When God speaks it may be contrary to "group think" - Acts 27-28

We finish off the book of Acts today with a very important challenge as to whether we should listen to someone tell us what God says or those who are in the "know", or even the majority opinion. In Acts 27 we see that Paul is being taken to Rome by a centurion named Julius. Julius (in 27:2-12) has a choice to make about to sail or not to sail: Does he listen to the captian of the ship (a man who most surely was trusted and would know the sea); or to the majority who thought they should sail; or, to Paul who didn't know much about sailiing but was, by his own testimony, in touch with the God who made the sea. Before we look too deeply into this it is important to remember the seas and the storms when you are boating. Since we live on a boat we live by a quaint creed that goes like this: "It is better to be on shore wishing you were at sea than to be a sea and wishing you were on shore" (because of a storm). So, this decision is not an easy one. The professional opinion was to sail. The majority opinion was to sail. The prisoner who was "whacked out on God" says "if you sail there will be a shipwreck." Here is the dilemma most of us face everyday. Do we listen to the knowledgeable; the total; or, the radical? Juilius had a decision to make. Like most leaders today he went with the knowledgemable and the total. He was on willing to trust God's Word through God's messenger. Obviously the rest of the story shows the result: Shipwreck. This story is the prefect example of the world around us and their day-to-day choices. God's Word is different. Moses listened to God's Word and walked the nation across the dry floor of the Red Sea. Joshua and Caleb listened to God's Word an opposed the majority opinion and were allowed to enter the promise land. David ignored the "group think" of his brothers and slew the giant with a single stone. Nehemiah didn't bend to peer pressure and stood alone to finish the walls. God is constantly showing that "His ways are not our ways". Why do we constantly end up in shipwrecks? Because we follow the majority opinon and group think! (By the way ... keep reading. Juilus does listen to Paul later and it saves his life and others - see Acts 27:27-32)

Authority is in God's hands - Revelation 18-22

Revelation 18:1 - "After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory." As we finish off this great book it is so reassuring to know that it is God who grants "authority." The Kings of the earth, with their decisions and agenda and sway over mankind, think they have power and authority they have earned or acquired by their strength. But, it is obvious through the reading of this passage that it is God who grants authority. Sociologist and psychologist for centuries have studied the attributes of power. They believe that their is a perscribed system by which power is distributed and exchanged among men. And, their thoughts and studies may well be ture ... except for the fact that all of their theories are subject to THE POWER of GOD. He gave this angel "authority" to destroy this city in Revelation called Babylon. I don't claim to know what this city is (although, like others I tend to believe it is Rome ... but religious, evil Babylon and commerce, evil Babylon), but I do know that God controls the fate of all cities, nations, kings and rulers. God grants power to whom He grants power and takes it away in a breath. Note the following: Revelation 20:1-3 - "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time." God gave an angel, a simply angel, power over Satan, to destroy him. God wields power. Don't be worried about the power of a boss, a mayor, a governer or a president. God is in charge and has the Power.

I love my wife's body from head to toe (and especially in between) - Song of Songs 7, 8

“Your head crowns you like Carmel, and the flowing locks of your head are like purple threads; the king is captivated by your tresses (locks of hair)." If you had to put a title on these two chapters you could say, "I love my wife's hair, hips, breasts, navel, and other sundry body parts. I love God's Word. As I said earlier in one of these devotional blogs, God is not ashamed of intimacy between the man and woman He has placed together. In this passage (especially chapter seven) Solomon is admiring his new wife ... from head to toe ... literally. In 7:1 he speaks of her toes in 7:5 her head. In 2-4 he speaks of everything in between (navel, hips, breasts, etc.). The husband is ravished with the wife. And, that is how is should be. Solomon no longer has to look beyond what God has blessed him with. God has satisfied the want of this man's eyes. He only has to imagine his wife and all his visual needs are met. We talk a lot in our society about man and his "visual needs". We actually sell beer, cars and motorcycles with women clothed especially for the man's visual "need." Sin exploits that "need". God provides, through the beauty of the marriage commitment, the solution. Husbands should be enraptured with his wife and the way God created her. We ought not get lost in the sea of sin to fulfill the visual need. We ought to be "captivated" with who God gave us and how He put her together!

