A Voice in the Wilderness

2012-02-08T04:47:00.003-08:00

2012-02-08T04:47:00.001-08:00

2012-02-08T04:46:00.001-08:00

Forgiveness 7: a journey into forgiving others

2011-03-21T18:56:00.001-07:00

Forgiveness 7: a journey into forgiving others

Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

So far we have seen that finding forgiveness involves, accepting responsibility, self examination, honesty, confession of sin, full acceptance of that forgiveness given by God, and forgiveness of self. Once we forgive ourselves we must take this healing one step further. The principle clearly becomes, if God can forgive me, I can forgive myself. And if God can forgive me then I can forgive others. However, just as forgiveness of self is hard so is the complicated journey of forgiving others. Reasons for ignoring God's forgiveness principles include, you don't know what they did to me. They have not shown true remorse, just to name a few. The problems with forgiving others can become very complicated. In may of 2010,
According to an article by Melissa Davies, a teenager lost control in Christchurch and hit and killed a four year old child. The mother said she forgives the teenager. She admits though it would be harder if the teen had been racing or drunk. Amazing, the very fact that this mother can forgive such a tragic situation shows the power of the divine. Human nature seeks revenge only the divine nature seeks forgiveness.
In another tragedy, similar events took the life of a road construction worker in 2009. The mother stated, " my faith helps me forgive but I also want justice for my daughter. I don't question God because he has a purpose for everything that he does. It hurts when you loose your mom and dad but nothing compares to lose a child that's the worst pain you could ever have,"
What complicates this story is that the young man fled the scene. If it had not been for civilian good samaritans the perpetrator would not been caught. And to complicate matters further the young man who had already been charged 3 times for drunken driving posted bail and walked in Aug 2009. Forgiveness in such trial could be nearly impossible. If forgiveness is given and received two people are free. If just the one injured forgives at least they are free. Forgiveness cost pride, fear, bondage and the right of revenge. Unforgiveness costs a lifetime of being tied to that moment, trapped in bondage, filled with hurt, fear that colors all that you touch, breathe or think for the rest of your life. Forgiveness not only frees the sinner but it also frees the victim as well. Even our Lord cried from the cross, Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

forgiveness 5: a journey into forgiveness of self

2011-03-20T19:20:00.001-07:00

Forgiveness 5: a journey into forgiveness of self.
Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
One of the toughest parts of the journey towards forgiveness comes when God forgives us but we allow memory to keep us in bondage to guilt that God has already cleansed. Self examination
leads towards confession but self incrimination after forgiveness leads to fear, self loathing, and an inability to properly relate with others. We may say outwardly that we are sorry for our sin and truly may be sorry. That repentant heart towards God found forgiveness for King David. However when we are alone with ourselves in our own mind, invariably we revisit our guilt, incriminating ourselves returning to selfloathing. This defeated view hinders us in loving and forgiving others. Remember what God declares clean is clean.(Acts 10:15; 1 john 1:9)

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

forgiveness 4: a journey into confession

2011-03-20T06:59:00.001-07:00

Forgiveness 4: a journey into confession
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
King David appeared on the scene of Israelites trial almost messianic in nature. After defeating Goliath,he eventually becomes king. He, described as a man
after Gods own heart, failed to avoid sin by being unfaithful as commander of Israeli armies. When he should have been at war, he finds himself lusting after Bathsheba from his rooftop vantage. He takes her and has his way with her, like a recent president stated, "because he could." (An interview with Bill Clinton by Dan Rather).
In an effort to hide his sin, David plied his faithful captain uriah, with liquor in an attempt to make him sleep with his wife. Failing to follow David's futile attempt to cover Bathsheba's pregnancy, Uriah shows his commitment to David and his company of soldiers by staying with them instead of taking leave with his wife. Uriah felt he should not have leave if his men did not get leave. Ultimately David killed uriah, by ordering him to the front lines where this faithful man was killed. Like us, David thought he had covered his tracks. The problem for David, is that God sees all and knows all. After Nathan the prophet confronted David, he repented, and cried out to God, confessing his sin, and asking for a clean heart that only comes from God's forgiveness.
This psalm, David's prayer recorded for us today, maps the path we all need to take when we find we too have sinned.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

forgiveness part 2: a journey into self examination

2011-03-18T11:29:00.001-07:00

Forgiveness: a journey in self examination.

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door....(Genesis 4:6-7)

God blessed our first parents with a couple of boys, Cain and Abel. Being carefully taught worship by their parents, as grown men they offered their worship to God. However, God did not accept Cain's sacrifice but did accept Abel's offering. Cain's offering came as prideful from the works of his own hands, did not represent his best, and did not follow Gods prescription seen in the innocent animal blood shed in the garden. God, warns Cain that sin awaits him if he does not correct his actions. God tells him that if he does good he will be accepted. Jesus teaches that a heart of anger out of control mirrors a murderous actions. James the half brother of Christ teaches that anger can be right only if it is towards the right object. Cain could have listened as God spoke to his conscience and turned from the option of sin to correct his mistakes in worship. Ultimately Cain fails to correct his actions and kills his brother in the field. Our own journey towards forgiveness must begin with a conversation with God. As he did with Cain, he warns us before we sin through conscience, words from friends, and family, the personal ministry of the holy spirit, and scripture. If we like Cain fail to listen to Gods warnings and we yield to sin, only trouble can result. Sadly, it is rare indeed that anyone says, the problem begins with me.Once the sin is committed forgiveness and a change of will can result in the peace of forgiveness.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

to hear his voice

2011-03-17T07:40:00.001-07:00

I Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Mother Teresa said once, "We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls". She understood what elijah just learned in this passage. He was running for his life. He felt like he was left all alone with no one else to serve God. He needed guidance. Too often when we need to hear from God; we look in the wrong places, like the storm, or other signs. When if we are to hear clearly we just need to get alone with him and his word away from all the sounds and hustle of the world. That is exactly how Jesus would do it. He would go to a mountain alone, or to an olive garden and pray. Remember he instructed us that when we pray we should enter into our closet, (away from distractions) to talk to God in secret. The noise of tv, life, people, and our bustle often distracts our hearts from truly hearing the still small voice of the Lord.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

may those who come behind us find us faithful

2011-03-13T06:53:00.001-07:00

may those who come behind us find us faithful.
II Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Think back to your childhood. Do you remember the person who first told you about Jesus? They may or may not be the one ultimately led you to Christ. Think of the gospel progression in your life. All of those people should be valuable. They are the links chaining back throughout time of God's redemptive act in your life. Now think of those people who were your first teachers of grace. Demas learned from great privilege. His Spiritual lineage included doctor Luke and the Apostle Paul. At the very least Paul's lineage connected him through Annais and Stephen to the first church, through the apostles right back to Christ. What a heritage. However this preacher who had accompanied such noble mentors had more love for the world than ministry. He turned his back on Paul and left him and Luke
Do you take for granted those God has given to you throughout your life? Have you forgotten the value of the mentors who have crossed your paths? Don't take for granted your spiritual heritage and don't forget to mentor others and leave a legacy behind you.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

a journey back into the light

2011-03-12T11:53:00.001-08:00

Psalms 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD;.... He brought me up also out of a horrible pit,... And he hath put a new song in my mouth,....
Helen Keller, born some 131 years ago began life very normal and brought bright promise to her family. One day however she began to slip into a darkness and a silence that few know. For some reason she became blind, deaf and dumb. She, through extensive sacrifice was able to learn to communicate and by the time I was born she even spoke by radio. She knew how God had brought her out of the darkness of her mortgage pit. He gave her a new song. Looking forward like David she saw an even brighter day.
"Discouraged not by difficulties without, or the anguish of ages within, the heart listens to a secret voice that whispers: "Be not dismayed; in the future lies the Promised Land." Helen Keller.
May we, if we notice our day begining a journey into darkness, find the strength of God lifting us out of the miry pit to stand on his rock. May we find our voice as Helen did to sing a new song of the promised land.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

what if God says yes

2011-03-11T10:34:00.001-08:00

What would I do if God gave me what I asked for?
"Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. (Isaiah 38:5)"

