, so when they sinned there was no remedy for them, there could be no redeemer; they would have to suffer the consequences of their decision, being separated (death) from God for eternity.
But God created Mankind, just a small step below angels in authority, and gave us the ability to live and/or to die. And we sinned, too. Now something can die for us (animal sacrifices) so we can continue to live. Then Jesus, the eternal Son, broke into our world as a human being, just like us. To be our final Sacrifice, to not just cover the debt temporarily, but to pay it off in full--to totally satisfy the wrath of God that is justly due to each of us. Now God can freely forgive us and allow us to live eternally with Him.
Jesus tasted death for each one of us. Now when we die, we won't "taste" death--we will go directly from this earthly, physical life into that spiritual, eternal, Heavenly life.
Thank you, Jesus, for conquering that cruel enemy of ours; and thank you, Father, for Your glorious Plan to accomplish this!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, May 28, 2016
An "Open" Or "Closed" Mind
Proverbs 17:10
A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
"Fool" here denotes a person who is morally deficient and not willing to listen to any kind of teaching that does not agree with their perverse thinking processes. Therefore, to give them "a hundred lashes" will not change their minds.
On the other hand, a "discerning person" is one who is humble enough to receive and consider a rebuke, to be impressed to grow in their understanding and wisdom.
Those who claim to have an "open mind" today seem to be those who only seek teachers who will reinforce their already faulty thinking processes; their minds are closed to a rebuke that would lead them into straight thinking.
I want to be truly "open" to whomever and whatever teaching that would lead me on in the "straight paths" set before me, not turning to the right nor to the left. God's ways are a true balance, to weigh the attitudes of the heart. Too much on either side would tip the balance, and be detrimental.
Father, teach me Your ways, lead me in Your straight path for me, take my hand in Yours to steady me, that I not be deterred from or swayed from the ways You have designed us to be in this Earth. And I will give You all the credit, the glory and praise for Your wisdom in making it so.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
"Fool" here denotes a person who is morally deficient and not willing to listen to any kind of teaching that does not agree with their perverse thinking processes. Therefore, to give them "a hundred lashes" will not change their minds.
On the other hand, a "discerning person" is one who is humble enough to receive and consider a rebuke, to be impressed to grow in their understanding and wisdom.
Those who claim to have an "open mind" today seem to be those who only seek teachers who will reinforce their already faulty thinking processes; their minds are closed to a rebuke that would lead them into straight thinking.
I want to be truly "open" to whomever and whatever teaching that would lead me on in the "straight paths" set before me, not turning to the right nor to the left. God's ways are a true balance, to weigh the attitudes of the heart. Too much on either side would tip the balance, and be detrimental.
Father, teach me Your ways, lead me in Your straight path for me, take my hand in Yours to steady me, that I not be deterred from or swayed from the ways You have designed us to be in this Earth. And I will give You all the credit, the glory and praise for Your wisdom in making it so.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, May 27, 2016
Political Strategy?
Proverbs 22:8
Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
Political leaders often have ulterior motives for getting into politics; they want to have power over the people. They don't care about the populace, only their own advancement and wealth. So we have seen often in history that this Proverb has spoken truth: Those who have made laws to promote lifestyles that are against the ways God has made this world to work, have resulted in calamities that enable the rulers to take control over the people.
This often takes away the citizens' freedoms to worship, to defend themselves, to live out the lifestyles they believe are right for them, and have even been punished for obeying the customs of their beliefs. This is wielding the rod in fury. But we know that God will see that this rod of fury will be broken, when it has fulfilled His purposes.
We as God's people need to pay attention to what our "rulers" are doing in passing laws, declaring edicts, writing legal letters, judging according to precedent and personal preference instead of law, and otherwise going around the processes set out in our founding documents, to change the way this Nation exists in the World.
When we as a people followed our founders and leaders who were righteous men, we experienced much prosperity, more so than any other Nation since Solomon ruled in Israel so long ago. We hear talk of Progressiveness that has spread so widely across this land, but what has this Progress brought us so far? It would not be going backward would it, to look back at what brought us prosperity in the past, and follow those ways? To look for men and women to lead us who understand how the political climate affects the common person, and will lead us back into the righteous ways our Maker and Designer has told us how to live? Then we can again experience the true liberty and peace we knew in the past.
This World system is racing toward the One World Government that will usher in the Man of Sin, the Antichrist. As God's people, we need to do all we can to promote God's Kingdom and His righteousness to thwart this evil System, in our own Nation (for our own benefit) and in the World. We need to be in prayer for this and other Nations, to return to the Right way to live and rule, and reap the benefits God has programmed into this Earth, and He will receive the credit, the glory, because He planned it so. Let's bring this about, even if it will be a brief episode, before the End of the Ages.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
Political leaders often have ulterior motives for getting into politics; they want to have power over the people. They don't care about the populace, only their own advancement and wealth. So we have seen often in history that this Proverb has spoken truth: Those who have made laws to promote lifestyles that are against the ways God has made this world to work, have resulted in calamities that enable the rulers to take control over the people.
This often takes away the citizens' freedoms to worship, to defend themselves, to live out the lifestyles they believe are right for them, and have even been punished for obeying the customs of their beliefs. This is wielding the rod in fury. But we know that God will see that this rod of fury will be broken, when it has fulfilled His purposes.
We as God's people need to pay attention to what our "rulers" are doing in passing laws, declaring edicts, writing legal letters, judging according to precedent and personal preference instead of law, and otherwise going around the processes set out in our founding documents, to change the way this Nation exists in the World.
When we as a people followed our founders and leaders who were righteous men, we experienced much prosperity, more so than any other Nation since Solomon ruled in Israel so long ago. We hear talk of Progressiveness that has spread so widely across this land, but what has this Progress brought us so far? It would not be going backward would it, to look back at what brought us prosperity in the past, and follow those ways? To look for men and women to lead us who understand how the political climate affects the common person, and will lead us back into the righteous ways our Maker and Designer has told us how to live? Then we can again experience the true liberty and peace we knew in the past.
This World system is racing toward the One World Government that will usher in the Man of Sin, the Antichrist. As God's people, we need to do all we can to promote God's Kingdom and His righteousness to thwart this evil System, in our own Nation (for our own benefit) and in the World. We need to be in prayer for this and other Nations, to return to the Right way to live and rule, and reap the benefits God has programmed into this Earth, and He will receive the credit, the glory, because He planned it so. Let's bring this about, even if it will be a brief episode, before the End of the Ages.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Never Die?
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Lazarus has died and Jesus is talking with his sister Martha. She thinks that He is talking about the Last Days, but Jesus refers to Himself in the present tense. Those who put their trust in Him and have died physically are still living in the spirit, and in the Spirit. And those who are still alive and put their trust in Him will never taste of death, but will pass from physical life directly into eternal, Heavenly life because Jesus has already tasted the death for each of us.
This is inscrutable; how are we to understand this concept? It is beyond us. We can only accept this, along with all the other Truth in His Word, as we trust Him to be faithful and consistent.
I don't require to understand something in order to trust in its truth; even in this world, I don't understand electricity, but I trust that my lights will go on when I turn on the switch. It's not magic, it's just something I don't yet understand.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus said to her, "I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Lazarus has died and Jesus is talking with his sister Martha. She thinks that He is talking about the Last Days, but Jesus refers to Himself in the present tense. Those who put their trust in Him and have died physically are still living in the spirit, and in the Spirit. And those who are still alive and put their trust in Him will never taste of death, but will pass from physical life directly into eternal, Heavenly life because Jesus has already tasted the death for each of us.
This is inscrutable; how are we to understand this concept? It is beyond us. We can only accept this, along with all the other Truth in His Word, as we trust Him to be faithful and consistent.
I don't require to understand something in order to trust in its truth; even in this world, I don't understand electricity, but I trust that my lights will go on when I turn on the switch. It's not magic, it's just something I don't yet understand.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Our Kinsman-Redeemer
Ruth 2:10, 12 (1:16-17)
Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"
And why should my LORD God find such favor in me, one who was so far from the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?!
"May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
(Also:) But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried...."