Praise God ... do you get it? Psalm 149-150

These last groups of Psalm have been redundant, to say the least. For a number of Pslams we have read the phrase, "Praise the Lord." In the Hebrew the "LORD" is the word YHWH, or Yahweh. The Hebrews were so sensitive that they might offend God they purposely left the vowels out and would not pronouce the name. When you see "LORD" capitalized in your Bible it typically YHWH. When you see "Lord" (without capitalization) it is the Hebrew, "Adonai" which is a name for God that He is the ruler of man. YHWH is the "name" of God. "Elohim" means "supreme diety" and is the designation that God is God, but His real name is YHWH (Yahweh). So, in this Psalm and the many we have been reading in this section states that we should praise the LORD, YHWH ... we are praising a personal God who deserves and wants our priase. The word "praise" in this text means to be "boastful" about. We are to boast about YHWH! We are to remember that He is to be praised in every corner of the earth and in every place we may travel. In the mountains, In the sanctuary, ... in every place, not just in "church." We are also praise Him in every way ... with dancing, with singing, with musical instruments, with trumpets ... not just in church with a choir, or with a praise team, or with a traditional hymn. We are also to praise Him for multiple things ... for His great deads, for His creation, for His judgments ... not just for the good things He does for us. If you don't get the theme of this section read it again. We are to Praise YHWH!

Celebration is a gift of God - Esther 6-10

In this section we see the Jews triumph over an enemey - many enemies. As a result of God's control and God's grace they were able to find victory over not just the evil Haman and his family, but over all the enemies in the land. God used this time to florish the Jews and, eventually, produce the Messiah. After the victory it was time to celebrate. The art of celebration in our society has been reduced to a six-pack and sunglasses. We indulge ourselves and rejoice over ourselves. True celebration, as the book of Esther shows us, is the art of worship to God for His greatness to us. I suppose it is a "kill joy" who focuses celebration on the central figure of Christ. We are content to simply go brain dead and rejoice in our man-made accomplishments and celebrate "our" greatness. As I write this our military are returning home from Iraq. I have enjoyed watching the reunions and the "celebrations." As an ex-military man I too rejoice in the courage and the strength of our warriors. But, don't think for a minute that it is our might that was successful. The ONLY reason for our success on this earth is the grace of God through our acts of faith. We need to celebrate His work among us and with us. In this little book we have an historical event that the Jews still celebrate today. It is there time to reflect on God's great deliverance. We, too, ought to celebrate. But, let's not mistake a bad party for a celebration of God and His great work.

God's sets the boundaries for all nations - Deuteronomy 32-34

When Moses is about to die he leaves the nation of Israel one last song to reflect their need for God's majesty in their lives. In 32:8 he states that "God sets the boundaries for the peoples." God establihes where boundaries are placed for all mankind. That truth is established by God and simply needs to be recognized by man. As I write this the news has been carring the story of the death of the North Korean's President. The politicans and talking heads are all worried about how "stable" the area will continue to be in light of this death. What they fail to realize is the truth of 32:8. God is in charge of boundaries and He puts one up and takes another down. Only God can establish these boundaries. Only God "draws the lines." Man fears that the boundaries will be blurred and that powers will shift. But, God established the boundaries from the beginning of time. Let us not worry about the man made boundaries on earth. Let us rather fear offending the boundaries God has set for us.

Love "truthfully" - 3 John

I love this little book. You could write hundreds of devotionals out of these 15 verses. John is publically commending two men in the Church and warning them to beware of another. That is the essence of the book. He opens the book by writing a salutation to Gaius, whom he "loves in the truth." In my reading these words I couldn't get past them this morning. What does it mean to love in the truth? In 1 John 3:18 John tells us to love not in word and tongue but in deed and in truth. I get the "love in deed" part. That is simple ... do it as you say it. But, I struggle with the "love in truth" part. I supposed the meaning is as easy as loving without hypocrisy or without holding back because you are suspicious of motives. I must mean loving with "complete" trust. I should mean loving without any of your own alternative motives. I can see how you can love your wife, children, parents or family this way. I can even see how you can love some close and long time friends this way. But, how do you love another brother in Christ this way? How do you love "all brothers in Christ" this way. John loved Gauis in "truth." I think the meaning must include some aspects that Christ is the Truth (John 14:6). John, like us, was a mere man. He struggled with sin and would have a hard time love others, just like us. But, in Truth (in Christ) we can love others. Our prayer should be, "God, let me love them through you and you love them through me." We are to love in truth ... both honestly and IN Christ. That is true Biblically love. The former we do what we can as the later loves through us. That is the true Biblical meaning of Love for the Holidays. Merry Christmas.