What would happen if God answers my prayer exactly as I wish him to answer it? Like a patient in the hospital getting news from his recent tests Hezekiah had been informed of his impending death. Following his bad news he turned his face to the wall he cried out to God for healing and God gave him fifteen more years. Here's the kicker. God blessed the king and gave him a child as well. Now not to suffer injustice against one of the great biblical kings it must be understood that he trusted God, and is numbered with the great kings of Israel, David and Josiah. Even the wisdom of Hezekiah is seen in that the men of Hezekiah compiled the Proverbs 25-29. Yet Hezekiah made some grevious mistakes with his answered prayer. He openly showed his previous treasures to foreign dignitaries who stole from him. Then with the remaining years he spoiled his son manasseh who in turn became one of the most wicked kings in the bible. Although by the end of manasseh's life he found God during his life the mentor and friend of Hezekiah, the prophet Isaiah was martyred. So what would you do if God gave you exactly what you are asking for? Would you waste your answer upon the time given to you or would you redeem the time and do something great for God?

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Where are the JFK's

2011-03-11T09:07:00.001-08:00

Where are the JFK's?
I Corinthians 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
What has happened to our worship? In the generation of tv, internet, ipods, and other gadgets we have moved deeper into and isolationistic mode in society. We interact less with our neighbors and more with our playstation or internet. Effective communication has become a few dots and slashes while community has become a Facebook. Worship has a concert feel to it and getting our felt needs met is the name of the ministry game. What has gone wrong? Worship in the early church centered around preaching Christ. they had music sometimes but it was not an everytime occurrence. They met in the upper room, borrowed buildings, the catacombs, out in the open, in homes and aboard ship. Worship was biblical and Christ centered. No overhead projectors, organs, pianos, drums or guitars were to be found. During the week if people did not meet at the synagogues, they met in homes for fellowship. We are more isolated than john on patmos who at least was in the spirit on the lords day. Even in early America people still had a strong sense of community, met for worship without padded pews and ac, fancy halls and all of the latest gadgetry. Now I am not saying that these cannot be used to glorify God, but if that is the only goal of worship then I do say we have left our first love. Worship now is more about entertainment and less about Christ. Churches goal in service has become what it does for me instead of what can I do for Christ. We are no better than the folks who followed Jesus for the food, who left when the doctrine got tough and cried along with the crowd for barabas instead of Christ. Where are those In the church who are about church like jfk was about America? "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

The Divine Wait

2011-03-10T23:58:00.001-08:00

Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
One version states "be patient and you will win". Aesop knew this lesson well when he penned the race of the tortoise and the hare. Impatience and hurry have long been the devil's tool to keep Gods children from being all they can be for God. It was such temptations that Satan dealt Christ when he tempted him. He tempted Christ to be a king before God had it for him. However there could not be a crown without a cross. Therefore if we could just see the trials we face for what they are we could invest our lives better and find the strength in patience. Then we could let patience have its entire work so that we might mature and find wholeness and peace. James 1:2-4
May we find the patience to wait on God. May we in that patience find the ability to keep serving while God is waiting. And may we persevere while we wait so we may rejoice at Gods timing and at his exaltation.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

fear of the future

2011-03-10T10:58:00.001-08:00

Mahatma Gandhi
"A man with a grain of faith in God never loses hope, because he ever believes in the ultimate triumph of Truth"
Watching the news, seeing the fragility of the nations of the world can be enough to cause the strength of the most confident to be shaken. Our world is full of wars and instability. Disease, famine, and catastrophic disasters surround us. God told us these would be signs of the end time. Scientists and politicians predict that man can and probably will destroy this world through atomic warfare in the future. However the Bible declares that God will not allow man to destroy himself but God will be the final say.
Do not be overcome by depression, despair, or defeat because in the end God wins.
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

a heavenly hug

2011-03-09T14:34:00.001-08:00

Anne Bronte once described her sorrow as: "Oh, I am very weary, Though tears no longer flow; My eyes are tired of weeping, My heart is sick of woe"
I know if we are truly honest we have invariably been in that place where the trial seems overwhelming, the struggle uncrossable, and the problem insurmountable. Haven't you ever prayed and the heavens seem as brass and no answers can be found? Well with trials comes the testing of our patience which gives birth to hope. We know God has a plan and that it will work out to our good. However sometimes these truths seem trite and even out of reach. What then can we do and what can we hope in when all seems impossible? We can rest in the arms of the God who cares so much for us he is aware that we sorrow. He also is aware of the length of our journey.
Psalms 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? Sometimes we do not need fancy words, gifts or dramatic actions. Sometimes the best response is a hug. Let the fact that the eternal infinite God so intimately cares for you that he is aware of your trial be like a heavenly hug. Weep into his shoulders and allow him to dry your tears restoring your spirit.
Let the fact that he knows your journey, from beginning to end bring solace and comfort knowing there will be an end to this too.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

where are the faithful

2011-03-08T18:10:00.001-08:00

Where are the faithful?
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

Loyalty defined proclaims the sense of being loyal to, adhering to a person, philosophy or cause. As Christian, our first loyalty must be to Jesus Christ. In light of his teachings we should remain forever loyal to his commands. Where I see a struggle for those who claim loyalty to Christ without committment to a local group comes in the area of being loyal to an institution; namely the local church. Likewise among those who show commitment to a local church there seems to be a weakness when it comes to loving the lost and following the great commission. Matt 28:18-19 Many people I talk with who claim Christianity speak of their loyalty to him and his teachings. However when we speak of the local church they begin to vasilate. Much rejection against organized religion comes both from the 1960 philosophical rebellion against institution but also from the failure of true churches to address their failures honestly during that same time. So what does the bible say? The local church is presented as precious to Christ. It is called his bride john 3:29. That shows intimacy. Furthermore Christ loved the church so,much he died for it. Eph 5:25. Also he is called both the cornerstone and the head of the church. Col 2:10; 1 pet 2:7 Finally the bible does command us to attend regularly the services and to encourage believers. Such loose adherence to Jesus without a loyalty to his local assembly cannot be correct. Likewise loving Christ and his church without following his commands to love the lost and follow the great commission cannot be correct. Thus the bible shows correctly loving Christ requires loving those that he loves including the church and the lost world. Obviously therefore the only way to be loyal to christ is to be loyal and obedient to what he loves and commands. Anything else is rebellion against him and is not loyalty but sin.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

the beauty of holiness

2011-03-08T10:52:00.001-08:00

So u want to grow in Christ.

