I have made a very important typo. Brethern should be Brethren. I will move my posting from this blog to the new one here. Hopefully now Google should be able to understand my site name a little better. ;)
God Bless!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Is there anything left we can trust?
This is a post in progress, as most of mine are. This post will talk about ways in which we can show the Bible to be true.
The Bible is true to itself - when rightly understood it has no contradictions, no conflicts of statement.
The Bible is true when it speaks about the natural and physical world - it was scientifically accurate far before the secular science "discovered" the things the Bible already stated. Examples: The world is round; the wind circles the earth in courses (that is the atmosphere) Ecc; others... Health principles
The Bible is true in it's prophetic statements - Every one of the Bible's time prophecy's have been fulfilled on time. All of it's prophecy's of the Messiah, of Christ, have been fulfilled right on time.
The Bible is true because of the change that it says will occur in the life will occur in the life when someone follows Christ.
The historical statements of the Bible can be verified by non-religious sources - cf. Michael Hasel's presentation at GYC 2005
The problem with proving the Bible is that the Bible says it can't be proved. It's a little like creation in the Bible: it doesn't prove creation, it states it. The Bible doesn't prove itself; it states that it is.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6
This brings up something that those of modernity often throw at Christians in particular and those of a religion in general: that Christianity requires faith and science doesn't. I just want to say here and now, "read my lips: they both require faith." For you to believe the Bible with all of it's proofs is as plausible and possibly more so than to believe science with all of it's proofs.
Communism was the acid test of secularism. One of it's basic philosophies was that there is no God. But it failed! It came to the test and it could not provide the utopia that the rationalist said it could. Not that I have anything against rationalists or thinking, Christianity is not a religion of bury-your-head-in-the-sand people. But the principles of thinking found in the Bible, those very principles are being used in a non-religious way and that is a recipe for disaster.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
I will continue this post on further mornings.
God Bless!
The Bible is true to itself - when rightly understood it has no contradictions, no conflicts of statement.
The Bible is true when it speaks about the natural and physical world - it was scientifically accurate far before the secular science "discovered" the things the Bible already stated. Examples: The world is round; the wind circles the earth in courses (that is the atmosphere) Ecc; others... Health principles
The Bible is true in it's prophetic statements - Every one of the Bible's time prophecy's have been fulfilled on time. All of it's prophecy's of the Messiah, of Christ, have been fulfilled right on time.
The Bible is true because of the change that it says will occur in the life will occur in the life when someone follows Christ.
The historical statements of the Bible can be verified by non-religious sources - cf. Michael Hasel's presentation at GYC 2005
The problem with proving the Bible is that the Bible says it can't be proved. It's a little like creation in the Bible: it doesn't prove creation, it states it. The Bible doesn't prove itself; it states that it is.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6
This brings up something that those of modernity often throw at Christians in particular and those of a religion in general: that Christianity requires faith and science doesn't. I just want to say here and now, "read my lips: they both require faith." For you to believe the Bible with all of it's proofs is as plausible and possibly more so than to believe science with all of it's proofs.
Communism was the acid test of secularism. One of it's basic philosophies was that there is no God. But it failed! It came to the test and it could not provide the utopia that the rationalist said it could. Not that I have anything against rationalists or thinking, Christianity is not a religion of bury-your-head-in-the-sand people. But the principles of thinking found in the Bible, those very principles are being used in a non-religious way and that is a recipe for disaster.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
I will continue this post on further mornings.
God Bless!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Philippians 4:11 - to be content
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
My eyes focused this morning on the words "therewith to be content." What does it mean to be content? Are we who live in this western culture ever content? Consumerism runs rampant and for the most part is almost unnoticed because it is so common. We have all heard the statistics on how much the richest countries in the world spend compared to the poorest. There is a wide gap between those two numbers.
This discrepancy is mostly the fault of the marketing industry which has done a masterful job of promoting anything and everything to the point that we can never be content. It is ingrained in us from the time we first see an ad promoting whatever in their enticing way. Because of that we have become a nation and a society of unsatisfieds, people who are never happy with what they have.
It reminds me of Isaiah chapter 55, the second verse:
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
What is more concerning than the fact that people are unsatisfied is what they are unsatisfied with. It is not a life filled with physical hunger or a an abusive situation or a lack of spiritual life. It is the lack of things that do not matter, the things that are only temporary and non-essential. In Maslow's hierarchy of needs the items people are seeking today are very high. This is not the food, water, shelter things that every requires. People are seeking for that that does not satisfy.