Do others consider you a crazy person for Christ? Acts 25-26

Acts 26:25 - But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. When confronted with the aspect of false acquisitions and the threat of a plot to kill you, what would you say? And, what would be heard by others in regard to what you said? King Festus heard Paul's utterances on such an occasion and considered him "out of his mind." Paul had just explained his experience of Christ and what was Festus' response? He considered Paul crazy. Earlier, Paul told the church of Corinth, the gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor. 1,2). God's wisdom is ridiculous to those who are wise in their own eyes. We strive so much in our society to fit in and to be accepted by our peer groups. In reality our message and mission are so non-main-stream the mere discussion of the topic should separate us. Paul was not attempting to be absurd or abstract before Festus. I doubt if he was trying to be profound or provocitive. He was simply relaying the Christ had done in him and with him. That message alone, if we are truly living for Christ, should cause others to think and ask, "Are you out of your mind?" Are you?

Even in the midst of God's Wrath we see His Gospel - Revelation 12-17

If I were to say I fully understand all aspects of all things Revelation I would be lying. I often struggle with what event goes where on God's timeline. The book is a tough book to understand fully. But, in these chapters it is hard to not see God's wrath poured out on the earth in general and mankind specifically. It is also not hard to see man's response to God, depite the wrath of God poured out upon them ... the refused to repent and continued to shout blasphemous things toward God (16:8-11). Each time an angel, a bowl, a message is delivered of doom the men of the earth continued to stand eract and failed to bow the knee to the God of Creation. Despite all those scenes, however, we see in 14:6-8 God still proclaiming the Gospel message to the lost and stubborn. Man may reject God but God, even to the bitter end, continues to offer salvation to man. That is the gospel message and mission. Man continues to reject God and God continues to offer the gospel. Man shouts out blasphemy while God shouts out blessings. Man continues to resist God while God continues to intice man. God, who WILL demonstrate His wrath in the end, will also demonstrate His grace and love to the end, as well. Man will reject that grace and love to the very end but that is not God's fault ... He has offered salvation to the bowed knee and heart. Man just can't seem to do that!

Public commitment breeds personal harmony - Song of Solomon 5-6

The problems that come up in relationships are as varied as the people who have them.   Solomon and his "Beloved" are obviously not immune to them.   She awakes to find him gone - he seems to be wandering.   But, despite that obvious conflict between them she expresses her commitment to him in 6:3 - "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies."   This seems to be a verbal statement and made in public - in front of the naysayers who have come out to ridicule "her" for "his" wandering (6:1-2).   Because of her "public commitment" he seems to return and begins a deep and thoughtful praise of her (6:4ff), which in turn produced public praise of her later the same chapter.   Public commitment despite behavior seemed to produce harmony in the midst of conflict.   That is a formula for success in any relationship.   God produces harmony when we honor our commitments to Him.   He produces harmony when we keep our commitments to others.  But, it all must be based upon unconditional love.   She expressed it and it moved him to return and embrace her.

You thoughts perish at death ... think about it! Psalm 146-148

Psalm 146:3,4 - Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. He spirit departs, he returns to the earth. In that very day his thoughts perish. In the middle of this exciting and powerful Psalm we find a great truth about humanity and our life ... and death. The context of the Psalm is to focus on God and His great power. God is to be praised! God is to be praised for the great things He has done, can do and will do for us. In the middle of this Psalm we read the character of man. Man is limited in life and in the depth of his ability to save himself and others. He is "mortal" and upon his death his "thoughts perish." God's Word, or truth (faith), on the other hand, is forever. Yet, with this great truth we tend to trust in God. We trust in his own understanding. We trust in his wisdom. We trust in his solutions to things. Despite that truth we need to realize, that man's wisdom dies at his death. However, it is only God who deserves our trust and our loyalty and our praise. Praise Him and seek His "faithfulness." He can and will and does great things.