Psalms 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Are you beautiful? We all have ideas about what is beautiful to the beholder. We also know that each person has their own tastes and preferences. However once and a while a person comes into your life that has what we call inner beauty. The beauty I am asking about is that inner beauty. Now people define beauty as something or someone pleasing to the eye. In television they say, the camera likes you. However God is not concerned about the outer person as much as he is the inner person. The Hebrew for beauty is hadarah meaning adornment, glory as in worship or the glory as in royalty. It is that beauty and glory that identifies the person. The Hebrew for holy is qodesh. It is defined as something set apart sacred and dedicated to God. Peter described this as the adornment of subjection. Paul described it as the surrender the whole man to God as a slave for life. So the question for us is, do we have inner beauty? It should define who we are and publicly adorn or words and actions. We are to be people of honesty, integrity, and as best we can, holy set apart for Gods use and to bless others.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

the great call

2011-03-07T09:33:00.001-08:00

Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

Remember this event? Paul endeavoring to go for God after trying several doors that were closed God opened a door. In this vision Paul saw a man asking the for help in Macedonia. This cry finds many forms for God and church leaders. God asks Isaiah who will go for us. Jesus instructs people to pray that God will send laborers in to his field to work. The demands an answer, a response from the whole man. Too often the answer is not Samuel's who simply showed up available for work and said "here am I", but it is the Adamic answer, "I heard your voice, and hid because I was afraid." Another Adamic response, "It's your fault God, or it's their fault." Isnt it amazing that it is rarely our fault? If it is not the adamic responses it might be the mosaic excuses that are heard. Moses said, "I am not smart enough, or I am unable to do it." God's response eternally is radical and clear. He alone enables, gifts, supplies, and forgives. He opens doors and shuts them. So the question remains, who will go for us, who will come over and help us? the prayers for workers have been sent heavenward, the call of God has been sent out. Will you answer like Isaiah, Samuel and Paul?

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

A time of struggle

2011-03-04T09:22:00.001-08:00

II Corinthians 4:7-9 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;....

A life filled without struggles would be a death sentence to some creatures. Without the first cry of a newborn babe could end with weakened lungs, pneumonia and death. A butterfly would never soar without the battle to overcome the cocoon. A life without pain receptors causes the leper or diabetic to lose limb and eventually brings death. Just know God is aware of our fragile clay. With all we do and experience He is shaping us if we will let him.
Anais Nin says, "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud became more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

prayer time in the am

2011-03-03T12:19:00.001-08:00

Prayers requested. I am dealing with a cold, depression, side effects from meds, burdens of family, church, youth, kinfolk and personal battles. I know people who are dying, friends on the fritz, bereaved folks, lost people, people in divorce, kids left by the wayside, homeless people, people sick in relentless pain, folks depressed, defeated, kids in gangs, jail, folks addicted to drugs legal and illegal, pastors struggling with their call, their church, churches struggling to exist, churches wrestling with their pastor,missionaries in harms way, soldiers in harms way, Christians who r backslidden, a wife just wanting a relationship with her husband, a friend in financial breakdown, another on the verge of a mental break, folks contemplating suicide or worse, a mother broken over their child's wayward life, a baby that is unwanted, a man wanting just to be able to go home again, a child just wanting to be held, a teen wanting to be heard, and with each problem mentioned. There are faces, and families. There are stories I could tell and today this is just my morning prayer list. Some days its tough. It's my anchor though that the one who spoke peace to the storm taught us that he is with us during the storm and that with every storm there is an end.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

a pastors heart

2011-03-03T10:33:00.001-08:00

You may not know me well. Or You may know me very well. We may have just met, in an elevator, at a street corner. We may be kinfolk, neighbors, enemies or friends. But I know you. I see you in the face of joy and pain I see in the lives of people I minister to. People striving with flawed imperfect humanity. Their flaws, failures, successes and joys. I know Christ died for me and my sins. I rejoice in my personal salvation. Sometimes, though the pain and sorrow of life makes me desire to be in eternity right now. I hate death, pain and sorrow. I know God's purpose works in, through and with pain. I do not want others to hurt. The greatest pain for me is that you might reject Christ's gift of forgiveness. Or that once you have received his salvation you as his child reject his best for you. It's a pastor's heart I guess. It's hard seeing the pain people go through in suffering, relationships, death, and the bondages of sin. My heart breaks and I understand Paul's words.... Philippians 1:21-25 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

Do you have confidence that when you die you shall be accepted of him? I know I will. And you know what? I don't want to be there without you. Do you have confidence that you are walking in daily victory in Christ? I desire that you find victory over personal sin, in relationships and in service to our great God. So what are you waiting for? Salvation is a free gift, it is not earned or deserved. Ephesians 2:8-9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
It is a gift and must simply be believed and received.
Romans 10:9 -10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
All you have to receive it is to believe his word, and ask for it.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Now if you already know Jesus as savior then don't you long to walk in victory? He loves you, wants to forgive you and to live through you.
go get you bible now and read.
1 John 1:9; 5:13-15; Galatians 2:20; These are my life verses. They keep me anchored when the darkness of life creeps in around me. May the next time we meet find you in a new relationship with me as a brother or sister in Christ. At the hospital, near a bed at a hospice unit, around the corner at the coffee shop may we find that we have the same spiritual kinship and can rejoice together in the personal victories he has given you in your spiritual journey with Him.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

the eternal God

2011-03-03T08:00:00.001-08:00

The eternal God

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am

Just think. Jesus who became a helpless baby, swaddled in a cloth, is the I am. This unique name Jesus invoked here is the same name the Father invoked at the burning bush when speaking to Moses. Jesus clearly made his claim to be equal with the Father. Some don't believe Jesus claimed to be God. However the Jews knew this was his claim, because the next verse states they took up stones to stone him for blasphemy. So imagine this, the self existant God, creator of the universe loved you so much he wrapped himself in humanity and became like you so he could die for you. He who is infinite became limited in finite space and time to save you for infinity. God loves you and wants to give you eternal life. It's free for the asking.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

a vessel of creation

2011-03-02T13:26:00.001-08:00

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Just think how special you are in the eyes of God. He created you in his image. Then he chose you as the vessel to bring life into the family. Think about how intimately he fashions the child in the womb.(Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret....)Then after mankind's fall, he chose to use you to bear the Christ child into the world for saving hope to all mankind. I thank God today that he made you, womankind and gave to you such a blessed place in creation, the creative act, and your partnership in his grand scheme of saving grace.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

studying in context

2011-03-01T10:22:00.001-08:00

Matthew 27:5 And he....went and hanged himself.
Luke 10:37....Go, and do thou likewise.....
The danger of reading scripture without context before interpretation can be dangerous. With these two verses you might think you need to follow Judas' example and hang yourself. Scripture taken out of context will be misleading.Therefore an entirely different meaning arises from the text that was not originally intended.
The interpretation must be not only in context but what was intended for the audience of that day. Once you learn what was intended for those people to learn at that time, then you can see truly what is intended for you today. That principle is called the eternal principle. It transcends culture, language, history and is still true today. Thus read with wisdom and method. An open prayerful heart, open readable book, observing the text, asking what is says, who, what, where, when and why begins your journey to a deeper walk with God. Learning to interpret historically and culturally will enrich your understanding and appreciation of His greater plan. Knowing whether or not its poetry, narrative can help you understand the natural flow of the language. The more you invest the more you will reap in rewards.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

moving from observation to interpretation

2011-02-28T11:48:00.001-08:00

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
As we study the obvious, with an open book, open heart, observing the text, we must let context rule. Reading the bible for all its worth involves investigation. What is going on in the passage, the chapter, and the book matter deeply. The section must be read in the historical cultural setting. The type of literature is important as well. The audience and the speaker matter. The type of language used, historical context etc. can affect the meaning. A comma can change meaning. For example, let's eat grandpa without the comma has an entirely different meaning with the comma. Let's eat, grandpa. So read with observation carefully in context as we move to interpretation.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

problems studying the word

2011-02-26T07:20:00.001-08:00

The problem of studying the word
II Peter 3:15-16 ....Paul...hath written unto you;....some things hard to be understood....
Several problems arise as we begin to study the word of God. First, just reading the book presents quite a hurdle. Second, reading with understanding stands in our path. Our tendency is to scan it and then jump to application. However to read with understanding requires a methodical approach. Thus we need to observe the text asking ourselves, what does it say. Take down notes and ask lots of questions about the text. Who, what, where, when and why.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

an open heart

2011-02-25T07:27:00.001-08:00

How should we study?
Open heart
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia,....which worshipped God, heard us : whose heart the Lord opened....
Not only do we need a readable bible, and an open book to study, we need an open mind. Here Lydia heard the word of God read and God opened her heart to its truth. Pray for Gods leadership as you study the Bible.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