Boaz recognized that Ruth had given up her whole culture in Moab to embrace the lifestyle and religion of Israel. And especially that she had chosen to worship the LORD God over the Moabite god Chemosh. And her embracing the LORD enabled her to be good to her mother-in-law, even after her husband died (2:11).
When I decided to search for the Truth, regardless of what it might cost me, I didn't realize that Jesus is the Truth (and the Way and the Life). So when God led me to Himself, He showed me that Jesus is my Redeemer, even greater than the Kinsman-Redeemer Boaz was to Ruth.
O praise our God for His love that is so much greater than any other love we may encounter in this world. Greater even than the Mother-love given to shelter and protect to propagate our race of Mankind on this Earth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"
And why should my LORD God find such favor in me, one who was so far from the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?!
"May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
(Also:) But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried...."
Boaz recognized that Ruth had given up her whole culture in Moab to embrace the lifestyle and religion of Israel. And especially that she had chosen to worship the LORD God over the Moabite god Chemosh. And her embracing the LORD enabled her to be good to her mother-in-law, even after her husband died (2:11).
When I decided to search for the Truth, regardless of what it might cost me, I didn't realize that Jesus is the Truth (and the Way and the Life). So when God led me to Himself, He showed me that Jesus is my Redeemer, even greater than the Kinsman-Redeemer Boaz was to Ruth.
O praise our God for His love that is so much greater than any other love we may encounter in this world. Greater even than the Mother-love given to shelter and protect to propagate our race of Mankind on this Earth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Our Heart, Our Life
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
My "heart" is not only the seat of my emotions, but it also affects my thinking processes and my actions. So my life flows from my "heart," similar to how my physical life, my blood, flows from my heart into every part of my body. Just as I endeavor to keep my heart and body in good health, so also I seek to fill my "heart" with God's agape love, that unconditional caring for others regardless of the cost to me. His love is the "blood" that flows into every part of my living; my decisions, my words and my relationships. To love God and love my neighbor is the fulfillment of all "the Law and the Prophets," the whole program and plan God has plotted out for us.
Therefore, I will "guard [my] heart," to put into it only what is positive and good (see I Corinthians 13) and turn away from anything that is not true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good reputation, excellent or worthy of praise (see Philippians 4:8). Then I will know that the peace of God will settle any upheavals in my emotions and comfort me in the hard times I may face.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, May 23, 2016
To Be Blessed In What We Do
James 1:25
But one who looks intently --
To examine closely, deeply, which takes time and effort.
at the perfect law, --
This "law" we are to study is the Way God has designed this world to work and our response to cooperate with it. This would include all the laws, instructions, testimonies, ways, precepts, orders, statutes, decrees, commandments, judgments, ordinances, promises, the Word, the Path and the Utterance of God.
the law of liberty, --
This will free us to enjoy the benefits that this world provides.
and abides by it, --
Continually and habitually living each day in harmony with how this world works.
not having become a forgetful hearer --
Not forgetting to think in the heat of the moment.
but an effectual doer, --
Remembering to apply what we've learned of God's ways, instead of reverting back to reacting out of our fallen nature, relying on God's Spirit from moment to moment.
this man shall be blessed in what he does. --
Then God will bless us not only with the worldly rewards that will come as the natural result of operating with instead of against the way this world works, but will also grant miraculous results in answer to prayer, far beyond anything that we could imagine or think of. And He will receive all the Glory, the credit for designing it to work so well.
Whenever we buy a machine, an appliance or a vehicle, it comes with a book of "manufacturer's instructions" so we can treat it and operate it in the way it was designed to work, and get the benefits of it. Our Maker also gave us His Book, and when we "look intently" at this "perfect law," then we will be able to "connect the dots" to see the whole picture. Then it will be evident how we are to respond to it, by "following the directions," obeying the precepts and laws; by loving one another the way God has loved us. Simple is not necessarily easy.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But one who looks intently --
To examine closely, deeply, which takes time and effort.
at the perfect law, --
This "law" we are to study is the Way God has designed this world to work and our response to cooperate with it. This would include all the laws, instructions, testimonies, ways, precepts, orders, statutes, decrees, commandments, judgments, ordinances, promises, the Word, the Path and the Utterance of God.
the law of liberty, --
This will free us to enjoy the benefits that this world provides.
and abides by it, --
Continually and habitually living each day in harmony with how this world works.
not having become a forgetful hearer --
Not forgetting to think in the heat of the moment.
but an effectual doer, --
Remembering to apply what we've learned of God's ways, instead of reverting back to reacting out of our fallen nature, relying on God's Spirit from moment to moment.
this man shall be blessed in what he does. --
Then God will bless us not only with the worldly rewards that will come as the natural result of operating with instead of against the way this world works, but will also grant miraculous results in answer to prayer, far beyond anything that we could imagine or think of. And He will receive all the Glory, the credit for designing it to work so well.
Whenever we buy a machine, an appliance or a vehicle, it comes with a book of "manufacturer's instructions" so we can treat it and operate it in the way it was designed to work, and get the benefits of it. Our Maker also gave us His Book, and when we "look intently" at this "perfect law," then we will be able to "connect the dots" to see the whole picture. Then it will be evident how we are to respond to it, by "following the directions," obeying the precepts and laws; by loving one another the way God has loved us. Simple is not necessarily easy.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Understanding The Big Picture
Psalm 119:104
From Thy precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
God is the Maker and Designer and Builder of everything in the whole Universe--everything that exists. And He has given us His "Manufacturer's Instructions" in His Word, the Bible. This Psalmist has studied all the rules and regulations for operating this world correctly and been able to "connect all the dots" to see the Picture. This is his understanding. As a result of this understanding of how things are to work, he is able to discern that what doesn't conform to this program will be detrimental to it and to us. That is why he "hates" every activity, thought or word that is not in obedience to the Truth, therefore is "false." Falsity throws a monkey-wrench into the works.
This is also why I love to study God's written Word; so that I will recognize anything that doesn't agree with God's ways and avoid it.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
From Thy precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
God is the Maker and Designer and Builder of everything in the whole Universe--everything that exists. And He has given us His "Manufacturer's Instructions" in His Word, the Bible. This Psalmist has studied all the rules and regulations for operating this world correctly and been able to "connect all the dots" to see the Picture. This is his understanding. As a result of this understanding of how things are to work, he is able to discern that what doesn't conform to this program will be detrimental to it and to us. That is why he "hates" every activity, thought or word that is not in obedience to the Truth, therefore is "false." Falsity throws a monkey-wrench into the works.
This is also why I love to study God's written Word; so that I will recognize anything that doesn't agree with God's ways and avoid it.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Light And Darkness
Matthew 5:15, 6:22-23
Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel but on the lamp stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. --
This is what light does: it shines out into the darkness and chases the darkness away, filling the place of darkness with light, giving light to the whole house. The light overcomes the darkness.
The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. --
The eye that sees God's Truth clearly will give "light" filling the whole "body" with the goodness of God.
But if your eye be bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.
If the eye cannot see God's Truth, it will "see" all the lies and deception the world, the flesh and the devil pour out to disguise and obscure the Truth.
If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
So if what you consider to be light (Truth) really is darkness (lies and deception), and the darkness is acting like light in you, then the darkness will be spreading extinguishing whatever pockets of Truth that were there, deepening and taking over the whole person. The darkness will overcome the light.
This sounds so seriously drastic. I want to continually question what I consider to be Truth in my life, to make sure it conforms to God's Truth in His Word, to stay in the Word to study and apply God's principles in my daily living and in my relationships with those God has placed in my life. I want His Light to overcome whatever darkness still lurks in my heart.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel but on the lamp stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. --
This is what light does: it shines out into the darkness and chases the darkness away, filling the place of darkness with light, giving light to the whole house. The light overcomes the darkness.
The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. --
The eye that sees God's Truth clearly will give "light" filling the whole "body" with the goodness of God.
But if your eye be bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.
If the eye cannot see God's Truth, it will "see" all the lies and deception the world, the flesh and the devil pour out to disguise and obscure the Truth.