Fasting and Praying - For Today? Esther 1-5

When Mordecai heard that Haman had a plot to kill him and all the other Jews in the land it wasn't long before he and the other Jews proclaimed a "fasting and prayer" meeting.   In 4:3 it is recorded that there was "wailing, weeping and fasting" over the plot to destroy all Jews.   Again in 4:16 Esther tells Mordecai to have the Jews fast for three days while she approaches the King.   The seriousness of this plot can't be over looked.   We have to remember that the Messiah was to come by way of the tribe of Judah.   If Haman, for his only personal glory and good, were to succeed, than the Messiah could not come via the tribe of Judah or as a descendant of David, thus breaking God's eternal covenant with David.   To find a way around the plot Mordecai and Esther fast and pray.   God grants them an audience to the King and the wisdom to overturn the plot.   God grants them this wisdom through their prayers that were fortified through fasting.   Fasting, in and of itself, does not produce a miracle.   Fasting does, however, give us a needed commitment to the seriousness of prayer and the steadfastness in our praying.   When we fast we deny ourselves something and when that hunger to eat comes calling it acts as a trigger for us to drop to our knees or bow our heads and hearts in prayer.   Fasting is for today as it is still a trigger to get our focus on God and to deny ourselves pleasures and putting Faith and God first.   The fasting doesn't produce anymore answers than praying while eating does.   But, fasting produces more prayers.   And, more prayers produce more answers.   So, we pray and fast so that we are focused on the aspect of faith and prayer for God.

Beware of supporting false causes - 2 John

Tis the Christmas season.   There are bell ringers, church coffers and business proposals to discern between.   This group wants this and that group wants this, too.  Then there is family who really do need. How do you decide who you help and who you support when there are so many valuable "causes" out there to pick from.  In 2 John the writer was worried about the same thing.   In John's day it was the traveling preacher who stopped by, house-to-house, and would receive support from the "church" body while delivering his message about the "gospel" on the way.   These "traveling" evangelist actually made their living moving from place-to-place delivering their message.   Thus John's warning:  There are those who are traveling into your homes (Oh, Church ... the "lady" in 2 John) who are not worthy of your support!!  John qualifies who they should give to (those who "abide" in the teaching of Christ) and he tells them what to do with those who don't abide ... don't support them and don't even give them a greeting (which might have meant a small monetary support).  The "Gnostics" often "feed" off the church that way.  Gnostics were those who believed you could reach a "special" relationship with God simply by "knowledge" ... which the traveling teachers would provide for a small fee and provisions.   John warned the church to discern who to give support to by the litmus test of "abiding in God's Word."   So, the next time you are asked to give to anything make sure they one asking is also the one obeying His Word.   And then give, give, give!!!

How to defend yourself without looking defensive - Acts 23-24

In an earlier devotional on these two chapters I wrote that Christians are often falsely accused. Christ was - we will be! That should come as no surprise to us. But, when we are falsely accused what should we do? In chapter 24 Paul gives us an example of what to do when you are falsely accused. Paul, becuase God so willed it, takes this opportunity to make claims for the gospel. Paul acknowledges the false accusations for what they are, imaginations of men full of envy, ego and ignorance (the three demons of conflict) and then moves on the core issue: Christ and the rsurrection. He doesn't dwell on the fleshy and personal stuff. He goes for the deeper things: righteousness, self-control and judgment to come (24:25). When we start talking about those three things, others will leave us alone, much less quit arguing and debating. Paul is a human man who had pain and suffering. I think, as I read this passage, however, he was so desirous of telling others of Christ he refused to get into a pitiful and argumentative battle over things less important: His very life. He wanted to live for and "die for" Christ (21:13). When you are accused and feel the need to defend, do so in the name of Christ and forget the rest.

Evil may get its day but God controls the movements - Revelation 6-11

You can help but read through Revelation and see God's amazing control over the events of history. Although He does "open the abyss" He, and He alone, controls the movements of what comes out. He make "break the seals" and that allows famine, death and conquering (Revelation 6) but He controls where and when that devasting goes and for how long. We can fear the future or know that God is complete control of it. We can be worried about our friends and family and what their future will hold, but we do know who holds their future. God is perfect in His love and everlasting in His kindness. We can rejoice in what God is doing and not worry about what and when He is doing it. Let us rejoice today that the events of history (past, present and future) are in God's hands and in His plans. He knows when to break the seal and when to seal the break. God is in complete control.