A Readable Open Book

2011-02-24T12:45:00.001-08:00

II Kings 22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
How should we study? First we need a readable book open book. In this example we find that Hilkiah the priest found the word of God where it had been lost. He took it up and gave it to Shaphan the scribe who read the word of God. Are you reading the word of God? I even challenge those who might disagree with the Bible to read it in context and systematically before you claim disagreement. And if you believe, you should read it so you may learn what it says. Too often we have our own ideas about God without even searching it out in the first place.

read it and heed it

2011-02-23T06:41:00.001-08:00

Read it and heed it.

Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it

Do you read your bible? Many people readily argue against the word of God yet most have never studied it. Others who deeply believe in the word of God argue over which version of the bible is correct yet many have not studied it carefully. Over the next few days I will give a simple plan on how to study the Bible. If you do not believe in God and argue against it but have never read it all I challenge you to read it before you attack it. If you do believe but have never studied it completely I challenge you to read God' s word. Who wants to stand before God and have to admit that you never have read His book.(notes from seminary and Dr. Howard Hendricks, Living by the Book.)

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

the agony of waiting for answers to prayer

2011-02-22T07:27:00.001-08:00

« Hope that sustains

The agony of waiting for answers to prayer.

Psalms 27:13 I had fainted , unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
A dear friend and mentor, Dr Alan Henson gave this advice in a sermon once: When answering prayers: sometimes God says no; the request is wrong. Sometimes he says slow; the request is right but the timing is wrong. Sometimes he says grow; the request is right but people involved need to grow. Sometimes he says go; the request is right and the timing is right. Therefore may God grant us patience to wait for His timing and His answers.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

hope that sustains

2011-02-21T07:12:00.001-08:00

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Remember how that trials exercise our patience which gives us experience? That experience gives us hope to persevere through trials we will face. However that can become tiresome if all we have is experience. Hope that is confidently placed in a holy God and his eternal promises finds a perseverance that will endure to the end.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

faith for the journey

2011-02-20T07:01:00.001-08:00

Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Yesterday I shared with you that trials stretch or exercise our patience. These two give us experience at handling trials producing hope. That hope is strengthened because we can see the end of the trial. That's obvious. However underlying this testing is the qualities we learn about Gods character and love. These form the foundation of our hope. May God strengthen your foundation of hope. May you persevere to the end faithful to God and all that is good.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

the testing of patience

2011-02-19T05:04:00.001-08:00

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
We all need more patience. Or at least we all need our patience stretched and enlarged so we can apply it where it is needed. Isn't it ironic that we have enough patience for the things we want. Trials enlarge, stretch and test our patience. Trials do not give you patience. Trials expose the patience that is already there, exercising it, strengthing it so you develop endurance.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

this too shall end

2011-02-18T04:19:00.001-08:00

The fact that we hurt when we suffer the painful moments in life shows we are alive. However true that is it does not help us when we hurt. However with every storm there is an end. At the moment David wrote this psalm he was suffering. The hope he experienced at the end of his storm came in verse 22 where David remembered that God does not forget the afflicted and he helps them in their time of suffering.
Psalms 22:14
My strength drains away like water; all my bones are dislocated; my heart is like wax; it melts away inside me.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Be the initiator

2011-02-17T05:15:00.001-08:00

Reconciliation cost God his Son and Christ his life. What is it costing u? Are u following his example? Remember it is not if we offend but when we offend. We need to remember salvation begins a journey. He is reconciling us to God whom our sins have offended. We need to follow his example. He initiated, paid the price, and spoke the first word of reconciliation. Take a chance on faith. Be the initiator. We have been given the word and ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Who's ur enemy?

2011-02-16T06:19:00.001-08:00

An oft' quoted phrase, A man is known by his enemies, helps us qualify a man for what he stands for by seeing who is against him. The truth clarified in that quote, reveals itself in God's strategy for living. God reveals that people are not the enemy we face but a more sinister being stands against us.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against....the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

seek knowledge

2011-02-15T05:49:00.001-08:00

Do u know God? Do u know His will? Are u growing in wisdom and understanding? Paul prayed for this to be true in the lives of the colossal Christians. In order for us to know, and grow according to Pauls prayer three things must happen. First we must pray. Second we must be filled with His word. Third we must seek to learn and apply this knowledge.
Colossians 1:9
For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Gods valentine

2011-02-14T17:49:00.001-08:00

God sent us His Valentine wrapped in swaddling cloths that first Christmas. It was the ultimate gift card. He purchased it on calvary. We find when we cash it in at salvation that it is sonship and love without prejudice or pretence.
1 John 4:19
We love because he loved us first.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

are u an encourager?

2011-02-11T13:54:00.001-08:00

There are two types of people around this blind man who desired to see Jesus. The first scolded him for crying out to Jesus. These are the scorners. They hinder with their attitude. The second group of people are absent but should have been there. These would be the encouragers. Do u hinder folks from Christ by ur scolding harsh attitude? Or are u an encourager but are conveniently absent? We ought to be very present vocal encouragers in the lives of the spiritually blind.
Mark 10:48
Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

grace to be and do

2011-02-09T06:53:00.001-08:00

God loves us so much that he floods us with grace for salvation and life in general. He showers us with this grace so that we will have everything we need so that we can do the work we are called to do for God.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

God remembers his promises

2011-02-07T09:06:00.001-08:00

Today there is a lot of discussion that Gods covenant with Israel has changed to the new testament church. However God is,not one to forget his promises. He remembers his people even when they stray. His is an everlasting covenant.
Jeremiah 33:25
But I, the Lord, make the following promise: I have made a covenant governing the coming of day and night. I have established the fixed laws governing heaven and earth.

Jeremiah 33:26
Just as surely as I have done this, so surely will I never reject the descendants of Jacob. Nor will I ever refuse to choose one of my servant David’s descendants to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Indeed, I will restore them and show mercy to them.”

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

open doors

2011-02-04T04:00:00.001-08:00

Revelation 3:7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open: Revelation 3:8 ‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) I know that you have little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name.

Just when we are without strength God has a way of opening doors of opportunity. In the old testament Abraham had tried to believe God for an heir. He offered God his faithful servant, eliezer. His answer to Gods will was not sinful but it was not Gods best. God's best was a son of the promise through barren Sarah. Abram and Sarah impatient and discouraged by time followed the culture and conceived a child through Hagar. Here they did gods work man's way. God however had a plan for a promised son through shrank who no longer could father children. ROM 4:19; much like this story of abram and Sarah we get impatient and try to rush God's timing, or we try to open doors he has not opened for us. Ironically, God, when he judges abimelech, for taking Sarah from abram, it is in the area of closing the womb of the women of the land. It was only in the act of faith and obedience to the words of God and the prayer of faithful abram that the curse was lifted. God allowed abram to go through this experience to learn he is the author of life. Thus the hope we need is found in faith in and patience in the timing of God. In this passage to the church in revelations Jesus reminds the church, he opens and closes doors. An open door is an opportunity, growth,and the timing of God. Without open doors we would not experience the fullness of his will. Patience wins the victory. Impatience wastes energy and defeats our hope.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

God Gives His Best

2011-02-03T05:25:00.001-08:00

What burdens your heart today? Is it something godly, will it glorify God, bless mankind, and not compromise your Christianity? Then ask God for his provision. Remembering that all things good and bad work for good in our lives we can ask in faith. He who works all for our good will not withhold any good from his children. If he gave us his son will he not continue to invest goodness in us as well?
Romans 8:32
Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?