Ultimately, what the world needs is Jesus, as the song says. "Just a glimpse of Him," a view that God has something better to offer. Something that does not pass away, something that is of eternal consequence, something to make a person content.
"I have learned in whatsoever state I am in" - "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?. . . Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35, 39
When we know that God loves us we can have that peace that passeth understanding (Philippians 4:7) and be truly content in the Lord
God Bless!
My eyes focused this morning on the words "therewith to be content." What does it mean to be content? Are we who live in this western culture ever content? Consumerism runs rampant and for the most part is almost unnoticed because it is so common. We have all heard the statistics on how much the richest countries in the world spend compared to the poorest. There is a wide gap between those two numbers.
This discrepancy is mostly the fault of the marketing industry which has done a masterful job of promoting anything and everything to the point that we can never be content. It is ingrained in us from the time we first see an ad promoting whatever in their enticing way. Because of that we have become a nation and a society of unsatisfieds, people who are never happy with what they have.
It reminds me of Isaiah chapter 55, the second verse:
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
What is more concerning than the fact that people are unsatisfied is what they are unsatisfied with. It is not a life filled with physical hunger or a an abusive situation or a lack of spiritual life. It is the lack of things that do not matter, the things that are only temporary and non-essential. In Maslow's hierarchy of needs the items people are seeking today are very high. This is not the food, water, shelter things that every requires. People are seeking for that that does not satisfy.
Ultimately, what the world needs is Jesus, as the song says. "Just a glimpse of Him," a view that God has something better to offer. Something that does not pass away, something that is of eternal consequence, something to make a person content.
"I have learned in whatsoever state I am in" - "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?. . . Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35, 39
When we know that God loves us we can have that peace that passeth understanding (Philippians 4:7) and be truly content in the Lord
God Bless!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Philippians 4:10
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Philippians 4:10
Paul here is praising the Lord for people of action. Not just people of belief but people of beliefs that motivated them to action. Too many people today believe that all God wants is a mental assent to a knowledge of Him. That is not enough; He wants more from you.
Anyone who has a real burden, a mission, for someone or something will work toward that end. Political groups know this and they campaign to get people more burdened, more conscious of their issue and then those people will get involved. People are willing to act for something they truly believe in.
It is the same with Christianity! People are willing to work when they truly believe.
God Bless!
Paul here is praising the Lord for people of action. Not just people of belief but people of beliefs that motivated them to action. Too many people today believe that all God wants is a mental assent to a knowledge of Him. That is not enough; He wants more from you.
Anyone who has a real burden, a mission, for someone or something will work toward that end. Political groups know this and they campaign to get people more burdened, more conscious of their issue and then those people will get involved. People are willing to act for something they truly believe in.
It is the same with Christianity! People are willing to work when they truly believe.
God Bless!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Throughly furnished unto all good works
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2Timothy 3:17
This verse was the study of this morning. I chose it because what I am attempting to do by going to college is to be thoroughly furnished. To be thoroughly furnished is to be equipped completely, to have the knowledge and the skills to tackle what tasks you will face in your life. It has the connotation or being able to accomplish a task or to be able to see how to accomplish it, at least as best I can find not knowing greek.
The question I had this morning is what all do you need to be equipped for? How much is enough? And what are the most important things to be equipped with?
I will consider the answer to that today and will post again tomorrow morning.
God Bless!
This verse was the study of this morning. I chose it because what I am attempting to do by going to college is to be thoroughly furnished. To be thoroughly furnished is to be equipped completely, to have the knowledge and the skills to tackle what tasks you will face in your life. It has the connotation or being able to accomplish a task or to be able to see how to accomplish it, at least as best I can find not knowing greek.
The question I had this morning is what all do you need to be equipped for? How much is enough? And what are the most important things to be equipped with?
I will consider the answer to that today and will post again tomorrow morning.