If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
So if what you consider to be light (Truth) really is darkness (lies and deception), and the darkness is acting like light in you, then the darkness will be spreading extinguishing whatever pockets of Truth that were there, deepening and taking over the whole person. The darkness will overcome the light.
This sounds so seriously drastic. I want to continually question what I consider to be Truth in my life, to make sure it conforms to God's Truth in His Word, to stay in the Word to study and apply God's principles in my daily living and in my relationships with those God has placed in my life. I want His Light to overcome whatever darkness still lurks in my heart.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, May 20, 2016
The Origin And Purpose Of Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone;" --
This is the first time God said something was "not good."
I will make him a helper suitable for him." --
God said that this help-meet would be according to his opposites: where he was strong, the helper could be weak; where he was weak, the helper would be strong. Only together would they be complete.
And out of the ground the Lord God [had] formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man --
God already knew all that He had made; now the man needed to know his need.
To see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, --
So the man had to have high intelligence to be able to pick up all the defining characteristics of each animal to think up what to call each one.
But for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. --
So among all the animals that inhabit this Earth with us, there is not any of them that would be an appropriate mate. People love their dogs and other pets as "part of the family," but they don't belong to the human family; not even the monkeys or apes that seem physically very similar to us would be appropriate or suitable as a mate.
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; --
Similar to how the doctor would administer a sedative to the patient prior to surgery.
Then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. --
God Himself performed the surgery on Adam to remove a part of his body, and closed up the surgical wound hygienically.
And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, --
While He was making this part into a whole person, however He did this to grow a woman; at the same time Adam was still sleeping, healing completely from the surgery.
And brought her to the man. --
God fashioned the woman to be the physical counterpart to the man. He didn't make Adam and Steve, nor did He make Ellen and Eve. And God brought this woman to the man He had made to be his mate.
And the man said, "Now, this is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man." --
When Adam saw her, the first word out of his mouth was "Wow!" [how "now" is pronounced in the Hebrew language], when he beheld the most beautiful being he had ever seen--she was just like him (bone and flesh), but delightfully different! He was in love at first sight!
For this cause [Marriage] a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; --
God invented marriage, and God brought the woman to the man to be his wife: God officiated at the wedding, and the Son and the Holy Spirit were the witnesses. When a man and woman marry, they create a new family, and no longer are subject to their parents as they had been as children. They will be the parents in this new family.
And they shall become one flesh. --
This is what marriage is: one flesh. This describes a physical connection that is only physically possible with a man and a woman. Two of the same gender are physically unable to accomplish this intimate union.
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
At this moment in our human history, there was no need to cover our bodies because there was no sin, no temptation and no death yet in this world. So there was no shame.
God gave us Marriage primarily to show us the intimate one-ness He wants to have with us spiritually. And the result of this one-ness physically with a man and his wife is the producing of children, a special gift from the Lord God to us, to make us into families and continue the human race in this world for as many generations as He has decided to allow us to go on.
In the Old Testament, Israel was God's wife; in the New Testament, the Church is the Bride of Christ. God loves us passionately, as a newlywed husband is enamored with his new bride.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone;" --
This is the first time God said something was "not good."
I will make him a helper suitable for him." --
God said that this help-meet would be according to his opposites: where he was strong, the helper could be weak; where he was weak, the helper would be strong. Only together would they be complete.
And out of the ground the Lord God [had] formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man --
God already knew all that He had made; now the man needed to know his need.
To see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, --
So the man had to have high intelligence to be able to pick up all the defining characteristics of each animal to think up what to call each one.
But for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. --
So among all the animals that inhabit this Earth with us, there is not any of them that would be an appropriate mate. People love their dogs and other pets as "part of the family," but they don't belong to the human family; not even the monkeys or apes that seem physically very similar to us would be appropriate or suitable as a mate.
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; --
Similar to how the doctor would administer a sedative to the patient prior to surgery.
Then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. --
God Himself performed the surgery on Adam to remove a part of his body, and closed up the surgical wound hygienically.
And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, --
While He was making this part into a whole person, however He did this to grow a woman; at the same time Adam was still sleeping, healing completely from the surgery.
And brought her to the man. --
God fashioned the woman to be the physical counterpart to the man. He didn't make Adam and Steve, nor did He make Ellen and Eve. And God brought this woman to the man He had made to be his mate.
And the man said, "Now, this is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man." --
When Adam saw her, the first word out of his mouth was "Wow!" [how "now" is pronounced in the Hebrew language], when he beheld the most beautiful being he had ever seen--she was just like him (bone and flesh), but delightfully different! He was in love at first sight!
For this cause [Marriage] a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; --
God invented marriage, and God brought the woman to the man to be his wife: God officiated at the wedding, and the Son and the Holy Spirit were the witnesses. When a man and woman marry, they create a new family, and no longer are subject to their parents as they had been as children. They will be the parents in this new family.
And they shall become one flesh. --
This is what marriage is: one flesh. This describes a physical connection that is only physically possible with a man and a woman. Two of the same gender are physically unable to accomplish this intimate union.
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
At this moment in our human history, there was no need to cover our bodies because there was no sin, no temptation and no death yet in this world. So there was no shame.
God gave us Marriage primarily to show us the intimate one-ness He wants to have with us spiritually. And the result of this one-ness physically with a man and his wife is the producing of children, a special gift from the Lord God to us, to make us into families and continue the human race in this world for as many generations as He has decided to allow us to go on.
In the Old Testament, Israel was God's wife; in the New Testament, the Church is the Bride of Christ. God loves us passionately, as a newlywed husband is enamored with his new bride.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Temptation
Genesis 3:1-7
Now the serpent was more crafty than any breast of the field which the Lord God had made. --
Ancient rock impressions have been found by archaeologists that show the snake having legs up and down its sides. And biologists have seen small impressions on the snake's vertebrae that look like legs had been attached there. A very beautiful creature.
And he said to the woman, --
The one speaking here is Satan using the snake to communicate.
"Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" --
Here is where he plants doubt into the woman's thinking processes.
And the woman said to the serpent, --
She didn't think it strange for a snake to be talking to her!?!
"From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;" --
She is right and accurate in what she said here.
But from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.'"
Here either the woman adds to what God told Adam (in 2:17), or Adam added that part when he told her, to not touch it. In any case, apparently just touching the fruit without consuming it would not have resulted in death.
And the serpent said to the woman, "You surely shall not die!" --
Here Satan tells her a bold-faced lie, completely countering what God clearly commanded.
"For God knows" --
Satan is implying that God is not being honest with them, and is holding something back from them that would be beneficial.
"That in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." --
Satan told her that to eat this fruit would make her "like God," in a way that would let her be her own god, not needing to listen to God any more, or anyone else, either, because she could choose for herself what she thinks would be best.
When the woman saw --
Oh-oh, she's looking right at it now . . .
that the tree was good for food, --
It looked and smelled delicious.
And that it was a delight to the eyes, --
It really was beautiful, like all of God's creation.
And that the tree was desirable to make one wise, --
She considered it a good thing to be enabled to make her own decisions and not "bother" God; to be her own god.
She took from its fruit and ate; --
She's following through on the decision she has already made.
And she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Apparently Adam was right there, and let her do it--or he walked up just then--but he ate, too. We're not told why, but he knew he was disobeying God, and did it deliberately.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, --
Yes, Satan said that would happen, but what did they see? Wisdom?
And they knew that they were naked; --
No, not wisdom, only shame. For the first time.
And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. --
This is the first "religion," doing what we can to fix what's wrong and cover over where we're exposed.
Satan is still telling us that we're smart, we're adults, we don't need anyone to tell us what to do or not do, we can decide for ourselves. We certainly don't need to listen to God, because He just wants to "catch" us doing something He can punish. We don't need Him.
But if we're not listening to God Who loves us, to do the right things He leads us to do, then we're only letting our enemy dictate to us, to deceive us, and destroy us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Now the serpent was more crafty than any breast of the field which the Lord God had made. --
Ancient rock impressions have been found by archaeologists that show the snake having legs up and down its sides. And biologists have seen small impressions on the snake's vertebrae that look like legs had been attached there. A very beautiful creature.