God reliance

2011-02-02T06:12:00.003-08:00

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.", C. S. Lewis
Do you truly rely on the Lord. The importance of being self reliant sometimes becomes an idol that we revere more than our true need of God. He is our help when no one else is there, our hope when the night darkens. May your self reliance become God reliance.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

2011-02-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

God wants us to stop living life on the merry go round. Sometimes He desires that we stop the merry go round and get off the ride so we can just focus on Him. It is what Abraham knew with God in his quiet time and it is what I have found there as well. The phrase in this passage "renew you with my love" can be translated..I will quiet u with my love...that is when we are in his presence we know he is our deliverer. And as he delights in us we can release that pent up tightness in our soul that comes from the stresses of life and truly rest in him. It is when we see he has no hidden agenda or pretense that we can experience the grace to both be and the room to freely become what he desires of us. That is the joy of knowing his peace and experiencing the power of transformation that comes just as Mary learned in quiet time at his feet.
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”

Gods will

2011-01-18T05:18:00.001-08:00

Gladly we often want what God wants for us but we are prone to seek shortcuts. However he says our job is to follow him and allow him to direct our paths wherever and whenever they go.
Psalms 27:11
Teach me how you want me to live; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Michael Loua

2010-11-15T17:57:00.000-08:00

A Word on Angelic Creation

2010-07-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Genesis 2:1 KJV Genesis 2:1 ¶ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them

Here the author indicates the creation was complete. Note that it could mean more than that which is on the surface. In Genesis chapter 1, God describes the essential creative act but in Chapter 2 he develops namely the creative act of Mankind. In Chapter 1 he only says that he created man and woman in his image. In Chapter 2 he delineates more of his actions and timeline in the creation of man and woman. So it is entirely possible that the statement in Genesis chapter 2 concerning the phrase, "all the host of them" could indicate more than just the creation of the heavenly space. Genesis 2 begins an explanation of some of the creative work that happened in chapter 1 namely the creation of man, family along with an extensive description of the Garden proper.

Note that verse one uses Host, which in its basic meaning refers to an army that goes forth. Most scholars correctly assume this refers to the heavenly bodies.
It however must include the Heavenly beings as well.

Note
Isa 14 and Ezek 28 indicate angelic creation occured before Man's sin. Ezek 28 further intimates that creation occured in close proximity of the Garden of Eden. Note Satan had not fallen yet while the Garden already existed. This flies in the face of some church thought which holds that Satan was created long before creation, and he as lucifer fell and became the devil in a battle ages before humanity and Eden were created.

Revelation 12:7-8 7 ¶ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

cf
IVP Notes Rev
12:7–8. One of two angels mentioned by name in the Old Testament, Michael was one of the chief heavenly princes, the guardian angel of Israel (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; each nation had its own angelic prince). In early Jewish literature and invocations, Michael was the chief prince of the heavenly host, God’s main messenger (cf. Jude 9); in the Dead Sea Scrolls, everyone was either in the camp of the Prince of Light or that of the Angel of Darkness. Mythical language from Jewish stories about a primeval, heavenly battle leading to the fall of the evil prince and his angels is here transformed: the ultimate battle was fought and won at Jesus’ death and exaltation (Jn 12:31; 16:11). Because Michael was sometimes presented as Israel’s advocate before God, and Satan was generally presented as Israel’s accuser, the image of war here may be one of judicial as well as of violent conflict.
12:9. The dragon is identified with the serpent of Genesis 3, who would be crushed by “the woman’s seed” (Gen 3:15).
12:10. From his portrayal in the book of Job on, Satan is presented as an accuser of the righteous, a prosecuting attorney before God’s court. In later texts, his role of tempter (gaining incriminating evidence) became more prominent, but he always retained his role as accuser; later rabbinic texts declared that he accused Israel day and night before God, except on the Day of Atonement. This verse declares that Christ’s finished work has ended Satan’s power to accuse the righteous.

see Wikpedia article

Note further that in Ezek Lucifer walks among the stones of fire, been in eden, etc and overlaps in the vision with the King of Tyrus,

Ezekiel 28:12-17 12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Note here the author begins by taking up a lamentation upon the King of Tyrus. At the outset this is speaking of a human man who lived on earth at one point. However the statements made about him being perfect, the annointed cherub, walking in the Garden of the Lord, all indicate a deeper thought is going on. Some will say this is merely poetic liscense. However it is not beyond the realm of biblical theology to assume that God could speak to man and also refer to Satan.

Note Jesus did that when he rebuked Peter,
Matthew 16:23 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Further note that this annointed cherub would be cast to the ground. Jesus said he saw Lucifer fall from heaven.

Luke 10:18 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

And ultimately he will be finally cast to the earth without recourse to Heaven's gate

Revelation 12:12-13 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 13 ¶ And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

God confirms to Job the presence of the Angels at the creation

Job 38:4-7 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

we can know from these passages that Lucifer was created. he was the annointed cherub. He was beautiful. He was created with the creation of the heavens. He was in the Garden of Eden when he was perfect before sin was found in him. Furthermore we know from Scripture that sometimes God speaks of Leaders of Kingdoms and sometimes he refers to the Prince's or Angels influencing them instead.

cf Michael the Prince of Israel, ie the Archangel,
The prince of Persia and Grecia...Note that it could not be a man who withstood Gabriel for 21 days,

Daniel 10:8-14 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. 10 ¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

Daniel 10:20-21 20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Daniel 12:1-4 KJV Daniel 12:1 ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Jude 1:9 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Thus I think that the creation of the Angelic Host were created when in verse 1 of Genesis 1 God states that he created the heavens. Chapter 2 of Genesis clarifies that this included the Hosts of Heaven...not just spatial bodies of the universe but probably beings and creatures of heaven. I also contend that they were created sometime before the Creation of the earth but not long before as Lucifer walked in the Garden of the Lord as Ezekiel states. I also note that he fell not ages prior but just a short time. Also further see that the sons of god sang at the creation of the earth.
Job 38:4-7 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Pastor Tom

Genesis Chapter 1

2010-07-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

As an overview of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis it is interesting to note that the name of the Book comes from the Hebrew Idea of beginning or being at the first. Bereshet is first translated "at the first" or "In the beginning" and it is from that the LXX translates archae..meaning beginning. In the hebrew it comes from the word that means, the first, chief, and as such significantly influenced the way we interpret the book.
Chapter 1 outlines the overview of God's creative act. Necessarily God utilizes no proof for himself but presents the truth based upon an assumption of our belief in him by faith. The text begins: In the Beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.

Here God simply overviews the great details of his creative act. He does not necessarily divulge all of his acts in creation. Notably that is how stories are told especially in oral tradition. We shall see in chapter 2 how God takes a few points from his overview and expands them to explain the intimacy of the human creation and the origin of the family. Note that God delivers similar overview statements in Genesis 11 and then from chapter 12 forward he develops the nations of Abraham and his descendants.