Can't find the one you love? The pain of separation - Song of Solomon 3-4

The many who read this blog, know that my wife and I live on a boat. Our boat is a big boat as compared to most some boats (and then again, really little as compared to others). But, no matter how big the boat it can still seem rather small compared to the basic ranch house. The bed in the Master State Room (we have titles for the rooms in our boat) is larger than most but still quite small to many in a regular home. Since the winter months finds us on land (Dirt Dwelling) the house we are now in has a HUGE bed in the Master Bedroom (land lovers have titles for their rooms, too). As a result of this HUGE bed, I can often wake up in the night and not actually find my wife, she is so far away from me. I kid her in the morning that she must have been sleeping in a different zip code. I can relate to the bride dilema in this section in 3:1. "On my bed night after night I saught him whom my soul loves; I sought him but did not find him." The bride states this statement one more time in the next verse. Unlike my dilema of simply having a bed too big, the bride either was dreaming or really experiencing the temporary loss of her love. I tend to believe it was a dream, as the two are not yet married (that comes in chapter four). But, never-the-less, the feeling of not being able to find the one you love is a gut-wrenching journey. To wake up and find them "missing" is painful. To go into the village and ask the night watchmen is embarassing and yet fearful (3:3). When she finally found him, she "held on to him and would not let him go" (3:4). Failure to find the one you love, even temporarily, is a sick feeling in your life The feeling of separation, if only for a moment, is fearful and hurtful. There are times in relationships that this happens to us. At times we are separated from our love through a misunderstanding, a compulsive wrong, or, even deliberate pouting. Thankfully, the bride in our story is once again united with her love. Regrettfully that is not always the case with us. For a healthy relationship, keep the "separations" short and the "held on to him and would not let him go" long. If you wake up and find your love in the next zip code go on the journey to find him/her. The bride could have stayed home and waited, but instead he sought him out. Make the first step to seek him/her out.

How do we pray for our children? Psalm 143-145

In these three Psalms we have a very powerful and very compelling threesome of prayers. David gives praise to God based upon the deeper knowledge he had obtained about God through his struggles of life. Each and every line is worthy of comment, but jumping off the page to me is the prayer in 144:11-15, that contains so much and yet very powerful lines on how to pray for your children: Psalm 144:12 ... Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants and our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace. If I was the composer, I would probably switch the two metaphors around. I would pray that my sons were corner pillars and my daughters were grown-up plants. Men should be strong and women should be producing. But, that is traditional and narrow minded thinking. David, well ahead of his time, wants his boys to be rooted and producers in life. He doesn't want them to be wishy-washy and lazy. His prayer for them is that they will be able to weather the storms of life and not torn out because of weak roots or dried up from a productive contribution. David wants his daughters to be strong and firm and not carried away like weak women by the varying winds of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). He wants them to be strong and holding up those around them, a shelter for others. But, he doesn't miss the beauty they need to portray, as though they were to be placed in a palace. Not good looking but fashioned and fitting for a palace. How do you pray for you sons and daughters? David gives us the perfect template.

Nehemiah's Zeal ends Tobiah's Man-Cave - Nehemiah 10-13

In Nehemiah 10-12 we have a description of a great worship service for God. It comes across like a production and a majestic outpouring of thankful expression and praise. The people of God were thankful for what God had done by bringing them out captivity. Nehemiah organized the singers and the gatekeepers and the worship service to reflect the Law of Moses and to provide a way for the people to give praise to God. Chapter 12 is a delightful scene. It must have seem liked heaven to all who attended. Their praise could be heard far and wide (12:43). When is the last time you passed a church and the praise was so loud you could hear it through the doors? But, the "worship" doesn't start and stop with the "worship service." In chapter 13 we see five acts of repentance and cleansing we should take note of. True Biblical worship does not start and end with a praise service. It must carry over into practical, everyday living. Chapter 13 is about as practical as it gets for a Believer's repentance. First, in 13:1-3, Nehemiah makes sure no Ammonite or Moabite was able to worship, because that is what God had said. Second, Nehemiah finds someone "squatting" by transforming part of the temple into his own "personal space" (think office, or man-cave) (13:4-9). This is an example of a man-of-God who is sensitive to sin in the camp of Israel. Tobiah is tossed out of his "man-cave" and the temple is restored to proper use. Lastly Nehemiah restores the Tithe and the Sabbath and makes sure anyone who married a foreign wife is not allowed to worship in the temple. True Divine Worship (chapters 10-12) must be followed by true Divine Cleansing (chapter 13). You can't spend time "with God" in worship without spending time "for God" in repentance in your daily life. Do you have any man-caves in your own life that need to be cleansed away? True worship is not just singing to God (chapter 10-12) ... but includes living for God, as well (chapter 13).