And he said to the woman, --
The one speaking here is Satan using the snake to communicate.
"Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" --
Here is where he plants doubt into the woman's thinking processes.
And the woman said to the serpent, --
She didn't think it strange for a snake to be talking to her!?!
"From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;" --
She is right and accurate in what she said here.
But from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.'"
Here either the woman adds to what God told Adam (in 2:17), or Adam added that part when he told her, to not touch it. In any case, apparently just touching the fruit without consuming it would not have resulted in death.
And the serpent said to the woman, "You surely shall not die!" --
Here Satan tells her a bold-faced lie, completely countering what God clearly commanded.
"For God knows" --
Satan is implying that God is not being honest with them, and is holding something back from them that would be beneficial.
"That in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." --
Satan told her that to eat this fruit would make her "like God," in a way that would let her be her own god, not needing to listen to God any more, or anyone else, either, because she could choose for herself what she thinks would be best.
When the woman saw --
Oh-oh, she's looking right at it now . . .
that the tree was good for food, --
It looked and smelled delicious.
And that it was a delight to the eyes, --
It really was beautiful, like all of God's creation.
And that the tree was desirable to make one wise, --
She considered it a good thing to be enabled to make her own decisions and not "bother" God; to be her own god.
She took from its fruit and ate; --
She's following through on the decision she has already made.
And she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Apparently Adam was right there, and let her do it--or he walked up just then--but he ate, too. We're not told why, but he knew he was disobeying God, and did it deliberately.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, --
Yes, Satan said that would happen, but what did they see? Wisdom?
And they knew that they were naked; --
No, not wisdom, only shame. For the first time.
And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. --
This is the first "religion," doing what we can to fix what's wrong and cover over where we're exposed.
Satan is still telling us that we're smart, we're adults, we don't need anyone to tell us what to do or not do, we can decide for ourselves. We certainly don't need to listen to God, because He just wants to "catch" us doing something He can punish. We don't need Him.
But if we're not listening to God Who loves us, to do the right things He leads us to do, then we're only letting our enemy dictate to us, to deceive us, and destroy us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Rejoicing In Trials
I Peter 1: 3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, --
All blessing, glory and power belongs to God.
Who according to His great mercy --
His mercy is His not giving us the wrath and punishment we deserve for our our sins.
Has caused us to be born again --
This is the being "born anew" that Jesus told Nicodemus about, that is the miracle that God performs in each person He calls to faith in Jesus Christ, causing them to be born spiritually into His own Family.
To a living hope --
Hope in the world is an "I hope so," but hope in God's word is a certainty that has not yet taken place. This hope is alive in us.
Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, --
Jesus was not resuscitated from a temporary death, like someone who "dies" on the operating table and is brought back; He raised Himself from the death all mankind is destined to suffer, with a new kind of life, a Resurrection Life, far superior to our natural, physical life. This proves that God accepted His payment of our debt in full.
To obtain an inheritance --
Now as God's children born into His family, we will receive an inheritance from Him.
Which is imperishable --
Which means it cannot ever perish, or go bad, or decay.
And undefiled --
Which means that it is perfect, with nothing about it that is damaged or not right in any way.
And will not fade away, --
It will never grow old or get lost or wear out.
Reserved in Heaven for you, --
Reserved, held, like a reserved table at a restaurant, for each of us.
Who are protected by the power of God --
We are safely in God's hand, to never again be lost, held by the greatest Power in the Universe.
Through faith --
By means of our trusting God to have done and will do everything He says, in His word, the Bible; believing that He sent His own Son, God the Son coming to Earth as a Man, the eternal Person to pay the eternal debt we each owe, and a genuine member of the race of Man, to suffer the human death we all deserve and are destined to die; and rising from the dead to prove that He didn't deserve to die and that God the Father accepted His payment on our behalf.
For a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. --
This Salvation, this Redemption, is what we have a down-payment of now, in this world, Who is the Holy Spirit, given to us as the guarantee that we will receive the whole Redemption in the future, at the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, --
Knowing this, we can be happy and have joy in living;
Even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, --
Even in the midst of troubles, trials and sorrows, if that is what we are facing now.
That the proof of your faith, --
Showing that our faith is genuine, being maintained even through being tested by things not going the way we expect; not blaming God, but still relying on Him in gratitude for all He provides.
Being more precious than gold --
Our faith is worth more than the most precious substance in this world.
Which is perishable, even though tested by fire, --
Gold is refined by fire to make it more valuable, but will one day be destroyed when this Earth is destroyed; and we are tested by the fires of adversity and grief.
May be found to result in praise and glory and honor --
Our faith, our trusting in the Lord, will bring us compliments, credit and rewards.
At the Revelation of Jesus Christ; --
At the end of this Age, when Jesus returns to Earth to Rapture His church and set up His 1000-year Kingdom, He will also sit at His Bema Seat, to hand out the rewards to His Saints, who are us, for all the things we have accomplished in His power.
And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, --
We do not need to see Him with our physical eyes in order to know Him, and to know Him is to love Him; and although we cannot see Him in the flesh in the world today, we still put our faith in Who He is and What He has done and will do for us and in us.
You greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, --
Not seeing Him with our eyes, we still can have joy and happiness and fun in a way that is much deeper and satisfying than any the World is able to give, not being tainted by the World, so is pure and wholesome.
Obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. --
So the outcome, the result of our having faith, putting our full trust in God, will be this joyfulness that is so rich that we cannot express it in words. And our spiritual parts, our soul and spirit, are ransomed and cleansed and purified now, to be Resurrected in glory with our bodies at that last day.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, --
All blessing, glory and power belongs to God.
Who according to His great mercy --
His mercy is His not giving us the wrath and punishment we deserve for our our sins.
Has caused us to be born again --
This is the being "born anew" that Jesus told Nicodemus about, that is the miracle that God performs in each person He calls to faith in Jesus Christ, causing them to be born spiritually into His own Family.
To a living hope --
Hope in the world is an "I hope so," but hope in God's word is a certainty that has not yet taken place. This hope is alive in us.
Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, --
Jesus was not resuscitated from a temporary death, like someone who "dies" on the operating table and is brought back; He raised Himself from the death all mankind is destined to suffer, with a new kind of life, a Resurrection Life, far superior to our natural, physical life. This proves that God accepted His payment of our debt in full.
To obtain an inheritance --
Now as God's children born into His family, we will receive an inheritance from Him.
Which is imperishable --
Which means it cannot ever perish, or go bad, or decay.
And undefiled --
Which means that it is perfect, with nothing about it that is damaged or not right in any way.
And will not fade away, --
It will never grow old or get lost or wear out.
Reserved in Heaven for you, --
Reserved, held, like a reserved table at a restaurant, for each of us.
Who are protected by the power of God --
We are safely in God's hand, to never again be lost, held by the greatest Power in the Universe.
Through faith --
By means of our trusting God to have done and will do everything He says, in His word, the Bible; believing that He sent His own Son, God the Son coming to Earth as a Man, the eternal Person to pay the eternal debt we each owe, and a genuine member of the race of Man, to suffer the human death we all deserve and are destined to die; and rising from the dead to prove that He didn't deserve to die and that God the Father accepted His payment on our behalf.
For a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. --
This Salvation, this Redemption, is what we have a down-payment of now, in this world, Who is the Holy Spirit, given to us as the guarantee that we will receive the whole Redemption in the future, at the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, --
Knowing this, we can be happy and have joy in living;
Even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, --
Even in the midst of troubles, trials and sorrows, if that is what we are facing now.
That the proof of your faith, --
Showing that our faith is genuine, being maintained even through being tested by things not going the way we expect; not blaming God, but still relying on Him in gratitude for all He provides.
Being more precious than gold --
Our faith is worth more than the most precious substance in this world.
Which is perishable, even though tested by fire, --
Gold is refined by fire to make it more valuable, but will one day be destroyed when this Earth is destroyed; and we are tested by the fires of adversity and grief.
May be found to result in praise and glory and honor --
Our faith, our trusting in the Lord, will bring us compliments, credit and rewards.