As an aside I believe too much has been made of the difference between verse 1 and verse 2. Essentially, folks believe in a gap of ages between verse 1 which to them describes the first creation and then its destructing in verse 2 due to the "without form and void" statement. I believe in a young earth at the least or an expanding time stretching universe like Hugh Ross. However, I do not see how a gap can occur between verse 1 and verse 2 although gaps do occur in scripture in other places. The problem I have with the gap theory is that death would have had to proceeded Adam's fall in chapter 3 to do away with the first creation. I believe death came by Adam and was passed upon all mankind and had ramifications upon all of Creation.
To me the being without form and void simply describes the earth in the transition flux of the creative act. There is no mention of pre adamic humanoids or dinosaurs and for it to be empty would that not mean that the evidence of such a pre adamic world would be eradicated when it was destroyed. furthermore as Bruce states the Hebrew syntax does not support the insertion of time here to develop the infamous "Gap".[Bruce 114]

Leaving this for God and the ages, I note that the creative dialog is broken up into days from verse 3 on. Light is created in verses 3-5. Day 2 involves the seperation of the waters above and below. [6-8] Day three God adds dry land, seperates the land and sea adding plant life to the earth.[9-13] Day four deals with the stellar heavens, sun, moon, and stars. [14-19] On the fifth day God creates the animal life. [20-23] On the sixth day God creates man and woman in his own image. [24-27] This passage it should be noted is where God will pick up in Chapter 2:7 to describe the intimacy of his creative act of making man and woman.
Some describe the verses from 1:28-2:25 to describe the first dispensation of mankind, Innocency.
From this chapter I present now the Assumptions of faith.

Assumptions of Faith and Theology Outline

I. The first assumption of Faith: God exists and has creative power Chapter 1
A. God declares his person vs1
1. He does not have to prove himself.
2. His very presence promilgates faith
B. God declares his plan vs 1
C. God declares his creation process vs 2-31
The assumptions of Faith will be continued in Chapter 2 of Genesis blog.

In the Beginning a Blog series on the Book of Genesis by Book and Chapter

2010-07-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

Image by Sabrina ヅ via Flickr

A good way to look at Genesis as a book is to understand the themes of the work.

Dr. Allen P. Ross breaks it down through the generations aspect.

The Structure of Genesis
The structure of the book is marked by an initial section and then ten further sections with headings. The major structural word of the book is tôledôt, expressed in the clause “these are the generations of.…” The word is a feminine noun from yālad, “to give birth” (properly derived from the hiphil stem of the verb, meaning “to beget”). It is often translated as “generations,” “histories,” or simply “descendants.”2
This word has been traditionally viewed as a heading of a section. Reconstructing the outline according to this view would yield the arrangement below. (See C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: The Pentateuch, trans. James Martin [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1949 reprint], pp. 70–71; Bush, Notes, p. 57; Leupold, Exposition of Genesis, vol. 1, pp. 109–11.)
1. Creation (1:1–2:3)
2. Tôledôt of the heavens and the earth (2:4–4:26)
3. Tôledôt of Adam (5:1–6:8)
4. Tôledôt of Noah (6:9–9:29)
5. Tôledôt of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (10:1–11:9)
6. Tôledôt of Shem (11:10–26)
7. Tôledôt of Terah (11:27–25:11)
8. Tôledôt of Ishmael (25:12–18)
9. Tôledôt of Isaac (25:19–35:29)
10. Tôledôt of Esau, the father of Edom (twice) (36:1–8; 36:9–37:1)
11. Tôledôt of Jacob (37:2–50:26)

Ross charts the days of creation as follows

Chart 1. Basic Elements in the Creation Account
Title: God created the universe
Chaos: Waste and void, darkness on the deep
Creation: Spirit of God hovering over the face of the water
Day 1: Light out of darkness, day and night separated
Day 2: Waters above and below separated: heaven
Day 3: Seas gathered and dry land appears: vegetation
Day 4: Heavenly luminaries formed to rule and divide times
Day 5: Marine life and birds created and blessed
Day 6: Animal life created and blessed; human life created, blessed, and commissioned
Completion:
Day 7: Creation marked with sanctified rest

I like this view and my personal way of looking at Genesis is as follows:

My Outline

Book in Brief outline

To remember what the book of Genesis is about we look at one word. COVENANT

It is the book of God’s Covenant of Salvation, the Rainbow Covenant, The Abrahamic, Davidic, Palestinian, and Solaric Covenants with Israel.

Outline

C reation 1.1-2.3

O rigin of sin 2.4-3

V iolence in the earth due to sin 4.1-6.8

E ntire world judged by flood 6.9-9.22

N oah’s ark and the replenished earth 9.1-11.25

A bram born and the origin of the nation of Israel 11.26-32

N ational Covenant and Nations building (Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob and Esau) 12.1-15.21

T he twelve sons of Jacob in Egypt up until Joseph’s death * 16.1-50.26

The doctrine of the covenant is all throughout the work of Genesis and helps me remember the faithfulness of God.

Walking with Chris

2010-07-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Walking with Chris

Back to the Bible - Home

2010-07-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Back to the Bible - Home

WallBuilders - Issues and Articles - Was George Washington a Christian?

2010-07-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

WallBuilders - Issues and Articles - Was George Washington a Christian?

My musings on Freedom and Religion

2010-07-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

Can America restore her Global strength and Spiritual Integrity:

"Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." (Haggai 1:6)

America according to her own roots and history shows that at one time she considered herself a nation after God. From the magna carta of the Plymouth pilgrims to the charters of those early colonies and eventual states God is honored and revered as the source of provision, strength and national building in America’s behalf. Her most famous founder, George Washington stated: "The man must be bad indeed who can look upon the events of the American Revolution without feeling the warmest gratitude toward the great Author of the Universe whose divine interposition was so frequently manifested in our behalf. And it is my earnest prayer that we may so conduct ourselves as to merit a continuance of those blessings with which we have hitherto been favored."

I submit that much that we are experiencing today in America finds its source in our own actions against our religious and historical founding. Also I submit that our inaction can be faulted as much. There must be a return to our historical Godly heritage else we continue sowing to the wind and reap the whirlwind. [Hosea 8:7] God in times past has dealt with nations that have left him in much the same manner as we see American suffering problems within her Environment, Economy, and with her enemies.

In spite of overwhelming historical record of the founding fathers’ faith and their desire to often reflect upon that truth, many now hold the position that is espoused by David Greenberg in his 2002 article concerning the Pledge of Allegiance:

He states: In fact, the founders opposed the institutionalization of religion. They kept the Constitution free of references to God. The document mentions religion only to guarantee that godly belief would never be used as a qualification for holding office—a departure from many existing state constitutions. That the founders made erecting a church-state wall their first priority when they added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution reveals the importance they placed on maintaining what Isaac Kramnick and R. Laurence Moore have called a "godless Constitution." [http://www.slate.com/id/2067499]

I do agree that the founders opposed institutional religion, if that religious entity controlled the government or the government controlled that entity.

Ezra Taft speaks of other positions on the religious and government relationship.

Separation of Church and State

"I support the doctrine of separation of church and state as traditionally interpreted to prohibit the establishment of an official national religion. But this does not mean that we should divorce government from any formal recognition of God. To do so strikes a potentially fatal blow at the concept of the divine origin of our rights, and unlocks the door for an easy entry of future tyranny. If Americans should ever come to believe that their rights and freedoms are instituted among men by politicians and bureaucrats, they will no longer carry the proud inheritance of their forefathers, but will grovel before their masters seeking favors and dispensations -- a throwback to the feudal system of the Dark Ages." (Ezra Taft Benson, "Freedom Is Our Heritage," 10 Nov. 1970)

Such a time has come in American politics when the people believe their only hope and source of rights comes from the National Government. Such fallacies have encumbered the freedom movements of women, slaves and even today among immigrants. We must remember our forefathers did not believe Government had all the answers and was the source of our freedom. On the otherhand, they believed that the source of our freedom came from the God who gave us equality and our rights.

