Friday, December 30, 2005

The Word of God Part III

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”  Proverbs 30:5-6

I have heard many say various slanderous things about God’s Word.  Some of these include the following: “The Bible is not relevant for today as it is only a history book dealing with the Jews in ancient times.”  There are many mistakes in the Bible therefore it cannot be trusted.”  The miracles recorded in the Bible, such as the Red Sea departing for the children of Israel, really didn’t happen.”  “If it is recorded in the Bible, then God is for it.”  “The Bible is too hard to understand.”

I would like to take these statements one by one and deal with them in a separate post so as to keep these posts short.  But it is certain, that every word of God is pure as quoted above and that we are not to add or take away from his Word.  

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19  

We are forbidden to add to, or take away from His Word.  This Book stands like a solid rock that will not change.  Christ is the center character and God the author.  His Word will always prevail.  Yes, people change, churches may appear to change, and nations change, but God doesn’t, nor does his Word.  You can rest assured that, when you read his Bible, you’re reading something as up to date as the morning newspaper and yet something that will not change and hasn’t changed.  

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6    

Thursday, December 29, 2005

The Word of God Part II

“ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16

Yesterday we delt with the Word of God, or Bible, being an everlasting word from God and that it hasn’t changed nor will ever.  Man may try to alter it but God will still have his say.  You may say, “OK, but the Bible is a big book and some of it isn’t relevant for today.”   Well, it’s true that there are portions of the old testament that no longer apply directly to us today but they are still relevant for study and reference.  More on that below.

The above scripture sums it all up though as ALL scripture is profitable for (1) doctrine or establishing articles of faith and manner of living, (2) reproof or pointing out what is wrong and admonishing for change, (3) correction or pointing out what has gone wrong in any given situation and how to make it right or restore it to its former state, (4) instruction in righteousness or how we ought to live rightly in this world regarding our relationship with our fellow man and God.  

If you are familiar with the Holy Book, you’ll say something of the sort, “But why all the begots and all the things about the law in the Old Testament?”  Well, these are important as well.  The law is broken down to at least four parts: ceremonial, government, cleanliness, and moral.  While we are not bound under these necessarily, it is good to take notice of these, especially the moral and cleanliness portions.  The ceremonial point us to Christ while the government give us an example of leadership and shows us God’s thinking on various issues.  The begots verify who lived when and further validates the book.  

One may say, “Well, the Bible conterdicts itself.”  We’ll deal with that tomorrow.  

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

The Word of God Part I

“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89  

We live in an ever changing time.  Changes are constantly seen in the workplace, in technology, and in fads and styles.  In the world of technology, things change so quickly that it’s been said if one went out and purchased the PC with the latest specs, it would be out of date by the time it was installed.  Rules and laws constantly change.  If you work for a state or federal government, you probably can identify that.  What is politically correct today will be looked upon as obscene tomorrow, and a procedure that is mandated today will only change just after it has been fully implemented.  

Change has always been a part of our world as people and places have always changed but it is more apparent now as it seems to all happen so quickly.  But there is one thing that will never change, that’s the Word of God or the Bible.  The very thing men throw out in their logic and intellect is the very thing that will give stability.  This is a book that will not change.  If it said that God so loved the who world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life 1900 years ago, it’s still true today and it will be true as long as that particular scripture is relevant.  If it said that sin separates us from God and his Son, it’s still true today.  If it said that men can be healed through the power of God then, it still can happen today.  Just because we don’t see it happen doesn’t mean it can’t.  

Writing about the Word of God is both enjoyable and yet requires much space.  Since I like to keep my blogs fairly short, I’ll continue on tomorrow.  

Thursday, December 22, 2005

A Real Event

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:6-7 KJV

It really did happen!  Yes, He was a baby born in a manger.  One who knew the glories of heaven and the splendor of God’s throne because He was always with God as He said in Revelation 22:13  “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”  But He humbled himself to take the form of man and knew the limitations of the flesh while yet being God’s Son.  

Yes, it really did happen!  Probably not in December as shepherds didn’t keep their flocks out at night at that time of year but nevertheless it did happen.  He wasn’t born in Herod’s palace nor was he in the palace of the high priest, but in a manger as this world was and is not his home nor should it be for the Christian today.  Abraham looked for a city that was made not with hands and Jacob confessed to Pharaoh that he was in a pilgrimage, not to Mecca or anywhere else, but to heaven.  