At the Revelation of Jesus Christ; --
At the end of this Age, when Jesus returns to Earth to Rapture His church and set up His 1000-year Kingdom, He will also sit at His Bema Seat, to hand out the rewards to His Saints, who are us, for all the things we have accomplished in His power.
And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, --
We do not need to see Him with our physical eyes in order to know Him, and to know Him is to love Him; and although we cannot see Him in the flesh in the world today, we still put our faith in Who He is and What He has done and will do for us and in us.
You greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, --
Not seeing Him with our eyes, we still can have joy and happiness and fun in a way that is much deeper and satisfying than any the World is able to give, not being tainted by the World, so is pure and wholesome.
Obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. --
So the outcome, the result of our having faith, putting our full trust in God, will be this joyfulness that is so rich that we cannot express it in words. And our spiritual parts, our soul and spirit, are ransomed and cleansed and purified now, to be Resurrected in glory with our bodies at that last day.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
His Hand In My Goings
Psalm 139:1-6
O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all. Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it. --
My sister and I left her house to make what we thought would be a 3 or 4 hour drive, to be with my daughter for a family event at the University prior to her graduation. We missed a turn-off onto the highway we were going to take, which resulted in a much longer but very scenic 6-hour drive. We arrived at the University at about the same time my daughter and her family did, though, and, surprisingly, met up with them on the sidewalk, from among over 18,000 graduates and their families!
God knew that we didn't need to be there earlier, and treated us to a very beautiful mountain drive as an extra bonus. He really does know all my ways, and is so powerful that He was able to arrange all the details, for my benefit, and He receives all the glory!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all. Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it. --
My sister and I left her house to make what we thought would be a 3 or 4 hour drive, to be with my daughter for a family event at the University prior to her graduation. We missed a turn-off onto the highway we were going to take, which resulted in a much longer but very scenic 6-hour drive. We arrived at the University at about the same time my daughter and her family did, though, and, surprisingly, met up with them on the sidewalk, from among over 18,000 graduates and their families!
God knew that we didn't need to be there earlier, and treated us to a very beautiful mountain drive as an extra bonus. He really does know all my ways, and is so powerful that He was able to arrange all the details, for my benefit, and He receives all the glory!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, May 16, 2016
Search Me, Know Me, Try Me
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; --
Look into me, O God, into the deep recesses of my heart, even those places I hide from myself.
Try me and know my anxious thoughts; --
Test me to show me where fear still has hold of me, instead of trusting You.
And see if there be any hurtful way in me, --
Show me every thought, word or action in me that is against the good way You have made this world and intend for it to work; or that would be harmful to me or others or Your reputation.
And lead me in the everlasting way. --
Teach me how to live my life each day according to Your good plan for me, that I may be a blessing to others in showing them Your love for them and goodness toward them, to turn their hearts toward You and seek You, that they may find You and enjoy You forever. And You, Lord, will receive all the credit, for that is how You planned it all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Search me, O God, and know my heart; --
Look into me, O God, into the deep recesses of my heart, even those places I hide from myself.
Try me and know my anxious thoughts; --
Test me to show me where fear still has hold of me, instead of trusting You.
And see if there be any hurtful way in me, --
Show me every thought, word or action in me that is against the good way You have made this world and intend for it to work; or that would be harmful to me or others or Your reputation.
And lead me in the everlasting way. --
Teach me how to live my life each day according to Your good plan for me, that I may be a blessing to others in showing them Your love for them and goodness toward them, to turn their hearts toward You and seek You, that they may find You and enjoy You forever. And You, Lord, will receive all the credit, for that is how You planned it all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The Christ-Like Life
II Peter 1:5-11
…Applying all diligence in your faith, --
Being sure your belief results in trusting God.
supply moral excellence, --
This faith will lead to a high personal moral standard.
and in your moral excellence, knowledge; --
This will lead into a deeper understanding in your knowledge of the things of God.
and in your knowledge, self-control, --
This deeper knowledge will strengthen you in having better control of your natural urges.
and in your self-control, perseverance, --
This perseverance will keep us steady in our walk with God.
and in your perseverance, godliness, --
Behavior that recognizes that God is the ultimate Judge of my actions.
and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, --
This attitude will lead to treating others with the kindness that would be given to a beloved brother in one's own family.
and in your brotherly kindness, love. --
Treating even strangers and people who are our enemies in this manner will lead us into the agape love of the Father toward us; that deep, true, unconditional love that will pay any cost, make the greatest sacrifice, for the one loved.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. --
If we continue to build these qualities into our lives and attitudes, then God will be able to use us in His work, and we will bear much fruit, in spreading the knowledge of our Lord.
For he who lacks these qualities is blind, or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
Someone who fails to display these qualities in their life has either never received the light of the Spirit (blind), or is so shallow that they cannot see the long-term effects of their actions (short-sighted, myopic). Anyone in this state needs to re-examine if they ever did repent, allowing God to purify them of their past sins through the death of Jesus.
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; --
If God called you to Himself and chose you to be a member of His own family, then you will carefully examine your "salvation experience" to make certain that you really did realize that Jesus took your deserved death for you on His cross, paying in full for all your sins, past, present and future.
for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble, --
When we continually work on doing these things, being this way, then we will not be vulnerable to making wrong choices in the heat of the moment.
For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
This just means that we can be sure we are really saved, and will certainly go to Heaven if we die, or be translated directly into His 1000-year reign at the Rapture.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
…Applying all diligence in your faith, --
Being sure your belief results in trusting God.
supply moral excellence, --
This faith will lead to a high personal moral standard.
and in your moral excellence, knowledge; --
This will lead into a deeper understanding in your knowledge of the things of God.
and in your knowledge, self-control, --
This deeper knowledge will strengthen you in having better control of your natural urges.
and in your self-control, perseverance, --
This perseverance will keep us steady in our walk with God.
and in your perseverance, godliness, --
Behavior that recognizes that God is the ultimate Judge of my actions.
and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, --
This attitude will lead to treating others with the kindness that would be given to a beloved brother in one's own family.
and in your brotherly kindness, love. --
Treating even strangers and people who are our enemies in this manner will lead us into the agape love of the Father toward us; that deep, true, unconditional love that will pay any cost, make the greatest sacrifice, for the one loved.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. --
If we continue to build these qualities into our lives and attitudes, then God will be able to use us in His work, and we will bear much fruit, in spreading the knowledge of our Lord.
For he who lacks these qualities is blind, or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
Someone who fails to display these qualities in their life has either never received the light of the Spirit (blind), or is so shallow that they cannot see the long-term effects of their actions (short-sighted, myopic). Anyone in this state needs to re-examine if they ever did repent, allowing God to purify them of their past sins through the death of Jesus.
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; --
If God called you to Himself and chose you to be a member of His own family, then you will carefully examine your "salvation experience" to make certain that you really did realize that Jesus took your deserved death for you on His cross, paying in full for all your sins, past, present and future.
for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble, --
When we continually work on doing these things, being this way, then we will not be vulnerable to making wrong choices in the heat of the moment.
For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
This just means that we can be sure we are really saved, and will certainly go to Heaven if we die, or be translated directly into His 1000-year reign at the Rapture.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Believe And Obey
John 3:18 & 36
(18) "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God." [Words of Jesus.]
(36) "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him." [Words of John the Baptist]
When God repeats Himself, we know that this is crucial to our understanding. Here, John the Baptist reinforces the Truth that Jesus told Nicodemus that night He told him about being "born anew."
God is sovereign in who He chooses to save, but He's also given us freedom of will. So we choose what to want: we can choose to desire Truth, no matter what the cost, or we can choose to want what would make us feel good. From our perspective, we see that only those who choose to desire God and His Truth and goodness will be the ones God decides to save.
We will all give account for every choice we make. All the little decisions will accumulate and result in a major decision that will affect all of our lives, for good or ill. So I want to make sure that my small issues in life will all be decided for the right, even if it costs me. Little things don't mean a lot, they mean everything.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(18) "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God." [Words of Jesus.]