Everyone will serve either one or the other! Deuteronomy 26-28

Deuteronomy 27 & 28 are very important chapters in God's Word. They are at the top of the list for any modern, orthodox Jew. The "Curses and the Blessings" are a powerful message from God about following Him and not following Him. The Blessings and Curses listed here show how serious God is about His people following Him. These are real blessings and curses. God means it when He wants us to obey Him. Yes, Salvation is by Grace and not by performance. However, when we become His children, we are given the ability to now serve Him. In 28:47-48 we see the concept that Paul builds upon in Romans 6. The Bible is consistent in its message for those who are followers of the Almighty: You now have a choice (once God saves you) to serve either God or Sin. That is the first message: We have to serve one or the other. The second message in these chapters is that God gives wonderful blessings on those who serve Him (26:19). God is serious! Obedience produces blessing. God knows and will allow the blessing and cursing to follow. God expects "His Children" to follow "His Ways."

God has a litmus test for our salvation! 1 John 4-5

1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. If you want to get to know God get to know your brother in Christ. If you want to be assured of God's love, demonstrate God's love to others. If you want to how to love one another, look how God loves us. There is a litmus test for our salvation. We are to demonstrate the love in our heart for God by our outward demonstration of self-sacrificing love for others ... even others we don't know but are now related to by the blood. John goes on to explain this love and what it looks like and how it acts by using Christ as the example. We are not believers because we "say" we are believers. We are believers because we love other believers. If we don't know them, we are to love them. If we don't like how they treat us we are to love them. We are to love them as Christ love us. Love the brotherhood.

If we knew about the suffering would we still do it, or try to avoid it? Acts 21 & 22

Agabus, a prophet, takes Paul's belt, binds his hands and feet with it and says, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who ownes this belt and deliver him into the hnads of the Gentiles'". (Acts 21:10-12). Imagine this scene in the early church. God has provided the church with a spokesperson, who will never be matched in Christian history. Not Calvin, not Luther, not Spurgeon; no one will match what Paul does for the church. Author, speaker, motivator and, on the side, tent maker - paying his own way through life. A notable profit stands up in the midst of them and predicts that Paul will be bound and taken captive by Jews and handed over to Gentiles, assuming to die. Ths "prophecy" comes from The Holy Spirit: God Himself. If you knew of suffering and pain that was to come would you attempt to avoid it or walk into it? If you knew the pain and suffering of a future health problem or a domestic problem or a financial problem, what would you do? Would you, like Paul, say, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (21:13) Paul, knowing he was to suffer for Christ, move forward and the rest gave in to the "will of the Lord." (21:14). Like Christ, Paul was giving the insight into both his future life and his death and he did not stop his mission. Christ, in the garden prayed so hard blood droped like tears from his forhead. Christ knew the suffering and agony He must endure for our salvation and He went the way of the cross. Paul, through a prophet, hears the agony he will endure for Christ and he moved forward. You and I hear, or experience agony for Christ, and we ... ? We bail! We stop moving! We take a right turn! We think when we get into suffering it can't be God's will. Yet, it is God who willed it! Are we as committed to being like Christ as Paul? Are we committed to moving ahead, even after knowing God's will that we will suffer for it? God promised us blessing but also said we would suffer for Christ. Are you will to embrace that aspect of Christianity?

Church is about Christ - no you! Revelation 1-5

In this prophetic book there is much to learn and even though it might be hard to understand, at times, we are to read it and "heed it" and will be blessed in doing so (1:1-2). When John records the message to the seven churches in each message we read "to the angel of ..." as the introduction. After each of openning statements John quotes Christ (who is speaking) and reveals something awesome and powerful and doctrinaly about Christ. (We should note that the "angel" mentioned here is the "minister" of the church at the time. This is a real person the message of Christ, through John was written to.) In 2:2 we read that Christ holds the "angels" (the earthly messengers) in His hand and walks among the body of believers in Ephesus. This is an awesome statement showing Christ's current activity with the church. He has a personal "walking around" ministry to us and holds our church leaders securely in His hand. Awesome! In 2:8 we read of His eternality based upon the resurrection. In 2:13 we read about the power and cutting nature of His Word(s). In 2:18 we read about the piercing eyes and the stability of His feet. In 3:1 we once again see the possessive nature of His relationship with the church. In 3:7 His sovereign nature and 3:14 the integrity of His nature. When God speaks to the church(s) He does to to reveal more about the Son. These churches are not the center of the letter, Christ is. The church is to magnify Christ. He is the central figure. He holds the messengers and walks among the body. He is eternal and powerful. He is correcting and gathering and revealing. Church is about Christ!