That idea of Religious control of government had been experienced by many of them with their English roots and the Church of England’s relationship with the King of England. Some early Baptists desired to influence the fledgling government in favoring them in relationship to other religions or at the very least to ensure they had equal standing with the other religions of their respective state. Thomas Jefferson in an answer to the request of early Baptist for America to become a Baptist leaning nation, stated:

I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. [See both letters here: http://www.lonang.com/exlibris/misc/danbury.htm]

Furthermore this idea of a godless America as interpreted from Jefferson’s writings is explained by R. Freeman Butts who has made a clear and concise statement of the view of a secular Government: Jefferson's "words 'a wall of separation between church and state' are not simply a metaphor of one private citizen's language; they reflect accurately the intent of those most responsible for the First Amendment; and they came to reflect the majority will of the American people. The words 'separation of church and state' are an accurate and convenient shorthand meaning of the First Amendment itself; they represent a well-defined historical principle from the pen of one who in many official statements and actions helped to frame the authentic American tradition of political and religious liberty." Butts, The American Tradition in Religion and Education (Boston, Mass.: Beacon Press, 1950)

These views are a far cry from where our Founder’s perspective formed the early framework of our Constitution. President John Adams declared, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Furthermore in a day when anti Semitic sentiment seems to abound John reaffirms our Judeo Christian heritage:
The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. [ibid]

Where and when did we begin such a different path than that which our Founder’s envisioned? One of the places whereby we began a pathway to a secular view of American history is seen in a 1950 court interpretation of the Danbury letters themselves.

In the court case, Everson v. Bd. of Educ., 330 U.S. 1 (1947), the U.S. Supreme Court was called upon to decide whether a local law pursuant to a New Jersey statute authorizing the use of public funds to reimburse parents for money spent by them for the public bus transportation of their children to Catholic parochial schools violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The court assumed Jefferson’s meaning of “wall of separation” to indicate:

…the phrase is absolute. According to the Court, "that wall must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve of the slightest breach." Everson, 330 U.S. at 18.

However Jefferson in practice did not hold it as absolute as the court saw it in the Everson case or as R. Freeman Butts represents Jeffersonian thought.

“In 1803, one year after the Danbury letter, Jefferson made a treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians, wherein he pledged money to build them a Roman Catholic Church and to support their priests — all from federal funds. Jefferson apparently saw no conflict between asking Congress to implement the treaty's provisions by appropriating funds, and the prohibition that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion . . ." In addition, Jefferson signed three extensions of "An act regulating the grants of land appropriated for Military Services, and for the Society of the United Brethren for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen." This act granted free of charge titles to sections of land to the United Brethren. In addition to holding the land in trust for Indians who were already Christians, the United Brethren used resources derived from cultivating and leasing the land to send out missionaries to proselyte among the non-Christian Indians. Once again, had Jefferson been an absolutist, as the Everson Court suggests, he would have vetoed not one, but all three extensions of this act. Thus, the Danbury letter is significant because when taken out of context, it provides the foundation for an absolute separation of church and state. Not only was Jefferson referring to the federal government, but his activities while in office also indicate that he was not an absolutist. [http://www.churchstatelaw.com/historicalmaterials/8_8_5.asp]

The problem for many people today is that they are being misinformed concerning the meaning and history of the facts. There must be a return to the facts as history presents them in context in order to reverse the misinformation.

How does God deal with nations that begin with him and then leave him for secular wisdom?

God clearly states in his word that he is the one by whom and through whom we receive the rights promised in the constitution of America.

(Rom 13:1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Furthermore the founding fathers agreed that God was the source of personal rights, freedoms, and that God has given the source of Governing to the Governed.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed [http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/]

Just as the prophet Haggai challenged the children of Israel to consider her ways; America needs to reconsider her ways and her history. President John Adams rightly knew we need to be an informed public, Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write. [John Adams ]

Further, he understood our Judeo Christian heritage:

The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. [ibid]

The minor prophet Haggai spoke this to the children of Israel who had been allowed to return to rebuild their land after a long time of the judgment of God. It had been about 18 years since the Jews had returned. Haggai’s biting description shows his personal anger against the people who had failed to make progress in the rebuilding. He challenges them to: "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways" (Haggai 1:5-7).

Haggai rightly assumed that the drought the land was experiencing came about due to Israel’s lack of focus in returning to the ways of God and his plan for their nation. Haggai is rebuking the people of Judah for tending to their own welfare and neglecting the work of God. "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled |paneled| houses, and this house |that is, the unfinished temple in Jerusalem| lie waste?" (Haggai 1:4).

Throughout History God has dealt with nations who strayed from his truth through three main means. As with the Hebrews in Haggai’s day he would deal with them through environment

During the time of Israel’s forgetting God’s plan in the reconstruction of their nation, God sent a drought.

Hos 13:5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

Hosea saw this correctly as God’s anger concerning Israel’s failure to restore the temple and Israel’s former glory. He saw the restoration of the temple as necessary for the restoration of the heart of the nation and necessary to find favor with God.

Second God deals with straying peoples through their economics. As quoted at the beginning of this article, the nation was hoarding money to themselves and living in plush housing while God’s house lay incomplete. Haggai described their financial house as investing in an economic bag that was full of holes. In otherwords…no matter how much they saved they could not get ahead. When they needed to find help in their economic savings they would reach into the metaphorical bag and the money was missing.

Third God would deal with sinful nations through their enemies. Time and again God warned Israel of her straying and then would bring upon them enslavement by foreign governments. Some might argue that these environmental, economical, and enemy oriented judgements were only for the Nation of Israel who is God’s chosen people. However God held other nations responsible for their sins. Ethiopia and Egypt received judgement when they left God.

(Eze 30:4) And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.

(Eze 30:5) Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.

Even Babylon who had been used in the judgement against Israel for her idolatry, found herself at the mercy of God. Babylon through her king came to the idea that they had raised themselves to the greatest nation in the world by their own power and the power of their idol god. With such disrespect towards God, Nebuchadnezzar led his nation in the very sins that caused God’s judgement on Israel [Habbakuk 1:11] Thus Habbakuk asked, “(Hab 1:12) Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.”

(Hab 1:13) Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Habbakuk’s question for God comtemplated the problem that God would use a more wicked nation to judge a less wicked Israel. God is sovriegn and his dealings with nations or individuals are without fault.

Thus God led Nebuchadnezzar in judgment in order to correct the nation he used to correct Israel.

Dan 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Note that Nebuchadnezzar did not return to sanity until he was ready to remember the source of his national strength and the source of his very life. When he reckoned with God and praised him he was restored. However his grandson strayed and God’s judgement fell again and Babylon suffered the wrath of God as Israel had through the Medes and Persian overthrowing the colossal Babylon. God reserves the right, sovriegnly, to deal with nations and individuals as he pleases. Furthermore God states that individuals can continue down paths of wrong decisions until all they reap is cataclysmic judgemnet.

Pro 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

Ultimately Israel responded to God’s plea through Haggai and began to work on the house of the Lord. Haggai reports that three weeks after his first prophecy, the rebuilding of the Temple began. "They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius.(Haggai 1:14-15)

Israel’s return and even Nebuchadnezzar’s personal revival mirror what America needs to experience. We do not need to follow the revisionists version of history and move on to a more socialistic godless society. We need to return to our roots.