(36) "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him." [Words of John the Baptist]
When God repeats Himself, we know that this is crucial to our understanding. Here, John the Baptist reinforces the Truth that Jesus told Nicodemus that night He told him about being "born anew."
God is sovereign in who He chooses to save, but He's also given us freedom of will. So we choose what to want: we can choose to desire Truth, no matter what the cost, or we can choose to want what would make us feel good. From our perspective, we see that only those who choose to desire God and His Truth and goodness will be the ones God decides to save.
We will all give account for every choice we make. All the little decisions will accumulate and result in a major decision that will affect all of our lives, for good or ill. So I want to make sure that my small issues in life will all be decided for the right, even if it costs me. Little things don't mean a lot, they mean everything.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, May 13, 2016
Earth's Golden Age
Jeremiah 31:33-34
"But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know Me from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews quoted this extended passage, so I think God wants us to know this. God will never abandon the Nation Israel. God made them promises that will not be transferred to any other people.
This passage tells us about a future time when Jesus has assumed the Throne of David and will reign as King over the whole Earth. He will not just give them His laws, as He did at Mount Sinai, but will change their hearts by the New Birth, and no one will need to tell anyone else who Jesus is, everyone will already know Him, not just know of Him.
They will all know in their hearts the right way to live their lives, and how to build healthy relationships with one another; they will all know God's love for them, and will love and worship Him and love one another with His love; and they will all know God's forgiveness, and be able to grant that forgiveness to themselves and to one another. It will be Earth's Golden Age.
Today let us live our lives knowing Him, loving Him, and extending His love and forgiveness to one another, in the power of His Holy Spirit that lives in us. That's what Jesus meant when He talked about the Kingdom of God being within us. He is our King and we obey Him as His subjects today, being in the world but not of it. And eagerly waiting for His Glorious Appearing.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
"But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know Me from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews quoted this extended passage, so I think God wants us to know this. God will never abandon the Nation Israel. God made them promises that will not be transferred to any other people.
This passage tells us about a future time when Jesus has assumed the Throne of David and will reign as King over the whole Earth. He will not just give them His laws, as He did at Mount Sinai, but will change their hearts by the New Birth, and no one will need to tell anyone else who Jesus is, everyone will already know Him, not just know of Him.
They will all know in their hearts the right way to live their lives, and how to build healthy relationships with one another; they will all know God's love for them, and will love and worship Him and love one another with His love; and they will all know God's forgiveness, and be able to grant that forgiveness to themselves and to one another. It will be Earth's Golden Age.
Today let us live our lives knowing Him, loving Him, and extending His love and forgiveness to one another, in the power of His Holy Spirit that lives in us. That's what Jesus meant when He talked about the Kingdom of God being within us. He is our King and we obey Him as His subjects today, being in the world but not of it. And eagerly waiting for His Glorious Appearing.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Great Is His Faithfulness
Lamentations 3:21-23
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
I can remember, and remembering gives me hope. God never changes. He has sent His Son to be the fully atoning Sacrifice, completely satisfying God's wrath on sin, in our place and for our benefit. Now God is free to forgive us when we confess, agree with God of the sinfulness of our sins (I John 1:9). So each day is a new start. Each day is the first day of the rest of our life. We can leave the old habits that have made our life miserable and wake up to a brand-new day. Because "His compassions never fail. They are new every morning." He will remain faithful even if we fall down again today; there's always tomorrow.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
I can remember, and remembering gives me hope. God never changes. He has sent His Son to be the fully atoning Sacrifice, completely satisfying God's wrath on sin, in our place and for our benefit. Now God is free to forgive us when we confess, agree with God of the sinfulness of our sins (I John 1:9). So each day is a new start. Each day is the first day of the rest of our life. We can leave the old habits that have made our life miserable and wake up to a brand-new day. Because "His compassions never fail. They are new every morning." He will remain faithful even if we fall down again today; there's always tomorrow.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
God Fights For Us
Nehemiah 4:20
…Our God will fight for us.
Nehemiah had come from Iraq where the Israelites had been carried to by Nebuchadnezzar, and now King Artaxerxes had allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, and both Ezra and Nehemiah returned with them. Nehemiah had come specifically to rebuild the defensive wall surrounding the city. When the local leaders in the area realized that they were actually making progress in the work, they all banded together to attack and stop them. But Nehemiah heard of their plot, and took steps to militarize all the workers, with weapons and guards. And he encouraged them with the reminder that it was God Who would protect them, like He had done before in their history.
God has always fought for His own people, whether they are born of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), or born-again into God's own family (John 3:3). God allowed for the regional leaders to realize that the Jews were ready to defend themselves, so they broke off the attack. And God fights for us, His children, today.
Just as the Jews were fearful, but God used their preparations to discourage an attack on them, so also, when we see a problem ahead, or are facing difficulties, when we do what we can and trust Him, then He always comes through in our defense. God is God, He is the Almighty, and He has total control of every detail. He will not do what we are to do, but He wants us to trust Him to do what we cannot do. So we need not be afraid or worry.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
…Our God will fight for us.
Nehemiah had come from Iraq where the Israelites had been carried to by Nebuchadnezzar, and now King Artaxerxes had allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, and both Ezra and Nehemiah returned with them. Nehemiah had come specifically to rebuild the defensive wall surrounding the city. When the local leaders in the area realized that they were actually making progress in the work, they all banded together to attack and stop them. But Nehemiah heard of their plot, and took steps to militarize all the workers, with weapons and guards. And he encouraged them with the reminder that it was God Who would protect them, like He had done before in their history.
God has always fought for His own people, whether they are born of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), or born-again into God's own family (John 3:3). God allowed for the regional leaders to realize that the Jews were ready to defend themselves, so they broke off the attack. And God fights for us, His children, today.
Just as the Jews were fearful, but God used their preparations to discourage an attack on them, so also, when we see a problem ahead, or are facing difficulties, when we do what we can and trust Him, then He always comes through in our defense. God is God, He is the Almighty, and He has total control of every detail. He will not do what we are to do, but He wants us to trust Him to do what we cannot do. So we need not be afraid or worry.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
God's Will
I Thessalonians 4:3-8
For this is the will of God, --
What is God's will for me? Here it is.
your sanctification; --
This is what will make us holy, separated from this world's evil.
that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; --
To not use our body parts in ways not intended by God.
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel --
Each of us needs to take care of the physical needs of our bodies, we are each responsible for our own bodies.
in sanctification and honor, --
We care for our bodies with the aim of separating from worldly things that would harm or damage our physical life or relationships, or dishonor ourselves or others.
not in lustful passion, --
We are not to give in to our "I want it and I want it now" lusts for whatever it is we want, whether a sexual arousal or some other appetite, such as a chemical-laden non-food that fires up pleasure responses in our brain.
like the Gentiles who don't know God; --
That's like the people who don't know God, who put other things and desires before wanting to know God; who worship themselves or their possessions or their status; Pagans.
and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter --
If a believer falls into a passionate physical relationship with one who is not his wife, he is defrauding her father and her future husband of what is rightfully given on a wedding night.
because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, --
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Avenger who will settle all scores and even all odds, because He is the One Who is our perfect Sacrifice, atoning in full for every transgression, deed, thought, word and desire that is not up to God's perfect Standard.
just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. --
We are warned repeatedly all through Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, and every preacher of righteousness we have ever heard.
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, --
God did not give us a free will in order to do whatever we want;
but in sanctification.
But so that we could freely choose His good for us, and be rewarded for our choices.
Consequently, he who rejects this --
As a consequence of this, those who don't choose to agree with God, who make their own decisions to believe and do whatever they want,
is not rejecting man,
are not rejecting the people who preached righteousness,
but the God Who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
but are rejecting God Who is the Maker of it all and told us how it works; and they refuse to cooperate, so they go against the right, then wonder why they suffer. But God has given us who believe His Holy Spirit to inform us, to teach us the right ways, and to strengthen us to be able to do the hard thing that is the right thing to do.