God is not ashamed of sex - Song of Solomon 1-2

Past Bible scholars have had a difficult time with the book of Song of Solomon, or, Song of Songs. They struggled with the intimacy mentioned in the book and the graphic details. Most want to "spiritualize" the book. Whereas they take the rest of the Bible literal this work of Solomon would be "x" rated material interpreted in that same manner. However, God has, in this little writing, in my humble opinion, given us a meaningful and discriptive prose on how to love, how to make love and how to interact in love. God is not ashamed of what He created in sexual relationships. Satan, the World and the Master Sin have all distorted sex into something creepy, dirty and hidden from the eye. But, God created Adam and Eve naked. Their relationships with each other, early in the Garden Days, were meant to be healthy and open and wonderful. In this book we see the love exchanged between Solomon and His Beloved. We see them embrace and kiss and, through healthy metaphors, have intercourse. God created sex and is not ashamed of it and ashamed to speak of it. Just as we have given God's creation of music over the sinful world, so too have believers given sex over to sinful man, to define and characterize it. But, God lays it open for us here. In the bounds of marriage and in the confines of love between two believers, the sexual experience is one of the most powerful and wonderful gifts of creation to man from God. We ought not to hide it or try to spiritualize this book away. We ought to study it and allow it to instruct us and inspire us.

They "stir up" evil and "trip up" good people - who are they? Psalm 140-142

In these three Psalm we have some prayers of David during a time when evil men were pursuing him. According to these Psalms David found very few to help and felt all alone and trapped (142:4). We all can relate to that feeling of abandonment and solitude. David saw this (or these) evil person(s) as someone who "continually stirs ups wars" (140:2) and someone who has "purposed to trip up" his feet (140:4). We all have these people in our lives. They are not content on their own misery they are not happy and don't want others happy. They want to stir up wars and cause drama in the lives of others. What is the solution when you face these people? David doesn't give us a 12-step program to get past these destructive personalities and anchors to our lives. He does, however, turn our attention to who can get us past them: His God. These are recorded prayers that David places these characters into God's hands. He is not taking vengence on them. Like the day he could have killed Saul and did not, David simply releases both his antagonist and himself into the hands of the God of the universe. Daivd finds peace in these prayers. Dispite the tumult around him, David sees a calm in the midst of the storm and companionship in the midst of the solitary confinement created by the situation. God is his "strength" (140:6); his "refuge" (141:8; 142:5); and, David's portion despite his surrondings of abandonment (142:5). We cannot always escape those who "stir up" or "trip up" others. We can find refuge in the will and care of the Almighty.

Do people still "repent" today? Nehemiah 5-9

Nehemiah had to physically rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. But, he also had to spiritually rebuild the lives of the people. The rebuilding the city walls would show the world around them that God was with them (6:15-16). But, rebuilding the people's hearts would show the world around them that God was within them. There had to be reforms. God was to be honored not with clay and mortor but with heart and soul. Where did Nehemiah turn to start the reforms? He turned to God's Word. They actually, publically, read God's Word. What was the result of God's Word being honored and read? God began a revival in their hearts. God began to work in the hearts of the people and the actually REPENTED! Who does that anymore? Who still hears the reading and explanation of God's Word and repents? In today's modern society we have lost the belief that God's Word is the thing God uses by His Spirit to convert the heart. In Psalm 19:7 we read, "The Law of the Lord is perfect, 'restoring' (converting) the soul." Nehemaiah recognized this and believed it. He read God's Word and the people repented. When God's Word is delivered with faith it will come back with souls it does. We tend to want to change people with human reasoning and with titillation. We need to realize that God ordained His Word and the preaching of His Word as His method to convert the soul. The reason we don't have people openningly repenting today is that we don't have the Word delivered today. We don't have the Word delivered with authority and faith that it, and it alone, will convert the soul. If you want to rebuild the walls, use the proper bricks. If you want to rebuild the soul use the proper Words!!

Should we remember the past? Deuteronomy 23-25

In this section Moses is telling the young Israelites to hold to the laws and commandments that were outlined in Leviticus to their fathers. On three or four occasions he tells them a law or a commandment and then gives them the reason based upon some past experience. Here is one such example: Deuteronomy 24:18 But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing. Moses uses the same words in 23:1-8; 24:9; and, 25:17. God, through Moses writings, desires that the nation remembers the things of the past for the sake of the future. He wants them to recall these experiences to remember not to repeat them; to understand the reason for the law; and, to see the motivation for what God is doing in their life. If we dwell on the past for the sake of dwelling on the past we miss the point of what God intends. If the past becomes chains to our moving forward we lack the understanding of God's ways. The past is not to be an anchor to our souls but a sail to move us forward. Our past experiences are important to our future development as believers. Don't let the past hold you back. Allow it to work in your life and move you forward to greatest acts of obedience toward God and faith in His plan and will.