God Bless!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Why I don't listen to Hip Hop...Rag music
Full title: Why I don't listen to Hip Hop, Rap, Rock, Blues, Jazz, or Rag music
This is only meant to be a summary not a complete reference. It is the larger principles behind my decision not the actual way in which those principles apply to the music. I have limited myself to three principles that I believe apply here. Each is based on a Bible verse. They are:
1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2
2. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
3. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1John 2:15
The three areas that I feel those kinds of music are incompatible with are, respectively:
1. They denigrate the image of God in humanity particularly in the mental and physical aspects.
2. They tend toward impurity of mind which leads toward impurity of action.
3. They lead away from God rather than toward Him by suggesting untruth. These lies are spread through the music even without lyrics. Additionally, the lyrics are often indifferent to religion at best and anti-Christian at worst.
Remember, this is not an exhaustive explanation merely a Cliff Notes type of summary of my views. We all need to be good Bereans and study for ourselves what to believe. I pray we "may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2Tim 3:17
God Bless!
This is only meant to be a summary not a complete reference. It is the larger principles behind my decision not the actual way in which those principles apply to the music. I have limited myself to three principles that I believe apply here. Each is based on a Bible verse. They are:
1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2
2. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
3. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1John 2:15
The three areas that I feel those kinds of music are incompatible with are, respectively:
1. They denigrate the image of God in humanity particularly in the mental and physical aspects.
2. They tend toward impurity of mind which leads toward impurity of action.
3. They lead away from God rather than toward Him by suggesting untruth. These lies are spread through the music even without lyrics. Additionally, the lyrics are often indifferent to religion at best and anti-Christian at worst.
Remember, this is not an exhaustive explanation merely a Cliff Notes type of summary of my views. We all need to be good Bereans and study for ourselves what to believe. I pray we "may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2Tim 3:17
God Bless!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Sign of the Fleece: Update 3/Conclusion
I left my last update to The Sign of the Fleece in a rather precarious state. This is the conclusion to that last post and the conclusion of my study of signs/fleeces.
The conclusion that I have come to is that while the Lord may reveal something to you in special revelation He will never reveal something to you in personal revelation. Personal revelation is where I receive "light" that is new, but not just new, but "light" that contradicts the old. Whereas special revelation is the belief that a knowledge of God and His will and ways can be know through supernatural means, such as miracles, experiences, or speaking to the conscience. Special revelation while personal is not the same as personal revelation in that special revelation never contradicts existing truth.
Example: Judy ask the Lord for guidance as to which job she should apply to. She asks that whichever one she should apply to would contact her without her contacting them. The one company calls her and she accepts that as the Lord's will for her life. That is special revelation, albeit perhaps a poor example.
Example: Joe is wondering whether he should rob this house or that one. He asks the Lord that whichever one he should rob would have their lights off when he goes by that night. One does and he robs it. That is personal revelation, revelation that clearly disagrees with a Bible truth. This is a poor example as well but you get the point.
Now, when Gideon asked for a fleece I believe that he was asking out of a lack of faith. When David asked the Lord "shall I go up" 2Sam 2:1 that was a personal revelation through the priest, I believe it was Abiathar. David was asking in honest faith of the Lord what he should do. This is a different type of sign. One is in faith, living up to all the light that you have; the other in doubt, is disregard to the light you have been given.
The bottom line I have come to is that you shouldn't need a sign. In most cases, if you have to faith of a mustard seed, the Lord has revealed enough light to illumine your path no matter your current circumstances.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1John 1:7
God Bless!
The conclusion that I have come to is that while the Lord may reveal something to you in special revelation He will never reveal something to you in personal revelation. Personal revelation is where I receive "light" that is new, but not just new, but "light" that contradicts the old. Whereas special revelation is the belief that a knowledge of God and His will and ways can be know through supernatural means, such as miracles, experiences, or speaking to the conscience. Special revelation while personal is not the same as personal revelation in that special revelation never contradicts existing truth.
Example: Judy ask the Lord for guidance as to which job she should apply to. She asks that whichever one she should apply to would contact her without her contacting them. The one company calls her and she accepts that as the Lord's will for her life. That is special revelation, albeit perhaps a poor example.
Example: Joe is wondering whether he should rob this house or that one. He asks the Lord that whichever one he should rob would have their lights off when he goes by that night. One does and he robs it. That is personal revelation, revelation that clearly disagrees with a Bible truth. This is a poor example as well but you get the point.