Dear Father, help me to always "possess [my] own vessel in sanctification and honor." Help me to always consider Your ways when I am tempted to react in worldly ways, and do the hard thing; to keep my mouth shut; to eat the real foods You provide; to order my gestures and looks to not tempt anyone to take advantage, and thereby dishonor You by dishonoring my body.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For this is the will of God, --
What is God's will for me? Here it is.
your sanctification; --
This is what will make us holy, separated from this world's evil.
that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; --
To not use our body parts in ways not intended by God.
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel --
Each of us needs to take care of the physical needs of our bodies, we are each responsible for our own bodies.
in sanctification and honor, --
We care for our bodies with the aim of separating from worldly things that would harm or damage our physical life or relationships, or dishonor ourselves or others.
not in lustful passion, --
We are not to give in to our "I want it and I want it now" lusts for whatever it is we want, whether a sexual arousal or some other appetite, such as a chemical-laden non-food that fires up pleasure responses in our brain.
like the Gentiles who don't know God; --
That's like the people who don't know God, who put other things and desires before wanting to know God; who worship themselves or their possessions or their status; Pagans.
and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter --
If a believer falls into a passionate physical relationship with one who is not his wife, he is defrauding her father and her future husband of what is rightfully given on a wedding night.
because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, --
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Avenger who will settle all scores and even all odds, because He is the One Who is our perfect Sacrifice, atoning in full for every transgression, deed, thought, word and desire that is not up to God's perfect Standard.
just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. --
We are warned repeatedly all through Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, and every preacher of righteousness we have ever heard.
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, --
God did not give us a free will in order to do whatever we want;
but in sanctification.
But so that we could freely choose His good for us, and be rewarded for our choices.
Consequently, he who rejects this --
As a consequence of this, those who don't choose to agree with God, who make their own decisions to believe and do whatever they want,
is not rejecting man,
are not rejecting the people who preached righteousness,
but the God Who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
but are rejecting God Who is the Maker of it all and told us how it works; and they refuse to cooperate, so they go against the right, then wonder why they suffer. But God has given us who believe His Holy Spirit to inform us, to teach us the right ways, and to strengthen us to be able to do the hard thing that is the right thing to do.
Dear Father, help me to always "possess [my] own vessel in sanctification and honor." Help me to always consider Your ways when I am tempted to react in worldly ways, and do the hard thing; to keep my mouth shut; to eat the real foods You provide; to order my gestures and looks to not tempt anyone to take advantage, and thereby dishonor You by dishonoring my body.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, May 9, 2016
Chariots And Horses Of Fire!
II Kings 2:1-14
(1) And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2) ..."Stay here."... Went down to Bethel. (4) ..."Stay here." ... So they went down to Jericho. (6) ... "Stay here." ... So the two of them went on [to the Jordan River]. (8) And Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ... (9) "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." (11) Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. (12) And Elisha saw it and cried out, ... and he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. (13) He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. (14) And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the waters, ... and they were divided here and there and Elisha crossed over.
Elisha was very persistent; he was determined to stay with his mentor as long as possible, even when Elijah kept telling him to stay behind. His tenacity paid off, as he was there to see Elijah taken up to Heaven. When he asked Elijah for a "double portion" of his spirit, he was wanting to be acknowledged as Elijah's "first-born," that, according to the Law was to receive a double portion of the inheritance (see Deuteronomy 21:17). This was a very audacious request, one that was not in his authority to grant. But God said, "Yes!"
And to have the "chariot of fire and horses of fire" come right between them as they walked together affected Elisha so powerfully that he tore his garments into two pieces. These were a very passionate people, and when overcome by emotion would often react by tearing their clothes.
Elisha also had Elijah's mantle, with which he performed the same miracle, of dividing the Jordan to walk across on dry ground.
O my Father, please grant me the persistence of Elisha, to persist in trusting You; the tenacity of Elisha, to hold on to Your promises even when I see no answer to my prayers; and the audacity of Elisha, to ask of You only what You'd be able to do for me and through me. Keep me faithful, Father, that you would do great things through me, and keep me humble, to not realize my part in Your miracles until after. That You will receive all the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(1) And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2) ..."Stay here."... Went down to Bethel. (4) ..."Stay here." ... So they went down to Jericho. (6) ... "Stay here." ... So the two of them went on [to the Jordan River]. (8) And Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ... (9) "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." (11) Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. (12) And Elisha saw it and cried out, ... and he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. (13) He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. (14) And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the waters, ... and they were divided here and there and Elisha crossed over.
Elisha was very persistent; he was determined to stay with his mentor as long as possible, even when Elijah kept telling him to stay behind. His tenacity paid off, as he was there to see Elijah taken up to Heaven. When he asked Elijah for a "double portion" of his spirit, he was wanting to be acknowledged as Elijah's "first-born," that, according to the Law was to receive a double portion of the inheritance (see Deuteronomy 21:17). This was a very audacious request, one that was not in his authority to grant. But God said, "Yes!"
And to have the "chariot of fire and horses of fire" come right between them as they walked together affected Elisha so powerfully that he tore his garments into two pieces. These were a very passionate people, and when overcome by emotion would often react by tearing their clothes.
Elisha also had Elijah's mantle, with which he performed the same miracle, of dividing the Jordan to walk across on dry ground.
O my Father, please grant me the persistence of Elisha, to persist in trusting You; the tenacity of Elisha, to hold on to Your promises even when I see no answer to my prayers; and the audacity of Elisha, to ask of You only what You'd be able to do for me and through me. Keep me faithful, Father, that you would do great things through me, and keep me humble, to not realize my part in Your miracles until after. That You will receive all the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Mothers' Day
III John 4
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the Truth.
Happy Mothers' Day to all of you who have children, grandchildren and spiritual children. May they all know the Father's love and walk in His Truth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the Truth.
Happy Mothers' Day to all of you who have children, grandchildren and spiritual children. May they all know the Father's love and walk in His Truth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Leviathan
Leviathan: Strong's Hebrew index, #3882; livyathan=liv-yaw-thawn--(from #3867; lavah=law-vaw--to twine or twist to unite) A wreathed [twisted] animal, a large sea monster.
Job 41:1-10
God says to Job, Can you draw out Leviathan with a fish-hook? [No.] Or press down his tongue with a cord? [No.] Can you put a rope in his nose? [No.] Or pierce his jaw with a hook? [No.] Will he make many supplications to you? [No, he won't beg.] Or will he speak to you soft words? [No.] Will he make a covenant with you? [No, no agreements.] Will you take him for a servant forever? [Not a chance.] Will you play with him as with a bird? [Hardly.] Or will you bind him for your maidens? [A plaything for your little girls?] Will the traders bargain over him? [No] Will they divide him among the merchants? [Cut him up? With what knife?] Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? [Nothing could penetrate.] Lay your hand on him; remember the battle; you will not do it again! [If you survive, you'll never attempt it again!] Behold your expectation is false [if you think you can survive an encounter with him]; will you be laid low even at the sight of him? [Just being close enough to see him!] No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him [no living human being.]
So God tells Job that this sea-monster cannot be caught or tamed or merchandised. No hook, no harpoon, no spear would be able to penetrate his skin. God made this dragon to be impervious to any man's attempt to subdue him.
Psalm 74:13-14
Thou didst divide the sea by Thy strength; Thou didst break the heads of the sea monsters in the waters, Thou didst crush the heads of Leviathan; Thou didst give him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
I think that here Leviathan is used as a name for all the Leviathans in the oceans, as I don't think that a single animal could normally and naturally have more than one head. So when God divided the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through it, He also killed some of the sea-monsters, and their bodies washed up onto the shore with the dead Egyptians.
Psalm 104:24-26
O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; the Earth is full of Thy possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, animals both small and great. There the ships move along, And the Leviathan, which Thou hast formed to sport in it.
Okay, here the Leviathan is named as a species of animal that plays and cavorts in the seas and oceans. I think about dolphins and otters and sharks and sailfish and other sea animals that seem to play and dance in the waters of the Earth. And it is named with the ships that ply the waves, as comparable in size to them.
Isaiah 27:1
In that Day the Lord will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, with his fierce and mighty sword, even Leviathan the twisted serpent; and He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.