Why do we have so many Bible Books? 1 John 1-3

John has written "another" book for us to read.   We have so many books and so many authors saying what they think we should read and believe.   So, why does God, through John, give us another "book" to read?  John already wrote the gospel of John.   He will eventually write Revelation.   Why now, First, Second and Third John?   He actually outlines for us several reasons.  These reasons give us great encouragement to read 1 John multiple times.   Look at them again:   1).  In 1:3 he tells us he wrote the book to ensure we had complete fellowship with other believers and with God through Christ.   That is reason enough.   2).  In 1:4 he states he was writing to make sure our joy wasn't a half cup but a full cup.   3.) In 2:1 he tells us he was writing so that we can avoid sin!  Fantastic!   4). In 2:12-14 he actually list three reasons to three groups (the children, the young and the old).  He recognizes the growth that takes place in our Christianity.  When we are younger we only know our sins are forgiven.  In youth we fight the evil that attacks.  In old age we come "know" God.   John's book supplies the words for each of the generational Christians.   5).  In 2:21 he states he is writing so we can know the truth!    Satan so wants to deceive us.   God's word is to give us truth.   6).  In 2:26 he says he writes to make sure we are not deceived by the false teachers today.   If we went on, in 5:13 he tells us that he is writing so we may "know we have eternal life."    John writes for a specific purpose.  Every time we read this book we ought to experience one of these great benefits.   Read it and draw fruit from it.

Having a holy purpose allows you to overcome a presure life - Acts 19-20

Paul had a very difficult and persecuted life. He was rejected by his countrymen and persecuted by his enemies. He was, as far as we know, never married and had no family. He was married to Christ and the gospel. In 20:24 we read Paul's life statement: "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.. It would have been tough for Paul to overcome his life's experiences had it not been for that resolve and life mission. Having a defined life mission allows us to maneuver through life's manure. Without a purpose - a divine purpose - we can't really make it through all the hassles life gives us and all the grief those around us hand us. Paul knew he was on on a Divine quest so that motivated him and enabled him to accomplish his tasks. The other key factor is that because he was on the mission of the Gospel he had all the power of the gospel within. The Holy Spirit gave him the power and strength to overcome the spirit of the day. We need to have this commitment to the Gospel to see the fruit of the Gospel propel us through life.

Can you tell the difference between believer and non-believers? Malachi

In Malachi we have the interaction between God and His people through the mouth piece of Malachi. God has a complaint with the people of God and the complaint can be summaraized and understood in the context of Malachi 3:18. God wants to do a work in the hearts of the people so that they will be "different" than other people. He wants those who believe in Him and are called by His name to be different. Through Malachi God is telling them that He is going to do this great work so that they will produce fruit of righteouness (3:3). God accomplishes this, according to Paul in Romans 5-7, through the work of Christ. The people had hardened their heart and were going through the motions of serving and loving God. God does not want motion. God wants our hearts. He sent Christ to make all this happen. He wants there to be a distinction between the person who believe in Him and loves Him and those who don't. We are not to come to God through Christ in steps, stages and half-commitments. We are to act like the God who calls us to be His. When others see your life do they see a distinction between you and those who do are not devoted to Christ? There should be a differnce.

Give good works - they will give back - Ecclesiastes 11-12

Ecclesiastes 11:1 - "Cast your bread upon the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days."

It is easy for us to get discouraged when we do good things for people day after day and don't see any results. We tend to think we will see immediate results and immediate rewards for our "work." This verse tells us that we should not be discouraged in our good works. They will find their way back to us in some fashion. But, we are to cast our "bread" - the very essential things of life. We are not to cast "words" but "bread." It also says we are not to be discriminate in regard to who we give that bread. We are to give it to the "water." "Water" in Scripture is a picture of the multitudes. We are to provide the good works to those we come across and then trust that God will bring them back to us. He goes on to say in verse two that we are to not worry about having enough for us. If we give our bread to seven and then an eighth comes along we are to provide to them as well. In verse six he adds to sow in the morning and wait until the evening. You don't know when but it will happen ... we will reap. Don't worry about who you give, how much you give or where you give. Just give ... it will come back.