Now, when Gideon asked for a fleece I believe that he was asking out of a lack of faith. When David asked the Lord "shall I go up" 2Sam 2:1 that was a personal revelation through the priest, I believe it was Abiathar. David was asking in honest faith of the Lord what he should do. This is a different type of sign. One is in faith, living up to all the light that you have; the other in doubt, is disregard to the light you have been given.
The bottom line I have come to is that you shouldn't need a sign. In most cases, if you have to faith of a mustard seed, the Lord has revealed enough light to illumine your path no matter your current circumstances.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1John 1:7
God Bless!
The Sign of the Fleece: Update 2
I have decided that for the length of this update to put it into a new post.
Update 2: I have learned some more about the use of a fleece or as it is sometimes called casting a fleece. One powerful thing I learned was he was casting the fleece on the threshing floor. Now, what does a threshing floor symbolize?
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord Matt 4:4.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51
Bread is a symbol of the "Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us" John 1:14. I believe that the grinding of that grain, that wheat is a symbol of the study of the Bible. The fleece that was cast was cast in the context of Bible study. When the Lord has clearly revealed his will in the Bible it is our duty to accept that and not to ask for a sign.
In that vein, Jesus rebuked the Priests and Pharisees for asking for a sign:
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: Matthew 12:38-39
It is interesting to note the phrase "evil and adulterous generation" because the covenant with Israel was represented a marriage contract; As believers in the new covenant we become the bride of Christ. Here, when evil and adultery are used it signifies their denial and rejection of that covenant and their sin caused blindness. John 9:41 They were asking for a sign because their sin blinded them to the truth that was right in front of their eyes.
This again points out that unless you are following all the revealed will of God that you have no business asking for a sign.
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke 7:9
Another story that I thought of is the centurion with the sick servant. He didn't ask for a sign because he had faith that Jesus could make his servant well even at a distance.
I have come to the conclusion that there are several different "signs" that you can ask for. The first, and the one that I have been focusing on the most, is the sign showing which way should I go, sort of the "right or left" sign. The second is what I am increasingly believing was the sign that Gideon asked for and that is the "are you truly with me" sign. That sign is asking "is it really you calling me to do this or is it another." That sign already has a direction to go and just needs confirmation and assurance. The first sign has no direction and is asking for direction. The sign of Jonah that Jesus gave the Priests and Pharisees was the second kind of sign. The first type of sign is exemplified in a story which I found in 2Samuel 2:
And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. 2Samuel 2:1
I will comment more on this later, I have run out of time.
God Bless!
Update 2: I have learned some more about the use of a fleece or as it is sometimes called casting a fleece. One powerful thing I learned was he was casting the fleece on the threshing floor. Now, what does a threshing floor symbolize?
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord Matt 4:4.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51
Bread is a symbol of the "Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us" John 1:14. I believe that the grinding of that grain, that wheat is a symbol of the study of the Bible. The fleece that was cast was cast in the context of Bible study. When the Lord has clearly revealed his will in the Bible it is our duty to accept that and not to ask for a sign.
In that vein, Jesus rebuked the Priests and Pharisees for asking for a sign:
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: Matthew 12:38-39
It is interesting to note the phrase "evil and adulterous generation" because the covenant with Israel was represented a marriage contract; As believers in the new covenant we become the bride of Christ. Here, when evil and adultery are used it signifies their denial and rejection of that covenant and their sin caused blindness. John 9:41 They were asking for a sign because their sin blinded them to the truth that was right in front of their eyes.
This again points out that unless you are following all the revealed will of God that you have no business asking for a sign.
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke 7:9
Another story that I thought of is the centurion with the sick servant. He didn't ask for a sign because he had faith that Jesus could make his servant well even at a distance.
I have come to the conclusion that there are several different "signs" that you can ask for. The first, and the one that I have been focusing on the most, is the sign showing which way should I go, sort of the "right or left" sign. The second is what I am increasingly believing was the sign that Gideon asked for and that is the "are you truly with me" sign. That sign is asking "is it really you calling me to do this or is it another." That sign already has a direction to go and just needs confirmation and assurance. The first sign has no direction and is asking for direction. The sign of Jonah that Jesus gave the Priests and Pharisees was the second kind of sign. The first type of sign is exemplified in a story which I found in 2Samuel 2:
And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. 2Samuel 2:1
I will comment more on this later, I have run out of time.
God Bless!
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