This is referring to the Day of the Lord, and Leviathan is still in this Earth, still twisting in the waters of the seas, waiting for King Jesus to slay him with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth: His Word. He will attempt to flee, but none will be able to evade His ultimate judgement.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Job 41:1-10
God says to Job, Can you draw out Leviathan with a fish-hook? [No.] Or press down his tongue with a cord? [No.] Can you put a rope in his nose? [No.] Or pierce his jaw with a hook? [No.] Will he make many supplications to you? [No, he won't beg.] Or will he speak to you soft words? [No.] Will he make a covenant with you? [No, no agreements.] Will you take him for a servant forever? [Not a chance.] Will you play with him as with a bird? [Hardly.] Or will you bind him for your maidens? [A plaything for your little girls?] Will the traders bargain over him? [No] Will they divide him among the merchants? [Cut him up? With what knife?] Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? [Nothing could penetrate.] Lay your hand on him; remember the battle; you will not do it again! [If you survive, you'll never attempt it again!] Behold your expectation is false [if you think you can survive an encounter with him]; will you be laid low even at the sight of him? [Just being close enough to see him!] No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him [no living human being.]
So God tells Job that this sea-monster cannot be caught or tamed or merchandised. No hook, no harpoon, no spear would be able to penetrate his skin. God made this dragon to be impervious to any man's attempt to subdue him.
Psalm 74:13-14
Thou didst divide the sea by Thy strength; Thou didst break the heads of the sea monsters in the waters, Thou didst crush the heads of Leviathan; Thou didst give him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
I think that here Leviathan is used as a name for all the Leviathans in the oceans, as I don't think that a single animal could normally and naturally have more than one head. So when God divided the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through it, He also killed some of the sea-monsters, and their bodies washed up onto the shore with the dead Egyptians.
Psalm 104:24-26
O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; the Earth is full of Thy possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, animals both small and great. There the ships move along, And the Leviathan, which Thou hast formed to sport in it.
Okay, here the Leviathan is named as a species of animal that plays and cavorts in the seas and oceans. I think about dolphins and otters and sharks and sailfish and other sea animals that seem to play and dance in the waters of the Earth. And it is named with the ships that ply the waves, as comparable in size to them.
Isaiah 27:1
In that Day the Lord will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, with his fierce and mighty sword, even Leviathan the twisted serpent; and He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.
This is referring to the Day of the Lord, and Leviathan is still in this Earth, still twisting in the waters of the seas, waiting for King Jesus to slay him with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth: His Word. He will attempt to flee, but none will be able to evade His ultimate judgement.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, May 6, 2016
The Day Or The Hour, Awake Or Asleep
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. --
This comes right after the "Rapture" passage. We don't need anyone to be a date-setter concerning future events, but we can open our eyes to see the "signs of the times" to know that His coming is soon.
For you yourselves know full well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. --
We already can see the signs spoken of by the Lord, and will recognize the season, but not know the day or hour.
While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. --
Those who are in moral darkness will not recognize the dangers of the time and will try to convince themselves and others that everything's okay. But like a pregnant woman doesn't know what exact day or hour she will go into labor, but she will know what season, especially as the event draws near.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief; --
We will not be clueless, like the lost of the world, expecting that times are getting better, deceiving themselves. We have the light of knowledge and discernment to see the signs of the times, like the pregnant woman sees her body swelling and can know about when she'll deliver, not like the randomness of when a thief might break in.
For you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of the night nor of darkness; --
We are not in the moral morass of darkness and night, that we are unable to see; we have the light of day to shine on and illuminate and reveal the signs of the times, to understand what God is doing and about when it will all culminate in the Coming of the Lord.
So then let us not sleep as others do, --
Don't close our eyes to the obvious to ignore the clear signs.
But let us be alert and sober. --
We need to keep our moral eyes open to seriously recognize and consider and be aware of the closeness of the time of the Day of the Lord.
For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, --
Those who deliberately ignore the clear signs close their eyes as though night has fallen, as they are in moral darkness.
And those who get drunk get drunk at night. --
Those who turn to the bottle are trying to drown out the reality of what God is doing all around them.
But since we are of the day, --
The light of the sight of clear understanding.
Let us be sober, --
Clear-thinking, not muddled or confused or ignoring truths we find inconvenient.
Having put on the breastplate of faith and love, --
To protect our hearts in fully trusting God and loving one another sacrificially in the Truth of God's love for us.
And as a helmet, the hope of salvation. --
To protect our brain, so our thinking processes are in alignment with God's Word, His promises and His revealing to us the good He is accomplishing on our behalf.
For God has not destined us for wrath, --
God has already poured out all His wrath toward us on Jesus on the Cross.
But for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, --
We will be rescued, because Jesus has already suffered that wrath, and only in and through Him are we free of God's wrath.
Who died for us, --
Jesus died in the place of each of us who put our trust in Him to have taken our sins upon Himself on that Cross because we (I) deserved it all, not Him.
That whether we are awake or asleep, --
Whether we decide to face honestly what is coming, or to deliberately ignore it, in fear.
We may live together with Him.
If we've trusted that Jesus died in our (my) place, then even if we let fear blind us to what will be happening all around us, but not touching us (see Psalm 91:7), we will still live forever with Our Lord Jesus, where He is throughout all eternity.
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. --
This is very encouraging. We need have no fear, even when God's wrath is being poured out on the lost, the wicked and the morally deficient all around us, it will not touch us. That's His promise!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. --
This comes right after the "Rapture" passage. We don't need anyone to be a date-setter concerning future events, but we can open our eyes to see the "signs of the times" to know that His coming is soon.
For you yourselves know full well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. --
We already can see the signs spoken of by the Lord, and will recognize the season, but not know the day or hour.
While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. --
Those who are in moral darkness will not recognize the dangers of the time and will try to convince themselves and others that everything's okay. But like a pregnant woman doesn't know what exact day or hour she will go into labor, but she will know what season, especially as the event draws near.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief; --
We will not be clueless, like the lost of the world, expecting that times are getting better, deceiving themselves. We have the light of knowledge and discernment to see the signs of the times, like the pregnant woman sees her body swelling and can know about when she'll deliver, not like the randomness of when a thief might break in.
For you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of the night nor of darkness; --
We are not in the moral morass of darkness and night, that we are unable to see; we have the light of day to shine on and illuminate and reveal the signs of the times, to understand what God is doing and about when it will all culminate in the Coming of the Lord.
So then let us not sleep as others do, --
Don't close our eyes to the obvious to ignore the clear signs.
But let us be alert and sober. --
We need to keep our moral eyes open to seriously recognize and consider and be aware of the closeness of the time of the Day of the Lord.
For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, --
Those who deliberately ignore the clear signs close their eyes as though night has fallen, as they are in moral darkness.
And those who get drunk get drunk at night. --
Those who turn to the bottle are trying to drown out the reality of what God is doing all around them.
But since we are of the day, --
The light of the sight of clear understanding.
Let us be sober, --
Clear-thinking, not muddled or confused or ignoring truths we find inconvenient.
Having put on the breastplate of faith and love, --
To protect our hearts in fully trusting God and loving one another sacrificially in the Truth of God's love for us.
And as a helmet, the hope of salvation. --
To protect our brain, so our thinking processes are in alignment with God's Word, His promises and His revealing to us the good He is accomplishing on our behalf.
For God has not destined us for wrath, --
God has already poured out all His wrath toward us on Jesus on the Cross.
But for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, --
We will be rescued, because Jesus has already suffered that wrath, and only in and through Him are we free of God's wrath.
Who died for us, --
Jesus died in the place of each of us who put our trust in Him to have taken our sins upon Himself on that Cross because we (I) deserved it all, not Him.
That whether we are awake or asleep, --
Whether we decide to face honestly what is coming, or to deliberately ignore it, in fear.
We may live together with Him.
If we've trusted that Jesus died in our (my) place, then even if we let fear blind us to what will be happening all around us, but not touching us (see Psalm 91:7), we will still live forever with Our Lord Jesus, where He is throughout all eternity.
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. --
This is very encouraging. We need have no fear, even when God's wrath is being poured out on the lost, the wicked and the morally deficient all around us, it will not touch us. That's His promise!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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