He didn’t stay in the manger but grew into manhood, preached, healed the sick, died on the cross, rise the third day, and ascended into heaven.  The question is, what will do with Him this Christmas?  Will you put him aside like one does a baby who is sleeping, or look for re-appearing which is another certain event in history that will surely come.  He will come for those who are looking and waiting for Him.  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  ¶  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”  Revelation 22:14,20 KJV

Saturday, December 17, 2005

The Battle for Christmas

As our culture slowly slides downhill away from Biblical values, we now find ourselves battling Christmas, or the right to say it.  I realize that most of the customs that we keep during this time of year had some heathen origin and that Christ was probably not born on December 25 as shepherds didn’t keep their flocks out at night in the winter.  I also know that there is nothing in God’s word that says we should celebrate such a day and I’m not a big fan of Santa Clause.  However, barring that all aside, there is still some good that comes from the Christmas holiday as it seems it’s that time of year that many, who find it hard to be kind otherwise, put forth their best.  And when Christ was more of the center of Christmas, it seemed that that day was just “special” or holy, almost like a blanket of peace settling down from about Christmas eve through Christmas day.  It also is a time when Christians and churches can witness to the lost easier and have a greater chance to do so than any other time of the year, except of course Easter which is also after the Easter goddess.  But what a great time to remember the birth of our Savior!

  However, Satan would like to drive the Christ out of Christmas and just have it called a holiday.  Why all the fuss?  It’s simple.  They are enemies of Christ and the cross because sooner or later, when Christ is mentioned, he can only stay in the crib for so long but will eventually go to the cross.  The world hates that and would like to drive it completely out of our culture.  In North Carolina, there is a Merry Christmas greeting in one of the McDonalds.  Everything went well until one day a lady got peeved and threatened to sue.  The manager said he wasn’t going to remove it as it helped business.  Now, if this follows the scenario that most things like this do, she’ll go before some lefty judge and he’ll order it to be removed.  One person shoots down what the majority wants!  That’s totally unfair.  It’s time to fight back and I’m glad that many are!  When you email anyone and wish them a merry Christmas, say it in caps.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

Monday, December 12, 2005

Where Does Your Confidence Lie?


1Jo 5:14 ¶  “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Where does your confidence lie?  What do you most depend on?  Your own skill, past achievements, scholastic ability, talents, or physical appearance and personality?  If you confidence lies on any of the above, you will one day be sadly disappointed as there is only one whom we can put complete confidence in, and that is Christ.  You may say that you tried in the past and things didn’t work out like you planned or wanted.  Maybe you had a broken relationship, failing health, a unexpected death of a loved one, or financial loss.  While it is impossible to address each need accordingly and why each happened, it is possible to realize that we must ask “according to his will.”  

So what is God’s will?  First, we know that his will is for all to be saved, including you, for it is written, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9  God’s will is for all to be saved.  Will they be?  No.  Man has been given the chance and will choose his destination.  

He would also like you to “prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2  That means that, while God is nit particularly interested in making you rich, he does want you to have the basics of life and more besides to enjoy and share with others as “God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” 1 Timothy 6:17b  This also includes health for our bodies.  So why don’t we see more healings?  Because of our lack of faith!  Matthew 17:19  says, “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Then we must know that he hears us.  A life that is sanctified and dedicated to Him will draw God’s attention.  James 4:8  “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”  

Sunday, December 11, 2005

A Pit

A Pit

Ecclesiastes 10:8  He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

We must take care that we keep from laying snares for others to fall.  This is referred to as a “pit” in the above verse.  It is important that we do all things to edify and build up, not to see if someone else will transgress by our tempting them.  That is digging a pit.  

If we do, we will surely reap what we have sown as the iniquity will come back to haunt us.  We may see this in our children, other family members, friends and even co-workers in whom we only have little acquaintance.  If we confess to be believers in Christ, we are to separate ourselves from the passions of this world and exhort and help others to do likewise, either by word, deed, or just example.  Yet, it seems that the church in our time and nation do almost the opposite.  Instead of moving away from the world, they try to model their programs after the world’s model and even give them names modeled after those in the world so as to catch the attendees ear.  These is no little or no separation from the church and the world so when one is truly converted, he/she is simply sucked back up into the worldy church system that does anything to duplicate the world as possible.  

We are seeking a “country not built with hands” and are only on a pilgrimage, as Jacob put it.  Psa. 93:3 …holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Now Blogging

Since blogging is becoming such a choice of communication, I have decided to enter into it as well. I feel it will prove to be very helpful in the future for the ministry as well as communicating various points.