(2Ch 7:14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

How much are these nations straying like America’s historic path away from God and her origins. We have experienced environmental devastation, economic disaster and enemy damage against our national sovereignty repeatedly from within and without. The news reverberates with mounting evidence of these situations on a daily basis. Do we not hear the cry of Jefferson, “My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! [Thomas Jefferson]

As we celebrate the freedoms to hold our personal positions this fourth, let us not prostitute our religious heritage on the altars of false history as promulgated by many who enjoy the rights of this nation. Let us remember who we are and where we have come from. Let us sing with our forefathers the music of freedom. Let freedom ring.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me. [Lee Greenwood]

Just sayin, Pastor Tom

Berry Pickin Wisdom

2010-07-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

(Pro 8:19) My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Berry Pickin….

Berry pickin runs deep in my family history. As a boy growing up, I used to get up early in the spring before the sun was up and go with my family up into the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains near broken bow, Oklahoma hunting the elusive dew berry. Much larger than its diminutive cousin that grows in many yards across east texas, Dew Berries known primarily for their size are also sought out for their mixture of sweet and tart juices that give cobblers and jellies their divine flavor.

As the sun would begin breaking the eastern sky I remember how Breakfast wove its way into our nostrils and the aroma broke over us with waves of bacon and gravy, fresh biscuits, and jam. Hurriedly we ate and got ready for the mornings work. Heading out to the car we carried those five gallon white paint buckets, plenty of mosquito spray and some lunch.

Out in the hills the berry patches were just where God and the birds planted them. They made up mounds of brambles sometimes has high as your waste and other times they spread out across the ground like clover. A dew berry is an interesting berry. It comes in early just behind the frost. Some years the frost catches it but most years God makes sure enough exists to feed his birds and creatures along with a few adventurous souls.

Now the Berry vines only produce berries on the second year’s flouricanes. This means that amidst the 2nd year berry vines there will be many old vines woven intricately throughout the mounds. Once some berries are found the problem then becomes one of safety and access. Though not as thorny as the raspberry, the black berry variety of dew berry has its share of thorns and problems. You have to be careful cuz snakes; varmints and the irritable yellow jacket want the berries as much as you do.. Regularly I have intruded on the breakfast of some yellow jackets or red wasps. Even my dad once reached into the thicket, and thinking the stings on his hand were berry thorns he continued to pick berries. Finally when he brought out his hand…there sat three yellow jackets hammering at his now swollen wrist like jack hammers on highway construction.

Other issues make these large berries an elusive prize. The berries are on the vines intermittently intertwined with last year’s brambles since no gardener is there to trim those dead ones back. Furthermore the best of the berries are hidden from view. In order for you to find them you must reach into the berry thicket weaving your arm through it like a snake and pull back the thorny arms of the brambles always scouring them for berries. These berries remain hidden, missed by God’s creatures and must be discovered in order to be picked. The largest, most succulent berries are often found in an area after it has already been picked over.

The berries hide under leaves, old vines and dust. Sometimes in the early fog of morning, a red berry looks ripe but instead it’s just covered with dust. Once a berry is spotted it has to be picked. You may miss it when looking at it from other angles. It may be hidden from another view or the other side of the hill.

Like berries wisdom is an elusive jewel that is worth pursuing. It hides under the leaves of knowledge and understanding. Frequently false wisdom is clothed in wisdom’s berry ripeness but in the end it is nothing more than sour fruit covered in dust. In proverbs Solomon sets forth a number of his own maxims as well as the writings of a few other authors that he collated. This work can be seen as a training manual for national leaders of his day. He contrasts the great woman of Godly wisdom with the wanton woman of earthy substitutes. He includes the famous rendition of King Lemuel’s mother in Proverbs 31 depicting a woman who had attained and practiced wisdom.

Solomon here is teaching young leaders the importance and great value of true wisdom. He knew that information is not enough to aid a leader in leading a nation. He also knew that understanding is greater than information but it neither is enough to lead. Information has to migrate through knowledge and be sifted with the spirit and experience to gain understanding. And even though understanding is valuable in the classroom and testing times it is not sufficient to meet the level of wisdom. Wisdom begins with the reverence of God and knowing that one does not know everything. Wisdom comes through the activity of application of knowledge. Though wisdom cries in the streets it seems nowadays people lack wisdom and even plain old common sense.

So where are you now…Are you seeking wisdom…it is a prize worth more than financial gain. She cries in the streets and yet too many are attracted to the wanton woman of earthy substitutes. Great leadership requires great humility and wisdom. These are only found in God…Pray for wisdom James says God will give it liberally…seek the counsel of God and read the book of proverbs. Like the pearl of great price let us avail ourselves of seeking the prize in spite of the winsome call of earthly substitutes…Let us reach deep into the word and let it dwell richly in our minds and hearts. And may our actions show that we too, have spent time with Him.

When no one seems to care

2010-07-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

… Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night? (Job 35:10)
Charles Weigle was born into a German Luther home, in Indianna ca 1871, just when Purdue University was 2 years old. He was used to hearing the bible read and music in their home and at the age of 12 he came under conviction he was lost and needed salvation. He had been a rough boy, knifed a friend, beat other boys up, knocked a boy down with a bat and nearly killed him. He knew he was hopeless with out Christ. That night at that little church revival he trusted Christ as his savior. He spent his life as an itinerant minister. Along with his ministry he wrote hymns of faith. However as with all great hymns there must needs be a travail of the soul in order to give birth to a great masterpiece. [The Victorious Life]It is not difficult to sing when all is going well but it is when times are tough. Remember Paul and Silas sang at Midnight after being beaten and thrown into jail. Often God gives a special song to one of his hurting children during the night times of their life. Believers find new joys in their nights of sorrow and despair, and they discover a greater closeness with their Lord during times of deep need. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while on the barren island of Patmos; John Bunyan completed the classic Pilgrim’s Progress while in the Bedford jail; Beethoven composed his immortal 9th Symphony while totally deaf; and Fanny Crosby once remarked, “If I had not lost my sight, I could never have written all the hymns God gave me.” (Hymns of Faith)Out of such a dark time Charles wrote one of his best loved hymns. After preaching a long stint of revivals Charles returned home as always to his faithful wife. He, upon entering his home, found a note from his wife. The note said she had had enough of an evangelist’s life. She was leaving him. Weigle later said that he became so despondent during the next several years that there were even times when he contemplated suicide. There was the terrible despair that no one really cared for him anymore. Gradually his spiritual faith was restored, and he once again became active in the Christian ministry. Soon he felt compelled to write a song that would be a summary of his past tragic experience. From a heart that had been broken came these choice words that God gave to Charles Weigle:
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus since I found in Him a friend so strong and true; I would tell you how He chang’d my life completely—He did something that no other friend could do.All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me; all my heart was full of misery and woe; Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me, and He led me in the way I ought to go.Ev’ry day He comes to me with new assurance, more and more I understand His words of love; but I’ll never know just why He came to save me, till some day I see His blessed face above.Chorus: No one ever cared for me like Jesus; there’s no other friend so kind as He; no one else could take the sin and darkness from me—O how much He cared for me!
[Amazing Grace Hymn stories]
How is your life...Has it taken a turn for the worst....the best that can be had many times is tough....Someone once said when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I believe the greatest people in history are people who have learned how to do that. C.S. Lewis stated that God's best teacher was suffering. Tell your story to me...I will glady cry with you and pray with you and learn with you..Pastor Tom June 30, 2010